tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51733754779519081412024-03-13T23:54:17.439-06:00me, my redhead, and so onme, my redhead, and so on: the random ramblings of me, usually regarding the "and so on" portion of our lives - our girls.Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.comBlogger966125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-24002502776399297312016-01-11T11:47:00.005-07:002016-01-11T11:47:55.008-07:00cough cough sniffle snort<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
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Woof. Having a baby in the winter with two school aged kids at home is NOT for the faint of heart. Good night nurse. We did good for about the first two months, but then WHAM. And it hasn't stopped. The little man has been sick. Kind of half of his life, which kind of breaks my heart. Nothing serious, for which I am so grateful. But one good scare (emergency room FAIL) and a few nasty colds and a lot of tears on both baby's and mommy's part. I can't stand seeing him sad. And through it all I know he'll be okay and I'll be okay and this isn't the end of the world. But man how I hate it.</div>
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This business of raising babies. Gosh your heart just goes through the ringer. I've been keeping records and such and taking photos, but who knows when I'll ever get them here. For now, enjoy my smiliest boy. He is my most favorite boy, my constant companion bobbing on my shoulder, my heart and my soul, and he holds everything that's good in the world in that dimple of his. I'm so thankful for his smiles, the ones he musters out even on the crummiest days, and especially the big open mouthed gummy ones he splashes about when he's well. </div>
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And also. <i>Blue eyeeessss.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>He had just finished nursing.<br />This happy face is the sole reason I continue nursing.<br />My goodness I love this happy face.</i></span></td></tr>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-41485026309590095542015-11-24T21:44:00.001-07:002015-11-24T21:48:14.627-07:00one month and some<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So you're one month {and some} old. I suppose that's the price you pay for being the third baby? Photos are a little late. Sorry 'bout that boy. I promise we all noted it. Because good night we couldn't believe one month was already gone. </div>
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At one month you:</div>
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+ Love your mama. This includes laying on my chest for hours of the day, staring at me. I love those big blue (for now? for forever?) eyes staring at me so much. Cannot feel more loved than I do by you little man. You are the snuggliest bug, and I love it so much.</div>
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+ Love nursing. Curses. I am not known for an abundant milk supply, and I live in constant fear of running out. Thank goodness you also take a bottle like a champ and were so patient while we figured out the best bottle for you.</div>
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+ Pretty much think binkies are for the birds. Daddy can sometimes get you to take one. This is not a problem when I'm around as I can settle you in seconds. Good luck to the poor souls who watch you without me around.</div>
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+ Sleep for four to five hours a night sometimes! It's like a dream.</div>
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+ Have light blonde/reddish hair. We're all holding out for red around here. It's sort of balding on the top (probably because I'm constantly petting your little fuzzy head).</div>
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+ Have blue eyes? I swear they're blue-blue. But there's still a chance you'll join the ranks of brown-eyed babies in our family, leaving my blues in the dust. </div>
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+ Tolerate baths but HATE with all the passion of your soul the lotioning up and getting dressed part.</div>
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+ Hate being naked.</div>
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+ Love to be warm. You sleep with a heater in your room and are happiest when you're toasty. (Your sisters were quite the opposite in this respect.)</div>
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+ Are soooo happy in the morning. You're so smiley and it makes all the lack of sleep that goes on in this house (your sisters are culprits too!) bearable. Can't be mad for a minute with our happy morning baby around.</div>
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+ Have horrible gas. What. </div>
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+ Can hold your head up fairly well and love to bob around on my shoulder.</div>
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+ Are huge. You wear 3 month clothes and size 1 dipes.</div>
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+ Don't mind a wet diaper. Which is handy as a third child. </div>
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+ Smile every time your sister gets in the car after preschool. The second you hear her voice, you smile in your sleep. </div>
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+ Spit up like a champion. We have six thousand burp cloths around the house at any given time. </div>
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+ Rock the dimple in your right cheek. Seriously irresistible.</div>
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+ Take one fairly regular nap in the morning. Then want to be held and cat nap all the rest of the day. And I totally pick up what you're throwing down. Sucka.</div>
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+ Go by J most of the time. Sometimes Baby Jess. (I'm working on steering people away from the latter only to avoid the inevitable confusion with your Daddy's name.)</div>
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+ Have a middle name! Jess Christian Cheney. From your mama's maiden name. :)</div>
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+ Are everyone's favorite little man. </div>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-30873127274161061662015-11-15T18:57:00.001-07:002015-11-16T14:13:13.042-07:00coming home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I just realized I don't have J's coming home photos here. I love the coming home photos because they're so very similar from child to child. Including the duck butt outfit. Although we rarely get a picture of the actual duck butt. (<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2011/07/im-coming-home.html">Here</a> are Lou's. <a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2011/05/thoughts-at-thirty.html">Here</a> are Belle's.) </div>
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I don't think I've ever wanted to leave a hospital after a baby like I did with J. I just wanted to be home with my girls and my little family and out of that awful, uncomfortable hospital bed. I had residual cholestasis issues that very few nurses (or some doctors) even understand, so I was still a little miserable, and I really just wanted to be out of there. </div>
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But here's the strange thing - almost from the first day he was out, I missed being pregnant. To hear me say that is practically blasphemous. But I did. I missed his squirming body, the movements I knew so perfectly. I feel like I knew J while he was in my belly better than I did the girls. And I think that is mostly because of London. In London I relied solely on my gut and what the baby inside was doing. I had to listen so hard and find quiet nights, the train rattling outside our window, to make sure my baby was okay. I prayed a lot that this baby would be okay while in London, that I wouldn't have cause to worry. And that if I needed to worry, could it happen in the States? With my family and help and a doctor close by?</div>
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Little did I know, while I wouldn't ever worry in London, I would practically <i>implode </i>upon my return. My health took a plummeting dip, and it was miserable. But I think those London weeks were such a blessing - I learned to know the baby so well, and I knew he was okay, even during the misery. </div>
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The test results that finally sent me to the hospital didn't come in til the middle of the night. And of course because I rarely slept, I was up. I saw the number and knew that I'd be having a baby the next day. (I was in the high risk zone - of miscarriage. I know. I prefer to not think about it.) So I did some laundry, cleaned the bathroom, ate a snack (Jess used to call me his "little bison" - I'd roam around and graze all night), and then laid down on the couch with my hand on my belly, in the spot I knew he knew. And I felt him nudge me until the morning.</div>
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Perhaps it was London, perhaps it was just the waiting I did for this boy, but I miss him in my belly. I miss how familiar he was there. That said, I love him out even more. And those little (big) kicks and jabs on the outside are just as familiar as they were on the inside. Only now I get to cuddle that wriggly baby and tell him how very glad I am that we made it. </div>
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So glad we made it.</div>
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We made it.</div>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-47310052614236033972015-11-04T22:19:00.001-07:002015-11-04T22:19:27.747-07:00worth the wait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really don't even know how to start about this little man. For years I've been so afraid to have a boy. Such unknown territory. Not to mention diaper changing procedures. But I can't get over how he fits in my heart and my arms as if he's always been there. I know that in comparison to many of you, our wait to get this baby is a mere fraction of time, but it was longer than I thought I'd have to wait. However, in so many ways, the waiting - the storing up giant wells of love and patience and hope and anticipation - the waiting is what solved my worries. Turned them into hope. And hope has big brown/blue eyes that stare right through me.</div>
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This time around, I knew more what to expect in recovering. And although I still beat myself up a little bit about what I am or am not doing "right" or "wrong," for the most part, I've been able to sit and stare and soak up the smell of baby. (What is that smell really? Magic? Pixie dust?) I still have the major hormonal swings of a post pregnant woman, but in the down swings, I remember the up swings, how five minutes ago my heart was about to burst with all the happiness.</div>
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He's been here for two and a half weeks. And it seems simultaneously like forever and just a minute. He is absolutely everything we needed exactly when we needed him. God's timing in this one has been impeccable - of course it has been - and I'm so incredibly grateful for the years I waited and hoped and believed in a baby. He is all of those wishes and hopes in a tiny, cooing body. He is everything. And we are so happy he's here. </div>
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<i>This is just a bunch of photos taken during his first few weeks. I realize blogging is on its way out, but <b>I</b> sure use this blog for nostalgia's sake. So photo dump it is. And yes, he looks very much like his sisters plus some hair on his head. And face. And back. Hairy little man. :)</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>As my babies do, J got to spend some time on the bilirubin lights.<br />We anticipated the nightmare we experienced with the girls -<br />a screaming baby and the inability to do anything about it.<br />Nope. Not this dude. If he could have an arm (or two) out<br />he did. not. care. Slept the jaundice away, lickety split.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I know. I know. He's six days old here. And already loving that daddy.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>She is everything that big sisters are made of.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Can I have ten of him?</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2iBhvOSjz0jYHLlWeUQa-GkaisTAACTqTBSKBD1UQRkd45QfUQZlEE8jVQyDjGcLEK5Xq52IlZrkacWn2XPcNtiJW4jD2Tguy-xC-OR4nwQYxCcIQpRn_3oNxHrB4Ihjw-Zm9OiEdJgm/s1600/20151027_095411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2iBhvOSjz0jYHLlWeUQa-GkaisTAACTqTBSKBD1UQRkd45QfUQZlEE8jVQyDjGcLEK5Xq52IlZrkacWn2XPcNtiJW4jD2Tguy-xC-OR4nwQYxCcIQpRn_3oNxHrB4Ihjw-Zm9OiEdJgm/s640/20151027_095411.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I was graciously gifted a bunch of clothes from a friend.<br />This shirt was among them.<br />She had no idea how appropriate it is for this little family.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4gir3GFDobN2YCV4z3fOvd5-QmxwNlPkX26Bg3SwXJTWMcnHYJx3EPXrBlyZjWvwJa1q6Hs4hZmcqQVLDy-Lt63yomAVPt4FlcB5r2ylNl5axVHwSvp05q1p7lZawPiX8RjuQomahxsX/s1600/20151029_113456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4gir3GFDobN2YCV4z3fOvd5-QmxwNlPkX26Bg3SwXJTWMcnHYJx3EPXrBlyZjWvwJa1q6Hs4hZmcqQVLDy-Lt63yomAVPt4FlcB5r2ylNl5axVHwSvp05q1p7lZawPiX8RjuQomahxsX/s640/20151029_113456.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The dimple makes its appearance.<br />And now we're all dead.<br />Oh my he's the cutest.</i></span></td></tr>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-79910355323416461892015-11-01T17:54:00.001-07:002015-11-01T17:54:50.923-07:00all dressed up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was sitting with the girls at the Tower of London, eating some ice cream before trekking back across the bridge to our apartment. A little bribery if you will. And as the pigeons swooped down around us, gathering bits of old food, I asked the girls what they'd want to be for Halloween. Annabelle had several ideas (flamingo, Maria from Sound of Music, Eep from the Croods movie, etc.) but Lou had just one. "I wanna be a pigeon!"</div>
