tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15101486796062272702024-03-06T00:36:58.846-08:00Spontaneous ClappingDandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.comBlogger728125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-10773474077611881452015-12-13T10:05:00.002-08:002015-12-13T10:06:12.395-08:00Christmas Quiet<div style="text-align: center;">
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The holiday season is full of hustle and bustle.</div>
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The parties and planning and prepping and purchasing and parenting just never stops.</div>
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So I especially love the quiet time just after naps.</div>
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Dumpling loves his stuffed animals and often sits with one to read a book.</div>
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As you probably know, seeing my kids sit to read on their own brings me pure joy.</div>
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I can't help but post the pictures.</div>
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Add Christmas to the mix and you have perfection!</div>
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Wishing you all a moment of quiet in your day!</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-86759183528269806722015-05-28T20:41:00.002-07:002015-05-28T21:38:29.495-07:00One of these is not like the others.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/18217148945" title="IMG_6496 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6496" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8779/18217148945_049c76ff25_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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We recently went to Peanut's preschool open house.</div>
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We get to browse their classroom and take in what they've been doing.</div>
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Math, science, reading, audiobooks, journal time, silkworms, butterflies, baby chicks and yes, they've even memorized the pledge of allegiance.</div>
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You marvel at how far they have come.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/18190674126" title="IMG_6495 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6495" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8758/18190674126_11d0d86719_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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You can read the well documented answer to questions they've been asked by their teachers.</div>
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Hilarity! Out of the mouth of babes, amiright?</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/18213463962" title="IMG_6493 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6493" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7761/18213463962_3d92ce0b33_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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The thing is…</div>
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you cannot help but compare your child's work to the work of other children.</div>
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It is unavoidable.</div>
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We do it innocently and without thinking.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/18218366181" title="IMG_6484 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6484" height="683" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8830/18218366181_06bc2a5235_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
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So with a smile we browsed these little bees for our own little B.</div>
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Until we found it.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/18217451465" title="IMG_6482 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6482" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8778/18217451465_8c8da02f99_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We looked around and started to laugh.</div>
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B come over here and look at this!</div>
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Look at all the other bees and look at <i>our </i>kid's bee.</div>
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It was too funny! Should we be worried?</div>
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When I was finally able to get his attention, Peanut wandered over to the wall.</div>
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"Peanut, tell me about your bee?"</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/18217132285" title="IMG_6483 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6483" height="915" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7771/18217132285_2b3dc92622_b.jpg" width="610" /></a></div>
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"Oh. It's a Winja bee."</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/18217451465" title="IMG_6482 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6482" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8778/18217451465_8c8da02f99_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Ninja Bee</div>
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That's what I get for doubting my kid's craft skills and creativity.</div>
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Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-43591266691306510792015-03-03T21:42:00.001-08:002015-03-03T21:42:04.633-08:00Hello old friend<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/16523771548" title="IMG_5861 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5861" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8617/16523771548_c38fe98bfc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello my friends, I've missed you all.</div>
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I think I've gotten to the point that simply mentally writing my blog posts as I nurse the baby in the middle of the night isn't cutting it.</div>
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Or as Peanut would say</div>
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"That doesn't cut."</div>
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Our dumpling is 6 months old.</div>
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SIX MONTHS</div>
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It's terrible. Make it stop.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/16089024124" title="IMG_5825 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5825" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8607/16089024124_c40acf5997_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And because some of your are crazy, you've requested that I write some of my childbirth experiences.</div>
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You people are terrible. You love knowing the awful truth.</div>
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So coming soon to a blog near you will be posts about losing my hair, possibly my mind, breastfeeding the second time around… and maybe something about poop.</div>
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Because we can't talk about motherhood without talking about poop.</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-70849834514885133012014-11-07T20:14:00.002-08:002014-11-07T20:16:10.904-08:00Brothers<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/5218897921" title="IMG_8462 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8462" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5049/5218897921_d738813728_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Peanut</i></div>
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Well these two certainly are brothers.</div>
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As soon as we posted pictures of Dumpling </div>
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we started getting comments about how much these two looked like each other.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14974832164" title="WEB-MJAN-28 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-28" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/14974832164_5bdcc46c9b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dumpling</span></i><br />
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While they looked nearly identical at birth,<br />
we started seeing differences shortly after.<br />
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Dumpling is a little softer, with fuller features,<br />
Peanut's features were finer.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/5219486764" title="IMG_8451 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8451" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5162/5219486764_400f8132d1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Peanut</span></i><br />
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It seems that every day Dumpling looks more and more like himself<br />
and less like Peanut<br />
but sometimes the similarities are overwhelming.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15571887926" title="WEB-MJAN-18 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-18" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15571887926_7f0a896747_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dumpling</span></i><br />
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Personality-wise these two could not be more different thus far.<br />
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It's sort of hilarious.<br />
This baby is low-maintenance.<br />
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So perhaps this one will take more after B<br />
unlike his big brother who has my more shall we say, demanding personality.<br />
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Are your kids similar in temperament?<br />
What about you and your siblings?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Peanut's pictures taken by <a href="http://spontaneousclapping.blogspot.com/2010/11/jylare-ann-photography.html">Jylare Anne Photography</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dumpling's pictures taken by <a href="http://spontaneousclapping.blogspot.com/2012/10/kelly-lombardo-photography.html">Kelly Lombardo Photography</a></i></span></div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-51451146931697468212014-10-21T15:35:00.001-07:002014-10-21T15:35:28.404-07:00Documenting Dumpling<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14974832164" title="WEB-MJAN-28 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-28" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/14974832164_5bdcc46c9b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've been neglecting my duties in showing off the newborn cuteness.</div>
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For this I apologize and invite you to indulge in these tasty pictures by <a href="http://klombardophoto.com/">Kelly Lombardo Photography</a></div>
