tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31576922465341268732024-03-23T02:19:49.156-07:00You had me from HelloMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-91684999775740182762014-05-23T09:57:00.002-07:002014-05-23T09:57:32.231-07:00Memorial Day isn't a drunk-fest of happinessMemorial Day weekend is not a time for celebration in our house. Too many friends killed in combat and training for that. <a href="http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2014/05/when-every-day-is-memorial-day.html?ESRC=spbuzz.sm" style="color: red; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">This article </a>sums my feelings up nicely.<br />
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-6930122197824849742014-05-08T17:01:00.002-07:002014-05-08T17:01:45.942-07:0017 months oldOur little bunny is 17 months!<br />
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She's still a peanut, at 20 pounds and 29.5 inches.</div>
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Has 8 teeth and is constantly gnawing on her hands, so more must be on their way.</div>
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Says lots of words, but mostly only the 1st syllable. Says car, mama (FINALLY), dada, dog, thank you, please (pees), shower (shou), teeth (teeeeee), food (fffffff), brother (bra (for Mackie)), banana (nana), sit, jump, eye, nose, ear...etc.</div>
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Knows what noises some animals/items make. A lot of animals say 'rawr' ;)</div>
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Knows the basic body parts, and now we are working on things like elbow, fingers, and forehead.</div>
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Has zero idea about shapes and colors, but can count to three.</div>
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Has become a very picky eater. Her food groups include all fruit, greek yogurt, cheese, hummus, frozen peas, Bunny Grahams, and tamales. We have stopped giving her pouches and she only drinks water or breast milk.</div>
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Yup, still nursing. 2-3 times a day (bedtime, morning, and if she wakes up in the middle of the night and WILL NOT fall back asleep. Thankfully that only happens a few times a week).</div>
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She loves books, eating crayons, going to the park, following the "big kids" around, Mackie, and pulling out every toy she owns.</div>
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Has started climbing on everything and has zero fear, despite some impressive (scary) falls.</div>
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Gives older toddler hugs at the park, but doesn't like the kids that are smaller than her.</div>
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Not really into arts and crafts yet (see: 'eats crayons').<br />
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Tantrums have started this month, but are thankfully short-lived. Depending on the cause I either: ignore, give cuddles while talking about what happened (aka she trips and gets angry she fell), or remove her from the situation (while telling her she isn't behaving appropriately) and put her into a corner for timeout. Timeout can-and do-occur anywhere (Target being the most recent). She knows she can come out of time out when she is calm and is ready to say sorry, which right now is a big tear-filled hug.<br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-75289446631957347952014-04-28T11:47:00.003-07:002014-04-28T11:47:48.844-07:00We're alive!Here's a month-by-month rundown of our lives these past 5 months!<br />
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December: E turned 1! Her party was so cute and she was terrified of the cake smash.<br />
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January: E started walking on the 21st.<br />
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February: I had a 3 week stint as a nanny. It didn't work out and I had to quit (sad). We all 3 got the stomach flu, and then I got the regular flu a week after that. I also stopped being a doormat to some family members. We went on a family vacation with B's whole family (Colorado) and his little brother got engaged.<br />
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March: Started a serious house hunt (FINALLY). Had the biggest medical scare of my life. Got pneumonia and had a chest x-ray done. The doctor saw a mass and said I need to see my regular doctor. He also saw something. Went in for a CT and it came back clear-it's probably just scar tissue (from what, they have no idea). Longest 5 days of my life. Went to Chicago to visit my family and friends (two of my bffs hadn't met E yet). My bff from California came to visit.<br />
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April: Still house hunting. Put in 5 offers between March and April. Was played by the realtor of our dream home. Found a for sale by owner and IT is our dream home (starter dream, not forever dream). Put an offer in this morning. Rnd a 5k in 34 minutes. Well, it was 3.4 miles, not 3.1. So still a 10min/mile, without walking, which was great for me!<br />
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House hunting has sucked, but being in a tiny apartment with a baby and lab for 6 months has been even worse. Praying our apartment time will be over in 30 days.<br />
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Honesty---> We have been trying to get pregnant since December. That's been really really depressing. God has a plan though and there's no changing that!<br />
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I've been super busy writing for <a href="http://www.mamasaywhat.com/" target="_blank">MSW</a>, but I've missed writing about our lives, too. I miss California (our church, the beach, friends, and food) and the Marines like CRAZY. I keep having to remind myself that that chapter is over. Maybe once a week I'll be sad about it all, but that's <i>much</i> better than I was a few months ago. I've been making friends and have started up with Stroller Strides again (yay!!). This has been a difficult season, but it looks like Spring is near and I'm <b>very</b> thankful for that!!<br />
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E updates: Still a peanut (20 pounds and 29 inches at 16 months old). A climbing, running, talking, fearless machine. She doesn't stop and I love it. She's so smart and loving. It's the best.<br />
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B updates: Working as a contractor and loves it. He's the happiest I've seen him since flight school!!<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-83115831781414945042013-11-21T20:04:00.002-08:002013-11-21T20:04:48.240-08:0011 MonthsElizabeth Rylie, you are almost one year old! You've blossomed this month and are much more a little girl than a baby. You can stand on your own, eat adult foods, talk up a storm, and can manipulate your toys so that they do what you are trying to accomplish. You adore books and will sit for many minutes just flipping through them.<br />
