tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91021744229028371272024-03-13T12:22:29.057-04:00Wife LifeRunning on love... and coffeeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-9156232318965370522015-02-22T05:01:00.001-05:002015-07-21T01:42:03.097-04:00Kennedy-isms<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kennedy is quite the talker. Every day she surprises me with words she has learned (unfortunately a few I wish she would un-learn) and her ability to use them in context. Just like any kid, she has adopted her own unique way of saying certain things and, before she learns the proper way to pronounce them, I want to make a note of all of the adorable things she says that make me smile.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Beefurfly (butterfly)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Farkle (sparkle)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Freshel (special)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Elfafent (elephant)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Popsasicle (popsicle)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Me turn (my turn)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Do you wanna build a Noman?"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Buppy buppies (Bubble Guppies)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oopsie doopsie (Oopsie daisy)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">'Punzel (Rapunzel)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Eeenicorn (Unicorn)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Punce upon a time (Once upon a time)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fuz (Because)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Kevin will ask "What will you always be?" and Kennedy responds "Little Daddy's Girl". Melt.</span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-71373743418229118272014-09-08T21:46:00.001-04:002014-09-12T19:17:52.700-04:00Delaney's Birth Story<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
So I had a baby in the bathroom... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allow me to preface this by saying that a few months ago,
Kevin and I looked into doing a home birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know… the super crunchy, dim candle light, soft music, warm water tub,
calm midwife encouraging me through contractions while my husband held my hand
or massaged my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah that
kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, due to
insurance/financial reasons, we learned that this type of birth was just not in
the cards for us and we made preparations to deliver at the same hospital
Kennedy was born at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I searched for a
while to find a midwife that I felt would be receptive of a relaxed,
intervention-free birth and I vowed to do my part to make sure this baby’s
birth was completely different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that
Kennedy’s birth </span><a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2012/07/kennedys-birth-story.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Kennedy's
Birth Story Here)</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was anything less than special… it just wasn’t the
empowering, medication/intervention free birth that I wanted to experience.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On to the story…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Friday morning at 11am I had my last midwife appointment
before the baby’s due date (which was Saturday).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going in, I was on the fence about whether to
have them check me for dilation/effacement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Up to this point, I had declined internal exams, because I believe in
trying to go the full 40 weeks if at all possible, and I didn’t want anything
to get stirred up during the exam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
consulted with some girlfriends and asked Kevin if he wanted to know… he was
supportive either way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured with the due date
being the next day, it wouldn’t hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had also decided that since I am late for… well… everything, it would be
shocking if any of my kids were on time (Kennedy was 5 days late) let alone
early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The MW checked me and said I was
2cm and 80% effaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the exact
stats I received when I checked into the hospital with K, after my water had
broken, so I couldn't help but laugh at the irony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She offered to strip my membranes and I declined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to work Friday (and Saturday)
overnight, still had some laundry to do and things to pack/unpack. I had a letter to write to Kennedy (which I planned to use as a distraction during early labor) and one last baby bump picture to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My (and Kevin’s) curiosity was satisfied so I
headed home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around 12:30-1pm I took Kennedy out to lunch, to our
favorite little café in Liverpool, Café 407.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had taken her last week thinking it might have been our last
mommy/daughter date before her little brother or sister arrived, so I was very
thankful to be able to sneak in one more lunch date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started feeling crampy during lunch and on
the drive home, but I chalked it up to the internal exam and really didn’t
think much of it since the “cramps” were sporadic, varying lengths and not any
more intense than annoying period cramps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By this point, I was so set on going past my due date that I even sent
my friend (Kennedy’s sitter) a text asking if she wanted to go get pedicures on
Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around 2-2:15pm we got home from lunch and I tried to put K
down for a nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally on work nights,
I nap with her to get some extra sleep in before staying up all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She nursed for a while, but neither of us
could get comfortable enough to fall asleep and I began to notice the “cramps”
beginning to feel a little more intense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I turned on the contraction timer app on my phone, just for kicks, to
see if these were anything worth worrying about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my surprise, they were coming regularly
about 5 minutes apart and lasting about 45 seconds-1 minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the while I was still trying to get
Kennedy to nap so I could either nap with her or hop in the tub to see if these
contractions were going to stick around or fade away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This went on for about half an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was kind of restless and I guess I was
too, so I finally gave up and sent Kevin a text at work around 2:45.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him I wasn’t sure if it was baby time
yet, but I asked if he could possibly come home early to take care of Kennedy
so I can either rest or get things moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He left right away and made it home in record time (excited, much?) around
3:15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also texted My friend who was going to watch Kennedy when I went in to deliver (who literally lives right behind us, but just happened to be 45 minutes away
that day, which NEVER happens, lol!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was planning to be home by 6pm anyway and I told her not to rush,
since I wasn’t really sure if this was it or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I kept thinking in the back of my head
that with Kennedy, I went in WAY too early and was stuck there for hours… which
lead to Pitocin and an epidural. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew
this was not what I wanted and that I did want to labor at home as long as
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I told her I just wanted to
give her a head’s up but to carry on as planned<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I used 6pm as my focus point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By this point (about 3:30pm), I was still on the fence as to
whether this was the real deal or just the aftermath of the internal exam
earlier that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still hadn’t called
the midwife or called in to work for the night, because I didn’t want to jump
the gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was waiting for the contractions
to become more intense, closer together, last longer… something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By about 4pm the contractions were about 3-4 minutes apart,
lasting about 1- 1 ½ minutes and definitely increasing in intensity… I was
pretty sure this was it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called into
work, but for some reason, held off on calling the MW.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next hour is kind of a blur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I alternated between the bath tub, birthing
ball, my bed, the floor and pretty much everywhere in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, I drained the tub and thought I
would take a shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next thing I know,
with shampoo in my hair I decided “the heck with it, back in the bed”, then
back in the shower a minute later, this time curled up on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was now absolutely positive this was it,
but questioning my ability to get through the next 2 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just kept focusing on 6pm (when my friend/K's sitter was planning to be home and I was planning to drop K off and head to the
hospital), but the minutes were dragging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was picturing arriving at the hospital shortly after 6pm, writhing in
agony, only to be told I was at 5cm or something like that and that I still had
hours to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to mentally prepare
myself to give in and beg for an epidural since the pain was unbelievably intense
by this point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somewhere around 4:45pm, I wasn’t sure how much more I could
take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally decided to call the
midwife who told me to head in to the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I told her my sitter was about 45 minutes away, but that we would head
in as soon as she arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then texted my friend and told her I changed my mind, lol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I asked if she could leave soon and head to our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was on the road in minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around 5pm or so I started to feel like “I’ve got to POOP!”
so I sat on the toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Nurse
Monica took over for a second and it hit me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Holy !^%@#^ … rectal pressure… this is a surefire signal that delivery
is imminent”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I yelled to Kevin that we
needed to leave NOW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got Kennedy
dressed and sent our sitter a text asking her to just meet us at the
hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my yoga pants on, only
to rip them off during the next contraction and hop back on the toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the only place/position that felt even
remotely tolerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This process (between
contraction- pants on, everyone get in the car, I can totally make it to the
hospital in time… during contraction- pants off, back on the toilet, I’m not
going to make it!!) for a few contractions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not sure why, but during one contraction, I decided to reach down and
check what was going on down there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
my shock, I felt the bulging bag of waters and a firmness (head?!) just inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OH.MY.GOD!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now it was about 5:15pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I yelled to Kevin again, who ran upstairs and must have caught the look
of terror on my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him there
was no way we were making it to the hospital in time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked if he should call 9-1-1 and I said “I
don’t know!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waivered back and forth…
call 9-1-1, don’t call, try to get to the car, screw it stay right here, “grab
towels!” (the only piece<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of my EMT
training that surfaced during this whole debacle).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally Kevin just said “executive decision…
calling 9-1-1” and I was thankful that the decision was made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweet Kennedy was so worried about me… she
kept coming in the bathroom to rub my back or pat my hand and say “it’s ok,
mama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t cry”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Kevin would ask her to go play in her
room and she would sit on her bed with a doll, pouting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is so incredibly sensitive and was no
doubt scared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 9-1-1 operator told him to make me get off the toilet
immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was mad, but in
retrospect, it was definitely the right thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there I was… laying on my bathroom floor (which is
*about* the size of a small closet) in nothing but my bra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My loving husband had one phone up to his ear
talking to 9-1-1, a second phone in his left hand texting the sitter to tell
her to come straight to our house asap, and his right hand applying “gentle
pressure” to somewhere down there per the 9-1-1 operator’s direction. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><I need to interject here and remind
everyone of my idea of a home birth… with the whirlpool tub, candles, soft
music, my husband massaging my back during contractions, my dignity still
intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah that.><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, a few contractions later, my water
broke and I felt like I had to push immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gulp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just then, I heard the ambulance crew announce their arrival
at our front door (and I’m pretty sure Kevin heard angels singing).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ran up the stairs and Kevin dove for safety
as the paramedic donned his gloves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less
than a minute later, our sweet baby was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A feisty little baby girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kevin cut the cord and took her to meet her big sister while
the paramedic and EMTs checked me over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They did make me sit on a stair chair to exit the house (mortifying!) then
hop on the stretcher (with half of the neighborhood rubber necking, awesome) and
baby girl and I enjoyed our first ambulance ride together to the hospital where
we were given a clean bill of health and a few dozen “wtf”s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
the story of how our sweet, spunky Delaney Grace came crashing into our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was born Friday September 5, 2014 at 1738
at home, in our bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She weighs 7
pounds 13 ounces and is 21.5 inches long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She has a full head of dark hair and beautiful long eyelashes, just like her big
sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kennedy is just smitten by her
baby sister and my super awesome, multi-tasking husband (so proud of him!) is
