tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80959694578404115462024-02-07T20:16:27.378-08:00Something Simply SplendidUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-3290604756888600892013-01-18T12:00:00.000-08:002013-01-18T12:00:03.996-08:00Dreams<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_8jLl809Q_loGuUYN4RQ45OwR0VWSIbylaAhZcnWsatQa59F7wa-VZADVfKpjGeEgxxwi09OV15pXMBwsAQgMCWusMJqe75zBd5tZWVu9aiv5hyphenhyphen8lB8vBJvgmeywE91SKWMnvXPjuVab/s1600/3505_m_salvador_dali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_8jLl809Q_loGuUYN4RQ45OwR0VWSIbylaAhZcnWsatQa59F7wa-VZADVfKpjGeEgxxwi09OV15pXMBwsAQgMCWusMJqe75zBd5tZWVu9aiv5hyphenhyphen8lB8vBJvgmeywE91SKWMnvXPjuVab/s400/3505_m_salvador_dali.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dreams always make me think of Dali.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Recently, I have been having some pretty bizarre dreams. I'm not the kind of person that buys into dreams as premonitions, but I do think things that weigh heavily on you can leak into your dreams from your subconscious. That said, I have NO idea what these dreams were trying to say, although maybe they indicate some kind of deep seated guilt over being a stay at home mom? It's like all the most important people in my life are trying to force me into an intervention...!<br />
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The first dream was about two weeks ago. In this dream my mum calls me up and when I answer the phone she says, "GREAT NEWS! You can come live with me!" I do a double take. What is she talking about, live with her? I ask her and she reiterates, "You and Iz can live with me."<br />
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Then I realize she wants me to leave my husband to live with her and that she's got a job interview lined up for me (because obviously she makes me leave my husband and then forces me to get a job since I can't support us then.) I argue with her and tell her I'm not leaving my husband and that he is a good dad and that he tries really hard and that I didn't care about what she thought. It was horrible. She wouldn't stop railroading me and forcing her ideas on me so I started to think about moving and never letting her see Iz again. ='( Luckily I woke up from that one (about two 'dreams hours' into our fight.)<br />
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But yesterday I had another horrible dream of a similar nature. My sister sent me an e-mail chewing me out and telling me that "I really need to get over myself and go back to work" because we "couldn't afford for me to be a stay at home mom" and "I was just being selfish." It was so out of left field and horrifying I didn't know what to think of it. Mostly because she has no idea our combined household income and whether we could afford it or not and because she's just not that confrontational. At least not about something like that. She might tell me she thought I was making a mistake, but she would never ream me like that. =( Quite upsetting!<br />
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I am interested to see if I have another dream where someone else is forcing their opinions on me, though I don't know who it would be. <br />
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Ugh, dreams...! I rarely dream, and when I do, they're rarely so unsettling. Hoping for a dreamless night tonight!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-75870292386627310672013-01-16T13:32:00.002-08:002013-01-16T13:36:35.063-08:009 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPV2pmet0ttgudlKl3QhZyuJCuFhqgiHn2NS2qSDpXjwv9pHjzczTIcmuZaJJL39MpOUvR6e_LQ6xbB2G8A8kIL842LbzD4RAQOb1cjGvgwBc8MX23kLCIwqgYAWtALkLNz78woG6qewv/s1600/20130116_izora010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPV2pmet0ttgudlKl3QhZyuJCuFhqgiHn2NS2qSDpXjwv9pHjzczTIcmuZaJJL39MpOUvR6e_LQ6xbB2G8A8kIL842LbzD4RAQOb1cjGvgwBc8MX23kLCIwqgYAWtALkLNz78woG6qewv/s400/20130116_izora010.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Woohoo! We made it to nine months!<br />
<br />
This little goober was 23 lbs and 3 ozs at her doctor's appointment. The doctor walked in and said, "well, I guess you're feeding her then!" =P She is still gaining about half a pound a month which would put her in 18 month clothes in about February...! <br />
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We had a rather productive month as well!<br />
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She is really fast on the army crawl and finally trying to stand (albeit a bit unsuccessfully.) But she will stand if she's holding on to something so I have hope that she might walk before two haha! She has clapped a few times but doesn't much care for it and she's also waved at me in context though only a few times, not with any consistency. She will also say "momma" to me which is awesome! But usually only when she really wants something -- but that's okay. ;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaySJncd5qx9ZgpjlNQhkoMt1x8kvTKXPqFR6Nazzg6DBe6E-_PIqfmgBsSoPlEMKhLD6NM9tkxLkYluVVJLIWeez18ddyM7scU6YtwuNE72ffl_SuJYZo-WwGXBS2B07nbgxeQ2YLUbuu/s1600/20130116_izora008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaySJncd5qx9ZgpjlNQhkoMt1x8kvTKXPqFR6Nazzg6DBe6E-_PIqfmgBsSoPlEMKhLD6NM9tkxLkYluVVJLIWeez18ddyM7scU6YtwuNE72ffl_SuJYZo-WwGXBS2B07nbgxeQ2YLUbuu/s400/20130116_izora008.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
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She is basically eating everything we eat, although she still gets 2-3 bottles a day. (Her EIGHT teeth help with that!!) Unfortunately her naps have changed a lot. Sometimes she takes a little hour nap in the morning after playing for a couple hours and while she still takes her long afternoon nap, it's more like two hours rather than three. At least she'll generally sleep until 7:30 am (even though I'd prefer 10.... haha!) But she's been going to sleep around 8:30 pm so we get a little more "us" time at night now, which is nice.<br />
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She's getting more and more bored of her toys so I try to go out every day with her, which is difficult in this rainy weather. (I'm thinking of joining some mommy groups... but anti-social me makes that a bit difficult.) But on the flip side she also gets a lot more gratification from external sources. It is so cute to me how she laughs so hard at the cats running around the house. =) She is definitely one happy, content baby!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAQFEz9_y6jMryx_yBrq8rZ7-AdOsAo-LPMI-8BEvM4RYo3kfAGwlgI3OQkV7bmvbdyO0bewymD7xiPu5TPj0p8vW0PM6PZKoSxaSRqvgUrSGyAW382m_Rn9ohlueku36yrxAYrOWQBGC/s1600/20130116_izora012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAQFEz9_y6jMryx_yBrq8rZ7-AdOsAo-LPMI-8BEvM4RYo3kfAGwlgI3OQkV7bmvbdyO0bewymD7xiPu5TPj0p8vW0PM6PZKoSxaSRqvgUrSGyAW382m_Rn9ohlueku36yrxAYrOWQBGC/s400/20130116_izora012.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-77023941550311103122013-01-14T12:00:00.000-08:002013-01-14T12:00:01.498-08:00What You Really Need Part 1: The Bare NeccessitiesOkay, so I decided to make this post for those mommies to be in my life who are completely overwhelmed with the number of baby products on the market. Yes, I know, you're going to buy what you want to buy! I get it. I totally overbought because I wanted Miss Iz to have anything she could possibly ever need. But, if you want a no nonsense guide to the essentials, than please peruse these posts. =)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, okay, I super stocked up...<u><br /></u></td></tr>
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<b>Diapers + Wipes</b><br />
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This is pretty obvious. Whether you chose the cloth or disposable variety, you probably want some of these bad boys in your life. My only real advice here is if you're going disposable and you want to prepurchase (I did, we were going down to one income so I bought a pack or two every other week) then make sure you purchase from a place that will let you exchange them. (I carried 7 packs of size ones into Target to exchange... oops!)<br />
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My personal suggestion is to get the big 300+ diaper box (I procure mine from Costco.) I would get 1 box of size ones, 2 boxes of size twos, 3 boxes of size threes, and 4 boxes of size fours. You may need a few extras in there, but knowing what I know now, this is what I intend to do for baby #2. (Note: I also don't anticipate having a baby smaller than 9 lbs. So 1 box of size ones may not cut it for you, but you'll probably be getting a bunch at your baby shower anyway!)<br />
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While I think cloth diapers are lovely for those who chose to use them, I unfortunately have no advice in that arena.<br />