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Stats: Just shy of 18 pounds! You also have two very cute bottom teeth, with top ones on their way.<br />
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Likes: Eating (mostly healthy adult food, with a few pouches thrown in a few times a week), nursing, terrorizing Mackie, slides, getting in to the cabinets, bath time, and climbing stairs. You are an active little girl and are only still when you are asleep!<br />
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Dislikes: Diaper changes.<br />
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Milestones: Moving to TEXAS, trying to stand up on her own, cutting her two bottom teeth, going down the stairs properly, signs 'milk', 'more', 'all done', 'daddy', and 'dog'. Knows many commands ('look at me', 'mommy/daddy does it', 'please leave it alone', 'come here'). In her own baby language says: 'dog', 'diaper', 'daddy', 'bunny' and 'milk' (no mama yet...stubborn girl).Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-52306524922522773392013-11-21T19:57:00.001-08:002013-11-21T19:57:25.358-08:00Party sneak peak!Since Elizabeth is a winter baby, I thought it would be fun to have a hot chocolate bar set up at her party! Nothing Christmasy, just wintery!<br />
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Chalkboard signs are a must<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.yellowblissroad.com/hot-chocolate-bar-free-chalkboard-printables/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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And lots of goodies to add to your cup</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-carGe5xSA3A/Uo7UIl2pT9I/AAAAAAAADTs/fzSypnt8nv0/s1600/HotChoc3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-carGe5xSA3A/Uo7UIl2pT9I/AAAAAAAADTs/fzSypnt8nv0/s400/HotChoc3.png" title="http://norococo.blogspot.com/2010/12/party-on-budget-christmas-ideas-by.html" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://norococo.blogspot.com/2010/12/party-on-budget-christmas-ideas-by.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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And dipped mallows too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzDnTXvaXCI/Uo7Va6L1ERI/AAAAAAAADT8/KujtSJLhksU/s1600/-0953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jzDnTXvaXCI/Uo7Va6L1ERI/AAAAAAAADT8/KujtSJLhksU/s400/-0953.jpg" title="http://aboyagirlandapug.blogspot.com/2011/12/hot-chocolate-bar.html" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aboyagirlandapug.blogspot.com/2011/12/hot-chocolate-bar.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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I'm still on the hunt for the <i>ultimate </i>hot cocoa recipe, though. If you have one, please share!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-61903295520829838462013-11-19T15:14:00.000-08:002013-11-19T15:14:06.981-08:00Honest Co. loveI'm SO behind in life right now. 6+ articles to submit for MSW, I haven't even STARTED on Es 11 month post, and I have a pile of crap to take to the dry cleaners. And her 1st birthday is in like 3 weeks so that's all-consuming. Anyone want to convince my MIL to make a healthy vegan cake for my daughters smash cake? I sure don't :/<br />
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Anyways, if you have been on the fence about <a href="http://honest.com/accept_invitation/364074" target="_blank">The Honest Co</a>. products, just do it. Awesomeness. The leave-in conditioner (I use it for myself since E has no hair), floor cleaner, dish soap, healing balm (CD safe! Woohoo!), hand soap, and the bathroom and surface cleaners are all wonderful. If you use <a href="http://honest.com/accept_invitation/364074" target="_blank">this link,</a> I get 20.00 referral credit (just being honest)! They have trial packs that you only pay shipping on, too.<br />
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Ok, back to reality. I would like to have all the laundry put away before B gets home from work. And maybe even have dinner finished cooking. Maybe.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-91497347478052431232013-11-02T21:59:00.001-07:002013-11-02T21:59:20.276-07:00Insta-roadtripDo you know how long Google says it takes to drive from Camp Pendleton to Colleyville, TX? 20 hours. Do you know long it took us? 28 freaking hours. 12 the first day + 16 the second day. 28. Oh, but we did get 4 hours of sleep in the hotel. I woke up with a baby on my boob (I don't fully remember putting her there) and the dog taking up 3/4s of the bed. Hubby was in his own bed. Super fair, I know.<br />
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Did I mention it took us 28 hours? We must have stopped a thousand times. And only twice were because of E, and once due to my bladder. <br />
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8am. And that's a venti.</div>
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It took 10000000 hours to get from El Paso to Dallas.</div>
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Stretching her legs.</div>
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Mackie freaked out every time I passed him. It was great.</div>
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Bye, home. You'll be missed.</div>
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-23392075137245132242013-10-31T20:54:00.004-07:002013-10-31T20:54:51.127-07:00On the moveWe're heading out tomorrow for Texas! Once we get settled I'll be able to get back into a writing groove. I've been a horrible blogger these past few months as our lives have been totally backwards.<br />
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So peace out, Cali. You've been great. I'll miss our church, my best friends, living 3 miles from the ocean, Stroller Strides, and our street.<br />
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-44286529709192623992013-10-25T11:30:00.003-07:002013-10-25T11:30:53.650-07:0010 months!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My dear sweet little girl, you are 10 months old! You are so smart, clever, and beautiful. Your smiles are contagious and you literally make everyone who sees you smile. You love to look through your books and be read to, and play independently very well. Your chunky little thighs are so ticklish, and you laugh and try to escape when I give you tickles. Lincoln is your best friend and you both love your play dates together. Ya'll will stand at the coffee table and stuff as many puffs in your mouths as possible and then proceeded to destroy the house. Elizabeth Rylie, you are such an amazing source of joy to daddy and me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stats: 16 pounds, 12 ounces (as of 10/8). I think she is about the same height (2'3"). She has been sick all week, so I believe that is why she is a few ounces less than last month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Likes: Food (puffs, black beans, toast that has been grilled in coconut oil, mango, and anything in pouch-form) This girl loves to eat and gets so excited any time she sees food! She is still obsessed with her motorcycle and runs all over the house with it. She discovered how great slides are and crawls to the edge, lays on her tummy, and then slides down, laughing the whole time. Baths are a favorite, and you are obsessed with bubbles. Oh, and Cherrios (but she only get them at the nursery at church).