listed as the official delivery “attendant” (kind of cool, right?) on her birth
certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all now have a story to
laugh about for years to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So… if you ever hear about someone delivering a baby in an
awkward, less-than-desirable, unplanned location and wonder “how the heck does
that happen?”… now you know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Akwc-hpyhnCyp0hyphenhyphenMiR0oER_pRuxM1FYrdrL-rRWwon5I_tJuIN8pOF-lVWfd8CoegOnSfERNsgdssw6V0ZaXCL-F4YmRU3-V6v_UZqXwoPIdzLD555N96pzkozydoQFrKllXeBZHsc/s1600/delaney+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Akwc-hpyhnCyp0hyphenhyphenMiR0oER_pRuxM1FYrdrL-rRWwon5I_tJuIN8pOF-lVWfd8CoegOnSfERNsgdssw6V0ZaXCL-F4YmRU3-V6v_UZqXwoPIdzLD555N96pzkozydoQFrKllXeBZHsc/s1600/delaney+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglww9rdXIFEvdOz0anywhrwGgzo3qYMU_VFU9YM6G8oOcuTOnksenH15et5juUSUZ-L19Eyk5PyKk1ciwwMWPQ3ckZ4L8BXZm_wy6n5sDItNnPg8oeoaTpj9t5dCw80RLQmkRsl17wOgs/s1600/delaney+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglww9rdXIFEvdOz0anywhrwGgzo3qYMU_VFU9YM6G8oOcuTOnksenH15et5juUSUZ-L19Eyk5PyKk1ciwwMWPQ3ckZ4L8BXZm_wy6n5sDItNnPg8oeoaTpj9t5dCw80RLQmkRsl17wOgs/s1600/delaney+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjigJvhakeWsgqrV8uSYeoxM0wy_wQF_AnDVtyuKjAZbOiivt6QTvuMC-0aINCb8ScQHhx0rRKi26PYo2i_fps9CQjo1JJVNhyphenhyphenINnMv7QHQDo_UCl_KggA-BRtTyBYxlC8JW_3cpGjww/s1600/delaney+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjigJvhakeWsgqrV8uSYeoxM0wy_wQF_AnDVtyuKjAZbOiivt6QTvuMC-0aINCb8ScQHhx0rRKi26PYo2i_fps9CQjo1JJVNhyphenhyphenINnMv7QHQDo_UCl_KggA-BRtTyBYxlC8JW_3cpGjww/s1600/delaney+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-50092240692273023682014-08-26T05:08:00.000-04:002015-02-22T05:35:06.179-05:00My baby girl, you will always be...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately I've been reflecting a lot on how I felt before Kennedy was born (which truthfully, I can hardly remember what life was like before her)... and thinking a lot about how much our lives will be changing when this baby arrives. And I feel... torn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I actually had a meltdown (complete with ugly cry) the other day and thought for a fleeting moment "I don't want to have another baby". Of course, this is completely untrue. Of course we are over the moon to bring another baby into this world and we are so excited to watch Kennedy become a big sister. But I would be lying if I said a small part of me wasn't sad at the thought of changing the relationship I have with my one and only baby girl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Kennedy seems happy about the baby. She often rests her head on my belly or pats my bump and says "hi baby". She takes out my doppler and wants to "listen to baby" or points to herself and says "big sisser". She seems torn 50/50 on whether or not the "belly baby" is "baby brodder" or "baby sisser" but either way she seems genuinely interested and excited. But I know in just a few short weeks, her world is going to be turned upside down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Right now, I am all hers and she is the center of everyone's attention, especially mine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What is it going to be like to share my heart, my attention, my time? Will I be able to give the new baby all of the love and attention he or she needs while still giving all of the love and attention to Kennedy that she is accustomed to? Will she hate me forever for removing her from her only child throne?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before her time as my only child expires, I wanted to jot down some feelings in a letter. I know she does not completely understand all of the changes that are happening right now, but maybe some day she will read, maybe some day she will understand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Dear Kennedy, my baby girl,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I remember just before you were born looking at my loving husband- your daddy- and wondering how I could ever possibly love someone as much as I love him. I wondered who you were and what our life would be like once you joined us. I was excited, nervous, confused, scared and ecstatic all at the same time. I wondered what it would feel like to be a mother, and worried if I would be any good at it. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to give you all of the love you deserved.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then you arrived.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Eight pounds, ten ounces. Twenty-one inches. Head full of dark brown hair and the most amazing blue eyes. You had the sweetest little cry and the most amazing new baby smell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My heart immediately grew and despite all of my fears and worries about what life would be like with you, I could no longer remember my life without you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I held you close and promised to give you all of my love for all of your life, not even fully understanding what that meant and yet somehow knowing I meant every word. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I remember spending hours every night holding you, nursing you, staring at you. I cried constantly. Happy tears because my heart had never been so overwhelmed with joy and scared tears because I was terrified of all of the ways that I could possibly mess up this whole mom job. I cried when you cried because it hurt my heart to see you sad. I cried when you smiled because I felt like my heart would burst with happiness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You were my whole world. You are my whole world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today you are my one and only. Soon, though, things will change. Change is good, but sometimes change is hard. Before things change, I wanted to take some time to tell you just how much you mean to me. In the days to come, you might feel sad and confused. I promise that bringing a new baby into our world does not mean I will love you any less, but rather that my heart will grow yet again and I will love even more. And I promise your heart will grow too, just like mine did when I first laid eyes on you. You will make a new friend that will be yours for a lifetime. Your new little brother or sister will be so lucky because they have such an amazing, kind, loving big sister to look up to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">No matter how many other little brothers or sisters join our family, you are and always will be the little girl who made me a mother. You will always be the first one I held in my arms and snuggled to sleep. You will always be the first one to call me "mama" and the first one to enjoy all of the "firsts". You are and always will be my sweet baby girl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Forever and always,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mama</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-16486188730879224602014-05-29T04:28:00.000-04:002014-06-28T04:39:49.760-04:00Kennedy's 22 Month Check In<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Another month has flown by and (surprise surprise) I am late to update. I just don't know where the time is going. Baby girl is really turning into a little person. I mean... I *know* she has always been a litlte person, but she acts more grown up every day. Her language is exploding, her facial expressions and gestures are so animated and her personality is really truly her own. I am not sure whether I should laugh or cry at the thought of her growing so fast, but one thing I know for sure is that I am truly blessed to witness it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>How Big Is Baby?</b></span></span></span> <br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy is about 24-25 pounds</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since she wears mostly Pull Ups during the day, her 2T pants are still way too big. She wears 18 month pants and even some 12T shorts. Tops-wise, she is in 18 month and 2T... no change here</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Size 5 shoes still</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She wears Pull Ups during the day with very few accidents. At night, we still use cloth diapers and she still fits in her one sizes perfectly</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Development & Milestones</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In addition to her ever-expanding vocaublry, her comprehension is improving. She now speaks in complete or near-complete sentances. She asks and answers questions appropriately. It is so fun to be able to communicate with her.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tooth count... I'm 99% sure we have a full set</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Diet/Nursing</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In addition to her love of fresh fruit and veggies, Kennedy still loves to nurse, especially at nap time and bed time. You know... it's funny (and I will probably do a separate post about this in the near future...) motherhood is such a humbling experience. I always knew I wanted to breastfeed (mostly for the nutritional benefits) but never in a million years did I expect to be nursing an almost 2 year old, with no end in sight. The special bond we share and the overwhelming feeling of love and closeness is indescribable. I am so grateful that we are able to continue to nurse!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b>S</b><b>leep</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep has been pretty good. I am still working overnights, but on daddy nights, K does a great job falling asleep and sleeping through the night with Kevin. On mommy nights, we nurse to sleep and she usually wakes once a night for a little more milk. I wouldn't trade it for the world.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mommy & Daddy Check In</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another fun month for us! Kevin and I celebrated our 3rd (Wow!) anniversary yesterday and the whole family (Miles and Lucy included) enjoyed a trip to Pittsburgh for Memorial Day.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are both still rocking T25 and enjoying our new, clean diet.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Otherwise... same old!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pittsburgh trip for Memorial Day with a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo which Kennedy LOVED!</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are working on a playground in our backyard. Pictures to come... but it is going to be awesome!</span></span></li>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhOOei3Dqo4g1GnX5WCX77mcCD-_iQraRnyFfOIvMg1iesl7o2rDfxrmtodLGr4GX3TgHTn9paSY16uT9KjqsYXeJIjS0xvS65pE-1zhOBzilnVhA_elQppwpU3RID8-ScnCdO69oaBA/s1600/DSC_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
</span></span></ul>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?</b></span></span> <br />
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next appointment will be 2 year well check in July.</span></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-77234418882057077362014-04-29T00:30:00.000-04:002014-05-14T00:30:54.444-04:00Kennedy's 21 Month Check In<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">It's hard to believe we are really closing in on Kennedy's second birthday. This month was pretty dismal, but the weather is sloooooowly improving and I finally see some sunny days and play time outside in the near future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>How Big Is Baby?</b></span></span></span> <br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy is about 24-25 pounds</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since she wears mostly Pull Ups during the day, her 2T pants are still way too big. She wears 18 month pants and even some 12T shorts. Tops-wise, she is in 18 month and 2T</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Size 5 shoes still</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is wearing Pull Ups mostly during the day (and doing an AWESOME job with potty training). At night, we still use cloth diapers and she still fits in her one sizes perfectly</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Development & Milestones</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I feel like I say this every month, but her language development is really amazing. She has started to put 3 word sentances together.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My favorite thing? "Yes, please!" She is just so polite and it is the cutest thing. She says "Yes, please" and "Thank you buddy" all the time. ::gushing proud mama here::</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still no fear of strangers and still loves to wave and say "Hi" or "Hi buddy" to everyone</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No new progress with potty training. K pees on the potty about 75% of the time, but still doesn't let us know when she needs to (or already has!? ugh) to poop</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tooth count... I'm just going to guess full set. I can't tell if she has cut any new ones or not, lol!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Diet/Nursing</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still nursing away! Mostly just nap time and bed time now, but 21 months and still going strong! It's funny because I really never pictured myself as someone who would nurse for an extended period, but here we are... and I wouldn't have it any other way.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her appetite comes and goes, but she definitely has a preference for fresh fruit. Luckily, so do I, so we are a match made in heaven.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b>S</b><b>leep</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep was great this month. I have been encouraging Kevin to put her to bed a little earlier, especially on nights that I am at work and this seems to be working well.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naps were so-so. It must be so tough for her to flip flop back and forth between my work and day off schedule... but she does her best and we make it work.</span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mommy & Daddy Check In</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This month has been really great! Kevin and I have both been keeping up with Insanity and have really made an effort to eat cleaner and healthier than we already do. Kevin has lost several inches and his changing shape is becoming more obvious! I am so proud of how hard he is working!</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Otherwise... work is work and school is school and life is crazy, but beautiful.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not much this month again. A few trips to the park, a 6 legged 5K (which was WAY fun!), a trip to the zoo and an outing to check out Billy Beez... hopefully some sunshine and play time in the neatr future.</span></span></li>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhOOei3Dqo4g1GnX5WCX77mcCD-_iQraRnyFfOIvMg1iesl7o2rDfxrmtodLGr4GX3TgHTn9paSY16uT9KjqsYXeJIjS0xvS65pE-1zhOBzilnVhA_elQppwpU3RID8-ScnCdO69oaBA/s1600/DSC_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
</span></span></ul>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?</b></span></span> <br />
