tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90948251466815074842024-03-14T01:04:22.072-07:00Whoopsie DaisyWhoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-21150496103568760412014-01-02T05:14:00.001-08:002014-01-02T05:33:55.563-08:00Making the Most of the Worst Day Ever <p>I’ve been focusing on fitness a lot in the last month. I didn’t even purpose it around “resolutions” because I typically don’t make them. I have been feeling…less than satisfied about my appearance of late and had mentioned to my husband that I’d like to find a way to squeeze a gym membership into our budget. The next day, a flyer advertising a one-day-deal for a $10/month membership to a [small] local gym appeared in our mailbox. Fabulous. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DrUQLMCAgy8/UsVmNO4V4BI/AAAAAAAADfo/IV-fq_-bqiI/s1600-h/photo%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w7_3F_6N9xc/UsVmODaa0gI/AAAAAAAADfw/197JUSZ3XjU/photo_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a></p> <p>Today marks the one-year anniversary of the day I might consider to be the <a href="http://whoopsiedaisy.blogspot.com/2013/06/hattie-elizabeth.html">worst day of my life</a>. It was the day I discovered, all too tangibly, that the possibility of losing one of my children was an actual possibility. Today was the day I had the appointment where they did every test possible to find a heartbeat and none was found. <br /> <br /></p> <p>Yesterday, I was…well, crabby would be the tame way of describing me yesterday. I go to a bad place when I’m trying not to cry and my family takes the brunt. I was not “fun mom” yesterday, I was edgy, unhappy, maybe-you-should-steer-clear mom. Thankfully, Daddy filled in for me and played on the floor, coached Sophia in the middle of her emotional disasters and made the morning a good one for them. <br /> <br /></p> <p>And then I went to the gym. Let me be clear. I did NOT want to go – I wanted to lay in bed and cry, but I trudged on.  And while it didn’t completely cure my attitude, it made me much more bearable to be around and gave me some energy to pour a little love into my girls. <br /> <br /></p> <p>So, I’ve decided that I want to make the most of what I remember to be the worst day of my life. I want to take that sad energy and put it somewhere useful.  I have ten pounds hanging on my body from the pregnancies that held my two lost babies. Those pounds aren’t the worst thing in the world and my size is just fine, but I am more out of shape than I ever have been in my entire life and I plan to do something about it. <br /> <br /></p> <p>My GOAL, not resolution, is to shed them before we begin to think about another baby. I’ve tried a lot, but in this case, I’m going to set this as my focus and goal for the next two months. <br /> <br />So. I’ve got my cheap gym and I’m taking advantage of a groupon I bought for a local <a href="www.sparrowmn.com">studio</a> with yoga and barre to get a bit toned.  They also have a first-week-free deal that I’m taking full advantage of this week, meaning that by next Thursday, my leg muscles will melt into a pool of jello, but at least I’ll be toned, right?  <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cor34X05_7Y/UsVmOi86xCI/AAAAAAAADf4/B4_-8gWFSZM/s1600-h/photo%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 1" border="0" alt="photo 1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AJmxR-qKjqI/UsVmPg6BA5I/AAAAAAAADgA/Hude82j956w/photo%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lLB-P60fVp4/UsVmQ7D_dPI/AAAAAAAADgI/E3XtcMb6d8k/s1600-h/photo%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 2" border="0" alt="photo 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VacFE3Sbr2w/UsVmR0LsKFI/AAAAAAAADgQ/ZHBvyF2JzFU/photo%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a></p> <p> <br />I think it’s manageable, but even if it’s not, at least I’ll gain the mental health benefits in the meantime. And, whenever I feel so sad about all that we’ve lost, I’ll get to the gym, work hard and get myself in a better mood. That way I can go home and remember why I need to be in a good mood –for we’ve been blessed with a lot and they deserve a mama with a good attitude. <br /> <br /></p> <p>I’ll let you know when I get there.</p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-48739362692220686982013-12-24T05:29:00.000-08:002014-01-02T05:30:35.026-08:00Mom Confessions: I hate Christmas cookies<br />Okay, that’s not true. I LOVE to eat Christmas cookies. I HATE baking them. And that’s not really even true. I just don’t fully enjoy baking Christmas cookies with my girlies. And, cue the guilt trip for saying it out loud! <br /> <br />Baking is one of my favorite things. I love thinking of a reason to bake something and creating a celebration around it. “Hey, I made a chocolate tart. Why? To celebrate Tuesday, of course!” I especially love baking for other people. We don’t keep a lot of treats around here, so I don’t usually bake unless I came craft a really good reason, and when I do, I like to go ALL out!<br />
<br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F0u1rkfRYXI/UsVphFi4ZLI/AAAAAAAADgc/6KOcnUaSa_Y/s1600-h/image10%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="image10" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZobjdHeIpBI/UsVpice__2I/AAAAAAAADgk/VA_0nRCD3D4/image10_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image10" width="400" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B5r6QE-hzz0/UsVpjlzr9oI/AAAAAAAADgs/hbwuorpyK_4/s1600-h/photo%2525202%25255B5%25255D.png"> <br /><img alt="photo 2" border="0" height="436" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GpuhCyR3eM4/UsVpklANNmI/AAAAAAAADg0/3eQGzKlj6_I/photo%2525202_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo 2" width="400" /> <br /><img alt="photo8" border="0" height="358" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SZ13TQOyJxY/UsVpllL1NAI/AAAAAAAADg8/tSd5aVaD1NU/photo8_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo8" width="400" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qcn5sPCwqHY/UsVpm04FahI/AAAAAAAADhE/gd7alRjvsR8/s1600-h/photo%2525201%25255B5%25255D.png"><img alt="photo 1" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--LUbmJOpTJU/UsVpoIb3ufI/AAAAAAAADhM/zuHqfWx4jS4/photo%2525201_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo 1" width="400" /></a> <br />And then there’s Christmas baking. The tradition in my home, my husband’s home and many American homes is to bake as many types of cookies as you can, store them up so you have a variety to offer to Santa and then what? Eat them ALL?? The kind I treasure the most are spritz cookies (tastes yummy, super easy) but I don’t have the cookie press, so we pass on those. I make, and enjoy modifying my grandmother’s fudge, and then we make cut-outs. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ST6fJEwROU0/UsVppM6Y5lI/AAAAAAAADhU/8e2RULofg5o/s1600-h/photo74.jpg"><img alt="photo7" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HpL-Kpv5hkU/UsVpqZbKqWI/AAAAAAAADhc/4q6GfC7GZ0g/photo7_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo7" width="400" /></a> <br /> <br />Let me explain. Baking is relaxing to me. I enjoy creating something from scratch, making it not only tasty, but also beautiful and presenting it in a lovely way. <br /> <br />You know who likes to make cut-out cookies? Children. Messy, adorable children who haven’t a care in the world about what happens to all the flour on the ground when the activity is over. Children find it so joyful to use those perfect cutters and turn a flat slab of cookie dough into a Christmas tree, a magical snowman, a tasty candy cane. <br />
<br /> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rj_42UcCXwI/UsVprWSlAgI/AAAAAAAADhk/Tkr6twYv4kk/s1600-h/image52.jpg"><img alt="image5" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c2Wxq6oVHk8/UsVpsIr84JI/AAAAAAAADhs/1c6tmAvUZNU/image5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image5" width="450" /></a> <br /> <br />I want to enjoy baking with my girls, I do, and I make a valiant effort, but in the end, it ends up making me quite cranky. I’d rather decorate the cookies without them, but little girls in their Christmas aprons fight over their chance to use the cutters. And so we do. I bite my tongue and swallow the tension as they dump flour all over the floor, I’m even proud at the not quite perfect candy canes they cut out and can’t wait to see the piles of sugar they use to decorate their creations. I don’t enjoy each moment but always enjoy the experience overall because I know that someone must have let me make a mess and create imperfect baking masterpieces. How else did I fall in love with it in the first place? <br /> <br />And for the times when it makes me feel just crazy? Well, that’s why there’s wine! <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lte-ZDiDkl4/UsVptMTdVbI/AAAAAAAADh0/4Dzjf9g3KYg/s1600-h/image32.jpg"><img alt="image3" border="0" height="533" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-07kyMhamFCA/UsVpuIwsZNI/AAAAAAAADh8/FtYwasiqemg/image3_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image3" width="400" /></a> <br />And, in the end, their creations are just so adorable, that I know I’ll happily dive right in the next time. <br />
<br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xo4GDu7GGZ0/UsVpvP6SmFI/AAAAAAAADiE/_83Uagy8rSY/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="image" border="0" height="533" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7XhkljQ6FQ8/UsVpwTqOkkI/AAAAAAAADiM/O3wADdhwGJU/image_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></a>Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-68460071413076393452013-12-06T00:39:00.001-08:002013-12-06T12:58:16.473-08:00Sleep in heavenly peace: Emerson<p> <p> <p> <p> “Sleep in heavenly peace” <br /> <br /></p> <p>Oh, that song will never be the same for me again. It’s on ALL the time right now and, though I love Christmas, it hurts this year. It’s about a baby and all I hear is that line – my two sweet babies who never really got to be, sleep in heavenly peace. <br /> <br /></p> <p>June 5th, we remembered baby Hattie, who we had expected on that day, “born” twenty weeks too soon. June 24th, we lost the only baby boy we’ve ever known, born twenty two weeks too soon, and on July 12th, we buried them together. <br /> <br /></p> <p>I have a wonderfully blessed life full of happiness, but I also have had very dark days this year full of pain and anger. Those days are hard, sometimes it lasts for a few days, but even in the sadness, I have so very much to be thankful for and have found smiles in my husband’s sarcastic jokes and all of the trouble my little girls can find in just one day. <br /> <br /></p> <p>I don’t write about this so people will feel sorry for me. I actually have it pretty good – I have a husband who loves me deeply and two beautiful girls, a wonderful family and amazing friends. I have a home, food, clothes and all of my basic needs are met. I have experienced deep pain this year, but who has a life free of pain? <br /> <br /></p> <p>No, I don’t write about this so you will feel sorry for me – I write so anyone who will listen knows about my baby boy. He might be the only one I’ll ever have. His name was Emerson, I delivered him, we held him and cried for him, then we buried him with the ashes of the baby we lost earlier this year. I write about this because he would have been amazing. Absolutely amazing. And I want you to know that. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ccYueHYEsoo/UqGNVX6npUI/AAAAAAAADdw/FC9_qNXsqYk/s1600-h/Emerson%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Emerson" border="0" alt="Emerson" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8bn6e9XdY8I/UqGNV6EPwGI/AAAAAAAADd4/n893E7mFpy4/Emerson_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="392" /></a> <br /> <br /></p> <p>I write about this to normalize talking about the loss of a baby. It’s an incredibly difficult thing to talk about, write about and discuss, but doing so makes those who experience it feel so much less alone in a time of deep pain. <br /> <br /></p> <p>This kind of experience, as do the other pains in life, comes with anger, confusion, deep sadness and often emptiness. If you are standing in a room with three other women, the odds are that AT LEAST one of them has experienced this pain, and so we need to remember to support each other. <br /> <br /> <br /></p> <p>If you have lost a baby, I very much want you to know: <br /> <br /></p> <p><em>that you are not alone. <br /> <br /></em></p> <p><em>that your every feeling throughout this painful experience is completely justified. <br /> <br /></em></p> <p><em>that you will hurt for a long time, but your life doesn’t have to stop every time the pain comes. <br /> <br /></em></p> <p><em>that the days you feel weak do not mean you are not a strong woman. You are a strong woman. <br /> <br /></em></p> <em> <p> that you can and will be okay someday and that’s a good thing. Being happy again is not a betrayal to the baby that you lost. <br /> <br /></p> <p>that your friends want to help you and you should let them. <br /> <br /></p> </em> <p><em>that your loss is not your fault.</em> </p> <p> <br /> <br /><strong>Your loss is not your fault.</strong> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> Yes, I wrote it again, because we seem to think we have control over this amazing miracle that is the process of carrying a baby. We want to believe we have control so that the next time, it can’t happen to us again. We don’t have control and that caffeinated Diet Coke you drank, or the deli meat you ate in your sandwich, or the way you twisted the wrong way in bed the other night is not the reason you lost your baby. It didn’t happen because you complained about how awful morning sickness is or wished you could have that glass of wine or hated wearing that same maternity shirt again. <strong>It was not your fault.