tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47652439536741199302024-03-05T10:39:37.601-06:00News from the White HouseThe goings-on and thoughts of the matriarch of the White householdSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-77367783212444203152021-03-27T16:21:00.000-05:002021-03-27T16:21:08.114-05:00Resurrections<p>I'm resurrecting this blog, I've resurrected a healthier me, and we are celebrating Christ's resurrection! That one is the best.</p><p>Happy Easter! "It's not about the bunny, it's about the Lamb." Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. We take special time to remember the most significant events in history, both globally and personally. Thank you Jesus for your death and resurrection.</p><p>I mostly decided to resume blogging to chronicle my health journey over the next year. I think it may help me stay committed. </p><p>Since I last blogged we've added another baby to the family. Josiah, our little caboose. He's 2 and your typically feisty 2 yo boy. I was reading my last post about Caleb from 2017 and now we are basically walking the same road with Josiah. It's cute, but also tries the patience for sure.</p><p>We've also recently relocated cross country. We now reside in Wyoming. A big change to be sure.</p><p>We still have our one beagle mix, Eby.</p><p>But, for now, more on the subject of health. Maybe life updates will come later. </p><p>During quarantine in 2020, the hubs and I changed our way of eating- we began combining keto-ish eating with intermittent fasting. My mother in law told us about it after finding huge success in it herself. The way of eating is called Eat Like a Bear and while there are some materials you can purchase- it can also be done totally free. There are no secrets or supplements. We are one meal a day, high in fiber and moderate in fat and protein, and low in carbs. Mostly salads with a good portion of protein and healthy fats. </p><p>After having my third child I found myself about 20 pounds heavier than when I started having kids, and I wasn't thin even then. I'd managed to lose about 15 pounds in a year just cutting back in general. But I still wanted more. I wanted to finally be out of the overweight/obese category. With Eat Like a Bear I dropped another 10-15 pounds but then my motivation lagged. I've spent about the last year doing the plan off and on, which has resulted in just maintenance. I'm certainly happy to be here instead of where I was. I'd also still like to lose 20 more pounds to get out of the overweight category.</p><p>So, I've been (and am still) reading The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung. It's fascinating and enlightening. He is also not selling any fads or supplements. He's also promoting intermittent fasting, extended fasting, and decreasing insulin response Ave cortisol through low carb eating. It's a research based approach.</p><p>In the course of trying to find out what plant based sweeteners might be acceptable- I can across an autobiographical article on eliminating all sweeteners. I thought at first this was the approach I was going to take, in addition to my 16/8 eating window and lower carbs. However I found it pretty rough to have my morning hot tea latte without it. So instead I've decided...</p><p><br /></p><p>To give up desserts for an entire year.</p><p><br /></p><p>Even keto ones. I'm not buying any more diet soda to keep at the house. I'm reducing the amount of monk fruit I use in my tea.</p><p>Y'all, this is a big deal for me. I really love sweets. Like really. Reese's, ice cream, cookies, chocolate milk. Mmmmmm. But it's not something I've been successful in exercising moderation and self control. I'm hoping after a year, I'll no longer have any desire for it. I'm also hoping it makes it easier to reach that 20 lb goal.</p><p>Today marks 2 weeks and I'm doing pretty good. I even served cookies to the family and it didn't hurt too badly. </p><p>So, here's to health and breaking food addictions.</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-62591783770584839732017-10-10T16:22:00.001-05:002017-10-10T16:22:56.293-05:00Determined to not give Caleb "Second Child Syndrome"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So after my last post, I realized that sweet, cuddly, mischevious Caleb has only been written about twice since his birth. I can't have him feeling like the forgotten second child when he reads this as an adult!<br />
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Caleb is currently 20 months old. He is a very curious little boy! John and I were talking today about how he is more adventurous than Sophia was, and that's quite a lot. He keeps us on our toes. He is CONSTANTLY getting into mischief. Toys are ok, but "forbidden" objects are so much more fun! And if there's a way to make a mess, he will find it!<br />
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Growth wise, Caleb is 28 pounds and the height of an average 24-month-old. At his last pediatric appointment, they actually measured his head twice to be sure of its size. His head is so large, they wanted to be on the very cautious side and rule out hydrocephalus, so he got a CT of his brain! Thankfully it was all completely normal (as I knew it would be). It was so neat the "papoose" they wrapped him up in to keep him still. John and I both got to be right by his side and touch him and sing to him, and he was still enough that they didn't have to sedate him. Plus the whole thing takes like less than 5 minutes.<br />
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As far as development- he uses 170+ words and learns a new one almost every day. He has a few two-word phrases "All clean, thank you, oh no" and twice has put three words together "I touch it, I see you". He can name almost every object in our house and yard. He can walk of course, run decently, and climb. Oh, can he climb. He uses a spoon, crudely. He does still take a bottle 3 times a day: upon waking, before nap, and before bed. He uses a sippy cup all other times. I've determined that at two he's losing the bottle. I've tried a few times already but he wasn't having it. We have not approached potty training yet. I feel he needs better vocabulary and reasoning skills before we climb that mountain.<br />
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I would say so far his personality is sweet overall. He gives hugs, cuddles, and kisses. He needs fewer cuddles as he ages but still is overall more affectionate than Sophia was at this age. He is a charmer. He often tries to charm his way out of discipline. He will try to distract you with "High Five!". Of course, as with most toddlers, he also possesses a decent stubborn streak. Sophia was more of a whiner, but Caleb is a screamer and a thrower. If he doesn't get his way he often throws whatever is in his hand. He also spits! He isn't good at it so it just runs down his chin. But I just have no clue where he got such a habit from! We are trying to break him of that, as I don't feel that's an appropriate response to anger :) But it is also just a little bit funny.<br />
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He is very inquisitive about household objects. Our lip balms and deodorant have paid the price for this. He loves to dig in them. He also is obsessed with the dishwasher (Sophia was too). Our fridge and freezer settings change often ;). Sophia wasn't one for writing in places she shouldn't. Caleb on the other hand things chalks and crayons are for eating and scribbling (but not usually on paper). Another similarity to Sophia is that Caleb LOVES to play in the front seats of the car. Each time we have to remove him there's screaming.<br />
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For now, there's still some "baby" left in him and I'm soaking it in while I can. We still rock, sometimes he falls asleep in my arms, sometimes he still wants to be held, and of course, he's still in diapers. But the independence that comes with toddlerhood shows up a little more each month. That's just as it should be. It is a joy that's he's developing right on track, but it is bittersweet that the "babyhood" is fading.<br />
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I love you, my sweet little angel. You are a welcome addition to our family and I'm so glad God saw fit to put you in our lives.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 month clothes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 month clothes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 month clothes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18 month clothes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24 month clothes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday :)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz2xpXC-9v6il4WQ6ZkxDoWTOyaLmzgPWoooqBP1bec-uGHkQzzkD0ST7F9wuPcxLsvSyBIuj3pOG2daNqNIxF43JRvFc2d-8zdHxmP-ISpinQ54RyMzqK_4FX3FrBve4hwUN9tLYpg/s1600/IMG_0863.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz2xpXC-9v6il4WQ6ZkxDoWTOyaLmzgPWoooqBP1bec-uGHkQzzkD0ST7F9wuPcxLsvSyBIuj3pOG2daNqNIxF43JRvFc2d-8zdHxmP-ISpinQ54RyMzqK_4FX3FrBve4hwUN9tLYpg/s320/IMG_0863.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Slq0tGi_P8JvhyIphkSCPb9Z29iBFTcViob66xy_uRgqnQ3zXtQ6CaJQE935hCeILt4AsJTPFMY-VGKL0d6jaI4xU8saB8Pm9RGqBYS3xeEZ0HdZotlCMj3Q0Gnc3GtMhdRsb_wNQA/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Slq0tGi_P8JvhyIphkSCPb9Z29iBFTcViob66xy_uRgqnQ3zXtQ6CaJQE935hCeILt4AsJTPFMY-VGKL0d6jaI4xU8saB8Pm9RGqBYS3xeEZ0HdZotlCMj3Q0Gnc3GtMhdRsb_wNQA/s320/IMG_0928.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CWoT9fXfY_mFeKXc6bHaJJDX9ftV5qdrBuwl32-I5wRolsk8a8skVKtYD6f2vL-DPnXisspYRF11vdxDq4oJ6c2FW5bxW7uCwmPqUbN2BmWPnMJZC1BSBz7dokubYwtMleZaALZwpQ/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1025" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CWoT9fXfY_mFeKXc6bHaJJDX9ftV5qdrBuwl32-I5wRolsk8a8skVKtYD6f2vL-DPnXisspYRF11vdxDq4oJ6c2FW5bxW7uCwmPqUbN2BmWPnMJZC1BSBz7dokubYwtMleZaALZwpQ/s320/IMG_1100.JPG" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three months. So chubby and cuddly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pBZ0OIDCF6nn1s5lBGUVuurwwZD_aNJzEjecp5XK8BHPPHqxCzSY00tCWcq4WtpLNkpGxFpzzxNSDoPJLsT-IZIUTuFvFrCVUOdUR8jxgkRVV7m4Y53JG4171tl1I89gwiRMl9EhLQ/s1600/IMG_9706.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pBZ0OIDCF6nn1s5lBGUVuurwwZD_aNJzEjecp5XK8BHPPHqxCzSY00tCWcq4WtpLNkpGxFpzzxNSDoPJLsT-IZIUTuFvFrCVUOdUR8jxgkRVV7m4Y53JG4171tl1I89gwiRMl9EhLQ/s320/IMG_9706.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mZKYG2Fh_pN6MJEKb3DmaC67N5kpTtpma8f4xUpBaqAW_V32QnHlZi36Apw1RU82rIkGWKqdmE2F5BBbXzbhPaY5BWAXPH2-2-xK4qDBY_A0FPDPgJi5W-OurXYP48dzHPck3RA51w/s1600/IMG_9893.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mZKYG2Fh_pN6MJEKb3DmaC67N5kpTtpma8f4xUpBaqAW_V32QnHlZi36Apw1RU82rIkGWKqdmE2F5BBbXzbhPaY5BWAXPH2-2-xK4qDBY_A0FPDPgJi5W-OurXYP48dzHPck3RA51w/s320/IMG_9893.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just shy of a year</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6E9ib9Qz4EyDSxKAtdnqlG5OoLV_7S1SWI4b_wWGFomloUco5aSkcCjvHwHHg3pujjUxlEoEGg0zcgrkHNu_CkhVo4LN0IM8IShOiOGINNEXK79nV_xc-PNsGSiYeG9L4CElPxfTMA/s1600/IMG_9923.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6E9ib9Qz4EyDSxKAtdnqlG5OoLV_7S1SWI4b_wWGFomloUco5aSkcCjvHwHHg3pujjUxlEoEGg0zcgrkHNu_CkhVo4LN0IM8IShOiOGINNEXK79nV_xc-PNsGSiYeG9L4CElPxfTMA/s320/IMG_9923.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing but not walking</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9LyJHer__oDYKiqSIm8KJpG4Ig9C3oAuhaP787g6LMCPtZoyrnM2wJV9pofJ4lvQlWRALzpsFCyrbMBW5BHIDIm2wu_DHm4YZbfhR_pcTRi8GWi8F3A7KIQUr-_nH23Y48Fgt-5SUQ/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9LyJHer__oDYKiqSIm8KJpG4Ig9C3oAuhaP787g6LMCPtZoyrnM2wJV9pofJ4lvQlWRALzpsFCyrbMBW5BHIDIm2wu_DHm4YZbfhR_pcTRi8GWi8F3A7KIQUr-_nH23Y48Fgt-5SUQ/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFGl_gbIFP7uu3MY8DvOrLOt3X-yCj6N2AZ8x7MV78U0P68Q05-bvMTVHPNGV8ddquD5u95G_ziKPaGfpiMKgIL0tcYOhIFAbR-JETOMzcuCB07JJd6RLAmiU1lSUZF5rEBEHZa6MMQ/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFGl_gbIFP7uu3MY8DvOrLOt3X-yCj6N2AZ8x7MV78U0P68Q05-bvMTVHPNGV8ddquD5u95G_ziKPaGfpiMKgIL0tcYOhIFAbR-JETOMzcuCB07JJd6RLAmiU1lSUZF5rEBEHZa6MMQ/s320/IMG_0023.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFsDUg2VvkRPj0eL5SmB857wQ9fVlFp16BqDUJqx65307stQHDMIyDsz9B1ntM_wU2atNlS5L7iAHW7mHAVDbwaj8cMltfX8NEKtVSFoikoFXNOqPY_u4DliKkOhQKZnhzIOzQPQupQ/s1600/IMG_5136.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFsDUg2VvkRPj0eL5SmB857wQ9fVlFp16BqDUJqx65307stQHDMIyDsz9B1ntM_wU2atNlS5L7iAHW7mHAVDbwaj8cMltfX8NEKtVSFoikoFXNOqPY_u4DliKkOhQKZnhzIOzQPQupQ/s320/IMG_5136.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentines 2017</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8Osw2m4mLMStIwXyxiSMVe2iU8btipbq7oQjVOHQR0MW89e6S6v98HTXEaSevkkFzj8-Yi5dfi5k-Rg6SOt5riWofVGAOG5cIf9sTGyA9zMag6i5Qa2VgU57UeCtq0bhilaWfMpKWw/s1600/IMG_5187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8Osw2m4mLMStIwXyxiSMVe2iU8btipbq7oQjVOHQR0MW89e6S6v98HTXEaSevkkFzj8-Yi5dfi5k-Rg6SOt5riWofVGAOG5cIf9sTGyA9zMag6i5Qa2VgU57UeCtq0bhilaWfMpKWw/s320/IMG_5187.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR55bUvedSKBpkvLm_CgcqnfJVPaR3bjr3iT1FpdKstxU10OqRNr2mr8zGYNa3To5puslWCeF-87YUIu7LlJdsPIAbUAn30vH-6RSv3ucHwUHZ3JvRfMHd6fF4CWt0Y4sPq9kPAXEUQ/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR55bUvedSKBpkvLm_CgcqnfJVPaR3bjr3iT1FpdKstxU10OqRNr2mr8zGYNa3To5puslWCeF-87YUIu7LlJdsPIAbUAn30vH-6RSv3ucHwUHZ3JvRfMHd6fF4CWt0Y4sPq9kPAXEUQ/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter 2017, just starting to walk (13 mo)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrE1AT-aSZx83xLyR_dCQxDt8RXEKORUCBmj-9SCPg8ko0x0UT7eemb7Hx3W0BaO3gz0ypfCGsMOqavWMeW-GOHj4D52o03NKN7aLS-oIjScEK6qiP3_yN7jtT1sBOaIldIn86UnhEA/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrE1AT-aSZx83xLyR_dCQxDt8RXEKORUCBmj-9SCPg8ko0x0UT7eemb7Hx3W0BaO3gz0ypfCGsMOqavWMeW-GOHj4D52o03NKN7aLS-oIjScEK6qiP3_yN7jtT1sBOaIldIn86UnhEA/s320/IMG_5259.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW0H5RaP5MZA0qPqlmuznJU_l855sm2jF8UDsvxlD9r7aBSPdawjoVvIKjOyYK2sVZ_TRBqGPRavZg35Aug2XnH_yMYm0s8_DB6hzQbUjDfxa7BUzw0n7R4oIuVpQ0j88m_Fu4vu2Yg/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW0H5RaP5MZA0qPqlmuznJU_l855sm2jF8UDsvxlD9r7aBSPdawjoVvIKjOyYK2sVZ_TRBqGPRavZg35Aug2XnH_yMYm0s8_DB6hzQbUjDfxa7BUzw0n7R4oIuVpQ0j88m_Fu4vu2Yg/s320/IMG_1393.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When big sister accessorizes you</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS_4gnzugBPlW0Gh2RgK-kO6Fe5BiGrSIEZFDYH1kOLV1p-eYyvkNzOHHA9OZ4wmXAZWNNLYauMaYA3PB_KR-GOQeiK4Cv5z2kmbiilBdslBSgXPFfA5ROh_CXUaBFi7S6WTAVRs2og/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS_4gnzugBPlW0Gh2RgK-kO6Fe5BiGrSIEZFDYH1kOLV1p-eYyvkNzOHHA9OZ4wmXAZWNNLYauMaYA3PB_KR-GOQeiK4Cv5z2kmbiilBdslBSgXPFfA5ROh_CXUaBFi7S6WTAVRs2og/s320/IMG_2135.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First hair cut, 18 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylo6KJAo_p5ZTFXPxj6lUgoo58RUrT37k46WULe_x26FY-xfR74JFx7WQAttClIfS8svwlQBmP_Is1resXtJc_g_M4Ekr3vBJ_6dBFupDc5jCoIlyJBE9yroFi4stnyXlJWsrIrsjIQ/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylo6KJAo_p5ZTFXPxj6lUgoo58RUrT37k46WULe_x26FY-xfR74JFx7WQAttClIfS8svwlQBmP_Is1resXtJc_g_M4Ekr3vBJ_6dBFupDc5jCoIlyJBE9yroFi4stnyXlJWsrIrsjIQ/s320/IMG_2117.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisses for Papa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifegliAugJRstOUn0gaheOXaDFK_tEfR9ajKEHKZuaOsw56K38_-qbxIK8B5teTekUaBo_dTjDunUvuMRxyEOq6vapkBmcLOdRp5JGAiH33dltqiQsHlArMuyP4y5us01ABy5jp1T97A/s1600/IMG_1407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifegliAugJRstOUn0gaheOXaDFK_tEfR9ajKEHKZuaOsw56K38_-qbxIK8B5teTekUaBo_dTjDunUvuMRxyEOq6vapkBmcLOdRp5JGAiH33dltqiQsHlArMuyP4y5us01ABy5jp1T97A/s320/IMG_1407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loves ice cream like Mama</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD64UqmGacb5SbXP9CheiKk6m8mfrUqzK1E_K8F2Zi62qFlJMbWFBq5kqMi7lsLFtgTNxko5SfeYfV1cQM3LgZBO_iUei6oJhWri9mRDkzUJ4q47dwusNdV4WAGkADfM_u1AdWuAINg/s1600/IMG_2297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD64UqmGacb5SbXP9CheiKk6m8mfrUqzK1E_K8F2Zi62qFlJMbWFBq5kqMi7lsLFtgTNxko5SfeYfV1cQM3LgZBO_iUei6oJhWri9mRDkzUJ4q47dwusNdV4WAGkADfM_u1AdWuAINg/s320/IMG_2297.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a handsome fella</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw_Y8Ol3lToJBBSiKjCpi51kToXm0zTEFwsGdqMcziW8UMFoLsewTYyLG3PbtKJJLz2mxYbGINIvZ6azGJexhTOd2puMs3Sb3AMA9pXyOcacpPBFh6yGCf7OQ0Phw9G0bxqlS7mTuKw/s1600/20171006_090116.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw_Y8Ol3lToJBBSiKjCpi51kToXm0zTEFwsGdqMcziW8UMFoLsewTYyLG3PbtKJJLz2mxYbGINIvZ6azGJexhTOd2puMs3Sb3AMA9pXyOcacpPBFh6yGCf7OQ0Phw9G0bxqlS7mTuKw/s320/20171006_090116.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves to swing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD5tDLjYqKagMWQH1Rlhl-eVeG8Uk4YAuzTrXAbSbrpHMclUznNTUsUbk2SrYITS-RMS_0Ctaqwn0xRd32CpOoNlxxJLZHM7XHSiqNgo9XdONHQOkBBvREpOjt8okWgy_6CU8mpYg_A/s1600/20171003_183240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD5tDLjYqKagMWQH1Rlhl-eVeG8Uk4YAuzTrXAbSbrpHMclUznNTUsUbk2SrYITS-RMS_0Ctaqwn0xRd32CpOoNlxxJLZHM7XHSiqNgo9XdONHQOkBBvREpOjt8okWgy_6CU8mpYg_A/s320/20171003_183240.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Momma's Boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULaVj-pIH05jIp4ffTA9taBSnpfvFEbhTfVHfYgu0_EhDev7dfBGPpY96A16JUkmrUwp7ojEjjiPX04hbdQ7x8RF_31PDjZ6qp2RSpmt-1rsuOeLtmi3fVqC3Pbf2STeD3xei-yBW0A/s1600/20170910_105101.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULaVj-pIH05jIp4ffTA9taBSnpfvFEbhTfVHfYgu0_EhDev7dfBGPpY96A16JUkmrUwp7ojEjjiPX04hbdQ7x8RF_31PDjZ6qp2RSpmt-1rsuOeLtmi3fVqC3Pbf2STeD3xei-yBW0A/s320/20170910_105101.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His favorite activity. Also- still in 24 month/2T clothes. Growth leveled off :)</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-9002520288528714552017-09-27T23:54:00.004-05:002017-09-27T23:54:53.405-05:00A year and a milestoneI cannot believe it's been a whole year. Clearly blogging is no longer my passion. Right now my passion is being a homemaker and cooking, cleaning, and caring consumes most of my day. And then a couple days a week of outside the home work.<br />
<br />
I really need to write a catch-up. And to write more about my sweet little boy.<br />
<br />
But today I need to document a milestone in Sophia's life.<br />
<br />
September 25, 2017, was the first time Sophia asked Jesus into her heart. She didn't tell anyone about it until the next day. Here's how the conversation went:<br />
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S- Momma I asked Jesus to come and live in my heart last night!<br />M- You did? I'm so proud of you! When did you do that? When you were alone in your bed?<br />S- Yes, a few hours ago<br />M- What did you say to Jesus?<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br />S- I asked him to forgive my sins and come live in my heart now. Do I get to go the heaven now?<br />M- Yes<br />S- Will you be there?<br />M- Yes, I will<br />S- Good because I'd be scared to be in heaven without parents. I'd only have fruit to eat without my parents to feed me.<br />The Earth is boring. I don't want to be on the Earth, I want to be in heaven.<br />S- Well I'm glad to have you here on the Earth.</span></div>
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All this talk of salvation is thanks to her awesome teacher. I'm sure this is only a small first step on her faith journey. She's only four. But it's exciting nonetheless. I'll be curious to see if she remembers this moment when she is older. I remember the first altar call I responded to. It was after a performance of Heavens Gates and Hells Flames at Bethany World Outreach Center in Baton Rouge. I think my mom asked me to explain what it meant before I went down.</div>
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All of Sophia's life I've prayed that she would come to know Jesus in His perfect will and timing. I'm honestly a little unsure if she can really comprehend all that she's asking. But she can comprehend on her level. For me, I asked as a child, but my real, true, never going back, not struggling all the time with sin salvation experience came in my early 20's. And I'd spent my whole life in church! So I guess it makes me a bit skeptical that this will be her true, lasting, meaningful salvation experience. But who am I to know what the Holy Spirit may be doing in her life? So I for certain want to commemorate it.</div>
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Since that day Sophia has been talking a lot about Heaven. She says her second VBS this year and her school teacher this year are how she knows all she does. I know that a few weeks ago her teacher offered for those who wanted to pray for salvation. She told me she didn't pray then, but that night she asked Jesus to forgive her (three times) but she didn't ask him into her heart. She is talking about mansions, and how God is preparing them for us even now, and how we will get crowns but they're really to give back to Jesus, and how we may not get tired but if we do we can sleep. And streets of gold. And a surprising amount of accurate biblical truths!</div>
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I can also say that I have noticed the past few days that she has been extra obedient. She told me the night she told me about her salvation "I think I'm going to obey for the rest of my life on." There have been more yes/no ma'am's, less complaining, quicker obedience.</div>
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So, my sweet girl, I want you to know how it was when you first asked Jesus into your heart, in case someday you don't remember it yourself.</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-34185099175101700002016-10-07T21:56:00.001-05:002016-10-07T21:56:46.120-05:00Little Peter PanSophia,<br />
<br />
Tonight at bedtime you said something very bittersweet. As usual, after lights out and prayers, you wanted to "talk about something". Right now you mostly want to talk about how long until your birthday, your birthday wish list, how long until we visit Uncle Dale's farm, or about the animals at the zoo. But tonight you asked a new question.<br />
<br />
"When am I going to be a baby again?"<br />
<br />
It was bittersweet because I feel your little heart must long for all the attention that a baby demands. I had to gently explain to you that once we grow up from being a baby, we can never go back; that we just get bigger and bigger until one day, we are as big as mommy. "But I don't want to" you said.<br />
<br />
I thought it would help if I tried to get you excited about all the things big kids get to do, like eating treats and food like pizza, hamburgers, ice cream, and french fries. Then I mentally chastised myself for making it seem like only junk food is treat food, so I added in rice, broccoli, and cheese. I said you wouldn't want to go back to taking 2 naps a day, and getting to eat only formula from a bottle. You weren't really buying any of it.<br />
<br />
So I said that one day when you are as big as mommy, you could have a baby of your own. You asked "Is it going to come out of my tummy?" Although the answer is likely yes, I wanted to factor in that you may choose to adopt, have a surrogate, or not have children at all. So I said "Well it can if you want it to." You said "But I don't want it to." So I asked how you wanted to get it and you said "from the hospital." Then you asked, "What will its name be?" And I said, "You get to choose!." And you told me you wanted it to be named Chloe and that you wanted a girl.<br />
<br />
I told you that someday you are going to be as big as mommy, and live in your own house. That scared you. You said you didn't want to leave our house and you would be scared to live alone. Then I said "Well, you might get married, like I did to Papa, and have a husband, and live in a house with him." You said "but I don't want to live somewhere else." I then realized that this conversation was just too heavy for an almost 4 year old. So I told you that you could live with Mama and Papa forever.<br />
<br />
That seemed to satisfy you and we moved on to talking about your birthday toy wish list.<br />
<br />
I fully know that chances are, you will grow up and move out. But someday I hope you get to read this, and know that once upon a time you were my sweet, innocent, vulnerable little girl who wanted to live with Mama and Papa forever.<br />
<br />
I love you little one.<br />
<br />
PS- Please forgive my incorrect quotations format. I can't remember all the rules and I don't feel like Googling it. :)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-37757894797074635642016-08-25T15:57:00.001-05:002016-08-25T15:59:20.290-05:00To my firstborn on her first day of schoolSophia,<br />
<br />