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next appointment will be 2 year well check in July.</span></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-64878876564398231202014-04-20T00:35:00.000-04:002014-05-14T01:08:54.388-04:00Two.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You would be 2 years old today. I watch Kennedy running around and singing the song from Frozen and catch myself daydreaming about you. She definitely has a personality all her own, but when I look at her, especially on days like today, I think of you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you were here, she would not be. What a strange and confusing emotion. I am so grateful for her, but I so desperately long to know you, to hold you, to have you here with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I still have the wonders and what if's... the daydreams and nightmares... I still wonder if you were an Emily Rose or a (boy name we never talked about). I wonder if you would be as obsessed with Frozen as she is and if you would adore the puppies as much as she does. I wonder if you would be clumsy or quiet or shy or silly. I wonder what your laugh would sound like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So today, like many days, I wonder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I went back and read some old blog entires... <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2011/08/so-ive-been-slacking.html">the day</a> I found out I was pregnant with you... <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2011/08/heartbroken.html">the day</a> I found out I lost you... your first <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/04/who-youd-be-today.html">birthday in heaven</a>. The raw emotion came flooding back just as strong as those first days. It's amazing how reading one's own letters is like stepping back in time. The pain felt fresh all over again and I feel the tears flowing again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then Kennedy, your sweet and silly earthly sister climbs into my lap and says "I love you mama" and as much as I know it is her comforting me, in some strange way I feel you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And happy birthday, sweet angel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-39268088439473808422014-03-29T04:55:00.000-04:002014-04-01T05:18:40.407-04:00Kennedy's 20 Month Check In<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another month has flown by and we are (FINALLY) approaching spring here in Syracuse. Kennedy continues to grow and learn while mommy and daddy continue to wish time would just.slow.down.<br /><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>How Big Is Baby?</b></span></span></span> <br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy is about 24-25 pounds</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are finally moving into some lighter clothes (although still long pants and long sleeve shirts) and K is fitting into 18 month pants with 2T tops. Since she wears mostly Pull Ups during the day, the pants are a little saggy, but length-wise they work.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Size 5 shoes still</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is wearing Pull Ups mostly during the day (and doing an AWESOME job with potty training). At night, we still use cloth diapers and she still fits in her one sizes perfectly</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Development & Milestones</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has learned quite a bit this month... coutning 1 to 10, colors and shapes. She loves to point to things when we are out and tell me what shape or color they are. She also loves to count... everything. I am so proud of her!</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is still very outgoing and loves to wave or say "Hi" to everyone. She is also really enjoying her time at the sitter, especially when there are other kids for her to play with.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She continues to do well with potty training. We are still not 100% yet, but I am in no rush. I am just following her lead and encouraging her when she tells me she needs to go, then goes. She is definitely doing this her own way in her own time and I am totally supportive of that.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tooth count... I'm just going to guess full set. I can't tell if she has cut any new ones or not, lol!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Diet/Nursing</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still nursing away! Mostly just nap time and bed time now, but 20 months and still going strong!</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Food-wise, she has been a bottomless pit this month. She eats anything and everythign in sight... and then asks for strawberries. She is *obsessed* with strawberries... but hey, it could be worse... she could be obsessed with coffee like her mama. Ha!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b>S</b><b>leep</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep was pretty good this month. I think she is back in the swing of things now that we are back into our normal (abnormal) routines). She goes down fairly easily at night (for the most part, depending on how late she naps) and wakes once for water or a quick nursing session.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naps continue to be awful this month. She continues to push her naps back to sometimes 3 or 4 or even 5 (gulp) in the afternoon. This makes for a late bedtime or- if I have to wake her up for you know... dinner... a super cranky toddler. I realize that I am a big part of the problem and that I have created a nap-time monster, but I am unsure of exactly how I can fix this. My crazy work/sleep schedule means that I only get a few short hours with her in the afternoon and she loves to snuggle, nurse and nap with me. It's kind of our thing. I'm not really sure how I can fix her crazy nap schedule without sacrificing our snuggle time or losing out of my sleep time earlier in the day. </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mommy & Daddy Check In</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This month has been back to normal... in some ways good, and in some ways not so good. It's nice to get back back into our routine (I type this with a chuckle, since our "routine" is typically complete chaos)... but on the other hand I feel like time just flies when we go about our hectic lives, just trying to make it through each day.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kevin and I have decided to start Insanity together on Monday. I'm pretty pysched about this. Kevin... not so much. I have the DVDs ready and waiting (I've already checked out a few of them) and a box of Shakeology to sample. I am thrilled to have my butt kicked with some good hard workouts and even more excited to have Kevin (and my awesome coach friends) to help keep me motivated.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not much this month, but now that the weather is warming up, there should be lots of fun outings in our future.</span></span></li>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhOOei3Dqo4g1GnX5WCX77mcCD-_iQraRnyFfOIvMg1iesl7o2rDfxrmtodLGr4GX3TgHTn9paSY16uT9KjqsYXeJIjS0xvS65pE-1zhOBzilnVhA_elQppwpU3RID8-ScnCdO69oaBA/s1600/DSC_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
</span></span></ul>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?</b></span></span> <br />
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next appointment will be 2 year well check in July.</span></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-50580959656401195732014-03-01T05:37:00.000-05:002014-03-23T05:55:24.942-04:00Kennedy's 19 Month Check In<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The past week has just been an awesome end to a super fun month! We drove to Pittsburgh to visit with Kevin's family for a few days then flew down to Orlando to visit with my family. Monday we took Kennedy to the Magic Kingdom where she met Mickey, Minnie and some other friends. Her face was absolutely priceless... totally awestruck. Then we spent the night at the Polynesian (my favorite) and went to Chef Mickey's character breakfast Tuesday morning. It was such a great experience!</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Needless to say, Kennedy has had an exciting month!</span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>How Big Is Baby?</b></span></span></span> <br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy is about 23 pounds</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We actually put her in some clothes from last summer for our trip. Since she normally wears cloth diapers (which give her a big old fluffy butt), she looked so tiny in just a pull up and her old summer clothes fit perfectly! I'm kind of wondering if the truck load of 2T summer clothes I snagged on clearance last fall will be too big. Eh... just means more shopping!</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Size 5 shoes worked well for the trip although I could tell the sneakers were a little tight. I'm hoping the size 6's I bought for this summer will fit.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still full time cloth diapering at home, but we went full time Pull Ups for the trip and she did AWESOME! We did use regular disposable diapers for overnight, but otherwise she spent the last week in Pull Ups and had only a handful of accidents. She even used the potty on the airplane (multiple times... I think she thought it was fun) and stayed dry on all 4 flights! Not too bad.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Development & Milestones</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wondered if she would recognize the Disney characters in person... I had no need to wonder... she knew every.single.one (from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) by name and she even learned a few new friends' names too. I was also curious whether she would be shy or afraid of the characters, but she warmed right up to them and even walk up to them and gave them all hugs. I was surprised and so proud of her. She sure loves her "MeeMee" (Minnie).</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has really become very outgoing this month and loves to wave to everybody she sees. She waves enthusiastically and says "hi!!!" all the time... in the grocery store, at Target or the mall, at Disney, at friends' houses or the sitter's house. She is such a little social butterfly and seems to really enjoy making people smile.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She did really well with the potty on our trip! She had only a few accidents in her Pull Ups and otherwsie used the potty the whole time.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She continues to amaze me with her speaking and signing.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tooth count is up to 14 or 16 now. It's hard to count, but she almost has a full set. </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Diet/Nursing</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still nursing away! I am so happy to be able to enjoy an extended nursing relationship with Kennedy.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her appetite was pretty good this month. Again waxed and waned a little depending on her mood and how the day was going, but overall she still eats very well.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b>S</b><b>leep</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep was really great early in the month. Having me back on day shift meant I was... HOME... every single night. Which was awesome. It was nice to be a regular part of bath time and bed time and I felt like we were just starting to fall into a really nice routine... then we went on vacation, ha! Things were </span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">a little off the past week due to traveling and the excitement of being in a new place with new people. And, unfortunately, they will be off a little more when I go back to nights next week. But I have no doubt that Kevin will get her back into the swing of things easily. He does a great job with the nightly duties when I have to work.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naps this month have been... well... pretty terrible. Kennedy does not like to nap at the sitter's. I suspect it's because she is afraid of missing out on any fun with the other kids. On vacation, naps were sporadic and often took place in the Ergo or stroller while walking around.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mommy & Daddy Check In</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This month has just been incredible! Thanks to working the day shift, we have enjoyed so much more time (AWAKE!) as a family. And this past week's vacation was just the icing on the cake.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomorrow is back to the grind, but we can't stay on vacation forever... real life must go on. This past week in Florida, however, has really solidified our plans to move back within the next few years. Syracuse has been home for a while now, but Kevin and I have both agreed that we are ready for a change (ahem... especially a change in the weather) and more than anything, ready to be closer to family. The road to Florida may not be easy, but we are certain that we will get there, hopefully sooner rather than later. Stay tuned on that one...</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you heard enough about our awesome vacation yet?!?</span></span></li>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhOOei3Dqo4g1GnX5WCX77mcCD-_iQraRnyFfOIvMg1iesl7o2rDfxrmtodLGr4GX3TgHTn9paSY16uT9KjqsYXeJIjS0xvS65pE-1zhOBzilnVhA_elQppwpU3RID8-ScnCdO69oaBA/s1600/DSC_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
</span></span></ul>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?</b></span></span> <br />
<ul>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next appointment will be 2 years in July. What?!?</span></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-23609525486243220562014-01-29T05:21:00.000-05:002014-03-23T05:36:18.996-04:00Kennedy's 18 Month Check In<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hi! So wow! I've been MIA for a while. I'll be honest, this has been a pretty tough few months for me. But back to Kennedy and more on my deal later. ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Kennedy is growing and changing every day, it seems. Her personality is really developing and she is growing up to be the sweetest, smartest little girl I know. The past month has just been so much fun with her. I think this age (18-?? months) might be my favorite so far. She talks to me, sings to me and is super affectionate. I am so blessed to be this little girl's mommy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In other news, we have a sweet new addition to our little family. Mr. Miles is a 5 month old Old English Bulldog and we are just smitten with him. I will post a picture soon, but I can assure you... he is just as cute as Lucy is and I think Kennedy loves him just as much as we do. By the end of his first day with us, she was hugging and kissing him and calling him by name. We are thrilled that Lucy finally has a play mate. Now to work on a play mate for Kennedy. ;)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65T52Z2XLzojFOiF09s02apVtSZ_6f6BizZzZgn9RrYmnyB0EvOW3j5NlcfPQCVqXGF-BO3sLqsRvioN1Xp1mMOYDODLnlVUhsxb7mwvBJQH0x1PsjjSm4G5-ra7YEDVmlPuo0nw1QUQ/s1600/DSC_1302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>How Big Is Baby?</b></span></span> <br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy is probably near 22 pounds. *I'll have to go back and look up the stats from her appointment, but I know she didn't gain much weight. She is still long and lean like a little bean</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still in 18 month winter clothes. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Size 5 and 5/6 shoes and boots.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Full time cloth diapering although we have played around with Pull Ups, which she seems to do really well in.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Development & Milestones</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still running and climbing and bouncing around like a maniac. She is full of energy and loves to play tag (well, her version) with the puppies.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has been using the potty pretty consistently this month and has even told me a few times on her own when she needs to go. We are still a long way away from any formal or aggressive potty training, but I am happy to see that she is interested and making some progress on her own.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her language development is off the charts. I can't even begin to count the number of words she signs and says now. We are able to really... talk. And it just melts my heart. She tells me stories (although half of it is babble that I don't understand), but it is really fun to see her get so excited to talk to me. She also loves to point at things (everything!) and tell me what it is, especially when we grocery shop together. She knows almost all the fruits and vegetables. I am one proud mommy!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tooth count is up to 14 or 16 now. It's hard to count, but she almost has a full set. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Diet/Nursing</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nursing continues to go well. We cut out pumping completely, but still nurse on demand, which tends to be 3-4 times/day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">K's appetite is healthy. There are times she is picky and other times where she is a tiny human garbage disposal. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b>S</b><b>leep</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep has been steady. She nurses to sleep and snuggles with me when I am home and she falls asleep with a sippy of water for Kevin. My crazy random overnight work schedule doesn't seem to phase her much. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naps have been good overall. There are a few times where she has boycotted her nap (and subsequently turned into a holy terror later in the evening), but for the most part, she does well with them.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mommy & Daddy Check In</b></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has been an exhausting month. I am happy to say that I am FINALLY now officially and Emergency Room Nurse. I have been awaiting my transfer since Spetember and I started my new position this past Monday. I am still in the honeymoon phase, I'm sure, but I feel better and happier already. This just feels more... me. I will be working day shift for a month or so to train, then after my vacation in February, I will likely go back to overnights, at least for a little while. It's not easy, not fun and physically exhausting... but it works for us for now. So... back to being a lady of the night I go, ha!</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">School is going well and I am beginning a new class, which I hope won't be too brutal.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kevin is doing really well and happy to have me on the day shift, even if only for a month.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Otherwise... work is work and school is school. We are both looking forward to planning a much-needed break in the spring.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?</b></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">18 month check up today! Everything went really well and Dr. Rufa is really impressed with Kennedy's language development. Woohoo!</span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPozyClvjodIhx4cD327Ol7AtxQCxZe3QYo8XG2vEr7SRNlFWgfpxTa-onC4PnrM6cl8gM2oO3bXrH6lFr6bD2ZOROlLl_BGdz1zF-amyLlkEEZp37WjIHi86oTNe_7_uVf5UdSAwEWU/s1600/DSC_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