</strong> <br /> <br /></p> <p> <br />So, I will spend the day trying to remember these truths and instead of focusing on our losses, I plan to spend today in pajamas with the two blessings that I <em>have</em> been able to watch grow. If you call, we won’t answer – we’ll be hiding from the cold in our pajamas watching little girl movies all day, eating goldfish and pooh-bears {teddy grahams} on the couch {which is strictly forbidden!}, drinking hot cocoa and smiling a LOT. <br /> <br /></p> <p>As for Hattie and Emerson, we will always remember you. Always. The only comfort I have when I miss you is that your precious souls were never touched by the cruelty of this world – no broken hearts or hurt feelings. Instead, you will spend all of eternity basking in the glory of Jesus in heaven – what a beautiful existence. </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br /></p> <p>Sleep in heavenly peace. </p></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-88214595040032272392013-09-29T15:29:00.000-07:002013-12-06T13:00:31.421-08:00Evelyn turns 2!This little girl just melts my heart EVERY single day. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F23wWtIQanQ/UmG2NFDXU2I/AAAAAAAADUg/9lxb9Mb17zo/s1600-h/DSCN5557%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5557" border="0" alt="DSCN5557" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bftysOtjh-E/UmG2NwXarwI/AAAAAAAADUk/tphRA4t5nFc/DSCN5557_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a> <br />I’m a BIG fan of birthdays, but fell apart the day before her big day just knowing she isn’t quite so small anymore.  She was the perfect angel all day, happy as can be! <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7jO18SNKgJM/UmG2OSYmcOI/AAAAAAAADUw/xoGux4_-VCs/s1600-h/DSCN5560%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5560" border="0" alt="DSCN5560" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gWosR6cQUvc/UmG2PKbso9I/AAAAAAAADU0/8DqexdhjfUU/DSCN5560_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VQ8wj3ZXJDw/UmG2Pna1GtI/AAAAAAAADU8/7jQ9QkeycW0/s1600-h/DSCN5562%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5562" border="0" alt="DSCN5562" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A6MmLmhcHHY/UmG2QGp9q7I/AAAAAAAADVE/YUDKCAufoWw/DSCN5562_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="338" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aKbv_tQaChI/UmG2QXbOhVI/AAAAAAAADVQ/SzUhrfL1qk4/s1600-h/DSCN5564%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5564" border="0" alt="DSCN5564" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RsaJyBliQ_I/UmG2RGl1syI/AAAAAAAADVU/smm8HMIwNgM/DSCN5564_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="338" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r-DhpEAbeWQ/UmG2RTLle7I/AAAAAAAADVg/JoUQEqCOejw/s1600-h/DSCN5570%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5570" border="0" alt="DSCN5570" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RlxBPFlKB5U/UmG2R0x2BWI/AAAAAAAADVk/LN0dkHCepDU/DSCN5570_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="338" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FyDKD1LSRag/UmG2SYs_G3I/AAAAAAAADVw/SzFPM_U9gFY/s1600-h/DSCN5574%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5574" border="0" alt="DSCN5574" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gPy1dP7g_O4/UmG2TKt2rrI/AAAAAAAADV0/mS1stx7f4sw/DSCN5574_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="300" /></a> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Could anything be sweeter than a 2-year-old who is thrilled about her birthday! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sfnB_xxebTE/UmG2TlC48-I/AAAAAAAADWA/dwOhuhDA5iI/s1600-h/DSCN5561%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5561" border="0" alt="DSCN5561" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fe10atTlq9Y/UmG2UKwI-kI/AAAAAAAADWE/8QPqEx4Mz3g/DSCN5561_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="338" /></a> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-73095926100569671292013-09-24T03:50:00.000-07:002013-12-06T12:58:41.455-08:00Expanding Small Space | Front Entry Part TwoThings working well and making my life easier makes me feel SO happy inside! I’m thrilled with the way our entry way is turning out – it’s much more functional for our family and my head feels so much more peaceful now that there is less clutter. <br /> <br />Here is the second part of our front entry redo. <br />BEFORE: <br />
Hanging organizers sometimes sound like the perfect idea – six extra shelves in a closet! They have their place, but this wasn’t it. It became a dumping ground for all the small things that entered our home. <br />
<br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oUy2emCiPR8/Ul_A8aHTaRI/AAAAAAAADSk/OWWMw6TpxuU/s1600-h/DSCN55527.jpg"><img alt="DSCN5552" border="0" height="533" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tdkdaAhoH2E/Ul_A80JEC2I/AAAAAAAADSo/mi2E0QTAonw/DSCN5552_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN5552" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />Where do I even start? AWFUL! I started to organize this space but it ended up being our Tupperware “drawer,” and drove me NUTS! I have since prioritized space in our kitchen to make room for a real drawer for our containers and kicked them out of this closet. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w1__57j8iUc/Ul_A9cxgtiI/AAAAAAAADS0/sw64ktQjf2M/s1600-h/DSCN55536.jpg"><img alt="DSCN5553" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4jN7h1iST8c/Ul_A95lHhWI/AAAAAAAADS4/2N04S1fALmY/DSCN5553_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN5553" width="450" /></a> <br />It had SO much potential and awful follow through! When we first moved in, I threw in organizers, and because we didn’t have time, I didn’t consider how we could best use the closet and just threw things in as we took them out of boxes. <br /> <br /><img alt="DSCN5554" border="0" height="533" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f-0GQImFn5I/Ul_A-TamWVI/AAAAAAAADTA/Z09SjcmUapg/DSCN5554_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN5554" width="400" /> <br /> <br />Here is the bottom of the closet AFTER:<br />
<br /> <br />A place to throw hats and mittens without it looking messy… <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OmHWeIxjXjI/Ul_A--DEYZI/AAAAAAAADTM/cqz8wbXHfNY/s1600-h/SP_77.jpg"><img alt="SP_7" border="0" height="490" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IL6s-NXQIZE/Ul_A_QXeXGI/AAAAAAAADTQ/oZvkcgPtsBw/SP_7_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SP_7" width="434" /></a> <br />Finally, a system for our shoes. Grown-ups get two bins each, kiddos get one each. Lucky for me, I have girls who actually love to spend time lining up their shoes “just so.” <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-whXL0Q5T0Wk/Ul_A_7_QmoI/AAAAAAAADTc/RPX6dKcXMoU/s1600-h/SP_66.jpg"><img alt="SP_6" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nQCY38b7BWE/Ul_BAf5YG3I/AAAAAAAADTg/IJdVtio8fhc/SP_6_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SP_6" width="450" /></a> <br /> <br />
Look for pictures of the final product of the entire entry way on Friday! It’s my new little piece of heaven! Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-19812155236542081972013-09-17T05:36:00.001-07:002013-12-06T12:58:41.451-08:00Expanding Small Spaces | Front Entry Part One<p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> <p> At the beginning of the summer, our little family moved.  My husband and I looked at (small) houses.  We even looked at one seriously but it didn’t work out.  When it became clear that all we <em>really</em> wanted was our dream house, but that we weren’t in a place to buy that perfect house yet, we made a conscious decision to rent.  For us, and many other people, we decided that rather than invest in a small house we might end up stuck in once we’ve outgrown it, we would rather choose to be “stuck” in a small space while renting temporarily until we could buy something we <em>really</em> wanted.</p> </p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <br /></p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br />That leaves the four of us in a very happy 906 sq. ft. for the remainder of our current lease.  906 sq. ft. is plenty of space – families in New York City would kill for that much space, and pay a TON of money for it.  But putting everything that a family of four needs and wants into 906 sq. ft. means that you need a lot of creativity.  So rather than <em>settling for</em> our small space, we decided to <em>settle in</em>. <br /> <br />I’ll walk you through our small space in a new series to show you how to make the very most of your own space.  Even if you have a large home, it can start to fill up quickly and using your space efficiently will make your home more peaceful. <br /> <br />Here is where it gets real.  This series will require me to show you MY crazy spaces BEFORE I really dug in.  Be prepared.  These pictures have a bit of a “those who cannot do, teach” feel to them, and were after the initial unpacking.  <br /> <br />The first space I decided to redo was our entry way and front closet:</p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DJ0buhGyJ5k/UjhMmG7fXoI/AAAAAAAADNo/M89LLFohw2I/s1600-h/DSCN5552%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5552" border="0" alt="DSCN5552" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h3qsYgHbHAI/UjhMmz_1FkI/AAAAAAAADNw/KDx6UJad2SA/DSCN5552_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a></p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jKaMfTeHVNA/UjhMnVKmCrI/AAAAAAAADN4/0XE1_60plIM/s1600-h/DSCN5553%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5553" border="0" alt="DSCN5553" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iTYbgnTHDtc/UjhMoE8MhhI/AAAAAAAADOA/2zbkI7p2RT0/DSCN5553_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br /> <br />Can you even imagine why?!  It’s pretty awful.  (In my defense. we had 24 hours to unpack wihtout our little friends along, and we did unpack every box. Unfortunately, that left us with THIS mess.)  We have ONE front closet.  Total. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w9EAR7yJsiY/UjhMoqsQjtI/AAAAAAAADOI/DIomLxc51eA/s1600-h/DSCN5550%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5550" border="0" alt="DSCN5550" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g5fLwSnE3LM/UjhMpWAu6mI/AAAAAAAADOQ/TOD3oL5HDPM/DSCN5550_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="619" /></a> <br /> <br />Our entry way is also our mud-room and command center.  Everything we need to get out the door is all in one space and everything that comes into that space gets dumped nearby, making me feel crazy!  <br /> <br /> <br />Here is improvement Number 1.  These hook rails from Target are the new love of my life.  I adore them – just ask my poor husband who hears about them all too often!  <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QNSHwoH2hEY/UjhMqYQJGFI/AAAAAAAADOY/RieqquhH8VM/s1600-h/SP_1%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SP_1" border="0" alt="SP_1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eqp56hO72v8/UjhMq4VRbpI/AAAAAAAADOg/-JbppN2iJ9c/SP_1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="338" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cAD31kSUN0I/UjhMr_mjzaI/AAAAAAAADOo/TMBUxPV-GUs/s1600-h/SP_2%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SP_2" border="0" alt="SP_2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-igZ1Yuy4bM0/UjhMs3stRyI/AAAAAAAADOw/z12SWqHVjZM/SP_2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="338" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NMdMXXWoVsA/UjhMtZUbA0I/AAAAAAAADO4/s074hfwrpX8/s1600-h/SP_3%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SP_3" border="0" alt="SP_3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-stromyXliQA/UjhMuL39orI/AAAAAAAADPA/tCjFqS5AVCE/SP_3_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467" /></a> <br /> <br />I knew our closet didn’t have enough space for all of our coats, and with winter coming in Minnesota, the influx of “gear” is on its way.  They are PERFECT and cleared space in the closet. <br /> <br />Improvement Number Two coming tomorrow.   If you want to see the final product, you’ll have to stick with me.</p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-24209306626096790692013-09-09T03:47:00.000-07:002013-12-06T12:58:41.453-08:00Basket love: toy shelf<br />I LOVE improving little areas in our home! Check out the progression of our upstairs toy shelf: <br /> <br /><img alt="008" border="0" height="1133" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M8SyBDFc_Fg/Ul_AKsczP-I/AAAAAAAADRE/N7WVlyPpqFA/008_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="008" width="425" /> <br /> <br />There was nothing really wrong with this shelf, except that I wasn’t able to get as much onto it as I wanted. The main level is where we play the most, and I wanted to be able to have more for them to play with, without taking up much more space. <br /> <br /><img alt="DSCN4492" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KElvU1XjDu8/Ul_ALGaDGuI/AAAAAAAADRI/Rxnf0vzFrhI/DSCN4492_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN4492" width="500" /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o00rMOBq0P0/Ul_ALr34E1I/AAAAAAAADRU/xRhA0lxsI_M/s1600-h/DSCN4495-0017.jpg"> </a><br />
Easy solution: baskets! <br />
