tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62664648345610667402024-02-06T23:43:43.359-08:00ballpoint+penAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.comBlogger295125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-36548314510341953652012-01-22T20:36:00.000-08:002012-01-22T20:36:51.337-08:00{Hannah Lou: 3 months old}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMwVvqanBlV5SAi3hMBjhARkoUW-k6f-o0OuLkU-Jd5m6yptqRuqCStg6kdhZjPRnVJPLUfmdr1vbfWlM9Bnk4oNsYqFcRvHapAoxOfZNyKpvNKxzaPbnz8gUwHXvTnKowD1cD_EOzfk/s1600/IMG_4967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMwVvqanBlV5SAi3hMBjhARkoUW-k6f-o0OuLkU-Jd5m6yptqRuqCStg6kdhZjPRnVJPLUfmdr1vbfWlM9Bnk4oNsYqFcRvHapAoxOfZNyKpvNKxzaPbnz8gUwHXvTnKowD1cD_EOzfk/s640/IMG_4967.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> My little Hannah Louise has hit some milestones this month! </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/AVvXsEhCQ6XFLGwsh0eeT88jxMLx-qoG0B0Q0DtpVSDTj3BcCl9NqGuICX4AKCrNyT80rVD9-tcKpuA7kvS2N_BijHVFzX5aDlRkGGpiQo8CQPPmhmJU5rwWCT7WVKraTp_aZl-okjYDtdb4JSU/s1600/rattle_boppy_thumb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ6XFLGwsh0eeT88jxMLx-qoG0B0Q0DtpVSDTj3BcCl9NqGuICX4AKCrNyT80rVD9-tcKpuA7kvS2N_BijHVFzX5aDlRkGGpiQo8CQPPmhmJU5rwWCT7WVKraTp_aZl-okjYDtdb4JSU/s400/rattle_boppy_thumb.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This little girl is not a fan of the tummy time, but she can hold her toys, suck her thumb, and even sit up in her Bumbo seat! Oh dear, my little girl is growing up so fast!</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/AVvXsEj_9BwsfcrB5FGGBVSM8ScOUC-lCxA2IztLsJ45WC-NMW_i4NWOFTetI2jue6p02OV5uGqJV7ilK6kinWJ6e6nCpEHvFVRXXPPrd_2YNgOwHucS-VLpYgV-3bYVG59Tr58J3odoKarKFdw/s1600/IMG_4923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9BwsfcrB5FGGBVSM8ScOUC-lCxA2IztLsJ45WC-NMW_i4NWOFTetI2jue6p02OV5uGqJV7ilK6kinWJ6e6nCpEHvFVRXXPPrd_2YNgOwHucS-VLpYgV-3bYVG59Tr58J3odoKarKFdw/s400/IMG_4923.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-14151401800751751932012-01-20T20:01:00.000-08:002012-01-20T20:01:27.181-08:00+goals+<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUTRocuFQZbpdbPpO9_HqBBlQveeyJjocGb51fpd0G_vl7xmUGMglpw6EQ_92yW5NqfYuVvQQ0mhkyLuUScmPuMzmQYKsp1S-zm2v2fSisYwJrM-WNFytk88E2BlOfQr3YbVBzJSLh7A/s1600/163325923955957833_PiWN3sT5_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUTRocuFQZbpdbPpO9_HqBBlQveeyJjocGb51fpd0G_vl7xmUGMglpw6EQ_92yW5NqfYuVvQQ0mhkyLuUScmPuMzmQYKsp1S-zm2v2fSisYwJrM-WNFytk88E2BlOfQr3YbVBzJSLh7A/s640/163325923955957833_PiWN3sT5_c.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wakeupmrsingh.com/Core/#59"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{source}</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know posts have been scarce around these parts, but when you have an adorable 3 month old daughter, and you ask yourself, "daughter or blog?", daughter always wins! I'm back now and ready to take on the new year! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Learn more about blog design and html.</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Do my morning "booty call" daily. If you don't know what that is, check out <a href="http://toneitup.com/">Tone it up</a>!</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Finish my super secret, super awesome, super cute surprise, that I can't tell you about yet!</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Train for a run a half marathon! Ah! I might regret writing this one down!</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Get to my goal weight and then get preggers alllll over again...oh boy</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-64368551746259749972012-01-03T11:22:00.000-08:002012-01-03T11:22:07.539-08:00{our birth story, part 2}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cPSTEZUM4IWhMb1_TFWxqXNzLCQkz6izlx0zZK2jRepPSme0E8xTG1g33caFv_VnzZgoF41k2J8Wng1RfTPV7TUQJ6-MUXjJ_z6wK5IVzXh3KyI1MDjp1z0MitQ71UvjOV5dZFIjcCk/s1600/IMG_3028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cPSTEZUM4IWhMb1_TFWxqXNzLCQkz6izlx0zZK2jRepPSme0E8xTG1g33caFv_VnzZgoF41k2J8Wng1RfTPV7TUQJ6-MUXjJ_z6wK5IVzXh3KyI1MDjp1z0MitQ71UvjOV5dZFIjcCk/s400/IMG_3028.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">So, this is the easy part. Now we get to relax and enjoy our baby girl! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT65IqCp_NFXF1ISnsijnNGyq8ddNXBOzKg0VX037mFPkQBesnVW2CsSuxV0Tu9vrxbgd2x5HiAp2uCoTc1JXtlrd6yM71jQKIqMSgHw1_TfALtutOubQ0uvwogzCuhMisyuyWiB-9rDc/s1600/IMG_3030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT65IqCp_NFXF1ISnsijnNGyq8ddNXBOzKg0VX037mFPkQBesnVW2CsSuxV0Tu9vrxbgd2x5HiAp2uCoTc1JXtlrd6yM71jQKIqMSgHw1_TfALtutOubQ0uvwogzCuhMisyuyWiB-9rDc/s400/IMG_3030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On our way to postpartum we ran into a group of excited crazy people! Ok, it was our parents, brother and best friends. :) Gathered in the hall, we had Hannah's first introduction to her family and friends :) When people love you so much they just can't wait to meet you, Hannah Lou!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf7_N_B4neRCBHCDq6TZheeJVvPlSe8TbtEL-fzcxgHUzY_AXD35dSlq1XZegnOLAuZQDbQv1t-jil6VEYNkEXZggedSZ4Hz3ozAoHNKUiNvalASjF5RRjglVJod6PuNwysxb6eofFfc/s1600/IMG_3035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf7_N_B4neRCBHCDq6TZheeJVvPlSe8TbtEL-fzcxgHUzY_AXD35dSlq1XZegnOLAuZQDbQv1t-jil6VEYNkEXZggedSZ4Hz3ozAoHNKUiNvalASjF5RRjglVJod6PuNwysxb6eofFfc/s400/IMG_3035.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">On our first night in the hospital we had a bit of a scare when Hannah spit up amniotic fluid. She started choking, so the nurse flipped her over and started swatting her on the back HARD! Poor little baby threw up all over the floor, then turned blue and was rushed over to the nursery to have her tummy pumped. I was, needless to say..freaked out, but Nicolai went with her and all was well after that. Obviously, it was impossible for us to sleep after that, so the nurse took her back to the nursery for a few hours so we could rest and know someone was watching her. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2KcXhufdvMQBc0MC9QNmjmVtX4exB7D4ppEOaSwfC2a_gOeFuwZssKUXkcXqtArI3xRGPGu2uK0vU04ukG7XXXjuCSv_B-H4-SFGthr7sMNxs8y53WQ5hXglPejYP2acd2SnMzvEvZE/s1600/IMG_3039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2KcXhufdvMQBc0MC9QNmjmVtX4exB7D4ppEOaSwfC2a_gOeFuwZssKUXkcXqtArI3xRGPGu2uK0vU04ukG7XXXjuCSv_B-H4-SFGthr7sMNxs8y53WQ5hXglPejYP2acd2SnMzvEvZE/s400/IMG_3039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFCNM3jVuzT0XyeJaPNt44Nigek3xq2Gak-2Ewxf28g_i205i-xzosgsvbAFJtPhfqDN6xIOwT8mWLopxQ4KGbMCZFz7AKIR3gAHY8jkHRzKaolZ-WloGahvnb4qd0wzpM3fit0i4ueI/s1600/IMG_3890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFCNM3jVuzT0XyeJaPNt44Nigek3xq2Gak-2Ewxf28g_i205i-xzosgsvbAFJtPhfqDN6xIOwT8mWLopxQ4KGbMCZFz7AKIR3gAHY8jkHRzKaolZ-WloGahvnb4qd0wzpM3fit0i4ueI/s400/IMG_3890.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2OQtE6AkyJstX3ZjgrCA9roT_JYKADo-q2O7pUjl1ffUD7g5jZ9egyhtNndUlSp0rLIpOJYEqslf0WTPQMN5vzLfIWNdm0HQuMs9CvojLluqwkSWVDTf7qC1gaBhlK3WdR2ps1sjMz0/s1600/IMG_3049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2OQtE6AkyJstX3ZjgrCA9roT_JYKADo-q2O7pUjl1ffUD7g5jZ9egyhtNndUlSp0rLIpOJYEqslf0WTPQMN5vzLfIWNdm0HQuMs9CvojLluqwkSWVDTf7qC1gaBhlK3WdR2ps1sjMz0/s400/IMG_3049.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Upon arriving home we were greeted by signs, streamers, balloons, flowers, food and gifts! It was a pretty great way to come back to the "real world"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9-3bEkBRheLBCIBYNm81aNHtS_NyN7MX75a9lJRkumiz2N_ziIqthV2rNMdbFd4KNkFLArobJTWY9ByTR4nEIVUMRITTR9u4MCr3zqpmhyphenhyphen7T8RYBJBrkhPuxQNbPkubyPvH1mBzZF8c/s1600/IMG_3898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9-3bEkBRheLBCIBYNm81aNHtS_NyN7MX75a9lJRkumiz2N_ziIqthV2rNMdbFd4KNkFLArobJTWY9ByTR4nEIVUMRITTR9u4MCr3zqpmhyphenhyphen7T8RYBJBrkhPuxQNbPkubyPvH1mBzZF8c/s400/IMG_3898.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">{We are pretty much the happiest parents you could imagine!}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-77213020149051614362012-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:002012-01-01T08:00:05.176-08:00{Happy New Year from the Pedersens!}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTkt2vT0dpSGNhEDTGEKz7MB6DXXwLHIuQGOA5_5GKJIuthRy49wo72EbrhBnhyphenhyphenzoyS_J_v5XX7QfHXFC7qxoPgdL8DFIIm8UKRoMuHXd0UOIb_0j-JC_nNmhh0TO2AwLWY5-fesIuCI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-31+at+11.56.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTkt2vT0dpSGNhEDTGEKz7MB6DXXwLHIuQGOA5_5GKJIuthRy49wo72EbrhBnhyphenhyphenzoyS_J_v5XX7QfHXFC7qxoPgdL8DFIIm8UKRoMuHXd0UOIb_0j-JC_nNmhh0TO2AwLWY5-fesIuCI/s400/Screen+Shot+2011-12-31+at+11.56.25+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{I never got around to sending Christmas cards so here is our New Years card!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy New Years!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love, The Pedersens</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-74809030905895756652011-12-31T10:10:00.000-08:002012-01-02T14:58:25.821-08:00{a peek into Christmas 2011}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdccV3AGUjA3ubUmAAg3zex8LkddBSeAr3OLepWXjepJYNXRU9FXEJNknK6vTfm6A4Ax52BrNfnLaZZaxELD5P9u7y-UguMipeVQ_qq7_F_ug3FrDKV8SC880LUdIkhC28VeicBvUjY0E/s1600/IMG_1543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdccV3AGUjA3ubUmAAg3zex8LkddBSeAr3OLepWXjepJYNXRU9FXEJNknK6vTfm6A4Ax52BrNfnLaZZaxELD5P9u7y-UguMipeVQ_qq7_F_ug3FrDKV8SC880LUdIkhC28VeicBvUjY0E/s400/IMG_1543.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> {Pedersen Family Christmas 2011}</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/AVvXsEhHDh7Z9HQIAsxF8o7mphSZJUjlWXc0CPaFodvacWh8YJW-hq3TQTNjl2LQ8l9InLX9hogi2XpzBfN1QZNoT-QHcK30uZwtgiKR7CmSoYRa1VCk77MjkvyE0G5pNcDzB6gb2O1trAiH2Mk/s1600/IMG_4663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDh7Z9HQIAsxF8o7mphSZJUjlWXc0CPaFodvacWh8YJW-hq3TQTNjl2LQ8l9InLX9hogi2XpzBfN1QZNoT-QHcK30uZwtgiKR7CmSoYRa1VCk77MjkvyE0G5pNcDzB6gb2O1trAiH2Mk/s400/IMG_4663.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> {<a href="http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2010/12/16/come-on-over-a-printable-freebie.html">printable paper bows!</a>}</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/AVvXsEi36eF5oAf2i7CeC6UtvkjXseW5yVdgZFSUzDBRcbiftAPSRQxiP4hhmPyiIVwRxWqEgotwdcNcVy0BuhH9yxkz8EXhAspG7V0OG-jDk7Lzl1ILKOi_-ldmI9-Km-eIq9cNJq5It0PJt1w/s1600/IMG_1558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36eF5oAf2i7CeC6UtvkjXseW5yVdgZFSUzDBRcbiftAPSRQxiP4hhmPyiIVwRxWqEgotwdcNcVy0BuhH9yxkz8EXhAspG7V0OG-jDk7Lzl1ILKOi_-ldmI9-Km-eIq9cNJq5It0PJt1w/s400/IMG_1558.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7YV7469Yc1l4SN-MznAlUk85xdysT_28YyX2C073DLDDXQwnEsgR0FHj32WNUEhD8YwacXlXol2iKRwkA5Vr74YGc8Vu6n-YYo3RBVzdtjvNpcoXgmVzlW1Z8ip8-UmIcx71ANKHe2Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-31+at+9.45.49+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7YV7469Yc1l4SN-MznAlUk85xdysT_28YyX2C073DLDDXQwnEsgR0FHj32WNUEhD8YwacXlXol2iKRwkA5Vr74YGc8Vu6n-YYo3RBVzdtjvNpcoXgmVzlW1Z8ip8-UmIcx71ANKHe2Q/s400/Screen+Shot+2011-12-31+at+9.45.49+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq83bG81C7146IGggQA0D6Xzjx92u05-noxSMjF5l-MWLDbMuCrMz7VsM-vQ-g1XqhLQlDzimTBYnyF-lERDbqFzslzve2j8vOHQjI-rekAW0YYbE0ZnIDArQSH5FDrQyTRIjKqQYmSkU/s1600/IMG_4667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq83bG81C7146IGggQA0D6Xzjx92u05-noxSMjF5l-MWLDbMuCrMz7VsM-vQ-g1XqhLQlDzimTBYnyF-lERDbqFzslzve2j8vOHQjI-rekAW0YYbE0ZnIDArQSH5FDrQyTRIjKqQYmSkU/s400/IMG_4667.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> {baby lou in her new <a href="http://ballpointandpen.blogspot.com/2011/12/make-do-diy-infant-bow-headbands.html">Christmas bow</a>!}</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/AVvXsEjF8_FYnOfZVLsts5Zc0Le4u-I5__m4Zf4_u2Pm3JNQoZW5-Suj2QCHH7Cdor33BMtTllgSZ5Gfx-VYqJGzXL7vys14AuJMXquLDy5sEjcTaVA6I4NOpjzDXmPzuri_Jv4G8nmemw5mivA/s1600/IMG_4706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8_FYnOfZVLsts5Zc0Le4u-I5__m4Zf4_u2Pm3JNQoZW5-Suj2QCHH7Cdor33BMtTllgSZ5Gfx-VYqJGzXL7vys14AuJMXquLDy5sEjcTaVA6I4NOpjzDXmPzuri_Jv4G8nmemw5mivA/s400/IMG_4706.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{me and my girl}</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/AVvXsEh-VZCYhG0qqCzuD-YxqDrjaTWWnNDoBHEO7uTenwo7r6n3HMzFtr7HlMbBJDpJ7k1Q3HvOu_hOcX7FfAFhvrPc2DQh085PN0ExTo5kY_mQT06FOjiLPp83JIReoEA907AwaXkcrgDLsxM/s1600/IMG_4724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VZCYhG0qqCzuD-YxqDrjaTWWnNDoBHEO7uTenwo7r6n3HMzFtr7HlMbBJDpJ7k1Q3HvOu_hOcX7FfAFhvrPc2DQh085PN0ExTo5kY_mQT06FOjiLPp83JIReoEA907AwaXkcrgDLsxM/s400/IMG_4724.