Today you started K4. You are 3 years and 9 months old. I cannot believe we are here. Last night, I was trying so hard to re-experience the feeling of holding and rocking you as a little baby. My mind can remember doing it, but the feelings are not the same. I have enjoyed you in all your stages, but I do wish some days that we could go back, just for a short while, and you could really be my baby again.<br />
<br />
I know that K4 is not always "school". But, you are attending K4 at a pretty strict private Christian school. Not a daycare. And next year you'll be in Kindergarten. And then first grade, then 11 more grades. So today is the start of 14 years (gulp!) of academics for you. Wow.<br />
<br />
You have had mixed emotions leading up to today, as have I. We have done our best to help you be excited, while still validating and calming your fears. You have been scared about us "leaving you there". But, per your usual, you were excited last night and this morning, and when I walked you into class, you took on the unknown very well. There were no tears from either of us, although after I left you at that big school in the hands of "the unknown" to some degree, I did get a little misty.<br />
<br />
Time passed quickly for Caleb and I. He napped, I did housework. It was peaceful. Just a few hours later, I met you at your bus stop. You got off the bus and as I was buckling you in and you were telling me all about your day, I almost lost it. My little baby I love so much had done her first day of school, and loved it, and was now experiencing the big, wide world.<br />
<br />
Sophia I want you to know that I am so privileged to be your mommy. You are God's gift and responsibility to us. As we have gone to Open House, and Orientation, it occurred to me that up until now, you have only known stardom in your life. You are so very loved and doted on. At school, while you will be cared for, there will be many many other children also needing attention. You will be in a "herd" of sorts. No one there, or in the world really, loves you and cherishes you like we do. So I hope you grow up knowing that.<br />
<br />
I love you very much Sophie Bear. It is bittersweet to see you grow and go. But, just like we thought and you proved by your response today, you are more than ready. May our house and our arms be the place that loves you most and prepares to you to take on the world.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-63979939079974976892016-07-07T23:07:00.001-05:002016-07-29T22:21:10.135-05:00My Whole30 ReviewSo I first heard about Whole30 a year or so ago in an online fitness challenge group. At the time it seemed radical and impossible (especially since I was pregnant and the thought of healthy food made me queasy). But then, I saw another blogger do it. And then I heard a couple at church did it. I was coming out of the mommy fog, and needing to do something about that lingering pregnancy weight. I was also really tired of craving sweets ALL.THE.TIME.<br />
<br />
So, I gave the <a href="http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/">website</a> a browse. It didn't seem toooo hard. Another friend of mine said she wanted to join in, and John agreed to do it too. We both of course want to be healthy, but our main motivation was weight loss.<br />
<br />
So I printed out their <a href="http://whole30.com/pdf-downloads/">shopping list</a>, took an afternoon and clarified butter, made mayo and ranch, and meal planned. All in all I probably put in 6 hours of prep time before we started, and about 2-3 hours grocery shopping at 2 stores.<br />
<br />
I will be honest, it takes planning, cooking, and kitchen cleaning. You'll be spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I don't really mind cooking, so it isn't too bad. I also limited my involved recipes to only twice a week or so. I'm not spending 2 hours a day cooking and cleaning up.<br />
<br />
Tonight is our last night of round one. We plan to take the weekend off, then start another round. I will say that I never really had withdrawal symptoms, and I also never really felt "Tiger's Blood" energy that some do. But, I am happy in knowing we are eating much much better food, and setting a better food example. I have lost 5.5 pounds and John has lost 15. Men! I was hoping for more dramatic loss, but, we probably ate more potatoes and bacon than we should have. We are going to try and be more conscientious about that next round.<br />
<br />
These are the store bought foods we found essential:<br />
Coconut Aminos (our Publix sells a brand, and it's available online too, used like Soy Sauce)<br />
Coconut milk<br />
Nuts roasted in approved oils (cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, walnuts)<br />
Raisins<br />
Tomato paste, tomato sauce<br />
Extra light olive oil (for making mayo)<br />
Eggs<br />
Fruit for snacking<br />
Almond butter<br />
Apple juice (John used this to flavor his LaCroix seltzers)<br />
Apple cider vinegar<br />
Nutpods (a compliant coffee creamer sold on Amazon, for John, I don't drink coffee)<br />
Unsweetened flake coconut (our Publix carried Bob's Red Mill brand)<br />
Bacon (our local family owned butcher shop sells nitrate free uncured bacon)<br />
Alexia brand hash browns (in the freezer section)<br />
Sam's Choice Angus Beef Patties<br />
Aidell's Chicken and Apple Sausages (Publix)<br />
<br />
And these are the recipes we tried and liked:<br />
<a href="http://meljoulwan.com/2010/06/03/the-secret-to-homemade-mayo-patience/">Mayo</a>- I have an immersion blender which made it super easy. If you're freaked out by raw eggs, you can pasteurize them yourself on the stove, I did it for one batch)<br />
<a href="http://moscatomom.com/whole30-ranch-dressing-recipe-total-game-changer/">Ranch Dressing</a><br />
Ketchup (I actually combined the seasonings from <a href="http://www.noshtastic.com/no-cook-paleo-ketchup-whole-30/">this one</a> and <a href="http://holisticallyengineered.com/2014/05/easy-homemade-ketchup.htmlhttp://holisticallyengineered.com/2014/05/easy-homemade-ketchup.html">this one</a>, and omitted the fish sauce, and added water til it got the consistency I wanted)<br />
<a href="http://themidwestskinny.com/marinara-sauce/">Marinara/Pasta Sauce</a> (to make Spaghetti over Zoodles)<br />
<a href="http://thenourishinghome.com/2014/07/turkey-breakfast-sausage-patties/">Turkey Sausage Patties</a><br />
<a href="http://bravoforpaleo.com/2015/12/30/whole30-breakfast-bowl/">Paleo Breakfast Bowl</a><br />
<a href="http://againstallgrain.com/2014/01/16/smoky-sweet-potato-hash/">Smoky Sweet Potato Hash</a><br />
<a href="http://goodcheapeats.com/2013/02/monkey-salad/">Monkey Salad</a><br />
<a href="http://thenourishinghome.com/2012/04/grilled-chicken-salad-gf/">Chicken Salad</a> (I could eat gobs of this)<br />
<a href="http://www.noshtastic.com/easy-whole-30-and-paleo-meatloaf/">Meatloaf </a>(I did not make the gravy)<br />
<a href="http://paleomg.com/paleo-apple-and-bacon-rosemary-pork-burgers">Rosemary Pork Burgers</a><br />
<a href="http://meljoulwan.com/2009/02/22/my-favorite-chili-recipe/">Chocolate Chili</a><br />
<a href="http://beautyandthefoodie.com/easy-paleo-hamburger-pie-crust-free-and-low-carb/">Hamburger Pie</a> (I used some of the Alexia hashbrowns as a crust)<br />
<a href="http://www.primalpalate.com/paleo-blog/garlic-ginger-chicken/">Garlic Ginger Chicken</a><br />
<a href="http://pureandsimplenourishment.blogspot.com/2013/03/sauteed-beef-and-brussel-sprouts-scd.html">Ground Beef and Brussel Sprouts</a> (I added Coconut Aminos)<br />
<a href="http://slow%20cooker%20apple%20cider%20pulled%20pork/">Apple Cider Vinegar Pork</a><br />
<a href="http://meljoulwan.com/2010/12/28/paleo-comfort-food-cottage-flower-pie/">Shepherd's Pie</a> (I topped with potatoes instead of cauliflower and ground beef instead of lamb)<br />
<a href="http://paleoleap.com/mustard-balsamic-baked-chicken/">Mustard Balsamic Chicken</a><br />
<a href="http://glutenfreefix.com/pork-roast-with-sweet-potatoes-apples-and-onions/">Pork Roast with Apples and Onions</a><br />
<a href="http://nomnompaleo.com/post/74180911762/cracklin-chicken">Cracklin' Chicken</a><br />
<a href="http://lexiscleankitchen.com/2014/01/05/zesty-chicken-bites/">Zesty Chicken Bites</a><br />
<a href="http://deliciouslyorganic.net/crock-pot-chicken-fajitas-grain-free-paleo/">Chicken Fajita Bowls</a><br />
<a href="http://thenourishinghome.com/2014/10/how-to-make-cauliflower-rice/">Cauli-Rice</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/2012/08/zucchini-sweet-potato-latkes-2.html">Zucchini Sweet Potato Latkes</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rubiesandradishes.com/2013/05/24/lazy-sunday-pot-roast-slow-cooker/">Lazy Sunday Pot Roast</a><br />
<br />
Then we'd have dinner salads, chicken stir fry, taco salad, and John smoked a pork shoulder. During the work week we mostly had variations of scrambled eggs, or Monkey Salad. We do bigger cook breakfasts once a week on the weekends. I mostly made double batches of dinner so we could have it for lunch the next day. If I didn't we usually had a salad topped with protein, or a chicken sausage link. For out and about food, we made trail mix with our nuts and raisins. We would have three meals and usually one snack a day.<br />
<br />
We didn't have the best Whole30 you can, we could eat more veggies and therefore less meat and potatoes, but we ate veggies at least once a day, and we had NO ADDED SUGARS! for 30 days!!!!!<br />
<br />
I also thought these 3 sites had lots of good Whole30 resources<br />
<div>
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://thenourishinghome.com/2014/10/30-favorite-whole30-friendly-recipes/&source=gmail&ust=1468031530773000&usg=AFQjCNEFQE62vEuDSjkAhfMCQ3s2pBFNWA" href="http://thenourishinghome.com/2014/10/30-favorite-whole30-friendly-recipes/" target="_blank">http://thenourishinghome.com/<wbr></wbr>2014/10/30-favorite-whole30-<wbr></wbr>friendly-recipes/</a></div>
<div>
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://greatist.com/eat/whole30-breakfast-recipes&source=gmail&ust=1468031530773000&usg=AFQjCNEbFb8NH0_yGq5KgAoba6LCCGYp5g" href="http://greatist.com/eat/whole30-breakfast-recipes" target="_blank">http://greatist.com/eat/<wbr></wbr>whole30-breakfast-recipes</a></div>
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://laurenhartmann.com/2014/07/the-lazy-girls-guide-to-the-whole30.html&source=gmail&ust=1468031530773000&usg=AFQjCNEE23yzToK4VJPBNZ5f_V34H3ANcw" href="http://laurenhartmann.com/2014/07/the-lazy-girls-guide-to-the-whole30.html" target="_blank">http://laurenhartmann.com/<wbr></wbr>2014/07/the-lazy-girls-guide-<wbr></wbr>to-the-whole30.html</a><br />
Also want to point out that you really have to read labels- things you think would be approved, sometimes aren't. When 70% of manufactured foods have added sugar, it can be pretty hard to avoid and pop-up in places you don't think of!<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-82082587930649956262016-06-18T09:28:00.000-05:002017-10-10T15:15:53.843-05:00Three month catchupI've wanted so many times to write, but always let other things come first. The opportunity to watch some TV with the hubs, an extra long snuggle at bedtime, unfolded laundry, unmade lunches.<br />
<br />
Anyway the kids are at grandma's for the night/half the day, and the hubs is still sleeping. So this is it. Heck I probably wouldn't even be here except my sewing area isn't usable right now.<br />
<br />
My what a full three months. The adjustment to two children was hard. Like, <i>really </i>hard. Like, as hard as they all warned you about hard. And although some mom guilt still lingers about how much less time for Sophia I have now, for the most part I am adjusted. I know how much effort it will take to leave the house, run errands, get dinner made, get anything done. I don't know how the single mommas do it. Even just this week after being out of thouse 4 hours with 5 different stops with the kids by myself exhausted me both physically and mentally. More so the latter. Even though I know how much safer car seats make life, it sure would be so much easier if I lived in the day when kids just hopped in the car and the babies laid on a pillow in the back! Ha! Can you imagine? Getting those kids in and out of the car seats multiple times is like ninja tug of war.<br />
<br />
John is progressing through school. His spring semester was rough, throwing that new baby in the mix. But by God's grace and mercy he made it through. The summer semester is going much better so far, and I can finally realistically envision his completion. Less than a year to go. We can do this! He doesn't have time for many hobbies, but he is perfecting his chef status with his smoker he got for Christmas. He enjoys smoking various meats and experimenting with different seasonings and techniques. And we enjoy the results :) He also still keeps red worms. Much to the dismay of our fly-filled garage. Ha.<br />
<br />
Sophia is growing too fast. She has finally, FINALLY, finally become potty-trained! I should insert a dancing GIF clip here. We felt like this would never happen. But after two visits to the GI doctor where we got better instruction on using her medicine and suggestions on behaviors and routines, it's finally happened. The last hurdle was climbed when the doctor had a few "man to man" words with her and told her she was too big for diapers and needed to try the potty at least once a day, and that she was no longer going to use diapers at nap time. After a couple days of no diapers at nap, when I went to put on her bedtime one, she vehemently told me that the doctor said she was not allowed to wear diapers to bed anymore. I tried to explain that was for nap, (thinking surely she would flood the bed at night) but she persisted. So, we went with it. I double layered the mattress protectors and fitted sheet for a quick middle-of-the-night change if needed. I'm happy to say our accidents have been fairly infrequent.<br />
<br />
And so, now that we're diaper free, and the changing pad has been sold. A new world has opened for her. She will be going to preschool this fall. Kindergarten 4 actually. I can't believe it. My baby. We toured the school yesterday. She is still uncertain, and understandably so. I'm still very mixed in my emotions. I have a good feeling that she is going to enjoy it and excel at it. But I also have a few short memories of my own of when I first started preschool, and how terrified I was of my momma leaving me in that big, strange place. My heart hurts to think she might feel that way at first. It's a half-day program with lots of potty breaks, and even snack time with milk and cookies. But it's also academically challenging. If she meets their highest goals she will be reading short sentences by school year's end.<br />
<br />
She still adores her brother. Only occasionally does she ask me to let someone else care for him so she can have my time instead. But 99% of the time she wants him to lay next to her, wants to hold him for a little bit, wants to smell his head (all the time!), kiss him, and give him a hug. She often climbs into his crib in the morning to talk to him and coo at him and fawn over him. It's adorable and we are so fortunate. I'm excited for when he can be more physically interactive with her. But his squeals, coos, and smiles thrill us to bits for now.<br />
<br />
That brings me to sweet Caleb. He is so cuddly. I think I had forgotten how enjoyable a baby can be. I enjoyed Sophia so much as a toddler that I'd started to think tiny babies were kind of boring. Well, he isn't to me. Don't get me wrong, those first 6-12 weeks are hard. And when they are totally non-interactive and you're desperate for sleep, things are kinda "boring". But now that he's smiling and squealing we're just falling all over ourselves at his cuteness. The other morning we were all in the bed together just enjoying "The Caleb Show" and I felt so blessed. He really cries very little. Only when he is tired or hungry. Over the last month he's started sleeping through the night, in his crib. We still use his swing for naps quite a bit. At his 4 month checkup, he was 17 pounds and 26.5 inches with an 18 inch head. He's over 85th percentile for height and weight, and his big ole head is off the charts. For any collared non-stretch pullover shirt he has to have 9-12 months to get it over his big head! His 6 month onesies are getting snug. I did not anticipate him growing so quickly, so I've had to get him larger warm-weather clothes. Thank goodness for second-hand!<br />
<br />
We are a one dog household now. Poor sweet devoted Ernie was falling apart after Caleb's arrival. He so craves constant affection, and there just wasn't time to give him any. He was constantly escaping the yard, whining, and getting in the way in general. He went to live with a lady about an hour from us who has several acres, two other Bostons, and no kids. She has sent us a couple update photos and he seems very happy. Eby has become a little more affectionate in his absence, but still remains chill and at times even aloof. And we are totally ok with that. She also sleeps with Sophia at night. That makes everyone happy. Sophia and Eby both don't like to sleep alone, and John and I both don't like Eby in our bed :)<br />
<br />
We are currently on Day 10 of a <a href="http://whole30.com/">Whole30</a> program. I had lost all the pregnancy weight, and then gained 12 pounds of it back. I was looking for a way to knock out my insane sugar cravings, and lose weight. Of course setting healthier eating habits is good too :) I have to say that overall, so far, it hasn't been too bad. I plan to do a review post with recipe links once we've completed our first round.<br />
<br />
We are going to Wyoming in August! We'll spend a week in the Mayberry-esque town my mother in law (aka Grammy) moved to almost a year ago. We'll visit Yellowstone, pet ponies, and tour her small rural critical access hospital. John hopes to get a job there when he finishes school, and I've committed to live there a year in order for him to realize his dream of living "out west" in Big Sky country. This city girl is nervous about that!<br />
<br />
Well, I've been at this an hour and my growling tummy says I better get some healthy food in there before I make a poor choice! See ya'll next time!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-83383687639776977222016-03-05T23:13:00.000-06:002016-03-05T23:53:35.363-06:00Caleb's Birth StorySo I had to go back and see how long it's been, to know where to
start this time. It has been 7 months. Wow. Who knows how long it will
be before I crack this thing open again, but I really wanted to make
sure our second child's birth was written about.<br />
<br />
So, we
found out the second was a boy, as you may have already guessed. We
were really quite shocked, even though we didn't really have a
preference, turns out we thought we were having another girl more than
we realized.<br />
<br />
This time around, I was induced at 39 weeks and 2 days. I've known since <a href="http://newsfromthewhitehouse2.blogspot.com/2012/12/deliver-me-sophias-birth-story.html">Sophia's birth</a>
and the complications with it, that I would not be going past due with
the second. My midwife told me that in the delivery room. I was also
advised to cut "white" carbs in the last trimester of this pregnancy to
avoid any unnecessary weight gain. Basically, Sophia almost didn't fit,
and so this time I needed to have a smaller baby. Which is tricky
because subsequent babies, and boy babies, tend to be bigger. But, I
managed to only gain about 5 pounds total my third trimester, so I did
good. And I didn't gain an unhealthy amount overall either (23 pounds).<br />
<br />
At
35 weeks I had a full ultrasound to check health and guesstimate
weight. At that time he was running average, putting him on track to be
8.5 pounds at 40 weeks. At my second to last appointment, when we got
serious about setting a plan, I was actually offered a scheduled
cesarean. Apparently this is something they're required to counsel you
about, because mothers who have experienced a shoulder dystocia are at
higher risk for recurrence, and the only definitive way to avoid this is
to avoid a vaginal birth. I declined the offer, wanting to at least
give my body and baby a chance.<br />
<br />
By 39 weeks even, I was
2cm dilated, and around 80% effaced, but still at -2 station (head was
not engaged in the pelvis aka baby hadn't "dropped"). So I went in at
midnight for a Cytotec induction. I was pretty familiar with this
routine from Sophia's birth. When they placed me on the monitors, I was
actually already having contractions, but they weren't really painful
and some I couldn't even feel. I had my medication and then we proceeded
to try and sleep.<br />
<br />
At my 6am check, there was really no
change. In fact the nurse thought I was more like 60% effaced. She had
said this when I checked in. No big deal, these things are an estimate
and vary upon the person doing the exam. I was contracting regularly,
but still not particularly painfully. So, a second dose of Cytotec was
placed and again, we tried to rest.<br />
<br />
Some time around
7am John went and got breakfast and snuck me some too. My midwife came
and did my 8am check. Still no real change. I was borderline that they
could even give another Cytotec because I was contracting so much. I
could feel them all at this point, but they were still manageable. Like a
4-5 of 10 on the pain scale. They decided to place a third dose. My
midwife remarked that I have a "stubborn body".<br />
<br />
At my
10am check, still no change. Things were starting to get concerning. We
made a plan to get up, walk the halls, sit on the yoga ball, try and get
his head to descend. So I did that for 2 hours. My midwife came by on
her lunch hour and checked me. STILL no change. At this point we
discussed options. I asked if we could try Pitocin. I was advised that
that wasn't really a great option because A) I probably couldn't get an
effective dose because I was already contracting so frequently and B) My
cervix still wasn't ripe/favorable. That was the intention of the
Cytotec. I asked about getting an epidural just to see if my body wasn't
relaxed and that was hindering things. I was told again because my
dilation was so minimal, and epidurals slow things down, that I would
just likely stop any progress I might make. We were basically down to A)
Keep going how I was and wait another possibly umpteen hours to see if
I would progress B) Go home and see if things progressed naturally and
if not return later for another induction and C) A cesarean.<br />
<br />
Because
Cytotec is given every 4 hours if needed, I had until 2pm to decide. It
was frustrating to be having regular contractions that were
ineffective. John and I discussed it, and with a peace in my heart, we
decided to proceed with the cesarean if there wasn't any progress. We
had kind of "been there done that" with an extremely long, painful,
exhausting induction before. We had also gone home and returned for a
second induction before. Neither of those did us any good. I continued
to walk, rock, sit on the ball. My contractions ramped up just a little
in intensity, and in fact I started to feel them a twinge more in my
back than my front, but sitting on the ball and leaning on the bed made
them bearable.<br />
<br />
So the moment of truth arrived. My
midwife's attending physician came in. The felt my belly and agreed they
did not think this was an overly large baby. However, I had still not
really made any progress. His head was still very high. Then the
doctor/surgeon gave us the big talk. He again reiterated our options,
that this was not an emergency, and we could go home. Without any hard
numbers he told us "We can try and deliver you vaginally and you <i>probably</i> will not have another shoulder dystocia. Or we can do a cesarean and you <i>definitely</i> will not have a shoulder dystocia and it's <i>highly unlikely</i> that you will have any complications. Unfortunately we have to do <i>hundreds</i> of cesareans to avoid <i>one </i>devastating
shoulder dystocia." My midwife also advised me that since I am not a
first time mom, my body should have responded to the medication, but it
did not. I actually had a better response to it the first time around
than I did the second. By now, my body should be able to more easily
produce the hormones needed for delivery, but it was not.<br />
<br />
At
this point, I got a little shaky in our earlier decision. I didn't want
to go home, but I didn't want a cesarean. I also didn't want to labor
forever only to again have complications at delivery. Now the surgery
was staring me in the face, and my providers wouldn't help to sway me
with a personal opinion. The decision was solely in my hands and I would
be responsible for the repercussions.<br />
<br />
After talking
with John again, and having a cry of fear about surgery and the loss of
my hoped for vaginal birth, we decided for the surgery. The
anesthesiologist came in and because I could only say for certain that
the last time I had water and ice chips was 2pm, my surgery couldn't be
done until 4pm. And I had to take an AWFUL medication called Bicitra.