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dislikes: Still diaper changes! It's horrible, and I have no idea why she is so against having a dry diaper. She is also entering the phase where she hates getting buckled in to her car seat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Milestones: Going down slides, signing and saying dog (dah), signing milk, and doing many of the motions for The Itsy Bitsy Spider.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Schedule:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 31.1875px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7:30/8:00- wake up</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 31.1875px; text-align: center;">11:00-12:30/1-nap</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 31.1875px; text-align: center;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 31.1875px; text-align: center;">4:00-4:30/5-nap</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 31.1875px; text-align: center;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 31.1875px; text-align: center;">5:30-dinner (solids)</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 31.1875px; text-align: center;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 31.1875px; text-align: center;">6:30-Bath, books, boob, and in bed by 7:00. Daddy does bath time so mommy can get a few minutes alone.</span></span><br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-32023430429691181342013-10-14T14:25:00.001-07:002013-10-14T14:25:21.384-07:00Short updatePeanut is sick, so you'll have to pardon the lack of blogging. Her 10 month update is completed, but I haven't been able to take her normal 10 month pictures due to her being so under the weather.<br />
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After 3 solid days of having a fever and a newly-developed cough, hubby and I threw in the towel and Izy has a doctor appointment this afternoon. She was in last week for pink eye (she was a snot bucket since she cut HER FIRST TOOTH!!!!) and well, little hands trying to wipe their own noses doesn't end well. That's all cleared up and her nose, while still a faucet, is clear. But the cough is worrisome to this first time mommy!<br />
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I've also been super busy with writing for<a href="http://www.mamasaywhat.com/" target="_blank"> MSW</a>, as well as packing up the house (18 days left) and prepping for my last ever California <a href="https://mwebster.scentsy.us/Scentsy/" target="_blank">Scentsy</a> party. Oh! And E and I went to MommyCon up in LA on the 6th (it was awesome!!).<br />
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-91307612987037863242013-09-23T12:27:00.001-07:002013-09-23T12:27:10.412-07:00Prayers neededI love being the wife of a Marine. Don't get me wrong. But we had ANOTHER crash in the skid community today, and it just breaks my heart more and more each time it happens.<br />
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<a href="http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/sep/23/search-suspended-reasea-helicopter-crash/">http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/sep/23/search-suspended-reasea-helicopter-crash/</a><br />
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And then a year and a half ago <a href="http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_central_southern_az/yuma/marines-killed-in-helicopter-crash-near-yuma-identified" target="_blank">our squadron lost 7 men in a training incident</a>. At home.<br />
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And I thank God every day B didn't get his wings and that we are leaving this phase of our life. The heartache is unreal. The loss is beyond sickening.<br />
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I no longer enjoy driving past the flightline. All I see is death. And Lord help me when we drive past the mountain range in Arizona where we lost our men.<br />
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When B was in flight school I would help him study. We were going over in-air evac procedures for fixed wings (that termage is all wrong...it's been 4 years!). And I then I asked, what's the procedure for helos? His reply: there isn't one.<br />
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My heart is just devastated for the wives and children of those pilots.<br />
Please pray for the families comfort.<br />
Pray the Navy finds their bodies so the families have something to bury.<br />
Pray the men are remembered as heros.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-89602993066790092422013-09-19T20:48:00.001-07:002013-09-19T20:48:30.504-07:00CD updatesHow is cloth diapering going? In a word: wonderful! We have been CDing for almost 7 month and are super happy with it. Even B, who was a little unsure at first.<br />
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Care:<br />
Wet and dirty diapers get tossed in the trash can (a Walmart buy with a spring-loaded lid) lined with a wet bag. If it's poopy, I use wipes to scrape/knock the poop in to a separate tiny trash can (no lid, but I toss the trash after every BM).<br />
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The 4.0s require me to pull the insert out before dropping it in the trash can, as our washer doesn't always agitate the inserts out like it should.<br />
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Every other day I do the diaper laundry. One plain cold/cold wash + extra rinse. Then I add detergent and change the water to hot/hot + extra rinse. After that I often hang everything on the drying rack in the sun to bleach. Sometimes I just throw everything in the dryer (except the velcro...never dry velcro, it will curl and make you want to kill everyone) and don't worry about it.<br />
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The Freetimes require no stuffing, so they go straight in Elizabeth's diaper bin. The 4.0s and the 4 WAHM diapers get stuffed when I have a few spare minutes in the evenings.<br />
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Choosing a brand:<br />
We were blessed to be able to borrow my friends CD stash when E was born. At first we loved the GroVia brand. But as E became mobile, the snap-in inserts would shift around and cause leaks (think of how a maxi-pad without wings bunches as you walk). Therefore the outer shells would get wet and need to be changed each time, thus defeating the whole purpose of using snap-in inserts.<br />
That being said, we use BumGenius almost exclusively. 8 are Freetime (snaps) and 4 are from a few WAHMs and are pocket diapers (snaps). And then we have 8 velcro 4.0s. DON'T EVER BUY VELCRO. It's horrible. We bought all the 4.0s from a close friend, so I needed to have all the elastic redone because they leaked at the legs. I tried myself (fail) and then a friend of mine who makes CDs said she would be willing to do it for me. Yay! But I've also had to re-velcro the diapers. BumGenius sells refurbish kits for $1/each so it was simple enough. Anyways, love the 4.0s too.<br />