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">{sweet treats} </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgif5pTXx3cdZXTioOiikRqcSdUeGrLVHBfqSProy2DuGjl7ERIaIGUFeDJnwxqttPRjOju29VKKejpeo3RBEpCrcXRs9tv6M8dudlIcOaD01uZB3vI173Axh4w5JLmgE0wLCQdy6ACerw/s1600/IMG_4681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgif5pTXx3cdZXTioOiikRqcSdUeGrLVHBfqSProy2DuGjl7ERIaIGUFeDJnwxqttPRjOju29VKKejpeo3RBEpCrcXRs9tv6M8dudlIcOaD01uZB3vI173Axh4w5JLmgE0wLCQdy6ACerw/s400/IMG_4681.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9JpqXJI_16p__nv1GvPGLrlPei88Lovwl3_SyaF2HCvddi0Q0g7NaEbebHtiOQdkZ3HHkj1D1g1O18xQ6U-3lv4mBzGbFS1obIKAC56CGlHeVsWpctchHAPcq9Hhw5g8A-VGZwjcg-o/s1600/IMG_4689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9JpqXJI_16p__nv1GvPGLrlPei88Lovwl3_SyaF2HCvddi0Q0g7NaEbebHtiOQdkZ3HHkj1D1g1O18xQ6U-3lv4mBzGbFS1obIKAC56CGlHeVsWpctchHAPcq9Hhw5g8A-VGZwjcg-o/s400/IMG_4689.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> {treats for the neighbors}</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/AVvXsEg3pg7OYzUoZFFkYxTABNJYRnaKYx1mYzaZ_q20fNwS-gJJugbxaIXicdktqAxLa3Ty4FrQN4rdzfQoLKv0vz3M_YTjDimMhljFl-eQ5Om0R8T2KWuWTlm4ImDClC9xv1aPTNWe0gaYTEA/s1600/IMG_4697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pg7OYzUoZFFkYxTABNJYRnaKYx1mYzaZ_q20fNwS-gJJugbxaIXicdktqAxLa3Ty4FrQN4rdzfQoLKv0vz3M_YTjDimMhljFl-eQ5Om0R8T2KWuWTlm4ImDClC9xv1aPTNWe0gaYTEA/s400/IMG_4697.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> {Hannah with her first Christmas present! A hooded owl blanket!}</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/AVvXsEgRFFaiWV__HwtXwIsIg400tr4EyweqGJJo8df3c1zZs_w5d4Vh6CJk1K0smTdQeZ-iTp1scaWbiObQ2yaFZTEVOBdT610wilAWYgHVebbbxDnUhOJ36tzTfaMndAVFWJbweMWvKm6vMNc/s1600/IMG_4698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFFaiWV__HwtXwIsIg400tr4EyweqGJJo8df3c1zZs_w5d4Vh6CJk1K0smTdQeZ-iTp1scaWbiObQ2yaFZTEVOBdT610wilAWYgHVebbbxDnUhOJ36tzTfaMndAVFWJbweMWvKm6vMNc/s400/IMG_4698.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> {Christmas breakfast..<a href="http://velvetlava.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-am-now-in-muffin-loop.html">donut muffins</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBNW6F1iNRhjdDBCA3PEksh6GgTu2aVEWnV6BawUDjniqMiVc2J0sS9pRXiWRk7DcfSjRmpNJZizcD-ab_BGO47YyKBEIraZOR2huHqLnmqajBRe84lY3Q9CVfU6QzAikl-1oadq9FEU/s1600/IMG_4735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBNW6F1iNRhjdDBCA3PEksh6GgTu2aVEWnV6BawUDjniqMiVc2J0sS9pRXiWRk7DcfSjRmpNJZizcD-ab_BGO47YyKBEIraZOR2huHqLnmqajBRe84lY3Q9CVfU6QzAikl-1oadq9FEU/s400/IMG_4735.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{and a little Christmas nap!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><3</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-16298700999797924132011-12-31T09:35:00.000-08:002011-12-31T09:35:07.280-08:00{just us three}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUgLA9pZSXQ_lqQlwH96Lg-JO_74aGJ2pz1H-jJvUUUpR_DXMionEvZfXRuKbOhtkZVNbB-zE89m1_iu32lvCuQbPfobYFCPPgp39GsrBAd16abXj55ZcvmfMUwmKxsK1RJgTe4gxCxc/s1600/IMG_1546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUgLA9pZSXQ_lqQlwH96Lg-JO_74aGJ2pz1H-jJvUUUpR_DXMionEvZfXRuKbOhtkZVNbB-zE89m1_iu32lvCuQbPfobYFCPPgp39GsrBAd16abXj55ZcvmfMUwmKxsK1RJgTe4gxCxc/s640/IMG_1546.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{our adorable Christmas gift from Savannah of <a href="http://savsmiles.blogspot.com/">Savannah Smiles</a>! Thanks my friend!}</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-14838187400620711542011-12-17T08:33:00.000-08:002011-12-17T10:27:51.614-08:00{holiday spiced vanilla chai mix+diy gifts}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Iu04TpLjW_1gH7mICF5KAHpu-lQiAnvAWgNJ-6LEBgR64Kmp4IbbG7x9-Ascqtf0uRFUAX8Wt4HCwUD0ijOfxEsaph1kFxYnJ_hkjtNo1FcZ8j2l7hjez3RqkKHYSSjucQj9MmacDWY/s1600/IMG_1526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Iu04TpLjW_1gH7mICF5KAHpu-lQiAnvAWgNJ-6LEBgR64Kmp4IbbG7x9-Ascqtf0uRFUAX8Wt4HCwUD0ijOfxEsaph1kFxYnJ_hkjtNo1FcZ8j2l7hjez3RqkKHYSSjucQj9MmacDWY/s400/IMG_1526.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Homemade Vanilla Chai mix</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">mix together:</div>1 cup nonfat dry milk powder<br />
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer<br />
1 cup powdered vanilla creamer<br />
2 1/2 cups sugar<br />
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea (like Nestea)<br />
2 tsp ground ginger<br />
3 tsp cinnamon<br />
1 tsp ground cloves<br />
1 tsp ground cardamom<br />
1 tsp nutmeg<br />
1 tsp allspice<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpBd_uVwh0VTYEx5oE6dpIAgUqt4zFnTp6UsbxW7dg7LZd4tAtfqCsLGr442qRLx7YPEqiHdcXGTiAQru8iJ3h6nFjPl0l37LSVV6zAll3zsCg3ZUD783rkcwMnqdjJC4iGLLlZImn20/s1600/IMG_1528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpBd_uVwh0VTYEx5oE6dpIAgUqt4zFnTp6UsbxW7dg7LZd4tAtfqCsLGr442qRLx7YPEqiHdcXGTiAQru8iJ3h6nFjPl0l37LSVV6zAll3zsCg3ZUD783rkcwMnqdjJC4iGLLlZImn20/s400/IMG_1528.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">From here its pretty simple :) Mix together in a big bowl and blend it up! If you blend it, it is a much finer powder and mixes much easier. Plus it looks prettier! Otherwise the dry milk is in big funky chunks. Then pour into cute jars and decorate with your <a href="http://ballpointandpen.blogspot.com/2011/12/upcycled-gift-tags-thanks-anthro.html">up cycled gift tags</a> or other creative wrapping! If you aren't into chai try out, my good ol stand by, <a href="http://ballpointandpen.blogspot.com/2010/12/make-do-moday-spiced-christmas-tea.html">spiced orange tea</a>!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I'm sure I'm not the only one on a tight budget this Christmas, so here are some other great inexpensive gift ideas!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ballpointandpen.blogspot.com/2011/01/make-do-monday-infused-sugars.html">diy infused sugars </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ballpointandpen.blogspot.com/2011/04/make-do-monday-vanilla-extract.html">homemade vanilla extract</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2009/08/made-with-love-pressed-botanical-specimens.html">pressed botanical prints</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/269870/homemade-bookplates?backto=true">homemade bookplates</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/268735/homemade-heating-pad">diy heating pad</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tarteletteblog.com/2009/12/recipe-hot-chocolate-and-homemade.html">homemade hot chocolate and marshmellows </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://crynfiction.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html">chocolate dipped espresso shortbread</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy gifting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-31532874143024388342011-12-16T08:16:00.000-08:002011-12-16T08:16:00.241-08:00{make do: diy infant bow headbands}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwAI027LzyuR-z6Qh0bawTYJ6JiZS8LRlbWKCPNGWv3BYOj3OTKUkApqCaLKE2YFlWXAmZgiOIMd94hxc9_OrB66IDjx-eztSs_MbXf2z1OivgJkvX-mqpWu3uZD4FCQWqdVSdIR30WY/s1600/IMG_4574+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwAI027LzyuR-z6Qh0bawTYJ6JiZS8LRlbWKCPNGWv3BYOj3OTKUkApqCaLKE2YFlWXAmZgiOIMd94hxc9_OrB66IDjx-eztSs_MbXf2z1OivgJkvX-mqpWu3uZD4FCQWqdVSdIR30WY/s400/IMG_4574+WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The other day I was goofing around with felt and made a bow for my holiday wreath and thought, "Hmm this would make a super cute baby headband for Hannah Lou!"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQh65dcBozzdASKo4Hy0n8mkJcFgSRsKFwjfU_2j5n0huPyLsjV75PS9yDia43EfkCQubR4RqOOnSB9HlN7ziXPUROlI1wm0BciKz8kbltg_GSLsLKt0uJAtYAwBYwi5I1DSxVPmSC30/s1600/IMG_4559+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQh65dcBozzdASKo4Hy0n8mkJcFgSRsKFwjfU_2j5n0huPyLsjV75PS9yDia43EfkCQubR4RqOOnSB9HlN7ziXPUROlI1wm0BciKz8kbltg_GSLsLKt0uJAtYAwBYwi5I1DSxVPmSC30/s400/IMG_4559+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">All you need is a pair of old nylons, felt, fabric scissors, and hot glue. </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/AVvXsEj72zGs-g53Vr6Au6LpsNym6FXLfgvVcJiGAQywwcG_V3lDztiB-8nK7b3WarnURlGt_6ScagNNdoT5eQJJbhKtUn7X8RW-TeNWA9qIHW657jllw7e1LMUHD-nQtwoRVTV3FCdpGscr7X4/s1600/IMG_4564+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72zGs-g53Vr6Au6LpsNym6FXLfgvVcJiGAQywwcG_V3lDztiB-8nK7b3WarnURlGt_6ScagNNdoT5eQJJbhKtUn7X8RW-TeNWA9qIHW657jllw7e1LMUHD-nQtwoRVTV3FCdpGscr7X4/s400/IMG_4564+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">First cut out 3 pieces of felt. Just estimate the size based on how large you want your bow. Just make sure the two longest pieces are the same width. then cut on little piece to wrap around the middle of your bow.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZqQNXK-OCwED9dGX84Enxgc7XDZevpYS9AElcqWxRejYGP7rxrbijWDdii-nzhzW3I_aybuqfOPx1O7E3PjrVUSMHcLqOEqe937bOzStSzdS2QJlDnQTDGQsJSzVkng0W5KLAe8ayB4/s1600/IMG_4561web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZqQNXK-OCwED9dGX84Enxgc7XDZevpYS9AElcqWxRejYGP7rxrbijWDdii-nzhzW3I_aybuqfOPx1O7E3PjrVUSMHcLqOEqe937bOzStSzdS2QJlDnQTDGQsJSzVkng0W5KLAe8ayB4/s400/IMG_4561web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Take you longest piece and cut V shaped notches out of each end. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YCVT4JEQuKuEBZFjvT2UY-zy6UAZUncsVVuNQHZF5iQCPm1LMd6iH4mpBFha9_p7I419MiCnVFoSPgj8WJlHT8RSzOz5dLffLX_5ntC3KEXIY5fmGIHMj6KiDiLaZJm6FbTdZxKatEk/s1600/IMG_4565web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YCVT4JEQuKuEBZFjvT2UY-zy6UAZUncsVVuNQHZF5iQCPm1LMd6iH4mpBFha9_p7I419MiCnVFoSPgj8WJlHT8RSzOz5dLffLX_5ntC3KEXIY5fmGIHMj6KiDiLaZJm6FbTdZxKatEk/s400/IMG_4565web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Take your middle piece and hot glue each end to the middle of the strip making a figure eight shape.</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/AVvXsEiFfGpmRXq6d-xfkocsKoTNjGueBWk_xzSC3NCFzibWhu8UlNjUFFpDM-C-S_EibXqq4N9-urMnSxHFQyKPSCM86TtcRRewgsAfmXTPXZeudnnAm3l_n1QvXmm9v4hXOxMHg4qcH6siGB0/s1600/IMG_4566web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfGpmRXq6d-xfkocsKoTNjGueBWk_xzSC3NCFzibWhu8UlNjUFFpDM-C-S_EibXqq4N9-urMnSxHFQyKPSCM86TtcRRewgsAfmXTPXZeudnnAm3l_n1QvXmm9v4hXOxMHg4qcH6siGB0/s400/IMG_4566web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Then cut notches out of each side of your two longest pieces. Try to make your cuts even on each side. I pretty much eye balled this whole thing, so really just do your best.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g3TZAuS_YtX_T_BJ2nL6y4lEeOAM5PxH42scIxg6wL-xmZ_yaZhfzCxSlNNqE_hzhjs8l9LMc-etWZ6092xX5MfenBwgs9ivVru2lxTOmoogt_KUpQVsGVN3lGUsQd_xQzczlX1I6GU/s1600/IMG_4567+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g3TZAuS_YtX_T_BJ2nL6y4lEeOAM5PxH42scIxg6wL-xmZ_yaZhfzCxSlNNqE_hzhjs8l9LMc-etWZ6092xX5MfenBwgs9ivVru2lxTOmoogt_KUpQVsGVN3lGUsQd_xQzczlX1I6GU/s400/IMG_4567+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Glue your middle piece onto your long piece. Try to line up your notches.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmvK16D6aQ5A7EuaQTeq8ijRqWrnmo2p7R5qHBe9ZNIq2A933EsloaQ2hUml581B_HxrEuxYLs-1EVlY4bbXpOMZMYdLTwBCneepkOc456hlU45EkatptK9uOehlpFg4GKAUNpgj3-ho/s1600/IMG_456.WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmvK16D6aQ5A7EuaQTeq8ijRqWrnmo2p7R5qHBe9ZNIq2A933EsloaQ2hUml581B_HxrEuxYLs-1EVlY4bbXpOMZMYdLTwBCneepkOc456hlU45EkatptK9uOehlpFg4GKAUNpgj3-ho/s400/IMG_456.WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Then take your nylons and cut a wide piece to use as your headband. Stretch the loop out before you glue it to your bow.</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/AVvXsEjc1duryBffiuvbYG_vAGiFqOxM3h5PXEqlf42OVN7zwS_cDlB00SnOtpL6w8-ZQaiedvvdduAgYD_QuQ3lcHNdxJduEJ2QcCjCX3CXYdxNOsFfNrz1y2fVgMSDVKYT5-YSc_LJv1G9NgQ/s1600/IMG_4569WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1duryBffiuvbYG_vAGiFqOxM3h5PXEqlf42OVN7zwS_cDlB00SnOtpL6w8-ZQaiedvvdduAgYD_QuQ3lcHNdxJduEJ2QcCjCX3CXYdxNOsFfNrz1y2fVgMSDVKYT5-YSc_LJv1G9NgQ/s400/IMG_4569WEB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lastly, hot glue your small piece of felt around the bow with the headband tucked neatly inside!