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As far as wipes go: some people make their own... I personally purchase them in the largest
quantity available. You will never run out of these. In fact, I wish I
had purchased more of them before she was born than I did. Stupidly I
futzed around with those little three packs they have at the grocery
store (you can see them in the picture above!) Skip that nonsense and get the most outrageously huge box you can find. Please. You won't regret it! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, I had to buy some girlie stuff!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>An Assortment of Onesies</b><br />
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Now, I recommend an assortment because you might not know which ones you like best until that little baby butt is firmly snuggled into them. I personally didn't care at all for the traditional three snap bottom variety until she was bigger and in 6 months clothes. The footsied zip-up ones were definitely the way to go for me. (Personally, I adore Carter's. They are super consistent and fit amazingly well. Her wardrobe is definitely 90% or more Carter's.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-tsCzwH67pKL8MiyWEOFlHph3OtBfk5MJnoAmGqGahK-kdqTVNGZ5lUOEuNRT62QMsjv2hfTe7INPVGa1QVQe6Dqnw0bzshKxzrW3VzDISCxrrjSZZ3-poQiS2slTXAcJNk3hdmdWKXf/s1600/20120613_izora022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-tsCzwH67pKL8MiyWEOFlHph3OtBfk5MJnoAmGqGahK-kdqTVNGZ5lUOEuNRT62QMsjv2hfTe7INPVGa1QVQe6Dqnw0bzshKxzrW3VzDISCxrrjSZZ3-poQiS2slTXAcJNk3hdmdWKXf/s400/20120613_izora022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mohawk hair! =)</td></tr>
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<b>A Baby Bathtub</b><br />
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Okay, I'm a little more hesitant to say you <i>need</i> this. If you plan on co-bathing or have a sink you trust, you probably don't need this. I don't think you'd regret this purchase, though. I found it made bath time way more manageable than any other alternative so in my mind, you need this. I had the simple Fisher Price "Whale of a Tub" variety and we both loved it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ib0UCSPhTpJBfcuBoqzSonwhQfdgJKLMnM52S-2y6NqK39_ljzCl2QJr_yPioZVsBL_QV-vlMduaK5U801jTYRddJqgLUm6vCCTp2oQUyUvrlKxso9t5E1ILGCItZdt3CPzeKWvddguo/s1600/20120416_izora030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ib0UCSPhTpJBfcuBoqzSonwhQfdgJKLMnM52S-2y6NqK39_ljzCl2QJr_yPioZVsBL_QV-vlMduaK5U801jTYRddJqgLUm6vCCTp2oQUyUvrlKxso9t5E1ILGCItZdt3CPzeKWvddguo/s400/20120416_izora030.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bundled up in some light blankies. =)</td></tr>
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<b>Blankies</b><br />
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Honestly, you will probably get a million and a half of these, but more than likely they will mostly suck. I'm sorry, but the truth can sometimes hurt. I would pick up at least one pack of large muslin receiving blankets. (I personally adored Aden + Anais.) I still use these to this day. They are light, swaddle well, and wash wonderfully.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably the only time you'll see her full name on this blog! =P</td></tr>
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<b>A Place to Lay Baby Down</b><br />
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Whether you chose to bed share or not, it is nice to have at least a pack and play to lay baby down in because unless you have the patience of a saint, you will need to lay your baby down somewhere for at least five minutes one in a while. I personally chose to crib sleep after the first month to save my sanity and we got into a great routine very easily. Cribs don't have to be expensive! I got this lovely one off of Amazon for $150.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_EhLnldQjjxn5VbntgMo7ueZZ06TAXuGWmE4P7JJfLN_dJ0F3mSzKnGtG3e9GFt9AVRPYG3RLhi-8C_tu-4oTK82cXMv_oK9_MPBv3CSAXAG5I5PWGZYQQmWByNmy_Frwh3Ij4YV1EkG/s1600/20120925_izora007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_EhLnldQjjxn5VbntgMo7ueZZ06TAXuGWmE4P7JJfLN_dJ0F3mSzKnGtG3e9GFt9AVRPYG3RLhi-8C_tu-4oTK82cXMv_oK9_MPBv3CSAXAG5I5PWGZYQQmWByNmy_Frwh3Ij4YV1EkG/s400/20120925_izora007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoozing in the car. =)</td></tr>
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<b>Carseat</b><br />
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At least in the US, you can't leave the hospital without one, so go ahead and get one early. You don't have to worry too much about which ones you chose, but go ahead and read the reviews and pick one you feel comfortable with and that fits your car. Just so you know, car seats do have expiration dates! And you should avoid buying them second hand because if the seat has ever been in an accident it has to be replaced and the seller might not be upfront with you about it's condition.<br />
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Personally we bought one of the snap-in seats for my husband's car and a convertible rear to forward facing for my car. So we had the best of both worlds. =)<br />
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<b>Nursing Bra</b><br />
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This is obvious, if you intend to nurse. But I thought I'd throw it in anyway. (Sorry, no picture of me in one haha!) I purchased my nursing bras when I had to buy a bigger size due to all those lovely body changes pregnancy puts you through.<br />
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And that's really it! Those are all the things you absolutely need before bringing a baby home. It's really not such a daunting list. If you start with these, then you can expand out from there. Look for the next part in the series next Monday, <i>What You Really Need Part 2: The Things You Probably Want</i>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-78784697449968408802013-01-11T20:05:00.000-08:002013-01-13T20:22:28.594-08:00The Last Three MonthsWow! A lot has happened in the last three months! I can't believe how far behind I've gotten. I guess that's what the holidays do to you. =P I've decided to rework this blog and try to post two or three times a week - likely Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - so that I don't overwhelm myself and still have interesting things to talk about. =)<br />
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Iz is really growing up so much! I can hardly believe it. She seems like a totally different person than she was three months ago. So in the spirit of updating, I'm going to post some shots of her from the last three months.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A dress my mother in law got from Dollywood for her official 6 month shots.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most adorable little elephant that there ever was for Halloween. <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9Bi-JI4To_vj55Se4D3-UE8vOTYANiXlKyp9-5CNAXfHAprX3apt5CMmKKAPoOgx_vpWkO8iswxe3MrFflwOO_D60zgUq6JQ-7SMo0-oKv8GZVpHAlW-kGbu70kSWSQinY5yPK3kJ8x9/s1600/20121118_izora029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9Bi-JI4To_vj55Se4D3-UE8vOTYANiXlKyp9-5CNAXfHAprX3apt5CMmKKAPoOgx_vpWkO8iswxe3MrFflwOO_D60zgUq6JQ-7SMo0-oKv8GZVpHAlW-kGbu70kSWSQinY5yPK3kJ8x9/s400/20121118_izora029.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her official 7 month photos - I adore her expression!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFE9q4YLOVtn-QXID1rgJ8DishWRvr5nchNdAYcnQdpUr6AwrPXmpYdi9QIbFEABc8pzYnknyUtrZb5g7PM2YRQy7g46RQr6yqGXP6Xqyl8EXmqo7aGIIn4d0f0XnAnTGikiunpt-5g09/s1600/20121214_izora076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFE9q4YLOVtn-QXID1rgJ8DishWRvr5nchNdAYcnQdpUr6AwrPXmpYdi9QIbFEABc8pzYnknyUtrZb5g7PM2YRQy7g46RQr6yqGXP6Xqyl8EXmqo7aGIIn4d0f0XnAnTGikiunpt-5g09/s400/20121214_izora076.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying turkey on Thanksgiving!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuPQsK8BlhkkNAAjz2R1yBC3A5-mJrJykAGdrQ4cmuPHrv7WTwlD8Jyg8XO-OjrR039eVubeK8SyFxwNTW1l-qVMn24qV_5MbRaatNZ0HG4ww-4vv20DozgKGStqspnjgH-yMDVg5Q2lU/s1600/20121214_izora011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuPQsK8BlhkkNAAjz2R1yBC3A5-mJrJykAGdrQ4cmuPHrv7WTwlD8Jyg8XO-OjrR039eVubeK8SyFxwNTW1l-qVMn24qV_5MbRaatNZ0HG4ww-4vv20DozgKGStqspnjgH-yMDVg5Q2lU/s400/20121214_izora011.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little Christmas elf. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB5pRCP6HV2x3nL4k5hmL2zSdJqlrxkhVMbqfe_P7uWyoabE9PaQbJ87XVkoJfCEodDlUG269YEwOtM2sGoGNgi-hAmr-jxfMTfsqrkrrDQekinXS_As2C00BUKeGP-VeQ_HLwpGlKX1Y/s1600/20121214_izora018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB5pRCP6HV2x3nL4k5hmL2zSdJqlrxkhVMbqfe_P7uWyoabE9PaQbJ87XVkoJfCEodDlUG269YEwOtM2sGoGNgi-hAmr-jxfMTfsqrkrrDQekinXS_As2C00BUKeGP-VeQ_HLwpGlKX1Y/s400/20121214_izora018.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was having a great time!</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-32784811912736210332012-10-03T11:00:00.000-07:002012-10-03T11:00:04.734-07:005 months!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONP2L4thhFTbljejQRI26wqBGhuNsFEqxGz3a2tLhIMDE8ClkDSzO0g0c7wAfbcejSfSjJR7Tfkn2z-Ptldx5NdasgnTPbYLy5NyzNNDoE0Eu2B8SIZgJ4tEX0zrH9xmYHAHj_nvZ6KC7/s1600/20120925_izora002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONP2L4thhFTbljejQRI26wqBGhuNsFEqxGz3a2tLhIMDE8ClkDSzO0g0c7wAfbcejSfSjJR7Tfkn2z-Ptldx5NdasgnTPbYLy5NyzNNDoE0Eu2B8SIZgJ4tEX0zrH9xmYHAHj_nvZ6KC7/s400/20120925_izora002.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is starting to look so much more like me as a baby. =P</td></tr>