</span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Product Rave: </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCprGtA7V_GB-vZ3qx2n8QI7V8or5PlJzn32yWWsQL6IwymiuwOaPUYYW3TrT7YOVpFINnr56VQaoC5pwdVbFKYXWClLTchV9iR-PAFwS3DS1RenuENWadA-4ijJ16RSGKAsRw9mtJrM/s1600/DSC_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TBD</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?</b></span> <br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Counting down to our family vacation at the end of January... and our trip to Florida... and most of all, Kennedy's first trip to Disney!</span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-41040951482798223092014-01-20T05:55:00.000-05:002014-03-23T06:19:11.347-04:0030 Days of $Zero... FAIL.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to say... we have really done well with the 30 Days of Zero project. Our deep freezer, fridge and pantry are much less crowded (as in... I can see the back/bottom of them now)... and I am fairly certain that my Starbucks habit is... dare I say... kicked. I can barely remember the layout of my favorite Target (ok that's a lie... I know the inside of that store better than 3/4 of the employees, but I digress) and I can already see a difference in my bank account. All wins!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today, however, was complete and utter failure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The first sign of impending doom was that Kevin and I had a day off together that I did not have to spend sleeping. And I was able to get everyone motivated, up and out of the house by like 10am (this NEVER happens!). I should have known this meant trouble from the get go. Add in the fact that we were both in a fabulous mood and had a small reason to celebrate (more on that later)... and off the deep end we went. Well... not entirely... at first...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We decided to reward ourselves (and Kennedy) with a little lunch date at Moe's. For some reason, lunch dates are way more rare (and fun) than breakfast or dinner.... and a lunch date on a week day felt like we were playing hookie, which made it even better! Since it was Moe's Monday, all 3 of us ate for less than $20. Not too bad. We had fun, made silly faces, Kennedy waved and said "Moe's" to everyone who walked in the door (mimicking the employees when they yelled "Welcome to Moe's". It was really fun. And, call me crazy, but I am pretty sure the food tasted better. In truth, I think we just enjoyed it and appreciated it more, because we weren't just eating out to eat... but rather to celebrate and enjoy the experience together as a family. Although this was breaking our $Zero rule... I learned from it and still consider it a positive experience. I learned that IF I am going to spend money, especially on something like going out to eat... I am going to savor it and enjoy it, not just do it for the sake of doing it (or because I am too lazy to cook that night or whatever). It is going to be special. And, silly as it sounds, our little family Moe's lunch date was pretty special.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So that's that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The next (and much worse) fail was when we got home. I had been eyeing up this sweet puppy since around Christmas time, but for a few reasons, I just decided the time wasn't right and it wasn't meant to be. Well, lo and behold I came home to find out that the deal fell through and he was still available... and he was the last of his litter left. Oh... and he had PANTS! Just like Lucy. I decided this was a sign and I began to plead my case with Kevin. A few sweet, convincing puppy pictures and a few emails/phone calls to our favorite breeder and the deal was done. We are picking up our new little bundle of joy on Saturday. The irony is, without the past 3 weeks of zero spending, it is unlikely that buying this sweet boy would have been a feasible option for us. Everything happens for a reason, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So... yeah... that's my story of the ultimate $Zero fail. It is what it is. I'm not ashamed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm hopping back on the wagon for the rest of the month. Maybe I'll even extend it another week or two to punish myself for today's events. Maybe I won't. Or maybe I will... after just... one... Starbucks Chai Tea Latte. Either way, I am walking away from this experience with a new appreciation for money, which is really what I was looking for when I started anyway. So I guess, in that respect, it was successful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sometimes lessons are learned by succeeding at something, but more often than not, the lessons lie buried within our failures. It was likely that without today, my first spending trip after a month of saving would have been to Target, buying a cart full of useless crap that I don't need, just because I can. But instead... I actually savored a rare, but very fun lunch with my loved ones at Moe's and we will all be loving on our sweet new puppy very soon... not a bad way to learn a lesson about spending my money wisely.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-43347549134300540122014-01-06T22:27:00.000-05:002014-01-07T22:43:06.076-05:0030 Days of $Zero: Day 6<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday was my first trip to any store in... ::gasp:: one week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I tried to avoid it, but we were in need of eggs, cheese, elbow mac and a can of cheese soup (My coworkers have been begging me to bring in my signature <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2012/04/recipe-mac-n-cheese-mini-muffins.html">Mac-N-Cheese Mini Muffins</a> before I transferred units, and if I didn't, they might not have let me make it out of the hospital alive). I have also noticed Lucy displaying some increasing anxiety in the car recently and since we are planning a 6 hour road trip to Pittsburgh this weekend with her in tow, I wanted to find something that would help. I have done some research on Bach's Rescue Remedy for Pets and thought this might be worth a try. More on that later...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyway... Kevin decided it would be best if we went together so we could keep each other focused and get out of there with only what we truly needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We went to Wegmans. I was like Christmas. Bright lights, shiny things, delicious looking food, sale, clearance, buy me buy me buy me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Miraculously, we were able to make it out of there with only the items on our list, plus a few apples and oranges "for Kennedy" (ahem. so Kevin could play with his new juicer). The cheese and Bach's Rescue Remedy were about $25 combined and the eggs, pasta, soup and fruit were just over than $10. So all told, we were in and out for under $40... which isn't great, but is a drastic improvement from my normal Wegmans shopping trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, there you have it. My first shopping tripped as a reformed saver. I survived. And so did Wegmans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As for Lucy's new car anxiety... I'm not sure what the cause is. I mean obviously the car (duh) but I can't pinpoint an incident that waould have been particularly traumatic for her. No accidents, loss of control, swerving or any other issues that I am aware of, although I am sure riding in the back of the car and not being able to see what is going on may feel much different than being behind the wheel. Heck, I dislike the loss of control when Kevin drives and I ride in the passenger seat {{it's like he can't even SEE the line on my side, GAH!}}. She still seems to enjoy car rides. I take her with me when I pick Kennedy up from the sitter (also helps me to avoid the urge to stop and shop since I would never leave Lucy in the car alone). She always runs over to the car and jumps right in. But once in the car, she smushes herself up against Kennedy's car seat as tight as she can and just looks scared and uncomfortable. Within the last week, she has even started to shake, it seems and earlier today, she actually jumped into Kennedy's car seat as I backed out of the driveway (Kennedy was not in it, thank goodness). It definitely seems to be getting worse. Needless to say, I'm puzzled and it makes me so sad!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have tried to desensitize her by bringing her in the car more often, talking to her while I drive, offering treats and lots of praise, but nothing seems to be working. So onto Bach's it is. This is a natural, herbal remedy that had great reviews, as far as I could tell. I will be trying it out this week in the hopes that we have a smooth and stress free drive to Pittsburgh this weekend. Fingers crossed!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-60720572576146015082014-01-04T16:39:00.001-05:002014-04-01T04:54:50.419-04:0030 Days of $Zero: Day 4<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't write about work often... actually ever. I like to keep work at work, period. However, I had an experience this week that really resonated with me and gave me a whole new perspective on this 30 Days of Zero challenge. *I have to keep the details as vague as possible.*</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I was caring for a patient who is, in my opinion, a true American hero. I listened intently to their stories and was just amazed at how much they had given. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This person has made contributions to our country that most cannot imagine. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overnight, my fellow nurses asked how my spending diet was going and I, of course, whined about Starbucks and my urge to browse Zulily. True first world problems, right?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the morning, I went in to help get this patient ready for the day. They are from a much more simple generation, and I know that. But I was still taken aback when I saw their attire for the day. It was well-loved, and by well-loved I mean stained, tattered and hanging together by a thread in many places. It seemed as if it was the only outfit they had worn for the past 30 or so years. On further inspection of their closet, it was apparent that this was the only outfit they owned, and likely the only one they had owned/worn for the past 30 or so years.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This person thanked me profusely for everything small task that I helped them with and praised God from the moment they awoke for all of the blessings they have been given. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left work marveling over the experience. This person is thankful to be alive. Thankful to have food to eat and clothes to wear, while I lament about not buying Starbucks or loads of junk that I don't need. If any of us should be singing praises, it should be me. And if any of us should be wanting more, it should be them. How backwards. How strange. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How eye-opening.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stood in my closet for a while when I got home. Embarrassed. I have clothes upon clothes upon clothes. Shoes and scarves and purses and... stuff everywhere. And yet, I want more... more... more. Why?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I don't know why. I probably never will understand what makes some of us never feel satisfied, even when our bounty is bursting at the seams. What I do know is that my non-material blessings are immeasurable. My amazing family, my loving husband, the fact that I was able to help create a life and bring her into the world, my daughter's infectious laugh, my puppy's never-ending cuddles, my brother who is always there for me, my parents who have supported me every step of this crazy life journey, my brother-in-law and my in-laws who are generous beyond measure, my house that we have made a home, my job that truly is fulfilling (even on the crazy days), my health (especially when I care for the sick and injured daily), my faith (now a little stronger). I could go on for days. I can't put a price tag on these things (less the house, of course), yet they are the biggest riches I have. I need to focus more on these, the wealth I possess that I didn't find on the Target clearance rack or on any shopping website.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So today, I feel a little more focused, a little less selfish and a lot more appreciative of what I do have. I can't say I don't miss Starbucks (because nothing makes self-reflection tastier than a nice hot Chai Tea Latte with one pump of pumpkin).... but things are looking pretty good.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-22820101339778650772014-01-01T22:43:00.001-05:002014-01-01T22:58:58.375-05:0030 Days of $Zero: D-Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welp... today is the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Last night, I dreamed about swimming in a pool of Starbucks Non-Fat Chai Tea Latte with 1 pump of pumpkin. It was glorious. My dream then turned into a nightmare when Zulily, Target AND Kohl's all decided to have the sale of the century. I may or may not have woken up in a cold sweat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Like any true addict, I had one last Starbucks drink that I purchased yesterday (I told you, I bought 2!!) stashed away in my fridge, for emergency purposes of course. Surprisingly, I was able to leave it there, knowing I would much rather have it on my way to work when I would have to drive past my favorite coffee shop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I quickly surveyed my nearly exploding refrigerator, pantry and deep freezer and took a deep breath.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I can do this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I made breakfast for the mini-monster and I, brewed a cup of coffee with my previously neglected Keurig and went on about my day. We watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse together, played in her play room and took a nice, long (3 HOUR!?!?!?) nap. All in all, it was a pretty good day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I removed myself from my 12 (count them, 12... yikes!) buy/sell/trade groups that I had joined on Facebook. The GAP one hurt a little. And I somehow managed to make it through the afternoon without checking Zulily one time. Not once!