tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55130503711451343502024-03-13T02:06:46.651-04:00Watching A Miracle UnfoldOur daughter, Sydney,was born at 26 weeks gestation weighing 1lb 10oz at birth and was 14 inches long. This is her story complete with some random ramblings from me.
The images/posts on this site are the sole property of the author. They may NOT be used in any way without written permission from the author.Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.comBlogger304125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-61249099516795215672011-05-20T16:49:00.000-04:002011-05-20T16:49:45.150-04:00The Year In Review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's basically been that long since I last posted so I figured the title was appropriate. This post will mainly consist of pictures taken between April 2010 and now. Hopefully all the complaints and vicious threats will cease...for now. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">April 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIkoTJQy4rT2EgHDIjeyjPQc1mc0TOYTmIWiVOkDGx8-QVM1A2X0mAs5VtCdLvdKjjgGEajpRdKCfoh__wC525pEBT7eUNxeqEn7sjUW18h4mW4F1d32_AjGhvTJV8r5Ybau-4ASAajcZ/s1600/DSCN0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIkoTJQy4rT2EgHDIjeyjPQc1mc0TOYTmIWiVOkDGx8-QVM1A2X0mAs5VtCdLvdKjjgGEajpRdKCfoh__wC525pEBT7eUNxeqEn7sjUW18h4mW4F1d32_AjGhvTJV8r5Ybau-4ASAajcZ/s400/DSCN0270.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First Day of School - June 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtgaVY2-Q8Y0OUcx6dbrawmBCrg8x2XyYe8oVtVuW9lFMKs3gECnMCiX5b6eS0Bf_-rRNwpUj-mIsbjLz6ya0gHRyKDHayQZKoFSEEXd0-29lOHhaKQoZSSmQ3CjDM_ZQTdxfhi20HodY/s1600/DSCN0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtgaVY2-Q8Y0OUcx6dbrawmBCrg8x2XyYe8oVtVuW9lFMKs3gECnMCiX5b6eS0Bf_-rRNwpUj-mIsbjLz6ya0gHRyKDHayQZKoFSEEXd0-29lOHhaKQoZSSmQ3CjDM_ZQTdxfhi20HodY/s400/DSCN0323.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Birthday Party at school</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8CuwR3q2R_DvHXQ1dPM8jX-jKMuqj8rp5x_zPIh1sVFGEhUHEAgyUDlgqAPjXoG48RWmEw7jF91TpA1YfunMI1_UXYOV27J33tJ-rgjxweyhYXy6mcsjDj4_T89PjLFh0b7eNBNcu29b/s1600/DSCN0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8CuwR3q2R_DvHXQ1dPM8jX-jKMuqj8rp5x_zPIh1sVFGEhUHEAgyUDlgqAPjXoG48RWmEw7jF91TpA1YfunMI1_UXYOV27J33tJ-rgjxweyhYXy6mcsjDj4_T89PjLFh0b7eNBNcu29b/s400/DSCN0358.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkHnAfCbmcjyjFp5Vypr4qDHuLzcDWP8fhl2luIc55jjhhC8_jBTmliOcfNoIpq8KCySS94RGcfSfxAPo-s-Gia9yu9ZxP84GIJCX7UDiKIYbaj0EL41imshCLRFEfNeAmu6WHammhEkw/s1600/DSCN0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkHnAfCbmcjyjFp5Vypr4qDHuLzcDWP8fhl2luIc55jjhhC8_jBTmliOcfNoIpq8KCySS94RGcfSfxAPo-s-Gia9yu9ZxP84GIJCX7UDiKIYbaj0EL41imshCLRFEfNeAmu6WHammhEkw/s400/DSCN0359.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(That is not my butt)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5N001bpKAVihMN3htEODgW7wqRBq-jQXhsoKkhv8DRg7piyjDRkgYZoO1S5iT7Rmrgvza8iDpowYP-TyP15yvQXC4FlUd5Pm4fJ1PwppNYifHFigfne4QzWvW8wALzIRfDzdtEg8Itu-/s1600/DSCN0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5N001bpKAVihMN3htEODgW7wqRBq-jQXhsoKkhv8DRg7piyjDRkgYZoO1S5iT7Rmrgvza8iDpowYP-TyP15yvQXC4FlUd5Pm4fJ1PwppNYifHFigfne4QzWvW8wALzIRfDzdtEg8Itu-/s400/DSCN0361.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Costume Party at School - October 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uVxbP5gi1ojAO-e0oFq7QmaQhGTnDZlY8BLNuny33-pFesuLcI2yXZwt9W7lvGxO6XcnEbYek8OIwbMfTC_8asjoPDcugUatvAM9zQ9_cFkMlWw8H8Ux7kd_ipCptRAD_zU6Tu6Ky6cM/s1600/DSCN0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uVxbP5gi1ojAO-e0oFq7QmaQhGTnDZlY8BLNuny33-pFesuLcI2yXZwt9W7lvGxO6XcnEbYek8OIwbMfTC_8asjoPDcugUatvAM9zQ9_cFkMlWw8H8Ux7kd_ipCptRAD_zU6Tu6Ky6cM/s400/DSCN0367.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHLr3BwnmxfGqFkrw9wgtklo9CuA_GTkNahu-PQvx0Nve8Gi_nl_Dx22_OZqfUOJJChUewnSaWtdJyIadOq1LM77VMmFAVAUA6yzljO_C7YsD0MIPaUNE-_WC95DvQ2SpAiyjqaGpGcBw/s1600/DSCN0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHLr3BwnmxfGqFkrw9wgtklo9CuA_GTkNahu-PQvx0Nve8Gi_nl_Dx22_OZqfUOJJChUewnSaWtdJyIadOq1LM77VMmFAVAUA6yzljO_C7YsD0MIPaUNE-_WC95DvQ2SpAiyjqaGpGcBw/s400/DSCN0382.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Birthday Party at home</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jApZrc4uD_eSGKc4BEHYYgde2HDfRMkaaz73x7-7SqiTMTSnuQbZECSNUSfvANW4Diw0erjjXkkK6q2P7GgGDxIK0h6mUjiC-vN9E0d_VTtLH71RtjbplRYFuPzrlv6N3kFY_Wk5-a4L/s1600/DSCN0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jApZrc4uD_eSGKc4BEHYYgde2HDfRMkaaz73x7-7SqiTMTSnuQbZECSNUSfvANW4Diw0erjjXkkK6q2P7GgGDxIK0h6mUjiC-vN9E0d_VTtLH71RtjbplRYFuPzrlv6N3kFY_Wk5-a4L/s400/DSCN0409.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-nhLAN43HVu5kajJSUEmLdImFKBeB2Nz0wcIAIFPbWgXoS6Umj-6AM-x-Gjk7_q-gGr-eJrAm4dAGEByfEzb9HhpO5pmd4V8JwA2bX2aVQBpcsEcxHhnnRzDCAILKQk_cJ9ulXqeP6em/s1600/DSCN0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-nhLAN43HVu5kajJSUEmLdImFKBeB2Nz0wcIAIFPbWgXoS6Umj-6AM-x-Gjk7_q-gGr-eJrAm4dAGEByfEzb9HhpO5pmd4V8JwA2bX2aVQBpcsEcxHhnnRzDCAILKQk_cJ9ulXqeP6em/s400/DSCN0411.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Vacation - December 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cV9UVvMfteDRWgn4S3k2eJX_beO6-ysPDLtYV6a_ZuZUGVBBQhpTiYgI0LiahyqqWZt8z3Ro9Xu2hkBTv6bWzqK05KfnKeDBda0_wmgJDcu0rJ88_UQWjN6eNJejf7Nw5JbEAYBqeAfe/s1600/DSCN0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cV9UVvMfteDRWgn4S3k2eJX_beO6-ysPDLtYV6a_ZuZUGVBBQhpTiYgI0LiahyqqWZt8z3Ro9Xu2hkBTv6bWzqK05KfnKeDBda0_wmgJDcu0rJ88_UQWjN6eNJejf7Nw5JbEAYBqeAfe/s400/DSCN0444.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_vxK7HPMrmjTOvLHz0XDGOXajqv2VpsxQxfjS2NrTuweJ0ET_-7LxPw7IL42pQwD8uLxIw4pG7oCDQSFQVBnq8wQLK_d9p4OirIDP3gulv1tX0CRTyZFl-FtnQyoWWk2FYZ4NktnvPiL/s1600/DSCN0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_vxK7HPMrmjTOvLHz0XDGOXajqv2VpsxQxfjS2NrTuweJ0ET_-7LxPw7IL42pQwD8uLxIw4pG7oCDQSFQVBnq8wQLK_d9p4OirIDP3gulv1tX0CRTyZFl-FtnQyoWWk2FYZ4NktnvPiL/s400/DSCN0471.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grandmothers - blurry* :( </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLcQcYu_oLEDBq-wVtzKWeINisX15-Har97tWllCw1WKvfb0Dz10EmjYaWVYjR9jf-shgZ8a9W8rBeAT6bfsdCxPZd41-veO_yBacHD1cE0-wvxPtd-7GD0ytjEhePodH8rDvbrlGylD3/s1600/DSCN0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLcQcYu_oLEDBq-wVtzKWeINisX15-Har97tWllCw1WKvfb0Dz10EmjYaWVYjR9jf-shgZ8a9W8rBeAT6bfsdCxPZd41-veO_yBacHD1cE0-wvxPtd-7GD0ytjEhePodH8rDvbrlGylD3/s400/DSCN0512.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Christmas 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUn9vcwTZFSmV06gzgqr3Ub5ywu6z34j3_gyxux6JCBZ70Gsl-Mbt0QeaF4KmMbdf36WxmzG8iZ2iEcY95Mv9ewrAjDTfsort42p25XY22vfRlHSo86Gnqni0whhhHI7F8-66EqkX2uTu/s1600/DSCN0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUn9vcwTZFSmV06gzgqr3Ub5ywu6z34j3_gyxux6JCBZ70Gsl-Mbt0QeaF4KmMbdf36WxmzG8iZ2iEcY95Mv9ewrAjDTfsort42p25XY22vfRlHSo86Gnqni0whhhHI7F8-66EqkX2uTu/s400/DSCN0523.JPG" width="328" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPEkORQT38FiIxW0up0UxGq_fZDlkpGFGbMmT8436rfTvsc_sxGOtr3Q87dUDyrsR7mySvzsVdB6xxfB12Vj8bpBX87fA9fxOJNlbKQrI3m0zEbins6rhNTUqrf2s00EVW24CWlMT3CQ7/s1600/DSCN0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPEkORQT38FiIxW0up0UxGq_fZDlkpGFGbMmT8436rfTvsc_sxGOtr3Q87dUDyrsR7mySvzsVdB6xxfB12Vj8bpBX87fA9fxOJNlbKQrI3m0zEbins6rhNTUqrf2s00EVW24CWlMT3CQ7/s400/DSCN0527.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At the piano - February 2011</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriL90i1NjomR6LbVmWKlVEBHlUnHNoqKsB6PrQmFS_6eQhacCUINYlet4y5Fuy_BVgZ59PuC3hBurq4Ew_hQHqiFWna-kWkIbjIAGePX_jXXcb1XLd2Af-zX1hqJAmlxjh0odZh8l5zAF/s1600/DSCN0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriL90i1NjomR6LbVmWKlVEBHlUnHNoqKsB6PrQmFS_6eQhacCUINYlet4y5Fuy_BVgZ59PuC3hBurq4Ew_hQHqiFWna-kWkIbjIAGePX_jXXcb1XLd2Af-zX1hqJAmlxjh0odZh8l5zAF/s400/DSCN0537.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Daddy faking it till he makes it</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgvG6RcFCqAtJdgE-ktrbTbl8Q8mI9kdVkoXZ_vLqR8F7BucU_RLyL84NirdghG_xo7KNmfnS0rk_CFBw_8C19kF0McniGeV5MlHiFqzimRtKazzVcJq0-UZGflpxXQ4t82ruYFcAoMt4/s1600/DSCN0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgvG6RcFCqAtJdgE-ktrbTbl8Q8mI9kdVkoXZ_vLqR8F7BucU_RLyL84NirdghG_xo7KNmfnS0rk_CFBw_8C19kF0McniGeV5MlHiFqzimRtKazzVcJq0-UZGflpxXQ4t82ruYFcAoMt4/s400/DSCN0539.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New Orleans - April 2011</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44wB00J3mRa1eQgqccv8-hz2o5U5DbfhMtfmUordRm2GDKxXzF0GLrf5AQLJ5q-B-Nlrjn4YBXwLR26idg5_2QPC-E1UNmsuJfXIJ9Fh-u0iefZ48Vd6OxY_d5rp5j8cF0owKnkaGt6rV/s1600/DSCN0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44wB00J3mRa1eQgqccv8-hz2o5U5DbfhMtfmUordRm2GDKxXzF0GLrf5AQLJ5q-B-Nlrjn4YBXwLR26idg5_2QPC-E1UNmsuJfXIJ9Fh-u0iefZ48Vd6OxY_d5rp5j8cF0owKnkaGt6rV/s400/DSCN0548.JPG" width="257" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In Houston for Gran Gran's birthday - April 2011</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3LBy8VSw_tXr3BGbtE35VDVdNdyNk8XutT__GJoSnos4C_0zAJxgCQaFPyFlyQWIvWsN-ad1cOTPQSusNzPdt6m1bGNWyaoHD_2Xj5som0LmV067BmFdBPsdKnlfpwJBsbOI0b9Cziq7/s1600/DSCN0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3LBy8VSw_tXr3BGbtE35VDVdNdyNk8XutT__GJoSnos4C_0zAJxgCQaFPyFlyQWIvWsN-ad1cOTPQSusNzPdt6m1bGNWyaoHD_2Xj5som0LmV067BmFdBPsdKnlfpwJBsbOI0b9Cziq7/s400/DSCN0563.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Blogger has made a lot of changes since I last posted! It is now so much easier to post pictures. I hope this means I will update this page more. :D</span>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-39693321764813050462010-09-07T15:06:00.000-04:002010-09-07T15:06:54.107-04:00About Pre-School...<div style="text-align: justify;">It's awesome. Really. Sydney's learning so much, having a good time and we've really seen some really big improvements in just over 2 months since she's been there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Pros?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Her speech is greatly improved! She's speaking in much more complete sentences, is better able to communicate and her frustration level has gone way down. Some days I'm stunned by the things she says to me. She isn't quite there yet she's come a long way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Her motor skills have exploded. We had some feeding issues and feeding herself was still very challenging for her. Some of it was simply because she much preferred being fed, I think, and she wasn't very motivated to do it. Seeing other kids feed themselves was all she needed and within a week she was exclaiming, "I do it, Mommy! I do!" Awesome.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. Absence really makes the heart grow fonder. I go pick her up and she reacts like a rock star walked in the room. She literally screams, then drops whatever she's doing or holding and knocks anyone or anything out of the way to get to me. The other kids have started doing it too and one little boy in particular runs over, grabs my leg and squeals, "Mommy!" Let's just say I look NOTHING like his Mommy. May she never walk in and see that. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, we won't talk about the time when Daddy and I went to get her and I walked in and she started running over and then she saw her Dad, screamed LOUDER and ran right past me into his arms. Can you say Total Daddy's Girl? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now she alternates between that and bursting into tears when I walk in like she just had the worst.day.ever even if I could see her having fun before. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Was #3 really a pro? I'm not sure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. Besides the social and conversational skills she's developed, she's really learning a ton and we know what she's taught everyday so that we can reinforce it with her.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Cons?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Oh.Em.Gee. The Drama! She went from being a kid who would bump her head or hurt herself so badly that I would gasp and she would look around and go right back to whatever she was doing. Now? Everything is a crisis. Everything is an emergency. Everything requires urgent attention. Every "boo-boo" needs a band-aid and she didn't even know what a bandaid was until she started school! She didn't even get actual band-aids after vaccines. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. The whining. It took me a while to realize that it started right.after she started school and people, my child manages to sound like a sick cat when she whines. She asked for something and would whine until she got it, even while seeing it being prepared. Every question was a whine. Thankfully we seemed to have passed that phase!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. The Defiance. To be fair, sometime around April she seemed to have realized she was actually two and she started testing the boundaries but man did it get worse when she saw how other kids behave! Brian and I have really had to re-work our discipline strategy lately and it's been quite the experience</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. THE SICKNESS. I knew she would get sick once she was around kids. I was prepared for it. Turns out I wasn't. In June 2008, she had one cold and not so much as a fever since. I mean, she's been through teething and the discomfort it brings and she's felt warm but she never had an actual fever. In two months, she had what seems like two colds, random runny noses, 2 days of a very high fever and lethargy and some more unpleasantness that I won't get into.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is how unprepared and inexperienced we are. The day she had the fever I went to girlfriends and was like, "help! help! what should I do?" It was total 'sky is falling' here. I'm usually a google first and ask questions later girl but poor baby was the sickest I had seen her since she left the hospital and it was total panic up in here. B was no better, he raced home and held her all evening. Such amatuers we are! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of her teachers took the following pics so they are pictures of pictures:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She does her curriculum based stuff in the morning and then motor skills and play stuff in the afternoon. The day they were doing this was the first and only time she couldn't care less when I walked in the room. She did not want to leave! Go figure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_Qg6Oj_Y2PQZ13telvGTZYG2aWOSKzBLNf9ZZFfj5-C5tIYg3amW3Ldj1ZMDGqi7GTVcnQdfdNp_1RSgWs0pe_Qf5ysCQzuWW8PeSogmN-m_680eOBx2NUOwtuT-i_1K9eOqZ-kHaVlg/s1600/DSCN0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_Qg6Oj_Y2PQZ13telvGTZYG2aWOSKzBLNf9ZZFfj5-C5tIYg3amW3Ldj1ZMDGqi7GTVcnQdfdNp_1RSgWs0pe_Qf5ysCQzuWW8PeSogmN-m_680eOBx2NUOwtuT-i_1K9eOqZ-kHaVlg/s320/DSCN0352.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They were playing dress up. What is she supposed to be? A crazy homeless person?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYZbpSsPuwD9WkBfEwqpXmnSz9L85iVXwyui57wB9AV9FKGHZO1YhkImU_6Xn6gHtKnpirhVvSMaG6qDrANtVidpxDDCnaafFuv1r3ON8y3Q_1N7mDcPMOxO6oIww95TgbRgxMZBlC_1n/s1600/DSCN0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYZbpSsPuwD9WkBfEwqpXmnSz9L85iVXwyui57wB9AV9FKGHZO1YhkImU_6Xn6gHtKnpirhVvSMaG6qDrANtVidpxDDCnaafFuv1r3ON8y3Q_1N7mDcPMOxO6oIww95TgbRgxMZBlC_1n/s320/DSCN0353.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-45543341165276319362010-09-03T17:12:00.000-04:002010-09-03T17:12:16.908-04:00I couldstart this post off by telling you how busy we've been or I could tell you how time consuming uploading photos can be on this site. I could tell you that school has kept me busy and an almost 3 year old keeps me busier. I could tell you that my laptop even died at one point and I had to wait a few weeks for his replacement. I could tell you that finding two hours to do an update is harder and harder but that would just be excuses, so I won't.<br />