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You see, the pigeons of London were some of Lou's very best friends. She chased them around that town for weeks, and when others did the same, she chased after them, telling them to be nice to her pigeons. Apparently only she was allowed to terrorize them. She loved the white pigeons, however, and would always move reverently around them.</div>
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So <i>of course</i> she wanted to be a pigeon. Over the next few months, I kept working on ideas with the girls, and Lou never wavered. She'd be a pigeon and she'd walk "like this," she'd say, while crouching down and doing her best pigeon imitation.</div>
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Her costume is made from swan wings (Target), a feather boa (Zurcher's), and clothes from her closet. And I think it's the most magnificent thing in the world. She was so very proud of her pigeon get up, and we just love that she isn't afraid to be Lou. Or a pigeon.</div>
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Annabelle took some time to decide. It was fairly agonizing for her. But then we watched the new Cinderella movie, and she was sold. She wanted to be "the new Cinderella." Thanks to China, I scooped up a "new Cinderella dress" on ebay for $15, found her some sparkly shoes, and we were set. She was so proud of the way it twirled and how she looked "just like the new Cinderella." And indeed, isn't she beautiful? And so very grown up?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EGQWesj90pMgZJ2dBCdo_YNqLT2ZK-1ghNREglh7UFz9PwDmvDCh3Hc2Iz2lOrYz-icpg2YfZdWkZ1H9pwPDFglShc2I3D3yDmMxNHSEQqSYtUf52lOwj4dowSIUtUkqk224v1iPiNZy/s1600/20151101_131058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EGQWesj90pMgZJ2dBCdo_YNqLT2ZK-1ghNREglh7UFz9PwDmvDCh3Hc2Iz2lOrYz-icpg2YfZdWkZ1H9pwPDFglShc2I3D3yDmMxNHSEQqSYtUf52lOwj4dowSIUtUkqk224v1iPiNZy/s640/20151101_131058.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This is what happened when I told him the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferengi">ferengi</a> were coming.<br />#trekkie #nerdalert #proudofit</i></span></td></tr>
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And don't forget little J. Say hello to our very own <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Luc_Picard">Captain Jean-Luc Picard</a>. My sister (also a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_fandom">Trekkie</a> like Jess and me) sent me this onesie before he was born. And how I hoped it would be a boy and that he would be early so he could be Captain Picard for Halloween. I assumed either way, I'd have a bald baby so girl or boy, Picard it would be. But then he came out with hair. No matter - he rocked that Picard costume like nobody's business.</div>
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All in all, another successful Halloween. What cracks me up every year is I really hate this holiday, yet every year it gets more fun with these babies around. The pictures below are from all the festivities, including a parade at Lou's school and the traditional visit to Grammy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJjI0ALPvt2nHAlqcVRZIYap850yAlCC7zlSEnYOUi1t5eHFHWPMa15D9CMcKHo_v1vl61BQakNE5HF9jxCS0Fe2DneqvZUXvpfn5Vb1alUAA22ewqBMgSRPwKst_1GrP43eH7eVE79ln/s1600/20151031_094524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJjI0ALPvt2nHAlqcVRZIYap850yAlCC7zlSEnYOUi1t5eHFHWPMa15D9CMcKHo_v1vl61BQakNE5HF9jxCS0Fe2DneqvZUXvpfn5Vb1alUAA22ewqBMgSRPwKst_1GrP43eH7eVE79ln/s640/20151031_094524.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>If it seems like Lou is never in photos with baby J, you would be correct.<br />In the two weeks he's been home, she's had two illnesses. One of the barf variety.<br />She's basically going to spend the next six months quarantined.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Outfit number two after a certain sir blew out of the first one.<br />Thank goodness for kind friends and their cute Halloween outfit gifts.</i></span></td></tr>
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<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2014/11/scenes-from-halloween.html">Halloween 2014</a></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2012/11/butterfly-babies.html" style="color: #5bbb34; text-decoration: none;">Halloween 2012</a></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2011/11/kitty-and-bug.html" style="color: #5bbb34; text-decoration: none;">Halloween 2011</a></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2010/10/chick-cheat-trick-or-treat.html" style="color: #5bbb34; text-decoration: none;">Halloween 2010</a></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloweener.html" style="color: #5bbb34; text-decoration: none;">Halloween 2009</a></div>
</div>
Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-90797871406559738392015-10-31T19:54:00.002-06:002015-10-31T20:11:17.169-06:00happy due date day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is your due date my little man. I should know by now that in my case, due dates are for the birds, especially due dates that fall on Halloween (yuck). I'll love you forever for NOT being born on this day, my least favorite of all the days. But on this day, your original day, these are some things I love about you, baby J. I really love...</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
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<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you really devour that bottle. I mean you go <i>after </i>it.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you sleep so quietly. I have to check on you one thousand times because you're so very quiet. (Your sisters slept with snorts and growls.)</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How if I put you up to burp or to snuggle on my chest, you <i>must </i>turn your head so you can see me. And then you furrow your brow when I cover your head in kisses, like you're trying to stretch for more.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How sometimes when you're sad (which is not often) you just want some mama snuggles. Oh how I love that you remember me from all those months in my belly.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you get drowsy when we comb through your beautiful blonde hair. (Please stay hair!)</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you smile in your sleep, especially when you hear my voice. And how you have a dimple! Smack dab in that right cheek, the happiest surprise.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How I can sense the calm in you, the same calm your daddy has. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you have the same long fingers and toes as your sisters. I love that you come from the same familiar mold.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you don't seem to mind the chaos of two dramatic sisters dancing around you most of the day.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you coo in your sleep when I snuggle you, like a tiny monologue.</div>
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+ How patient you are, always quick to quiet down as soon as we're near.</div>
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+ How you narrow your eyes and look away when you're working on diaper business. No one needs to know.</div>
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+ How your favorite things to stare at are our travel magnet boards. I think you're studying up on all the places you'll go someday.</div>
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+ How you KNOW when you have a fresh diaper and you ALWAYS promptly drop a bomb.</div>
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+ How your legs fold up like a frog, or a very cute rotisserie chicken.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you sleep with your arms up (just like your sisters). Touchdown! </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How your little cries sound like a baby sheep. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you scrunch up your face in distaste when we give you a binky but then take it begrudgingly. You're so patient.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
+ How you felt familiar to me the moment I saw you, those feet from the inside now so very familiar on the out.</div>
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+ How impossibly lovable you are. </div>
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<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
Happy two weeks sweet baby boy. I love you so very much.</div>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-10806460306947940772015-10-30T19:07:00.001-06:002015-10-30T19:34:55.716-06:00THE garth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am of the Garth Generation. If you were a country girl or boy in the nineties (or really just any teenager), you knew Garth Brooks. You probably knew every word of Garth. You probably had one or two or five high school dances with a Garth theme song. (Hello, The Dance?) And if you know anything about Garth, you know the man is a music legend. He changed everything about the country music industry, not to mention the production of a concert. I've always adored the man, quite honestly. I know most of his songs by heart, and I vividly recall blasting my two disc compilation of his best hits in my Chevy Prizm on the way to school every morning.</div>
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When he announced the added on Salt Lake concert dates to his tour, I was so excited. I would gladly give up my left arm for a ticket. But then I saw the dates - right before my due date. And when Jess' boss offered him tickets it took all my willpower to turn them down. I figured I'd either be in labor or a giant fat pregnant woman. It killed me too. I spent hours watching Garth concert clips and playing his music on repeat, sorrowing over my loss.</div>
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And then we had our little J and I promptly forgot about Garth as my brain filled with insomnia and feedings and diapers and the softest baby cheeks in the world. Until Jess called a few days ago and said, "How much do you love me?" Me: "Um you tell me?" Jess: "You're going to Garth tomorrow night."</div>
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I think I screamed. Dropped the phone. No lie. Teenage status.</div>
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He was able to get four tickets, and I went with two of his sisters and a cousin. And ohmygosh it was everything I hoped it would be. He is an amazing performer. It's not about the stage or the tricks for him. He is there to sing his brains out. He performed all the classics, and the sold out venue screamed every word to every song, and it was just amazing. (You should have HEARD "Friends in Low Places." I'm now partially deaf.) I was legitimately star struck. Total magic and I never wanted it to end. He did four encores. Four. And I think the only reason he didn't do a fifth was he was literally spent. That fifty something year old man was running and jumping and singing just like he did decades ago. He gave us a piece of his heart on that stage.</div>
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I'm a country girl at heart. And this was seriously one of those experiences I'll never forget. I feel so lucky to have gone. I really do. He's playing two shows tonight, one at 7 p.m. and one at 10:30 p.m. (the 10:30 p.m. was an add on when his original dates sold so quickly). It is taking every ounce of my self control to not scoop up a ticket and sneak out to see this magic one more time. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>This was during one of my favorite songs - Unanswered Prayers. The crowd was of course booming it out with him, </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>and at one point Garth got emotional and stopped singing and turned it over to us. <br />Everyone had their cell phone flash lights waving like twinkle lights, and it was the most magical moment. <br />I'm not a huge concert goer (I really usually hate them), but this moment - I get it. Magic.</i></span></span></td></tr>
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P.S. J still hasn't a middle name. I'm now pulling for Jess Brooks Cheney. I know, right?</div>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-50081663524350038082015-10-25T14:11:00.000-06:002015-11-08T22:17:36.891-07:00arrival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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​This little mister came earlier than planned (thank the heavens). I had developed cholestasis. (Cholestasis is a pregnancy induced liver problem that sends bile into the blood instead of the intestines and makes the body a dangerous place for the baby and a miserable place for the mother.) Before I knew it, we were at the hospital. And there I was again - hooked up to tubes and monitors, being pumped with pitocin and all sorts of magic (bloat inducing garbage) in an effort to get this little man to come out (I've been induced for all three births, three different reasons).</div>
