tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54432489184253222522024-02-19T01:52:39.121-08:00Five Flew Out of the Koo Koo's NestFive Crazy Sisters, One Koo Koo BlogCaithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08639412452424883345noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-24415051610830065492012-06-24T22:37:00.000-07:002012-06-24T22:37:45.798-07:003 Weeks of Fun!Hey y'all! The Aviator and I just got home from an amazing trip visiting family and taking care of stuff for the work. We started our adventure in Phoenix, AZ where the Aviator hadn't been in over 2 years. It was great to catch up with the fam there. The Shmoo has a little girl cousin just a few days younger than him and it was a hoot watching them play together!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was an outfit that the Aviator wore when he was a<br />little guy. Shmoo wasn't thrilled...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins in their yukatas</td></tr>
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While in Arizona, we'd planned on driving up to Canyon de Chelly in the Northern part of the state, but our little guy came down with a combo of Impetigo and Hand Foot Mouth Disease! We'd made it 14 whole months before ever having a dose of antibiotics. :0) Anyway, he handled it like a champ. Then the Aviator woke up throwing up and feverish. This lasted about 24 hours but it definitely took closer to two days before he was feeling even 90%. So we didn't make it up to the Canyon. NEXT TIME!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the pool. </td></tr>
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After Arizona, we took off and headed to Tacoma for work. But it was a long weekend for us so we took the opportunity to drive down to Astoria, OR otherwise known as Lewis & Clark country. It was gorgeous! We drove around and visited lots of neat sites like Cape Disappointment for example. We also took a drive even further South to see Haystack rock. It's neat to know that the locals say Haystack Rock is the third largest 'intertidal', meaning it can be reached by land, structure in the world. There were sand dollars everywhere! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gigantic slugs near Cape Disappointment</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Disappointment</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Fish n Chips I've ever had, besides the ones that my sister Juicy makes... :0) Astoria,OR</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cannon Beach, OR</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, OR</td></tr>
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After our adventures in the Northwest, we trekked on down to Southern California. We got to see all of my sisters and their kiddos, celebrate Hannah graduating High School, Jessica graduating from the USCG Basic training, and celebrate Titi Miche's newest addition, expected in August! It was so fun to see Miles with all of his cousins! It is also really fun seeing my sisters as Moms! Yia Yia had a great time reconnecting with her grand babies. I think Miles' favorite part of the trip was getting to play with Moto, Varro, Porter, Sampson, and Marley! The kid LOVES dogs!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kickin' it with Hunter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titi Tats with the boys</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titi Juicy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters and the Birdy :0)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet girl!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry picking at Underwood Family Farms</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVMonuXfP_6iThJPm61rcR3W3DHlhCWtPsX6223B6xpGrdyvqceD0lI17GOZjcLUGGW6k78kKxqBxDHn4THdLWMnn0BI8fNR9TUCz_SDaXOwtKQYsRHnBrhJt8lZt_OZoGRXqHm6yt-8t/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVMonuXfP_6iThJPm61rcR3W3DHlhCWtPsX6223B6xpGrdyvqceD0lI17GOZjcLUGGW6k78kKxqBxDHn4THdLWMnn0BI8fNR9TUCz_SDaXOwtKQYsRHnBrhJt8lZt_OZoGRXqHm6yt-8t/s320/DSC_0538.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We went berry picking on the weekend. It was a perfect So Cal Summer day. The berries were absolutely delicious!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure I ate most of this pound of berries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sTrDrsqjHWz_bvVxBfvBLfBU78Tc9UHb5ZbSNePlqcPf-ozOvBVJYTHgrdJob2nL_to8dX4TJ7zIRrBJcITlPQ1JL0pg0ecRmtBhomecGQHuXxohwkhxyB-uTA2IYBNv7XIVNXEUJIa9/s1600/DSC_0554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sTrDrsqjHWz_bvVxBfvBLfBU78Tc9UHb5ZbSNePlqcPf-ozOvBVJYTHgrdJob2nL_to8dX4TJ7zIRrBJcITlPQ1JL0pg0ecRmtBhomecGQHuXxohwkhxyB-uTA2IYBNv7XIVNXEUJIa9/s320/DSC_0554.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing Shmoo-style at a mexican restaurant... Yes, his feet are on the table...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07T0BnRQXECsM4UV9knOZpkaTmJ5-7WxqFrH4snR9Z8QcIN9VazRNYn7Xfuq_j1mwWkudxYqECsGrvntJeVCXTGml6jXGFDHTRtpQsQKR6NFoXmpdlm6hsRfjryFu5tED4xaeHRy8MA1U/s1600/DSC_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07T0BnRQXECsM4UV9knOZpkaTmJ5-7WxqFrH4snR9Z8QcIN9VazRNYn7Xfuq_j1mwWkudxYqECsGrvntJeVCXTGml6jXGFDHTRtpQsQKR6NFoXmpdlm6hsRfjryFu5tED4xaeHRy8MA1U/s320/DSC_0570.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out this awesome fountain with Titi Hannah</td></tr>
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We are really looking forward to the next time we all get together again. It'll probably be a year or two before that happens, unfortunately. <br />
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Getting back to Japan has been great! I couldn't wait to stop in at my favorite Udon place and chow down. Miles was excited too! The Aviator hit the ground running with work and won't be home again for a week or so. My garden is really going wild too! Last year I had a battle with Green Horned Tomato worms. This year I'm winning. Last year, they definitely were the victors. :0) We have watermelon, Green beans, grape tomatoes, regular tomatoes, potatoes, corn, broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, and all sorts of bell peppers.<br />
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I'll post pictures soon!<br />
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TTFN!<br />
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<br />Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08639412452424883345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-82323319003117189042010-12-14T16:26:00.000-08:002010-12-14T16:27:55.818-08:00Remember this<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05yjX5I8ExNT5oHS5gfg3w7fiWJfIaaAnkZGTYgR1B3gqncKvsiMYm6jQnQQS69k_vwcFqsfVvt23HsdlBxsxFKL5g_YdruHu9ITYiG7f9gLfGF9w0hd2B7Ay6rdg1ZHlivPq72vryTer/s1600/disney+christmas+carols.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550699173462696114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05yjX5I8ExNT5oHS5gfg3w7fiWJfIaaAnkZGTYgR1B3gqncKvsiMYm6jQnQQS69k_vwcFqsfVvt23HsdlBxsxFKL5g_YdruHu9ITYiG7f9gLfGF9w0hd2B7Ay6rdg1ZHlivPq72vryTer/s320/disney+christmas+carols.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Remember when we were little and we used to watch these Disney sign alongs. Miss you</div>David and Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13095184477424597214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-40052805292155667242010-06-18T13:32:00.000-07:002010-06-18T13:43:32.237-07:0038 Week Baby Boy Belly<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My baby belly is 38 weeks. Do you know what that means??? A baby boy will be moving into our home in about 2 weeks. It's crazy! I've certainly had my moments of mixed emotions about all of it, but now, i'm mostly just excited. I can't wait to see him, to hold him, to smell him. Our little lover. Until then I suppose he will continue to torture me with rib kicks, side jacks, and cheap shots to the groin. Bruce Lee...is that you? I tell him daily that if he's too cramped in there, to just come on out. He's doesn't listen. Kids...what are you gonna do with 'em?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Please pardon the fact that I look absolutely wretched in the photos below. This is what I look like at the end of week when i've maxed about 3 hours of sleep 4 nights in a row. I know, I know, just wait until the bean arrives, right?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPpLy1TOt0u7A2c1kZBHn4Ka6nmwU3bubIcckisMM6OCp6Gt7RC6PoU86PbM1BnTJonQyxrIU1bOYlL64fnnfp3imBfX_sOmVurzu2DtE0qEEIgZjoZnW0OOYF7PsGi1Q0pLdj4fnGzHe/s1600/38weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPpLy1TOt0u7A2c1kZBHn4Ka6nmwU3bubIcckisMM6OCp6Gt7RC6PoU86PbM1BnTJonQyxrIU1bOYlL64fnnfp3imBfX_sOmVurzu2DtE0qEEIgZjoZnW0OOYF7PsGi1Q0pLdj4fnGzHe/s320/38weeks.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are a few behind-the-scene photos. What you all don't know is that it takes at least 30 minutes to get a shot that I will deem acceptible to post. MC says i'm a terrible model at which point I'll grab Maceo and try to bring some life into the session. MC is not amused because i'm usually keeping him from his nightly dose of Sportscenter or The Wire and Mewker is usually making his all too common "shoot me now" look. I, however, am quite entertained. Also, pardon my full-frontal wide-ness. I'm <em>38 weeks pregnant, i'm 38 weeks pregnant, i'm 38 weeks pregnant</em>. (That's my current "living with the fat" mantra!)</span></div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikClTuKvPY6e84yDBUDktOwGuSk2itu-mMNkGMz0DMdT6u2b9WfWTW40PovM8BSl0Pe8ERdwXzTFitxjTM8PG_BfNlzbOQ21z5LL2C3B5R7GcUvwXf4U0pF-NKYbHkLL1rO_xl_1eU8-_s/s1600/38_goof2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikClTuKvPY6e84yDBUDktOwGuSk2itu-mMNkGMz0DMdT6u2b9WfWTW40PovM8BSl0Pe8ERdwXzTFitxjTM8PG_BfNlzbOQ21z5LL2C3B5R7GcUvwXf4U0pF-NKYbHkLL1rO_xl_1eU8-_s/s320/38_goof2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFiIi9VWGJk-c8I9oklsWILUDXAmEsxOozVqgGXi8hUipAjCbF1e_Ni_Cz_p1exzD8dHi_kuepmNL6BfXfmdjJCfIpY7Chx5yxwLnMUi34nhx4BGlU_apBFdnIzR1Kjtlj7yrcRROugGq/s1600/38_goof.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFiIi9VWGJk-c8I9oklsWILUDXAmEsxOozVqgGXi8hUipAjCbF1e_Ni_Cz_p1exzD8dHi_kuepmNL6BfXfmdjJCfIpY7Chx5yxwLnMUi34nhx4BGlU_apBFdnIzR1Kjtlj7yrcRROugGq/s320/38_goof.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRGfA-ntdh-1aIcZ3frY7s6ibfL0AKz-2LeR_TeuYABjE8KiO_cizYgk6paVYWnE4L3C33HSYFzDc9JY4uQOs6PiWr4D3cyoEtp1HsvKOGv9luFUYXyjSom_UnfFiq-MhcNP9zBcGwzCe/s1600/mad_dad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRGfA-ntdh-1aIcZ3frY7s6ibfL0AKz-2LeR_TeuYABjE8KiO_cizYgk6paVYWnE4L3C33HSYFzDc9JY4uQOs6PiWr4D3cyoEtp1HsvKOGv9luFUYXyjSom_UnfFiq-MhcNP9zBcGwzCe/s320/mad_dad.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We'll baby bean is due the first week of July. Any guessers on exactly when he will come knocking?</span>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-52077758346393641422010-06-14T15:10:00.000-07:002010-06-14T15:10:34.596-07:00It's MY Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But it's hers too...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh9dKYLCaS_fF69SfrweAeH4OdXwKMCr-awnNK7qDdj1ZJErKjicIvpFT1JabuyN_yPftDv7IOwGnB8qCKEUePEL5dZZySZXEweRVBvfqsYa_QDL0SpMfLJyy98uRoTsQ-DjmvGvJSOf-/s1600/scan0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh9dKYLCaS_fF69SfrweAeH4OdXwKMCr-awnNK7qDdj1ZJErKjicIvpFT1JabuyN_yPftDv7IOwGnB8qCKEUePEL5dZZySZXEweRVBvfqsYa_QDL0SpMfLJyy98uRoTsQ-DjmvGvJSOf-/s320/scan0009.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy 31st Birthday to my other half. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Love You,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Tats</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ps. Happy Flag Day!</span>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-88518076802889990702010-06-14T14:06:00.000-07:002010-06-14T14:06:49.349-07:00Lost and Found<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This weekend with MC out of town I was in Ultimate Nesting Mode. Whilst cleaning the house top to bottom I found the following feminine ankle sock, known to the French as <em>une socquette</em>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTx6xO0Mv8N7h61-YnnFNp1w_SOlYi3bV40p8fTeORkLe6FyCSrxJiLh49K4cguN3Zp3dfNKEP008Yp20JomyOYu43ix4CW4Tv_jKyALsp76gyNG3CIj3p_BB83y2NXCqN_EasLeYVmlX/s1600/sox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTx6xO0Mv8N7h61-YnnFNp1w_SOlYi3bV40p8fTeORkLe6FyCSrxJiLh49K4cguN3Zp3dfNKEP008Yp20JomyOYu43ix4CW4Tv_jKyALsp76gyNG3CIj3p_BB83y2NXCqN_EasLeYVmlX/s320/sox.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This dirty little thing was found in the upstairs bedroom which may have been inhabited by Cats or Juice around the last weekend in April. </span><br />