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Instead, I shall distract you all with pictures!<br />
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<div align="center">The last time she happily sat still for a picture. Then Daddy decided to show her videos of herself that were on the camera and now she thinks that's all it's for. As soon as she sees the camera she wants to "See Shi Shi!" on the screen. She doesn't quite get that she actually has to do something before videos appear. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfuclKVGxKFmAi3eK6WXcGrtnLfREZqfDO8aTDzPK5qwsYsoAHP_mo_vAv5UyY98mfwt_IjYBeItSghqzJY3cjlVRZrSfchjWKJMxcai7QUKVgc19VtGrbAuxfCv_PyYxpQedAyDxAKqL/s1600/DSCN0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfuclKVGxKFmAi3eK6WXcGrtnLfREZqfDO8aTDzPK5qwsYsoAHP_mo_vAv5UyY98mfwt_IjYBeItSghqzJY3cjlVRZrSfchjWKJMxcai7QUKVgc19VtGrbAuxfCv_PyYxpQedAyDxAKqL/s320/DSCN0270.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQap1UHPl5anhIOAwBjhGlfcOd6oNbOIzAeM93b4gaR7OIfWEnmQ5oeKqMo-SMmOWTwpgjXOiAenMrSG0pxQlrcvo9r0ltzoWFIMzUTb743ZZBekk8VVyukVRFs3Iz3attk_s19Yde84T/s1600/DSCN0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQap1UHPl5anhIOAwBjhGlfcOd6oNbOIzAeM93b4gaR7OIfWEnmQ5oeKqMo-SMmOWTwpgjXOiAenMrSG0pxQlrcvo9r0ltzoWFIMzUTb743ZZBekk8VVyukVRFs3Iz3attk_s19Yde84T/s320/DSCN0269.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to Busch Gardens with my friend Dani (not pictured) and we had soo much fun...even if it was sooooo hot outside!</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/AVvXsEh4CfV1teNPbRLx73Fjg-qEzr8MlMcToxfN653K2qluVRaPvkIRaWDF1ef8J2N1XkyixqsITKtbSmYgQ367vKh4VBE_T9pxpXvEY3mOy2P7H6RFR35Ms2WWAYoOSDMhfcWf3gowP03gEGnp/s1600/DSCN0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CfV1teNPbRLx73Fjg-qEzr8MlMcToxfN653K2qluVRaPvkIRaWDF1ef8J2N1XkyixqsITKtbSmYgQ367vKh4VBE_T9pxpXvEY3mOy2P7H6RFR35Ms2WWAYoOSDMhfcWf3gowP03gEGnp/s320/DSCN0291.JPG" /></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/AVvXsEiCx5mfaHjJfaHdWP6G4m0Y5F03_y1TO1BUzeg7dibximUjCsttM5L2IppRnk8UirjxMaHCZsVmM5Zlp_O9z25rzHYsiIH0t9x1IjJnwWRX1scjJaK6U8g72XC9VdRkOpEoMi82flgqPbKW/s1600/DSCN0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx5mfaHjJfaHdWP6G4m0Y5F03_y1TO1BUzeg7dibximUjCsttM5L2IppRnk8UirjxMaHCZsVmM5Zlp_O9z25rzHYsiIH0t9x1IjJnwWRX1scjJaK6U8g72XC9VdRkOpEoMi82flgqPbKW/s320/DSCN0299.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxE06FkqBZU8T4-BoDIw-xwq9G5Rc4Nn49ySZEIcSjcwdDxY8TrHVB7TRBuyEpBmj4DtQL7VSpIDp3rrHSH_KK5H4vl3FGy3iXyOm047CjgiYwFS41WvvCb6Pz3hxZluFJ2JoPjackw8IO/s1600/DSCN0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxE06FkqBZU8T4-BoDIw-xwq9G5Rc4Nn49ySZEIcSjcwdDxY8TrHVB7TRBuyEpBmj4DtQL7VSpIDp3rrHSH_KK5H4vl3FGy3iXyOm047CjgiYwFS41WvvCb6Pz3hxZluFJ2JoPjackw8IO/s320/DSCN0301.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjFhDZbghI3Cr6EpeR5g2KXH4huXei5JowlgTkO38B8HMG9UxgabTMLrjP5SmFAfJtCjt02_HKw_yWoAnby1-3rJCWZh7PZ6VSx4-25JC93jXqCqZVx_L9eLPoyGxcsAM5X5PR-wk0oU0/s1600/DSCN0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjFhDZbghI3Cr6EpeR5g2KXH4huXei5JowlgTkO38B8HMG9UxgabTMLrjP5SmFAfJtCjt02_HKw_yWoAnby1-3rJCWZh7PZ6VSx4-25JC93jXqCqZVx_L9eLPoyGxcsAM5X5PR-wk0oU0/s320/DSCN0311.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs18RR_DEMkMSiXEXaCh6n3e4VJX5vTLkEQdoF2bSCI0Q44a1nid_dl1SyLQDn2bEvKKmMdHctNHCDDEwA8hQojp1-osFKgrG6IIPpDKxTjn7uxECkUompL9K5zZhopKr-jAvkRHqZLaKs/s1600/DSCN0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs18RR_DEMkMSiXEXaCh6n3e4VJX5vTLkEQdoF2bSCI0Q44a1nid_dl1SyLQDn2bEvKKmMdHctNHCDDEwA8hQojp1-osFKgrG6IIPpDKxTjn7uxECkUompL9K5zZhopKr-jAvkRHqZLaKs/s320/DSCN0314.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She loved this simple swing! Go figure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7BZUyBZZAy38xjJHigYwfWAa9c6igV48pVSgAFc6t-RDa_GB1fs946yYVtELiqTPiGcHNqGEWkIbJsmEVUEY1-Rh2AFXEU63Wg1JFEYquU4CeuOj9WYWzkTlLRSevIHUwApk4u8egYZ7/s1600/DSCN0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7BZUyBZZAy38xjJHigYwfWAa9c6igV48pVSgAFc6t-RDa_GB1fs946yYVtELiqTPiGcHNqGEWkIbJsmEVUEY1-Rh2AFXEU63Wg1JFEYquU4CeuOj9WYWzkTlLRSevIHUwApk4u8egYZ7/s320/DSCN0316.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First day of pre-school. Yes. Pre-school. That deserves a post by itself so look for more on that later. Oh the things I had to do to get these pics!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeu0VxmDqCD2rviWXIvZIUfa1KU06tUGhs10IP31FjPVxnHBJLn155JLWY1RGgKbEVy_WtEs4QJQHOWgkSrlOcv7uopcFuZX32bS0O6X_nJxcXMMsOOYDiYYYBGHbMdHGpwJU1G98UWrC/s1600/DSCN0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeu0VxmDqCD2rviWXIvZIUfa1KU06tUGhs10IP31FjPVxnHBJLn155JLWY1RGgKbEVy_WtEs4QJQHOWgkSrlOcv7uopcFuZX32bS0O6X_nJxcXMMsOOYDiYYYBGHbMdHGpwJU1G98UWrC/s320/DSCN0317.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4QFWnZMGBVyksl1W-IdjqPlNRgaDDTIArWS-2MeB9wMhYPdQIgWzXvpjeKDZtmsCfZkDJ42fBGIS1xmubbobTC9Fb2fS4mmkLGp_vbusN4-uk3XMwgeSWS24nUypfuS_HjdYPbAn0t-l/s1600/DSCN0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4QFWnZMGBVyksl1W-IdjqPlNRgaDDTIArWS-2MeB9wMhYPdQIgWzXvpjeKDZtmsCfZkDJ42fBGIS1xmubbobTC9Fb2fS4mmkLGp_vbusN4-uk3XMwgeSWS24nUypfuS_HjdYPbAn0t-l/s320/DSCN0323.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing with cousin Logan. Double.Trouble.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeIiye6I8Ar8cP2BJ_O-TMVODan9eVvjHDrDiEjm9B63Plky3ojlWcdq9_3EboPtmPXAEdDFy1Q8miFNqATlopsSHS16zwRQu741FUgSncfC7QqlGDEON8gex6C_U4Gc41KUExJRzRRQ_/s1600/DSCN0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeIiye6I8Ar8cP2BJ_O-TMVODan9eVvjHDrDiEjm9B63Plky3ojlWcdq9_3EboPtmPXAEdDFy1Q8miFNqATlopsSHS16zwRQu741FUgSncfC7QqlGDEON8gex6C_U4Gc41KUExJRzRRQ_/s320/DSCN0347.JPG" /></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/AVvXsEh8qiKspGjgzs1nhqWmgZRHX29qFMjdkI5tG0VXWQYvlqkocFhE8ktL__PMSVkkmaVsfXCbFL5xDRNzfBjGtmJB5s3r-dnO9BGgwESKrLaIQ1wMe-phg0ExTMiggqAh5tvbH_if607jVplc/s1600/DSCN0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qiKspGjgzs1nhqWmgZRHX29qFMjdkI5tG0VXWQYvlqkocFhE8ktL__PMSVkkmaVsfXCbFL5xDRNzfBjGtmJB5s3r-dnO9BGgwESKrLaIQ1wMe-phg0ExTMiggqAh5tvbH_if607jVplc/s320/DSCN0348.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Uncles and Aunties and Baby Dani</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt725VBzAMRJfcRgQA5l_-4Btia1rvofBkVfDzCDihPTlKEg2iaCLpf4mdAxUncB6C0ijAsXTpyCHRVYXI2DMHnrUBF5wizlvD_CRyGNadYz5WpR_U-FWCsF8cx95k60KzARp4gb3NBHz2/s1600/DSCN0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt725VBzAMRJfcRgQA5l_-4Btia1rvofBkVfDzCDihPTlKEg2iaCLpf4mdAxUncB6C0ijAsXTpyCHRVYXI2DMHnrUBF5wizlvD_CRyGNadYz5WpR_U-FWCsF8cx95k60KzARp4gb3NBHz2/s320/DSCN0349.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I have some more pics to transfer from my external hard drive so look out for those soon. No, I'm not committing to an actual date for when those pics will be posted. I have learned my lesson!<br />
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</div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-29990633468141095282010-03-09T12:58:00.004-05:002010-03-09T14:16:29.090-05:00Yes, I know<div>It's been a hundred years since I last posted. We've been verrrry busy the last few months and between all that and school, I just have not been inspired to do any blogging.</div><div><br /></div><div>To make up for my absence, I'm just going to post pics from October 2009 to present and hope that will appease all of Sydney's relatives. </div><div><br /></div><div>October 2009:</div><div><br /></div><div>We went to the zoo</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYOu-30B-4SmLUv8XSBPk9MF5Bpm5NHfi7hn2mGzN12NEEObkuh5yo7JvIW6iX6v7iUfRhSMS7z3XqR3o7RRSHbKoibChjXp7YSCaNDclYPSyKefq16pdM1ugYuWV7xbEFwQZtcVYwULy/s1600-h/vacation+144.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/AVvXsEgiYOu-30B-4SmLUv8XSBPk9MF5Bpm5NHfi7hn2mGzN12NEEObkuh5yo7JvIW6iX6v7iUfRhSMS7z3XqR3o7RRSHbKoibChjXp7YSCaNDclYPSyKefq16pdM1ugYuWV7xbEFwQZtcVYwULy/s320/vacation+144.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446710215037039858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9phosQbu3IdOD-yVP9NlxLen1Z9KJxZ8VVEcchZ0utaraebkHXlet-VhdPpph7IysX9mfGzrsSFeJJyzJBCdolDgYpayN4p5VVeh9R5opUfg5s6DSOKhdMsJ4D54G4z1u0r-6S8z_URaX/s1600-h/vacation+139.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/AVvXsEh9phosQbu3IdOD-yVP9NlxLen1Z9KJxZ8VVEcchZ0utaraebkHXlet-VhdPpph7IysX9mfGzrsSFeJJyzJBCdolDgYpayN4p5VVeh9R5opUfg5s6DSOKhdMsJ4D54G4z1u0r-6S8z_URaX/s320/vacation+139.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446710205341609650" /></a>It's a really cool zoo and they have done a great job of keeping it very "jungle-like" and natural. It felt like we were wandering through a forest and just stumbling upon animals. They had all kinds of creatures and I was being a good sport (I'm not very outdoorsy) until we came to the reptile exhibit. I haaaaaaate reptiles. Hate. So there's a big sign welcoming us to the reptile area and I am adamant that I won't go in. First of all, there was a wooden bridge over a lake, suspended by rope that led you to the other side of the place. In that lake were the gators. <div><br /></div><div>Did you hear what I said?</div><div><br /></div><div>A wooden bridge over a lake filled with gators. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm shaking and arguing with B and saying things like, "No. No. No. No. I did not go through all that I've been through with my child to surrender her to gators! No sir! We are NOT going in there!"</div><div><br /></div><div>And B was all, "Don't be ridiculous! Is this what you want her to see? Do you think they would allow this if it wasn't safe? Have you ever heard of anyone being attacked here?"</div><div><br /></div><div>That's when I covered my ears and starting chanting, "Blah. Blah. Blah. Blah!" Mature, I know. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, yeah, I'm usually big on not transferring your fears to your children but did you hear what I said?</div><div><br /></div><div> A wooden bridge over a lake filled with gators. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ok. </div><div><br /></div><div>We stand there debating for another 10 minutes or so as another couple is exiting. The woman shrieks and exclaims, "Oh My Goodness!! Look at that gator!" and she's pointing in MY direction. I was about to faint and then I glanced at the fence beside me and this is what I saw:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXrLSbK0tfdpghXkpdnYmk9YISeHRDKgmepsvp5b4zETasO7zWFTF_j_x2pwJeZj56i-zOrBc0nDd9OxuKkAo0TYpeE897OArV_-8kY0n89qOavCQmAB3fOFEAQpBtBQYKSWbmZVAUTy2/s1600-h/vacation+170.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/AVvXsEiPXrLSbK0tfdpghXkpdnYmk9YISeHRDKgmepsvp5b4zETasO7zWFTF_j_x2pwJeZj56i-zOrBc0nDd9OxuKkAo0TYpeE897OArV_-8kY0n89qOavCQmAB3fOFEAQpBtBQYKSWbmZVAUTy2/s320/vacation+170.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446710226596114114" /></a>It just looks like dried up dirt or old tires/rubber, right? I saw it and didn't think anything of it but I admit I didn't really look at it that long. That, my friends, was an 800lb gator! See where the wood of the walkway is? I was standing right there!!!! I threw the camera to B, grabbed Syd's stroller and hustled us out of there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another angle:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfuWbUGSXkCpGULv71Ve2yYUU_raERteunuK0OJqffQqL71AnkgBdhzygfMLleoWY-a0Vw-J1Xe_r35dAzx_QHaAHYCYR9hiDez9YVhXwQG49lOGm_THzII-CohnSvUT7K5kjpNNN0QtV/s1600-h/vacation+171.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/AVvXsEgbfuWbUGSXkCpGULv71Ve2yYUU_raERteunuK0OJqffQqL71AnkgBdhzygfMLleoWY-a0Vw-J1Xe_r35dAzx_QHaAHYCYR9hiDez9YVhXwQG49lOGm_THzII-CohnSvUT7K5kjpNNN0QtV/s320/vacation+171.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446710233903732018" /></a>This is how I like my gators:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImGA6wE2xavtyeJ2qP-sNRnDWzL0PtDPbftnBx2fo6iBAAKuFHP9szvcgb4LCFBe4aBiJqRU6LHE9AfcwsHnSQd8vEAEi4v9N__uF_SK6VISyg7d5gi-GPGOEXchaWg4CG4pfGMMT3ZZ9/s1600-h/vacation+162.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/AVvXsEhImGA6wE2xavtyeJ2qP-sNRnDWzL0PtDPbftnBx2fo6iBAAKuFHP9szvcgb4LCFBe4aBiJqRU6LHE9AfcwsHnSQd8vEAEi4v9N__uF_SK6VISyg7d5gi-GPGOEXchaWg4CG4pfGMMT3ZZ9/s320/vacation+162.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446710219113572338" /></a>Sue Me.<br /><br /><div>Tomorrow: November 2009 and a video.</div></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-3456070189458060962009-12-16T12:46:00.007-05:002009-12-16T14:12:59.797-05:00Well, Hello There!<div>I know it's been forever but life has been crazy busy around these parts. Having a whole day at home is a luxury these days.<div><br /></div><div>We went to Jamaica in September and I've just now found the time to attempt to post a few of the 1,000,000 pics we took. Her aunts (my sisters) spoiled and indulged her and gave her constant attention. I think it was quite an adjustment for her when we finally came back home.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My sisters: Tricia, Tasha and Marsha</div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUhdABbJZ0-qsloTJ7XlpAZl9jtGrrbLAvWxHk2TC3EmVbIVyCi7IWktAFzfNbre516l7olCrNd9w8gG5aJpKrYPS5YKIp-dFSK3JhdNHIw7lJ5qhotzAW3HBDRNe8hyphenhyphencmG3T242q8rpB/s1600-h/vacation+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUhdABbJZ0-qsloTJ7XlpAZl9jtGrrbLAvWxHk2TC3EmVbIVyCi7IWktAFzfNbre516l7olCrNd9w8gG5aJpKrYPS5YKIp-dFSK3JhdNHIw7lJ5qhotzAW3HBDRNe8hyphenhyphencmG3T242q8rpB/s320/vacation+010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415911729546320082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My Auntie Jackie - my mother's sister</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF8RbopMrePLq1QaEf6NONcJYE_gt2cnEe3oF_O2Gwzbh31QRSpLFBdmP4ovaPrHZ2BRxhcJKU3p67sUmddRPCzdggyeRVgpp7rwnrcP-tewcuZwvsvdjt8BZVC1Bv85jB8aBSJu3A6R9/s1600-h/vacation+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSF8RbopMrePLq1QaEf6NONcJYE_gt2cnEe3oF_O2Gwzbh31QRSpLFBdmP4ovaPrHZ2BRxhcJKU3p67sUmddRPCzdggyeRVgpp7rwnrcP-tewcuZwvsvdjt8BZVC1Bv85jB8aBSJu3A6R9/s320/vacation+015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415911719623314962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Someone looks like they're trying to obtain a modelling contact. I won't say who. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfqTfta2xC455KWFk11tQXVbZ5ud-KcHjcA4yKSuMESZYNVeF6L1WJgMkKXRJjFNDOVQ9rhxrh8hGIVNLbipZAlgQwo_B7c3uldbMJLFCtWGyYqJlAH5OI0pKCZSPL8GzGJrfFaa-cvXv/s1600-h/vacation+016.