It's a liquid and it tastes absolutely horrible, and you can't have any
chasers. Thankfully I didn't vomit right then and there.<br />
<br />
Then
my nurse began prepping me. IV fluids, antibiotics, a shave (that was a
surprise to me!), a hospital gown, and sequential compression devices
(leg squeezers to prevent blood clots). I was asked to get in bed for
all of this, and about 3pm when they were all done, we were left alone.
It was weird in comparison to all the checks I was getting before. Well,
the bed was the most uncomfortable place during contractions, which
were still coming very frequently. I tried to be compliant, but about
20-30 minutes in, I got back on the ball. The pain was starting to
really localize to my back again, and leaning forward really helped
that. My midwife came in just before the surgery, and by then I was
breathing through contractions. Things were intensifying. I told her
these were beginning to feel like the horrific contractions I had with
Sophia.<br />
<br />
She offered to check me one last time. Just to
be sure I wasn't rapidly changing. Nope. She said his head was in "North
Dakota". So off I went for my surgery.<br />
<br />
I walked into
the operating room and got up on the narrow table. I had a sweet woman
for an anesthesiologist who was like a mother figure. That turned out to
be such a blessing. They put in my spinal. I felt some shooting pains
into my butt and down my back a few times, but it wasn't too bad. Then
the numbness set in. I wasn't prepared for just how numb you are. My
only experience was with my laboring epidural for Sophia. Of course for
surgery they want you completely numb, and I appreciate that; it just
took me by surprise. It's a very surreal experience.<br />
<br />
Then
they laid me down and things got intense. They started scrubbing my
belly, putting in my foley catheter, getting me hooked up to all the
monitors for anesthesia, propping me tilted just slightly to one side.
There were a lot of things being done to my body at once and I had no
control over any of it. I started to freak out. I started talking about
how I was feeling- because talking was the only thing I really could do
of my own free will. I told them I felt really weird. My midwife asked
if I was nauseous? I wasn't sure. Then a minute later I was sure. They
gave me meds for that. Then I felt like I couldn't breathe. My sweet
anesthesiologist was stroking my forehead, and explained to me that the
spinal makes my rib muscles numb, so that my brain is not aware they
exist and are rising and falling as my lungs work normally. I was
concerned because I even felt tingling all the way to the underside of
my arms, down to my fingers. She again assured me this was normal. She
told me what I knew- they were monitoring all my vital signs and they
are normal.<br />
<br />
At this point I felt so bizarre and "out
of body" that I asked if they could just put me out. My midwife said
"You want to be awake to see your baby." I told her I did not. I told
her I thought this was supposed to be the "easy way out" to have a baby.
I said a lot of things. It was quite an experience.<br />
<br />
Then,
the surgeon and John came in. I immediately grabbed his hand. I was in
desperate need of some normalcy and comfort. Then the surgery got
underway. John watched a little. He said he couldn't watch it all
because it's different when the person they are cutting on is your wife.
My midwife warned me just as they were about to deliver him that I was
going to feel like she was standing on my chest and I couldn't breathe,
but it would be ok. Thankfully I did NOT have that sensation.<br />
<br />
And
then- they pulled him out. Crying and flailing. The surgeon brought him
around really quick. I cried a little. It was odd to hear him come out
crying, because Sophia was silent due to her circumstances. I knew in my
head he was born, but I was so overwhelmed with all the feelings going
on from the surgery that I couldn't really focus on him too much. John
went over to the warmer, re-cut his cord, took some photos, watched him
get weighed and checked out, etc. My surgeon and midwife proceeded to do
all the uterine checking and cleaning. I heard my midwife ask the
anesthesiologist if I had Pitocin infusing. I did. They continued their
work and she asked again about Pitocin and the anesthesiologist said it
was running "wide open". "She's boggy" my midwife said. Being that I'm
an RN and have worked in women's health, I got concerned. I just said
"Jesus". My midwife heard me and said "It's ok". Then the
anesthesiologist gave me an injection in my arm. I knew it was
Methergine. Things were fine after that and when they were doing all the
sponge/needle/instrument counts and calling out all the facts of that
case they said my estimated blood loss was 600ml. That was within normal
limits.<br />
<br />
John came back and they brought the baby to
see me. I kissed him but didn't feel prepared to hold him. I was still
very inwardly focused. All the staff were talking about how cute he was.
I was proclaiming to my midwife that no one should dare ask me about a
third child. She said "But they're so cute when you have them".<br />
<br />
John
went off to the nursery with him, and the staff got me transferred back
into a bed. Oh my, it feels so unsafe and like they are going to just
roll you right off the table onto the floor. I knew in my head that was
not the case, but it's still how it felt. They wheeled me just across
the hall into recovery. I started having the post-op shakes. Oh man that
was the pits. I had them for two whole hours. On top of that I was
feeling super drowsy from the Duramorph spinal, plus they also gave me
Benadryl IV in surgery for my second bout of nausea. The Duramorph also
made me mildly itchy. But I asked them not to give me any Benadryl for
that because I was already so zonked.<br />
<br />
During some of my
post-op checks the nurse had to massage out some clots. Let me tell you
how fun it is to get a deep tissue abdominal massage right above a 7
inch fresh surgical incision. It is NOT. She was very empathetic about
it and I knew it was necessary, and I managed to resist the urge to swat
her hands away.<br />
<br />
Things got better as time passed. The
nurses brought the baby and tried to help me breastfeed him, but he was
sleepy and so was I. I think I held him. That period is a little foggy
for me from all the drugs.<br />
<br />
About 6pm John went and got
Sophia. Oh my it was so sweet her meeting "her baby brother". John
helped her hold him and he was sleeping. She said "I thank the Lord he
maked my baby to sleep". She ooohed and ahhed and fussed over him. She
almost had a complete meltdown when John told her she had to leave me
and Caleb at the hospital. That part was bittersweet.<br />
<br />
So,
that is my recollection of how Caleb came into this world. For the
second time the birth did not go as I hoped or planned, and for the
second time I brought home a healthy baby anyway. This birth thing is
tough!<br />
<br />
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<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/AVvXsEiTR2nwc85Ws5lTow1BGV7ZeizLkgqY0tRnGDTXicGMuvdyb2Np0sFOY5OScWK6tR8s1xCLTq6c_i1ix3gksrdXLxL_w0ghAoGC5QNSsXinI2-Vof9wzJzP7HdiQFm6o6vCOJ-ZUzZcKg/s1600/IMG_9640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR2nwc85Ws5lTow1BGV7ZeizLkgqY0tRnGDTXicGMuvdyb2Np0sFOY5OScWK6tR8s1xCLTq6c_i1ix3gksrdXLxL_w0ghAoGC5QNSsXinI2-Vof9wzJzP7HdiQFm6o6vCOJ-ZUzZcKg/s320/IMG_9640.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb E. White. February 5, 2016. 4:35pm 7 pounds 14 ounces, 19.75 inches</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpOGgVwqMyGAmpcchcLD1vdoXGrvH3vx0Jb6Arprsob4k6ZDrq7yH6TVV-L87qMdH79iP2eQV28zJ7iWWQE8yVSFQevw6tGuj36PhW7VR4yW-pUdpDxX81_p8etlrnbnMm05xw8Oxww/s1600/IMG_9642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpOGgVwqMyGAmpcchcLD1vdoXGrvH3vx0Jb6Arprsob4k6ZDrq7yH6TVV-L87qMdH79iP2eQV28zJ7iWWQE8yVSFQevw6tGuj36PhW7VR4yW-pUdpDxX81_p8etlrnbnMm05xw8Oxww/s320/IMG_9642.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynN3m4FTMkLCksv_fdI7Gr3c-RTEfBGdHVevf8UIS2eBCDY78gT1xBwFNPkI6hOTaFVORIKqOH08dlenZs3OWjrsiq8ccTvwl3ueYwJIC8qgCxJTLjis3wikj9hq26HLYCtAqeRJcgA/s1600/IMG_9645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynN3m4FTMkLCksv_fdI7Gr3c-RTEfBGdHVevf8UIS2eBCDY78gT1xBwFNPkI6hOTaFVORIKqOH08dlenZs3OWjrsiq8ccTvwl3ueYwJIC8qgCxJTLjis3wikj9hq26HLYCtAqeRJcgA/s320/IMG_9645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophia and Caleb meet for the first time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proudest big sister</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-82020009554972636102015-08-17T22:25:00.002-05:002015-08-17T22:25:27.826-05:00Playing catch up: Edition 1It has been nearly 4 months since I blogged. No one has been pestering me for material. Lol. But I just can't bring myself to give up altogether. I'd really like to have a lifelong documentation of my story, mostly as entertainment for my kids. So maybe 3 posts a year over the course of a lifetime will suffice.<br />
<br />
I'm nearly 15 weeks pregnant. Three weeks until we found out this baby's gender. Sophia seems very excited about having a sibling. The gender she wants changes every time you ask. For awhile she insisted that she wanted a brother AND a sister :) Unless we get a big surprise in 3 weeks she's going to be disappointed on one account at least. I think last time we were down to just a sister.<br />
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John and I don't really have a preference. We've certainly enjoyed having a little girl and we'd love another. But we'd also enjoy having a little boy. Someone to be Papa's helper when he grows up (selfishly for me, someone to take out the trash? lol).<br />
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I've been living in the land of pregnancy symptoms for about 2 months. It is the worst part of pregnancy by far. I'm mostly over the very worst of it, but very ready to be done completely. I declared today that if I'm to ever do this again, I will need to quit work so I can loathe in my misery at home. Along with the nausea, weird food aversions (basically anything and anything healthy, I've gained 8 pounds), and exhaustion; this time I've added headaches, right hip pain and a decent amount of tenderness in the mammaries, lol. Oh, and I have to pee an INSANE amount. More than I recall with Sophia. If I try to put off going it makes me nauseous. So weird. I really do not like feeling like an invalid. Not.one.bit. in fact as I write this I'm a bit nauseous and I've had a headache that's gotten worse since about 3pm on. I'm propped up in bed with my pregnancy pillow and rotating a heated rice bag between my head and my hip. And I had an hour and half nap after work. Thank goodness tonight John was able to take Sophia duty.<br />
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But enough complaining. I know first hand and second-hand that I'm fortunate to be pregnant. I thank God that the baby is healthy. At the same time I pray to God for relief from these symptoms! The poor unfortunate women in my family and even just acquaintances who were sick their entire pregnancies- and did it more than once- I don't know how!<br />
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John's first day of full time radiography school was today. Five semesters seems like a long time still, but I'm sure it will go by quick enough. I only hope he can survive balancing work, school and a family through it. I pray it comes easier than he thinks.<br />
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Sophia continues to be the joy in our home. She provides us endless entertainment. We love her to pieces. She is 2 years and 8 months now. Her latest favorite thing of mine is that she has started singing. Mostly she does it when she thinks no one is paying attention. It's not unusual to hear her signing in her room as she falls asleep, and also in the morning when she wakes up. She will rock her baby dolls and sing to them. She will sing along to music in the car. Her little voice is just adorable. I have some incredible videos I want to keep forever. She is still very affectionate. Her "I Love You's" are heard many times a day. She will often pipe up with it out of nowhere and is also happy to say it just if you ask.<br />
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Sometimes I wonder if I'm expecting too much of her. Her vocabulary is so advanced I question if because she communicates so well that she's also emotionally advanced. Maybe I expect her to understand and remember things that are a bit above her maturity level. Hopefully I'm doing ok with that :)<br />
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I do know that there are certainly things that show emotionally she's more on level. We still rock and read books and sing and have a sippy of milk nightly. She still constantly wants to be held. She seeks me out for comfort.<br />
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And for the love of Pete we are still 100% NOT potty trained. She'd definitely had some real anxiety in this area that is unfortunately not unfounded. We seem to have a program down to make sure everything is normal and routine as far as that goes, but she's still traumatized I think. Either that or she's dug in her heels in this area. Either way we've tried all kinds of bribery and she is not.having.it. And we can't push it because she's already afraid. Hopefully things will turn around before baby #2 arrives. I'd really love to only have one kid in diapers. But if not, it isn't the end of the world. It just gets tricky when you're fully communicative verbally advanced child is still in diapers. There's definitely some social pressure there.<br />
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On a positive- we are in a big girl bed! We switched her to a twin bed about 4-6 weeks ago. It went great. She loves to jump on her bed. She does get up a bit earlier now that she can get herself out. We have to put her back to bed some. That's to be expected. But overall I think it has gone well. She doesn't even have a bed rail. So far she has stayed put and not fallen out.<br />
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Well, this preggo girl is getting tired (again!) so I think I'll wrap it up.<br />
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See y'all again in about 4 months? Who knows ;)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-23865919518531789602015-04-24T22:53:00.002-05:002015-04-24T22:53:59.895-05:00(Road)Trippin'...Trip Trip Trip Trippin'So I've been on two big trips recently! In March John and I went to Peru to visit friends, and it was also our fifth anniversary when we were there.<br />
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John put out a "ridiculous" wish on Facebook for a trip to see his missionary friends there, and his dad and grandma granted his wish! It was so super generous of them!<br />
It was a long 17 hours of traveling to get there, but it was nice to be together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98Gfzi3cx_9rRR7wSiadyoFeZG10oJoza9EzE-jz0CXXvR2BGwlrBrHwSZ2cbDbtHcHX3Wu7_yT8qBadLK_lxLlRrHzEVZfwcqznS2P0kIxKzli34hKhdIfP09zUBRsOFZc16__7Xzw/s1600/IMG_8332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98Gfzi3cx_9rRR7wSiadyoFeZG10oJoza9EzE-jz0CXXvR2BGwlrBrHwSZ2cbDbtHcHX3Wu7_yT8qBadLK_lxLlRrHzEVZfwcqznS2P0kIxKzli34hKhdIfP09zUBRsOFZc16__7Xzw/s1600/IMG_8332.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tourist trap market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vince keeps a few "pets" including 3 small alligators!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVfA0W8uLlLfrePe2g5FcdkGdhp3zOKx1nMus_-shyphenhyphenVAwjV8givtSWbIgLCQj4tOXSo05Rh_mX6F2mq2zekg_ME4H313khhtWXrM9i88gFD-rs9MO7b7aIAN7ybFJ90pl69ucbK8tQA/s1600/IMG_8369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVfA0W8uLlLfrePe2g5FcdkGdhp3zOKx1nMus_-shyphenhyphenVAwjV8givtSWbIgLCQj4tOXSo05Rh_mX6F2mq2zekg_ME4H313khhtWXrM9i88gFD-rs9MO7b7aIAN7ybFJ90pl69ucbK8tQA/s1600/IMG_8369.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys going off to work on the jungle property building a home for Vince and Megan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the girls going off to the local resort pool :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64EmL8Wggad1k3ZnCsR11b69V9rwrlljizz5C1bIQMPSYCCbZoS8-78qrriiErhyFvVQWhoJzKwbS_qnhE3d_sLIQaLG9krOM-t2Ho1xgebvc7B2E-dqQL1T9rdn-ITrtnfUV1HTnIQ/s1600/IMG_8381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64EmL8Wggad1k3ZnCsR11b69V9rwrlljizz5C1bIQMPSYCCbZoS8-78qrriiErhyFvVQWhoJzKwbS_qnhE3d_sLIQaLG9krOM-t2Ho1xgebvc7B2E-dqQL1T9rdn-ITrtnfUV1HTnIQ/s1600/IMG_8381.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner out then walking around one of the many plazas in the city</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrt54bwpANQJyPigXbfbkhpmzsDSandQuGLyVrxLa1Cu2A6rzUZTrsbqCRwoIVOTgnd15Y4-ZlDmhk09m5v5cRhnO2BEeGb-VPmn2bXf6qoo1lOvEE21ROx5UFE01xnsc1LeLOK6shw/s1600/IMG_8383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrt54bwpANQJyPigXbfbkhpmzsDSandQuGLyVrxLa1Cu2A6rzUZTrsbqCRwoIVOTgnd15Y4-ZlDmhk09m5v5cRhnO2BEeGb-VPmn2bXf6qoo1lOvEE21ROx5UFE01xnsc1LeLOK6shw/s1600/IMG_8383.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy and John- people doing great work for the Lord</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0THt4Xpuie2JpX0MenniZA0qc26qH9FdOxntHuDXK0aJskgQ6T8T7qwJqZnkIdLljjp2pcThviI0qihBKnT5cE-BeuMDF90m9eR8MnqzhbHeMuCoJr_VnQrhZ723atJyH3mfPuajTQ/s1600/IMG_8385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0THt4Xpuie2JpX0MenniZA0qc26qH9FdOxntHuDXK0aJskgQ6T8T7qwJqZnkIdLljjp2pcThviI0qihBKnT5cE-BeuMDF90m9eR8MnqzhbHeMuCoJr_VnQrhZ723atJyH3mfPuajTQ/s1600/IMG_8385.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Catholic cathedral in the plaza. The lights change colors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtILlhArCTABLMjWOrC6AeQuZeGPq0FNMxvZd4SB7cZ3iffJMqyyVMAXwx4HnsSLm1ZVmDalWvQDuIMqTpC3FAFmsm7F6U51lJXHcAncsdSWGxi06GebSK2vC2ldIwNCMSD2dbZ1AUg/s1600/IMG_8405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtILlhArCTABLMjWOrC6AeQuZeGPq0FNMxvZd4SB7cZ3iffJMqyyVMAXwx4HnsSLm1ZVmDalWvQDuIMqTpC3FAFmsm7F6U51lJXHcAncsdSWGxi06GebSK2vC2ldIwNCMSD2dbZ1AUg/s1600/IMG_8405.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the zoo. One ugly monkey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRZ-YE49EQg6BVke-bjKn2MoAaEBtjwZqltoNHfxrUpX-XbD5etpNu3RTMehI1NtKoCRGsqxQG7aOBvyJo0hHebvccRF5YvRVtITGw67OgkN4LGi9hppT9kQJW6uZub4OEpO_9W92nQ/s1600/IMG_8412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRZ-YE49EQg6BVke-bjKn2MoAaEBtjwZqltoNHfxrUpX-XbD5etpNu3RTMehI1NtKoCRGsqxQG7aOBvyJo0hHebvccRF5YvRVtITGw67OgkN4LGi9hppT9kQJW6uZub4OEpO_9W92nQ/s1600/IMG_8412.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pretty Mink</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwldVSgc0OoY1sVwFwLGvC3XDeolDt32nbMYZbMzN6Yla9gGqkzn7vBbohQghDAgSpzhgcnjKIZLHDEHFhCQs7v9t7aTMUSTmGgZJioNLe_cHGdneLGtiuMxAmW-7uYFUNaMtZKZPmYg/s1600/IMG_8432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwldVSgc0OoY1sVwFwLGvC3XDeolDt32nbMYZbMzN6Yla9gGqkzn7vBbohQghDAgSpzhgcnjKIZLHDEHFhCQs7v9t7aTMUSTmGgZJioNLe_cHGdneLGtiuMxAmW-7uYFUNaMtZKZPmYg/s1600/IMG_8432.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trick porpoise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjE6xnjQcGNuDRgw3QgcGCPGR9J3rRqGS6P2y8Ki_8KEBcVyjeSF3VEST01eZ8RlRcoAC2jY8MgZuNNrbdcabVUVQltYaQcw-3zyU-v8CefRgusbpxqH2VYQ-T2GUVFKy5k6MczqXcA/s1600/IMG_8466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjE6xnjQcGNuDRgw3QgcGCPGR9J3rRqGS6P2y8Ki_8KEBcVyjeSF3VEST01eZ8RlRcoAC2jY8MgZuNNrbdcabVUVQltYaQcw-3zyU-v8CefRgusbpxqH2VYQ-T2GUVFKy5k6MczqXcA/s1600/IMG_8466.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A day at the zoo/park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPadjWlQZgAPwYM1ROOKgmnwgtdFc6TagUafGu1H2twCUVb79OVM_IoJL72AGOkI4alzkhg7P2g8Q1PDbTsfUx5e8hed27ffIxzWVvqXs84qIBghRiX5GvWHc2UgEHnIBTXdCIOG-UYA/s1600/IMG_8476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPadjWlQZgAPwYM1ROOKgmnwgtdFc6TagUafGu1H2twCUVb79OVM_IoJL72AGOkI4alzkhg7P2g8Q1PDbTsfUx5e8hed27ffIxzWVvqXs84qIBghRiX5GvWHc2UgEHnIBTXdCIOG-UYA/s1600/IMG_8476.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church on the Mortimer's property</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvIgVMjwftQGgjNd07Z5GM8I70OM5aY0eQ2frye47_yZ4nCUJhbPkHWsVLkkuhbhxPMtJ0cDEcuOfjCEzfm6ilBxQULkh6tT_4uJ8xSAu0XAlLcp4dRlTktp1z9iV9C2jD7-UHbN6sg/s1600/IMG_8487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvIgVMjwftQGgjNd07Z5GM8I70OM5aY0eQ2frye47_yZ4nCUJhbPkHWsVLkkuhbhxPMtJ0cDEcuOfjCEzfm6ilBxQULkh6tT_4uJ8xSAu0XAlLcp4dRlTktp1z9iV9C2jD7-UHbN6sg/s1600/IMG_8487.