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<a href="mailto:nkovalt@hotmail.com"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Claim it here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, or it gets the boot. And by boot i'm not referring to a winter shoe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tats</span>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-80254404816898808132010-05-25T09:27:00.000-07:002010-05-25T09:34:38.655-07:0034 Weeks and 5 days<div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, a new shot of my ever growing belly! I must admit i'm feeling pretty big lately and by BIG, I mean uncomfortable, achy, barfy and tired. I can't believe that we will have a little mini-MC in about 5-6 weeks. We are really really excited to meet our little man, but i'd be lying if I said I didn't have one or two little moments of fear thinking of how drastically our life will change in 30 something days!</div><br />
Me: "Sweetness, I don't know about this whole having a baby thing!"<br />
MC: "Too late for that Baby..."<br />
Me: (<em>disapproving groan</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k51fJZuh67noS_5rGMvR-UHCFWPVNNuLL4yg0vNnJRMm7Ur4JGiJpm8b7O5znxUHSpcODSQNbKhe8xZv9M_YAIcuBmwHPXxzj5c_B3qFkrksOxESidFl-zs4cxkE1Wb-wXURPLOEFR_0/s1600/34weeks_5days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k51fJZuh67noS_5rGMvR-UHCFWPVNNuLL4yg0vNnJRMm7Ur4JGiJpm8b7O5znxUHSpcODSQNbKhe8xZv9M_YAIcuBmwHPXxzj5c_B3qFkrksOxESidFl-zs4cxkE1Wb-wXURPLOEFR_0/s400/34weeks_5days.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-9108373195945942522010-04-30T23:16:00.000-07:002010-04-30T23:24:26.605-07:00Sitting next to pigpen<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR40dcVWsNSNoeDdtT_nINWRgWiKKBXeRZ4R_24h0ZBZl4ZWahuKIgW4O0BhaleaHuS8C0UfFhvdRdAZbceCZJcaSUvI7CHlUjmn9_KAMKqRYx_xEFxgi8NjeyWfdbc5A4jRbt5QxCdcS/s1600/nats+babyshower+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466183589711570242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR40dcVWsNSNoeDdtT_nINWRgWiKKBXeRZ4R_24h0ZBZl4ZWahuKIgW4O0BhaleaHuS8C0UfFhvdRdAZbceCZJcaSUvI7CHlUjmn9_KAMKqRYx_xEFxgi8NjeyWfdbc5A4jRbt5QxCdcS/s320/nats+babyshower+047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpVFLgejdGjqJf5JtRfChlNW1SP0zbeA4cTlkvpcE5hmI9QrkFDFxv55RHGGjqAahysvq1qgi65Ic4hkKGmE62St2oB2VsZR7EUwU0MHdiP29arvFbTXEQYa7zb5e-jALkmHjkhMa6m-G/s1600/nats+babyshower+055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466182401183999138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpVFLgejdGjqJf5JtRfChlNW1SP0zbeA4cTlkvpcE5hmI9QrkFDFxv55RHGGjqAahysvq1qgi65Ic4hkKGmE62St2oB2VsZR7EUwU0MHdiP29arvFbTXEQYa7zb5e-jALkmHjkhMa6m-G/s320/nats+babyshower+055.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P2Zd2G9UCVQw8B8HL6ebkYLcx5-FTaGsS8TC2y60t81KEBKRcup0m2SiZNivpChDXVWHvM6xxSBzCy2ocnQ_C3SjD_yyz0YxAjeUVA1CC8bFTdhLsflRjWR6rS7Ws2rSW43QjbaAbtjq/s1600/nats+babyshower+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466182116865690242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P2Zd2G9UCVQw8B8HL6ebkYLcx5-FTaGsS8TC2y60t81KEBKRcup0m2SiZNivpChDXVWHvM6xxSBzCy2ocnQ_C3SjD_yyz0YxAjeUVA1CC8bFTdhLsflRjWR6rS7Ws2rSW43QjbaAbtjq/s320/nats+babyshower+044.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We Took a rode trip for Nats baby shower.</div><br /><div>I somehow got to sit in the middle...to my left was pigpen, who btw went through two wardrobe changes during our 8 hour drive :) </div><br /><div>Please notice my tidy space.</div><div></div><br /><div>Lovingly, your sister</div></div></div>David and Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13095184477424597214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-48933625378452320922010-04-15T09:53:00.000-07:002010-04-16T12:04:50.909-07:0029 Weeks Huge<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Having officially been in my 3rd Trimester for 2 weeks now, i'm surprised that I still don't <em>really </em>feel pregnant. It's funny. I always daydreamed that pregnancy would be different somehow, that it would make me feel or act a certain way. When I open my eyes in the morning I feel like me...but then I try to move and I have no stomach muscles, and my back aches, and I step in front of the mirror and my body is 2 times bigger than normal and I say...humm, I guess I really am pregnant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">29 weeks...in 11 weeks, give or take, we will have a little baby boy. What a mind blowing concept! Hopefully he will have his daddy's blonde hair and stunning blue eyes and my long fingers and toes. We already know he's got super long legs...there was no way he was going to escape that trait, but its a good one.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbWipZbbSHakq1ErcsSxeC3G8lQRMsZO2W9RhvzIqHNNkDqPuFg0LbFQ78Sz6TDEePuW3c05WLM1fgDEjGFpEb_sKAHROXSz6tP-_4-vRAZxOPFmeWEtlxlfxfQtxxkrssh_1k1timl6p/s1600/29weeks_smiley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbWipZbbSHakq1ErcsSxeC3G8lQRMsZO2W9RhvzIqHNNkDqPuFg0LbFQ78Sz6TDEePuW3c05WLM1fgDEjGFpEb_sKAHROXSz6tP-_4-vRAZxOPFmeWEtlxlfxfQtxxkrssh_1k1timl6p/s320/29weeks_smiley.JPG" width="240" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniwDGESoBCNbbh6GIY7Md9lZAzp62BLV1QSNfdT95ZLMbsJFrk5gnvdS58-2AUKh0yZ5uEGsf8a8iLKNEvmeTmsoTp4vRMDD5QbyG0FueSQCXJEJq7KG55iGfBdETmydiF8NcPix_C8aP/s1600/29weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniwDGESoBCNbbh6GIY7Md9lZAzp62BLV1QSNfdT95ZLMbsJFrk5gnvdS58-2AUKh0yZ5uEGsf8a8iLKNEvmeTmsoTp4vRMDD5QbyG0FueSQCXJEJq7KG55iGfBdETmydiF8NcPix_C8aP/s320/29weeks.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have a monthly check-up appointment next Tuesday and i'm proud to say that I have not gained a pound since that infamous <a href="http://talliestattles.blogspot.com/2010/03/welp-she-said-it.html">last appointment</a> when my doctor called me a fatty. We are really excited though because I was able to talk them into giving me my 30 week scan next Thursday morning. Caitlin will be in town and since she will be living in Japan when he is born, I thought it would be cool for her to come with. All you have to do is tell someone that a loved one is leaving for the military and they will do what they can to accomodate you. Umm Caitlin, I told them you were the pilot so you may want to brush up on your Aviator Lingo just incase they ask. Here's to hoping we get a good look at his face. I'm just dying to know what he looks like.</span>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-91436856672450929322010-03-18T10:13:00.000-07:002010-03-18T15:23:10.166-07:00Progress at 25 Weeks<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even though everyone thinks i'm tiny and I hardly look pregnant, i'm going to side with my good friend Aislinn, who thinks I TOTALLY look pregnant. Perhaps she's bias because she has felt and seen the little beans powerful moves more than anyone because he likes to show off while i'm at work...or maybe he is just showing off for the pretty lady? Regardless i'm in my 6 month and I feel huge and wobbly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can form your own opinion below.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCJJpbNh0Im9tpRQXWpR_RCun3D5wssKgobDKDIHl47intJVniMlbm1d51j5peAF0hBWp2m7H4D5nzJBp4Ldex8UO4Crnv0lVpYY16ZqVgH5ANmLDB5NCIu1uWMhACZ_TJcd6WXDYzXqC/s1600-h/25weeks3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCJJpbNh0Im9tpRQXWpR_RCun3D5wssKgobDKDIHl47intJVniMlbm1d51j5peAF0hBWp2m7H4D5nzJBp4Ldex8UO4Crnv0lVpYY16ZqVgH5ANmLDB5NCIu1uWMhACZ_TJcd6WXDYzXqC/s320/25weeks3.JPG" vt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(looking a little tired)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB6g6mHAE80YWsV_HKwCzhUjblAELkcpg3MHNq-kJb1eeCfeKuhGkiPf9sjRujxL-bmpeIBzz99eZgKHKYD8rum45BA2TYYbkzWIknVbLlFYO3UbsHqeL8VxypBfw4TidbGCVTMCJ-5C6/s1600-h/25weeks1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB6g6mHAE80YWsV_HKwCzhUjblAELkcpg3MHNq-kJb1eeCfeKuhGkiPf9sjRujxL-bmpeIBzz99eZgKHKYD8rum45BA2TYYbkzWIknVbLlFYO3UbsHqeL8VxypBfw4TidbGCVTMCJ-5C6/s320/25weeks1.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(how can you say that I don't look pregnant?)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoMSJIIR3Hq0atD7fzNDtp6TchmIkpxfUEjjTLUMQvmp0DLb9sgbyrX1on4SRlTso9HcA8mL0qryjybXKRskqD5LR1sjNUlt-femKzH40hQdLVOqhnPw9LOi-LB4xj3VYW5U4mShAmJFG/s1600-h/25weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoMSJIIR3Hq0atD7fzNDtp6TchmIkpxfUEjjTLUMQvmp0DLb9sgbyrX1on4SRlTso9HcA8mL0qryjybXKRskqD5LR1sjNUlt-femKzH40hQdLVOqhnPw9LOi-LB4xj3VYW5U4mShAmJFG/s320/25weeks.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(fun with kitty)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOETma19XQ0j_LBlUTHB6jQP9otNpRC-GvtM_x-nLRN9aUBggAgU3VS0S8B2JZKK9MK5oNYmcAE0_DdzqrqntWCknfOkoPRe4yARW09ap2Tk_IeshVvH9C_hzVu_MaH2qD7AmVpt8WDis/s1600-h/25weeks2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOETma19XQ0j_LBlUTHB6jQP9otNpRC-GvtM_x-nLRN9aUBggAgU3VS0S8B2JZKK9MK5oNYmcAE0_DdzqrqntWCknfOkoPRe4yARW09ap2Tk_IeshVvH9C_hzVu_MaH2qD7AmVpt8WDis/s320/25weeks2.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(i'm gross here, but look at Mew and MC...hilarious!)</em></div>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-79458717533157467392010-03-17T12:07:00.000-07:002010-03-17T13:31:58.561-07:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy St. Patrick's Day my lovely sisters. I hope you enjoy a cold Guiness for me. In celebration of this happy green day, I registered for this little beauty. Green and beautiful. It's a diaper bag, but so much more magical. Kinda like Mary Poppins bag of goodies...didn't she pull a lamp out of that thing? Now, if I can convince someone that spending almost $400 bucks on a diaper bag is a good idea...that will be magical. Sister's Gift...wink wink. :O)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXko-hX47zWRxoKJf_5b01vH9cdFDQk4u8VmCs2J9xrEmQC0JBIlRvG_83ftfRBHni63Pc8IEJENKj8YU7i0HKK-OqRT_qm4fa3fMNHKnFo091EsI1D5oWjoUfzBHy3r8Xx_MNPvp1kfd/s1600-h/appletartcake_353_pl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXko-hX47zWRxoKJf_5b01vH9cdFDQk4u8VmCs2J9xrEmQC0JBIlRvG_83ftfRBHni63Pc8IEJENKj8YU7i0HKK-OqRT_qm4fa3fMNHKnFo091EsI1D5oWjoUfzBHy3r8Xx_MNPvp1kfd/s320/appletartcake_353_pl.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And for Daddy...Let's stay in the green as well with this lovely Olive PPB Masculine Diaper Bag! Half as much, but twice as nice!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQfiuckYB5mrjsZ-kVJvYAzhS8BjrsqD98HMXKbUWeW_ywP9jQQNgXU3y6YarcPmMIMEh-0ZbvvEHK4ALn39SJeTj28Hl250SQrJx-zvz6xfiDWgzp02H4Sue6HVSjkNAbtgPB2J6WDlJ/s1600-h/1_21469_LG_olive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQfiuckYB5mrjsZ-kVJvYAzhS8BjrsqD98HMXKbUWeW_ywP9jQQNgXU3y6YarcPmMIMEh-0ZbvvEHK4ALn39SJeTj28Hl250SQrJx-zvz6xfiDWgzp02H4Sue6HVSjkNAbtgPB2J6WDlJ/s320/1_21469_LG_olive.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photos courtesy of Petunia Pickle Bottom</span>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-66809919888207278262010-02-19T12:07:00.000-08:002010-02-19T12:10:06.299-08:00Progress at 21 Weeks<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think we've made some significant progress in belly size over the past few weeks. I love my growing baby bump, I don't love the cronic sciatica that is making me seriously consider a cane. Monday morning we get the "real" anatomy scan, so we will find out for sure if this little bumpkin is actually a girl...stay tuned for the dramatic reveal!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Weekend.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMWZ8tCod0aNnHh6tDrSB5bOtnZGuMLjE83yIywRBpawUMcGSRztLXHOEmaa8fb5u2VAe1hfKJ_ixvVyALQXkO5lMzQfRvVEMAMrCSF47YTO54gEuLAioNl2EmrqgQGA7w8YdeNkS4-qP/s1600-h/20weeks7days_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMWZ8tCod0aNnHh6tDrSB5bOtnZGuMLjE83yIywRBpawUMcGSRztLXHOEmaa8fb5u2VAe1hfKJ_ixvVyALQXkO5lMzQfRvVEMAMrCSF47YTO54gEuLAioNl2EmrqgQGA7w8YdeNkS4-qP/s320/20weeks7days_2.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvWG2UpQ5_wnIoRZlWcsETcvO0Heqor_yyuprDHph40rRm2KsBvxMDXEh43dEydj_dEI4eK5_ZvDEwJ6tU_51oINGkR5XxnuTw-7rfSwQ3zF0Jq2zS4PP61GtjX3Kl1Wwai6JASlNbFWg/s1600-h/20weeks7days.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvWG2UpQ5_wnIoRZlWcsETcvO0Heqor_yyuprDHph40rRm2KsBvxMDXEh43dEydj_dEI4eK5_ZvDEwJ6tU_51oINGkR5XxnuTw-7rfSwQ3zF0Jq2zS4PP61GtjX3Kl1Wwai6JASlNbFWg/s320/20weeks7days.JPG" /></a></div>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-55947590359686872792010-02-17T13:36:00.000-08:002010-02-17T13:37:51.065-08:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH - BANANA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjduNM_7zsTF81sWbLvEkz5muQjy4BoJYI0GqnA72-om2EJS18d8iKMef_idTRG8x5_GtAMjkTgOe1ROGKw_eV1wNRgTbAHlcc_dlAP4QWbBRIB6jyqoJFWsXHNmdYxsSy3PQ9OWB7kyMx/s1600-h/hannah.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439329621972029298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjduNM_7zsTF81sWbLvEkz5muQjy4BoJYI0GqnA72-om2EJS18d8iKMef_idTRG8x5_GtAMjkTgOe1ROGKw_eV1wNRgTbAHlcc_dlAP4QWbBRIB6jyqoJFWsXHNmdYxsSy3PQ9OWB7kyMx/s400/hannah.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#330033;">I cant believe your 17! Hope you day is special.