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Changing:<br />
I change Es diaper, on average, every 2 hours. Not because of leaking though (our BGs can last as long as the Pampers we use at nights). I change her so often because I wouldn't want to be sitting in my own urine!<br />
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Nighttime:<br />
Most night I put her to sleep in a disposable and change her in to a cloth diaper when she wakes up to eat at 6 am (she goes back down till 8 after she eats). Why? Mostly laziness and since we still have 8 of our 4.0s off being re-elasticized our stash only has 12 diapers.<br />
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Other:<br />
My peanut has to wear 12-18 month pants to accommodate for her big fluffy hiney. Poor girl has just outgrown her 6 month tops and still easily fits in 9 month pants when she has a disposable on. Just one of those things I never thought about prior to CDing!<br />
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Someone learned how to take her diapers off (another reason I dislike velcro).<br />
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We tried out cloth wipes (using baby washcloths) and although I enjoyed using them, it was more of a hassle to make the wipe solution and fold the wipes every day. And I still used disposable wipes for the poop. So that didn't last too long.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-13395150320422862882013-09-15T11:24:00.002-07:002013-09-15T11:24:28.743-07:00Big Brother dramaHow Mackie has dealt with becoming a big brother:<br />
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<a href="http://www.mamasaywhat.com/having-a-baby-and-a-dog/">http://www.mamasaywhat.com/having-a-baby-and-a-dog/</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-14901080767480473972013-09-10T22:52:00.001-07:002013-09-10T22:53:48.892-07:009 months old!Sweet baby, you are 9 months old today!! You are getting smarter, stronger, and more beautiful with each and every day. You amaze daddy and me constantly. Daddy bought you your first motorcycle (walker) this month, and after a few days you became a champ at pushing it all over the house. You are standing and getting bolder and bolder each day. Bathroom doors now have to stay shut because someone has discovered they can use the toilet to stand up and that makes mommy want to vomit. You had your first laugh attack over something Mackie was doing. You just laughed and laughed till you couldn't breath! And then you laughed some more. I videoed it, and it melts my heart to hear your sweet giggles. Some of mommy's best friends have little boys around your age, so you have dates a few times a week.<br />
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Stats: My little peanut has almost grown out of her 6 month clothes. 6 month bottoms are too small because of her cloth diapers (though just right in length), and many of the tops are getting snug across her chest. She is 16 1/2 pounds of fluffy cuteness and 2'3" tall.<br />
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Likes: Food! Mango is a standing favorite, but she will eat pretty much anything. She also over crawling and prefers to be standing any time is is on the floor. She always has to suck her thumb and cuddle with either of her lovies when she is put down to sleep. She loves her books and being read to. Harassing the dog is another favorite pastime of hers. Bath time is her favorite time of the day. She crawls as fast as humanly possible into the bathroom and stands up at the tub as soon as I undress her and put her down on the floor. Daddy does bath time each night, and on the weekends he is the first to get E and brings her into our bed for morning cuddles. Sometimes they let me sleep and watch a TV show together. It's so adorable.<br />
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Dislikes: Being on her changing table. It's like she is being murdered at every diaper or outfit change.<br />
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Milestones: Walking with her little walker, playing shy, and actually covering her eyes while playing peek-a-boo. You can sign for 'more', and now we are working on 'please' and 'thank you'. You can drink out of straws and we only have one bottle left out (incase I'm gone at bedtime, then daddy can give you a bottle), so you are officially a straw-style sippy cup girl! Izy makes the B and D sounds all the times, and often enough will make the Th, S, and F sounds. Just after her 9 month birthday, our sweet girl learned how to clap! It is SO precious!<br />
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Schedule:<br />
7:30/8:00- wake up<br />
11:00-12:30/1-nap<br />
4:00-4:30/5-nap<br />
5:30-dinner (solids)<br />
6:30-Bath, books, boob, and in bed by 7:00<br />
9:30-dream feed her before I pass out.<br />
She nurses when she wakes up in the morning, as well as from her naps.<br />
We read her Bible and Panda Bear, Panda Bear every night. Often she'll stop nursing and sit up and look from her nightstand to me until I grab one of her books. Then she'll lean back against me and sit so quietly until I finish both books. Only then will she resume nursing. Being the bookworm that I am, this totally melts my heart.<br />
Dinner consists of an organic grain-based pouch/tofu/cooked beans, fresh fruit and veggies, and puffs. A few times a week she will also get some organic shredded cheese. Naturally most of the food ends up on the floor, but she is doing so well at feeding herself. I give her a light snack after she nurses at breakfast and lunch, with the purpose of getting her into the habit of 3 meals a day. Sometimes I dice her food, but normally it's given to her in big chunks that she can easily hold.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-27886934701221947132013-09-04T12:49:00.002-07:002013-09-04T12:49:40.784-07:00What's nextThe paperwork has been submitted and signed off on, so I suppose it's official. B is resigning his commission as an active duty Marine and rolling reserves. He has reached the end of his contract and is READY for civilian life. We are headed to...<br />
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Me? I'm nervous, scared, excited, ready, sad, happy....in a word: conflicted. BUT. I'm giving it to God. With everything that has happened these past few month, it is so clear that God needs us to be near Bs family (and hopefully, one day soon, my parents will make the move back to their Texas roots, too!). The days that I don't give it to God I am a hot mess. Moody would be the nice way of describing my attitude. But when I truly place all my worries at His feet? I'm on top of the world!</div>
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We have also decided to rent for a while longer. We were trying so hard to find a home, but all we would do is argue over every house we saw (well, there was one that we fell in love with, but the sellers weren't budging on their price). When we realized our conflict was streaming from going against God's will, all the tension that had been created in our marriage literally disappeared. It was amazing. </div>