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole family except Melissa got cutoff!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb8bZE0hr2SiX27BGK7ILO9ueEjzb1GsrVEu2hfxYuNVWvK4Pk5Ivj7Mz_7RDJbRShSwnTSZvuc_oSszMD7sEDEFg9Yq8zCikh3CDUjAKKMrSoI89BFCYU0GtAE6EEqmi_e1aNOaJ7Q/s1600/IMG_8492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb8bZE0hr2SiX27BGK7ILO9ueEjzb1GsrVEu2hfxYuNVWvK4Pk5Ivj7Mz_7RDJbRShSwnTSZvuc_oSszMD7sEDEFg9Yq8zCikh3CDUjAKKMrSoI89BFCYU0GtAE6EEqmi_e1aNOaJ7Q/s1600/IMG_8492.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorbikes and Motorcars are 99% of the transportation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZcpgJVvjgB_QP8Ieb_jC6gGX41pPJ3puf_ZcRnhCOKvap3shDsKVsD9rWXlRyWEyYeSIkela8rbmZIIafO3lQRDFwnRYjsK_NFGrGuBcuwEEO8BAYDM1858YMaG6oWeA3VFoKiglzQ/s1600/IMG_8531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZcpgJVvjgB_QP8Ieb_jC6gGX41pPJ3puf_ZcRnhCOKvap3shDsKVsD9rWXlRyWEyYeSIkela8rbmZIIafO3lQRDFwnRYjsK_NFGrGuBcuwEEO8BAYDM1858YMaG6oWeA3VFoKiglzQ/s1600/IMG_8531.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Sunday afternoon river ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB5gcG0yeBSvwd1zthlg3fincFbm0a6Wu1ucD5aRIYQ0kLGFQ5F0WJOy8wOAXm15lCqbCNdo3c6NwvA6z8oodVcePdyl15mBTrMMjT-Vb3LqGmb-RdxKvnX8m8BoC7B2MDlxVuolS3w/s1600/IMG_8544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB5gcG0yeBSvwd1zthlg3fincFbm0a6Wu1ucD5aRIYQ0kLGFQ5F0WJOy8wOAXm15lCqbCNdo3c6NwvA6z8oodVcePdyl15mBTrMMjT-Vb3LqGmb-RdxKvnX8m8BoC7B2MDlxVuolS3w/s1600/IMG_8544.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tributary of the Amazon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjzIDqoFw-31YRQv2YPdbxVK2nqsiDfJ2bd8dUg5TAqpOlgpW6hmVgJpmBheuo39ESkXrBZFr5jN1nZN5Vn0DdKpIQD4EHjgWwPrDd96m-6sbXD1BDcMYCC3i5Ecq2zIPRKui_vilythw/s1600/IMG_8591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIDqoFw-31YRQv2YPdbxVK2nqsiDfJ2bd8dUg5TAqpOlgpW6hmVgJpmBheuo39ESkXrBZFr5jN1nZN5Vn0DdKpIQD4EHjgWwPrDd96m-6sbXD1BDcMYCC3i5Ecq2zIPRKui_vilythw/s1600/IMG_8591.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Iquitos Hunting and Fishing Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEh4eou7XCPZRh1ouanR_HdGoCDCAWX_jsngRiCN7rxiYsbh8VIy7UqPuVssXuFabHUzQYszMiicQMddapWFo3j9bGUr8EbYnojrClkMB9yrb7Bazpgrij2OWJ9j5AYci5p8zu20haI8dw/s1600/IMG_8596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eou7XCPZRh1ouanR_HdGoCDCAWX_jsngRiCN7rxiYsbh8VIy7UqPuVssXuFabHUzQYszMiicQMddapWFo3j9bGUr8EbYnojrClkMB9yrb7Bazpgrij2OWJ9j5AYci5p8zu20haI8dw/s1600/IMG_8596.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding a sloth at the Serpentarium on the river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjSeReTZ3BeMNTcAW0oc9uA7PJDa_jPFAHlCTbWgU1iGVZ_6ZW71fCPv_vs7LXkxtMVenWWVv5gMKWjCHxyEKkGClV28tZ1O5i9WdvaGplcjKMRicHBUhE826rlvVUQ3t63LNsu54WsuA/s1600/IMG_8598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeReTZ3BeMNTcAW0oc9uA7PJDa_jPFAHlCTbWgU1iGVZ_6ZW71fCPv_vs7LXkxtMVenWWVv5gMKWjCHxyEKkGClV28tZ1O5i9WdvaGplcjKMRicHBUhE826rlvVUQ3t63LNsu54WsuA/s1600/IMG_8598.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John with the sloth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEiwLl9RX1RUo_X9vPXJ9tnJLIzy2Rjyi5LqpFJ_xTubacPaaMBt9H-wRQ-W8gJYM6TYpBLaDoz_-pnq6fiFFXNXlT3scN0iviMimUCqQiWiYrqiTM5zq9_VGLEhKnqVGdPHU5SCRDP5nQ/s1600/IMG_8605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLl9RX1RUo_X9vPXJ9tnJLIzy2Rjyi5LqpFJ_xTubacPaaMBt9H-wRQ-W8gJYM6TYpBLaDoz_-pnq6fiFFXNXlT3scN0iviMimUCqQiWiYrqiTM5zq9_VGLEhKnqVGdPHU5SCRDP5nQ/s1600/IMG_8605.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Macaw!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjg3Ab5YVyX0NVTTxiunGkqvWvVKKMfL3trfOXlurOVOGxW-NENDRWV1qinE3qLIo0LCpkmKj1YRoCdfNkeA7GMi4tpeT8ucfhIhZtx1j94tKrpNf7kvGDFCclA6KFr9Zg11fXh4kOFWg/s1600/IMG_8617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3Ab5YVyX0NVTTxiunGkqvWvVKKMfL3trfOXlurOVOGxW-NENDRWV1qinE3qLIo0LCpkmKj1YRoCdfNkeA7GMi4tpeT8ucfhIhZtx1j94tKrpNf7kvGDFCclA6KFr9Zg11fXh4kOFWg/s1600/IMG_8617.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Night Monkey. So so sweet and cuddly!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgNGvisCapJ0iZoCI33_MQIwr_tlDp0m12rHADZk2GgiLicsPee84Hw84UtuaKF3TxHLchyphenhyphenKpmfPxSrDJYqRIVGJmZyWQd75zZbxtsGY0moGjRtUoLBYK2sh1qXNnymdJmC9prBzzkqnw/s1600/IMG_8631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGvisCapJ0iZoCI33_MQIwr_tlDp0m12rHADZk2GgiLicsPee84Hw84UtuaKF3TxHLchyphenhyphenKpmfPxSrDJYqRIVGJmZyWQd75zZbxtsGY0moGjRtUoLBYK2sh1qXNnymdJmC9prBzzkqnw/s1600/IMG_8631.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John harassing the night monkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEibYeXtA4sXqgDsR8UUWmyQAL9OODmB3ulGEF5BcR0-G6DNWKIzNEaVSAiwCwclro7OaeBcnlRehDUHPWrDBzOtkHvY3FUmBGT42B4TfG1jOWN2Z1MpCfRIDzjTDOzcwEiOAPdI87AwGw/s1600/IMG_8652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYeXtA4sXqgDsR8UUWmyQAL9OODmB3ulGEF5BcR0-G6DNWKIzNEaVSAiwCwclro7OaeBcnlRehDUHPWrDBzOtkHvY3FUmBGT42B4TfG1jOWN2Z1MpCfRIDzjTDOzcwEiOAPdI87AwGw/s1600/IMG_8652.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby alligator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgv5rpunmdGDlGCIisTaiXFrtymRi_yyLmoBga-TYEPxiLX5Ir_2lGqiwUw1XuJkEHcYG4Y8g7qaQfWsIvgbvYzZKhK77h77hMcUry-8EEklGpsBYVhCNSvWj2M54-OqC0TL1qu2IsieA/s1600/IMG_8664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5rpunmdGDlGCIisTaiXFrtymRi_yyLmoBga-TYEPxiLX5Ir_2lGqiwUw1XuJkEHcYG4Y8g7qaQfWsIvgbvYzZKhK77h77hMcUry-8EEklGpsBYVhCNSvWj2M54-OqC0TL1qu2IsieA/s1600/IMG_8664.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World's ugliest turtle- the Leaf Turtle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgVWBlntkF6yIKdKkMiOCQytLx-p9R8teCBz9XVO8HthptDkE5-1KxB8RYkIzrwEOHOgE_yqPZzyzUoc2ZoTmULGwpG5wZ9VI7pbXKaXxJkmrtwDDr7ddMI5jyBK_KDzuVq0Q4IeuqhCQ/s1600/IMG_8680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWBlntkF6yIKdKkMiOCQytLx-p9R8teCBz9XVO8HthptDkE5-1KxB8RYkIzrwEOHOgE_yqPZzyzUoc2ZoTmULGwpG5wZ9VI7pbXKaXxJkmrtwDDr7ddMI5jyBK_KDzuVq0Q4IeuqhCQ/s1600/IMG_8680.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mostly one way streets to keep the traffic safer since there aren't really any traffic "laws"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhcGmx0FL6z2MF_h2VeKk21sGWg3Ydzxl5RrDPLpib_NQ9IYoSxeMhyj8F5RX42Hh3Uda6y2mGjqswsiEzXkgImP2opFZWHSanroS9PnJm1xTLW7mi19bYq5sgVsam0PCzBIwcxJWAA/s1600/IMG_8681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhcGmx0FL6z2MF_h2VeKk21sGWg3Ydzxl5RrDPLpib_NQ9IYoSxeMhyj8F5RX42Hh3Uda6y2mGjqswsiEzXkgImP2opFZWHSanroS9PnJm1xTLW7mi19bYq5sgVsam0PCzBIwcxJWAA/s1600/IMG_8681.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<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/AVvXsEh2N4ZZ6fhYnd2P4QNlasHDTtHNlvK_ZKrtfdS67qaAyq8diHhD-9JSmGsbNOu_0xi1ynxkWbZPckBBVgwFENA7oElljWojGnj6UOXfVAI5A9lvtDwngCOJs-YEsRI_Z5UOfOx7_3hCMw/s1600/IMG_8690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2N4ZZ6fhYnd2P4QNlasHDTtHNlvK_ZKrtfdS67qaAyq8diHhD-9JSmGsbNOu_0xi1ynxkWbZPckBBVgwFENA7oElljWojGnj6UOXfVAI5A9lvtDwngCOJs-YEsRI_Z5UOfOx7_3hCMw/s1600/IMG_8690.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A squatter's village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had an awesome time. We did a lot of cool things, but for me my favorite part was probably spending a lot of time talking to the missionaries and hearing all their touching amazing miraculous stories over 40 years of mission work both in Mexico and Peru. Man have they trusted God! They have done some really scary things and been extremely flexible. God has provided for them and done such wonderful works!<br />
<br />
Then about six weeks later Sophia and I drove to Maryland to visit my mom and do some sightseeing around the greater DC area. It took two days of driving. That part was kinda tough. Thankfully we flew home. But I got to see a lot of really cool metro areas and really beautiful natural scenery...and a lot of historic architecture. I hope to return someday without kids so we can really delve in deeply to the ton of things the area has to offer.<br />
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<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/AVvXsEhnMu0DibXv1zVW_7yknx_uVIu2_JcoRElE7zxPGF9Wkof74zc_cfGnG8twq7JuXGfrh9R9Cq1UoGeOV4vA5rMT6S5X-_QIR2FIeVj0-nNigxmLWPtKWUnAXFBeTy-1-WJq-B1v5Q79mQ/s1600/IMG_2945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMu0DibXv1zVW_7yknx_uVIu2_JcoRElE7zxPGF9Wkof74zc_cfGnG8twq7JuXGfrh9R9Cq1UoGeOV4vA5rMT6S5X-_QIR2FIeVj0-nNigxmLWPtKWUnAXFBeTy-1-WJq-B1v5Q79mQ/s1600/IMG_2945.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving Day 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEj5GqwvxhNaF9SjbUKIVhvsNUIlwSP4P6J-lNkbjxKZIJJ73q7eM6veQAAvFzixeToeCIoTRqswb1l4kXkHTDslrbdjQsaJzftnGVkEhEI3k1uhBpsKgnE_D89aF55n_RwKYb-R-OHFvg/s1600/IMG_2949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GqwvxhNaF9SjbUKIVhvsNUIlwSP4P6J-lNkbjxKZIJJ73q7eM6veQAAvFzixeToeCIoTRqswb1l4kXkHTDslrbdjQsaJzftnGVkEhEI3k1uhBpsKgnE_D89aF55n_RwKYb-R-OHFvg/s1600/IMG_2949.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel Night 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEiAl4uk5lvnv6Kma7q55_s5TigBKo8UZVoL3TaGvDhs6emphj8WyNvT5l186M3gamRmLWDjddkhgHuLes9HaYrOrrMpT0a0JlztnrX-Mwhau8rG4vl6rrkVE1YuKiGfdLK8mHRSyAK95g/s1600/IMG_2953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAl4uk5lvnv6Kma7q55_s5TigBKo8UZVoL3TaGvDhs6emphj8WyNvT5l186M3gamRmLWDjddkhgHuLes9HaYrOrrMpT0a0JlztnrX-Mwhau8rG4vl6rrkVE1YuKiGfdLK8mHRSyAK95g/s1600/IMG_2953.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving Day 2. Thank God for the DVD player and Curious George</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjDfQ08edR7T9Dk_J-7nnOpsP27czvPsVfxuQlOSTFr96ghlWms9FCIvaLpPzA6RXnTiSmxlqXY3y75m10zVmMg3fjpInGXRB4AbXwy960jkagT3rNLVwiFm2Ii0yA3MiuPH5vWNrwxrA/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfQ08edR7T9Dk_J-7nnOpsP27czvPsVfxuQlOSTFr96ghlWms9FCIvaLpPzA6RXnTiSmxlqXY3y75m10zVmMg3fjpInGXRB4AbXwy960jkagT3rNLVwiFm2Ii0yA3MiuPH5vWNrwxrA/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we got there and Mimi drove us instead!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEhGJTVikyZ0Mf1sMzCMJJWxi8lyDVioHC6t7APBsKORAg5njXx5aw7S8aVEsrYjO5IUJLeGoejC1Pe1_mcVcSrIwdwdNh2uvSGXKVs-ZzImgEdXWtubhQ_RLmNf075mobPEzTaQ-Izkyw/s1600/IMG_2984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJTVikyZ0Mf1sMzCMJJWxi8lyDVioHC6t7APBsKORAg5njXx5aw7S8aVEsrYjO5IUJLeGoejC1Pe1_mcVcSrIwdwdNh2uvSGXKVs-ZzImgEdXWtubhQ_RLmNf075mobPEzTaQ-Izkyw/s1600/IMG_2984.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Mimi at last!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjlasX5xi5XE8hhJJCpLssgk_s8Th5YEok6b-y7f5CXsiETiecDz-0qX0ydDCF7dSl47kGn6QqjcCA5bwN9VWaJOcRrx6R_KCyqDHEqJ0Ku9Wm3ib5Vk_SoES0Oa948OsKytstPFihA_A/s1600/IMG_2986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlasX5xi5XE8hhJJCpLssgk_s8Th5YEok6b-y7f5CXsiETiecDz-0qX0ydDCF7dSl47kGn6QqjcCA5bwN9VWaJOcRrx6R_KCyqDHEqJ0Ku9Wm3ib5Vk_SoES0Oa948OsKytstPFihA_A/s1600/IMG_2986.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are chocolate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhxzXJJ-fs9ydK-PBh-b5EncUDLD4MHv3dS89YjXoPfOjV7ZVCODGEKroAxyvJaxUNKkqeoBtKZ9AxNMQRmTpBhQSIS9hcxuJmxj-rYhy_TG6R4idP8wey9nLNoBMP9XBSJSanJdBadmw/s1600/IMG_2992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzXJJ-fs9ydK-PBh-b5EncUDLD4MHv3dS89YjXoPfOjV7ZVCODGEKroAxyvJaxUNKkqeoBtKZ9AxNMQRmTpBhQSIS9hcxuJmxj-rYhy_TG6R4idP8wey9nLNoBMP9XBSJSanJdBadmw/s1600/IMG_2992.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And took strolls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgP1B2egOoh6jtw1TcGbMtVj46cLAKCwM2QILBRmaAEgUTCpT_FKtceLYZYko52h_0wF4h4RPXzLEB157X8YU_VUoGkfYghyphenhyphen-hQ9aYrQokJMl89Z-DDyd_yIy0TW0OYO07MFbLOfU82gA/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1B2egOoh6jtw1TcGbMtVj46cLAKCwM2QILBRmaAEgUTCpT_FKtceLYZYko52h_0wF4h4RPXzLEB157X8YU_VUoGkfYghyphenhyphen-hQ9aYrQokJMl89Z-DDyd_yIy0TW0OYO07MFbLOfU82gA/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossed over the Potomac lots of times</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgYQsr-SVjYOKRe2hfQHKh-QACIJSyxtks5mwGISwIU5517HtjLJjobiLSpvx4UQHYaOkdqyX4GRurkNgvNoNBjI4Q-9dPz-8nyilXObCg2Ipyztq_PIUX4LzdusYs9PxMY_67IBX9FOA/s1600/IMG_3003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQsr-SVjYOKRe2hfQHKh-QACIJSyxtks5mwGISwIU5517HtjLJjobiLSpvx4UQHYaOkdqyX4GRurkNgvNoNBjI4Q-9dPz-8nyilXObCg2Ipyztq_PIUX4LzdusYs9PxMY_67IBX9FOA/s1600/IMG_3003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figured out the Metro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEirhHjtAX1arRIwyVDvyn8XF3MTy63_NO-dPLqYkCLCeefdD27kysZl6lU-Rpmj0k-j7Gp5MOJhcjgbxWVxcyAzsRWetXBB0DCvtl3SToCv1nKUgkpE7Hg6Vu5dqZcSA0offP1Bi6s7Zw/s1600/IMG_3013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhHjtAX1arRIwyVDvyn8XF3MTy63_NO-dPLqYkCLCeefdD27kysZl6lU-Rpmj0k-j7Gp5MOJhcjgbxWVxcyAzsRWetXBB0DCvtl3SToCv1nKUgkpE7Hg6Vu5dqZcSA0offP1Bi6s7Zw/s1600/IMG_3013.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got served chilled coffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhz1elFBU1V1agX1RH9YMF09x_OZ_Yv5a-JJ_emMDirjtZWR87UPaH3odIrASjGC7ORt9pefmrEZ0YE-z6p819tq7BhuVV2Y4IQNPiG8sY2fmDAUC65CdPjf7jShqgYAGkbVZvEwC0Rsg/s1600/IMG_8697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1elFBU1V1agX1RH9YMF09x_OZ_Yv5a-JJ_emMDirjtZWR87UPaH3odIrASjGC7ORt9pefmrEZ0YE-z6p819tq7BhuVV2Y4IQNPiG8sY2fmDAUC65CdPjf7jShqgYAGkbVZvEwC0Rsg/s1600/IMG_8697.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Played on sculptural merry-go-rounds in the "Innah Hahbah"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgSfu_Civ_zF0hI3H-YFgR1X9l06Hs6ZqodDtbEUyQTY5YP1dlkkoFfhe2b7vGhizY6QvKI5vzhKlYxMumFd3bqwuDo1inuZCBgtSX9fs2s91ZHhcXSo2OcV35_Htp7xyPDiTdxDQ6DXw/s1600/IMG_8704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfu_Civ_zF0hI3H-YFgR1X9l06Hs6ZqodDtbEUyQTY5YP1dlkkoFfhe2b7vGhizY6QvKI5vzhKlYxMumFd3bqwuDo1inuZCBgtSX9fs2s91ZHhcXSo2OcV35_Htp7xyPDiTdxDQ6DXw/s1600/IMG_8704.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even mom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjIjxG2ldQMhPRpnH6zbCG5JlUrFvAP_d6FEWfvtv8Xczm8NShCz6r1aS8LDHFp7Jhi-0ZJtXtRijoB3K1Hpa07qqtHgrAax7ZRuXYBxmpKH97CthfBEs4yRD6hml_ZvpX0f8AmuWQa8A/s1600/IMG_8717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjxG2ldQMhPRpnH6zbCG5JlUrFvAP_d6FEWfvtv8Xczm8NShCz6r1aS8LDHFp7Jhi-0ZJtXtRijoB3K1Hpa07qqtHgrAax7ZRuXYBxmpKH97CthfBEs4yRD6hml_ZvpX0f8AmuWQa8A/s1600/IMG_8717.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perused the National Aquarium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhzkyqwHSSk-WFVdMXzotKlgTnB0YypyrzIIuShfYtHSJshExKRjIgxf4i6F7a1qUjsAJOPJ95qY2zUh9upQG1C7dFNqkbJ8doSOzkcJ4dwrsvL9sGc2FSj_VN_LqkXx5jWkepW5eGM3Q/s1600/IMG_8724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkyqwHSSk-WFVdMXzotKlgTnB0YypyrzIIuShfYtHSJshExKRjIgxf4i6F7a1qUjsAJOPJ95qY2zUh9upQG1C7dFNqkbJ8doSOzkcJ4dwrsvL9sGc2FSj_VN_LqkXx5jWkepW5eGM3Q/s1600/IMG_8724.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have a HUGE sea turtle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhvTMLMQO4E2ZuaU6HV9X1EPZ9XPj0kViZcxut5-6EP-ZPSUWrY8Zko21n7rKLktzHPd5MclfyWFDt59vvmiGs0v0PA50zhZaWEXnhwMXxUWvYrJu4-dNpX8PqdTLrf14OUVBBfd2c-MA/s1600/IMG_8750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTMLMQO4E2ZuaU6HV9X1EPZ9XPj0kViZcxut5-6EP-ZPSUWrY8Zko21n7rKLktzHPd5MclfyWFDt59vvmiGs0v0PA50zhZaWEXnhwMXxUWvYrJu4-dNpX8PqdTLrf14OUVBBfd2c-MA/s1600/IMG_8750.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little eyes and hands in wonder at the anemones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgjOHQ0jL6qhHpkXCTmEmpIv5o1kqIQxGdd3QeCXWKNTKDqwDAfPYCtAY6BDCxq1MhzWOrnvNobTiR0GhmRvvXppPS6MadI1hNmHgt1OF6KuhKAsKiMrIYFlB6QGgB4Ul25CjwhyphenhyphenNlDPg/s1600/IMG_8816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOHQ0jL6qhHpkXCTmEmpIv5o1kqIQxGdd3QeCXWKNTKDqwDAfPYCtAY6BDCxq1MhzWOrnvNobTiR0GhmRvvXppPS6MadI1hNmHgt1OF6KuhKAsKiMrIYFlB6QGgB4Ul25CjwhyphenhyphenNlDPg/s1600/IMG_8816.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So happy to take a picture. Ha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjh7Z20_3g9n2HXlXm3uhyphenhyphenPAtgYETcTGPEFvg4tAtkALvK5m_x3UM8lZoNBggMxSVmNRSlISLH8X1WCHX-TREYdvLKP2EYRZLCjRAevT1TGSauJxIi9w0FcQOWwVR5cpeyH_o9Lu0Nlyw/s1600/IMG_8825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7Z20_3g9n2HXlXm3uhyphenhyphenPAtgYETcTGPEFvg4tAtkALvK5m_x3UM8lZoNBggMxSVmNRSlISLH8X1WCHX-TREYdvLKP2EYRZLCjRAevT1TGSauJxIi9w0FcQOWwVR5cpeyH_o9Lu0Nlyw/s1600/IMG_8825.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found some play mates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjJgybVvRqTP76NJ9H3XxzOPMgcjmxOyj4h9Q3vQU7uuSaxVZs93PHR8pUpc4n8dFqZRsSoTe9vydUDo7E9DyK1hYUivsi_4sn_XCozl_6Nh4X-7HrFIFYOVt-3PHELKRC3JrWiQghcGA/s1600/IMG_8844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgybVvRqTP76NJ9H3XxzOPMgcjmxOyj4h9Q3vQU7uuSaxVZs93PHR8pUpc4n8dFqZRsSoTe9vydUDo7E9DyK1hYUivsi_4sn_XCozl_6Nh4X-7HrFIFYOVt-3PHELKRC3JrWiQghcGA/s1600/IMG_8844.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But mom's the best one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEh3O8rWsGRN5NExPC7ZUFvj3-Eu4Eu5sew-Ul7QCpy5LYKgANUa17CvPkRZ1-YhhDh7HESRqZqD1TLr5dz9V4xTHrbJx6PRCvmwsH6LLspzuYoBQXL3ozpPhzFH9d98YC3kfdW1c4Se7w/s1600/IMG_8853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O8rWsGRN5NExPC7ZUFvj3-Eu4Eu5sew-Ul7QCpy5LYKgANUa17CvPkRZ1-YhhDh7HESRqZqD1TLr5dz9V4xTHrbJx6PRCvmwsH6LLspzuYoBQXL3ozpPhzFH9d98YC3kfdW1c4Se7w/s1600/IMG_8853.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had a lovely time at the local park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEinnSzRT7StcEnu2GsB2fXz_OFKVysqgZ0gYNEDVZVyCPvDYTSTkFIUH_DhrLPijpj0HBNpOv7TuU4Xpysi4TRizuzYCVZNA-zdYesJ2XxkA2vL_-GB8Oay8IE286KOBSbYRx8Gol4o3w/s1600/IMG_8862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnSzRT7StcEnu2GsB2fXz_OFKVysqgZ0gYNEDVZVyCPvDYTSTkFIUH_DhrLPijpj0HBNpOv7TuU4Xpysi4TRizuzYCVZNA-zdYesJ2XxkA2vL_-GB8Oay8IE286KOBSbYRx8Gol4o3w/s1600/IMG_8862.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Mimi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnSzRT7StcEnu2GsB2fXz_OFKVysqgZ0gYNEDVZVyCPvDYTSTkFIUH_DhrLPijpj0HBNpOv7TuU4Xpysi4TRizuzYCVZNA-zdYesJ2XxkA2vL_-GB8Oay8IE286KOBSbYRx8Gol4o3w/s1600/IMG_8862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<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/AVvXsEhEdmEmUXEVbfPJOp8uyLh_BInEsLZjPc1yGTPAe9PHRdh3CbuM7k6QQUfB5PRD4qxc5vgU-BWnhIRHPqhSHsWXO6992D8u2gArjM3IcrJM-aJT55gNyqUHnEsuOfPxe2EQ3MfYTovGVw/s1600/IMG_8886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdmEmUXEVbfPJOp8uyLh_BInEsLZjPc1yGTPAe9PHRdh3CbuM7k6QQUfB5PRD4qxc5vgU-BWnhIRHPqhSHsWXO6992D8u2gArjM3IcrJM-aJT55gNyqUHnEsuOfPxe2EQ3MfYTovGVw/s1600/IMG_8886.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gave mom an arm workout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEilUFnIPcCPx-y-4uA_uYzyM015xS_7N73_QAX4R1HdxJrJbKwSCgIRPad9XcZA-gHDAR9EvVzE4zXQmyCoXm9IVgZ9jHCaatSjTSVL2ogJxjNihpTr7bwcDy5kVbSFlkNqd6y_Ehndig/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUFnIPcCPx-y-4uA_uYzyM015xS_7N73_QAX4R1HdxJrJbKwSCgIRPad9XcZA-gHDAR9EvVzE4zXQmyCoXm9IVgZ9jHCaatSjTSVL2ogJxjNihpTr7bwcDy5kVbSFlkNqd6y_Ehndig/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watched a seal show at the National Zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEhLRA4QYG8nx745aMyXJJN3AhMx4g72_1ciCKO1lxOWVqnUlOlLtp7AON__HhIASdQnsG3WX1bVyC2zLmz-NuXg44GtEIGLrmo-35TNodp9GC2kWbv24Vk8qqbfJNzDwqoZ4S7LRke-UA/s1600/IMG_8918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRA4QYG8nx745aMyXJJN3AhMx4g72_1ciCKO1lxOWVqnUlOlLtp7AON__HhIASdQnsG3WX1bVyC2zLmz-NuXg44GtEIGLrmo-35TNodp9GC2kWbv24Vk8qqbfJNzDwqoZ4S7LRke-UA/s1600/IMG_8918.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looked at elephants while eating popcorn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjz38XwomKgeLNYGL0rKZ3K-_fD9d9jFbYAniichNrMXJzOv0fxTAQJwWL0ZRivuf_-IPoss2T4_7I5NmSsVAZEfoOlZdrTEOdFdBMOe5VxSnQxrpk-7Iso1VPReEFLUSsi6h5mwYBgZw/s1600/IMG_8935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz38XwomKgeLNYGL0rKZ3K-_fD9d9jFbYAniichNrMXJzOv0fxTAQJwWL0ZRivuf_-IPoss2T4_7I5NmSsVAZEfoOlZdrTEOdFdBMOe5VxSnQxrpk-7Iso1VPReEFLUSsi6h5mwYBgZw/s1600/IMG_8935.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw birds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgKjby0wU0ywlmgO64F2izITjxbX0f0-Zd52a-5I_RjJqoDppIUsek695ZZpNI2Ihne1TjHzvHVCSo7vRqLDQ8gEENb2tRerdhBK4nazMG6m7UbQZn1fCiVh-2msCAIlraS6rk28HbZQg/s1600/IMG_8962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjby0wU0ywlmgO64F2izITjxbX0f0-Zd52a-5I_RjJqoDppIUsek695ZZpNI2Ihne1TjHzvHVCSo7vRqLDQ8gEENb2tRerdhBK4nazMG6m7UbQZn1fCiVh-2msCAIlraS6rk28HbZQg/s1600/IMG_8962.