tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19791594979114311802024-03-13T17:08:35.615-05:00Together for the BetterCandacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-54963818510656436252013-07-25T20:49:00.001-05:002013-07-25T20:51:10.675-05:00letters to ollie: 10 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear Oliver,</div>
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You're 10 months old!</div>
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You've hit the double digits already!</div>
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Your dad and I are officially calling you our little old man.</div>
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You don't have another check-up until September (for your one year check up),</div>
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but you're still about 26 lbs and 30+ in long.</div>
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This past month alone has been a major developmental month for you.</div>
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You're making more and more sounds all the time.</div>
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Your favorite noise to make is a growl however. </div>
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I really need to get it on video. </div>
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It's a mix between a monster sound and a dinosaur growl. </div>
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You seriously growl all the time though.</div>
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It's pretty hilarious to listen to.</div>
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You've also figured out how to wave at people and clap your hands together.</div>
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And you've developed a love for music lately. </div>
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Whenever music comes on, you start swinging your arms up and down, </div>
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and bopping your head and body around to the beat.</div>
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You're really starting to enjoy food now.</div>
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In fact, whenever we eat, or even take a sip of water, </div>
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you start smacking your lips together, letting us know you want some as well.</div>
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By the way, your teeth are coming in at rapid speed! </div>
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You now have 6 teeth, with a 7th almost poking through, and an 8th working it's way up.</div>
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You've started looking for things to play with around the house other than your actual toys.</div>
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Boxes and containers are your favorite. </div>
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You love pushing around empty diaper boxes, chewing on tupperware, and climbing inside laundry baskets.</div>
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All month we've been living down in Atlanta.</div>
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Your daddy is doing an internship at a private school, </div>
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and we've been staying on the school campus.</div>
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Seeing as you're the only baby on campus, you gets LOTS of attention.</div>
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Seriously, I think you're about to be deemed the school baby mascot.</div>
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Honestly, probably only like 3 people know my name.</div>
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But EVERYONE knows your name.</div>
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You of course love all the attention.</div>
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You smile and wave and clap your little hands.</div>
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Speaking of attention, you're getting plenty spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa (who live just 45 mins away)</div>
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and by Oma and Grumpa (who came to visit us for a couple days).</div>
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There are some definite advantages to being the first grandchild. </div>
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Little Oliver,</div>
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I can't believe we're approaching your first birthday so quickly.</div>
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Your dad makes fun of me, but I'm already planning out your party.</div>
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I just can't help it though. I want to soak everything in. </div>
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I know that you're learning and discovering so much about the world.</div>
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But I'm also learning and discovering.</div>
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I'm finding out what it means to be a mom and figuring out what kind of mom I want to be.</div>
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I hope you know how much I love you sweetie.</div>
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I just want you to be healthy, and loved.</div>
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You make my days so much brighter little man.</div>
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Love you forever,</div>
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Momma</div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-34302684739797771982013-06-25T20:00:00.000-05:002013-07-25T20:01:31.654-05:00letters to ollie: 9 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear Oliver,</div>
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9 months and you're officially a world traveler!</div>
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Well, not a world traveler, </div>
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but we've definitely been flying and driving all over the place this last month.</div>
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We've been in Atlanta, Hilton Head, and DC.</div>
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More and all of those in a bit though.</div>
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We had your 9 month check-up yesterday, </div>
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and you're healthy as ever!</div>
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25 lbs 13 oz and 30 in long. </div>
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It seems you're finally starting to slow down with your weight gain.</div>
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You have been moving around a ton lately though.</div>
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Now that you're officially crawling, it's hard to get you to stop.</div>
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You are an incredibly busy baby. </div>
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And a loud baby.</div>
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You have quite the personality.</div>
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This about sums you up:</div>
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Wild-eyed, vocal, and still utterly adorable.</div>
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Okay, so you're actually generally much happier.</div>
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I just absolutely love that picture of you.</div>
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Perhaps this picture of you on the swing that Grumpa made for you better depicts your personality.</div>
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Oh, and see those cute teeth in there?</div>
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Yep, you now have four of them!</div>
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We gotta figure out how to get you to stop biting.</div>
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It was cute when you used to attack us back when you had nothing but gums.</div>
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Now? Well, it's kinda just painful.</div>
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Those little teeth of yours are sharp, sharp, sharp!</div>
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You made your first piece of artwork for Father's Day.<br />
There's a reason I made edible finger paint...<br />
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So here was all of our vacation adventures:<br />
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Hilton Head with Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie:<br />
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Northern VA/DC with Oma, Grumpa, and Uncle:<br />
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Oh sweet, sweet baby, you're such a cutie.<br />
Why are you growing up so fast though?<br />
Can't you slow down just a little bit? <br />
This first year is flying by.<br />
You're babbling up a storm.<br />
You just started saying "ba ba" and "ma ma" all the time.<br />
You make lots of other noises too, but those are the most definitive sounds.<br />
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Oliver, you're such a handsome little baby.<br />
You've gotten so big.<br />
You're just so absolutely full of life.<br />
I love love love watching you explore the world.<br />
As much as I want you to stay my sweet little baby forever, keep growing my dear.<br />
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Love you forever,<br />
Momma</div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-32594002407024555802013-05-24T19:32:00.000-05:002013-07-23T19:33:04.855-05:00letters to ollie: 8 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear Oliver,<br />
<br />
I feel like you've suddenly decided to need to grow up super fast.<br />
You now are proficient at not only army crawling, but real crawling as well.<br />
You've gotten your first two teeth even!<br />
I couldn't believe when those two button little teeth starting sprouting up.<br />
The whole teething thing wasn't as terrible as I thought. <br />
You were in some pain it seemed, but not as bad as I expected.<br />
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Your stats for this month are undetermined again.<br />
You go to the doctor next month though.<br />
So you're still 28+ inches and about 25 lbs. <br />
Yep, lots of cute, chunky rolls still.<br />
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Everyone tells me that this is one of the most fun ages.<br />
Well, your personality is definitely starting to show more and more. <br />
You're such a funny little kid. <br />
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<br />
You're finally starting to enjoy food a little more.<br />
You definitely prefer feeding yourself though.<br />
You're still not too sure about anything pureed.<br />
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<br />
Oh, and you pulled yourself up to a standing position all by yourself<br />
for the first time on the 18th!<br />
I had set you down in your crib so I could run and do something quickly and I came back,<br />
and found you standing there waiting, cute as could be.<br />
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<br />
We took you on another little trip this past month.<br />
We drove up to St. Louis to visit some good friends we had met when we lived in Hawaii.<br />
And while there, we took you to your favorite place....<br />
the zoo!!<br />
Have I mentioned that I have a bit of an obsession with taking you to the zoo.<br />
Your daddy makes fun of me for it.<br />
We go to the Nashville zoo all the time, and we've been to the DC zoo, and now St. Louis as well!<br />
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<br />
Sweet baby, you're turning into such a little man already.<br />
You have me and your dad totally and completely in love.<br />
I never knew it was possible to love such a little person so SO SO much.<br />
I am so blessed to be able to watch you grow and learn every day.<br />
Seeing the world through your little eyes has been such an amazing thing.<br />
You're teaching me to slow down in life and really just enjoy.<br />
Living, loving, and enjoying the moments.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Love you forever,<br />
Momma</div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-38840838117017301052013-04-30T19:13:00.000-05:002013-07-22T19:29:56.050-05:00letters to ollie: 7 months old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear Oliver,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Seven months already!</div>
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You are seriously changing every day.</div>
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You've suddenly mastered the army crawl.</div>
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At first, you were content doing the inch worm,</div>
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but now you're army crawling all over the living room.</div>
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And getting yourself in all kinds of trouble of course.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Since you didn't have a doctor's appointment this month, </div>
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I'm not exactly sure how big you've gotten.</div>
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I don't think your weight has changed all too much from last month though.</div>
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So, 28+ inches for height and about 25lbs in weight.</div>
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Your next check up is at 9 months.<br />
We've started trying to give you a bit of "real food" (aka nasty looking pureed stuff).<br />
I don't blame you for being hesitant.<br />
I think we may have to try some other things, cause you're not too thrilled about this stuff.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You're getting to be quite active and more and more curious every day.<br />
You have such a love for people.<br />
No matter what type of mood you're in, if someone smiles at you,<br />
you turn into the happiest little boy ever.<br />