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She also took<a href="http://spontaneousclapping.blogspot.com/2012/10/kelly-lombardo-photography.html"> these awesome pictures</a> of Peanut when he was 2!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15571887956" title="WEB-MJAN-11 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-11" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15571887956_0c77a39d22_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They don't stay newborn for long and I already miss the little frog legs and wrinkly hands and feet.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14974832284" title="WEB-MJAN-04 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-04" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3938/14974832284_b3480cba0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15592903421" title="WEB-MJAN-20 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-20" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15592903421_439e7a680b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love the way he scrunches up and grunts and groans.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15571887926" title="WEB-MJAN-18 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-18" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15571887926_7f0a896747_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've seriously never heard a noisier sleeping child. Oh the grunting all. night. long.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15409956230" title="WEB-MJAN-24 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-24" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15409956230_c0e21905ea_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is seriously nothing sweeter than a sleeping child.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15409461078" title="WEB-MJAN-34 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-34" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15409461078_b62b3ca64e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We were only able to convince big brother to get in on the pictures by telling him he could lay on this super soft blanket.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15408950619" title="WEB-MJAN-31 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-31" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3949/15408950619_3c3d1cc8ed_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The fact that she was able to get some good shots of them was a miracle.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15596405032" title="WEB-MJAN-37 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-37" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15596405032_13ed362dcf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yup.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14975413363" title="WEB-MJAN-38 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-38" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/14975413363_8e49d34153_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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Oh that sweet and innocent look.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15409956150" title="WEB-MJAN-40 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-40" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15409956150_24409241f8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15596404972" title="WEB-MJAN-45 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-45" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15596404972_078df328f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This picture.</div>
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I cannot get enough of this picture.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15409956330" title="WEB-MJAN-02 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="WEB-MJAN-02" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15409956330_db11ae8196_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And yes, he did look just like Peanut when he was born!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's already changed so much that he's looking a lot less like his brother.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll have to do a side by side post some time soon. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of course, I'll be sharing more pictures with you!</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-30694206216464946182014-10-14T17:43:00.002-07:002014-10-14T17:43:47.536-07:00Like Father, Like Son<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15352047309" title="p2KXUSX-2ABWCHzg4dhem5sne8_5_iP-O8mphdLhBPo copy by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="p2KXUSX-2ABWCHzg4dhem5sne8_5_iP-O8mphdLhBPo copy" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15352047309_c81d390da6_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is B's birthday!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes the similarities between father and son really come out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like when they are eating their crazy foods.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And definitely in their facial expressions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15539417572" title="PicMonkey Collage by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="PicMonkey Collage" height="516" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15539417572_3502fe08c4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I especially love these shots.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unplanned and identical.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's freaking me out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15351945509" title="PicMonkey Collage by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="PicMonkey Collage" height="558" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15351945509_3fff4fb63a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These two are goofy but then with B as a father, Peanut was bound to be a little odd.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14917907174" title="PicMonkey Collage by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="PicMonkey Collage" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3941/14917907174_47c7fe3a29_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I wouldn't have it any other way.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15352502118" title="2014-MJAN-45 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="2014-MJAN-45" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15352502118_8538a584e1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But don't worry Dumpling...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14918492243" title="PicMonkey Collage by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="PicMonkey Collage" height="475" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/14918492243_a7c49850f1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there is plenty of time for daddy and big brother to teach you all their mannerisms.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14917918084" title="2014-MJAN-56 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="2014-MJAN-56" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/14917918084_0c697732cb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy birthday to a wonderful and weird father!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15352040639" title="2014-MJAN-58 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="2014-MJAN-58" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15352040639_645fbe645e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We love you old man!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Maternity photos taken by <a href="http://www.adriennegunde.com/">Adrienne Gunde</a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Newborn photos taken by <a href="http://klombardophoto.com/">Kelly Lombardo</a></i></span></div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-90571867556411241642014-09-18T09:00:00.000-07:002014-09-18T09:23:24.739-07:00Our Family Maternity Shoot<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15218136192" title="eXkbxYndSRlgwyS-IQ6OHENNoyi5jzgy8DlL4kDZzsE by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="eXkbxYndSRlgwyS-IQ6OHENNoyi5jzgy8DlL4kDZzsE" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3877/15218136192_b91ff0b251_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well Adrienne Gunde has done it again.<br />
She's documented out Engagement, Wedding and pregnancy with Peanut.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15195495066" title="1 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="1" height="476" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/15195495066_75140b1fa1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This summer was really busy for me.<br />
4 jobs. An active preschooler. <br />
<br />
I hadn't really thought about what I wanted to do for the shoot like I normally do.<br />
One night I was sitting in Peanut's room and decided we'd steal his teepee for the pictures.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15031832270" title="2 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="2" height="334" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/15031832270_0505b1cc54_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But in all honesty I don't really worry about it because her pictures are always gorgeous.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15031732679" title="5ScS8cNKGaNfLg69ugx32PJw6qybQ_6MchufwUQ_wxg by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="5ScS8cNKGaNfLg69ugx32PJw6qybQ_6MchufwUQ_wxg" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/15031732679_a0148bf653_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I really just wanted a few of us as a family.<br />
Our last few as a family of three.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15031949727" title="72nlH98wSgR1F6VSMUVIoWNObmjv3luVB93sh0T96JA by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="72nlH98wSgR1F6VSMUVIoWNObmjv3luVB93sh0T96JA" height="426" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/15031949727_4831179c5b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And a few of this gigantic belly.<br />
<br />
I earned this belly and the privilege of carrying this baby.<br />
<br />
I want it documented.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15031831880" title="B-nASu4dH9HL7Fw4HGCmqRtiFU4Fm88yO2XflWmGoTo,N2yTVvEQeuCAVU-0zr__Yg9uKt9HElTYcYXqZbcBfyQ by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="B-nASu4dH9HL7Fw4HGCmqRtiFU4Fm88yO2XflWmGoTo,N2yTVvEQeuCAVU-0zr__Yg9uKt9HElTYcYXqZbcBfyQ" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3920/15031831880_eee362edda_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Otherwise noone would believe how big it was!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want my boys to know how much I loved being pregnant with them.<br />
I reeeaaalllyyy love being pregnant.<br />
Despite all the down sides and the inability to move well and… you know what I mean.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15031831300" title="4 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="4" height="484" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5577/15031831300_39825983ee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peanut has loved watching baby brother grow in mommy's tummy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15031937698" title="C3 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="C3" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/15031937698_9465637b39_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was the first person besides me to feel the baby move,<br />
and he spent a great deal of time talking and singing to baby brother.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15218527645" title="5 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="5" height="486" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/15218527645_fd690329af_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peanut is just such a big boy now.<br />
<br />
Although we hadn't planned a 4 year spread between our boys,<br />
I'm so grateful to have had the time with Peanut to ourselves.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15195493506" title="C66 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="C66" height="426" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/15195493506_ca82aa9f2a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
I'm glad he got to be our baby for so long</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
and I think he will make an awesome big brother.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15218134622" title="3 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="3" height="296" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/15218134622_de834bb4f5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've spent lots of time preparing for the little one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15031732459" title="KMrc58gYj1aRHCBCHd34ax6jz8j7eh_ew1v5llPstB0,3_hXXNeVavGu1QF2zD4MMnAXZMFo3SzO0jzgLjThQko by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="KMrc58gYj1aRHCBCHd34ax6jz8j7eh_ew1v5llPstB0,3_hXXNeVavGu1QF2zD4MMnAXZMFo3SzO0jzgLjThQko" height="426" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3877/15031732459_cdd0d9a54e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But even more time soaking up the Peanut<br />