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sat on the brass panda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEimbQriVB5O1S0ItFiJaMDAoMCgG43tPFMEZgfuI29-GArfuokbhOh07f-vu8nlR8RRQ6RLwM4OnUoptzk9ZYJfKGhz5JoFLJNq6vjEBrMXk8jlLlYQPFLq5hRaDJg73Us_FqhoDUmNmw/s1600/IMG_8968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbQriVB5O1S0ItFiJaMDAoMCgG43tPFMEZgfuI29-GArfuokbhOh07f-vu8nlR8RRQ6RLwM4OnUoptzk9ZYJfKGhz5JoFLJNq6vjEBrMXk8jlLlYQPFLq5hRaDJg73Us_FqhoDUmNmw/s1600/IMG_8968.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Mimi too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjKVmF_KuBCMdHlJ4AK4HmSS1IbOeTEk_OhsBXPt7w4bruWJ_DGfYM9qtrim8mKzmag_S08RGaS9nwX2PwMbmYdJ6SwlNiqR0I_2FiQ9VN_G6pAx3XQw-Vm9qhZ6z7MpXnzYqH1cDXWnQ/s1600/IMG_8974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVmF_KuBCMdHlJ4AK4HmSS1IbOeTEk_OhsBXPt7w4bruWJ_DGfYM9qtrim8mKzmag_S08RGaS9nwX2PwMbmYdJ6SwlNiqR0I_2FiQ9VN_G6pAx3XQw-Vm9qhZ6z7MpXnzYqH1cDXWnQ/s1600/IMG_8974.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got a cool hat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgZLD8J_UemBUL6MHlsz_5UxBY4yOpMQpjjsyqCjjPMm_mY8-Xr0Wtt0sRxrDdBWO5KPST3krBQ8Q2vhkmtDPD7Eey5XBf2MsSe-D_FMfRSmAW0e7cIgY406-tYNUpMAjGmj7d7jnwfsg/s1600/IMG_9009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLD8J_UemBUL6MHlsz_5UxBY4yOpMQpjjsyqCjjPMm_mY8-Xr0Wtt0sRxrDdBWO5KPST3krBQ8Q2vhkmtDPD7Eey5XBf2MsSe-D_FMfRSmAW0e7cIgY406-tYNUpMAjGmj7d7jnwfsg/s1600/IMG_9009.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved the zoo carousel for 2 or 3 trips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgQ8AAcN1LgdUAbL7r5UKFQyaME9kKAHAOuVjEgdCKSfKxnCWdcBlqeNw58YtiscT6sZ-wLoR5I2ikAcPxPQ5JN9OfBde_3auNNY_iGyesJIy5N57yyVpuAknAGcPpJLzb5h0aw2uMwfA/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8AAcN1LgdUAbL7r5UKFQyaME9kKAHAOuVjEgdCKSfKxnCWdcBlqeNw58YtiscT6sZ-wLoR5I2ikAcPxPQ5JN9OfBde_3auNNY_iGyesJIy5N57yyVpuAknAGcPpJLzb5h0aw2uMwfA/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picked the giraffe even though it was stationary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjSJso5-ht-3nKrBqorZdIP00Rzzr6VQInGjsa8oJu5Zh-3OXODT4hAC8zZqXW0K0hZ2Gk27RuuBU3SH3WkIoQej-zlHzU-5UVTBAF_OUtXDGIlsdgbs11v9YEMg9z-Xf1wRddTVqfOAA/s1600/IMG_9029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJso5-ht-3nKrBqorZdIP00Rzzr6VQInGjsa8oJu5Zh-3OXODT4hAC8zZqXW0K0hZ2Gk27RuuBU3SH3WkIoQej-zlHzU-5UVTBAF_OUtXDGIlsdgbs11v9YEMg9z-Xf1wRddTVqfOAA/s1600/IMG_9029.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switched to the moving horse for round 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEghbIvVBkVCgslV2xkY-Jq9CY8dqHvpEbWUSqo3vY-dVyRbPh9KUllIGhefuiVKO_mLSkpklzDfCAwRr1JQwAPsrGshrt_HB2wXDTz-ql5Pt3a6rj9ZOs-ZV-NdKGuRG44Wyv_z2Paa-w/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbIvVBkVCgslV2xkY-Jq9CY8dqHvpEbWUSqo3vY-dVyRbPh9KUllIGhefuiVKO_mLSkpklzDfCAwRr1JQwAPsrGshrt_HB2wXDTz-ql5Pt3a6rj9ZOs-ZV-NdKGuRG44Wyv_z2Paa-w/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had the most delicious cupcakes. Not just hype!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEiHu2ZfuF5qa_wpkDV3kp0xVh01sEP6nbuZeDW2l16BEuwRBEkbtDP03d9Ba6xGXTwTCnMKAtCx5Svt8j-rMnqaXJN6Ns6Dnp-Xx8hcRBcExGiBPp20sHaKJkfpDRE6-SkhC4411zfamA/s1600/IMG_3011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu2ZfuF5qa_wpkDV3kp0xVh01sEP6nbuZeDW2l16BEuwRBEkbtDP03d9Ba6xGXTwTCnMKAtCx5Svt8j-rMnqaXJN6Ns6Dnp-Xx8hcRBcExGiBPp20sHaKJkfpDRE6-SkhC4411zfamA/s1600/IMG_3011.JPG" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because I just had to take a pic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEj8whcb9Hvu2wOCFKLZqNeI440IyOPRoGAtgaxQlHgvLNyzg2q0vOZ3RUxKnrGVvv0Pxz7bOz-QAtJKXOV5_UR8asXVCuHU1Vcgk7UfuPYwKIhius0Uh0yRiMH8Y-Jl_qHRQoEBgW82hA/s1600/IMG_9061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8whcb9Hvu2wOCFKLZqNeI440IyOPRoGAtgaxQlHgvLNyzg2q0vOZ3RUxKnrGVvv0Pxz7bOz-QAtJKXOV5_UR8asXVCuHU1Vcgk7UfuPYwKIhius0Uh0yRiMH8Y-Jl_qHRQoEBgW82hA/s1600/IMG_9061.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bureau of Engraving and Printing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjJgpkzPdNK5zKKjL6g6QaZGsKYeHbkUoCXznm1pPRfV1olNBU1hhoMZFTlgU-Lj4PnC7Qrsz_0S-rfaKLekhLROGG92G2Hdk9-uph0YtnMgsqABjBK0HCv7BaKSbOURTc1zaCPFM1KjA/s1600/IMG_9063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgpkzPdNK5zKKjL6g6QaZGsKYeHbkUoCXznm1pPRfV1olNBU1hhoMZFTlgU-Lj4PnC7Qrsz_0S-rfaKLekhLROGG92G2Hdk9-uph0YtnMgsqABjBK0HCv7BaKSbOURTc1zaCPFM1KjA/s1600/IMG_9063.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tidal Basin. All the cherry blossoms had dropped :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjkC0HnXji7WuM0tDNs7oe1dEuG3dX8j_Td6Jh5GHuNsBe0P_f0Zymmqq1F3njqgUj9fzIcXIeT-ceqNxIAjWEC59JmWu8Xs6z1JTfvKjQJwLvdulv5xVOyV7H27UYpc5GLcXSXPuY86Q/s1600/IMG_9065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkC0HnXji7WuM0tDNs7oe1dEuG3dX8j_Td6Jh5GHuNsBe0P_f0Zymmqq1F3njqgUj9fzIcXIeT-ceqNxIAjWEC59JmWu8Xs6z1JTfvKjQJwLvdulv5xVOyV7H27UYpc5GLcXSXPuY86Q/s1600/IMG_9065.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Mate Sophie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEj-TGIUIV16jfzXSLWPNTsFzAxOyQWL-APqjr_zOzlGTuG42zw_-l2gPpmtAZ4DguRUf0PTkgP81ck3YlE4VfuOJslDxbejU-85V-4H3j8OW0fzFd7JKUvSrdjm5eWPDbumhDpsTtZ4Fg/s1600/IMG_9067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TGIUIV16jfzXSLWPNTsFzAxOyQWL-APqjr_zOzlGTuG42zw_-l2gPpmtAZ4DguRUf0PTkgP81ck3YlE4VfuOJslDxbejU-85V-4H3j8OW0fzFd7JKUvSrdjm5eWPDbumhDpsTtZ4Fg/s1600/IMG_9067.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sad excuse for a selfie</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEjIOI5Jz4Bemsf0UUJgQ_heD-m7P-Okx4TO1swoKcNyOsEPKLHcmGDZ4RojwHnxXL_En1MLUNG3TuHRhLK_hE45p5ENUpOQHinNwMMZGBhsbwtQRDsjJYFNm850CRWwyyk4KyevD7rlwQ/s1600/IMG_9070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOI5Jz4Bemsf0UUJgQ_heD-m7P-Okx4TO1swoKcNyOsEPKLHcmGDZ4RojwHnxXL_En1MLUNG3TuHRhLK_hE45p5ENUpOQHinNwMMZGBhsbwtQRDsjJYFNm850CRWwyyk4KyevD7rlwQ/s1600/IMG_9070.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw the monument from almost everywhere we went</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgTlW4euBoGPJ3Sd_mlhp5Mvlp5NEZRjjhZtGyXfxa5nFj71P75wIgoLgpUAz-2L-IiLzk0HTI4O65i3RfY-Q58Rq7FT4-A_wMMNpgvSf3fANsTUlJlm0qRHGrc9zQkYG7aae3GszYPYg/s1600/IMG_9073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlW4euBoGPJ3Sd_mlhp5Mvlp5NEZRjjhZtGyXfxa5nFj71P75wIgoLgpUAz-2L-IiLzk0HTI4O65i3RfY-Q58Rq7FT4-A_wMMNpgvSf3fANsTUlJlm0qRHGrc9zQkYG7aae3GszYPYg/s1600/IMG_9073.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dept of Agriculture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEixxXPfJ_65vZdjHUFe0O7KdFWk8OkDmkQ6mirmN7KsDLkxABirIf8TrZIDF_TDvu3B3s6_0zneSJjiDyyJqPuFvKm3GfW1UkOKMw1h60QD4amAM50GWMVm41lWaApUZxggKj043h5KGg/s1600/IMG_9076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxXPfJ_65vZdjHUFe0O7KdFWk8OkDmkQ6mirmN7KsDLkxABirIf8TrZIDF_TDvu3B3s6_0zneSJjiDyyJqPuFvKm3GfW1UkOKMw1h60QD4amAM50GWMVm41lWaApUZxggKj043h5KGg/s1600/IMG_9076.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grave of JFK, Jacque O and 2 children</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjEaQKoOj6EslrtbEQ4pksz9jhL_1QLUHa13hkyVGl3VwOqVg_Vv0MYMYcw54OYZ3NSlu6gzIU_wA-p_tLhjf0ZC0haO2570EGfjbuTHxlAAVTZt7HNi4kDs85E44cy1602_e8Rc5QUqg/s1600/IMG_9077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaQKoOj6EslrtbEQ4pksz9jhL_1QLUHa13hkyVGl3VwOqVg_Vv0MYMYcw54OYZ3NSlu6gzIU_wA-p_tLhjf0ZC0haO2570EGfjbuTHxlAAVTZt7HNi4kDs85E44cy1602_e8Rc5QUqg/s1600/IMG_9077.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lee House overlooking Arlington National Cemetary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgVUuWSsEOZuB14PZ9Q-4FgNGmHgGUVJxeUvhP1EHXJ9jSyrkH8dfMrV8UWwAXExKmWJR45vSQ8YMBAk2U4wtz-SQCtZC7hAaxILfdS-GjNnqSdbcAepzMcvZqqr73wYvON95k1QZp6lg/s1600/IMG_9087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUuWSsEOZuB14PZ9Q-4FgNGmHgGUVJxeUvhP1EHXJ9jSyrkH8dfMrV8UWwAXExKmWJR45vSQ8YMBAk2U4wtz-SQCtZC7hAaxILfdS-GjNnqSdbcAepzMcvZqqr73wYvON95k1QZp6lg/s1600/IMG_9087.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe my grandma's relative?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZnhZr26PDCkkSsLbTBR7-ctulK4xt38MeS6DxqizELCLX4XmmMD6C2SnjHhJeHvvhEJUCSnifJtcQnDq6NNIhzXNN2fkYx1yYVDwSxFYWU-c6Pf3LAJzWymAGyRwI6SYq0Fk_xOmpw/s1600/IMG_9106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZnhZr26PDCkkSsLbTBR7-ctulK4xt38MeS6DxqizELCLX4XmmMD6C2SnjHhJeHvvhEJUCSnifJtcQnDq6NNIhzXNN2fkYx1yYVDwSxFYWU-c6Pf3LAJzWymAGyRwI6SYq0Fk_xOmpw/s1600/IMG_9106.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYmX5hl_igAOUI4jBAu6L18GqF5ILqY3qGgjKyMVSYVmWUtbjSCO4S-btEfwBa8FrFEI0eY-2xcsKmj7Q7pGePSYRimVbXl3LDBQsLyPWblLSbOV57M39EESDZjsu_71sr2yqJJUKnw/s1600/IMG_9114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYmX5hl_igAOUI4jBAu6L18GqF5ILqY3qGgjKyMVSYVmWUtbjSCO4S-btEfwBa8FrFEI0eY-2xcsKmj7Q7pGePSYRimVbXl3LDBQsLyPWblLSbOV57M39EESDZjsu_71sr2yqJJUKnw/s1600/IMG_9114.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course the White House. Which looks small in comparison to the other grand architecture around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCtEdGSx3ttNNEFRM6dZenQEBjNqQGMHVKOIV1ouoSseQMdGV6xAF75A73S9UsYTL28B3OAWKsiCXgvkUU6bkzZ_-flgdXdHQLwqkAc3sxuxMY19nvohUbBXyJdqE-z3ZNN6vPRnE6w/s1600/IMG_9133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCtEdGSx3ttNNEFRM6dZenQEBjNqQGMHVKOIV1ouoSseQMdGV6xAF75A73S9UsYTL28B3OAWKsiCXgvkUU6bkzZ_-flgdXdHQLwqkAc3sxuxMY19nvohUbBXyJdqE-z3ZNN6vPRnE6w/s1600/IMG_9133.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sniffing flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4E1uoHnMmoMrdNA72MrwjFal-dC0qIX2QPrh83vR66OCk2rUToQg1RIQL5jwFnkxlxqyivPbSNNy_xbK82cYEZI1EgJeK634PudSmHH36LXElIgaoikD0sqBmUb6wJT5mAAwLaMs9w/s1600/IMG_9143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4E1uoHnMmoMrdNA72MrwjFal-dC0qIX2QPrh83vR66OCk2rUToQg1RIQL5jwFnkxlxqyivPbSNNy_xbK82cYEZI1EgJeK634PudSmHH36LXElIgaoikD0sqBmUb6wJT5mAAwLaMs9w/s1600/IMG_9143.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging on the barricades at the White House</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-53467780888762600202015-04-06T22:50:00.000-05:002015-04-06T22:50:59.759-05:00Loving lifeHow has it been 10 weeks since I've posted? I've thought about it many times but to be honest always find something else to do. Clearly my enthusiasm for blogging is waning. But I do want to keep this up as my digital scrapbook of sorts.<br />
<br />
John and I have settled on a church. We are happy and healthy at Upward Church Pensacola. I did not think we would be at a "trendy" church, but this one is relevant while still being conservative and biblically sound. quite a combination really. Sophia loves her preschool class. We both volunteer periodically, John with media and me with nursery. At first I was off-put by watching sermons via simulcast but the content is so rich that I do not mind at all now. Our pastor is a great teacher who is well-rounded. This is not an "I'm ok, you're ok, let's all be better people" preacher. This is not a "hell-fire and brimstone" preacher. He is a wonderful middle ground. We are working on getting more in fellowship with the other members. We have been attending the marriage small group that meets twice a month and have made some casual friends this way.<br />
<br />
John is soon finishing his last general studies course and will begin the radiography program in late June. The summer is only one class so it should be fairly convenient for our family and his work schedule. I'm ready for his 2 years to start so that it can be finished!<br />
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I am still working my same job and still content there. I find my work meaningful even though at times it can be stressful. Nothing is particularly difficult except managing to fit all the necessary tasks into the day. As with all jobs, as time passes we are expected to do more tasks with the same amount of time. It is just about prioritization and learning that pretty much never will everything be done.<br />
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Sophia can hold conversations as well as any 4 or 5 year old. She is fairly brave at trying new things. Recently I have been taking her to an open play session at a gymnastics facility and she LOVES it. She loves the bars, trampolines and rope zipline. It really is a kid's dream. She has started spontaneously telling us she loves us and giving hugs and kisses. Before it was in response but now she initiates it. I will often feel little arms squeezing my legs. Heart melting.<br />
<br />
Things we will be working on hopefully this summer are a big girl bed, potty training and ditching the pacifier. We are already down to sleep times only with the latter. Potty training is a miserable failure at this point. Sophia had some pretty significant bowel issues and she now associates the potty as a negative painful place. Poor baby, it was really awful. She is now also denying when her diaper needs changing and crying about diaper changes. She has potty PTSD, lol. I have resorted to bribery with small chocolate candies in hopes that might entice her to at least sit on the potty! I have to remind myself that potty training is not a moral issue. I feel the social pressure for her to be potty trained and paci free. But who cares what strangers think! She is advanced in a lot of other ways so I feel bad for thinking I need to rush in these areas. Everyone says there's no point in trying training until they're ready. It seems at least among my circle of friends that potty training later and later is becoming more common. I certainly know some 3 year olds who are not fully or maybe not even at all trained.<br />
<br />
The other big fun in our life is that for our five year anniversary, John and I visited Peru! We stayed with and visited a 3-generation missionary family there. They have been friends with John's parents since before he was born. We were away from Sophia (14 hours away!) for 8 days! She actually did just fine. She was with her great-grandma who watches her several times a week and she did not even cry for us. We did talk with her on the phone multiples times while we were away.<br />
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But- that trip deserves its own post with lots of photos, so I will save it for another day.<br />
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Hope ya'll had a great Easter!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEFott_ujO0os9ZgNDK_xBqnQD8fZpeB9zgZClBP35aTDbSkpPFLi5_BPtiMG1uIPWvnKzucl4ezn0uVGJHKgmQtosHzD7mqkmYJSm-ZecKm-xHyD7krATpscXrA54TI_D6Gjoh1qCg/s1600/datecollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEFott_ujO0os9ZgNDK_xBqnQD8fZpeB9zgZClBP35aTDbSkpPFLi5_BPtiMG1uIPWvnKzucl4ezn0uVGJHKgmQtosHzD7mqkmYJSm-ZecKm-xHyD7krATpscXrA54TI_D6Gjoh1qCg/s1600/datecollage.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy/Daughter date night at Chick-fil-a</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZDlYa6xR0iBdGkjSOo2tPJT3LWzlXlsmdiFD4dhXH3gjSLg9ndIHPHQV3dDTy9ZbaVRsBhxivGVCpAYNY9CDEPwo8nnabQw-ThoIlQ7ZfG-2ELyc4aDsVxsKywbXP4BqM05cu0J4Ig/s1600/IMG_8331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZDlYa6xR0iBdGkjSOo2tPJT3LWzlXlsmdiFD4dhXH3gjSLg9ndIHPHQV3dDTy9ZbaVRsBhxivGVCpAYNY9CDEPwo8nnabQw-ThoIlQ7ZfG-2ELyc4aDsVxsKywbXP4BqM05cu0J4Ig/s1600/IMG_8331.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sassy girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbcC_JB9oE3mtfwK-P8dD2I7J0DJMmnBxGG5we2-iAWlpKWqA41boLlzjjUxZh39QA1Nr6uukf_Pl-S3wndv0oom9pcXg-QwuqD9UXZWAzbTcfGtP_ZuzrIF0KYeSCLw8L08HxoaJ-w/s1600/IMG_8381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbcC_JB9oE3mtfwK-P8dD2I7J0DJMmnBxGG5we2-iAWlpKWqA41boLlzjjUxZh39QA1Nr6uukf_Pl-S3wndv0oom9pcXg-QwuqD9UXZWAzbTcfGtP_ZuzrIF0KYeSCLw8L08HxoaJ-w/s1600/IMG_8381.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 5th anniversary, dinner in Peru</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium6SE6uWBRQvRQgv7RReIe7IkcBrsIi2-uX-4UKNhNrFQrx-pKbjJYJ4A8gqVtKNnVszy5QiUZE2uK6ckr4P645uZeekmAIbg5ozKfLmy4rCF3sMWoAdIvHmeeCn3o3xOuFRKhKMEpQ/s1600/IMG_2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium6SE6uWBRQvRQgv7RReIe7IkcBrsIi2-uX-4UKNhNrFQrx-pKbjJYJ4A8gqVtKNnVszy5QiUZE2uK6ckr4P645uZeekmAIbg5ozKfLmy4rCF3sMWoAdIvHmeeCn3o3xOuFRKhKMEpQ/s1600/IMG_2244.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My MOH got married! This was her shower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFr92rDEYlICh8TLHr5gA6y8XsTSuMjkt2X912qdjQ4vZMth1CO7xuoIBKca1Mx5pm1dDvAupKV9dffdiHPnxEshVRVB5T9y4dJWlwQmK_vWpjs1XvLNX8lg6l37t1rJY9AepHjJXrwQ/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFr92rDEYlICh8TLHr5gA6y8XsTSuMjkt2X912qdjQ4vZMth1CO7xuoIBKca1Mx5pm1dDvAupKV9dffdiHPnxEshVRVB5T9y4dJWlwQmK_vWpjs1XvLNX8lg6l37t1rJY9AepHjJXrwQ/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm mmm ice cream</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKpfRQkPBrwmJzZoljWxT7iezTiU0SqzKQnTr8lmYStYnS9UeXGxRF8mut8EVqio7Ksx0omnJ5dNXLoBezKZPsZFWdrWSv-ET2npClnWuWotddb5IuICvdFM9Adv9C8uPH0_-VKSYTg/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKpfRQkPBrwmJzZoljWxT7iezTiU0SqzKQnTr8lmYStYnS9UeXGxRF8mut8EVqio7Ksx0omnJ5dNXLoBezKZPsZFWdrWSv-ET2npClnWuWotddb5IuICvdFM9Adv9C8uPH0_-VKSYTg/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves bowling!</td></tr>
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PS- My labs have all been fine. Hoping to be cleared at the end of June.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-82364561365349887862015-01-19T16:06:00.001-06:002015-01-19T16:06:48.836-06:00In sicknessQuick update on me- my hormone levels are negative. I will be tested monthly until June and then can hopefully move forward.<br />
<br />
Ok, onto more recent matters.<br />
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Let me say that, I know everyone is probably experiencing some level of sickness this winter. The cold and flu season has been especially potent. We at the White House have been fairly fortunate. We just had colds. But Sophia's cough lingered for quite a while, waxing and waning.<br />
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And then, one morning two weeks ago, just after she woke up, she coughed so hard she gagged herself into vomiting. Poor thing. So Papa took her in to our pediatrician. He diagnosed her with double ear infections, probably from chronic sinus drainage from the cough. This was her first time with ear infections so I felt pretty lucky. He prescribed a 10 day course of Amoxicillin. All was well.<br />
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Then, 7 days into her antibiotics, she randomly slept til 9:45. This is not totally unheard of for a growing toddler. She'd been off her routine the day before. I just thought she was catching up. She acted fine all day.<br />
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The next day, she woke for the day doing the cranky/pain cry. I went in, and could tell she had a mild fever. It was 100.4, So along with her Amoxicillin, I gave her some Tylenol. And then she threw it back up on me. Great. Well, she must have kept down enough of the Tylenol because her fever went down and she acted fairly normal. But when she woke up from her nap, she was hotter than before and very pitiful. Temp was 101.4. I immediately was concerned for the flu and called the doctor for an appointment the next morning.<br />
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Again, the fever came down with Tylenol. We tried again before bedtime to give Tylenol and Amoxicillin. Vomit again. I really needed that fever to stay down so we tried Tylenol again. Same result. So, we just let it be. No one got much sleep that night. Sophie ended up spending a couple hours with Papa in the living room, then a couple hours in bed with me. Finally about 2am I woke up and she was on fire. I stripped off her fleece footed jammies, poor thing was so sweaty. I finally got Tylenol in her that she kept down, and I think we got a 2 hour stretch of sleep.<br />
<br />
By 8 am it was time to get ready for the doctor. She actually was a little better and did not feel very feverish, so I held off on meds. At the doctor her temp was 99.9. He took a look and listen, and determined it was likely not the flu. Just a bad cold. No meds. Ears were pretty clear.<br />
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So Friday we continued our Tylenol, Motrin, herbal cough syrup routine. Things didn't really get much better, except no more vomiting. Friday night passed the same as Thursday. Poor baby was clearly miserable. Coughing, sniffing every 5 seconds, low-grade fever, achy.<br />
<br />
I worked Saturday and since it was not the flu, went ahead and had Papa take her to great-grandmas. Well, when we picked her up that evening it was clear to me that things were worse. She kept asking to go home, her poor eyes were red and dark, she was moaning constantly. I decided to take her to the after hours peds clinic. She needed at least something to help her rest.<br />