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/AVvXsEjRfqTfta2xC455KWFk11tQXVbZ5ud-KcHjcA4yKSuMESZYNVeF6L1WJgMkKXRJjFNDOVQ9rhxrh8hGIVNLbipZAlgQwo_B7c3uldbMJLFCtWGyYqJlAH5OI0pKCZSPL8GzGJrfFaa-cvXv/s320/vacation+016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415911713401931394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhjZgV565dWia44KST3hivRHikbX2sl26ycFtz7yHKDndx9-y3UoGrXD_9gI0NoJW9jNN-C_GbNl2GRGSas7O3QWx5KXwbfWhQjc7Y1ijXX8K86jEzGmLbji0YoGGXtTLsjQEBqeS86Vw/s1600-h/vacation+021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhjZgV565dWia44KST3hivRHikbX2sl26ycFtz7yHKDndx9-y3UoGrXD_9gI0NoJW9jNN-C_GbNl2GRGSas7O3QWx5KXwbfWhQjc7Y1ijXX8K86jEzGmLbji0YoGGXtTLsjQEBqeS86Vw/s320/vacation+021.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415911712287677026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">She did.not. like the water at first. Then she LOVED it...but you can't tell from the pics. Lol.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_XmixweXn4P6jPYHHhJd_emErRZdj5JcLqJQ_jaNjuKTfI5JWNhZUMCqzXHZQD5xye8TfurzNvjlFRH6DqoOlmXFzzsy-8QT37oySHAb-nZDbMUs-PYOYxLYt9RPjuMActSmaxcDErpD/s1600-h/vacation+029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_XmixweXn4P6jPYHHhJd_emErRZdj5JcLqJQ_jaNjuKTfI5JWNhZUMCqzXHZQD5xye8TfurzNvjlFRH6DqoOlmXFzzsy-8QT37oySHAb-nZDbMUs-PYOYxLYt9RPjuMActSmaxcDErpD/s320/vacation+029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415911701967029986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F7eM7v9ZGaUExaCGbot7j0U_DztjS7fye4VNGKNckebt5BhAuin6GLsD8yXtjSPGqQG6TZEYp5hNb6PlLDqbGqy1olWcxvsj_LvoNIMFhOAv7FsIg9_OsIQNb8Lk3UybbpuQTjsQ2d8g/s1600-h/vacation+031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F7eM7v9ZGaUExaCGbot7j0U_DztjS7fye4VNGKNckebt5BhAuin6GLsD8yXtjSPGqQG6TZEYp5hNb6PlLDqbGqy1olWcxvsj_LvoNIMFhOAv7FsIg9_OsIQNb8Lk3UybbpuQTjsQ2d8g/s320/vacation+031.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415910595943478578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Playing in the sand was her favourite thing! She ate it in between drinking the sea water. Thankfully my mother intervened and reminded us that saline is a laxative. Her diapers were UGLY for the next few days. I shudder to think how much worse it would have been!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YBdPHYAzTmw1dsAMnqhxf98xfnEAVOciWS1Qel5iyHH60IreAEc_F2krtcV7Ib-HfiNf5zKVd47rsh1J2wxREtj1z3y-Qh_8IRLJ9xfvE4Ur4MMOzS3_SHkJa-IsRkrDpBs4ElIYfL8q/s1600-h/vacation+032.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/AVvXsEi_YBdPHYAzTmw1dsAMnqhxf98xfnEAVOciWS1Qel5iyHH60IreAEc_F2krtcV7Ib-HfiNf5zKVd47rsh1J2wxREtj1z3y-Qh_8IRLJ9xfvE4Ur4MMOzS3_SHkJa-IsRkrDpBs4ElIYfL8q/s320/vacation+032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415910594869250466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ErlA2QCSaYXWWXCvPzgZOp2K8qQNKOyqEJcyzqNwFFtu4rNXbNkFrRZNjtaXt3fLSeE1SYbBCmbCnCtGzDStEnieZq7J7KQ6PQGUWrlQv6WiojPrM-r1R4GlGJhjnXnDlSIiNIppWZ4c/s1600-h/vacation+034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ErlA2QCSaYXWWXCvPzgZOp2K8qQNKOyqEJcyzqNwFFtu4rNXbNkFrRZNjtaXt3fLSeE1SYbBCmbCnCtGzDStEnieZq7J7KQ6PQGUWrlQv6WiojPrM-r1R4GlGJhjnXnDlSIiNIppWZ4c/s320/vacation+034.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415910584956772386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-gnCTvICXQkGs6MUpQuA-gl3Ed98EBqyWllAD5uRblvoNUDb-yZaItAXaaG20TIrdza8J16Mptb9Viyh5aFdNOqA-xeHN5uhugm8cehLsWthrq_PPpwu-OeSmxqJ_xuQVLrpz-ryT4HG/s1600-h/vacation+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/AVvXsEj3-gnCTvICXQkGs6MUpQuA-gl3Ed98EBqyWllAD5uRblvoNUDb-yZaItAXaaG20TIrdza8J16Mptb9Viyh5aFdNOqA-xeHN5uhugm8cehLsWthrq_PPpwu-OeSmxqJ_xuQVLrpz-ryT4HG/s320/vacation+056.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415910579777266786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Wake up Daddy! You tired already?!?!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB10dzculQ1ZdsR_a6eQb9xcyMhhlbZf250GQuC9DtvAYhAlXpgTe9WNNc0FnAnTxIptGtP8Z7RcYFM86KvyKbomi5GL1F4kRWBMKS51o1re5FJWve5z4hU5iRcaTNn8XY5MKipZY_qDgO/s1600-h/vacation+058.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/AVvXsEiB10dzculQ1ZdsR_a6eQb9xcyMhhlbZf250GQuC9DtvAYhAlXpgTe9WNNc0FnAnTxIptGtP8Z7RcYFM86KvyKbomi5GL1F4kRWBMKS51o1re5FJWve5z4hU5iRcaTNn8XY5MKipZY_qDgO/s320/vacation+058.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415910577415667218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mutual Admiration Society</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRKboBvZLJPEp_Vpm6eXZSpX2RVXZh1AdxnCXtFNvzIgj2f62L-2YVpQJasy_-mfxhCJoO2viyFW2iIejgc63d9HR065Iu3zKW0VAPa1swaFY0mkPOXNjPaopluXHk_TEKTw2L8WuZOOf/s1600-h/vacation+076.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRKboBvZLJPEp_Vpm6eXZSpX2RVXZh1AdxnCXtFNvzIgj2f62L-2YVpQJasy_-mfxhCJoO2viyFW2iIejgc63d9HR065Iu3zKW0VAPa1swaFY0mkPOXNjPaopluXHk_TEKTw2L8WuZOOf/s320/vacation+076.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415909035242721522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1dbDKDxnpiuQKLh983dAguVi_RhkcvowT6nwqXOGv23AHTqDTOUC__8jlI0p53zlfAgkhOGHbsVlJVedQF5cB2wus8YNoKlI650Q7_MgRJQHRMO0_Y6WDz93rK6pOvsa0siH36iMGB4b/s1600-h/vacation+086.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/AVvXsEjr1dbDKDxnpiuQKLh983dAguVi_RhkcvowT6nwqXOGv23AHTqDTOUC__8jlI0p53zlfAgkhOGHbsVlJVedQF5cB2wus8YNoKlI650Q7_MgRJQHRMO0_Y6WDz93rK6pOvsa0siH36iMGB4b/s320/vacation+086.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415909032097685618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5QivpmQfhw1xluvi1EaI4OMxqyN0uT0EFY_ErN5s1NCygVcuqg8S5sYUzbIwBeqQhzJ8bnDXIMxK2rVMav6-xaEsge304kk6Kka7VwZoqJZnvnu7HlvqSN3IVUIOgw3U4MJA1QUxMTUe/s1600-h/vacation+100.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/AVvXsEik5QivpmQfhw1xluvi1EaI4OMxqyN0uT0EFY_ErN5s1NCygVcuqg8S5sYUzbIwBeqQhzJ8bnDXIMxK2rVMav6-xaEsge304kk6Kka7VwZoqJZnvnu7HlvqSN3IVUIOgw3U4MJA1QUxMTUe/s320/vacation+100.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415909026274104706" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Sleeeeeeepy</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZnVXt-AmYuy5QVeN6NTPvqTp8uUb7agxPsASkSti5ttV9ckQN8VbGQFK4SoI2XE0t5JUu6TXNx-uf10zAs19b_u_Bd92iSJtcfg1eMU1QKotHPz4S-Lj678uRjTJiJbFWpYJ-6GNEKF4/s1600-h/vacation+109.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/AVvXsEjIZnVXt-AmYuy5QVeN6NTPvqTp8uUb7agxPsASkSti5ttV9ckQN8VbGQFK4SoI2XE0t5JUu6TXNx-uf10zAs19b_u_Bd92iSJtcfg1eMU1QKotHPz4S-Lj678uRjTJiJbFWpYJ-6GNEKF4/s320/vacation+109.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415909021296072066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My mother had her first birthday party...ever. This is right before Syd helped her cut the cake.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0D66BVCwPr78FkDiEZg9dZQwTCYN6ABu4zZv5bWmAC9UWYe_x7QxspBdTj7B82dfT_JbStbJa3tm-elXADcg7oV9yjoiZGt_zoYH5-4BK3bq8mBBIMB21Ntm4FS3hbcA1z64rhikXtB6/s1600-h/cake+cutter.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/AVvXsEgF0D66BVCwPr78FkDiEZg9dZQwTCYN6ABu4zZv5bWmAC9UWYe_x7QxspBdTj7B82dfT_JbStbJa3tm-elXADcg7oV9yjoiZGt_zoYH5-4BK3bq8mBBIMB21Ntm4FS3hbcA1z64rhikXtB6/s320/cake+cutter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415909018258575826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My Auntie Blossom - my mother's sister. They look sooooo much alike. I never noticed it when I was growing up but man!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnLvktf-f-1adcMg2wtybeRmJVSlWBHtKB3SNWYnLbYBeuZs8Bdls-z3Mz_bD98SdySnJhNdWTGqkzYxBJ4FWkDCJTTXTSlWBX6O32fJ5pbECHxFBTNElXgl-47-6qpgI5fReJQ0Bqv-o/s1600-h/vacation+186.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/AVvXsEgjnLvktf-f-1adcMg2wtybeRmJVSlWBHtKB3SNWYnLbYBeuZs8Bdls-z3Mz_bD98SdySnJhNdWTGqkzYxBJ4FWkDCJTTXTSlWBX6O32fJ5pbECHxFBTNElXgl-47-6qpgI5fReJQ0Bqv-o/s320/vacation+186.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415901605671505682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Baby Love</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhenhdXKR2dyqaajLChDIOhMvqdehcoOSqGJUdbolymAH1utIscjyn4w-kPkNTaK1pFR9J9YF_WGyj8pWermZphz_f_xp2BCP1alylhlYnK-BVWYLy4zv3TG1GKZWgGyW-HP58Ft6mOnR6/s1600-h/vacation+185.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/AVvXsEhhenhdXKR2dyqaajLChDIOhMvqdehcoOSqGJUdbolymAH1utIscjyn4w-kPkNTaK1pFR9J9YF_WGyj8pWermZphz_f_xp2BCP1alylhlYnK-BVWYLy4zv3TG1GKZWgGyW-HP58Ft6mOnR6/s320/vacation+185.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415901598596817026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Trying to get in on the domino game</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEr6xrjyr4xFAJ3FvuFa7QQyJS1wUg5LQ2Pzj2CZw6UDueF3CNuCVNTAjujSLfWzPOvJX42kU4flnA0RxTYLsd3pp8eqP-iuyCzLOjF5E17kiZvriEFiYdE0pIOMBLFaUUPIS7vDuJogz2/s1600-h/vacation+184.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/AVvXsEgEr6xrjyr4xFAJ3FvuFa7QQyJS1wUg5LQ2Pzj2CZw6UDueF3CNuCVNTAjujSLfWzPOvJX42kU4flnA0RxTYLsd3pp8eqP-iuyCzLOjF5E17kiZvriEFiYdE0pIOMBLFaUUPIS7vDuJogz2/s320/vacation+184.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415901594924611986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9D3eIM4QtBix2fh1jxnTvHsXobgCH3NKshrqd-0_UakmHzwdx-ilAswI4RH69o3XmOp9jMWdMFajpFKhrmn-QbpNqhOMUU51lCHZge_migeWtfPOMyUsKPidas0nIc7lo4c5lv_YTt5O/s1600-h/vacation+122.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9D3eIM4QtBix2fh1jxnTvHsXobgCH3NKshrqd-0_UakmHzwdx-ilAswI4RH69o3XmOp9jMWdMFajpFKhrmn-QbpNqhOMUU51lCHZge_migeWtfPOMyUsKPidas0nIc7lo4c5lv_YTt5O/s320/vacation+122.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415901591899486562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMc9WhoiBOcSMpCjoJlhAJP2JBSEFVNCdnz61cUmRwK8lpOyboy8V91_zeZYLDwHZCc72RhyphenhyphenugMe5ZBGxKginpxE1My-loWopj1MKOkfyEN7cMHLgbinIIVsICZ18qeipc-E1bhPIRQ0K/s1600-h/vacation+120.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMc9WhoiBOcSMpCjoJlhAJP2JBSEFVNCdnz61cUmRwK8lpOyboy8V91_zeZYLDwHZCc72RhyphenhyphenugMe5ZBGxKginpxE1My-loWopj1MKOkfyEN7cMHLgbinIIVsICZ18qeipc-E1bhPIRQ0K/s320/vacation+120.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415901586431925762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvl-9bXhWI3R2GMYQ7y4MS1ZZi0QXkbLZJOGHNU0PVdAGDE6uqDZL4_tgIz2OGfrLXD_xma9IPPvKQo69Q0BzlwIdXqntSp_dyzYrnfdxeHriRYAbUTUmoFOdie2hSi04UM6OIH-8JprIL/s1600-h/vacation+004.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/AVvXsEjvl-9bXhWI3R2GMYQ7y4MS1ZZi0QXkbLZJOGHNU0PVdAGDE6uqDZL4_tgIz2OGfrLXD_xma9IPPvKQo69Q0BzlwIdXqntSp_dyzYrnfdxeHriRYAbUTUmoFOdie2hSi04UM6OIH-8JprIL/s320/vacation+004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415897332848723250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7B41x_YCKpBdGrGqqe6oJYuLXfyJlyAbhIRAMYUWHatKbQTLfgUkm19RrinLxWC76qpGD9F8AdGMWw6oeI2R5P3j5U7h-qlMPg5tqz0Lnf_lRWB8mz1OJwu2UtwaZt8DiwG7CYpAzM6K/s1600-h/baby+love.bmp"><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/AVvXsEjS7B41x_YCKpBdGrGqqe6oJYuLXfyJlyAbhIRAMYUWHatKbQTLfgUkm19RrinLxWC76qpGD9F8AdGMWw6oeI2R5P3j5U7h-qlMPg5tqz0Lnf_lRWB8mz1OJwu2UtwaZt8DiwG7CYpAzM6K/s320/baby+love.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415897320807959698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The authentic way to do jerk chicken/pork. We were there for 9 days and I think B got food from this place 6 of those days. It's fantastic!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc-E0-JsY5uw6T6LCgj_UaksiqwZ5hb2SnOiSkGnoj9Jkavne-3XnUCHTiDusQVahyD2kRyRlzKuW0KmCoOXoDwnqpDR-vP3fFGfqMMFS4jC9AZtqzkSaFZtRAfSLBhp4vq4LIerV87rc/s1600-h/vacation+006.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/AVvXsEirc-E0-JsY5uw6T6LCgj_UaksiqwZ5hb2SnOiSkGnoj9Jkavne-3XnUCHTiDusQVahyD2kRyRlzKuW0KmCoOXoDwnqpDR-vP3fFGfqMMFS4jC9AZtqzkSaFZtRAfSLBhp4vq4LIerV87rc/s320/vacation+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415897316136994674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs37Mk3CyFnQf97Sl4atorHRIK1pTxiM5W8ofCiDqAZtWHP1jgTGmu1CJ2TkeVNtmHEI2hB_MRbXZT7fVJkdUXwqjgryAf77GX9W1mwsfkTmTdx0Gm3iBQpvY1uZp7XTyjtRXI7yapGMN/s1600-h/vacation+005.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/AVvXsEihs37Mk3CyFnQf97Sl4atorHRIK1pTxiM5W8ofCiDqAZtWHP1jgTGmu1CJ2TkeVNtmHEI2hB_MRbXZT7fVJkdUXwqjgryAf77GX9W1mwsfkTmTdx0Gm3iBQpvY1uZp7XTyjtRXI7yapGMN/s320/vacation+005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415897314564422946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The view from my mother's house. Amazing!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87ZYK-qcV9IvONbIAJF7xrwgLEJyvB4UeJnjtGXsLZOuUWEP5ku8nTcd0QfPwNqiNfmpWbRgD-4deCUnMpvw-VMyIsvQsX7GVvS568UGS01l2yyvmEKZrsM5hTtJA9y1e-cut92yNdmWY/s1600-h/188.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/AVvXsEj87ZYK-qcV9IvONbIAJF7xrwgLEJyvB4UeJnjtGXsLZOuUWEP5ku8nTcd0QfPwNqiNfmpWbRgD-4deCUnMpvw-VMyIsvQsX7GVvS568UGS01l2yyvmEKZrsM5hTtJA9y1e-cut92yNdmWY/s320/188.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415897303935064962" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-81101877618434638082009-10-26T20:41:00.004-04:002009-10-26T21:31:13.586-04:00Happy Birthday Baby!<div>Baby Girl turned 2 yesterday. How awesome is that?? 2 years ago there was so much anxiety surrounding her birth and looking at her today brings us so much joy. She's a happy, healthy child who is developing just the way we hoped. God is good.<br /><br />She had presents and cake and ice cream and partied with her friends, Emma and Eden. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the birthday presents - a tricycle</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8eR-JRzY0wJq5TFJ193jH9Rxjra5gGRy9mi8AXGi4qZEOr5o3SnI7LYUjWlVfg115VYARNbcWv0wPcmmCUqmQvmr1fR5CwGErQqjJZKTvieIZ3QKdsBWtcR7gQvVcfH2ggXqlxw7NugG/s1600-h/2nd+birthday+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8eR-JRzY0wJq5TFJ193jH9Rxjra5gGRy9mi8AXGi4qZEOr5o3SnI7LYUjWlVfg115VYARNbcWv0wPcmmCUqmQvmr1fR5CwGErQqjJZKTvieIZ3QKdsBWtcR7gQvVcfH2ggXqlxw7NugG/s320/2nd+birthday+004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397075904720631826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAoIZfkVxNyOqQmqgoIVu6GkKDe6ftcTVqr0xeTJ_iht2dwkYhfj-Kw8EdpXTmtGyziH8vh9Y1LcrIY9gLPzBoJETaY7we18gNfpA6mjZVSO5U1W98VNHCyixV_gzG_p8tAVVFfip4f2q/s1600-h/2nd+birthday+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAoIZfkVxNyOqQmqgoIVu6GkKDe6ftcTVqr0xeTJ_iht2dwkYhfj-Kw8EdpXTmtGyziH8vh9Y1LcrIY9gLPzBoJETaY7we18gNfpA6mjZVSO5U1W98VNHCyixV_gzG_p8tAVVFfip4f2q/s320/2nd+birthday+005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397075900063068354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYkV976fwwJHTg_rXGrtxWuo6i2kdR2zYOJ8TKiptqshBjKaW8mMVU-_LNCyfTymKGkAGhJVtTHLJ9PrTl6kIyx_7NB8E-u01pAiClIcVuvDmfI2v3NsVfMsQY2yklKTKdhTdJuXg3O7R/s1600-h/2nd+birthday+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYkV976fwwJHTg_rXGrtxWuo6i2kdR2zYOJ8TKiptqshBjKaW8mMVU-_LNCyfTymKGkAGhJVtTHLJ9PrTl6kIyx_7NB8E-u01pAiClIcVuvDmfI2v3NsVfMsQY2yklKTKdhTdJuXg3O7R/s320/2nd+birthday+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397075884345489394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01QEB8Ue4UdT_6ih_sLGWsxFGwY4Ca0Y_6EotPo8R7H3vjhWzVU35IuCVCX7aBNsTkVKg1A8lj6JWrtm-ouK93LPeUr5M34J3LJqHYQW_NKEsZokTBGr81pCbrENairY92fgcUSF4pxwh/s1600-h/2nd+birthday+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01QEB8Ue4UdT_6ih_sLGWsxFGwY4Ca0Y_6EotPo8R7H3vjhWzVU35IuCVCX7aBNsTkVKg1A8lj6JWrtm-ouK93LPeUr5M34J3LJqHYQW_NKEsZokTBGr81pCbrENairY92fgcUSF4pxwh/s320/2nd+birthday+007.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397075880243661186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Daddy, why did you stop pushing?? I'm not happy!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78XuIWNtLtIsGhv9Y8aPnWB_AOv8TkQ17h2YGg_i_konNoL6OpWh_QY1c_tT8WezDwZfLcVnmVG1Xvmpt8jaRPJV0nlHfQC5NaPnwxVhkKu7_dqzSHfGfl1xRwhCLoWbwrq0lmH8HWK01/s1600-h/2nd+birthday+008.