because life is going to change</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15218528055" title="o19_BLNPYFa11nv5nQp8Q4CCw-NaS44GrzKWvoi2Ngs,0Z0fTSUopI70iTIGa-giC6q3aAztC4-ZHUPYgr3_6BU by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="o19_BLNPYFa11nv5nQp8Q4CCw-NaS44GrzKWvoi2Ngs,0Z0fTSUopI70iTIGa-giC6q3aAztC4-ZHUPYgr3_6BU" height="426" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3923/15218528055_0a60257ff9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in so many ways and we don't want to miss these moments.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15031830990" title="p2KXUSX-2ABWCHzg4dhem5sne8_5_iP-O8mphdLhBPo by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="p2KXUSX-2ABWCHzg4dhem5sne8_5_iP-O8mphdLhBPo" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3855/15031830990_38d20bc31c_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes you are just reminded that everyday is a pleasure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15031948557" title="fzbE6Ha6JbRyAiBsGZ5C-4gRjH7y3zaTcu9MdMjnzHU by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="fzbE6Ha6JbRyAiBsGZ5C-4gRjH7y3zaTcu9MdMjnzHU" height="426" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/15031948557_947e39f6bc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
And that there is only so much time for a photo shoot before the kids decide they are over.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-21253502639896456782014-09-15T12:47:00.004-07:002014-09-15T12:51:05.748-07:00Meet the Dumpling!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15020832017" title="IMG_4151 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4151" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3855/15020832017_2cc0e7ff95_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On Labor Day I woke up in the wee hours to a little trickle.<br />
The trickle continued down my legs as I waddled to the bathroom.<br />
I went potty. Still trickling afterwards.<br />
I told B my water might be leaking? Then nothing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And then I smelled it.<br />
<br />
<br />
I know you're probably gagging right now but I've been told that amniotic fluid sometimes smells sweet. I had to smell it.<br />
You would have done the same thing. Maybe.<br />
<br />
<br />
But it didn't smell like anything. Not like pee. Not sweet. Just nothing.<br />
<br />
So I checked in at Labor & Delivery in the afternoon where they found no traces of fluid.<br />
So either I did leak some fluid OR it was cervical fluid OR I peed myself repeatedly.<br />
<br />
<br />
All these options are feasible and part of the joys of pregnancy.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14872315569" title="image by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14872315569_7a616b66b3_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
What I did find out was that I was dilated to 3 cm (YAY!) and having regular contractions.<br />
I'd been having Braxton Hick's since month 7 so this was not news to me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
BUT more importantly we solved a great mystery!!<br />
<br />
<br />
A mystery to me and definitely to some of you who want to know how in the world I was so HUGE.<br />
Like look at that belly, it might fall off, how many kids are you having, how are you standing up, kind of huge.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I had Polyhydramnios which is an excess of amniotic fluid!<br />
<br />
<br />
Lots and lots of fluid in there. Dumpling was just swimmin' around.<br />
<br />
They also guessed the baby would be about 8 1/2 lbs which kinda worried me.<br />
I'm only 4'11" you know.<br />
They made a few appointments for extra testing in regards to the fluid<br />
to make sure everything was OK.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
They offered to keep me in the hospital for a while but I opted to go home.<br />
My parents were keeping Peanut over for the night so I went home to relax with B.<br />
<br />
<br />
I spent the night going through baby names trying to come up with something that B would like.<br />
I failed by the way and we used the name he started calling the baby about 5 months ago.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15020828988" title="IMG_4144 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4144" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/15020828988_49a8c26633_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
At 1:35 am I woke up to my first painful contraction.<br />
I went back to sleep and woke 15 minutes later to another one.<br />
<br />
*At 2 am I started timing my contractions (with an iPhone App which cracked me up).<br />
*At 2:30 my contractions were 5 minutes apart and we started to get ready to go to the hospital.<br />
*A little after 3 am we were getting into the car when I called L&D <br />
to let them know we were coming in.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>They very politely told me that Labor & Delivery at our hospital in Irvine was FULL.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
We were being diverted to the Anaheim hospital.<br />
I tried to breathe through a contraction while she gave me the address.<br />
I plugged it into my phone to find it added 20 minutes to our travel time.<br />
<br />
<br />
That seems like a long time when you are in labor.<br />
I thought about all the stories from friends who missed the epidural because it was too late when they checked in at the hospital. I'm a fan of pain management. <br />
I'm just sayin'. I am in awe of all you women who chose to do it all naturally.<br />
<br />
<br />
Contractions were 3 minutes apart.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15204359731" title="IMG_4158 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4158" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5582/15204359731_97228cc8ee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
We pulled into the hospital parking lot and had no idea where to go having toured a different facility.<br />
<br />
<br />
A very nice guard directed us and offered a wheel chair.<br />
When I said I thought I could make it, he insisted saying, "You're going to be in enough pain today, you might as well take it easy on the way up there". He is a very wise man.<br />
<br />
<br />
We checked in about 3:45 am.<br />
Everything else seemed to have flown by.<br />
I say this now but contractions seem to slow time down to a crawl.<br />
The nurses were absolutely fantastic and supportive.<br />
The first one talked me through breathing as she tried to wrangle someone to check me out.<br />
Contractions were coming about a minute apart. I was so relieved to hear I was dilated to 5 cm.<br />
<br />
<br />
Not only because I didn't miss the epidural but also because I was in labor with Peanut for 7 hours and still only dilated to 1 cm. It was awful. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15204356051" title="IMG_4155 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4155" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5592/15204356051_3ce2355804_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
They moved us into a delivery room and my mom joined us while my dad stayed home with Peanut who was still sleeping.<br />
<br />
<br />
At 7 cm dilated the anesthesiologist came in to give me the epidural. It hurt. Not a lot but he did numb me twice. And then it only worked on my right side.<br />
<br />
<br />
So I could still feel everything on my left side which made for interesting labor.<br />
<br />
<br />
In the mean time MY WATER BROKE which I could feel and all I can say is <br />
Thank God I Wasn't Out In Public<br />
because it was a LOT of fluid. Like drench the bed/table make puddles on the floor fluid.<br />
ut in public that would have been traumatic for everyone.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>And my stomach deflated.</em><br />
It visually went down which is really bizarre. <br />
That's saying a lot because childbirth in general is just bizarre.<br />
<br />
<br />
I felt bad for the nurse who had to clean up.<br />
This is why I packed little thank you gifts of Burt's Bee's products and nail polish to give to the nurses I liked. In my previous delivery I probably would have kept all the gifts because my nurses were all grumpy. Do you remember how I made <a href="http://spontaneousclapping.blogspot.com/2010/11/lime-bars-code-was-lime-bars.html">Lime Bars</a>? This time I wish I had brought more gifts because everyone was so awesome.<br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15207427985" title="IMG_4166 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4166" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/15207427985_66ba8e21e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The anesthesiologist came back in and apparently hit me with another full dose.<br />
The perk is that it kicked in shortly before it was pushing time!<br />
The downside was that he gave me so much I couldn't walk until 4 pm that evening.<br />
It was a little alarming.<br />
<br />
<br />
The nurses came in, I pushed twice and the little Dumpling was born.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>With the cord wrapped once around his neck and twice around his body!</em><br />
<br />
<br />
Part of the problem with an excess in amniotic fluid is that there is the possibility of delivery issues. <br />
At only 7 pounds 4 ounces, 20 inches long (4 ounces and 1 inch smaller than his brother), Dumpling had lots of room to move around and get himself tangled.<br />
<br />
<br />
A lot of things could have gone wrong, but none of them did.<br />
We are so grateful.<br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15207434805" title="IMG_4177 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4177" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3925/15207434805_abe29bdf54_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
September 2, 2014<br />
I started counting contractions at 2 am, <br />
checked into the hospital at 3:45 am <br />
and had the baby at 7:19 am!<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/15035390467" title="IMG_4246 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4246" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/15035390467_d40796c35a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
He's lovely and perfect and we are all very happy.<br />
This one is spoiling me for sure. He actually sleeps.<br />
<br />
<br />
Big brother is doing well, much better than I expected.<br />
He loves his little brother and takes his job very seriously.<br />
I have noticed an increase in drama and tears lately.<br />
Peanut also started school a few days later so there has been a lot going on <br />
but I think we are all adjusting wonderfully!</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-32603869425409245972014-08-27T19:48:00.001-07:002014-08-27T20:06:53.877-07:00On Pregnancy Body… and Stretch MarksWhen I got pregnant with Peanut my body was totally on my side. It had taken me through cancer. It held up phenomenally through 16 months of treatment, weight gain, hair loss, weird drugs, radiation burns and even weirder side effects. <br />
<br />
After chemo ended, I rewarded it by losing 25 lbs and getting in shape. Arguably the best shape I'd been in since dancing 6 days a week in high school. Then I got engaged and was in even better shape. I worked out regularly, I mentally and often physically journaled my food, I drank 12 glasses of water a day. I got regular sleep. We took our honeymoon in New Zealand where we balanced our eating of enormous amounts of food with vigorous activities like climbing glaciers and kayaking rough waters.<br />
<br />
My body rewarded me with a quick and surprising pregnancy. I felt fantastic. I was tired and a little nauseous for the first trimester. Then I felt great. I felt the pregnancy high. I developed gestational diabetes but my body was still on my side.<br />