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We had an excellent experience there. Flu and Strep swabs were negative. Pediatrician there said she had a lot of fluid behind her ears and that may be what made laying down uncomfortable. She also listened to her thoroughly. She said she appreciated fine crackles in her lungs and wanted a chest x-ray to see. Thankfully that was done in the same building and was read within 20 minutes. She said Sophia had a viral pneumonia. What virus had caused it, she wasn't sure. There are quite a few going around right now. But her oxygen levels and breathing were fine. She said that she was going to put her on two antibiotics, to cover if it was possibly a bacterial pneumonia also. I asked about meds for her racking cough, but she said cough meds weren't safe until 3 years old.<br />
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Sophia also had a slight rash on her trunk that I mentioned to the doctor, but she did not seem concerned.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuSl9pRWPi8hy1vGvY0dik88aqtcnBmBlIl1IJQcZqwyDeunz_H2_81zDmzrfNgHXK5EMBCQKCjGs9xtiIoTccfsfQqFG8j5qsxLSewm2ytuekDzXZ2UBb5LQ9buovNhgX2B9myex6A/s1600/IMG_2221.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuSl9pRWPi8hy1vGvY0dik88aqtcnBmBlIl1IJQcZqwyDeunz_H2_81zDmzrfNgHXK5EMBCQKCjGs9xtiIoTccfsfQqFG8j5qsxLSewm2ytuekDzXZ2UBb5LQ9buovNhgX2B9myex6A/s1600/IMG_2221.PNG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My poor baby has never looked so puny</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrOj6oHfsu7ioDtnAeJI-r8a0jw-8oSg5Uq5PokhzwqPE08A_P3GnjdLweT8Mr-pPRaYm9G9lT0_nRD8dh9Xa7F1WirhLP8L-47WyzyNFsNQUSrSTUt7Tu_6rKGO7KNBL8E57G3xe-Q/s1600/IMG_2222.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrOj6oHfsu7ioDtnAeJI-r8a0jw-8oSg5Uq5PokhzwqPE08A_P3GnjdLweT8Mr-pPRaYm9G9lT0_nRD8dh9Xa7F1WirhLP8L-47WyzyNFsNQUSrSTUt7Tu_6rKGO7KNBL8E57G3xe-Q/s1600/IMG_2222.PNG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny lead apron </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKXwnlf5KSCb-Ft7UBzf1ts9KKUwCSccLCZFhq3hRrvLUqnxLnfNAtc0bpTE_MwNETzxrktOsFOQP5D5F_T6uMlvF1TuHNEeuAnjqt5CMT5Jlwp5de4w7VVntiNQHGzpRXl_To8JXpw/s1600/IMG_2223.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKXwnlf5KSCb-Ft7UBzf1ts9KKUwCSccLCZFhq3hRrvLUqnxLnfNAtc0bpTE_MwNETzxrktOsFOQP5D5F_T6uMlvF1TuHNEeuAnjqt5CMT5Jlwp5de4w7VVntiNQHGzpRXl_To8JXpw/s1600/IMG_2223.PNG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She did really well!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjMWhpTlWltAamgrzTR8NyMvsxd7lryGd7DSd8-WVGfBaO9XgL3euAmwWfsV8WaQbdsch0grgJ0D49yiKvltsggxXc4GWP_dXdACJsfk1A-qaP-FSdDRtEaVKsjxuYY7dlMKkNkr3Zw/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjMWhpTlWltAamgrzTR8NyMvsxd7lryGd7DSd8-WVGfBaO9XgL3euAmwWfsV8WaQbdsch0grgJ0D49yiKvltsggxXc4GWP_dXdACJsfk1A-qaP-FSdDRtEaVKsjxuYY7dlMKkNkr3Zw/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The face of misery. She has quit whining at this point she was so tired.</td></tr>
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The 24-hour pharmacy had a 2 hour wait, so we decided to pick up her meds the next morning. It was already 11pm. We continued with Motrin for the aches and pains and the herbal cough syrup. That night passed roughly too, until about 3 am at which point she slept a decent amount until about 10am. But when I got her up and gave her a bath, I could see that the rash was worse.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning, finally some rest</td></tr>
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She's had a rash once before after a 24-hour fever and I know lots of viruses can end with a rash. I put a call into our doctor just to check, all things considered. I did not hear back. But, Sophia actually got better on Sunday. She ate a little, smiled and played some. The fever was gone. She was still on Motrin and herbal cough syrup and now antibiotics. Her cough was still racking, but not constant.<br />
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She only woke up twice, both before midnight, then slept til 8am. But when she did get up, I could see that the rash was much worse. I called our doctor and got an appointment for that morning. They may not have good after-hours service but their weekday service is great. They are a small practice in an old facility and there's only about 5-6 employees total. But I will take the older facilities for the quality time they spend with us and the same-day appointments.<br />
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Anyway, our pedi looked her over well. She still had a lot of fluid behind her ears "blue ear" he called it. But with the rash pattern, which was all over including palms and soles, but most concentrated on arms and face, he decided she likely had <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/parvovirusB19/fifth-disease.html">Fifth's Disease</a>. He also looked over the radiologist's report from Saturday night. He was not so sure Sophia had pneumonia. And if it was a viral pneumonia, the antibiotics were unnecessary. He said her symptomatology from a few days ago sounded like the flu, or a flu-like illness, and that can turn to pneumonia. He left it to my discretion whether or not to complete the antibiotics. I did ask if he thought she could have anything for cough. He agreed to give her something.<br />
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The reason FDA put the black label on cough syrups for kids is because of the high potential for overdose. All the reactions kids experienced were in settings of overdose or improper use. The solution was weight-based rather than age-based dosing. The age-based dosing was too broad of a range. The FDA asked the drug manufacturers to do clinical trials for weight-based dosing, but due to high cost they declined. So instead, they're no longer safe OTC. But, being that I'm a nurse and he trusts me to strictly follow the dosing instructions, he gave me some cough syrup for her.<br />
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So now, we just treat the cough and the aches, and wait for it to pass. Fortunately she's no longer contagious, unfortunately when she was in the nursery Wednesday night she probably was. We are notifying our church.<br />
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It's been an un-fun 5 days for us, and especially her. It's very hard to see your kids, or any kid, sick. I'll be glad to put this chapter behind us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning after a bath</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could see the rash spreading</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monday morning. Things are worse.</td></tr>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-43356213868048229852014-12-19T17:40:00.000-06:002014-12-19T17:40:56.513-06:00Sophia is 2!A couple weeks ago Sophia turned 2. She had a great party filled with friends and loaded with gifts. I was a bit apprehensive about a child having to share their birthday with the Christmas season, but so far it has worked out fine.<br />
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At her pediatrician appointment she was 36 inches tall. Apparently this is the height of the average 3 year old. So we're still hanging out in the upper 90th percentiles for height.<br />
She was 26.8 pounds, putting her in the 50th percentile for weight. Which is why she needs 2T tops, but 24 month pants are the right length but roomy in the waist. She could still wear 18 month pants if they were long enough.<br />
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It's no wonder she's skinny. She eats like a bird. Also typical toddler. Unless of course it's a sweet, and then she'll want a double portion. Just like her mama. :)<br />
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She continues to be a little mockingbird dictionary. I think her longest sentence so far was "No mama, don't take my socks off, my feet get cold." I hear a lot of "No mama, don't do this, don't do that." Don't sing, don't change my diaper, don't put my lotion on, don't wipe my booty, don't pick it up. I know she just likes having some control.<br />
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She also sings a lot these days. I think she has my knack for remembering lyrics. She can sing all the ABC's, and knows most of Itsy Bitsy Spider. She has a big repertoire of songs she knows parts of. It's so cute just to catch her playing and singing to herself. She especially likes Jingle Bells right now.<br />
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We are still dealing with the typical toddler stubbornness. One thing I find particularly frustrating is that if you catch her doing something she has been told not to do, and it's something she needs to stop doing immediately in order to avoid danger or disaster, she has the ability to completely ignore you. Today she stuck her hand in the fish tank after repeated warnings not to. When I caught her, I yelled very loudly for her to stop and take her hand out. She kept swishing her hand happy as a clam. Oh my, that made my blood boil.<br />
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This year she would have nothing to do with Santa. Wouldn't even look at him. She can certainly be very bashful at times.<br />
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The next big things to tackle are potty training (we are already working on that some), ditching the paci and moving to a bed. Since we no longer need to do these things in preparation for a sibling, I've pushed back the timeline to maybe 2.5.<br />
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We are in a time of sleep regression. This happened last year when we traveled for the holidays. It's hard to get back in our routine. Plus we've had a cold and are possibly teething. I try not to resort to CIO unless I am sure there are no legitimate reasons for the waking. So until this cold is gone we'll be up once a night, sometimes twice. Thankfully it's not for long.<br />
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Sophia continues to be our joy. She is such a blessing.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-66526702034732288122014-11-25T14:10:00.002-06:002021-03-27T10:03:34.402-05:00In WaitingNo, I'm no longer waiting for the pathology report. It came in, and was confirmed as a <a href="http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Partial_Molar_Pregnancy">partial molar pregnancy</a>.<br />
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So, the waiting begins until we can try for a sibling. I will have my labs measured Monday and then weekly until they are back to normal (zero) and then I'll need monthly labs for 6 months to ensure they stay normal. Then, we will get clearance to try again.<br />
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I already feel very un-pregnant (except those 5 pounds I gained) so I'm hopeful this is a sign that my HCG is dropping and will drop to normal and stay there.<br />
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If not, we will cross that bridge when we come to it.<br />
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I also get to have a chest x-ray, just to make sure that there's none of those peskily multiplying cells anywhere else in my body.<br />
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I'm thinking I should use this year to get fit and in the best shape possible for the next go-round. My gut could really use a flattening.<br />
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So it's not the best outcome, but certainly not the worst. Glad to have a plan and start on it.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-71540374250360662992014-11-22T23:08:00.000-06:002014-11-23T07:00:29.094-06:00In Joy and In SorrowSo I've debated even sharing about this. But if the outcome had been different, I definitely would have shared. So, I thought it only fair to share the not-so-pretty too. I also didn't want this to be a "woe is me" attention seeking type thing. But, this blog is a bit of a journal for me and I certainly want to log this on the timeline of life.<br />
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John and I decided a bit ago to go ahead and start trying to expand the family. We definitely want Sophia to have a sibling. Last time it took about 3 months, and we figured almost 3 years apart would be good spacing.<br />
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Well, things happened quickly and on October 16 I found out I was pregnant. I surprised John the next night by having pumpkins carved with the birth years of our current and soon-to-be family. Unfortunately one of them had gone out in the 15 minutes I had them lit, and he didn't even really notice at first. He just thought I carved pumpkins without him and was disappointed. After I spelled it out for him he was happy of course.<br />
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We decided this time around to wait to tell our families until we saw them in person, since we were planning a trip to see them on November 20. My midwife does not see patients until 8-10 weeks and my 9th week fell on the November 19. It would be good to have our first appointment and then share.<br />
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Around week 7 (3 weeks after we found out) I started to experience the normal pregnancy things. Nausea, bloating, fatigue, food aversions and all the wonderful first trimester things. (Sarcasm and loathing fully intended).<br />
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Then, early the morning of the 19th, around 2am, Sophia woke up and John went to check on her. I woke up too and knew things were not right. A trip to the restroom let me know I was bleeding a little. Not much, but no one wants to see that at all. I was much too far along for implantation spotting. Being a nurse, I knew that if indeed this was the beginning of a miscarriage, there really wasn't anything to be done. I didn't see any reason to brave the inconvenience of a middle of the night trip to the ER. They'd only be able to tell me what was happening, not stop or fix it. So after some disappointing Googling, prayer, and a Melatonin so I could hopefully sleep some, I went back to bed.<br />
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At 6am I woke again. More blood, but still not anything resembling a hemorrhage. My first appointment was that afternoon at 3:50. I called the answering service for my midwife at 6am. The only thing they could do was page the on-call MD and it was not my midwife. I knew the only thing they could do was tell me to watch and wait or, go to the ER. Instead I elected to leave a message for the staff when they got in to see if I could get an earlier appointment. Ten minutes after the office opened no one had called :( I mean, my message did say I was bleeding! By that time, the bleeding had actually stopped.<br />
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The office politely told me they did not have any openings but would talk to my midwife when she arrived. They called again at 10 to say my midwife had been in a delivery that morning, was just getting in, and they did not have any earlier appointments. At 1pm my midwife called to check on me. She had just gotten the message, unfortunately. She again said they were full but if I felt I needed to be seen earlier, please call. At that point I was fine to wait.<br />
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I arrived at my appointment, prepared to be told bad news. My blood pressure was unusually high. My exam was fine, no fresh blood, no signs indicating labor. My ultrasound, however, was not fine. This early I'm not very good at interpreting ultrasounds. I saw 2-3 black areas, in irregular circular type shapes. There was no "there's the baby, or the heartbeat is right there, see?" My midwife got her doctor to come look at the ultrasound. Apparently the ultrasound did not look typical for normal miscarriage or molar pregnancy, although they leaned towards the second option. But they were 99% sure there was not a living baby in there.<br />
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However, the tissue area was large and the doctor advised that if I waited to see if a miscarriage would occur naturally, I could experience heavy, prolonged bleeding and possibly hemorrhage. They wanted me to have labs drawn for my HCG levels, because if they were too high, that would be a good indication of <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/molar-pregnancy/basics/definition/con-20034413">molar pregnancy</a>. So I went right away to the lab. Twenty-five nervous hours later, my midwife called to say that indeed, my levels were very high and in range for molar pregnancy. They offered a re-test to see if the levels were increasing or decreasing, but ultimately they still recommended at <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dilation-and-curettage/basics/definition/prc-20013836">D&C</a> so that I could avoid prolonged bleeding and, more importantly, tissue could be sent to pathology. I was anxious to quit feeling like I was pregnant when indeed I was not. With my HCG levels so high, I was really feeling icky.<br />
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Probably the scariest part came in pre-op, when the surgeon told me he felt almost certain it would be a molar pregnancy on the pathology report, and if so he would consult with the GYN oncologist via phone about my case to make sure he was using the best course of treatment. Because if you read the link above, you know that in some rare cases this can turn into...cancer. But more likely to him, sometimes even after the tissue is removed, the body continues to make HCG like it would for a pregnant woman, and then some. In his experience this can almost always be stopped with a one time dose of methotrexate. This is a chemo drug. But he assured me that in one dose it does not make you sterile or make all your hair fall out.<br />
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The second recommendation for molar pregnancies is that you refrain from getting pregnant again for a year. He has had patients not wait, and more than often the outcome is not good. There's a higher chance for miscarriage and recurrent molar pregnancy. And I never want to have another one of these. But it makes me sad that, at the soonest, Sophia will be 3 and 1/2 before she has a sibling.<br />
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So, my procedure was scheduled for lunch the next day, at the outpatient surgery center at the hospital. It's a fairly quick and straightforward procedure, but it does require general anesthesia. I was calm until the recovery room. Through the whole thing, John and I had been disappointed, certainly, but not devastated. With my medical background, I know these things happen, and really quite regularly. I am certainly not alone in suffering a miscarriage. My mother, mother-in-law, cousin, two friends and countless others have walked the same road. If affects everyone differently. With things being so early, we are just sad at the missed opportunity at what could have been. Other than getting choked up, that's about all that happened.<br />
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Well, anesthesia is known for releasing inhibitions anyway. So about 15 minutes after waking up, I was ugly crying. Thankfully John was there. I was mostly just mourning my place in life at the moment. I did not want to be there, recovering from surgery, losing 9 hard weeks of carrying a baby, facing putting off having another baby for a year, and possibly taking one shot of chemo. After about 30 minutes the anesthesia was wearing off more and I started to recover. I may have more crying in the future, who knows. But for now I feel reconciled to what has happened.<br />
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What is hard now, is the waiting. The report should come back sometime next week. Thankfully we are away visiting family, unfortunately not sharing happy news, but having a good time nonetheless. That occupies my mind. The best result would be that despite the odds, it was not molar. The second best would be that it was molar, but my HCG levels fall appropriately on their own and no further intervention is needed, the third option would be that is was molar, my HCG doesn't fall and one dose of methotrexate is needed. The fourth option, I'd rather not consider, and that would be that it turns cancerous. Even then the treatment rates are extremely good.<br />
