tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4281642566075063142024-03-06T03:34:43.932-05:00chiquita bambinolife with a chiquita, chiquito, & a bambino and our epiphanies along the wayMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.comBlogger310125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-29569848276562358832016-06-24T16:47:00.003-04:002016-06-24T16:48:39.786-04:00William's Birth Story (baby #3)<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Apparently I started writing this birth story one week after Will's birth and only got up to the part where the first contractions started. Then I stopped writing it. My guess is, either the baby had woken up, another kid needed something, or I decided to catch some z's. Either way, I've verbally shared the story with enough people (or texted it out to curious friends), that I think we'll be able to fill in the gaps! </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the no-holds bar story of Will's birth:</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/9mrESkxIvz1QTkPEpKVIYsrHAdiNsXVt8m-HX4-iDtPDQy25jVFilYfaP9kqoh4op73rHmg-CWopUe5Gjw8UqTlPy4ttBsphgMnpoN0ERy5KnBzbDpc6IPGKXN_J0_hHe9MmASuzrOTFUkvaql4aCXb8E_7uOuxqxOoZNnNCpD_itn7VjP7ycJfu0PNn4S67JsryLlaZnL6qFu1YfS-1wia-de8vfNAw9KEIcUWbNVWsg9gv5qyDNJihQsflIKRFJTS_hqkp-ej8F5H_e-4y2FvdP8d58q6Jv9WdO9YlSXSpupvyjYyUf-GznW_KzF2NiJ4sWu9-etcUEFbZhwIT2b45-IVmVldqoPh0bh-j-qlFUJo1qxHgQCFIdlQ7nxj4-NQA7CZypbHGaUZ-dEFpsCftyvSk0KnX0N3OC1SSFBGdlKW9DKfe0clfWtJKvh2O7rI61iMNFKTw65HX6CnYbef3GkWd5IMq3UfBRT8XkcoshseCZIki-otk9U6r1UiUWyBIMP9hBxGGl_mv1ajqnKu3qLu6izLhBfmvNuuCKbEQElKBJ8teMM-AlQ1qBQZ_kDJHl6zWe5_uosONvhl2BSdFUBCKft0j=s646-no" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/9mrESkxIvz1QTkPEpKVIYsrHAdiNsXVt8m-HX4-iDtPDQy25jVFilYfaP9kqoh4op73rHmg-CWopUe5Gjw8UqTlPy4ttBsphgMnpoN0ERy5KnBzbDpc6IPGKXN_J0_hHe9MmASuzrOTFUkvaql4aCXb8E_7uOuxqxOoZNnNCpD_itn7VjP7ycJfu0PNn4S67JsryLlaZnL6qFu1YfS-1wia-de8vfNAw9KEIcUWbNVWsg9gv5qyDNJihQsflIKRFJTS_hqkp-ej8F5H_e-4y2FvdP8d58q6Jv9WdO9YlSXSpupvyjYyUf-GznW_KzF2NiJ4sWu9-etcUEFbZhwIT2b45-IVmVldqoPh0bh-j-qlFUJo1qxHgQCFIdlQ7nxj4-NQA7CZypbHGaUZ-dEFpsCftyvSk0KnX0N3OC1SSFBGdlKW9DKfe0clfWtJKvh2O7rI61iMNFKTw65HX6CnYbef3GkWd5IMq3UfBRT8XkcoshseCZIki-otk9U6r1UiUWyBIMP9hBxGGl_mv1ajqnKu3qLu6izLhBfmvNuuCKbEQElKBJ8teMM-AlQ1qBQZ_kDJHl6zWe5_uosONvhl2BSdFUBCKft0j=s646-no" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 9 with pretty much ZILCH activity to speak of</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-92f6fb76-841c-32a1-e2fb-d9c3c5417780"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My estimated due date was September 9, 2015. Based on my other two children’s arrival times, I anticipated having this baby anywhere from the end of August up through the due date, but definitely not after!! However, I should have known babies have their own plans. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The weekend leading up to his birth was not necessarily ideal. Gabe, age 3 at the time, unfortunately came down with a really tight case of croup, which wouldn’t let up after a couple of nights. On Saturday, we took him to Urgent Care to be assessed and it was determined he needed some breathing treatments and some steroids (not our favorite, but it was bad enough to merit some medical help for croup for the first time ever). The steroids made him a little crazy, and he ended up not even taking a nap that day. That Saturday night, Greg and I had a chat about some last-minute fears related to welcoming another baby into our family (like, will it mess up the good flow we have already with our 6 and 3 year olds? was this a big, colossal mistake?!) and kind of just reviewed where we were at. I know sometimes babies don't come if they sense momma's not in a good mental spot.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/rYn-FilrFWRZY8Q5GRwK-s3wgQZQBvhddSARPliVx6jVplhE8dU1yhfJMbYqVJ7lvmE35VMnkRGaZZaqApX7kD5RAvPQikYxU-f2MmzKptlrrTb6-YHyNEUyWSHhjty4tn-Q_TKGWj8bLWz9tV9VjQ7HMYhJdXLTzWH4JOj7WcnGLHuGSF_PmCaRcgBxyoRCfL_ctAtf04h4yn7MJe_SKFNvR5jwKZh8dtvSvZJmsAibk8V6ikYt-NHRu9nQ45dFb81oZqBmB59zhChh0xyD98h93ZTYd3U_IZtRtJWhqoR6VqH8qRPdE-MUhu2TkwOjL6YEBvxfBYS1NaoPBtA9JeQfSck0z1euoTYIcnry5HzQhmmNkXiBRrUCrmIcl0RMwQ5NW3eb1uK8pQ5MNWh_lh-k-c913Fp5RmCzoBWvnJDV-9ohfMlpDGzwwM4T4Mb0C77lZAZ6YPJNmQGKGQ6dEKHxqofgxOj76qXrr5zOligebv3cnJQl7sKP9eWyY3Ge-CBEtReZG_ZY6B8whATUkYR0jfRoQQusoipgmty8rDnJulKKHS8efe3uyMnb2enMb_OVZrHFq_8BIqWl9jmZAJm1dcpf8rYo=w862-h646-no" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/rYn-FilrFWRZY8Q5GRwK-s3wgQZQBvhddSARPliVx6jVplhE8dU1yhfJMbYqVJ7lvmE35VMnkRGaZZaqApX7kD5RAvPQikYxU-f2MmzKptlrrTb6-YHyNEUyWSHhjty4tn-Q_TKGWj8bLWz9tV9VjQ7HMYhJdXLTzWH4JOj7WcnGLHuGSF_PmCaRcgBxyoRCfL_ctAtf04h4yn7MJe_SKFNvR5jwKZh8dtvSvZJmsAibk8V6ikYt-NHRu9nQ45dFb81oZqBmB59zhChh0xyD98h93ZTYd3U_IZtRtJWhqoR6VqH8qRPdE-MUhu2TkwOjL6YEBvxfBYS1NaoPBtA9JeQfSck0z1euoTYIcnry5HzQhmmNkXiBRrUCrmIcl0RMwQ5NW3eb1uK8pQ5MNWh_lh-k-c913Fp5RmCzoBWvnJDV-9ohfMlpDGzwwM4T4Mb0C77lZAZ6YPJNmQGKGQ6dEKHxqofgxOj76qXrr5zOligebv3cnJQl7sKP9eWyY3Ge-CBEtReZG_ZY6B8whATUkYR0jfRoQQusoipgmty8rDnJulKKHS8efe3uyMnb2enMb_OVZrHFq_8BIqWl9jmZAJm1dcpf8rYo=w862-h646-no" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a very HOT walk around the neighborhood<br />
Friday afternoon to try and get things going &<br />
get Gabe some Vitamin D</td></tr>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A little while later after that chat, Gabe woke up in an all-out (what I believe, drug-induced) tantrum. It took nearly an hour to calm him down. He was completely out of his mind and not in control at all. Trying to calm him down only made my belly tighten up, and was very emotionally draining, so Greg finally got him back into his bed and lay down with him. I decided by that point (well past 1am) to lay down and try to sleep...finally Greg returned and he laid down too. A few minutes later, around 2:30am, I started sensing real contractions, after I had probably been asleep about 30 minutes. Greg was finally asleep too, and I didn’t want to wake him up yet, because it had already been such a short night of sleep. With my other two labors, I was blessed to have gone into labor after having had a better night’s sleep, and I had been really hoping for that this time around as well, but when the baby is overdue, and you’re READY to give birth, what are you going to do? I digress…</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Denial isn't just a river in Egypt...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was somewhat in denial these contractions were real but laying down was not making them go away, and they only proceeded to get more uncomfortable. I got up and started swaying my hips around, and woke Greg up around 3am. Bless my mom -- she had come down to stay with us, almost two weeks beforehand because I was just sure this baby was going to come earlier like Mia & Gabe had, and no, the baby decided to stay in longer -- but Greg knocked on her door to let her know what was going on as we were about to leave the house. Greg and I gathered what we could for the hospital bag (that was mostly already packed), while I stopped every few minutes to slow down and breathe through a contraction. Greg called our backup doula, and we got in the car around 4:15am. Right before we got in the car, I grabbed a towel, a big bowl, a cup of ice water, and I ate a banana and a granola bar. I wasn’t sure how much time I’d have before actual delivery, and I wanted some energy since it was the middle of the night and I hadn’t eaten in hours, and I grabbed the bowl and towel because I have a history of puking mid-labor and especially while driving! :(</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our hospital for delivery is about 30 minutes away, but in the middle of the night, when you get to cruise on the expressway, we were able to get there super quick! We spotted a couple of deer as we exited our neighborhood and while we drove down the interstate and I remember wondering if/what that meant and how that was kind of cool to see... Right before I began throwing up that banana I had just eaten and the water I just chugged. Greg was a very good sport to not start throwing up himself. That only happened a couple of more times and I very adeptly dumped the waste at a stoplight about 2 blocks away from the hospital. Woohoo!</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we pulled up to the hospital (around 4:45am), which has valet for pregnant women going into labor & delivery, the valet was SOUND asleep. Like, out. Greg slammed the doors on our car a couple of times to get his attention, and he finally stumbled awake and sprung into action like “Oh hey! I’m here, ready to go! Was totally not sleeping!” Except he was. We were wheeled up to L&D where we met our backup doula, Holli, for the very first time. I had talked to her on the phone the Wednesday night prior and she had my birth plan printed out and was ready to go immediately attending to me, even while I was sitting uncomfortably in the wheelchair in triage working through a contraction.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/s960x960/12038571_10104294744898641_415416642812626011_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/s960x960/12038571_10104294744898641_415416642812626011_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one word: LABOR</td></tr>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's gettin' REAL</span></h3>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were wheeled into our triage room, I changed into even a less attractive hospital gown than I wore with Gabe, if that’s possible, and kept working through contractions. I believe they were at least every 4 minutes at this point, if not even faster. We were waiting for a midwife to come check me before we moved me to a room, but the midwife from my practice was in the middle of a delivery. So, instead, I just hung out in the triage room, either on the bed, or on the side of the bed, going through different laboring positions while they did some quick monitoring of the baby too. Holli, our doula, was giving suggestions for different ways to sit, stand or move, and reminding me to breathe baby down and relax my face. I didn’t know it at the time either, but she was snapping some pictures on her camera as well, which I really appreciated after the fact (I think birth photography is awesome!). After probably 45 minutes of hard labor and waiting for a midwife, one of the nurses came back in and said, “She’s still stuck in a delivery; I’ll just go ahead and check you.” She checked and said I was complete with a bulging bag of waters! I’ll never forget the surprise, shock, and delight I feel when I hear the words, “You’re complete.” Knowing it’s go-time is exhilarating and butterfly-inducing all at once. They asked me if I had the urge to push and I said, “Not yet,” but after the next contraction I immediately felt that sensation. They put my saline lock in and were ready to move me to my labor and delivery room. It was around 5:45 or 5:50am at this point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's GO time</span></h3>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because my midwife was still in a delivery, the nurses were trying to figure out who would be able to help me deliver. There was another midwife from another practice available at the hospital that night so they decided to wheel me into one of her rooms. I literally met her for the first time as they wheeled me in and I was about to have another contraction. Her name was Sandy and she asked me how I wanted to push. I had a moment of complete indecision as I had pushed on my back with my legs up with the other kids but I had been basically on all fours this time around, smushing my face into the pillow on the bed. My doula asked if I wanted to squat for pushing, but since I was in a position I couldn’t imagine physically switching myself from, we stayed on all fours and my NEW-to-me midwife told me to push my butt into her hands. For a first meeting, that was a pretty brazen request! She told me to do it again, as I had been a little apprehensive, but after about half a contraction of pushing that way, I finally pushed past the awkward, and started pushing intuitively and aggressively, in my mental zone. It all happened pretty quickly at this point, but after I started really pushing, the baby descended, then in the next contraction, my water broke (which has never happened without intervention/assistance in the past!), which kind of freaked me out!, and then in the next contraction the baby’s head emerged, and finally during the next contraction, the baby was born!!! If you read that fast, just imagine it happening in your body that quickly, because that’s about how it felt. There was such a flurry of activity around me, but I basically had my eyes closed the entire time as I gripped the pillow on my bed for dear life and was utilizing all my other senses to figure out what was going on. Because I was on all fours, I didn’t visually take in my baby until I heard the midwife ask Greg to announce the sex, and Greg checked and said, “It’s a boy!” all excitedly and cheerfully, and they helped me flipped over and gave me the baby immediately. I was still in shock, but so so so relieved and so happy he was here and looked healthy and good :). The time was 6:04am.