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before work, I warmed up my Starbucks chai that I had been saving and breathed in the delicious aroma. I am sure going to miss this. Then I headed in to work. I chatted wiht my brother on my way to work and actually drove past Starbucks without even noticing. Amazing what a little distraction can do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So that was it. That was day one. Nothing catastrophic. No melt downs, break downs or psychotic explosions. No withdrawls (although I am slowly savoring a chai right now, so tomorrow may be different), no shaking, crying, dressing up in disguise and sneaking off to Target incognito and no stealing anyone else's coffee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I made it. Day one. Zero dollars today. And you know what?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It wasn't that bad. :)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-32048503820386721372013-12-31T16:00:00.000-05:002013-12-31T17:35:28.337-05:0030 Days of $ZERO: D -1<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I like to shop.</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually... I love to shop. I shop when I'm bored, I shop when I'm happy, I shop when I'm mad (I try to remember to take the hubby's credit card on these occasions). </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shopping is both therapeutic and... fun! </span></span> Heck, my daughter's first trip out of the house as a newborn was to Target (flameworthy, maybe?). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a matter of fact, one of my favorite things to do with Kennedy is head to Target, grab a delicious Starbucks beverage (because, you know, the evil empire of Starbucks just HAD to team up with the evil empire of Target in a joint effort to destroy my bank account. Well played, you two) and wander the aisles, adding completely unnecessary "necessities" to our cart. We could spend hours roaming the store... it's just kind of our thing.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to call Target the $50 store... because any trip inside those red doors guaranteed a $50 dent in my account. Now that they have a magical Starbucks inside... well now it's the $80 store. Not that a Starbucks coffee costs $30 (although it might as well!) but something about enjoying a nice warm chai while I shop just makes me want to spend more money (again, well played evil geniuses). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And don't even get me started on how many times I have walked into that store "needing" one or two simple items (toothpaste, shampoo) and walked out with an $80 bag containing everything under the sun... except toothpaste and shampoo. These occasions require a return trip to the red money monster and, of course, another $80.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At this very moment, I have four different varieties of coffee (that I just had to have) for my <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2011/09/bestdayever.html" target="_blank">Keurig</a> (that I fell in love with when Kevin gave it to me for my birthday a few years ago). I have acquired (likely through various Target trips) a handful of travel coffee cups. I even have a few different flavor syrups, chai mixes and other treats to fancy up my beverage, a la Starbucks style. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I work nights. I drink coffee. Perfect solution: before I leave for work, make a coffee, dress it up in whatever way suits me, pour it into lovely Target travel mug and enjoy. Does this happen? No. I pass a Starbucks on my way to work and like a moth to light, I am drawn in. A few minutes later, I am on my way with my delicious nectar of the Gods... and </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$5+ lighter in the wallet. I've never smoked or done drugs, but I am pretty sure I am addicted to my Non-Fat Chai Tea Latte with one pump of pumpkin like ::insert witty celebrity addiction comparison here:: Clearly, I am too busy shopping and drinking my chai to keep up with celebrity gossip.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third and final member of the evil trifecta is Wegmans. Now, I love Wegmans. As a matter of fact, I love that store so much I think I visit it more than Target. I go in for "just one quick thing" and walk out with a cart full of delicious treats. Their selection is great and I... I want it all. I buy Club Packs of everything. What's better than a few pieces of fresh fruit or veggies? A whole club pack of every single fresh fruit or vegetable that catches my eye that will rot before I eat them (because, of course, Kevin will avoid them like the plague). During the summer, we primarily shop at the local farmer's market, which we love. This summer I learned <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/09/i-think-i-can.html" target="_blank">how to can</a> and I also flash froze lots and lots of vegetables, so we can enjoy them during the winter months without paying big bucks for them at the grocery store. As a matter of fact, my freezer and pantry are both so full that I have to shuffle things around to smush more in, every time I come back from the store. Does this stop me from going overboard and buying more more more? In short, no. Often, I end up buying doubles (or triples) of things, because they have been buried so deep in the freezer or pantry that I forgot I had them. It's out of control. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Online shopping is another one of my downfalls. A few days a week a package will show up at my door and Kevin will ask "what did you buy NOW?" I sheepishly shrug my shoulders because the chances are pretty good that in the 2-3 weeks it took to deliver said package, I have already made a few more online purchases and forgot all about the little gem that has arrived on my doorstep. Is it the new sweater I ordered that I will probably never wear? Another "OMG this is SO cute" outfit I just HAD to buy for Kennedy (her closet puts mine to shame, by the way. I thought I had a shopping problem before... enter super cute toddler girl and the shopping addiction hits an all time high). Is it the random play room decor that will never make it onto the wall? I just don't know.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So clearly, I have a problem. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first step to fixing the problem is actually admitting that you have a problem.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok great. So step one: admit you have a problem... check.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now onto step two. And this may seem a little drastic, crazy, out-there... but it has to be done.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This month, I am going on a spending diet. Well, actually... if money were food, I guess I am going on spending hunger strike.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This month, I am spending ZERO money.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well... not technically zero. We still have to pay our bills, put gas in the car to get to/from work and pay the babysitter. We have agreed that milk and eggs are ok to buy for Kennedy. Aside from these true necessities... </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Z-E-R-O. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No trips to Target to waste the afternoon away browsing and shopping with Kennedy. No Wegmans runs to grab "just a few" ingredients for dinner. No online impulse shopping.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No Starbucks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">::gulp::</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here I am... the day before I begin my starvation spending diet. I am enjoying my very last amazingly delicious Starbucks chai tea latte ( *might* have ordered two and stored on in the fridge). Kennedy and I just enjoyed a ridiculous expensive Panera lunch (when did they get so pricey anyway?) and we have decided to order chinese take-out for our last purchased meal. I'm a sucker for some good lo mein. :)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow it begins.</span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food: I will be using what I have on hand to cook with. If I can clear out my freezer stash and empty out my pantry, that would be awesome! We have agreed that if we run completely out of fruits and vegetables, we will buy a small amount of whatever is on sale for Kennedy. No more "club packs of everything". And we will eat or freeze it all. No more letting it go bad and throwing it away.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fun: Kennedy and I will work on finishing her alphabet wall project that I started before Christmas. I also have some Valentine's crafts (that I, shockingly, bought last year and never used) that we can do. I will also be scouring the internet for fun, FREE local activities to enjoy. No more trips to Target to kill time and waste money. I just might have to (finally) conquer my fear of my sewing machine.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kevin's birthday: is this month and we have decided this will be a "cheat" day, hence the 30 days of zero and not 31. He can choose whatever he wants for dinner, either eat out or I will grocery shop for that meal and cook at home, whichever he decides. I will either set a budget for his gift or, in lieu of a present, we may make a trip to Pittsburgh. If we do, we will set a small budget for the trip and stick within it.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coffee: Let's be real here. This is probably what you were really wondering. How the heck is she going to make it without her Starbucks? Well... it will not be easy, but I am determined to kick this habit. I have actually considered taking a different route to work, to avoid the temptation. Lol! I will simply make my coffee or chai at home (I did make sure to stock up on chai from Wegmans) and enjoy that on my drive in. This might get ugly, and my local Starbucks just might report a profit loss for the first time since we moved in... but I will do it.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will blog about this financial journey and try to estimate how much I have saved along the way.<br /><br />Are you making any changes in the upcoming year? What are your goals?</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-74293640516352263872013-12-31T00:44:00.000-05:002014-01-01T00:45:56.934-05:002013: Looking Back<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What an amazing year this has been. I am so truly blessed to have enjoyed good health, lots of love and laughter and many blessings this year. Let's review, shall we?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started off the year with a <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/01/our-florida-trip-in-pictures.html" target="_blank">mommy & me trip to Florida</a>. We had an absolute blast and I learned an awful lot about <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/01/new-mom-lesson-learned-traveling-with.html" target="_blank">traveling with a little one</a>. Kennedy got to meet her great grandparents for the very first time. She was just as infatuated with them as they were with her.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We drove to Pittsburgh for a belated Christmas with Kevin's family and enjoyed a few <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/01/kennedys-26-week-check-in.html" target="_blank">snow days</a> where we went sledding in the back yard and made snow men. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Kennedy turned 6 months on the 29th and we celebrated with a little <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/01/6-months-in-pictures.html" target="_blank">photo shoot</a> and a trip to the mall for a carousel ride and her first dinner out (that she could actually eat herself).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We also began our <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/03/blw-2-months-in.html" target="_blank">Baby Led Weaning</a> journey. First with avacados, the beets and sweet potatoes, then pancakes and bananas. Kennedy surprised us with her ability to chew and move food around her mouth and her appetite was fantastic. It was so fun to watch her learn how to feed herself (and sucha relief to not have to force feed her).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedy was able to crawl all over the house... backwards and learned how to pull herself up. She cut 2 teeth and said her first word, "mama". We also started working on teaching her to sign. We should have started sooner, but better late than never. Signing is a great way to communicate with your baby.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedy gained some forward momentum in the crawling department and Lucy's lazy days ended in a flash. That poor puppy gets no peace now and Kennedy just adores her. She also started practicing her walking skills by holding daddy's hands and taking steps. Baby girl also picked up a few new words and continued rocking the <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/03/blw-2-months-in.html" target="_blank">BLW</a>. This month she ate steak, chicken, french fries, hash browns and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We celebrated <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/03/kennedys-35-week-check-in.html" target="_blank">Easter</a> (on time this year) with a little Easter egg hunt in our living room and a yummy dinner.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I honored my <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/04/who-youd-be-today.html" target="_blank">angel baby</a> on what would have been his or her first birthday. Such bittersweet emotions surrounded me. I am so truly blessed to hold the sweetest baby girl in my arms, yet I can't help but wonder about the baby I held only in my heart. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took our first trip to visit my brother in <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/04/kennedys-38-week-check-in.html" target="_blank">Delaware</a> and got some much needed beach time. It was Kennedy's first time seeing the ocean and, although it was way too cold to swim, she enjoyed it nonetheless.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also transferred to the brand new Spinal Cord Injury and Rehab unit at work... and to overnight 12s. That has definitely been an adjustment, but it works for us for now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedy really got into cruising mode and learned how to climb up the stairs. We celebrated <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/04/9-months-in-9-months-out.html" target="_blank">9 in/9 out</a>. It's hard to believe that my squirmy little baby was once a squirmy little rib kicker in my belly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A roller coaster of emotions. The month started off great! Kennedy learned how to stand on her own and we enjoyed lots of time outside in the beautiful summer weather. Baby girl got to enjoy the pool for the first time... she loved it! We celebrated Lucy's second birthday with a pool day and special puppy treats.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We celebrated my first Mother's Day as a mommy... it was perfect and beautiful! I explored how <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/05/can-you-hear-me-crunch.html" target="_blank">crunchy</a> I had become in the last few years. Still cracks me up to think about. Kennedy picked up several new signs and really started being able to communicate with us. Her balance improved and she was finally able to stand long enough for me to snap some pictures.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My parents came up to visit and Kennedy started babbling and pointing excitedly... at everything. It was too cute! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then the<a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-im-feelng-today.html" target="_blank"> rain </a>came. I got out of work late to find out when I got to the sitter that Kennedy had taken her first steps... and I missed them. Then came home to learn that my grandfather was not doing well. He passed away later that afternoon. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kevin and I celebrated 2 years of wedded bliss and I got a little <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/05/i-thought-i-loved-you-then.html">mushy.</a> We took a trip to Pittsburgh and enjoyed a DATE NIGHT! It was glorious! Kennedy got to ride her first pony at Kevin's parents's house.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we took her to the <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/05/pittsburgh-zoo.html">Pittsburgh Zoo</a> and PPG Aquarium. She loved it!