</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/AVvXsEidszNvG9tRFLLxMeXGHeuMkpt4Rhf-9stlOfDt6eGtw6d-WaVo0p6NRYZ8BsgLytaj5pQLo38MNjKrlq8nmdC5KxwbK9aV944yv5Qm03YwCqLUa56EQ6-PY3PKy4JlCpxHdegeD72cDBo/s1600/IMG_4573+WEBjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidszNvG9tRFLLxMeXGHeuMkpt4Rhf-9stlOfDt6eGtw6d-WaVo0p6NRYZ8BsgLytaj5pQLo38MNjKrlq8nmdC5KxwbK9aV944yv5Qm03YwCqLUa56EQ6-PY3PKy4JlCpxHdegeD72cDBo/s400/IMG_4573+WEBjpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Make sure to pinch the bow tight. Its easiest if you glue one end and then pull it tightly around and trim the felt to the right length and glue. And your done!</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/AVvXsEibxPPCPbOwPbUGn3BHWN-o53yhoVEkDFcGY_DO25088QCnDo_9DlwULOU5agylGMwAZH1QLgOc5UJkZCrVtBegq4m5WC3vnQdxCbe1k4TLm6gMKFizz3MDnaAz1jfG7uNZuLVWdt0DyiI/s1600/IMG_4558web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxPPCPbOwPbUGn3BHWN-o53yhoVEkDFcGY_DO25088QCnDo_9DlwULOU5agylGMwAZH1QLgOc5UJkZCrVtBegq4m5WC3vnQdxCbe1k4TLm6gMKFizz3MDnaAz1jfG7uNZuLVWdt0DyiI/s400/IMG_4558web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-20993716132743415192011-12-15T14:41:00.000-08:002011-12-15T14:41:09.627-08:00upcycled gift tags! thanks Anthro!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JAya2W2s9VfRmIjHEgsZCpdSBSbKj_XyWgrDbYUneVhJATsArxNeinqE6BmMkJBZ72_-_nM5QYYOAVzLc8adDNd-LCe8rbAjtPNyjq_FXXRGlHP5S3HN2KV-WuI3PMQnDrNxwVraf88/s1600/IMG_1520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JAya2W2s9VfRmIjHEgsZCpdSBSbKj_XyWgrDbYUneVhJATsArxNeinqE6BmMkJBZ72_-_nM5QYYOAVzLc8adDNd-LCe8rbAjtPNyjq_FXXRGlHP5S3HN2KV-WuI3PMQnDrNxwVraf88/s640/IMG_1520.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Anthro catalog+craft paper+scissors+glue+hole punch=the funkiest gift tags!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcUJfAW0xPWvc3MFpYkHknSZrAGa77z8BFkYhkrWItpc0-lJIu4WVaXxy8kPzWFX7wtHlbVPN-KxNd9CqtPV6cR2V3CD8i2MWehDACHh8y9TK-PhznusrsVcSl98rwgLJ2W6mUxAYoag/s1600/IMG_1522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcUJfAW0xPWvc3MFpYkHknSZrAGa77z8BFkYhkrWItpc0-lJIu4WVaXxy8kPzWFX7wtHlbVPN-KxNd9CqtPV6cR2V3CD8i2MWehDACHh8y9TK-PhznusrsVcSl98rwgLJ2W6mUxAYoag/s640/IMG_1522.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqXLc1-B6tm0BYedEtXULxt63iDbRa8xia5LplmAiutMF_lJnW8hWX35zBSV75NwGzZt7PvbGhYOv8tmwz4AR4bQWUbQVsdhtu-tETGcSPFLodc2nQ4eBl58YyJUOqfpQRUX96Ik2otM/s1600/IMG_1523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqXLc1-B6tm0BYedEtXULxt63iDbRa8xia5LplmAiutMF_lJnW8hWX35zBSV75NwGzZt7PvbGhYOv8tmwz4AR4bQWUbQVsdhtu-tETGcSPFLodc2nQ4eBl58YyJUOqfpQRUX96Ik2otM/s640/IMG_1523.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqd86p0jqBiz3AQ-dQEQKm-pEoAmH0j6ZrkwA5ui3W2ndRz7sZzyr2P0rtyMDpmvPdTfVypXRFRiqL060vmp6WNyu46Q2KQAMJraBdIAPQmfod_18u0KtH8sbDsyRPwmGTnK_qR-tMfdw/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqd86p0jqBiz3AQ-dQEQKm-pEoAmH0j6ZrkwA5ui3W2ndRz7sZzyr2P0rtyMDpmvPdTfVypXRFRiqL060vmp6WNyu46Q2KQAMJraBdIAPQmfod_18u0KtH8sbDsyRPwmGTnK_qR-tMfdw/s640/IMG_1524.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W_XA4Kd15wegbgBcYoHyzUc-qNglRFa47jkSVlfnbRZEYT0oKCd8rU8HWAbH6PoQ25huRIi-l8NEOXTIaCSLye1PhXl5XIseVADOFdm-VaCzJasUyfI-PXNbMVwJ9TU5YgBvLnTQa04/s1600/IMG_1525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W_XA4Kd15wegbgBcYoHyzUc-qNglRFa47jkSVlfnbRZEYT0oKCd8rU8HWAbH6PoQ25huRIi-l8NEOXTIaCSLye1PhXl5XIseVADOFdm-VaCzJasUyfI-PXNbMVwJ9TU5YgBvLnTQa04/s640/IMG_1525.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-65502971669512433262011-12-11T06:30:00.000-08:002011-12-11T06:30:01.581-08:00{life savers!...no, not the candy}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-UQcQ6ooKCDiLIw7OcydEaImzKjQU3qI2be0jFqrWC_U_4olRGHe4mlJ7DCXT0D3J7g3GBUAFZ3M1zmKLR9vuk-DgRRwG1N4VjBNMuv-5_2cdHkObm-BJ8Vz4Sl7sRaJgdLLY1C2kw8/s1600/IMG_4089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-UQcQ6ooKCDiLIw7OcydEaImzKjQU3qI2be0jFqrWC_U_4olRGHe4mlJ7DCXT0D3J7g3GBUAFZ3M1zmKLR9vuk-DgRRwG1N4VjBNMuv-5_2cdHkObm-BJ8Vz4Sl7sRaJgdLLY1C2kw8/s400/IMG_4089.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Now that I am officially a new mom I feel like I have a good understanding of what a nursing mom wants and needs in those first few weeks. Between my friends, family and husband, I have been SPOILED! Here are the some things I have found most helpful and necessary these last few months! Keep these in mind when you have a friend with a new baby! :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWntVu1ULzowpkqWvmi3-v1oxHDlZZoXd6s-xx8866OKZdK7zobjKbxi8SgtsXGli3UjcJdYgcJlfOxNZTFAQyOkk5R_0TALgk6oLLZyhUwWbjtoX6XCifRn23-GfnZgrExQYsUjKtac/s1600/Timi-and-Leslie-Dawn-Convertible-Diaper-Bag-in-Cloud-Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWntVu1ULzowpkqWvmi3-v1oxHDlZZoXd6s-xx8866OKZdK7zobjKbxi8SgtsXGli3UjcJdYgcJlfOxNZTFAQyOkk5R_0TALgk6oLLZyhUwWbjtoX6XCifRn23-GfnZgrExQYsUjKtac/s400/Timi-and-Leslie-Dawn-Convertible-Diaper-Bag-in-Cloud-Blue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">cute diaper bag- Timi and Leslie "Dawn" and "Charlie" are my favorites. I know I <a href="http://ballpointandpen.blogspot.com/2011/12/for-love-of-breastfeeding.html">already shared these</a> but I am soo in love with them!</div><div style="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/AVvXsEjsx6qDgvDt4LexIif_yQdKtcauK4PvYIm78m9ul5P5h8ewV-LNgB-wXvRQhym9ZlU90pG3owcuxVdlJQyPdfuu7xbcdHZvwhm8Mk1-SBAPpmZQbctFfVgpKPwOKaf_qzNozby8XkIZNL0/s1600/41BpIBI3OnL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsx6qDgvDt4LexIif_yQdKtcauK4PvYIm78m9ul5P5h8ewV-LNgB-wXvRQhym9ZlU90pG3owcuxVdlJQyPdfuu7xbcdHZvwhm8Mk1-SBAPpmZQbctFfVgpKPwOKaf_qzNozby8XkIZNL0/s400/41BpIBI3OnL.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tummy-Control-Nursing-Long-Glamourmom/dp/B003R1NM8G/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1323394162&sr=8-3-fkmr0">Glamourmom nursing tank</a> with compression band. The compression makes you feel more put together! You have quite the jiggle belly for awhile. Plus it is a nursing tank!</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/AVvXsEiA9OXyEKG9wqS_nSsARDkNcHH54FY94TywcMcHZ-JhjUloeQhZshx3CF_Vc90jVY_w77rYkWLisklD-YV-LpsjXMbAv0qnOkfN6hejMfeXNIwUYVbEKXosyuSNhMJ-O51OmahHOROMUL4/s1600/IMG_4055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9OXyEKG9wqS_nSsARDkNcHH54FY94TywcMcHZ-JhjUloeQhZshx3CF_Vc90jVY_w77rYkWLisklD-YV-LpsjXMbAv0qnOkfN6hejMfeXNIwUYVbEKXosyuSNhMJ-O51OmahHOROMUL4/s400/IMG_4055.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">the <a href="http://www.mobywrap.com/">moby wrap</a>- I can just throw this thing on and walk down stairs for a coffee. We live right on a "main street" of sorts and have a Peets and Starbucks right downstairs!</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/AVvXsEj9d5kaONyqT0_qOC5KxbL3BBELzNCC1xERFOuY10ZWJe4ZfKmCUIwOlwMHnOKrB1FzuCO1u5dceZ5FufjGsUviPFruJ4fuuZf8J-xl7LYNJfUQlXqeC2_3PprHLuQJd82cUA9dxtjmvKQ/s1600/IMG_3916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9d5kaONyqT0_qOC5KxbL3BBELzNCC1xERFOuY10ZWJe4ZfKmCUIwOlwMHnOKrB1FzuCO1u5dceZ5FufjGsUviPFruJ4fuuZf8J-xl7LYNJfUQlXqeC2_3PprHLuQJd82cUA9dxtjmvKQ/s400/IMG_3916.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">fresh flowers- these particular ones are from Caroline :) They had the cutest yarn poms in the bouquet! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDihCk3H86eQXsiD9Qxsapz_IYjYywaq25JbsFd0g9yDl8jnq6fuwDDy9pgK-nStTx-C9ze-b-RaT_vczED6PXYZbR3NZscCZp17O2ptVGiZ8kBbIdUFDGerNSEKjVeOLfjij3zpaiBME/s1600/33-4581-B300.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDihCk3H86eQXsiD9Qxsapz_IYjYywaq25JbsFd0g9yDl8jnq6fuwDDy9pgK-nStTx-C9ze-b-RaT_vczED6PXYZbR3NZscCZp17O2ptVGiZ8kBbIdUFDGerNSEKjVeOLfjij3zpaiBME/s400/33-4581-B300.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.spiru-tein.com/">Spiru-tein protein powder</a> for a quick breakfast. Yum! I'm sharing some of my recipes soon!<br />
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<3</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-60320988618002673632011-12-09T23:04:00.000-08:002011-12-09T23:04:21.611-08:00{our birth story, part 1}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10wdiO9lRjSoTtXF5Jpli9_83QFShSuqme56z3q1uAgirETP1O8Rx5A1TrzpVPCHrKsmN_1yVzm9_bIJietzyglmQMSAAovp7-4x9EiY-hZvoIgFiZ1K58rs767hMe_eTHWry3ALvwMs/s1600/IMG_3887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10wdiO9lRjSoTtXF5Jpli9_83QFShSuqme56z3q1uAgirETP1O8Rx5A1TrzpVPCHrKsmN_1yVzm9_bIJietzyglmQMSAAovp7-4x9EiY-hZvoIgFiZ1K58rs767hMe_eTHWry3ALvwMs/s400/IMG_3887.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the story of how our little family of two became a slightly larger family of three :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> After almost 9 months of pregnancy, I was DONE being pregnant. I was excitedly finishing the nursery, washing baby clothes, and nesting up a storm. While running around town on the morning of October 18th, I got in a fender bender! I was the second car hit in a chain reaction and everyone involved was freaking out when I stepped out of the car 9 months pregnant! Fortunately the damages were very minor but I was a little shook up and the adrenaline was a pumpin'. I remember asking the CHP officer, "Is it bad that I am hoping this will make me go into labor?" He just laughed and checked my car seat :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well lo and behold the next day I started experiencing cramping. Just light cramps but still something! I couldn't help but get excited! Over the course of the day the cramping got stronger and more frequent. After lunch with my Mom at In-N-Out and a coffee date/ walk with my friend Aly I was convinced that something was happening. After arriving home I excited announced to my husband that I thought I might be going into early labor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At 7:30 pm Nicolai left for community group and I started timing contractions, keeping him updated on any changes. When he got home around 9pm, the contractions where really picking up. We labored on and on into the night. At about 1:30am my Mom came over to give Nicolai a break. The poor guy was practically falling asleep standing up. We didn't realize until later that I was having back labor and couldn't sit or lay down without a lot of discomfort, resulting in almost the whole night on my feet. At this point I had been awake somewhere around 19 hrs and was getting pretty tired. We called the hospital around 3am but decided to labor at home a little longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At 8:30am on the morning of October 20th after calling Labor and Delivery for the second time, we decided it was time to go to the hospital. The ride there was NOT FUN! Every bump and turn was adding to the discomfort and my greatest fear at that point was that I hadn't progressed enough and I would be sent home. The last thing I wanted was another car ride that morning! No thank you! When we arrived at the hospital, we had to stop at intake and check in. They had me sign paper work! All I could think was, "Are you freaking kidding me!" My hand was shaking so much, it probably didn't even look like my signature! :) While hubs finished getting us checked in I walked the hall outside the office with my mom. FINALLY we headed upstairs to Labor and Delivery. When we got there, we found out I was the only women on the unit that morning, and it stayed that way all day! After getting changed into my beautiful hospital gown and funky belly band, they checked my progress. Praise the Lord! I was at 4cm! I was so relieved to hear the midwife say, "You're not going anywhere, we are having this baby today!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over the next 3 hrs we labored in lots of different positions, I tried to lay down some and rest but it was more painful and was slowing down my contractions. Luckily the nursing staff was really flexible and pretty much let me do whatever I wanted. Finally after what felt like an eternity, my midwife checked me again to find that I was still at 5 cm! Progress yes, but not what I was hoping for. This was nothing though, compared to the disappointment I felt when and hour later I was still at 5, and another hour later. We talked about some options to speed up my contractions and decided to break my water. That did it. Holy Moly! Over the next hour and a half I dilated from 5cm to 10. All I can say is Ouch! We tried laboring in the shower, walking the halls, and massage, all of which helped at least for a time. At a certain point I started feeling really tired and began to doubt whether I could do this or not. Then all of a sudden...boom! I feel a huge bulge in my butt. I had heard about the infamous 'butt bulge' and was convinced this was it! Seconds later I felt like by body was lurching off the table trying to push this baby out. It was the craziest thing. I kept saying, "I need to push! I feel like I need to push!" Since it had been under 2hrs since they had last checked me, the midwife was doubtful that it was time but my mom insisted they check me. They tried to prepare me and said they didn't think I would be farther along than an 8. But they were wrong. I was a 10! This baby was coming! At this point it was somewhere around 4:30 pm and I was TIRED, but being told it was time to push gave be a burst of energy. It was almost over. Thank goodness! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As soon as the midwife announce it was baby time, a whole troupe of nurses and students came flooding into the room and gearing up. The baby nurse turned on the warmer and I knew I was about to meet my little girl. This also meant I had to push a baby out of my body, but it was too late to go back now :) At first they were going to have me push on my back, but as soon as I rolled over I knew that wasn't about to happen. I requested to push while on my side and it was so much easier. Every time I felt a contraction coming, I would grab my leg and they knew it was time to push again. It was pretty hard to talk at that point so I just did my own thing. Each time I started pushing I had a whole chorus of cheers to encourage me. Between doctors, nurses, students and family (Mom and Nicolai) there were 9 people all crowded around my bed while I pushed. It made it a little hard to focus on what the midwife was telling me to do, but luckily I just did whatever I felt I needed to do. On my first push, the midwife was shocked to see the top of Hannah's head! I was super encouraged knowing she was right there, and let me tell you, I pushed SO hard. I was ready to be done with all this craziness. After 20 minutes of pushing, she was here. She arrived at 4:59pm. It was such a strange feeling. She came fast and at one point the midwife told me to stop pushing but there was no way that was happening. Do you how hard it is to stop pushing with a child half out of your body? </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/AVvXsEjDV_u17G2p1KMxA3t-HLkTyekVWQXGRMyaBjrpTYrqbxvgRyYYws40aWum2DO0AKLBoXJlg7mjyl6zouwKP6yyYGWJy0w8uIiax9ESrceB4pY-FiyG8xZsWQxWOCVbjRRUxZJEyniODOM/s1600/IMG_3881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDV_u17G2p1KMxA3t-HLkTyekVWQXGRMyaBjrpTYrqbxvgRyYYws40aWum2DO0AKLBoXJlg7mjyl6zouwKP6yyYGWJy0w8uIiax9ESrceB4pY-FiyG8xZsWQxWOCVbjRRUxZJEyniODOM/s400/IMG_3881.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I felt so good! We had done it naturally like we had wanted too!<br />
As soon as she was out they went to lay her on my chest, only she didn't quite make it there. Her cord was so short she only made it to the lower part of my stomach. After cutting the cord they moved her to my chest and we tried to nurse. </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/AVvXsEiSm6JEyK-sfgaboB_4eoiu1ZA7xvHY28jxSEuWvxU_CeyGVutoDVyPQs3XBbuHnPQbtE38Z5EoCkbQa5M2Vrc1ZXukYfNL499ZFhGjUTIUUS3LaYPKefLzaL8o5VePAvtuXsOqx1yphs0/s1600/IMG_3853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSm6JEyK-sfgaboB_4eoiu1ZA7xvHY28jxSEuWvxU_CeyGVutoDVyPQs3XBbuHnPQbtE38Z5EoCkbQa5M2Vrc1ZXukYfNL499ZFhGjUTIUUS3LaYPKefLzaL8o5VePAvtuXsOqx1yphs0/s400/IMG_3853.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She latched on right away and it was a very surreal moment. Nicolai and I stared in amazement at our daughter and at each other, practically speechless by what we had just done. After the lovely birthing of the placenta and 10 stitches...ick...it was Hannahs turn to be checked out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzFHSqsbSOXmC-BJPxSq8k_vyui36FIanBL0RXDIURd_Wlj226ll7ZNBnc4pVneUc4K5uNjOEPP0taysFzEzXJjLCEHZCA18VB8s6SMLbqg-2u-QH-BCgucI8ENUHCnqrylfkKxvAO5o/s1600/IMG_3875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzFHSqsbSOXmC-BJPxSq8k_vyui36FIanBL0RXDIURd_Wlj226ll7ZNBnc4pVneUc4K5uNjOEPP0taysFzEzXJjLCEHZCA18VB8s6SMLbqg-2u-QH-BCgucI8ENUHCnqrylfkKxvAO5o/s400/IMG_3875.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They checked her head to toe and declared her perfect. Literally, not a birth mark or anything. She was flawless. She weighed 6 lbs 14oz and 18" long. </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/AVvXsEiwauXnTZDVYx4M-9LwZ9ZmAicOyLQTl2sVnG7wC5oXt3s8IgfSeQA5gFkkCGoolFKveSRLVGVwvnuOcKWmB0YS3tdBpXs4gBRe3AqEDA7FuIyd4XW9nENNvm6SlEbjs-a6SvzH7QnUyEY/s1600/IMG_3915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwauXnTZDVYx4M-9LwZ9ZmAicOyLQTl2sVnG7wC5oXt3s8IgfSeQA5gFkkCGoolFKveSRLVGVwvnuOcKWmB0YS3tdBpXs4gBRe3AqEDA7FuIyd4XW9nENNvm6SlEbjs-a6SvzH7QnUyEY/s400/IMG_3915.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nicolai hovered around the nurse and watched to make sure his baby girl was being well cared for while I got to eat after what felt like forever. After about a hour of relaxing, we were moved to the postpartum wing at around 7pm. They let us extend visiting hours a bit so we could see the friends and family that had been patiently waiting for us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">tune in tomorrow for part 2!</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-29422153960162978662011-12-09T17:11:00.000-08:002011-12-09T17:11:22.889-08:00{lactation cookies+generally healthy for anyone cookies}<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QiGyfUSpfyvPOR9gac_XdQX2lPP-EhdD96A5lm4-tJ4L-3fqfOEB9pLt1tlWW8IIScArRRx8SdzTHy5NzM1tVVVQtuu3k57BNPLPNKkt8AzcOTIQQHtls6g6Jghqyuf1Y9jZBYLmJSw/s1600/photo%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QiGyfUSpfyvPOR9gac_XdQX2lPP-EhdD96A5lm4-tJ4L-3fqfOEB9pLt1tlWW8IIScArRRx8SdzTHy5NzM1tVVVQtuu3k57BNPLPNKkt8AzcOTIQQHtls6g6Jghqyuf1Y9jZBYLmJSw/s400/photo%252824%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
One of my favorite things about breastfeeding is that it gives me an excuse to eat these amazing oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! They are seriously SO good! This recipe makes a cookie similar to the brand <a href="http://www.milkmakers.com/">Milk Makers</a>. They have the cutest logo. It is an M, made to look like two boobs :) I have to say, I was skeptical that these wouldn't do anything, but I really am convinced they work! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup butter 2 cups flour</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp baking soda</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup sugar 4 tbsp brewers yeast</div><div style="text-align: left;">4 tbsp flax seed meal 1 tsp salt</div><div style="text-align: left;">5 tbsp water 3 cups quick oats</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 eggs as many mini chocolate chippies as you want :)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 tsp vanilla</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the quick version:</div><div style="text-align: center;">oven @ 350</div><div style="text-align: center;">mix flax and water and let sit a few minutes</div><div style="text-align: center;">beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar together</div><div style="text-align: center;">add eggs and mix</div><div style="text-align: center;">add flax and vanilla and mix</div><div style="text-align: center;">combine flour, brewers yeast, baking soda and salt in a seperate bowl<br />
gradually add to wet mixture</div><div style="text-align: center;">stir in oats and chocolate chippies</div><div style="text-align: center;">scoop onto cookie sheet in generous mounds, I like to use parchment paper underneath</div><div style="text-align: center;">bake for 12-15 mins</div><div style="text-align: center;">cool and enjoy a bounty of breastmilk :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and if you arent a nursing Mom eat these anyway! Flax and brewers yeast are good for everyone!</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-3586835753752257982011-12-08T17:12:00.000-08:002011-12-08T17:12:52.234-08:00{for the love of breastfeeding!}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCowqQeMlXu8EyBrMoK5ZvFMJci2AacwzXtmRLujplQpSpucMYi45_XInsvJ29YxKYRp3-0pZV6Y_Cram7zkVOsU3wBa89qirkiDjsu0FyaykJtrULbXBt8Nz9XsPjfW0hTgxJn5OEwqc/s1600/frenwoman1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCowqQeMlXu8EyBrMoK5ZvFMJci2AacwzXtmRLujplQpSpucMYi45_XInsvJ29YxKYRp3-0pZV6Y_Cram7zkVOsU3wBa89qirkiDjsu0FyaykJtrULbXBt8Nz9XsPjfW0hTgxJn5OEwqc/s400/frenwoman1.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Learning to breastfeed a child is not as easy as I thought. We have the hang of things now, but not without bleeding, cracking and the occasional hickey. Not only does Mom have to figure out what to do, but baby has quite the learning curve as well. As crazy as its been, its also been the greatest experience of my life thus far. Giving of yourself to your child in this way and being able to have your body produce what your child needs to survive, feels amazing. It bonds you to your child. I love the feeling of being able to comfort Hannah when no one else can, in a way that only I can. It is hard but once you figure out the tips and tricks, its totally do-able. Here are a few things that make life for a nursing Mom a little easier (if you have pregnant friends, take notes)...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXbA_D8b5MrAotKyneZ7XNEQwQGjB6BjhZy2QOLqEaZAFlk4ZDzt1LTd6Ln94-6yfFWylpr5avsjzCAwR5GfYimtgyqN2NMTz0uGaaj5R6qFrb24maqgoT6D5B1SuNT5_gSqeFQt-QO4/s1600/chocolatelactationcookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXbA_D8b5MrAotKyneZ7XNEQwQGjB6BjhZy2QOLqEaZAFlk4ZDzt1LTd6Ln94-6yfFWylpr5avsjzCAwR5GfYimtgyqN2NMTz0uGaaj5R6qFrb24maqgoT6D5B1SuNT5_gSqeFQt-QO4/s320/chocolatelactationcookie.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lactation cookies! These are delish and really do help with milk production. Look for the recipe coming tomorrow! These make a great gift for a new mom. When you bring a meal, why not bring dessert? I like to bake up half the batch and freeze the other half in cookie sized balls for easy baking. Include the recipe so they can make more later. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9Nnitzl6hwkyZPM3qg7K7FIoqSU_LGShD27nLaJjg7ucDm3ffLvzeCT2LD4iWwxRpCjk1TQSS5Cejg5WeXKL9b4AejdkilGpsY2tTo4yCGDjdSxKN6hyqBwZibATpEX9uwDcbPKvCNU/s1600/41EEWcgt1YL._AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9Nnitzl6hwkyZPM3qg7K7FIoqSU_LGShD27nLaJjg7ucDm3ffLvzeCT2LD4iWwxRpCjk1TQSS5Cejg5WeXKL9b4AejdkilGpsY2tTo4yCGDjdSxKN6hyqBwZibATpEX9uwDcbPKvCNU/s400/41EEWcgt1YL._AA300_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Camelbak-100-Antidote-Replacement-Reservoir/dp/B00437RQTY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323392421&sr=8-1">Camelbak bladder</a>! Yep! In case you didn't know, nursing Mom's have to drink a butt load of water and I always seem to get thirsty while I'm feeding Little Lou. My husband and I came up with an idea that uses a Camelbak so I could drink hands free while nursing. Keep an eye out for a diy project of this nature! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cQDk5MljrvHj62zDpTWZlmgzfITmJ3jYZoWZ5u6-iCX0Y7dQ-f_1-ieNfjBSyt_yc5u7x_lrx8FSO1qy3Frs9x1ImcFPJ4UwZdU5knKsaRr9aTe-U-594rtZkbpf_vCvF5iiep7IUI0/s1600/Timi-and-Leslie-Dawn-Convertible-Diaper-Bag-in-Cloud-Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cQDk5MljrvHj62zDpTWZlmgzfITmJ3jYZoWZ5u6-iCX0Y7dQ-f_1-ieNfjBSyt_yc5u7x_lrx8FSO1qy3Frs9x1ImcFPJ4UwZdU5knKsaRr9aTe-U-594rtZkbpf_vCvF5iiep7IUI0/s400/Timi-and-Leslie-Dawn-Convertible-Diaper-Bag-in-Cloud-Blue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A cute diaper bag! When your nips hurt and you still feel fat and bloated, a girl needs to feel as cute as possible. Timi and Leslie diaper bags are sooo cute. I have two! I like them because they look like a cute purse but have all the functionality of a diaper bag. Heres a tip. They are a bit pricey but if you shop around you can get great deals. One of my bags I found on ebay for $60 (retails for $150!) and the other I found on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_355455242_1?ie=UTF8&node=1267877011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=top-2&pf_rd_r=9A19971455624D0FA8B0&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=1331264602&pf_rd_i=warehouse%20deals">Amazon warehouse deals</a> for $50! (also retails at $150) So amazing!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AHQ5URfZt73_xOxZoAVw1ygEp74JehnlqDVKXOXLA7Q-CCPnUJpWADlOCJ5k6qvJ6IoREcDhXkCdLo3yjlCUdAy9iJ8zcLlVABIDrUgD6TrpN5tXAZMrPMX90OKQeX5ubfM0mgbyPu0/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AHQ5URfZt73_xOxZoAVw1ygEp74JehnlqDVKXOXLA7Q-CCPnUJpWADlOCJ5k6qvJ6IoREcDhXkCdLo3yjlCUdAy9iJ8zcLlVABIDrUgD6TrpN5tXAZMrPMX90OKQeX5ubfM0mgbyPu0/s400/cover.