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<br />
I'm not precisely sure why I'm posting this because in another week or two I'm going to be posting a six month update... but here goes! ;-)<br />
<br />
Honestly, we didn't make many big developmental milestones this month. Miss Iz did laugh for the first time, though! Which made me super duper happy. =) There were only a few little giggles there toward the end of the month, but it was definitely a sign of things to come. :D<br />
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<br />
She was also getting more and more steady sitting up (although she still can't sit up on her own) and her hand-eye coordination was getting better every day.<br />
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Towards the end of the month I had to switch to half and half breast feeding and formula feeding, which was a little bit of a blow to my self confidence, but she made the switch really easily.<br />
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Aaaand that's about all I got. But the next month she made all kinds of strides I can't wait to tell you about. ;-) Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-39047236856006844342012-10-02T19:11:00.001-07:002012-10-02T19:11:31.444-07:00Wanted<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRbTTuJeYs38mg4lzKgJeRfAynf2RTW2MnPUUtkG2JLgIUMYUU86ncv_abXNNVe6JRrJLRnHmVlezrGC7_DiJiGM9T0tAtkJA_65g4EJbeDWmVUBoiMaUWiggTB2qnrsejQ-kgA8s0CdB/s1600/20120822_izora014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRbTTuJeYs38mg4lzKgJeRfAynf2RTW2MnPUUtkG2JLgIUMYUU86ncv_abXNNVe6JRrJLRnHmVlezrGC7_DiJiGM9T0tAtkJA_65g4EJbeDWmVUBoiMaUWiggTB2qnrsejQ-kgA8s0CdB/s400/20120822_izora014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How could I leave this face...?!</td></tr>
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<br />
I was contacted for the first time in my life by a recruiter this week. It was so shocking to me I actually considered it. It was only a three month contract position that was right up my alley, but the idea of sticking my baby in a day care was so unappealing I changed my mind.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
It is just so hard for me to be without a job, despite the fact I don't even want one. I still feel this crazy drive to work regardless. It's horrible. I even want to apply to crap retail jobs. I don't think it would be so bad if I were booking photo gigs. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
At least if have some of my own money. But luckily my only other stay at home mom friend (who cheats and works nights as a nurse) reminded me that this time goes so fast. That I will never get these first five years back. That in the grand scheme of things, it is more important to be laying down the fundamental beginnings of my baby's life than making money. She already did it with her two boys so I have to trust her perspective.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
I mean, just the other night we played so hard. I spent an hour kissing her tummy and tickling her, making her laugh uncontrollably. Lifting her in the air to the tune of her little squeals. Rolling around in the floor and playing with her toys. Seeing her smile at me with all the joy in the world. I would hate to be working weekends and missing that opportunity. Or being too tired after work to give her my full attention. Or for her to think that someone else was her primary provider and caretaker and not me.</div>
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It is so hard to be a mom. These are the kind of decisions that tear a woman apart.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
But I think I will got back to grad school and get my MBA when she is 4 or 5. I think it will stack nicely on my communications degree. And I really don't see what choice I have. I can hardly reenter the work force with the degree I have only having never had a full time job in my field really. I also think I'd like to be a project manager now, too. I didn't really know jobs like that existed before entering the workforce or <u>I</u> might've taken that route directly. We'll see. It gives me something to look forward to on that front without requiring any immediate action. ;-)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-91155155747560854062012-09-25T17:44:00.001-07:002012-09-25T17:44:41.212-07:00Behind again...!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetvWLeNcQ1CqBzfMx5YDTb2SziTXe-5WTLEhb8lWKtsNNskSptV-Wds4lyiSzORQm8ojsTgl1hqJOCRjayaHbfGR3u8SZiXrn4M4-SAYPq_oBJwQ8omQpDaIkJdXrXh33cmSmMxTsfHBX/s1600/20120705_izora065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetvWLeNcQ1CqBzfMx5YDTb2SziTXe-5WTLEhb8lWKtsNNskSptV-Wds4lyiSzORQm8ojsTgl1hqJOCRjayaHbfGR3u8SZiXrn4M4-SAYPq_oBJwQ8omQpDaIkJdXrXh33cmSmMxTsfHBX/s400/20120705_izora065.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Seriously mom? What else have you got to do?"</td></tr>
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<br />
Wow! So of course, I got behind again! =(<br />
<br />
I have a 5 month update to do (once I get those pictures on the computer, ha) but we've been a bit busy around these parts. Some of what's happened since I've been gone:<br />
<br />
- We visited Ohio for a week and saw as much of my husband's family as possible. (Stay tuned for a full update and some adorable pics!)<br />
<br />
- I got up to my full dose of Synthroid since <a href="http://somethingsimplysplendid.blogspot.com/2012/08/well-its-official.html" target="_blank">my thyroid debacle</a> at the beginning of August and I feel MUCH better! I'm about 100% I'd say. Still don't feel like working out though... ;-)<br />
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- I've started getting things together for my Etsy shop. Yay! :D I am desperate to make some extra cash since it's become extremely obvious to me that my husband and I have different money priorities and nothing will ever get purchased for the house if I'm not doing it.<br />
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- Miss Iz has started eating purees and wearing 9 month clothes. =') I cannot wait for her appointment in October so we can see how big she's gotten! I expect a hefty increase since I didn't realize she wasn't getting enough breastmilk at the time of her last appointment.<br />
<br />
- On that note, we officially have stopped breastfeeding completely as of yesterday. =( I almost made it to six months. I feel like I did as well as I could considering the circumstances but it is somewhat depressing to know I had just a great routine only to have it completely undermined by my thyroid. I could've worked to re-lactate, it's true, but I was too disappointed and crushed to be in the right mindset about it.<br />
<br />
I think that's the major things. I hope to get her five month update out tomorrow... =PUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-35648818021148060152012-08-23T13:00:00.000-07:002012-08-23T13:00:02.989-07:00Happiness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpm2105yi5TuvIWsHVipAuiK_HYZ5eVds2rK_r4iOZI1E4uYwZcOgkLRVEdHcJMprm6rKlHP4jLmZoBDdteKCkF5RVrD5me8kg7x09C0E3_oSO7girzORDSaRwAI4W48GSFYL12O32Z2N/s1600/filmpics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpm2105yi5TuvIWsHVipAuiK_HYZ5eVds2rK_r4iOZI1E4uYwZcOgkLRVEdHcJMprm6rKlHP4jLmZoBDdteKCkF5RVrD5me8kg7x09C0E3_oSO7girzORDSaRwAI4W48GSFYL12O32Z2N/s640/filmpics.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor quality camera phone photos. ;-)</td></tr>
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<br />
I didn't really think I would enjoy being a stay at home mom. My sense of self has been tightly interwoven with having a job and doing well ever since I landed my first one at 15. (I think my total time unemployed in the last ten years might equal six months, which could easily be made up by the times I had more than one job.) In fact, I frequently joke to people about how mind-numbingly boring being a stay at home mom is. But I'll let you in on a secret: that's not even remotely true.<br />