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First, I put all of the board books in a basket and had them facing out, maximizing the space and leaving more room for picture books. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pyP6LByONe0/Ul_AMEbGNiI/AAAAAAAADRY/0uUD3IoN8A0/s1600-h/DSCN4495-00115.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img alt="DSCN4495-001" border="0" height="279" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o2BqxDVi2f8/Ul_AMkpj40I/AAAAAAAADRg/nrZmOKvjU_o/DSCN4495-001_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN4495-001" width="500" /></a> <br />The next issue were these two cute sets we had gotten our 3-year-old for Christmas. They looked very cute in the boxes, but to putting them away was a job and the boxes weren’t practical. <br /> <br /><img alt="DSCN4493" border="0" height="567" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CCThAG6LQ_U/Ul_ANcJDt-I/AAAAAAAADRs/QM-VUGJsxRU/DSCN4493_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN4493" width="425" /> <br />Another basket, of course! Now, we just dump all of the wooden food into this big basket. It’s easy to clean up and looks much simpler on the shelf. <br /> <br /><img alt="DSCN4494" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gmMM4tYZUQ8/Ul_ANmmAtZI/AAAAAAAADRw/T7SM-v3M1o8/DSCN4494_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN4494" width="450" /> <br />This looked great – just fine, BUT we still had more things that I needed to fit on the shelf. We needed a bigger basket.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KIKMrq9aK14/Ul_AOMFv5KI/AAAAAAAADR8/lBUcJwZGR1E/s1600-h/DSCN449510.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img alt="DSCN4495" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z80BLwclpxk/Ul_AOrGtv1I/AAAAAAAADSA/hLvGfiYgLMc/DSCN4495_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN4495" width="500" /></a> <br />Even though they love playing with it all the time, I ended up moving the basket of food downstairs into the girls’ play kitchen and dumped all of the extra toys into one big basket across the bottom shelf. Now we have a lot more for the girls to play with but it all looks a lot simpler with the baskets in place. <br /> <br /><img alt="DSCN4496" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NdC24sbSJxA/Ul_APPatr-I/AAAAAAAADSI/-wvS2hQYaOg/DSCN4496_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN4496" width="500" /> <br />A few accessories and a project organizer on top and it’s ready for playtime!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k-NwzAX37Dk/Ul_APkjk0DI/AAAAAAAADSQ/_rzuYQn2SVM/s1600-h/DSCN44976.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img alt="DSCN4497" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YAGzGfnUTSc/Ul_AP8UnYGI/AAAAAAAADSY/OKMAqwpBFaI/DSCN4497_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCN4497" width="450" /></a>Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-59891165189327787372013-08-16T03:28:00.000-07:002013-12-06T13:01:29.732-08:00Happy 4th Birthday Sophia!Happiest of birthdays to my sweet FOUR year old girl! <br />We got so excited the night before, we made birthday pancakes for dinner. :) <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rCGr_FyY0Gc/UoSzrRX923I/AAAAAAAADYE/t8iY5TthBpI/s1600-h/IMG_0074%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0074" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p1nGAHH3ku8/UoSzr8BW_mI/AAAAAAAADYI/oXzscm5mRC4/IMG_0074_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0074" width="450" /></a> <br />We started her actual birthday with the traditional birthday muffin breakfast in bed. <br /> <br /><img alt="IMG_0082" border="0" height="450" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_BNlN5hDPLw/UoSzsZ8nPbI/AAAAAAAADYU/dNDGDVy-uiI/IMG_0082_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0082" width="450" /> <br />And, of course, PRESENTS!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KPqfC_kldF4/UoSzs6eGJHI/AAAAAAAADYY/Eji2yAYy9KE/s1600-h/IMG_0084%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0084" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AOtyZEgtd1o/UoSztS-QuFI/AAAAAAAADYk/BKFQ3gIQQCU/IMG_0084_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0084" width="450" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2G8zE0H6xYo/UoSzuAx52AI/AAAAAAAADYs/3caJhUNIRM4/s1600-h/IMG_0086%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0086" border="0" height="450" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L61P0P0PIds/UoSzugHB63I/AAAAAAAADYw/rce0gfLnWpU/IMG_0086_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0086" width="450" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R0xrttiJ5C0/UoSzvKK-GxI/AAAAAAAADY8/xKBPkF8uWMw/s1600-h/IMG_0085%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0085" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3eai3fthYVg/UoSzvr0a4CI/AAAAAAAADZE/kIO91eP6bEI/IMG_0085_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0085" width="450" /></a><br />
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<br />How about a birthday coffee date? <br /> <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cirdIqVXgv8/UoSzwSWFfHI/AAAAAAAADZM/ePW7ZL0wJeY/s1600-h/IMG_0104%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0104" border="0" height="450" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kem-O_GIiaY/UoSzxFLrTMI/AAAAAAAADZQ/cM8L1fIicN4/IMG_0104_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0104" width="450" /></a> <br />The, off to the home of dear friends with a birthday party in a bag and a fun birthday celebration. <br /> <br /><img alt="IMG_0106" border="0" height="450" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YG8zbeDvy4g/UoSzxUivz2I/AAAAAAAADZc/zYhux-dmmsA/IMG_0106_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0106" width="450" /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xs96WspUA_Q/UoSzyG-PRHI/AAAAAAAADZk/Mjr0P9lDnzg/s1600-h/IMG_0109%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0109" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9c2MEu_LHt8/UoSzyiH1CkI/AAAAAAAADZs/cFhKkbDw5u8/IMG_0109_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0109" width="450" /></a> <br />She couldn’t live without that crown all day, not even for her birthday dinner. SO thankful she chose Chipotle rather than the golden arches!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bhcDxSVWh8U/UoSzzEHf50I/AAAAAAAADZ0/0h0X6dRrRC8/s1600-h/IMG_0114%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0114" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vJAhSuPLRuI/UoSzzsfItjI/AAAAAAAADZ4/1-vXkX6hy8o/IMG_0114_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0114" width="450" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--HGpEWN_kfM/UoSz0IcQ1QI/AAAAAAAADaA/gHgrWYqKTPc/s1600-h/IMG_0117%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0117" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-es6SHIhk7iw/UoSz0g5h0QI/AAAAAAAADaI/F_rtrD53dJ8/IMG_0117_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0117" width="450" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aABvmhbErB4/UoSz1PuJu0I/AAAAAAAADaU/oUFAFK54tHI/s1600-h/IMG_0127%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0127" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jF411fzHLGQ/UoSz1nUTECI/AAAAAAAADaY/zNRo3GwdvnU/IMG_0127_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0127" width="450" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bLr_s5tflT4/UoSz2JaGrFI/AAAAAAAADak/ckU-bQhWc2k/s1600-h/IMG_0129%25255B5%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img alt="IMG_0129" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3dpZyijedlA/UoSz27iG98I/AAAAAAAADao/VwPniWsyow0/IMG_0129_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0129" width="450" /></a> <br />And then…she wanted to swim. It is her favorite thing in the world, but it was chilly and as you can see…because of the weather, we got our very own private swimming pool! <br /> <br /><img alt="IMG_0134" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6G1ddiO6jNY/UoSz3QqnSiI/AAAAAAAADaw/m_H5POKZC4M/IMG_0134_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0134" width="450" /> <br />A sisterly birthday snuggle to end the day! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--k5JwBaFKdI/UoSz3qaBJzI/AAAAAAAADa4/ORjwiD6EXws/s1600-h/IMG_0141%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0141" border="0" height="450" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M5tjCDfuo5A/UoSz4YbakWI/AAAAAAAADbA/Cwb7CKyowRc/IMG_0141_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0141" width="450" /></a><br />
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<br />Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-3295495834950267052013-06-05T06:35:00.001-07:002013-12-06T12:58:16.470-08:00Hattie Elizabeth<p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /></p> <p>Today we would have met you and announced your presence to anyone who would listen. Not all moms could say so with such certainty, but I’m a c-section mama, so I really do know for sure. June 5<sup>th</sup> was your due date and sounded like a wonderful day for a birthday. <br /> <br /></p> <p>We would have had an appointment. We would have woken before the 5:30 alarm clock, too excited to wait any longer, packed any remaining items in the hospital bag, kissed your sisters with smiles and left for the hospital with nervous excitement because we would know what was waiting for us. <br /> <br /></p> <p>Sadly, we “met” you on January 5<sup>th</sup> instead. I’m sure that met isn’t the proper word, because we will never really have met you and never have the privilege of getting to know you as we watch you grow. Life stole you from us and we were never even able to look into your little eyes. <br /> <br /></p> <p>Some won’t understand the connection we will always feel and that you will always be our third baby. People call it a loss, some even called it a “mishap”, but it is so more than that and we have endured so much. Letting go of all of the hopes and dreams we had of our family of five, with you as our littlest. </p> <p>I’ll admit, I panicked a bit (okay, a LOT) when we found we were expecting you the day before Evelyn’s birthday. How would we manage with three children three years and under – that’s insane! Now, it’s hard to imagine we ever worried, because were you to have arrived today, it would have all worked just perfectly. <br /> <br /></p> <p>We had an appointment. We packed the remaining items in the hospital bag. We kissed your sisters good-bye while holding back tears and left for the hospital with dread and sadness, because we knew what was waiting for us. <br /> <br /></p> <p>I knew for two weeks. I had a horrible feeling of dread, as so many pregnant women do before feeling that first kick and I did my best to chalk it up to mommy paranoia, after all, there were no physical signs pointing to anything but a normal pregnancy and I had heard your strong heartbeat just two weeks earlier. Besides, after making it to the half-way point, what really could go wrong? <br /> <br /></p> <p>I convinced myself to be excited for my next appointment, hoping I would look forward to the relief of hearing your heartbeat, but I knew. I held back tears the entire drive to that last appointment because somehow I knew the relief I so longed for was not to be found that day. When she asked if I had any concerns, I didn’t know how to tell her what we were about to find out. When there was no audio heartbeat, I knew. The in-room ultrasound showed a still, sleeping baby, arms crossed over chest, and the in-depth ultrasound confirmed. <br /> <br /></p> <p>I learned what it means to mourn in a biblical sense, grabbing at my hair, my body wrenched with pain crying out loud to God to let it be some horrible, mortifying mistake make by multiple people, that you were really okay, still tucked warmly inside my belly, heart beating strongly. This kind of thing is just a risk they have to warn you about, but it couldn’t possible really happen to you, not our baby, could it?</p> <p>So, two days later, we went to our appointment. <br /> <br /></p> <p>Medication meant to put you into labor is supposed to bring a multitude of emotions, but despair and grief are not among those you’re meant to feel.</p> <p>You shouldn’t have to hold your baby longing for signs of life and finding none.</p> <p>No one should have to sign “Mother” on the form at the funeral home when you pick up the remains of the child you still long for. That was a few days after – when we should have been heading home with you in the backseat, sisters waiting for your arrival. <br /> <br /></p> <p>As it turns out, whether your child gets to grow up or not, you long to scream to the world of their existence. I’ve walked into Target with your sisters for the first time, proud and beaming with my new perfect little ones, longing to proclaim to any stranger who would ask that yes, this is my baby, yes, she is new, and, yes, of course, she is adorable.</p> <p>I went to Target not long after I delivered you and even though you were gone, I found I was proud to be your mother, even for such a short time and I longed to scream to the world that I was your mother, that I had had a baby just a few short days ago. But people don’t ask you about the baby who isn’t in your cart. <br /> <br /></p> <p>So here I am. Screaming to the world that you were Hattie Elizabeth and you were my daughter, my child. You would have had that cute nose that we’ve come to know so well on your sisters. You would have been an exhausting toddler, and likely an even more exhausting little girl. If you were like your sisters, you would have had a stubborn streak, and a sensitive heart. Your smile would have lit our faces and brightened our hearts.</p> <p>I now understand what a miracle each child born really is. <br /> <br />We took for granted the way your sisters grew so healthy and safe before they were born. Oh, we cherished them, and we worried a bit along the way, but we always knew they would be fine. And they were, but now we truly understand what an amazing gift it is to have a brand new life entrusted to us. <br /> <br /></p> <p>Sophia asks about you, can’t wait to see you in heaven. She was upset for a while because she “wanted to take care of that baby.” As a true big sister, she would love you to pieces and have tortured you endlessly, and you would have loved her right back. Evelyn would have adored you as you were to arrive in the peak of her new baby phase. You would have been her favorite doll. <br /> <br /></p> <p>We will never know what happened to you. Extensive testing came up with an educated guess of infection. What I do know is that you were a real person, not a fetus. You were my child. I carried you, I heard your heartbeat, I saw you, I held you and you were perfectly a person. Ten fingers, ten toes, like every parent expects to see. <br /> <br />I’d have taken less toes if we could watch you grow.