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">A postpartum and nursing friendly workout plan! <a href="http://momsintofitness.com/">Mom's Into Fitness</a> and <a href="http://lindsaybrin.com/">Lindsay Brin</a> are an amazing resource for new moms. She has dvds, free videos, downloads and books, all of which I recommend. She even has great prenatal workout dvds. </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/AVvXsEgwMebVk-NTV2V4biWo4TrHOIwqgzljzMQf1zmqa8ZCGKYstL9lY4Qoj6700-rOUJDw7d9qkdbuHByP2V2J7Uv-qQb1fp0kWbNugwLsA0wStmgau7KmzQWu2vQ8tBFS5TQ2-OKR9Xi8Iv4/s1600/circo-love-nature-mushroom-led-nightlight-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMebVk-NTV2V4biWo4TrHOIwqgzljzMQf1zmqa8ZCGKYstL9lY4Qoj6700-rOUJDw7d9qkdbuHByP2V2J7Uv-qQb1fp0kWbNugwLsA0wStmgau7KmzQWu2vQ8tBFS5TQ2-OKR9Xi8Iv4/s1600/circo-love-nature-mushroom-led-nightlight-3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How about a cute nightlight for those late night feedings! I has this Circo LED mushroom night light and we love it. It charges during the day and we leave it on in our room at night. It is wireless so I can carry it with me to prevent stubbed toes in the dark :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Need other gift ideas for new moms? How about..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">+a comfy new pair of sweat pants</div><div style="text-align: center;">+cute new undies (but only if you are a close friend :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">+a potted plant to brighten up the house she will most likely be trapped inside for a few weeks</div><div style="text-align: center;">+meals, so she won't have to cook</div><div style="text-align: center;">+ a gift card for blockbuster and some snacks</div><div style="text-align: center;">+offer to run errands</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And if you come to visit a new mom, always offer to do a load of dishes, laundry or some other chore! It is so helpful and frees mom up to do more important things, like showering her new little love with kisses. Cheesy but true :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<3</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNCWBQbW0iHItAClV9T9tA2J4EPV4BOBF1kZIw4lJQENh3tSrWRYbyLNYcM43STvKsGajlueLG4TJvKxx_lh4_mP_C2zW32DQXUbWOlCfbVIVH1j8k7dNuf2QGVN_PnoecqpP3_W9F10/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-10-29+at+9.16.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-39312314047239004512011-11-26T16:50:00.000-08:002011-11-26T16:50:13.626-08:00{the many faces of Lou}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVFoBr1XFzb7NaJ11PE424RCNovj5kFQeSkqv7DYqG-g4SonY-p3lxaDN8x8KbgbXl6FfXOBXx8DMDYeKG90cKJNfqZt459wn9usFUBCXT5c3er8xMD7HXffZ3NEHYbuT674EcfKjQJI/s1600/IMG_4207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVFoBr1XFzb7NaJ11PE424RCNovj5kFQeSkqv7DYqG-g4SonY-p3lxaDN8x8KbgbXl6FfXOBXx8DMDYeKG90cKJNfqZt459wn9usFUBCXT5c3er8xMD7HXffZ3NEHYbuT674EcfKjQJI/s400/IMG_4207.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDNaYA9Ah2N1dcApDjhocsIzT8ZqyvsecAnleMqZ94t_4Y7CPp-Rs-evL6Bszc4gUTIYdI8K2kHqDfkpu82ZP78c_Ah9VcLu6TofUro0oyFwnRJPgHfEY26QkhZMGxEH0_iF_4wwnrpo/s1600/IMG_4159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDNaYA9Ah2N1dcApDjhocsIzT8ZqyvsecAnleMqZ94t_4Y7CPp-Rs-evL6Bszc4gUTIYdI8K2kHqDfkpu82ZP78c_Ah9VcLu6TofUro0oyFwnRJPgHfEY26QkhZMGxEH0_iF_4wwnrpo/s400/IMG_4159.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is our little Hannah Louise! She is one goofy baby. She keeps us laughing non stop! and just so you know, we didn't pose her for any of these pictures. This is all natural :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicVuoHE1QcoZ6zSm6V0M_Sj642yzXTyALNWVHyPf6-PiDBfcopSqwK_sQpoeAGsD4Q4pojFuGbYhQUs0OkM-GjkEGSz0W9d1tf1PQ9a6GwzipX3qYJYRpBWw0UyJFNC5Bmkt2XCwhcf0/s1600/IMG_4160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicVuoHE1QcoZ6zSm6V0M_Sj642yzXTyALNWVHyPf6-PiDBfcopSqwK_sQpoeAGsD4Q4pojFuGbYhQUs0OkM-GjkEGSz0W9d1tf1PQ9a6GwzipX3qYJYRpBWw0UyJFNC5Bmkt2XCwhcf0/s400/IMG_4160.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7tMEFfWFw56R2dkokRktRA9vLShJ41Mo9g47f2KDh2Toui4UuBWhTXCBFq4kT9W4hPiA3c3lxOWCBtakHD5Deg36Lu_uD1ULt0tz12wLSEavfOYs8psjdfjgS5-AySgMj2_zZzzKISg/s1600/IMG_4158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7tMEFfWFw56R2dkokRktRA9vLShJ41Mo9g47f2KDh2Toui4UuBWhTXCBFq4kT9W4hPiA3c3lxOWCBtakHD5Deg36Lu_uD1ULt0tz12wLSEavfOYs8psjdfjgS5-AySgMj2_zZzzKISg/s400/IMG_4158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrs7jFFCiWy07RHRsQ9G5xku6EVj_sWT3dP7otX5R2K99zyhiS1YsM08OXmIipUgJ5W_96gHysGoyXAPXydHdY48-7R50H7oH6s6KOIJJskRUsj1T6oDwjxSG93a0hZF7E6CiwaRpF40/s1600/IMG_4270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrs7jFFCiWy07RHRsQ9G5xku6EVj_sWT3dP7otX5R2K99zyhiS1YsM08OXmIipUgJ5W_96gHysGoyXAPXydHdY48-7R50H7oH6s6KOIJJskRUsj1T6oDwjxSG93a0hZF7E6CiwaRpF40/s400/IMG_4270.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's my little girl!</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-71854042745744203092011-11-19T08:00:00.000-08:002011-11-19T08:00:01.054-08:00{Heidi of Crooked Shmooked}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2coiWv6kwTcUwJK5Z7Q0qTvh7ZW6tKFFCWVwjqyE4cBhS2XdaNSQ-baTBFOScxUzDjjP5ihpgG6VbjMc5YEcETN65pP0ifSLYF1BnKqdHB37SF4iAht9fFI43H2RLLh70aYm7xTX8qgf/s1600/a91d713383df40d685c8783a1f48c644_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2coiWv6kwTcUwJK5Z7Q0qTvh7ZW6tKFFCWVwjqyE4cBhS2XdaNSQ-baTBFOScxUzDjjP5ihpgG6VbjMc5YEcETN65pP0ifSLYF1BnKqdHB37SF4iAht9fFI43H2RLLh70aYm7xTX8qgf/s320/a91d713383df40d685c8783a1f48c644_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2KToINJT8btdja-Jmbd-tA9-MLNCjjjfoVm9R3g5KLlJWEjKT3thETYQ3OlkIlX_rkl5QevPUyK-v29EyM-CFDks01wRt3T3CDuSYnUuEXLj9YlzIaPX7lZV54MK0Cx4FtV70nTetSkr/s1600/f6cb2ef8128448bdab539347cbbf2562_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2KToINJT8btdja-Jmbd-tA9-MLNCjjjfoVm9R3g5KLlJWEjKT3thETYQ3OlkIlX_rkl5QevPUyK-v29EyM-CFDks01wRt3T3CDuSYnUuEXLj9YlzIaPX7lZV54MK0Cx4FtV70nTetSkr/s320/f6cb2ef8128448bdab539347cbbf2562_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Heidi Jo here from the sadly neglected </span><a href="http://crookedshmooked.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Crooked Shmooked</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">, filling in while Ali spends all her days staring at her perfect gal. Congratulations to you and the Mr. on the arrival of sweet little Hannah! I am so glad she arrived safe and sound and med-free. Good job, mama!</span><br /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">While Hannah is teeny tiny and demanding 24/7 care right now, once she gets older and you have the energy and free time to craft, you can make her all sorts of love-filled things. Part of the fun of having a little one is having so much crafty inspiration out there. I especially adore handmade softies. Even if they turn out wonky, your little won't care and will love them just the same. (Just check out that crazy alien/peanut/blob beast of a softie I made for my gal based on </span><a href="http://chezbeeperbebe.blogspot.com/2009/10/tutorial-and-pattern-cashmere-batbaby.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">this tutorial</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. His name is NumNum and he is the most loved of all her stuffed friends.) I rounded up a variety of free softie DIYs for you and all your readers to check out. If you don't have a little guy or gal of your own, handmade softies are great shower or birthday gifts too. People are ridiculously impressed when they find out you made the softie yourself. And you know that feels good. Save these tutorials for a rainy day and share the finished result with Ali if you wish. I know she'd love to see. And if you make a wonky, what-is-that? beast, share the love with me so NumNum can have some company. Happy sewing!</span><br /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaci_MLsx90166DpGQl1_Mzf9WvVvYOgvAF3i2BODg2caW6Fk6UK0u2yo9drPpS0-ANElyIpUvKQC9K5TBBZWAyivVmyEJUTOKqAdPvgX7ygSfkh89HsMw3VsP1XoDLhRN_9JgOJQg5aoG/s1600/4315703229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaci_MLsx90166DpGQl1_Mzf9WvVvYOgvAF3i2BODg2caW6Fk6UK0u2yo9drPpS0-ANElyIpUvKQC9K5TBBZWAyivVmyEJUTOKqAdPvgX7ygSfkh89HsMw3VsP1XoDLhRN_9JgOJQg5aoG/s200/4315703229.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbZvwuFb2NBAhmRqNXEtI63y3WWJbvqdoXQCKXqiAV5YS-9d3ruaBzYkcKExTJ_BLp4LmMsRzLVlMXIA_5JFPCJUvS1GvRAscB5sWt59_tnOiGDDEv-J3urUUln3WcCsf_tWQF9L-88vX/s1600/ballsinbasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbZvwuFb2NBAhmRqNXEtI63y3WWJbvqdoXQCKXqiAV5YS-9d3ruaBzYkcKExTJ_BLp4LmMsRzLVlMXIA_5JFPCJUvS1GvRAscB5sWt59_tnOiGDDEv-J3urUUln3WcCsf_tWQF9L-88vX/s200/ballsinbasket.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsQ8ma7blalg8iCNMwZCSHIZHAquUTU0yyM_APmw6F6iNSIx6HlrnwLp-lU0SK1VSNSly7X8vDC4UKhMGLkdBDpfZy73q36JaHmP_0VaghTx7ZhKLrtYoStLZjezoKqOYEgg-Lwyt_HTx/s1600/Sitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsQ8ma7blalg8iCNMwZCSHIZHAquUTU0yyM_APmw6F6iNSIx6HlrnwLp-lU0SK1VSNSly7X8vDC4UKhMGLkdBDpfZy73q36JaHmP_0VaghTx7ZhKLrtYoStLZjezoKqOYEgg-Lwyt_HTx/s200/Sitting.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL25pqayooUwsXvR_v2t1OkmAYdQubvixFrvTsI4l_nZZe-tydss3jy5fuImQobls3s9hY37V8qJh5RM9Iw30dADHPg3xxVwEBVkJgg4-XAyD5abPMpsTcSJ1cpB4nW8SBLWN3Cyrd3UD3/s1600/bunnybaskt-767987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL25pqayooUwsXvR_v2t1OkmAYdQubvixFrvTsI4l_nZZe-tydss3jy5fuImQobls3s9hY37V8qJh5RM9Iw30dADHPg3xxVwEBVkJgg4-XAyD5abPMpsTcSJ1cpB4nW8SBLWN3Cyrd3UD3/s200/bunnybaskt-767987.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtD0D0gDFyB_4FD3Z_F31t7V7KooR1Dm1eCF2hduCgfOqSLkKVAKL0PCmfmMxzuNHHDm5-uIR9TSN8jhYpzh5vSU3ip4qKcF0jhtiLJ1Tyxl3nGZNc-H0krFXJGAtkSpRyvnCLXS_Qapi/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtD0D0gDFyB_4FD3Z_F31t7V7KooR1Dm1eCF2hduCgfOqSLkKVAKL0PCmfmMxzuNHHDm5-uIR9TSN8jhYpzh5vSU3ip4qKcF0jhtiLJ1Tyxl3nGZNc-H0krFXJGAtkSpRyvnCLXS_Qapi/s200/cupcakes.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-DfBmDs9cvV8U8n6KhIssDB7iWCTAtg3m8ZHRXRCl4YTI_lbYmTsxENTCEyw7zKRXrwqKPZdtI-QJdT4xc5xCunYsnwt8Ui6umbMZFkmEn4QR5xIr2CqGYmu6EyIPHcsM8-ITaIdNeDz/s1600/Rainbow+Sunshine+Plushie+Tutorial11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-DfBmDs9cvV8U8n6KhIssDB7iWCTAtg3m8ZHRXRCl4YTI_lbYmTsxENTCEyw7zKRXrwqKPZdtI-QJdT4xc5xCunYsnwt8Ui6umbMZFkmEn4QR5xIr2CqGYmu6EyIPHcsM8-ITaIdNeDz/s200/Rainbow+Sunshine+Plushie+Tutorial11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Top Left: </span><a href="http://www.christinechitnis.com/2010/01/its-raining-men.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Plush cloud mobile</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> - Top Right: </span><a href="http://www.purlbee.com/fabric-beach-balls/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fabric beach balls</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Middle Row Left: </span><a href="http://www.drawpilgrim.com/2011/10/star-wars-softie-pattern-cuddly-chewbacca/" style="background-color: white;">Cuddly chewbacca</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> - Middle Row Right: </span><a href="http://blog.betzwhite.com/2007/03/cashmere-bunny-tutorial.html?m=1" style="background-color: white;">Cashmere softie Easter bunnies</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bottom Row Left: </span><a href="http://myfantastictoys.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-first-post.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cupcake softie</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Bottom Row Right:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://chezbeeperbebe.blogspot.com/2010/02/tutorial-and-pattern-rainbow-sunshine.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sunshine plushie</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-45681556297037142942011-11-18T08:00:00.000-08:002011-11-18T08:00:06.968-08:00{Labor is not a Spectator's Sport, or How that Baby Came Whether we were Ready or Not.}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTjtj9y1dm9CDUxqARZtvaWfYgWafbhG8sxnOVQ_cUcqep7lRKPcg-d5nIagfw2Hd-EtqswPoqUv8pwcfRQ9aVWbx-eCfCJTDkd8hkqJMnxrPTEYWXf2fnXW6U5qruS3FEhQdgzrGQ5A/s1600/IMG_3940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTjtj9y1dm9CDUxqARZtvaWfYgWafbhG8sxnOVQ_cUcqep7lRKPcg-d5nIagfw2Hd-EtqswPoqUv8pwcfRQ9aVWbx-eCfCJTDkd8hkqJMnxrPTEYWXf2fnXW6U5qruS3FEhQdgzrGQ5A/s400/IMG_3940.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Howdy, Ballpoint+Pen Readers,<br />
<br />
I am Hubs, known outside the crafty-blog-o-sphere as Nicolai, Ali's husband.<br />
My lovely wife asked me to write a guest post for Ballpoint+Pen with<br />
my impressions of "Labor Day".<br />
<br />
Let me just tell you, for an expecting Papa expectations are about as<br />