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12006261_10104294744858721_870142169310802801_n.jpg?oh=18a9e735ef32d7c96cdd92e331939944&oe=57FA3686" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12006261_10104294744858721_870142169310802801_n.jpg?oh=18a9e735ef32d7c96cdd92e331939944&oe=57FA3686" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Words: Newborn Baby Bliss</td></tr>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our own kids wouldn’t have even been up for the day yet, and we had just had another baby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They cut the cord after a little while of letting it pulse, and he was on my chest doing skin-to-skin immediately. Because it all happened so quickly, I felt like I was in a whirlwind and my body had a little bit of a hard time calming down. All the hormones rushing through my body gave me the chills/shakes, so the nurses were bringing tons of warm blankets to wrap around me, which felt wonderful as I snuggled our newest little one, who was yet to be officially named. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11933405_10104294745068301_7290926844276871986_n.jpg?oh=854cb9260381d1131337461ecd373e2c&oe=57FD66B7" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11933405_10104294745068301_7290926844276871986_n.jpg?oh=854cb9260381d1131337461ecd373e2c&oe=57FD66B7" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#WorthIt</td></tr>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After about an hour and a half, they weighed him and he was 6lbs, 12oz, and 19 inches long. He’s our biggest baby and stayed in the longest too: 40 weeks and 4 days. Once he was weighed, I was good to go for a transfer to our postpartum recovery room, and take a nice little morning nap. Mia was born on a Sunday too, like this kid, and it was nice to rest and have some peace and quiet while the rest of the world was waking up or readying themselves for church activities!</span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The history behind the name</span></h3>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We discussed his name options on and off throughout the morning--despite having announced his birth and healthy arrival to family and friends--he didn’t have a name yet! “William” had been on our list throughout the pregnancy as a potential boy name, but had also been taken off the list once or twice just due to how popular a name it is. However, it’s a classic name, and a family name (it’s interwoven multiple times on both sides of the family), and most directly, is my dad’s middle name and my brother’s middle name, so, William it was! And Thomas was chosen as a biblical name after one of Jesus’ apostles who believed in the resurrected Christ after having been able to examine Jesus’ resurrected body and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Additionally, Thomas is also a family name as well, after Greg’s deceased grandfather. So, Will’s name is rich with family and biblical history and we announced his name to family and friends in the early afternoon. Thankfully, no one balked at it ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A couple of interesting notes about the delivery…</span></h4>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was my 3rd birth, and my 2nd hospital birth. It went so quickly and even though I didn't have much windup time in terms of labor, I was really thankful for the supportive people involved: Greg, my doula, who handed out copies of my birth plan, my stand-in midwife and my group's midwife who came in later to congratulate me (she had a delivery with a retained placenta)! They all helped things flow quite smoothly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The doula also used some essential oils during labor to help me not be too nauseated as I had thrown up on the way to the hospital in the car, and she used peppermint on Greg when he got a little light-headed right before I began pushing. He said he recognized the sounds I was making from the other 2 labors and knew pushing and birth were imminent and it was gettin' REAL and he had to go lay down! (Yes, on the floor of the delivery room.) Thankfully the nurses were on it right away and pointed a fan at him, gave him some juice, my doula popped open the peppermint oil and some honey sticks, and he was able to not totally pass out and miss the birth! His favorite part was getting to announce the sex since it had been a surprise. We both got to do skin to skin as well afterward, which is not something he'd done before but we knew we wanted to incorporate. The hospital honored ALL of our wishes and is considered "baby-friendly," and never tried to take away, bathe the baby or push any interventions or procedures we didn't want. In fact, when they wheeled us to our postpartum room I was happy to hear that they only expected baby to feed 4-6x in the first 24 hours and that he'd likely be sleepy (yes, mom and baby both)!! We were able to be discharged after 36 hours, which was also my fastest turn around time too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite the “waiting” for Will, he was worth the wait and be it due to this being our third time around doing this newborn thing, or his nature in general, has been a very easy-going baby! We are so blessed by him and the older kids began loving on him immediately. My mom was able to stay a few more days to help things be in good order before heading back home, and Gabe eventually got over his sad, pitiful croupy cough and life began as a family of five.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/67b7jYSo3osOuAl4D9Enh2C2u9RmK8xAlxtInB8HXPMouUxlaHa4TSvDlR6EsptqIHLeter83DeDdLwjYSPiygOG1KHAqeabAq7l_prHRC6I8M1tXArpX5pOawPNYTPK0QLrfsrPb_Fprq56lEf4S7nmRT053D18SsOQEFdBy9wxBQ0v_d-9wC0NpGaT37byvkzzLPWr6mTJM8550-HwetetT5SX-FNxoowS6CBp-BVdwrlCZ69hzAtor1Aw2TLWvT0WIMlMhPG7ph8ouitFoRMdsnjWvy09dy7BL6kgTQOUGoKT8Th7ftrrqGKpjrV1i5R806iPQooSwYj_0Ro5Kof9XdkwmFgX5OizXg-qqRN-F647qsjx-YugeF1Ki_J8tf_DDCw9Y_MI6t8OSUDAIQTfFqJD5ySUviu2ZaazK2xLtFG1qjS864WjLk-ko0bC1pR0qIvfrgtZBJQ9qEgOrZPfOsJzfcbZjq-f-SD0AigvpzLGcr_ynBiR22Mwy7JZxxrA7y5LEgyj8mLi_DT-_dFsvMfdeukJX84-a2LQz_JHrW3KwgQG6aABpOrAEPh0z5B7djSt-zal2pbkbymXiSVH-RBUa8zp=w969-h646-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/67b7jYSo3osOuAl4D9Enh2C2u9RmK8xAlxtInB8HXPMouUxlaHa4TSvDlR6EsptqIHLeter83DeDdLwjYSPiygOG1KHAqeabAq7l_prHRC6I8M1tXArpX5pOawPNYTPK0QLrfsrPb_Fprq56lEf4S7nmRT053D18SsOQEFdBy9wxBQ0v_d-9wC0NpGaT37byvkzzLPWr6mTJM8550-HwetetT5SX-FNxoowS6CBp-BVdwrlCZ69hzAtor1Aw2TLWvT0WIMlMhPG7ph8ouitFoRMdsnjWvy09dy7BL6kgTQOUGoKT8Th7ftrrqGKpjrV1i5R806iPQooSwYj_0Ro5Kof9XdkwmFgX5OizXg-qqRN-F647qsjx-YugeF1Ki_J8tf_DDCw9Y_MI6t8OSUDAIQTfFqJD5ySUviu2ZaazK2xLtFG1qjS864WjLk-ko0bC1pR0qIvfrgtZBJQ9qEgOrZPfOsJzfcbZjq-f-SD0AigvpzLGcr_ynBiR22Mwy7JZxxrA7y5LEgyj8mLi_DT-_dFsvMfdeukJX84-a2LQz_JHrW3KwgQG6aABpOrAEPh0z5B7djSt-zal2pbkbymXiSVH-RBUa8zp=w969-h646-no" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Aubree Clark Photography</td></tr>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-38067737301241236462016-06-23T12:02:00.000-04:002016-06-23T12:02:10.493-04:00Where in the world are our Chiquita Bambinos?I miss blogging, I really do. The world is changing so quickly these days, that the things I totally took for granted when Mia & Gabe were tiny are now already totally different. Do people blog? Do people even read blogs? I do not know. But I still kind of miss it.<br />
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One of the reasons I haven't been on here that much simply is just our lives have changed. Adding in a new person (hello, Will, who never got a formal introduction here on the blog!) at the beginning of the school year meant we just got sucked into the vortex of school and newborn parenting all at once.<br />
Additionally, between the school runs, and homeschooling (we continue to partner with a school that's half-homeschool, half-"regular" school), my consistent nap times for the other kids were not as consistent, and nap times were often when I'd get any blogging done in the past, if I wasn't trying to sneak in a nap myself. By the end of the day, the last thing I'd want to do is get on my computer, as I was all "what series can I finish in one night on Netflix?", and so, here we are, just a year since my last blog update, with a 9 month old and what feels like a lifetime of stories to catch up on.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sz0xS0LFd6A/V2wDrVBIr3I/AAAAAAAAsyw/iixSabmss7MMF7MG3yxXKb9emsjBnwXpACK4B/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sz0xS0LFd6A/V2wDrVBIr3I/AAAAAAAAsyw/iixSabmss7MMF7MG3yxXKb9emsjBnwXpACK4B/s320/IMG_0289.JPG" width="320" /></a>Speaking of naps, that's what our "little" 9 month old is doing. Whilst holding a child-proofed bottle of teething tablets. "Wear your supplements," they said, and thus he is, clutching them in his hand! That's just where we're at right now. Will is 9 months old, has 3 teeth on the bottom and the top two are breaking in. He had his 9 month check-up the other day and is 19lbs, 9 oz, and 28" long. Blessed be my brain, but I can't remember the stats for Mia & Gabe at this age, but, he's pretty big for our kids for a 9 month old baby. I think Mia weighed 19lbs by one year. Everyone remarks on how big and solid he is. He's definitely a little haus...as one can clearly tell by this solid picture. :-|<br />
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Naps have been a source of much discussion around here lately. Are we getting one today, or not? Because Will is the third baby, he hasn't had the luxury of our staying at home most of the time to ensure he can stay on his nap schedule. Life is so much different now than it was when Mia was three and Gabe was a tiny tot. This past school year two days of the week, either myself or Greg was running out the door at 2:30 to pick up Mia from school. On Wednesday afternoons, we had violin lessons for Mia and gymnastics for both Mia & Gabe. Those were long afternoons. If Will was asleep and it seemed like he might take a good nap, sometimes I left him home (with Greg who works from home) for those runs out the door. If he wasn't asleep, he had to come with me, and we just let him sleep on the go, or he'd stay up and we'd just roll with it. Trust me, he's a special kind of baby to just be "rolling with it."<br />
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Now that it's summer, though, we've been able to rearrange our schedule a tad and also cancel some activities (bye bye, gymnastics!), so I'm really working on getting into a better nap groove a) for his own benefit and b) for my sanity. I may be random, but I do crave some structure too. After all these years, Spontaneity and Structure can be good friends, I've determined :P<br />
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Our goal is to get him on a pretty regular rhythm or routine so that we can plan the rest of our activities in step with his nap needs. This has required some nap-training, which sometimes sounds like a horrible code-word for "crying it out." I don't enjoy crying it out (I mean, who does?), but what I mean by nap-training is laying him down, and patting his butt, and playing special music he likes that is a cue for sleep, and continuing to do this (and sometimes leaving his room to let him know it's not play time) until he falls asleep. We are at like a 60% success rate right now. He knows the cues, so it's a matter of continuing to reinforce it until it becomes solid. Sometimes we have to do this at night as well, if he doesn't fall asleep while nursing. The transfer after bedtime nursing is like 98% more successful than the transfer after naptime nursing.<br />
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So, I just spent a good portion of this blog talking about nap times. Cuz that's where I'm at!<br />
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Next blog, I'll back up and introduce who Will actually is and his birth story, cuz I'm all about a good birth story. Until then, adios! Master William is awake from his merry morning slumber. Adieu.<br />
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-16089030340473251682015-06-20T11:03:00.000-04:002015-06-20T11:05:31.730-04:00Can't stop won't stop<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11313437_376236672575590_574658245_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://igcdn-photos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11313437_376236672575590_574658245_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's gonna be another fun summer with these kids...</td></tr>
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Looking at this rusty old blog space makes me a tad nostalgic. It was maintained so well during my children's younger years (which, for the record, they are still young), but with life amping up as we entered school for my oldest, and <i>just life amping up in general</i>, it has quite obviously taken a sad backseat. I know they say time flies and cherish those younger years with your kids because they're over before you know it, and it's sort of really true. I downloaded the app TimeHop a couple of months ago, because, why not? And it stuns me when pictures from 6 years ago show up and it's a little baby Mia in her bouncy seat...it doesn't even seem fathomable that she was a baby 6 years ago. Where has the time gone?<br />
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I feel for moms who are in the thick of it with a toddler and a baby--it is really a nonstop work. And not that my situation isn't nonstop either, it really, seems to get busier and busier, but the mental fortitude and attention that is required starts to shift. They don't need my constant attention. Sure, they want it, but it's not always required.<br />
