tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91227948044566157122024-03-13T07:37:40.258-05:00It's a Boys Worldbrad & lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12049678757738308534noreply@blogger.comBlogger685125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-79483892014213825112014-01-01T21:17:00.000-06:002015-07-05T08:03:00.883-05:00Time for a ChangeIt's not just a Boys World anymore, now is it?<br />
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Beginning in this new year, our blog has moved to a new site!<br />
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Find us <a href="http://www.thevanderwaals.com/">HERE</a><br />
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or click on the link below.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thevanderwaals.com/">www.thevanderwaals.com</a><br />
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Be sure to update your reader, bookmarks, or however else you find us.<br />
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And hop over there quickly...there are already three posts for you to catch up on!<br />
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Thanks so much for reading!!lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-65614095683292239262013-12-25T23:47:00.000-06:002013-12-25T23:47:20.800-06:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From our family to yours.</div>
lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-23783688732944230842013-12-22T22:45:00.000-06:002013-12-30T22:46:06.904-06:00One Month OldYesterday our baby girl turned one month old.<br />
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Normally, I would be expressing my disbelief at how fast time is flying and would you just slow down already. But it honestly doesn't feel that way. I have soaked up every single second I have spent with my sweet one, that arriving at this first milestone feels just right. Of course she's one month old...what else would she be???<br />
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In the last week or so, I've noticed exactly how much Ruby is growing. I don't know her exact measurements (she has an appointment with her pediatrician after the New Year) but she is certainly lengthening and gaining weight. She is stretching out her legs, spending less and less time with them curled up into her tummy. She has outgrown the few newborn sized clothes she had and the little knit hats I bought for her before she was born now pop off her head shortly after I put them on. <br />
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She is eating three ounces of formula every three hours (we had a few formula issues early on but those seem to be resolved, at least for the moment). Much like the boys, she was easy to set on a schedule and she does a really good job sticking to it. She's almost like a clock; she wakes almost exactly on time in order to eat. If her bedtime bottle is late enough (11:00ish) she'll wake only once during the night to eat, and then wake again in the early morning. She is sleeping really well in her crib, and *thankfully* falls back asleep easily after her midnight feedings. <br />
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After sleeping much of her first two weeks of life, she now has longer periods of awake time throughout the day. She'll tolerate "play time" (lying under her play gym, tummy time, talking with her brothers) for short moments and then will want to be held again. Speaking of being held, she seems to think she needs to be cuddled in order to stay asleep. She'll fall asleep in our arms, and within 10 minutes of putting her down (either in her bouncy seat, the swing, or in her crib) she'll wake up. We'll rock asleep again, only for the cycle to continue. I'm thankful this isn't the case after dark! <br />
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This last month, she celebrated her first Thanksgiving. And we're fairly certain we saw her first smile on Friday night. That will be confirmed when we see the next one. (Her smile, by the way, is beautiful. It starts in her eyes before you see it cross her lips.)<br />
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She is a wonder.<br />
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lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-30851486224769566342013-12-12T14:52:00.000-06:002013-12-15T14:53:51.861-06:00Ruby's Birth DayThree weeks ago, our sweet angel came into this world and immediately stole our hearts.<br />
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Her arrival day was planned. I saw my doctor on Wednesday (the 20th) and very politely asked if we could go ahead and have this baby (hey, I never claimed to be a patient person). I was ready, both physically and emotionally, to be *done* being pregnant, and taking into consideration a tremendous amount of anxiety surrounding the unknowns of when this little one would come on her own, I really wanted to be induced. I was hoping for either Friday or the following Monday (my actual due date). So when my physician said he was free on Thursday - the very next day... I got a little nervous! I was feeling really ready to have this baby, but maybe not quite <i>that</i> quickly! Regardless, arrangements were made, and Brad and I made our way to the hospital at 7:00 the next morning.<br />
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Here is a rough rundown of our day, and how things progressed. I didn't keep a close eye on the clock, but I have a general idea of when things happened.<br />
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7:00am - Arrived at hospital, checked in, settled into room, paperwork filled out, signatures given, questions answered, IV placed.<br />
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8:00am - Pitocin started.<br />
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8:30/9:00am - Sometime in there my doctor arrived and checked me. I was dilated to "barely a two" which is what I was the day before at the office. He broke my water and I waited for the contractions to begin.<br />
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9:00/10:00am - At some point within the next hour, Jeff, the anesthesiologist (and the man at the top of my *favorite persons of the day* list), came in to place the epidural line. I had made it quite clear that I would be wanting drugs as soon as I could get them (I marvel at women who can go without, I really do. But I cannot. No no no no no.). So one of the things that I found quite awesome at our hospital here is that they'll place the line so that when it comes time to administer the meds, they don't have to take the time then (when I'm in obvious pain) to put the line in. Five stars right there, people.<br />