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#330033;">xoxox -</span><br /></div>David and Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13095184477424597214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-68582446476809849102010-02-12T12:58:00.000-08:002010-02-12T12:58:18.429-08:00Happy Valentine's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Happy Valentine's Day My Lovely Sisters and Momma. </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Hope it's FULL of <span style="color: #cc0000;">Love</span>! </span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">x</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">o</span><span style="color: #e06666;">x</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">o</span></span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKykJNS-GIKaHS5PNdTXDl7NoSUCO9wuvuQRvug570FjcbnVuYUXJi2HSKIrkQPNy7EuIC37Ed8EJmhUhUHu91VueMuM2datn175ayxMn5y8sjDDJm95IfBQEe35qpFGXI43zOqWsAECoJ/s1600-h/Nats+wed+book+pics+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKykJNS-GIKaHS5PNdTXDl7NoSUCO9wuvuQRvug570FjcbnVuYUXJi2HSKIrkQPNy7EuIC37Ed8EJmhUhUHu91VueMuM2datn175ayxMn5y8sjDDJm95IfBQEe35qpFGXI43zOqWsAECoJ/s400/Nats+wed+book+pics+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-71353316626636281082010-02-09T00:25:00.000-08:002010-02-09T01:09:05.440-08:00Birkram and tings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o5NZl2ADUb5dX0Ocg7d3I3d2uCW6VbvJTEt7y2nsfDY9gPN8Wcr84P0TVwhUPuetIQgLXTlL9qauYUzk9bn4xV_IpjSDGVKmHDQnZ2Zb0qnBIUlXs6QFAk0qj2Uni1DjN3osdvq5i0Hp/s1600-h/papa+sledding.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436167754004193650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 221px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o5NZl2ADUb5dX0Ocg7d3I3d2uCW6VbvJTEt7y2nsfDY9gPN8Wcr84P0TVwhUPuetIQgLXTlL9qauYUzk9bn4xV_IpjSDGVKmHDQnZ2Zb0qnBIUlXs6QFAk0qj2Uni1DjN3osdvq5i0Hp/s400/papa+sledding.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Day 3 of bikram yoga! I hate every min of it, but come the next day I am determined to go again. For the past two weeks I have made a conscience effort to eat less and healthier and im starting to look, feel better. My skin is looking a little more even toned too. </div><div></div><br /><div>So far Vancouver world is alot of work. I am exhausted, but it feels so good to plow through these shipments Rock-It Cargo Style. Seeing and hearing how happy our clients are is so rewarding. I cant wait to watch the games. From bobsleds, luge sleds, ski, snowboards, hockey sticks, clothing for games and opening/clothing ceremonies, media, staging, sound, tv trucks, video. Feels pretty cool to be a part of this world event. </div><br /><div>I go home for a few days on Thursday night and I cant wait to see Dave, Hunti and Marley.</div><br /><div>On a side note... the attached picture is of Papa in a bobsled...in a gift shop. It was so great to hang out with him last month. </div><div> </div><div>Lots of love...</div><div> </div><div> </div>David and Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13095184477424597214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-72541233029690729612010-02-04T16:19:00.000-08:002010-02-04T16:29:31.854-08:00ChangesHey everyone and happy almost superbowl weekend! I hope everyone will have a fantastic superbowl sunday! We are having lots of friends over for the big game and we made the mistake of telling people they can bring their kids... so the other day i was counting how many kids we are going to have here, and it's going to be 12 adults and 6 kids... believe me, i feel a panic attack coming on... BIG MISTAKE. oh well what can you do? I'll keep you ladies posted on how that goes...<br />anyways i have big news, Kyle is lateraling over to Oxnard Police Department at the end of this month. They gave him a job offer last monday and he is very excited. Oxnard is a busier city with more clientele (AKA more crime and gang activity... hooray) and there is alot more opportunity for someone there that has there master's degree to work into upper management. They also have a full time gang unit and a full time SWAT team so he will be like a kid in a candy store.. and Kyle can't wait to see more action. Their scheduling is also great because he will be working 3/12 hour days instead of 4/10 hour days, the lucky guy is going to be having 4 days a week off! lol, must be nice...<br />Other than that, Kyle and i will be spending our 5th valentine's day together in Baton Rouge Louisiana next weekend for kyle's cousin's wedding... his mom was nice enough to buy us a couple of plane tickets when she found out we weren't going :)<br />also i sent out a text showing how i have dramatically lightened my hair... i don't think kyle recognizes me anymore :P<br />So that's it for us!!!<br />Sorry it's been so long<br />Love<br />MeJuicy's Gossiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12637443429420058432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-47186533351370577612010-01-30T10:54:00.000-08:002010-01-30T11:05:22.224-08:00Timon of Athens...starring...<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj9FxuuTYf77kuxMAfRGWAxY_EM2e5Aw5-7N6f1TPZsgadWta-X9JvMg9rpFqlqEPl26hNNXky76_cdVGRpFDO-tAeCHfUlnDymmTDKvIsFJYCYIafQc0zNfpo2hDUftic7Hrhl5nJe_I/s1600-h/Hunter+and+Vanessa+Timon.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432610281320094258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj9FxuuTYf77kuxMAfRGWAxY_EM2e5Aw5-7N6f1TPZsgadWta-X9JvMg9rpFqlqEPl26hNNXky76_cdVGRpFDO-tAeCHfUlnDymmTDKvIsFJYCYIafQc0zNfpo2hDUftic7Hrhl5nJe_I/s400/Hunter+and+Vanessa+Timon.JPG" border="0" /></a> Vanessa and Hunti </div><div align="center"><br />I know <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ive</span> been so bad at updating this thing! Found sometime on this rainy Vancouver morning. Last month <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hunti's</span> school studied <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Shakespeare</span> and she was casted as Timon in the play Timon of Athens. She did so good. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Here's</span> a picture of her and one of her best f<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">riends</span> from school.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>David and Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13095184477424597214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-76194311848144006832010-01-29T08:59:00.000-08:002010-01-29T08:59:23.304-08:00Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbcmims0GA6AIWhX-XmSCy_zbfkHu3eTxMbaH7C_-U6VpkZsMuksQOcF8DgJatu2-xIvVM9OeA2QlcIkMN47lqIROhNYK0LVu7IzRbSbvpXsuLPceEFvf2H7iDZv-MFScUwenNQ_-ohAU/s1600-h/17weeks1day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbcmims0GA6AIWhX-XmSCy_zbfkHu3eTxMbaH7C_-U6VpkZsMuksQOcF8DgJatu2-xIvVM9OeA2QlcIkMN47lqIROhNYK0LVu7IzRbSbvpXsuLPceEFvf2H7iDZv-MFScUwenNQ_-ohAU/s400/17weeks1day.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">17 Weeks and Counting!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We have a doctor's appointment next week. I called yesterday and begged for the anatomy scan, I mean shit, half of my friends find out at 16 weeks what they are having. No Such Luck. Next week is just one of the little check in appointments and we won't have our anatomy scan until at least 20 weeks. Boo.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyone care to guess the sex? We are keeping fingers crossed for blue...but all signs point to pink! We shall see!!</div>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-36335708695475006252010-01-22T06:57:00.000-08:002010-01-22T07:00:44.452-08:00After Birth: Courtesy of Wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies.blogspot.com<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">This next bit of information is from one of many wonderful blogs that I follow. I found all of this information to be extremely interesting and informing, of course... :-)</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Thank you, <a href="http://wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies.blogspot.com">www.wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies.blogspot.com</a> !!</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">We talk a lot about pregnancy and birth, but what about after baby comes? There are so many options to consider before baby even makes her arrival, from vaccination and circumcision, to breastfeeding and diapering, there are so many things to work through. This post will, hopefully, set you on a course to helping navigate all of the choices in early parenting that you will be faced with.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><br />Immediately after birth, you will have some choices to make. These choices include circumcision, vaccinations, routine baby care, and breastfeeding. We will take a look at each of these and I will provide links to additional online sources after each one.<br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbOMfIMf-oVhwNX_OLuG3wghquxoU_eE9BxWvoUM5OEto254RTN4O08VxKGpfZahow82ZBl_SSgqYeS8aMVYNy-gbinO_-cTaWhc16GKt8Vviqj5LEwKkUCd0mKA6GGAo7Xw4sm5cF2w/s1600/217px-Umbilical_cord.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbOMfIMf-oVhwNX_OLuG3wghquxoU_eE9BxWvoUM5OEto254RTN4O08VxKGpfZahow82ZBl_SSgqYeS8aMVYNy-gbinO_-cTaWhc16GKt8Vviqj5LEwKkUCd0mKA6GGAo7Xw4sm5cF2w/s200/217px-Umbilical_cord.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407730098913209298" border="0" style="border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 2px; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 2px; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 184px; " /></a></div><span style="font-size: 19px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Cord Clamping</span></span><br />Cord Clamping tends to occur immediately after birth. Doctors want this to occur for a number of reasons: to hasten the birth of the placenta (traction on the cord stump), to finish a patient's care quickly, to be able to separate baby from mom to complete newborn assessment and routine procedures, and because they may fear jaundice as a result of delayed clamping. Let's address the last reason first because it is the only important one, the rest are only for convenience of the doctors: <a href="http://www.rehabpub.com/reuters_article.asp?id=20080425clin008.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">regular physiological jaundice</a> results from delayed clamping, whereas other types of jaundice (premature, breastfed, or Rh) are not due to delayed clamping.<br /><br />There are many reasons to WAIT (even if it is only for 2-3 minutes) to cut the cord. The blood in the placenta rightfully belongs to the baby, and babies not receiving this blood have the deal with the equivalent of a major blood loss or hemorrhage at birth. It is estimated that early clamping deprives the baby of 54 to 160 ml of blood, which represents up to half of a baby’s total blood volume at birth. To prevent anemia, the iron in the cord blood is vital to babies early health. Babies benefit from the increased oxygen available to them from cord-blood while waiting to take their first breaths. Earlier cord iclamping increases the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome. The last cord blood acts as a source of nourishment that protects infants against the breakdown of body protein.<br /><br />For more information see below:<br /><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16567393?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">PubMed</a><br /><a href="http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/cordIssues.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Cord Issues</a><br /><a href="http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/297/11/1241" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">JAMA</a><br /><a href="http://www.rehabpub.com/reuters_article.asp?id=20080425clin008.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Reuters</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T7dDa1iNyatAnmPQKZTLNbThN5wiNGXh3fi_c3-ococRJsqnVChRGGJjs76VcaxgG-HMYz3F6AytBEilobUbVIDe7KLIoukjdm65uitrjGcXjvzdtbIVhsHeD15zxWON6ZTAz6roAIQ/s1600/eye+goop.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T7dDa1iNyatAnmPQKZTLNbThN5wiNGXh3fi_c3-ococRJsqnVChRGGJjs76VcaxgG-HMYz3F6AytBEilobUbVIDe7KLIoukjdm65uitrjGcXjvzdtbIVhsHeD15zxWON6ZTAz6roAIQ/s200/eye+goop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407730943854162002" border="0" style="border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 2px; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 2px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><span style="font-size: 19px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Erythromycin</span></span><br />This is the eye goop that they put in baby's eyes right after birth. This<span class="text_exposed_show">ointment is an antibiotic given to prevent ill effects of Chlamydia, Syphilis, or gonorrhea, so if a mother knows she does not have these in</span><span class="text_exposed_show">fections, she might choose to refuse this intervention all together</span>. BTW, if you or someone you know is expecting to give birth in the next 4 months, you may want to doubly consider skipping this treatment because there is a <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/erythromycinOintmentShortage.htm" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">shortage of the Erythromycin eye ointment</a> that is normally used for newborns, so many birth facilities are using substitute ointments without warning parents that there are increased risks of the side effects associated with Erythromycin.