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> June</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started off the month with a whirlwind trip driving to Pittsburgh, flying to Orlando for my grandfather's funeral services, flying back to Pittsburgh and driving back home. It was a bittersweet trip. So nice to see family, and many cousins I hadn't seen in years... but very difficult to say goodbye to my Pop Pop.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedy got even better with walking and started walking everywhere. We celebrated Kevin's first Father's Day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and made plans for Kennedy's first birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> July</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a few <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/07/im-having-moment.html">mommy moments</a> (I said <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/07/another-moment-if-i-may.html">a few</a>, lol) as we prepared to celebrate Kennedy's first birthday. It was so hard to believe that she was turning one. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby girl's<a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/07/its-fun-to-be-one.html"> first birthday</a>! The party was a blast, the day was bittersweet and yet everything I hoped it would be for her. Both Kevin's parents and my parents were able to come visit, as well as Kevin's brother, Chad. We played, Kennedy smashed her cake and reminisced about her newborn days.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work started to stress me out and I had a few (mostly coffee related) <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/08/i-lost-my-mind-today.html">psychotic episodes</a>. Thankfully my coworkers have a sense of humor and a secret stash of caffeine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedy walked more, started to run. She started learning to use utensils, cut a few more teeth and became increasingly fascinated with books. Kevin's side of the family welcomed a new baby cousin, Lyla.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We enjoyed lots of play time outside with our favorite puppy and even took her to a doggie carnival. So fun! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started off the month with not one, but two trips to the fair! We met up with our sweet friends, Adam and Amy and their adorable daughter Abbi from Buffalo. Love the fair!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedy LOVED dancing to the music in the African village</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I finally <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/09/moooooooooooooooooo.html">donated my stash</a> of extra breast milk that I had pumped. I was able to donate 750 ounces of liquid gold to the National Milk Bank. I learned how to <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/09/i-think-i-can.html">can</a> (major crunchy mommy accomplishment). And I learned that being a good mommy doesn't mean that you do everything right, all the time... or that you do everything, period. I had to learn to let go of some things and to <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/09/failing.html">take it a little easier on myself</a>.</span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went apple picking at Critz Farms and enjoyed the beautiful fall weather.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm still not sure what Kennedy enjoyed more... picking apples or loving on all of the animals at the petting zoo. Either way, she had a lot of fun and made a lot of new furry friends.</span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of the month, we headed down to the Outer Banks, NC for our first real family vacation. We rented a beach house on the sound and relaxed for a week, soaking up the sun, splashing in the waves and just enjoying being together. My parents were able to come down for a few days each and my brother even made a cameo appearance with his new girlfriend. All in all, is was a great vacation!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We celebrated <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/10/babywearing-week.html">Babywearing Week</a> with a fashion show and a trip to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo with some crunchy friends. And we went back to the zoo a few weeks later for the Zoo Boo. So fun!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kennedy battled her first (and hopefully only) round of Coxsackie Virus (Hand, foot and mouth) and then shared it with me. Not fun. Her language development was really impressive and she added dozens of new words to her signing and speaking vocabulary. She also learned how to climb down the stairs.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And... I got older. By a year. Whoop dee doo. :/</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We made another trip to November. Kennedy played with the horses.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took Kennedy to see the circus... what a cool experience! Lots of fun!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">December</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We prepared for Christmas like all families do... by allowing our toddler to decorate (and eat) an enormous amount of cookies. Right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04I9iVXNpZFvx6C1XQ_WbhDI09NzE7Ocu9ePuUM1-nS-8vInpwcnZVZO2ZwOS-s-cIYifgRiOXJOGjoQUGZAMyygCXybfjutQ-ry1wO_pYbuO_WO3YGaMwgr3RCP_fs0CHoWBZyEzxyQ/s1600/DSC_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04I9iVXNpZFvx6C1XQ_WbhDI09NzE7Ocu9ePuUM1-nS-8vInpwcnZVZO2ZwOS-s-cIYifgRiOXJOGjoQUGZAMyygCXybfjutQ-ry1wO_pYbuO_WO3YGaMwgr3RCP_fs0CHoWBZyEzxyQ/s320/DSC_1298.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYUbz4fDxYRPDvtYpX1ZP_BCpVP0-RBrxn19XuteKm3U59KGTuYA564vVpNThOzSOAaacIWYM1L2q3dLWAl5u2I8jmaHSpwDI6a_Hf78-mtElTUCu0sgDAv8d-xNq0BC-DRq3WHRww-A/s1600/DSC_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYUbz4fDxYRPDvtYpX1ZP_BCpVP0-RBrxn19XuteKm3U59KGTuYA564vVpNThOzSOAaacIWYM1L2q3dLWAl5u2I8jmaHSpwDI6a_Hf78-mtElTUCu0sgDAv8d-xNq0BC-DRq3WHRww-A/s320/DSC_1299.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We enjoyed mass together as a family</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHVAiMvFZHDkyZ5-YMtt4MsxAlA5ggttJ-2PLByc_192tTSq3-pTJMynnoESU3xwW_O11Eh0Z6kCB_oNyWEzR-W1hJxjl4HWcX-2HCD1Y3dT7IvARVPJLaPkTErC5V8lECK_6ACUN1VI/s1600/DSC_1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHVAiMvFZHDkyZ5-YMtt4MsxAlA5ggttJ-2PLByc_192tTSq3-pTJMynnoESU3xwW_O11Eh0Z6kCB_oNyWEzR-W1hJxjl4HWcX-2HCD1Y3dT7IvARVPJLaPkTErC5V8lECK_6ACUN1VI/s320/DSC_1342.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then opened our traditional, one present... Christmas jammies!!</span></span> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzBand3ucZuhExjmS-GGHmyFCD0cBW9oAnF99b5WGmLFenpJ3rwCTXn38Iwbp8CWRg2XZzBamSWwM38wJUwcPFUEPQBFgXz0SF82wrsii_IKzmMS8D-xIFEO_5Lu3AKZe3yKhGjjWxzU/s1600/DSC_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzBand3ucZuhExjmS-GGHmyFCD0cBW9oAnF99b5WGmLFenpJ3rwCTXn38Iwbp8CWRg2XZzBamSWwM38wJUwcPFUEPQBFgXz0SF82wrsii_IKzmMS8D-xIFEO_5Lu3AKZe3yKhGjjWxzU/s320/DSC_1355.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were so blessed to have the best surprises for the holidays... my brother surprised us on Christmas Eve </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YXuAWz9kn1-d60bQN1WazqJweN9bRQ0t8xATiJQzIpmbmGi29RZITz9cvfpLo4yBQgk8lNW1JtOBPFxA8KhF5xds778M7Gv4pX35n9uICKrAH5jGu_xuhEMs6H_kvJpENu37oxn3WLA/s1600/DSC_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YXuAWz9kn1-d60bQN1WazqJweN9bRQ0t8xATiJQzIpmbmGi29RZITz9cvfpLo4yBQgk8lNW1JtOBPFxA8KhF5xds778M7Gv4pX35n9uICKrAH5jGu_xuhEMs6H_kvJpENu37oxn3WLA/s320/DSC_1572.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and Kevin's brother surprised us (dressed in full Santa attire) on Christmas morning. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2CqP7QeI9yVE-EIcU4wFGvmkRZiZAh84rgC4xv-qvPVRtwXVryroOoND1l2zW5mAmKxrfTjXPwecwK01kNjDOQVdfu_uknMth4nIH09iWnFKDyR1n25eaZ2vWPXL7W3FSlpmT6JDw0Y/s1600/DSC_1380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2CqP7QeI9yVE-EIcU4wFGvmkRZiZAh84rgC4xv-qvPVRtwXVryroOoND1l2zW5mAmKxrfTjXPwecwK01kNjDOQVdfu_uknMth4nIH09iWnFKDyR1n25eaZ2vWPXL7W3FSlpmT6JDw0Y/s320/DSC_1380.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
After thinking we would be spending the day with our small little family, we were thrilled to be surrounded by lots more love and laughter. We had a great day! And Kennedy, of course, made out like a bandit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DGRzGdaAeon5lZOM2uVbPiDX20sDCEJ8Ww-Oxke9a-pjXgAyUWX3KV_eB0NGdKcXvnQALvJ3tfAIR469Kob3vuRDYLxkFH0Tfomk2iFG6C1pYDt_7fpMQzPfx3us8pxhXAOU2U_4s9o/s1600/DSC_1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DGRzGdaAeon5lZOM2uVbPiDX20sDCEJ8Ww-Oxke9a-pjXgAyUWX3KV_eB0NGdKcXvnQALvJ3tfAIR469Kob3vuRDYLxkFH0Tfomk2iFG6C1pYDt_7fpMQzPfx3us8pxhXAOU2U_4s9o/s320/DSC_1384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9NSqJ6b1GuA6XgC9zDBJaZsSB49z9pVEqM2_Nnsa-LqpjaN9_oVWgOD-_R60XIr24sdu5f8s9D_gFPJZsA_HvEstBAfEY9huB4ohE2mIVDGeHd6snHe2G7o3nEOK0jg1-4tu7tSkdUc/s1600/DSC_1387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9NSqJ6b1GuA6XgC9zDBJaZsSB49z9pVEqM2_Nnsa-LqpjaN9_oVWgOD-_R60XIr24sdu5f8s9D_gFPJZsA_HvEstBAfEY9huB4ohE2mIVDGeHd6snHe2G7o3nEOK0jg1-4tu7tSkdUc/s320/DSC_1387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy_BogsvLKqdyPqQBR8BqYVGtx8TumngzwomEnPZGPewq7FUqd1mNsKJkcmeQ484I7-Ti-3mkV-vz-mFIOm50oMQosF_0P_MxZE2cjfRZEwWz0ZxLbSmgG5gbY1V1isRpWmUs8R9D99A/s1600/DSC_1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy_BogsvLKqdyPqQBR8BqYVGtx8TumngzwomEnPZGPewq7FUqd1mNsKJkcmeQ484I7-Ti-3mkV-vz-mFIOm50oMQosF_0P_MxZE2cjfRZEwWz0ZxLbSmgG5gbY1V1isRpWmUs8R9D99A/s320/DSC_1433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see, 2013 has been an incredible year. We are so thankful for all of the blessings God has brought us. It's amazing how much Kennedy has grown and how much we, as a family, have grown. It's hard to imagine that 2014 could possibly be any better than this year has been... but I have a feeling it might!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Boles Family </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-7044713578857239032013-12-29T16:16:00.000-05:002013-12-31T16:24:32.050-05:00Kennedy's 17 Month Check In<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The year is coming to a close and Kennedy is sending it out with a bang. She has been talking and signing a lot lately. It is so exciting to be able to communicate with her. She is also starting to use the potty a lot more. She will still not tell me when she needs to go, but if I ask her, she signs back.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas at home with some great surprises, including a visit from my brother, Mike and brother-in-law, Chad. They are the best (and best uncles, too!)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65T52Z2XLzojFOiF09s02apVtSZ_6f6BizZzZgn9RrYmnyB0EvOW3j5NlcfPQCVqXGF-BO3sLqsRvioN1Xp1mMOYDODLnlVUhsxb7mwvBJQH0x1PsjjSm4G5-ra7YEDVmlPuo0nw1QUQ/s1600/DSC_1302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65T52Z2XLzojFOiF09s02apVtSZ_6f6BizZzZgn9RrYmnyB0EvOW3j5NlcfPQCVqXGF-BO3sLqsRvioN1Xp1mMOYDODLnlVUhsxb7mwvBJQH0x1PsjjSm4G5-ra7YEDVmlPuo0nw1QUQ/s320/DSC_1302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>How Big Is Baby?</b></span></span></span> <br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy
is probably near 22 pounds</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still in 18 month winter clothes. She got LOTS of 18-24 month outfits for Christmas, but they are a little too big right now.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Size 5
and 5/6 shoes. The 5/6 slippers are a little big, but they are just to
wear around the house so it's ok. Her size 5 TOMS are getting small,
but I am going to save the 6s for warmer weather. </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Full
time cloth diapering. Smalls and one-sizes. I did break out a few of
her mediums, just to try on, but they don't get much use yet. I also bought a few training pants. Exciting!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Development & Milestones</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still running and stomping around everywhere.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has really started climbing up onto...well.. everything. She loved climbing on all of the boxes from Christmas and has been caught on chairs, on the back of the couch, tables and... pretty much nothing is safe. It is time to amp up our baby proofing.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Big deal this month... BIG GIRL BED! We removed the front rail from her crib, so Kennedy now has a big girl bed. She naps here and starts out the nigh here as well, but still sleeps in our bed for the majority of the night.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has been
using the potty a lot this month. She still will not tell us when she
has to go, but if we ask her, she will answer. We have had a few days
with very few accidents, but it means putting her on the potty almost
every hour. We are still trying to get her to tell us when she needs to
go.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her language
development continues to grow by leaps and bounds. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> She signs almost 50 words now and speaks about 35. Most of her words she mimics or repeats, but I would say she knows about 25 on her` own. She is very talkative!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tooth
count is up to 14 or 16 now. It's hard to count, but she almost has a
full set. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Diet/Nursing</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nursing continues to go well. We cut out pumping completely, but still nurse on demand, which tends to be 3-4 times/day.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">K's appetite is back to normal this month. She loves pasta, sausage, hash browns (or any potato), mac n cheese, black olives (weird, right?), all fruit and, of course, Christmas cookies</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b>S</b><b>leep</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep has
been pretty good. Sometimes getting her down to sleep is brutal, but once she is out, she sleeps 10-12 hours/night consistently, waking once or twice for a sip of water. She falls back asleep easily.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naps have been pretty good this month. Kennedy naps anywhere from 1-3 hours in the afternoon. If I lay down with her, she usually falls asleep quickly and naps really well in her big girl bed.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mommy & Daddy Check In</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has been a wonderful month. Kevin and I are both doing really well.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I finished one of the more difficult classes in my BSN program and have a few weeks off now. Much needed.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Otherwise... work is work and school is school. We are both looking forward to planning a much-needed break in the spring.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lights on the Lake drive through, Kennedy LOVED it!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visited Santa at the mall </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Surprise visit from Uncle Mikey on Christmas Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiT_bjdFqGAINfcp10AI5zrbT1cTj4VQ1_Nz6ez27w3-1vBmG5_KgR7XRa8U12gJuf1_-u_KnDqesgp86d_7uptqrT47jSH8bUgkcCaH63pkPaJar00c4qhQGgVsnzXeDRc-AEQlrC60/s1600/DSC_1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiT_bjdFqGAINfcp10AI5zrbT1cTj4VQ1_Nz6ez27w3-1vBmG5_KgR7XRa8U12gJuf1_-u_KnDqesgp86d_7uptqrT47jSH8bUgkcCaH63pkPaJar00c4qhQGgVsnzXeDRc-AEQlrC60/s320/DSC_1564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Surprise visit from Santa on Christmas morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhOOei3Dqo4g1GnX5WCX77mcCD-_iQraRnyFfOIvMg1iesl7o2rDfxrmtodLGr4GX3TgHTn9paSY16uT9KjqsYXeJIjS0xvS65pE-1zhOBzilnVhA_elQppwpU3RID8-ScnCdO69oaBA/s1600/DSC_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhOOei3Dqo4g1GnX5WCX77mcCD-_iQraRnyFfOIvMg1iesl7o2rDfxrmtodLGr4GX3TgHTn9paSY16uT9KjqsYXeJIjS0xvS65pE-1zhOBzilnVhA_elQppwpU3RID8-ScnCdO69oaBA/s320/DSC_1372.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Surprise visit from Uncle Chad on Christmas morning </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1StiA06kTj1luk59xhAuTW8NsEo2_jeK0lIiLnfno9yQXbbirx1HPIHagrieSOjjh6idZY64oJ8X3QbbfeOkbhe_xIaE0cC1bDJ4am86jecYklQy5CMH4OMzW5eljhVs0bL7VkSRGXFM/s1600/DSC_1472.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1StiA06kTj1luk59xhAuTW8NsEo2_jeK0lIiLnfno9yQXbbirx1HPIHagrieSOjjh6idZY64oJ8X3QbbfeOkbhe_xIaE0cC1bDJ4am86jecYklQy5CMH4OMzW5eljhVs0bL7VkSRGXFM/s320/DSC_1472.JPG" width="320" /></a></li>