</p> <p>I don’t believe that everything happens for a reason. I think that’s what people tell themselves when they want and need comfort. There are some things, like this, a death too soon, cancer – things that simply happen and there just isn’t a reason. There are lessons to be learned and growth to go through, but I don’t believe there are always reasons.</p> <p>I do believe that hard things happen to everyone and I know that only the grace of God got me through this, that and the support of our wonderful friends who prayed for us. <br /> <br />People who don’t believe as we do will say that this is my crutch – that this is how I’m dealing with things that are simply a reality for us. But I know that grace is something that is given whether you want it or not, and I was not looking for God’s grace in this. I was looking for a rewind, a fix, somehow to erase it and have it all go away. Those times I woke up in the middle of the night, when I wanted wished to be uncomfortably pregnant – I looked for hope, but not grace. However, it was offered to me and waited until I was ready to receive it.</p> <p>It’s the only reason we’re all okay – that our marriage didn’t suffer in this one bit, that we haven’t become overprotective, hovering parents worried about what’s next, that we have very happy moments, too many to number. His grace is the only reason that I am still standing on the days when it still hurts so much I can’t breathe, when I still don’t understand, when I still long for the baby that should be in my arms today. It’s the only reason this I don’t worry anymore about what might happen in the future, for our next child. </p> <p> <br /> <br />Instead, we will move forward, because standing still in sadness won’t bring you back. We were determined from the beginning to teach your sisters, as we would have you, what it means to show strength when you feel you have none. We will teach them that when life knocks you over, and it absolutely will, how to get back up with courage and hope. We will show them that they can feel sorrow and grief on the deepest level and survive, learning along the way. <br /> <br /></p> <p>We make a big deal of birthdays, and rather than remember you on that awful, sad, dark day in January, I prefer to remember who you might have been on a sunny day in June, though the weather is not cooperating with my plan. It was meant to be a happy day, and we will make it so.</p> <p>We celebrate birthdays with cupcakes, Maybe we will go to the park to have our simple cupcakes, each marked with a thin, pink H. Because we loved you, and we will remember you, every year on June 5<sup>th</sup>. I promise you that. </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hdn4ptXbuTg/Ua8-mUH2YQI/AAAAAAAADMw/-yp1R2d_hgs/s1600-h/DSCN5356%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5356" border="0" alt="DSCN5356" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mnsW0vKXQCw/Ua8-mxmWYPI/AAAAAAAADM4/44so9OIPezo/DSCN5356_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467" /></a></p></p></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-1143059850251629132012-09-10T14:32:00.001-07:002013-12-06T13:01:29.720-08:00Party it up–ballerina style!<p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br />When I asked Sophia what kind of party she wanted and she said a Ballerina party, I couldn’t have been more excited.  I got an idea in my head of what it would look like and it kind of snowballed from there. <br /> <br />Our homemade goodies: <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sophia.ballerinaparty2" border="0" alt="Sophia.ballerinaparty2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5iKcWBMXIXw/UE5b9vDXgZI/AAAAAAAADHo/hZcBTVD7XnE/Sophia.ballerinaparty2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="500" /> <br />Guest table for grown-ups <br /></p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y6HqShQPERs/UE5b_GC7X5I/AAAAAAAADHw/JljaDX9qU1o/s1600-h/DSCN4618%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4618" border="0" alt="DSCN4618" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RX6N-f3XaWw/UE5b_jOm1MI/AAAAAAAADH4/Xypq7UZ2BE4/DSCN4618_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />The girls played a game with this Flower Box, but I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  They each had two flowers “planted” in the grass at the park that matched their tutus.  They had to find them and put them in the flower box, and for each flower they planted in the box, they got a sucker.  It was SO much fun!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o9X9SmKOOAg/UE5cBJJWXgI/AAAAAAAADIA/fusQyu-g_18/s1600-h/DSCN4619%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4619" border="0" alt="DSCN4619" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jetY23pAnJY/UE5cBxZgfqI/AAAAAAAADII/eokENVFgDNA/DSCN4619_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="338" /></a> <br />A chair waiting for each ballerina to dress up with a tutu, necklaces and a bracelet.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y5NPSeb0Ol4/UE5cCuj7O_I/AAAAAAAADIQ/M9m8OYoBWIY/s1600-h/DSCN4621%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4621" border="0" alt="DSCN4621" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5yI9W1qRehc/UE5cDAXe0AI/AAAAAAAADIY/sYSxvPAOFPs/DSCN4621_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gTKRRCkkiUw/UE5cEPzdHGI/AAAAAAAADIg/XDtUkd63Z90/s1600-h/DSCN4623%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4623" border="0" alt="DSCN4623" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8uQ2AWH13P8/UE5cEyvW59I/AAAAAAAADIo/vYgN81Efq7s/DSCN4623_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a>The birthday ballerina, feeling a bit shy!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wxLaZutRpIU/UE5cFmqT9tI/AAAAAAAADIw/tWalI6FW9a8/s1600-h/DSCN4624%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4624" border="0" alt="DSCN4624" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AcYJsXfeUOo/UE5cGS7fo4I/AAAAAAAADI4/WGdDCv_BPyQ/DSCN4624_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br />And it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day – we got so lucky!!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JmS-HVgFens/UE5cHzy5KbI/AAAAAAAADJA/Q7TuPAXmoTA/s1600-h/DSCN4625%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4625" border="0" alt="DSCN4625" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qr6PmHz6WbE/UE5cIgqz_YI/AAAAAAAADJI/Wi6A6iM-8pQ/DSCN4625_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />Our baby ballerina -  isn’t she gorgeous?!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Czk3ZQFVNcY/UE5cJnIJ8ZI/AAAAAAAADJQ/juoSbRGUrL4/s1600-h/DSCN4626%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4626" border="0" alt="DSCN4626" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UznqhulorBA/UE5cKtwMzwI/AAAAAAAADJY/RiTt1P601JU/DSCN4626_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a> <br />Making necklaces to dress up even more – such a fun activity and even though I found the beads at Barnes and Noble, they were expensive, so I checked Amazon and they were a MUCH better price.  Same amount of fun for half the price!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-llWF9eDANxc/UE5cL35hTEI/AAAAAAAADJg/bN2EqsVQTCk/s1600-h/DSCN4639%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4639" border="0" alt="DSCN4639" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oYfSE2rV7s0/UE5cMjG_A7I/AAAAAAAADJo/pIAg4cV_TQs/DSCN4639_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />Sophia showing off her pretty necklace<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--YMuXESTy3I/UE5cNnqtzBI/AAAAAAAADJw/GnWnQ05EHvk/s1600-h/DSCN4641%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4641" border="0" alt="DSCN4641" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1_xMVdvcPjc/UE5cOISsVsI/AAAAAAAADJ4/WtYz2K6qAKM/DSCN4641_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br />And how can you not be delighted when your friends are around and you’re all wearing tutus?  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5R4pOGn6E4A/UE5cO87decI/AAAAAAAADKA/dr3C0H9Wy_8/s1600-h/DSCN4643%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4643" border="0" alt="DSCN4643" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KV0bBL-oCI8/UE5cPb0vfFI/AAAAAAAADKI/lFJi9LtD2T4/DSCN4643_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br />Evelyn really wanted to<strike> eat the beads</strike> make a necklace. <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4650" border="0" alt="DSCN4650" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z6ovrdKlTEM/UE5cP0bQnvI/AAAAAAAADKQ/2MJPi6ElgCs/DSCN4650_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /> <br />The birthday cupcake – it got about as much love as the cupcake we gave her on her actual birthday.  A finger swipe of frosting and that was about it.  I guess I can’t complain about a kid who likes fruit more than cake, right?</p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XX9gOY_LAXk/UE5cQylXY3I/AAAAAAAADKY/x0qQ7bwssWE/s1600-h/DSCN4654%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4654" border="0" alt="DSCN4654" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hS1u4KtmfBY/UE5cRUNM7BI/AAAAAAAADKg/vbM6yUeQkwY/DSCN4654_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="300" /></a> <br />Cute friends… <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4658" border="0" alt="DSCN4658" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jIUQ2b2n9N8/UE5cSNrdr6I/AAAAAAAADKo/9-Wk9NoIrmg/DSCN4658_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wE8e0p1JrHc/UE5cS9ma2uI/AAAAAAAADKw/W997GiZwHy8/s1600-h/DSCN4660%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4660" border="0" alt="DSCN4660" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2jMI_qlVg2k/UE5cTU5qZWI/AAAAAAAADK4/nTHsbvM8Qn8/DSCN4660_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MOeQmjUrZ_8/UE5cUdeHXTI/AAAAAAAADLA/UJYvoJ3as9I/s1600-h/DSCN4662%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4662" border="0" alt="DSCN4662" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zObEAu8al-Y/UE5cU1cfsGI/AAAAAAAADLI/DEb-acvUebk/DSCN4662_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br />The big girl ballerinas – they had so much fun running around the park together!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3dnmPRmmzuA/UE5cWqgYTpI/AAAAAAAADLQ/pcYRdG9bw5k/s1600-h/DSCN4671%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4671" border="0" alt="DSCN4671" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mM_gOUhu0cE/UE5cXXfO2HI/AAAAAAAADLY/PGYhChSnLz0/DSCN4671_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />Sophia was very lucky to get a few projects, some new books and a crown from her sweet friends.  What a lucky little girl! <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DLCsOXtIPXA/UE5cYap067I/AAAAAAAADLg/99F4JjTawB8/s1600-h/DSCN4672%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4672" border="0" alt="DSCN4672" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CgufQnc87js/UE5cZNZ3TII/AAAAAAAADLo/fxyHQuU7mk4/DSCN4672_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br /> <br />Grandma and Grandpa gave her a ride home while we cleaned up, and she apparently declared, “That was FUN!”  Success! <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4677" border="0" alt="DSCN4677" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PGC8jFwqb2w/UE5cZjlmXeI/AAAAAAAADLw/jP3OUdgeiJY/DSCN4677_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></p></p></p></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-87884833492448752162012-09-03T13:42:00.001-07:002013-12-06T13:01:29.734-08:00Sophia turns 3 – in style!<p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br />So, maybe I’m a few weeks behind in posting Sophia's birthday, but since I haven’t posted since who-knows-when, I’d say that’s not too bad.  I remembered that this blog is one of my favorite tools to remember the little things, so I need to get better at posting on a regular basis. :)  We’ll see!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s4f_8SuwagA/UEUVymrMJxI/AAAAAAAADEU/oUBgpDdcdCU/s1600-h/DSCN4514%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /></a></p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br />Miss Soph couldn’t wait for her birthday!  While this waited for her downstairs – a joint gift from Grandma and Grandpa and Mommy and Daddy, we had breakfast in bed.</p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4514" border="0" alt="DSCN4514" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-59DFZZkWwq8/UEUVz0vC2KI/AAAAAAAADEc/KUoIAjDZPjE/DSCN4514_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /> <br />I adore birthdays and love making a crazy big deal out of them, so this year, we added a shower of balloons to her birthday morning wake-up.  Cuz why not?!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BDAjP5ojYzU/UEUV1-gRKtI/AAAAAAAADEk/TXGZj3i7D2Y/s1600-h/DSCN4516%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4516" border="0" alt="DSCN4516" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WlrmOww49OY/UEUV29B4ZKI/AAAAAAAADEs/Th8q95cz-G8/DSCN4516_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />Since we’ve made this a tradition officially, I figured a yearly birthday plate was in order for breakfast for the birthday girl.  Although, with Evelyn’s coming up, I think on the first birthday, we’ll stick with the plastic plate and save the special plate for her 2nd birthday.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e-GqewzayCg/UEUV4PLu_GI/AAAAAAAADE0/sAGrfhfedJ8/s1600-h/DSCN4517%25255B7%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4517" border="0" alt="DSCN4517" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jNMu_HNKoVE/UEUV5pEKTmI/AAAAAAAADE8/W93p7JcZCUI/DSCN4517_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />Evelyn is going to love her birthday to pieces if it involves balloons in any way!