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Okay, I did have a difficult time adjusting at first. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it exactly, it was more than Miss Iz wasn't on a schedule of any sort so every day could be completely different and that was stressful to me. I couldn't really plan to do any particular thing because the whole thing might come crashing down on me in one ill-timed meltdown. But now that I know her, her moods, how frequently she needs to eat, when she might need to nap, and so on, I have a lot more freedom, and I honestly really like staying at home.<br />
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It helps that my husband doesn't have any particular expectation of how well-kept the house should be. Therefore, the fact that I rarely get to chores doesn't bother him and he still helps out around the house. I don't feel that responsibility crushing me and that is where I think a lot of dissatisfaction starts with stay at home moms - the inability to have their house in a constant state of perfection. (Honestly I guess I'm used to living in a constant state of imperfection. I really do need to start getting some of my house projects done during her naps, but they're still not exactly predictable enough for me to pull out a paint can and get cracking.)<br />
<br />
I really just love being there for her. I know she couldn't possibly get as much attention in a day care as she does from me (although I still try to give her plenty of autonomous time because I think that's healthy for babies.) I love giving her a million kisses during the day, tickling her, making her break out into a huge grin, helping her roll over, helping her fall asleep by snuggling up close to her... I love that I get to see every little change in her development. I love that she knows that I am there for her no matter what - mommy will come to get her.<br />
<br />
Obviously I sometimes get lonely and bored. But really, that's becoming more and more rare. I often run errands with her during the day when all the old people who want to have conversations about babies are out and about. ;-) And I've been actively trying to cultivate relationships with a few other moms I know in the area. (Hey, these are big steps for me, I'm actually rather anti-social!)<br />
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I just honestly cannot be more thankful that my husband has a great job to support us, that he trusts me enough in my parenting decisions to let me stay home with her, and that I actually gave this whole stay at home mom thing a shot. It's definitely not for everyone, but at this moment, it is definitely for me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-72046999022875056352012-08-22T20:14:00.001-07:002012-08-22T20:16:26.023-07:00Four months!<div>
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Wow, this post is WAY overdue, but I definitely think this is my favorite baby age so far. Despite a few hiccups in her sleep and overall happiness which I attribute to my thyroid issues, this is such a cool month because she has started to really recognize the world around her.<br />
<br />
She grabs for things she wants now and can easily flip from tummy to back. She's found her toes and just inserts as many as she can straight into her mouth. She squeals when she's happy and is super close to laughing. She has really started interacting with my husband and has a markedly different relationship with him than she does with me. Her grins are absolutely infectious and she shares them more easily than ever. Her bottom two teeth have broken through and she's showing more interest in food every day. She can almost sit up unassisted but she gets tired easily and wobbles a lot still.<br />
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And she's definitely a little ham. She knows when you're talking about her and wants you to constantly be talking to her. I try hard to get her to play alone a bit so she doesn't become too dependent on external entertainment but hey, it's difficult when she's your biggest source of entertainment too!<br />
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At her doctor's appointment this month she measured in at 25.5 inches and 13.11 pounds. She is definitely a little string bean. =) I can't believe how long she is, though. It makes baby wearing rather difficult. <br />
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It seems really strange to me that I have a four month old daughter. The pains of pregnancy are a distant memory and with the exception of my postpartum health issues (and the stretch marks, unfortunately), I almost can't believe my life was ever any other way. It simultaneously feels altogether different and completely the same. I thought I would have such a difficult time adjusting but being a stay at home mom comes so naturally to me and we were already more inclined to stay in than to party that it hardly feels like much has changed. Except that we have a little person to feed and bathe and love. I definitely feel like my life is whole now (even with my sometimes overwhelming desire for baby #2.)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-33213404115830394062012-08-12T19:00:00.000-07:002012-08-12T19:00:00.603-07:00Nostalgia<div>
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<br />
Now that my little girly is officially getting teeth I have been all tore up about her getting bigger. Clearly I am too sensitive to be a mom. ;-) But it's had me thinking about her birth and some little things which amused me that I hope to never forget...<br />
<br />
When the doctor asked me "are you ready to have a baby?" as her introduction to the announcement that they were going to schedule my induction, I almost said "no!" Instead I just stared at her dumbfounded like, you want me to what? I guess I was so wrapped up in the pregnancy and my health complications and preparing for the baby that I just never spent any time thinking about actually, well, HAVING a baby. I don't know what I was expecting to happen at the end of those nine months, but suddenly I wasn't sure I would be able to raise a child. The implications were enormous. <br />
<br />
All these people say "oh, I just can't wait to meet you and start learning all about you." I literally don't think I thought that once throughout my entire pregnancy. Though I think this will be all that occupies my mind if I'm lucky enough to have a second go at it. It will be so different knowing what to expect.<br />
<br />
Also, I will never forget my husband's Facebook post as soon as she was born. It said, in all caps, "I'm a father!" Maybe it's just because I know my husband so intimately but there was something so poignant and sincere to me about that simple statement. Father has such a deep implication, far more deep than what being a dad does. Fathering is the act of being there, nurturing and fostering a little human. And maybe it has nothing to do with my husband at all but more to do with the fact that I have never truly considered my dad a "father," but either way I hope every day that he lives up to that simple statement.<br />
<br />
And I remember how jealous I was that my husband was getting to see her as the nurse bathed her and checked her over and I lay there, getting poked and prodded and sewn up. It seems horribly unfair that the mother has to sit back and watch her new baby from afar. I trusted my husband to watch over the nurse's every movement, but of course I wanted to be there. It's weird how suddenly the maternal instinct takes over.<br />
<br />
I remember being angry when my in-laws came in to see her before I even had a chance to really hold her. Of course they were excited, and with every right to be, but that was MY baby and I wanted to relax and hold her first, not field ridiculous questions from my 13 year old sister-in-law literally fifteen minutes after I had given birth as everyone else got to eye over my baby. (Next time, I will know to tell them to wait until we're moved out of labor and delivery.) I remember the overwhelming relief I felt when the nurse swiftly ushered everyone out only minutes after they got in. I don't even remember who she was or if she was even there for labor and delivery but I seriously think she should've received much more thanks than she got that day. =P<br />
<br />
Sorry for such a rambling post, but I just had to get that out there. </div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-41445121177961996742012-08-11T21:25:00.000-07:002012-08-11T21:25:27.719-07:00Well, it's Official<div>
I am finally going on synthroid.<br />