<br /><br /><span class="text_exposed_show">If a parent (mother or father) has</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> an allerg</span><span class="text_exposed_show">y to antibiotics in this class, a baby's risk for side effects/allergic reactions increases. The ointment does cause the eyelids to become red and puffy for about 12-24 hours, as well as blurring their vision. Risks include: </span>Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; diarrhea; stomach pain, as well as less severe reactions (blurred vision, skin irritation, peeling).<span class="text_exposed_show"> The ointment is not supposed to sting the eyes. Many families who choose to have the erythromycin applied to</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> th</span><span class="text_exposed_show">eir baby's eyes choose to wait for 2 hours postpartum, so that early infant/mother bonding can occur w</span><span class="text_exposed_show">ithout inhibition of cloudy vision.</span><br /><br /><span class="text_exposed_show">See below for more information:<br /><a href="http://www.drugs.com/cdi/erythromycin-ointment.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Drugs.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00000120" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Clinical Trials</a><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0Tlhiye0EjxkjNIzvehlWHrX5kDyywsJzdQ8nXkFBQPT3Ii8qcdPrHAOg4VW3YOjEdgtTasBFO3-LXWH_q0AHxb3XWQhHFCYe0BIJvRRtY39NugaVxp7nUtLddB6miZ0mDoWs9xPnqA/s1600/vaccines.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0Tlhiye0EjxkjNIzvehlWHrX5kDyywsJzdQ8nXkFBQPT3Ii8qcdPrHAOg4VW3YOjEdgtTasBFO3-LXWH_q0AHxb3XWQhHFCYe0BIJvRRtY39NugaVxp7nUtLddB6miZ0mDoWs9xPnqA/s200/vaccines.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407730103764792338" border="0" style="border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 2px; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 2px; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 186px; " /></a></div><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-size: 19px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Vitamin K Injection</span></span><br />The vitamin K injection is a routine injection give</span><span class="text_exposed_show">n to all newborns. This is because babies are born, for the most part, without Vitamin K, a component necessary for blood clotting, so that cells can divide and multiply during gestation. Historically, newborns began getting Vit K shots when circumcision and forceps deliveries became routine. Additionally, at that time they found that some babies</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> suffered from HDN (blood clot</span><span class="text_exposed_show">ting disorder - brain bleeds). We now know that there are two types of HDN:</span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show"><br />Early onset </span>"Classic" HDN (also called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding) occurs in the first week of life. It is an iatrogenic condition, meaning that it is caused by medical care:<ul><li>premature clamping/cutting of the umbilical cord deprives babies of up to 40% of their natural blood volume, including platelets and other clotting factors</li><li>the use of vacuum extractor or forceps often causes bruising or internal bleeding, which uses up the baby's available clotting factors</li><li>the use of antibiotics inhibits the baby's generation of clotting factors</li></ul>Late-onset HDN (true HDN) occurs in specific circumstances:<br /><ul><li>maternal medications interfere with vitamin K, such as anticonvulsants, anticoagulants, and antibiotics</li><li>infant antibiotic use</li><li>infant liver disorders (more prevelant when there is a history of liver disorders)</li><li>infant diarrhea, hepatitis, cystic fibrosis (CF), celiac disease, and alpha1-antitrypin deficiency</li></ul><span class="text_exposed_show">In these situations, if your baby is born by vacuum or forceps assistance, or if you are planning ton have your newborn circumcised before discharge</span><span class="text_exposed_show">, Routine Vit K is wise.</span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show"><br />OTOH, the other side of the deba</span><span class="text_exposed_show">te is that babies are born without Vit K for a reason. Levels are adequate by 8 days after birth (the same day that Jewish/Christian God said to circumcise Hebrew boys), but they continue to increase for the first six weeks of life.</span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show"><br />Studies show that there is an increase risk of </span>childhood leukemia in children who have received the vitamin K shot as newborns, erythrocyte aggregation, jaundice and kernicterus, flushing, sweating, a sense of chest constriction, peripheral vascular collapse, and nerve or muscle damage at the injection site.<br /><br />Other options are to use oral Vit K drops throughout the first few weeks of life (to baby), or increase maternal diet of green leafy veggies or vit K supplement to transfer from breastmilk to baby.<br /><br /><span class="text_exposed_show">See below for more information:</span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/vitktop.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Administration of Vit K To Newborns</a></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><a href="http://www.preciouspassage.com/to_inject_or_not.htm" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">To Inject Or Not<br /></a><a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/025641.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Making Informed Choices</a><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCYPYt8QFpJY7d1GMCsVagC2_p5w499iDLDTiSpxaRYFeD0jggidPSXkQvCJpxXU8TSvSlvHI5-oyno1y5oGr5ydswJaONmVrRBVMjvjYaHuQRoo1-DkFrceLXuqF1L7BcH87Z6RlKgY/s1600/Phenylketonuria_testing.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCYPYt8QFpJY7d1GMCsVagC2_p5w499iDLDTiSpxaRYFeD0jggidPSXkQvCJpxXU8TSvSlvHI5-oyno1y5oGr5ydswJaONmVrRBVMjvjYaHuQRoo1-DkFrceLXuqF1L7BcH87Z6RlKgY/s200/Phenylketonuria_testing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407730935595649362" border="0" style="border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 2px; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 2px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 111px; " /></a><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 19px; ">PKU</span><br /></span>The Newborn Screening Test (aka PKU test) is an analysis of the baby's blood to look for evidence of certain genetic diseases or inborn errors of metabolism. The test is performed by collecting a blood sample from the baby onto special paper, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis of red blood cells, hormones and metabolic by-products to assess whether the findings are outside the normal range.<br /><br />This is "law" in every state (I believe, verification of your personal state is appreciated) although you have a right to refuse any treatment or test. Typically, baby is taken to the nursery, the heel is warmed with a heat pack, and then the nurse or doctor will perform a heel stick and collect blood samples from the heel. Alternatives are: to refuse the test outright, to require babies collection to be done in your presence, while nursing or soothing, or to use a more humane device.<br /><br />There is low risk of infection, a small risk of nerve damage at the collection site, and the risk of the breastfeeding relationship being disrupted and/or emotional trauma.<br /><br /><span class="text_exposed_show">See below for more information:<br /><a href="http://www.gentlebirth.org/ronnie/califpku.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Newborn Screening Test</a></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007257.htm" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Medline Newborn Screening</a><br /><a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1200.asp" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">March of Dimes Newborn Screening</a></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Od69OfBBBCAwjsEE9mtsLoIA6zXk0gVcZh8IlxuEY_qhltwnT4NDRyLaMq5NdhdR1Y-QTq-_t0QuJtb8AL3d9FCAMIbFzTvwPZw7cjpVVLc9asyqnR0lZPQ5LixOHDWWzoaZlV-CPp0/s1600/sowc2009.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Od69OfBBBCAwjsEE9mtsLoIA6zXk0gVcZh8IlxuEY_qhltwnT4NDRyLaMq5NdhdR1Y-QTq-_t0QuJtb8AL3d9FCAMIbFzTvwPZw7cjpVVLc9asyqnR0lZPQ5LixOHDWWzoaZlV-CPp0/s200/sowc2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407730105692816738" border="0" style="border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 2px; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 2px; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 138px; " /></a></div><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-size: 19px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Breastfeeding</span></span><br />Breastfeeding is an option for every woman who gives birth. Breastmilk is the best nutrition for a newborn/baby. It is normal and natural, BUT many women encounter obstacles along the way because, even though it is normal and natural, it is not always easy. Some hurdles that might be encountered: nipple confusion, low milk production, inverted nipples, mastitis, tongue tie, high cleft, plugged ducts, and engorgement.<br /><br />Nearly all breastfeeding hurdles can be overcome by support, lactat</span><span class="text_exposed_show">ion consultation, special attention or apparatus'/treatments, perseverance, and encouragement.<br /></span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show">Breastfeeding success can be inhibited by: premature introduction of a bottle or pacifier, formula supplementation or introduction, medications of mom or baby, prematurity, or recovery (from cesarean or other surgery). Avoiding these situations, if possible, can greatly increase your breastfeeding success.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Benefits of breastfeeding to baby include:</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span><ul><li><b>Less chance of obesity - </b>Longer periods of breastfeeding greatly reduce the risk of being overweight in adulthood as well as reduces the risk of adolescent obesity.<br /></li><li><b>Healthy teeth, eyes, and ears - </b>Formula-fed babies tend to run a higher risk of jaw misalignment and are more likely to need orthodontic work as they get older. Breastfeeding improves the development of facial muscles and the shape of the palate. Breastfeeding reduces the incidence of ear infections and vision problems.<br /></li><li><b>Overall Health - </b>breastfed babies have a reduced risk of severe upper respiratory infections, wheezing, pneumonia and influenza. They have less risk of diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections and constipation. Formula feeding carries a four fold increase in risk for SIDS.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Intelligence/Coping</span> - breastfed babies tend to score higher on IQ tests and cognition testing. Breastfed babies also tend to be more vertical in the corporate world later in life. A recent study indicates that breastfed children cope better with stress later in life. The bonding rather than the breast milk is a likely explanation.</li><li><b>Later Life - </b>Formula-fed babies have a raised risk of heart disease, juvenile/type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Recent research indicated that breastfeeding can postpone allergies and asthma. Breastfeeding may also play a role in preventing digestive diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as well as childhood cancers including leukemia. Other studies indicate a reduce risk for both eczema, food allergy, and respiratory allergy--throughout childhood and adolescence.</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Benefits to Mom:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Less Fatigue -</span> women who nurse report being better rested, less stressed, and more content. This is because of a number of factors and include: no need to prepare formula/bottles, the ability to readily access nourishment for a child during nighttime feedings (which allows a woman to do this as second nature and not fully rouse), the hormone prolactin releases olfactorily, soothing a stressed mama and family members and promotes a feeling of overall well being.