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So that's where we are. We'll be moving in November and starting a new adventure! I'll be building my Scentsy business with new local customers, B already has a job lined up, we'll start house hunting again in the new year, and HOPEFULLY expand our little family again.</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-35635684724504416002013-08-16T11:59:00.003-07:002013-08-16T15:05:10.861-07:00The worst case for NOT breastfeeding ever.I came across <a href="http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20130812/OPINION02/308120003/Explaining-why-next-time-won-t-breastfeed" target="_blank">this </a>article this morning. Here's the whole article, if you aren't in a link-clicky mood. My comments are in red, because I'm angry.<br />
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">Two weeks ago, Bahar Gholipour of LiveScience reported the findings of a new study that reveal that breastfeeding is associated with upward class mobility, but you probably didn’t read it. </span><span style="color: red;">Should I have? Do mothers really care? Do dads? Does anyone?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">Such testimonies to the immutable worthiness of breastfeeding have become commonplace. In fact, the alternative — choosing not to breastfeed — has become close to unspeakable. </span><span style="color: red;">Um, totally untrue. </span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;"> This time it’s that breastfeeding will make you wealthier, </span><span style="color: red;">(Tell that to the 3rd world nations who have no access to formula, but whatever)</span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;"> but every week there is some evidence to suggest that you would be crazy not to breast feed. </span><span style="color: red;">If you're physically able <b>and</b> have the desire to, I agree.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">So let me say it: Next time, I’d skip it. </span><span style="color: red;">Oh, this should be rich.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">Next time I won’t breastfeed because it sets up a gendered division of who does what early into parenting. </span><span style="color: red;">WHAT THE F?</span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;"> It provides an infrastructure for an unequal distribution of the work (and rewards) of parenting. </span><span style="color: red;">Let me guess, you're a democrat and everything is about total equality.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;"><b>The burdens of breastfeeding </b>are real and considerable including the restraints to women’s spatial mobility and time. But the other part no one every talks about is that breastfeeding also consolidates pre-existing biological tendencies that privilege the breastfeeding parent. </span><span style="color: red;">No shit. That's why they are called pre-existing biological tendencies. Has anyone ever questioned that?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">Breastfeeding is a burden </span><span style="color: red;">(EXCUSE ME???)</span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;">, but it’s also a power trip. Breastfeeding sets up the breastfeeder as the expert, the authority and the primary parent in the life of the breastfed baby. </span><span style="color: red;">I think it's called 'mother's intuition'. Not a power trip.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">You can call me a bad woman, bad mother, (</span><span style="color: red;">I do, don't worry)</span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;"> and you can say that it’s easy to speak in future tense. Perhaps there is something deeply selfish in me or incurably cruel. Let me make the case for why I would reverse my choice next time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">Breastfeeding creates an imbalance in the labor of parenting. Babies attach to the face they see, the body they rest on, the hands that touch them, and I was and had to be that face/body/hand much more often than my husband did because I breast fed. </span><span style="color: red;">I hope your son reads this and realizes how much of a burden it was to nurture him.</span></div>
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For other “primary parents” it might be something other than breastfeeding that determines who does what, but for me it was breastfeeding.</div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;"><b>I teach a college course </b>on Gender and Society. </span><span style="color: red;">OF COURSE YOU DO</span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;"> One year I invited three dads to come and talk about parenting. The college students adored the hour and a half session. It was such a rare treat to hear dads talking about being dads. One of the fathers said that after their first child they bottle-fed their children because it was the only way to work against the gender disparities in the parenting process. </span><span style="color: red;">Did neither parent work? Did they both work and another non-gendered figure bottle feed the baby? If a nanny/daycare worker/babysitter is a female, they baby, hypothetically, would still prefer a female to feed them...making the dads argument null.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">At the time it sounded kind of harsh – like social engineering in the face of the well-proven benefits of breastfeeding. I also considered it sad that his wife had given up breastfeeding to try to make things more gender equitable. It seemed too academic a choice for something so intimate as parenting. </span><span style="color: red;">I agree.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">But gender is reproduced in intimate places. What I didn’t understand then was that the mother was protecting herself </span><span style="color: red;">(protecting?) </span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;">and giving the father an incredible gift: she was sacrificing her biological “advantage.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">For birth moms, we have this physically grounded centrality to the baby-making process that carries through birth. If we breastfeed we deepen rather than disrupt that primacy. </span><span style="color: red;">Why is that such a bad thing?</span></div>
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<b>In my case, </b>I was pregnant and carried our son to term. As a result, I was deeply connected to that little guy before he ever came into the world. His heartbeat and mine were connected, as were our digestion and sleep patterns.</div>
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As if that weren’t enough to tip things in my favor, I then had to grunt and scream and bleed and rest and contract to get that little guy into the world.</div>