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iuiIRwxAtBE/UEUV6-YnUQI/AAAAAAAADFE/ImRrUkJI7cc/s1600-h/DSCN4519%25255B7%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4519" border="0" alt="DSCN4519" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YbcSF3BIPl0/UEUV8dhQSaI/AAAAAAAADFM/Te5KG8yDaE8/DSCN4519_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="540" /></a> <br />If this look conveys any of the joy we experienced, then the 5:30 wake-up to make the breakfast muffins was absolutely worth it! <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4521" border="0" alt="DSCN4521" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wFn2SzkH5vY/UEUV9aZ2ZNI/AAAAAAAADFU/tRIuuc1O43c/DSCN4521_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" />  <br />Seriously – SO much happiness!!</p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HN9XQAu758c/UEUV_P_lQlI/AAAAAAAADFc/u1rorRS9Vls/s1600-h/DSCN4524%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4524" border="0" alt="DSCN4524" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GCvYGFliGSI/UEUV_0BJu5I/AAAAAAAADFk/Znj3W2YLDlI/DSCN4524_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />Booster chair on the floor to contain our little crawler.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ShuJVd9ZHHQ/UEUWB0xYz-I/AAAAAAAADFs/JB9UutYCH64/s1600-h/DSCN4529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4529" border="0" alt="DSCN4529" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lEPDTYwIG3U/UEUWDdAGqXI/AAAAAAAADF0/ShH6wS7U9LI/DSCN4529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />Time for PRESENTS!!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a0-zIrkM9Bw/UEUWF7UC4kI/AAAAAAAADF8/x_m1SmCFCTg/s1600-h/DSCN4530%25255B8%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4530" border="0" alt="DSCN4530" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tZS30rpFa58/UEUWGlwZpVI/AAAAAAAADGE/ln0sj7WXCrs/DSCN4530_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="453" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aPDng07CHMw/UEUWI5cd-iI/AAAAAAAADGM/VP1G65VBbA0/s1600-h/DSCN4537%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4537" border="0" alt="DSCN4537" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zFuu9rA67kg/UEUWJiENURI/AAAAAAAADGU/SHM-B_ZCMxY/DSCN4537_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OIJPST88sEo/UEUWK_r04hI/AAAAAAAADGc/Fj6uUWR7L28/s1600-h/DSCN4540%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4540" border="0" alt="DSCN4540" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q-mPy2jJDIA/UEUWMXI315I/AAAAAAAADGk/rg0_48ovdS8/DSCN4540_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br />A happy big sister with a ballerina doll from her baby sister.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5xyW2Q3HifQ/UEUWN_UrPAI/AAAAAAAADGs/p6KMoMuS_Bs/s1600-h/DSCN4544%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4544" border="0" alt="DSCN4544" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IRPXw1tD4o0/UEUWPVNwNII/AAAAAAAADG0/MYkVklTQb_8/DSCN4544_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br />And the happy aftermath – dragging everything downstairs is kind of a pain, but breakfast in {each} bed only once a year isn’t such a chore. <br /> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4547" border="0" alt="DSCN4547" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HmsxqRv8VNI/UEUWQQnO9II/AAAAAAAADG8/y9o4KmojtGM/DSCN4547_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /> <br />And then there was the bike.  She was pretty excited about ti but a little hesitant.  Sophia decided that she was getting a bike for her birthday – I guess when she asked for one, and I told her to put it on her birthday list, she didn’t quite understand the concept.  She decided the birthday list was a guarantee for delivery. </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TZ71FW2FsB0/UEUWSmwD77I/AAAAAAAADHE/vPbVNzsU8Go/s1600-h/DSCN4548%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4548" border="0" alt="DSCN4548" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SBAfPqitnwg/UEUWTe59oEI/AAAAAAAADHM/rLAlRpOX_-Y/DSCN4548_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a></p> </p> <p> <p> <br />Even by the end of the day, she was getting better.  She’s done a lot of practicing inside the house and we’re planning to let her hit the trail for real this weekend. <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4587" border="0" alt="DSCN4587" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9cdpJ3-9r4I/UEUWT4_y08I/AAAAAAAADHU/BYbfi64u9Tg/DSCN4587_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></p> </p> <p> <br />Stay tuned for more pictures and the birthday party – hopefully I can catch up from the summer soon!</p></p></p></p></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-51834076884253832282012-07-10T12:55:00.001-07:002012-07-10T12:58:20.449-07:00Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-39416618839609452172012-05-14T13:41:00.001-07:002013-12-06T13:01:29.727-08:00The battle rages on<p> <p> <p><font color="#666666">And Sophia is winning.</font></p> <p><font color="#666666"></font></p> <p><font color="#666666">Meet the latest addition to our family.  This guy used to live on the top shelf at Barnes and Noble.  As soon as we walk in the door, which is fairly often, Sophia bee-lines it over to him and begs to carry him around the store.  She always wants to leave with him, but we always leave him there.  </font></p> <p><font color="#666666"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vK34vAqiY3Y/T7Ft9p5hEHI/AAAAAAAADDw/gKrf07lUC4A/s1600-h/cookie%25255B6%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="cookie" border="0" alt="cookie" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--TYEdK7FB_M/T7Ft-pGlfqI/AAAAAAAADD4/RgY54CKLK9I/cookie_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="250" height="333" /></a></p> <p><font color="#666666"></font></p> <p><font color="#666666">Yesterday, I found myself lost in the diaper aisle at Target.  I just couldn’t bear the idea of continuing to invest in diapers for Sophia.  She knows when she is going, hates having a full diapers, or even a diaper that is barely wet and can’t stand a really dirty diaper.  She’s ready…except that she isn’t ready.  IT’s making me CRAZY.</font></p> <p><font color="#666666"> <br /> <br /></font></p> <p><font color="#666666">So we bought Cookie.  The only time she will ever get to hold him is on the potty.  I think we’re pretty smart.  We think it’s brilliant.  It’s obviously going to work.</font></p> <p><font color="#666666"> <br /> <br /></font></p> <p><font color="#666666">Or is it?  Sophia also love the iPad but turns it down flat if the only way she can have it is to sit on the potty.  </font></p> <p><font color="#666666"></font></p> <p><font color="#666666"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nWQIZeXGwxY/T7Ft_aUz_JI/AAAAAAAADEA/1abPV63ImQI/s1600-h/PBN_21%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="PBN_21" border="0" alt="PBN_21" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-calcKHFdh94/T7Ft_wiyKMI/AAAAAAAADEI/vhSuJTHy62M/PBN_21_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#666666">(photo by <a href="http://www.photographybynealy.com">Photography by Nealy</a>)</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#666666"> <br /></font></p> <p><font color="#666666">My girl is cute, but stubborn.  I think this is going to be a very long battle.</font></p> <p><font color="#666666"> <br /></font></p> <p><font color="#666666">Cross your fingers.</font></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-45877202844934912472012-04-25T14:28:00.001-07:002013-12-06T13:01:29.729-08:00Reality sets in…<p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> Ever have a morning epiphany?  Where you look in the mirror and realize you look "mature" enough to be the age you are with the life you have?  Sometimes I seem to look and feel just the same as I did ten years ago (with varying weights and hair-styles, of course).</p> </p> <p> <p>  </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br /></p> <p>I haven’t done my bangs in almost a week – they’ve been pinned back. I’m wearing a new uniform of leggings and the best t-shirts ever from Gap (thanks to this girl for pointing them out on Saturday!). I’ve never been more comfortable and if you add a necklace or scarf and cute flats, no one knows the same kind of outfit is basically your pajamas. Love what’s in right now!</p> <p> <br /> <br /></p> <p>Yesterday,I looked in the mirror and realized I could fit my true profile and looked just frazzled enough to be 30 with two kids.  Lovely!  We celebrated with coffee and a walk to the park after E's first nap.</p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /></p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br />When I was a nanny, we walked all the time, some days we walked 3 miles or more, just to go to a fun park and get extra fresh air on the way.  Since Evelyn, we’ve not done that as much.  We live on a busy street without a sidewalk, so to go for a walk we have to get in the car and drive, which seems counteractive.  I’ve decided to be more intentional about it, so we parked at a busy intersection nearby, conveniently next to a Caribou, loaded the stroller and started walking. <br /> <br />By loading the stroller I mean that I spent 20 minutes applying sunscreen, dealing with tantrums, and generally convincing Sophia that her life is not nearly as dramatic as she makes it out to be.  Just wait until the teen years!</p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gmJ-bIo1CM0/T5hsLCskDgI/AAAAAAAADAs/lxUL01m-F7c/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_114015%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_114015" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_114015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RBF0d4aPkw8/T5hsL20X8oI/AAAAAAAADA0/5W-lSZT6hv8/IMG_20120424_114015_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a> <br /> <br />Once they were loaded, they were as cute as can be, and it was a mile each way, not too long or short. <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_jBtBRbNxRQ/T5hsM1DIZLI/AAAAAAAADA8/E8T7vXAmHbg/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_111829%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_111829" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_111829" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5jUz02QFyFs/T5hsNoYlInI/AAAAAAAADBE/BItvgL01S1o/IMG_20120424_111829_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a> <br />We had a lot of fun swinging and playing. <br /></p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SBFRekbcgNM/T5hsOVAXvoI/AAAAAAAADBM/zKl3MpsBgm8/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_114212%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_114212" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_114212" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QCG2RvQySkQ/T5hsPEDUgaI/AAAAAAAADBU/piXX6HMkQhI/IMG_20120424_114212_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LPltjtR2CIU/T5hsQKAEopI/AAAAAAAADBc/xMNNftFUyF8/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_113953%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_113953" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_113953" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rf0MZm9Cvzk/T5hsQkMLusI/AAAAAAAADBk/CbnDg4BO4Xo/IMG_20120424_113953_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="324" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-shxiiz4vVl0/T5hsRTQtYUI/AAAAAAAADBs/YKRRixOxKt0/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_114412%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_114412" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_114412" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xy_pzuyv4yo/T5hsSOJPw4I/AAAAAAAADB0/XjokBA5BW2E/IMG_20120424_114412_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_quDAA21V90/T5hsTMmr_-I/AAAAAAAADB8/hkc2MbfySII/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_114220%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_114220" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_114220" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XCkveYGbJoU/T5hsT0yREAI/AAAAAAAADCE/U2SqlQDyXj4/IMG_20120424_114220_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br />And a fabulous picnic. <br /> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pLw0jKeKsio/T5hsU68686I/AAAAAAAADCM/oTEe-N7SYEU/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_120510%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_120510" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_120510" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dDenC9tHog4/T5hsV054duI/AAAAAAAADCU/LIVgGKHHpuo/IMG_20120424_120510_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-95L-TvgKbRg/T5hsWhrTpVI/AAAAAAAADCc/G3CJ2deAgIY/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_120503%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_120503" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_120503" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vu9Boqnyq38/T5hsXXXAyXI/AAAAAAAADCk/_7jt1-Lm6SE/IMG_20120424_120503_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br />Baby’s first picnic – sweet potatoes and parsnips.  Obvious picnic food,right?! Dan said that in this picture, Evelyn looks like an old west gunslinger. <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9uHQi9xuroo/T5hsYA5HW-I/AAAAAAAADCs/PavbaauN2ZI/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_120730%25255B5%25255D.jpg"> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_120730" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_120730" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q8zD_DmzwoY/T5hsYnecpgI/AAAAAAAADC0/9nKfCxM5teg/IMG_20120424_120730_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br /> <br />Evelyn had too much fun and couldn’t stay awake on the way home.  Funny, because there were loud trucks that caused her sister to scream loudly for most of the walk.  I wish I could sleep like that! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tgEeRC7n8Tc/T5hsZNg-X9I/AAAAAAAADC8/ow5T1k2Z-FI/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_130525%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_130525" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_130525" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-REONj8mHdww/T5hsZmcyCTI/AAAAAAAADDE/XDH7zr-PQm0/IMG_20120424_130525_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="333" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SOMTwQApF28/T5hsafo8X5I/AAAAAAAADDM/1Y52cKwkkm4/s1600-h/IMG_20120424_131737%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_20120424_131737" border="0" alt="IMG_20120424_131737" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sdwbv79dC4s/T5hsaqMJOCI/AAAAAAAADDU/DmSyCcPsUcs/IMG_20120424_131737_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="333" /></a> <br /> <br />And how about a comparison?? <br /> <br />They probably look alike, and they have similarities, but I think they look completely different.  Just a mom’s perspective though. :) <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4kFnb9oW5-g/T5hsbbjd4EI/AAAAAAAADDc/wbCy4530oUk/s1600-h/2012-04-25%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-04-25" border="0" alt="2012-04-25" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gm7CV-E2wos/T5hscNLn9NI/AAAAAAAADDk/M7dAA_rmZ0A/2012-04-25_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="720" /></a></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-11946279995830412022012-03-02T16:37:00.001-08:002013-12-06T13:01:29.723-08:00Chopped<p> <br />Before <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3946" border="0" alt="DSCN3946" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Cy_rCMQsjY/T1FnpU4kSFI/AAAAAAAAC_s/9oZP8ImQ6iM/DSCN3946_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /> <br />During<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QaBjoJN9GPg/T1FnqyFzW2I/AAAAAAAAC_0/JEZF83a6J7M/s1600-h/DSCN3947%25255B7%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3947" border="0" alt="DSCN3947" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n2ShkFMVBoA/T1Fnr1cKhHI/AAAAAAAAC_8/PXFnRLTWNUQ/DSCN3947_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QuoyaJD95po/T1FntYrWDVI/AAAAAAAADAE/HaTwiBDpkdM/s1600-h/DSCN3948%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3948" border="0" alt="DSCN3948" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TQF9Gm_Ir8c/T1FnuWl7HZI/AAAAAAAADAM/tkrTFjSKSpU/DSCN3948_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a> <br />After!  She’s so pretty I can’t stop staring at her! <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3955" border="0" alt="DSCN3955" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3k1lNjaua68/T1FnvAYA0OI/AAAAAAAADAU/SV8_3CfJLDg/DSCN3955_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="454" /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8zqY2Z_TCM8/T1Fnwc_pcfI/AAAAAAAADAc/vo1Qggd1XK0/s1600-h/DSCN3956%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3956" border="0" alt="DSCN3956" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ROhVq7s6hco/T1FnxN0dgJI/AAAAAAAADAk/hZ2OQPCKsFw/DSCN3956_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="453" height="469" /></a></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-71581228460807600192012-02-29T21:54:00.001-08:002012-02-29T21:54:54.161-08:00Lately<p> <p> <p> How about a Cliff’s Notes version of the past month? <br /> <br />There was Valentine’s Day – lots of baking, and a few girly gifts for our girls. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rXre002uRmE/T08O8_N3i6I/AAAAAAAAC8o/lFZTDg87KPc/s1600-h/DSCN3910%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3910" border="0" alt="DSCN3910" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VG3lJ-Xl0v4/T08O9vYWM-I/AAAAAAAAC8w/gh7tHh8-YGQ/DSCN3910_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ITamtVwN8h4/T08O-HA63xI/AAAAAAAAC84/IskwYi8ru0k/s1600-h/Sophia.mixer%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sophia.mixer" border="0" alt="Sophia.mixer" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2lZcjdiRf6U/T08O-iiSWmI/AAAAAAAAC9A/l6Qs4bmoPt4/Sophia.mixer_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LViC8V1jMHE/T08O_oqnlTI/AAAAAAAAC9I/qyO7Pdwk5DA/s1600-h/DSCN3917%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3917" border="0" alt="DSCN3917" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vQkCJKhdgWU/T08PAYCi46I/AAAAAAAAC9Q/QypepGR65-I/DSCN3917_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rEd0Vt301SI/T08PBZPCAJI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/0EtVromiOrY/s1600-h/DSCN3924%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3924" border="0" alt="DSCN3924" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OMnS7viAN2Y/T08PBu8afFI/AAAAAAAAC9g/ufrAGucyhAs/DSCN3924_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tqM2rvPMPws/T08PC_tkviI/AAAAAAAAC9o/VJIfpI8vMbM/s1600-h/DSCN3928%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3928" border="0" alt="DSCN3928" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1XN8LitoRgE/T08PDcjKYsI/AAAAAAAAC9w/n66LIeCtFiU/DSCN3928_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a> <br />A little fun in the snow <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-si196Lh-I8Y/T08PEExAFwI/AAAAAAAAC94/1_e6lN5R_z0/s1600-h/Sophia.shoveling%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sophia.shoveling" border="0" alt="Sophia.shoveling" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SP9jo4lcN6w/T08PE0F3jzI/AAAAAAAAC-A/RXhGCgqWK94/Sophia.shoveling_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dtykWVGalTM/T08PFca04rI/AAAAAAAAC-I/B9PQgNMn-qQ/s1600-h/Sophia.snowman%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sophia.snowman" border="0" alt="Sophia.snowman" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2fxG5in5RUE/T08PFyazr1I/AAAAAAAAC-Q/qhZ9Tt9Ew68/Sophia.snowman_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a> <br />Some fun at the Mall of America <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tTBND03Seao/T08PGsGkFbI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/dMj4dLeXTZE/s1600-h/Sophia.moa1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sophia.moa1" border="0" alt="Sophia.moa1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kMO5zh6xfo8/T08PHLVT8AI/AAAAAAAAC-g/VX8jYCJtQwc/Sophia.moa1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a> <br /> <br />A few Bogo coffee dates <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3933" border="0" alt="DSCN3933" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gdY89XWAG7Y/T08PHYe-qJI/AAAAAAAAC-o/jVApA_h5rRs/DSCN3933_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-igtVdI-1WUA/T08PHwwJHXI/AAAAAAAAC-w/-NIUHSMrhNQ/s1600-h/Sophia.sassyconfidence%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sophia.sassyconfidence" border="0" alt="Sophia.sassyconfidence" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yIrmsJZj-tQ/T08PISMgJbI/AAAAAAAAC-4/dlJFMv7yEkg/Sophia.sassyconfidence_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a></p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <br />One super cute baby</p> </p> <p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WGDMkLqbsxQ/T08PI1GP91I/AAAAAAAAC_A/w3aD-NvA_PE/s1600-h/Ev.jumpy%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Ev.jumpy" border="0" alt="Ev.jumpy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9FUy_8YY6S4/T08PJceOaJI/AAAAAAAAC_I/TKl0NImoPw4/Ev.jumpy_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a> <br />And two haircuts, one for mommy and one for a super cute two-year-old – stay tuned for more pictures. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CVVy8LBJcaw/T08PKNBEiFI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/Cz-nQ0g33yM/s1600-h/beth.bangs%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="beth.bangs" border="0" alt="beth.bangs" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YmPONvggrAU/T08PKun_zUI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/f2WwO4cKHKs/beth.bangs_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3956" border="0" alt="DSCN3956" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-afUUxVZ9laM/T08PLb6sFCI/AAAAAAAAC_k/DQZl1FZS0u0/DSCN3956_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-70178991554056283372012-02-02T12:17:00.001-08:002012-02-02T12:17:24.728-08:00Mommy’s Day Off<p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> Can you hear the bounce in my step?   :)</p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br />Ever since Sophia had to watch her little buddy go off to preschool while I was still a nanny, it’s been her dream to hop on the bus and go along.  Well, there’s no bus, and it’s not officially preschool, but her dream has basically come true. <br /> <br />She used to see other children a lot more.  She had her three faux siblings at my job, and for most of her first two years, she went to daycare two days a week.  Since Evelyn arrived, her time with children hasn’'t been what this social child would want or need, so we started looking for some options for her.  She’s now attending a Mother’s Day Away program one day a week.  It’s essentially preschool – they have a letter and number of the day, circle time, story time, art, etc.  The nice thing, though, is that unlike preschool it’s a six hour program.  This means I can actually both spend some quiet quality time with Evelyn and get a few things accomplished during the babe’s naps.  </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br />She was pretty excited about it this morning – there’s a super cute video but I took it on my phone and it wouldn’t load.</p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br />“Say Preschool!!” <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m5yofoYpP64/TyrvRTBjObI/AAAAAAAAC7I/38yt5pUQwDY/s1600-h/preschool3%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="preschool3" border="0" alt="preschool3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j8q3L_Qv9nU/TyrvR9bTKJI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/KDwftkWJ7Og/preschool3_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H2yjghaDj2A/TyrvSbgP7qI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/VoWbe3YiiOA/s1600-h/preschool2%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="preschool2" border="0" alt="preschool2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3D-1_NWgL58/TyrvSnS3EAI/AAAAAAAAC7g/gBUYfLeDfHc/preschool2_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="409" /></a></p> </p> <p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mKc1TDt85pQ/TyrvS9f_WfI/AAAAAAAAC7o/XHaqnBmj0GY/s1600-h/preschool1%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="preschool1" border="0" alt="preschool1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-loymwlCcZ2k/TyrvTNJO7oI/AAAAAAAAC7w/xHkGos7ZDNI/preschool1_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="422" /></a></p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tx4VzaqNXCw/TyrvTh2DemI/AAAAAAAAC74/njupkazANGo/s1600-h/preschool%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="preschool" border="0" alt="preschool" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E2Lc9HHpTBM/TyrvT1S_KVI/AAAAAAAAC8A/s-qpByN-EOo/preschool_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a> <br />She was a little apprehensive when we got there, but ended up doing just fine.  Grandma will be picking her up every other week, so she came along.  While I walked around with the director for a tour, Grandma helped her get adjusted and then snuck out.  I think it helped that we didn’t all walk out at the same time with a big good-bye.  <br /> <br />Afterward, Grandma treated us to coffee to distract me from crying over my baby girl getting so big.  :)  </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EyeVjPhPIu8/TyrvUBAa-XI/AAAAAAAAC8I/9Nt6O3q22f4/s1600-h/Ev.coffee%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Ev.coffee" border="0" alt="Ev.coffee" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UECQfuMRkh4/TyrvUYYaaUI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/Z-KubAvLNUE/Ev.coffee_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a>Later, I finally pulled out the sewing machine my parents got me for Christmas to work on some Valentine gifts for the girls.  Along with the Valentine mess we already started the basement is looking a little crazy (this is our REAL life!) <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3W0a1PAUqLk/TyrvUsKjCPI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/BCUTfhux0Ds/s1600-h/mess%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="mess" border="0" alt="mess" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OD3fTVGGSIs/TyrvU4B35TI/AAAAAAAAC8g/3ew-iubxzys/mess_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="300" /></a> <br /> <br />I can’t wait to pick her up and see what she thought of it all.  I guess the real test will be how excited she is next Thursday! </p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-72033847951596086092012-01-05T14:27:00.001-08:002013-12-06T12:59:30.560-08:00Being realistic | 20 by 30?<p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br />I have these jeans in a dark wash: <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=48596&vid=1&pid=673944"><img style="margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none" alt="" src="http://www1.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/GPWeb/Assets/Product/673/673944/quick/gp673944-00qlv01.jpg" width="400" height="528" /></a></p> </p> <p> <p> And I miss them desperately.  It’s been about ten months since I was able to wear them…and that was with a rubber band to make them more comfortable as I grew bigger in my pregnancy. </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br />I am turning <em><strong>thirty</strong></em> in 76 days and I have twenty pounds to lose still.  Okay, technically only thirteen of them are baby weight, but I had gotten to my goal weight the summer Sophia turned one and I really enjoyed being there.  I wasn’t there when I got pregnant with Evelyn, but I’d like to be again.  <br /> <br />I was reading something unrelated to losing weight a while ago, but it used dieting as a metaphor.  