<li> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An absolutely wonderful Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPozyClvjodIhx4cD327Ol7AtxQCxZe3QYo8XG2vEr7SRNlFWgfpxTa-onC4PnrM6cl8gM2oO3bXrH6lFr6bD2ZOROlLl_BGdz1zF-amyLlkEEZp37WjIHi86oTNe_7_uVf5UdSAwEWU/s1600/DSC_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPozyClvjodIhx4cD327Ol7AtxQCxZe3QYo8XG2vEr7SRNlFWgfpxTa-onC4PnrM6cl8gM2oO3bXrH6lFr6bD2ZOROlLl_BGdz1zF-amyLlkEEZp37WjIHi86oTNe_7_uVf5UdSAwEWU/s320/DSC_1375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Product Rave: </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCprGtA7V_GB-vZ3qx2n8QI7V8or5PlJzn32yWWsQL6IwymiuwOaPUYYW3TrT7YOVpFINnr56VQaoC5pwdVbFKYXWClLTchV9iR-PAFwS3DS1RenuENWadA-4ijJ16RSGKAsRw9mtJrM/s1600/DSC_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCprGtA7V_GB-vZ3qx2n8QI7V8or5PlJzn32yWWsQL6IwymiuwOaPUYYW3TrT7YOVpFINnr56VQaoC5pwdVbFKYXWClLTchV9iR-PAFwS3DS1RenuENWadA-4ijJ16RSGKAsRw9mtJrM/s320/DSC_1604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy's new (well crib turned) Big Girl Bed!</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?</b></span></span> <br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next appointment will be 18 months in January</span></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-28699714488509208782013-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:002013-12-31T16:27:00.265-05:00Merry Christmas!<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">from our family to yours <3</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdX__UWDLHCKEc22CK59Ovv7ki0GGUM_OK3jIif1vSod1p72gJ49qBjqXm06hxdc3HcxF78aqR-_j8OSsV2Ckj9kMV_IA-nMJtMc1lK3dDTCh2ii__d5yCFDHQJz80wf4YuPG4IH4Kldc/s1600/christmas+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdX__UWDLHCKEc22CK59Ovv7ki0GGUM_OK3jIif1vSod1p72gJ49qBjqXm06hxdc3HcxF78aqR-_j8OSsV2Ckj9kMV_IA-nMJtMc1lK3dDTCh2ii__d5yCFDHQJz80wf4YuPG4IH4Kldc/s640/christmas+card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-57989747302930222162013-12-15T20:25:00.002-05:002013-12-15T20:25:42.200-05:00Recipe: Polish Chicken and Dumplings<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This time of year, with 2+ feet of snow on the ground and temps that would make a polar bear wish for a tropical vacation, comfort food is usually the main thing on our menu.</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A coworker recently shared this with me and I couldn't WAIT to try it! It instantly became a new favorite, so I'm sharing it with you! </span></span>This super simple recipe will not disappoint.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 small box of frozen pierogies (we use Wegmans white or yellow cheddar, because we are cheese-aholics... but any flavor will work). </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flash boil until floating then drain.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 chicken breasts- baked (or use leftover rotisserie, or heck even boil in the pierogie water if you're feeling super lazy). Shred cooked chicken.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 can of cream of chicken soup, mix with 1/2 can of milk, season with garlic salt and pepper.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In buttered/greased glass/casserole dish layer pierogies then shredded chicken on top. Cover with seasoned cream of chicken soup mixture.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-27700265904387034472013-11-29T23:24:00.000-05:002013-12-31T16:33:17.742-05:00Kennedy's 16 Month Check In<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I guess I am trying to age my baby faster than she needs to... all week I have been telling everyone that she is 17 months old, and I didn't realize that I am a month ahead until I sat down to write this post. Oops! Blame it on the mom brain! Well... anyhow... Kennedy still isn't feeling 100%, but I am pretty sure we are on the up swing from this yucky bug that has been plaguing our house for the past month.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">November has been lots of fun with Thanksgiving and our first real snow of the year. We enjoyed a walk through Lights on the Lake and some great Black Friday shopping!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn2hYLQ7uiQCpJhFMz1kjPuekezKDFEFw7YvwPRaSe_gcfJi9Sw94-u-22eQ7-qWEbD2QUupBKlFIYKhYtsN1nD0hDbKwMA7KudXA-9HtbD_Q-aEJMvzVOofANHy2zoDFsMaDHf6Czxc/s1600/DSC_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn2hYLQ7uiQCpJhFMz1kjPuekezKDFEFw7YvwPRaSe_gcfJi9Sw94-u-22eQ7-qWEbD2QUupBKlFIYKhYtsN1nD0hDbKwMA7KudXA-9HtbD_Q-aEJMvzVOofANHy2zoDFsMaDHf6Czxc/s320/DSC_1208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPm2b-sri_4vLdlsaq13FptoDSUwqvfAB1UFz7fBQJPxmKq3jl3hAs_gzXieCUgRfNDfi810B6d0-LCKOy-xyURIA4oHiGNABBjfcuz2YyqiZ5su_hlwChGG9S7ZRcQQvzZ78xSoXFyE/s1600/DSC_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPm2b-sri_4vLdlsaq13FptoDSUwqvfAB1UFz7fBQJPxmKq3jl3hAs_gzXieCUgRfNDfi810B6d0-LCKOy-xyURIA4oHiGNABBjfcuz2YyqiZ5su_hlwChGG9S7ZRcQQvzZ78xSoXFyE/s320/DSC_1275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>How Big Is Baby?</b></span></span></span> <br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy is 20 pounds and change. Her weight gain has tapered off, which is normal as her activity level increases and her appetite slows.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are in winter wear now, all size 18 months and up. Some of the 18-24 month tops/sweaters are a little big, but there is no point to buy any smaller since she will only grow.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Size 5 and 5/6 shoes. The 5/6 slippers are a little big, but they are just to wear around the house so it's ok. Her size 5 TOMS are getting small, but I am going to save the 6s for warmer weather. </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Full time cloth diapering. Smalls and one-sizes. I did break out a few of her mediums, just to try on, but they don't get much use yet.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Development & Milestones</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Running, running, running. This kid doesn't walk anywhere any more.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has been using the potty a lot this month. She still will not tell us when she has to go, but if we ask her, she will answer. We have had a few days with very few accidents, but it means putting her on the potty almost every hour. We are still trying to get her ot tell us when she needs to go.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her language development blows me away! She signs almost 40 words and speaks about 25. Kevin has done a wonderful job teaching and encouraging her signing and speaking. She is becomming quite the little chatterbox.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tooth count is up to 14 or 16 now. It's hard to count, but she almost has a full set. The molars finally broke through, and then a few more followed within a few days. No wonder why she has been Miss Misery off and on... that's a lot of teeth to cut at once!</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Diet/Nursing</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nursing has been out saving grace this month. Between the teething and being sick, nursing was the one constant I could count on to comfort her when nothing else worked. What a wonderful, beautiful thing it is to be able to nurse and soothe your hurting little one. I am so thankful for our extended nursing relationship.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pump is long gone! I am finally comfortable throughout a 12 hour shift and even up to 18 hours or so if need be. It's amazing that I can go that long and be fine, then on my days off nurse around the clock if K needs it. The nursing mama's body is a pretty cool thing.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">K's diet has been so-so this month. She has really enjoyed frozen fruit more than anything, because it is soothing on her sore gums. She also loves popcorn (her special treat with daddy on mommy's work nights).</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b>S</b><b>leep</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep has been about the same. She still sleeping about 10 hours/night, but continues to wake once, sometimes 2-3 times/night. One of these days she will sleep through the night. Maybe.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naps were ok. She is still consistent with one nap/day, but she has started ot vary the time of that nap... I'm not a fan. She used to go down somewhere between 11 and 1 for about 2-3 hours... now there are days she is ready to nap by 10am and other days that she has fought and fought and fought until 4pm. Makes me crazy! I am hoping to get on a more consistent nap schedule soon.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mommy & Daddy Check In</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's hard to believe that we are getting ready to celebrate our second Christmas with our baby girl. Just wow!</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, after 2 years without (not that I missed her), dear old AF showed up. We are ready to start working on Baby #2. :) I will try to not update the gory details of our TTC journey, but I'm excited to at least cross the starting line and had to share. :)</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Otherwise... work is work and school is school. We are both looking forward to planning a much-needed break in the spring.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">October 30 15 month check up</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Veteran's Day weekend trip to Pittsburgh</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lights on the Lake walk through with Lucy</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First snow of the year! And LOTS of it!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanksgiving</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Black Friday shopping</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Product Rave: </b></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not to sure this month...</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?</b></span></span> <br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next appointment will be 18 months in January</span></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-3867389332395680312013-10-29T23:15:00.000-04:002013-12-31T16:35:33.165-05:00Kennedy's 15 Month Check In<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rolling right along at 15 months. To say that time is flying would be an understament. I swear I blink and *bam* another month has gone by. The 15 month language explosion is in full force and since I wrote the post about Baby Signing, Kennedy has picked up at least 10-12 more words. It is such a joy to be able to communicate with her and watch her discover her voice. She did have a nasty bout of Coxsackie virus (hand, foot & mouth) that left her with a fever and blisters all over (her hands, foot and mouth go figure)... but she is feeling much better now.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRK2RwCfWARn_bmOTUskuW4lnhgZNpQCuobS-0P32zfJljZtjBbFp2YRv9TgQd4EvkduDveld740zXqDnhfOv42TCbjuMFP1lXlR-rNoDjLLno6Q_sFCOdU4EQqNsi8cHHcDQEiW8SYQc/s1600/DSC_1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRK2RwCfWARn_bmOTUskuW4lnhgZNpQCuobS-0P32zfJljZtjBbFp2YRv9TgQd4EvkduDveld740zXqDnhfOv42TCbjuMFP1lXlR-rNoDjLLno6Q_sFCOdU4EQqNsi8cHHcDQEiW8SYQc/s320/DSC_1170.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>How Big Is Baby?</b></span></span></span> <br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy is definitely over 20 pounds now, we will find out exactly how much at her appointment tomorrow.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is wearing whatever is left of her 12 month, but mostly 18 month clothing and a few 2T items. T... for TODDLER... WOWZA!</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Size 4 shoes are all too small now, which is a bummer because she had some really cute size 4 shoes. Time to go shopping! </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Full time cloth diapering. Size smalls still fit, but we are running out of snaps to move out. The One sizes have plenty of room left to go. She has also started peeing on the potty... a lot! We may very well be out of cloth diapers within the next few months.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Development & Milestones</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She walks and runs very well now. She has also mastered climbing up and DOWN the stairs gracefully. Better than me, probably.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her language development never ceases to amaze me. She is up to over 30 words signing and about 10 or so words verbally. So fun!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tooth count is still at 8... still no molars</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Diet/Nursing</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are still nursing and love it! I just love my sweet snuggles and nightly nursing sessions (when I'm not working) with baby girl.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pumping is officially finished. Not pleasant at first, but my body is getting the hint and the nights I work are getting more bearable.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Food-wise, Kennedy has definitely developed some favorites... french fries (or anything potato), frozen fruit, fruit snacks and sausage. Her appetite has been so-so due to a nasty virus, but she still loves her food.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b>S</b><b>leep</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep has been pretty good, despite the yucky bug she fought off. She is sleeping about 10 hours/night with a short nursing (or water when mommy is at work) break in the middle. She always wakes up in a great mood with mommy, but when daddy has to wake her up early, she is Captain Cranky Pants.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naps are good. She is down to 1 nap a day and it is consistently between 2-3 hours. She always wakes up smiling from her nap. Love it!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mommy & Daddy Check In</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's been a rough month for us. I am fairly certain that there was not one day this month that we were all healthy. Blah! I will be thrilled when this funk leaves our house for good!</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In other news, since I have completely cut out pumping, I am hoping my cycle will return soon and we can officially begin TTC #2. We are excited, nervous and well... nervous., but we can't wait to have a little brother or sister for Kennedy to torture... I mean... play with and love. :)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?</b></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We took Kennedy to the Zoo Boo this past Saturday. She had a BLAST (and a pumpkin full of yummy candy didn't hurt either). I will post some pictures of her adorable (ahem last minute) Halloween costume when I remember. We will also be doing Trick-or-Treating at the mall tomorrow.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cloth diapering is still going great!! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Product Rave: </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">@@@</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?</b></span></span> <br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next appointment will be 15 month check up tomorrow!</span></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-81331923212664678952013-10-26T16:36:00.000-04:002013-12-31T16:37:07.663-05:00Roasmond Gifford Zoo Boo... in pictures<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our cute little scarecrow had a blast! We will definitely be back next year!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-22524629530218176272013-10-23T12:02:00.001-04:002013-10-25T04:18:36.926-04:00Mom Review: Baby Sign Language<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About a year ago, Kevin and I made the decision to teach Kennedy sign language. It was a little slow to start and took her a while before she was able to sign back, but we are so glad that we made this decision! As of right now, she is able to sign almost 20 different signs and understand even more from us. As she hits her 15 month "Language Explosion", it seems like she is adding a new sign to her vocabulary almost every day. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We used a combination of books, web resources and Baby Signing Time videos to teach her (and us!). The videos were, by far, her favorite. It's pretty exciting to know that Kevin and I are learning another language as well. We plan to continue with it and maybe take formal ASL (American Sign Language) classes eventually.