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<br />
Oh Oliver,<br />
I just can't tell you enough how much I love you.<br />
The weeks and months are slipping away much too fast. <br />
I love watching you learn and grow and discover.<br />
But some days I just want to hold on as tight as possible to every moment.<br />
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<br />
Your daddy just finished his first year of grad school this past month.<br />
It's been so nice having him home more often.<br />
You've loved it as well.<br />
By the way, you're starting to develop very clear preferences between me and dad.<br />
You love playing around with dad.<br />
And you love cuddling with me.<br />
Oh, and you love "helping" daddy and me with any and everything.<br />
You're especially good at laundry.<br />
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<br />
Oh sweetie, I love you I love you I love you.<br />
I'm such a lucky mom to have been blessed with you.<br />
You bring so much joy to me and your daddy<br />
<br />
Honestly, your sweet little face just melts my heart.<br />
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<br />
Love you forever baby,<br />
Momma</div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-59343275308660334302013-04-17T18:54:00.000-05:002013-07-22T19:12:46.318-05:00letters to ollie: 6 months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear Oliver,</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am sooo behind on posting this. </div>
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But we were traveling most of March and you've started teething.</div>
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So, bear with me. </div>
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I know you're almost 7 months already, but here are your 6 month stats regardless:</div>
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<br /></div>
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Height: 28 inches</div>
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Weight: 23 lbs 13 oz</div>
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<br /></div>
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You've become quite the little daredevil my darling.</div>
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You can sit on your own quite well.</div>
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But there's where you get into trouble. </div>
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You're just too dang curious.</div>
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You'll sit there, nice and content, until you spot something...</div>
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and then BAM! </div>
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You're down on the floor reaching your little arms as far as they can go, </div>
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straining to get to whatever it is.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You tend to think you can crawl. </div>
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Well my dear, you can't.</div>
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You try, but you haven't quite figured out how to coordinate your body enough.</div>
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You're getting closer though. </div>
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You can get up on your hands and knees and rock back and forth.</div>
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And then all of a sudden you'll fling your self back down onto your stomach and start flailing your arms and legs in what can only be described as a swimming motion.</div>
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Dad hopes it means you're going to love the water.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Speaking of water, you absolutely love taking baths.</div>
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You've recently figured out that if you repeatedly smack the water, it not only makes a loud noise, but it splashes everywhere.<br />
And I mean<i> everywhere.</i></div>
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Dad and I both tend to get soaked giving you your nightly bath.</div>
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<br /></div>
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On the day you turned 6 months (March 23), </div>
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I took you on your very first airplane ride.</div>
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You were wonderful!</div>
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Well, aside from the unfortunate blow out diaper...</div>
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But, you didn't cry once! </div>
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In fact, you smiled and babbled at everyone around you. </div>
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<br /></div>
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You've become so much more vocal lately.</div>
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You laugh and babble (though no actual words yet) and yell.</div>
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You definitely know how to express yourself. </div>
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You don't really cry much, which we're grateful for, but boy can you yell when you're angry.</div>
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But like I said, luckily you're generally very happy.<br />
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Like I said, we traveled a lot in March. </div>
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We went to go visit Dad's family (Grandma and Grandpa)</div>
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and my family (Oma and Grumpa).</div>
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We saw both sets of great-grandparents as well.</div>
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Needless to say, you got plenty spoiled that month.</div>
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You loved seeing everyone, </div>
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but you seem to be happy to be home too.</div>
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It's fun to see how much you're beginning to recognize things.<br />
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<br /></div>
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You have such a ridiculous eye for anything out of the ordinary.</div>
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Whether it be a watch on a wrist, a ring on a finger, or a speck on the wall, </div>
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you see it and you dive for it. </div>
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And if possible, you promptly try and put it in your mouth.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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My little Olliegator,</div>
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I can't believe you're already over half a year old.</div>
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Everyday is a new adventure with you.</div>
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I can't wait to see the kind of adventures the future holds.<br />
I'm so lucky to be your mom sweetie.<br />
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<br /></div>
Love you forever,<br />
Momma</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-88655745652754054952013-03-08T14:20:00.002-06:002013-03-08T14:20:15.364-06:00letters to ollie: 5 months old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear Oliver,</div>
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<br />
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<br /></div>
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<div>
You're 5 months old already!<br />
Where oh where is the time going??<br />
You're at such a fun age right now.<br />
You love playing with me and dad.<br />
In fact, every night when dad comes home, you and he wrestle and jump around on the bed.<br />
<br /></div>
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<div>
You have become so stinkin' curious my dear.<br />
You want to see and experience everything around you. ALL the time.<br />
In fact, nursing and napping have become a second and third priority after exploration.<br />
You love looking at pictures on the walls,<br />
reading books with me and dad,<br />
and singing silly songs.<br />
Right now, your two favorite songs are "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."<br />
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<br />
You've gotten to the stage where you aren't content just lying around.<br />
Instead, you like to be sitting. Or standing.<br />
You still need some assistance with sitting, but you're getting closer and closer to being able to sit up all on your own.<br />
You also love playing in your exersaucer.<br />
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<br />
You still have that infectious smile of yours.<br />
And while you much prefer being with me and dad (which I absolutely love by the way),<br />
you're not shy about flashing that cute smile of yours at almost anyone.<br />
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<br />
You don't have a doctor's appointment again, til about a week after you hit 6 months,<br />
but you're about 22 lbs and 28+ inches long.<br />
We love that you're such a big baby.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7FhHjIuiIbc/UTe0YYZxC-I/AAAAAAAAMT0/aTf5sIJBerc/s509/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7FhHjIuiIbc/UTe0YYZxC-I/AAAAAAAAMT0/aTf5sIJBerc/s640/IMG_0647.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh my sweet baby,<br />
I wish I could take this phase of your life and wrap it all up and keep it forever.<br />
I know you have to grow up,<br />
but I don't ever want to forget all the little things that you do.<br />
Like the sweet smiles you give me when you wake up from your naps.<br />
And the adorable babbling you're constantly doing.<br />
The way you like to snuggle in when you first fall asleep.<br />
The way you get so excited when you learn a new trick.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nEpofCQZS8/UTe0tqYTlAI/AAAAAAAAMUw/X6zgTTLvvmM/s509/IMG_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nEpofCQZS8/UTe0tqYTlAI/AAAAAAAAMUw/X6zgTTLvvmM/s640/IMG_0654.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Your two favorite tricks lately are spitting and rolling by the way.<br />
You've figured out how to blow raspberries and now you're constantly spitting on me and dad.<br />
You seem to think it's hilarious.<br />
Don't worry though, we think it's pretty funny too.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dzj2fHv2D1Q/UTgJisvsPRI/AAAAAAAAMdI/cBBD5mOtJ70/s763/IMG_8887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dzj2fHv2D1Q/UTgJisvsPRI/AAAAAAAAMdI/cBBD5mOtJ70/s640/IMG_8887.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And the first time you rolled, you scared yourself to death,<br />
because you got caught in the slates of your crib.<br />
You still don't roll all that often, but you're definitely getting more mobile.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODZRmzNOa0Y/UTexyH98xMI/AAAAAAAAMP0/c48mwMYv_VE/s509/IMG_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODZRmzNOa0Y/UTexyH98xMI/AAAAAAAAMP0/c48mwMYv_VE/s640/IMG_0620.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I have yet to figure out how you move around so much in that crib of yours.<br />
Whenever you wake up in the middle of the night (and you do so often by the way),<br />
and I come to get you, you've managed to scoot yourself completely around, or all the way to the corner of the crib.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_4M8VdAUp0/UTgJQTQH5VI/AAAAAAAAMaI/-EgdAp3dak4/s763/IMG_8863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_4M8VdAUp0/UTgJQTQH5VI/AAAAAAAAMaI/-EgdAp3dak4/s640/IMG_8863.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh little Ollie,<br />
as crazy as you make us, your dad and I can't imagine our lives without you.<br />
You've brought so much happiness into our little family.<br />
Now if only you'd sleep a bit more things would be perfect.<br />
Don't worry, I'm just kidding.<br />
I know you'll sleep one day. <br />
Hopefully.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opA_kPWEeuY/UTgJrwh3eWI/AAAAAAAAMew/0iwF1_W8c0g/s763/IMG_8903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opA_kPWEeuY/UTgJrwh3eWI/AAAAAAAAMew/0iwF1_W8c0g/s640/IMG_8903.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Love you forever my sweet baby,<br />
Momma</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-34304688548901861582013-01-29T15:23:00.001-06:002013-01-29T15:23:26.521-06:00letters to ollie: 4 months old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear Oliver,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're 4 months old already and getting bigger every day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think you've lost that "newborn look" finally.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't believe how old you look already.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where has the time gone?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNBaRq7jQ2M/UPxEOWElH4I/AAAAAAAALpY/5Xt6_GF1nxM/s720/IMG_8650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNBaRq7jQ2M/UPxEOWElH4I/AAAAAAAALpY/5Xt6_GF1nxM/s640/IMG_8650.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You just had your 4-month check up last week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You now weigh 21 lbs and are 27.5 inches long.<br />
According to the pediatrician, you're the biggest 4 month old baby she's ever seen.<br />
Yep, be proud my little man. Be proud of those rolls.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vrSOWeagVoI/UQgolf-PvPI/AAAAAAAAL8c/Go1kdcq4tu4/s512/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vrSOWeagVoI/UQgolf-PvPI/AAAAAAAAL8c/Go1kdcq4tu4/s640/IMG_0578.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of your favorite things these days include<br />
playing with your toys.<br />
Mr. Monkey is one of your favorite right now. <br />
Mr. Monkey goes everywhere with you.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4Zx6eVKGjo/UPRfPFo1lmI/AAAAAAAALYE/lP5JFG5J76g/s512/IMG_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4Zx6eVKGjo/UPRfPFo1lmI/AAAAAAAALYE/lP5JFG5J76g/s640/IMG_0488.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