It said that the difference between desire and commitment is actually making something happen.  Everyone has a list of things they want – spending more quality time with your kids rather than playing on your smart phone, making a daily devotional time more important, or a goal weight, but no matter how much you want something, just wanting it isn’t enough to make it happen.  If you intentionally commit to that desire, you will probably actually achieve something.  <br /> <br />It also helps to have a realistic view of what you are able to achieve.  To me, being realistic is a good medium between avoidance and over-optimism.  I don’t want to underachieve, but I don’t want to make a goal that sets me up for failure.  I’d love to lose 20 by the time I turn 30, but I’d be thrilled with ten.  Realistic is being aware of this – I have a husband, two kids, plenty of laundry, and a new overnight job.  And so, I have committed to looking awesome and at least wearing my favorite jeans on my birthday.</p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br />You can expect me to look something like this: <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" border="0" alt="Love Me some Herve Leger" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/13440498857644299_BAV2KLyI_b.jpg" width="250" height="481" /> <br />Maybe not, it’s a little tight for someone "my age.”  :) <br /> <br />In the process, I have discovered that some of the healthy things I avoid are actually great.  I avoid vegetables almost all of the time.  I try eating them, but it doesn’t come naturally.  Last night I made a chicken minestrone and it was amazing.  I ate tomatoes without gagging.  It also had kale in it, which I really love in soup, carrots, onion, etc.  It was really good.  <br /> <br />I love my Diet Coke, but I’m not craving it now that I’m drinking a ton of water.  Hopefully, I can keep that up. <br /> <br />I’m hoping to create a little countdown that I can use to keep myself accountable and update it with my weight loss until my birthday.  We’ll see…being realistic says that that’s may not happen. :)</p></p></p></p></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-2397012117119611382011-12-25T19:34:00.001-08:002011-12-25T19:34:30.014-08:00Merry Christmas to all…<p>Evelyn’s first Christmas was so much fun!  It was the first year Sophia could really understand what was going on and what Christmas was all about.  Unfortunately, when I tried talking to her about Jesus on Christmas Eve she wanted to part of it and only wanted to talk about Santa.  Something to work on this year, I think!  Thankfully on our way to church, I got her to at least “get” that it was Jesus’ birthday.  <br /> <br />Despite that, we did put a plate of cookies out for Santa to eat.  One of my favorite childhood memories was choosing which cookies we would leave out for Santa, so we did the same with Sophia.  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9a-bVmgZoC8/TvfrKpn3SII/AAAAAAAAC4Y/fUhKoZDCRbM/s1600-h/DSCN3812%25255B7%25255D.jpg"> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3812" border="0" alt="DSCN3812" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kqmK7NNakQ0/TvfrK_S7RHI/AAAAAAAAC4g/3kZIeGEQK7o/DSCN3812_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="490" height="488" /></a></p> <br />We put out all the choices, she filled a plate, and we left it out…until she went to bed and then we loaded them back into the containers. :) <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YbehzPHeD6E/TvfrLd3CG-I/AAAAAAAAC4o/c1c7dgzX-DU/s1600-h/DSCN3813%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3813" border="0" alt="DSCN3813" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ykYTNU5LCTo/TvfrLswasEI/AAAAAAAAC4w/UqtYcB_N-Hg/DSCN3813_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="444" /></a> <br />It is so much fun to be the mom on Christmas Eve!  It was especially fun this year, since Sophia knew that there would be something waiting for her when she woke up, so getting it all ready for her was that much more exciting. <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3817" border="0" alt="DSCN3817" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QcuMkXR-jrE/TvfrLwN6bmI/AAAAAAAAC44/cip6qnEfdGM/DSCN3817_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="412" /> <br />Guess who LOVES Christmas?!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oSV8F_cG3_I/TvfrMW--pkI/AAAAAAAAC5A/cPrknVTXUnA/s1600-h/DSCN3820%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3820" border="0" alt="DSCN3820" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qiXwBWEy5Xc/TvfrMgdHwYI/AAAAAAAAC5I/-ceUYwWey_E/DSCN3820_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="575" height="431" /></a> <br />Stockings were fun, and Sophia was lucky enough to open two Christmas morning – one from Grandma D, and one from Mommy and Daddy, and finished off by Grandma B. <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3825" border="0" alt="DSCN3825" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zuV6LHfJdT0/TvfrM51ViTI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/jgIPowvIle4/DSCN3825_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /> <br />She’s a really smiley baby anyway, but anytime I said “Merry Christmas” Evelyn grinned from ear to ear!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yhp_8PKSs4g/TvfrNKKYFxI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/HjPQsJChB14/s1600-h/DSCN3826%25255B7%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3826" border="0" alt="DSCN3826" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s6eEIw3J3MI/TvfrNodmvUI/AAAAAAAAC5g/5Y1g0sC7v4U/DSCN3826_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="591" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hlBG78fvyNw/TvfrN2rksMI/AAAAAAAAC5o/gFVLaytnOAU/s1600-h/DSCN3830%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3830" border="0" alt="DSCN3830" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2EJc7BnV0WU/TvfrOUdJtvI/AAAAAAAAC5w/bZEJVSIPNBM/DSCN3830_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="412" /></a> <br />I tried EVERYTHING I could do get a good picture of the two girls together.  Sophia was in quite the “mood” all day, so it wasn’t easy and we weren’t exactly successful, but these will have to do.  Here are the best we could muster:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3g76eUx8h1U/TvfrOs2lnsI/AAAAAAAAC54/1upmt08xpFE/s1600-h/DSCN3831%25255B7%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3831" border="0" alt="DSCN3831" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j537nJjnE_A/TvfrPA-82cI/AAAAAAAAC6A/ybSAnXmJhz4/DSCN3831_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="500" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XiF-4sl7gfY/TvfrPeYxryI/AAAAAAAAC6I/2sB_4HWF4PU/s1600-h/DSCN3834%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3834" border="0" alt="DSCN3834" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-prh11lA-svU/TvfrP5qfwWI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/W1tiiSBBLz4/DSCN3834_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="412" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pqLlUmaTVJo/TvfrQFBKD3I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/9ObwVDCNto0/s1600-h/DSCN3842%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3842" border="0" alt="DSCN3842" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4PwL1EVPeWc/TvfrQs4gBnI/AAAAAAAAC6g/8UpyamdL0-g/DSCN3842_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a> <br /><font color="#008080" size="5">Merry Christmas!!</font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7OOf6BYNYzM/TvfrQ6NvSkI/AAAAAAAAC6o/IGwU6j0cyeA/s1600-h/DSCN3845%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3845" border="0" alt="DSCN3845" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IO831lrCdiQ/TvfrReoLFXI/AAAAAAAAC6w/nHrKrZJO38w/DSCN3845_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-44531621070485717492011-12-22T06:12:00.001-08:002011-12-22T06:12:00.931-08:00Christmas | Celebrations and Traditions<p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br />Sophia’s cousin Lucas is in town for Christmas, which means that both Sophia and Grandma are in heaven! <br /> <br />I made some sugar cookies, along with a few other Chirstmas treats.  Once I started frosting the first cookie I realized how long it was going to take to make them look “just right.”  I got smart pretty quickly and enlisted the help of the toddlers.  They looked adorable, the kids had fun, and I wasn’t quite as busy.  A win all around!!</p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nP2SwvwfCAc/TvM6lanN4qI/AAAAAAAAC2I/bBoyBXB96Qw/s1600-h/DSCN3785%25255B7%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3785" border="0" alt="DSCN3785" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PcU7biAE_4c/TvM6ly4UH2I/AAAAAAAAC2Q/BrPOMPjqbmk/DSCN3785_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a></p> </p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QuaZXTaK_nA/TvM6mKAa3NI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/qHteYKEMCzs/s1600-h/DSCN3786%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3786" border="0" alt="DSCN3786" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vem8e5ftEmo/TvM6msKCNWI/AAAAAAAAC2g/kkvALKyaJSU/DSCN3786_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="418" /></a>We took the beautiful cookies to the annual extended “Z” family Christmas.  Every other year, Lucas and his family spend Christmas at home in Nashville, so it was fun to see Sophia have a buddy to run around with.  It seems like it really feels like Christmas when there are children running around..<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bPhzmbvie7A/TvM6nBystfI/AAAAAAAAC2o/lFnNIbaI5iI/s1600-h/DSCN3791%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3791" border="0" alt="DSCN3791" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sMu0SHDlU0k/TvM6ndYV4rI/AAAAAAAAC2w/iLuI4-BsKHk/DSCN3791_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="412" /></a> <br />…even if it does get a little wild sometimes. <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3794" border="0" alt="DSCN3794" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rL12JZzw4qE/TvM6noIEg7I/AAAAAAAAC24/VKfLqs1n4nM/DSCN3794_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="411" /> <br />Our annual Christmas tradition with Sophia has been to visit Santa at the  Mall of America and then go to Build-a Bear to make a toy for a child who doesn’t have as many as she does.  Usually they have a Toys for Tots drop off, but this year you could donate to Project Bear Hugs.  They collect any bears and toys made and then distribute them to homeless shelters in the area.  <br /> <br />Our hope is that the girls grow up realizing that Christmas is about the gift of life that Christ gave us and what we can do to give to others.  My hope is that they remember giving more than getting when looking back on their childhood Christmas memories. <br /> <br />Here are our past outings:  <a href="http://www.sophiamakesthree.blogspot.com/2009/12/toys-for-tots.html">2009</a> & <a href="http://www.sophiamakesthree.blogspot.com/2010/12/merry-christmas.html">2010</a>.</p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br />Maybe Santa isn’t the reason for the season, but he sure helped us get a cute holiday picture!  The elves at this particular Santa’s workshop are smart and have a stool <em>next</em> to Santa so you don’t actually have to sit on his lap.  A lot less traumatic this way! <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3798" border="0" alt="DSCN3798" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SMCH7Q_Qllw/TvM6oPWM-pI/AAAAAAAAC3A/1F6emWlVxhI/DSCN3798_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="575" height="431" /> <br />I thought for sure that this would be the year that Sophia freaked out when she couldn’t keep the toy she was making, but she let go just fine. <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3800" border="0" alt="DSCN3800" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FigEHKtIlK0/TvM6oWocAFI/AAAAAAAAC3I/1o_PhX4KoO8/DSCN3800_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="433" /> <br />Evelyn, on the other hand, was devastated when she found out she couldn’t keep this snuggly teddy bear.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r71fsF5uhp8/TvM6o_5a8UI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/g1LcY2Sj5Xw/s1600-h/DSCN3801%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3801" border="0" alt="DSCN3801" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6xJarn0TC9o/TvM6pDsiQ3I/AAAAAAAAC3Y/Hurs0JbS_Js/DSCN3801_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="667" /></a>The whole process seemed to overwhelm Sophia, but she did end up participating a little bit.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y9SajH2bf04/TvM6psP5FTI/AAAAAAAAC3g/zlTk3Xi46A4/s1600-h/DSCN3802%25255B8%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3802" border="0" alt="DSCN3802" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YAH-6A1U54c/TvM6p3OXoII/AAAAAAAAC3o/q3ctTl_9aNA/DSCN3802_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="533" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BLk27EcmdYo/TvM6qUloHXI/AAAAAAAAC3w/RtIayQRz06A/s1600-h/DSCN3806%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3806" border="0" alt="DSCN3806" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-im8xcQqXktQ/TvM6qrcLcCI/AAAAAAAAC34/vAxImMZFoXc/DSCN3806_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="338" /></a> <br />We faked Evelyn helping, but we know she’ll be more into in next year! <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3809" border="0" alt="DSCN3809" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q-S2tFcRg6c/TvM6rH5NlAI/AAAAAAAAC38/xnKqR5IYDuw/DSCN3809_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467" /> <br />Another happy Christmas memory!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3MDzXUC3pVo/TvM6rmXkDlI/AAAAAAAAC4I/O10sT5w0HzY/s1600-h/DSCN3811%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3811" border="0" alt="DSCN3811" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4_qFlwiNia8/TvM6rx0Hz6I/AAAAAAAAC4Q/mg8FyhXTkVM/DSCN3811_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="733" /></a></p></p></p></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-42245940756154776012011-12-20T12:38:00.001-08:002011-12-20T12:40:13.696-08:00Merry Christmas!I don't have my act together this year, but if you were to receive our card...here's what you'd see in your mailbox. :)<br />