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sign language has made communication so much easier and saved us many frustrations (on both sides). Babies are able to express themselves with sign much sooner than with verbal language, so she is able to tell me what she wants or needs without me having to figure out what her cries and tantrums mean. Some people are afraid that if their baby learns to sign, it will delay their speaking, but Kennedy talks up a storm. We encourage Kennedy to sign and speak by signing and speaking ourselves. She does this with about half of her signs, but the rest will follow soon, I'm sure. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What a wonderful gift to be able to communicate with and understand your baby!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200879856898543&l=5138791590527907612" target="_blank">Here is a video of Kennedy signing</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy's signing vocabulary</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(to the best I can remember, in the order she learned them)</span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">puppy</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">milk</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">more</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">all done</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">hi and bye </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">please</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">thank you</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">eat </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">bird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">horse</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">water</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">mama</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">dada </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">bath</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">sleep</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">potty</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">wash hands</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">brush teeth</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">shoes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">socks</span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-76665841104340242102013-10-06T14:26:00.000-04:002013-10-13T15:00:18.357-04:00Babywearing Week<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Babywearing? This is a thing? Umm... yes. Not in a Lady Gaga meat wearing sense</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m3Fxvbpi7EztM-HEkTqYnWxzQzarlzGgLWCsPzXRaXKCHvKvHoyezRmFaDnZTtIOjqXAz8i5rShAWbRljfRZrM78602gXsKfBRzx1FCF0_7exiflEP8-rpZgAUUfx1H6PP2vAZUrjCM/s1600/lady+gaga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m3Fxvbpi7EztM-HEkTqYnWxzQzarlzGgLWCsPzXRaXKCHvKvHoyezRmFaDnZTtIOjqXAz8i5rShAWbRljfRZrM78602gXsKfBRzx1FCF0_7exiflEP8-rpZgAUUfx1H6PP2vAZUrjCM/s1600/lady+gaga.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Eww. But yes. I have been wearing Kennedy in various wraps and carriers since she was just a few days old. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkK48i7GOZFfwN07rk0ukTZ5fHQv-zWchXk8X04_5Br_3AHsLsEOcVw2CCwetdmWLC-UB5LGN157Mu-8js92EzYbXiQlX6FBoPoaJwaLYgOwnKYuSz61WyKCEh7R_R5bN-SXQr0Byp1c/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkK48i7GOZFfwN07rk0ukTZ5fHQv-zWchXk8X04_5Br_3AHsLsEOcVw2CCwetdmWLC-UB5LGN157Mu-8js92EzYbXiQlX6FBoPoaJwaLYgOwnKYuSz61WyKCEh7R_R5bN-SXQr0Byp1c/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" width="212" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmUsL8celw0Z6-twvpgVKA7hn009VgzsoPAFR_K5Dm-2SMstfl28eL1Uj_94PtR3d1wvfHJ8kJPYDjHlsfHnoW1jX6IOsNUKRKS6Y51Y9cssdWeZkcGCciIHb5Iba8YQk68_zYTrc17w/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmUsL8celw0Z6-twvpgVKA7hn009VgzsoPAFR_K5Dm-2SMstfl28eL1Uj_94PtR3d1wvfHJ8kJPYDjHlsfHnoW1jX6IOsNUKRKS6Y51Y9cssdWeZkcGCciIHb5Iba8YQk68_zYTrc17w/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has always loved it and, truth be told, so have I. I love feeling her close and it just melts my heart when she falls asleep on my chest or against my back. I also love having my hands free to cook, clean, shop or... in the case of my oh-my-god-I-have-to-turn-in-this-8-page-paper-TODAY freak out last week, I love being able to pop her in the Ergo on my back and type away. Sometimes daddy even gets in on the BW fun... usually when I am at work and K is being Captain Cranky Pants, he can put her in a carrier and go about his business while she falls asleep. Our ring sling has been a lifesaver on vacations and especially in the airport. It is a breeze to get through security, smushes easily into a diaper bag and enables me to be hands free to deal with all of the paperwork, luggage and other airport hassles. :)</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you can tell, we are big fans!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So to celebrate Babywearing Week, we will be attending a few events this week and we couldn't be more excited! Tuesday, we will meet up with some other babywearing mamas at the zoo. Thursday at the park for a walk and Friday we will be modeling our favorite carrier (Ergo) in a babywearing fashion show. We are very excited!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have any questions about carriers, wraps or babywearing in general... let me know! I love to spread the word about BW!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-40746677339966971692013-09-29T14:14:00.000-04:002013-10-13T15:00:38.185-04:00Kennedy's 14 Month Check In<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has been a GREAT month! Kennedy is growing like a weed, learning so many new things. We JUST got back (literally) from our awesome family vacation to the Outer Banks (more to come, along with pictures, on that later!), but we had an incredible time. Kennedy loved the beach, as did Lucy. We got to spend time with Gam Gam, Pappy and Uncle Mike. It was just a fabulous week. Kennedy is rocking this toddler thing and never ceases to amaze me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>How Big Is Baby?</b></span></span></span> <br />
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kennedy is 20, maybe 21 pounds now.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before we left for vacation, we retired all of her summer outfits, except the ones we brought with us. Those will {{sniffle}} be retired when we get home. Her fall/winter clothes are 18 months- 2T and I'm sure she will fit into them easily when we get home.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Size
4 shoes for now, but her boots are a size 5. </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Full time cloth diapering. Size smalls and one size- fully extended on the rise and out 2-3 snaps at the waist. We did switch to size 3 disposables for the trip, mostly because we had a case to get rid of and weren't completely sure about the laundry situation in our rental house. I'm glad we brought disposables because we had some issues with the washing machine mid-way through the week. We are, however, VERY happy to be back in cloth tonight. :)</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Development & Milestones</b></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Running all over the place. This girl doesn't slow down for ANYTHING.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We went into the ocean and a swimming pool for the first time this past week. She was a little unsure (and the pool was very cold) but she did really well.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She ate really well with utensils this month. Her coordination is much better and she only dumps her bowl when she is finished and we aren't paying attention.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her language is incredible. She signs so much! Let's see... dog (of course), milk (OF COURSE, lol), all done, please, bird (her new favorite), eat, water and I'm sure I'm forgetting some. She is really curious and seems to enjoy learning new signs. I think we might actually be at the beginning of the 15 month language explosion.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tooth count is still at 8... still no molars</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She did surprisingly well through the 6 hour car rides x4. It is about 12 hours total from home to Nags Head, but we split the trip in half on the way down and back. She hung out in the back seat with Lucy watching Despicable Me and staring out the window. We had a few melt downs around hour 5 on all 4 legs, but otherwise she was an angel. I couldn't believe it!</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Diet/Nursing</b></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nursing continues to go well for us. I can tell she is starting to cut back (and I am encouraging) to a few times a day, but the nursing sessions last a little longer than they used to. Either way, I still love these quiet moments with her.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pumping is just about done. I didn't even bring my big pump with us on vacation. I did bring a small manual pump to use in case Kevin and I went out on a date night and I used it twice, but otherwise no pumping at all this week, which was nice! I am planning to really work on cutting back/cutting out pumping sessions completely when we get back. I don't plan to stop nursing, but this will help (hopefully) to start my cycle again so we can try for baby #2. Here's to hoping!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was able to donate 8 (YES 8!!!!) gallons of breast milk to the National Milk Bank. I am so proud of myself and my boobies!! :) Read more about it <a href="http://mrandmrsboles-wifelife.blogspot.com/2013/09/moooooooooooooooooo.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">BLW is pretty much finished, dare I say? There isn't a thing this girl will not eat. This week she tried shrimp, crab and even some hot salsa. She eats anything and everything. We are so proud!</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b>S</b><b>leep</b></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep
has been excellent! While on vacation, she kept a great routine, falling asleep round 9 and waking up around 7 or 8. Part of me was like "aaah! Wake up at 7?? On vacation??" but at the same time, we were able to see so much and spend so much time outside because we woke up so early. And honestly, by 9pm, I was ready for bed, lol!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Naps
were pretty good. She takes one nap a day now and it usually lasts anywhere from 2-3 hours. She is pretty cranky when it is nap time, but always wakes up in a great mood!</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mommy & Daddy Check In</b></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another wonderful month for us. Kevin's job is going really well and I was just offered a position in our emergency room as an RN. I have always wanted to work in an ER and am thrilled about this new opportunity. I'm not sure when I will be starting, but I am very excited! Health and weight-wise, things are status quo. We were able to enjoy lots of fun cardio this week with hiking and swimming, a welcome change from running running running earlier in the month. Lol.</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any appointments, visitors or outings? Anything else new?</b></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our major event this month was our vacation. Otherwise, not a whole lot. :)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cloth diapering is still going great!! </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Product Rave: </b></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I LOVE my new necklace from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/boubeads" target="_blank">BouBeads</a>. It is just beautiful and Kennedy loves to play with it. It is designed from natural, baby-friendly materials so she can play/chew on it safely while she is nursing or while I am carrying her in her wrap. It keeps her curious little fingers occupied and (more importantly) out of mommy's hair!</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Any upcoming developments, milestones? What's next?</b></span></span> <br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next appointment will be 15 months on October 30.</span></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102174422902837127.post-80065354109277761812013-09-12T03:44:00.001-04:002013-09-12T03:44:33.654-04:00Failing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew it wouldn't be easy. I knew there would be lots of tears and sleepless nights, some missed memories and milestones and more than a few lessons learned..</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. motherhood is a journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And being a working mom is really really hard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Being a mom who works overnight is just plain crazy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have enough seniority to work a regular 8 hour day shift, or a 12 hour day shift... but I chose to work a 12 hour overnight shift for a few reasons... better money, less time around the boss, more time to study and most importantly... more time with my little girl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This sounds like a great idea in theory, but in reailty, it just doesn't seem to be working out quite like I had planned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Truth be told, lately, I feel like I am failing... or coming dangerously close to doing so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I come home from work, all I can think about is sleep. I try to nap when Kennedy naps, but it is never enough. When she wakes up from her nap, she is so happy to see me and excited to play with me and I am just... exhausted. I spend my days just wishing the time away until her next nap. I put a movie on the iPad, hand her a few toys and try to close my eyes. "Just five more minutes" is my mantra as I beg her to sleep, to be still or at least to be quiet while I try to sleep just a little bit more. I drag myself down the stairs and heat up a cup of coffee, often reheat it 4 or 5 times before I actually manage to drink it. Most days I doubt a coffee IV would even be able to perk me up after a short 2 hours of sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The days are flying by in a sleepy haze and I find myself wondering...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Is it worth it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I mean, I really have no choice but to work and I have come to terms with that. But my schedule. This crazy 12 hour overnight schedule... is it really working for us? True, I technically get to enjoy more days off... but in a matter of quality vs quantity I'm torn. Do the extra days off really count if I can barely stay awake enough to actually enjoy them?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I don't want to wish away the days of my daughter's childhood. They are already flying by way too fast as it is. I want to enjoy every single sleep deprived moment... but that is easier said than done when you are chugging along in zombie mode with 7 hours of sleep over 3 days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm not complaining. I'm really not. I'm questioning my decision. Did I make the right choice? Am I doing ok? Am I failing her? How can I possibly make this work? (Overnight mamas feel free to help me out here!) CAN I really do this? Heck, can I even make it through today?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In my sleepy stupor, I hear her tossing books around her nursery while I curl up on the recliner chair and struggle to keep my eyes open. I hear the Evil Puppy toy sing in between moments of dozing off. I wonder if she would be better off, be happier if I worked days and she spent her days at day care like other children with working mommies and daddies. Would she learn more? Play more?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then she climbs up on the recliner chair with me, curls up on my lap and just sits. Quietly. I kiss her forehead and she gives me the biggest smile.... and </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I know that I am doing the right thing. I can sleep later, when she grows up, but right now... whether I am awake or barely hanging on by an undercaffienated thread... I am here with her. And that is what matters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">God I love this kid.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442516239980413644noreply@blogger.com0