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I never really knew much about the thyroid part of my health issues. I mean, I knew I had hashimotos like my father, and I knew I had nodules (which lead to a biopsy about a year ago) but everything looked great on my last ultrasound and so I never worried much about it. I knew thyroid issues could be exacerbated postpartum but at my three month endocronologist appointment my thyroid showed no signs of irregularity, so I figured I was golden.<br />
<br />
But then came the weight - I gained 10 lbs in two weeks. (Much to my dismay.)<br />
<br />
And the lethargy - I couldn't drag myself out of bed before noon. (I was getting up with baby and walking at six thirty every morning. I started just bringing her back into bed with me and taking a long nap.)<br />
<br />
And then I noticed it: the goiter. My neck was huge. My husband could visibly see the enlarged thyroid. I could feel the pressure of it laying on my back. (Much to my horror. The idea of a goiter simultaneously scares the crap out of me and totally disgusts me.)<br />
<br />
Worse was all of this occurred in less than three weeks!!<br />
<br />
So of course I called my doctor. The nurse was very sympathetic and gave me an appointment as soon as she could since "it must be bad as you're not a complainer." (Nice to know they know me there haha.)<br />
<br />
Had an ultrasound and sure enough my thyroid doubled in size. So I got some blood work done and I just hoped it was consistent with my symptoms so I didn't have to do another biopsy.<br />
<br />
When the nurse called she said to me "you won't even believe how high your TSH levels are." Having never had a TSH above four, I was thinking the 20-30 range. Nope. My TSH was <b>74</b>. She said "no wonder you feel lethargic!" and even thanked me for calling and making the appointment when I did.<br />
<br />
So this morning was my first dose of synthroid. It'll be six weeks before I'm on the full dose but I hope I respond well to the medication and start feeling better soon. I'm so thankful I have a doctor who listens to me and takes me seriously. I know others aren't so lucky. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-9680283853874895032012-08-01T15:24:00.002-07:002012-08-01T15:24:40.665-07:00Road-Tripping Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />As you may be aware, we traversed the 700 miles from Georgia, to Pennsylvania, and then back to Georgia by way of North Carolina at the beginning of the month. We had a great, if exhausting, trip. I was in absolute disbelief about how well Miss Iz did on the trip! I think mommy needed a bit more recuperation than she did afterward, in fact. ;-)<br />
<br />
It was great to see everyone back home including most of my cousins! I guess the baby was a big draw because I honestly saw more relatives than I have in probably six or eight years. It's really a strange experience now that I'm a mom, it's like I got an official welcome into the "adult's" club. Not that I wasn't treated like an adult before, but there's a certain level of shared experience after having children that seems to be instantly relate-able to other parents.<br />
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I also learned a few things about taking babies on the road. In no order of significance, if you are planning a road trip with a three month old in the near future, you may do well to consider the following:<br />
<br />
1. There is nothing more exciting for a baby than to have mom sitting in the back seat with her ready to attend to her every need. That said, it can be so exciting nap time is therefore impossible.<br />
<br />
2. Just because your baby might sometimes make it four hours without eating doesn't mean that the best time to test the possibility is one hour outside of your destination. Sometimes it's just better to stop at three hours and feed her as anticipated, or you might have to stop anyway due to a baby meltdown.<br />
<br />
3. Even if you don't use them, it's a good idea to have planned stops where you can stay for the night if either you or the baby just can't handle any more road. We didn't end up using ours, but it gave me peace of mind to know they existed.<br />
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4. Bring your baby monitors. Even if you're going to be staying in the room with her while she sleeps, you might want to hang out for a while with other adults after she goes to bed.<br />
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5. Bring as many things as possible to keep her bedtime routine going during the trip. It was a seamless transition for us because I had been training her to fall asleep with a certain routine and I brought everything to facilitate that. <br />
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6. Sometimes baby needs a break from people. It's okay to tell people "no" and to hold her yourself or set her down and let her have some autonomous time.<br />
<br />
7. It's a good idea to have some essentials packed in the back seat with you. Diapers, wipes, toys, spit cloths, a change of outfit, toys, and a back-up formula bottle were in my stash. They ALL got used. Although most of this is probably in your diaper bag, a separate stash is nice so you don't have to compromise the contents of your diaper bag which will also be getting heavy use running in and out of rest stops.<br />
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That's about all I can think of right now. It really wasn't bad. We only had one car meltdown and the rest of the time she was an angel. I actually think this is a great age for traveling since babies are only used to a little autonomy and aren't bored or frustrated by sitting still so long. =)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-68026336069497712642012-07-31T13:25:00.000-07:002012-07-31T13:25:08.967-07:00A Promise to my Daughter<div>
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<br />
(And any future daughter-in-laws or stepdaughters I may have.)<br />
<br />
One day of course I imagine I’m going to have the opportunity to be a grandparent. But I’m not going to harass you about it. If you don’t want kids, okay, for a long time I didn’t. If you struggle to conceive, okay, I did too. If you adopt, okay, I would love to adopt one day. I will support you whatever you decide.<br />
<br />
But that’s neither here nor there. Most importantly, no matter how excited I am, I will let you dictate the terms of my involvement. If you don’t want me at the hospital for l&d, that’s okay, I’ll suck it up and stay away. If (god forbid) you want me in there with you, I’ll suck it up and stay by your side. If you need me to plan a shower, buy a car seat, lend a shoulder to cry on, fly in from out of town, bring you dinner for a month, or just support your medication decisions, I’ll do whatever you need me to do. Even if that means doing nothing and giving you your space.<br />
<br />
Pregnancy is messy. It’s hard. It’s disgusting. It rips away your self confidence and fills your heart with wonder. The things I wanted and needed during my pregnancy may not be the things you need. I can offer advice but I can’t tell you what you want. That, you have to tell me. And I promise to listen, no matter what you may think I want, because the thing I want most is for you to be happy.<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-33056530175337476952012-07-19T19:48:00.000-07:002012-07-19T19:48:22.506-07:00Caramelized Baked Chicken<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
Okay, I accidentally stumbled on this recipe while reviewing another recipe my mom sent me from her <a href="http://www.bigoven.com/" target="_blank">Big Oven</a> account, but it is fanFREAKINGtastic! I was a little bit skeptical because I've made similiar recipes and they sauces never turned out how I wanted - they were either too sweet or too ketchupy or too... bad. Ha! But this one was bang on. I used chicken thighs instead of legs but definitely keep the skin on these suckers, they crisped up perfectly.<br />
<br />
I followed <a href="http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/169496/Caramelized-Baked-Chicken" target="_blank">this recipe</a> exactly (minus the leg to thigh substitution) and served it with skillet potatoes and green beans. Delish!<br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
3 pounds chicken drumsticks <br />
1 cup honey <br />
2 tbsp ketchup <br />
2 tbsp olive oil <br />
1/2 cup soy sauce <br />
1 clove garlic, minced <br />
salt and pepper, to taste<br />
<br />
<b>Prep</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Preheat oven to 375°F</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Steps</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Place the chicken legs in a 9x13 baking dish. </li>
<li>Mix all ingredients in a
bowl and pour evenly over chicken legs. </li>
<li>Bake for approximately 1 hour.</li>
