tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48122486759698810332024-03-05T05:03:45.196-08:00Love & Such..My whirwind blog about life, love, and the many things I'm passionate about..Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.comBlogger416125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-43542159425685815342016-07-14T10:31:00.003-07:002016-07-14T10:31:56.313-07:00Hey Everyone!<div align="center">
I'm really excited about this, although I totally feel out of the blogging-scene now. </div>
<div align="center">
You can catch me at my new blog!</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.arrowsandafternoons.com/">www.arrowsandafternoons.com</a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
XOXO</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-2754349423450384732016-05-10T11:47:00.003-07:002016-05-10T11:47:19.428-07:00Hi Y'all Life is crazy and has a funny way of making big changes.
I haven't blogged for QUIIITEE some time now..
BUT, I'm excited for some new things to come!
XO Mikell
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-60280109758944799812014-12-24T12:17:00.006-08:002014-12-26T17:59:42.930-08:00Merry Christmas to You!<div align="center">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas to you and yours, from the Gordon Family!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG4I7Tw_R2WF1YCQDYn4aFbjaVVY1scDOUFwuGR4lx1waaFJQoiaTD8puowIHFWoB2VurTIP0Wu0TQ7jQIs0Q8ZgBQlU7XbAvxw9Xw-1-aYD4gPhIsHOfe2_xAeOwBdNYUdrKqjm8E7w/s1600/G2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG4I7Tw_R2WF1YCQDYn4aFbjaVVY1scDOUFwuGR4lx1waaFJQoiaTD8puowIHFWoB2VurTIP0Wu0TQ7jQIs0Q8ZgBQlU7XbAvxw9Xw-1-aYD4gPhIsHOfe2_xAeOwBdNYUdrKqjm8E7w/s1600/G2.jpg" height="640" width="438"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmo3Dcrb_tjRqhDpKNB5JKK_QiGlogA7dvgHCEpRLgBFexq0XTR-PJF1FmDTfPjDcw-E3pvzNENt6TnY3KU4tQ5CkYzwS8FsjqTPaOCwR_PO0BZ1e6csu-R34dTLqOKZhWHk5x118beo/s1600/G3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmo3Dcrb_tjRqhDpKNB5JKK_QiGlogA7dvgHCEpRLgBFexq0XTR-PJF1FmDTfPjDcw-E3pvzNENt6TnY3KU4tQ5CkYzwS8FsjqTPaOCwR_PO0BZ1e6csu-R34dTLqOKZhWHk5x118beo/s1600/G3.jpg" height="412" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v4q99MC9re2DsxuGKJL3Ro783zDXKXtVus_74gUUh5WvFO0ehDk9oId-xsIcdH5QZZHG5ZD6ddVmkAKfIFTc31wU4jbHDiKFJilq25E1EiJe9sHLVYAJQN5JANEE0SpGgTLDBX5JCAo/s1600/G4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v4q99MC9re2DsxuGKJL3Ro783zDXKXtVus_74gUUh5WvFO0ehDk9oId-xsIcdH5QZZHG5ZD6ddVmkAKfIFTc31wU4jbHDiKFJilq25E1EiJe9sHLVYAJQN5JANEE0SpGgTLDBX5JCAo/s1600/G4.jpg" height="442" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrcneTwH8G4PMZ1_otfOF7SytxyhjA1w4TvqmuHyu1OiRpW5kdP53FnOaY7gMVXS3GO-ZbOnhB6R2-xp_ldzJUY_qS5qwCY_ak-XlJNeM9hzrsND9CFimnEec2pxz-FJIxpJkIj4YqPk/s1600/G6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrcneTwH8G4PMZ1_otfOF7SytxyhjA1w4TvqmuHyu1OiRpW5kdP53FnOaY7gMVXS3GO-ZbOnhB6R2-xp_ldzJUY_qS5qwCY_ak-XlJNeM9hzrsND9CFimnEec2pxz-FJIxpJkIj4YqPk/s1600/G6.jpg" height="434" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZSs9myl-yzBWExqUGqScqjWPgFqzkiw9c7KiexTK-u8XPskec2r1WY7OII3K2vu3P2d1rs_v5hLcbcbaSJcE7-NYsLRF1P8FQbgzfF_SqKpJptaGrY-XU9RuFXMYaOe1MpzVgcO_zKw/s1600/G9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZSs9myl-yzBWExqUGqScqjWPgFqzkiw9c7KiexTK-u8XPskec2r1WY7OII3K2vu3P2d1rs_v5hLcbcbaSJcE7-NYsLRF1P8FQbgzfF_SqKpJptaGrY-XU9RuFXMYaOe1MpzVgcO_zKw/s1600/G9.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Mvg6-WgGsHzw5IxY9OtG28qGYqTt2UiAz3f7klKGbhUb4fHyEuNOJvtZ0KwWgXXaEl7F9wzV3jhVycpVeHYRDESp5wPGIQUXAbEcTnUzkCfX9wxL00e7cRSqxOjow8EtiDPP1oil2NA/s1600/G12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Mvg6-WgGsHzw5IxY9OtG28qGYqTt2UiAz3f7klKGbhUb4fHyEuNOJvtZ0KwWgXXaEl7F9wzV3jhVycpVeHYRDESp5wPGIQUXAbEcTnUzkCfX9wxL00e7cRSqxOjow8EtiDPP1oil2NA/s1600/G12.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L4tAn6FefMTzeLUNakn36fI6_BPUyaaAHVkU7LsZ_7o1ScEGFOKIX-l8rQP-yIBSLotZDMZKWZzFGQXkCghUX3Udj1YZm4iFcpjNqZV4e2p7_Ndq5Y5O5BRvQUs_IW6JmmU34oIOuEs/s1600/G14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L4tAn6FefMTzeLUNakn36fI6_BPUyaaAHVkU7LsZ_7o1ScEGFOKIX-l8rQP-yIBSLotZDMZKWZzFGQXkCghUX3Udj1YZm4iFcpjNqZV4e2p7_Ndq5Y5O5BRvQUs_IW6JmmU34oIOuEs/s1600/G14.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFopt-S2J2Egx2-TMNeV4nZ9EO3GSm6lsAXRhvBjfs78zI114rxIZmrFta563yA9Y3nlRaMJiYqiViilYZ5rvd_oEqpTivI9ZbZTWhNR7rkdSWw08el9AkIAUdxywq88LDFuxSLVRXhPg/s1600/G15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFopt-S2J2Egx2-TMNeV4nZ9EO3GSm6lsAXRhvBjfs78zI114rxIZmrFta563yA9Y3nlRaMJiYqiViilYZ5rvd_oEqpTivI9ZbZTWhNR7rkdSWw08el9AkIAUdxywq88LDFuxSLVRXhPg/s1600/G15.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HW8tyEwjn8nva4QsW3Lad007hdmg5Xe-0f6Pd02kcGW79GT3Y1Lj_TkMtaS4iiStpb-wJEJUPH8aFWU_Irm2tChuUzcS86QAHXlNckMUWDNYHrdHCg_46t1QU2CduIe266XBCnH4Yxk/s1600/G16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HW8tyEwjn8nva4QsW3Lad007hdmg5Xe-0f6Pd02kcGW79GT3Y1Lj_TkMtaS4iiStpb-wJEJUPH8aFWU_Irm2tChuUzcS86QAHXlNckMUWDNYHrdHCg_46t1QU2CduIe266XBCnH4Yxk/s1600/G16.jpg" height="472" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh212XKZ0vXLQe81kvAcsSN6ULPbkYxXQDLxgltH9NSxOPx8owxrOagkqSeom_F5taY-_UYN8mO55o9teoTqX57zEagBmaYspEgfCP-8gXO2LsSXKhDJkwH0eUuwbmJhJ7kzfK4yhDufWU/s1600/G17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh212XKZ0vXLQe81kvAcsSN6ULPbkYxXQDLxgltH9NSxOPx8owxrOagkqSeom_F5taY-_UYN8mO55o9teoTqX57zEagBmaYspEgfCP-8gXO2LsSXKhDJkwH0eUuwbmJhJ7kzfK4yhDufWU/s1600/G17.jpg" height="448" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWth5VtDHeJocq6FB1xeQmrz6GCOcAd2rcjiptqriXgSz1pHhf7Q9UjtgUi4Ri-U-yqh_O30b2EdnTi1sLyU5iEtpxy6NsvXTG-e54vygbnztxSuoAgjRzWyv2aRrQaefRJ2v1Q2wE3s/s1600/G20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWth5VtDHeJocq6FB1xeQmrz6GCOcAd2rcjiptqriXgSz1pHhf7Q9UjtgUi4Ri-U-yqh_O30b2EdnTi1sLyU5iEtpxy6NsvXTG-e54vygbnztxSuoAgjRzWyv2aRrQaefRJ2v1Q2wE3s/s1600/G20.jpg" height="640" width="458"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm so thankful for my little family this Holiday Season! <br>Thank you to Amanda Rumsey for our photos.. I am thrilled about them!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br>{You can find Amanda on Instagram @photograpybyfreebird}</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
XOXO</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-41394060087169424512014-12-09T09:35:00.003-08:002014-12-09T09:35:45.157-08:00Guilt. <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A while back one of my favorite people on this earth told me that her New Year's Resolution was to let go of guilt. It's been something that has really stuck with me, and something I think of often. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">As of lately, I've discovered on my own that letting go of guilt is really something that's <em>much</em> easier said than done. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Although I am so lucky and thankful to have the job I do,-one that provides health insurance for my family, decent pay I can't complain about, and 50% tuition benefits for my husband, I can say that 99.9% of me hates working. This hasn't always been the case. I have loved working. I love having my own money and a sense of independence and responsibility. After a 12 week maternity leave being home with a newborn, I thought I would feel these same feelings when I came back to work. Independence, responsibility, a burst of self-worth. But I couldn't have been more wrong. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Coming back to work has brought more guilt with it than I could have imagined. As I sit here at my desk (shh...) I can feel guilt, anger, frustration & complete disappointment building up inside of me. All of these stupid feelings are about to be made known as they stream down my face and make puddles on my work notebook. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Before I had Mackson I made a goal to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. After reaching the 6 month mark if possible, I would make another goal for the next 6 months. After carrying a child and giving birth I've been completely overwhelmed at how amazing the woman body is. That we are able to provide life for our babies with the means of our own bodies. God is good. I wanted to breastfeed so badly, and we were doing great until I started work. Pumping at work and keeping up with a growing child is nearly impossible for me. The first time my mom text me during my first week back to work to tell me she ran out of "mama's milk" and had to give him a bottle of formula, and the fact he "took it so well" made me sob as I was flooded with total guilt. <em>{P.s. I have nothing against formula, or mothers who choose, or may not have a choice but to use formula. This merely has everything to do with the fact that I didn't meet my personal 6 month breastfeeding goal.}</em> I've partially loved the convenience of supplementing with formula as my milk supply has quickly decreased over the course of being back at work. But every time I shake that formula bottle, I feel it again. Guilt. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">When I was home with baby during the day I felt like I had everything all figured out. We had a sleeping routine down, the perfect feeding schedule, beds were made, the house was clean, there were homemade treats and dinner was on the table when Spencer got home from work. My journal was all caught up, and I was regularly writing things in Mackson's baby book. I didn't mind the few sleepless nights with Mackson and I loved it when he would stir in his crib letting me know he was ready to be fed and cuddled. Those middle-of-the-night feedings were my favorite. The house was quiet and it was just us. Now I'm waking up at 4:00am to get ready for work. To have enough time to feed Mack, change his diaper, get my work stuff together and loaded up, baby in his car seat, to make a 15 minute drive to my parents house, then another 25 minute drive to work. I can't express the amount of guilt I have waking up a warm, comfortable baby at 6:00am to be thrown into his car seat and bounced around in the car. My heart aches every morning as I drop him off and drive down the street, late to work because I couldn't stand leaving him again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It's frustrating being late for work more often than I should, not being with Mackson as often as I would like, and not being able to give the attention to Spencer that he deserves. I feel like I'm being pulled in so many different directions that it's hard to not feel like I'm failing in every category. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">This past week so much has happened. Mackson has found his tiny voice and loves to coo and talk and make funny noises. He learned to roll over within the last two days, and he's started holding his own bottle. Fun things are happening with him, but I'm at work, during the days I feel it's most important that I'm home. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">There's just simply not enough time in the day. I probably didn't make it to the grocery store, there's probably not going to be dinner on the table so it's macaroni & cheese or soup <em>again</em> for dinner. I sit on the carpet to play with Mack and think about how it's been two weeks since I vacuumed, and when I'm already feeling guilty shaking his formula bottle in the kitchen, I also see a crummy counter and dirty dishes in the sink. I'm so lucky to have Spencer who is so willing to help me with anything I need. Unfortunately, I am terrible at asking for help, and even worse at thinking I can do everything on my own. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">As I'm sitting here writing this, my frustrations have gone down. Even though I think what this all boils down to is being a working mom, what it really comes down to is that I don't have a choice right now. I have to remember that Mackson won't remember being 4 months old and staying at grandma's house instead of being at home with mom. (Even though being at grandma's house is probably more fun!) That right now, I'm making sacrifices. And for that, I think I'm doing an okay job. And one day, when I get to wake up to Spencer and Mackson and know that we can spend all day home together playing in the dirt looking for bugs, sharing treats, running errands and taking naps together, I'm sure I will know that my sacrifices now were so worth it. The day I can wake up as just "mom" instead of "working mom" will be so fulfilling. I can't wait. In the mean time, my weeks will drag on & I'll continue to live for the weekends.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">For all of you working moms, it's the hardest thing I've ever done. There are good days and bad days, and I wish I could hug all of you for your hard work. For all of you stay at home moms, I'm sure it's the hardest thing you've ever done. There are good days and bad days, and I wish I could hug you too, for having the best job in the world! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Guilt is something I wish I could let go of, and I'm trying. It's a conscious effort to push it aside and there are days like today where it's so overwhelming. I've decided that one of my New Year's Resolutions is to let go of guilt, and I challenge you to try to do the same! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">After all, don't we have enough going on to let guilt get in the way? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">XOXO </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-67942021266134080322014-12-04T11:55:00.003-08:002014-12-04T11:55:44.296-08:00Mommy Must-Have Items {Part 1}<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">When I was putting together a baby registry, I had never felt so helpless in my life. I literally had no idea what I would use or what I needed to buy. Now that I have Mackson, I thought I would write a list of the Top 9 things that we just couldn't (or wouldn't want to) do without!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">{Part 1}</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfqsF4g7_3gltL6JZ4F4FcjX2xtJJaZMlZeZwMTfc6r0ai-fXcBdlHoaTyrLohafZIH7xXYKxA5zvILH39ebQYq7jSUTuKis9jDoszLkQBu6X31mm9q1rVnYNnWqy4wBs1SCrGNnLsDI/s1600/Capture..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfqsF4g7_3gltL6JZ4F4FcjX2xtJJaZMlZeZwMTfc6r0ai-fXcBdlHoaTyrLohafZIH7xXYKxA5zvILH39ebQYq7jSUTuKis9jDoszLkQBu6X31mm9q1rVnYNnWqy4wBs1SCrGNnLsDI/s1600/Capture..jpg" height="640" width="583" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>#1. Boppy Pillow.</u></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Boppy Pillow is the most well-known breastfeeding pillow. This has made breastfeeding so comfortable for both Mackson <em>and</em> myself. It's lightweight, soft, and I've discovered it has multiple uses. I had it with me at the hospital for some additional comfort in the hospital bed, we've used it to prop up Mack a little bit when he lays on his back, we've used it for a more comfortable tummy time, I have used it as a donut pillow to sit on after the hospital + lots of stitches, and I've also used it as a neck pillow on our Thanksgiving road trip to Idaho. Who knew it had so many uses?! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Available online <a href="http://www.boppy.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>*Tip: If you buy anything at Pea In The Pod, or if you register at BuyBuy Baby you'll get a little goodie bag with lots of samples and some gift cards, which includes a gift card for a free nursing pillow- you just have to pay for shipping!</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>#2. The Diaper Genie.</u></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This should be at the top of your baby registry. I had multiple people tell me before I registered they thought it was a waste of money. I now think those people are freaking crazy. This is a sanitary, quick way to get rid of those diapers and keep the diaper smells AWAY! Mackson's Nursery has never smelled like dirty diapers and I can thank my Diaper Genie for that. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Available online, and cheapest <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/playtex-reg-diaper-genie-reg-ii-pail-system-w-100-count-refill/208534?Keyword=diaper+genie" target="_blank">HERE</a>!-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>*Tip: You can get 30% off a large refill pack of can liners right now at </em><a href="http://diapers.com/"><em>Diapers.com</em></a><em> with code "JINGLE14" at checkout! Plus, If you create an account with them and complete your profile, you'll also receive <u>FREE</u> shipping on any order over $49.00- that's every baby item you can possibly think of, delivered right to your door (usually the next day!)</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">#3. HoMedics SoundSpa Noise Machine.</span></u></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I first purchased this, I thought it was a great idea, but I was also unsure of how often it would actually be used. Every. Single. Day. Mackson sleeps soo much better having a little bit of noise in the room, and this was the only stationary machine I found that had a great selection of noises programmed. There's Ocean, Summer Night, Rain, Rain Forest, Waterfall, and Natural Heartbeat. (White noise option gives me the willies so I loved finding a machine that didn't even have it as an option!) Mack's favorite is the Waterfall and we have it on all night long.