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And then when that didn’t work, they had to cut him out.</div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">So on his first day breathing oxygen, I had already sacrificed major changes in my body — pushing its elasticity, strange swellings, new wrinkles — and had literally gone “under the knife” to ensure his and my safety. </span><span style="color: red;"> <i>Super</i> glad it's all about you. Because that's what being a parent is about, right? All about you and not your child?</span></div>
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My little son already knew my smell, my voice, and my heartbeat. It was perhaps the moment when my gender was the most salient it has ever been in my marriage: these things that my husband literally could not do, I had done.</div>
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And then I breastfed.</div>
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Every time I got to breast feed him I was holding my son, singing, whispering, touching, and loving on my sweet little boy.</div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">If I had not breastfed I would have missed all those beautiful quiet times with my son. </span><span style="color: red;">FALSE!! Do you not touch and love your child when bottle feeding?</span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;"> Fewer people would have seen my breasts, which would have been nice. I would have felt less like a cow, which also would have been nice. But I wouldn’t give up breastfeeding for those minor humiliations. </span><span style="color: red;">Humiliations?!</span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;"> The time with my son was too important. I had never known what it was like to be that close to another human. </span><span style="color: red;">So baby number 2 won't be worth these self-imposed burdens you have?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;"><b>If we really want to address </b>and redress the ongoing inequalities around the work of making life — the work of raising the next generation — then we have to look at breastfeeding. It’s one thing our bodies do that reinforces the social differences between men and women, moms and dads, and boys and girls. </span><span style="color: red;">Vaginas do that, too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">Now it’s a year later, and I don’t breastfeed anymore. But my son still prefers for me to read to him before bedtime, and to wake him up in the morning. </span><span style="color: red;">Sounds like that's a daddy issue.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">When he is feeling sick or skins his knees, it is me he rushes to for comfort. </span><span style="color: red;">(because dad is not there? At work, perhaps?)</span><span style="color: #2c2c2c;"> I did the work and now receive the rewards of being the skin, the smell, the face, the touch that is closest to him — and it is to me he rushes. </span><span style="color: red;">Who does he rush to when mom is gone? No one? Likely, he runs to his daddy for comfort.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">Over the years, my husband and I will work to unwind this preliminary advantage, but we could have avoided solidifying it if we had decided to use formula, or to pump and bottle feed our son. </span><span style="color: red;">Wow.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">So in a pro-breastfeeding era, I say, “I’m out.” Not because I don’t benefit everyday from that “special connection” to my son, but because I do. </span><span style="color: red;">Oh, such a brave woman...wait, that's gendered. Oh, such a brave person.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Breastfeeding sets in a motion a series of relations that may not fit with the values or the conditions of our family forms. I am glad we have good evidence to prove how valuable breastfeeding is and support for that choice, but we also need some voices to say that despite all the benefits of breastfeeding there are still some very good reasons to do things differently if that is what is right for the parents </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">(the mother if she physically can't or just straight up doesn't want to...I truly believe dads shouldn't get a say in how a mom feeds the baby) </span><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">or the baby </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">(agree, and for MY family, the only true reason to not </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.99305534362793px;">breastfeed)</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> or the relations they want between them </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">(no)</span><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">Sometimes we have to do a runaround our bodies to ensure equity. Sometimes we have to do some social engineering to help dislodge our social aspirations from the dictates of our glands and gonads. </span><span style="color: red;">Why? WHY? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #2c2c2c;">Sometimes, to make sure that the next generation has more wiggle room around the gendered division of labor, we have to tuck away those breasts and reach for a bottle instead. </span><span style="color: red;">Are you f-ing kidding me?! Is that <i>really</i> your conclusion? To help future generations, tuck away your tits?! Are you talking to a mom or a stripper??</span></div>
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<strong>Karla A. Erickson is an associate professor of sociology at Grinnell College.</strong></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-67764706597156599062013-08-09T20:56:00.001-07:002013-08-09T20:56:07.534-07:00Realness.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some days are just real. Really real.</div>
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Such as:</div>
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Elizabeth's emojicon is a bunny.</div>
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The dog eats a bird on the couch...and I still haven't picked up the cushion covers up from the dry cleaners.</div>
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But then I catch E sleeping like this:</div>
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And I open a beer and thank God for tomorrow.</div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-82697644732029192532013-08-05T22:37:00.000-07:002013-08-06T20:57:20.581-07:008 months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Baby girl,</div>
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You are 8 whole months old! You won't believe this till you are a mommy, but time has never gone by faster. Every single day/minute/second we spend together is my favorite. I love sitting back and watching you crawl around; exploring your little world. You have started climbing, pulling yourself up to standing, and are the fastest crawler I've ever seen. You are called Elizabeth or Izy by your daddy and me, and Ellie by daddys family.</div>