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What's going to change though? Baby #3.</h4>
As I announced on my <a href="https://naturallyinprogress.wordpress.com/2015/05/07/pregnancy-the-autoimmune-protocol-surprise/" target="_blank">other blog</a> a couple of months ago (which, sadly, has gone on hiatus as well!) is that we are expecting baby number three at the end of the summer (late August or early September, likely)! I'm already 28 weeks so that means I've hit the unbelievable point of my 3rd trimester, which is alarming, exciting, and mind-blowing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our fav things to do at HHI, SC</td></tr>
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My oldest child graduated kindergarten this year, and the week after school let out, we went on a family vacation to Hilton Head Island, SC, with some good friends of ours. I looked at that trip as the "dawning" of summer for our family, and I figured it might be one of the only excursions/trips we take this summer, because I figured we'd be busy getting ready for the reality of a baby coming at the end of summer, but I gotta say...<br />
The summer's flying by faster than I expected. Just like last year, it's filled with tons of good things like seeing family, going to the pool, participating in Stroller Strides, Mia's doing developmental swim team (where she works with a coach and other kids to learn strokes; it's <i style="font-weight: bold;">not</i> competitive!), and just finding time to chill as a family, it's amazing to me how blazingly fast it's all going by. Before I know it, it will be July, and then August, and if I don't have a baby by the end of that month, I for sure will be having one in the next month (Lord Willing)!<br />
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It'll be interesting to return to babyland. Mia will be in 1st grade, and Gabe will be 3, almost 4, when the baby's born, so while they are two and a half years apart, there's obviously been a bit of a lag between these kids and this next one. I'm thankful to have two older helpers (right?!) but it'll be another mind-shift for me as a mom. We've gotten really used to, and have enjoyed, being on the go a lot and doing fun things <i>and</i> going with the flow, and I just have a feeling that while this baby might have to go with the flow as well, we may also be slowing down. And that's okay. <i>There's a time for everything</i>. So I'm just going to enjoy the time we have left as a family of four and hopefully in doing so, allow my mind and body to mentally and spiritually prepare for becoming a family of five! It won't really be real to me, until it's real. So, here we go :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11324279_720506321394073_49715438_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://igcdn-photos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11324279_720506321394073_49715438_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">25 weeks in HHI with a little sidekick who wanted in on the action</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11280386_376064655928851_327473809_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://igcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11280386_376064655928851_327473809_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kindergarten graduate, whaaat!!</td></tr>
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<i><b>Have you added a kid to the crew when your other kids were already a bit bigger? I know they look small in these pictures but they seem big to me! How was your transition/experience? What did you love; what were you not prepared for?</b></i><br />
<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-88045379988579519032014-10-02T16:49:00.001-04:002014-10-02T16:49:38.552-04:00Where can you find me?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSQB62STUUM/VC257yttlbI/AAAAAAAAOSg/ThxtWfQn0iM/s1600/IMG_1217.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="naturallyinprogress.wordpress.com" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSQB62STUUM/VC257yttlbI/AAAAAAAAOSg/ThxtWfQn0iM/s1600/IMG_1217.PNG" height="400" title="naturallyinprogress.wordpress.com" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://naturallyinprogress.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Naturally In Progress blog</a></td></tr>
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It's been busy around here, what with back-to-school and all. But lately, even more than just back-to-school has kept me busy. Soon after the start of the school year, I started a new protocol to work on an autoimmune condition that I have. I've been sharing my experience at another blog I started called <a href="http://naturallyinprogress.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Naturally In Progress</a>. This has been a long time coming, but in actuality, this was probably the best time for me to do it. God just knows :)<br />
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I'd love if you followed me over there too while I document what I'm doing, and how I'm doing. I can't believe I'm through the first 6 weeks and am happy to report I've done so with little incident. It's working!<br />
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Hope all is well in your corner of the world and Happy October. I officially declare that fall decor can come out.Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-38577131611212643032014-08-20T16:56:00.001-04:002014-08-20T22:07:21.942-04:00What I'm going to miss most about summer...<a href="http://photos-h.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xap1/925296_657626104328615_922740026_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<a href="http://photos-h.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/10608107_1467023690214167_666231809_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-h.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/10608107_1467023690214167_666231809_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">My inner Minnesotan child wouldn't believe it, but our family officially went back to school earlier this week. Up north, it was not uncommon to start school the day </span><i style="text-align: left;">after</i><span style="text-align: left;"> Labor Day. I was in shock when I went to college and I had to report down to school mid-August! We didn't get out of high school until the first week of June, so where went my summer??</span></div>
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Well, getting out early May in college won me over -- summer started early! And now that Mia's on a August-May schedule, I'm down with the program.<br />
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But our summer has now come and gone, and here are the things I will miss:<br />
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1. Nearly weekly pool visits. Once our swimming lessons went into effect, we started taking the kids to the pool nearly every week, and sometimes more than once a week. Splash pad, waterslide, jumping in with floaties on -- we had a great time and tried to make the most of our local community pool! The kids even got in some sunbathing too, as you can tell...<br />
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<a href="http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/10597444_1436109220011769_1607797348_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/10597444_1436109220011769_1607797348_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://scontent-a-atl.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpf1/t51.2885-15/10175195_655464361189949_762104307_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://scontent-a-atl.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpf1/t51.2885-15/10175195_655464361189949_762104307_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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2. Doing what we wanted, when we wanted. Kids needed a haircut? Alright, let's go! Why not grab an iced latte while I wait? Wanna go see the matinee of Planes: Fire & Rescue? Yes, please! Not having to work around a school schedule was liberating.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seeing family in TN</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cousins playing in early morning in NC</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scontent-b-atl.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpf1/t51.2885-15/10349729_1455084428071174_1895953321_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://scontent-b-atl.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpf1/t51.2885-15/10349729_1455084428071174_1895953321_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">packing for the beach was so easy - <br />
pastels & white all the way! #type1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Outer Banks, NC, we loved you!</td></tr>
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3. Packing for and taking our trips to the beach in North Carolina in June and seeing family & friends in AL, MO, and TN in July. Our kids got to experience new places -- the Busch stadium in STL, the Atlantic Ocean in NC, and spend time with family we don't get to see very often, not to mention celebrate a great-grandmother's 100th birthday! I was so glad to also see some of my friends in different states--it was so good to reconnect and spend time together--<i>really, truly</i> good for the soul! Also, wouldn't you know that a perk of learning my type also allowed me to pack better? Everything just "matched"!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's almost hard for my mom-brain to believe this, <br />
but sometimes we went on two dates a week! <br />
What were we thinking!? :P</td></tr>
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4. Going on dates! Since we didn't have deadlines or super tight schedules, Greg & I were able to take advantage of our college-aged babysitter who was "off" for the the summer and schedule lots of on-the-spot dates. I do <i>not </i>take that time for granted!<br />
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5. Lots of Stroller Strides -- even in the humid Florida heat. Our Summer get fit challenge really challenged me by getting out of bed in time to get there...but it wasn't too early that I still couldn't "sleep in" a bit. ;)<br />
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<a href="http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xap1/10513986_651408221619161_1863445587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xap1/10513986_651408221619161_1863445587_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>6. And for as on-the-go as we were, also having downtime to do stuff like this:<br />
Watch the World Cup or a Rays game, or even possibly go overboard on reruns of House Hunters. Hey, I'm just sayin'!<br />
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Now that we'll be back to a bit of a more normal schedule, I can feel myself gradually getting back into the groove. And I won't lie, it felt good to pull up to that school Tuesday morning, not just for my child, but also for me. It'll still be a while before it really feel like fall in Florida, so I'll continue to hold onto the last remnants of summer while finding my new pace this school year. That splash pad is still calling my name!<br />
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<b>Delicious & Easy Pulled Pork</b></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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4-7lb Boston Butt OR Pork Shoulder Roast (with OR without bones is fine)</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">1 tbsp ground cumin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">1 tbsp garlic powder</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">1 tbsp onion powder</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">1 tbsp chili powder</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">1 tbsp cayenne pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">1 tbsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">1 tbsp ground pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">1 tbsp paprika</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">1/2 cup brown sugar (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />Mix the dry rub all together in a small bowl, rub it generously all over the <span class="il" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 204);">pork </span>shoulder/boston butt, even into the creases. Any dry rub that is left over can be used to season the pork after it's cooked.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">After you massage in the dry rub, refrigerate the <span class="il" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 204);">pork</span> for 4 hours up to overnight. (Sometimes when I am in a hurry I skip this! Still turns out fine!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Then, toss <span class="il" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 204);">pork</span> with the layer of fat on TOP in the slow-cooker on high for 8 hours. After 8 hours, shred with two forks, and if necessary, add more of the remaining dry rub to season. Used reserved juices to moisten the meat. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Enjoy!</span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-64729828314283467962014-07-07T15:55:00.001-04:002014-07-10T11:41:02.180-04:00Summer, blessed summer!I have been in the Sunny Sunshine State for almost 13 years now...and have spent most of my summers since 2001 down here, trying to duck the late afternoon thunderstorms that are so characteristic of Florida. When I was in college & grad school, summer didn't mean much to me here because it was just hot, hot, hot and I was either working or in classes in the cool A/C. When we got married, I was unemployed for a time and so summer meant sort of sitting on my bum watching ridiculous videos on YouTube, scanning website for meal planning ideas, and trying to figure out how to make an errand to the grocery store seem exciting (time for a new spice, alright!! this pyrex glass container is on clearance? score!)<br />