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My HCG levels would be monitored no matter what, until they return to normal. But if it is molar, they will be monitored for quite a while and I think maybe even for several years in order to be cautious. I'd prefer not to live with that nagging feeling.<br />
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No matter the outcome, this is in the the Lord's hands. It did not take him by surprise. I try not to borrow worry from tomorrow, it's not scriptural :) So for now we wait. I will update again once I know the results and have a better idea of what the next steps will be.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-53274158173153779562014-10-25T20:37:00.001-05:002014-10-25T20:37:47.697-05:00Can't think of anything catchy to put hereSo 10 weeks since I've blogged. I don't want to say I've given up. I think about blogging, but something else always seems more enticing.<br />
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The latest thing to steal blogging time is my new sewing and embroidery machine. My old mechanical sewing machine died. I thought I was going to have to wait until Christmas to get a replacement, but my super thoughtful and generous father-in-law had John order me a brand spanking new one! It's computerized and it also does embroidery!!! I love it!<br />
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It's the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brother-LB6800PRW-Project-Computerized-Embroidery/dp/B003EPLBMO/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1414264573&sr=1-1&keywords=brother+lb6800prw">Brother LB-6800 Project Runway</a>. It sews like a dream. I can't tell you how much I love having a sensor for low bobbin thread, a semi-automatic threader and an automatic thread cutter. The embroidery part takes a little more getting used to. There are some quirks I'm still learning, but I've made lots of things already. Now I can add embroidery to pillowcase dresses and I collect plan shirts by the gobs just so I can personalize them!<br />
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Tuesday we go to orientation for the Radiography program John is hoping to start in June. There are only 25 seats and over 50 applicants. He will receive his number at orientation. We are selfishly hoping a lot of people don't show up or drop out for some reason. We've already been wanting to start this for about 18 months, but when he decided that the 2014 starting class was already full. If we had to wait a whole other year that would REALLY stink. It's a 2 year program as it is. <br />
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Sophia is almost 23 months old. We'll be having another birthday party soon! She is still sharp as a tack. She can hold conversation about as well as a 3 or 4 year old, but most strangers don't get to see that because she clams up around new people, for the most part. She's very discriminating. She has to feel you out first :)<br />
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I started trying to potty train, but she's not consistently excited to do it. So, she may sit on the potty once or twice a day, or sometimes not at all. I've decided not to worry about it for now. Two is going to be a big year for her anyway. It will likely entail ditching the pacifier (Heaven help us all), moving to a big kid bed, and potty training.<br />
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I think we've reached a stage of independence with her that I really like. It's sad because I know even now I'm just helping her grow to where she won't need me at all. But I do enjoy having a child who can walk, talk, and for the most part, feed themselves.<br />
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I'll do a more thorough Sophia update when she turns 2 and we get her checkup. But here are a few of her latest :) She is IN LOVE with the zoo these days.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-91766401855748549072014-08-13T17:26:00.000-05:002014-08-13T17:26:00.176-05:00Putting feet to faithMy heart is at times so heavy over the violence occurring in Israel and Iraq, and the plague in West Africa.<br />
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To be honest I know that none of this is really new. Violence and destruction has been occurring in these areas for some time. But it does seem to be increasing, or at least getting better media coverage.<br />
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But for some reason this time around it has really stricken me.<br />
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I just went and got my healthy baby out of her crib after a long nap in a dim air conditioned room that she shares with no one. She asked for milk and I simply had to pour some from a jug conveniently located in our fridge. She asked for lunch and told me she wanted corn. I had to but open our pantry and all her wants and needs were supplied. I can take her to church anytime I want and no one wants to hurt us because of that.<br />
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When I hear about innocent children sleeping on the ground, being bitten by insects, in the raging heat, with little to no food and water, and becoming ill, sometimes to the point of death, because of their lack, it just hurts me. To think there is a mother dying inside because her child is asking for food and water, and she has none to give, it makes my insides die a little too.<br />
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I have hardly anything compared to some, but I have almost everything compared to most.<br />
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So today I shared some of my almost everything, by giving to help in the Middle East conflict through <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/iraq-crisis-response/?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=m_YYME-014V_BingSPME">Samaritan's Purse</a>. I know they're also helping in Africa with the Ebola outbreak and I'm sure they're helping in Israel too.<br />
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Most of my life, being brutally honest, I've wanted the Lord to tarry. I wanted to grow up, be married, have children. I still want to see Sophia grow up. I want to have more children. I want to live and enjoy life. But more than that, I want peace. I want heaven on earth. I truly now know that Christ's return is the best thing I can hope for. Until then I will pray for strength for the journey for those who are in such turmoil. I will help. But dear Lord, if you're listening, come quickly. Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-50759739116171776492014-07-13T21:00:00.000-05:002014-07-13T21:00:00.545-05:00Sunday afternoon napsI'm the only one in the family not taking one today. Although now that it's too late to start, I kinda wish I had taken one.<br />
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So when I ran out of Downton Abbey episodes to watch, my thoughts turned to my little red-headed step child of a blog. Of course Sophia decided immediately to try and wake up early from her nap, but after replacing her lost pacifier and a bit of rocking and soothing, she's fast asleep again.<br />
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I think of so many blog topics, but I never write them down and so when I actually sit down to write, all I can think of is updates of what's been going on in our lives, rather than witty observations on current events or deep soulful outpourings of thought.<br />
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Sophia continues to amaze and entertain us daily. She is active and spunky. Her poor little legs look like I've abused her with all her bruises and scrapes from running into things and falling down. Her beautiful skin tone deepens with every trip outside. For now, she's almost a blonde-haired brown-eyed girl. In the back where her hair is thicker it's more brown, but her wispy tufts at the top are definitely golden in she sunlight. She also now likes to have her toenails polished. She will sit still while I do it. Yay for me!<br />
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John continues to work on the shaved ice truck. Believe it or not July and August are two of their slowest months (especially as far as neighborhood sales) because it is so hot, people are not outdoors much. They do still have events booked, so it's not terrible. He likes his job. Recently he completed all the testing to get into the Radiography program at our local college. The classes do not start until next summer and technically it's already full, but he is on the alternate list and the adviser feels almost certain he will get in as very rarely does everyone who's qualified follow-through with actually starting the program. I'm trying not to be anxious about him being an alternate. If for some reason he couldn't get in and we had to wait until summer 2016, I just don't know what we'd do. It seems like we've waited so long already.<br />
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I continue to work 3 days a week. As it is with all jobs, our duties at work continue to expand. There's always more I's to dot and more T's to cross. Sometimes we just have to nod and smile, while knowing that realistically, not everything they want done can be done. I still like my job :) I had an opportunity to take on the same type of job in another company, but for now I turned it down. As long as my job has hours for me, I think I'll stay put. We are fully staffed and looking at possibly hiring 2 more full time workers. That doesn't particularly bode well for me, but I won't fret about what hasn't happened yet. This year our company employees got merit raises based on a formula calculated from our annual review scores. I got a stellar review and may have gotten the maximum raise percentage, but because I'm "as needed" staff, I'm not eligible for a merit raise :( My boss was honest that our company wants all their as needed staff to come on full time staff. Oh well, I don't want to do that. So I'll just keep my same pay rate. If in time that really starts to irk me, I can negotiate for a raise or look elsewhere.<br />
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For a minute I thought "Well forget doing a great job if it doesn't get you anywhere". But then I remembered "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord and not to men". So I'll continue to do my best.<br />
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We're also going through a bit of change in our church life. Long story short, our church does not have a Pastor right now. I'm not sure if they're looking for another one just yet or just taking time to regroup. We've been having guest pastors fill-in for now. The whole situation has been painful and saddening for us. I learned from John that even prior to this, he'd been considering/feeling that it might be time for us to move on. I was surprised to hear this. As with most big change at first I felt nervous and resistant to the change. But now that I've had time to process it, I'm ready, and maybe even a little excited. I will be sad to leave our current congregation and feel a bit guilty about it to be honest. But I'm also hopeful that our next church family will be a place where we grow and share even more than we did where we currently are.<br />
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I know that the primary function of a church is not socialization or even good works. The primary function is to glorify and worship God. But one of the many other functions is the fellowship of believers. We really only have one couple at our current church that we are in fellowship with. There are 3 other couples in our age range there, but none that we have "clicked" with. It is hard to start and maintain friendships when there isn't some common gathering time and place, besides the actual church service. I think we are hoping our new church home will have some groups geared toward younger married couples, with or without children.<br />
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John and I have also been taking on a new fitness program for the last month. It is a 60-day challenge through Beach Body fitness. John's mom has recently become a Beach Body coach after doing her first challenge, and graciously provided for us to try it. Part of the challenge includes drinking Shakeology. It's seriously the best protein powder drink I've ever tasted. It's still no Chick-fil-a milkshake, but for all the protein and nutrients in it, it tastes pretty darn good. I'll be sad once our 3 month program is over, because there's a reason it tastes so good, and it's high quality ingredients. So it's also high money. I mean, really high money. And we may be the exception, but we've had a lot of confusion and frustration with the customer service and product side of Beach Body. For the amount you're paying, a lot of their online system is archaic and it's very easy for them to make mistakes. But for now everything is <i>supposedly</i> straightened out.<br />
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We are looking forward to more family visits this summer. My dad came, John's mom is coming, and hopefully John's dad also. Sophia and I went and saw my mom a few weeks ago. She did pretty well on her first plane ride.<br />
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We are also hopefully doing <a href="http://www.infantswim.com/lessons/isr-lessons.html">ISR</a> lessons when a convenient time slot becomes available. I've seen and heard amazing things, and I'll be sure to let you know how that goes!<br />
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Of course I can't post without sharing a least one Sophia photo. So here's one of my recent favorites.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-20938278012469167372014-06-01T08:00:00.000-05:002014-06-01T08:00:01.000-05:00Sophia is 18 months!No, I promise I won't be one of those "She's 29 months old" people. In fact I'm excited that for the next few months I can say "She's 1 and a half".<br />
<br />
Life with Sophia is so much fun. John and I love watching this little human learn the world.<br />
Life with Sophia is also tiring. There's a lot of things to teach and protect a little human from when they're learning the world.<br />
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Right now Sophia is learning to sing. It's so cute. The three songs she tries to sing mostly are "ABC's" "Twinkle Twinkle" and "My God is so Big," a song they sing in her Sunday School class.<br />
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She's also a bit of a daredevil. She loves to swim and often wants "down" while in the pool or ocean. Today we took her in the bay where the water is calm, and she had no problem walking away from me right into the water, all the way up to her chin and often past that. She is not happy to be in her baby float either, she wants full use of her arms to splash and move, and that ring around her just gets in the way!<br />
I tried a Puddle Jumper on her, but she is still a little too small for that. She couldn't really move her arms at all and just stood in the living room crying.<br />
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Sophia is pretty good at walking, and can even do small stairs. She still needs a hand to hold on bigger steps. She's pretty good at walking in the sand and in the water. She still can't make the whole way to the ocean alone, it's too tiring. She can walk pretty fast, but still isn't full on running yet.<br />
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We had our first ER visit this quarter. Sophia was throwing a tantrum in the store, and apparently when I took her hand and tried to get her to stand up, her radius popped out of the socket. Unfortunately for her I didn't realize this for about 2 hours. Thankfully the hospital I work at has about a zero wait most of the time, so we were seen quickly. After triage, getting to a room, and then the nurse assessment, she started acting totally fine and using her arm again. The PA told us about <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkidshealth.org%2Fparent%2Fmedical%2Fbones%2Fnursemaid.html&ei=fg-EU6mcFI6AogTKvIIQ&usg=AFQjCNHK18wQpOxrYaDNGlNUXWrvBDJD8w&sig2=SIyRRFhpwE9uwpejCmoA4A&bvm=bv.67720277,d.cGU">Nursemaid's Elbow</a> and how it probably reduced on it's own. Apparently it's pretty easy to reduce manually also. So two days later when it happened again at home (while trying to put on the blasted Puddle Jumper) I reduced it myself. And now we are very careful with Sophia's arms. :)<br />
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Did you catch above that she hurt her arm during a tantrum? Yeah, she's got a quick temper. Fortunately I read that is pretty common. She will scream and cry at the drop of a hat over the most random things. At home I just ignore it. In public it's not so fun. I know I'm supposed to keep my cool, but that's very hard. I try to play the distraction game without giving in to the fit. Tantrums are neither of our finest moments. <br />
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The amount of information this kid takes in everyday is amazing. Literally she learns a new word every day. She's quite the mockingbird. I decided to keep track for the last 2 months of all the words she uses or repeats easily, and the total as of June 1st is 190. And since my mom didn't believe me I'll list them all<br />
:) And I didn't count twice for phrases that involve the same word in more than one.<br />
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Names: Mama, Papa, Mimi, MawMaw, Grammy, Hali, Jeff, Ben, Coco, Eby, Ernie (she says his name again now!), Sophie, Madison, Dora, Dale, Emma, Mike, Connor, George, Graycie, Tonya, Jesus.<br />
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Numbers/Colors: One, two, three, yellow. And she will count 123 on her own.<br />
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Commands: Please, thank you, you're welcome, up, down, come, hush, ok, yay, uh-oh, byebye, hi, hey, hello, no, ok, careful, night-night, off, clean up.<br />
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Foods: Cracker, cookie, apple, nana, milk, juice, water, chicken, bacon, baba, broccoli, yogurt, ice, egg, cheese, breakfast, bite, orange, coffee, mango, pepper, potato, candy.<br />
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Animals: Puppy, doggy, ruff-ruff, bird, owl, monkey, bunny, rabbit, froggy, zebra, bug, snail, lion, giraffe, turtle, kitty-cat.<br />
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Clothes: Socks, shoes, boots, diaper, paci, dress, hat, necklace, earrings, pants, glasses.<br />
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Body parts: Nose, toes, button, feet, booboo, hair, teeth, fingers, eye, ears, arms, legs, hands (and she can point to all of these).<br />
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General: Fire, poo-poo, Amen, pretty, hot, cold, what, book, raining, phone, baby, ball, bath, shower, outside, coming, sunshine, light, chair, medicine, mail, car, truck, airplane, carseat, seatbelt, flowers, bubbles, home, nice, window, door, pillow, slide, awesome, bucket, toys, strong, box, blanket, tv, bed.<br />
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Phrases: Come mama, I see you, I love you, I love (papa/mama etc), I know, what's this, Hi (baby/mama etc), no ok, bless you, touch it, have it, good girl, good boy, good morning, careful (Eby/baby etc), hi five, oh yeah, oh boy, big girl, I sorry, excuse me, happy day, I got it, where are you (Sophia/mama/papa etc), I got your phone.<br />
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So yes, she's a bit of a talker :) Lucky for me it doesn't really matter that I did not teach her baby sign language, because she caught on to talking pretty fast. We almost always know what she wants. Along with knowing more actual words, she also talks a fair amount of babble. It's cute :)<br />
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And finally, Sophia's favorite things list: being outside, sitting in adult chairs or kid sized replicas, candy, opening mail, pointing out airplanes, climbing around in the car, pushing the doll stroller and playing in the water.<br />
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Happy 1.5 years baby girl. Here's to many more.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-26064107021086579412014-05-05T22:07:00.002-05:002014-05-05T22:07:40.977-05:00Here I go again on my ownThat song is just running through my head.<br />