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/AVvXsEi78XuIWNtLtIsGhv9Y8aPnWB_AOv8TkQ17h2YGg_i_konNoL6OpWh_QY1c_tT8WezDwZfLcVnmVG1Xvmpt8jaRPJV0nlHfQC5NaPnwxVhkKu7_dqzSHfGfl1xRwhCLoWbwrq0lmH8HWK01/s320/2nd+birthday+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397075876133592690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBKgTa-XdG8YtUbVUJAhnchxH-3u9V3jOYQ4ulZjpVlbtm2ilEPk-5TDrK31Tg-kkJ_wc5IbmHNn3XM_SAtfdWMatFBMBTxfL0zXL0QRaPOoJdSvv8pMF6OSoom2lNcur6XHVfyuuIJzV/s1600-h/2nd+birthday+025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBKgTa-XdG8YtUbVUJAhnchxH-3u9V3jOYQ4ulZjpVlbtm2ilEPk-5TDrK31Tg-kkJ_wc5IbmHNn3XM_SAtfdWMatFBMBTxfL0zXL0QRaPOoJdSvv8pMF6OSoom2lNcur6XHVfyuuIJzV/s320/2nd+birthday+025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397078549011503202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhZ2d6cd7TBa3Wp6W2gSQvzQf8O5QbmBdjO0Cm4dX0fL2J9YGsdhOznkSNLbRBFRQpF7qDMTNWjY_E2CVSwODpO72P_WJQIfVWB6db3GSUYZP8NsJqY7kFOZi0J_E4X3BAPYbMmE7fLCd/s1600-h/2nd+birthday+021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhZ2d6cd7TBa3Wp6W2gSQvzQf8O5QbmBdjO0Cm4dX0fL2J9YGsdhOznkSNLbRBFRQpF7qDMTNWjY_E2CVSwODpO72P_WJQIfVWB6db3GSUYZP8NsJqY7kFOZi0J_E4X3BAPYbMmE7fLCd/s320/2nd+birthday+021.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397078544406335890" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxZ8sDlWgSsa2qZL8epOqkRbHNgjiVeo4Ehm91zNO0oSn2z2CJkujKoqN4PQSWPHDU-8PrDg17PUKPHbhUoMyZt5P1a137SdU-URYC_mrrekiyqTQ47dEtv-9chHPVyFpeSWjUMHRejoE/s1600-h/2nd+birthday+020.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxZ8sDlWgSsa2qZL8epOqkRbHNgjiVeo4Ehm91zNO0oSn2z2CJkujKoqN4PQSWPHDU-8PrDg17PUKPHbhUoMyZt5P1a137SdU-URYC_mrrekiyqTQ47dEtv-9chHPVyFpeSWjUMHRejoE/s1600-h/2nd+birthday+020.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxZ8sDlWgSsa2qZL8epOqkRbHNgjiVeo4Ehm91zNO0oSn2z2CJkujKoqN4PQSWPHDU-8PrDg17PUKPHbhUoMyZt5P1a137SdU-URYC_mrrekiyqTQ47dEtv-9chHPVyFpeSWjUMHRejoE/s320/2nd+birthday+020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397078539089344978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Most.pathetic.singing.ever! They claim they were tired because they were at the third verse. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1q18Y2ejy24&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1q18Y2ejy24&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></div></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-85271823247118713302009-10-20T08:22:00.001-04:002009-10-20T13:18:53.257-04:00Meet Dr. TateHe delivered Sydney and saved her life:<div>
<br />
<br /><embed src='http://player.theplatform.com/ps/player/pds/ETSJENv_c7&pid=GE6Uhl_HvsLZM_pDU4rF1SL4xnUVCDnA' width='482' height='379' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' allowFullScreen='true' bgcolor='#ffffff' />
<br />
<br /></div><div><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/may-29-2009/dr-t/3115/">http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/may-29-2009/dr-t/3115/</a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>You can click the link to just read a transcript of the interview. </div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-87185320782692360952009-09-18T07:00:00.000-04:002009-09-18T07:00:02.702-04:00I worried about having a daughter...<div style="text-align: justify;">Long before I ever got pregnant, I feared having a daughter. That seems strange since I have only sisters and well, I'm a girl. I just think life can be harder and much more complicated for girls. My husband begs to differ but what does he know? Growing up isn't easy for anyone but so many insecurities and fears seem so much more acute in girls... the social anxiety, the pressure to look, be, speak a certain way. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lately she's been emulating me. She wants to sweep when I sweep. She brushes her hair when I do mine. She looks at me in awe when I get my hair done or wear makeup. She's fascinated by nail polish and sparkly things. I put her swim suit on her and she twirled and danced and was so happy in it. I've been more and more conscious of how vital my role is in her development and how she values herself. Of course we need to make healthy choices and I'm working to show her that but I also want her to love herself and know her worth regardless of how she thinks she looks on any given day. I want her to know God loves her with a pure and true love and she doesn't have to settle for anything less. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I heard this song recently and it gave me chills. I sing the chorus to her every single day now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ks3R2BwyO0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ks3R2BwyO0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 48px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;"><b><a href="http://www.jonnydiaz.com/?page_id=173">More Beautiful You</a></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 72px; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Recorded by: Jonny Diaz</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 72px; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Lyrics</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 48px; white-space: pre;"><div class="song song-page" id="song-13"><div class="lyrics"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LITTLE GIRL FOURTEEN FLIPPING THROUGH A MAGAZINE<br />SAYS SHE WANTS TO LOOK THAT WAY<br />BUT HER HAIR ISN’T STRAIGHT HER BODY ISN’T FAKE<br />AND SHE’S ALWAYS FELT OVERWEIGHT<br /><br />WELL LITTLE GIRL FOURTEEN I WISH THAT YOU COULD SEE<br />THAT BEAUTY IS WITHIN YOUR HEART<br />AND YOU WERE MADE WITH SUCH CARE YOUR SKIN YOUR BODY AND YOUR HAIR<br />ARE PERFECT JUST THE WAY THEY ARE<br /><br />THERE COULD NEVER BE A MORE BEAUTIFUL YOU<br />DON’T BUY THE LIES, DISGUISES AND HOOPS THEY MAKE YOU JUMP THROUGH<br />YOU WERE MADE TO FILL A PURPOSE THAT ONLY YOU COULD DO<br />SO THERE COULD NEVER BE, A MORE BEAUTIFUL YOU <br /><br />LITTLE GIRL TWENTY-ONE THE THINGS THAT YOU’VE ALREADY DONE<br />ANYTHING TO GET AHEAD<br />AND YOU SAY YOU’VE GOT A MAN BUT HE’S GOT ANOTHER PLAN<br />ONLY WANTS WHAT YOU WILL DO INSTEAD<br /><br />WELL LITTLE GIRL TWENTY-ONE YOU NEVER THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD COME<br />YOU STARVE YOURSELF TO PLAY THE PART<br />BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU THERE’S A MAN WHOSE LOVE IS TRUE<br />AND HE’LL TREAT YOU LIKE THE JEWEL YOU ARE<br /><br />SO TURN AROUND YOU’RE NOT TOO FAR<br />TO BACK AWAY, BE WHOYOU ARE<br />TO CHANGE YOUR PATH, GO ANOTHER WAY<br />IT’S NOT TOO LATE YOU CAN BE SAVED<br />IF YOU FEEL DEPRESSED WITH PAST REGRETS<br />THE SHAMEFUL NIGHTS, HOPE TO FORGETS<br />CAN DISAPPEAR, THEY CAN ALL BE WASHED AWAY<br />BY THE ONE WHO’S STRONG CAN RIGHT YOUR WRONGS<br />CAN RID YOUR FEARS DRY ALL YOUR TEARS<br />AND CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THIS BIG WORLD<br />HE WILL TAKE YOUR DARK DISTORTED VIEW<br />AND WITH HIS LIGHT HE WILL SHOW YOU TRUTH<br />AND AGAIN YOU’LL SEE THROUGH THE EYES OF A LITTLE GIRL</span><br /></div></div></span></span></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-27611038419464210952009-09-17T09:06:00.009-04:002009-09-17T10:08:27.530-04:00It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">First of all, let's just pretend that it hasn't been a month since I posted. Deal?<br /><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">As part of our plan to start doing more stuff, Syd and I have been going to the Y daily for about 2 weeks. I get to workout and she gets to spend 1.5 hours with other kids and caregivers at no additional cost. This is amazing because the Y is so much less expensive than other gyms and the child care is not just about them sitting the kids in a room for the whole time. They read stories, they dance, they sing, they play with developmental toys, they learn letters and numbers, play with play-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">doh</span>. The care-givers are all either trained teachers or nurses and are really good with the kids. It's pretty much, awesome. Plus, the interaction with other kids is good for her.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">The first day, I left the area before she noticed. She cried a little but then settled down and had fun the rest of the time. I kept looking at her from the exercise room and was very happy with how she was doing. There was one point where she was playing with a toy and a boy, who had to be about 4, snatched it from her.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">She punched him square in the face. *blank stare*<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">He gave it back to her.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">I guess we can skip the, "Don't let anyone bully you" talk for now.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Day 2 did.not.go.well. She wailed the second we walked in the door and after15 minutes, they came to get me because she was completely inconsolable. I hung out with her in the room and interacted with the teachers myself so she could see that they were harmless. Day Three, we got in the door and she turned around and ran right back out. I handed her over, kicking and screaming but she settled down with only occasional outburts. Day 4 she cried for 10 minutes and was done. Day 5 she whined but didn't cry at all and had tons of fun. Yay! It's been smooth sailing ever since.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Besides that, everything is good with her. Her separation anxiety has morphed into this need to have both Brian and myself in the same room with her at all times. If he's home and she hears him downstairs, she stands at the top of the stairs and cries out to him until he comes up. If I leave the room, she cries until I come back. It's cute but it makes it hard to get stuff done. Of course we could just do what we need to do but that pathetic, whiny cry of, "Mamamamamamamamaaaaaaaaaaaaa" is hard to ignore.<br /><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">These pictures were taken randomly over the last few weeks:</div><p align="center"><br />She likes turning every object into a hat. Most times, she insists we wear it too<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9qbsXnJieZBwWBypHZyC_R5fNHfbnE9gYaZKQ1tIl9zQgRgpQsorqHbDupEqWfV8qFBakWORfuhyphenhyphenvhGuwdOfuuk8VnLL_75oJuqGVvyAtGnw2HHiiDchy2mjYrbwz4krfjgmEzh7mhzq/s1600-h/random+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382436481306621138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9qbsXnJieZBwWBypHZyC_R5fNHfbnE9gYaZKQ1tIl9zQgRgpQsorqHbDupEqWfV8qFBakWORfuhyphenhyphenvhGuwdOfuuk8VnLL_75oJuqGVvyAtGnw2HHiiDchy2mjYrbwz4krfjgmEzh7mhzq/s320/random+045.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Pepsi Generation<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5DCPHdixuS4yOXV5cvbtoiCLS43ebcBW5_NF1h6liK-u2YSvjiL85PIR-Ez9UvzRiUubBCFUmw73QuoDc48yXXMVNf-bk31Svv2bEfeuB9ABR_KjSyRNanVhzmu3bsPPFJACCpgWVup7/s1600-h/random+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382435998989890898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5DCPHdixuS4yOXV5cvbtoiCLS43ebcBW5_NF1h6liK-u2YSvjiL85PIR-Ez9UvzRiUubBCFUmw73QuoDc48yXXMVNf-bk31Svv2bEfeuB9ABR_KjSyRNanVhzmu3bsPPFJACCpgWVup7/s320/random+034.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"></a><br />What, you don't get this excited to go to the grocery store?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyCi0_eptg1XioE2TJMWcWC6umJwhYPNxHY_i7vgIpvg-Gibcntba-gkqfIoOfs_gnkXTa1YAw7bK4MULqarWDRonq3AFWYOCqlojbKkg7PFna87rqO4busXDPKjCy7g136x8Te00YHdx/s1600-h/random+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382435433193365842" 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/AVvXsEhbyCi0_eptg1XioE2TJMWcWC6umJwhYPNxHY_i7vgIpvg-Gibcntba-gkqfIoOfs_gnkXTa1YAw7bK4MULqarWDRonq3AFWYOCqlojbKkg7PFna87rqO4busXDPKjCy7g136x8Te00YHdx/s320/random+042.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhFaKMmh8p8iyK9JSlrTyo3ygIK6yIVfrRVxyHvVuVAlwvS3plRvMepkA6sWknqMgXgBHGrP44JsySVtFxMxfW-IcasAJ6N9TTuXZI-Y5RC1sLmiB12dP0QmTLfqIwf6C3aCs8HR2cbJr/s1600-h/random+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382434884654604434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhFaKMmh8p8iyK9JSlrTyo3ygIK6yIVfrRVxyHvVuVAlwvS3plRvMepkA6sWknqMgXgBHGrP44JsySVtFxMxfW-IcasAJ6N9TTuXZI-Y5RC1sLmiB12dP0QmTLfqIwf6C3aCs8HR2cbJr/s320/random+043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk6n2qThQ7-kGh7vk_HhDBgqF8umX37knvWY1jJ6D4_SwYSCPklzIagemtwHwUNhTOEXusEPzXD90o_AjBWNMBDDuvsE41E1rQqP24BJHaU-iV7ls1kxvYTzbWR3JlDgyalYaLU3EurMm/s1600-h/random+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382434291793794962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk6n2qThQ7-kGh7vk_HhDBgqF8umX37knvWY1jJ6D4_SwYSCPklzIagemtwHwUNhTOEXusEPzXD90o_AjBWNMBDDuvsE41E1rQqP24BJHaU-iV7ls1kxvYTzbWR3JlDgyalYaLU3EurMm/s320/random+044.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-13358241217470685472009-08-15T16:33:00.008-04:002009-08-18T15:29:06.530-04:00Sydney goes to Dallas!<div style="text-align: justify;">We spent about 20 hours in Dallas and that included about 8 hours of sleep time. It was short but it was so good to see Syd with her cousins and how excited she was to be with them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With Heaven and Amanda. Heaven is Uncle Che's sister's daughter. Got that? Sydney really, really, really loved being with them. That's her screaming and being really excited - pretty much what she did the entire time.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPMGs6_ydlP7vP1TbL1HOF5cdr69ehqFR5QP4luD-h269uViHm6fs4ltBpCVusXHzpqY4lZjP7Xv1yNRTio2eYBoEXOiff75DQ6pbm8J-nqFwBwroiqQqeAj2N-HiF3aRc1v5BtEcV2yx/s1600-h/Texas+002.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/AVvXsEivPMGs6_ydlP7vP1TbL1HOF5cdr69ehqFR5QP4luD-h269uViHm6fs4ltBpCVusXHzpqY4lZjP7Xv1yNRTio2eYBoEXOiff75DQ6pbm8J-nqFwBwroiqQqeAj2N-HiF3aRc1v5BtEcV2yx/s320/Texas+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370305447600165074" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv385xbtr6Fb0BoQy3-PkRqdRzXi_hD_92pOjIsc2pdB-OQl4wt9ZbtXxq6T1mF7uMYu348f9Hl2Dv4PAjMNBmT3G6UwsAfboB507PrGtyyFsjgmv7qLKgVuCm7v0XyLgjUhTnnWi9Q0H4/s1600-h/Texas+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv385xbtr6Fb0BoQy3-PkRqdRzXi_hD_92pOjIsc2pdB-OQl4wt9ZbtXxq6T1mF7uMYu348f9Hl2Dv4PAjMNBmT3G6UwsAfboB507PrGtyyFsjgmv7qLKgVuCm7v0XyLgjUhTnnWi9Q0H4/s320/Texas+005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370304893583000978" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Amanda and Uncle B</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77ljsqVUz6AtEjPtUv_yV7gTIqxry0jLQQ2JwKWmyVftbm2VGZbhtwwm6q-6id3l9LiKLY7T44D5LoVb-hXkdpzxjfxuzJoVbL9YfB6cZeDE0UK-dLxRRucNDQ_RbhxKer1jyJylEvhi5/s1600-h/Texas+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77ljsqVUz6AtEjPtUv_yV7gTIqxry0jLQQ2JwKWmyVftbm2VGZbhtwwm6q-6id3l9LiKLY7T44D5LoVb-hXkdpzxjfxuzJoVbL9YfB6cZeDE0UK-dLxRRucNDQ_RbhxKer1jyJylEvhi5/s320/Texas+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370303257997777746" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Josh and Syd. Amanda loves actively playing with her and Josh just lets her do anything to him. The kid was in heaven.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7es2hwXsyDJYCpv8lLHr-BAvvWUALZZ2E1k52Qrxoux4LC6V9KWRJd866p31bmI4r9MFY2YWN_xsrwT_yOByGCTD3lTErtsSDNGJCcpIbh-M2bWxHSRSD0Orlb4rz7Lwwz81qqO6XNdi/s1600-h/Texas+009.