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Available online <a href="http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/homedics-reg-soundspa-sound-machine-in-green/1040535807?Keyword=sound+machine" target="_blank">HERE</a>!- </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><em>*<span style="font-size: small;">Tip: If you register at BuyBuy Baby or sign up for their emails, you'll occasionally get a 20% off coupon which can be used towards this machine! ka-ching!</span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><strong><u>#4. Noise Machine On-The-Go.</u></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We took this on our road trip to Idaho and it was a lifesaver. With the hook we could attach it to his carrier, or the inside of his pack and play. We had something portable, and something that sounded familiar to him when we were staying in a new place. Plus, it was only $9.99 and it has a timer to shut off on it's own. I was so grateful I had this! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Available online <a href="http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/homedics-reg-mybaby-trade-soundspa-reg-on-the-go/1040657134?Keyword=noise+maker" target="_blank">HERE</a>!-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>*Tip: This does not come with batteries- make sure you've got at least 3 AAA batteries on hand!</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">#5. NUK Air System Bottles.</span></u></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I was originally using Medela bottles since that's what came with my pump. Unfortunately, after every time Mack would drink a bottle, he would spit up. A lot. This really worried me considering I knew I would be going back to work and didn't have another option but a bottle while I was away. I found the NUK Orthodontic Air System Bottles and they made my life a little easier! They have an air vent system to help reduce gas and colic. Mack doesn't spit up NEARLY as much as he did with other bottles. Plus these have a disc that can be placed in the opening of the bottle to prevent leaks and spills. Which means it can be thrown into my purse and not cause a huge leaky mess. Boom. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>*Tip: You can go to the NUK Website and there's $1.00 off printable Coupon! The link is </em><a href="http://www.nuk-moreformoms.com/special-offers/" target="_blank"><em>HERE </em></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>#6. Covered Goods Nursing Cover.</u></strong></span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I had a few friends recommend these covers and I LOVE THEM! They're stretchy, lightweight, comfortable, and they breathe well. They also fold or roll up small to fit easily in a diaper bag. They're stylish, and they cover your FRONT & BACK for maximum privacy! I like this cover soo much better than the front only apron-looking cover. I have felt really comfortable nursing in public as long as I have this on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Available online <a href="http://www.coveredgoods.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>*Tip: You can also use them as a car seat cover!</em> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>#7. Aden + Ansis Swaddles.</u></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">A pack of these swaddles can get a little pricey, but honestly they're totally worth the money. I got a few packs of these for shower gifts and I use them ALL THE TIME! They're large swaddles and they are lightweight for summer, but can also be used to swaddle baby up in the Winter months as well. I use them for blankies & swaddles, I lay them on the floor for baby to play on, I've used them as burp cloths, nursing covers, car seat covers, & I've put them up in the window of the car for some shade for baby! These are versatile and for that, I love them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Available online <a href="http://www.adenandanais.com/en-us/content/swaddles.aspx" target="_blank">HERE</a>!-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>*Tip: Check out the Aden + Anis website- they have swaddles in different fabrics too!</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>#8. Medela Nipple Shield.</u></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Whoever invented this is a genius. Pure. Genius. Baby and I had a hard time in the hospital establishing a good breastfeeding routine. This not only helped baby to latch easier, but it's protected the nips when they needed an occasional break. Breastfeeding is awful when you have cracked, bleeding nips, and this offers a little bit of relief when ya need some! Mackson never had any nipple confusion using this, so that wasn't a problem. They're about $9.50 per nipple shield, so a little on the pricey end. BUT, trust me. Worth it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Available online <a href="http://www.target.com/p/medela-24mm-contact-nipple-shield/-/A-10953414#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=medela+nipple+shield" target="_blank">HERE</a>!-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>*Tip: These are clear, and blend into ANYTHING. I've lost a couple, so buying a case for them online is really helpful! Plus, the case keeps them sanitary for next use!</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>#9. The Solly Wrap.</u></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Oh, my love for the Solly wrap. Every time I have worn Mackson in my Solly Wrap people have asked me about it. It has just enough stretch in the fabric to be comfortable, and it holds baby in nice and secure! Mackson loves being so close, and it's been great for the days that he wants to be held, but I need some free hands to get stuff done! There's a pocket at the end of the wrap so you can fold it up inside of itself and it stores nicely in my diaper bag! Each wrap is $65.00 and there's FREE shipping online! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Solly Wrap has probably been my favorite baby item purchase!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Available online <a href="http://sollybaby.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>*Tip: Their website has video tutorials on how to use it!</em></span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I hope this helps a little bit for those of you wondering what to register for, or get for when baby is here! There will be a part 2 to this post with a few more things I love and am so thankful to have! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">XOXO</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u></u></strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-7495169520427818722014-12-03T08:56:00.001-08:002014-12-03T08:56:21.936-08:00Mackson is 4 Months Old<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Baby Mackson is FOUR months old! {yesterday}</span><br />Time is flying by, but I'm loving every minute of it. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuFBRIl-7rRGKS1BEFg9Y-fNNKeFjbQF6BhEe2emlp1gBf67qWGqgnp4MAFof8HuUj03_3ADbezKk7Urz8WJnIEtW8JNj_zfNRK6leNIxX0PrqPwn6nr-TaaOugSJ7MF4sEASNh853E4/s640/blogger-image--1008320662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuFBRIl-7rRGKS1BEFg9Y-fNNKeFjbQF6BhEe2emlp1gBf67qWGqgnp4MAFof8HuUj03_3ADbezKk7Urz8WJnIEtW8JNj_zfNRK6leNIxX0PrqPwn6nr-TaaOugSJ7MF4sEASNh853E4/s640/blogger-image--1008320662.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mackson has always been good at little coos and sighs, but this past week he has certainly found his tiny voice! It's been so fun to "chat" with him and talk back and forth. I love it. </span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mack loves blowing spit bubbles lately & Spencer thinks it's hilarious. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He still loves sucking on his hands and he's super slobbery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(as you can see by his drool-soaked shirt)</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mack thinks he's all grown up and tries to hold his own bottle. *sigh*</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">When he eats he quickly finds one of my fingers and grips it with his little hand. </span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He's sleeping about 11 1/2 hours a night and it's glorious. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He's getting really good at gripping his toys & it's been so fun to watch him try to process all of the colors and sounds they make. </span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lately when he smiles he gives a big gummy grin, but smiles with his eyes too. This makes him look just like his mama. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He's {finally} growing like a weed & it's gradually getting harder for me to tote him around in his carrier. But with that being said, he's still wearing newborn diapers & newborn clothes with the exception of his 3 month sized jammies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He's been pretty cuddly at night and has fallen asleep with me holding him tight. These are the nights I never want to put him down. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">His favorite time is still bath time, and still calms right down as soon as he hears the water running. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">His face is just barely starting to chub up a bit & kissing his cheeks is my favorite past time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We love this tiny tot so much!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Happy 4 Months little babe!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
XOXO</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-5535507245703389862014-12-01T07:16:00.000-08:002014-12-01T07:16:07.859-08:00Thankful.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know a lot of people think the "30 days of Thankful" on facebook is totally overrated because we should be thankful everyday. Which is completely true. But I think it's a lot easier to remember exactly how thankful we are for things when the entire month of November is based around being thankful. I didn't post anything on facebook about what I'm thankful for or why, so I thought I would post more than a few things that have been on my mind lately. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.i'm thankful for family.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for husband. for baby. for my role as wife & mom. for my own mom & dad. for sister. for brother. grandparents. in-laws. extended family. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I am so lucky to have a family that does <em>so</em> much for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.i'm thankful for means of travel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for a car that runs so well and allows me to conveniently get to doctors appointments, work, grocery stores, to family, friends, & anywhere else i decide to drive to on a whim. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.i'm thankful for photography.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for being able to capture moments that mean so much to me. these pictures are so dear to me and allow me to remember times forever, see how things have changed, and give me something to show my kids one day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.i'm thankful for a messy kitchen. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for reminding me i have food whenever i need/want it. i often take this for granted because it's so readily available. it breaks my heart to think there are people all over the world going hungry each day. i often forget how lucky i am to not only have an abundance of food in my fridge, but restaurants so close. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.i'm thankful for loads of laundry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for reminding me that i have clothes that keep me covered and comfortable. for having a coat to keep me warm when it's cold outside. for shoes and socks that protect my feet. and for gloves that warm my hands. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.i'm thankful for my home. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for giving my family shelter. for allowing us to have a place to make memories together. to be comfortable. for giving me a safe place to sleep at night. for giving me a safe place to raise and teach my child. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.i'm thankful for my role as mother. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for my Heavenly Father to trust me with such a sacred, humbling job. for the chance i have to teach and learn. for the chance to be an example, and for the chance to love infinitely. i'm thankful for my role as mother, because it has allowed me a slight understanding of how much Christ loves me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.i'm thankful for my daily failures.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for reminding me that tomorrow i can try again and do a little better. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.i'm thankful for my daily successes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for accomplishments big or small. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">.i'm thankful to my Heavenly Father. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">for giving me all of these things. for memories, for blessings, for safety and comfort. for my family and all of the many things i love. for trusting me and allowing me to learn. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Today i'm feeling so extremely blessed and loved. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Today i am especially thankful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">XOXO </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-71859295443725794052014-11-21T08:44:00.004-08:002014-11-21T08:44:35.680-08:00Mackson is 3 Months Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbu3JyZieN5jAXc8CcJ96Do2fX1S8VpnOPl2GrAdCAtoNN2OFyOmYeC_2GFNW_s6zmBgxF0DsZZcWa6RmcJQr3PLnQCc419nVuG-MyWRMjVxZ0DLfu1y8Hs5w_AgY5wvLnOhRrsJbXao/s640/blogger-image-1011821462.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Baby Mackson is 3 months old.</span> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">(I'm really behind writing this, considering he turned 3 months old on November 2nd)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mackson is the best baby, I don't know what I did to luck out like I have. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Mack still loves the tub! When he's crying or tired but it's too early for him to go to bed, I will turn the water on in the bathtub and he immediately stops crying. No matter how tired he is, he would rather be in the bath than sleep. He splashes so cute, and looks shocked when the water hits him in the face and grins that big gummy smile that just kills me. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He also loves showers. I was in the shower one night and he was crying with Spencer. Spencer brought him in the bathroom and he heard the water and calmed right down. We stripped him down nakey boy and put him in the shower with me and he LOVED IT! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sucking on his little hands are still his favorite thing. It's been really fun to watch him discover his hands more and more everyday. If they aren't in his mouth, his tiny hands are trying to hold his bottles, or he touches my arm softly as I'm feeding him. He's been good at holding things like his little pacifiers, his little blankets, my fingers while he falls asleep, and it's the most adorable thing ever when he holds his own hand. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He's <em>still</em> wearing newborn clothes, but he only fits into Carter's brand because he's soo long. Any of his 0-3 month clothes drown him, and I'm excited for him to grow a little bit so we can utilize the rest of the cute clothes in his closet. His little belly is rounding out and his tiny legs have gotten so long!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