You love love LOVE putting any and everything in your mouth.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GTPIgFbJaeU/UPxEXNVT77I/AAAAAAAALqw/0U_TYtmAyYU/s720/IMG_8661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GTPIgFbJaeU/UPxEXNVT77I/AAAAAAAALqw/0U_TYtmAyYU/s640/IMG_8661.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26sGkQ92cT0/UQgo7yAPQJI/AAAAAAAAL9U/5L-qlOPb754/s512/IMG_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26sGkQ92cT0/UQgo7yAPQJI/AAAAAAAAL9U/5L-qlOPb754/s640/IMG_0585.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Including my face. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0r5a38JMOY0/UQgua9iIanI/AAAAAAAAMAw/pv3vYzYp7HE/s512/Winter%2520in%2520Nashville%25202013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0r5a38JMOY0/UQgua9iIanI/AAAAAAAAMAw/pv3vYzYp7HE/s640/Winter%2520in%2520Nashville%25202013.jpg" width="486" /></a></div>
<br />
You still haven't rolled over yet, but it seems like you're getting closer and closer everyday.<br />
You absolutely love sitting up now.<br />
For the most part you need some assistance, but you're getting better at balancing yourself.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNp36aFXE7Y/UQGBCd_SzyI/AAAAAAAALvI/9MU3qf6UQ88/s720/IMG_8692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNp36aFXE7Y/UQGBCd_SzyI/AAAAAAAALvI/9MU3qf6UQ88/s640/IMG_8692.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
You've finally started realizing that you have feet.<br />
It's so cute to watch you stare at them and try to grab them.<br />
<br />
You also love reading books now.<br />
You love all the pictures.<br />
You especially love when I make a fool of myself and sing silly songs to you all day.<br />
You're current favorites are pat-a-cake, wheels on the bus, and Tiny Tim the turtle.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9JgeVxYeuLk/UPxDiWmzxbI/AAAAAAAALhg/VGohiplNRHg/s720/IMG_8584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9JgeVxYeuLk/UPxDiWmzxbI/AAAAAAAALhg/VGohiplNRHg/s640/IMG_8584.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
You've been laughing a lot more lately.<br />
I absolutely love listening to your laugh.<br />
I think you might be starting to get ticklish,<br />
because you often laugh the most when I blow on your stomach.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oZFUFoofjBg/UQgkN5ugOkI/AAAAAAAAMA0/rKiNBBrubUE/s512/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oZFUFoofjBg/UQgkN5ugOkI/AAAAAAAAMA0/rKiNBBrubUE/s640/IMG_0553.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
You still love bouncing. <br />
Nothing makes you more happy than being bounced around. <br />
We hold you and swing you and toss you around<br />
and you smile and giggle and laugh and laugh.<br />
Oh how we love your laugh.<br />
<br />
You still love being carried around. <br />
In fact, you would be quite content never being put down.<br />
Unfortunately mom and dad's backs can't handle carrying you 24/7.<br />
But I we still strap you to us whenever we go out.<br />
And you love riding around with us.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3AF9eqLY7GM/UQgjhoXT6kI/AAAAAAAAL2o/w4lUOJ3eA2E/s512/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3AF9eqLY7GM/UQgjhoXT6kI/AAAAAAAAL2o/w4lUOJ3eA2E/s640/IMG_0536.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
You're really getting cute kiddo.<br />
Lately when we try and put you to bed, you'll fall asleep and we'll think you'll be out for the night...<br />
But then, surprise!<br />
Those peepers of yours pop open and you get this really big grin on your face,<br />
like nothing in the world would make you happier than to play with us.<br />
And how can we get annoyed when you get that sweet gummy smile and those big big eyes?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCRlKpgxtvg/UPRfmQxroYI/AAAAAAAALY8/L5BfQ5dOwhk/s512/IMG_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCRlKpgxtvg/UPRfmQxroYI/AAAAAAAALY8/L5BfQ5dOwhk/s640/IMG_0498.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I will say that you're going through some crazy phase right now though. <br />
The last two weeks you've been screaming and getting really cranky for no recognizable reason.<br />
I sure hope it ends soon, because you're wearing me and your dad down.<br />
We are two tired parents my dear.<br />
<br />
But we're also very lucky and blessed to have you.<br />
It's crazy how much our lives have changed since you came.<br />
And as stressful and tiresome as parenting can be, we wouldn't have it any other way. <br />
<br />
Keep on learning and growing sweet baby.<br />
Love you always,<br />
Momma<br />
<br />
PS-We love when you talk to us. Even though you mostly talk with your hand shoved in your mouth. :)<br />
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwEiEN6N_e2rEnN-sg-YRGTBH0q9FRdakc91yXUqm0vg6Q8LZvuzEv_rP8oHphGx9a1zbWKOkpKGyT5EgeTPg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-89447683259992558622013-01-24T13:25:00.002-06:002013-01-24T13:25:59.445-06:00baked salmon with avocado remoulade and corn salsa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hubby and I have really been working hard to eat healthy lately.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eating healthy is not always easy, but it is SOOO worth it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We both feel so much better and our bodies work so much better when we give them proper nutrition.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Being a relatively new mom though, I need easy meals to prepare.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But really, healthy meals don't have to be complicated.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that's what I especially love about this meal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnt4uLRAJeLtNnp93u8BeKo7Mte4pkDlLjb9HDU_m5Xnlygj26_01HThYne3llJ4ymhY-0JvKxl3HBcSJcrlVQOdBlV-saLY9UfxQO-x0dKts04A5xPjqe8gL80MXWghtGDqfbmMGkp4w/s1600/IMG_8736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnt4uLRAJeLtNnp93u8BeKo7Mte4pkDlLjb9HDU_m5Xnlygj26_01HThYne3llJ4ymhY-0JvKxl3HBcSJcrlVQOdBlV-saLY9UfxQO-x0dKts04A5xPjqe8gL80MXWghtGDqfbmMGkp4w/s640/IMG_8736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The other night I realized I had two avocados that needed to be used ASAP.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They were perfectly ripe and ready to be eaten. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, I decided to make a healthy remoulade with them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Ingredients:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Remoulade</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2 ripe avocados</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3 tbsp lime juice</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3 tbsp light olive oil</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
salt and pepper to taste</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Salsa</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1/2 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 cup of corn (fresh or frozen)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1 medium or large tomato</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
lime juice </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
chile powder </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Salmon</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2 salmon fillets (I used frozen fillets)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
seasoning salt and pepper to taste</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
olive oil</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Method:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To make your remoulade, blend avocados, lime juice, and olive oil in a food processor or blender until smooth. When finished, add salt and pepper and stir to combine.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To make salsa, combine black beans, corn, and tomato in a small bowl. Add as much lime juice and chile powder as you like. I would recommend only using a bit of lime juice, as it's already pretty strong in the remoulade. If you like a "kick," feel free to add lots of chile powder or some cayenne pepper.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To make salmon, coat both sides of your defrosted (or fresh) salmon with olive oil. Sprinkle both sides with ground pepper and seasoning salt (I used Lawry's). Cover in foil and bake on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY7023tPN3KUrgjlTgj8qI5WHdX8JnKkiCdnnf_bdmdJbF6dSBqzLygmuk10X9_k8qnx8nByqGxPvnYrsbA4RMSzLktCRjboF-sw9JjMeYNsZMRA7ha7u_T-7sRn9lopPZqOuTPwxb0c/s1600/IMG_8735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY7023tPN3KUrgjlTgj8qI5WHdX8JnKkiCdnnf_bdmdJbF6dSBqzLygmuk10X9_k8qnx8nByqGxPvnYrsbA4RMSzLktCRjboF-sw9JjMeYNsZMRA7ha7u_T-7sRn9lopPZqOuTPwxb0c/s640/IMG_8735.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This meal was DELICIOUS and super filling! Hubby went out of his way to tell me this was definitely a repeat meal. And he doesn't usually love salmon too much. This meal had plenty of flavor and enough variety, that he really enjoyed it though. And the best part, it was such a quick and easy meal to prepare!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What are some of your favorite easy and healthy dinner meals?</div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-57915164386824796462013-01-15T13:23:00.000-06:002013-01-15T13:23:59.708-06:00a look back at 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
2012 was a great year for us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In fact, exactly one year ago, this happened:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426822_10150637277984084_1124523710_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426822_10150637277984084_1124523710_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We became involved in <a href="http://www.akinclothing.com/" target="_blank">this company.</a><br />
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/525823_10150643402276987_1820778883_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/525823_10150643402276987_1820778883_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I graduated with my Psychology degree.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We roamed around our lovely island.<br />
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And sadly, we said goodbye to our lovely island.</div>
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We ventured to New Orleans.<br />
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We made and ate delicious food.</div>
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We moved ourselves to Nashville and roamed around our new city.<br />
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Hubby started his first semester of grad school at Vandy.</div>
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We waited for our little bub's arrival.</div>
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And we waited a little longer.</div>
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And finally, he arrived and we were in love.<br />
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And a little bit sleep deprived. </div>
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Actually, we were very sleep deprived.</div>
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We traveled to Atlanta for Thanksgiving.<br />
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And Virginia Beach for Christmas.</div>
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Where hubby went surfing in the freezing Atlantic.<br />
Guess it was a good thing he traded his board in Hawaii for a wetsuit.<br />
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We watched our little bub grow bigger and bigger.<br />
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We're not too sure what 2013 will bring,<br />
but we're excited for a new adventure.<br />
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-83613821918425652152013-01-14T18:38:00.000-06:002013-01-14T18:38:45.285-06:00christmas fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This was the first Christmas we got to spend with our sweet baby.</div>
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We packed him up (and all of his many many necessities) and made the 15 hour drive to Virginia Beach,</div>
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where we spent the week with my family. <br />
Hubby, Ollie, and I spent the holiday with my Mom, Step-dad, little Brother, Nanna, and Poppa.<br />
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Now I have to preface this with an explanation.<br />
Christmas with my family is a bit...well, it's a bit extravagant.<br />
Actually every holiday is.<br />
My family believes in making big deals about holidays and birthdays.<br />
I thought every family was like this...<br />
My hubby tells me differently though.<br />
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Well, with that said, here was Christmas morning.<br />
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After all congregating in the living room we started by opening stockings.<br />
Since Ollie was the youngest, he got to go first. <br />
And boy did he get some good stuff.<br />
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And from there, we went around opening our stockings in subsequent order by age.<br />
(We're a family that believes in order.) <br />
Kind of.<br />
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After stockings were finished, </div>
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the dispersion of gifts began. </div>
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And in my family, if you want to be in charge of gift dispersion, you must wear a Santa hat.</div>
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Seriously. It's a requirement. It's a rule we enforce every year.</div>
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Yeah...maybe I can see how my family is a little crazy...</div>
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And then with everything divided...the fun began. </div>
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We really did have a nice Christmas though. <br />
Oliver got lots of cuddle time. <br />
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He especially loved cuddling with Poppa. </div>
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They took some good naps together. </div>
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We played lots of Kinect sports.<br />