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Once we had kids, though, summers in Florida were somewhat like torture. All things in good time, I know, and Florida has the benefit of having extremely mild winters and I live for the days between November and April. They are mostly pure bliss, whereas I know the rest of the country is bunkering up for the umpteenth snow storm (been there, done that -- did I mention I grew up in Minnesota? I get it, and I survived, and I thought no different of myself until I started living down here).<br />
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Why were summers in FL torture? When your friends anywhere north of the Florida-Georgia line (with windows down and cruisin', no doubt) think of summer they think of being outside all day, running through the sprinklers, playing in the kiddie pool, running inside for Kool-Aid and then running back outside to play some more. That is just not quite as...easy here. It's hot. It's HUMID. And it might be raining. And I don't have a backyard pool (which is totally okay). So instead we try to find fun "indoor" activities that don't involve 17 episodes of Angelina Ballerina on repeat. I, again, try to find the fun in running errands to the dry cleaners or Target (ooh, I wonder what's marked down on clearance this time...will it be burt's bees chapstick or 77 packages of applesauce?! Excitement pours out of my skin like delicate ladylike perspiration). It's a season, and this too passes.<br />
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Summers back then were for shopping, learning electric guitar, extra trips to the library for impending early childhood literacy, and staying cool at the splash pad at Busch Gardens at all costs. (Photos courtesy of summer 2011).</div>
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However, this year, we've hit a milestone. A major milestone. For one, both my children are mobile. Obviously this has been the norm for Mia for quite some time, and Gabe was mobile last summer too, but this year he's really mobile and more self-sufficient and not every outing requires a huge diaper bag and major ensemble this year. I am actually using a cross-body bag/purse for most outings instead of a backpack or weighed-down shoulder bag, and I am <i>loving</i> this freedom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pool, jump, repeat</td></tr>
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Secondly, both of my kids took swimming lessons this spring for 6 weeks, and Mia is doing pretty well, and Gabe has gotten way more comfortable with getting in the water (he's an "earth" boy--I think he'll be happy around trees & mountains someday as opposed to the water), and he's good with having a puddle jumper on. <br />
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Thirdly, thanks to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StrollerStridesNewTampa">Stroller Strides</a>, we have now found a little community within our community of mamas & friends who have access to our very wonderful neighborhood pool & splash pad, so we have pool parties like once a week. Guests can come too, and we often invite non-residents, even though they have to pay a tiny fee to get in with us. (We're talking like $5.)<br />
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And since my kids are more comfortable in the pool, not to the point where I'm <i>not</i> keeping an eye on them, but to the point that I can actually look at another person in the eye besides my own child, these outings to the pool are actually <i>fun</i> instead of stress-inducing! It's taken 5 summers to get to this point but sometimes you have to know where you've been to fully appreciate where you are!<br />
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So I am going to enjoy my summer to the fullest and oh, wait, mail's here, hold on a second...<br />
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Lands' End, what have you done?! Are you trying to murder my joy? My summer sunshine? It is not time to hit the books, my friends. Yes, we are trying to retain some of Mia's PreK knowledge but no, no, no, it is not time for backpacks. It's not time for freshly sharpened pencils, as perfect and delicious as they are. It's time for summer. Last time I checked July 4 was three days ago, when we were covering our ears from the sonic booms of our neighborhood fireworks and eating watermelon and smelling like mango because somehow my organic sunscreen is scented as such (from the essence of pure organic mangos, no doubt). IT'S SUMMER. <br />
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Give me a few more weeks of my freedom. Sure, go on, do what you need to do to "survive as a business," and send thousands of moms into a frenzy that their child will not have the perfect monogrammed backpack this year, but please, <b>please</b>, let me have my July. IT'S JULY. Summer officially started 'bout 2 weeks ago. You can call me August 1. I won't answer. So you can leave a message with full details about what I need to buy, and then I will. Probably from Target. Which I hear has already proclaimed their back-to-school madness as well. Angry tears. Minneapolis, you're getting a call from me. Regardless. I will enjoy my family and this time, in the words of Olaf, in SUMMERRRRRRRR!!!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll be a happy [mom] in SUMMERRRRRR!!<br />
photo credit: http://bit.ly/1oC1NqV</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PS: You know I love Lands' End. I practically grew up in about half their catalogue. I'm surprised my mom isn't somehow on the board of directors. She might be indirectly responsible for their success. So this playful tongue-in-cheek diatribe really hopefully doesn't come as a slight to them, because I heart what they do, just...not yet. Said in love lest some Lands' End social media person thinks I'm trying to take them down, because, I'm not.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PPS: Now go on and enjoy your summer like you should!!</span></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-61434970376562821272014-04-27T17:26:00.003-04:002014-04-27T17:42:52.239-04:00Milestones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday Mia turned 5. Half a decade we've experienced with that little girl and I can't imagine what the next 5 years will feel like. Birthdays are awesome and this week has been a big week for our kids as they've moved into the same room and are now bunking up (!) and the cherry on top was Mia's super fun pool party with her little girlfriends and family :D</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bunk beds!! *exact arrangement TBD*</td></tr>
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In honor of Mia's 5th birthday, I wanted to share 5 funny Mia videos:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/62757697" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/62757697">Mia the performer, Gabe the DJ</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1803353">Megan Ciampa</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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4.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="889" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/24997523" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/24997523">Mia eats fries</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1803353">Megan Ciampa</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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3.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="889" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/29237801" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/29237801">Mia & the Bible</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1803353">Megan Ciampa</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
(She sounds <i>just</i> like Becky Cawthon, who was her bible class teacher at the time!)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/28632300" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/28632300">Mia & Braden drive</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1803353">Megan Ciampa</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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1. Might want to get the tissues ready...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/11218915" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/11218915">Mia's First Year</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1803353">Megan Ciampa</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-89015592671780902422014-02-22T16:59:00.000-05:002014-02-22T21:01:59.405-05:00The Great PurgeFun and messy may be two of my tag words, but I'm slowly working on eradicating "messy" from my life...<br />
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Maybe I should be realistic and realize it's not my strong suit, but hey, we are having a good time today in the pursuit of the PURGE and I'm getting excited about getting rid of STUFF. Too much stuff = too much brain clutter = not good times for anyone.</div>
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The hard part is the emotional attachment to some of these items. Not my clothes, really, at all, but things related to my children? Absolutely. I remember from whom the toys or gifts were received, or why I bought that for them, or what purpose I believed it would be used...and now we don't want it anymore? How could that be? Well, I am allowing myself to believe that they have served their purposes in our home, and now they can be a blessing in someone else's, perhaps!</div>
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The hardest gut-wrenching one is listing my Petunia Pickle Bottom boxy backpack...it's been a great bag to have, but the truth is, it's been collecting dust on my bedroom floor for the last several months! I've been jutting around with just my favorite BIG purses the last couple of months now that Gabe is definitely out of baby-land, and I want to sell my PPB before it's truly past its prime. </div>
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Grandparents and loyal friends may be wondering...<i>WILL YOU EVER NEED ANOTHER DIAPER BAG? </i>I'm not ruling it out! But I'm also giving myself the opportunity to get a new one, if I need one! Shopping's half the fun of a new kid, right? </div>
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If you are interested in shopping my closet, here's the link to my Facebook sale!</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10102570404790041.1073741826.5006550&type=1&l=a3897e8938">Megan's Closet Sale</a></div>
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And here's my Petunia Pickle Bottom boxy backpack...you know you want it!</div>
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$60 or best offer and she could be yours!!</div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-19830879807019553722014-02-06T17:42:00.000-05:002014-02-06T17:45:28.893-05:00Oh, hi there!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh, hi!</div>
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It feels like it's been ages, because in a way, it has. Have I fallen out of love with blogging? Not necessarily -- the wheels still are turning up in this brain. I think, however, as the kids get older, I'm feeling more a sense of security & privacy, and not necessarily wanting to blast "everything" (not that I blasted all information before, but it was certainly more forthcoming). </div>
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And I know like some other bloggers out there, the shift is focusing away from blogging and more to a social media presence. Well, I have my Instagram community and I'm happy with that, and occasionally I share things on Facebook or Twitter, but it's not like it was before. I do miss the practice of blogging though ... what about you??</div>
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Energy Profiling</h4>
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In other news, my new latest obsession is called Energy Profiling, also known as a program called "<a href="http://meganciampa.dressingyourtruth.com/">Dressing Your Truth</a>." At first I was a bit skeptical of the title -- what does dressing my truth mean? As it turns out, it means dressing in a way that best supports your natural energy. You probably know everyone around you carries a different energy or mood. Some are more laid-back, some are high-energy, some are very constant and still, and some are intense, maybe even pushy. Sometimes these energies can get a bad rap, because from our particular vantage point, they do not make sense to us. And vice versa. Our natural energy can be misunderstood by those around us because they may not share in it themselves, or because culturally there's a "best, better, good" sort of assumption about how a good person should act! </div>