<br />
I made it up until the last week of my pregnancy without any stretch marks. It's as if my body just couldn't hold out any more and you know what, I really couldn't blame it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14872315569" title="image by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14872315569_7a616b66b3_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Taken just now, it's been a hot and humid day so I'm counting on you guys just focusing on the belly.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Oh, the belly.</i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
Then things changed.<br />
<br />
I rewarded my loyal body by getting very little sleep over the next 3 1/2 years. Peanut still wakes in the night some times. I thought about working out more but never did so regularly. I lost weight and gained it and lost it again. I worked too many hours, got too little sleep. <br />
<br />
I got pregnant twice. Actually this is the third pregnancy since Peanut.<br />
<br />
Now my body is angry. I can't blame it. Instead of growing a baby it's quite possible I'm growing a watermelon and then there are the stretch marks. The ones I already had from Peanut showed up immediately in that pale, silvery way. I didn't pay much attention.<br />
<br />
Then my skin started to itch. There were a few weeks where the 2 inches below my belly button felt like my muscles were tearing apart. I didn't feel any better when my doctor told me it was actually just my abdominal muscles separating… which is apparently better than tearing apart. Who knew?<br />
<br />
And now, the stretch marks are spreading out. From my belly button and below they are there and they don't feel good. At least I assume they are below but I can't really see. I have 2 giant X-shaped stretch marks coming from the long ago belly button piercing I had.<br />
<br />
I'm losing hope of one day wearing those super cute, retro, above the belly button bikinis some day. And yes, I know this is all worth it, really I know. But seriously, I'm just not sure how much more this skin of mine can take :)<br />
<br />
This was not the belly I had during my first pregnancy. This is craziness. If this baby comes out a mere 6 lbs or something, I'm going into hiding.<br />
<br />
Overall, I'll admit that I feel better in my pregnancy body than I do normally. There are no fat rolls, no muffin top, I welcome fitted clothes. But now there is the sensation, after a long day on my feet, that my pelvic bone might be fracturing. And my hips hurt and sometimes I limp. And if I sit for a long time my legs fall asleep because my belly cuts off circulation to my legs regardless of the fact that my legs are spread in a really uncomplementing way. I'm amazed that my body will some day pull itself back together…. because have you seen this belly?! <br />
<br />
And all you ladies out there who don't get stretch marks. Well, I can't type what I think of you here… because this is a family blog.Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-91563218006778772402014-08-19T21:23:00.001-07:002014-08-19T21:23:32.453-07:00Labor Amnesia<div style="text-align: center;">
I often hear people say that after the baby is born a mother forgets what labor was like.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To which I say</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BULL SHIT.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/5153387894" title="PA310772 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="PA310772" height="480" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1333/5153387894_7ac85556bf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, yes, you are overcome with love for your new little bundle of joy and that may take your mind off your battered, possibly stitched, and definitely swollen nether regions. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Obviously I consider this all very worth it because I did try for 2 years to have another baby but<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Labor Sucks.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I don't like pain. I'm not going to lie.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not going to try and go without drugs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I haven't forgotten what it was like.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously, I would need to suffer a special type of amnesia to forget labor. And I had an epidural. So perhaps I'm just remembering the first part of active labor and the aftermath.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh the <a href="http://spontaneousclapping.blogspot.com/2010/12/mesh-undies-say-it-all.html">aftermath</a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So with 19 days until due date, I'm here to say, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know what's coming and I'm not exactly looking forward to it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-90951817331272862762014-08-02T09:04:00.002-07:002014-08-02T09:04:58.402-07:00Art Interpretation… and immaturity<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14623508320" title="IMG_3806 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3806" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3863/14623508320_071a6c83cb_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I spend a lot of time sitting in the waiting area of Women's Health, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kaiser. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I often sit and ponder the fine art displayed for our viewing pleasure.<br />
<br />
And I'm always giggling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14623507670" title="IMG_3805 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3805" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14623507670_9dfefbecd2_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because you know, maybe it's just me,<br />
or maybe it's just that it's displayed on the gynecology floor,<br />
but I cannot keep a straight face when gazing at this artwork.<br />
<br />
I often look around to see if anyone else is thinking what I'm thinking.<br />
I never see anyone pointing and laughing. Or looking perplexed.<br />
<br />
So I had to wait until there was an empty waiting room to snap these pictures with my phone.<br />
<br />
Because I think of only one thing when I look at these….</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14807847664" title="IMG_3809 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3809" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14807847664_a4793c478d_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Vaginas.<br />
<br />
Is this woman trying to climb back in?<br />
Is she going to pull a baby out?<br />
Did she lose something in there?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14623674927" title="IMG_3808 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3808" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5577/14623674927_ebe3c32e58_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
In case you were wondering what the artist was thinking,<br />
Ms. Gibbons was creating artwork about swimmers.<br />
<br />
So there you have it.<br />
I'm about to have my second child and I have the maturity of a 13 year old boy.</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-82243961280471601062014-07-01T10:46:00.000-07:002014-07-01T10:47:25.598-07:00Cloth Diapering, Let's Do It<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/5534011194/player/6194ee6096" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="427"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When Peanut was little we did a bit of cloth diapering.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mostly we did gDiapers (what he's wearing above) because it had the option of flushable inserts.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were in an apartment without our own washing machine which made it<br />
harder to handle the diapering.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I still feel good about it. I figure every time I used a cloth diaper, even just once, we were saving the environment and our money.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14205134001/player/8db50b40ae" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="332"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This time I'm more determined to cloth diaper.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have a washing machine here and well, diapers are freaking expensive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yeah, yeah, the poop. I know it freaks a lot of people out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Poop doesn't freak me out people. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is inevitably poop on things, cloth diapering or not.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm more worried about finding spiders and beetles in Peanut's pockets.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a realistic fear. I can handle poop. Bugs in pockets is much worse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know a lot of families are out there cloth diapering and there are SO MANY options that I'm completely overwhelmed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So please. help. me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14021832677/player/c80d445ddd" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What kinds do you use?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How do you store them until wash time?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How do you wash them?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How do you dry them?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How many do I need?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What kind of wipes and wiping products do you use?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you clean out your washer in between?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What types of detergent do you use?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What else do I need to know?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm excited, give me all your knowledge!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-40159135531770060772014-06-24T15:29:00.005-07:002014-06-24T15:32:56.804-07:00Baby belly, 27 weeks and growing<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14497226581" title="IMG_3817 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3817" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/14497226581_898711c8fe_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here I am at 27 weeks!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was 2 1/2 weeks ago and I feel like I've doubled in size.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll try to get another picture soon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My sister took these at my niece's bridal shower which I must post!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14520732273" title="IMG_3815 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3815" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14520732273_21252d88fb_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The first trimester creeps by so slowly and then about halfway through time just starts accelerating.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I get a little sad that we're in the home stretch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14499303584" title="IMG_3821 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3821" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/14499303584_8ea4a50272_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't wait to meet the little guy but I also love being pregnant.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love watching the baby move and feeling him practice his karate. Most of the time.<br />
<br />
I love carrying this baby without really having to do much to care for him.<br />
That sounds terrible but some of you know what I mean. <br />
I've had a newborn, I remember those sleepless…. months.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my last pregnancy and I want to remember all of it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll miss it.<br />