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It took hours upon hours before my body would let this baby go (I went in at noon and had him at 2:30 a.m.), and when it was time to push I had barely the energy to muster, but then there he was. The doctor held him up, and because Jess lets me have the first look, I yelped "Hon, you got your boy!" </div>
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There he was safe and screaming and beautiful. All I remember is holding his face next to mine and saying over and over, "We made it baby. We made it." Those last weeks were long and hard, with unexplained medical problems and giant sized worries. Not to mention physical misery on my part. I had never wanted a baby to come more than I wanted this one. I wanted this baby out and safe. And finally - there he was.</div>
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And my goodness he's wonderful. His spirit in our home is magic. He exudes love and happiness and peace, and he is really everything we've needed for so long. Worth the wait a hundred times over.</div>
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I've always been incredibly nervous to have a baby boy. I only know the girl thing. But now he's here, and it's like he always has been. And he has stolen my heart entirely. He's welcome to keep it. </div>
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So grateful he's here and that he's ours. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>That's a giant bruise on his head. :(<br />He was huge and got man handled on the way out.<br />Kind of breaks our hearts.</i></span></td></tr>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-82250965807085668142015-10-22T20:26:00.003-06:002015-11-08T22:12:24.391-07:00introducing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Jess Christian Cheney</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">October 18, 2015</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2:30 a.m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8 lb. 6 oz.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">20.5 inches</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">It's a BOY!</span></div>
Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-41480905618720718702015-10-16T01:09:00.001-06:002015-10-16T01:11:15.084-06:00on the inside<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliL8Ai1qmPmSZ8iUXmRmogj5GINmVG72ZDOiaXFiuygnkI9eYChQyhUWOXdqUeGe7g2Fv1NFwWocgbElvlb22yq-sSru6pOZTKgZVhh0nWGvaWzQHPeQxY2W3azHXW-LzzrSpM-q7P23B/s1600/20150714_135537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliL8Ai1qmPmSZ8iUXmRmogj5GINmVG72ZDOiaXFiuygnkI9eYChQyhUWOXdqUeGe7g2Fv1NFwWocgbElvlb22yq-sSru6pOZTKgZVhh0nWGvaWzQHPeQxY2W3azHXW-LzzrSpM-q7P23B/s640/20150714_135537.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>July 14, 2015 (day we arrived) at our hotel on Trafalgar Square.<br />I am just shy of 25 weeks pregnant here.<br />(And I left London at roughly 29 weeks.)</i></span></td></tr>
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<i>I wrote this letter to the baby while in London. I thought it would be appropriate to get it posted before the baby actually arrives. (And if I have my way, it will arrive yesterday.) Traveling internationally when pregnant isn't ideal by any means, but I know I was blessed to have the strength I needed to truck through that beautiful country, my two girls at my sides, without any issue. It was such a blessing to be in London together as a family, and I'm so grateful I was there, big belly and all. (Photos included here were taken throughout the trip.)</i></div>
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Dear Baby Cheney:</div>
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Remember that time I took you to London? </div>
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You were in my belly, so you probably had the easiest time of all of us. I think you slept the days away, being rocked to sleep while I walked until my bones ached. And then at night I'd lay down and you'd start kicking and rolling and stretching out. So much energy after a full day of sleeping. I bet you loved that I started indulging in chocolate and diet Dr. Pepper and all the yummy things that London had to offer. I bet that London for you was a bit of a new adventure, just like it was for us. </div>
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I want you to know that although I've been busy and worried and running for weeks, I'm so grateful that you got to be a part of our London adventure. I'm a little sad that you're not outside experiencing it, but I've no doubt that this little family of ours will continue traveling, and you too will see the world little one. It's in our bones - we don't sit still very well or for very long. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>August 1, 2015 at the National Maritime Museum</i></span></td></tr>
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I love that you've been with me the entire time - your presence is heavily known because you are literally heavy. My belly is beacon like in this town of hustle and bustle - you get smiled at all day long. And although I ache, I somewhat love the constant reminder of the small miracle in my belly. In a strange way, sharing this experience with you has helped me get to know you. I mentally bargain with you every day - hang in there. Just hang in there a few more weeks. And then we'll be home again, and we can rest. Who am I kidding - then mommy can rest.</div>
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I'm so excited to meet you, and in many years I'll tell you all about that time you went to London, on the inside. Safe and rocked to sleep through the city streets of this beautiful old town.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mama</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TenK_VAZ3mieCeUlGvJbtEZQRYcACW6CRAWPKp2k5RYdfpLCdDYXjaPxiCp9d2VKC4JZDZAYJ0dMNfzdNlXqslq1dzsjf_vGzQCBEBEOF4KQhweyl2RIr71xTvRAVB_0mUU2XEncbz7Q/s1600/8.4.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TenK_VAZ3mieCeUlGvJbtEZQRYcACW6CRAWPKp2k5RYdfpLCdDYXjaPxiCp9d2VKC4JZDZAYJ0dMNfzdNlXqslq1dzsjf_vGzQCBEBEOF4KQhweyl2RIr71xTvRAVB_0mUU2XEncbz7Q/s640/8.4.15.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">August 4, 2015 in the Pizza Express bathroom</span></i></td></tr>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-38385364627265834322015-10-13T22:55:00.002-06:002015-10-13T22:55:34.720-06:00charles dickens museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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July 28, 2015</div>
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Jess had to make a quick site visit out to Wales yesterday, so it's been just me and the girls. Last night, I decided it called for dinner at Pizza Express. (Side note - we need a Pizza Express here so bad. The best gourmet pizza. With gluten free options!) Of course, the service there is so flippin slow (it's slow no matter where you go here), so while the girls were coloring and waiting (and waiting) for our food to come, I did a quick search for something fun to do with the kids (that Jess wouldn't feel too bad about missing). I stumbled on the Charles Dickens Museum and upon clicking around, found that they'd be doing a family workshop! Perfect! And even more perfect - they were making marbleized Victorian book covers and tying their own books! What? </div>
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Let's pause here and recall that I'm a book nerd to my core. Paper, books, crackling spines. I could smell a new book for days. And then there's my education - English. And I happened to take just about every British Literature class offered. If I hadn't minored in Editing, I'd have emphasized in Brit Lit. So with a craft for the girls and a bit of literary history for me, this seemed like a win win. And boy howdy was it ever.</div>
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If you happen to be going to London any time soon and have any sort of literary love in you, I can't recommend this place enough. It's a little off the beaten path, but totally worth it. The museum is housed in Charles Dickens' home, the very home many of our most beloved books were penned (his very writing desk is there!). The rooms are so lovely, and many are hands on. The girls got to play in the kitchen and then in the nursery and they were so excited that no one was yelling at them to NOT TOUCH. There are many original pieces - furniture and writing - and it really is a quaint little walk back in time. They also provide really fun paper tour guides for the kids, which helps them search for things, fill in the blanks, and just generally move from room to room. There are also helpful volunteers at every corner, and my goodness they're so nice. (There is also a cafe that serves very British food - biscuits, tea, etc.)</div>
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Our craft was so much fun. I made my own, even though it was clearly geared for the kids. No matter. This was too good to pass up. We started by marbleizing our paper. While it dried, we tied our books up. Then we cut out our marbleized book covers and adhered. And aren't they pretty?</div>
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The book nerd in me was so happy here. And I think what's even more wonderful is the kids legitimately loved it. They both said it was one of their favorite things they've done here. Well done, Charles Dickens Museum, well done.</div>
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<i>Post Script: We went to Dickens the next week as well. We loved it just as much the second time. Can't recommend this place enough. Photos here are from both visits.</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE-qBuzJT7_cwjLTqR2wPeqLZgFW3iar5ehuuzoN9OrK-Fh8QQFGnjFE2boNfL0C_MAqdMBu3n-R1VO6_tyAU52ReUI2p8K_9TDEwD0XPDRjcjDNNu6jwfbTT0OivnCBvoP5vkUJDJelv/s1600/20150728_053945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE-qBuzJT7_cwjLTqR2wPeqLZgFW3iar5ehuuzoN9OrK-Fh8QQFGnjFE2boNfL0C_MAqdMBu3n-R1VO6_tyAU52ReUI2p8K_9TDEwD0XPDRjcjDNNu6jwfbTT0OivnCBvoP5vkUJDJelv/s640/20150728_053945.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Oh just the actual desk that many of our favorite books were penned on.<br />No big deal.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXuYZxcDt9IH2aVWmf0qznNGG9EQ7QI3Ol_vN7vY81s1H7G3JtaHem2JGPHSyPQGZai3DIpBtPH5diE1Bni5vmN0uOJMLCldxp3YdCVbwjVtUlRLBL4yqs9L8D0I0eg7O0qhe19ZJXptg/s1600/20150728_054220%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXuYZxcDt9IH2aVWmf0qznNGG9EQ7QI3Ol_vN7vY81s1H7G3JtaHem2JGPHSyPQGZai3DIpBtPH5diE1Bni5vmN0uOJMLCldxp3YdCVbwjVtUlRLBL4yqs9L8D0I0eg7O0qhe19ZJXptg/s640/20150728_054220%25280%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>These blocks weren't wooden - more like a ceramic.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUcZ7_mBrvo43VolBcWF1vaCHcxWJ7aQqKbqOJEkyS_asleklOPd6zsr7L0u5SWELggzbHIH2sw7VYByjZHLz3NGFRax2zotSnONAvr5b0XkVnNiShqCMXfUZxwgHmPFOzHpYlzxJtB9p/s1600/20150728_054142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUcZ7_mBrvo43VolBcWF1vaCHcxWJ7aQqKbqOJEkyS_asleklOPd6zsr7L0u5SWELggzbHIH2sw7VYByjZHLz3NGFRax2zotSnONAvr5b0XkVnNiShqCMXfUZxwgHmPFOzHpYlzxJtB9p/s640/20150728_054142.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Oh my tiny belly. That is truly comical to me right now.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>They encourage kids to play in both the nursery and the kitchen.<br />They chose some dress ups in the kitchen.<br />Did not tell them they are the help. :)</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP4Vb-H_7X70oY4OW8rVXxIYNl2Cqef9-T0qRdRgFWCPN740BVWz-go51BQyvnAZnXAW56gjQMgpaeAbH8IqTOyH5nTzyhmebwcqhnzZTUhFbPtaNO9g8cQrhcX0-J2RDvXAK5Yl1AXCc/s1600/20150728_052822_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP4Vb-H_7X70oY4OW8rVXxIYNl2Cqef9-T0qRdRgFWCPN740BVWz-go51BQyvnAZnXAW56gjQMgpaeAbH8IqTOyH5nTzyhmebwcqhnzZTUhFbPtaNO9g8cQrhcX0-J2RDvXAK5Yl1AXCc/s640/20150728_052822_3.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I'm including this sort of fuzzy photo because the girls were obsessed<br />with grinding coffee. There were actual coffee beans too...<br />they felt so fancy grinding up coffee they wouldn't drink.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Just geeking out in Charles Dickens' bathroom.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRmXpy8luEksJV6rWQoOdVh9mnBIpGjc4veR6jrHPK6yL4lbuIOUVu0qU5mQIoipByxbkar-sKfVd5CPQd5tSFr_3m534l0wBYnQaeOKxhQtF6l0M3Bnv0ACFOsCUSWCzq5QoGshesbLD/s1600/20150728_041804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRmXpy8luEksJV6rWQoOdVh9mnBIpGjc4veR6jrHPK6yL4lbuIOUVu0qU5mQIoipByxbkar-sKfVd5CPQd5tSFr_3m534l0wBYnQaeOKxhQtF6l0M3Bnv0ACFOsCUSWCzq5QoGshesbLD/s640/20150728_041804.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>One of the best bits of Dickens.<br />(said by Scrooge's nephew Fred in A Christmas Carol)</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1auN1DBOSMjaexYyf2osmjDnEC0IgAo0AI8KNaO1KvwI2rW5ar4YsJcOKd0T_0z7E1ZI2MjLTssHVQA4QlUBlMsvCT2XqCqsEl4xE3PRmmrM7DF-72WcTaMy1deGg4RGb9Nuqp2-psAt3/s1600/20150728_060714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1auN1DBOSMjaexYyf2osmjDnEC0IgAo0AI8KNaO1KvwI2rW5ar4YsJcOKd0T_0z7E1ZI2MjLTssHVQA4QlUBlMsvCT2XqCqsEl4xE3PRmmrM7DF-72WcTaMy1deGg4RGb9Nuqp2-psAt3/s640/20150728_060714.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have no idea if this is the original door color.<br />But guys. My color. On Dickens' very door.</i></span></td></tr>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-39883961729848088622015-10-12T23:36:00.001-06:002015-10-12T23:36:07.441-06:00princess diana memorial playground<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