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This is when things get a little blurry. It was maybe around 10am when I started to feel the contractions. I'm not sure how long I labored before I decided it was time for the drugs {contractions hurt, ya'll}, but reflecting back on the timeframe of what happened later, most likely it was a couple hours. I was checked again, before given any meds, and I was at a three. Oh Lord, only a three. And I thought to myself, "it's going to be a looooonnng day."<br />
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My most favorite person returned to administer the drugs, and after waiting the 30 minutes it takes for the drugs to take effect, I had total relief on my right side...but could still feel every contraction on my left side. It should be clear that, given my need for an epidural in the first place, this was not fun.<br />
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{I want to interject here that every single person at the hospital that helped me through the whole having-a-baby process was amazing. I loved each and every one of them, and they honestly made this experience the best.}<br />
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So I labored like this for a good hour, I'd say, before deciding that my body wasn't going to fix this problem on it's own. Let me note that this same thing happened when I had Drew - epidural numbed one side but not the other. They gave me a "booster shot" (for lack of a better word) and it worked. This time, it did not work. So our only option was to re-do the epidural. Giant needle #1 removed; giant needle #2 inserted. {This is not a big deal to me. The procedure for having the line placed doesn't bother me in the least, so having to do it twice was fine by me.}<br />
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And thankfully, it worked. Almost immediately, I felt the tingling go down my left side, and within 20 minutes, I was pain free. Woo-hoo! It was about 2:30, and as I was finally comfortable, Brad left to go have lunch. Within 10 minutes of him leaving, I started to feel pressure, and with each contraction (now about two minutes apart, it seemed to me) the pressure just increased. Like a lot. Thank goodness the cafeteria wasn't busy because by the time Brad returned (15 minutes, tops) I knew it was time. We called for the nurse. She entered the room stating "So you feel like you could push?" to which I replied "Uh huh!" She checked me and immediately said, "Yes you could! <i>Don't!"</i> <br />
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My doctor was in the hospital, so he was able to get to my room quickly, and once he was prepped and the equipment table had arrived, I could start pushing. About 30 minutes later, our little lady had arrived.<br />
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And this is the moment, people. For those of you who ask or can't understand or wonder why on earth we would choose to <i>not</i> find out the baby's gender at the 20 week mark, this is why. Because when nine months of anticipation and wonder and waiting comes to an end, and the baby arrives, and finally - <i>finally</i> - we meet...the only way to describe it is as <i>pure magic</i>.<br />
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Ruby's arrival was extra magical because - I'll finally admit it publicly - she was a girl. I had only fully confessed my deep deep desire to have a baby girl to a few people. How I wanted a girl so so badly! And both my nurse and my doctor knew it so when Ruby came and we saw that she was a she - there was <i>a lot</i> of excitement!! <br />
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A moment I will remember forever.<br />
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And she was perfect. And beautiful. And I thought she looked so small! I thought for sure she'd be in the seven pounds range, so I was surprised when she weighed nearly eight and a half pounds. I later decided that she looked small because her features are so delicate - small face, small ears, fine lips, tiny cheeks.<br />
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Around 6:00, the boys were brought to the hospital (they had spent the day with a dear friend of ours) and they met their baby sister for the first time.<br />
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They were both tentative - not totally sure what to expect - but very curious and very very happy. And oh, how they love her!<br />
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This girl is something special. <br />
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<i>We love her so, so much.</i><br />
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lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-83228707106319911772013-11-22T08:06:00.002-06:002013-11-22T08:06:15.808-06:00SHE's Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ruby Kay</div>
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November 21, 2013</div>
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8 lbs 6 oz</div>
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20 inches</div>
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We are so totally in love.</div>
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lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-48286195036969242092013-11-18T10:31:00.000-06:002013-11-18T14:45:51.921-06:00The Nursery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shortly after school started, I began transforming what was our spare/guest/scrapbooking/dump-all room into the baby's room. When my parents last visited, back in June, my dad very graciously painted the room for us, so with that taken care of, it was a matter of clearing everything out (which also involved finding a new space for all said stuff) and beginning the process of unpacking those moving and storage boxes labeled "Baby."</div>
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It was really fun. :)</div>
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The theme and decor has remained the same for all three of our babes. {For memory's sake, go <a href="http://thevanderwaals.blogspot.com/2009/05/elmo-friends.html">HERE</a> and scroll to the bottom of the post to see what the nursery looked like for the boys, at our previous house.} Thinking back to when we were expecting Drew, we knew that we wouldn't be able to switch out nursery decor with each child, so settling on a very neutral theme was the goal. Teddy bears and "green" it was! I'm so glad that was the direction we went, because I still love it. Classic and simple.</div>