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Weight Loss -</span> While nursing, you will burn an additional 500+ calories every day. So, unless you continue to "eat for two", the breastfeeding may help you loose weight. The 'spare tire' around a woman's waist is actually a 'milk store' a fatty deposit that nature gave women to sustain her milk production in hard times. Women who nurse tend to loose more of this spare tire, which would otherwise continue to be a 'problem area' throughout her life.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Uterine Health -</span> The hormone oxytocin, which is released in your body during breastfeeding, helps the contraction of your uterus back to normal. Besides looking pregnant for a shorter time period after giving birth, this also means that you may have a shorter postpartum bleeding. Some studies suggest that this also reduces uterine risks later in life including prolapsed uterus, the rate/necessity of hystorectomies, and the like.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Cancers and Longterm Health- </span>Some studies indicate that the risk of getting both breast and <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">ovarian cancer</span> is reduced through breastfeeding. Some studies even indicate of lower incidence of osteoporosis later in life among women that have breastfed.</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Breastmilk contains:</span></p><ul><li><b>Protein</b> in breast milk is mostly whey, which is easier to digest than casein (main protein in cow's milk). Protein of breast milk has high amounts of amino acid taurine, which has an important role in the development of the brain and the eyes.</li><li><b>Fats - </b>These fats are nearly self-digesting, since breast milk also contains the enzyme lipase, which breaks down the fat. Fat is the main source of calories for babies, something babies need to continue postpartum growth and development. Also, fat in human milk has large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, important for brain development.</li><li><b>Vitamins and minerals</b> - in human milk are <i>bioavailable</i>-meaning they get absorbed well. Breast milk contains substances that enhance the absorption of minerals and vitamins.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Stem Cells</span> - Breast milk is the only adult tissue where more than one type of stem cell has been discovered. That is very unique and implies a lot about the impressive bioactivity of breast milk and the consequential benefits to the breastfed infant (see <a href="http://www.zeenews.com/news581188.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">this article</a> for more great information)<br /></li><li><b>Immune boosters</b>. breastmilk continually passes millions of white blood cells to baby to help baby fight off all kinds of diseases. Also, when mother is exposed to a germ, she makes antibodies to that germ and gives these antibodies to her infant via her milk. Breast milk also contains factors that prevent microbes from attaching, and a long list of other antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic factors.</li></ul><blockquote style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 20px; ">"Even more amazing, if a baby contracts an illness that mom has<cite>not </cite>been exposed to previously, he will transfer this organism through his saliva to the breast, where antibodies are manufactured on site and then sent back to baby via the milk to help him cope. ... Mothers who wean their babies from the breast during the first and even second and third years of life often notice that their child becomes sick more than before, or for the first time." <a href="http://www.fix.net/%7Erprewett/evidence.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Examining the Evidence for Cue feeding of Breastfed Infants</a> by Lisa Marasco and Jan Barger</blockquote><ul><li><b>Hormones and enzymes</b>. Breast milk has lots of digestive enzymes, and also many hormones. These all contribute to the baby's well being.</li></ul>See below for more information:<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100.asp" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Dr. Sears on Breastfeeding</a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=227" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Womans Health</a><span style="font-size: 19px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KfqUCvPJrjFfA-vCdMyDfLexy5wfXXCOwDtaBlNmaJ3hJW_VR_JccJjlpqdA4WK4KBUDzGCvcaiGNvyBnduQZsDluh29R0NIJCjkanSylw6H9YE40rWl34CmZxA_Ne9amVUtQds1BsI/s1600/vitk.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KfqUCvPJrjFfA-vCdMyDfLexy5wfXXCOwDtaBlNmaJ3hJW_VR_JccJjlpqdA4WK4KBUDzGCvcaiGNvyBnduQZsDluh29R0NIJCjkanSylw6H9YE40rWl34CmZxA_Ne9amVUtQds1BsI/s200/vitk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407732338175585314" border="0" style="border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 2px; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 2px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 131px; " /></a><span style="font-size: 19px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Vaccinations</span></span><br />Vaccinations definitely have benefits, and there are stark risks as well. This, like circumcision, is a touchy subject.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">The wonderful thing is, there are options. Your options include<a href="http://vaccinations.suite101.com/article.cfm/alternative_vaccination_schedules" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">selective vaccination</a>, <a href="http://sortacruchy.blogspot.com/2007/11/our-delayed-vaccination-schedule.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">delayed vaccinations</a>, and no vaccinations.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">Some things to consider when making your decision:</p><ul><li>Immunizations provide long-term immunity, not lifetime immunity.</li><li>Breast-feeding protects the child from diseases (excluding pertussis) through the mother’s immunity. Some advocates of delayed vaccination state to wait until baby is weaned.<br /></li><li>Vaccination protection: typically, the 1st shot in a series provides full immunity to 70% of the population. The 2nd shot in the series brings it up to 80% & the 3rd to 90% of the population.</li><li><span style="font-style: italic; ">All </span>vaccines carry some risks, these risks are compounded the more vaccines a body recieves.<br /></li><li>The polio vaccine has been shown to, in some cases, <span style="font-style: italic; ">cause </span>polio.</li><li>The mumps vaccine has been shown to, in some cases, cause meningitis, febrile convulsions and epilepsy.</li><li>The<a href="http://wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies.blogspot.com/2008/05/gardasil-and-guarding-my-daughters.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; "> HPV vaccine</a> has been shown to <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090209005358&newsLang=en" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">cause high incidence</a>s of: death, paralysis, thrombosis, lupus, blood clots, fainting, stroke, siezures, long term dissabilities, and there is a question as to, longterm, if it will cause infertility issues.</li><li>Questions as to vaccines correlating with the increased incidence of autism in developed countries routinely vaccinating.<br /></li><li>Vaccines can cause allergic reactions/sensitivities to certain foods like eggs & gelatin as well as certain medications (antibiotics). While preexisting severe allergies to eggs, gelatin or antibiotics can result in severe deadly reactions to a vaccine containing these substances.</li><li>Consider the risks of contracting the disease in your decision to immunize your child. High risks include overseas travel, frequent plane or bus travel, day care or school, or your personal job exposure to vaccination diseases.</li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">There are many options, and I recommend families reviewing the evidence for what is the best for their families.<br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">See below for more information:</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><a href="http://www.ncoh.net/services/education/askdrp.php?aid=52" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Center For Optimal Health</a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><a href="http://www.nvic.org/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">NVIC</a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Dr. Sears and Vaccinations</a><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFKOCmBKwSRknlcflTDPR3dNWee8by9SiaLhXWdFpOtuw5ecwbP2JjaGJ6WhOo5DYoiyFH0s89M6jXjoWvMyQr8kBTnrgWPREg_VrZjcaESFc4YWbOM4rQ7i9nLXTHZza1qgeM7HZBeE/s1600/circ.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFKOCmBKwSRknlcflTDPR3dNWee8by9SiaLhXWdFpOtuw5ecwbP2JjaGJ6WhOo5DYoiyFH0s89M6jXjoWvMyQr8kBTnrgWPREg_VrZjcaESFc4YWbOM4rQ7i9nLXTHZza1qgeM7HZBeE/s200/circ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407730928623543122" border="0" style="border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 2px; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 2px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a><span style="font-size: 19px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Circumcision</span></span><br />Circumcision is a very touchy subject for families. There are pros and cons on each side of the fence and has to be a subject/decision that families are confident in BEFORE it is performed. If, for any reason, there is dissension over circumcision, it is best to NOT have it done until all parties are in agreement. Culturally and religiously, there are arguments in favor of the procedure. As a routine surgery, the AAP discourages it.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">Complications can arise, and do in about 3% of all circumcisions, and include: rash or irritation, poor cosmetic appearance, bleeding (hemorrhage) and/or infection, and complications due to faulty surgical technique (Buried penis (also called denudation - penile shaft buried below the surface of the pubic skin), Chordee (abnormal downward bend of the penis), Meatal stenosis (narrowing of the urine channel [urethra] at the top of the penis), Skin bridges (foreskin reattaching to the glans), and Penectomy (accidental partial or complete penile removal)).</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">It is a permanent procedure that cannot be reversed and is often times not covered by insurance. The procedure takes anywhere from 5-15 minutes.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The procedure- </span>The baby is placed on his back with his arms and legs restrained and the penis and surrounding area are cleaned. A local anesthetic (e.g., cream applied to the skin, injection to the shaft or base of the penis) is used to prevent pain. Anesthetic cream takes effect in about 20-40 minutes. The injection takes less time to work, but the aftereffects may last longer. Sometimes the baby is given a sweetened pacifier to reduce stress (sweetie). The foreskin is pulled down (retracted) from the head of the penis and clamped in place using a metal or plastic ring. If a metal ring is used, the foreskin is cut off and the ring is removed. An antibiotic cream is applied and the penis is wrapped in loose gauze. Healing usually takes 5 to 7 days. If a plastic ring (called a Plastibell) is used, the foreskin is slit and wrapped back around the ring. A piece of thread (suture) is tied around the cut foreskin, pushing it into a groove in the plastic. This is left on the penis for 5 to 7 days, after which it falls off, leaving a completely healed circumcision. An antibiotic cream is applied to the penis.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">There are DEFINITE benefits to leaving the prepuce intact, and would refer you to the video below for a full disclosure of that. Please take the moment to watch this video, whether or not you choose to circumcise, so as to be fully educated and make an informed decision about the process.<br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "></p><div><object width="420" height="339"></object></div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">Several studies have been performed to find out if there is a medical benefit to infant circumcision. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says the benefits of circumcision are not significant enough to recommend circumcision as a routine procedure and that circumcision is not medically necessary.