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Well, energy profiling has taken all those assumptions, labels, and energies, and found a nice way to categorize and help people identify their type. After much video-watching on their <a href="http://meganciampa.dressingyourtruth.com/">website</a> and <a href="http://thecarolblog.com/">blog</a>, I've determined I'm a type 1. Bright, animated, buoyant, random, light, airy, social, likes to have fun. And not so much serious. (And finally, that's not a bad thing!!) I think my secondary may be type 3, or type 2, and my last is type 4. Coincidentally, my BFF is a type 4, and what do they say? Opposites attract? We certainly balance each other out :) In the end, when you know type energy profile/"truth," you can dress in a way that harmonizes with who you really are, so how you look on the outside is just a natural reflection of who you are on the inside. It all gels. </div>
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<span id="Quiz_Small_b_03"><a href="http://meganciampa.dressingyourtruth.com/quiz"><img src="http://member.liveyourtruth.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/03_02.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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Are you interested? It really piqued my interest, but I have always been interested in human nature and how people interact with one another and how best to incorporate these personalities -- probably why I majored in psychology and wanted a job where I worked with others. Even more so now that I have two different personalities in my children! I can share more about that in a future post, as well as my opinion on Greg's energy profile too. </div>
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Any ideas your energy profile? Have you ever investigated this?</h4>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-18867441541090428022014-01-08T11:37:00.001-05:002014-01-08T11:37:54.293-05:00Happy 2014!We're back from the holidays and still getting resettled into some sort of normalcy. We had a great time while we were away and came back ready to get back into the swing of things, although I confess it's taking a bit longer to find a rhythm and routine than I anticipated. Here's some quick peeks at our holidays:<br />
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Hope your new year is off to a good start!</div>
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-13932634296977421002013-12-10T13:21:00.000-05:002013-12-10T13:21:09.554-05:005 Tips to Save Your SanityWho hasn't felt the insanity during the holidays? Even the most planned and prepared can have their hairy moments!<br />
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I'm guest posting over at <a href="http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/12/10/5-tips-to-save-your-sanity-during-the-holidays/">Modern Alternative Mama</a> today with <a href="http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/12/10/5-tips-to-save-your-sanity-during-the-holidays/">5 Tips to Save Your Sanity</a> this holiday season... go check it out!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">And remember to stock up on your Baltic Amber or Hazelwood necklaces or bracelets over at <a href="http://inspiredbyfinn.com/">InspiredByFinn.com</a> and save 25% using discount code <b>MEGAN25</b>, good through December 23, 2013! </span></i><br />
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Why Amber? Read more here or here:<br />
<a href="http://chiquitabambino.blogspot.com/2012/08/why-gabe-sports-surfer-dude-necklace.html">Why Gabe sports a surfer dude necklace</a><br />
<a href="http://chiquitabambino.blogspot.com/2013/12/everythings-going-my-waaaaaay.html">Everything's going my way (scroll to bottom of post)</a><br />
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-6443087194223052013-12-09T17:36:00.000-05:002013-12-09T17:36:31.493-05:00"everything's going my waaaaaay...."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There was a song sang at the weeklong summer camp I attended every year from 3rd - 12th grade. It was a camp joke that the early rising senior counselors and staff would go around the campground singing the chorus of the opening song from the musical, <i>Oklahoma:</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;">Oh what a beautiful morning,</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;">Oh what a beautiful day,</span></i><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;">I've got a wonderful feeling, </span></i><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;">Everything's going my way.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then because campers were witty, and, well, it was a bible camp, someone would then quote Proverbs 27:14: "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I haven't blogged much this fall because not much has felt like it was falling into place. It is easy to blog when things are going well and I can easily report on the successes: <i>so and so is doing this, and we're doing that, and man I can't wait for this</i>! But this fall, with its new experiences and journey into schooling, has left me a bit more deer-in-headlights and hashtagging "mommyfail" more often than I'd like to admit. (Let's also just mention for a minute that instagramming is <i>much</i> easier than blogging, at the moment, and requires very little involvement or commitment! But I miss the art of writing and blogging. <span style="font-size: x-small;">FWIW, you can find me on instagram.com/meganesota</span>.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I knew there would be a learning curve for having a preschooler who attends school twice a week and then has lesson plans we complete at home two other days a week. I knew I wouldn't find my groove immediately. I knew, from listening to other moms, there'd be days where I'd be thinking, why am I doing this? Totally bad idea, "epic fail." But there have also been some days where the sun was shining, the lesson plans were complete, my kids fed, and there was a plan for dinner. Can we get a high-five for those days?? Let's be honest, they don't usually occur on Mondays. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the whole country. <br />Look how it's purple, gray, and blue. <br />Then there's us in all shiny and yellow and orange, <br />burning up. <br />Welcome to Florida. <br />Image via @jonacuff on Instagram </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Mondays, I dread. Every Monday feels like a case of the Mondays. Until today. Sometimes I dislike notifications on my phone </span></span><span style="line-height: 17.99479103088379px;">because</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> before 12pm you can get 487 notifications from various people and apps about things that aren't particularly important, but today I received a reminder there was a playdate at 10am at a nearby park with friends I don't see very often, and I decided to scrap the morning plans (which usually involve homeschool) and go to the play date. It was hosted by our local consignment sale planners for Jumping Jeans and the kids were able to do a christmas craft. Anything that says craft (Mia) and park (Gabe) is a win-win for my kids. We headed over there and although the weather is unseasonably warm for us Floridians, it bodes pretty well for park play dates. The kids had a great time playing with their friends and it didn't hurt that Mia's best gal pals were in attendance. Being outside this time of year and getting some vitamin D has its therapeutic benefits as well, so we all left happy, dirty and ready for phase II of the day. Which, as of 4pm this afternoon, I can't believe is already over: lunch, naptime, school for Mia, followed by a short quiet time. We're on to phase III already (dinner prep, dinner, followed closely by bedtime). This Monday has flown. But instead of wallowing in the rapidity of the day, I'm thankful we've staved off the grouchies that sometimes plague our Mondays and we just rolled with it. *Sigh.* I'm tired.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In other news, get a Baltic Amber necklace if you haven't already! These things are great. I've been wearing an amber bracelet the last month to help with wrist/joint pain and it's helped me tremendously. I can really tell a difference when I take it off. So, these puppies aren't just helpful for teething babies, they are helpful for adults too. And for the next two weeks, <a href="http://inspiredbyfinn.com/">InspiredByFinn.com</a> has a coupon code "<b>Megan25</b>," that you can use at checkout to <b>save 25%</b>! This is a great time to buy as a gift for someone this holiday season, or for yourself. How might it help you? According to their <a href="http://hyenacart.com/inspiredbyfinn/mt/713/39690/What-is-Baltic-Amber-How-Can-it-Help-Us">website</a>: </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">It contains analgesic properties and helps take the edge off of the discomfort and symptoms associated with: dental issues (such as the emergence of new teeth, orthodontic brace adjustments, TMJ), growing pains, allergies, sensory disorders associated with autism, headaches and migraines, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and shoulder discomfort, tendonitis, menstrual cramping, restless leg syndrome, back and knee discomfort, joint pain from chemotherapy, and many more.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">In order to be effective Baltic amber must usually be close to the site of the discomfort. For example, a necklace would not necessarily/likely be effective for growing pains in the legs. For this we would recommend an ankle bracelet. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Also worth trying? <a href="http://hyenacart.com/inspiredbyfinn/mt/713/50010/What-is-Beaked-HazelHow-can-it-help-us">Beaked hazel wood</a>. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beaked hazel wood can relieve acid-related ailments such as acid reflux, ulcers, heartburn, and other acid-related ailments. Our necklaces are a great remedy to take the edge off of heartburn and morning sickness during pregnancy.<br />Hazel wood also helps relieve skin problems such as (psoriasis, eczema, acne, and diaper rash) constipation, headaches, migraines, canker sores, and the occurrence of dental cavities when these ailments are related to excessive acid in the body (and sometimes they are not).</span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Order one for yourself or a friend (or both!) today! Code <b>Megan25</b> expires December 23, 2013. </span></span></span>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-5812418086475308512013-10-31T15:35:00.000-04:002013-10-31T15:35:56.146-04:00I Love Target<h4>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you're a Minnesotan, or a Target lover like myself, then you might appreciate this story.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4050/4374569074_1b74001ec6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4050/4374569074_1b74001ec6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12955301@N03/4374569074/in/photolist-7EyNYJ-dkTeLP-aT3ZAp-dfQWNa-8ojX1r-ckG7oq-97Cx3R-8pBxjy-fr89GK-eTey5b-a1xPYo-a1xQ3s-ePwU4z-8otYJC-cERKWy-9n8ypK-bDWWAT-gKyrYN-7LgoCx-7Qvgw3-7P2X8J-a3742a-aCduL3-fk2CHj-c3bNvo-9Sb59f-99pyrH-8C4uhC-7BN7ky-7BJjen-7BJjf8-9o5mK3-84mWE4-81eeaJ-8o3our-7V34Mo-7TTpsZ-7ThidH">Photo Credit: RetailbyRyan95</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was at Target today by myself because both Gabe & Greg were at home not feeling well & Mia was at school, and so I had a lot of time to peruse and fill up my cart on groceries. Target has an app called <a href="http://cartwheel.target.com/">Cartwheel</a> (maybe you've used it?) and I was double-checking my items against what was in my "Cartwheel" for coupons, and my phone suddenly died by the butter. Agony of agonies! It wasn't even under 20% battery power. It.just.died. Noooooo!!! The point of Cartwheel is to be able to save and the barcode is on your phone, and I had all these eligible items and it wouldn't work without my phone being on! So I did what any normal person would do, and I walked over to Electronics and I asked the guy behind the counter a "random question": would there be any way he had an iPhone 5 plug that would allow me to plug in my phone to juice up for a few minutes so I could actually use my Target coupons?? He immediately found an iPhone cable (and opened it up, I'm afraid, it was brand new!) and plugged my phone in and stored it in a little cabinet while I finished up my shopping. It amped up to 41% and I was able to checkout and use my cartwheel coupons saving dolla bills, y'all. Another win for Target! It always makes me so happy to flip a package around at Target and see it's from Minneapolis, MN. Yep, it's the little things.</span><br />
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-19660712497367645792013-09-21T14:16:00.000-04:002013-09-21T14:18:22.538-04:00Strange September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few years ago Greg and I created alliterations for the fall months...not in order to become a self-fulfilling prophecy but because we thought we noticed a trend. After summer was over, it sometimes just felt like things got harder (usually the back-to-school schedule in graduate school added some challenges). <br />