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<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;">
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif); height: 6px;">
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<div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="height: 34px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 14px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 14px; width: 105px;">
<img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="background: #ffffff; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; box-shadow: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=2AZMmjdw0ZMntg&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/2AZMmjdw0ZMq/2AZMmjdw0ZMqeP/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1324413486000/0/" style="background: #ffffff; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; box-shadow: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px; text-align: center;">
<div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">
Retro Stripe Frame Christmas Card</div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">
Make a statement with personalized <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">Christmas cards</a> at Shutterfly.</div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">
View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div>
<img border="0" height="1" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" style="background: #ffffff; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; box-shadow: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="1" /></div>
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</div>Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-7755733051963341072011-12-15T12:02:00.001-08:002011-12-15T12:02:19.921-08:00Macy’s 8th Floor Display<p> <p> <p> <br />The Minneapolis downtown Macy’s has a Christmas display every year.  I’ve only been there a few times, but people in the area make a big deal out of going every year.  Usually, the do a different theme every year.  Apparently, this is the third year they’ve had this same display, Santa’s workshop, but this is the first time we’ve seen it, and Sophia’s first trip there.  She loved it, the details are amazing, and it was so fun to see her check everything out.  </p> </p> <p> <p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <br /> <br />Also, if you’re looking for a good day to go without hanging out in line for over an hour, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is the perfect day to check it out.  I think everyone was done with shopping after Black Friday, so there was no one in line, we walked right in, which made it that much more fun!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HMQSk1j16tU/TupSN9wqMsI/AAAAAAAAC0U/SDCcY3OdITE/s1600-h/DSCN3732%25255B7%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3732" border="0" alt="DSCN3732" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GRUrnSIS8IY/TupSOOvZA5I/AAAAAAAAC0c/MWbb7-C01Fs/DSCN3732_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="493" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x22zUPYRgnU/TupSOgTGFSI/AAAAAAAAC0k/QND8S4lm_eA/s1600-h/DSCN3733%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3733" border="0" alt="DSCN3733" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4-fW8oBDQto/TupSPCtmpOI/AAAAAAAAC0s/60diBWuZt04/DSCN3733_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vG7scu7LuPs/TupSPYNSD8I/AAAAAAAAC00/uL1oOebk8IM/s1600-h/DSCN3736%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3736" border="0" alt="DSCN3736" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fJJpjlzk4Ws/TupSP7fT0TI/AAAAAAAAC08/7eY2A9dBnb8/DSCN3736_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_laTQW2ZfqA/TupSQJKVFBI/AAAAAAAAC1E/rYCsmWDSQ80/s1600-h/DSCN3738%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3738" border="0" alt="DSCN3738" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-76APQXZ-R_o/TupSQqlqY4I/AAAAAAAAC1M/VB90SiTL-0Y/DSCN3738_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="490" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yvSCW2Na-aw/TupSQ-fDZ9I/AAAAAAAAC1U/GUT0hBcukzs/s1600-h/DSCN3740%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3740" border="0" alt="DSCN3740" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JKTKx0XzUY0/TupSRT4eCEI/AAAAAAAAC1c/HjZXNeTeHv0/DSCN3740_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bF7Iivhjjp4/TupSR-dowoI/AAAAAAAAC1k/STrkQovEL_A/s1600-h/DSCN3741%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3741" border="0" alt="DSCN3741" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aq0hF7QbRzQ/TupSSPSJHoI/AAAAAAAAC1s/vw5TmOqDq28/DSCN3741_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a>(Just in case you can’t see that last word, it’s “pony.”  And if you’re wondering…she’s not getting one.)<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O7n8NYU0x9A/TupSSqCG4EI/AAAAAAAAC10/k5iz5XLzZAQ/s1600-h/DSCN3742%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3742" border="0" alt="DSCN3742" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NI4WVOUkdMY/TupSS79gidI/AAAAAAAAC18/8VXF_iaoiHo/DSCN3742_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a></p></p></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-28031782605582034362011-12-08T06:45:00.001-08:002011-12-08T07:16:10.754-08:00We all do it… <p>Every parent does it.  Every parent thinks, “Wow.  My kids are the BEST kids.  How did I get so lucky to get the greatest kids ever?”  Maybe not that exact thought, but something to that effect.  And that’s the way it should be.  That’s how our children know just how loved they are.  We are amazed by them, how smart they are, how beautiful, how funny, how clever.</p> <p> <br /> <br />I love those moments.  The ones where I go racing for the camera to try to capture a moment that I won’t get back, because they grow and change so fast.  It doesn’t bother me that no matter how many times I clear hundreds of pictures from my camera, the next week there are at least 500 photos of my sweet babies.  I don’t care that my computer memory is probably half full of pictures, many of which look almost exactly the same.  Someday, those pictures will be all I will have to remind me of their sweetness when they were so small. <br /> <br />Tuesday, I went to Target for groceries and had one of those days.  My girls were just beyond adorable.  Something about their smiles sucked me in!  Can you blame me?  Look at these cuties! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8afvkBsfZLQ/TuDNd4WIyfI/AAAAAAAACz0/l6iOaTmdeZo/s1600-h/DSCN3768%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3768" border="0" alt="DSCN3768" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sji5kF7FI74/TuDNeIKEEeI/AAAAAAAACz8/S0S3FhgiRSY/DSCN3768_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="412" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--QSNMoh1g04/TuDNebPy3OI/AAAAAAAAC0E/XZGtgYHqG30/s1600-h/DSCN3770%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3770" border="0" alt="DSCN3770" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_Bz122k_2dE/TuDNekjuGjI/AAAAAAAAC0M/F8Np1RpC4us/DSCN3770_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="412" /></a></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-18055484227485457462011-11-29T13:03:00.001-08:002013-12-06T13:00:31.408-08:00Happy Birthday–2 months today!<p> <br />I never know what day it is anymore.  I just happened to get lucky and look at a calendar long enough to realize that today is the day our darling baby Evelyn is 2 months old!  It’s hard to believe it’s gone so quickly (how often during a child’s life does a mother have to say those words?!), but here she is, sweet as can be.  Smiles, coos, and even a laugh here and there.  Couldn’t be happier with our tiny Little Miss. <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3750" border="0" alt="DSCN3750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mJ9JPc9AInI/TtVIs0purjI/AAAAAAAACzs/f79ZBwfbBoU/DSCN3750_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="691" /></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9094825146681507484.post-46344840491500733622011-11-26T07:34:00.001-08:002011-11-26T07:34:53.025-08:00Giving Thanks<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8oPsUJs-SVA/TtEG-tVc7RI/AAAAAAAACv8/d08ea94JpCs/s1600-h/DSCN3705%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font color="#000000"> </font><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3705" border="0" alt="DSCN3705" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v14tiattfpw/TtEG_Ks-guI/AAAAAAAACwE/-0x0CZb3ltE/DSCN3705_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TiPXz_SBpa8/TtEG_XAQZPI/AAAAAAAACwM/PwzGFgnEIJM/s1600-h/DSCN3687%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /></a></p> We are very thankful for our two sweet girls.   Here’s a peek at our tiny Thanksgiving celebration, just the four of us. <br /> <br /> <br /> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TiPXz_SBpa8/TtEG_XAQZPI/AAAAAAAACwM/PwzGFgnEIJM/s1600-h/DSCN3687%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3687" border="0" alt="DSCN3687" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eGaK7SWWzTs/TtEG_9PHJ5I/AAAAAAAACwU/bOOGjcdevuA/DSCN3687_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />Thank you Pottery Barn Kids for a cute breakfast idea!  Sophia ate turkey for breakfast while watching the parade. <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3689" border="0" alt="DSCN3689" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kLn-faCz4wk/TtEHAKh8A5I/AAAAAAAACwc/hxRjun6VCcM/DSCN3689_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="415" /> <br />While I set the table… <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3691" border="0" alt="DSCN3691" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ABwmM1Q_dSE/TtEHAdBXrQI/AAAAAAAACwk/kz22F4A3N08/DSCN3691_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /> <br />Sophia went grocery shopping and set up her own Thanksgiving party. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WaR0wojePvg/TtEHA-pyuQI/AAAAAAAACws/TkyBiGB18ic/s1600-h/DSCN3683%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3683" border="0" alt="DSCN3683" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N1KX0KwS5ao/TtEHBN35PsI/AAAAAAAACw0/ybFTA1LxvFQ/DSCN3683_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H7re_TvE7Yk/TtEHBaJGFUI/AAAAAAAACw8/IgN_8vIMQu0/s1600-h/DSCN3694%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3694" border="0" alt="DSCN3694" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4NSOZs1E4UU/TtEHB9dq_xI/AAAAAAAACxE/xor5LVBtHpI/DSCN3694_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a> <br />The part of the meal that I was most excited about. <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3695" border="0" alt="DSCN3695" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OLnjr-CPSzY/TtEHCB0vPbI/AAAAAAAACxM/T89jz5iyBvA/DSCN3695_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cx4cZ5pjg0E/TtEHCcWvNvI/AAAAAAAACxU/12t8MkMUQB4/s1600-h/DSCN3698%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3698" border="0" alt="DSCN3698" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VbLqOdkmkLA/TtEHCk5IiFI/AAAAAAAACxc/WQNHFTyUkAw/DSCN3698_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="412" /></a> <br />Our tiniest little blessing.  So thankful for this sweet baby and her big sister!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oIeca3QlQsQ/TtEHDNPriWI/AAAAAAAACxk/geSDZY7i5fE/s1600-h/DSCN3699%25255B8%25255D.jpg"> <br /> <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3699" border="0" alt="DSCN3699" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZGnL52BGjbg/TtEHDfyK0FI/AAAAAAAACxs/xIkLvF4HMi4/DSCN3699_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="581" height="464" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oRD2yzIeHzo/TtEHD5OOP2I/AAAAAAAACx0/s8gVQ9pt8V4/s1600-h/DSCN3702%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3702" border="0" alt="DSCN3702" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ubaIkapvUTM/TtEHEO6MSzI/AAAAAAAACx8/xJwEVtCAt-Q/DSCN3702_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hlZqW8IRcTk/TtEHEp_8HYI/AAAAAAAACyE/FE49gL5bImg/s1600-h/DSCN3709%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3709" border="0" alt="DSCN3709" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZNBG5pvkrng/TtEHE-cgHwI/AAAAAAAACyM/DAeZnOVAqFU/DSCN3709_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="600" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sib94keUP74/TtEHFVKJO7I/AAAAAAAACyU/0ojXczogO9o/s1600-h/DSCN3711%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3711" border="0" alt="DSCN3711" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7Yh1YsYdyas/TtEHFsbyQvI/AAAAAAAACyc/4Mx068tBINc/DSCN3711_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A7dPMaefBos/TtEHFygARvI/AAAAAAAACys/HhBe3E2IBL4/s1600-h/DSCN3717%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3717" border="0" alt="DSCN3717" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vU-Qn2MqlgM/TtEHGRvL3BI/AAAAAAAACyw/1E-V8BOB-IY/DSCN3717_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="485" height="386" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PJpv14BNETY/TtEHGtNKq0I/AAAAAAAACy8/sOqvInTMlUU/s1600-h/DSCN3723%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN3723" border="0" alt="DSCN3723" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-st8U7FHCpPw/TtEHG0YZf2I/AAAAAAAACzE/p1d0Mz9mENU/DSCN3723_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375" /></a></p> Whoopsie Daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403403421775040578noreply@blogger.com1