<br />
~sniff, sniff~</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-76163160330555759692014-06-02T22:32:00.000-07:002014-06-02T22:40:14.806-07:00Do I need all the things?<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/5172508723" title="IMG_7316 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7316" height="427" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4127/5172508723_0701a928fd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the thing about a 4 year spread between kids. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It doesn't seem that long but in parenting years it's really more like 28 years.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Parenting years are like dog years.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Only without all the perks of being a dog, like being fed and bathed and taking naps.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yeah, parenting years are like dog years without the sleep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
You see, I'm having a hard time remembering what I really need.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
NEED. This word has new meaning with the second child.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After posting on Facebook that I needed bottle suggestions and realizing I still had 45 more questions, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought a blog post might be a better option.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So hit me with all your favorites!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14205960722" title="wrap by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="wrap" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14205960722_33fb9cd19f_o.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Baby slings</b>:<br />
I'm super excited about the Ergo my lovely Mother-in-law just bought us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will that work around the house or is there a sling that doesn't involve me watching a youtube video and being a contortionist to use?<br />
<br />
I've seen some of these slings and frankly, they scare me.<br />
Please send help.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14148422289" title="stroller by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="stroller" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2909/14148422289_06e67eebe3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Strollers</b>:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a newborn seat with a snap and go.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have a single stroller.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But do I really need a double stroller?<br />
Regular stroller? Jogging? (and no I don't plan on running with the stroller unless something is physically chasing us) Tandem?<br />
These suckers are expensive so I need the low down on the stroller situation.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14205960362" title="luca-glider-and-ottoman-heather-grey by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="luca-glider-and-ottoman-heather-grey" height="550" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14205960362_db2cd8ba5e_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Glider</b>:</div>
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Last time around I bought a rocking chair from Ikea. </div>
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I will never live this down because IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY ROCK.</div>
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Did it rock in the store? I can't remember but it was a disaster and I'd like an actual glider this time.</div>
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Are there any attractive gliders out there that don't cost $800?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14148428428" title="rocker by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="rocker" height="410" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/14148428428_ab6efc1856_o.jpg" width="410" /></a><br />
<br />
I did find this rocker that is a chair and a half which might be a cool option so Peanut can sit with us.<br />
But now I'm afraid of rockers, so I'm just not sure.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14355379663" title="baby monitor by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="baby monitor" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/14355379663_c21c2d7fc2.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<b>Monitors</b>:<br />
Our Levana monitor died and the static was horrid anyway.<br />
Although, to be honest, I don't really need sound. I usually turn it off bc I hear everything, all the time.<br />
But I do need a visual.<br />
I need a camera for the baby and one for Peanut.<br />
Peanut talks and cries and calls for me in his sleep so it's better if I can check the monitor instead of going into his room.<br />
This is a non-negotiable for me because it allows me to wake and glance at the monitors instead of going in there and staring and the children, which I will do!<br />
Temperature would be a nice addition bc I'm always afraid it's too hot or cold but it's not a deal breaker.<br />
Any suggestions?<br />
<br />
And what about this Angelcare monitor, awesome or a way to fuel paranoia?<br />
I would still want a visual but I'm curious to see what you all think about it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/5149725967" title="IMG_7109 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7109" height="508" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4153/5149725967_554911be6c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Other goods</b>:</div>
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Oddly enough when I think of things I need, the first item that pops into my head are the Aden and Anais swaddle blankets. I use them daily.<br />
<br />
What can't you live without?</div>
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What else do I need?</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-74449971076260689442014-05-26T21:50:00.000-07:002015-03-03T21:13:04.236-08:00Pregnancy after Miscarriage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMV2LDtVuKk1HWEGz1HMBrR7i6ArnWDMqhmCoKt05OSrpfiMfyHUzYjU1RrXnAxszGcEMfYx281kLIvKLg5bpvUBqNhlMiPht56IedE3MadJRhCqiKdNinFeFSa4KNCYHGQy4u_gVwY4/s1600/232323232%7Ffp633-;%3Enu=5843%3E5;3%3E253%3EWSNRCG=3364-2633-344nu0mrj.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMV2LDtVuKk1HWEGz1HMBrR7i6ArnWDMqhmCoKt05OSrpfiMfyHUzYjU1RrXnAxszGcEMfYx281kLIvKLg5bpvUBqNhlMiPht56IedE3MadJRhCqiKdNinFeFSa4KNCYHGQy4u_gVwY4/s1600/232323232%7Ffp633-;%3Enu=5843%3E5;3%3E253%3EWSNRCG=3364-2633-344nu0mrj.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The first time I got pregnant, I presented B with a gift as soon as he got home. It was the positive pregnancy test wrapped in a baby blanket with a baby book. We celebrated continuously from that day on. <i> I might note that this is the only time when gifting someone with something that you've peed on is socially acceptable.</i><br />
<br />
The second time I got pregnant, I videotaped Peanut handing B the positive pregnancy test as they lounged on the bed before bath time. He was surprised, Peanut was oblivious, we were excited. A week after that I had my <a href="http://spontaneousclapping.blogspot.com/2012/08/and-then-our-bubble-burst.html">first miscarriage</a>. <br />
<br />
6 months later, I was pregnant again. I felt really good about this one. I put a Big Brother shirt on Peanut the next day as an announcement for B. We celebrated with a smile and a hug and phone call to the doctor to set up an appointment for a positive confirmation. Our baby never developed to the point of a beating heart. At 10 weeks and 1 day, I had the D&C that made <a href="http://spontaneousclapping.blogspot.com/2013/01/damn-dammit-shit.html">that miscarriage</a> complete. Although the first miscarriage seemed more emotionally draining on me, this one was harder on B. It might have something to do with me going through surgery. Maybe loading me up post-op gave him flashbacks from cancer treatment?<br />
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I always think back to this year as "The year of lost children." I was driving home from work one day when the phrase popped in my head, and it has always stuck with me. I had 2 miscarriages in 6 months, one of my best friends miscarried, a lovely blog friend had lost dear Little Roo at 20 weeks pregnant, a dear friend and family member lost her twin boys at 23 weeks pregnant and my neighbor lost their 10 year old son. And by lost I really mean that these children were snatched from everyone's grasping hands, while we were left standing there stunned and reaching for air.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14093671519" title="232323232fp733-6>nu=5843>5;3>253>WSNRCG=3364-94649344nu0mrj by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="232323232fp733-6>nu=5843>5;3>253>WSNRCG=3364-94649344nu0mrj" height="426" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/14093671519_197ace1d1b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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In December when we found out we were pregnant again, we were about to get in the car to drive from Sacramento to Orange County after visiting family for the holidays. It had been a year since the last pregnancy. After 2 years of trying and 2 miscarriages, this one seemed less a victory and more of a waiting game. We talked about it quietly a while during the drive but we didn't make any plans.<br />
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There are a great deal of very obvious reasons that miscarriage sucks. <i>Obviously</i>. One of those reasons is that it robs you of the pure joy and excitement of finding out you're pregnant. Post-misscarriage pregnancy announcements are made with disclaimers. "Yes, we're so excited, but we'll just wait and see!" " We're pregnant…keep your fingers crossed this one will stick!" "We're pregnant, everything looks good <i>so far</i>…."<br />
<br />
I caught myself giving almost apologetic looks when I told people I was pregnant. I'm not sure why. Clearly we were excited, but maybe we didn't want to be too excited, just in case?<br />
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I spent the first couple months obsessively checking my underwear, the toilet and the toilet paper for blood every time I went to the bathroom. Aches and pains from a growing uterus were deeply contemplated. Is this the beginning of cramps for the next miscarriage? Eventually, I eased up. The first victory was the ultrasound showing us the baby's heartbeat. Every ultrasound after provided an exhalation when I heard that little heart still beating.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14093720480" title="232323232fp633;3>nu=5843>5;3>253>WSNRCG=3364-339-9344nu0mrj by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="232323232fp633;3>nu=5843>5;3>253>WSNRCG=3364-339-9344nu0mrj" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/14093720480_3c545de75b_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Countless people told me that the never-ending amount vomiting during that first trimester was a good sign. I tried to remind myself that as I kneeled over the toilet daily. I felt the first flutter at a mere 13 weeks and good consistent movement at 17 weeks. Ultrasound after ultrasound and things have looked perfect. But still, B hadn't recovered. I was truly surprised by this because nothing seems to fase him. He is perpetually calm, like the house is on fire and he's cruising through picking up a couple things on our way out, calm. Like maddeningly calm. I could always tell that he was still waiting for the other shoe to drop.<br />