Nanna was oddly good at hitting the bulls-eye in darts.<br />
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And we made lots of funny faces.<br />
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Oh how we love Christmastime.</div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-52584726926799968782013-01-07T15:14:00.000-06:002013-01-07T15:14:01.738-06:00letters to ollie: 3 months old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear Oliver,</div>
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<br /></div>
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I must apologize that I'm late in writing this. </div>
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You're actually 3.5 months old already. </div>
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The holiday season has been crazy though, and I've had much more fun playing and running around with you than writing up a post.</div>
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We're back in Nashville, all the family visits have ended, and your dad started up a new semester today.</div>
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So while I have a load of laundry running and the dishwasher going, </div>
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I'm sitting here with my laptop balanced on my knees and you sleeping in my arms.</div>
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A lot has changed in the last month. </div>
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I know I keep saying this, but boy oh boy I can't believe how quickly you're growing.</div>
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You absolutely love playing with me and your dad.</div>
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You babble and babble. </div>
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Your laugh is completely infectious. I finally got it on video.</div>
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Usually when I pull my phone out to try and video you, you quickly become very quiet and stoic looking.</div>
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Not this time though. You and dad were having way too much fun.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwkFFlglOURPE7rAiOEcxfMcbeH6MO_q0adf6kWmuO-x0Q568T1L1FgrsBLUSDCPSUeIllLWgSSjYqje72b7A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Since you didn't have a 3-month check up, I'm not exactly sure how big you are. I believe you're about 20lbs and somewhere between 26 and 27 inches though. </div>
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You have your 4-month check up in another two weeks and we'll get some exact measurements.</div>
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I think you've started to level out with the weight gain though.</div>
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You've cut your daily eating time in half in the past couple weeks.</div>
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Oh, and we gave you your first ever bottle of pumped milk a couple weeks back.</div>
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You've still only been given a bottle like three times.</div>
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I think both of us prefer breastfeeding overall. </div>
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You've started playing with some of your toys. </div>
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You finally have a little bit more control over your hands and you absolutely LOVE grabbing things. </div>
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You grab toys, blankets, arms, hair, and anything else you can get your little fingers around.</div>
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You use the Soothie binkies and you figured out how to stick your thumb in the hole in the middle, so you could simultaneously suck on your binkie and thumb. </div>
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A couple weeks ago you figured out that your binkie is also something fun to grab onto.</div>
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You're constantly grabbing it and pulling it out of your mouth and trying to put it back in. </div>
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You sometimes get lucky and get it back in, but your coordination is still developing. </div>
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I absolutely love how much you light up when you see me and your dad.</div>
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Don't get me wrong, you're happy with pretty much anyone, but it's amazing to see how much you recognize and love your dad and me. </div>
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That smile of yours gets me every time. </div>
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We've been practicing your tummy time a lot more, and you're definitely getting stronger.</div>
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You're not rolling quite yet, but you can easily push yourself up on your forearms.</div>
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You sleep on your tummy you little punk.</div>
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It's honestly the only way you'll sleep. </div>
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I know it's not recommended, but your dad and I finally decided we'd let you do it.</div>
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We bought one of those fancy AngelCare monitors that sounds an alarm if you ever stop moving or breathing.</div>
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That alone has given me more peace of mind that I can tell you.</div>
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I never really realized how much parents worry until I had you.</div>
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Well my dear baby, I worry about you all the time.</div>
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I worry about your sleeping habits, your eating habits, whether you're too cold or too hot.</div>
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I worry when you get dry skin. I worry about your socks being too tight and making you uncomfortable.</div>
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I worry, worry, worry.</div>
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But I keep doing the things I believe are right and the things that work for us.</div>
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And so far you seem to be happy and healthy. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I know I don't do everything perfectly, but I hope that you always know I'm doing the best that I know how.</div>
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I look at you every day and I'm reminded just how lucky I am.</div>
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You and your dad are the biggest blessings in my life.</div>
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Being a stay-at-home-mom isn't always the easiest, but I know it's what's best for you </div>
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and I'm so lucky your dad and I are able to make it work so that I can be here with you.</div>
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As high maintenance as you can sometimes be my dear baby, I wouldn't trade all the little moments for anything.</div>
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I love you so incredibly much.</div>
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I love watching you grow everyday.</div>
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I love seeing the world through your bright and curious eyes.</div>
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Every morning is like a new experience for you.</div>
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I love watching you figure out your surroundings.</div>
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I love listening to your babblings.</div>
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I even love when you get frustrated with me and dad and you "scold" us in your adorable angry babble.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh Oliver, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really can't imagine my life without you.</div>
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You've made it so I rarely sleep and hardly ever get time to myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And yet I'm happy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm happy and proud to be your momma.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep on growing little man.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love you forever,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Momma </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
P.S You had a great first Christmas. I'll write about a little later this week. </div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-21189192654338934202012-12-20T22:14:00.000-06:002012-12-20T22:14:18.605-06:00all worth it<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's the moments like these that make motherhood completely worth it.</div>
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I'm so in love with this little man.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-66686784573051916762012-12-05T17:09:00.000-06:002012-12-05T18:01:48.814-06:00labor, postpartum, and baby: what I wish I knew beforehand...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHcW439tmB0/UL_QQBH4n5I/AAAAAAAAAx0/A_Lm_A0U7SI/s470/2012-12-05" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHcW439tmB0/UL_QQBH4n5I/AAAAAAAAAx0/A_Lm_A0U7SI/s640/2012-12-05" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's a lot of things that people don't tell you about having a baby.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
They tell you all the wonderful, positive things, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but they tend to leave out the "not so cute" stuff.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, I wish someone had stepped up and told me about all the hard stuff.</div>
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Not because it would have changed anything, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it would have been nice to know what to expect.<br />
I love my baby more than I can say, but boy is it different than I once anticipated.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So in the event I ever have another baby (that one's still up for debate haha),</div>
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here are the things I wanna remember:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><b>Labor</b></u></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>A birth plan is just that. A plan. It's okay to stray from it. Don't go into labor expecting everything to go exactly one way. You can plan as much as you want, but in the end, the events do not always happen as you intended them to. Be flexible. The most important thing is you and your baby. </li>
<li>Even though you have months and months to prepare to meet your sweet baby, nothing can really prepare you for that first moment when you meet your child. It's a beautiful thing. </li>
<li>Your nurse and midwife/doctor have a huge effect on your overall birthing experience. I was blessed to have a WONDERFUL labor nurse and midwife. They were so incredibly helpful and supportive. I knew I would be relying a lot on my dear hubby, but I had no idea how appreciative I would be of my nurse and midwife. I honestly wish I had brought some kind of "thank you" for them. </li>
</ul>
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<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<b><u>Postpartum</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Recovery sucks. I had a relatively easy recovery, but there's still nothing fun about labor recovery.</li>
<li>It takes a while for your boobs to feel normal. It took about 2 days for the painfulness of breastfeeding to catch up with me. I remember the first time I fed my baby I thought to myself, "this isn't as bad as people make it seem." Yeah...give it a day or two of a baby sucking on you every 2 hours and then tell me how you feel. I wouldn't have survived without Medala Soothing Pads and lanolin cream.</li>
<li>Your unmentionable area is gonna be a mess for awhile. Listen to the nurses and REST. Even when you start feeling better, take it easy. Your body will certainly let you know if you do too much. And when I say too much, I mean like tidying up the house may even send your body into a fit and having you wish you had just stayed in bed for the day. REST AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!</li>
<li>Accept pain medicine at the hospital and keep up with it at home. There's nothing to prove by refusing pain medicine while healing. Your body has just gone through a trauma and I promise you will appreciate those motrin pills. </li>
<li>Accept any and all help! I thought once the baby came, I'd be able to be superwoman and still do everything. Well, I got a bit slap of reality after labor. Recovery is hard. Taking care of a newborn is hard. Being sleep deprived is hard. Finding time to eat/make food is hard. Finding time to keep your house remotely presentable is nearly impossible. Add all those up and you can see how difficult of a time you might have if you're doing everything on your own. So when family offers to help out, ACCEPT IT! Feel free to tell people what it is that you really need though. If people offer to bring you meals, ACCEPT IT! Once the meals stopped coming in, hubby and I ate quesadillas for a week straight, because it was the only thing I had the time/energy to make. </li>
<li>Don't expect things to get back to "normal" ever. You'll eventually feel <i>more</i> normal, but you'll soon fall into a "<i>new</i> normal." </li>
<li>If you're like me, you'll feel a crazy sense of anxiety all the time. I hated having people hold my baby. I know that's crazy, but I had such a hard time napping when others offered to hold and watch my baby. I'd sit in bed, exhausted but unable to turn off my brain. <i>Is my baby okay? I should be holding him. What if he gets hungry and no one realizes it? What if he needs me?</i> Yeah, I was a little crazy. I may still be. It's getting better though. </li>
<li>Once you feel up to it, make it a point every day to take care of yourself. Dress yourself up, put in your contacts, and throw on some make up. It'll make you feel so much more like yourself. Don't lose yourself just because you have a baby. You're still you. </li>