<i>Woof. Where have I been. Mostly just pregnant. I've been huge and pregnant. I had some health "concerns" that my doctor decided to investigate. The good news - nothing is wrong. The bad news - so much work and testing. A few weeks of tests. Add to that, I've been trying to get in some good volunteer hours at the girls' schools as I'll be bowing out for at least a few months once the baby comes, plus my naps and you have some seriously spent days. But in any case - we're in the final countdown (I'm 37 weeks!) and good night nurse I'm ready to meet this baby. I'm ready to be not pregnant. And I'm ready to stop itching. (Oh. The. Itching.)</i></div>
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<i>Also, I'm ready for the insomnia to end. Trust me when I say the sleep I get with a tiny baby is far superior to the sleep I get in the last weeks of pregnancy, especially this one. I'm basically losing my marbles most days. I do (or do not) things all the time without any remembrance. I'm so wasted. </i></div>
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<i>It occurred to me today though that I should just blog when I'm not sleeping. After all, I have some London posts already written. I just need to find photos. And so here we go. I'm starting with this simply because I have photos to share.</i></div>
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July 30, 2015</div>
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Today we ventured out to Kensington Gardens, specifically the Princess Diana Memorial Playground. The playground was created in her honor - because of her love for children and her respect for their need for safe childhood play.</div>
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This playground is intense guys. It comes complete with a giant pirate ship that you can climb in and around, including up the rigging. My girls were a little intimidated by the mass of small humans (and European small humans are not the same as American small humans in terms of manners...) on the pirate ship, but not to worry. This amazing park space goes on for days, so they had plenty of options to choose from. It includes a giant sand pit, water feature, swings, small playgrounds for tiny tots, wig wams (or tee pees, full size), slides, bridges, "secret" trails through trees, and typical climbing and jumping playground type structures. There's also a snack bar with real food and ice cream, plus bathroom facilities to go around. It's such a well thought out space, and I really loved it. Two things that we Americans should take note of:</div>
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1. To enter the gated playground, children must be accompanied by an adult and you must be buzzed in by a worker on the other side of the gate. Children also are not permitted to leave the facility without an adult. If for any reason an adult leaves without a child, they have to show that the child is still with another adult and obtain a band for re-entry. You can't enter otherwise without a child. Interesting concept right?</div>
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2. When the park reaches capacity (they let it get plenty full), they form the queue and you wait to get in. Keeps the chaos to a minimum. (We were very lucky - apparently - to just walk right.)</div>
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We stayed for hours, and don't you worry - this time I took the camera. The real live, break my neck camera. And I was so glad I did, because this may be one of the girls' highlights of our time in London. I must admit I didn't mind sitting in the shade for hours myself. :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I love that I have photos of both of them with this face.<br />It was fairly tricky navigating new social cues - <br />I was so surprised at how different European children were.<br />And they weren't too impressed...</i></span></td></tr>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-66120700782329308912015-09-02T21:48:00.001-06:002015-09-02T21:49:43.693-06:00back to school with lou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Wearing a locket with a picture of Mommy and Daddy in it.<br />So we're always with her.</i></span></td></tr>
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So some of you may recall that Lou started preschool <a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2014/09/lou-in-school.html">last year</a> on a one day a week plan. It seemed like a good idea and it was...until it wasn't. One week I went to take her and she screamed bloody murder. She wouldn't loosen her death grip on me for anything. This is strange for Lou. She's not generally scared of much. Heights are a thing of beauty. Running away from mom in public and hiding is hilarious. Strangers are just friends. So this was strange. Then the teacher forcibly took her from me...and it was over. Because it doesn't take much for me to bring out the mama bear and don't you dare take my baby! Jess and I felt like something must be off for her to be so frightened, plus she had another year of preschool, plus I HATE SENDING MY BABIES AWAY FROM ME. So we quit lickety split.</div>
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This year I knew we needed to find something different for her. I enrolled her at a preschool run through an elementary school. So she gets to go to a "big girl" school, with a classroom just like the one she grew to love while helping in Annabelle's kindergarten class. She's been waiting and waiting and waiting for the day she could go to preschool. (Well, ideally she'd like to go to kindergarten, but she'll take this as a second place.) And there were practically stars in her eyes when she woke up yesterday, ready to take on the world.</div>
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My goodness was she a happy girl when I picked her up (yesterday and today). I think we've found the perfect place for her, and I'm so proud of how brave she was on her first day. When I picked her up she talked without breathing for five minutes straight about every little thing they did, took a big gulp of air, smiled, and said, "I love preschool." </div>
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I love that she loves preschool almost as much as I love her. </div>
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P.S. Oh my - my house is lonely without both of the girls there! A problem which will be remedied in a few months, I know. But until then, so quiet and lame!</div>
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P.P.S. I really don't want to talk about my picture taking skills. It's a long story. Mostly involving me not knowing how to use a camera.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I snuck the picture on the right as I left.<br />Breaks my heart and makes me proud all at the same time to see her so brave.</i></span></td></tr>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-72695729904031517872015-08-28T21:31:00.000-06:002015-08-28T21:31:15.503-06:00changing the queen's life guard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So a little known fact: horse guards (life guards) guard the official entrance to Buckingham Palace. Every hour from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., the horse guards are switched out from a team of horses and guards standing by. And every day at 11 a.m., that group of horse guards is traded out for a new group. A new fleet marches in, the old fleet is inspected and released, and it's all very much amazing. </div>
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We visited the changing of the horse guard <i>four </i>times. You see, we have this little Lou. And she's legitimately obsessed with horses. Annabelle also loves them, but I think she doesn't want to admit that she likes something her sister does, so she just loves them silently. And really, this is just an amazing little event, so we made sure to get our fill. </div>
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The change of the horse guard is much less well known than the change of the guards at the palace. Fewer tourists and almost open access to the horses. However, they proceed about their business with structure and regimented exactness - if you happen to be in the way, watch out. These horses DO NOT care. And they bite. And you will get yelled at.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>This horse was an exception to the rule of militant exactness. <br />He was basically begging people to pet him.<br />You could tell the guard was going nuts trying to keep his horse from acting up.<br />And all while keeping a stern face. The girls sure loved this guy.</i></span></td></tr>
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I love loved watching the change of the horse guard. Such beautiful animals and such tradition. We went to the Horse Cavalry Museum as well, which was absolutely worth the price of admission. It's housed in the original eighteenth century stables of the royal horses - originally 70 (now 220). The very coolest part is that you can see into the active (and original) stables (through a huge window) in a portion of the museum. The horses that just got traded out are lined up in their stalls, getting groomed and fed. It's fun to see the guards as well - hats gone, faces drawn in smiles instead of stone cold glares, suspenders hanging at their waists. The museum also houses an impressive arsenal of artifacts and fascinating tidbits of information. </div>
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A few fun facts I retained:</div>
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- The Queen has a force of 220 horses. They are used for various guards and events. All of them are immaculately groomed and kept. </div>
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- The horses are militant. They aren't your normal pet riding horses. They bite and kick when they aren't pleased with the rider. The guards aren't exactly friendly either.</div>
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- One rider (on a video) said that during in his first week of training, he was thrown off six times, five times breaking a rib.</div>
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- When guards begin their training, they spend three weeks riding <i>without stirrups</i>.</div>
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- Life guards have stood guard at Horse Guards (the official entrance to Buckingham Palace) since 1660. 1660 people!</div>
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- The guard horses are black or very dark brown. Some spots on the face and feet are acceptable. The grey horses are for the trumpeteers.</div>
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- The horses retire after an average of 18 years of service.</div>
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- There is also a dismounting ceremony in the evening. The guards and horses are inspected and then the horses are taken in for the evening. This ceremony began in 1894 when Queen Victoria found the troops drunk as skunks and gambling away. She instituted a check to take place at 4 o'clock every day for 100 years. When those hundred years were up, the Queen decided to keep doing it. Because tradition people! And a mighty fine one at that!</div>
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Our little Lou loved this so much, and I'm so glad we got to do it so many times. Whenever anyone asks what her favorite thing in London is, she says, "the horses." A funny answer when you think about it, but it truly was a highlight for all of us.</div>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-45296093215813768462015-08-23T16:05:00.001-06:002015-08-23T16:05:14.374-06:00bubbles at trafalgar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We began our trip in a hotel just off of Trafalgar Square (the first week). In Jess' previous visits, he'd really grown to love the area and its proximity to lots of attractions. The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are situated snugly on the square, but it isn't the world renowned art that the girls cared about. No, no. It was the bubbbbles. </div>
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Trafalgar Square always has little street acts trying to earn a little money. Most of them are garbage, but the bubble guys are amazing. I'm fairly certain that if they remember only one thing from this experience in London, the girls will remember THE BUBBLES. </div>