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After each appointment I would beam at him and say, "Don't you feel better now that x,y,z has passed?" He'd say yes but he's really waiting for the next big milestone. Before that huge 20 week ultrasound, where they find out all the nitty gritty like complications with the fetus, we had a talk about how to handle any problems we might find.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/14300520623" title="232323232fp633;2>nu=5843>5;3>253>WSNRCG=3364-3-;-8344nu0mrj by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="232323232fp633;2>nu=5843>5;3>253>WSNRCG=3364-3-;-8344nu0mrj" height="426" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14300520623_f882012708_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I'll be honest, I think that we were both expecting something to be wrong. Perhaps some terminal fetal condition. He just wanted me to be OK and to survive whatever happened. I just wanted to carry the baby as long as possible, even if the baby didn't make it. I feel like my one job as a mother is to keep my child alive as long as humanly possible, even if it means going through an entire pregnancy just to say good-bye. Every month I'm pregnant is another month this baby is being comfortably carried by his mommy. I respect the fact that not everyone feels this way and understand that people have their own decisions to make.<br />
<br />
In the end, everything looked perfect and we found out we were having another little boy. I feel good and I think that B is breathing easier. Still in this post-misscarriage pregnancy we have little goals. 26 weeks and the baby will have a really good chance at survival, 30 weeks and we're golden.<br />
<br />
I'm 25 weeks along now. B can feel the baby move all the time, Peanut is talking about his baby brother and I'm happy to chat with strangers about this big baby belly they're all noticing. Perhaps it hasn't been as big a celebration as I would have liked but it's hard to celebrate when you are walking on eggshells. Now I feel comfortable and things are feeling real and we're getting more excited by the day! <br />
<br />
~~~added after Little Dumpling was born~~~<br />
<br />
At 30 weeks and then at 35 weeks, I reveled in the whispers I heard when passing people, "Look at her, she must be due any minute now!" I was a gravity defying giant and loved that it proved my baby was alive and well. Just five days before his due date, our little dumpling arrived, with 10 perfect little fingers and 10 perfect little toes.<br />
<br />
I still think about those babies who we loved and lost--- I always will. I wonder who they were and wish I had the chance to know them.<br />
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But life would have been different. <br />
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I look at my husband and two beautiful boys and can't ask for anything more than the perfect that I have now.<br />
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<br />
<i>~All photos were taken by Adrienne Gunde during my pregnancy with the Peanut!</i>Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-52610637003372311572014-05-11T14:09:00.004-07:002014-05-11T14:09:58.908-07:00And the next one will be...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Taken on Easter (20 weeks, the halfway point!)</span></i></div>
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Happy Mother's Day everyone!</div>
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This year I'm celebrating with my one little boy.</div>
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My silly, sweet, sensitive, dirty, energetic, crazy little boy.</div>
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But next Mother's Day I'll be celebrating with…... </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/13976768118" title="pic2 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="pic2" height="438" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5590/13976768118_3b6572e054.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">TWO LITTLE BOYS!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Peanut with baby Charlie</span></i><br />
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As I suspected after watching every ultrasound like a hawk, we're having another little boy.<br />
I knew I saw something there!<br />
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So I'm going to be the mom of TWO BOYS,<br />
I can hardly believe it!<br />
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The jump from one to two boys seems so hard core.<br />
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Double the dirt, double the fun?<br />
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Is that how the saying goes?</div>
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Meanwhile, I've given up my stash of girls clothes and girls names and girl plans (sigh),<br />
and I'm getting really excited. I can't wait to see if the two boys look alike or totally different.<br />
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B is over the moon. He would have been very happy to have a girl but I do recall him starting to talk about having 2 boys before we even had Peanut.<br />
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And no, we are not going to be trying for a girl next… are you crazy?<br />
You know we'll end up with 3 boys!<br />
This is it. 2 is perfect and I'm sure we'll have our hands full.<br />
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Peanut has been practicing his big brother skills on Boots the dog and Toby the turtle.</div>
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He likes to hum the Star Wars theme song to baby Boots to get him to go to sleep.</div>
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I need to get a video of that some time soon.</div>
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Every infant wants to fall asleep to the Star Wars theme song, right?</div>
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Soak it all in Peanut, you have about 17 more weeks to be the baby<br />
before little brother comes in and cramps your style!<br />
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Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-49237452948525929462014-03-15T19:39:00.001-07:002014-03-15T19:39:04.754-07:00One Gorilla and a Peanut's view of mommy<div style="text-align: center;">
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I picked up this book at the library without even flipping through it.</div>
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I was in a rush and was drawn to the cover illustration.</div>
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You can't tell because of the lighting but the pictures are bright, clear and vivid.</div>
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The author/illustrator uses watercolors and the result is amazing.</div>
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The book is called One Gorilla: A Counting Book by Anthony Browne</div>
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It starts as a simple counting book.</div>
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Simple in that it's a counting book, but I seriously didn't know the names of half these animals.</div>
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Peanut can now identify Macaques in a line-up of monkeys.</div>
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And then we get here and I start wondering if lemurs are monkeys.</div>
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But then John Mellencamp pops up and declares us all one big primate family!</div>
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This is a self-portrait of Anthony Browne, the author but does it remind anyone else of Mellencamp?</div>
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So here is where the book gets really fun.</div>
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We look at all the different people and ask Peanut which ones look most like our family.</div>
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The green circles are who I thought Peanut would pick for mommy and daddy. </div>
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The blue arrows are the pictures that Peanut picked.</div>
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We all agreed on Peanut as the little Asian boy in the bottom right corner.</div>
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I thought the Asian man with glasses would be B but the one Peanut picked made sense also.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But who do you think Peanut picked for me??</span></div>
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Take a good look.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="427" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/13180458313/player/3f6f1b766d" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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I know there isn't really a good match for me but I assumed</div>
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either a woman with dark hair or an Asian girl.</div>
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I was so very wrong.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="427" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/13180463323/player/7d183e63db" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></div>
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Every. single. time. Peanut picks this lady.</div>
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Is it the red lipstick? I do love red lipstick, although lets admit that the blue eyeshadow is overkill.</div>
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B tries to make me feel better by saying it's the big smile.</div>
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What is it about this lady that resembles me…</div>
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or have I looked like a blonde crackhead all these years and never even known it?</div>
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<br /></div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-85240057429521931942014-03-09T21:30:00.001-07:002014-03-09T21:30:20.928-07:00Peanut's Book Journal<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="427" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/5207960493/player/d22bfc01d3" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back in September for some unknown reason </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided that I should be cataloging the books that Peanut is reading. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or that I am reading to Peanut. Or that we are reading together, depending on how you look at it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think it had something to do with discovering the Goodreads scanner on my phone. I spent an hour that night scanning books in a frenzy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/13051086223/player/57fec71d71" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="590"></iframe><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so I signed Peanut up for <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/24244218-peanut">Goodreads</a> and started rating and sorting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I started separating them into bookshelves of holidays, favorite illustrations, etc. Both for my own references and for other parents who ask me for recommendations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I couldn't even begin to remember all the library books we've checked out over the last few years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm glad to keep track now so that I may find and revisit old favorites.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We randomly pick up a lot of books as we pass shelves at the library and sometimes we have a hard time remembering what they were months later.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXDjatewLj1dPg_3-frre1s2dEblLltdl9Hut4NJYpaDKyoJLkYhvmE6UWoZxRi35E5sZlPYLjFtRUjXpx-De6jw-BAq58KPg7e5q06VD1eFQDz4Em9LfXC1QD9owBFXrdSKwmWMN3iQ/s1600/IMG_1052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/13050962245/player/d4c997bcac" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="360"></iframe><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We don't review books until we've had them a few weeks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like food, I find that kids are sometimes uninterested the first time around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we go through and fill out reviews, I've separated them into both "Mommy" and "Peanut" reviews… because we obviously don't always have the same taste. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ratings are averaged between the 2 of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes we revisit old books and he really takes to them all of a sudden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some books are instant classics for the both of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="366" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/13050930765/player/c0be0a71d6" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="549"></iframe><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Won't this be great to look back on when he gets older?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or is it just me in my book nerdiness?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if you want to keep up with our book reviews</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> you can find us on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/24244218-peanut">Goodreads HERE</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXDjatewLj1dPg_3-frre1s2dEblLltdl9Hut4NJYpaDKyoJLkYhvmE6UWoZxRi35E5sZlPYLjFtRUjXpx-De6jw-BAq58KPg7e5q06VD1eFQDz4Em9LfXC1QD9owBFXrdSKwmWMN3iQ/s1600/IMG_1052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXDjatewLj1dPg_3-frre1s2dEblLltdl9Hut4NJYpaDKyoJLkYhvmE6UWoZxRi35E5sZlPYLjFtRUjXpx-De6jw-BAq58KPg7e5q06VD1eFQDz4Em9LfXC1QD9owBFXrdSKwmWMN3iQ/s1600/IMG_1052.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd love suggestions for books to read!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are always looking for something new and I love hearing what your family favorites are.</span></div>