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The baby's room in this house is considerably smaller than it was at our old home; half the size, I would say. I can manage with the space limitations just fine, but it did require a little downsizing and reevaluating what was necessary and what needed to go. {And to be honest, that's kind of the way things have been since we've moved - there just isn't the space we use to have. And it's been good. Time to cut out the clutter, ya know?}</div>
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To start, here's a 360 degree look at the room as it is right now, beginning with the view from the doorway.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykeOfZAdles/UooqoMccklI/AAAAAAAACbA/fatDKARqo8k/s1600/DSC_0509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykeOfZAdles/UooqoMccklI/AAAAAAAACbA/fatDKARqo8k/s400/DSC_0509.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNlsxWFeHYc/UooqnzNn4dI/AAAAAAAACa8/E6yUY5l3180/s1600/DSC_0510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNlsxWFeHYc/UooqnzNn4dI/AAAAAAAACa8/E6yUY5l3180/s400/DSC_0510.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDh9Gid_G20/UooqpFl0XEI/AAAAAAAACbU/1vyNkuxFJWI/s1600/DSC_0511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDh9Gid_G20/UooqpFl0XEI/AAAAAAAACbU/1vyNkuxFJWI/s400/DSC_0511.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6o_7SF8HyU/Uooqpo3R1mI/AAAAAAAACbY/rVKQeQNvd8I/s1600/DSC_0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6o_7SF8HyU/Uooqpo3R1mI/AAAAAAAACbY/rVKQeQNvd8I/s400/DSC_0515.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This pennant banner is a new addition to the nursery decor. I wanted something new, and these banners are so perfect for a baby's room. As a bonus, I was able to use the leftover fabric from two other baby projects (details below). {Related, but not important: I'm debating the location of the banner here on this wall. It looks a little cluttered with the mobile hanging right in front of it, but once that comes down in a few months, it'll probably look less congested.}</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgGS7xvvbHQ/UooqqlvqGrI/AAAAAAAACbo/u_2eaiBOyFU/s1600/DSC_0516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgGS7xvvbHQ/UooqqlvqGrI/AAAAAAAACbo/u_2eaiBOyFU/s400/DSC_0516.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the boys' old nursery, we had teddy bears everywhere; and we had the space for shelves and bookcases to house them all. Such is not the case here, so the teddy bear collection was downsized and more creative display options were explored. Thanks to <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/177258935303862552/">Pinterest</a> and the flower boxes that use to adorn the front of our new house, we now have this ever adorable bear cage! Yes, yes, it is simply the cutest thing ever. <i>I know.</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d76G4fAz_uw/UooqrMrnLRI/AAAAAAAACbw/-ur2tYkPZJQ/s1600/DSC_0517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d76G4fAz_uw/UooqrMrnLRI/AAAAAAAACbw/-ur2tYkPZJQ/s400/DSC_0517.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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The teddy bear cross stitch, made by my mom, and the bookcase, made many many moons ago by Brad's grandpa, have made their reappearance.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxQm9hYvT4g/Uooqsa9lBEI/AAAAAAAACcA/slPmYZ8xvFU/s1600/DSC_0524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SxQm9hYvT4g/Uooqsa9lBEI/AAAAAAAACcA/slPmYZ8xvFU/s400/DSC_0524.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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The nursery in our old house had two huge closets. Granted, they housed more than just baby stuff, but the blankets alone would take up the entire single self we use to have in here. So we replaced the old rod and shelf, and installed a new one, along with two extra shelves to hold all the excess. Baby's require a lot of stuff, ya know. {And yes, that entire bottom shelf is full of blankets, towels and sheets. Please, no more.}</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--JU9aiCjXI0/UooqrJ8ebMI/AAAAAAAACb0/IluwPQqZtB8/s1600/DSC_0521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--JU9aiCjXI0/UooqrJ8ebMI/AAAAAAAACb0/IluwPQqZtB8/s400/DSC_0521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My favorite part of unpacking all of the "Baby" boxes was finally reaching into the totes of baby clothes. Such deliciousness, I say. What was not-so-fun was discovering all of the stains that surfaced after being stored away for four and a half years. But with a little masterful mix of detergent, oxyclean, vinegar, and a good amount of soaking, they are looking fresh and new! This is our collection of neutral sleepers. We'll know soon if I need to start washing up all the blue stuff, or if Mama gets to go shopping for pink, pink, pink! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z90ho7MsSE/Uooqr5gictI/AAAAAAAACb8/rDl1Hdb5s3M/s1600/DSC_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z90ho7MsSE/Uooqr5gictI/AAAAAAAACb8/rDl1Hdb5s3M/s400/DSC_0522.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm pretty excited about having a newborn here at Christmas time. :)</div>
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I have purchased very little new for this baby, but I couldn't resist this little Santa sleeper. And the big boys may or may not also be receiving Christmas jammies this year. ;)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7t2bmiCCkg/UooqskQppCI/AAAAAAAACcE/XPrHhXTWn98/s1600/DSC_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7t2bmiCCkg/UooqskQppCI/AAAAAAAACcE/XPrHhXTWn98/s400/DSC_0526.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The dresser and crib are the same as before. But that glider. Oh, that glider is the pride and joy of this room.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEUnYzZOs_Q/UooqtKP-NvI/AAAAAAAACcU/29He-VmjYe0/s1600/DSC_0528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEUnYzZOs_Q/UooqtKP-NvI/AAAAAAAACcU/29He-VmjYe0/s400/DSC_0528.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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Previously, we had a green swivel chair for the nursery. It looked great in the room, but it truly wasn't used much. It didn't really rock (just sorta swayed) and as all the bedrooms were on the second floor of our old house, we usually relocated to the living room to the big, comfy rocker/recliner to feed and rock the babies. Our current home is a ranch, with all the bedrooms on the main floor, and the big, comfy rocker/recliner now lives in the basement. The thought of finding a new rocker for the nursery wasn't even on my radar (I figured we'd use the green chair and/or just do without)...until Brad and I spotted this beauty at a garage sale. For 20 bucks. Retail pricing for these gliders and ottomans start at $100, so I really felt like we had found a steal. It is in really good structural shape; the cushions, however, were filthy. I had never attempted to recover anything more than a pillow, so it took me a while to convince myself I'd at least be able to try. But for such a great deal, I decided to give it a go (with a lot of help from <a href="http://www.runs-with-spatulas.com/2013/01/crafty-fridays-how-to-recover-glider.html">this tutorial</a>).</div>