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But you see, the thing is, I'm not really alone. And I can't do very much alone, even if I think I can.<br />
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In Sunday School this past week we were discussing free will versus free choice.<br />
<br />
It was complicated.<br />
<br />
But mostly I was reminded, I can't do it in my own strength.<br />
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I can't be a good enough employee, mom, wife, friend, volunteer, Christian, exerciser, nutritionist, blogger, none of it!<br />
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Far too often I forget this. I think of all the things I should/could improve on and it overwhelms me.<br />
<br />
I was also reminded that even if I'm a great employee, mom, wife, friend, volunteer, Christian, exerciser, nutritionist, blogger etc., it matters NOTHING. Because my righteousness is as filthy rags. Only the work of the cross matters.<br />
<br />
Does God command me to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him? Yes he does!<br />
But that is not what gives me salvation. It is the work of Christ. If it had anything to do with my filthy self, it would be tainted.<br />
<br />
Our conversation had me questioning why we do certain things- like preach the Gospel to others, or help our fellow man, or honor our parents, or live with integrity. If salvation has nothing to do with my will and everything to do with Christ's work, why try? Because God's inspired word says to. But I could preach til I turn blue, help as much as Mother Teresa, do everything my parents ever wanted, and never sin, and if Christ had not quickened my dead spirit-man through salvation, I would die and spend eternity in hell.<br />
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John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and <i>that</i> your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.<span class="p"></span><br />
<span class="p"></span><br />
<span class="p">Eph. 1:4 </span><span class="p">According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:<span class="p"><br /></span> </span> <br />
Just let it sink in how much you are dependent on Him.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-91078317425673238632014-04-27T17:43:00.002-05:002014-04-27T17:43:59.095-05:00A trifecta of sortsSo I did have a run of three things this weekend, but I wouldn't call them wins.<br />
<br />
Unless I've won a terrible award that no one wants.<br />
<br />
Now that it's all in the past I'm more reflective and less upset, but still I thought y'all might get a kick out of my suffering (in at least one of three stories).<br />
<br />
Tuesday I dropped my phone in the toilet. I put it in a dry-out bag and Thursday everything seemed fine. Except then it wouldn't charge. So Friday I took it to a local place that does repair (I'm about to bash you on the Internet Techshell), and explained what had happened and my presumptive diagnosis that the charging port had fried. The gentlemen was a non-native English speaker and although we seemed to have a bit of difficulty with clarity, we came to a consensus that they would check it out and give me a call. I signed an estimate that listed "water damage, port" and said $49.95. I in no uncertain terms asked that they call for anything over the estimate and before any repairs were made.<br />
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John got a voicemail that evening that the phone was ready, they replaced the charging port and the battery and the cost was $80. I was upset but decided to deal with it Saturday when I picked the phone up.<br />
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I went into the store Saturday and explained my problem immediately to the nice young girl who was in that day. She was unsympathetic except to say "I'm sorry no one called you but all we can do is take out the new parts if you want." We went round and round. I wanted to know what the problem was with the phone, was there any water damage as discussed, why did both parts need repair, and why she was acting like it was no big deal that they went $30 over the estimate without calling. I was informed that the technician would not be in for another 1.5 hours and they could either call me (not an option, John was at work and they had my phone) or I could come back and find out what the technician said. She said she could not reduce my bill any and when I asked to speak with a manager I was told he was on vacation and there was no manager present at their other location, but again, they could take down my name and have one call me.<br />
<br />
I decided to go ahead and fund something to busy myself on that side of town for an hour and a half. When I returned I had a baby who was nearly ready for a nap. The same blonde told me the tech said my phone would neither charge or hold a charge and so both parts needed replacing. I guess I did not need the water treatment I was initially told I might need. Anyway, this part was XX and that part was XX and my total was $96.XX. I nicely explained to her that yesterday on my voicemail and this morning when I spoke with her earlier I was also told $80. She explained that that was before it was "rung up" with tax. I asked her if there was $16 in tax. "That's just the total" I was told. We went round again about a signed estimate, no phone call, bad customer service, likely communication error with the guy who wrote my estimate due to possible language barrier etc. She re-ran my numbers again giving me a "discount" and that my total was $80.53. I explained again that this was the total from the beginning, $30 over the estimate, and I was just not happy with that. I told her to go ahead and take out the battery as that was an easy fix I can do myself. I heard her whispering to the tech then she came out and we bantered some more. I explained if this was there idea of customer service that I would take my business elsewhere in the future. I explained that they had made a mistake by not calling me and that I had told her on my first visit that day that I would be ok with $10 off for a $70 total. At this point she relented, told the tech to leave my battery in and charged me $70 plus tax. She did say she was sorry for the miscommunication and my problem, and I thanked her for finally being willing to do something about it.<br />
<br />
But there are 3 things right?<br />
<br />
I drove straight home, trying to get Sophia to her nap. When I came in the house, I found dog poo on our rug. Upon closer inspection, it was <i>spread</i> across a couple feet of our rug. And there were some streaks on the tile floor. How did it get smeared?<br />
<br />
Sometimes the things that are supposed to help you do the opposite. Say for instance when your dogs (who had adequate outdoor time to potty) poo on the floor and then your Roomba robotic vacuum runs over it. And over it. And takes it with it. And then you have a toddler who won't nap because you had her out past nap time, and a floor you desperately need her to stay away from. And an expensive vacuum with dog crap ingrained in every nook and cranny of it's underside. <br />
<br />
And then you feel the urge to binge eat sweets or binge drink. I chose the former.<br />
<br />
Then you clean your carpet and the vacuum. Only even though you were walking a fine line between getting rid of every trace of poo so you're not vacuuming it into your floor ad infiniteum, you somehow manage to damage your expensive vacuum so that it no longer does what it's told.<br />
<br />
So by the time Saturday was done I was ok, even though I'd done about $175 in damage to electronics.<br />
<br />
Then Sunday on the way home from church I stopped for gas. I took out my debit card but left everything else in the car. When I was done refueling I tried to open my door. No luck. Somehow even though I exited the car, ALL my doors were locked. My keys were in the shut off ignition, my cell phone was on the seat and Sophia was in her carseat.<br />
<br />
Initially I did not panic, but only felt inconvenienced. I knew John was at work. I went in the gas station and asked the clerk for a phone. I called John to see if he could tell me the number on the back of our insurance card to call for roadside service. He did not have his wallet on him. He could Google it but I should try 1-800-Geico. Tried that, no luck. Asked the clerk if the computer right next to me had internet service they could use to lookup the number. Nope. I asked if they had a phone book. Yes. A small business only one. Found an ad for the local Geico which had the option to connect to roadside service. Got a rep who could not find the address of the gas station because it was new. She understood the urgency of the situation and asked if I'd called the police. That had not occured to me since I thought I could get someone there in 20 mins or so and the car was parked in the shade and they day was overcast and humid. After about 10 minutes of phone calls she told me she could only find someone 45 min away. Not good enough. Hung up and John called me back to say call this number a friend of a friend with a locksmith service. Called him. 20-25 minutes away but at this point 15 mins had passed in phone calls. He told me he would come but call if I ended up calling the police. Went to finally check on Sophia. She was quiet, smiling at me behind her pacifier, holding her water sippy cup. But I could see her hair was sweaty and her cheeks were pink. I started to get a little emotional and worried. The clerks in the store did not offer any kind words or sense of urgency or danger. I hope it was because of a possible language barrier and misunderstanding of the situation.<br />
<br />
I decided to go back in and call the police. I just did not know if another 20 minutes would be safe. <br />
You see, there's this horrible awareness video (I won't even put the link it's so gut wrenching) about forgetting kids in a locked car and the heat stroke and death that can ensue. I saw it and bawled. I kept thinking of it. So I called 911. Dialing those numbers alone is enough to make me cry, especially since I was feeling very alone and helpless, but I didn't want to cause a big scene.<br />
<br />
The operator was very nice and within 5 minutes, likely less, a fire truck with lights and sirens was speeding towards us. The lights and sirens only made me cry worse, try as I might to hold it together. I knew Sophia was fine, I knew it. I just couldn't help it.<br />
<br />
In less than 1 minute they opened the locked door and Sophia was out. They agreed she was fine, canceled the EMS they called as a matter of protocol, and mostly asked me a few times if I was going to be ok. They were done and gone within about 5 minutes. They did nicely ask me to call them right away next time and skip the locksmith, and tell all my friends to do the same.<br />
<br />
I took me about 10 minutes sitting with Sophia in the car to recover. But she was just fine.<br />
<br />
So yeah, it wasn't the greatest weekend for me. But in the end I was thankful again to have a happy, healthy baby.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-54352280077578261292014-04-05T21:09:00.000-05:002014-04-05T21:09:14.560-05:00What Baby Wore [WBW] A fashion postSophia is so happy for Easter she just can't stand it, as you can tell.<br />
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I think she's thinking something like "Ugh, mom, these clothes are so juvenile"<br />
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Feather clip- Hobby Lobby, T-shirt- Circo sold at Target, applique custom made, Pants- handmade by mom, Sandals- Gymboree.</div>
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This feather clip is no more- Sophia ripped it off and destroyed it on the way to dinner. Nice.</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-46614448348787581652014-04-04T22:03:00.000-05:002014-04-04T22:03:07.653-05:00I'm still aliveHave I really gone 6 weeks without an update? So much has been going on. Namely, I’ve been working<br /><br />full time hours and trying to maintain a household. That keeps me quite busy. Not to say there haven’t <br /><br />been moments where I could have squeezed in a blog post, it’s just that lately I find myself preferring to <br /><br />do other things. Things like reading blogs instead of writing them, surfing Facebook, crafting, watching <br /><br />television or cleaning.<br />
<br /><br />Speaking of crafting, these are some of the things I’ve been up to lately:<br />
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<br />I made two pairs of ruffle pants, and then my friend appliqued coordinating shirts: <br />
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<br /><br />I made a neck tie for John to coordinate with our Easter outfits:<br />
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<br /><br />So I’ve gotten lots of sewing practice in. I’m nowhere near a seamstress, but I’m also nowhere near as <br /><br />rusty as I was. We won’t talk about how many times I had to seam-rip, adjust, and rig the pants.<br /><br />I made a quick wreath for our door for Easter:<br />
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<br /><br />We also won’t talk about how the tutorial I read should have mentioned painting or in some way <br /><br />covering the cardboard ring you cut out as the base, as there is no way to hide it completely using only <br /><br />one size egg. Or what is the best way to lay out the eggs so that your wreath looks somewhat uniform. <br /><br />No, we won’t mention that.<br /><br />As for the watching television that takes up blogging time:<br />
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<br />Have you guys seen this show? I love it! My mom led me to it on Netflix. I enjoy British dramas and I also immensely enjoy midwifery culture. It’s glamorous to me.<br /><br />So after I was all caught up on that series I figured I might as well take the plunge on Downton Abbey. <br />
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<br /><br />I’ve only gotten to the end of season 3. I hated the end of season 3 BTW [Oh and if you want to watch <br /><br />online, the only place I found it is Amazon (1st 3 seasons free with Prime)].<br />
<br /><br />I’ve also gotten in 2 trips to the beach. Both days it was still really a bit overcast and cool. I am SO over <br /><br />this extended winter. Highs in the 60’s is not what Florida people want in April. We have had just a few <br /><br />days the temp got above 75, and even fewer where it was 75, calm, and sunny. Boo! How am I going to <br /><br />be tan for Easter? <br />
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<br /><br />Thankfully Sophia seems to enjoy the beach. The first time we went this year and I sat her in the sand, <br /><br />she didn’t move for probably 5 minutes. It was a very foreign feeling to her I guess. It was funny. But <br /><br />now she’s up and moving, although she crawls a lot more at the beach than anywhere else. Easier on <br /><br />her given the terrain. She never crawls at home.<br />
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<br />We had her 16 month (15 month but late) checkup recently. She’s still in the 90th+ percentile in all areas. <br /><br />She is up to about 65 words now and has a few 2 and 3 word phrases. She is in to climbing. She will <br /><br />climb onto the kitchen table and the bathroom counters if she gets a chance. We are working on letting <br /><br />her know the table is not allowed and for the bathroom we just keep the door closed. I do let her climb <br /><br />onto furniture and into chairs. She also really likes to stand on a chair by the counter in the kitchen and <br /><br />watch me cook or do dishes. Basically, she is very into being as adult as possible. Thankfully she is also <br /><br />still into being rocked before naps and bed. I very much cherish those times.<br />
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<br /><br />She is keeping wings on our feet and smiles on our faces. And maybe bags under our eyes, ha!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-79517948167536014402014-02-26T16:53:00.000-06:002014-02-26T16:53:00.350-06:00Don't be hatin'I was at work one morning, conversing with one of the nurses. She's pregnant.<br />
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I wasn't sure how far along she was, but she didn't look very big.<br />
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She was sitting at her computer, inputting her assessments. Only she was having to stop every few minutes or so.<br />
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She was having contractions! We talked a bit more, turns out she was 3 days from 40 weeks. With her first. She'd had irregular contractions the night before, and her last office visit the day before had shown she was 2cm and 100% effaced.<br />
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But she came into work. It being her first, she didn't think she was in labor. She was planning to go natural, prepared to go overdue, have a long labor etc.<br />
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Only at work her contractions were regular. When I was talking with her they were 4 minutes apart. She said they were painful but she was calm and breathing through them. She was working on getting her paperwork complete because she felt she wasn't going to finish her 12 hour shift (it was about 11am).<br />
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I was telling her she was doing good by keeping busy and keeping her mind off it. It could still be awhile, it's going to get much worse (although I always include that everyone is different and feels different sensations as they labor), early labor is easy etc etc.<br />
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Well about 45 minutes later she was getting a bit more serious looking. She handed over her patients and went to Labor and Delivery.<br />
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I don't know all the details from there. Only that we checked on her about 1-2 hours later and per her family she was 7 cm and said to tell us that she was "dying".<br />
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She had her just shy of 7 lb baby at about 2pm. After a 4-6 hour labor, 3 of which she worked through.<br />
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I told my husband that when she came back from maternity leave I was going to punch her.<br />
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He told me not to hate just because she had the labor and delivery I wanted.<br />
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Even my midwife would tell you that she and anyone like her are an exception to the rule.<br />
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But I still begrudge her a little. Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765243953674119930.post-47197121202395762652014-02-23T16:42:00.000-06:002014-02-23T16:42:40.028-06:00Dirty Mouth? Clean it up!So Wednesday Sophia and I were at a friend's house having a mom/daughter playdate (she has a little girl 7 months older). We were in the nursery sorting old clothes (so that I could pick out some to borrow, score!) when Sophia started gagging.<br />
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I looked over and Sophia was spitting and it was a bit foamy. I then realized there was a small decorative soap in her hand, with a chunk out of it.<br />
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Of course I snatched that away. Poor baby girl was gagging and spitting and her eyes were watering.<br />
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Then about 2 seconds later, she full on blew chunks. Only about 1/3-1/2 a cup, but she was quite frightened by the whole thing. She's never vomited before.<br />
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She looked so pitiful, trembling, foaming, eyes watering, gagging, puking.<br />
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Thankfully it only lasted a few seconds.<br />
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But she was pretty sedate for awhile after her ordeal.<br />
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If only she were old enough to truly remember it. Then if I threatened to "wash your mouth out with soap" she'd actually take that as a serious threat with dire consequences.<br />
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It was both pitiful and just a little funny.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03586375724800152195noreply@blogger.com0