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Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-64012392960328619672014-03-04T15:34:00.003-08:002014-03-04T15:34:48.485-08:00True Story<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yRqUTA6AegA" width="560"></iframe></div>
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Exactly.</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-81441405524376634652014-02-27T22:21:00.002-08:002014-02-27T23:09:05.239-08:00Peanut's Promotion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FFIvjKGz8cOc5Zry6dNPaVLDI28hyHMs2QXcyxSiunjkm6jOut6NV-z7OJURn1ECbExoeVmpFzxhcQbb3xQEB4DRWX4yAF_L-jRNAVkAdLSCmqebNW9Xmvn3DWJ6LJm6WFzd8gMGvFU/s1600/bigbro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FFIvjKGz8cOc5Zry6dNPaVLDI28hyHMs2QXcyxSiunjkm6jOut6NV-z7OJURn1ECbExoeVmpFzxhcQbb3xQEB4DRWX4yAF_L-jRNAVkAdLSCmqebNW9Xmvn3DWJ6LJm6WFzd8gMGvFU/s1600/bigbro.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're finally here!</span></div>
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It's been 2 years and several pregnancies but the 3rd time's a charm!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be 13 weeks on Sunday and everything is looking perfect!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are very excited!</span></div>
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I'll tell you all about it as soon as I stop throwing up. ;)</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-24151750982521970092014-02-27T09:49:00.000-08:002014-02-27T09:49:38.265-08:00Schoola!<div style="text-align: center;">
I've gotten involved with this awesome program called Schoola and I want to spread the word about it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tzWAvyUt4lcVkOU9sZ0JcJxGguO3qZzQQ9QZVlDT9pvVmaf3MHXbKLxwf-OdMDEp-8VeXyzz6ZqfYD6c62aXBPq92qe4W2roLRiMTvvnbpbmSBnAn4UuxD0LCtOyYncQz71aQrht9oc/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-27+at+7.50.48+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tzWAvyUt4lcVkOU9sZ0JcJxGguO3qZzQQ9QZVlDT9pvVmaf3MHXbKLxwf-OdMDEp-8VeXyzz6ZqfYD6c62aXBPq92qe4W2roLRiMTvvnbpbmSBnAn4UuxD0LCtOyYncQz71aQrht9oc/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-27+at+7.50.48+AM.png" height="136" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's a super easy way for schools to raise much needed funds with minimal effort from the schools.</div>
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Budget cuts are killing off a lot of educational programs (I'm preaching to the choir, I know)</div>
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so former teacher and principal Stacey Boyd (this lady is awesome) started thinking of ways to raise money for her daughter's school.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="589" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/12815486545/player/ea9bdb4c09" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="451"></iframe><br /></div>
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We're doing it all over the country, setting up school-wide drives or sending Schoola bags to individuals so they can donate for a school.</div>
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If you do a school drive, you pick a week when you want the clothes collected. </div>
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I send you a personalized flyer letting the parents know about the clothing drive.<br />
You get the word out (email the flyer or drop the flyers in the kid's folders)</div>
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The families get some spring cleaning done to clear out those closets. </div>
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We have Fed Ex pick up the clothes, we photograph them and list them on our super pretty website <a href="http://www.schoola.com/">Schoola</a> and we send you money when the items sell.</div>
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Done.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="160" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/12816072345/player/f8e76fa5ea" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></div>
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Each school gets their own <a href="http://www.schoola.com/stitch/chinese-immersion-school-at-deavila-san-francisco-ca">web page</a> so you can track how awesome you are doing, spread the word to others (they can also donate clothes or they can buy clothes for cheap) and start planning what to do with much needed funds. </div>
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No packets of things to sell to your family and neighbors.</div>
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Yes of course I need more candy. And wrapping paper. And nuts. And jewelry. And cookie dough. </div>
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No forms to fill out or deliveries of goods to be made to all those neighbors and friends.</div>
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No volunteer hours to sign up for. </div>
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Yes, yes, everyone is busy, I know this. I feel for anyone trying to drum up volunteers for events.</div>
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I. feel. your. pain. </div>
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No money spent. (Amen.)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="516" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/12816233053/player/a3a26a0b7c" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></div>
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AND if you feel so inclined you can buy kids clothes through the site for super cheap </div>
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while support your school or someone else's.</div>
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We are advertising nationally so people from across the country are buying off the site.<br />
<br />
I don't have a girl but I just pulled this screen shot <a href="http://www.schoola.com/">off the site</a> and I seriously want that red Old Navy jacket and the pink Lands End one. NEED.<br />
You can search by size, style, brand, etc.</div>
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Well, as you can see I'm pretty excited about this!</div>
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If you are interested, let's chat!<br />
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Yay <a href="http://www.schoola.com/">Schoola</a>!</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-59247124205296829262014-02-15T14:57:00.000-08:002014-02-15T14:59:32.077-08:00Let daddy take a nap<div style="text-align: center;">
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Daddy is really tired.</div>
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Don't wake him up, let's let him sleep for a little bit, OK?</div>
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"OK, mommy. "</div>
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Parenting means learning to sleep while your kid climbs all over you.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pics taken Sept 2013</span></i></div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-80989940887683346772014-01-31T21:53:00.000-08:002014-01-31T21:56:58.407-08:00My Year in Books, 2013If 2012 was the year of dystopian novels, then 2013 was the year of audiobooks. <br />
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My annual reading goal is usually 52 books. In 2011 and 2012 I blew that number out of the water. This year, around September, I just stopped reading. I go through reading phases. Sometimes I'll read 10 books in a month and 1 book the next. I just lost steam during the holidays and still haven't really jumped back in yet. Regardless, I'm very pleased with 2013!<br />
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Here are the <b>42 books</b> I read this year:<br />
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BUT I also listened to a record <b>32 audiobooks</b> (that's a lot of time in the car!) <br />
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I find that I can listen to things in the car that might not normally hold my interest while I'm cuddled in bed at night.<br />
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I typically pick up several audiobooks and give them a try. Sometimes I just don't like the narrator, sometimes I'm not in the mood for that story, etc. I have a tougher time listening to a sequel if I read the first book because I have my own idea of a character. It's hard to a narrator to capture a character in the same way as your imagination, much like movie versions of books.<br />
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I find that libraries have less to offer in the audio CD selection so I chose random books from the shelves and am often pleasantly surprised. I put books on hold if I'm looking for something specific. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="800" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/12246490384/player/42a8877af4" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="622"></iframe>
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<b>This brings my total to 74 worlds explored!</b><br />
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This year I'm taking it easy on myself and including audiobooks in my goal of 52 books. I'll be posting about my favorites soon!<br />
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If you are on Goodreads and would like to connect, find me <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4828886-dandy">HERE</a>!<br />
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<br />Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-22027065534671697972013-12-21T22:10:00.000-08:002013-12-22T13:39:28.877-08:00The-thing-that-must-not-be-named<div style="text-align: center;">
So. The Elf on the Shelf.</div>
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I don't get it.</div>
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I'm not going to go on some tirade about spoiling children and how parents don't need to stage these elaborate scenes because <b>hello</b> do you remember Peanut's <a href="http://spontaneousclapping.blogspot.com/search/label/Parties?updated-max=2012-12-28T07:00:00-08:00&max-results=20&start=3&by-date=false">birthday parties</a>? And forget lecturing about commercialism and the true meaning of Christmas because I LOVE Christmas. All of it. The good, the bad and the cheesy. The kid has a his own house <a href="http://spontaneousclapping.blogspot.com/2013/12/peanuts-christmas-house.html">decorated for Christmas</a> for goodness sakes..</div>