</ol>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-13780080602809840782012-07-10T12:00:00.000-07:002012-07-19T19:10:08.737-07:00Coexisting<div>
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As you may be aware, we have six cats. If you are wondering whether this is a good idea or not, please be advised this is utterly too many cats. If I could go back to only having four cats, I probably would, but we're attached to the little devils and would never select two of them to dump at the pound.<br />
<br />
Despite what some people believe, I've actually thought a lot about how to bring a baby into a home with six cats. <br />
<br />
First, I didn't want the cats getting into her room when I couldn't supervise them. I did a lot of research and ultimately took a chance on an extra tall baby gate. It works beautifully and the kitties don't even try to jump it! (Though Zeke has taken to mewing outside the door while I'm in there...)<br />
<br />
Second, we obviously have an extreme litter box situation. And crawling babies get into everything. Therefore I've been looking at litter box solutions for downstairs. I think I've found the perfect way to conceal them! I was going to build myself something similar, but these look so nice and are so reasonably priced, I think I may just buy these and save myself some work.<br />
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If the cats take to them, I can see converting my upstairs litter boxes as well. I am a little worried about the height in the white ones as I have some <b>big</b> cats, but I intend to just leave the drawer out of this brown one. <br />
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See? They even have a picture to show you how toddlers can coexist with cats - haha!
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We didn't have a doctor's appointment this month so I'm not sure of her weight or her length. I would guess she's grown at least another inch though! She seems so long to me - at least the size of some 6 month olds! (Which she must be since she fits nicely in 6 month clothes now.)<br />
<br />
She has made great progress this month. She can sit up really well with assistance, she loves to "talk" to everyone now, she can pull toys to her mouth and chew on them, she can clasp her hands together (which is adorable!), and she has started being awake for an hour or two at a time. She hasn't rolled over yet without a little assistance I'm about 90% positive she can do it if she wanted to seeing as she rolled onto her side at four days old. I am a wee bit concerned I don't do enough tummy time but she is so strong and can hold her head up so well while sitting that I feel like I must be doing something right. <br />
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I think she is going to be a bit of a social butterfly though! She wants nothing more than to stare you in the eyes and babble for a good 15 minutes. =) Although she likes toys, especially her activity mat, she just doesn't seem as concerned to make physical leaps and bounds as she does social ones. Of course, that could change, but she's perfectly content to sit and coo at her toys for awhile before swatting at them. (And she prefers them if they have a face! Any of the plastic butterflies, hearts, or rings on her toy bar won't hold her attention for more than a second, but hang a doll or stuffed piggy with a smiley face on the same bar and suddenly she is fascinated, reaching for it and smiling.)<br />
<br />
I'm going to try to photograph some of her favorite toys so that she can remember them too. Maybe I'm a little psycho but hey, I'm a stay at home mom, what else do I have to do? I really enjoy photography and I like to think it keeps me sharp for my (non-existent) clients. ;-P This blue elephant was her first, and still one of her most, favorite!<br />
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Oh, and my lovely husband attempted to do the impossible and take a decent picture of me by my request since Miss Iz is now three months and I have maybe five cell phone pics of us together. I'd like to think the experience gave him more sympathy and understanding towards me as a photographer, but I know he just got really frustrated haha. I know I'm going to get some professional ones done for her 1 year birthday so there will be SOME decent pictures of us together. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-75555616119379987012012-07-08T19:12:00.000-07:002012-07-08T19:14:53.546-07:00Neglect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know I have been neglecting this blog hardcore but I'm in the second wave of post-baby relative visiting. We've been taking Miss Iz to my husband's hometown to visit her great-grandparents a lot recently and that has been seriously taking it out of me. I have been afraid to spend the night since I have her on such a great schedule so we've been getting up early and making the nearly two-hour drive up and then back again that evening. But I know it cheers up my in-laws to do it so I've mostly been happy to do it.<br />
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My father also came down from Pennsylvania to visit. I honestly am having a difficult time even remembering the last time I saw my father. =( It's hard since he moved about 3 hours away from all my other Pennsylvania relatives so it's difficult to visit him even when I go to Pennsylvania.<br />
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While my dad was here, my sister also came down from North Carolina! So Iz got to see a ton of her relatives in one long weekend. =) And I got lots of pictures, which is so important to me for her to be able to look back on.<br />
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Plus this weekend Iz, grandma, and I will be making the trek up to Pennsylvania to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. I can't even believe how many people we will be seeing while we're there! I never thought I'd see all my maternal cousins in the same place at the same time ever again since they live across the US including Michigan and Texas. I am honestly very excited!! Although I will miss my husband (and I know he will miss me and baby girl even more) and I'm nervous about driving so far with a three month old and messing up her sleep schedule, I'm still very happy to get to show her off to everything and get tons of pictures of her family "back home" that I hope she will be able to have in her life as much as possible considering the circumstances.<br />
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Hope to knock out a few more posts before I'm off though! I took her three month photos AND made some delicious chicken I need to post about. =P<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-51901831152195919542012-06-21T21:23:00.001-07:002012-07-08T19:15:05.798-07:00Doctors and Indecision<div>
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I went back to the endocronologist today for the first time since my pregnancy. I am glad I have a doctor who makes firm decisions and doesn't ask me what I want because right now I am so at odds with myself about the whole thing.<br />
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Sometimes I really just want to go on metformin and be done with it. I want to be lazy like everyone else gets to be. I don't want to give up ice cream and pasta and fruit. I don't want to go back to eating chicken and vegetables for every meal. I know somewhere along the line I just have to accept this is how life is for me, but its just damn depressing for someone who enjoys food as much as I do.<br />
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But I suppose I should be thankful. My doctor believes in me. I mean, we don't have a particularly close relationship other than our brief meetings every three months (although I've probably seen her more than any other doctor in my life.) So when I say she believes in me, its not in some cheesy 'go get em sister' movie script way. But she knows I can do it. She doesn't just prescribe drugs to pacify me. She challenges me to be the best I can be, and I think everyone deserves that.<br />
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And I know I can do it too. Furthermore I don't think I should be on medication prior to conceiving again. (Call me old fashioned but I think sometimes your body is telling you its not healthy enough to support life - especially when you've not had a period for over a year.)<br />
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But man sometimes I just wish I could throw in the towel. I'm only 25. I'm facing down at least 50 more years of this crap, hopefully 75. I just hope Miss Iz doesn't have this curse. =(</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-16182185821182841482012-06-21T04:37:00.002-07:002012-07-19T19:11:19.309-07:00Babies are Selfish<div>