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/AVvXsEhU7es2hwXsyDJYCpv8lLHr-BAvvWUALZZ2E1k52Qrxoux4LC6V9KWRJd866p31bmI4r9MFY2YWN_xsrwT_yOByGCTD3lTErtsSDNGJCcpIbh-M2bWxHSRSD0Orlb4rz7Lwwz81qqO6XNdi/s320/Texas+009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370303249257851634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Grandy reading to the grandkids. Yes, that's B under Amanda.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:-webkit-monospace;font-size:13px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqckxhEns7VMHYimz1tnu6kILGU4IzVPk88jAhowVKByfyq5jz6gpAFYI-AX-QdXW82Qq4SOu4Ffs9h53h_-OCPIy6GFW5F_pGNhNCKCCUxNOqgM0pIagRNpfvCVp_9mLlWOtXDrFmi_5y/s1600-h/Texas+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqckxhEns7VMHYimz1tnu6kILGU4IzVPk88jAhowVKByfyq5jz6gpAFYI-AX-QdXW82Qq4SOu4Ffs9h53h_-OCPIy6GFW5F_pGNhNCKCCUxNOqgM0pIagRNpfvCVp_9mLlWOtXDrFmi_5y/s320/Texas+012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371387837657602146" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Auntie Sam. See how she just leaves her dentures laying around? For shame!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:-webkit-monospace;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccDOwLKEGJJF3It0H6PORMKalBbDw7D4oO0gv00oTWypRba0GOBG3zbRCgo-g4K2mQohbl-kYbc6kU0MlVtu0p0umGiwbIvJF-Pq7yDXwpNncdQuxC7AM9vDa7mkVklohh2Zp5h_ZoIvi/s1600-h/Texas+004.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/AVvXsEhccDOwLKEGJJF3It0H6PORMKalBbDw7D4oO0gv00oTWypRba0GOBG3zbRCgo-g4K2mQohbl-kYbc6kU0MlVtu0p0umGiwbIvJF-Pq7yDXwpNncdQuxC7AM9vDa7mkVklohh2Zp5h_ZoIvi/s320/Texas+004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370306634888853586" /></a></span></span></span></div></span></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Syd and Uncle Che</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBouB8hx9J8O4WBg-3VISTdqUzcuYa_FR1Oak_0bDd-HdiGaBzqK0hUVOulW1DcjlnaeH4E6_L8fjpxYBPAnhAS3hViE9EnMQSuf3vz11jrHZoRBPVaU8j3v969S916AoIWk_jdFyggcC/s1600-h/Texas+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBouB8hx9J8O4WBg-3VISTdqUzcuYa_FR1Oak_0bDd-HdiGaBzqK0hUVOulW1DcjlnaeH4E6_L8fjpxYBPAnhAS3hViE9EnMQSuf3vz11jrHZoRBPVaU8j3v969S916AoIWk_jdFyggcC/s320/Texas+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370303232316227426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love this!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CiignX98D1vTwdnn9HqKoG4fKsVjMa1wVXl8Jj_O-2CnKHqW4xk-ENxf2mUvKFm72GZS7JtVJL4SUwPKsY5UA5ORuvBTfrTYgt43wXIQK7ZHmzcOIG82M5tCfta5zb62KxY1x9ek91Sm/s1600-h/Texas+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CiignX98D1vTwdnn9HqKoG4fKsVjMa1wVXl8Jj_O-2CnKHqW4xk-ENxf2mUvKFm72GZS7JtVJL4SUwPKsY5UA5ORuvBTfrTYgt43wXIQK7ZHmzcOIG82M5tCfta5zb62KxY1x9ek91Sm/s320/Texas+015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370303231254171810" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-4900718496764074012009-08-13T12:08:00.006-04:002009-08-13T13:29:29.107-04:00Sydney goes to Texas!!!<div><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:-webkit-monospace;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">We went to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state> last Friday through Tuesday and visited family. We had a really good time and it was so awesome to introduce Syd to all these people who love her but had never met her. I worried about how she would handle her first trip away from home, air travel, sleeping in new surroundings and being around people she didn't know. She exceeded my expectations and slept great, was fabulous on the plane and especially loved the turbulence (which is weird because she gets scared easily) and had a wonderful time with everybody. It was a blast!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:-webkit-monospace;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:-webkit-monospace;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">L-R, Gran Gran, the family matriarch; Auntie E (Eleanor), Gran Gran's daughter and Grandy's sister; Shanna, Auntie E's daughter and standing: Sarad, Auntie E's son. </span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmeAuns22agxhYeIvb2emPk1RhUYvgVBJueE4eqEfEOX5AoW95KUsURihD-eCRoKoN-ITmbNyoZIfkhHb1WdineIGHMqZ5TxuMMnOK4RdFdIdOAsh-zILztlS4iVkzBNzZc8tobfElE_Q/s1600-h/Texas+036.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/AVvXsEgdmeAuns22agxhYeIvb2emPk1RhUYvgVBJueE4eqEfEOX5AoW95KUsURihD-eCRoKoN-ITmbNyoZIfkhHb1WdineIGHMqZ5TxuMMnOK4RdFdIdOAsh-zILztlS4iVkzBNzZc8tobfElE_Q/s320/Texas+036.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369501002899522962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nlM5gOjhc-ESX2RfR_Qa_YYfl4Fpw6M3TuB3EzYD4Q-FjgyvawUq36cz78dMqIItWTDBa4-QN3Znb2-RVnaQ5Lanrytt2X7cCORoaB7CEgLa4k8dLrILBYnH-fH0XDc9PIzvYfaZ_wvz/s1600-h/Texas+042.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/AVvXsEg_nlM5gOjhc-ESX2RfR_Qa_YYfl4Fpw6M3TuB3EzYD4Q-FjgyvawUq36cz78dMqIItWTDBa4-QN3Znb2-RVnaQ5Lanrytt2X7cCORoaB7CEgLa4k8dLrILBYnH-fH0XDc9PIzvYfaZ_wvz/s320/Texas+042.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369500995826207826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4ykDpmktuh3l2CvsMLWr6hAFOsRbVFH880MR07ZY9828f_e3i91PRX_mG0_pmK41hbZqiIZxFJuBMLT2rQX_6S-MI0TiXn8rSIyiQxaf3Tt6waovi_8J9Woe9_oCYbuswlu3atLrkri9/s1600-h/Texas+034.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/AVvXsEiU4ykDpmktuh3l2CvsMLWr6hAFOsRbVFH880MR07ZY9828f_e3i91PRX_mG0_pmK41hbZqiIZxFJuBMLT2rQX_6S-MI0TiXn8rSIyiQxaf3Tt6waovi_8J9Woe9_oCYbuswlu3atLrkri9/s320/Texas+034.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369499761458813042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc4an8Ld4FRkDk3RAJDg5w8WWDd9GUqvFiZ0z9K0D8xmUCIQeFsTAVZ7fvqBlHKVvTl8aTioBid4UoCHehotdgzfAC3tDdSPU2eL6xAP-EvzUH5-BynzyqPOL-X8NWwpuo1UR-2rUFWB7/s1600-h/Texas+031.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/AVvXsEgSc4an8Ld4FRkDk3RAJDg5w8WWDd9GUqvFiZ0z9K0D8xmUCIQeFsTAVZ7fvqBlHKVvTl8aTioBid4UoCHehotdgzfAC3tDdSPU2eL6xAP-EvzUH5-BynzyqPOL-X8NWwpuo1UR-2rUFWB7/s320/Texas+031.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369499752195509682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fdVeyVquZHqHyT1e8VGweNQ12lRTs1Pdx2Kzm9UYB0qc95SeL6uNTiU9fTxBQUkQ-ZciphmxPcfwshTaUu_vMHZv47AEYB32Q9NHcsCKo9lKuzDX-64L60PrQzhWA-7Jb78gL4Kq_Mmv/s1600-h/Texas+030.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/AVvXsEj0fdVeyVquZHqHyT1e8VGweNQ12lRTs1Pdx2Kzm9UYB0qc95SeL6uNTiU9fTxBQUkQ-ZciphmxPcfwshTaUu_vMHZv47AEYB32Q9NHcsCKo9lKuzDX-64L60PrQzhWA-7Jb78gL4Kq_Mmv/s320/Texas+030.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369499737843050130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmyRn1q12GTOt8y0kuUSpuVP4c0ufFs42-8_ZqN_JAg7CSh2A50w4D4Pdxsk8Ie5Je6eICSmw_iZJSXE-nMpIdvC1ScMn2stLtx13lc-spcltt1e3HJZ_StedjaaBnlMMo3dHkQcAito6/s1600-h/Texas+029.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/AVvXsEiSmyRn1q12GTOt8y0kuUSpuVP4c0ufFs42-8_ZqN_JAg7CSh2A50w4D4Pdxsk8Ie5Je6eICSmw_iZJSXE-nMpIdvC1ScMn2stLtx13lc-spcltt1e3HJZ_StedjaaBnlMMo3dHkQcAito6/s320/Texas+029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369499729551133762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Q7-N14uuu9kxEdgTFg-aggaLYY8BiXOgNZvzaHGLXSn6E1vujaKIJ9h3X9BlBKFOFluN4giYDhvaZASV2LdVL2tCUpJddYArqu26FqTRaPs3cH3kmRN31nJCzA4Idds5bZStdlBjtN-6/s1600-h/Texas+028.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/AVvXsEg4Q7-N14uuu9kxEdgTFg-aggaLYY8BiXOgNZvzaHGLXSn6E1vujaKIJ9h3X9BlBKFOFluN4giYDhvaZASV2LdVL2tCUpJddYArqu26FqTRaPs3cH3kmRN31nJCzA4Idds5bZStdlBjtN-6/s320/Texas+028.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369499726010576498" /></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:-webkit-monospace;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Being read a story, her favourite thing these days. </span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtbQcL00HF5zPqB9czLimsP-qvUk3By9SRXUGK-KYixl4EPWaoSbpxgEGbouh4NCmISvRnZ-_FlciwKajpYcsIFsxYN5dqT7GbutrLtMBjIoB1q85knEzBuAqDRdPnL2T46Jiub7z6TWv/s1600-h/Texas+023.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/AVvXsEgwtbQcL00HF5zPqB9czLimsP-qvUk3By9SRXUGK-KYixl4EPWaoSbpxgEGbouh4NCmISvRnZ-_FlciwKajpYcsIFsxYN5dqT7GbutrLtMBjIoB1q85knEzBuAqDRdPnL2T46Jiub7z6TWv/s320/Texas+023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369498654210457618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB14XvwCiwA0-pdIg3tQv4ECO1gN_2VZZ319Q5YaxqfDJcfBT4PyCDNjUlvYm9x5Dv94mCk2vernXBcxZcT0rx1I4iMtuBsiS0vwJ9aIYQBcU7mCcfCrYycM2H4llfEpZ1k-XQ3PdYCSA5/s1600-h/Texas+024.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/AVvXsEgB14XvwCiwA0-pdIg3tQv4ECO1gN_2VZZ319Q5YaxqfDJcfBT4PyCDNjUlvYm9x5Dv94mCk2vernXBcxZcT0rx1I4iMtuBsiS0vwJ9aIYQBcU7mCcfCrYycM2H4llfEpZ1k-XQ3PdYCSA5/s320/Texas+024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369498644728185922" /></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:-webkit-monospace;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Fascinated by Gran Gran's shirt</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wmNyUekPAlZxBqQa9NnycvVJKE9c7nU9lnR9Z5YlLBOpyRykLJlASdCw-9mP8Xjr9Z60mFoMdUmPw5OHTdlQ6mvf09taoaGBHKwkIBS5VIL2ZFJsUn5QvYFvjyyx7bgmGPV32n_lSL3h/s1600-h/Texas+019.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/AVvXsEj9wmNyUekPAlZxBqQa9NnycvVJKE9c7nU9lnR9Z5YlLBOpyRykLJlASdCw-9mP8Xjr9Z60mFoMdUmPw5OHTdlQ6mvf09taoaGBHKwkIBS5VIL2ZFJsUn5QvYFvjyyx7bgmGPV32n_lSL3h/s320/Texas+019.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369498635108534786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf29OGO2GqQadTH9JC8l043J6u9vZzgsB-T2wYivMLV2ZvTdyr5lhVhcs7eRwT22-rSckqJypsvZ6NkKDNSlJ2MRWXhRfVOGpqgCLzcrK7ryB4Kx5ZsuYkOhb8n5F8joYJNVXTUtRghI8t/s1600-h/Texas+020.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/AVvXsEgf29OGO2GqQadTH9JC8l043J6u9vZzgsB-T2wYivMLV2ZvTdyr5lhVhcs7eRwT22-rSckqJypsvZ6NkKDNSlJ2MRWXhRfVOGpqgCLzcrK7ryB4Kx5ZsuYkOhb8n5F8joYJNVXTUtRghI8t/s320/Texas+020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369498620410194802" /></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:-webkit-monospace;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Napping on Auntie E. It took her a few minutes to warm up to each person but she was immediately attached to Auntie E. We think (a) she reminded her of Grandy, (b) she felt a certain kinship with her since Auntie E previously held the record for a preemie in the family, weighing in at just over 2lbs at birth or (c) a combination of both. </span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMT6ogY-ZivhcG9669NzoaxpZMVFwcW0nnfB5Xehr6KZGu1VyAt9z0z7QqQBGIfvbTkBD0EPdMQACxPLUXz2PdAEHZ9R2jxaov9gkC040ngvVyEGCyqnONqh5TKU9uLgS94DwC1Gsk6Efc/s1600-h/Texas+017.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/AVvXsEhMT6ogY-ZivhcG9669NzoaxpZMVFwcW0nnfB5Xehr6KZGu1VyAt9z0z7QqQBGIfvbTkBD0EPdMQACxPLUXz2PdAEHZ9R2jxaov9gkC040ngvVyEGCyqnONqh5TKU9uLgS94DwC1Gsk6Efc/s320/Texas+017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369498608893723794" /></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:-webkit-monospace;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Pics from the Dallas leg of the trip tomorrow!</span></span>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-56079560468549710062009-08-06T05:29:00.002-04:002009-08-06T06:43:27.100-04:00Letting Go...<div style="text-align: justify;">When you have a baby that's born into the NICU, you promise yourself that as soon as they get out, you're going to put that experience behind you and make sure they lead a full, happy life. You tell yourself that you won't be over-protective and keep your child from doing all the the things that other children enjoy. You listen carefully to all the doctors and tell yourself that 2 years isn't that long to put off doing things because, after that, man oh man! you're gonna have a blast. You hear about the "disadvantages" of a preemie spending time around other kids while they are infants since kids pass germs like wildfire. You avoid seeing friends (especially those with kids) and only spend time with immediate family. You do all this, because it's a small price to pay to protect your child while they grow big and strong - even if some of your friends don't understand. You become a maniac during RSV season and do things like, wait with the baby in the car while someone else runs inside a store. You keep hand sanitizer in your car and use it religiously even if you smell like alcohol all the time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You do all this and more because there's a big payoff - the older your child gets without getting sick/hurt the lower their risk of long-term complications or anything else. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then, you approach the 2 year mark and it's time to put your faith where your mouth is. It's just so exciting! No more leaving the house <i>just</i> to go to the doctor! No more missing church because confined spaces are off limits! Yay!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yeah...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It turns out it's not so easy after all. Letting go and allowing her to see and explore the world is almost as hard as being restricted all these months. The more we do, the more she likes people and is ready to hug and talk to them. I have to resist the urge to wipe her hands with sanitizer when she touches <i>anything</i>. You always think that one parent will be over-protective and the other would be easy breezy and not worry about anything. Not in this house! B is even worse - the man worries about things that I don't even consider! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two weeks ago, we decided that it was time for her to go to Toddler Church while we attended the adult services. Then we chickened out at the last minute and took her in with us. Brian had to practically sit on her to keep her still, so we decided that she was definitely going the following week. Besides the tracheotomy when she was unconscious, she's never been left alone with anyone but one of us or our mothers. Ever. We take her to the door and B hands her to the teacher and she started to cry and I kid you not, I was sure he was going to take her back and run out of there. Then I act all tough, pull him away and say that we need to make a clean break because the longer we stood there, the more worked up she would get. Guess who left church after 20 minutes to go look at her through the window? That would me. Of course, she was quite happy, walking around the room and "talking" away. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now we just want to put her in a bubble. Going to the park and the beach are easy - she's with us and can have fun just like that. Yet I know that we can't protect her from everything so we'll keep taking small steps toward her "independence" but I suspect I'll always worry as every parent does. Until I was 24 years old and got married, my own mother came into my room many nights and checked that I was still breathing! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lord help us when it's time to send her off to college. Though my friend Amy insists that by then we'll pack her stuff <i>for</i> her and happily send her on her way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL'; "><i>When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL';"><i>Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. Isaiah 43: 2,5</i></span></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-29520935810540426582009-07-23T19:08:00.001-04:002009-07-23T19:32:56.758-04:00Non-Talkative Thursday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVMuBqCDnTr0YrlGZDXuJSZJHbJkpm0JVvyMqhzb_2yD8IzXvUDiTPHrh6lNiOIeZ5-lkmeyTXcsq4XLLOBufmWHNjzaq5JBRY1gZMpQ8Y2dQUATDC0XeBoAhccljlaqx6eeLq-hGBrxU/s1600-h/anniversary+069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVMuBqCDnTr0YrlGZDXuJSZJHbJkpm0JVvyMqhzb_2yD8IzXvUDiTPHrh6lNiOIeZ5-lkmeyTXcsq4XLLOBufmWHNjzaq5JBRY1gZMpQ8Y2dQUATDC0XeBoAhccljlaqx6eeLq-hGBrxU/s320/anniversary+069.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361801872256232402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkcgPWNLTMabLEU7lPi20D1Pwv10aWWwKBXLGP6Xn0Hpf4OENuzwVe9JbCAgLH0DXIA983AOQSc70fNIL30tEHNlbs_YkW1JulY5AEF1IMkU22Vq3kHbZAoau7bp7-opqwtY8J5sD-OD8/s1600-h/anniversary+070.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkcgPWNLTMabLEU7lPi20D1Pwv10aWWwKBXLGP6Xn0Hpf4OENuzwVe9JbCAgLH0DXIA983AOQSc70fNIL30tEHNlbs_YkW1JulY5AEF1IMkU22Vq3kHbZAoau7bp7-opqwtY8J5sD-OD8/s320/anniversary+070.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361801863689434994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1Mj_fG7BstONyh7rlHPUsMr0Ly_IzbIRSkkRj_sOGHa87GZImsUvXXDLXbFgkPlPL5zqfNM1qWQXBSjo29y2L63BFy2uj3YcEJsH8vVnzTWXvurE39jTJThM9aER9p3g1F-7DdeuW4MZ/s1600-h/anniversary+072+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1Mj_fG7BstONyh7rlHPUsMr0Ly_IzbIRSkkRj_sOGHa87GZImsUvXXDLXbFgkPlPL5zqfNM1qWQXBSjo29y2L63BFy2uj3YcEJsH8vVnzTWXvurE39jTJThM9aER9p3g1F-7DdeuW4MZ/s320/anniversary+072+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361801863128656594" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rOYhxPRpB0g&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rOYhxPRpB0g&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PHG5G-arsKM&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PHG5G-arsKM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-37552970019177767922009-07-19T14:52:00.002-04:002009-07-19T15:17:26.979-04:00NEVER say Never!<div style="text-align: justify;">You know those child leashes that are popular these days? The ones that are like a backpack with a harness that people use to keep their kids close in public places? Well, I'm reeeeeeeeeally not a fan of them. I always said I would never, ever use them...and I meant it. Then we had a preemie, who after 20 months on this earth, refused to walk independently and our desperation set in. We became willing to try and do ANYTHING. A little over a week ago we had some success with her taking about a dozen steps while chasing her therapist and trying to hold on to her and since then, she's been willing to take 5 or so steps on her own as long as she can see something to grab on to close by. If she's busy playing, she will walk around just fine but if she's thinking about it, she will not walk by herself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, what does this have to do with a child leash? Our friends, Ryan and Devie came by on the 4th of July and we were all excited that their 15 month old Eden, would inspire Sydney to walk since she just started too. Please. Before the night was over, Sydney had Eden crawling around the floor with her. One day we will be happy that she's a leader. Anyway, Devie suggested using a leash and kind of trick her into thinking she was being supported since it was clear that the child can walk. I wasn't too excited about the idea but again...desperation will make you do anything. I finally got the leash today and well, a picture is worth one thousand words!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KaLfsX5PPVc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KaLfsX5PPVc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:48px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At first, she wouldn't let me walk behind her, so I pulled the strap to the front and just put it around my finger...I wasn't holding it at all! That did the trick!</div><br />Then:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dct6pXLXaa0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dct6pXLXaa0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I didn't even have it around my finger anymore! It's just dragging on the floor behind her.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zEcaolr3iUk&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zEcaolr3iUk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />At the end of that last video she noticed herself in the mirror. She loooooves mirrors and spent about 30 minutes yesterday having a VERY animated conversation with herself complete with silly faces and hand motions. I didn't get that on tape but this gives you some idea.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G6eUqQwIrn0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G6eUqQwIrn0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Devie, I owe you BIG TIME!!! :love:Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-18284002959802327492009-07-08T16:47:00.005-04:002009-07-08T17:19:35.464-04:00Independence Day!We had such a good weekend! Uncle Martin and Auntie Suzie stayed with us and we all got to meet baby Logan. He's so cute and sweet and tiny and just a joy to be around. Sydney was all about him and wherever he was, there she was also. There was only one occasion where I picked him up and she threw herself on the floor in jealousy and demanded I hold her in my lap too! Besides that, she couldn't get enough of him. It was so good for us all to spend some time together. <div><br /></div><div>We took a few pictures of them and man! It was like controlling zoo animals. One would be sitting and the other would be going headfirst of the couch or one would be standing and the other would be looking anywhere but at the camera. It was funny. Of course, it doesn't help that our ancient camera takes forever to take pics. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We didn't dress them alike on purpose. They just came downstairs wearing the same colours. Cute!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7aaMpfwF_yldOJjBMM_ZsPwDR5GDD2H_3ZwyubrJ6vHsqNxgOgtYIujRGCVnr2BOypH4een0po6FxBKj4IIUD-WDXA2oN-RNBAFA6UYUBH3yCc1bXTVwedaRqlu1qNWrQOUV9focGYp4/s1600-h/Independence+Day+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7aaMpfwF_yldOJjBMM_ZsPwDR5GDD2H_3ZwyubrJ6vHsqNxgOgtYIujRGCVnr2BOypH4een0po6FxBKj4IIUD-WDXA2oN-RNBAFA6UYUBH3yCc1bXTVwedaRqlu1qNWrQOUV9focGYp4/s320/Independence+Day+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356200482851570866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljVJRAGWfI-GIrj9Q9GqxFkXVRXz3_048s_kI3IgFzqrJp9qkD6JR1fo_bbZ9_E0Oe82fv2rda4BpeCPw6mCG86yKZLbbdnGtNlTBfXVviTBLTsSZSA-ArCp-ivxA_B67oLXDNK_L187p/s1600-h/Independence+Day+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljVJRAGWfI-GIrj9Q9GqxFkXVRXz3_048s_kI3IgFzqrJp9qkD6JR1fo_bbZ9_E0Oe82fv2rda4BpeCPw6mCG86yKZLbbdnGtNlTBfXVviTBLTsSZSA-ArCp-ivxA_B67oLXDNK_L187p/s320/Independence+Day+015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356200470782239842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzgXIQ1rY9pdO7fb4-yO9JFsQZxogoRLcCkEU0s8incuZRMQN2XUO0WIsTLwzwRuOCeB-hXio5HBy_rLSu1SKrRbOA6tQnCRB0QkURrUdHjh_t_CnFbzfKdQMTuSfhVdokZG5ja5q5rsa/s1600-h/Independence+Day+016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzgXIQ1rY9pdO7fb4-yO9JFsQZxogoRLcCkEU0s8incuZRMQN2XUO0WIsTLwzwRuOCeB-hXio5HBy_rLSu1SKrRbOA6tQnCRB0QkURrUdHjh_t_CnFbzfKdQMTuSfhVdokZG5ja5q5rsa/s320/Independence+Day+016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356200461859974210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2ePtQk1OSUzuF9FqRGtggCxuGC-_EsPAWm4YZahbrGynhUWKT4QAhIsGMxRQEyybTxRpH6pEiqs9vtPFgtGeptaUPnyqpMq9DQt2wpO__f5UJQ2t-Rbj6CqJ1Ah4jLtZ5NR4MO-HFFcZ/s1600-h/Independence+Day+017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2ePtQk1OSUzuF9FqRGtggCxuGC-_EsPAWm4YZahbrGynhUWKT4QAhIsGMxRQEyybTxRpH6pEiqs9vtPFgtGeptaUPnyqpMq9DQt2wpO__f5UJQ2t-Rbj6CqJ1Ah4jLtZ5NR4MO-HFFcZ/s320/Independence+Day+017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356200457290532402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Auntie Suzie stepped in to ease the chaos. Bless her heart for trying</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkXEu0EPjCImC1Y0FtKfim78bWwpiATXolwqCGRyOMKLChW5sDBUdrS7w_R3Nw2qftYL6E0JuSgzip1OfycgyD9tFK9QyEZ58C5tvn2wShkUmn_lxcdS4NsOS0Bk6CgYJqHwVXP5F13LX/s1600-h/Independence+Day+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkXEu0EPjCImC1Y0FtKfim78bWwpiATXolwqCGRyOMKLChW5sDBUdrS7w_R3Nw2qftYL6E0JuSgzip1OfycgyD9tFK9QyEZ58C5tvn2wShkUmn_lxcdS4NsOS0Bk6CgYJqHwVXP5F13LX/s320/Independence+Day+020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356199409100312898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlYzhoPZ57DTXKRCSxHH2qTpoe50QXtkgZ5rJJfkvG6sVedyUUcJWsLqWXB75F4TNSv-UenvhzXqV_KSCT3q5qUabOnf4mfZ6FB-X5Nf_n-akvb4FbaZea5zQOt-TtTjQ-A37Qg-XtI4l/s1600-h/Independence+Day+021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlYzhoPZ57DTXKRCSxHH2qTpoe50QXtkgZ5rJJfkvG6sVedyUUcJWsLqWXB75F4TNSv-UenvhzXqV_KSCT3q5qUabOnf4mfZ6FB-X5Nf_n-akvb4FbaZea5zQOt-TtTjQ-A37Qg-XtI4l/s320/Independence+Day+021.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356199401428131954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Daddies and their babies</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjTgRaG12Kv_NGxYJT_3UrFLAx3TlKeb84T4-fpxrKPDQQT-ppspd-oiLW59O2E-mQSvuv1AWXmd5JdjR2H33OJu36AZaCpmNys2qxCowQJgmjOaywGy7abSsw_n30VGAkBi9XP7rxz51/s1600-h/Independence+Day+023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjTgRaG12Kv_NGxYJT_3UrFLAx3TlKeb84T4-fpxrKPDQQT-ppspd-oiLW59O2E-mQSvuv1AWXmd5JdjR2H33OJu36AZaCpmNys2qxCowQJgmjOaywGy7abSsw_n30VGAkBi9XP7rxz51/s320/Independence+Day+023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356199398786346370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1590ra4gq3Q8hbHdep2KIXGVGf2XGcgDEN5YtwzQe8y0wJUFN2sefWlo2UT4h1PuEypE4SXlhIlLzedNb_pU9Yy1SvrChMyT_n6EIaCKOO0xsK9xMbSohBL3NdrZfPZgUSDCNG9_tXQtm/s1600-h/Independence+Day+024.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/AVvXsEg1590ra4gq3Q8hbHdep2KIXGVGf2XGcgDEN5YtwzQe8y0wJUFN2sefWlo2UT4h1PuEypE4SXlhIlLzedNb_pU9Yy1SvrChMyT_n6EIaCKOO0xsK9xMbSohBL3NdrZfPZgUSDCNG9_tXQtm/s320/Independence+Day+024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356199393701274290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Silly Boys</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJde1pMglqoKMIk9R7hkyvbD4zVzHc4iSb68mHGUDUrLWwCcag0Y3uGTzDAvKMw9Gl9vNS_VC3YDnF1gcQtKazzfio35ZO2CxHJTW9FUU0zafCFGhGH97bvWOv8JfvW-POHaYseB1teFMR/s1600-h/Independence+Day+025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJde1pMglqoKMIk9R7hkyvbD4zVzHc4iSb68mHGUDUrLWwCcag0Y3uGTzDAvKMw9Gl9vNS_VC3YDnF1gcQtKazzfio35ZO2CxHJTW9FUU0zafCFGhGH97bvWOv8JfvW-POHaYseB1teFMR/s320/Independence+Day+025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356199388496947330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">They loved being on their daddies' shoulders but were ready to move on to something else within a minute</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucCVTnLnlZSGLVEVQ_Ff-ogvMzionTSJFzT-cXFLNQ5PSRAoYotv3BF6Qi5KZAoJh1_9qN0kTymxu4KrOlswTy7H1sQaZKa_Lou3Rrudax5mss90Tkea0_pSkU0ZnBRA7waWXcKKEmdJX/s1600-h/Independence+Day+026.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/AVvXsEhucCVTnLnlZSGLVEVQ_Ff-ogvMzionTSJFzT-cXFLNQ5PSRAoYotv3BF6Qi5KZAoJh1_9qN0kTymxu4KrOlswTy7H1sQaZKa_Lou3Rrudax5mss90Tkea0_pSkU0ZnBRA7waWXcKKEmdJX/s320/Independence+Day+026.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356197522899434802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Awww!!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWyikL4Q6FQC51nC0A85aW1ORgKyo_n9QgbXDtMKhIsYJKNKFCY5xBuv7ZvE9xOzGopvmu0rf4J_xKNzbmQ1DYF1LvVyCcvHZimUfKAjtjU9DAATVtmEZdRs50H0TnTRhC7sUBHNXisRb/s1600-h/Independence+Day+028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWyikL4Q6FQC51nC0A85aW1ORgKyo_n9QgbXDtMKhIsYJKNKFCY5xBuv7ZvE9xOzGopvmu0rf4J_xKNzbmQ1DYF1LvVyCcvHZimUfKAjtjU9DAATVtmEZdRs50H0TnTRhC7sUBHNXisRb/s320/Independence+Day+028.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356197516669823666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is her latest game. Whenever she is scolded, she opens her eyes wide to try to make us laugh or she does it whenever she's feeling playful. We do it back to her and she laughs soo hard! She's a silly goose. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW6UVEfh45-wfvOriKucQl-_JWCIOCoqRthoLc3bVCS-256qoIkNQscAvS84XTR1Gy13P4DkdpRAZ49EegXVRk55e_3oIxgI1XdMpeYZ5mbjUyNXzIUppts9WwZwM2ASaH5jnttzBpMSd/s1600-h/Independence+Day+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW6UVEfh45-wfvOriKucQl-_JWCIOCoqRthoLc3bVCS-256qoIkNQscAvS84XTR1Gy13P4DkdpRAZ49EegXVRk55e_3oIxgI1XdMpeYZ5mbjUyNXzIUppts9WwZwM2ASaH5jnttzBpMSd/s320/Independence+Day+030.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356197514031202882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">:love:</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4xBHrxD4QhR3rTNQMg26Usi_sMvQ1bDyXPChIj6yljD1j7IE-IwH7QXttuAbaBDNC1LGK931HfSOLYTlTyfSBoA1DsSzwIeKij2JzqpV6jSWLGiK4MEiOEuUctZrhFUVlV7KxKAmHG98/s1600-h/Independence+Day+031.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/AVvXsEj-4xBHrxD4QhR3rTNQMg26Usi_sMvQ1bDyXPChIj6yljD1j7IE-IwH7QXttuAbaBDNC1LGK931HfSOLYTlTyfSBoA1DsSzwIeKij2JzqpV6jSWLGiK4MEiOEuUctZrhFUVlV7KxKAmHG98/s320/Independence+Day+031.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356197507667707090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4afIUPNYYAP3juKYZH_RllaNkvRQ1vU8dRMhc4X62DKWiLBqrF3fVkUbCQGdgYH2jiZn9y8IJCi9DjoIvQcRvq7oVDdHhYydMMZa0oC5yKE2_WSbdvvqnUFB5QGjYzKuC-t4jp_6OVmFB/s1600-h/Independence+Day+032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4afIUPNYYAP3juKYZH_RllaNkvRQ1vU8dRMhc4X62DKWiLBqrF3fVkUbCQGdgYH2jiZn9y8IJCi9DjoIvQcRvq7oVDdHhYydMMZa0oC5yKE2_WSbdvvqnUFB5QGjYzKuC-t4jp_6OVmFB/s320/Independence+Day+032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356197506445570898" /></a>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-44655353875798555772009-06-29T18:44:00.004-04:002009-06-29T19:11:18.583-04:00The post that has no title<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm out of post title ideas today so we're going with none. :D</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All is well in our world and Miss Thang is delighting us daily. That is, when she's not trying my patience or having a toddler fit. She's 99% rainbows and sunshine but that 1% can be a real challenge. I've heard about teen angst but no one mentioned toddler angst! Apparently they're sometimes cranky and inconsolable for no known reason and the parents are expected to ride it out. At least teenagers can talk! I give her some leeway because she went from having no teeth up until last Christmas Day to having EIGHT as of today. That cannot be a pleasant thing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We delight in watching her play by herself and seeing the things she comes up with all without our prompting our suggestion. Every object becomes a telephone and she will spend all day calling her Dada. Her favourite word is not even a "real" word but nothing beats hearing her little voice squeak, "Boo!" when we walk in the door, instead of the usual Hi. We all sit and practice words with her and she just laughs and says, "Boo!" instead...over and over and over again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then there's the attitude. When she is corrected she "argues" with us in a language only she understands and does everything to get our attention. I told her last week that children who give attitude should be able to walk for it to be effective. How ever is she going to stomp to her room and slam the door if she's too chicken to walk? Last week she took 10 steps while chasing the therapist and then dropped to floor as soon as she realized she had no support. I gave her the handle of a spoon and put my finger tip on the ladle and she walked around that way, thinking she was getting support from me. She walks around with us, holding ONE of our fingers and she goes so fast now, we have to keep her pace. If she's standing and playing with a toy she will play and be fine, not realizing she's standing on her own and be there for a long while until she moves on to something else. We used to think she was afraid of falling but the Therapist thinks she's past that now. She thinks she just isn't confident and doesn't feel "safe" doing it on her own yet. She isn't getting any lighter so I hope she does it soon. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the meantime, lugging her around should be good for my biceps. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pics:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDQ5ysns-zrFTBJ81cXd8FUr7G5jTr7wPfzoP9H6s5Qo5d2R07R_0VRxPjv7Yn8HsHMFCuNlkPuxoxR8dSv3kPk4CqpFcHR7eIIjc4SrmLwO5sBTAjPdgrG2A9BwDirdhPpS3mSpXBAB2/s1600-h/travels+017.jpg"><br /><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/AVvXsEgmDQ5ysns-zrFTBJ81cXd8FUr7G5jTr7wPfzoP9H6s5Qo5d2R07R_0VRxPjv7Yn8HsHMFCuNlkPuxoxR8dSv3kPk4CqpFcHR7eIIjc4SrmLwO5sBTAjPdgrG2A9BwDirdhPpS3mSpXBAB2/s320/travels+017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352890118138246114" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXyX-aRmhdmWDa5_-M891AhPV1v7tE9B4p5-rdiB_R13R5cZoPyuO3MS5-3q15jk56torKQSCCEuTNuIy0zv4q4aNcPov_MRZIdQFXUSqzJ_yErd4y6dz-avwNXU5mmnEks7gmmS8Rxh1/s1600-h/travels+013.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/AVvXsEjIXyX-aRmhdmWDa5_-M891AhPV1v7tE9B4p5-rdiB_R13R5cZoPyuO3MS5-3q15jk56torKQSCCEuTNuIy0zv4q4aNcPov_MRZIdQFXUSqzJ_yErd4y6dz-avwNXU5mmnEks7gmmS8Rxh1/s320/travels+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352889463331856338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb-T-FaDCw6QlyipAWHZ7KqmkrvcZqAr3Vi_F45xfeTE6fM8ru4XPO9lCaXAiKNAbXvR6xbzDePFm26mlBbYKae-rtGaPbaciySW905CPbzJtY9maXJxjf2OeSGqnPHfquhCmjZdKFL_c/s1600-h/travels+011.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/AVvXsEhhb-T-FaDCw6QlyipAWHZ7KqmkrvcZqAr3Vi_F45xfeTE6fM8ru4XPO9lCaXAiKNAbXvR6xbzDePFm26mlBbYKae-rtGaPbaciySW905CPbzJtY9maXJxjf2OeSGqnPHfquhCmjZdKFL_c/s320/travels+011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352889460063163362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">With Grandy's friend, Mrs. Vickers</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8QWz4ShIhz172WwbWXf_k-WG7BiSnJQPbD7p-DiUfYzOv0GCGYbhDeDpC5R120qiQew7Z_q0Qr41dxC_8HH75c3-ZNO0ZUy_tYwib7W97eWwCvlFWLTAR9ge4rR9g8wUo2v7zYXI8qV0/s1600-h/travels+009.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/AVvXsEjR8QWz4ShIhz172WwbWXf_k-WG7BiSnJQPbD7p-DiUfYzOv0GCGYbhDeDpC5R120qiQew7Z_q0Qr41dxC_8HH75c3-ZNO0ZUy_tYwib7W97eWwCvlFWLTAR9ge4rR9g8wUo2v7zYXI8qV0/s320/travels+009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352889457720128530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Pln7fZtYjoCZjXlhOh2GSo9HgHYIwt_s019rm5cViGWT_Gn03UG4bHNKP8Tglt12-tGHJzwRmnLB1N1npWjnp4m6W0_qDT0CNPG2sJ1qmjfpYHp9DiAbIeWSZz8W1aFBgivSOZ4R5gER/s1600-h/travels+004.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/AVvXsEg8Pln7fZtYjoCZjXlhOh2GSo9HgHYIwt_s019rm5cViGWT_Gn03UG4bHNKP8Tglt12-tGHJzwRmnLB1N1npWjnp4m6W0_qDT0CNPG2sJ1qmjfpYHp9DiAbIeWSZz8W1aFBgivSOZ4R5gER/s320/travels+004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352889450408646082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, she stuck the binky in his mouth. She thought it was the funniest thing EVER!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEfTo9QpBgKMeUgeAxb1zcM3x7XW2DplLxYhL-qOscJVYPuyKqU-CB_CoBfVJwvNM8-Ie4_donHUQ6DdDI8rXURJ7ILoWGz0t7mAOxAgfhzEPKZp4W8AjMvxPkK3MJtA_HJwONS6zoVG7/s1600-h/travels+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/AVvXsEjmEfTo9QpBgKMeUgeAxb1zcM3x7XW2DplLxYhL-qOscJVYPuyKqU-CB_CoBfVJwvNM8-Ie4_donHUQ6DdDI8rXURJ7ILoWGz0t7mAOxAgfhzEPKZp4W8AjMvxPkK3MJtA_HJwONS6zoVG7/s320/travels+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352889448568521890" /></a>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-90168534203396201012009-06-21T08:51:00.002-04:002009-06-21T09:02:04.601-04:00Happy Father's Day!!So I already posted video about <a href="http://sydneysjourney.blogspot.com/2008/05/memorial-day-2007_5392.html">the moment Brian learned he would be a father</a>. Here's when he learned the sex of our baby. Is it me, or was there a HUGE difference between when he thought the baby was a boy and when he knew it was girl? Happy Father's Day honey...I'm so happy I have the moment you fell in love with your daughter on tape. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid57.photobucket.com/albums/g205/beeshoney/Itsagirl.flv"></embed></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-35189027730186426682009-06-18T19:07:00.005-04:002009-06-18T21:21:23.186-04:00Dear Friends and Family,As you all know, I've basically been on house arrest since I left the hospital 16 months ago. Between RSV seasons and the doctors' need for me to maintain good health, I haven't had much of a social life at all. Well, it seems like all that has changed and I'm not sure I can keep up. Mommy and Daddy say they want me to do "regular kid stuff" and have all these activities planned...I've left the house every day for the last 14 days! <div><br /></div><div>Hold me.<div><br /></div><div>Last Friday, Mommy took me to story time at the library and honestly, I was simply shocked to find that there are other babies in the world! You mean the world doesn't revolve around me? I don't even want to think about it. :cry: Those pesky babies tried befriending me but I just stuck close to my Mommy and played with her purse instead. The stories were cool but I don't see why I had to leave my house just for that. We did some dancing and I really, really loved that! Dancing is my favourite thing ever so I kept dancing even when the singing was over. When it was over, some babies told me "bye-bye" and one even gave me a hug but I stuck to my convictions and didn't speak to them. Maybe they won't take me there again but I hear a rumour that I will be going weekly. </div><div><br /></div><div>Save Me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today was my favourite day of all! We went to a park and man oh man, it was sooo much fun! I rode a pony and at first I was scared but then I got the hang of it and it was great! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvo2_GK87Ypo3Dk0D_xRAUmzjrKvRBNlQfXkFW94izuNkswxneNHS0P0lqj0Vsair4KUt_JtOVwPNr8LrolgQb8Nxlfql35arDRN9gCqcNyWygUedQvsYNGbQaXjsHDiXIXx4Pz9veutW/s1600-h/better+late+022.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/AVvXsEhtvo2_GK87Ypo3Dk0D_xRAUmzjrKvRBNlQfXkFW94izuNkswxneNHS0P0lqj0Vsair4KUt_JtOVwPNr8LrolgQb8Nxlfql35arDRN9gCqcNyWygUedQvsYNGbQaXjsHDiXIXx4Pz9veutW/s320/better+late+022.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348812067207099026" /></a><div>Then I went on a swing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have one question. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Where have those things been all my life????</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I.was.just.beside.myself with glee!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJmgSgwk5bxy4ELUu_YqIh_MS88lVQ4pYw3njfQtFJboSADEYyCjB7W37X5wO2ogOXXSxgELmYPSv6voFJkra-eyAwlt3Nd4hiKJBPFrJb9xp1teGDGfGSlti8UOI5Hj6dNiyla4cL4aD/s1600-h/better+late+024.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJmgSgwk5bxy4ELUu_YqIh_MS88lVQ4pYw3njfQtFJboSADEYyCjB7W37X5wO2ogOXXSxgELmYPSv6voFJkra-eyAwlt3Nd4hiKJBPFrJb9xp1teGDGfGSlti8UOI5Hj6dNiyla4cL4aD/s1600-h/better+late+024.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJmgSgwk5bxy4ELUu_YqIh_MS88lVQ4pYw3njfQtFJboSADEYyCjB7W37X5wO2ogOXXSxgELmYPSv6voFJkra-eyAwlt3Nd4hiKJBPFrJb9xp1teGDGfGSlti8UOI5Hj6dNiyla4cL4aD/s320/better+late+024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348813645629963202" /></a></div><div>If you can tune out Mommy's cackling, you will hear my excitement in this video. It amazes me how easily I can entertain her. She sounds like she was having as much fun as I was!</div><div><br /></div><div><embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid57.photobucket.com/albums/g205/beeshoney/betterlate031.flv"></embed></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes...that is exactly how I laugh. :D</div><div><br /></div><div>I hear there's a trip to the beach in my future. I'm not sure what this is but man, I'm exhausted! Having fun is hard work!</div><div><br /></div><div>Do me a favour and make sure my parents pace themselves, ok?</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div>Sydney</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span><br /></div></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-78094424921923533922009-06-07T13:33:00.005-04:002009-06-07T14:45:58.936-04:00Better Late...I know. I know. It's been a while. I had exams last week and I'm kind of an all or nothing girl. When I'm in exam mode, it's alllll about exams and virtually everything else gets left behind. Anyway, exams are OVER and we're back! <div><br /></div><div>I'll post more of an update during the week but for now, here are a few pics:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey Sydney! Look at me. Smile for the camera!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrnAqQhFcXPmHUr3wC3lfLKXOecyJyrIgdHJ6YnkxqccBbQtL15-3gxM_2b4TWdqy2iUi07bgxeS15Y7vHuP396fHP-OuVHxFB1lQYUVoOoWmq3lgWx9HrF4lBCU6y-7f_6d_emXXlMys/s1600-h/better+late+007+1.jpg"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrnAqQhFcXPmHUr3wC3lfLKXOecyJyrIgdHJ6YnkxqccBbQtL15-3gxM_2b4TWdqy2iUi07bgxeS15Y7vHuP396fHP-OuVHxFB1lQYUVoOoWmq3lgWx9HrF4lBCU6y-7f_6d_emXXlMys/s320/better+late+007+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344653610759687058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No, not a fake smile! A real smile!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxc2extPmx-Uq_LlQIFY6b31fx74NnQxls0LKucf7m8sBTBR-WHdaJTCI7Yri2hqCEaDF2gb0CcbRwDnJfrJL5TYpjpHEU5yWnsFDWtnjh-O_p8KiZSW_uAYWt21AgWQGT7wiKcmHnRLjF/s1600-h/better+late+008+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxc2extPmx-Uq_LlQIFY6b31fx74NnQxls0LKucf7m8sBTBR-WHdaJTCI7Yri2hqCEaDF2gb0CcbRwDnJfrJL5TYpjpHEU5yWnsFDWtnjh-O_p8KiZSW_uAYWt21AgWQGT7wiKcmHnRLjF/s320/better+late+008+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344653616001559090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So that's the alternative? A fake smile or nothing? Let's try again.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YsRI9W5x5JOmJzE_m72jESLXlMsCABFI1Fa-aYdFDaPSEOGq2j5yhEoOdRkBrf6_o7mwX0eOzxiUhoxxvdbfWIRWy3NruY1zklC1gOb0L0ytN83ARQgc24sM3taI1a0TkiULUVs5QhWt/s1600-h/better+late+009+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YsRI9W5x5JOmJzE_m72jESLXlMsCABFI1Fa-aYdFDaPSEOGq2j5yhEoOdRkBrf6_o7mwX0eOzxiUhoxxvdbfWIRWy3NruY1zklC1gOb0L0ytN83ARQgc24sM3taI1a0TkiULUVs5QhWt/s320/better+late+009+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344653616116162962" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:-webkit-monospace;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Getting better! Big smile!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:13px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M5CjMmGxgyHmc7Ay1CnPAdqtJwVjnu8fG6Vgsh39jQ-wSw2fk8XK6BlBFckSgTQOy-84yR79v_7UkYnyaV54_sxzSfK4KJ7jkHr17T5zkmF0FdcooHk09QJkY9nTmuYA0IO2PH3Olqt2/s1600-h/better+late+010+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 153px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M5CjMmGxgyHmc7Ay1CnPAdqtJwVjnu8fG6Vgsh39jQ-wSw2fk8XK6BlBFckSgTQOy-84yR79v_7UkYnyaV54_sxzSfK4KJ7jkHr17T5zkmF0FdcooHk09QJkY9nTmuYA0IO2PH3Olqt2/s320/better+late+010+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344657733949600098" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Oy! You win. Fake smile it is.</span></div></span><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLRT5q46sHYVoGUu3nbxtm0PcrZRRSE4vwD3D6EI0edyKis60O6iGeQu5OeVBFslAb9ldRnbOI0fTPpwfVmich-t2yoQhxvoue9byK_9MyxjRaWM-ek1_yEMAJyNSGFhopl4VK2EzEMQX/s1600-h/better+late+011+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 171px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLRT5q46sHYVoGUu3nbxtm0PcrZRRSE4vwD3D6EI0edyKis60O6iGeQu5OeVBFslAb9ldRnbOI0fTPpwfVmich-t2yoQhxvoue9byK_9MyxjRaWM-ek1_yEMAJyNSGFhopl4VK2EzEMQX/s320/better+late+011+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344653622479417762" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We are not buying her any more toys. She played with those things longer than she had played with many of her toys. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Adx69E4AwVxpsbbhlXK1IckdGxuE3lH_Wa0m5K_CodxkvDLLYd0QwZsODfe7N5X1lPBN2-i9OMJhP2_EIXHAN-7cRUWXGGgliXERYCV_Om5n1HdFg1eUKE4t4aFJEvLI9dlQ_4Dbr0Gh/s1600-h/wannabe+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Adx69E4AwVxpsbbhlXK1IckdGxuE3lH_Wa0m5K_CodxkvDLLYd0QwZsODfe7N5X1lPBN2-i9OMJhP2_EIXHAN-7cRUWXGGgliXERYCV_Om5n1HdFg1eUKE4t4aFJEvLI9dlQ_4Dbr0Gh/s320/wannabe+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344656604925842306" /></a></div></div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-16009636723529877852009-05-07T14:21:00.003-04:002009-05-07T15:43:40.728-04:00The good old daysI've mentioned before that we used to spend hours per day holding Sydney upright during the worst of her reflux issues. It would lead to her taking her daily naps on one of us and she would sleep peacefully for hours, leaving the person holding her unable to move. We looooved snuggling with her, even if I did complain some days about not being able to do any.thing. Anyway, that came to an abrupt end when she became active and mobile and chose poking her finger up our noses or riding us like horses instead of snuggling. <div><br /></div><div>For the past two weeks she's been teething hard and then she got shots last week so she's been quite cranky and clingy. The upside is that she is all about the snuggling these days. Last week she fell asleep on me at bedtime and I stayed up for two extra hours just enjoying it. "They" don't joke when they say it all goes by so fast. Then on Sunday, it got really quiet in the house and I came upon this. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0if_KfsTZV4DkbVG9PenJ4_XHaNyQD93hfBLvtwkXAaZp52ajXMO5P-IGwFXh2tXdGkBEiDf1hdLoTDne66T0Kr100wc3y5tdFVREKzlQ8aTSzZ60o_RwdjW9SFvug9EMiZ6dqoEOhsYm/s1600-h/wannabe+006.