His favorite face is his "surprised face" he opens his mouth as far as he can and takes a big breath in and sighs. The last few weeks he has been making the cutest kissy lip face, and his favorite noise to make is "kkkkkkkkkkk" over and over. The last few days he's discovered he knows how to spit. Spencer thinks it's hilarious, so I have a feeling that one will be around for a while. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He loves talking and making noises, but if I record him and play it back to him he gets SO EXCITED. He will kick so hard, coo, and wave his arms around. His favorite thing is the mirror, and loves looking at the cute baby in the reflection. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He's lost most of his hair and I love it. I love his almost-bald head, even though I loved his full head of hair previously. For now, I like him bald. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mack is a trooper with our abrupt schedule change since I've had to go back to work. He sleeps through the night, wakes up to eat, is such a good boy in the car driving to my mom's house, and sleeps again once he's in his crib there. I couldn't ask for a happier baby waking up at 4 to eat, and again at 6 to leave the house. It makes the start of my day so much easier. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mack still doesn't love tummy time, it wears him right out. It's exhausting being a baby. If he's having a hard time falling asleep, tummy time does the trick. He's got such a strong little neck considering he could hold it up as a newborn. He's so aware of what's around him and will look side to side, up and down. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love it when we are driving in the car and I look in the little mirror he has by his car seat. Sometimes we'll make eye contact and he just smiles so big.. It's made me get all teary a few times. He definitely knows who his mama is. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He has a special love for his grandma who watches him during the day. He's absolutely goo-goo-gah-gah for her and It makes my heart so happy. He also loves his pink gma great, and great papa. Papa pokes Mackson's belly and says, "You're a good baby! You're a good baby!" and Mackson smiles SO BIG!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We've almost got him to belly laugh, but not quite. He squeaks just a little bit but stops right before the big laugh happens. I've tried everything. Until it happens, I'll just keep looking silly trying. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's been so fun to watch him grow and be more aware of what's going on around him. I'm soo blessed to be his mom, and I honestly couldn't ask for a better baby. When people at work say, "How are you waking up in the night with a baby and making it to work in the morning?!" People are shocked when I tell them he's been sleeping through the night since about 8 weeks. I've been told multiple times to never have more kids because they'll never be as good as Mackson hahah </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I often miss being pregnant. Okay, every single day I miss being pregnant. But the joys this tiny tot brings me are incredible. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thanks for being my little buddy, Mack. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mama loves you!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
XOXO</div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-66515644079810691612014-11-17T10:30:00.002-08:002014-11-17T11:11:21.014-08:00Boobie Smoothie<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SO I saw a recipe on Pinterest for Lactation Cookies. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">..That's right. Cookies that <u><strong>boost lactation</strong></u>. I feel entitled to eat these (and lots of them) after giving birth. It's fair, right?? I was curious about these lactation cookies and started reading the ingredients and realized the <i>secret ingredient</i> that really isn't so secret, is Brewers Yeast. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also saw multiple recipes for smoothies using brewers yeast and decided to make my own. I should have been better at measuring out my ingredients for the sake of this post, but I wasn't planning on doing a blog post about it until I realized how good tasted it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_xcGKym9PB9C0KsofKm69Z2pLuvVtcPZlwG31W4Fs2UKv9mVGnpQVUBMqclQ1Ut2c4N19B3BXE9BH0n0CCyAtej6rJa-dZFUREZlzOaxhOOTw3TSYq4eYfyQwczB9cQvxPngxoL6HTw/s1600/smoothie..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_xcGKym9PB9C0KsofKm69Z2pLuvVtcPZlwG31W4Fs2UKv9mVGnpQVUBMqclQ1Ut2c4N19B3BXE9BH0n0CCyAtej6rJa-dZFUREZlzOaxhOOTw3TSYq4eYfyQwczB9cQvxPngxoL6HTw/s1600/smoothie..jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SO, here goes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>My recipe for a "Boobie Smoothie"</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 banana</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a handful of oatmeal <i>*great for lactation*</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a handful of raspberries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">a handful of spinach</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Almond milk </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Honey flavored Greek yogurt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 heaping teaspoon of Flax Meal</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 heaping teaspoon of Brewers Yeast *<em>great for lactation</em>*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a dash of vanilla extract </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">crushed ice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blend well. & Enjoy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought it was really sweet and delicious, plus has some great benefits for me and baby!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><em>*Side note:</em> <em>I got brewers yeast at a specialty health and nutrition store locally. It was on the shelf listed as "nutritional yeast"*</em></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm excited about experimenting with more smoothie recipes!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">XOXO</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-79005070404252647692014-11-14T13:17:00.001-08:002014-11-14T13:17:49.478-08:00Fashion Friday<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lately I've had a full-blown love for dressing up graphic tees. I found this J'ADORE tee at Old Navy & had to have it-I love the structured black & white. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When it comes down to it, I will pick jeans over pretty much anything </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>(unless Lululemon Wunder Unders are one of my options.)</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I took it upon myself to make the executive decision that Friday's are casual Friday's at work. No one approved this, but no one has told me not to either. HA!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Today's "Casual Friday" look includes my favorite pair of skinnies, a graphic tee, open half-blazer jacket, my favorite statement necklace and vampy red lipstick. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak-r3BjSvUVcMWX5BhnQ0sBTh97fJ3n1TI4UXaUL7yyF7-dIa2om8t2qh_rSZIBYxQXyP3lcTPpvhIRgXg6viZYx78AhTbna72U58sbSS0Grc_cury6fTz2aRMU5Hw0tf7Z4YOwU371U/s640/blogger-image-1663367163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak-r3BjSvUVcMWX5BhnQ0sBTh97fJ3n1TI4UXaUL7yyF7-dIa2om8t2qh_rSZIBYxQXyP3lcTPpvhIRgXg6viZYx78AhTbna72U58sbSS0Grc_cury6fTz2aRMU5Hw0tf7Z4YOwU371U/s400/blogger-image-1663367163.jpg" width="300" /></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufv1ysH2rYr8xHZ3_5KRJTU4o06GBfSE5SMwJpj2FuCOeiNoS9gcHln9BkpLxwz4w8QKWbMv-mZuyS8eNmLbo0ekx3ud1X4HfOrLc5AVNmTUEsBTOmBuZdJ03QaFNSExNDLtrYGnanBc/s400/blogger-image--1444989872.jpg" width="300" /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh15WpijevjgQWggr5erXoJzbSPeVxya3BD09cxWmzfxs0T0oQWQcNhhHmpYhnYXsh6PrnKNP2qRTerxvRWZmvznxwr1IVdcxoW8qnn5NPOkmo32CKgR2M94f1DOEVEjRyJ-LJtFvY3os/s640/blogger-image--1769838949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh15WpijevjgQWggr5erXoJzbSPeVxya3BD09cxWmzfxs0T0oQWQcNhhHmpYhnYXsh6PrnKNP2qRTerxvRWZmvznxwr1IVdcxoW8qnn5NPOkmo32CKgR2M94f1DOEVEjRyJ-LJtFvY3os/s1600/blogger-image--1769838949.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MHbHgCUkfQfx798-M4iuxBapH4CaNjSzz_SSjTqA8-qADzb-h_UlRxOHEJ9LLXXt-yHmRyZeEG-_DqczJy_KXYQDNSo4vKW0VDjzf-6HynejKInaphSfxl8JmWLDWCa-jIHnDCV6FIM/s640/blogger-image-966777749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MHbHgCUkfQfx798-M4iuxBapH4CaNjSzz_SSjTqA8-qADzb-h_UlRxOHEJ9LLXXt-yHmRyZeEG-_DqczJy_KXYQDNSo4vKW0VDjzf-6HynejKInaphSfxl8JmWLDWCa-jIHnDCV6FIM/s1600/blogger-image-966777749.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05rIuQ0UJmni6X8mBFBLjBqgTxyxYDTjmu0oOZqRE5Xfrqdskb6HFcZubwTFBeASpIgjStBMxWIbXe-UI8BpM0ZR2BUBDKN9vTWK_f06C4onrzMPBHr-c4-d_XH8aGuB_VmYhY2PnqQ8/s640/blogger-image--589588369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05rIuQ0UJmni6X8mBFBLjBqgTxyxYDTjmu0oOZqRE5Xfrqdskb6HFcZubwTFBeASpIgjStBMxWIbXe-UI8BpM0ZR2BUBDKN9vTWK_f06C4onrzMPBHr-c4-d_XH8aGuB_VmYhY2PnqQ8/s640/blogger-image--589588369.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Graphic Tee:</strong> <a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1005899&vid=1&pid=978701052" target="_blank">Old Navy</a> <em>*On Sale!*</em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Half Blazer Jacket</strong>: <a href="http://www.bohme.com/outerwear/blazers/cropped-blazer" target="_blank">Bohme</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Skinnies:</strong> <a href="http://www.ae.com/web/browse/category_products.jsp?catId=cat1990002" target="_blank">American Eagle</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Statement Necklace:</strong> Bohme (similar <a href="http://www.bohme.com/jewelry/necklaces/statement/showstopper-mocha-crystal-bib" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Lipstick:</strong> <a href="http://www.sephora.com/luminous-creme-lipstick-P283903?skuId=1611284#" target="_blank">Tannin by BITE</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">XOXO</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-87930024597556334312014-11-13T08:10:00.002-08:002014-11-13T08:10:27.219-08:00Today<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Today just doesn't seem fair. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Being a full-time working mom is literally the hardest thing I've ever done. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I drove routinely up the dark street.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It was snowing outside & my parent's driveway was white. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It was the coldest morning yet dropping Mackson off & he scrunched up his little face as the snowflakes lightly hit his cheeks for the first time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The house was dark & <em>so</em> still. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">My dad who usually greets me excitedly at the door was still snoring down the hall. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I took the blankets off of Mackson layer by layer and lifted him out of his seat. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He was SO warm and flopped right over on my shoulder with the tiniest little sigh. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">He whimpered for a second as I laid him in his crib. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Then he flopped over on his left side & covered his little face with his arm, just like usual. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sucking away on his little binky.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Then he was out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I stood there silently after I kissed his little warm head & whispered how much I love him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The house was still silent. Dad was still snoring. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It was 6:30am & everyone was sleeping. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">But there I was awake as could be, not quite wanting to start my day yet. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I stood there thinking about how today just isn't fair. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It's cold outside & I still want to be in bed too. <br />I wanted to scoop Mackson up in my arms & kiss him a thousand times over. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">But instead I gathered up my keys & my coat, & left my heart laying there in the crib. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I walked down the steps without a baby carrier & without Mackson. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It seemed just a little colder outside & the driveway was covered with just a little more snow. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I probably cried a little bit & wondered if it ever gets easier. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Today just doesn't seem very fair. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-4460907635706247032014-10-08T12:00:00.003-07:002014-10-10T07:00:08.898-07:00Passion for Plum<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<div style="position: relative;">
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/passion_for_plum/set?.embedder=9050430&.svc=blogger&id=136012866" target="_blank"><img alt="Passion for Plum" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/exJECV2Rl2kPiY6eu0F2g/cid/136012866/id/vJ85x7xG5BGnaBKxh-Oa4g/size/c600x588.jpg" force="1" height="588" title="Passion for Plum" width="600"></a></div>
</div>
<br>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This fall it seems like Plum is EVERYWHERE. And I love it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a color that looks good on everyone and it goes with so many different color options. Plum ANYTHING is a great staple item for Fall. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are just a few of my favorite items I'm finding in Plum. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can we talk about how amazing those shoes are??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">XOXO</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<br>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9050430&.svc=blogger&id=118546500" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/118546500.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="H M long sleeve sweater" vspace="4" width="50"></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9050430&.svc=blogger&id=114281567" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/114281567.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Ankle boots" vspace="4" width="50"></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9050430&.svc=blogger&id=118330592" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/118330592.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Flat shoes" vspace="4" width="50"></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9050430&.svc=blogger&id=114418374" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/114418374.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Purple purse" vspace="4" width="50"></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9050430&.svc=blogger&id=115600874" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/115600874.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Tiger of Sweden wool hat" vspace="4" width="50"></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9050430&.svc=blogger&id=114619662" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/114619662.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="Butter London lipstick" vspace="4" width="50"></a><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?.embedder=9050430&.svc=blogger&id=71376072" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/71376072.jpg" force="1" height="50" hspace="4" title="It Cosmetics eyeshadow" vspace="4" width="50"></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-25122307267955134982014-10-06T21:13:00.003-07:002014-10-08T10:29:19.716-07:00Great Papa<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Growing up I spent lots of time with my grandparents gma Renee and grandpa Lew, otherwise known as Pink Gma and Papa. My pink Gma got her nickname because she's always so pink. She uses her pink lipstick and rubs it on her cheeks and smears it around for blush, it's adorable. I don't think I've ever seen my pink Gma without pink lipstick on.. I guess it's kinda her trademark.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last few years my papa has been so sick. He smoked for years and years (and somehow managed to hide it until my mom told me as an adult) he's had multiple heart surgeries, many of which the doctors told him he had a slim chance of surviving them. I can't tell you how many times pink Gma has called to say "you might want to come visit tonight.. I don't think he will make it through the night" ...somehow he always seems to pull through because years later he's still kickin! He's stubborn, He's extremely weak, and has spells where he can't see, can't walk or talk, and doctor after doctor can't figure out what's wrong. He's had quite a few really nasty falls which have landed him in the ER in the middle of the night and he's always bruised up which has pretty much confined him to his bed. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rewind to last November when I found out I was pregnant, and my due date on Papa's birthday! Spencer and I planned on telling our families at Christmas but we were so worried papa wouldn't make it to Christmas. Papa and I spent lots of time together and I was laying on his bed with him one night when he started crying and told me how hard it is to get old. How he hates not being independent and he enjoys being able to watch his kids and grandkids grow up. He then told me how much he wanted to see me have kids and be a mother. Little did he know I was weeks away from breaking the news to him. I visited with him almost everyday and watched his health closely in case we needed to tell him before Christmas. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Christmas Day we told my family we were expecting a little peanut. Papa was so happy he cheered and clapped his hands and waved his cane around. It was perfect! Papa loved watching my belly grow and told me he had never seen a more beautiful pregnant woman. {which really meant a lot after hearing pink Gma say "wow you are getting LARGE AND ROUND Aren't you!!"} Papa would laugh and laugh when I would call his name from the other room and poke just my large belly far enough around the door frame for him to see it. He would put his hands on my big belly and feel Mack kick and tell me how excited he was to meet him. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitY_bxoqhWf11xjsFEmdF-dgofI7n8bIfU6jQJj1m0uzv7T4N_j0nV3NEH8jvR2LcP9m28EPAURHPAkVS8Dd1i6nCyBTmh_oTbti5STqHfR6ijrwHqp1-ptC_2R1JqFvdyzvoMj2FtNcw/s640/blogger-image-1967374773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitY_bxoqhWf11xjsFEmdF-dgofI7n8bIfU6jQJj1m0uzv7T4N_j0nV3NEH8jvR2LcP9m28EPAURHPAkVS8Dd1i6nCyBTmh_oTbti5STqHfR6ijrwHqp1-ptC_2R1JqFvdyzvoMj2FtNcw/s640/blogger-image-1967374773.jpg"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I had Mack and took him over to meet papa and Pink Gma for the first time I walked in with tiny baby in his carrier and papa just cried and cried. He laughed like I had never heard him laugh and he clapped his hands over and over. I had never seen him so happy! He calls me often during the week to see how the baby is doing and tells me "Mack has the prettiest perfect round head!!" The love that Mack's great Papa and Great Pink Gma have for him makes me so happy. I never met my great grandparents and the pictures I have of Mack with His are so special to me, and hopefully they will be just as special to him. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb-g0uscQFlUmbknynzC6srbK-zM3vHB6QQGWYjqFJsDTMqsLEJi54svlFrIK-y0ld9g4Un9lrXQLV6LzTDQeU7AZ4jOzK69JAHwdYgvo_t0sxwEH3_JIrM-bZGlxzlS8Y0cCPgM_17g/s640/blogger-image--3818278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb-g0uscQFlUmbknynzC6srbK-zM3vHB6QQGWYjqFJsDTMqsLEJi54svlFrIK-y0ld9g4Un9lrXQLV6LzTDQeU7AZ4jOzK69JAHwdYgvo_t0sxwEH3_JIrM-bZGlxzlS8Y0cCPgM_17g/s400/blogger-image--3818278.jpg" width="300"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatUBKbJIVq-wGZk9F-PS0QDSPcKrXrTFUFv0Viwvzm0WXKveWWXcdm0j_GQaXQyfryqcThMVZSSyA6iqipUN_wLbqOklj1jAs4pcb-axS2XsurKTC1EOzimE0ioAi8OI8C2VVUpPs0QE/s640/blogger-image--1693221202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatUBKbJIVq-wGZk9F-PS0QDSPcKrXrTFUFv0Viwvzm0WXKveWWXcdm0j_GQaXQyfryqcThMVZSSyA6iqipUN_wLbqOklj1jAs4pcb-axS2XsurKTC1EOzimE0ioAi8OI8C2VVUpPs0QE/s400/blogger-image--1693221202.jpg" width="300"></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It sucks seeing your loved ones grow older and struggle with everyday tasks. I'm SO happy and so thankful Mack has met them and gets to spend lots of time visiting. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2WVz0N89x8bdA3DMmti2Yt4VonLMVDSi_Rg0nPRrVj1MJf8c2QtuJu6covWpLm3TekQqeStWl-nDSAJRjifjaq0pXs2jjFmxqO9ysavn7sdttxL-Z1Zws5s6xFcP_l12iIrWlFCyyJQ/s640/blogger-image--1145782001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2WVz0N89x8bdA3DMmti2Yt4VonLMVDSi_Rg0nPRrVj1MJf8c2QtuJu6covWpLm3TekQqeStWl-nDSAJRjifjaq0pXs2jjFmxqO9ysavn7sdttxL-Z1Zws5s6xFcP_l12iIrWlFCyyJQ/s640/blogger-image--1145782001.jpg"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">family love is such a special, beautiful thing.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> XOXO </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-37512737671874028352014-10-03T11:21:00.000-07:002014-10-03T11:21:47.979-07:00Mackson is 2 Months Old<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Baby is 2 months old as of yesterday... is this freaking real life? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't believe how fast time has gone.. and I could cry when I realize how soon I'll be going back to work. Boo! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoyj5ftO5ZEYE-oq9-oiPGR2CR0D001rFHq-w7_LiycbYb8cfbGbIvEpF_34QkszT_r0ny2Ln5UK3-f7gi_SjZpaD69UWS848miRSHfxlH6KxvmXDwN4hUEq5wtuSscnkOl8zovlLUvE/s640/blogger-image-821327122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoyj5ftO5ZEYE-oq9-oiPGR2CR0D001rFHq-w7_LiycbYb8cfbGbIvEpF_34QkszT_r0ny2Ln5UK3-f7gi_SjZpaD69UWS848miRSHfxlH6KxvmXDwN4hUEq5wtuSscnkOl8zovlLUvE/s640/blogger-image-821327122.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mackson is such a good boy! This past week he discovered his tongue and sticks it out lots. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He eats every 3 hours on THE. DOT. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He's been sleeping around 8-9 hours at night! {which makes me feel like a new woman!} he hates nap time right now.. Hopefully that phase doesn't last long. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He wakes up SO happy and loves being held by mom. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the mornings after he eats he likes to be in his swing in the kitchen to watch bunny winston hop around. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He decided he loves bath time and I might soon regret teaching him how to splash water everywhere. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He loves to coo and squeak and sigh. He tries hard to laugh but it comes out more like a big deep squeaky breath. He will get it down soon enough. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He likes to suck on his fingers which now makes for lots of slobbery onesies! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpqjRZfD3x73XxH3AKAW6iA_hIs3qm2KDXL5d4ZpqSUWRbBRr0oFqaKruawecKK9sEHSvYe6zYBDZqy2eOfY2s6AyU3SpT6ySGuPcJn01znehrq4-Ue8nSbhJa4Rk86Div2y76ZLSnds/s640/blogger-image-1155216050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpqjRZfD3x73XxH3AKAW6iA_hIs3qm2KDXL5d4ZpqSUWRbBRr0oFqaKruawecKK9sEHSvYe6zYBDZqy2eOfY2s6AyU3SpT6ySGuPcJn01znehrq4-Ue8nSbhJa4Rk86Div2y76ZLSnds/s640/blogger-image-1155216050.jpg" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today he has his 2 month check up and cried the whole time. He weighs in at a whopping {haha} 8 lbs 13 oz which puts him in the 3rd percentile. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He is now 22 inches long and in the 26tg percentile. Tiny baby! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He hated his shots {who doesn't hate shots..} and has been sleepy and cuddly ever since his appointment. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We love this ITTY bitty baby so much and can't believe how fast time is flying by! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">XOXO</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-83015217404282547302014-10-01T09:51:00.000-07:002014-10-01T09:51:49.986-07:00Postpartum {what no one tells you!}<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>WARNING:</b> Graphic details.</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are a male, I suggest you stop reading now. No, seriously. Turn away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll be the first to admit that I'm a control freak. I like things done my way. I like to be in control of situations and one thing I knew I couldn't control, was my birth. I didn't know how things would turn out or how the process would go, and that gave me severe anxiety. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I decided to take a birthing class at the U to learn about every birthing option. From birthing positions, to medical interventions. I learned all about natural births, the process with an epidural, c-sections, etc. I really felt like taking this class and preparing myself for every option, would avoid any situation during birth that could otherwise be considered traumatizing. I went to the hospital feeling SO prepared- I was educated, and I was okay with not being in control of the situation. I LOVED labor, and I LOVED the birth process. I was relaxed and it was something that was enjoyable for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, on the other hand, postpartum is something that NO ONE could have prepared me for. The three days at the hospital following birth were emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting. Then I got home and felt like I was hit in the face with a pillowcase stuffed with bars of soap. I was completely knocked off my feet. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wish there was a separate class I could have taken strictly on what to expect post-baby. Here is a little list I've compiled of the things I wish I would have known before hand. Hopefully this doesn't scare anyone out of wanting kids some day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Hemorrhaging</u></b>- </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No one tells you this is a possibility. I lost over a liter of blood and hemorrhaged. This made me SO pale, so weak, and totally incapable of even getting up out of bed to go to the bathroom by myself. I had nurses coming in every 2 hours to walk me to the bathroom. They would weigh my pads and document my blood loss. I pretty much had Spencer standing guard outside of the bathroom door while I was in there just in case I passed out from blood loss. The first time I went to the bathroom I looked over and saw myself in the mirror. I was so pale it literally made me sick. I blacked out on the way back to my hospital bed and laid there sweating for the next 2 hours. Just know, massive amounts of blood loss are possible.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Everything swells-</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This seems like a pretty obvious thing, does it? I clearly expected swelling. But I didn't expect to feel like I was wiping a baseball vag every time I went to the bathroom. I would sit up in my hospital bed and felt like I was sitting on a <strike>golfball</strike> grapefruit. USE ICE PACKS. They will be your best friend. I was advised not to get a mirror to check things out down there.. which brings me to my next point..</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Get a mirror-</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had a level 3 tear and was told by the hospital staff they had never seen anything like it. For fear of being responsible for you vomiting while you read this, I'll go ahead and spare you the details. While in the hospital I was in so much pain I thought I popped a stitch. My midwife came in to check me (and we both found myself laying in my own pee, which we will get to in a minute..) and she told me to get a mirror as soon as I got home to check things out. This way I was able to see how things were changing and notice if things didn't look right. (Trust me, things look different but I was surprised at how normal everything looked considering..) My midwife was worried I had a blood clot- so I needed to keep an eye on my bruising to avoid another surgery to get out a massive clot. My suggestion: Get a mirror. Keep an eye on things- you know better than anyone if things aren't right down there..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>You May Lose Control of your Downstairs-</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like I just mentioned, my midwife came in to check me and we were both surprised to find me laying in a puddle of pee. Totally not embarrassing. {Sarcasm} Now this was probably a combination of how severe my tear was, and the fact that I was totally numb from icing my cooter from the minute I gave birth to help swelling go down. Regardless, it happened. I peed. I got up and went to the bathroom to change my pants and pee again. I got my new clean sweat pants up, went to wash my hands.. and boom. It happened. Peed my pants again as I was standing there helplessly washing my hands. The struggle is real, people. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>*Note: I have since gained lots more control {not normal status, YET}And I am happy to report I have not peed my pants since the hospital.*</i></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Everything Smells Different-</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This totally freaked me out and made me feel like a monster. No matter how many sitz baths I took, how many times I showered, changed my pads, or how many wet wipes I used, It still smells different. It's called Lochia and it's totally normal. You can read more about it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lochia" target="_blank">HERE</a>. And yes.. I promise it does go away. Praise.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>You Become A Super Human-</u></b> </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is real. Spencer continuously said things like "I don't know how you do it" "You're incredible" Which is great for your ego. One day you wake up a mom and you just know what to do. Instincts kick in and you're running on zero sleep but you're still getting everything done. Super human status is amazing. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Crying is normal-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the baby, AND for you!! There were so many nights I felt like I wasn't doing a good job and I felt so insufficient. I cried for feeling guilty (that's going to be another post all on it's own..) I cried because I was tired, I cried when Mack cried, I cried when I was hungry.. haha Hormones are crazy things and you may feel a little... well.. crazy. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Stock up on pads-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And by stock up, I mean buy the gigantic Costco size package. You will go through these like crazy. Enough said. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Rashes are normal-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I woke up one day and had a small itchy patch on my left hip. Later that night I noticed an identical patch on my right hip. I put cortizone cream on it and went to bed, but the next day it was SO BAD and spread all the way down to my ankles. You guys, I can't even describe how itchy this rash was. I was absolutely miserable and that's an understatement. The only thing that made it feel better was itching it and that actually made it worse and swollen. I would have to ice it to get the swelling to go down. I made an appointment with my Dermatologist and he knew exactly what it was. It's caused by a fluctuation of hormones and he wrote me a prescription for an anti-itch cream which felt like heaven on my legs. Apparently it's really common to get on your legs, and your back. It's called Pregnancy PUPPS and you can read more about it <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=google&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS568US568&oq=goo&aqs=chrome.0.0l2j69i57j0l3.1150j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8#q=pregnancy+pupps" target="_blank">HERE</a> </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Your back hurts-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You have probably noticed any pregnant woman that walks with a slight arch in her back to adjust carrying so much weight on the front of her. I know I did. Then I gave birth and immediately that weight is shifted again. My back was so sore for a couple weeks after giving birth and getting used to that weight shift again. Nothing that my heating pad and the Ibuprofen 800's I was already on after birth didn't fix! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Your clothes don't fit (duh</u>)-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This seems like a no brainer. But.. I came home from the hospital and we had a doctor's appointment for Mack the next day. I went to get dressed, and I cried. All of my pre-pregnancy clothes were too small, and my maternity clothes were HUGE. Thankfully I had a friend visit me in the hospital and she brought me the most comfortable V-neck tee shirt that was one size up. Boy was I thankful for that tee shirt. It was literally the only thing that fit me. Do yourself a favor and get a few t-shirts that will help you feel okay while your body is adjusting. You won't regret it. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Your Husband is Trying-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This took me a while to realize. I would get so upset that I was the one waking up with Mackson in the middle of the night. But duh. Spencer can't breastfeed.. and what would he have done..? Woken up because I did and sat there so miserably tired while I fed the baby? There was no reason for him to wake up for middle-of-the-night-feedings. But come the morning, I was so tired and he was peppy and rejuvenated and I had major resentment towards him for that. While he's gone during the day I'm home feeding baby, playing with baby, comforting baby, rocking baby, changing baby's diapers, cleaning the house, doing laundry.. the list goes on and on. {this goes back to you being a super human..} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But try to keep in mind that although you feel like you're doing it all, Fatherhood is a hard adjustment for dads. I had to remember Spencer couldn't be home with us. He had to go back to work, he had to go back to school, and I also had to remember that the minute he got home he was so willing to help me in any way possible. The emotional support he offered me was something irreplaceable. So- before you get upset about doing it all, remember your sweet husband is trying. And probably deserves a big kiss.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Your stitches will itch-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah.. there's nothing you can do about this. It's miserable and uncomfortable. And for this reason, I hope you don't have stitches like I did.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>There is nothing private about your privates anymore-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't explain the amount of people who saw my downstairs. And by the time you give birth, you should be used to it after the many doctor's appointments you have beforehand. Nothing is private down there while you're in the hospital. I had people coming in and out to help me pee, to check my stitches etc. I even had one nurse, bless her heart, that would clean me up while I was feeling nauseous still. And I am still thankful for her doing that. At first I was secretly trying to convince myself these nurses had seen worse. By the end of my hospital stay, I was like... whatever.. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Your Milk Comes in.. and.. </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">it hurts, and it's seriously the weirdest thing ever. I remember thinking.. has my milk come in yet? maybe it has.. I think it has.. wait.. maybe not.. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">hahah whoa buddy. YOU KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENS. I woke up and my milk came in overnight. I felt like I had two watermelons strapped to the front of me. Your boobs are heavy, huge, and they will leak milk. *For this reason, stock up on breast pads. Again, the Costco size box will be good..*</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>It's okay to be discouraged-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Being discouraged is totally normal. You're doing something you've never done before, and it's a BIG JOB! Just remember, that when you are discouraged, you should talk to someone about it. I talked to Spencer, and I also talked to by best friend cousin because she has kids and knew exactly what I was going through which was really comforting. Also, when you're feeling discouraged just remember.. tomorrow is a new day, and this doesn't last forever. Things get much better, and much easier.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>It's okay to ask for help-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I <strike>had</strike> have a really hard time with this. I want to be independent and do things on my own. {again, this goes back to being a super human} but you genuinely need to be okay with asking for help. One night I was exhausted and crying and Spencer asked to rub my feet. I told him no over and over and then finally let him do it. As he was rubbing my feet he expressed how things were difficult for him because he felt like he couldn't do much to help me, so even the smallest task of rubbing my feet made him feel like he was helping me. He encouraged me to lean on him more often. I started asking him for small things like filling up my water bottle or grabbing my phone charger.. these things seemed like a huge deal to me, and were so simple to him. But I was leaning on him, and he felt like he was able to help me more. Partnership, people! </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Trips to the ER may be in your future-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My midwife asked me at my two week appointment if we had any Emergency Room visits. We had three at this point due to Mack's unfortunate circumcision gone wrong. Little did I know, I would have another one that same night which would take our ER visit count up to 4. Hopefully you don't have to go at all, but keep in mind, you may have an ER visit in your future for either you or baby. Mine was due to Mastitis which was the worst thing I've ever experienced. But we will get to that.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Your medicine load <i>may</i> be insane-</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the time you get to pushing that baby out you're probably already sick of taking your prenatal vitamins. I was. But that one pill was nothing compared to what I had to take after birth. I was taking my prenatal vitamin, vitamin D, calcium, Ibuprofen 800, stool softeners, miralax, Tylenol, and two antibiotics at one point for Mastitis. I felt like a walking pharmacy.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Ibuprofen 800, stool softeners, miralax, two antibiotics, calcium supplement, vitamin D, prenatal vitamin, Tylenol, another antibiotic for a yeast infection, probiotics...) </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Granted you may not have any problems and get to luck out by just continuing to take your prenatal vitamin. But.. you also may be like me and wonder when your bathroom counter became your pharmacy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Engorgement and mastitis is a <i>biatch-</i></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like honestly, it's horrible. Right after Mack's horrible circumcision was finally clearing up and healing well, I got mastitis. It started off with the beginning of an engorged left boob. I moved my left arm and felt pretty tender in my boob. I could feel a lump in it which is common while breastfeeding.. you're supposed to massage it out or use a hot compress, hot shower, put your baby on it to suck it out etc... I massaged it and had Mack eat, and thought it was all taken care of. UNTIL, I rolled over in the middle of the night and it felt like I was laying on a cantaloupe. HUGE and swollen- It looks like you got a rock star boob job but they're hard as a rock and miserably painful. MISERABLY painful. I started getting cold sweats and shaking, felt nauseous and totally thought I had the flu. My temperature was 102 which is noottt good. I tried massaging. OUCH. tried a hot compress. OUCH. tried a scalding hot shower. OUCH. I finally called my parents house to cry to my mom and broke down when my dad answered the phone and replied with, "uh... here's mom.." ..poor soul. I got put on a double dose of prescriptions quickly and it started to feel better after a few days and a trip to the emergency room. ugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...which brings me to the next point...</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Breastfeeding is Hard-</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was in the hospital with Mack still, we had a really hard time getting the hang of breastfeeding for a few different reasons- one being he was on Antibiotics because I developed an infection during labor called Correo. Anyways, his antibiotics made it hard for him to eat. My midwife came in to check on me one afternoon and we had a serious heart to heart. She continued by saying something along the lines of breastfeeding being easy and beautiful is a load of crap. And that made me laugh, and also made me feel lots better. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The whole time you're pregnant you're receiving mailers, emails, pamphlets etc on why you should breastfeed. All of the info, I agree with and I looked forward to breastfeeding and knew it was something I wanted to do. Everyone tells you how it's "natural" and such a beautiful thing, and is so instinctual. I'm sorry, that's a load of crap. Just like the midwife said. It's freaking hard, it's frustrating, it hurts, it makes you cry, and it can be extremely discouraging. I got to a point where I was really considering formula feeding but I felt SO GUILTY. Formula is great and there's no judgement if that's the route you pick. I just had my heart set on breastfeeding. Anyways, Long story short.. breastfeeding sucks. BUT it DOES get better, eventually. Stick with it if you can! The benefits are wonderful for baby AND YOU! I now love breastfeeding. It's a great way to bond with your baby! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Having The Baby Blues is Normal</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Seriously? After experiencing any of the things I just listed, how could you NOT have baby blues? I promise you'll never be so happy in your life, but I would be lying if I told you I didn't have days where I cried. And that's normal! Your hormones are TOTALLY out of whack, your body is going through something remarkable yet so disgusting, and you are adjusting to something you really can't prepare for. It's okay to feel down, but be aware of postpartum depression signs. I checked in with a family member often, and talked about how I was feeling. Be aware of depression symptoms and CALL your doctor- don't be afraid to ask for help!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Honestly, My list of things you should expect afterwards could probably go on for another 5 pages. It's insane. But it's also the most rewarding thing.. In the moment these things often seemed like the end of the world, but even then it was SOO WORTH IT when I would look down at my tiny baby bundle of joy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mom brought up a good point. I swear I was continuously having problems.. it was never ending after I got home from the hospital. I called my mom sobbing and she said, "GOSH I never had problems like this!! Or, maybe I did and forgot everything because the joy of bringing a baby home outweighs the things that went wrong." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I LOVED THIS. And right now I think of my stitches and that ALONE makes me want to magically teleport any future children here without having to give birth again. But then I think, I'm sure a few years down the road I will have forgotten about how awful it really was and I'll be so excited to do it all over again. Hopefully. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you made it all the way through this post, go buy yourself a cupcake, you deserve it. If you want to hear even more than what I wrote here, well then heaven bless you and send me a message and we can chat! I hope this didn't scare anyone out of having children. Because they are honestly the greatest thing.. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">XOXO</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">p.s. I also didn't proof read this because it was too long so I apologize in advance for any grammar/spelling errors. </span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-84305555183013190422014-09-24T21:11:00.000-07:002014-09-25T09:31:12.730-07:00Baby Mack's Newborn Photos<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, Yeah, I know.. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm only almost two months late posting these.. But it's better late than never, I say. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He's so cute and round in these photos! I can't believe how much his face has slimmed down because he's so LONG now! Anyways, soak in his cuteness everyone!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{even though he cried from the minute our cute photographer Catie Pilkington showed up, she got some great shots in between cries. This is also why I'm in these pictures. If I would have known I'd have to comfort baby to have his picture taken, I probably would have dressed cuter, but whatever.}</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEJFcRd8RKdlaz1ts5ohFLyVL9dByPrxA4vQURP8nhCibGhgoNtBaycrJ3JNanr6gLODMHpL4fUpOLvYzb4SCCFlqHK9ozXY3vjHXRxiCz9p2ZMoN3tGV1zcHyqiyejQXggVwKlFApYQ/s1600/2014-08-11+10.23.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEJFcRd8RKdlaz1ts5ohFLyVL9dByPrxA4vQURP8nhCibGhgoNtBaycrJ3JNanr6gLODMHpL4fUpOLvYzb4SCCFlqHK9ozXY3vjHXRxiCz9p2ZMoN3tGV1zcHyqiyejQXggVwKlFApYQ/s1600/2014-08-11+10.23.38.jpg" height="416" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qEYmwJOKbEQR0y6T9QEx7t2TTqzZj12rwRFvtSvndnej-8n3yctk1Pti_wbKkyHc0BQYWHxx0qNPr4n2fzJg6TKXUZ57ejquCrMvcsiPhb5EjA-tSVSQ7RcRcWYUugAXq92nVnpkLh4/s1600/2014-08-11+10.33.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qEYmwJOKbEQR0y6T9QEx7t2TTqzZj12rwRFvtSvndnej-8n3yctk1Pti_wbKkyHc0BQYWHxx0qNPr4n2fzJg6TKXUZ57ejquCrMvcsiPhb5EjA-tSVSQ7RcRcWYUugAXq92nVnpkLh4/s1600/2014-08-11+10.33.18.jpg" height="640" width="426"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomqlcSo5nf4HmX8OVDwvRDI5LAydNST5xuO6Iqj2S4GNJdcKNZ1U2cpCAi1OQZJO-S3k6OVKgUbEHYKpXMypP7eOtDuoNzj0BGZYZplDXZnfiIm8NwvaUmdSg-pjMGvmu1qLX0pajblI/s1600/2014-08-11+10.34.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomqlcSo5nf4HmX8OVDwvRDI5LAydNST5xuO6Iqj2S4GNJdcKNZ1U2cpCAi1OQZJO-S3k6OVKgUbEHYKpXMypP7eOtDuoNzj0BGZYZplDXZnfiIm8NwvaUmdSg-pjMGvmu1qLX0pajblI/s1600/2014-08-11+10.34.43.jpg" height="640" width="426"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQ7G2YLsuXXWiOunFfi9w8OJfDaiD5KZHZCdZa1XYjH6UEaRope7zigs44Y_abEbEZ4BlvzS1k2_cdUeJ0p2rV1lH9lgg0B1XBJBe5sHJlcA9g-aGkEfa_k2Oy8RYYSf6HcGCNSHJGg0/s1600/2014-08-11+10.57.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQ7G2YLsuXXWiOunFfi9w8OJfDaiD5KZHZCdZa1XYjH6UEaRope7zigs44Y_abEbEZ4BlvzS1k2_cdUeJ0p2rV1lH9lgg0B1XBJBe5sHJlcA9g-aGkEfa_k2Oy8RYYSf6HcGCNSHJGg0/s1600/2014-08-11+10.57.03.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIh7RRbGgB9zy1ypaLcoEVtOP3Yo4V2sZsneotZJSrn0Z9NND36OGMEufmdCC0O0WMKUq9uKT9Vd9QM4_z2K2OqAFrIsgOLT9pHnB7CyVvJLgYiGVw6CWdqVO6PHoI5bX_9X1654k3seY/s1600/2014-08-11+10.34.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIh7RRbGgB9zy1ypaLcoEVtOP3Yo4V2sZsneotZJSrn0Z9NND36OGMEufmdCC0O0WMKUq9uKT9Vd9QM4_z2K2OqAFrIsgOLT9pHnB7CyVvJLgYiGVw6CWdqVO6PHoI5bX_9X1654k3seY/s1600/2014-08-11+10.34.37.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZjPH5fwLbts0jDa2bTqkYQDrCl0VeLWw-GrUUl8JRy1TwxlPnMtoUMBqm9QlvePqheWCqnW-EKtLNpKL-nDe1SvHNIgshXAYt3Y7pgpqkuQBlnz16UcHy5qlRX0H4FFJt2QjDtpcGiU/s1600/2014-08-11+11.05.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZjPH5fwLbts0jDa2bTqkYQDrCl0VeLWw-GrUUl8JRy1TwxlPnMtoUMBqm9QlvePqheWCqnW-EKtLNpKL-nDe1SvHNIgshXAYt3Y7pgpqkuQBlnz16UcHy5qlRX0H4FFJt2QjDtpcGiU/s1600/2014-08-11+11.05.20.jpg" height="640" width="426"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhtTWVaCZRLn4Q8wpQ6JXq0ylqT7XqZaGAvOAAuwY9Qc7PeBwTjP-KUPf3-fo6w0oPElACqoumBJJ_AB5D5_TMHBgNtPiM5OTcDIAHGK9w_Gp74oOir3RXHGsv6KI7oaXukhyCIuTb8k/s1600/2014-08-11+11.06.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhtTWVaCZRLn4Q8wpQ6JXq0ylqT7XqZaGAvOAAuwY9Qc7PeBwTjP-KUPf3-fo6w0oPElACqoumBJJ_AB5D5_TMHBgNtPiM5OTcDIAHGK9w_Gp74oOir3RXHGsv6KI7oaXukhyCIuTb8k/s1600/2014-08-11+11.06.51.jpg" height="414" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEO-BoiWSEd-UwzrmgDUOosJ1xlLWmix7V0FV8N22IhVMehguJsz-rqHyKhVUcXi0YQOF2WKeZumrg99Lf8TuQClcXNxyEqlog42bOHGb9-dukQpO2B9QnIdWvoHI3GEAroqEaero2uU/s1600/2014-08-11+11.11.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEO-BoiWSEd-UwzrmgDUOosJ1xlLWmix7V0FV8N22IhVMehguJsz-rqHyKhVUcXi0YQOF2WKeZumrg99Lf8TuQClcXNxyEqlog42bOHGb9-dukQpO2B9QnIdWvoHI3GEAroqEaero2uU/s1600/2014-08-11+11.11.12.jpg" height="640" width="416"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOc2QNawz2d9W4LeoVP-7h3EfV4mkLk7vmFnBb6OvZcV1DioObeK4OWXhveFH1vbUwGy_82Ju-nAakigbsfhbAiTs5As2ZYWTZVndzda63fJCESaMEXAhyphenhyphencpvQZDiYBc0jb_vvzIHnnI/s1600/2014-08-11+11.19.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOc2QNawz2d9W4LeoVP-7h3EfV4mkLk7vmFnBb6OvZcV1DioObeK4OWXhveFH1vbUwGy_82Ju-nAakigbsfhbAiTs5As2ZYWTZVndzda63fJCESaMEXAhyphenhyphencpvQZDiYBc0jb_vvzIHnnI/s1600/2014-08-11+11.19.23.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0ZSaPngFFjPFubPjtTLD-gdykBQ1t45-toYzgx5y_nXv71gObiFq7Uqoa9xCM9vneWpXhsGl-xV6PIo8bTDjd_4AItwmY29f4ZyoZL5fVJhY8_SoVXV9F5m5j9FD-QsNc45zxJUQYU0/s1600/2014-08-11+11.25.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0ZSaPngFFjPFubPjtTLD-gdykBQ1t45-toYzgx5y_nXv71gObiFq7Uqoa9xCM9vneWpXhsGl-xV6PIo8bTDjd_4AItwmY29f4ZyoZL5fVJhY8_SoVXV9F5m5j9FD-QsNc45zxJUQYU0/s1600/2014-08-11+11.25.28.jpg" height="414" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbs1XfFjn9BNb4C0kyWApBzpXanpXxCIV5nYMU-dSEnSj6M-UV7V9jNi7ZURBlVx91hHZ5A9zKwevFQDAyzrPdlphLsOKRmJcXoLZEn2GRis75dEo20xvsGPVRmHqw0TWb0pS5K1sGl4/s1600/2014-08-11+11.27.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbs1XfFjn9BNb4C0kyWApBzpXanpXxCIV5nYMU-dSEnSj6M-UV7V9jNi7ZURBlVx91hHZ5A9zKwevFQDAyzrPdlphLsOKRmJcXoLZEn2GRis75dEo20xvsGPVRmHqw0TWb0pS5K1sGl4/s1600/2014-08-11+11.27.06.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nEqeEsGL1Rveg0V3nIRXtPDRkYrYSJmJbqPDU0dwjNM8Gb4nVgKRbLOBsr1YNQfABStE0vBAvhxrUec722G-A8WVJDNXFsGP2QklcxbVlBpdMXHJNFhMuUnSyetO-mPKvYTaiB8x3yI/s1600/2014-08-11+11.28.