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<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dkeSodjkbV9-q3dn0Rv__3ReY57blMM_v8XwHNuDg2Mt0Rd9BemEDwhL5dreKV89VAiXpHotqGLFZ13p-UOVEoq1sOoaqhqp2km60oy-D34uAX_Qhd_7q96u3lG4rhvXBwkIQ3_HRuCW/" title="Who, me?" /></div>
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The title about says it all: babies are selfish.
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It isn't that they want to be selfish little time-consuming black holes, it is simply the nature of the beast. They're trying to figure out everything about the world. They can't do a single thing for themselves and everything they do figure out confuses them. They need so much help.<br />
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That said, being a stay at home mom is the hands down hardest thing I've ever done. Like all humans, deep down I am still a selfish baby too. My wants and needs are confusing and I need someone to help me too sometimes.<br />
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I had these grandiose ideas of what being a stay at home mom looked like: a baby snoozing comfortably nearby while I banged out a novel, a sparkling clean house where you could eat off the floor, baby and I snuggled up together napping peacefully on the couch, a smiling and cooing fount of wonder gently playing with her toys, and so on and so forth.<br />
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The reality is a lonely, exhausting, spit-stained existence of trying desperately to heat up something to eat before she realizes you're out of the room and starts screaming. This after a long debate about whether or not you should ignore the hunger pains and just take a nap while you can but you then remind yourself for the hundredth time that you're breastfeeding and if you don't eat neither can your baby.<br />
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Working mom's are lucky in that they don't have to deal with 24 hours of this drudgery. They can get out of the house, socialize with people, make a contribution somewhere...<br />
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The most socialization I'm guaranteed at least once during the week is a grocery store packed with old people. And I have to rush through, desperately trying to get out in under an hour. Even if I do go to lunch with a friend, my topics of tantalizing conversation have dropped to about one - the shit my husband's doing at work.<br />
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But even though I won't be able to put it on my LinkedIn profile, I hope one day I'll be able to say I made a contribution too, if only towards the growth and development of one individual.<br />
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So every day I remind myself to stick it out. To put my selfishness aside and focus on her. For the little smiles she doles out, the times she coos at me softly, and when she stares into my eyes and I tell her that her momma will always be there for her.<br />
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For the benefit of this one little person.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-43909282797082223572012-06-19T21:22:00.005-07:002012-06-19T21:22:44.507-07:00Cardio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All of my life I thought I hated working out.<br />
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I vaguely knew I was interested in weight lifting - mainly because I was dating a lifter and I viewed anything he could do that I "couldn't" as a challenge. (He brought out the worst in me, what can I say?) But it was the opinion in my social circle at the time that weight lifting was for me and cardio was for women and if I was going to exercise I had to spend three hours a day on the treadmill.<br />
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So I just didn't exercise.<br />
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Well, when you have a doctor look at you, tell you that you're 215 pounds, that you have thyroid issues, PCOS, and that you're pre-diabetic but that she's willing to give you a chance to turn all this around on your own, you DO something.<br />
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Basically I had no excuse to tell my lovely husband "no" anymore about trying out one of this krav maga classes.<br />
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Let me tell you, krav is AWESOME. I sucked at it at first of course. I have no natural coordination, stamina, or strength. But in a year I dropped 25 pounds, gained a ton of muscle, got my period back, and passed my first belt test. Unbeknownst to me, I passed that test a few days pregnant.<br />
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The next week I took a pregnancy test and my dreams had come true! I was healthy enough to have a baby without medical intervention! But you can't do krav pregnant and I stopped altogether.<br />
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Now that Iz is here, I still can't regain my regimen as I can hardly take her with me and I can't get there by the time my husband gets home from work. Therefore, I have to compromise. I have to do cardio.<br />
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Luckily I have some things in my favor. I had gestational diabetes and was on insulin for a few months, which I think helped make me 10 pounds lighter than before I got pregnant. I had the foresight to buy an excellent jogging stroller. The hubs was kind enough to purchase me some nice running shoes.<br />
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Plus, I'm hella motivated. All my baby fever will be for naught if I never get my period back.<br />
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So yesterday I decided to start walking 2 miles Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I would like to do the C25K program but I've always had terrible shin splints so I'm warming up for a few weeks walking and then will probably repeat weeks frequently as I start. So I'm setting a reasonable goal for myself. I would like to be able to do a 5k by Miss Iz's birthday in April. It took me about a year of exercising to get to the point where I was fertile last time and I want to start trying for baby #2 in a year - it seems like a perfect plan to me. ;-)<br />
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Krav taught me I didn't hate working out. Hopefully Iz can teach me I don't hate cardio. But I'm not terribly optimistic...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-43488099582209067462012-06-18T14:58:00.000-07:002012-06-19T21:06:50.455-07:00Baby fever...?!<div>
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Is it possible to have baby fever when you already have a baby? <br />
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I'm not sure but I'm pretty sure I have it! <br />
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I realize how ridiculous that sounds but you have to understand I'm not doing the sleepless nights thing as Miss Iz sleeps eight hours a night. And she's also the perfect baby, she almost never fusses or cries. (Though I'm quite aware how lucky I am and know #2 probably won't be so easy!)<br />
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It honestly makes me think twins wouldn't have been so bad. ;-)<br />
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But seriously all I can think about is how awesome it will be for her to have a little brother or sister, what we will name him or her, how it feels to have a little baby growing inside you...!<br />
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All this from the girl who swore she would NEVER have children.<br />
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Regardless, we have to wait at least a year due to my health issues. People keep telling me I might not have gestational diabetes again, but then the same people also laughed at my prediction last time around. Luckily my doctors didn't because I was clearly diabetic when tested early at 16 weeks and ended up on insulin a few weeks later. =\<br />
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But that's also part of my motivation I'm sure. The reason we had Iz when we did was mainly based on my fears that if my health deteriorated I wouldn't be able to have kids at all. (Well, and my husband's two years of asking! =P) <br />
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Anyway, the take away here is don't be surprised if I start posting about baby making in a year! (I just hope I can stop at two!)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-67262829194415380392012-06-16T21:25:00.000-07:002012-06-16T21:25:11.826-07:00Standing Together<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.luminagephotography.com/" target="_blank">Luminage Photography</a></td></tr>