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And man, I impress myself sometimes. :)<br />
{They are all removable slip covers so they'll be easy to toss into the washer when needed.}<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_K6hc91Irw/UooqtWdxZJI/AAAAAAAACcY/mXM2a-vIO_E/s1600/DSC_0532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_K6hc91Irw/UooqtWdxZJI/AAAAAAAACcY/mXM2a-vIO_E/s400/DSC_0532.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So now it is clean, functional, and really quite comfy. I think the baby and I will enjoy it very much!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vW6uuZNEpuY/UooqtoNEWjI/AAAAAAAACck/lBtPvmSHmzc/s1600/DSC_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vW6uuZNEpuY/UooqtoNEWjI/AAAAAAAACck/lBtPvmSHmzc/s400/DSC_0536.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And just a few small decor items on a small shelf. All recycled from the old nursery.</div>
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{And who's that baby in that picture frame? That'd be Baby Drew. Apparently updating photos when Reed was a baby never happened. Huh.}</div>
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One last project that I completed for the baby is car seat canopy, which is like a glorified blanket for the cold, winter months. Rest assured, the baby will be wrapped up tight underneath the canopy, but it does provide extra protection from wind and precipitation. And it's pretty cute, too. </div>
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I had seen <a href="http://cally-cruze.blogspot.com/2009/10/infant-carseat-blanket.html">this one</a> on, you guessed it, Pinterest, and really loved the look of the patchwork fabric. While on one of my many fabric store adventures, I had fallen in love with the elephant fabric, and went from there in finding some coordinating, gender-neutral fabrics to create the patchwork look I was going for. The extra fabric, then, from this and the glider went in to making the pennant banner.</div>
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And there you have it! Everything is ready! Now we just wait for baby!</div>
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A few funny notes to record here so that I always remember...</div>
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I'm obviously pregnant. The boys still love to hug and kiss the baby, and Reed has even taken to saying "Mama, that's a big baby you have there!" But what they find especially hilarious is exactly *how big* my belly is when on the very rare occasion they see my belly bare. Holy eyes-as-big-as-saucers Batman!</div>
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In a conversation a few weeks ago, the boys learned that the baby is all naked in there. They found this to be equal parts shocking and funny. They very kindly suggested I eat some pajamas so that the baby would be warm. :)</div>
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lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-17725570556239132992013-11-07T21:16:00.000-06:002013-11-10T21:16:33.133-06:00All He Wants for Christmas...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfQzeW29fOI/UoBL-1-5mpI/AAAAAAAACas/uiy4fYj4on4/s1600/2013-11-10+19.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfQzeW29fOI/UoBL-1-5mpI/AAAAAAAACas/uiy4fYj4on4/s400/2013-11-10+19.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-83042972611339294092013-11-04T05:00:00.000-06:002013-11-04T05:00:01.040-06:00The Final Countdown {& a Maternity Photo Shoot}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today marks week 37 of this pregnancy.</div>
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Three weeks to go, give or take a day or two. <i>Hopefully</i>.</div>
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I have a hunch that this baby will come before the due date. I also think that this baby will be smaller than both of the boys.</div>
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Or maybe it's less of a hunch and more along the lines of wishful thinking. ;)</div>
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I am both reluctant and ready to have this baby. I would still declare this as my best pregnancy, and as I've previously disclosed that this will be my last, I'm not in a hurry to wish it to end. I'm wanting to still relish in it a bit, while at the same time, I've been doing a lot of moaning and groaning lately. The extra weight and size make for some uncomfortable moments, and I'm quite looking forward to wearing jeans that I can button. In just the last week I've really noticed how much I've grown, and the size of my belly does hinder my ability to do certain things.</div>
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I shared with my doctor this last week that I'm finding myself more anxiety-ridden over the delivery of this baby than I was even for Drew's birth. I'm not sure why that is. I've done this before - twice - and yet while I know what to expect, you really can't plan exactly how things will go. Mentally, I have some work to do to find a place of peace and rest before I go into active labor.</div>
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And while I have been over-the-moon excited for the arrival of this little one, I know that with that comes major changes for my little family. Four will become five, and life won't be like it has been for the last four and a half years. Anticipating this change, and the significant adjustments everyone will have to make, is a challenge.</div>
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But this change, the ways in which things will be different than they have been... they're good.</div>
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<i>Really, really good. </i> <i> </i></div>