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Anyway, there was "Sucky September" (offensive, sorry!), "Odd October," and thankfully a reprieve, "Nice November." Since I have young ones now I try not to use the word "suck," so I'm swapping it out for Strange September. And this September has been slightly strange only in that it's been a very different September than any other!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stitches + a sunburn around his eyes = hot mess</td></tr>
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Mainly because we are homeschooling two days a week and Mia goes to school two days a week and our weeks feel busy and full and...different. And I have a little man who likes to throw wrenches into our homeschool days by falling off a chair the <i>very first day</i> of homeschool, cutting his chin, and requiring 6 stitches (hello, trauma!) I won't lie, that was a really hard day for this mom as well. Like, immediate crying in the doctor's office when he told me he would require stitches. I think it's the mama-bear protection instinct when you just ache inside for your little one.<br />
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The <i>other</i> wrench a little man threw into our advent into homeschooling/schooling was when he came down with a stomach bug the day before we were to have our family pictures taken with my girl <a href="http://lauraelizabethhinely.com/">Laura Hinely</a> before she MOVED indefinitely to NYC 2 days later (speaking of, anyone needing some photos in the Big Apple should check her out!). That meant scheduling was priority and we wouldn't have many options or really ANY option to reschedule. As a mom, of course I wanted my little man to feel better just for his own sake, but I also was hopeful he'd feel better for the pictures' sake as I didn't want this opportunity to pass by! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ2L-tP_nSWYLCLUkGvtBVsyHppMP_9GkvnS4eWmBm_tJkeh5tbUeppO-SgBWHjnnmtPKL-utTBtp4apCirE-ine9RBdKxtBOLexF3yzH2ZXUdjrW4xRm3F_AMXwdwvIk58HxsggxT7Q/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ2L-tP_nSWYLCLUkGvtBVsyHppMP_9GkvnS4eWmBm_tJkeh5tbUeppO-SgBWHjnnmtPKL-utTBtp4apCirE-ine9RBdKxtBOLexF3yzH2ZXUdjrW4xRm3F_AMXwdwvIk58HxsggxT7Q/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Well, as I was simultaneously trying to get things ready for our photo shoot and take care of Gabe, I came across the brilliance that is <b>activated charcoal</b>. I read about activated charcoal on Wellness Mama's blog and how she used it for <a href="http://wellnessmama.com/247/how-to-use-activated-charcoal/">teeth whitening</a>, and I'll be honest, my pearly whites were more like pearly <i>off-</i>whites. They needed some love. Yet I wasn't keen on the Crest White Strips as I tried them before we got married and they made my gums sensitive and felt really chemical-ly. So I was excited to see that for less than $8, you could buy some 90 capsules to try activated charcoal in order to whiten your teeth! It looks like you have oreos on your teeth at first but it really works. It's gradual, but it works. <br />
I assumed activated charcoal had other uses and lo and behold, it can be used for stomach bugs (Gabe's very issue)! So fascinated about it, I wrote this guest post for Modern Alternative Mama about activated charcoal. You can read it here:<br />
<a href="http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/09/21/activated-charcoal-new-must-have-in-my-natural-health-arsenal/">http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/09/21/activated-charcoal-new-must-have-in-my-natural-health-arsenal/</a><br />
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And oh yeah, Gabe recovered in 24 hours and we were thankfully able to get those family pictures made. Can't wait to see the actual files soon! (These are just screenshots from Laura's computer from her iPhone.)<br />
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PS: School has been great for the chiquita! She's a champ.</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-46515961678372516282013-09-16T17:37:00.000-04:002013-09-16T17:37:42.904-04:00A tough timeThere is a lot of sadness going around my greater community. <br />
Just recently I learned of an acquaintance who lost her younger brother-in-law to heat stroke. He was <i>only</i> 19. <br />
Friends from our congregation are dealing with stage IV stomach cancer & chemo treatments.<br />
A good family friend's aunt is in her final days battling breast cancer & liver failure. She is a very special woman, and I've only interacted with her a few times, but those interactions gave me pause, thinking, what did I do to deserve such special treatment from her? I think that's just the way she is.<br />
And a young newlywed couple just found out that the husband has an inoperable malignant brain tumor. They've been married just shy of two months. <br />
When does it stop? And that's not even touching on local or national news.<br />
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I guess the hard part of being a grown-up is realizing that it doesn't stop. The world, somehow, keeps turning, and each day we breathe in and out as these lives just slip through our hands. I still cannot fathom how one minute a person can be here, and the next minute, that person is gone. As a 30 year old I still grapple with the finality of it. As a christian, I know there are eternal purposes. I know their soul still exists, and I know somehow somewhere a piece of them is still operating, manifesting. But it doesn't mean that for the rest of us here on earth, that the hard news, is any easier to swallow. It still hurts. <br />
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I wish I had some enlightened thought here, but I really don't. All I know is:<br />
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<span class="selected" original-title="" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;">Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from </span><span class="" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;">the Father of lights </span><span class="" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 25.920001983642578px; vertical-align: baseline;">with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gifts from above</td></tr>
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God does not change (thank you, God!!) The days we have with our loved ones are gifts. The <i>loved ones</i> are gifts. The hugs we get from our friends. The teachings we receive from the older, wiser. The food we eat. The "American dreams" we live...if any of it is good, it's from the Father above. <br />
So I'm leaving this part of the day a little depressed, a little thankful, and a lot contemplative. My heart goes out to all those hurting and I pray there is comfort for these families soon.<br />
<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-57666866258735463332013-08-13T16:33:00.001-04:002013-08-13T16:33:27.615-04:00Back to School and the Forgotten Blog<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage0.ak.instagram.com/3d982a1c010811e3ac5022000a9f18b3_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage0.ak.instagram.com/3d982a1c010811e3ac5022000a9f18b3_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">haircuts & starbucks!</td></tr>
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Sounds the title of an amazing book, right? It's coming out in September. <br />
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Totes joking.<br />
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While I've sat contemplating how sad my blog's existence as been as of late, I've felt the need to update it yet feel the words escape me as soon as I put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard, as it were. It's ever so cliche to say "we are busy!" and I really mean it this time (like I do every other time), and so it's true (like it is every other time), but it's becoming busier in another new way. I feel like we go through mini growth spurts every few months, as individuals, families, and in our roles in those families, and then it seems as if we go through <b>major</b> growth spurts every couple years. It's been a couple of years now and this next <b>major</b> growth spurt is that our oldest is big enough for school now! She's going to be a student! The mind explodes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all smiles at the dentist<br />{MUCH improved from the 1st visit}</td></tr>
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For real, though, our family is feeling the stretch that will come as we Mia starts a community school preschool, where she'll go to school two days a week, and homeschool two days a week. And Fridays are optional enrichment. To say the least, this will be life changing. It almost feels like having another kid, the amount of thought and preparation (and total winging it, lemme be honest here!) that will go on. <br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">The the curriculum's been assigned, the books procured, the lesson plans have already been emailed out, and the uniforms have been purchased. Back to school haircuts and dentist appointments too. We want to make sure we're ready to go!! We are in a for a new ride, and we can't wait to see what is in store for Miss Mia, official preschooler as of next week!</span><br />
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We are trying to make the most of our last few days of summer around here. I know some things will stay the same, but a lot will be changing, so I'm doing what I do where I cling to what I know is good and comfy, all the while getting ready for the next thing. <i>Getting Older.</i> It's not for the faint of heart!!</div>
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-19902570491902108242013-07-20T13:28:00.001-04:002013-07-20T15:32:50.345-04:00Living Life Unplugged<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HE88MeYskYE/UerlcJrm-1I/AAAAAAAAHt8/Y989LbDWsqA/s1600/2694481988_67ff8efe5a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HE88MeYskYE/UerlcJrm-1I/AAAAAAAAHt8/Y989LbDWsqA/s320/2694481988_67ff8efe5a_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8628862@N05/2694481988/in/photolist-576VC1-58CRJy-5amvjL-5bxRPs-5enJiN-5nS5Bp-5oaMhL-5rbaYp-5uzwYN-5uMkLL-5zzFpQ-5BznJz-5Ek3uh-5FCs3L-5FF8e7-5FF8g9-5FF8hE-5JdzH9-5LUPJt-5TCajt-5TCqoi-5UJ9Q4-5UJ9RF-5ULXQU-5UNuJf-5WWAYD-5X1Rkq-5YUGn6-65tcCK-65tcCT-69He5F-6gGoe1-6iYstD-6jgezb-6jgeAq-6pXvDw-6pXwrE-6qkVNc-6qDc6i-6qGNyi-6s5yJH-6tXMoV-6v4YTb-6BuQq5-6BXUjv-6GvRD5-6KLuJB-6Lv2Xu-6MmUDG-6MmUEo-6WHwgj">MTSOfan on Flickr</a></td></tr>
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About a month ago, I was struggling with my attitude. I wasn't getting the necessary things done around the house I normally accomplished, I was distracted with my kids, and I was feeling guilty and depressed about how I was using my time. I realized it was time to take a Facebook fast. Greg had taken an extended twitter break since May, so I knew I could break some ties with another social media giant. I deleted the Facebook app off my iPhone (horrors!!) and if I needed to check something on there, I'd get on my laptop (which is "more work," which meant if I'm feeling lazy, the extra steps to plug in laptop and point browser to Facebook wasn't always worth it).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503155065@N01/2485147794/in/photolist-4MB2RL-53RSMQ-55urac-55Zp4k-59QQs5-59Zim7-5akw6J-5cKmUC-5cNPoZ-5cWFvJ-5tqiWw-5vu9aS-5FehX7-5R3iTH-5T9aWL-5TBeoA-66hjFX-6acpEn-6iFf47-6yJZ9g-6B1YF6-6C5Lrx-6QLg9p-6ZrQnx-74xUUL-7fizmx-7ixa44-7mULUm-7t1JKo-7uEuNr-89JhHf-dZmzh7-9wJ2sc-8LT7w4-bC6ANw-bsTiU2-8v979a-7F87H2-7F87FV-9cN3Pq-9cN3WC-a5B8RN-9cJX9H-ds1QZw-bqeEQF-7LdoTh-dT37D2-8dfwfj-8f1kaD-8dAn8U-8euiqe">Sparky on Flickr</a></td></tr>
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The fast lasted about two weeks, and then I added the Facebook app back onto my phone. I also put the Facebook on a different screen and not my homepage, so that it wouldn't be the first thing I'd see when I looked at my phone.<br />
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Since the fast, I've thought about what it means to purposefully unplug. I love to be connected to others digitally or in real life so putting down the phone can be a real challenge at times, but you can read my guest post at <a href="http://modernalternativemama.com/">Modern Alternative Mama</a> about 4 ways to mindfully unplug <a href="http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/07/20/4-ways-to-mindfully-unplug/#.UerFcKa9LCQ">here</a>. <br />
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What are your thoughts on intentional breaks and fasts?<br />
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-74634148428103992062013-07-01T14:48:00.001-04:002013-07-01T14:48:33.555-04:00Fútbol prodigyDon't worry, the video frame will correct itself once you press the play button!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="889" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/69468389?color=ff9933" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/69468389">Fútbol prodigy</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1803353">Megan Ciampa</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