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I believe one of the most valuable things you can do as a wife is stand with your husband.<br />
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Of course, this is a two way street and your needs and wants have to be listened to and addressed as well, but I am a wife with a respectful husband and this is my view.<br />
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Honestly I believe that one of the main reasons marriages struggle and dissolve so frequently in this age is because people are always given what they want or are expected and encouraged to go get it. Not that ambition is a bad thing, but it can lead to selfishness which in turn can effectively cripple a relationship.<br />
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I have been with my husband now for nearly six years. I have decided a long time ago what direction I wanted my life to go in and whether he would be able to help me achieve that or not. I discussed it with him, let him know my aspirations, so that he could decide if he could support them too. But I also listened to his dreams, his life goals, and decided what I would be willing to sacrifice to support him.<br />
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Of course your ideas change over time. We feel very differently about some things than we did six years ago, obviously. But part of my commitment to him when we got married was to be able to change with him and rework my wants for the good of our family.<br />
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Recently I have been challenged by external sources to go against my husband's wishes in a few different ways. I find it very disturbing that people would try to persuade me to do something which would upset him - especially after I voiced his concerns. How can you expect to have a respectful husband if you don't show him respect? <br />
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I am feeling a little lost right now and just wishing I had more sympathy or support for doing what's right for my marriage and not what is right for someone else's selfishness. I know the phrase isn't "selfishness loves company" but sometimes its true - it is tempting for selfish people to want you to act selfishly to justify a feeling they know isn't right.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-30211353231316290322012-06-15T16:42:00.001-07:002012-06-18T18:36:19.336-07:002 months!<div>
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Wednesday Miss Iz had her two month doctor's appointment. She was 12 pounds, 12 ounces (dropping down to the 75th percentile) and 24 inches long (still the 95th percentile there though!) I'm honestly glad she's not 95%+ for weight anymore because I irrationally worried it was an indication of her being doomed to suffer with my health issues.<br />
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Last month she started sleeping through the night, smiling all the time, making prolonged eye contact with her smiles, "talking," reaching and grabbing for a few special toys, and holding her head up for extended periods of time. =) I am so proud of her!<br />
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I know there are things I'm going to miss about this stage of babyhood, but one thing I know I won't is the constant fear of SIDS. =( It's definitely more challenging since she sleeps in her own room. While I wouldn't change that, I can really understand now why people want to co-sleep. I try to be reasonable about it but inevitably as I'm drifting off to sleep I'll think 'wow she's been quiet for so long....' and I'll have to go check on her. It's hard to be a mommy!<br />
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I will also be happy when she's no longer on the acid reflux medicine too.<br />
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Oh! And she was such a little trooper with her shots too. She only cried a minute and had a slight fever the next day. A little more needy but that's it. =)<br />
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-62864602241584246822012-06-14T20:27:00.001-07:002012-06-18T18:36:31.066-07:00Scrapbooking<div>
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As a stay at home mom, I have been trying to find easy to do crafts that I don't have to focus too hard on and can put down quickly. I'm a crafty person anyway and I loooove paper so I've always wanted to try my hand at scrapbooking.<br />
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As I expected, I love it! It's so much fun to combine different colors and textures. It also perfectly meshes my love of photography and storytelling. =)<br />
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I really got motivated after the last time we visited my in-laws in Ohio. My husband's aunt showed me her scrapbooks. She had one a year with all her children's achievements, trips, and family activities. I thought this was such a cute, wonderful way to remember all kinds of big and little things in Iz's life. I remember looking through old books of photos as a kid and wondering where we were, what we were doing, and how old we were. This way all that information is built in and Iz (and any future brother or sister) can read a little story of their childhoods when they get older.<br />
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One special thing I'm doing is getting a picture of each of her aunts, uncles, and grandparents holding her. Since so much of our families are out of town - and our families are BIG - I wanted her to be able to put a face with a name when I talked about my sisters or my in-laws.<br />
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I will take some better pictures of a few of my favorite pages as I go along. These are just two phone photos, but you get the idea. ;-) I haven't gotten a chance to work on it at all this week, but I'm jonesing for it!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095969457840411546.post-55959259123055414092012-06-13T18:40:00.000-07:002012-06-18T18:36:44.672-07:00Southwestern Pot Roast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm going to admit something rather shameful: This is the first pot
roast I have ever cooked in the oven.<br />
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Normally I like to just throw them in the slow cooker and call it a day.
But no - this sounded so delicious and easy I decided to give it a go!
(Although for what it's worth, I think it could easily be adapted to a
slow cooker with a chuck roast and an additional can of beef broth.)<br />
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This recipe is from <a href="http://www.publix.com/aprons/Home.do" target="_blank">Publix Aprons</a>, which I have discovered has many
delicious recipes that generally appeal to my picky husband (with a few
choice alterations.) The original recipe calls for pinto beans, but I
left them out as I was serving this with mashed potatoes and that seemed
like too much starch. It also says to shred the roast, but I cut it in slices.<br />
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It was quite delicious and I will definitely be making it again!
(Although, this time I won't eyeball the red pepper flakes - there is
such a thing as TOO MUCH!) And a bit plus for me, it was easy and uses mostly things I have on hand. My favorite. =)<br />
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<b>Ingredients</b>
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1 lb flank steak (or chuck roast)<br />
1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped<br />
1 teaspoon minced garlic<br />
1 (14.5-oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)<br />
1 (8-oz) package tri-pepper mix (fresh diced green, red, yellow bell peppers)<br />
1 teaspoon dried oregano<br />
1 teaspoon chili powder<br />
1 teaspoon ground cumin<br />
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt<br />
1/4 teaspoon pepper<br />
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes<br />
Aluminum foil<br />
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<b>Prep</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Preheat oven to 350°F.</li>
<li>Chop onion.</li>
</ul>
<b>Steps</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Place meat in a baking pan. Combine tomatoes (undrained), onions,
garlic, peppers, oregano, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and red
pepper flakes; pour over meat. Cover with foil; bake 2–3 hours or until
tender.</li>
<li>Bake, uncovered, 5 more minutes just to brown a little. Slice and serve!</li>
</ol>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Marietta, GA, USA33.952602 -84.549932733.899916499999996 -84.6288967 34.0052875 -84.4709687