good as packing peanuts are nutritional when it comes to the<br />
Child-Birthing process.<br />
<br />
First, let's talk Labor Education. I like many supportive<br />
daddies-to-be attended the mostly free pregnancy classes with my<br />
lovely wife. Depending on your disposition, these classes are either a<br />
great help by defining terms and procedures or a fire hose of<br />
information that will drowned a expectant daddy leaving him with a<br />
half glazed look accompanied with nods of agreement to whatever the<br />
expectant mama wants.</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/AVvXsEh72Rm9PGmEF1RJ8eOIQF9WmgDNRkQULOhJaRgWsX9-sVZG_FdkmBCMsoLAIUjKLiTWHg_DUTtUPLPkbO4UvJZxKWkrnWIxJ3bU-S59DZGkEQP4t2H8Y2A17go0ib_GXGRj9p3zqXoYq_Q/s1600/IMG_3899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72Rm9PGmEF1RJ8eOIQF9WmgDNRkQULOhJaRgWsX9-sVZG_FdkmBCMsoLAIUjKLiTWHg_DUTtUPLPkbO4UvJZxKWkrnWIxJ3bU-S59DZGkEQP4t2H8Y2A17go0ib_GXGRj9p3zqXoYq_Q/s400/IMG_3899.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I thought that the classes were helpful personally. If for no other<br />
reason to have some form of reference for later. When you are in the<br />
delivery room and someone says, "Pitocin" you at least can rest<br />
assured that word has to with some kind of drug. You are now in the<br />
right category for the conversation's context. You aren't as lost as<br />
you could be. Also, forceps…. kind of scary to think about, <a href="http://www.billcasselman.com/dictionary_of_medical_derivations/dmd_seven.htm">worse to look at.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.billcasselman.com/dictionary_of_medical_derivations/dmd_seven.htm" target="_blank"></a><br />
In all seriousness, its good to have a general understanding of whats<br />
going to on to at least be informed on what birth-plan you will be<br />
following. During Labor is no time to make decisions. Decide as much<br />
before hand, down to what snacks to bring into the delivery room and<br />
what drugs you are willing and not willing to allow them pump into<br />
your temporarily plump mate.</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/AVvXsEiJbgAVs-C6lHxUbsA9PTgO_EMYna-6aCqpk3A_y_lcrgPwSqMj3olcsJ-qyqtq5Y6nj58BAJoklrrK3Qx4HYXjH6pbQFgmC67N3c9HO0HosczyqdADwJTqjd6JCqcfdX-MCbLsDD_f2Ls/s1600/IMG_3926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbgAVs-C6lHxUbsA9PTgO_EMYna-6aCqpk3A_y_lcrgPwSqMj3olcsJ-qyqtq5Y6nj58BAJoklrrK3Qx4HYXjH6pbQFgmC67N3c9HO0HosczyqdADwJTqjd6JCqcfdX-MCbLsDD_f2Ls/s400/IMG_3926.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Second, do what works for the both of you. We learned all kind of<br />
bizarre techniques on pain management and whatnot. Visualization<br />
therapy was the fun one. We closed our eyes and were supposed to think<br />
of a happy place for our minds to go. By the end of this exercise we<br />
were having our astronaut butler vacuum for land-mines in the living<br />
room because sweeping is inefficient. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8p9FF6UQXNqXewBfInm6dfNU4dBWji24yI8tWuw9t0spSysQqs93v0FX1obfpbh0nohTBk4pxUFFAgSeiiL0A7cIQg4aSL8Q5Kb64Gh-UPbrMl0noy2VZ_NLgiLOXtX6y0ooEXOjyJw/s1600/low_ICBL-Vacuum-Cleaner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8p9FF6UQXNqXewBfInm6dfNU4dBWji24yI8tWuw9t0spSysQqs93v0FX1obfpbh0nohTBk4pxUFFAgSeiiL0A7cIQg4aSL8Q5Kb64Gh-UPbrMl0noy2VZ_NLgiLOXtX6y0ooEXOjyJw/s400/low_ICBL-Vacuum-Cleaner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://designmagazine.co/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/low_ICBL-Vacuum-Cleaner.jpg" target="_blank"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">My imagination went a little too far, but we laughed a lot, and<br />
that is what were thought would be our outlet: laughter. I would make<br />
her laugh and we we could get through any contraction. That didn't<br />
really happen.<br />
<br />
Third, reality is not stranger than fiction, it's just way more<br />
intense. I knew Labor would be painful for my Ali Lou, but I don't<br />
think I was really prepared for how difficult it would be to see her<br />
in pain. It was emotionally tiring to be that on edge for so long. She<br />
was an amazing trooper and labored at home for about 12 hours before<br />
we even called the hospital. I think the main thing that kept her<br />
laboring at home for so long was sheer embarrassment. She didn't want<br />
to be sent home for coming too soon. By 8:30am we went to Hospital and<br />
she was already 4cm dilated. This is really what encouraged her to<br />
really try and go completely natural. We made it this far, let's just<br />
go all the way. In the end, it's taking each contraction at a time.<br />
Work through that one, don't think about the next one. I kept telling<br />
her that each contraction was the last one and everyone thought she<br />
would punch me in the face, but she didn't.<br />
<br />
Last little tidbit, when it comes time to push, let the professionals<br />
do their job. My wife was amazing. She was the one that informed the<br />
midwives it was time to push. Once they realized she was not kidding,<br />
a whole army of battle ready nurses and midwives entered the room,<br />
taking their battle positions. I felt a little under prepared in my<br />
shorts and t-shirt. I just kind of got out their way. For all you<br />
daddies to be who think you want to watch the baby head out of there,<br />
you don't. You very really don't want want any of that. Your wife<br />
needs you to hold her hand encourage her, not to make ghastly faces at<br />
her when she is trying to work that baby out. This was the only time i<br />
cried through the process. Seeing my lovely wife in such pain was not<br />
easy, but seeing that little one be lifted up was an amazing reward.<br />
Our little one's cord was too short, so it was more of a, "here you<br />
go, she can lay on your stomach for a couple minutes." Oh, and side<br />
note, the Placenta is every nightmare rolled up and covered in blood.<br />
Don't look at it, you will either turn to stone or puke. Both are bad.<br />
<br />
And here's your most amazing part men, cutting the cord. Only after<br />
your blessing and snippy actions do we actually get to move on with<br />
our lives. It's really our only important job through the whole thing.<br />
Theoretically, you hold all the power. Men, we are blessed. We have<br />
the easiest job getting that pregnancy started and the easiest job<br />
finishing it up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48Wc7XcQHWVlgPpmzFTOudCD_N7tiaeXDpLLCc6DJ8X-adywa1o1W3fdC9HnjrRxLj1BcG_eDnOH5H0DWsRrq39ieCuMYsSbnbj5y5qVtM7So6COUQf1UYQmiNSyK0WQlTtkJrGReFVs/s1600/IMG_3902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48Wc7XcQHWVlgPpmzFTOudCD_N7tiaeXDpLLCc6DJ8X-adywa1o1W3fdC9HnjrRxLj1BcG_eDnOH5H0DWsRrq39ieCuMYsSbnbj5y5qVtM7So6COUQf1UYQmiNSyK0WQlTtkJrGReFVs/s400/IMG_3902.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
To wrap up this really long-winded post, I thank the Lord for a<br />
complication free labor and delivery and for the wonderful gift my<br />
little Hannah Lou is. I Love my little family. </div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-65003603782107855642011-11-17T08:16:00.000-08:002011-11-17T11:41:03.826-08:00{my mom...the grandma!}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRb8tGpxaeK3iE9YOT5MVAIWeb2pWFwDYRPy_kw3L6h2hKKlLPk0X502kOY7FYt3nvIJu3UWIxZc3j9LPiId5nObdtWFlCBCmfb9-pHH_5aNVLISb-XNfKELYkqNMp2NGvEZeGOmGQ-o/s1600/Donna+and+Grandma+ADJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRb8tGpxaeK3iE9YOT5MVAIWeb2pWFwDYRPy_kw3L6h2hKKlLPk0X502kOY7FYt3nvIJu3UWIxZc3j9LPiId5nObdtWFlCBCmfb9-pHH_5aNVLISb-XNfKELYkqNMp2NGvEZeGOmGQ-o/s400/Donna+and+Grandma+ADJ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{my Mom with her Grandma in 1971</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hey everyone, meet my Mom! </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What it means to be a grandmother….</span><br />
<br />
Growing up my grandmother was the most influential person in my young life. She always had time for me. She took me to church, the park, her doctor’s appointments and her hair appointments with her. She taught me to bake cookies, make ice cream and grow things. She sewed clothes for every doll I ever owned and even made my Betty Bride doll her own bra (how cool is that for a grandma to do)! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Each summer, even when my grandfather couldn’t get time off from his job as a firefighter, she loaded my brother and I into the car and hauled us up into the Sierra mountains to their little cabin all by herself. It wasn’t fancy, we didn’t take any expensive toys and the TV didn’t always work, but oh what fun we had up there. As we prepared meals during the day we kept the scraps in a metal bowl for the deer. In the evening, we pulled up our patio chairs to watch the sun set and the deer come out to see what we’d saved for them to eat that day. The next morning we headed to the pond with Wonder Bread torn in little bits to feed the fish. Life was simple but good!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
But as awesome as all those wonderful times were, I think my favorite memory is of my grandmother, after saying our prayers…(Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep…..) and tucking us in, sitting on the edge of her own bed and reading her Bible. Night after night she was there when I went to bed and there when I got up late at night to tip toe down the hall to the bathroom, her Bible and her Daily Bread devotional in hand. I have that old Bible, underlined and well worn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
And now, 60 years later, I will pray for my own precious granddaughter. I will take her to the mountains and to the lake to feed the fish. I will make doll clothes and crochet little hats for her. We will plant flowers and play in the creek and I will love her and cherish every moment I have with her. And, I will thank my daughter every day for giving me the incredible gift of being a grandmother!</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-1041027175821456222011-11-16T08:00:00.000-08:002011-11-16T08:00:09.191-08:00Gemma of Sweet Life<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chicken Pot Pies (yes multiple pies!)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidafHHgDyAgtjg46LCrEPX_2mX8T50pqk98aW_1GqS4tUsmEBRbo1v5nFHeLesmYS2u9WnJ3_uVdtD-TPrmi4y6VfoQRSioKNAleur8TtmFf6Uu9hWG2J1Zk5pcImeqgNUYjM0mPhZZ44/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidafHHgDyAgtjg46LCrEPX_2mX8T50pqk98aW_1GqS4tUsmEBRbo1v5nFHeLesmYS2u9WnJ3_uVdtD-TPrmi4y6VfoQRSioKNAleur8TtmFf6Uu9hWG2J1Zk5pcImeqgNUYjM0mPhZZ44/s400/017.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Well hello there everyone! I’m Gemma from Sweet Life where I share all my favorite recipes and the occasional picture of my baby (you know, because I think he’s pretty fabulously cute). I’m so excited to be posting on Ali’s blog while she’s enjoying all those new baby cuddles (sigh). <br />
<br />
So Ali, I hope you are enjoying the heck out of it, even though it’s hard and downright exhausting. And eating, DON’T FORGET TO EAT!<br />
<br />
Which brings me to the subject of this post. When I had Lucas, I was really bad about taking care of myself those first few months. Showers were few and far between (shaving my legs, forget about it, thank God it was winter) and despite my excitement to jump back into the kitchen without getting nauseous, it didn’t happen for a while. I spent a lot of time eating microwaveable cheeseburgers and burritos my mother-in-law brought me from Costco. For the record, I owe her my life since I would have otherwise starved. <br />
<br />
If I had been smart about it, I would have stocked my freezer with meals in advance. Having something you can simply pop in the oven is a godsend when you have a wee one in the house (and most likely in your arms just about every second of every day). These pot pies are fabulous, you can cook them straight from the freezer, they don’t require you to chop and peel an obscene amount of vegetables or even cook your own chicken, and the recipe is well worth the effort considering the number of meals you get out of it.<br />
<br />
And did I mention they’re just about the most delicious thing in the universe? Because, they are. <br />
<br />
Chicken Pot Pies<br />
adapted from Annie's Eats<br />
makes 6-8 individual pies<br />
For the Filling:<br />
3 Tbs. unsalted butter<br />
1 medium yellow onion chopped<br />
1 large russet potato, peeled and diced<br />
3 cloves garlic, minced<br />