Young Gabriel showing off some soccer skillsMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-87479250889047250482013-06-12T11:38:00.002-04:002013-06-13T15:01:10.887-04:00Puppies, Cats, Fish, Oh My!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Married with [siblings'] children</td></tr>
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We just got back from the Hoosier State - we spent some time up there with family before and after my younger brother tied the knot. He is now a married man! <br />
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Getting to be in the Midwest, out in the country, running in the grass, jumping in the pond, reconnecting with the earth -- all those good things -- was good for all of us. The weather is still quite nice, breezy and sunny, so it was easy to spend almost the entire day outside (when we weren't in Indianapolis for wedding festivities). Mia & Gabe had a fantastic time outdoors and eventually warmed up to Mommo & Papa Jack's new dogs, Gunnar, a rat terrier, and Greta, a rottweiler. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm in a boat!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greta loved Gabe (and Gabe's food scraps)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rides in the Mule are exhausting (shirts optional)</td></tr>
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On our end, everything went smoothly for Jackson & Ashleigh's wedding too. The kids cooperated and all my fears of wrestling with a squealing toddler were put to rest as Gabe managed to actually sit still and be quiet (yay)!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wiley Cousins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabe, the dapper little dude and Greg, the usher</td></tr>
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We had a great time away and traveling and the kids picked up a few new skills (Gabe, how to overcome fear of dogs; Mia, how to fish)...and Greg and I added another set of stories to tell about the time our kids navigated travel, rehearsals, weddings, and overnight stays in hotels. </div>
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This about sums up how we felt coming home!</div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-37604816015473699032013-05-30T16:49:00.000-04:002013-05-30T16:49:17.496-04:00Summa-time<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Florida sky!</td></tr>
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Things always heat up in the summers down here in Florida, literally and figuratively-speaking. <br />
It is starting to get feisty-hot outside, and you can tell that the summer storms are beginning to move their way into our afternoons to relieve the almost constant humidity. Thus far, though, some of the humidity that marks our Florida summers has been kept at bay, so we have been enjoying the outdoors as much as we can until it literally becomes unbearable!<br />
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Our family life has recently become much busier as well. It seems schedules can change quite quickly, and so they have.<br />
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Just a few weeks ago, at the suggestion of a friend, I was encouraged to look into my guidance counseling certificate renewal requirements, as I knew my FL state certificate would expire this summer. I kind of brushed it off initially, thinking, <i>Ah well, if it expires, it expires. I don't think I'll be working anytime soon, so what's the rush? </i> but something caught my attention <b>again</b> that made me think, <i>I should really look into this!</i><br />
So, I contacted the Department of Education and after a few clarifying phone calls, I figured out what the requirements were. Which then required a few calls to institutions of higher learning, such as my alma mater, USF. Within a matter of days I had submitted my non-degree seeking application to USF, signed up for a class and completed a few checklists to make sure my online course in Anthropology (whaaat!?) would count towards my certification renewal. According to Courtney at FL DOE, it does :D So, in addition to this online course I'm taking, I have to retake a professional subject exam for the state in guidance counseling, and I plan to take that soon after some intense spurts of studying. <br />
I learned that if I let my certificate lapse and expire, it would be about twice the amount of work to reinstate it as it would to renew it, and I just felt it would be the wiser route to go.<br />
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I'm actually enjoying hitting the books again and it is requiring that I add a bit more structure into my day-to-day for the next few weeks, which I invite at the moment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These children!</td></tr>
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Not only am I exercising my brain, but Greg and I collectively are exercising our hearts & brains right now as well as we have started a parenting class with a small group from our congregation. We are studying a parenting curriculum that is bible-based and is focused on getting at the heart of our children in training and discipline. We have only had 2 meetings so far (next one is tonight)! but we are already gleaning a lot from it. I'm thankful we have this opportunity to grow and learn and to also study it alongside an older couple with older children, as well as a few of our peers who are in similar family stages such as us. I've had several friends go through this curriculum as well and they have only said good things about the results it produces, so we are excited about that. Sometimes growth is hard, but I'm feeling good about growth that improves our family dynamics! It can only benefit :)<br />
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That was a whole lot of information about me and Greg, but that's been part of the reason we've very much been MIA (missing in action) the last little while. Things will only get busier over the next little while as we travel to Indiana for my younger brother's wedding (ahh! the final child will be married off!) and spend some time with the fam. We are looking forward to the trip but I won't lie, I'm a little nervous about my youngest child's behavior, as he has entered the squirmy-worm, temper-tantrum phase that so often plagues the little ones. We are doing the best we can to communicate with him, show proper boundaries, and work with him, and sometimes it is just a guessing game. Fingers crossed he makes it through the wedding ceremony! With that said...<br />
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We'll catch you on the flip side.Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-87653348422070183822013-05-21T15:47:00.001-04:002013-05-21T15:47:29.587-04:00Turning 4, Going to Disney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated Mia's birthday of turning 4. It was a fun day with family at home & a swim in our community pool in the morning, followed by a small family party at our house that night. Aunt Allison, cousin McKaber, Uncle Brian, Aunt Amanda and cousins Braden & Abby joined us. We had an impromptu Disney princess/female character theme (Tinkerbell, Belle, etc.) with <a href="http://www.primalpalate.com/recipe/strawberry-shortcake-cupcakes/">strawberry cupcakes</a> for all. We have typically done a big party at our neighborhood park/community center in years past but this year we kept it a bit closer to home (literally). Mia didn't believe she officially turned 4 until we sung her happy birthday and she had her cake. Here she is at the moment of "officially turning 4":<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a bit bashful now that everyone is singing to her</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">recap of Mia's 4th birthday</td></tr>
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Keeping it low-key that day was the way to go, because a few days later we packed up several belongings, a cooler of food, our double stroller, and headed to Disney! This was our first family Disney trip EVER (Greg & I haven't gone since college days) and Mia was more than thrilled about visiting the "happiest place on earth." We took advantage of the FL Resident 3-day pass and stayed overnight at a nearby timeshare, which worked out super well. All props for trip-planning to to Greg. He really made sure we had a fun time and that all the essentials were taken care of. </div>
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We spent Monday at Magic Kingdom, getting familiar with the park and seeing what our kids would enjoy the most. Tuesday, we checked out Hollywood Studios and saw a couple of shows, including Disney Jr. Live on Stage, which was embarrassingly fun for all of us. (If your child watches any popular Disney Jr. shows, then they will most likely highly enjoy that performance!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was actually taken our last day <br />at the park at the very end of our stay! </td></tr>
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Wednesday, we kicked it around our hotel at the pool and took monster naps to catch up on all the fun we were having, and on our last day, Thursday, we went back to Magic Kingdom.</div>
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Mia's favorite parts were the rides. Gabe's favorite things about Disney were the curbs we let him jump on and off while Mia was on a ride, falling asleep in the stroller everyday, and meeting the Disney princesses (which, surprisingly, was NOT Mia's favorite part)! </div>
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We brought all our own food to the park or bought it at Publix, and only got ice cream treats while we were there. This was a major timesaver and advantage in our minds, because there was no waiting in line for food, no wasting of money on food no one really wants to eat, and no headaches from eating something our bodies didn't necessarily like. Props to Disney on letting you bring your own food to the parks! We'd highly recommend that. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking into Magic Kingdom for the 1st time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumbo Ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabe: Disney? NBD</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mickey's Philharmagic. Totally cool until the show started. <br />Then Gabe was terrified.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in line for It's A Small World</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cTklJt758yw/UYLvnwCa99I/AAAAAAAAEmU/D8QYV248bPM/s1600/Disney+2013+-+26" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cTklJt758yw/UYLvnwCa99I/AAAAAAAAEmU/D8QYV248bPM/s320/Disney+2013+-+26" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killin' it on Barnstormer, Mia's favorite Roller Coaster</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5U6cnyIK1s/UYLvn3Qs51I/AAAAAAAAEm0/vCSJmnon6Lw/s1600/Disney+2013+-+25" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5U6cnyIK1s/UYLvn3Qs51I/AAAAAAAAEm0/vCSJmnon6Lw/s320/Disney+2013+-+25" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for Disney Jr. Live on Stage to begin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9gTfyM60mU/UYLvn93Ou8I/AAAAAAAAEl0/7BICR5s7PA4/s1600/Disney+2013+-+22" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9gTfyM60mU/UYLvn93Ou8I/AAAAAAAAEl0/7BICR5s7PA4/s320/Disney+2013+-+22" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mesmerized. Mickey! Sofia! Doc! Jake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5nRb4u1cfzs/UYLvn8aXx2I/AAAAAAAAErU/hgVBS_JDqOI/s1600/Disney+2013+-+21" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5nRb4u1cfzs/UYLvn8aXx2I/AAAAAAAAErU/hgVBS_JDqOI/s320/Disney+2013+-+21" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly moments while we wait for Greg to finish a ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6EbP8MVeLE/UYLvn6JPLMI/AAAAAAAAEow/SkdNP338MZQ/s1600/Disney+2013+-+16" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6EbP8MVeLE/UYLvn6JPLMI/AAAAAAAAEow/SkdNP338MZQ/s320/Disney+2013+-+16" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lounging around the pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsZqy1zoMzo/UYLvn8Lt4QI/AAAAAAAAEmk/cNhQOD31Chc/s1600/Disney+2013+-+19" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsZqy1zoMzo/UYLvn8Lt4QI/AAAAAAAAEmk/cNhQOD31Chc/s320/Disney+2013+-+19" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding ducks outside the hotels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiljdbPerho/UYLvn2bmRVI/AAAAAAAAEpI/RRyiGNzVCFw/s1600/Disney+2013+-+15" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiljdbPerho/UYLvn2bmRVI/AAAAAAAAEpI/RRyiGNzVCFw/s320/Disney+2013+-+15" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the words of my friend, Erin, "Owning Disney" despite the rain. <br />Ponchos didn't disappoint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pNEbxtDhY8Q/UYLvn8ITSFI/AAAAAAAAEmE/qL0N1RNqRDk/s1600/Disney+2013+-+14" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pNEbxtDhY8Q/UYLvn8ITSFI/AAAAAAAAEmE/qL0N1RNqRDk/s320/Disney+2013+-+14" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabe's feelings about the line for Peter Pan's Flight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLs64P_12GQ/UYLvn4Ne9AI/AAAAAAAAEog/QLDXeo-aiBo/s1600/Disney+2013+-+11" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLs64P_12GQ/UYLvn4Ne9AI/AAAAAAAAEog/QLDXeo-aiBo/s320/Disney+2013+-+11" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PeopleMover. Also a good place to take a break.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NK5VKUvV7Rw/UYLvn137hRI/AAAAAAAAEqM/PdfFwkEAiu0/s1600/Disney+2013+-+10" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NK5VKUvV7Rw/UYLvn137hRI/AAAAAAAAEqM/PdfFwkEAiu0/s320/Disney+2013+-+10" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia giving Greg a preview of age 15.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mawficcyfmA/UYLvnzTIuMI/AAAAAAAAEps/vaKyetbDzRw/s1600/Disney+2013+-+7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mawficcyfmA/UYLvnzTIuMI/AAAAAAAAEps/vaKyetbDzRw/s320/Disney+2013+-+7" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And age 16.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqcWqurCMn4/UYLvn8qrE1I/AAAAAAAAEsE/-CWk5rLj7w8/s1600/Disney+2013+-+6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqcWqurCMn4/UYLvn8qrE1I/AAAAAAAAEsE/-CWk5rLj7w8/s320/Disney+2013+-+6" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These princesses were SO nice. So impressed with their hospitality skills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v473pOuFjJQ/UYLvnwwKQ2I/AAAAAAAAEq0/vPf4Xem3lUY/s1600/Disney+2013+-+4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v473pOuFjJQ/UYLvnwwKQ2I/AAAAAAAAEq0/vPf4Xem3lUY/s320/Disney+2013+-+4" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabe had a thing for Aurora, Sleeping Beauty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H1ILqnK124o/UYLvn-mmLfI/AAAAAAAAEp8/3mz9dvGvx4k/s1600/Disney+2013+-+3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H1ILqnK124o/UYLvn-mmLfI/AAAAAAAAEp8/3mz9dvGvx4k/s320/Disney+2013+-+3" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you can't tell, even Greg & I are kinda jazzed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