<br /><br />A recent AAP report stated that circumcision does offer <span style="font-style: italic; ">some</span> benefit in preventing urinary tract infections in infants (which is easily treatable with antibiotics and occurs less often when the foreskin (prepuce) is left alone (not retracted to clean)). Circumcision also offers some benefit in preventing penile cancer in adult men. However, this disease is very rare in all men, whether or not they have been circumcised. Circumcision may reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Although a man's sexual practices (e.g., if he uses condoms, if he has more than one partner, etc.) has more to do with STD prevention than whether or not he is circumcised.<br /><br />Study results are mixed about whether circumcision may help reduce the risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners, although this information is again skewed as to the male partners sexual practices as the cervical cancer is often a result of HPV.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">Other arguements are social pressures: wanting a child to look like his father or male role model, not wanting a child to be made fun of growing up, wanting a child to 'fit in'. These arguments, IMHO, are not solid enough to base a decision to alter another persons reproductive organs on. No two penis' look alike, so the 'look like his father' argument is null and void - a child will have no issues with this discrepency as long as the father does not show any angst regarding his sons penis. The last two arguments are becoming a non-issue as more and more <a href="http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/staterates2004/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">American males </a>are <a href="http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; "><span style="font-style: italic; ">not </span>being circumcised</a>. America, Canada, and the Middle East are the only locations where circumcision is prevelant, rate of incidences in the order listed.<br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">Finally, taking into consideration all of the above information, we would be wise to think twice about the implementation of this procedure routinely.<br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">See below for more information:</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; "><a href="http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/men/reproductive/042.html" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Family Doctor</a></p>-------<br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; ">Well, I hope that the above information arms families with the starting point to begin to make the earliest choices for their children's healthcare. For more great reading, see below:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Parenting and Baby Care </span><br />Online Resources:<br /></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.our365.com/Wisdom.aspx" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">365</a></li><li><a href="http://www.transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Transition to Parenthood</a></li><li><a href="http://www.allaboutmoms.com/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Real Savvy, All About Moms</a></li><li><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Dr. Sears</a></li><li><a href="http://www.kellymom.com/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Kelly Mom</a></li><li><a href="http://www.mothering.com/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Mothering</a></li></ul>Books:<br /><ul><li>The Baby Book, Sears</li><li>Mothering the New Mother, Placksin</li><li>The Year After Childbirth, Kitzinger</li><li>You and Your Newborn Baby, Linda Todd</li><li>The Happiest Baby on the Block, Dr. Harvey Karp</li><li>The Year After Childbirth, Sheila Kitzinger<br /></li><li>Your Amazing Newborn, Marshall and Phyliss Klaus</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Breastfeeding </span><br />Online Resources:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.bflrc.com/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">BFLRC</a> - mostly for the professional</li><li><a href="http://www.transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Transition to Parenthood</a></li><li><a href="http://www.kellymom.com/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Kelly Mom</a></li><li><a href="http://www.promom.org/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">ProMom</a></li><li><a href="http://www.llli.org/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">La Leche League International</a></li><li><a href="http://www.breastfeeding.com/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Breastfeeding</a></li></ul>Books:<br /><ul><li>The Nursing Mother’s Companion, Kathleen Huggins</li><li>*The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, Anwar Fazal</li><li>The Breastfeeding Book, Sears</li><li>Nursing Mother, Working Mother, Gale Prior</li><li>So That’s What They’re For! Breastfeeding Basics, Janet Tamaro</li><li>The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, Newman and Pitman</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Maternal Support, PTSD, and Birth Trauma</span><br />Online Resources:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://postpartum.net/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Post Partum Support International</a> - for help postpartum</li><li><a href="http://www.depressionafterdelivery.com/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Depression After Delivery</a> - for help postpartum</li><li><a href="http://solaceformothers.org/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Solace For Mothers </a>- support for traumatic birth</li><li><a href="http://www.tabs.org.nz/" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">TABS</a> - support for traumatic birth and PTSD</li><li><a href="http://www.sheilakitzinger.com/BirthCrisis.htm" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; ">Birth Crisis</a> - for birth healing</li></ul>Books:<br /><ul><li>This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression, Karen Kleiman</li><li>The Postpartum Husband, Sandra Poulin</li><li>The Mother-To-Mother Postpartum Depression Support Group, Sandra Poulin</li></ul>My hope is that every woman can be confident of her educated decisions as a mother! Here's to full and informed consent (refusal).</span>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08639412452424883345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-52587169856059888282009-12-28T11:32:00.000-08:002009-12-28T11:34:23.082-08:00Lil Peanut at 12 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had our First Trimester Screening Appointment on Christmas Eve. The doctors office was backed up when we got there and we very impaciently waited in the waiting room for over an hour! We were quite displeased with this, and I spent most of the time eating the crackers which were to accompany the baked brie I was to bring to the family holiday party. However, all the bad feelings disappeared as soon as we got to see our little Peanut. He was moving around so much, kicking and squirming like a little frog! It was so funny and so reassuring to see the little guy. The early stages of pregnancy are odd..I dont really have a belly yet (except after I eat), I am starting to feel less morning sickness and I can't feel it moving. And aside from the pre-pubecent acne that is now covering my mug and the love handles that just won't quite, I often wonder if I am pregnant at all?! But He (She)'s in there!! Here's our little guy...all 52 mm of him!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBQEUohrIMmgjCUTpCv5ngM1EZMfk-KWUzi3WC-yyj1yLapnJuJK_DnkRxvJz3HLy7qQjBv95qMQGMg9IrhY0SRSFikoUbQ7ERa0y9in0prU6MmuSItUQKUeDJT5H2qp6lsT3PpAurqEs/s1600-h/Baby12wks2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBQEUohrIMmgjCUTpCv5ngM1EZMfk-KWUzi3WC-yyj1yLapnJuJK_DnkRxvJz3HLy7qQjBv95qMQGMg9IrhY0SRSFikoUbQ7ERa0y9in0prU6MmuSItUQKUeDJT5H2qp6lsT3PpAurqEs/s400/Baby12wks2.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Like I said, I haven't changed too much (belly wise) but you can definately see a little difference in my waist line and my butt (which I just noticed!) Awesome.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1dhD9lQjbZ7Q95THVDoq0MWoqgmIZmUivbv-wUvThPcvOgH63KHi7CpiTrIeMa_hzQR9GAe7gYMZnvCnZ1MTakrsYSDqJCjtrNovtelABOLXW4nNbioZFDEx_K7_XirSt4KVMKXqddX4/s1600-h/7weeks1day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1dhD9lQjbZ7Q95THVDoq0MWoqgmIZmUivbv-wUvThPcvOgH63KHi7CpiTrIeMa_hzQR9GAe7gYMZnvCnZ1MTakrsYSDqJCjtrNovtelABOLXW4nNbioZFDEx_K7_XirSt4KVMKXqddX4/s320/7weeks1day.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gvkont2oBuUb8pbdesajVfJkH-pbjASqkIYJw7P7TWJGAqojmIbHzbOouCu8xLUdvhqrdAtb49b2k4EsRaYlWZ2oe1g5JkgC-tcqSuR7Vba6kOifJlxWyuQ0LpGWSo2rGTiO1DNFk7c-/s1600-h/12weeks1day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gvkont2oBuUb8pbdesajVfJkH-pbjASqkIYJw7P7TWJGAqojmIbHzbOouCu8xLUdvhqrdAtb49b2k4EsRaYlWZ2oe1g5JkgC-tcqSuR7Vba6kOifJlxWyuQ0LpGWSo2rGTiO1DNFk7c-/s400/12weeks1day.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Needless to say, I am exstatic to hit the gym today!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Our Christmas was awesome and Now pretty much everyone in our lives knows about the baby. It was cool to share with the Callahan Clan. They naturally were quite enthusiastic as they are the type that asks you on your wedding day when you will start trying for kids.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Hoping all of you had an awesome Christmas!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Love,</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Me</span><br />
</div>Talliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433657355542249676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-83632437348121280812009-12-22T10:12:00.000-08:002009-12-22T10:31:35.189-08:00Christmas CrazyI think that it's safe to say that we all get a little coo-coo around the holidays. It's an overdose of food, drinks, money spending, and family all wrapped into one. Quite the cocktail if you ask me. Every year the holidays seem to catch me by surprise and it's safe to say for me, that this time of year i never learn from my past year mistakes. My greatest flaw, procrastination, leaves me to battle all of my fellow procrastinators every year at the stores. So why don't i start my shopping in October or some other time other than 2-3 days before Christmas? <div>1. Denial. There is something wired in my brain that refuses to let me believe that Christmas is a matter of importance unless it's only 2 days away.</div><div>2. Spending the money. Who wouldn't rather spend the money on themselves? Call me selfish but you all know it's true.</div><div>3. Procrastinator. Like i said before, this is just one of my many flaws.</div><div>4. I have no idea what to get anybody, and my lack of creativity is of no help to that whatsoever. </div><div>5. Time... Who has it anyways?</div><div>6. Wrapping the gifts....</div><div> So last night as i stood in line for 20 minutes at Ross i had a revelation. Who cares, oh well, i procrastinate and i always will. So long as it get's the job done, i will stand in lines for 20 minutes + surrounded by other stressed out crazy last minute shoppers, trying to cut in front of me all the while to the joyful sounds of screaming children and Christmas music (this makes quite the soundtrack...)</div><div>The good news is. You all make it worth it. Happy Holidays and i can't wait to see ya'll (as Caitlin would say)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Juicy's Gossiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12637443429420058432noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-26570337984770763112009-12-21T17:56:00.000-08:002009-12-21T18:11:21.283-08:00Doula What?Well, it's almost official.<div><br /></div><div>As many of you may already know, I feel my calling in life is to be a midwife. I know it seems rather out of the blue and random but I can't even begin to describe how passionate I am about encouraging women to have the birth of their dreams, when possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>For now though, since we're moving to Japan and we are planning on starting a family in the next couple of years, becoming a doula is the next best thing for me to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will begin the certification process immediately, starting with an extensive reading list and a Birth Doula Workshop in January in Alabama. I will then need to attend several births and birthing classes...</div><div><br /></div><div>Some people may find it strange that someone who has never experienced child birth on a personal level would have any inclination to this career field. All I can say to that is this. Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed about having the ultimate birth experience. Weird? Maybe. :-) My Mom has inspired me to some degree by having all 5 of us girls naturally. I can remember with our youngest sister, while my Mom was laboring, she was getting our lunches ready for our school day. When she had a contraction she'd stop and work through it. Then a minute later it was like nothing had happened. It amazed me. She knew her body so well that they were able to stay at home for quite some time before needing to really get to the hospital to deliver. I do believe that the American culture has created a stigma of fear, terror and unmanageable pain to go along with natural child birth. Women have been birthing children for a millennia with the support of other women and a knowledgeable midwife. Of course I don't say all of this to discount the importance of Obstetricians!! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; "><table width="408" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td width="386" align="left" valign="top"></td><td align="left" valign="middle" width="11"><img src="http://www.dona.org/images/spacer.gif" width="11" height="1" /></td><td width="386" align="left" valign="top"><p class="headline1" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; ">What is a doula? <img src="http://www.dona.org/images/spacer_ccc.gif" width="100%" height="1" /></p><p style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; ">The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.</p><p style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; ">Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.</p><p style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; "><span class="purple12bold" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 0, 102); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; ">A Birth Doula</span></p><ul style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; ">Stays with the woman throughout the labor</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; ">Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; ">Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; ">Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; ">Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level</li><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><table width="408" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td width="386" align="left" valign="top"></td><td align="left" valign="middle" width="11"></td><td width="386" align="left" valign="top"><p class="purple12bold" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 0, 102); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; ">Why use a Doula?</p><p style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; ">Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.</p><p style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; ">DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.</p><p style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: -8px; ">Numerous <a href="http://www.dona.org/resources/research.php" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 0, 102); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; ">clinical studies</a> have found that a doula’s presence at birth</p><ul style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; ">reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals</li></ul><p style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: -8px; "><a href="http://www.dona.org/resources/research.php" style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 0, 102); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; ">Research</a> shows parents who receive support can:</p><ul style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">Feel more secure and cared for</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">Have greater success with breastfeeding</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">Have greater self-confidence</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">Have less postpartum depression</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: 5px; ">Have lower incidence of abuse</li><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway... :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>Please keep my endeavors in your prayers as I finally embark on a career journey that will ultimately affect the lives of many women and babies! </div>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08639412452424883345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-40944233070472511092009-12-21T10:16:00.000-08:002009-12-21T10:26:46.980-08:00Holiday Office Party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V1oeZy-oBPiBb3gYTUAoVF7dYqKMVtmLr4d_6m0J7BnG1ayzNUJPL-PZjkPOp_ALpsHCmj5BBE-mjCiFJ649E_LARmiUn4Cp0m8L33nmFAvgAf5Z8qbq25Gp6UWvZpflD-xg44mTWQ-q/s1600-h/Santa"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417757414561411874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V1oeZy-oBPiBb3gYTUAoVF7dYqKMVtmLr4d_6m0J7BnG1ayzNUJPL-PZjkPOp_ALpsHCmj5BBE-mjCiFJ649E_LARmiUn4Cp0m8L33nmFAvgAf5Z8qbq25Gp6UWvZpflD-xg44mTWQ-q/s400/Santa" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmREv2YgyoeS0YLlvYqz-PdTpTh2gpN5qg8LC7fyO4s-wuUyo4HgO3SDO3_BwW3KFpdXMnNcUrRsDnhX-8KBygvkSV31pjKlC5R_5GjYhzGtrFRyPcP4LSMOLZJHdBNPqvzy4ZtVkkMK4/s1600-h/me.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417757098583099602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmREv2YgyoeS0YLlvYqz-PdTpTh2gpN5qg8LC7fyO4s-wuUyo4HgO3SDO3_BwW3KFpdXMnNcUrRsDnhX-8KBygvkSV31pjKlC5R_5GjYhzGtrFRyPcP4LSMOLZJHdBNPqvzy4ZtVkkMK4/s400/me.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzvwGoOmNDAr3ul_duWRmU5oHSW0OSq2IU2bwiuaI_aJ6MINv8E3E8qGeerXjUcd3q10iH9Bq-vnIUAl-KdXD3_ip0sVKK4G0cizTjWohAUJgCSsjhWzBCa27wabMFc1IunoeMTYPAtBq/s1600-h/santa1"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417755760702552946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzvwGoOmNDAr3ul_duWRmU5oHSW0OSq2IU2bwiuaI_aJ6MINv8E3E8qGeerXjUcd3q10iH9Bq-vnIUAl-KdXD3_ip0sVKK4G0cizTjWohAUJgCSsjhWzBCa27wabMFc1IunoeMTYPAtBq/s400/santa1" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Santa Clause came to the office on Friday. Funny! I still look pregnant in this picture.... Huh?<br /><br /><br /><div>We also had a Fortune Teller, and Charater Artist, a juggler, a henna artist and tHe Grinch...me made super cool ballon animals ;) </div><br /><div>We had a raffell... some people won PLane Tickets, Ipods, Mastercards, Starbucks, In&Out....I scored with the leave early on a Friday.... The awesome thing is that I am on salary...aaaaand.... I never ever really stop working.... eeeh...but whos complaining. At least the day was filled with Cheese, shrimp, Mimosa's, Koo-Ka-Roo and cookies :) Oh I forgot to mention!!! In the white elephant game I won an awesome warm scarf from brookstone...and $15 I-Tunes... perfect stocking stuffer for Hunter :) </div></div></div></div>David and Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13095184477424597214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-30287051360565145842009-12-20T10:35:00.001-08:002009-12-20T11:03:19.062-08:00Informational of Another Variety<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lzJ5GIPql62LZv2JMPU-4Qimvowei72wqMUCzLSkPo0rh7z9MH6pTnrDzSVAamlgIC3IDQmyCA8bG2V4wRJw8UJGzOvmAzB-w2CQv0aGZBSg9dj1K8xgYp735oYIRKBo8dlEI3uV79N9/s1600-h/Winging.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lzJ5GIPql62LZv2JMPU-4Qimvowei72wqMUCzLSkPo0rh7z9MH6pTnrDzSVAamlgIC3IDQmyCA8bG2V4wRJw8UJGzOvmAzB-w2CQv0aGZBSg9dj1K8xgYp735oYIRKBo8dlEI3uV79N9/s400/Winging.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417390573289967186" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">September 2008 brought on a journey that my Aviator had been dreaming of forever. 13 months later, the United States Air Force made it official with that beautiful set of wings you see on his chest. From here on out it's going to be the real world. As soon as we get to Yokota, he'll be flying missions and deploying. The past almost 2 years have been cherished and will always be close to my heart as we started out lives together both as married folk and as an active duty military family. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPguuhlYQ5BtQWT4jEtsO95UquRnXv_XMIqvySth9Xe396mfPm0DtvM63Sz2ugL4D-uLGCFqosp7H5xHf-Jd5RzYwMg5Yww_9vaR1eWPcrctwde5OuHFDUV0ES3rBPxCTKBIeB1ucFSySa/s1600-h/New+Ring.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPguuhlYQ5BtQWT4jEtsO95UquRnXv_XMIqvySth9Xe396mfPm0DtvM63Sz2ugL4D-uLGCFqosp7H5xHf-Jd5RzYwMg5Yww_9vaR1eWPcrctwde5OuHFDUV0ES3rBPxCTKBIeB1ucFSySa/s400/New+Ring.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417390091269767666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know I'm not exactly a hand model but I wanted to show off my new ring.. :-) As some of you may already know, the Aviator and I have had a very interesting time with my wedding ring/diamond from the very start... We started off with a beautiful tension setting engagement that was later on accompanied by a complimentary wedding band. After about a week of wearing the wedding band with the engagement ring, the diamond popped out and was lost forever, the day BEFORE we insured the ring........ Needless to say, it was very traumatic for us. We'd been married almost a full week when this happened and neither of us knew what to do next... So we waited a about a month and then called the jeweler that made the engagement ring and wedding band and explained what had happened, hoping that perhaps they had their own form of diamond insurance... That was a big fat negative... The only thing they could do was reset a new diamond for us at no cost. They felt terrible about it. So we eventually ordered a new diamond from Blue Nile that was absolutely the perfect one. We mailed the ring set to Montgomery, Alabama to have a new setting fashioned from the gold after I described to them over the phone what I'd like.. No more tension setting... This girl NEEDS prongs to sleep at night... :-) So upon delivery of the diamond, I drove to Alabama to hand deliver the diamond for the new setting... The new set the jeweler fashioned was beautiful. I couldn't even begin to describe how happy I was to just have my wedding ring back. That was almost 2 years ago. Since then, I've been keeping my eyes open for a heck of a deal on something that I absolutely loved, something that said "CAITLIN" all over it... We found it about 2 months ago at the mall in Little Rock, marked 70% down from it's original price. It was perfect. It still is. There was no centerstone and it was the perfect size. We waited and waited and waited. Then we went ahead and got it. :-) Here it is with my same diamond. We took it and my old setting to a local jeweler to have the diamond set and to have a wedding band made with the original one. It's so beautiful. We still look at it and check to see if there is a diamond still there... Old habits die hard... Ha ha... This one is insured... Ha ha... ha.... ha...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL1avozMUHimzRc_XrDupesa_tVhFYpyt7_2ALxtq9BrcnzMr0i9C91JJ4_4LYmmRwkNQATh5vVGYMg2b8ObC7p7XRhSadwA59sFWaBoUA90xxf_Ot9ItuxcD73RVDK6W6xisQQqnb5hb/s1600-h/TheBean.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL1avozMUHimzRc_XrDupesa_tVhFYpyt7_2ALxtq9BrcnzMr0i9C91JJ4_4LYmmRwkNQATh5vVGYMg2b8ObC7p7XRhSadwA59sFWaBoUA90xxf_Ot9ItuxcD73RVDK6W6xisQQqnb5hb/s400/TheBean.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417390080600894930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We went on a quick weekend trip to Chicago a couple of weekends ago. We met one of the Aviator's childhood friends and his wife up there for some sight seeing and food eating. :-) Here we are at The Bean at Millennium park... This was an amazing sight! You can see the entire city of Chicago in the its reflection! It's really neat! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsfJrM07YtjE_Lp04MeT3KbxZ1ainQa6cxcKVsXQQBq3Sv3_gY97BClB6OKBSFLfx9BktQJ8r8kY4WldUzaL0vTWZtFxqLiITKicRrnnzBfVaSA1N-PGLpo9ciw6-UQglb5DtpkW59aw7/s1600-h/SkyDeck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsfJrM07YtjE_Lp04MeT3KbxZ1ainQa6cxcKVsXQQBq3Sv3_gY97BClB6OKBSFLfx9BktQJ8r8kY4WldUzaL0vTWZtFxqLiITKicRrnnzBfVaSA1N-PGLpo9ciw6-UQglb5DtpkW59aw7/s400/SkyDeck.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417390078130109474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was taken by a really sweet couple from Denver... They said it was -40 degrees with windchill in CO so the 3 degree weather we were griping about was quite endurable for them... This is the SkyDeck at Willis Tower (formally known as Sears Tower). 108 stories up and 4-feet off of the wall makes for quite an exhilarating photo opportunity...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdC8tdHWygDW9T2kQL61aA6Gr_bxAOoonPfCT-AFl4qdjTxOwiPvrujMnt_igNtEZW2ZGbd2tqwFRvTlk-xYnM8A8SMzfnFX0pRxJ3TfRqdJNS_BPOo2shRJ25Yryx4wPvQwtb_ojQXkA/s1600-h/Chicago.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdC8tdHWygDW9T2kQL61aA6Gr_bxAOoonPfCT-AFl4qdjTxOwiPvrujMnt_igNtEZW2ZGbd2tqwFRvTlk-xYnM8A8SMzfnFX0pRxJ3TfRqdJNS_BPOo2shRJ25Yryx4wPvQwtb_ojQXkA/s400/Chicago.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417390069211263970" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Aviator and I in the heart of it all. There is really nothing like being married to your best friend... He is the best travel buddy a girl could ever ask for! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFFEYTgc5_uHGCnkDkuOB28rlQzyY9OWUsPBO1MwQQIpVSOoS4D983UGLKHjiJeqZb34OaAFSoWBxMvrjhJc6KKOUOasaahKSzIpPml274IINsrHfnRVCDmk3hFkPgZ_HrOQWWDb_XuXh/s1600-h/Carrots.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFFEYTgc5_uHGCnkDkuOB28rlQzyY9OWUsPBO1MwQQIpVSOoS4D983UGLKHjiJeqZb34OaAFSoWBxMvrjhJc6KKOUOasaahKSzIpPml274IINsrHfnRVCDmk3hFkPgZ_HrOQWWDb_XuXh/s400/Carrots.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417390063626462466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Just wanted to throw this in here... We got a new camera a couple of weeks ago and it has a food setting... :-) Cool right? Kinda makes me feel like 'The 'OTHER' Pioneer Woman'... :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas season! Don't forget why we celebrate it! Joy to the world!</div></div>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08639412452424883345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-65486712791767027012009-12-14T16:15:00.000-08:002009-12-14T16:32:53.614-08:00The Hangover...Brunch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPwOY7ntDZXTS-1Ttg2VgI9i6qcQvWPhnX0ZgIBrGYQNxs2tsF7efmUicOPxNwKtwOKOSCA5FpE6bDMbqi-gRGlPPZ1Fb-ImtMQN8Z7NpmTPJ7q2MK_-AgAGEJT_mEpE6WUS2dPstYA/s1600-h/Marine+Corp+Ball+064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPwOY7ntDZXTS-1Ttg2VgI9i6qcQvWPhnX0ZgIBrGYQNxs2tsF7efmUicOPxNwKtwOKOSCA5FpE6bDMbqi-gRGlPPZ1Fb-ImtMQN8Z7NpmTPJ7q2MK_-AgAGEJT_mEpE6WUS2dPstYA/s320/Marine+Corp+Ball+064.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415254225654032322" /></a><br />passed out erika<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6nIje4VQjnfqdnsLfI13CjWB4_iJRdbZvkADmKxt9ljzynnOxtq_T67m5B9Z36kHJcwjirTYVmxaoDLSXwl-dkg2ew5CeWY0RON0-EhWYDjrxn-zV3s8avNxX2QBXXwZHds6h3a1iw/s1600-h/Marine+Corp+Ball+063.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6nIje4VQjnfqdnsLfI13CjWB4_iJRdbZvkADmKxt9ljzynnOxtq_T67m5B9Z36kHJcwjirTYVmxaoDLSXwl-dkg2ew5CeWY0RON0-EhWYDjrxn-zV3s8avNxX2QBXXwZHds6h3a1iw/s320/Marine+Corp+Ball+063.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415254218626042434" /></a><br />margaritas...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHLNgCygVv3ewbx2gjkEwC_ZqpM-3zsS7kBWU385OIxjpaxjUfbNN-mZfNqaVtc73ErFYBMU_3o2mKTxUZPddewM_84OfRvSnwsaqA6uQVfy-iAwIBK5dKzqhEav30IRqiM5kFrvZ-A/s1600-h/Marine+Corp+Ball+062.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHLNgCygVv3ewbx2gjkEwC_ZqpM-3zsS7kBWU385OIxjpaxjUfbNN-mZfNqaVtc73ErFYBMU_3o2mKTxUZPddewM_84OfRvSnwsaqA6uQVfy-iAwIBK5dKzqhEav30IRqiM5kFrvZ-A/s320/Marine+Corp+Ball+062.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415254209436246546" /></a><br />Jake & Frank<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPNMR2WNx2JiwsHR3drnq_oRV6ZHy2y_nE3tuIPogqNzLpXEkJmW-4DN2wU8fApCbdW3jBfb1p6f1A4p0JjlJ2SeaglEgS66SWEe_lJvjJFofL89Uk-6mE6tpAxiAYJdingVeL5umYw/s1600-h/Marine+Corp+Ball+056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPNMR2WNx2JiwsHR3drnq_oRV6ZHy2y_nE3tuIPogqNzLpXEkJmW-4DN2wU8fApCbdW3jBfb1p6f1A4p0JjlJ2SeaglEgS66SWEe_lJvjJFofL89Uk-6mE6tpAxiAYJdingVeL5umYw/s320/Marine+Corp+Ball+056.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415250508241481106" /></a><br />This basically paints a pretty good picture of how the night ended<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlkmCngvMmTF2zaV9_DDylW4wRtA97XiLKl-VcZnTSg0ZGBEYksfOU5ZeTq94LF0GfOQlQjmCHvdEopOKJ-MZv1uwELbQJzlB6IHNJ-7ub0qLmfe4n3Tu8C9vbeXbwMfr8vsWB25B0Q/s1600-h/Marine+Corp+Ball+055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlkmCngvMmTF2zaV9_DDylW4wRtA97XiLKl-VcZnTSg0ZGBEYksfOU5ZeTq94LF0GfOQlQjmCHvdEopOKJ-MZv1uwELbQJzlB6IHNJ-7ub0qLmfe4n3Tu8C9vbeXbwMfr8vsWB25B0Q/s320/Marine+Corp+Ball+055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415250498524398322" /></a><br />Arriving at the ball<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUE3kjF57FTtGbVMWHRfzpVtA2eAeKjHkOmTOA2PScQBdfcF16CoXgLWQcZaURVJG1KeshK7vtspZbHpzR0RrDITNZh8NYTv387qKy3N2tXwZ2S_nLDSI9HkGgPL5V1spaM41WNaRQpg/s1600-h/Marine+Corp+Ball+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUE3kjF57FTtGbVMWHRfzpVtA2eAeKjHkOmTOA2PScQBdfcF16CoXgLWQcZaURVJG1KeshK7vtspZbHpzR0RrDITNZh8NYTv387qKy3N2tXwZ2S_nLDSI9HkGgPL5V1spaM41WNaRQpg/s320/Marine+Corp+Ball+007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415250491171646146" /></a><br />Wives: Dana, Sharee, Erika, and me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBnqNQ0MJ84q9uVjg4xE4ihUifu0_v3juINBp8Itgtp5YvkoKiDIelxLRk8I29n7-azofaM-ouxwrnG6Ipn6ecAckpDcDdh6ODJOp-RCnqYbROjJZqDI-Kl8X75CtLUA732xrIpJkwg/s1600-h/Marine+Corp+Ball+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBnqNQ0MJ84q9uVjg4xE4ihUifu0_v3juINBp8Itgtp5YvkoKiDIelxLRk8I29n7-azofaM-ouxwrnG6Ipn6ecAckpDcDdh6ODJOp-RCnqYbROjJZqDI-Kl8X75CtLUA732xrIpJkwg/s320/Marine+Corp+Ball+003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415250487269316674" /></a>Kyle and the 3 Marines: Jake, Frank, and Brian<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeJ8N-92wuz962PKbHA6DUlWNQ5qXIRXASbGBcVPgBhAraovine6fcGKmKkGENUK2ySVS-DtUkJ4hIOOkIy5pAlLikRo4QKUju6W8GcOjxETSId4ZkoUxKVU6eI-PW9rWoBmZwUZsvQ/s1600-h/Marine+Corp+Ball+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeJ8N-92wuz962PKbHA6DUlWNQ5qXIRXASbGBcVPgBhAraovine6fcGKmKkGENUK2ySVS-DtUkJ4hIOOkIy5pAlLikRo4QKUju6W8GcOjxETSId4ZkoUxKVU6eI-PW9rWoBmZwUZsvQ/s320/Marine+Corp+Ball+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415250480573269858" /></a>~ Last Saturday Kyle and I boarded an early flight at Burbank and headed to Vegas for the Marine Corp Ball that our friends the Panza's invited us to. We checked into the Hard rock Hotel which is where we would be staying and where the ball was being held. At the Hotel we met some of the guys whom our friend Frank had been in Iraq with and their wives. Everyone was totally awesome and we had the best time. This was my first time in Vegas that i actually got to party Vegas style, as in drunken debauchery until 5AM. We headed down to the ball for cocktail hour at 6, at 7 we were all seated and they had a very emotional presentation of the Marine Birthday cake and commemorated all of the Marine's who have given their lives. There was not a dry eye at our table. Frank and his buddies lost quite a few comrades during their time in Iraq. Then we had dinner, after which all hell broke loose and the partying went into full force :) We danced and drank and then went up to our rooms to party a little more and then went back to the bar and then it all get's a little fuzzy ;) Unfortunately the next morning check out was at 11 so needless to say, very hungover maybe even still drunk and very tired, we headed to a Mexican restaurant for brunch. $15 per person got you a brunch buffet and bottomless margaritas, needless to say i'm still hungover today, and had one of the best weekends of my life ;)<div><br /></div>Juicy's Gossiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12637443429420058432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443248918425322252.post-29846906542484256562009-12-10T16:21:00.000-08:002009-12-10T16:44:09.951-08:00Long Time NO Blog!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEpdPTtkN7ttNce83VzAbqEOgciEJT_zh-JlZO8jbdrPE7pPAfmIl-qo453dl3f2o7Aye8lAsFwhIW4U6Ii6aFPcabSsbRYn5d8a8xouiiL6u3aZc7kU_gjegucwQb4fGA7IDTAbMdA/s1600-h/t&k+wedding+010.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEpdPTtkN7ttNce83VzAbqEOgciEJT_zh-JlZO8jbdrPE7pPAfmIl-qo453dl3f2o7Aye8lAsFwhIW4U6Ii6aFPcabSsbRYn5d8a8xouiiL6u3aZc7kU_gjegucwQb4fGA7IDTAbMdA/s1600-h/t&k+wedding+010.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Since I've been so neglectant to the nest I've decided to fill you all in on the happenings of the last month and few weeks. Hope everyone had a great turkey day and i also hope that you are preparing for the smörgåsbord of holidays that are approaching.</span></a><div><div><br /></div><div>~We had a great turkey day, we went to Brian and Tammy's house. Then the following Saturday we went to the USC game for Kyle's birthday. We started tailgating at 7AM for a 7 PM game, so you can imagine how that day went ;) We had a great time drinking beers and BBQ'ing . The Day ending fantastically with USC pulling it together to have a win over UCLA at the grand coliseum.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3axIsfa1PSk7kEEzBF1uJI6pLrkznr8wVxGuA6PjXKkWYVmyYLNmuA3hoh1kNqxatmfGcaijc7YLquSZ5R3E_EHWURLkyyiQkFh9KPCSv5a9HyEARgrTHBbcYwI5wJKK_41zONdwsGA/s1600-h/November+2049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3axIsfa1PSk7kEEzBF1uJI6pLrkznr8wVxGuA6PjXKkWYVmyYLNmuA3hoh1kNqxatmfGcaijc7YLquSZ5R3E_EHWURLkyyiQkFh9KPCSv5a9HyEARgrTHBbcYwI5wJKK_41zONdwsGA/s320/November+2049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413768890355495458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpghWYiEL3Kxc81qUNF2KH4FwQif1Qmr1H2YmPeuPoRBHOG-_gpTBuPejyRsTLRYyQshHiR-cMf8wWh6Arp-DHgWGSn37MMGSiGUmLS91xz9Q14g63lvWF1RnEAc1VMTmYeggXv7FmRg/s1600-h/November+2037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpghWYiEL3Kxc81qUNF2KH4FwQif1Qmr1H2YmPeuPoRBHOG-_gpTBuPejyRsTLRYyQshHiR-cMf8wWh6Arp-DHgWGSn37MMGSiGUmLS91xz9Q14g63lvWF1RnEAc1VMTmYeggXv7FmRg/s320/November+2037.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413768880778126386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsvEn1yRpd0Owb-uydWMvJfaWQ6KLPXqvBqBmmikF5pYjhVyFuz6eMJ4lRd9lR31CeHfpWPKRgTArrd7loRgWMZd127EglMCJP289VDaV3SQV7_icE5zgPt-zigoUtGon9EsNrsbV4w/s1600-h/November+2047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsvEn1yRpd0Owb-uydWMvJfaWQ6KLPXqvBqBmmikF5pYjhVyFuz6eMJ4lRd9lR31CeHfpWPKRgTArrd7loRgWMZd127EglMCJP289VDaV3SQV7_icE5zgPt-zigoUtGon9EsNrsbV4w/s320/November+2047.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413768870590786994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FI2OMJLzpbmFlXQz_PVr9OrQ7j9fHIXMEXrh_iX1CVVfODp37xjaar0GNP6B_qyQCmh1lcm6GgwMwsD34CiW9D7zIlRWxcW7LL_3LNxiB0JXsPuxXJ1xDoiRaIRbEi8mKiEf28zEDw/s1600-h/November+2032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FI2OMJLzpbmFlXQz_PVr9OrQ7j9fHIXMEXrh_iX1CVVfODp37xjaar0GNP6B_qyQCmh1lcm6GgwMwsD34CiW9D7zIlRWxcW7LL_3LNxiB0JXsPuxXJ1xDoiRaIRbEi8mKiEf28zEDw/s320/November+2032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413768858727936834" /></a> ~ Last weekend our good friends Todd and Kelly got married at El Capitan. We stayed at El Capitan Canyons which is like an upscale campground that has canvas tents with hardwood floors, heaters, and queen sized beds, as well as cabins. The ceremony was beautiful and Kyle did a great job as one of the groomsmen.<div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nkwv98fnoslc4PQJRw6t3OgedvnF4AxNvak78ZiGUbSVBx_-7fPWw9fcbXBdDo6iySHKe2_5zRMoU-Tv9XDRBAxqW800FcmY1wiX5dnTT3wM-8lmzQwsueNSvySe5SawB4wTW1tB1A/s320/t&k+wedding+023.jpg" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc00AbwDGYiUWBH4p4L0kl81UwvvOaiyXFYliVZsveXoMN9pD-1crDDK9fC0GThZ18VnXQZkU6zgBXJ6llqPE9AGGanxxXaS_CP8RXhgowjsFEKhb-YFdI5q2aIKaMwLGjq4Jrth4iA/s320/t&k+wedding+020.jpg" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEpdPTtkN7ttNce83VzAbqEOgciEJT_zh-JlZO8jbdrPE7pPAfmIl-qo453dl3f2o7Aye8lAsFwhIW4U6Ii6aFPcabSsbRYn5d8a8xouiiL6u3aZc7kU_gjegucwQb4fGA7IDTAbMdA/s320/t&k+wedding+010.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuS6xUIbyp9szKbenGG9VzHB5Xqt6vd7mEZ-wO9S7_VW2yrWbyBENCLokJ_05v9McNDh9SuRNzyhR8GwTVpf9XZZXvA7Lr4PFs7vj2pWFARGvsnwWXfxsdYT4iHq-SgLMHwEMeJoogw/s320/t&k+wedding+009.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>~As soon as we got home from the wedding we knew we had to get our christmas tree up. So we packed Moto and Porter up in the truck and went to the nearest tree lot where we found the perfect one. Kyle is yet to put the lights up on the house, but i will be sure to post pictures of that as soon as he does.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSHC1XPy4ucp1WP_LZCKGSlk4ebOUmorel5LXiubwZovRS0akI2Onw0YW90JzFDKXflqxsvhyphenhyphencABQYvSp7Vjkd7iQ0fVHPQ8dzdK-QabcmV39E_Zkz88VEzcNC75wA1nqqykHk6CL3A/s320/t&k+wedding+035.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCOg50SOagiEBL7iR43THlZ3gs_BLLrfc-CSpH1Bsrdhyphenhyphen8IivaiPLVpLWNdXxyOtw_61ABzFKUI_UVZ8pA0whjhgyAKBs__nmqUkr08wSgH7TVLSDNG0eDYQonFb_KirLL-_WbewaWw/s320/photo+(5).jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>~ Our adventures continue as we will be headed to Vegas this weekend for a Marine Corp ball. ( We were invited by Kyle's friend who is a veteran) I've decided to go ravishing in red for the occasion...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOVVITnGIgOyihy_ssnf4uSXSrR4r6134D7WSEPDUTZqMWejJy_eDI_kWg1uBxjecmm22OnalguppmjpLjfsS4F4PJdO7X4Qp_TgTTCadxJ0XMc7SC5c9HFBHojIF7KFlmNYY4_FQCQ/s320/photo+(3).jpg" />~</div><div><br /></div><div>~ So there you have it! </div><div>miss you all and can't wait until New Year's!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Juicy's Gossiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12637443429420058432noreply@blogger.com3