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nEqeEsGL1Rveg0V3nIRXtPDRkYrYSJmJbqPDU0dwjNM8Gb4nVgKRbLOBsr1YNQfABStE0vBAvhxrUec722G-A8WVJDNXFsGP2QklcxbVlBpdMXHJNFhMuUnSyetO-mPKvYTaiB8x3yI/s1600/2014-08-11+11.28.18.jpg" height="640" width="426"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNpP939TI7oy3f5WSpCN2LL2awAmZcfeGbz08sqvEGp_YK8VcbHrSwDXYgABi6jWbHjhwxmJMuTgzroMA3KWZPoE6KS1mNGF9CCO5nBC2CvSksWpfLfXgYuxBq9DEw9gDvJxifNo6LYE/s1600/2014-08-11+11.29.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNpP939TI7oy3f5WSpCN2LL2awAmZcfeGbz08sqvEGp_YK8VcbHrSwDXYgABi6jWbHjhwxmJMuTgzroMA3KWZPoE6KS1mNGF9CCO5nBC2CvSksWpfLfXgYuxBq9DEw9gDvJxifNo6LYE/s1600/2014-08-11+11.29.25.jpg" height="640" width="416"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKiOZ06wuv58UeD_BhjYedZ0DCnLOsehZuPkn9UjWiklOSj6COeTT38V6TMLLst3xkjyl-waXXm2Et6i8prvgOwt9Tyv_5fy6zy9bGPWQYIiiMNelIhbzgVEbrXE1xC-FxQOhCXDzY0w/s1600/2014-08-11+11.29.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKiOZ06wuv58UeD_BhjYedZ0DCnLOsehZuPkn9UjWiklOSj6COeTT38V6TMLLst3xkjyl-waXXm2Et6i8prvgOwt9Tyv_5fy6zy9bGPWQYIiiMNelIhbzgVEbrXE1xC-FxQOhCXDzY0w/s1600/2014-08-11+11.29.41.jpg" height="640" width="426"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBK86B68wbO4GvMk2kJKtz5lhsHLa9vXTGk3DOtg-2D8L0Dg2pjBeuuFd2pa679MpPBeGqrwfuhZsEsKiwrmgNNpGNgXTnQByISk1Mo2WEEXmAgVWjBJ-uRGMfSm851bIUvrJ4CpnCmg/s1600/2014-08-11+11.33.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBK86B68wbO4GvMk2kJKtz5lhsHLa9vXTGk3DOtg-2D8L0Dg2pjBeuuFd2pa679MpPBeGqrwfuhZsEsKiwrmgNNpGNgXTnQByISk1Mo2WEEXmAgVWjBJ-uRGMfSm851bIUvrJ4CpnCmg/s1600/2014-08-11+11.33.08.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXT4DyYD5J48cZxxuemvGuXbm9gNxWncGAcaJ3zCXIY3VVAMnQy4xBdGngS6S7j9gadfl717eXQb4A5F5tmD85dM8RvGYjryQeNVbwvsGPLNABw24A0wAMkOqD_SoGJBzxtqwamr2_No/s1600/2014-08-11+11.33.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXT4DyYD5J48cZxxuemvGuXbm9gNxWncGAcaJ3zCXIY3VVAMnQy4xBdGngS6S7j9gadfl717eXQb4A5F5tmD85dM8RvGYjryQeNVbwvsGPLNABw24A0wAMkOqD_SoGJBzxtqwamr2_No/s1600/2014-08-11+11.33.26.jpg" height="392" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-e9TnYZFpt3FByBSmuKm89Hi6e4M96l6JImEONMwcBQNccMkw3fofujTpGUsOyrKn4mClMP2vuXUBB89beZjUDDhbQMntsUgvxVF5ag0DUfuTQ7c1PDoDwFbLKld0TdD2acgwY8MKUs/s1600/2014-08-11+11.34.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-e9TnYZFpt3FByBSmuKm89Hi6e4M96l6JImEONMwcBQNccMkw3fofujTpGUsOyrKn4mClMP2vuXUBB89beZjUDDhbQMntsUgvxVF5ag0DUfuTQ7c1PDoDwFbLKld0TdD2acgwY8MKUs/s1600/2014-08-11+11.34.10.jpg" height="640" width="426"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNc1G3gUdipWWfqX_VvZAPvNeR6spQEpaHI5mmd7QPSTRdE5cnEa270LIYqiTnrE6DppPEzC7FJAh11rP3ZyXzgTWLcxBLA4vyCm2cD-eSxoFFGWYgfMlmELi7HDJXtOOqw9aLI5cYt8/s1600/2014-08-11+11.40.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNc1G3gUdipWWfqX_VvZAPvNeR6spQEpaHI5mmd7QPSTRdE5cnEa270LIYqiTnrE6DppPEzC7FJAh11rP3ZyXzgTWLcxBLA4vyCm2cD-eSxoFFGWYgfMlmELi7HDJXtOOqw9aLI5cYt8/s1600/2014-08-11+11.40.42.jpg" height="640" width="426"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuE1gabuZWYzO7FIu9O_10_zJ60vJyIAeVfGKRx2Y0kziEmM5F1ecEDGjWCQIKNjvVAgTbMMxye95Vhh6uX-ZjfzNVNp04vJTiZ8bd_7kau6FBAkTcfzCT9beYOBLJeWjijn6Z7nMlzg/s1600/2014-08-11+11.43.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuE1gabuZWYzO7FIu9O_10_zJ60vJyIAeVfGKRx2Y0kziEmM5F1ecEDGjWCQIKNjvVAgTbMMxye95Vhh6uX-ZjfzNVNp04vJTiZ8bd_7kau6FBAkTcfzCT9beYOBLJeWjijn6Z7nMlzg/s1600/2014-08-11+11.43.30.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9RPytY82_pg4YpPx6AzTFaTn51VhQ8WluSmize4hueyFqHElwrqO4xpiPVFoq3mKeS5veht-gdVu1kOg8wFINwMkZPaaKagc1FlPTIVF6eszA_hBO6tvW13kPwhJBUEU884zmqFZND4/s1600/2014-08-11+11.43.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9RPytY82_pg4YpPx6AzTFaTn51VhQ8WluSmize4hueyFqHElwrqO4xpiPVFoq3mKeS5veht-gdVu1kOg8wFINwMkZPaaKagc1FlPTIVF6eszA_hBO6tvW13kPwhJBUEU884zmqFZND4/s1600/2014-08-11+11.43.39.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>XOXO</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-61043975414698658802014-09-22T12:10:00.001-07:002014-09-22T12:12:34.813-07:00Success is..<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first day we were home with Mack after the hospital, I woke up and got ready like usual. Makeup done, hair brushed, and got dressed like usual. The only difference from before, it was just a little off-routine. I woke up a little bit more tired, it took just a little longer to get dressed with healing stitches, there was a baby-feeding session half way through my makeup, and we were a few minutes late out the door because I saw my postpartum belly in the mirror and literally got sick. I watched myself in the mirror go white as a ghost as I wondered if I would ever feel normal again. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7 weeks later, here I am. Still wondering if I will ever feel completely normal and human again. A body goes through so many changes and your life gets flipped completely upside down when you have a baby. The one thing that made me feel human while in the hospital, and afterwards up to this point.... Is putting on my makeup. My hair may be a tangled mess or thrown up into a messy bun, my clothes probably have spit up on the shoulder, and I probably haven't shaved my legs in a week, but I can walk by a mirror and feel decent because I at least took 8 minutes for myself to put makeup on. And I feel better. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My version of a successful day is makeup done, dressed for the day, beds made (why is it that life feels so much more in order when your bed is made?) kitchen cleaned, dishes done, pillows upright on the couch, laundry done, everything orderly in the nursery, Garbage taken out, a happy bathed baby wearing clean clothes, dinner planned out, mailbox checked... I think you get the point.. I feel totally out of order when these things aren't done. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFejl68EWHchNbv3_BlXOO_wLhxlC4atv2uo1mtToIy90fNfiGRKA2fnFhsTtg_2s2XKI3IKhdEcO3bomybNgAVfPx7jLogMTFUg1KFskEzHPltNyWtIO77Vf8jTOrAm3hABAo00pou4/s640/blogger-image--709588867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFejl68EWHchNbv3_BlXOO_wLhxlC4atv2uo1mtToIy90fNfiGRKA2fnFhsTtg_2s2XKI3IKhdEcO3bomybNgAVfPx7jLogMTFUg1KFskEzHPltNyWtIO77Vf8jTOrAm3hABAo00pou4/s640/blogger-image--709588867.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Those are homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on the stove. That's me making pasta dinner with a cheese sauce from scratch, and that's a happy sleeping baby on the front of me. I'm dressed, my makeup is done, and I was feeling so successful. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the other hand, I often need to remind myself what success is. I remind myself it's okay that my hair is frizzy, or that I have the same shirt on as I did yesterday. The couch pillows might not be orderly and ya know what- I didn't make the bed today. I may have had a screaming unhappy baby all day that I catered to rather than doing the dishes or baking cookies from scratch. In fact, I may be starving and realize I forgot to eat breakfast and lunch. I need to remember that sometimes it's okay that I'm still in my sweatpants when Spencer gets home and I've left the dishes in the sink because that's not what defines a successful day. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A successful day is waking up and loving my child. I may not have my to-do list done, but I've changed multiple diapers, fed baby 8-10 times a day, wrapped him up tight and rocked him to sleep when he was upset. I've kissed him a few extra times and I let him sleep in my arms even when they were tingly and numb from not moving for so long. I've taken a deep breath and smelled fresh baby, and thought to myself I hope I never forget what he smells like. I've admired his itty bitty fingers and toes and perfect little ears. We've cooed and talked about our days and I got a big gummy smile when we made eye contact.. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I spent a little extra time taking it all in.. Because Mack isn't going to be tiny forever. I've spent my day loving him, and that means I was successful. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kGWyHRV-FbYcyCbFSHnUgw1rKugXJcCOOqFAdI7G8_dt9cyAMyPh8vYd7v7u1JukO8DuvUrgjkk7kkKdBNbK6rVwYiCzoHtTFtTeTJVXd1Fl7UTS79B-oTjsODry9THfduoEk-RLvEQ/s640/blogger-image--530075409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kGWyHRV-FbYcyCbFSHnUgw1rKugXJcCOOqFAdI7G8_dt9cyAMyPh8vYd7v7u1JukO8DuvUrgjkk7kkKdBNbK6rVwYiCzoHtTFtTeTJVXd1Fl7UTS79B-oTjsODry9THfduoEk-RLvEQ/s640/blogger-image--530075409.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-16088607788537394052014-09-15T20:00:00.002-07:002014-09-17T08:53:36.952-07:00One Pot Spaghetti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>One Pot Spaghetti</u></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One thing I hate about cooking is the clean up afterwards. I hate having so many dishes to clean, so this spaghetti recipe that only requires ONE POT was right up my alley! It was quick and so easy which is exactly what I need right now with a newborn. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found this recipe on Pinterest during a 2am feeding session and had to try it out. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><b>INGREDIENTS:</b></u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1 lb ground Italian sausage</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-3/4 lb uncooked spaghetti</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes with basil, un drained</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1 box (32 oz) chicken broth or vegetable broth <i>*I used chicken broth*</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-</i>1/2 cup whipping cream</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-shredded Parmesan cheese</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>STEPS:</u></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In an 8-quart pot cook the sausage until no longer pink, then drain.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF4Er7WyHZUm1-0ybbj7m8iRgcrcSuMcMKk2zcjQXh_TWcTsxDOFG38u5oAjrLeoslkx1HsGTxNzwECAvftvgb_xwl_jCgDPCLOQEq2Cj1sUhuJdwYayAuAwvAyejnd153gFjKC6t4EI/s640/blogger-image-1963859798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF4Er7WyHZUm1-0ybbj7m8iRgcrcSuMcMKk2zcjQXh_TWcTsxDOFG38u5oAjrLeoslkx1HsGTxNzwECAvftvgb_xwl_jCgDPCLOQEq2Cj1sUhuJdwYayAuAwvAyejnd153gFjKC6t4EI/s640/blogger-image-1963859798.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Add spaghetti, tomatoes, broth, cream & pepper flakes. Heat until it's boiling and let it boil for 15-20 minutes turning pasta frequently with tongs until the pasta is cooked and the sauce is thick and creamy. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgADy5cOXMUXNrqe3EUcvTDi1hS0zajbeTKVvHchv7gAjtZIffM3iA-X-mkJhQ-eGS-2O48psTmLyPdaMioWxIJFwWiE1SwNmOXXPZ02TFKx2TcNbFebp0Z7HQPNc6TXXlfhyphenhyphenuXiaWywc/s640/blogger-image-545590748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgADy5cOXMUXNrqe3EUcvTDi1hS0zajbeTKVvHchv7gAjtZIffM3iA-X-mkJhQ-eGS-2O48psTmLyPdaMioWxIJFwWiE1SwNmOXXPZ02TFKx2TcNbFebp0Z7HQPNc6TXXlfhyphenhyphenuXiaWywc/s640/blogger-image-545590748.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Top with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtKVJrhp8imHmAlYF-20rd_UtZZdCZRc4q0ApieXLRVCnNb-e3EYaa3r1xnYTFlXzgoCijnq0GBHQjdyym1WCg6qUUA6fOSm5bVHRzuC8rQ9hNZ097StCUdL1xkg-zZZgjbd5I2m2QCc/s640/blogger-image-892418105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtKVJrhp8imHmAlYF-20rd_UtZZdCZRc4q0ApieXLRVCnNb-e3EYaa3r1xnYTFlXzgoCijnq0GBHQjdyym1WCg6qUUA6fOSm5bVHRzuC8rQ9hNZ097StCUdL1xkg-zZZgjbd5I2m2QCc/s640/blogger-image-892418105.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I typically don't like sausage, but I loved it in this spaghetti recipe. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I asked Spencer what he thought of it on a scale of 1 to 5. One being he didn't want it again and 5 being he loved it and he gave it a 5.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SUCCESS! </span></div>
<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-80367804505857583502014-09-10T09:29:00.001-07:002014-09-10T13:59:31.427-07:00Comfort<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This morning Mack and I woke up routinely for me to feed him. Afterwards he laid on my chest for a few minutes before I went to put him in his crib to sleep. He was fed, had a clean diaper on, had been burped and was already smothered with at least 50 kisses already.. But he was crying and crying. I tried to rock him and sing to him.. I turned his noise maker up just a little bit higher with no success in calming him down. I gave him his favorite pacifier and he wanted nothing to do with it. Feeling like I was running out of options I set him back in his crib with him wrapped up tight in his swaddle and left the room to let him cry. This is not unusual for me to do for his morning nap as I'm trying to get him to learn to self soothe a little bit better since I feel that's vital with me going back to work sooner than I would like. Typically I set him down all swaddled up tight and go to get ready for the day. He's usually fast asleep before I can even make it though doing my makeup but today was different. I was ready for the day with my makeup done, teeth brushed, hair fixed and still had a long list of things I wanted to accomplish around the house.. But the desperate cries I heard from the nursery were pulling at my heart strings as I thought "he just wants to be comforted." I walked to his crib and almost immediately his cries calmed just a little bit. I picked him up, held him close to me and started rocking him back and forth. He instantly fell asleep and looked so peaceful. All he wanted was to be comforted. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This got me thinking about my own life and I thought of the scripture that says "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you." It's incredible to me looking back over the last 6 weeks I've had Mack, and how many times I've felt like I was failing, I have felt so inadequate, and have occasionally just felt like crying for reaching the end of my rope. And EVERY TIME I've suddenly felt calm and powered through. I would love to take the credit for just merely realizing I'm doing an okay job, I'm succeeding and my energy is self renewed, but I completely know that's not true. Having small bits of faith in myself have helped I'm sure, but ultimately I can look back and give 100% credit to The Lord for never, not once leaving me comfortless. I often take blessings for granted and fall asleep at night without expressing my gratitude. I owe my days to Him and as I write this I have the most perfect bundle in my arms as a reminder that I am never left comfortless.. That I am blessed beyond what I deserve and I can only comprehend how much I am loved by Him through the love I have as a mother. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7vmInw_sP76V1MbN2xhCLePNIn8D-GsUSHKQIpKs0GYbUwF6xXS1dcXVr7tqzcDa2587EJxuwDxw_OpucX_dgrSV5JlVhrmWbizq-3xcMp4VWX0THwJhspskiWHvUHpCURMYrhj4piI/s640/blogger-image-864638422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7vmInw_sP76V1MbN2xhCLePNIn8D-GsUSHKQIpKs0GYbUwF6xXS1dcXVr7tqzcDa2587EJxuwDxw_OpucX_dgrSV5JlVhrmWbizq-3xcMp4VWX0THwJhspskiWHvUHpCURMYrhj4piI/s1600/blogger-image-864638422.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-2197488283401603532014-09-08T10:20:00.000-07:002014-09-08T10:22:53.264-07:00Fall Trends<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Usually I don't love the transition from Summer to Fall because Utah's Falls just aren't long enough. Before I know it I'm outside shoveling snow off my car and if you know me at all you know how much I <u>hate</u> being cold so me and snow don't mix well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you read my post last week I'm having an even harder time with this Fall coming because I'm so not ready to go back to work, leaving Mackson without a mama all day.Thankfully, I do actually have <i>something</i> to look forward to with cooler weather just around the corner. <b>Fall Fashions.</b> Maybe this Fall is different because my summer clothes just don't fit the same right now post-baby. I'm ready for comfy sweaters and flannel button ups. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few things that have been on my WANT list lately:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-A deep V neck loose white tee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Steve Madden Leopard slip on shoes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Some great statement jewelry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Bold black sunnies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Floppy hats {not sure I'm brave enough to attempt wearing these yet}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Black Flats- they go with <i>Everything</i>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Anything with leather or leather accents. This tee with leather sleeves is a must-have!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Scroll through the pictures below to see some of my top picks for Fall!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{you can also click the photos for a direct link to each item}<br /><br />XOXO</span></div>
<div class="shopthepost-widget" data-widget-id="253323">