<li>It's totally okay to cry. Cry as much as you want. Don't be ashamed for feeling overwhelmed. Don't allow yourself to believe that you're somehow inadequate for not immediately loving every aspect of motherhood. It doesn't mean you love your baby any less. It just means that you're human and that it's a hard adjustment. You'll be okay. </li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Baby</u></b></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>You know what's best for your baby. Don't let other people's comments make you believe any different. Everyone has an opinion when it comes to babies. Everyone thinks they know what's best. They'll tell you your baby is eating too much or too little. They'll tell you the best ways to get your baby to sleep. They'll tell you all kinds of things. But when it comes down to it, YOU are the mom and only YOU know what is best for your sweet baby. Trust your instincts. </li>
<li>It's okay to feel "lost" the first couple weeks. You, your husband, and your baby are all trying to figure each other out for the first time. It's okay to not immediately know what all of your baby's cries mean. You'll learn in time. </li>
<li>Your adorable, sweet baby is going to make you more sleep deprived than you ever thought possible. People tell you you're gonna be tired, but you really can't comprehend it until you have your baby. It's seriously a whole new level of sleep deprivation. Be strong. The first couple weeks are the hardest. You may think you're not gonna make it through, but I promise you will. If you need help, ask for it. Newborns are a lot of work.</li>
<li>After labor, babies have to clear out their systems. For the first couple days, they may seem like they're choking and spit up a lot of fluid. When this happened, I was honestly scared to death. I seriously thought my tiny little baby was going to choke and die. He'd turn red and purple and stop breathing for a couple of seconds. Believe it or not, this is normal. They have a lot of extra amniotic fluid in their system that they need to clear out. </li>
<li>Don't be afraid to say "no" to people. Everyone loves babies and everyone wants to touch and hold them. Use your judgement in exposing your baby. Their immune systems are still developing, and when they're first born they don't have their immunizations yet, putting them at risk. Make sure people wash their hands before holding and touching your baby. This doesn't make you the "bad guy." It makes you a mom watching out for her baby and that's perfectly fine. </li>
<li>Newborns digestive systems are still adjusting and developing. This can cause a lot of discomfort for your baby, such as gas or reflux. My little guy had terrible gas the first few weeks. He would stay up screaming in pain at night because he was having stomach pains and having difficulty passing gas. Gas drops helped us at first. It's progressively gotten better though.</li>
<li>If you're ever worried, call the pediatrician. That's what they're there for and it'll save you hours of worry if you just voice your concerns. </li>
<li>Take as many pictures as you can. You won't believe just how quickly your baby will grow and change.</li>
</ul>
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<br />
I'm sure there are other things, but for now, this is quite the hefty list. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Babies are wonderful, but they're such hard work. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's definitely an adjustment, but one that is quite possible.</div>
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It just takes time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Be patient and know that there are people out there in your same situation. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And more important, there are people out there who want to help you in any way they can.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's okay to not be superwoman. I'm still figuring that out myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I'm trying to remind myself that it'll all be okay. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So if I ever have another child, these are the things I hope to remember.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But like I said, having another one is still up for debate. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'll take it a day at a time. </div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-42996234388916155752012-11-28T17:44:00.001-06:002012-11-28T17:44:38.827-06:00letters to ollie: 2 months old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear Oliver, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't believe you're already 2 months old. </div>
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Has the time really gone by this fast? </div>
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You're getting so SO big, so SO fast!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJhtx4DKmrk/UJmJcWxrQeI/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/zBnXKHyO24E/s640/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJhtx4DKmrk/UJmJcWxrQeI/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/zBnXKHyO24E/s640/IMG_0323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I know that babies grow fast in general, but I swear you're growing exceptionally fast.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At 5 weeks you weighed 13 lbs 6 oz.</div>
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Exactly one week later, at 6 weeks, you weighed 14 lbs 11 oz. </div>
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And now, at 9 weeks you're 17 lbs 12 oz.<br />
Yep, you're in the 99.9 percentile.</div>
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You're getting to be quite the chunkster.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You got your first round of immunization at your 2-month check up.<br />
You were such a champ about it.<br />
Only screamed for about 30 seconds and then you were all smiles and coos.<br />
The doctor couldn't believe how much you're babbling away already.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So what's happened this last month?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, you outgrew size 1 diapers at 5 weeks and size 2 diapers at 8 weeks. You're now in size 3.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You started wearing 3-6 month size clothing at 4 weeks and 6 month size clothing at 6 weeks.<br />
<br />
At 5 weeks you started smiling socially on a regular basis.<br />
At 6 weeks you started exploring your vocals a bit more.<br />
At 7 weeks you started laughing. You have the cutest little laugh my dear. You love laughing and babbling to us. Every night when your dad comes home, he sits down with you on his lap and you babble and babble away to him. <br />
At 8 weeks you figured out you have a hand. And even better you figured out that hand has a thumb. A thumb that you seem to really enjoy sucking on. <br />
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<br /></div>
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You've seriously gotten to be really cute kid.</div>
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You crack me and your dad up.</div>
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You occasionally snore at night now, keeping me and your dad awake.</div>
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It's nothing we can be too annoyed with though because it's absolutely adorable sounding.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your dad and I have decided that you've obtained some street-smarts as of late.</div>
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You know just how to manipulate and play us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you wanna get picked up, you always find a way to make it happen.<br />
If you want to sleep on our chest a certain way, you squirm and squirm until we figure it out.<br />
If you want to eat, you start making your pterodactyl-sounding cries until you get your milk.<br />
Lately you insist on everyone getting up when you get up in the morning.<br />
If you wake up to eat before your dad wakes up, you're not fully satisfied until your dad is up too.<br />
Even once you've been fed, you grunt and grunt as loud as you can until he wakes up.<br />
And as soon as he gets up, you quiet down.<br />
Smart kid you are. Smart kid.<br />
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<br />
On Nov. 25 you got your baby blessing. <br />
You looked absolutely adorable in your little white suit.<br />
Both sets of your grandparents were there to see you as well.<br />
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<br />
Oh my dear baby, I love love LOVE watching you grow.<br />
You learn something new each week and you're always so proud of yourself.<br />
There are days that you absolutely exhaust me, but I am so incredibly in love with you. <br />
I love being your mom.<br />
Still not sure if you're ever gonna have siblings though.<br />
You're quite the handful sometimes.<br />
I might be content with just you.<br />
But that's fine with me.<br />
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<br />
For now, I'm loving being able to soak in all the "firsts" that you're going through.<br />
I can't wait to keep watching you grow and change. <br />
But for now, I'm content just snuggling you up in my arms on the couch.<br />
<br />
Love you more than I can tell you,<br />
Momma</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-72652266759984880542012-11-19T13:10:00.000-06:002012-11-19T13:10:06.975-06:00christmas came early!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Not even one hour after little Ollie posted his <a href="http://togetherforthebetter.blogspot.com/2012/11/olivers-christmas-wishlist.html" target="_blank">Christmas wishlist</a>, there was a knock on the door.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We went to go see who was there and much to our surprise, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there was a lovely package waiting for us with Oliver's name on it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ollie couldn't have been more excited to receive this sweet gift from his great-grandma Helen.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've been playing with it everday. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It makes music and Oliver loves trying to swat at the hanging toys. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He also loves staring at the elephant toy and hanging hippo as he babbles away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I swear he has conversations with them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-86239816444813478822012-11-13T12:17:00.003-06:002012-11-13T12:28:56.812-06:00oliver's christmas wishlist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Written by Oliver</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, my very first Christmas is coming up!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have this adorable Christmas onesie that I was hoping to be able to wear, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
buuuuut,</div>
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it's a size 0-3 and I've already outgrown it.</div>
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Can you believe I was 14 lbs 11 oz at 6 weeks?</div>
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Mama feeds me well.<br />
Who knows what I am now, at over 7 weeks...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyhow, I've been spending my days eating, sleeping, and dreaming about Christmas.</div>
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Mom tells me I'm gonna love seeing all the beautiful lights and hearing all the fabulous carols.</div>
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Dad on the other hand thinks Mom gets a little Christmas-crazy. </div>
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Well, she must be rubbing off on me, because I've already put together my wishlist for Santa.</div>
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Cause from what I hear, every kid is supposed to have one.</div>
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<br />
-<a href="http://store.bobafamily.com/boba-air/" target="_blank"><b>BobaAir</b></a>-according to mom this brand is really good for my hip development and it's supposed to be super lightweight, so mom and dad won't have to have any extra weight to carry (seeing as how I'm already quite the chunkster myself hehe).<br />
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<a href="http://store.bobafamily.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/280x385/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/b/bbobaair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://store.bobafamily.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/280x385/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/b/bbobaair2.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vulli-Sophie-la-Girafe-Teether/dp/B000IDSLOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352149457&sr=8-1&keywords=sophie+the+giraffe" target="_blank"><b>Vulli Sophie la Girafe Teether</b></a>-supposedly one of the best teether toys out there. I already love chewing on just about anything I can get in my mouth, so I assume I'll like this one!</div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XxjQd+XlL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XxjQd+XlL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
-An activity mat/center-mom is always trying to make me practice tummy time. An activity mat might make it a little more fun. It'll be especially be great when I can move around more and play with the hanging toys.</div>
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<br /></div>
-<a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Halo-SleepSack-Wearable-Fleece-Blanket-Lime-Giraffe-Applique-Medium/15841546" target="_blank">Halo SleepSack</a>-I kick blankets around at night, so mom wants me to sleep in one of these or a Summer Infant SwaddleMe blanket, that way I keep warm but don't get my face covered. Yep, mom's a worry wart. I had a SwaddleMe blanket from Target, but it was a small/medium, and we all know I can't fit in it anymore. </div>
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<br /></div>