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While we were there it drove us a little crazy. Like WE HAVE BUBBLES IN THE STATES. But as I started pulling photos (and couldn't stop), I realized that we DO NOT have bubbles like this. And really, how magical. I hope they always remember the gigantic bubbles in blowing in Trafalgar Square. I hope this little bit of magic stays with them always.</div>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-53809087405360498452015-08-22T08:39:00.002-06:002015-10-13T22:56:07.432-06:00here we go...<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHKWHWnOt4cTE_GaHlJCPEmeAYqp60WXSW8t-bW-IlcKx_kaxOzmF6zefhyDUZqJXSaq3RB6R0kwXgcLBjC3KW4raxBGSDLiUsQeuRxunjA3rHwmb4ZBgiISmVmCGDWC3P7lr05mg9SGe/s1600/20150812_0733490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHKWHWnOt4cTE_GaHlJCPEmeAYqp60WXSW8t-bW-IlcKx_kaxOzmF6zefhyDUZqJXSaq3RB6R0kwXgcLBjC3KW4raxBGSDLiUsQeuRxunjA3rHwmb4ZBgiISmVmCGDWC3P7lr05mg9SGe/s640/20150812_0733490.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Waiting in Detroit to board our flight to London.</i></span></td></tr>
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When I decided to do this London thing, I decided to go all in. Pregnant and all. I told myself that I would rest when I needed to, but that if I could muster the footsteps, I would get out. Keep in mind, most of my touristing was done alone with the girls so at least I had short legs to keep me from running too fast. Jess accompanied us on a few of our adventures, but he had to work a ton there (boo!) so it was usually just the girls against the world! We became tube experts (Annabelle could actually semi-navigate if it didn't involve more than one tube switch) and I learned to read British maps lickety split. We also had family here and there the first two weeks, which was unbelievably helpful in terms of keeping track of the girls (Lou). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlQp_i3a_tJlGBZKeqLpQ2ogEULQZMSEW26IWHGztgtsPgjJt1L-hEq2MdaKRospAILlyqTkxXfAxP2eEQX8kfVVhYwejkUq5uLG0e1_ZmOZrI4gwwEpPeNCK1OtWOSxiePfyjcxtn4JD/s1600/blog110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlQp_i3a_tJlGBZKeqLpQ2ogEULQZMSEW26IWHGztgtsPgjJt1L-hEq2MdaKRospAILlyqTkxXfAxP2eEQX8kfVVhYwejkUq5uLG0e1_ZmOZrI4gwwEpPeNCK1OtWOSxiePfyjcxtn4JD/s640/blog110.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The girls thought the journey to London was no sweat.<br />Of course, they got to sleep soundly while Grandma and I sat and didn't sleep.<br />Especially me with the getting up and walking and peeing.<br />But we made it! And we weren't at all excited!</i></span></td></tr>
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The following is a fairly complete list of all the London spots I hit up. (The numbers in parenthesis indicate multiple visits.) As I post, I will come back to this list and link back.</div>
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Natural History Museum (2)</div>
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<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2015/08/changing-queens-life-guard.html">Change of Horse Guard</a> (4)</div>
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<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2015/08/changing-queens-life-guard.html">The Household Cavalry Museum</a></div>
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London Science Museum (3)</div>
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Museum of London (2)</div>
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London Transport Museum (4)</div>
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Double Decker Bus Tour </div>
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<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2015/08/bubbles-at-trafalgar.html">Trafalgar Square</a> (lots)<br />
Big Ben</div>
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The National Gallery (2)</div>
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Tower of London - Crown Jewels</div>
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The London Eye</div>
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Imperial War Museum</div>
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Picadilly Circus</div>
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Oxford Street</div>
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Buckingham Palace - Change of Guards (2)</div>
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British Museum</div>
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Royal Airforce Museum</div>
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<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2015/10/charles-dickens-museum.html">Charles Dickens Museum</a> (2)</div>
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The Horse Hospital (walk by)</div>
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Victor & Albert Museum of Childhood</div>
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Wicked (the play)</div>
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<a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2015/10/princess-diana-memorial-playground.html">Princess Diana Memorial Playground - Kensington Gardens</a></div>
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Royal Observatory</div>
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National Maritime Museum</div>
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Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (walk by)</div>
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St. Paul's Cathedral (walk by)</div>
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Golden Hinde II (16th century ship)</div>
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Southwark Cathedral (walk by)</div>
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Bank of England Museum</div>
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Tower Bridge Exhibition</div>
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Lord of the Dance (2)</div>
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London Planetarium</div>
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National Portrait Gallery</div>
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Mudchute Park & Farm</div>
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Museum of London Docklands</div>
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Churchill War Rooms</div>
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Hyde Garden (playground)</div>
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Boroughstreet Market</div>
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Paddington Gardens (playground)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGuNaGjYmK-evFwakpkBxLl6xB-ZUqNPeeYcatBUFx5E5CMDQCqST_xTxnPnynnP5YPyHrhLKzLHxho6do3B0iB4JWc59CsamTGtYpuMdMjXTbw78Tgd8OLt23750wei_KjF0nPQ-rxD_/s1600/20150714_052246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGuNaGjYmK-evFwakpkBxLl6xB-ZUqNPeeYcatBUFx5E5CMDQCqST_xTxnPnynnP5YPyHrhLKzLHxho6do3B0iB4JWc59CsamTGtYpuMdMjXTbw78Tgd8OLt23750wei_KjF0nPQ-rxD_/s640/20150714_052246.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>On the car ride in to London. That daddy was a welcome sight.<br />Lou fell asleep straight away.<br />I swallowed vomit and watched my feet swell.</i></span></td></tr>
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The posts that follow will be somewhat random - I'm just going to post as I can gather photos. They're coming from multiple devices, so it's sort of a treasure hunt. And because this isn't a live record, I might as well just post as I can, ay?</div>
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Alright then, let's give this a go. As they say. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWPi1WiHZDbVYLuHo3rYv1CK4mujoIXcvIdK8Q_pEixCcIUUQpI9ZkJWkj1UuKITUFLanCsZEQhCbQRVEhn0T3MdQ_Ktw4wIwP0fXSp-7COTrWg4WmrTCTR3flQcrx3ngOk_hvafV9v92/s1600/20150714_102146_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWPi1WiHZDbVYLuHo3rYv1CK4mujoIXcvIdK8Q_pEixCcIUUQpI9ZkJWkj1UuKITUFLanCsZEQhCbQRVEhn0T3MdQ_Ktw4wIwP0fXSp-7COTrWg4WmrTCTR3flQcrx3ngOk_hvafV9v92/s640/20150714_102146_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>After getting settled at the hotel (aka Jess took the girls out while Grandma and I slept),<br />we went for a walk over Millenium Bridge. Not a bad view, ay?</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1koswyR8vWZQ4mE9KNfC5PqVFluIaTPfFv5-4u3eyXK6ic2O05rpDdqlJfwO5B6iWEFEZ1FsGZrImKju4jKtbK5dHWXGEBpCqYZquBPOhOOmo9xNL9AIKm7oki79MDwhpmG_v_jVTctj/s1600/20150715_100234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1koswyR8vWZQ4mE9KNfC5PqVFluIaTPfFv5-4u3eyXK6ic2O05rpDdqlJfwO5B6iWEFEZ1FsGZrImKju4jKtbK5dHWXGEBpCqYZquBPOhOOmo9xNL9AIKm7oki79MDwhpmG_v_jVTctj/s640/20150715_100234.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Taken on our first day of touristing. They adjusted incredibly well to the time change.<br />And they were fueled by bribery all the way - this ice cream was a frequent (and tasty) bribe.<br />Fun fact: Just above Lou's ice cream is the LDS church, which is situated in a prime location -<br />right across from the Science Museum and in the middle of the hubub. </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVXlw8ZD402FeLEt6PzY3kr9ZoVcpDl_Xv-lr90V0vtIGVjXbEbaS9kJPtnNUJqLRhvrtGFsBiYVXeXMdYyV9s6tu2BDu6GcQRfaukQN3ZFABuwBHhcqk1Up4JFACHKBXM-PrNR4_5p3X/s1600/20150716_034126%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVXlw8ZD402FeLEt6PzY3kr9ZoVcpDl_Xv-lr90V0vtIGVjXbEbaS9kJPtnNUJqLRhvrtGFsBiYVXeXMdYyV9s6tu2BDu6GcQRfaukQN3ZFABuwBHhcqk1Up4JFACHKBXM-PrNR4_5p3X/s640/20150716_034126%25280%2529.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Fact: The red telephone booths smell like urine. And sometimes other things.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZotkkUnD6BC_wxjUA0Fb8vF3rphtWb-PMyAX5Osifx1SDLKvchr0vqnDC9coOtDY8nbMhMqxuUTAwqpOc1dcxUvGeMuM1rZnIJDIlssJ4VL-zzj1nFc2karaGpKw4cSf5CC_io4Qbg15r/s1600/20150721_095057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZotkkUnD6BC_wxjUA0Fb8vF3rphtWb-PMyAX5Osifx1SDLKvchr0vqnDC9coOtDY8nbMhMqxuUTAwqpOc1dcxUvGeMuM1rZnIJDIlssJ4VL-zzj1nFc2karaGpKw4cSf5CC_io4Qbg15r/s640/20150721_095057.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Standing at a door just their size on the Tower Bridge.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGAWQFr95GCO2s82dRS3adv4qHGofIXwJnRThXsoKMRVP701t4HyEmvAVU3yruJyhtYFRDXEAtZzBNu-HVAyKPofENjFHtGgHLhSOX1ZHjzPWMdH_iHMzfr9sCYUGXt9hPjZZFJnI7aIZ/s1600/20150724_051752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGAWQFr95GCO2s82dRS3adv4qHGofIXwJnRThXsoKMRVP701t4HyEmvAVU3yruJyhtYFRDXEAtZzBNu-HVAyKPofENjFHtGgHLhSOX1ZHjzPWMdH_iHMzfr9sCYUGXt9hPjZZFJnI7aIZ/s640/20150724_051752.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We actually had the best weather there.<br />It only really rained (like raaaaiiin) twice!</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4nua1JgMy3oaNVNsISQtPY08RwEEqhcTcXGlXiAU7Hd6Drpu_KTebGF4FJDcNk3xcUgBKdLTat_QyuQXpeMwk-d5FG3CI38sxKtw4epN7AN5MMT1UwQr1K_AqVnxfEzzvnov8D1orj8Q/s1600/20150726_150147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4nua1JgMy3oaNVNsISQtPY08RwEEqhcTcXGlXiAU7Hd6Drpu_KTebGF4FJDcNk3xcUgBKdLTat_QyuQXpeMwk-d5FG3CI38sxKtw4epN7AN5MMT1UwQr1K_AqVnxfEzzvnov8D1orj8Q/s640/20150726_150147.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Waiting at the King's Cross Station for grandma, the aunties, <br />and one uncle to arrive back from Paris.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7aSDGC8M0z5XeiksmnmHpwGX5E4tXpyoDAkvmJ-2pp_Rzg6MOB40BYZh0PeZ9QZwrucbF2SEOndOKaNAk2ABW1ZtB-JkxsvMsGu_bkq-YMKRAlqVZ00I04xsFpuy9yrxLeL0mwA3EvJA/s640/20150813_141600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our apartment was just around the corner from the beautiful Tower Bridge.<br />This was the sight of our fairly regular night time walk. Ain't she perty?</i></td></tr>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-91531463119064458312015-08-21T09:16:00.005-06:002015-08-21T09:18:29.173-06:00report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG1Z2b4s6u6xXY_CXhaJ3XrSgFck8yb4RmmoJJ5PpDW5_JzJbLvYEd-5fulxCEm82KrM0EwCh_SWaKgBaTOrEOnEo-aSKsEcnyNtnMUh4rkhUNJZUJbLgnoYMnCgTQBb6ArhChA6yFFCC/s1600/8.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG1Z2b4s6u6xXY_CXhaJ3XrSgFck8yb4RmmoJJ5PpDW5_JzJbLvYEd-5fulxCEm82KrM0EwCh_SWaKgBaTOrEOnEo-aSKsEcnyNtnMUh4rkhUNJZUJbLgnoYMnCgTQBb6ArhChA6yFFCC/s640/8.18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm happy to report that first grade is thus far a grand success. Annabelle loves it! Lou and I miss her terribly however. On the first day, Lou called Jess and told him I was boring, and could he come home? When Annabelle finally got home, Lou couldn't stop hugging her. Could. Not. Stop. It was my favorite.</div>
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In other news, I came down with the plague. I mentally willed myself to be healthy while in London. I forced myself to go, go, go. This was a chance of a lifetime and I wasn't going to miss a minute. But the minute we arrived home I started feeling it. And I now have one of those brutal pregnant colds that goes on for days and makes one question their ability to function on basic levels. Lou caught the bug too so we've done really good at laying around and blowing our noses for a few days.</div>
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London is still coming. I promise. But for now, I'm napping. And I leave you with this little snap. </div>
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Because the girls are exactly two years apart, they usually get to go to their annual check up together. I snuck some pictures while they waited for the doc, Annabelle reading to tired, sick Lou. I really just love them. They take such good care of each other. And me.</div>
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So stand by. London's coming. As soon as I can focus on something beyond blowing my nose.</div>
Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-39565158346756236282015-08-19T11:05:00.001-06:002015-08-19T15:32:05.638-06:00but first!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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But first - first grade! Is this really happening?</div>
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Our little kindergartner isn't so little. She's getting long and tall and looks old and wise. And all of the sudden first grade has snuck up on us. </div>
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I can say with happiness that we haven't been dreading this transition like we did kindergarten. Don't get me wrong, Jess and I have been nervous for her for weeks (this French dual immersion program is no joke), but she has no idea, and she's sooooo excited to go back to school and see her friends and have TWO RECESSES and eat LUNCH AT SCHOOL and get to have two teachers and and and. I can see she has a bit of the nerves creeping in, but for the most part, she feels so brave and excited, and I'm so proud. When I dropped her off this morning, not a tear was shed - such a marked difference from last year!</div>
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I think London helped her with that. London pushed every one of us to our limits and forced us to be brave. It really helped the girls to be aware of people and their surroundings. To say please, excuse me, and no thank you. To stand their ground in difficult situations (with children). She also observed many cultures and languages interacting constantly, which I hope will help her in her French class (the teacher doesn't speak English). I think London also gave Annabelle the chance to just let it go (like Elsa) and really be ready for this next big transition.</div>
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And so it was with much less tears than last year that I sent my baby off into the big world today. But it is with just as many hopes, fears, and prayers for her. </div>
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May first grade challenge and teach you, but may it also fill your head with happy first grade dreams. And may home always be your safe place. Good luck my baby. You're in my heart, always.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17HMVUKqJQw3ySziuKDDlek10Wxujbs78CpsDGn5WACTq9BYqJ0JuUvxy9x5xJBv_Zbpwb8faH9EgWvtVVxJrsgr1sywHwGxZliKyg9rBq-LtkbAFD-HOg9VigCCdq2C5QWgn-i9Z1fa4/s1600/first+grade5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17HMVUKqJQw3ySziuKDDlek10Wxujbs78CpsDGn5WACTq9BYqJ0JuUvxy9x5xJBv_Zbpwb8faH9EgWvtVVxJrsgr1sywHwGxZliKyg9rBq-LtkbAFD-HOg9VigCCdq2C5QWgn-i9Z1fa4/s640/first+grade5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kindergarten <a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2014/08/kindergarten-kid.html">here</a>.</div>
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Preschool <a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2013/09/growing-pains.html">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06CrHFz_5zvMMfyUKCJp1dXoCuE6-GrfAWR2qxgFOJEgeU4CWdfY13HCNoforrsbQQcfmfhsELLOu_Nxf5insmNQasSWHZhrF_vSuXd48VU3HlINll6Y7rB5PKXWZlHhua0y4n5Iu3SI5/s1600/first+grade8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06CrHFz_5zvMMfyUKCJp1dXoCuE6-GrfAWR2qxgFOJEgeU4CWdfY13HCNoforrsbQQcfmfhsELLOu_Nxf5insmNQasSWHZhrF_vSuXd48VU3HlINll6Y7rB5PKXWZlHhua0y4n5Iu3SI5/s640/first+grade8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-55598652577534125022015-08-18T08:33:00.002-06:002015-08-18T08:33:44.004-06:00adventure<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUdQwrksILZhkTTD5WywWExvPABFmRm-ykvSs1lffAro0ZO6veQvNYz3nQLZxCXveT0BUEkKl87dxrIhwJr3sM5Mg-JOdwBr3_wQNpNrOiWLnMdKjqVHujF5O3HjOMDtDOmnwasIbM9Od/s1600/20150806_054817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUdQwrksILZhkTTD5WywWExvPABFmRm-ykvSs1lffAro0ZO6veQvNYz3nQLZxCXveT0BUEkKl87dxrIhwJr3sM5Mg-JOdwBr3_wQNpNrOiWLnMdKjqVHujF5O3HjOMDtDOmnwasIbM9Od/s640/20150806_054817.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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So whoa. Where in the world have I been? Let me explain.</div>
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A few months ago, I was driving one of the girls to tumbling lessons when Jess called. </div>
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"So. They might need to send me to London again."</div>
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"Lucky dog..."</div>
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"For a month." </div>
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"Well. Um." </div>
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"I won't go for a month without you and the girls - would you be up for going to London, pregnant, for a month?" </div>
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"Well. Um."</div>
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And then the idea sort of dissipated - work got busy. Other things crept in to take his time, and I thought we were in the clear. But then all of the sudden, the London issues blew up. Like a bomb. And he was there within 48 hours. He returned ten days later to sign passports for the girls and repack. Because he was going back. For a month.</div>
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And so were we. All four (well five) of us. </div>
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Let the party begin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUNbVMTCnaXES9DY6Vs02SpX485eYXQ_AjFDUkPxAvsp1t8MZ_Tyh0vzR6paTNjjPbxXDY4KOIl_QZit-sSJEv4rl6gdYEwX-STK-70JU88u3NiGshjzcb6eU8_cGQXGTeyJIkWEG9zhz/s1600/20150719_134356%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUNbVMTCnaXES9DY6Vs02SpX485eYXQ_AjFDUkPxAvsp1t8MZ_Tyh0vzR6paTNjjPbxXDY4KOIl_QZit-sSJEv4rl6gdYEwX-STK-70JU88u3NiGshjzcb6eU8_cGQXGTeyJIkWEG9zhz/s640/20150719_134356%25280%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>When we lived in Tokyo and Hong Kong, I blogged live. Now that the Internet world has closed in on us, I didn't feel very comfortable announcing to the world that we weren't home, no matter how small the world that reads this is. But I wrote posts while I was there. I'm uploading and sorting through photos, and they're coming. So much is coming. :)</i></div>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-3867667041089574172015-07-20T10:44:00.000-06:002015-07-22T03:45:42.913-06:00four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IIoZSrjiYrGOoqwd-53TpvZCrKoA6HTeV8eHCZq8kIacl5g64g0MaWATgoeGBg0fh4MuOdRlOWcB-0p2Bvtf_aTcgHyJ_xHY6bm_a75nVWJp1TCuqYEnA7wVvu0jLUHSGVpy5mHUdCWx/s1600/lou3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IIoZSrjiYrGOoqwd-53TpvZCrKoA6HTeV8eHCZq8kIacl5g64g0MaWATgoeGBg0fh4MuOdRlOWcB-0p2Bvtf_aTcgHyJ_xHY6bm_a75nVWJp1TCuqYEnA7wVvu0jLUHSGVpy5mHUdCWx/s640/lou3-1.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Lydia Lou:</div>
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My goodness. And it's happened again. We've let another year pass us by so quickly. And this year it seems that you've left any remaining parts of your babyhood behind. You are our big girl now, and you are ever so proud that you're "foe" now. You've waited so long to be "foe"! </div>
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My Lou, you are the heart and soul of this family. Your joy is a tangible force for good, and it is amazing what a deep belly laugh from you can do. From the day you started smiling you've been that force - all the joy in the world in just a tiny body. I'm so very grateful for you my squinty eyed smiley girl. You've been my baby for so long, and for that I am also so grateful. Thank you for loving me and for teaching me so very much. I'm so very proud to be a part of your life and so lucky to be your mommy. </div>
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Happy birthday my baby. (For just a few more months!)</div>
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All my love,</div>
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Mommy</div>
Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-88817457875780220822015-07-02T09:38:00.000-06:002015-07-03T09:38:25.687-06:00six<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFPPrY6TQJtTQHPsrrFBisbzHeStZ-rzURkpF50iDojAkAD6SXmd_z_YEQ2CMFrBfmKlSXi8cAs1BSOIkuysLSo5-uffHWuW0L0TyS5BeNvBs5iJQTLqdR0mc7u_5ZhF3xl7nO9tQOruw/s1600/_MG_9629+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFPPrY6TQJtTQHPsrrFBisbzHeStZ-rzURkpF50iDojAkAD6SXmd_z_YEQ2CMFrBfmKlSXi8cAs1BSOIkuysLSo5-uffHWuW0L0TyS5BeNvBs5iJQTLqdR0mc7u_5ZhF3xl7nO9tQOruw/s640/_MG_9629+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Annabelle:</div>
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Six years ago, two dark eyes like chocolate and as old as the sea stared back into mine. Six years ago, everything in our world changed for the better. Your entrance into this world marked a better world for me and your daddy - being a part of your world has changed us. </div>
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You are a remarkable little six year old, not so much little so much as you are tall and grown up - both in spirit and stature. Your heart continues to propel you forward in this world that sometimes makes so little sense. Your heart is such a good one - you are a kind soul, always trying to be good, always thoughtful. </div>
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This year has been such a big year for you - so much growing up and learning, sometimes painful and sometimes exciting, but always you do it so beautifully. I'm so very proud of the little lady that you are. And most of all, I'm so grateful for the friend that you are to me. Happy birthday to the best six year old I know.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mommy</div>
Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-13913402417137266932015-06-24T22:22:00.004-06:002015-06-24T22:23:08.936-06:00it's been said<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif;">I've been storing these up for quite some time. And I'm throwing in some more random photos from the past few months as well. Get excited. Ready. Set. Go.</span><br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7lI5tWgj0qe9k5BsmMjLcsm8v37kaHFU7GSTZCy93DGq5UqdfIWfM39AfEXP6SAk24PgSilR7945-EqIR7cWGjfiv5vqGchoHqTLBm2y56P3NRkSl3xmPah1NHEKE7Z6pa_XR9YW1gV9/s1600/20150422_182901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7lI5tWgj0qe9k5BsmMjLcsm8v37kaHFU7GSTZCy93DGq5UqdfIWfM39AfEXP6SAk24PgSilR7945-EqIR7cWGjfiv5vqGchoHqTLBm2y56P3NRkSl3xmPah1NHEKE7Z6pa_XR9YW1gV9/s640/20150422_182901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The dollhouse had moved upstairs during the Christmas season<br />(to make room for Christmasy things). When I brought it<br />back down, it was like a brand new toy all over again.</i></span></td></tr>
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<i>{just after Annabelle wakes up}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle, stretching: Yes!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: Did you have a good dream?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle, grinning: Yes. Carson was in it. <i>{grins some more}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{Carson is a little friend of the boy sort she made in Hawaii.}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{Jess starts doing the dishes}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: What are you doing?!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Jess: Doing the dishes...</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: Why? You never do the dishes!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{VINDICATION}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: This costume ouches me!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
or</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Stop doing my hair! It's ouching me! STOP IT!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{during family night, with the assistance of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ites-Illustrated-Guide-People-Mormon/dp/1609079388">this book</a>, highly recommend}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: And who were the older brothers?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: Laman and Lemuel!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: You mean dem cranky babies?!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3odtnnXzuPMKzcChP6EllBu9Krc6Vw3ukDSfCrPCJqDuKa_01sLV30r9nQnWEPCLQc_RoC-LOCFA64WWUf3_e3D-ffIZ7vkHNTG3t4VR65iPtokJG3EN-PtrrSn0T_GFwCz8VUM6WYWc7/s1600/20150412_155915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3odtnnXzuPMKzcChP6EllBu9Krc6Vw3ukDSfCrPCJqDuKa_01sLV30r9nQnWEPCLQc_RoC-LOCFA64WWUf3_e3D-ffIZ7vkHNTG3t4VR65iPtokJG3EN-PtrrSn0T_GFwCz8VUM6WYWc7/s640/20150412_155915.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Just doing some sudoku. Seriously.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<div class="gmail_default">