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To commemorate {if you will} this significant "last" in my life, I wanted to capture myself, and these last few weeks, in pictures. I really wanted to invest in a professional photographer to get the quality of photographs I was wanting. However, after thinking more about it and discussing it with Brad, we decided to save those professional costs until next fall for a full family photo shoot, when our family officially numbers five.</div>
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So I hired Brad. Last weekend, we spent a few hours outside, trying to capture me, the boys, and our family. We had some weather issues (it was cold and breezy) and some camera issues (neither of us are schooled enough in using the fancy thing) but Brad did a really great job, if I do say so myself. Here are a few of my favorites (my plan is to create a Shutterfly photobook to include all of the images).</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Here's to the end of this chapter... and with big, open arms, hello to the next!</span></div>
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<i>Yahoo!!</i></div>
lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-85080784562185626072013-10-31T21:41:00.000-05:002013-11-02T21:42:40.891-05:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Deciding upon the boys' Halloween costumes for this year was determined fairly early in the month. I wasn't against the idea of attempting to make their costumes like I did last year, but I knew that if that was to happen, I would need plenty of time to do so. {I did have the tiniest desire <i>to want to</i> make their costumes...but I gotta admit, when it was decided that I wasn't going to, I was pretty relieved!}</div>
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At dinner one night, then, it was discussed. Let me interject, I have loved our "themed" costumes the last couple years. The boys dressing up as a pair that belongs together has been pretty fun (<a href="http://thevanderwaals.blogspot.com/2010/11/ghosts-pumpkins-halloween-night.html">2010</a>, <a href="http://thevanderwaals.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-night.html">2011</a>, and <a href="http://thevanderwaals.blogspot.com/2012/10/happy-halloween.html">2012</a>.) I am aware, though, that as the boys have gotten older, they are expressing their own opinions and desires and I really don't want to squelch that. Halloween costumes definitely fall under the whatever-you-want-it's-no-skin-off-my-back category, so I gave them the freedom to choose.</div>
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Drew was batting around a couple different ideas, when Reed, very surprisingly declared, "I'm gonna be Batman!" Neither of the boys have been very in to superheroes. Drew knows the most about the Avengers, but even that interest came because one of his good buddies at school likes them. But I wouldn't say that superheroes are at the top of their favorites list. But hey. We had a Batman costume handed down to us <i>(thanks, Mindy & Perry!)</i> so that made that decision very easy!</div>
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And because it is usually the case that when one brother chooses something, the other makes a very similiar choice (especially when Reed chooses first), Drew also declared that he was going to be a superhero. And that particular day, his favorite was Captain America. <i>(Thank you, Target, for coming through with that costume request!)</i></div>
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Perhaps not Batman and Robin, an actual crime-fighting superhero duo, but still so fun that the boys allowed me one more themed Halloween!</div>
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So a superhero Halloween it is!</div>
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The city of Midland has never been more safe. </div>
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*Of note: 1) I did make Captain America's shield. Target wanted $10 for their cheapy plastic one. With plenty of cardboard and the right color spray paint at home, we made it happen for free. And I gotta say...looks much better than the store-bought variety! 2) The giant Vander Waal head worked against Drew...I had to adjust his mask a bit to make it even sit right on his head, and even then he had to pull it farther down over his nose to keep the eye holes where they needed to be. It looked uncomfortable to me, but he made it work. 3) Yes, Drew's two front teeth are incredibly loose. Yes, he looks like Bugs Bunny. Kindly ignore.<br />
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-66147077730079547252013-10-29T04:18:00.001-05:002013-10-29T04:19:04.171-05:00These Boots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">{This one's for you, Uncle Justin!}</span></i></div>
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These froggy rainboots were first given to Reed in the spring of 2011. They were hand-me-downs of my nephew's, and my parents brought them on one of their regular visits to our house.</div>
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It might be safe to say that Reed has had them on his feet ever since.</div>
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They do make quite the fashion statement, and they are very versatile.</div>
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These boots are made for...</div>
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backyard exploring</div>
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beanbag tossing...errr, tripping</div>
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crafting</div>
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cuddling</div>
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picnicking </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mENUSVy4m9Y/Um8BZ4gaOiI/AAAAAAAACTg/M19T72c7CQ4/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mENUSVy4m9Y/Um8BZ4gaOiI/AAAAAAAACTg/M19T72c7CQ4/s400/DSC_0167.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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and parading</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4KbWnhA9SM/Um8BafEogTI/AAAAAAAACTs/g3OIV_DFdZY/s1600/DSC_0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4KbWnhA9SM/Um8BafEogTI/AAAAAAAACTs/g3OIV_DFdZY/s400/DSC_0193.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and pop can smashing.</div>