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I'm not even dead set against The Elf. I imagined picking up Peanut from preschool one day, sniffling as he came to the door, looking up to me with big, sad eyes and asking, "Mommy, why don't we have an elf on the shelf?" To which I would reply, "Oh honey, our elf is coming tomorrow!" It wouldn't be the first late night run to Target and hopefully it won't be the last. (Does anyone else love that quiet, childless stroll through Target after all the normal shoppers have left?)</div>
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My plan until that moment is not to talk about The Elf at all, in hopes that when he does hear it mentioned at school, he'll have no idea what they are talking about. We shall not name that thing.</div>
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<i>I'm watching you.</i><br />
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The first thing I don't understand about the-thing-that-must-not-be-named, <i>and this is very important,</i> is that it's Creepy. With a capital C. With all the technology we have today, how was it not possible to make a remotely cute and endearing elf? </div>
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The eyes. </div>
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It's all in the eyes.</div>
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That thing is freaking me the heck out. And I'm <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=creepy%20elf%20on%20the%20shelf&rs=ac&len=10">not the only one</a>.</div>
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<b>This is pretty accurate as to how I feel about this thing running around and wreaking havoc at night while we are all sleeping.</b></div>
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P.S. This photographer is hilarious, genius and terrifying. I especially like her<a href="https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemoorephoto"> Facebook page</a> because it has the perfect mixture of classic family, boudoir and couples photography mixed with some truly disturbing creepy elf photos. I love a lady with balance.</div>
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The second thing I don't understand is the every day part of the deal. Parenting is so full of every single day tasks. Feed the kids everyday. Bathe the kids every day. Brush their teeth every day. Change their diapers every day. You know? So I'm resistant to an every day situation. Although I have done a Christmas book a day in lieu of an advent calendar (and yes I start Thanksgiving because I have that many books) but let me give you a little background on how that is going.<br />
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<i>Clearly this is not our pile (all of the pictures on this post are from Pinterest)</i><br />
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Year 1: Every day after bath there is a nicely wrapped book sitting under the tree. Well not everyday because he was too little to know that we were repeating books. At the end of this year I wrapped all the books before putting them away in storage for the following year.</div>
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Year 2: Every day there is a nicely wrapped book sitting under the tree. At the end of this year I threw all of these books along with all our Christmas movies into a big container that was nearly impossible to carry into the attic crawl space.</div>
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Year 3: Nearly kill the family trying to pass said container down the ladder. Wrap 6 books and run out of tape, mentally add tape to the list of things to buy. After 6 days of a nicely wrapped book sitting under the tree we forget, on a nightly basis, that we are supposed to have another book under the tree. When Peanut gets out of the bath we shove a book in a gift bag with a piece of tissue paper. Until the tissue paper disappears. Instead of finding more tissue paper we stuff plastic grocery bags in as filler. He doesn't seem to mind. The gift bag has since ripped on one side. He still doesn't mind.<br />
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<i>Is it me or is that one angry looking powder angel?</i><br />
<i>And don't even get me started on the cop picture.</i></div>
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So yes, we have all these normal parenting daily things to do and then the holidays hit and we go from life is busy type of crazy to Holy Shit the holidays type of crazy. And then we have the nightly staging of the Thing. Maybe I'll get into it next year but right now, I'm too tired to think that's realistic.<br />
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There is an <b>undeniable perk</b> to the-thing-that-must-not-be-named. <br />
He's Santa's snitch. I'm all for having something around to keep the kid in line for a few weeks. But this leads me to my next question.<br />
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Why is that creepy little thing always getting into terrible trouble in the night? Aren't we trying scare our kids into submission by threatening coal and the full wrath of the naughty list? </div>
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So let me get this straight. Every day the kids wake-up to find that the-thing-that-must-not-be-named made snow angels in the powdered sugar, tied-up his toy friends, ate all the cookies, wrote on the mirrors and had an all night strip poker party with Barbie.<br />
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All in order to get our kids to behave.<br />
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I'm so confused.<br />
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So, we spend a month giving the kids examples of things they shouldn't do and then tell them to toe the line or Santa's sleigh is skipping this house on Christmas Eve.</div>
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I mean, wouldn't this theory make more sense if It was prompting the kids to do nice things. Like if everyday the-thing-that-must-not-be-named had a sign that said,<br />
"If you wake your mommy up today, you can say goodbye to any hopes of getting that Teenage Mutant Ninja Princess Rainbow Loom Sword Set."<br />
Or whatever. </div>
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<i>Don't play with fire kids!</i><br />
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I'm not saying It has to be holding a different scripture passage every day because let's face it, Elves, and Santa for that matter, have little to do with the religious holiday. <br />
I don't remember hearing about any elves lurking around at the birth of Christ. Maybe they were at that one nativity with the lobsters.</div>
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<i>There was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus? </i><br />
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I will say that there are quite a few very cute ideas that I really do like. Even if the Thing is creepy.</div>
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Besides if you want to get all religious you could replace the-thing with <a href="http://www.yourchristmasangel.com/home/">this</a> instead. But that's not at all the same, now is it? I mean, there are alternatives like <a href="http://www.elffun.com/#">these two</a> and <a href="http://www.elf-magic.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=A000">these peeps</a> and of course Etsy has <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171500385/evie-the-elf-pdf-pattern-instant?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=elf&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade">this girl</a> (can someone make this for me pretty please, she's too precious). Of course there is <a href="http://littlepageturners.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-christmas-mouse-elf-on-shelf.html">Montgomery</a>, the mouse that is <i>not at all </i>less creepy than the Elf.<br />
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I don't know. I'm still waiting to feel inspired by some of this.</div>
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So if you can clarify any of these things, I'd greatly appreciate it. Otherwise, we can laugh and cry together next year when you notice me pinning elaborate ideas on how to turn my living room into the North Pole by morning so that I set the right stage for the-thing-that-must-not-be-named.</div>
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Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510148679606227270.post-27581549225794930032013-12-12T21:30:00.000-08:002013-12-12T21:30:01.284-08:00Peanut's Christmas House<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/11348394913/" title="IMG_2686 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2686" height="453" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/11348394913_531c45e75c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It is not enough that Peanut has his own house in our backyard.</div>
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A house complete with doorbell, kitchen, eating area and custom shelving by Papa.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/11348430613/" title="IMG_2302 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2302" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/11348430613_6572362601_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One day I came home from work to find this happening.</div>
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Papa ran a 50 foot extension cord across the pergola, onto what was once our canopy and down onto the house so that it would have working lights.</div>
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And then he made sure it was remote-controlled so Peanut could turn them on and off himself.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/11347759844/" title="IMG_2311 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2311" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/11347759844_2d119856e8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They did this all during nap so he woke up to a big surprise.</div>
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He was so excited and is still excited every time he goes outside.</div>
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Peanut was very impressed with the lights!</div>
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Oh and the snow, we can't forget the snow!</div>
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Nama then made sure to decorate it with a new Christmas wreath, plants for the flower pots and a Santa welcome mat to pull it all together.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/11347754504/" title="IMG_2306 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2306" height="559" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/11347754504_bd057e8b9d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Peanut ADORES decorations. </div>
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It's awesome to do these types of things for him because he loves it SO much.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39822754@N07/11347783703/" title="IMG_2679 by Dandy7321, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2679" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/11347783703_0ac50ba272_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even at night after dinner, when it's too dark to play outside, he likes to turn on his lights and admire his house through the window.</div>
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This year is turning out to be so much fun because</div>
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he's really getting excited about all the holiday cheer! </div>
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Besides, who needs to wait for Santa when you have Nama & Papa?</div>
Dandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802029144367150181noreply@blogger.com1