___________________________________________</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: Boys are different than girls. Girls do dishes and boys don't.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{TRUTH}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: I'm so tired! I'm more tireder than a big ox!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: row-teen = routine (in tumbling)</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{after Lou gets half her mouth numbed for two cavities}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Mom. I hungry.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: How about some yogurt?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: How about a cupcake.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: You can't really chew...I think a yog...</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Mom! I can handle it!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{really?}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{by the way, I went home and ate Cheetos directly after having </i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>my wisdom teeth extracted...it's possible her stubborn streak comes from me...}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: I smell a good sound.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{she's advanced - don't hate}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{after getting a new car seat}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: When can we go in the car so I can be in my new car seat again?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXK7WRiKXelzFrSg5IxsFLTNPq7Im5pm4gnFrF3_MANSQDeczNpxr5My9vmKoKYPEDOp9u8KbgHUy0_JGFWTQ-hkp2GHRdB35eTCDhSrcTJOZOSCtkpFMfsNCFQ-vGd-5V0PLDKAWX0YtW/s1600/20150413_144749%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXK7WRiKXelzFrSg5IxsFLTNPq7Im5pm4gnFrF3_MANSQDeczNpxr5My9vmKoKYPEDOp9u8KbgHUy0_JGFWTQ-hkp2GHRdB35eTCDhSrcTJOZOSCtkpFMfsNCFQ-vGd-5V0PLDKAWX0YtW/s640/20150413_144749%25280%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Pretty sure she needs glasses. Too cute.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<div class="gmail_default">
___________________________________________</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Where's my black bag?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: What black bag?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: That black bag that has all my crap in it...</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{describing a scene Big Hero 6}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: And den the guy say, "You take everything from me! I take everything from you!"</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: Do you think it made him feel better to be mean and yell?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou {thinks for a few seconds}: Mom. They just needed to share their feelings, huh.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{while watching Annabelle's tumbling class, with a dozen parents </i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>in earshot, in a particularly quiet moment, and totally out of the blue}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Mom? I'm giving up on you.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{awesome}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{Jess had been busy cleaning his side of the room for a few days. </i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>Belle walked in looking for something...}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: Daddy, where are the special papers I draw for you...{looks around} </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Daddy! Wow! You're learning how to clean!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{I'm. Still. Laughing.}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{in the car, after a road trip}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: Mom, I see Daddy's book between your seat!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: What book?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: You know, his diabolical one!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{sudoku - and we'd been complaining about a particularly bad diabolical one, hahahaha}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-61zHd2yuoDVPilJTMIjCxXshbxiOqbuQ4I6ywLlokbpJ_2g8OYrhT3KZfWDqdxZo_M-ffqYpI7hDXlQmg3WgPyxDvp2juf6CzUlYFoFZHBCjD3tczaVs5JAqp1uWJ7Piqxed5N4JkDgI/s1600/20150401_084442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-61zHd2yuoDVPilJTMIjCxXshbxiOqbuQ4I6ywLlokbpJ_2g8OYrhT3KZfWDqdxZo_M-ffqYpI7hDXlQmg3WgPyxDvp2juf6CzUlYFoFZHBCjD3tczaVs5JAqp1uWJ7Piqxed5N4JkDgI/s640/20150401_084442.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>On her first field trip to the zoo. Her first bus ride ever. Not at all excited.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<div class="gmail_default">
___________________________________________</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: If you can't clean up these toys, I'll put them in a bag and hide them for a week.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Well...I'll just sneak them out.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{Lou wakes me up from a first trimester nap}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Mom! You need to wake up! We don't have a mommy or a daddy!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me: Hey Lou, who do you love?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lou: Ugh! I tired of you asking me dat! I not love anybody!</div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: Oh, that's super sad. You don't love anyone?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Ugggghhh. Fine. I love dad. But dat is all I love.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{after bonking}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: I need to put a bandaid on my soul.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{whilst staring at my dying basil plant}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Annabelle: Mom, that's not looking very good. Are you watering it at all?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{ohmygosh she's her father}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmheqgo9o9RSC2Lf9BlsvbTYyiw3r6ZBYyAoxnApt1NbjV2ODXO0uMRF7Kufe5nCXZBs2QFiqc4HdrhvKXZcCuU-KqceFEPLdCqf9cKnZ5bcr4D4FFCO1OiXiOdB3brCT7f2w8lf27FSGe/s1600/20150322_154157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmheqgo9o9RSC2Lf9BlsvbTYyiw3r6ZBYyAoxnApt1NbjV2ODXO0uMRF7Kufe5nCXZBs2QFiqc4HdrhvKXZcCuU-KqceFEPLdCqf9cKnZ5bcr4D4FFCO1OiXiOdB3brCT7f2w8lf27FSGe/s640/20150322_154157.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It's like there's a tiny bit of baby holding on it that sleeping face.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="gmail_default" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
___________________________________________</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{during dinner, which is particularly difficult for her to sit through}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: I really wanna dance. So I am.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{stands up and starts dancing around the kitchen}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: I gotta go poop! <i>{goes running}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Good luck sugar cake!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{while walking into church}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Lou: Wait Daddy! I wanna be attached to you!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<i>{she wanted to hold his hand}</i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: Mom, is "stupid" the S word?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Me: I wish.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
+</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
Belle: Hey Mom, remember Dad's old phone? It was a floppy phone.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT34Aj7qavLcy1NQjJIksqlZsevkzfQ_TTUi4ml-T5BqhaBevH4YrJVKkfZ-yDumtuRA93jJiv7bhxJY-zGz98PzHp4QGmVEleeJGypPAs6HevqxNzAp04VpFxjZCrvuUwGsENmCOwnFZ/s1600/20150413_194021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT34Aj7qavLcy1NQjJIksqlZsevkzfQ_TTUi4ml-T5BqhaBevH4YrJVKkfZ-yDumtuRA93jJiv7bhxJY-zGz98PzHp4QGmVEleeJGypPAs6HevqxNzAp04VpFxjZCrvuUwGsENmCOwnFZ/s640/20150413_194021.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>{after dressing herself in an all pink ensemble, above}</i></div>
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Belle: Like my outfit? You can get it at pink dot com.</div>
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Belle: I think I want some chicken pon pon.</div>
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Me: But you didn't eat any last night? Are you sure?</div>
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Belle: Well, I was sick last night so maybe I wasn't hungry.</div>
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Me: Okay, I'll get you a few pieces to try.</div>
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Belle: I think it's because last night I was...so drunk.</div>
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<i>{I literally spewed what I was drinking.}</i></div>
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Belle: I want to do a craft Mom. Can I go on the computer and type in C-R-A-F-T? </div>
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Will the computer know what I'm talking about?</div>
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Me, to Jess: So if you go to Wheeler Farm at 5 p.m., you can milk the cows.</div>
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Belle: Gross! I am not touching those gutters!</div>
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<i>{in Yellowstone}</i></div>
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Lou: Look at the water fottle! </div>
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<i>{water fall, but combined with water bottle I would guess}</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTe5R1ivDrFtUIXgLGW9zg-mLPkGq2yvy6665mzYwt7SCblfREkmFy0gpAPiL5htnjRu1BkzQC5l0eNnXD6-zNNW8ph_BKSRal0ghsxqFUraT8TFV1VRoF-e3Ub9rzwOpPUoqmVzpb7OM/s1600/20150418_085056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTe5R1ivDrFtUIXgLGW9zg-mLPkGq2yvy6665mzYwt7SCblfREkmFy0gpAPiL5htnjRu1BkzQC5l0eNnXD6-zNNW8ph_BKSRal0ghsxqFUraT8TFV1VRoF-e3Ub9rzwOpPUoqmVzpb7OM/s640/20150418_085056.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Snapped just as she was waking up. Pretty girl.</i></span></td></tr>
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Me: What's your favorite thing about Yellowstone?</div>
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Lou: Bison!</div>
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Belle: The hotel!</div>
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Me: Let's go see a geyser!</div>
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Belle: No thanks. I'll just stay here and color.</div>
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<i>{and she legitimately would have}</i></div>
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<i>{just after waking up one morning in Yellowstone}</i></div>
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Lou: You know what's a good idea? This is a good idea.</div>
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Belle: What?</div>
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Lou, whispering: PIZZA!</div>
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<i>{when is pizza not a good idea?}</i></div>
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<i>{during her class at church, during which we were discussing feelings}</i></div>
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Me: Lou, have you ever felt scared? What scares you?</div>
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Lou, solemnly: When I see ghosts.</div>
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<i>{seriously child?}</i></div>
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<i>{after playing play dough - Lou starts cleaning up and Belle runs away}</i></div>
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Me: Thanks for cleaning up Lou!</div>
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Belle, from another room: Sorry! Well...maybe I'm not!</div>
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<i>{but at least you're honest!}</i></div>
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Belle: I want a tiny pig for a pet! But when it gets big, we can just give it back...or delete it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe1siEPWXf_lfk5f6kCNdxERLdYa_QqBL8cbvy5g42Oh_f4s2RKHc8VZ2wGSF1fBD82RVdGq6QC985Y42eEadObZ1Ivt0I0EimgHHY6j3sIJpwTPqRCdNh8DDipW8u2Ya3aKhttcubKgt/s1600/20150415_165610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe1siEPWXf_lfk5f6kCNdxERLdYa_QqBL8cbvy5g42Oh_f4s2RKHc8VZ2wGSF1fBD82RVdGq6QC985Y42eEadObZ1Ivt0I0EimgHHY6j3sIJpwTPqRCdNh8DDipW8u2Ya3aKhttcubKgt/s640/20150415_165610.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>She was so proud that she did this by herself. Belly upside down.<br />Arms and legs swapped. You better believe I saved it.</i></span></td></tr>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-2899893140044366752015-06-15T21:07:00.002-06:002015-06-15T21:11:11.144-06:00half baked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LWruQlFvm6W-Rt8HTynI6sVMP68gkdvJjIctifzA6zHe26XvBSuZYzTNx82W6BT9m8-kzcGMxUvLLWA3pEwYvwnz-5dky8D6_1gYaGvk3kpc_vNYzh5fV0z7V2gCXHLVdPIICGTZxEIu/s1600/baby+cheney+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LWruQlFvm6W-Rt8HTynI6sVMP68gkdvJjIctifzA6zHe26XvBSuZYzTNx82W6BT9m8-kzcGMxUvLLWA3pEwYvwnz-5dky8D6_1gYaGvk3kpc_vNYzh5fV0z7V2gCXHLVdPIICGTZxEIu/s640/baby+cheney+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was a barely four weeks pregnant. I was so early pregnant that most people in my shoes wouldn't have even bothered to take a test yet. But I had a feeling. The whole month, I knew. And so even though I was a few days early, I took the test. There it was. That + I'd waited for for two years. Barely four weeks pregnant. A poppyseed, the Google told me. That was the size of our baby.</div>