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These boots are made for</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JL672ADw0V0/Um8BLiF2sMI/AAAAAAAACQI/WwVrZxx1xJI/s1600/2012-08-17+10.17.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JL672ADw0V0/Um8BLiF2sMI/AAAAAAAACQI/WwVrZxx1xJI/s400/2012-08-17+10.17.56.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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going to storytime</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5OgQ00WVeM/Um8BbB1G5XI/AAAAAAAACT0/38PqoLrl1eE/s1600/DSC_0245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5OgQ00WVeM/Um8BbB1G5XI/AAAAAAAACT0/38PqoLrl1eE/s400/DSC_0245.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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to the beach</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akvNMZdHSbk/Um8BNfwv6jI/AAAAAAAACQg/FUIeCpVCyt8/s1600/2012-10-18+11.51.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akvNMZdHSbk/Um8BNfwv6jI/AAAAAAAACQg/FUIeCpVCyt8/s400/2012-10-18+11.51.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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to the store</div>
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to the pumpkin patch</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JVFOXHftaA/Um8BNjcQ10I/AAAAAAAACQs/HTlR4g2S0VA/s1600/2012-11-21+09.27.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JVFOXHftaA/Um8BNjcQ10I/AAAAAAAACQs/HTlR4g2S0VA/s400/2012-11-21+09.27.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and to the Urgent Care.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RlAVJ9tOmFk/Um8BO7a6DtI/AAAAAAAACQ4/PiiLDsDjgb0/s1600/2012-11-30+09.46.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RlAVJ9tOmFk/Um8BO7a6DtI/AAAAAAAACQ4/PiiLDsDjgb0/s400/2012-11-30+09.46.45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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They're even good in hard to reach places!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1EpIoMCskTI/Um8BQM19k4I/AAAAAAAACRM/Q69Soc08FA0/s1600/2012-12-19+14.21.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1EpIoMCskTI/Um8BQM19k4I/AAAAAAAACRM/Q69Soc08FA0/s400/2012-12-19+14.21.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then they bit the dust.</div>
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Boo.</div>
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When the boots began to fall apart in the fall of last year, I went on a mad hunt to find a replacement pair. I was really unsure as to exactly why Reed loved these boots so much. Was it because they were boots, or because they were <b>froggy</b> boots? I didn't know, but when it came to finding a replacement pair, I wanted Reed to love them as much as the originals. Thus began a search and rescue mission for <b>froggy</b> rainboots. I tried all of my local stores and found a variety of rubber boots...but none were frogs. Camouflage? Yep. Fireman? Sure. Froggy? Nope.</div>
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It wasn't until I visited a Walmart four hours from home that an appropriate replacement pair was seized, so all wrapped up and under the Christmas tree they went!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oiqWL_yiX9w/Um8BfM0ANvI/AAAAAAAACUg/-763IaWT4OI/s1600/DSC_0834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oiqWL_yiX9w/Um8BfM0ANvI/AAAAAAAACUg/-763IaWT4OI/s400/DSC_0834.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thankfully, the new pair has been just as popular as the old, broken, tossed-in-the-trash pair!</div>
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These {new} boots are made for...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILSHJ98U5h8/Um8BSGroJOI/AAAAAAAACRw/PuMTRPtQOuU/s1600/2013-01-17+11.09.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILSHJ98U5h8/Um8BSGroJOI/AAAAAAAACRw/PuMTRPtQOuU/s400/2013-01-17+11.09.27.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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mail retreiving</div>
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puddle jumping</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJm4_oWiJQ8/Um8BUHwi4cI/AAAAAAAACSM/EPfzQyCOxxs/s1600/2013-03-07+10.04.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJm4_oWiJQ8/Um8BUHwi4cI/AAAAAAAACSM/EPfzQyCOxxs/s400/2013-03-07+10.04.56.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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more shopping</div>
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scootering</div>
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trampolining</div>
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and celebrating.</div>
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Quite frankly, these boots</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4La6-b_MNHs/Um8BinVnztI/AAAAAAAACVM/HECUg0c6hQU/s1600/IMAG1243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4La6-b_MNHs/Um8BinVnztI/AAAAAAAACVM/HECUg0c6hQU/s400/IMAG1243.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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are just too cool for words.</div>
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It's obvious by how much Reed wants to wear them exactly how much he fancies these boots. Reed's love for the froggy rainboots has even made others love them, almost as much as he does. Take, for example, Grammy. While we were at her house, Reed wanted to wear his boots inside. He had previously been wearing them out, so I told him no, he couldn't wear them inside as they were all dirty. I promptly placed them back in the closet. Grammy? She goes ahead and cleans them so Reed can wear them in the house.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdhbhGT1sQU/Um8Bi7w1EZI/AAAAAAAACVQ/HCDYbBs3GfQ/s1600/DSC_1058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdhbhGT1sQU/Um8Bi7w1EZI/AAAAAAAACVQ/HCDYbBs3GfQ/s400/DSC_1058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But I don't think anyone has stronger feelings for Reed and his froggy boots than his Uncle Justin. So much so that when Justin asked Reed to be the ring bearer in his wedding, he requested that Reed wear the boots.</div>
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To which Reed replied, "That's what I wanted to wear!"</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tr11pHpYdbw/Um8KQET4oiI/AAAAAAAACVc/XttIEBxn4DM/s1600/DSC_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tr11pHpYdbw/Um8KQET4oiI/AAAAAAAACVc/XttIEBxn4DM/s400/DSC_0207.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Now if only he'd had that red carpet to walk down...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kw5tb4qiWKY/Um8K3C8CA2I/AAAAAAAACVk/vBOZCSFAhmY/s1600/2013-09-28+16.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kw5tb4qiWKY/Um8K3C8CA2I/AAAAAAAACVk/vBOZCSFAhmY/s400/2013-09-28+16.03.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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These boots were definitely made for Reed!</div>