-Winter baby clothes (long sleeve onesies, pants, sweaters, vests, etc. in size 6 months)-I'm already wearing 3-6 months and 6 month clothing. I only have a few long sleeve onesies and barely any pants in those sizes though. I have a few sweatshirts that mom and dad put me in when we go out, but I'm definitely lacking in the winter clothing. I think I'm meant to be in Hawaii running around in just my diaper. *sigh* Maybe one day...</div>
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<div>
-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QYW8LW/ref=cm_babymrf_d_t62" target="_blank">Baby Banana Bendable Training Toothbrush</a>-at the rate I'm growing, mom and dad think I'm gonna be teething in no time and this banana seems like the perfect teether/toothbrush in one. Besides, chewing is what I do best. For some reason mom and dad keep getting frustrated when all I wanna do is chew on my paci. Isn't that what it's there for?</div>
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<br /></div>
-Baby utensils-These will be great for when I start eating solids and pureed food. It'll be a couple months still, but I like to be prepared.</div>
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<div>
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Yep, that's my list. It really doesn't matter what I do or don't get off of it, I'm just excited to celebrate this year. Mom and dad tell me that they were heading off to Kauai last Christmas for "romantic getaway vacation." Good thing they have me now and don't need any of these so called vacations.</div>
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Christmas 2012, here I come!</div>
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What are <i>you </i>asking to get this Christmas?</div>
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Any other babies out there have any suggestions to add to my list?</div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-7904318454250379792012-11-12T16:08:00.001-06:002012-11-12T16:08:06.529-06:00slow-cooker bbq pulled pork<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've never made pulled pork before. </div>
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In fact, I've never really made anything with barbecue. </div>
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But I had a pork tenderloin sitting in the freezer and thought, <i>why not?</i></div>
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So I pulled out my slow-cooker and made up a recipe.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I started with a rub. You can let it sit on the meat as long as you want. </div>
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I put it on Saturday night and left it on until Sunday morning when I threw the whole thing in the crockpot.</div>
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Now I don't mean to brag...buuuuut, this was pretty dang good.</div>
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It even got the approval of my barbecue-fanatic husband. </div>
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Success? I think so.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JN8AKPKwZwg/UKFxpMdbDuI/AAAAAAAAJ-A/iKkLaqdKQwY/s720/IMG_8233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JN8AKPKwZwg/UKFxpMdbDuI/AAAAAAAAJ-A/iKkLaqdKQwY/s640/IMG_8233.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXBZI-PbntU/UKFxoSUQtkI/AAAAAAAAJ94/m6z677UITcg/s720/IMG_8232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXBZI-PbntU/UKFxoSUQtkI/AAAAAAAAJ94/m6z677UITcg/s640/IMG_8232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Slow-Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork </u></b></div>
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<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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<u>Rub Ingredients:</u></div>
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-1 tsp black pepper</div>
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-1 tsp salt</div>
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-1 1/2 tbsp chili powder</div>
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-3 tbsp paprika</div>
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-1 tbsp lawry's seasoning salt</div>
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-1 1/2 tbsp cumin</div>
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-1 tbsp dried oregano</div>
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-3 tbsp brown sugar</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>Other Ingredients:</u></div>
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-Pork Tenderloin</div>
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-1/4 c. water</div>
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-1-2 c. BBQ sauce</div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>Method:</u></div>
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-Combine all rub ingredients in a small bowl</div>
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-Cover pork tenderloin with spices</div>
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-Wrap tenderloin with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge 3 hours-2 days. Your choice. (I left mine in overnight, about 12 hours)</div>
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-Add seasoned pork tenderloin to crockpot along with 1/4 cup water</div>
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-Cook on low 8 hours</div>
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-After the 8 hours, pull the pork out and lay on a cookie sheet or cutting board.</div>
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-Pull meat apart with two forks</div>
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-Empty the liquid from the crockpot and place meat back inside.</div>
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-Add 1 1/2 c. BBQ sauce to the crockpot and mix to combine with pork.</div>
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-Allow to cook 30-60 minutes more on low.</div>
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-Serve and enjoy on buns, sandwiches, over rice, or any other way!</div>
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-Feel free to add extra BBQ sauce </div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-35206726777158923672012-10-24T17:30:00.002-05:002012-10-24T17:31:04.400-05:00fall in nashville<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yL1OTZzbMMk/UILgZ4PWrGI/AAAAAAAAJkc/jxdRcHU21b0/s720/IMG_8165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yL1OTZzbMMk/UILgZ4PWrGI/AAAAAAAAJkc/jxdRcHU21b0/s640/IMG_8165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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So this past weekend, we decided to take a little family drive </div>
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to see all the Fall colors on the trees.</div>
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It's been years since hubby or I have been in a real Fall.</div>
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Hawaii is wonderful for so many reasons</div>
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(who can complain about the lush green and tropical colors?),</div>
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but it's not known for its Fall season obviously.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhnEEoyR6X8/UILgXwXnBqI/AAAAAAAAJkU/CzvNJlYugr4/s720/IMG_8163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhnEEoyR6X8/UILgXwXnBqI/AAAAAAAAJkU/CzvNJlYugr4/s640/IMG_8163.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So since this past weekend was supposed to be the "peak" of the color display,</div>
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hubby and I packed baby up in his carseat and off we went on our drive. </div>
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Baby slept the whole 2-hours.</div>
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It was soo nice to be able to get out and just spend some nice time together.</div>
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We drove and drove and listened to some quality country music.</div>
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It is Nashville after all.</div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-48960559759450964162012-10-23T12:53:00.000-05:002012-10-23T12:53:17.710-05:00the many faces of oliver<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So I clearly don't have anything going on in my life these days other than being a mom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One day I'll actually blog about other things again.</div>
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But that day is not today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the cutie I get to play with every day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtVfpwXGY9D2Jtebynz2rfP1xA5Q0X3MZr2MY_gLC8Sajd7KN-1SCo1eXynov6hpbrvPBUZhCUaTPUwG8Qo_IpZC096gMHafvy_WZa7p08W3jSoPyBQVafisii9qgWpQIxIvY6s0VWPI/s1600/Baby+boy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtVfpwXGY9D2Jtebynz2rfP1xA5Q0X3MZr2MY_gLC8Sajd7KN-1SCo1eXynov6hpbrvPBUZhCUaTPUwG8Qo_IpZC096gMHafvy_WZa7p08W3jSoPyBQVafisii9qgWpQIxIvY6s0VWPI/s640/Baby+boy1.jpg" width="486" /></a></div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-47323736676343731742012-10-22T13:38:00.001-05:002012-10-22T13:38:31.157-05:00letters to ollie: 1 month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My dear baby, I can't believe you're already a month old! <br />
People aren't kidding when they say time goes by so fast. <br />
You've grown so much already. <br />
I don't even know where to start.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-As7f-I0KWYA/UIWOy59RsEI/AAAAAAAAJn8/5q5ddp6QRKo/s720/IMG_8175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-As7f-I0KWYA/UIWOy59RsEI/AAAAAAAAJn8/5q5ddp6QRKo/s640/IMG_8175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are your stats for the month:<br />
4 weeks old<br />
11.4 pounds<br />
20.5+ inches (you haven't been measured since your first week)<br />
<br />
Everyday we learn a little bit more about you.<br />
You LOVE to eat. It's probably one of your favorite things. <br />
Every 2 hours, on the hour, you know it's milk time.<br />
You'll wake up from a dead sleep, lips smacking and head turning until you find your way to the milk.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdZ-KdG0Vtg/UIWO5e8TAdI/AAAAAAAAJoA/po6WJvtR8vg/s720/IMG_8184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdZ-KdG0Vtg/UIWO5e8TAdI/AAAAAAAAJoA/po6WJvtR8vg/s640/IMG_8184.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
One of your other favorite things as of late is baths. <br />
Daddy got his wish. You are most definitely a water baby.<br />
You love sitting in your little bath tub in the warm water. <br />
You better watch out come spring. Your daddy plans on getting you in the pool as soon as it's warm again.<br />
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<br />
One of your best quirks?<br />
You are one LOUD baby.<br />
You seriously make noise all the time. <br />
You weren't so noisy the first 2 weeks, but now?<br />
Boy oh boy do you love grunting. <br />
You grunt when you wake up. When you eat. While you're sleeping. And every time you stretch.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Believe it or not you're actually yawning and stretching, not yelling in this picture.)</span><br />
<br />
One of my favorite things lately is waking up to your adorableness. <br />
You sleep right on my chest at night, all cozy and warm.<br />
In the mornings I wake up to your head bobbing, mouth grunting, and you're always attempting to eat my face.<br />
You tend to wake up ravenous in the mornings!<br />
I can't help but laugh every time.<br />
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<br />
Daddy and I don't know who you look like quite yet. <br />
Everyone seems to have their opinions of course,<br />
but we'll just wait and see as you get older.<br />
All I know if that you're perfect.<br />
You have a perfect little face.<br />
With perfect little toes, fingers, and ears.<br />
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<br />
You're getting so close to smiling.<br />
It used to be that you'd have "gassy smiles," but now it seems like you're close to actually responding to us.<br />
You do so many adorable faces.<br />
Some of your favorites are "angry faces" as we call them.<br />
You like to furrow your brow, pucker your lips, and have a stare off with me or dad.<br />
And we just stare back, because we both know you're only going to be this little for such a short time.<br />
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<br />
I know it seems silly, but I can't believe how sad I am that you're already growing so fast.<br />
You grew out of your newborn diapers after 2 weeks and by 3 weeks you grew out of your newborn clothes.<br />
You're wearing 0-3 month clothes and even some 3 month clothes.<br />
Boy oh boy are you gonna be a big boy. <br />
The pediatrician says you're in the 90th percentile for both height and weight already.<br />
You're definitely giving Momma and Daddy some toned up arms.<br />
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<br />
My little boy, I can't even tell you how much I love you.<br />
Your daddy and I are so very very in love with you. <br />
The first couple weeks were seriously a little crazy for us.<br />
You didn't like sleeping...at all.<br />
But now that we realize you just didn't like sleeping alone, we're all much happier.<br />
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<br />
I sometimes sit and think about the person you're going to grow up to be.<br />
And as much as I love imagining the wonderful man you'll be one day, I never think about it for too long.<br />
Because I don't want you to grow up just yet.<br />
I want you to be my snuggly little baby for just awhile longer.<br />
I want to hold you close and know that you're all mine and that in your little world, your daddy and I are everything to you.<br />
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<br />
It's difficult for me to fully comprehend the fact that I'm a mom and that I have a son.<br />
More than anything I just feel truly and immeasurably grateful that Heavenly Father would bless me with such a sweet baby.<br />
It's so comforting to know that Heavenly Father entrusted one of his dear children to my and hubby's care.<br />
It gives me the confidence that I'm doing something right.<br />
It makes me believe that I really am qualified to be your momma.<br />
And that's a job I'm both terrified and thrilled about having forever.<br />
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<br />