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Stats: Up to size 3 in disposable diapers, when we use them. 6-9 month clothing. You still have the most itty bitty feet ever, and are in a size 1. We'll find out your height and weight at your appointment on Friday. You are all caught up on your shots, and we decided to not give you hepB and one other one that's slipping my mind. Daddy and I need to sit down and figure out the rest of your toddlerhood shots.</div>
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Likes: Eating! We give you fresh fruit and some steamed veggies and you go to town! We just started giving you oat-based smoothies (made with bm) as your dinner, before nursing. It's helped you sleep longer at night. But you won't eat off a spoon or drink them from a sippy....you have to drink your smoothies out of a cup. You also love puffs (rice based...momma is nervous about the gluten thing).</div>
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Dislikes: Naps and avocados (WHO ARE YOU?!)</div>
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Milestones: Pulling yourself to standing, climbing up on to low objects (the dog included) and steps. Drinking from cups (not holding them yet, though). You play peek-a-boo with blankets and have suddenly started to LOVE being read to. We read Panda Bear, Panda Bear and your baby Bible every night before bed. You recognize the sign for dog, and have even used it a couple of times! You try to clap, but mostly miss and it looks like you are flailing about. You have also started to cuddle which I love! You've gone to the church nursery twice and did ok! You understand what yes and no mean, and have begun to respond appropriately to each. You shared your rice cracker with your Nana Laney...that was your first time sharing, and for a week straight you always put your food in our mouths. It was super cute.</div>
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We went to the Lake and you are such a water baby. You adored every second spent in the water (lake or your little pool, it didn't matter). We also went both mommy and daddys alma maters. Any my sorority house...but it was being painted.</div>
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Sweet girl, you are our little bundle of joy and we love you more than anything.</div>
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Izys schedule has finally evened out:</div>
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Wake up: 5:30am (Diaper change, nurse, and then straight back to sleep)</div>
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Wake up: 7:30</div>
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Nap: 10:30-12:30</div>
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Nap: 3:30-4:00</div>
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Bath, books, boob, and bed: starting at 6:30</div>
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Nurse and diaper change : 1:30am</div>
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Every night in July was SO HARD. She would wake up every 2-3 hours absolutely starving. So she would nurse a full meal, sleep, and then wake up to eat again. And again. It was miserable. And we were traveling so she was sleeping in her pack n play. New environment + growth spurt...ugh. But now we are pretty much done with that phase,and she is only waking up once a night (PRAISE GOD). And truthfully, I don't mind the midnight cuddles because soon enough she'll be through this phase and back to her 12 hours of sleep a night.</div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-27387364224352633782013-08-01T20:11:00.002-07:002013-08-01T20:11:38.724-07:00ApartDue to the nature of Bs job, he is literally never in the field. Like, last time he was in the field was for TBS. <i>Five years ago</i>. But last night he was in the field. It was the second time we had been apart at night since he came home from deployment almost a year ago. And you know what? I was freaking ecstatic. <br />
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My gf came over and we had a non-husband friendly meal of tuna steaks with an eggplant side dish and talked as our kiddos toddled around the house. Then we ate cookies. After she left E and I did our normal bedtime routine, and then I wrote and submitted two articles to <a href="http://www.mamasaywhat.com/" target="_blank">MSW</a>. And ate another cookie. Then I put a load of diapers in, dusted, and did the dishes.<br />
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When B is home I make sure that, once Elizabeth is asleep, all my attention is for him. He is my husband and I truly love to serve him. And if that means he wants to cuddle up and watch a movie or cook dinner together, that's what we do. The evening are <i>our</i> time, and I (almost) always get all of my housework done during the day so that when evening rolls around we can talk and enjoy each others company without chores and to-do lists getting in the way.<br />
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So those very rare occasions that B is gone, I do enjoy the silence and peace of it all. I don't think it makes me a bad wife or mother. It's just the way I am able to recharge.<br />
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Oh, and I can online window shop all I want without giving B a heart attack ;)Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-88628076564944044342013-07-27T14:28:00.000-07:002013-07-27T14:28:27.679-07:00Dress me. Please.Can I complain about something? It's impossible to dress cute and breastfeed. Even when E and I are home for feeding, it's still a pain in my butt to have to take off my shirt and bra every 3-4 hours.<br />
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Breastfeeding-friendly tops are frumpy. Cute tops aren't bf friendly. Breastfeeding bras make my girls look weird. And anything that isn't a cotton/spandex/lycra/whatever blend isn't stretchy enough to just pull up to feed. I am so over wearing t-shirts and tank tops.<br />
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Can someone prove me wrong? Is there a magical website with adorable and trendy-ish tops that let me actually stay dressed when I feed my daughter? We only have 4 months left (or more. We'll see). But hopefully by then I'll be pregnant again, and this will be a non issue for the next 9 months.<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-4915161210387597532013-07-24T14:56:00.004-07:002013-07-24T14:56:47.025-07:00UpdatesCheck out a few articles I've written over at Mama Say What?!<br />
The first is my review and <b><i>giveaway</i></b> of the <a href="http://www.mamasaywhat.com/wrapsody-breeze-review-and-giveaway/" target="_blank">Wrapsody Breeze wrap</a>, and the second is how B and I <a href="http://www.mamasaywhat.com/how-we-stay-connected-during-deployment/" target="_blank">stayed connected </a>during deployment (which of course yall already know all about!).<br />
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So what else has been going on lately? Well, B and I received a horrible phone call about 3 weeks ago from his dad. B's mom had a heart attack (she's pretty much the opposite of someone who is at risk for a heart attack). We loaded up the car that evening and drove to Dallas. Praise God, she is doing much better. A few days after we arrived, B's sister went into labor and delivered a healthy and precious baby boy (her 2nd son).<br />