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/AVvXsEi0if_KfsTZV4DkbVG9PenJ4_XHaNyQD93hfBLvtwkXAaZp52ajXMO5P-IGwFXh2tXdGkBEiDf1hdLoTDne66T0Kr100wc3y5tdFVREKzlQ8aTSzZ60o_RwdjW9SFvug9EMiZ6dqoEOhsYm/s320/wannabe+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333166775187307490" /></a>*melt*<div><br /></div><div>I know I've posted a million pics like this but this one is special because we thought we were past this stage. I hate teething, but it sure has it's perks. </div><div><br /></div><div>Based on all the recent pics, some of my friends have asked if I've not combed her hair at all in the past few weeks. To them I say, "Shame on you!!" I don't like hair combing (do *you* like doing things you aren't good at?) but it's not like it's optional. Her hair is combed and brushed daily. Life is too short and her hair is too fine for me to torture myself with those elastic hair ties if we aren't leaving the house. If we are, I do my best to make sure she doesn't look like a raggamuffin:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zj6YqbcM5bj1R7bfhKAUluUNaL3wrG-pyX2Ucpxo8Oy8xzjdc2H32_2C6JI1K1X8Kud50_qs_JBCgA3fTr4bXS47iaShZFczw6qW8S53qzaND3uv-ivt5MDgDV3s-GfNZ8G6nKkN2X2Q/s1600-h/hairstyle+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zj6YqbcM5bj1R7bfhKAUluUNaL3wrG-pyX2Ucpxo8Oy8xzjdc2H32_2C6JI1K1X8Kud50_qs_JBCgA3fTr4bXS47iaShZFczw6qW8S53qzaND3uv-ivt5MDgDV3s-GfNZ8G6nKkN2X2Q/s320/hairstyle+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333169643535219810" /></a><br /><br />So there. :pNikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-50562686955292883752009-05-06T15:55:00.004-04:002009-05-06T18:22:19.318-04:00The whole walking business<div style="text-align: justify;">So my girl is still not walking. She absolutely can but she won't. It was the same when we were trying to get her to sit up and then crawl. She just would not do it. For months we would have to keep a pillow behind her and sit her up ourselves and then she would just throw herself back when she didn't want to sit anymore. She never really practices anything so we're left worrying until she just surprises us one day and does it perfectly. One day she just sat up and that was that. Same thing with the crawling...she didn't do a lot of "trying to crawl" and then falling on her face. Instead, she got around by laying on her back, knees up and moving around like a crab on the floor. I kid you not. I had never seen anything like it in my life but she perfected it and moved around with ease. Then one day we went from, "Oh my goodness, she's NEVER going to crawl!" to her just doing it the next day. She's not a trial and error kid, apparently. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Physical Therapist says she's her most puzzling patient but she does all the right things physically and clearly doesn't have any reason for not walking besides just not being ready to do so. Anyway, everybody set May 1 as The Date She Absolutely Must Be Walking because that's when she would turn 15 months adjusted and the"average" baby is usually walking by then. We have a neuro appt on June 17 and he would like her to be walking by then. Everybody is all a twitter because "we're so close and she's not doing it." She will walk around all day holding on the anything by her finger tip but she's just not ready to let go of that security yet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is where it pays to be friends with other micro preemie moms who had to wait for their kids to walk too. My friend Dianna didn't get her son (a 24 weeker) to walk until <a href="http://joshuadavid07.blogspot.com/2008/11/walking.html">his grandmother gave him a big spoon! </a>The spoon made him feel like he was holding something stable and he finally walked at 21 months (18 adjusted). Every other micro preemie mom I know has the same story. I maintain this blog for our family who lives far away, for Sydney to be able to look back on but also for other moms who are going through what we have been through. In the early days I would spend hours online just reading other blogs and seeing how these tiny babies developed and thrived. It's gave me so much hope then and still does now. Plus nothing beats telling the doctors, "She's doing all the right things and I don't know any kid born before 30 weeks that walked at 15 months adjusted!" There's a world of difference between a full term baby, a 32 weeker and micro preemie. It's just a fact. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, we're not gonna stress about it in light of the fact that she is showing NO signs of a true developmental issue. The Therapist gave me a brace to "motivate" her, while acknowledging that my child is just like her mama - she's self-motivated and you can make her do any.thing until she's ready. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I give you the brace:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are rods at the back and front that make it impossible for her to bend her knees and sit. It's supposed to force her to balance and be inspired to walk. She thinks it's funny. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:-webkit-monospace;font-size:13px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1AFVy4SOpgwwVzgQsdOVU74kQmUutcIOoxmzp5WWt9tH-hjsHXBOtpADZpGrY29NUkCzm29sC5sHsCJi7q2o1II9at7DE3DxcnCCgQz0Qx2MR6X1aVk7EM7Ig4EA2zF8sfqBm5dCACvw/s1600-h/wannabe+004.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/AVvXsEgP1AFVy4SOpgwwVzgQsdOVU74kQmUutcIOoxmzp5WWt9tH-hjsHXBOtpADZpGrY29NUkCzm29sC5sHsCJi7q2o1II9at7DE3DxcnCCgQz0Qx2MR6X1aVk7EM7Ig4EA2zF8sfqBm5dCACvw/s320/wannabe+004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332811387488253058" /></a></span>I put them on her anyway and took this picture so that when she is a teenager and thinking about dishing attitute, I can wave it around and say, "You see what you put me through!! The things we did to make you walk! *This* is the thanks we get???" Then I'll cry and she will feel bad and tell me she's sorry and loves me and won't do it again. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's how it works, right?</div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-87506871907112219402009-04-29T07:31:00.001-04:002009-04-29T07:38:06.207-04:00Wordless Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb3upG2F1IZ154Rakap-HEfvnZFwfjMDjiPz1Qmx1t5lYgDmiLLYOftOkP1OWsvMpqngewU1qbax5TVOdDHs2mypWjOfQgNmaKrf2Sig0nmLfmrH3V9P6GaN3b63CnvoJYSiACUe3cNz5/s1600-h/random+023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb3upG2F1IZ154Rakap-HEfvnZFwfjMDjiPz1Qmx1t5lYgDmiLLYOftOkP1OWsvMpqngewU1qbax5TVOdDHs2mypWjOfQgNmaKrf2Sig0nmLfmrH3V9P6GaN3b63CnvoJYSiACUe3cNz5/s320/random+023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330076099256802146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntODElgTjVk-eQGpc3s4etUKE6B1CxAvZkfCgIZzKft7gJYJu2Nyp9KRGdGwMMXwygvzKPxT6rtIGJxSDJ6_3tXDZ4MymZrIvGnV6SJfc-qf8YAAkiNtswHdQG6rJ09KknxqySanZI7zE/s1600-h/cuteness+003.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/AVvXsEjntODElgTjVk-eQGpc3s4etUKE6B1CxAvZkfCgIZzKft7gJYJu2Nyp9KRGdGwMMXwygvzKPxT6rtIGJxSDJ6_3tXDZ4MymZrIvGnV6SJfc-qf8YAAkiNtswHdQG6rJ09KknxqySanZI7zE/s320/cuteness+003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330076093845728786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrlXrBcPs5mQX_1dZ7Hvjc_fc3XdevVXY5pgNkiRhhtgdyQz6-EkESR-aana1P4HmpBYd3RZr7E3xUHSPTCS57ZkVy3uK_hz0vvhFh02Hjvs0ibNO60Ur1gsTJlM_kV_iOvswRX43i2Pq/s1600-h/cuteness+002.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/AVvXsEgNrlXrBcPs5mQX_1dZ7Hvjc_fc3XdevVXY5pgNkiRhhtgdyQz6-EkESR-aana1P4HmpBYd3RZr7E3xUHSPTCS57ZkVy3uK_hz0vvhFh02Hjvs0ibNO60Ur1gsTJlM_kV_iOvswRX43i2Pq/s320/cuteness+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330076094008657346" /></a>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-47064146098023258382009-04-20T11:21:00.007-04:002009-04-20T12:01:47.653-04:00Baby's Day OutI just had a birthday, so went out to lunch to celebrate. Sydney had been with us to restaurants before but we kept her in the stroller the other times. This time we were brave enough to let her sit on a booster on the seat. She did pretty well and even did some colouring<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aBfGr2OaVgwU5-cKQkT_Fmv7aAfzwAkCJBobRcnL1eSeqgASujGXIlAYd-_BS_ik6GYX3n3ooJnnnkuwWPqQmjzpwu-hfMQAHukSy8tWaOVHgSQyhHllC-sEzmEJYKEeL5jlyeLgOYF1/s1600-h/mommy+birthday+002.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aBfGr2OaVgwU5-cKQkT_Fmv7aAfzwAkCJBobRcnL1eSeqgASujGXIlAYd-_BS_ik6GYX3n3ooJnnnkuwWPqQmjzpwu-hfMQAHukSy8tWaOVHgSQyhHllC-sEzmEJYKEeL5jlyeLgOYF1/s320/mommy+birthday+002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326796690920502770" /></a>She eventually threw that crayon into our pitcher of <a href="http://wine.about.com/od/howwineismade/a/sangriaessentia.htm">Sangria </a>but we drank it just the same. They don't make those bad boys non toxic for nuthin!<div>They were having a car show right outside of the restaurant so my husband, who fancies himself a car enthusiast wanted to see it all. Never mind that I would ask him the make of a car and his standard response was, "Uhh..Ferrari??"<div><br /></div><div>Sydney chillaxed while we took it all in</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">If you pretend her hair isn't lopsided, I will too. </span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTQCz_BoVM452YCXt7jE27H4h22EJZJ56U5l5st8r2YfjQAqlXh8je_74-NYS0XRE-gAH3CnwuUSrIVKSpeO5JYTFQcXOK9cDltV07775AFY2qf9l-7vk7wUjwuTvvyMmPmy7hAC5GKV_/s1600-h/mommy+birthday+006.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/AVvXsEhxTQCz_BoVM452YCXt7jE27H4h22EJZJ56U5l5st8r2YfjQAqlXh8je_74-NYS0XRE-gAH3CnwuUSrIVKSpeO5JYTFQcXOK9cDltV07775AFY2qf9l-7vk7wUjwuTvvyMmPmy7hAC5GKV_/s320/mommy+birthday+006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326797933969062178" /></a><div><br /></div><div>B would like me to let you all know that he would like this:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaJ-C7dkfsGkKAqiZQHEhC-VKcUgROHcpfDYK4Nrl_PpN43Fs9kA2YFvUZKvkGIZinrPUvC4SyOJ4I8VO4uTM1H-2xJSWvIzhqU2-U00nLsiwzD8dx9bi6Xq1W8zYlYGDZU7qp_S4M7yr/s1600-h/mommy+birthday+009.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/AVvXsEjWaJ-C7dkfsGkKAqiZQHEhC-VKcUgROHcpfDYK4Nrl_PpN43Fs9kA2YFvUZKvkGIZinrPUvC4SyOJ4I8VO4uTM1H-2xJSWvIzhqU2-U00nLsiwzD8dx9bi6Xq1W8zYlYGDZU7qp_S4M7yr/s320/mommy+birthday+009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326799104072454850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UpaHf2bscb8btt6sI25AJJkplVU1XN7okQ1t6o4jng6Pk3FRFrlKzSZbytUYMm427_8mjrKmBJ2fMOb-eM5GK52uOYc8e8AQbcUlh9P4kVDyKmrRcfaAVRmyUem1MzdkzCjuWC_F6ERF/s1600-h/mommy+birthday+011.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/AVvXsEg5UpaHf2bscb8btt6sI25AJJkplVU1XN7okQ1t6o4jng6Pk3FRFrlKzSZbytUYMm427_8mjrKmBJ2fMOb-eM5GK52uOYc8e8AQbcUlh9P4kVDyKmrRcfaAVRmyUem1MzdkzCjuWC_F6ERF/s320/mommy+birthday+011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326799101254799298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It's cheap too</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDsDXiA_OnRhSg9YuMqC5D5MA01QiMac7i20BIJrlRuusEGrYpSxhWTj5DVmtuXVkeWQhbcnhioFQsjAPw997logP01QFIX0GVTkPQb6v4S9KJdbZhMIyCyheyAri2FJz9Djjs4klGnPx/s1600-h/mommy+birthday+010.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/AVvXsEgzDsDXiA_OnRhSg9YuMqC5D5MA01QiMac7i20BIJrlRuusEGrYpSxhWTj5DVmtuXVkeWQhbcnhioFQsjAPw997logP01QFIX0GVTkPQb6v4S9KJdbZhMIyCyheyAri2FJz9Djjs4klGnPx/s320/mommy+birthday+010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326799098285192578" /></a><div>He didn't want to be greedy and ask for this:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklAW3mYWBhJCGBcuLsK3RmtPSu5ap9X7bHGKdvI1Dtd5jV3TGKvrTuKmT2C1flZZpn_gnAxcceLtw_0aEzRysBAJfzoPuO8Uj7OkgdOAVmVgvm_LHgJ_MGzu3yh7qoQqL0m6JChJUPJdc/s1600-h/mommy+birthday+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklAW3mYWBhJCGBcuLsK3RmtPSu5ap9X7bHGKdvI1Dtd5jV3TGKvrTuKmT2C1flZZpn_gnAxcceLtw_0aEzRysBAJfzoPuO8Uj7OkgdOAVmVgvm_LHgJ_MGzu3yh7qoQqL0m6JChJUPJdc/s320/mommy+birthday+020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326800937906430994" /></a></div><div>This shot is for my girlfriends. I'd never seen one before and suddenly I come across a dozen in one place.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6sf37AqsN9xzCNZ3T4o8jlAXu2li1rbECAn7NPJmkmEQIDH4nWMjE6GJ5mYsasUNvWTmn_TmtgJM_GrtmLkN4O8xlVAByxUQwlueLXhDG7Wx-J0O7d1sSBBXlkm8IaNxj6P6sQshKLDP/s1600-h/mommy+birthday+014.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/AVvXsEiG6sf37AqsN9xzCNZ3T4o8jlAXu2li1rbECAn7NPJmkmEQIDH4nWMjE6GJ5mYsasUNvWTmn_TmtgJM_GrtmLkN4O8xlVAByxUQwlueLXhDG7Wx-J0O7d1sSBBXlkm8IaNxj6P6sQshKLDP/s320/mommy+birthday+014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326802577898039234" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a Bugatti. While I was taking this picture I overheard an elderly gentleman say that he could add the cost of every car he's owned in his life and he could only buy the door of this car. Naturally I looked it up. They're only 3,000,000 USD and only 150 are made every year. Crazy.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoQe7-NBfUzinpPSbJm-yZt-vqJbPCH5L7DScryC8HCFukhxXWaCWiZzU-4TGOYyhdHaFlB9_fg5_06H_bLScnPp9nT8CPwl1hWLH9FivtIzgHdbQJafGx75OMVvgDK0JBOFnKrHrrMU4/s1600-h/mommy+birthday+018.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/AVvXsEiQoQe7-NBfUzinpPSbJm-yZt-vqJbPCH5L7DScryC8HCFukhxXWaCWiZzU-4TGOYyhdHaFlB9_fg5_06H_bLScnPp9nT8CPwl1hWLH9FivtIzgHdbQJafGx75OMVvgDK0JBOFnKrHrrMU4/s320/mommy+birthday+018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326802567794033874" /></a>The End. </div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-51258486943179647602009-04-16T16:48:00.003-04:002011-06-02T13:55:35.366-04:00A letter from a father to his daughterMy friend Janis, shared this link with me today. I am just blown away by the things this man wrote and can relate to so, so much of it. I read most of it thinking, "Does he live inside my head?" Then there were the tears. A crier, I am not but this was the most touching thing I have read in a long time and obviously it had special meaning for me.<br />
<br />
It is a very, very long read but is so similar to our NICU experience and the things we currently believe that you MUST read it. I insist.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ambulancedriverfiles.blogspot.com/2009/03/love-song-for-katybeth.html">http://ambulancedriverfiles.blogspot.com/2009/03/love-song-for-katybeth.html</a><br />
<br />
I LOVE these two paragraphs in particular:<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px;">There are people, even those who love you, who would encourage you to accept those limitations, because they also fear. They fear you being hurt, or experiencing disappointment. They mean well, and they would protect you if they could.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px;">Don't listen to them. Don't let their fears become yours.</span></blockquote>and</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px;">And if it seems that I push you sometimes, that I make unreasonable demands, keep in mind the promise I made. Your destiny is your own. I can't chart that path for you. But my job is to make sure you don't stop somewhere short of that destiny because you settled for less than you can be.</span></blockquote>Inside.my.head. I tell you. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Thank you Janis. </div>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513050371145134350.post-16441475424358231302009-04-15T10:22:00.000-04:002009-04-15T10:23:30.933-04:00Where's your nose?<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i57.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid57.photobucket.com/albums/g205/beeshoney/nose003.flv"></embed>Nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18046095542886209056noreply@blogger.com2