My little Ollie, keep on growing and keep on being adorable.<br />
You make me smile and laugh every day.<br />
Love you more than I can tell you,<br />
Momma<br />
<br />
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-66137867547893774582012-10-20T12:26:00.000-05:002012-10-20T12:34:46.747-05:00motherhood isn't for sissies <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Motherhood is difficult.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think the last 4 weeks have worn me out more than anything else in my life.</div>
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I love my little boy so SO incredibly much, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but boy do I miss sleep sometimes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Motherhood is not easy by any means.</div>
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Yes, babies eat, sleep, poop, and want to be held. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's pretty much it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But until you have a baby of your own, you'll never quite understand how time consuming those few things can be.</div>
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My little Ollie loves nothing more than to be cuddled and loved.</div>
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He sleeps curled up on my chest, day and night. </div>
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It's nearly the only place he's content to sleep for longer than 10 minutes at a time. </div>
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And so I let him.</div>
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He balls his little hands up and curls them under his chest. </div>
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He desperately kicks his legs and pushes off my stomach until he can scoot his tiny body up my chest and nestle his head in the crevice of my neck.</div>
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And once he's all cozy and content, </div>
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he falls asleep, taking deep, even breaths. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I love it. </div>
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I love feeling so needed.</div>
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It's like he depends on me for everything.</div>
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And somehow it's this thought that makes everything worth it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As much as I love and cherish cuddling 24/7 with my little man, it means slacking off on other things.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I know that laundry and dishes aren't THAT important,</div>
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but things are definitely piling up around these parts. </div>
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I have a sink full of dishes, a scattered mess I used to call a living room, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a bedroom full of clutter and chaos, unwashed clothes laying around, and clean clothes still sitting in my dryer. </div>
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In the last couple weeks the most elaborate meal I've made has been quesadillas. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And like I said, I know these things aren't THAT important, but there are other things that I can only put off for so long...like eating for one. Finding time to eat, shower, brush my teeth, and even go to the bathroom has become a challenge every day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Is Ollie asleep? How much time do I have until he gets up?? Enough for a granola bar or a glorious bowl of cereal? Enough for a quick 2 min shower or the good kind of shower where I actually wash my hair?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yep, these are the thoughts that go through my head on any given day during nap time. </div>
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And like I said, since he'll only sleep somewhere (other than on me) for 10 minutes at a time, I gotta move fast these days.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've spent more time crying than I care to admit. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crying because I'm exhausted from lack of sleep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crying because I can't seem to accomplish anything around my house anymore.</div>
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Crying because breastfeeding has been worse than pregnancy and labor in so many ways.</div>
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Crying because Oliver was crying.</div>
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Crying because the thought of not crying made me cry.</div>
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Yeah, I've been a little crazy lately.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My hubby has seriously been my biggest support ever.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Despite the fact that he's also exhausted, attending grad school full time, auditing an elective class, and working part time, he's somehow found a way to prioritize me and Ollie. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gosh I love him. I honestly married a wonderful man.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are so many things that make motherhood worth it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But there are also so many things no one tells you about.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But to be honest, that topic deserves a whole post of its own. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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So there you have it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's motherhood so far. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wonderful in so many ways and yet challenging beyond belief. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't wait to see my adorable little man grow up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But for now, I'm happy and content letting him snuggle down on my chest for an afternoon nap. </div>
</div>
Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-62916133115554992142012-10-11T14:44:00.002-05:002012-10-11T14:44:42.339-05:00a birth story, part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
To read <a href="http://togetherforthebetter.blogspot.com/2012/10/welcome-to-world-birth-story-part-1.html" target="_blank">part 1</a> and <a href="http://togetherforthebetter.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-birth-story-part-2.html" target="_blank">part 2</a> go <a href="http://togetherforthebetter.blogspot.com/2012/10/welcome-to-world-birth-story-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://togetherforthebetter.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-birth-story-part-2.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Alright so after 4 hours in the hospital and 6 hours since my water broke,</div>
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I couldn't breathe. The contractions themselves were painful (VERY),</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but what was scaring me was my inability to catch my breath between them. </div>
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I felt like I was transitioning between contraction pain and asthma-like attacks.</div>
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My poor hubby didn't know what to do. </div>
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He told me later it was one of the worst things having to see me in so much pain. </div>
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Well, it wasn't very fun from my standpoint either.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So after 6 hours of no medication and not feeling like I was breathing properly,</div>
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I caved.</div>
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I asked for an epidural. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I initially wanted a natural birth, but if my labor was going to be this long (remember I was still just at a 4), and my contractions were going to be this close together (1 min long at 1.5 mins apart), I knew I wasn't going to be able to do it.</div>
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I was bawling at some points.</div>
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And obviously that wasn't helping my ability to breathe any better. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Anesthesiology</span> came and got me all hooked up to the epidural. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It unfortunately took 25 minutes for it to take effect, and being confined to the bed during that time was pretty rough.<br />
After about 15 minutes, the pain started easing on my right side, but the pain was just as intense as ever on my left side. <br />
The technicians came back in and did some tweaking, and within 25 minutes I was feeling relief.<br />
Sweet, SWEET relief.<br />
I could breathe again at last. It was seriously wonderful.<br />
About an hour and a half after getting the epidural, the midwife checked my progress again.<br />
I was at a 6! Yes, I still had a ways to go, but progress was progress at that point.<br />
<br />
The rest of labor wasn't too eventful. <br />
I spiked a 101.1 fever during labor and so the nurse and midwife (both of who I LOVED by the way)<br />
kept a close eye on me, monitoring me and pumping antibiotics in me to make sure the fever didn't affect baby's heart rate. <br />
After a couple more hours (maybe 2? It's hard to remember), I was at 8cm. <br />
Getting closer, getting closer!!<br />
<br />
And finally, by 12:50am, Sunday the 23rd I was dilated to a 10 and ready to push.<br />
I pushed for 2 hours. <br />
For the last half hour, the epidural wore off on my left side again and so I could feel the contractions as they built up and peaked each time. <br />
It was such a wonderful support having my hubby, the midwife, and my labor nurse there.<br />
They made the whole labor experience so much better for me.<br />
<br />
I was offered a mirror, to see what what going on, but as excited as I was to meet my little guy, I decided I would much rather just wait til he was fully out. <br />
At one point I did reach down and feel his head though.<br />
And honestly, it was the craziest feeling ever.<br />
I think I actually exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, there's a baby coming out of me!!"<br />
And despite our fears, hubby didn't even come close to fainting.<br />
<br />
And finally, 15 hours after my water had broke, at 2:53am, September 23rd, little Oliver Kaimana was born. <br />
He was placed on my chest and I was immediately overcome with love.<br />
After months of waiting and wondering, this beautiful little baby was here and I was holding him.<br />
I was so overcome with love for this tiny little person.<br />
He was all balled up on my bare skin, and he was the most gorgeous thing I'd ever seen.<br />
I looked at my hubby and saw tears in his eyes too.<br />
This was the first time I'd ever seen my husband cry. It only made me cry more.<br />
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<br />
Our baby was finally here.<br />
He was so new and fresh.<br />
He was absolutely perfect.<br />
He weighed in at 8lb 3oz and measured 20.5 inches long.<br />
He had a head full of dark hair and these beautiful big, bright eyes.<br />
<br />
I always imagined birth as being such a surreal experience.<br />
And in a way it was, but it was also the most real thing I've ever had happen.<br />
I was holding my baby boy and though hubby and I were both exhausted, and our little guy was nameless at this point, it didn't matter. We were parents now. <br />
Just like that, my and hubby's love for each other grew exponentially,<br />
and the love and amazement we had for our little wonder was permanently formed.<br />
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<br />
And now, two and a half weeks later, the three of us are still so incredibly in love.<br />
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-35463913764871856642012-10-10T12:09:00.000-05:002012-10-10T12:09:44.321-05:00a birth story, part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
So if you missed the beginning of my birth story, you can read it <a href="http://togetherforthebetter.blogspot.com/2012/10/welcome-to-world-birth-story-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Now, where were we?</div>
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Oh yes, my water had just broke in Walmart.</div>
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So after paying for my groceries, and slowly making my way back to my car</div>
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(my cramps were really starting to hurt at this point), I sent hubby a quick text:</div>
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"On my way. Will need you to come get groceries. Water broke."</div>
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Why didn't I just call him? I have no idea. It's not easy thinking rationally when you're by yourself and slightly panicked. </div>
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Luckily we only live half a mile from Walmart, so it was a quick drive home.</div>
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And lucky for hubby and our car, I had a towel in the car that I was able to sit on while driving home.</div>
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So by the time I got home (only a couple minutes later), my cramps had turned into contractions.</div>
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And they HURT already. There was no "building" period. They simply started at 2 minutes apart.</div>
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Yikes. </div>
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I took a quick shower. Hubby helped me grab some last minute things for our hospital bag. </div>
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And I called the midwife.</div>
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She told me it was up to me whether I wanted to stay home and ride it out for awhile </div>
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or come on in to the hospital already.</div>
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I always imagined I'd stay and labor at home for as long as possible, </div>