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lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-6450978623695571742013-10-25T16:06:00.001-05:002013-10-25T16:06:08.896-05:00Our Fall Tradition, Times TwoEvery fall, we like to take the boys out to a pumpkin patch/apple orchard, if for no other reason than for me to take a few pictures of the boys with pumpkins so that I can say "Yay! We have our annual pumpkin patch photos! :)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZMe8ZcAcbE/Umrb8dVDz0I/AAAAAAAACPg/YmujpLl4prQ/s1600/DSC_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZMe8ZcAcbE/Umrb8dVDz0I/AAAAAAAACPg/YmujpLl4prQ/s400/DSC_0030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Honestly, that might have been the case a few years ago when the boys (all three of them) weren't as "into" the patch as I was. But as the boys (all three of them) have gotten older, they've gotten a bit more excited about making our annual visit and are more participatory in picking out pumpkins and taking part in the farm activities.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvxu2k25f6w/UmrZk9igIdI/AAAAAAAACOc/Z9V9HM6w280/s1600/DSC_0370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvxu2k25f6w/UmrZk9igIdI/AAAAAAAACOc/Z9V9HM6w280/s400/DSC_0370.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This year, Reed had the opportunity to visit the patch twice, as his very first preschool field trip visited Grandma's Pumpkin Patch a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to be able to tag along, and although it was a bit chilly and breezy, it was a fun morning spent with my little guy and his classmates.</div>
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The kids were introduced to a variety of farm animals: Troy the donkey, the peacocks, 2-week old baby chicks, the llamas, and the goats.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fYTs_HETBE/UmrZidUvlFI/AAAAAAAACOM/Am3iNlQHnnQ/s1600/DSC_0351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fYTs_HETBE/UmrZidUvlFI/AAAAAAAACOM/Am3iNlQHnnQ/s400/DSC_0351.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QeLhGAOyvsA/UmrZiG_JsAI/AAAAAAAACOI/adVILhgokKg/s1600/DSC_0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QeLhGAOyvsA/UmrZiG_JsAI/AAAAAAAACOI/adVILhgokKg/s400/DSC_0356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fpDovDyZk4Y/UmrZj_X8VWI/AAAAAAAACOk/RfvQJ-LLqpM/s1600/DSC_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fpDovDyZk4Y/UmrZj_X8VWI/AAAAAAAACOk/RfvQJ-LLqpM/s400/DSC_0364.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fun goat fact: don't be afraid to feed them. They can't bite you because they don't have any top teeth!<br />
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We then were able to go on a hayride through the corn field, and minus the incredibly muddy conditions that almost caused the trailer to slide off the path, it was a fun little ride. :) Reed then played just a bit with the various climbers they had available, but it was getting pretty cold, so we were ready to head home. Before doing so, Reed was able to pick a pumpkin and a coloring book to bring home with him.</div>
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Not too shabby for his first field trip!</div>
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This last Saturday, then, was our chance to head to the patch with the whole family. Unfortunately, it was just as cold and just as breezy as it was on the previous visit! But the perk of going when we did was that we went as guests of our realtor/realty company as a part of a customer appreciation event. <br />
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With Drew along this time, there was much more exploration, climbing, and playing. Both boys were wanting to climb and swing and slide and get dirty, which was all well and good until it started to rain.<br />
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Thankfully, it didn't last long, and we headed into the field to pick our pumpkins. <br />
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By the time we had chosen our two, and I convinced the boys to just squat for a second so I could rattle off a few photographs, Brad and I were cold enough to call it good and head back home. The boys, on the other hand, were wanting to stay. On a warmer morning, I would have been thrilled. </div>
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Next year, boys. Next year. :) </div>
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lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-16681015868038757832013-10-22T19:59:00.001-05:002013-10-22T20:01:19.376-05:00Top 10 Reasons I Hope It's a BoyIn response to <a href="http://thevanderwaals.blogspot.com/2013/10/top-10-reasons-i-hope-its-girl_21.html">yesterday's post</a>...<br />
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10. Being able to say "My Three Sons." Classic, right?<br />
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9. We already have all the boy things. Our bank account would thank us for bringing home #3.<br />
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8. I quite enjoy being the {one and only} lady of the house. Another girl in this house would mean that my throne would be usurped by an itty bitty princess. I shall not hand over my scepter and crown that easily.<br />
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7. Additionally, there is plenty enough drama in our home as of the moment. I will take no more, <i>thankyouverymuch.</i><br />
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6. Having only boys in the house will significantly reduce the amount of "stuff" our home will possess. Boys require less than girls. And our home isn't that big.<br />
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5. An additional chance that one of my children will make millions in the NFL, support us, send us on luxurious vacations, and buy us our dream home. <i>No pressure, boys. No pressure.</i> <br />
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4. I will never have to mow the lawn, change a flat tire, plunge the toilet, fix the leak, and if I really play my cards right, pump my own gas, <i>ever again</i>. <br />
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3. I am, and will continue to be, surrounded by sheer handsomeness at all times. As a girl who didn't date or hang with many boys, this does wonders for my ego. {Furthermore, adding another boy to the family will further ensure my safety, care and protection for the rest of my life.} <br />