We hands-down really enjoyed this trip. Not coming from a long ancestral line of Disney-freaks, I set the bar kind of low for myself but was blown away by how much fun we all had! Gabe is still in that meandering place where he doesn't really know what he is missing and gets tired enough that he'll fall asleep, so it worked out well with all that Mia wanted to accomplish. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
We are so thankful we got to go as a family, not only to semi-celebrate Mia's 4th birthday (!), but to also have a nice, quick getaway that provided good family times and even some relaxation. Hey, I might even call it a real "vacation," and that can be hard to do when traveling with little ones! +1 for Disney. +1 for good family vacations. </div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-57868344603262399552013-05-20T18:13:00.003-04:002013-05-21T20:08:59.111-04:00Growing Kids...Last week both Mia & Gabe had their well-checkups. Mia, for her 4 year, and Gabe, for his 18-month checkup. Both kids were lookin' good and all checked out fine. One of the questions they asked me about Gabe in terms of his developmental milestones were if he could say at least 15-20 words. I sat there, a little perplexed, trying to remember if he <i>could</i> say 15-20 words. I thought he could probably say at least 15, so that's what I answered. I just couldn't think of all of them at the time.<br>
<br>
This past weekend, we were eating breakfast Saturday morning rather leisurely and I got out a pen and paper and started writing down all the words I knew Gabe could say. It started off with the easy ones, like, "daddy, momma, sis-sis," and before I knew it, it had morphed into a list of over 20 words! As the weekend wore on, I kept hearing Gabe say other words, or I'd think of other words I knew he could say, and I continued to update the list. As of this list, I have around 40 words that I know he can say:<br>
<br>
<br>
<ol>
<li>daddy</li>
<li>momma</li>
<li>sis-sis</li>
<li>banana ('mana)</li>
<li>apple</li>
<li>Hosanna</li>
<li>no</li>
<li>mh-mmm</li>
<li>snack</li>
<li>milk</li>
<li>help (sounds like "up")</li>
<li>Maddie (mah-eee)</li>
<li>toodles</li>
<li>water</li>
<li>uh-oh</li>
<li>what</li>
<li>look</li>
<li>bird</li>
<li>that</li>
<li>dog</li>
<li>bible</li>
<li>phone</li>
<li>up</li>
<li>down</li>
<li>tickle-tickle</li>
<li>hi</li>
<li>ta-da</li>
<li>socks</li>
<li>shoes</li>
<li>thank you (day-doo)</li>
<li>please (peaz)</li>
<li>hot</li>
<li>eggs</li>
<li>bye-bye</li>
<li>sure (sho')</li>
<li>night-night</li>
<li>stuck</li>
<li>backpack</li>
<li>truck (duck)</li>
<li>hug</li>
<li>potty</li>
<li>Isaac</li>
<li>tacos</li><li>song</li>
</ol>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage4.ak.instagram.com/c498b1f6c0e611e2be2c22000a9f391c_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage4.ak.instagram.com/c498b1f6c0e611e2be2c22000a9f391c_7.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
Of course, most of these words are most intelligible to his immediate family members, so it might take some interpretation or context to figure out exactly what he's saying, but it usually becomes clear. <br>
<br>
Who knew we'd have two talkers?! :D<br>
<br>
<br>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-27330759416356873232013-05-16T22:49:00.001-04:002013-05-16T22:49:23.154-04:00That one time my kids endeared themselves to a Home Depot employee<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage10.ak.instagram.com/be3344b6bb3711e29e1922000a9f4dd0_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage10.ak.instagram.com/be3344b6bb3711e29e1922000a9f4dd0_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Munchkins on Mother's Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lots of times I find myself telling the silly or ridiculous stories about my children, usually for comic relief or to share in the "we're all crazy!!!" craziness. We all love those stories and they are fun to tell. Likewise, I also find it helpful to share the good stories, the ones that redeem your faith in humanity (or, just your children) from time to time too. We need to share the good, lest we forget.<br />
<br />
So here's another one for ya.<br />
<br />
Last Friday night after we ate at Moe's (welcome to Moooooe's!) we ran over to Home Depot to get my Mother's Day gift. Awh, isn't that sweet? What mom doesn't shop at Home Depot for Mother's Day? Well actually, we were going to get a spice rack for our pantry, and seriously, I <i>wanted that</i> for Mother's Day. Like, for real. I really need my spices organized. In a rack. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage10.ak.instagram.com/4565aec6b67211e294a422000a1f9874_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage10.ak.instagram.com/4565aec6b67211e294a422000a1f9874_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It kind of looked like this, except in a cart, at Home Depot...<br />and so, not really like this at all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, Home Depot for men is like Target for women. You can just keep walking around and around, and finding more stuff that you think would make your home awesome. Well, we found the spice rack we wanted, and were walking around looking at random things, when the kids, who were securely seated in one of those race-car carts, started getting a little fussy. So I decided to see if they could distract themselves by seeing if they could give each other a hug (brilliant mom moment, right?). They both have their affectionate moments, and they seemed to be aligned that night so they began hugging each other, a lot. I'm not going to lie, it was adorable. You'd think I'd have the perfect picture of them doing it too because I'm always snapping pics of them, but I was afraid if I moved in front of them to snap a picture, they'd stop doing it, or they'd want to hold my phone, and the moment would be over. So I just stood behind them pushing the cart, mentally savoring this moment of mutual adoration and love they were having for each other.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage2.ak.instagram.com/a39deca0bcc211e293e422000aaa088d_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage2.ak.instagram.com/a39deca0bcc211e293e422000aaa088d_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moment was kind of like a mashup of this and the last picture.<br />(also don't try this stroller maneuver at home)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were approaching the checkout, and the employee behing the register was just completely *endeared*. He was <b>lovin' it!!</b> As they kept on hugging, releasing, and then hugging again, he was exclaiming, "Oh my goodness! I just love this! These kids are so cute! They are making my day! This is the cutest thing ever. Oh my goodness!" and putting his hands on his head like, <b>WOAH</b>.<br />
<br />
Greg and I both knew this was not completely normal behavior for our kids, but we did not try to excuse it like, "Oh, sometimes they fight!" or, "You should've seen them earlier. Just horrible!" We just laughed and smiled along with the guy and I might've said something like, "I just asked if they could give each other a hug and this is what they started doing..." and then as we were wheeling the still-hugging kids out of the store, Mia shouts, "<b>BIBLLLLLE!" (bible)</b> She does that because she knows it's one of the words Gabe can say, so if she's trying to coax Gabe into talking, she'll say, "bible!" or "Da-da!" to see if he'll respond. That "bible" shout was like the cherry on top for this Home Depot employee. I think he might have gone to Nirvana after that; our kids just lifted his soul so much.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage0.ak.instagram.com/adb4e55abd6111e2b53822000a1f96e6_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage0.ak.instagram.com/adb4e55abd6111e2b53822000a1f96e6_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And so that was how my squirrelly, rambunctious and crazy-fast growing kids made the night of an employee at Home Depot.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428164256607506314.post-11789621514453371892013-05-08T14:33:00.001-04:002013-05-08T14:34:04.342-04:003 simple meals in 30 minutes or less<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6180/6180951927_ecb7a68b36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6180/6180951927_ecb7a68b36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon & Sweet Potato Hash<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/galant/6180951927/">Photo by thebittenword.com at flickr</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I like simple. And I like fast. So this week while we've been sharing a car as one is in the shop getting some repairs, my typical late afternoon meal prep time has been squashed so that the kids & I can pick Greg up from work. We've enjoyed the time together in the car, but it means dinner must be made fast. Slow-cooker meals would definitely work in these instances, but our mornings have been so busy too I haven't had the chance to throw something in there earlier in the day! So, fast meals it must be.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These meals can be adapted for various diets, and you can go so far as swapping the type of ground meat, bacon or potatoes that are required in a few of the recipes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are 3 simple meals you can make in likely under 30 minutes!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/speedy-sloppy-joes-10000001661826/index.html">Real Simple's Speedy Sloppy Joe's</a></div>
<div>
(Potential modifications: using ground beef instead of ground turkey; using homemade salsa; using a different biscuit, bun or breading or opting out completely if grain-free. We made them Monday night with hamburger buns instead of the tube of buttermilk biscuits.)</div>
<div>
<b>Ingredients</b>:</div>
<div>
1 lb ground turkey; 1 cup of fresh salsa; salt & pepper; biscuits or buns</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/11/bacon-and-sweet-potato-hash-with-avocado-cream.html">Serious Eats Bacon & Sweet Potato Hash</a></div>
<div>
This is our new favorite and go-to meal! We modified by <i>only making the bacon and sweet potato hash</i>; we did not make the eggs or avocado cream, but for even a more filling & complete meal you certainly could! </div>
<div>
<b>Ingredients</b>: </div>
<div>
1lb bacon; 1-2 sweet potatoes; 1 medium onion; butter; salt & pepper to taste</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2012/03/15/recipe-collection-quick-beef-and-potatoes/#">Modern Alternative Mama's Quick Beef & Potatoes</a></div>
<div>
Very similar to bacon & sweet potato hash just variations on the ingredients list!</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>Ingredients</b>: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">1 lb. ground beef (preferably grass-fed); </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">4 – 5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced; </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">4 tbsp. butter; </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">1 tsp. onion powder; </span>Sea salt<span style="line-height: 20px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">For any of these meals, I may steam or saute a veggie on the side, which hardly takes any time as well. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>What are your favorite quick & easy meals?</b></span>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10232747020568969514noreply@blogger.com0