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After a week in Dallas we headed up to Missouri to visit my parents at their lake house (as was previously planned). We had an absolute blast and E adored splashing around in her baby pool, as well as the lake. Being on the boat put her into a catatonic state and she napped the entire time we were on the water.<br />
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Unfortunately, that was the most sleep she (and I) got. Baby girl went through a crazy growth spurt and was awake every 3 hours needing to nurse a full meal.<br />
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One day the three of us headed up to Mizzou (my alma mater). We ate at my favorite restaurant, Addison's, and took pictures all over campus. My sorority house was unlocked, but everything was being repainted in preparation for recruitment so the pictures were pretty lame.<br />
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After a very fast week in Missouri, we drove back to Dallas for some house hunting (also a previously planned part of the trip). We saw 15 houses and put an offer in on one (really, the only contender). The sellers were NOT up for negotiations so we walked away. We still need to find a house and close on it before mid-October. No pressure or anything.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-59483114447804205242013-07-11T21:59:00.002-07:002013-07-11T21:59:08.140-07:007 monthsBaby girl, you are over half a year old! You are so smart, very strong, beautiful, and flash smiles at everyone. You've done a ton this month: taken a very long (27 hour, each way) road trip, gotten a new cousin, met more family members on daddys side, gone swimming in the Lake. You have a top tooth starting to come in...I guess that means you're really growing up.<br />
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Stats: Around 15 pounds, I think. We don't have your 7 month appointment till late July. But if you do weigh 15 pounds that means you gained 2 pounds since last month! Based on how your clothes fit, you have lengthened out a little bit too. Maybe you are 24 or 24.5 inches now. Your feet are still tiny, size 1 shoes are a little large. We have moved up to the medium rise snap setting on your diapers because the small setting was sitting too low on your hips. However, now we have to cinch in the waist extra on each side. She eats 4oz of pureed food a day, plus she gnaws on raw fruits or veggies to keep her entertained while I cook dinner.<br />
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Milestones: <b>Crawling</b>!! We finally have a crawler (on June 30th), and a speedy one at that! She has pulled her self up to standing from sitting a few times. We think she is intentionally waiving, too; she puts her arm out and kind of flails it about when we wave at her. She's also mastered the art of 'faking it'. It's a total hoot because she will put on the <i>saddest</i> face ever, but then I make her laugh and she's suddenly happy again.<br />
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Likes: Those organic food pouches (perfect for the 3 weeks we've been traveling). Iz gets SO excited when she sees a pouch come out. She loves crawling, trying to steal my flip-flops, using Mackie to pull herself in to a kneeling position, the water (bath, lake, or pool), and feeding herself (chunks of fruits, veggies, or mum-mums). She's a Baby Einstein fan, too (but only when mommy needs a 30 minute break...maybe 3x a week)<br />
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Dislikes: Diaper and clothing changes. That's really it.<br />
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Schedule: Up to nurse at 5:45/6ish., then back to sleep till 8:30/9. Nap from about 12:30-3:30, depending on what time she woke up. She will take a cat-nap from 5-5:45 or 6, and then we start bedtime at 6:30. I nurse her every time she wakes up, as well as when she goes down for the night and before her long nap. We take walks with the pup, go to Stroller Strides, hit up the botanic garden, run errands, and hang out with our wonderful neighbors to fill our days. I make a point to read and sing to her many times throughout the day, and work on our flashcards a few times a weekMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-65616827512795497072013-07-06T12:49:00.001-07:002013-07-06T12:49:07.854-07:00Welcoming...Elizabeth's 7 month Update will be posted soon, but right now<i> </i>I want to welcome my newest nephew, Eli, to the world!!<br />
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We love you Eli!!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-69343870163338852002013-06-28T19:48:00.002-07:002013-06-28T19:48:59.311-07:00Where I've Been...I've started writing for a wonderful website: <a href="http://www.mamasaywhat.com/" target="_blank">Mama Say What?!</a> I am SO excited to have been given this opportunity and just adore the women I work with.<br />
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We host giveaways and do Real Reviews too (aka products us mamas use and love), and July marks MSW's one year anniversary! We'll have lots of great sponsors helping us celebrate our one year anniversary, so be sure to add MSW to your <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/6324313/mama-say-what" target="_blank">Bloglovin' </a>feed!<br />
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So far I have my birth story (ya'll already read it before it was on MSW) and two reviews (my <a href="http://www.mamasaywhat.com/diaper-bag-ju-ju-be-be-prepared-review/" target="_blank">diaper bag</a> and Izy's <a href="http://www.mamasaywhat.com/ikea-antilop-high-chair-review/" target="_blank">highchair</a>) have been published.<br />
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157692246534126873.post-7886899262606399622013-06-24T13:18:00.000-07:002013-06-24T13:18:12.410-07:00June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In June we...</div>
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Started on solids...</div>
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began taking real naps (11:30-1:30!!)...</div>
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I sewed some summer dresses and rompers...</div>
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Ate some sand...</div>
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Still loves being worn...</div>
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got kicked out of Church...</div>
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has a new lovie...</div>
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met one of her uncles...</div>
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got dedicated!...</div>
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Hung out at daddys work with the grandparents...</div>
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First time at the splash pad...</div>
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Our little beach baby</div>
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04517941597624533649noreply@blogger.com1