<script type="text/javascript">!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + '://' + 'widgets.rewardstyle.com' + '/js/shopthepost.js';d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {window.__stp.init();}}(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');</script><br />
<div class="rs-adblock">
<img onerror="this.parentNode.innerHTML='Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.'" src="//assets.rewardstyle.com/images/search/350.gif" style="height: 15px; width: 15px;" /><noscript>JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.</noscript></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-75774106905385904002014-09-05T09:46:00.000-07:002014-09-05T09:46:36.977-07:00The Easiest Banana Bread<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I always buy bananas at the store thinking they will be such a great healthy on-the-go snack. Or perfect in my cereal. Or delicious in a smoothie. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...and it never happens.. they <i>always</i> go bad. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nzrz4Ldbg-1iPqQaC38AiZdIcJ4glj5NfugYy0Jc6uUUQPCNMht_874kIBPOdqTUmT4kMgjmPr1aGUEmkxxPwUbjqPQWSuiqR07n5F92cJGDERYr_E2lkjPiOTA1KlYSyeiF6xHAy70/s640/blogger-image--821255727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nzrz4Ldbg-1iPqQaC38AiZdIcJ4glj5NfugYy0Jc6uUUQPCNMht_874kIBPOdqTUmT4kMgjmPr1aGUEmkxxPwUbjqPQWSuiqR07n5F92cJGDERYr_E2lkjPiOTA1KlYSyeiF6xHAy70/s640/blogger-image--821255727.jpg" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This time I decided to make banana bread, but I needed a recipe that was quick and super easy that I could make while baby was napping. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Bonus: You don't need a mixer!*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>QUICK & EASY BANANA BREAD</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><b>Ingredients: </b></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-3 or 4 ripe bananas (I used 4)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1/3 cup melted butter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1 cup sugar </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1 egg beaten</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1 tsp vanilla</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1 teaspoon baking soda</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-pinch of salt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Directions:</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*preheat oven to 350 degrees*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Mash your bananas in a large mixing bowl, then Mix the butter into the mashed bananas</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnolPU-xmbD8ilkPKSGkBqVkBjsC9Ic24Ai-SBMeWUBd7OriaaSPVP4A539-WYXgnN19BARXwjvQYNHGOGiiggW9wlZUXlraN_ZhLw-tAwxYEN0oko1w1upEbATHdYIhHTp0lhgB2FEQ/s640/blogger-image-1392580130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnolPU-xmbD8ilkPKSGkBqVkBjsC9Ic24Ai-SBMeWUBd7OriaaSPVP4A539-WYXgnN19BARXwjvQYNHGOGiiggW9wlZUXlraN_ZhLw-tAwxYEN0oko1w1upEbATHdYIhHTp0lhgB2FEQ/s640/blogger-image-1392580130.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Mix in the sugar egg & vanilla</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bAlh9FVaJwUCFaA3XxY0Htpib7k3U723yPdYYT2ScSe4AGscBliaeQEeMJ-_T33hB_hb0Wm5CKHHhatvw9CzMzoZ6B6tbL5lbe_yU-GXL_Nu8p3hIYGlJV25fIuZsnKG9r2xykLp3Uc/s640/blogger-image--117561440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bAlh9FVaJwUCFaA3XxY0Htpib7k3U723yPdYYT2ScSe4AGscBliaeQEeMJ-_T33hB_hb0Wm5CKHHhatvw9CzMzoZ6B6tbL5lbe_yU-GXL_Nu8p3hIYGlJV25fIuZsnKG9r2xykLp3Uc/s640/blogger-image--117561440.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the mixture & mix it in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Add the flour last & mix together.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Pour into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Bake for 1 hour. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN2_nht1s5qDqVUlK7oUmEAH0ZeGYwtTHif18sHtqNKOKt6EhJzMyeY8DeShWizQ_vB3dNnG7xy6ohSDj9BO3d-HcPjPjAlAOxjCNKxCh1rdfhH2_UxrivtB3SBeO09SFd9KfPuMG6P0/s640/blogger-image-1195543575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN2_nht1s5qDqVUlK7oUmEAH0ZeGYwtTHif18sHtqNKOKt6EhJzMyeY8DeShWizQ_vB3dNnG7xy6ohSDj9BO3d-HcPjPjAlAOxjCNKxCh1rdfhH2_UxrivtB3SBeO09SFd9KfPuMG6P0/s640/blogger-image-1195543575.jpg" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We thought this recipe was so good, I got another bunch of bananas just to let them ripen up to make another loaf! It was super sweet which we loved. The sugar could probably be reduced to 3/4 cup if you don't want it so sweet. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enjoy!<br />XOXOX</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-73967212599892418732014-09-03T20:43:00.004-07:002014-09-04T14:08:19.153-07:00Baby Mackson {1 month}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Baby Mackson </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">{1.month.old}</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't believe my tiny baby is already 1 month old.. it gives me a mini heart attack to think how fast time is going by. I feel like I will be back at work before I know it.. but for now I'm just enjoying my time home with tiny toes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mack wakes up soo smiley. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He hears me say "hiii babbyy" and I get a big gummy smile in response. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He hates baths but<i> loves</i> having his hair washed.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He loves looking out the windows and is fascinated with windows with blinds on them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He is growing like a weed and has long legs that he likes to kick.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He has been able to hold his head up since he came out of the womb (literally) he's a tough little dude.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He's got a great set of lungs on him and likes to show them off right around bed time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He sleeps like a champ at night and goes right back to bed after he eats. Last night he slept 5 1/2 hours which was a nice treat. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He loves laying on mom for naps and likes it when dad walks up and down the stairs while holding him. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He loves car rides and loves his stroller- this makes him a great partner for outings!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">this bundle of joy makes me so incredibly happy we love him so much!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOTANwcZvsf2VyZ5p6XHbAFE_Rs1pc1C0rXY6J07PP4xSFxMK0sUa4VO_zKFpWkd9CyibM_8C9Y6MybgweOu7ZhPqeTWQoBkNUfGPv72kQcqBMA1oX5zkV6_1dCUyiFTrSJchgDinLK0/s640/blogger-image-454201101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOTANwcZvsf2VyZ5p6XHbAFE_Rs1pc1C0rXY6J07PP4xSFxMK0sUa4VO_zKFpWkd9CyibM_8C9Y6MybgweOu7ZhPqeTWQoBkNUfGPv72kQcqBMA1oX5zkV6_1dCUyiFTrSJchgDinLK0/s640/blogger-image-454201101.jpg"></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-27682126971236673022014-09-01T11:01:00.001-07:002014-09-01T16:33:50.161-07:00Feeling Sentimental<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last night after Mackson and Spencer were both in bed I laid awake at midnight and was feeling so sentimental. August was the most eventful, wild month of my entire life. I've never experienced so many ups and downs as I did over the course of the last month. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From having my membranes stripped, to welcoming baby into this big overwhelming world, long sleepy days, and short nights, figuring out breastfeeding, hundreds and hundreds of feedings, a circumcision gone wrong, 4 trips to the ER, one long night at Primary Children's Hospital, a rough battle with Mastitis, being patient with a post-baby body, having problems with my stitches, hearing from the dr that my abdomen wall tore, healing from a level 3 tear, getting a horrible post-pregnancy rash, sending Spencer out of town for work.... The list goes on and on of the many eventful things that August brought. Despite all of the craziness, I didn't want August to end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last night it took almost 2 hours to calm down Mack. 2 hours of screaming and crying and the saddest little face that's enough to melt your heart. Spencer held him, rocked him, walked the halls with him and nothing was working. I finally took Mack and started walking down the hall as we made eye contact and for a minute he stopped crying. He was quiet for the first time in hours and just grinned his big gummy smile like he trusted me and things would be okay. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've never been so drained, so exhausted, so discouraged and so tested as I have the last month. But I've also never been more proud, so happy, so encouraged, and I've certainly never felt a stronger love for another human being. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I'm having a hard time letting go of August, Today I'm taking a deep breath and welcoming September. It means I'm one month closer to going back to work but I'll be welcoming lots of new adventures, a crazy schedule with Spencer in school, I'll have a month old baby and I'll be wondering where the time goes. I don't feel ready for September but I guess I don't really have much of a choice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">September, please be good to me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbN1H4ul2wp58khxuo7L4jrZdDTnuLOGK-aUh0iXmg36yVfwT98CF1ATr64Uc_WHNtBhauMGGd2C5Vh-YKUyU759UbjnSx54eHf3O0LcKTYK_PfyeU8j1SY3M_3HMcMW0eBeOycnxYJAs/s640/blogger-image--1276497849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbN1H4ul2wp58khxuo7L4jrZdDTnuLOGK-aUh0iXmg36yVfwT98CF1ATr64Uc_WHNtBhauMGGd2C5Vh-YKUyU759UbjnSx54eHf3O0LcKTYK_PfyeU8j1SY3M_3HMcMW0eBeOycnxYJAs/s640/blogger-image--1276497849.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-44746425252190493682014-08-23T16:00:00.000-07:002014-08-23T16:00:02.913-07:00Mackson's Birth Story<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Well, I can officially say I've missed the blogging world for the last few weeks. To say I've been busy with a baby is true, but the fact is we haven't had Internet at our place so blogging has been nearly impossible. I'm loving motherhood and I can't believe I have a THREE WEEK old baby! I've been excited to share Mackson's Birth Story with y'all!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My due date was July 28th and baby still hadn't come. I treated myself to having my hair done and bought a Solly Wrap (LOVE IT!) My 25th birthday was the 31st and I was glad baby didn't come on that day because I'm totally against sharing a birthday. August 1st I had an appointment with my midwife to have my membranes stripped. Which was pretty painful and she told me bleeding/cramping were totally normal- I was having both when I left the office. I had been dilated to a 1 for pretty much all of July, and left her office at a full 3 after having my membranes stripped.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Most of the evening I was cramping and it was gradually getting worse. I walked around the block a few times to get my mind off of the period-like cramps I've enjoyed NOT having for the last 10 months. I forgot how painful those suckers are. I started feeling really weird pressure in my bum and went to get in the bath hoping that would help the pain. I felt SO EXHAUSTED and went to bed around 8:30pm and woke up at 11pm with the worst cramps so I got in the bath for a second time. I was tossing and turning in bed so I went to our guest bedroom so I didn't wake up Spencer. That's when I realized my cramps were coming and going- and I started timing them. They were lasting a full minute, and they were exactly 5 minutes apart. I was in full on labor and didn't realize it. My midwife had told me to labor at home for about an hour so I got up and had to walk the hall up and down to keep my mind off the pain. They were slowly getting stronger and stronger. I didn't know what to do so I put my makeup on just in case we left for the hospital. An hour and 20 minutes later I woke up Spencer and told him we needed to go. By this time I couldn't walk or talk through my contractions so I asked Spencer to give me a blessing and we loaded up the car to go. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We arrived at the University of Utah Hospital and got checked in around 2:30am and was at a 5 when they checked me. They had me in a room by 3:00am. My mom and Suzie Bishop our birth photographer showed up shortly after and I almost cried when Jessica my Midwife walked into my room I was so relieved to see her. My contractions were closer and closer together and they were much stronger. Jessica didn't leave my side and helped me through each contraction. I was feelin' good when she checked the monitors and told me I was having the strongest contractions on the floor and I was the only one without an epidural. I was ready for the anesthesiologist to come in anytime and got the epidural right in the middle of a contraction. It was immediate relief. They checked me again and I was an an 8 and things were moving along quickly. My midwife wanted me to rest for a while so everyone left to go grab food as I dozed off. I was sleeping when I felt baby kick, and heard a sound just like a water balloon popping. My water broke! I called Spencer and everyone came back up to my room. Around 8:45am they started prepping everything so I could start pushing which gave me a pretty good anxiety rush. I couldn't believe this was real life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mom left the room and I started pushing at 9:00am. They would say "TWO PUSHES" And I would ask if I could do 3 or 4. I was feeling so good and I'm the weirdo that enjoyed laboring. Spencer was by my side and kept making sure I was drinking water and the nurses were so encouraging. We would laugh and joke in between contractions and I was getting so excited. They immediately told me to stop pushing and she took my temperature. They discovered my blood pressure was going up and so was baby's- I had correo infection and it was passing to baby Mack. They put an antibiotic in my IV line and told me they would probably need to take Mack to the Nursery as soon as possible. I wanted to delay cord clamping and do chest to chest with baby and they told me we wouldn't be able to do that, which was fine as long as Baby was taken care of. I could start pushing again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Nurses said "THAT'S IT, THAT'S IT" and I knew they could see him. They told me he had lots of hair and I started crying. It had been 9 months of me feeling baby grow, watching my belly grow, feeling him kick, and the fact that the nurse could actually see him made this all so real. Spencer pulled out his phone and put on the song "Here comes the Sun" and thought it was SO funny. The nurses totally got a kick out of it and he was pretty pleased. The nurses were all standing by as pediatrics came in and got ready to take baby. The nurses all got suited up and put gloves on and told me to do two more big pushes and I felt baby come out! Immediate pressure relief and at 10:05am THERE WAS MY BABY!! Seeing your baby for the first time is something I can't describe. It's so incredible. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They quickly put Mack on my chest to warm him up and get him crying before they handed him off to pediatrics to immediately get an IV line for antibiotics and blood tests done since I had correo. Correo is where the small amount of amniotic fluid that I shared with Mack was somehow infected, you don't know you have it until you start labor, and my temperature was gone- along with the correo as soon as baby came out. I sent Suzie and Spencer to the Nursery with Mack and my mom came in to keep me company. I had a level 3 tear that was pretty awful- they said they've never seen it happen to anyone before and the chances of me tearing the way I did are extremely rare. I'll spare you the dirty details. They had to bring an OR Doctor down to stitch me up which took about 2 hours. They were also concerned about my blood loss and started measuring everything to make sure I wasn't hemorrhaging. I did hemorrhage unfortunately and was feeling pretty weak the rest of the night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was wheeled to a room in the postpartum unit and they wheeled baby around the corner and I was so excited to finally be with him again! The rest of our hospital stay was a little hectic with my meds every 4-6 hours, they would come in and make me walk around and help me to the bathroom every 2 hours, try to help me feed Mack every 4 hours, and they would come in to flush Mack's IV about every 4 hours, and take him to the Nursery for antibiotics every 4 hours. All of which = no sleep. Spencer was drained but some sort of no-sleep-mom-super power kicked in for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We had lots of visitors, I had a bit of a rough time in the hospital which is a whole separate post, and we finally got word Monday afternoon we could be released and Mack could come with us! They were worried they might have to keep him there another week. We packed up the car and headed home- the saying is true- there really is no place like home. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And we started our life as a little family. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks to everyone for the encouraging texts, phone calls, visits, and meals. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have an awesome support system and we are so lucky.<br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some of the pics from Mack's Birth- thanks to Suzie Bishop Photography. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These are such a treasure to me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1gMUirhuIllwYaZP-JLWswrl-4jXGDuqv_uI_ZP5n64HO6Jn-iIOrcPxKIhyB7idZqdZbC6y71-gY7ssfaiJwZloskR01Ird55VtPTz52JxFQzk9ZG4-M8mdGWDfkJEy-3zAXpbUNq0/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1gMUirhuIllwYaZP-JLWswrl-4jXGDuqv_uI_ZP5n64HO6Jn-iIOrcPxKIhyB7idZqdZbC6y71-gY7ssfaiJwZloskR01Ird55VtPTz52JxFQzk9ZG4-M8mdGWDfkJEy-3zAXpbUNq0/s1600/-1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUpsnx98tvRIgCxXK4UIjvroxLmQOgDdv9Q5vlGLBcwIExcRc-zfn01u-PytmSeU-Ew0FjOTgTZ0XLc2AD3-OU2J-XTJKqBnijrPq9TRTG91RbM_7HimfeqBTR-yOEMH2HdrIKBNKhYQ/s1600/-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUpsnx98tvRIgCxXK4UIjvroxLmQOgDdv9Q5vlGLBcwIExcRc-zfn01u-PytmSeU-Ew0FjOTgTZ0XLc2AD3-OU2J-XTJKqBnijrPq9TRTG91RbM_7HimfeqBTR-yOEMH2HdrIKBNKhYQ/s1600/-9.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdNEN6UmdrtIlGkcTzrD8gvPY9myJz3pJEIrp5zhvYVuZgv_WlFEZI8rFw6e-tkgg9pib5BGfgTkBQRvusyBL-5Dtpe0Ej2qiK0_D68SRAjFA5N9HhXi2f3UNPfJwLiwoW87sB8f9NcI/s1600/-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdNEN6UmdrtIlGkcTzrD8gvPY9myJz3pJEIrp5zhvYVuZgv_WlFEZI8rFw6e-tkgg9pib5BGfgTkBQRvusyBL-5Dtpe0Ej2qiK0_D68SRAjFA5N9HhXi2f3UNPfJwLiwoW87sB8f9NcI/s1600/-14.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjR5s0H-QebZy_Ei9l2n9lknFsaUAnVc3i2CYE2klznjW9BMsZz5kOEHrokdIvkz84EJzIPzmsuw7SZ4ze_zCVHSuo0Wjb4rHRLQykUCuBWl1sW4a0pLrf7ossC7i_I_t9niF4FK2olk/s1600/-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjR5s0H-QebZy_Ei9l2n9lknFsaUAnVc3i2CYE2klznjW9BMsZz5kOEHrokdIvkz84EJzIPzmsuw7SZ4ze_zCVHSuo0Wjb4rHRLQykUCuBWl1sW4a0pLrf7ossC7i_I_t9niF4FK2olk/s1600/-34.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTXfDOWPFnPEqpdpeZLvyw7mXqfjDq-v2BaZa1PXyRlqLzrAqrr6k7Qdf6zN0pVVcDq5TPognxEm5MQoILhnUy2Edxgs9TcOSnhyphenhyphen7t7mthZLHhHAwYK1I0cYAury6wN9k_7NjWUxJAAY/s1600/-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTXfDOWPFnPEqpdpeZLvyw7mXqfjDq-v2BaZa1PXyRlqLzrAqrr6k7Qdf6zN0pVVcDq5TPognxEm5MQoILhnUy2Edxgs9TcOSnhyphenhyphen7t7mthZLHhHAwYK1I0cYAury6wN9k_7NjWUxJAAY/s1600/-37.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVhLVZSwqVak89jxik1v_VqyyXeSwkMhIUK2ho-a0EDOilPJ4994pFQsQ2UQWDz0N-fhp7Vfk5Bqd-o8g2lDBbkaJB-xvTwwkpNZ7-LLSnK8sOw9X6wXR9NMW2Mm5NNkD8okeLjWjpx0/s1600/-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVhLVZSwqVak89jxik1v_VqyyXeSwkMhIUK2ho-a0EDOilPJ4994pFQsQ2UQWDz0N-fhp7Vfk5Bqd-o8g2lDBbkaJB-xvTwwkpNZ7-LLSnK8sOw9X6wXR9NMW2Mm5NNkD8okeLjWjpx0/s1600/-38.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZwUEOZABPisNY7TCsbEeCdlNEC3SR5Po_zt7N6VGXD3OUmojijEpcX5K1n_U8iicilraxCUEbbPdSsxo2jwD3FRTAEwUtazfHYCHGcLY82vdievFQdeUulbNh3jlNNpopBCog97EsDs/s1600/-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZwUEOZABPisNY7TCsbEeCdlNEC3SR5Po_zt7N6VGXD3OUmojijEpcX5K1n_U8iicilraxCUEbbPdSsxo2jwD3FRTAEwUtazfHYCHGcLY82vdievFQdeUulbNh3jlNNpopBCog97EsDs/s1600/-44.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCPBQuBS2bB3gqfg6ZUq-L5kLY0HtHbcmrnYp75MJMRqZz0lBuEc89_Yi7CWXbjyvSWE3J7wWSZvnuHxmj4p7H8Ov_x5fM1mk4IAUUCfcPOdEIsXrtMTkmsgGM5TnqEjtOm1p3gbs3Oo/s1600/-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCPBQuBS2bB3gqfg6ZUq-L5kLY0HtHbcmrnYp75MJMRqZz0lBuEc89_Yi7CWXbjyvSWE3J7wWSZvnuHxmj4p7H8Ov_x5fM1mk4IAUUCfcPOdEIsXrtMTkmsgGM5TnqEjtOm1p3gbs3Oo/s1600/-45.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVQVjsav-ubI0ctdvuKM7rH5V_cebsBSnAarTqFq_g8lHbGd2NWyO0PIFuWK6_QLIPyaWjL9s5FTMXcAA59PbWgC9GJ5NgxnsbzxBsYCIbgvE2vlkcOlTVL4cDvJlFsG8EXcvD28dKI0/s1600/-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVQVjsav-ubI0ctdvuKM7rH5V_cebsBSnAarTqFq_g8lHbGd2NWyO0PIFuWK6_QLIPyaWjL9s5FTMXcAA59PbWgC9GJ5NgxnsbzxBsYCIbgvE2vlkcOlTVL4cDvJlFsG8EXcvD28dKI0/s1600/-51.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYP4iF4Iy0-iGzZHxQXSDdggKpRgce1qAExHNbQ-QZhPNOrl6GNwxechoj8srRrkhyi8Ejdqd0KjMKH30R_XvwtsnRtol6UWwhqEw98Uhktg34EceLdZGfIx501motKDp_zD4m-IZhdtA/s1600/-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYP4iF4Iy0-iGzZHxQXSDdggKpRgce1qAExHNbQ-QZhPNOrl6GNwxechoj8srRrkhyi8Ejdqd0KjMKH30R_XvwtsnRtol6UWwhqEw98Uhktg34EceLdZGfIx501motKDp_zD4m-IZhdtA/s1600/-59.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcw6cjXN21a5Zwkd508qsaJVyJN4KkP_DTxmCufjx9DtaDqfU774JXlbjANOwdgVam5oWNJSL4riKZ1vbf7I1SgLDU0dLpXSC98G9E0VOpdgyVxtdauR5yYjf3FCfciBB93F0s-YIOKs/s1600/-61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcw6cjXN21a5Zwkd508qsaJVyJN4KkP_DTxmCufjx9DtaDqfU774JXlbjANOwdgVam5oWNJSL4riKZ1vbf7I1SgLDU0dLpXSC98G9E0VOpdgyVxtdauR5yYjf3FCfciBB93F0s-YIOKs/s1600/-61.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAXHi8xiSgJ8E3tjb4rWeWKC-zN4ZrUJMKdLL66my7ig5KwIysoJnYZW-srSmgIZ6hxFLje_bDUPlwEu2VW3UfTOY_uOYkxGQIC-HEYbZGVEQtyE6q-mDEDTUwg-sk_be5yhrnJSB1Gs/s1600/-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAXHi8xiSgJ8E3tjb4rWeWKC-zN4ZrUJMKdLL66my7ig5KwIysoJnYZW-srSmgIZ6hxFLje_bDUPlwEu2VW3UfTOY_uOYkxGQIC-HEYbZGVEQtyE6q-mDEDTUwg-sk_be5yhrnJSB1Gs/s1600/-66.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffuaFrEOHyuKz1nQEqEHrisxUVf5FRc6bF8DRCJ4zX_f6QUxudBP6G8kEzEzcUvs4Zx2X6GvX26gJQDXAjEkcIqqSQqFiiOzzIpKXU2N70QJ4ow_FM470g8TND91be9aug8_YpLVJ1oA/s1600/-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffuaFrEOHyuKz1nQEqEHrisxUVf5FRc6bF8DRCJ4zX_f6QUxudBP6G8kEzEzcUvs4Zx2X6GvX26gJQDXAjEkcIqqSQqFiiOzzIpKXU2N70QJ4ow_FM470g8TND91be9aug8_YpLVJ1oA/s1600/-69.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7zyW00owCPKgpZ1Wsuec-mZP-OGqfI6MtoLP4zrKxf3maY7TcZt7I7w91MHCqETYCP42pSrTHHAxVIWcTEaOZLtNvdri1kx1og4s52al1J20HivQ6ORoOPsPzOuNhyphenhyphen6UnAoEIe5fGCQ/s1600/-70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7zyW00owCPKgpZ1Wsuec-mZP-OGqfI6MtoLP4zrKxf3maY7TcZt7I7w91MHCqETYCP42pSrTHHAxVIWcTEaOZLtNvdri1kx1og4s52al1J20HivQ6ORoOPsPzOuNhyphenhyphen6UnAoEIe5fGCQ/s1600/-70.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmlWifn5y18KlQJTVBweolfx20CrSJvStolGN74OIr7aJD78KWIEPEEFn0dMvGNVSVjKBeXBeh9-Pq-Iv4WfaV4oauJz2vsbHRF_7ih0rWM1T_qXEeCFSu5gLcHLzWXRmM2Y9CE-Tk4Q/s1600/-94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmlWifn5y18KlQJTVBweolfx20CrSJvStolGN74OIr7aJD78KWIEPEEFn0dMvGNVSVjKBeXBeh9-Pq-Iv4WfaV4oauJz2vsbHRF_7ih0rWM1T_qXEeCFSu5gLcHLzWXRmM2Y9CE-Tk4Q/s1600/-94.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pHBWDGb0rodde7Mg0f7VvEL91-pHllYS0CznWIMxrLssTCYLUB6MIPkTLKiqakBsEB2WngaBON5thl5l-o-BMV-sSZK4c4rAk2AoUHvS9RniTJ1SsxTUqsKyBS1dN7RiooRMAZPLarc/s1600/-102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pHBWDGb0rodde7Mg0f7VvEL91-pHllYS0CznWIMxrLssTCYLUB6MIPkTLKiqakBsEB2WngaBON5thl5l-o-BMV-sSZK4c4rAk2AoUHvS9RniTJ1SsxTUqsKyBS1dN7RiooRMAZPLarc/s1600/-102.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iBApW6E8USu8GTvMYd0rXvHCFau5vxyAWZ8ZSVNoawNhNMBoUhj0i_-2MP5E6JcrwaasrAxK8r1eEmtfU5NPDQWXC2NX18R04D_wHGyzhqQJBJcp5v19nRxrMKsIUJGsjRK0Nb-d0aE/s1600/-105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iBApW6E8USu8GTvMYd0rXvHCFau5vxyAWZ8ZSVNoawNhNMBoUhj0i_-2MP5E6JcrwaasrAxK8r1eEmtfU5NPDQWXC2NX18R04D_wHGyzhqQJBJcp5v19nRxrMKsIUJGsjRK0Nb-d0aE/s1600/-105.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewXLUtnhc25DYip1vf3okSrkKdaj-IegVNciq7LJ6iw4Q1O3sfOJa_q3KoMVaGf74144joaERJ3KHbaY2OpKYKI_kRedLTjJuFDR3xXySEsf1TM7apaSN8wvH0eaXdAgB9sRe_UrElGs/s1600/-107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewXLUtnhc25DYip1vf3okSrkKdaj-IegVNciq7LJ6iw4Q1O3sfOJa_q3KoMVaGf74144joaERJ3KHbaY2OpKYKI_kRedLTjJuFDR3xXySEsf1TM7apaSN8wvH0eaXdAgB9sRe_UrElGs/s1600/-107.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrKNakR6Yo_60mXzQulXN1E0KBkfAQuSm5JvPG8GH0DQKXcwGyhaAsAuinFMUGZSvWBiq2C9nMCnfw8k1Nu8n-xbgvBFITbfZ6cZ1gJax37T0cQeP1zRywqFHtyxhP72GEWZDNDadeOg/s1600/-109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrKNakR6Yo_60mXzQulXN1E0KBkfAQuSm5JvPG8GH0DQKXcwGyhaAsAuinFMUGZSvWBiq2C9nMCnfw8k1Nu8n-xbgvBFITbfZ6cZ1gJax37T0cQeP1zRywqFHtyxhP72GEWZDNDadeOg/s1600/-109.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDGEbl2Zi2qUxhpEbXpJAUd9KXR2ZnfNwOUnx3ZuLAFnCkTmdvk3byMneL86w1G6WEZ6i5vvTiu9hIXZ2Y7thJAUkavVES9a9utAtBRzAKJFtfN6lJ-d9I9rHHiaEJHJ9jHDlRbJpxME/s1600/-122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDGEbl2Zi2qUxhpEbXpJAUd9KXR2ZnfNwOUnx3ZuLAFnCkTmdvk3byMneL86w1G6WEZ6i5vvTiu9hIXZ2Y7thJAUkavVES9a9utAtBRzAKJFtfN6lJ-d9I9rHHiaEJHJ9jHDlRbJpxME/s1600/-122.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ACrmd82tBbpYCAxhbH_Zjpgrj3una0PAa23llAC4yIsvD5DNjpILxe_y27ZXT1wb8Q1qoW4vSLQtjsGhBfIyWPSegHoXYVjmpvsJ2RNSHhsRIQ9SE1gSKa2HEwgWVPyB1uybBdtjTew/s1600/-123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ACrmd82tBbpYCAxhbH_Zjpgrj3una0PAa23llAC4yIsvD5DNjpILxe_y27ZXT1wb8Q1qoW4vSLQtjsGhBfIyWPSegHoXYVjmpvsJ2RNSHhsRIQ9SE1gSKa2HEwgWVPyB1uybBdtjTew/s1600/-123.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiXp7uaAmYBibm8TqGQS7r52K5rv9UhXY5AqfVlfhWIIjrfMVNUpCGLwHSDJUXDngi7pDPXOEu6UGHLP3IdpkX2xjyo8PuSHyLbQGVr_HDNKdORQBvsXyQXWjEgno4AexY_K8JPsBAqo/s1600/-125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiXp7uaAmYBibm8TqGQS7r52K5rv9UhXY5AqfVlfhWIIjrfMVNUpCGLwHSDJUXDngi7pDPXOEu6UGHLP3IdpkX2xjyo8PuSHyLbQGVr_HDNKdORQBvsXyQXWjEgno4AexY_K8JPsBAqo/s1600/-125.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoouI1TfN2gye6ZI8U-YobY5dgRy76i8NsKOUsIfHaCiu-zZup5QUSWnmhUqBNlTjRToH_hD-ts5CIbN2haVPfH0bjkddOYQGUCi3dnqDfR3IWHupA_sKpmHP93GhW7ZDmtOCX7yuUwMc/s1600/-139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoouI1TfN2gye6ZI8U-YobY5dgRy76i8NsKOUsIfHaCiu-zZup5QUSWnmhUqBNlTjRToH_hD-ts5CIbN2haVPfH0bjkddOYQGUCi3dnqDfR3IWHupA_sKpmHP93GhW7ZDmtOCX7yuUwMc/s1600/-139.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPgQtu0OUBTDeFLAhNW0D57WTYf78x6eP4O2niUb1Om9okuxmLrMX4Q8F4Mi7Yw34hCvZYWVzU2GMCEfpgJ9w9R_2i-1Loj-eGlQ6yK0w2wtgKw-sgpnQYu63ASRGjrluRwpI6yXvfss/s1600/-149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPgQtu0OUBTDeFLAhNW0D57WTYf78x6eP4O2niUb1Om9okuxmLrMX4Q8F4Mi7Yw34hCvZYWVzU2GMCEfpgJ9w9R_2i-1Loj-eGlQ6yK0w2wtgKw-sgpnQYu63ASRGjrluRwpI6yXvfss/s1600/-149.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ko2ZGG3YJjzR9gX20EnWIa5xSq-UBgbELAHS2HUthjRqsN82oyW_YTUAO-KYvefVuWo2cFU9MSVvUZy37W9UCo0D7MqprYrAfRtegRyTk3IBM_5mxW9NAqRPhi0wD39stzlZxF6VQds/s1600/-152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ko2ZGG3YJjzR9gX20EnWIa5xSq-UBgbELAHS2HUthjRqsN82oyW_YTUAO-KYvefVuWo2cFU9MSVvUZy37W9UCo0D7MqprYrAfRtegRyTk3IBM_5mxW9NAqRPhi0wD39stzlZxF6VQds/s1600/-152.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q6XChdN-Ildi2Jkgz_D9Oe6aCcpdC4UNlAw0FAHjP_u7cgg9E84BL_OsOIySXQEi1ULMIZauezG4cSq9EJib9rlVe55JCJyCaNrztBElKPu76RSUj4NfXj76IcA3h3cg6sFgsoDDHS4/s1600/-160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q6XChdN-Ildi2Jkgz_D9Oe6aCcpdC4UNlAw0FAHjP_u7cgg9E84BL_OsOIySXQEi1ULMIZauezG4cSq9EJib9rlVe55JCJyCaNrztBElKPu76RSUj4NfXj76IcA3h3cg6sFgsoDDHS4/s1600/-160.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfinNiKrY6j6YZ5BsLeEScN9snxQLCA7GHg666W5pr2H4fbvYXwmMgXhn7JDUDyQz28Hdb3h4m67-q0VDXH4QFZdkVeD2-hAAs81Eit7yWDIQUNMncZkRlCXy0vL8Mql2ySPMNVjDCB2A/s1600/-166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfinNiKrY6j6YZ5BsLeEScN9snxQLCA7GHg666W5pr2H4fbvYXwmMgXhn7JDUDyQz28Hdb3h4m67-q0VDXH4QFZdkVeD2-hAAs81Eit7yWDIQUNMncZkRlCXy0vL8Mql2ySPMNVjDCB2A/s1600/-166.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBw7peGHmiaCE67zOPuVKBI1D8EXp8CRM8XGskZDXdeGCjYUqS7l0ExBqUJ7lzwWx2EK-UEaZ7DYhjCkDNDqnKVF9Dp9GeC5XgtxtxF2WZfl7tXPdvOz3sVXwEkjWUKlEGG7xtVH-D2c/s1600/-180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBw7peGHmiaCE67zOPuVKBI1D8EXp8CRM8XGskZDXdeGCjYUqS7l0ExBqUJ7lzwWx2EK-UEaZ7DYhjCkDNDqnKVF9Dp9GeC5XgtxtxF2WZfl7tXPdvOz3sVXwEkjWUKlEGG7xtVH-D2c/s1600/-180.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQecYyU14RLs9-Q_lPDWRJpe_NIu273DwJIi5J5KU3Us7sqLOVHsMs3oqBgB5IZQiFEHZLBJ6WeDLkCU3LttLXj4bUxwAw1Tww_91IcsSgj4Hc_sDl21xx1Sr0xBoDis5KOyVg750cZk/s1600/-181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQecYyU14RLs9-Q_lPDWRJpe_NIu273DwJIi5J5KU3Us7sqLOVHsMs3oqBgB5IZQiFEHZLBJ6WeDLkCU3LttLXj4bUxwAw1Tww_91IcsSgj4Hc_sDl21xx1Sr0xBoDis5KOyVg750cZk/s1600/-181.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIH0XUV4F712i8s5FLzUg8bafYbkX49strFawaSHmr5nifu4opZPZN3U6z752RDLBQnhIKyCBOwLc7ai1gq7nrmxK18qXciAIPQh2UZe8bfJIDjPP_YxOcslOqS8uqAPEjo2AB4CWX__g/s1600/-182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIH0XUV4F712i8s5FLzUg8bafYbkX49strFawaSHmr5nifu4opZPZN3U6z752RDLBQnhIKyCBOwLc7ai1gq7nrmxK18qXciAIPQh2UZe8bfJIDjPP_YxOcslOqS8uqAPEjo2AB4CWX__g/s1600/-182.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjErri5zUeD4wUeo9J9KYTiRKl2Hpb9ykDDnYLxXym_qT93vVgKjsUHlr2zqv_qDVE6H4E7z9uNbLD1wD6pDqXGJaBTXYraXyuZeOIHHzly-not8ThrBGBT-xArKTz0i6MjnNhw_gefV8/s1600/-190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjErri5zUeD4wUeo9J9KYTiRKl2Hpb9ykDDnYLxXym_qT93vVgKjsUHlr2zqv_qDVE6H4E7z9uNbLD1wD6pDqXGJaBTXYraXyuZeOIHHzly-not8ThrBGBT-xArKTz0i6MjnNhw_gefV8/s1600/-190.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQTkj0bc0KGUD3T-HWc3-Y_uybd_AFgepjR1a4t41xyri7YWnE1ark1pTBXBjYuxovuD2mB3AMsqB3I-L5Q0VHPh8qCgvfrAfw7UK2FnYI97R1TEkJM-UIr5kf6Y5gpBzcV829mie0uw/s1600/-193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQTkj0bc0KGUD3T-HWc3-Y_uybd_AFgepjR1a4t41xyri7YWnE1ark1pTBXBjYuxovuD2mB3AMsqB3I-L5Q0VHPh8qCgvfrAfw7UK2FnYI97R1TEkJM-UIr5kf6Y5gpBzcV829mie0uw/s1600/-193.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt5xuzuUxrUZZ4bvR1xy1u1Au6pEYIDZp8vD4IqwPWypmKFl272onK9_WCz9glUYJIGQ7OtPRegF7xetsyQteXZMM4QGwkAr3DqAvm-qjvUMZVGfdMksc8r3IqbXymbsyLG_OPUELAAc/s1600/-203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt5xuzuUxrUZZ4bvR1xy1u1Au6pEYIDZp8vD4IqwPWypmKFl272onK9_WCz9glUYJIGQ7OtPRegF7xetsyQteXZMM4QGwkAr3DqAvm-qjvUMZVGfdMksc8r3IqbXymbsyLG_OPUELAAc/s1600/-203.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzECnoDc9QiBSR4E4TYg-HLZ_PO_TodIM_uHXIf94fKKPyuVfNJjyx_LEqcHMLetQ1XHcRNvuiN7yc_6Vn3G1_-mG4H89NoyQmVJYPwV0Mi7hyIv8wINs-SlHgDPjK3rya-lY-AVFGqh4/s1600/-209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzECnoDc9QiBSR4E4TYg-HLZ_PO_TodIM_uHXIf94fKKPyuVfNJjyx_LEqcHMLetQ1XHcRNvuiN7yc_6Vn3G1_-mG4H89NoyQmVJYPwV0Mi7hyIv8wINs-SlHgDPjK3rya-lY-AVFGqh4/s1600/-209.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Baby Mackson born August 2nd 2014</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10:05 am </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7 lbs 10 oz. 20 inches long</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Welcome to the World Baby Mackson </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We love you so much!<br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">XOXO </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812248675969881033.post-25986221359396912752014-07-29T13:28:00.003-07:002014-07-29T13:28:37.335-07:00Blue Floral <div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm really running out of clothing options quickly. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">My maternity pants are so uncomfortable I could scream, so it's very likely I'm in either a skirt or leggings. Preferably leggings since it's really hard for me to shave my legs right now. </span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">BUT. I made an exception this week. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I got this skirt from Agnes & Dora and I love the bright colors! </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The band at the top is perfect because it's super wide so I've been able to wear it through this whole pregnancy.. and no, it's not a maternity skirt! I love how long it is & it's extremely comfortable. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoasB-sC5DpFFHBr_IX4eGaB3O66SXkaZrVUZZU4GnvMEQzcdARFu3xk2IrV4_HnsfjN4z8snevng39ZK9oHRrraZocVUuhZYtkOC4D0KIrwzfZcd0zXLVU9_vyRXZJOmGZsLcqeb49Qc/s1600/IMG_4747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoasB-sC5DpFFHBr_IX4eGaB3O66SXkaZrVUZZU4GnvMEQzcdARFu3xk2IrV4_HnsfjN4z8snevng39ZK9oHRrraZocVUuhZYtkOC4D0KIrwzfZcd0zXLVU9_vyRXZJOmGZsLcqeb49Qc/s1600/IMG_4747.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYTWAm4ZWnggLfFYYJY4_8Hp-G_sLAp9tkjRUBPrjVddYzH3h8kdeayHzT-14IQqJqrADXSOBPS_dVa9bIc4Bcs7bJtVmh00UD1TLAM7nWtGYl9jgNEr_esD-xv4RLKq-ZfVSgewvELQ/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYTWAm4ZWnggLfFYYJY4_8Hp-G_sLAp9tkjRUBPrjVddYzH3h8kdeayHzT-14IQqJqrADXSOBPS_dVa9bIc4Bcs7bJtVmh00UD1TLAM7nWtGYl9jgNEr_esD-xv4RLKq-ZfVSgewvELQ/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<div align="center">
T<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">his thing is gettin laaarggeee!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">My blue ruched top is from Pea in The Pod, my shoes are Dolce Vita & my cobalt blue handbag is Michael Kors. </span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">XOXO</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233079015219485956noreply@blogger.com2