8 oz. sliced button mushrooms<br />
½ tsp. red pepper flakes<br />
Salt and freshly gournd black pepper<br />
1 purchased rotisserie chicken<br />
2 cups frozen peas and carrots<br />
<br />
For the Sauce:<br />
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter<br />
1 cup all-purpose flour<br />
2 ½ cups chicken broth<br />
½ cup heavy cream<br />
Dash of hot sauce<br />
Salt and freshly ground pepper<br />
<br />
For the Crust:<br />
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled<br />
3 cups all-purpose flour<br />
10 oz. cream cheese, chilled<br />
1 tsp. salt<br />
¼ tsp. white pepper<br />
1 large egg<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
To make the filling, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and potato to the pan, and sauté for about 5 minutes. Mix in the garlic, and cook for about 15 minutes more, until the potatoes are tender. While the vegetables are cooking, remove the skin from the chicken, pull the meat off the bones and shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Once the vegetables are finished cooking, turn off the heat and mix in the frozen peas and carrots. Stir in the red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper to taste.<br />
To make the sauce, melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the chicken broth and cook over medium heat until it thickens to the consistency of a cream soup. Mix in the cream and hot sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Off the heat, add the chicken and the vegetable mixture to the pot and stir until well combined. Spoon the mixture into 6-8 individual oven-safe dishes (such as ramekins).<br />
Preheat the oven to 375°. To make the crust, cut the butter into 16 pieces. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, pulse the butter and flour until crumbly. Add the cream cheese, salt and pepper. Continue pulsing just until the dough forms a ball (Note: if you don’t have a food processor, a pastry cutter will work just fine, you’ll just need to put some elbow grease into it). <br />
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut out dough rounds to be about 1½ inches larger than the diameter of your pot pie dishes. Lay the dough rounds on top of the individual dishes. Beat the egg with a whisk, and brush the tops of the dough rounds lightly with the beaten egg. (At this point, freeze whichever ones you don’t plan on eating right away. To heat from frozen bake at 400° for 50-60 minutes)<br />
Place the pot pie dishes on a baking sheet for easy transfer in and out of the oven. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-5209263738818147352011-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:002011-11-15T08:00:04.180-08:00Morgan of Mama loves PapaHi everyone! I'm Morgan. I'm a wife and mom to four precious kids- three boys who are are 7, 5, and 3 and a baby girl who will be 2 in December. I blog at <a href="http://www.mamalovespapa.com/">Mama Loves Papa</a> where I share about my faith, my family, my love of thrifting, fashion (kids fashion, included!), and making life more beautiful. Thank you so much to Ali for having me here! I have been a reader of Ballpoint+Pen for quite some time now and I love it so much. I can't wait to see lots of pictures of sweet little Hannah. Congratulations, Ali! In honor of the birth of Hannah, I thought it would be fun to share a few things I love about being a mom to a girl. I absolutely love my boys, but after three boys having a daughter is still such a novelty. <br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamalovespapa/6171444324/" title="Finley in her Minor Edition dress by thefairchilds7, on Flickr"><img alt="Finley in her Minor Edition dress" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6171444324_7a095e61b9.jpg" width="500" /></a></center> I love... -Having a real, live baby doll. I love shopping for Finley and then putting together the perfect outfit, complete with tights, ruffle shoes, and a hair bow or a headband. -Seeing her natural femininity. My daughter loves to play outside in the dirt with her brothers, but she also loves to mother her baby dolls, carry around a purse, and wear dresses. She's sweet and neat and gentle (and a little bit sassy). -Sharing with her things that I loved as a little girl. When I was pregnant with my third son I bought the two older boys a Cabbage Patch doll. To put it lightly, they weren't fans. I'm hoping Finley is more excited about the things that I loved as a little girl than my boys are. -Making girl stuff. I learned to sew right before Finley was born, so that I could sew all kinds of pretty outfits and dresses. While my sewing skills aren't really where I'd love them to be someday I've made her a few simple dresses, lots of hair things, a doll, bunting for her room, and other fun girly, girl things. -Thinking of the future. I can't wait for our mother/daughter shopping trips, tea parties, and mani/pedis. Of course, I'm her mom first, but I always tell Finley that she's my very best girlfriend (and, she is!). <center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamalovespapa/6006099773/" title="small style by thefairchilds7, on Flickr"><img alt="small style" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/6006099773_11292bb7f9.jpg" width="500" /></a></center> Thanks again for having me here! I'd love to have you come <a href="http://www.mamalovespapa.com/">visit me</a>!Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-32219874059478514362011-11-14T08:00:00.000-08:002011-11-14T08:00:08.084-08:00{motherhood+the learning curve}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxkRvQzHJJulHqURRCL5l68aGYHKUN6j0b56Go7UZWcY2VeoMCpAVnVgy1TTblKbyoNoyhhDIkaDfoO24cFHrg1dQWmRbPD_NO0YzKDSvq-8kWF0c-ev1hYY2L8QHB-7NPzaTbPFR4xc/s1600/IMG_3935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxkRvQzHJJulHqURRCL5l68aGYHKUN6j0b56Go7UZWcY2VeoMCpAVnVgy1TTblKbyoNoyhhDIkaDfoO24cFHrg1dQWmRbPD_NO0YzKDSvq-8kWF0c-ev1hYY2L8QHB-7NPzaTbPFR4xc/s400/IMG_3935.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So far this wonderful thing they call motherhood is taking a toll on my body like nothing I have ever done :) Sacrifice is a huge part of parenting, and I am learning that first hand :) We are having so much fun with our little Hannah Lou! She brings us so much joy that it is easy to forget about the sleepless nights, blistered nips, and the raisinette I now know as my belly. It amazes me how we are created to do this, and how intuition kicks in. I feel like I just know what to do. I have learned a few things so far though...</div><br />
-breast milk is like a magical serum...I dab it on Hannah's face when she scratches herself and it heals up so fast! I'd be lying if I said I hadn't put it on my our face when I got a little zit! It worked!<br />
<br />
-once you get past the ouch-y stage, breastfeeding is the best thing ever! I have already lost half of my weight gain and the bonding it allows with your child is so sweet. Hannah loves to nurse and we call her the piranha because when I try to break her latch she tightens up her lips and locks it down! Its pretty hilarious. <br />
<br />
-going through pregnancy and labor will strengthen your marriage and teach you so much about each other! Hubs and I are even closer than we were before and we were pretty close to begin with. Everyone talks about bonding with your child but the bonding my husband and I have experienced with one another has been just as sweet.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for all your sweet comments and support! I'm so excited to share more about our adventures. Keep an eye out for some really fun upcoming posts! I'm currently working on our birth story, some more fun guest posts including my Mom and Hubs, as well as some fun diy projects!</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-88908412460690650062011-11-13T15:02:00.000-08:002011-11-13T15:02:28.811-08:00{Hannah's first outing}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIbPBFkvMScaZt_vLrIwuIaDxQRCeo6PFuJXsNiGxuvBS5v3yrPO8_lpLa27KOGvEH23A25_pRwYmQZd5Vax_NrdhT5VR1cpG5AgYG5boQaPKzY76e7K55L21-TuNAd8oehLgCAzGrKE/s1600/IMG_3958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIbPBFkvMScaZt_vLrIwuIaDxQRCeo6PFuJXsNiGxuvBS5v3yrPO8_lpLa27KOGvEH23A25_pRwYmQZd5Vax_NrdhT5VR1cpG5AgYG5boQaPKzY76e7K55L21-TuNAd8oehLgCAzGrKE/s400/IMG_3958.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{this was actually when she was 2 weeks, now she is almost 4 weeks!! Where has the time gone!?}</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-67077566742801131432011-11-13T08:00:00.000-08:002011-11-13T08:00:03.760-08:00{Autumn of Playing House Full Time}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0RoEiqLTNTweVSYj4Pwr_XIvMkojHOurgxKfGs2RcXeUgCRPiGA6zwIvIUNQvvfrCtBqjFMqy_YaCHhPn4xpX4Mai-IrZq8DEWjhr0eXztpSQJbTU8FQ4vPCsEdSF2ifWF3XsNbE3_c/s1600/IMG_5264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0RoEiqLTNTweVSYj4Pwr_XIvMkojHOurgxKfGs2RcXeUgCRPiGA6zwIvIUNQvvfrCtBqjFMqy_YaCHhPn4xpX4Mai-IrZq8DEWjhr0eXztpSQJbTU8FQ4vPCsEdSF2ifWF3XsNbE3_c/s400/IMG_5264.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so excited that Ali and her sweet hubs are busy welcoming little Hannah into our big and budding world! Babies are the be all end of all of excitement, life changing and shaking it up! I can't wait to read about her adventures of being a new Mama and getting to know her little lady. <br />
<br />
I am Autumn and I blog over at Playing House- Full Time. I have a little girl myself that is on the edge of two and a complete and total joy! We are having so much fun starting to really delve into toddlerhood and all the changes and growth that come along with it. Something new that we are into is cooking together. Some times it works well and other times it is a huge mess but it is nearly always a blast! <br />
<br />
This is a fancy dessert I made for my book club awhile back and it is too easy not to share! And Nolie girl loved getting in on the whipped cream action towards the end. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mini Chocolate Mousse Pie with Fresh Blackberry Whipped Cream</span></b><br />
<br />
Start with homemade pie dough<br />
<br />
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1/2 cup butter, chilled and diced<br />
1/4 cup ice<br />
<br />
1. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water, a tablespoon at a time, until mixture forms a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.<br />
2. Roll dough out to fit a 9 inch pie plate. Place crust in pie plate. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and sides of the pie plate.<br />
<br />
Then cut out small circles, I just used a large mug, in your rolled out dough. Push each small circle into a muffin tin and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. <br />
<br />
<b>Filling</b><br />
<br />
One package chocolate pudding<br />
Whole milk<br />
One cup heavy whipping cream<br />
<br />
While your mini pie crusts cool prepare (box) pudding but with half the amount of milk it calls for. Pop this in the fridge and pull out your whipping cream. Whip one cup of whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipping cream into pudding and let sit in the fridge for 10 minutes. Then spoon it into your cooled pie crusts. <br />
<br />
<b>Topping</b><br />
One cup heavy whipping cream<br />
One pint fresh blackberries (could use any fresh berry!)<br />
<br />
Whip your cream and when it begins to stiffen drop in berries one by one. It should turn your cream a light purple and begin to incorporate as the berries break down. <br />
Dollop the whipped cream on top of the mini pies and enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEhLVCFyUK-owr3bXVXtZUrTmGZ1gF48BQjPgaQE3ixTqb-05mrWWOGdeCk7iEa2IekGYZzsqfLfEsaAbawHwUl0qVccP_HObQuIZTSicw_2BR4OXH1WqzhLQgth1SFc-nPNraD5pDlAKdY/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVCFyUK-owr3bXVXtZUrTmGZ1gF48BQjPgaQE3ixTqb-05mrWWOGdeCk7iEa2IekGYZzsqfLfEsaAbawHwUl0qVccP_HObQuIZTSicw_2BR4OXH1WqzhLQgth1SFc-nPNraD5pDlAKdY/s400/IMG_5259.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cheers!</b></span></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-67497542515662267782011-11-11T08:00:00.000-08:002011-11-11T08:00:04.558-08:00{Amy of Delightful Distractions}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvciH-__jshfzlMx1TgcNwo5A55CAj8fzrSOXKbnmmDTHNaUlUqiwQQ8Cs6b73iIk1lgRMfhlqYNY5Q1ICSX-VV5baR_w7k__Mul7PAcebCVrsX1J2f1S5GN5DEyJMDEtzL2hITTA9Eah/s1600/baby+book+collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvciH-__jshfzlMx1TgcNwo5A55CAj8fzrSOXKbnmmDTHNaUlUqiwQQ8Cs6b73iIk1lgRMfhlqYNY5Q1ICSX-VV5baR_w7k__Mul7PAcebCVrsX1J2f1S5GN5DEyJMDEtzL2hITTA9Eah/s1600/baby+book+collage+3.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Each time that I found out that I was expecting a new little bambino, one of the items that would automatically get added to the "need to buy before baby comes" list was a baby book!<br />