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Lou had a dentist appointment a few days later, and for some reason I thought to ask. I had to talk in code because Annabelle will pick up on any conversation nowadays. "So, if I'm like super early...with child...is the laughing gas a problem for me?" They said that it could be, and to be safe, I should probably leave the room. </div>
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My heart got panicky and I looked at the girls in turn, mentally calculating how to make this work. This was Lou's second visit, and the first one hadn't gone well - she raged and fought and it was almost comical. But at the moment, she was super calm on her kid cocktail drug, so I told her I'd be right back and began to silently pray that this visit would go better than the last. Then Annabelle piped up, "Mom, I'll stay here." My eyes stung. I told her that would be wonderful, and would she sit right here by Lou and hold her hand? "Sure Mom."</div>
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I sat outside of the room, down the hall, listening, sending text messages to Jess in California, telling him to pray for our babies taking on the world one cavity at a time - alone - fighting tears and praying that Lou wouldn't come undone. As I sat and I listened, I didn't hear anything but giggles and the dentist's sing songy "Sweetheart don't move your tongue" and "Silly sister!" and "What is that Gru doing?!" and so on. And then Belle came bounding out - "It's done! You can come in Mom." They hadn't had to numb her, and our dentist is a master of speed and fillings, so it took all of seven minutes. Basically it was a miracle.</div>
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I think it was in that moment where I<i> had</i> to let go of my babies, let them be big, for the sake of another whose heart hadn't even started beating yet, but whom I believed in with all <i>my </i>heart, that I knew adding one more to this already perfect unit of four was going to be okay. Already they were making room for the sibling they didn't even know had started it's way earthward. Already they were taking care of each other while Mommy took care of the baby.</div>
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And now this poppyseed of mine is kicking and fluttering and the miracle of it all is sometimes overwhelming. God's timing is maybe the most magical thing I've ever been a part of. It's brutal. It's so hard to be human and not understand. But I know that it's real and that God's hand in our lives is more present than we can possibly imagine. And that his plan is not only a good one but the <i>best</i> one. I waited for this baby much longer than I anticipated; but even now, I can see that this baby is coming <i>exactly</i> when we needed it to. And although it's not what I planned at all, it seems to be pretty perfect.</div>
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P.S. We had our twenty week ultrasound today. We took the big sisters - Annabelle was able to pick out body parts and squeal at the cute baby and Lou basically made noise and touched all the things she wasn't supposed to touch. So all in all, a success.<br />
P.P.S. As with the girls, this baby's gender will remain unknown until it makes its official entrance. </div>
Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-30998344437609483712015-06-04T22:51:00.002-06:002015-06-04T22:51:40.498-06:00kindergarten complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt7cKeZ3hOKKCRmX-TGcHByE-IskyAqH8tNgEeqKLWWCKKBn5FtTOHWwpS7IrVw1HzvIbN1wgIWBS9VjnWR75SbFYzhvNFc_ftoAgdWlQRpTwKw_tRdv3kRMlKpBM6atVfya0POrCzx0q/s1600/20150604_081455%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt7cKeZ3hOKKCRmX-TGcHByE-IskyAqH8tNgEeqKLWWCKKBn5FtTOHWwpS7IrVw1HzvIbN1wgIWBS9VjnWR75SbFYzhvNFc_ftoAgdWlQRpTwKw_tRdv3kRMlKpBM6atVfya0POrCzx0q/s640/20150604_081455%25280%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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You may remember that we all thought kindergarten was sort of the pits <a href="http://meandtheredhead.blogspot.com/2014/08/kindergarten-kid.html">in the beginning</a>. It was the beginning of the end. The end of an era of babies at home, safe from mean kids and naughty words. I really wasn't excited <i>at all</i> for it. </div>
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But I've spent the better part of the last week trying to <i>not</i> cry about the fact that it's over. (Truth: I've cried about it. Thank you pregnant hormones.) We got really really lucky this year, and Annabelle had not only the most wonderful kindergarten teacher in the world (Mrs. Heldt), but her classmates turned out to be pretty great too. Academically she soared, but more important to me, she learned about herself - how to navigate sticky social situations, how to remember that at the end of the day, you go home, and you're safe there. She made friends, she learned to speak up. She had parties and field trips. She had to say sorry and make things right. She made projects upon projects, spending most of her free work time at the art station (sometimes she veered to the math or reading station). She had the <i>best</i> year. When she went to bed tonight, she could barely make it through her prayer before the tears started squeaking their way out. She asked as she sobbed why she couldn't keep going to school. "If Daddy gets to go to work every day and forever, why can't I go to school every day and forever?" </div>
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Next year, Annabelle will be doing a dual immersion program. For half the day she'll spend her time in a regular first grade class. For the other half, she'll spend it with a French-speaking only teacher. It will be a huge adjustment - full day school, plus half the day in a language she doesn't (yet!) understand. But after this lovely year we've had, I just have to believe it will all work out. I'm sure I'll cry when she starts first grade too, and I'm sure she'll cry for the first week(s) of first grade. But then I'm also quite sure that we'll all cry when it's over, just like we are now.</div>
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Watching my babies grow up is the most perfect combination of pride and pain. How grateful I am that this first year of growing was so perfectly lovely. Kindergarten, thank you. You weren't half that bad, after all.</div>
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And now for some side by sides. The left photo is the first day of school, the right is the last. Some of my favorite things of note:</div>
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1. Her hair is darker and shorter.</div>
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2. Her smile is bigger and brighter (her dark teeth turned white again, phew).</div>
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3. Her backpack is so well-loved - scuffed a bit, zipper broken. She really wants to use it for first grade too.</div>
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4. She and that sister are just as goofy as they were all those months ago. I'm so glad. :)</div>
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5. And her eyes are still squinty and smiley. I love those squinty smiley eyes on my girls.</div>
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Congratulations baby. You did it.</div>
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Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173375477951908141.post-85416658924428401022015-06-01T17:23:00.001-06:002015-06-01T21:41:22.595-06:00random<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small;">
Tap, tap. Is this thing on?</div>
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I really wasn't kidding when I said I'd rather nap than almost anything. So I take care of the things that I'm required to (keeping children alive, work, laundry - sort of), and then I take a nap. Oh I love naps.</div>
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But I still have so many things that remain undocumented, things I REALLY want documented. So let's do this thing. Just ignore that most of these are SO OLD. And none of them are in any sort of order. Alright then. Onward we go.</div>
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Annabelle had her hair <i>chopped</i> off. Per <i>her </i>request. I was a little nervous that she'd freak out when she saw the result of her decision, but good news - she loves it. I do too. Although she looks like an old grandma now. I'm really not into this growing up thing.</div>
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We went to the dentist for check ups and then for cavities to be filled (Belle had two, Lou had three - we're awesome). Look at Lou with the laughing gas. She was SO funny. But then she wasn't. Poor Lou. She was so ticked about her numb mouth, and she refused with the fervor of only a Lydia Lou to put the cotton thing in her mouth. So I had perhaps a moment of genius - I rolled up bread and put it in her mouth. That's right. You're welcome for that Pinterest worthy gem.</div>
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Annabelle chose one of those <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=popper+toy&rlz=1C1BXPB_enUS510US510&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=zuhsVZukNoqusAWY-oKgDw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1920&bih=979#imgrc=T_YVMOX5H5uhpM%253A%3BPv9_LZVrBofTPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.toydepot.com%252Fschool-supplies%252Fgraphics%252F00000001%252F1154.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.toydepot.com%252Fschool-supplies%252Fcategory%252Flow-cost-toys.php%3B430%3B318">popper toy things</a> we used to play with from the dentist's treasure chest. She thought it was hilarious that it would suction to her head. She didn't find it as amusing when she looked in the mirror and saw that she'd totally destroyed her forehead. She looked like an abused child. She was mortified. (So was I. But send her to school I did. CDC never did show up...)</div>
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Annabelle won herself a Bobcat Award at school. Each grade has a different list of age-appropriate requirements to check off (e.g., for Belle - all the sounds of the alphabet, her address, how to tie a shoe, etc.). Every year you complete the requirements, you get a special medal and the PTA lets you choose a book. In this child's case, I'm not sure which was better - the medal or the book.</div>
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Also, that's the Butler Bobcat. Not some prehistoric cat creature from the depths of the ocean. What the.</div>
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Grammy has the most epic treasures in her basement. Time stands still there. Including the MUSICAL Mickey Mouse sweatshirt from the seventies that STILL SINGS. Even after I accidentally washed it. Please note - she wore that sweatshirt for a week straight. </div>
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So my mom write books. Don't you? Anyhow, she gave the girls a little children's book she wrote and illustrated a few years ago for Christmas. And one day after reading my mom's book, Annabelle wanted to know why SHE couldn't write and illustrate a book. And although I am not so crafty with actual scissors and tape and such, if it involves a computer, I can make it happen. We sat down together and she told me what she wanted each page of her book to say. Then I made her a list of illustrations I needed. I uploaded all of her illustrations and made a (cheap) photo book at Walmart.com. It turned out mighty cute, and she was mighty proud. :)</div>
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So this happened. And when I brought Lou up to talk about it, she said, "But Mom. It's a really good L-O-U!" When she's right, she's right. </div>
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Plant time! We planted in early spring, meaning big tubs of plants lived in my kitchen until it got warm enough for them to go outside. We're hoping for peppers, tomatoes (two varieties), sweet peas, and strawberries this year.</div>
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We took the girls to the Utah Symphony's production of Peter and the Wolf. Before the performance began, they were letting the kids try out a myriad of instruments. I carefully steered my kids toward the not spitting instruments. Sanitizer can only do so much, amiright? I chose well - look at those babies. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself here but #musicalprodigies.</div>
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Just your every day Lou get up.</div>
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And let's go all the way back to snow. During the winter, Jess promised the girls that "next time" it snowed, they'd make a snowman. Well it never snowed again. So when we got that freak snow storm in the spring, the second he got home from work, they ran outside to build that snowman! </div>
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Of course, it melted quickly. But don't you worry - Belle filled the part just fine. And then she made a tiny squatty guy out of the leftovers that I'm pretty sure is the cutest snowman in the history of ever.</div>
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And we'll end with this. (Not that I'm out of photos.) These dresses were contenders for my mom's wedding, but we found more tealy options. But still. These sisters. Sisters are just my favorite.</div>
Shauntelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13831819875851690718noreply@blogger.com2