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but with the contractions already at 2 mins apart and getting more and more painful, </div>
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I decided I would much rather just go to the hospital. </div>
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So 2 hours after my water broke, we found ourselves in labor and delivery.</div>
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They took us to a room to do their initial check, just to make sure my water had actually broke. </div>
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I HATE cervix checks. They are seriously so painful.</div>
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My cervix was still really posterior, so the midwife had a hard time getting to it.</div>
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She finally found it and confirmed my water had broke.</div>
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With contractions still coming at 2 mins apart, we were all amazed I was only dilated to 4cm. </div>
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Well, maybe amazed isn't the right word. Frustrated and in pain might better describe my feelings.</div>
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Anyhow, we were moved to one of the labor and delivery rooms at that point.</div>
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I walked around the room for a bit, hoping to help progress things along.</div>
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The contractions started getting closer, occurring anywhere from 1.5-2 mins apart. </div>
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I was in a lot of pain at this point and having a difficult time recovering between contractions, since they were happening so close together. </div>
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I decided to give the shower a try, to see if the warm water would help calm me down.</div>
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It calmed me for a bit, but I had found that the only "comfortable" position during contractions was down on all fours, and that was difficult to do in the small, stand-up shower. </div>
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I was crying and beginning to hyperventilate between contractions. </div>
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I honestly couldn't catch my breath. </div>
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And by the time I started to be able to, another contraction came with full force and fury.</div>
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<i>How was I only at 4cm still??</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Part 3 (final segment) coming soon...</span></div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-25413221172559993262012-10-09T08:54:00.000-05:002012-10-09T08:56:22.173-05:00welcome to the world: a birth story, part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My lovely little baby arrived in the world on Sunday September 23.</div>
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Hubby and I couldn't be happier. </div>
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So, want to hear the whole story?<br />
Well, I'm gonna tell it whether you wanna hear it or not.<br />
And it's gonna be long. Because it's something I want to remember.<br />
So if you're not interested, I promise I won't have my feelings hurt.<br />
But here it goes...<br />
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I thought I was going to be pregnant forever. <br />
Seriously, my due date came and went with no signs of this baby evicting himself anytime soon. <br />
I had an appointment scheduled for Monday the 24th<br />
and with only a week left before hitting my 42nd week, they were going to talk induction.<br />
I did NOT want to be induced.<br />
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Well, it turns out I didn't need to be. <br />
On Friday I woke up feeling pretty crampy. <br />
The feeling lasted all day and by nighttime I realized I was having contractions.<br />
Nothing painful, but definitely consistent. <br />
They started at 6 mins apart and progressed to 4 mins apart.<br />
After calling the midwife, I decided to ride them out for the night and see if they progressed.<br />
Because at this point they still weren't really painful, just a distinctive tightening.<br />
<br />
So hubby and I went to bed and in the morning....<br />
I woke up to a big fat nothing.<br />
That's right. No crampy-feeling. No contractions. Nada.<br />
Such a disappointment.<br />
<br />
So, since it didn't look like labor was happening anytime soon<br />
and hubby and I were seriously lacking in staple food items,<br />
I decided to go grocery shopping.<br />
So there I was in Walmart on a late-Saturday morning, buying bread and the sorts.<br />
Once at the checkout line I realized I stupidly forgot my wallet in the car.<br />
The cashier was really sweet about it and told me I could go grab my wallet while she rang up my items and I could just pay when I got back. <br />
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I start walking out of Walmart and I suddenly felt a tiny gush of fluid.<br />
My first thought: <i>Oh my gosh, did I just pee myself??</i><br />
I was seriously freaking out. <br />
Well, I kept walking to my car (which was parked wayyyy far away by the way) and I started having more tiny gushes.<br />
I then realized this may actually be my water breaking.<br />
And almost immediately the crampy-feeling came back. <br />
It was much more intense then the night before though. <br />
<br />
I should have just gone home then. <br />
But what did I do instead?<br />
I went back into Walmart to get my groceries. <br />
So I hop back in line and patiently wait, the whole time having a minor freak-out in my head.<br />
This was actually happening...my water had just broke. <br />
In Walmart of all places. <br />
The cashier and the customer behind me started asking me about my pregnancy,<br />
and when they found out I was overdue, the woman behind started joking,<br />
"Well, just make sure your water doesn't break here in Walmart honey."<br />
And did I say anything to the effect of, "Oh, too late for that...looks like it's happening now"?<br />
Nope. I just awkwardly laughed and held my legs together as another gush of fluid came out. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Part two, coming soon....</span><br />
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979159497911431180.post-78561612506163105712012-09-19T08:00:00.000-05:002012-09-19T08:00:10.061-05:00pregnancy reflections (trimester by trimester)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><u>First Trimester:</u></b></div>
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<b>Overall thoughts: </b>Finding out we were having a baby was one of the most surreal moments of my and hubby's lives. Seriously, there was a solid week where hubby and I couldn't look at each other without giving each other <i>that look</i>. The look of "We're having a baby. We're going to be parents. US! <i>We're</i> having a baby!" I didn't really want to tell anyone at first, because obviously you never know what can happen. We ended up telling our immediate family and a couple really close friends. Other than that, we kept our mouths shut and went about our days as normal. Well, as normal as possible while feeling sick non-stop. Thankfully I never got terrible morning sickness. Unpleasant for certain, but tolerable at least. </div>
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<b>Food aversions:</b> Umm, food in general? Seriously though, I didn't have any particular foods that I couldn't eat, but eating in general was just a little difficult. It was hard to ever find anything that actually sounded good. </div>
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<b>Food cravings:</b> Clementines! I went through SOOO many clementines. Thank goodness for Costco. And my less healthy craving? McDonald's. Not sure if the appeal was the nuggets and fries or just the fact that I didn't have to cook and have my house smell like food. Either way, I'm glad this particular craving only lasted for a couple weeks. </div>
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<b>Worst symptoms: </b> </div>
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<u>Nausea</u>--Thankfully I never actually threw up, but the feeling that I <i>could</i> at any moment was definitely not fun.</div>
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<u>Exhaustion</u>--I have honestly never felt as exhausted as I did in those first weeks of pregnancy. I usually don't fall asleep very fast, but boy could I sleep during the first trimester! I was out just like that every night. And if I hadn't been busy with school and work (it was my last semester before graduation), I would have been napping non stop too I think. </div>
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<u>Constant need to pee</u>--TMI? Eh, everything in pregnancy is pretty tmi actually. But yeah, I seriously had to pee every half hour to an hour for like 12 weeks straight. Pretty inconvenient when working and going to school. Actually, I imagine peeing that much is inconvenient regardless of your lifestyle. Seriously, who has that much time to spend in the bathroom? </div>
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<b>Big events: </b>We found out hubby got accepted to the top grad school in his program only three days after finding out we were expecting a baby. Let me tell you, that was the craziest week ever. <br />
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<b>Best part: </b>I really didn't have to change much about my day-to-day life. I could workout the same. I fit in all my regular clothes. </div>
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<b style="font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><u>Second Trimester:</u></b></div>
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<b>Overall thoughts: </b>I hit the cliche and got a lot of my energy back during this trimester. It was also nice being able to freely talk about being pregnant. We made our "official announcement" at 12 weeks. I didn't start to show for quite some time (I started getting a distinct "bump" at around 24 weeks). It was nice being able to still feel "normal" for most of this trimester as well. </div>
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<b>Food aversions:</b> I actually don't think I had any aversions. Food was pretty good during this time. </div>
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<b>Food cravings:</b> Mostly just food in general. I remember being hungry all the time during this trimester. I never left the house without water and several snacks in my bag. There was one 2-week period where I was craving meat, particularly red meat. Which is super weird for me, since I don't really eat anything but chicken and seafood. Ever. Well, during those 2 weeks I ate a hamburger, beef kabobs, and asian-style pork ribs. Oh how hubby was in heaven. He keeps hoping that particular craving will resurface. </div>
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<b>Worst symptoms: </b> </div>
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<u>Headaches</u>--I started getting headaches around 15 weeks and up until just about week 35, I was getting them pretty regularly. They were definitely at their worst during the heart of the 2nd trimester though. Terrible terrible terrible. </div>
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<b>Big events: </b>We found out baby's gender (boy). Felt baby kick for the first time. I graduated from BYU-Hawaii. We moved away from our lovely Hawaiian island. <br />
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<b>Best part: </b>I felt great during this time. I got that "surge of energy" that women sometimes associate with the 2nd trimester. I was able to workout much better during this trimester, simply because I had more energy. Loved it!</div>
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<b><u>Third Trimester:</u></b></div>
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<b>Overall thoughts: </b>This trimester was LONG. Maybe it's just the fact that it's the "homestretch," but this trimester felt especially long towards the end. Even now that I'm at 40 weeks, part of me still feels like I may be pregnant forever. I'm not quite sure what "normal" is supposed to feel like anymore. It's been fun feeling all of baby's movements this trimester though. They've become a lot more powerful and distinct. Hubby loves "playing" with baby's little feet in the evenings when he's at his most active. </div>
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<b>Food aversions:</b> Tomatoes. Not that I didn't want to eat them, but they were about the only thing that gave me heartburn. Fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce...you name it and I was taking stupid Tums because of it. There weren't any foods that were repulsive though. </div>
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<b>Food cravings:</b> Hmm, let's see. Smoothies, LOTS of smoothies! Peaches (fresh, frozen, and any other way I could eat them). Chocolate milk. I think those are the main ones I've been enjoying. Mmmm mmm mm.</div>
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<b>Worst symptoms: </b> </div>
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<u>Sciatic Pain</u>--This has seriously been terrible! I didn't know nerve pain could be so...well, painful! Ugh, I just tried to do yoga and pilates to relieve the pain, but to be honest, I just suffered through it most of the time when it hit. </div>
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<b>Big events: </b>We moved to Nashville. Hubby started grad school. We attended a 5-week series birthing class. <br />
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<b style="background-color: white;">Best part: </b><span style="background-color: white;">Feeling baby's movements all the time. For all the pains, aches, and down-right awkwardness that comes with pregnancy, I absolutely love feeling baby's kicks and squirms and knowing that he's safe inside me. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Soo, there you have it. My pregnancy summed up in a blog post. Now I'm just looking forward to the adventure of labor and the excitement of having a newborn soon. :)</span></div>
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Candacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00028662931227486874noreply@blogger.com0