<br />
I don't know how other women are about selecting their baby books, but I was kinda picky. I remember going through Barnes and Nobles book shelf, pulling out every baby journal or record book desperately searching for the perfect one. I usually walked away kinda bummed and frustrated.<br />
<br />
After something like this occurred several times, while I was pregnant with my first, Alice, my mom offered an idea. She had come across a vintage baby book at an antique store and offered it to me. I was kinda skeptical at first... I didn't know if I wanted a "used" baby book. But when I realized it was in perfect condition, no writing in it, and FULL OF GORGEOUS PICTURES from the 1950s, I was sold.<br />
<br />
For my next little girl, Elsie, I found an Eloise Wilkin's baby book. You know the illustrator of all those chubby legged, dimple-cheeked little babies and kids often in Golden Books? Well, she's one of my favorite illustrators... so that was a done deal. That and the fact that the cover was turquoise...perfect!<br />
<br />
For my third baby girl, Sadie, I had bought two other baby books and returned them, before my mom came to the rescue once again with another vintage baby book. It was very similar to Alice's and I loved it.<br />
<br />
When it came to baby number 4, who was a boy, I knew exactly which baby book to get. You see, I'd been searching the web and book stores for 6+ years now! In my searches, I had come across a sweet little vintage inspired baby book that was precious! ...it was filled with simple, adorable graphics and vintage styled fonts... but it was yellow, green, brown, and a bit of turquoise. Just not girly enough for those three other dolls of mine :) But it was perfect for my boy!!<br />
<br />
So if you're a mama expecting a baby and you're kinda picky... I've got three suggestions for you:<br />
1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Baby-Book-Keepsake-Journal/dp/B00196WFMK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1317933258&sr=8-4">Hello Baby! A Keepsake Journal for Baby's First Year </a><br />
2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eloise-Wilkin-Journal-Golden-Books/dp/0375832009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317933425&sr=1-1">The Eloise Wilkin Baby Journal by Golden Books</a><br />
3. or GO VINTAGE! ... either hit your local antique mall or go online to Ebay or Etsy. You can find them pretty reasonably priced: $12-$20<br />
<br />
Happy hunting and blessings to you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80fw7wy9wiM6U3Q3Cu4F6_Nrbiltg4BCOFS06lL2gi2l59IRkU2L50M3rZedoc-yeX6GK_LJ25R97vu71urphinxA1QqMp5mhKInOoSsIPtmJOiVr7khTmW0Ek216W2b_AJVlk1uotIqk/s1600/amy-j-signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80fw7wy9wiM6U3Q3Cu4F6_Nrbiltg4BCOFS06lL2gi2l59IRkU2L50M3rZedoc-yeX6GK_LJ25R97vu71urphinxA1QqMp5mhKInOoSsIPtmJOiVr7khTmW0Ek216W2b_AJVlk1uotIqk/s1600/amy-j-signature.jpg" /></a></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-913893549158824912011-11-07T08:00:00.000-08:002011-11-07T08:00:03.647-08:00Mandy of She Breathes Deeply<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUQpLu4SWXjLGWDKUTSIlT_zbubDgKZp6ycqCI4meN7FF6S_hJGGP_-OvGGu9gAmznmvpRZ86VjFIQ05JnfHb5yMjjEihwZoZTHPE6dbMZQnaGab5UTVIEB41XNepMeJYojKJURc7gLw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUQpLu4SWXjLGWDKUTSIlT_zbubDgKZp6ycqCI4meN7FF6S_hJGGP_-OvGGu9gAmznmvpRZ86VjFIQ05JnfHb5yMjjEihwZoZTHPE6dbMZQnaGab5UTVIEB41XNepMeJYojKJURc7gLw/s400/blog1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Hello Ballpoint + Pen readers! My name is Mandy, and I run a blog called "She Breathes Deeply." I was so honored to be asked to be here with you sweet readers today. Ali is such an amazing blogger, a creative genius, and let's be honest... Ali is the cutest Mama around. I am so excited for Ali, her husband, and their sweet little bundle of cuteness! <br />
<br />
Before I get started, allow me to tell you a little about myself. I am a tattoo wearing, tea drinking, fashion loving, christian yoga practicing, wife to a wonderful man named Kyle, and mama to my favorite little girl, Lily. <br />
<br />
Lily is almost 7 months old now, so I am fairly new to this whole "mama-hood" thing. But, at the same time, everything is still fresh in my mind on becoming a new mom. While I am still forever navigating the ropes on parenting, below are some things I wish some one had filled me in on when I first had Lily.<br />
<br />
1.) Give yourself a break.<br />
<br />
Having a baby is hands down one of the most MONUMENTAL experiences of your life. Yes, your body needs to heal and rest afterwards... but you need to rest emotionally as well. For goodness sakes, you just grew a human being for 9 months, and then in one big crescendo- you pushed that human being out of your body. Yeah, it is a little emotional to say the least. <br />
<br />
The first few weeks (months, maybe?) after I had Lily I felt like my emotions and hormones were all out of whack. Goodness gracious, I cried over everything- including spilled milk (ESPECIALLY if the spilled milk was spilled breast milk). So, all this to be said... expect yourself to take time to recuperate after such a feat as being pregnant and giving birth! You have earned a good cry or two (or twenty-five.)<br />
<br />
2.) Allow others to help you.<br />
<br />
If someone wants to bring dinner, let them! Stay off your feet, cuddling that sweet baby of yours as much as possible.<br />
<br />
3.) Take pictures of everything.<br />
<br />
I cannot say this enough... The itsy bitsy stage of baby-hood FLIES by. Record it in every way you can, as much as possible.<br />
<br />
4.) Thou shall not compare.<br />
<br />
It is so hard, but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not compare yourself to other mother's around you (or in the blogging world). If they appear like the "perfect" mother, they most likely are lying. Okay... that is a little harsh... But I promise you- every mother around you is learning as they go. You are the perfect mother to YOUR baby. No one else could do your job. Yeah, you will make mistakes- you can expect that. But, remember- there is only ONE you for your little bundle of cuteness.<br />
<br />
5.) Be kind to your body.<br />
<br />
I think all new mom's think this, and I am as guilty as any of them, but for some reason we all think once the baby has popped out- we will be right back in our skinny jeans. And... for a few of you that may be true, but the majority of us- it is going to take some time! I am very health conscious, and exercise motivated- but seven months after having a baby, my body is still hanging on to those last 11 pounds of baby weight. Having a very active little one, it is very complicated trying to find time to work out. But, once again, I am learning to give myself a break and be PROUD of my body for making and delivering a baby. <br />
<br />
7.) Realize your heart will never be the same.<br />
<br />
This may be the biggest point I can make. This may not happen the moment you pop that baby out, but be prepared for your heart to jump right out of your body, and never return. When Lily was born, everything in my heart and life turned upside down. I never realized I could love a little human as much as I love her. Becoming her mama has been the best and hardest thing I have ever done. Sometimes I think my heart will explode with joy when she grins at me... or when she falls asleep on my chest... or when she reaches for me to hold her. My heart will never be the same.<br />
<br />
<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Congratulations again to Ali! Come by and say hello at www.shebreathesdeeply.com .</div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266464834561066740.post-84335437406839328192011-11-06T08:00:00.000-08:002011-11-06T08:00:00.823-08:00Alyssa of The Freckled Fawn<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hi, I'm Alyssa of <a href="http://www.thefreckledfawn.blogspot.com/">The Freckled Fawn</a>. I couldn't be happier to entertain you guys for Ali as she welcomes her sweet baby girl into this world! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I've been thinking a lot the last few days about what I would write about, what was pressing on my heart string enough to share with you guys. Ali gave me the freedom to talk about whatever I wanted to...but in honor of the present events (welcome baby Hannah!) and because it is really what my life is all about, I wanted to talk about </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDDZlsmKiVPWFTgkb2gHVi_xfaeDyWYLZ76o78bNzwBBaBR4efR4tPp3AotXJP5F9nxrU9kjzvNlydLTNZtnQYuYyv6jCR6oayeeI5EW3TRWKO_wNuY0Ct_T-IyCLAYEV3BDlsudH34I/s1600/40+weeks+pregnant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDDZlsmKiVPWFTgkb2gHVi_xfaeDyWYLZ76o78bNzwBBaBR4efR4tPp3AotXJP5F9nxrU9kjzvNlydLTNZtnQYuYyv6jCR6oayeeI5EW3TRWKO_wNuY0Ct_T-IyCLAYEV3BDlsudH34I/s640/40+weeks+pregnant.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">motherhood</span>.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Our baby boy joined us in September of '09 and our world changed forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So many people tell you that you will never be the same, you nod and say that you understand but you don't, at least not fully.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I knew I loved my baby,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I just didn't know how much and how completely I would or could love that tiny little human.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I knew it would be hard and challenging,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I just didn't know how truly hard it would be, how many tears would be shed when the baby is screaming, your tired and don't know what to do anymore</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I know it would change my life forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't know how much of an overhaul that really was or how willing I would be to just let it happen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I knew that a child was something my husband and I wanted,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">but I didn't know how much it would change us, for the better, and actually bring us that much closer together.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Motherhood</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think anyone or anything can prepare you for its beauty </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">or for its not so pretty times.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Its hard.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Its dirty work</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It will make you cry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It will break you down.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">but...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">God has blessed me, beyond comprehension, by allowing me to care for and raise one of his little miracles. Its my job to dedicate myself to that, to my son, because that's the choice I made when my son was given to me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Being a mom is a privilege and responsibility.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Its not to be taken lightly, its something you dive into with both feet and give <i>everything</i> you have...and then some. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxplkQsDE1zSTLdCLN6FcBAqzo1Y3PBuX5hUDJ58y0BiREr_0Jlr72RVPvqS2-J-4As-3CSMmVq1GFUhKtvhYIN8X8YUd-8O7ZMQ4CLNxTciFBTARTAGj_cqIAmYcA3QiNtFUO4T2bt3s/s1600/jaden+and+mama+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxplkQsDE1zSTLdCLN6FcBAqzo1Y3PBuX5hUDJ58y0BiREr_0Jlr72RVPvqS2-J-4As-3CSMmVq1GFUhKtvhYIN8X8YUd-8O7ZMQ4CLNxTciFBTARTAGj_cqIAmYcA3QiNtFUO4T2bt3s/s640/jaden+and+mama+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My baby is Gods gift to me and raising him well is my gift to God.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Motherhood is a beautiful, messy thing...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and, as a woman, it is the greatest thing I will ever do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908876566993333747noreply@blogger.com1