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2. Boys <b style="font-style: italic;">love </b>love their Mamas, in that special boys-love-love-their-Mamas kind of way. I'll take that in triplicate!<br />
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1. Another one of these little dudes?<br />
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<i>Yes, please!!</i> </div>
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<i><br /></i>lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-60047153032555487342013-10-21T20:22:00.000-05:002013-10-21T20:23:37.915-05:00Top 10 Reasons I Hope It's a GirlAlternately: The post wherein I forever emotionally damage my third son because he, in fact, is not a girl.<br />
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Not to fear. The rebuttal "Top 10 Reasons I Hope It's a Boy" to follow.</div>
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10. Pink is a really great color.</div>
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9. Strawberry Shortcake. Need I say more?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2pQX15G2mM/UmXMxfrbJrI/AAAAAAAACM4/JJdfDhAq_v0/s1600/strawberryshortcake.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2pQX15G2mM/UmXMxfrbJrI/AAAAAAAACM4/JJdfDhAq_v0/s400/strawberryshortcake.jpeg" width="285" /></a></div>
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8. I grew up with two boys. Now, I am raising two boys. <i> It's my turn, golldarnit!</i></div>
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7. The odds of this girl being the cutest little sweetheart that walked the planet are pretty darn good (said with no humility whatsoever).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtQw9249hOY/UmXPzli2FNI/AAAAAAAACNA/9QZaUDTl11Y/s1600/lesley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtQw9249hOY/UmXPzli2FNI/AAAAAAAACNA/9QZaUDTl11Y/s640/lesley.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{Someone tell me that they, too, see so much of Reed in that first picture. <i>Pleeeaaasse!</i>}</div>
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6. Dresses. Bows. Flowers.</div>
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5. This outfit. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mKnzeTwvRWc/UmXRaAe3BbI/AAAAAAAACNI/3sPlhhQ1ppA/s1600/outfit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mKnzeTwvRWc/UmXRaAe3BbI/AAAAAAAACNI/3sPlhhQ1ppA/s400/outfit.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I went shopping today for coming-home-from-the-hospital outfits for both a boy and a girl, and I was determined that I was going to find something pink for the potential girl in my belly. However, when I spied this number, I about died. The ruffles!!! <i>Aaackk!</i></div>
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4. Being the only girl alongside two older brothers is pretty darn special. <i>I should know.</i><br />
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3. I would love to be able to fulfill a promise I made many moons ago, to continue the use of the family (middle) name "Kay."</div>
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2. I'd like to allow Brad in on the super special relationship between a Daddy and his little girl.</div>
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1. To have the opportunity to create, establish, nourish and grow that special mother-daughter bond, such as I have with my own mom, would be simply golden. <br />
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lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-76889805373623701692013-10-01T20:02:00.000-05:002013-10-01T20:02:36.675-05:00Best Weekend Ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We arrived back home last night after a long weekend spent in Minnesota, celebrating the wedding of my brother and his bride. It was one of those weekends that you look forward to for forever, it goes by way too quickly, and then upon returning back home, realize how much it stinks to be back home.</div>
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I love my family.</div>
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And I miss them so much.</div>
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The four of us loaded up the van early Thursday morning and spent the day traveling to my parents house. We arrived after dark that night, and the wedding festivities began promptly on Friday morning and continued throughout the weekend.</div>
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Saturday, Wedding Day, was obviously the highlight. The weather had been questionable all week, as everyone watched several different weather sources predicting a 60% chance of rain. This does not bode well for an outdoor wedding! And rain it did. But by 2:00, when the photographer was to begin shooting, the rainclouds had ceased, and although still cloudy and a bit breezy, the rain stayed away for the rest of the day.</div>
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Perfect.</div>
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Here are a few photos from Saturday, courtesy of Brad (he played photographer, dad, and supportive family member all weekend long).</div>
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We put the littles to work, toweling dry the chairs from the rain earlier in the day.</div>
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Cutest flower girl ever? Yes.</div>
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With my new sister!</div>
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Plenty of video games to keep them occupied. Thank you, modern technology.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YimIy-rBYI/UktsS6Wg2YI/AAAAAAAACLc/ZECBrhDl_7M/s1600/DSC_0243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YimIy-rBYI/UktsS6Wg2YI/AAAAAAAACLc/ZECBrhDl_7M/s400/DSC_0243.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wow. This photo doesn't get taken very often.</div>
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My family.</div>
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<i>Love.</i></div>
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Aack! And this family! <i>LOVE THEM!</i></div>
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My brother waiting for his bride.</div>
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There just aren't any words that are *cute* enough to describe how I feel about this photo.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYJqYlzBPdw/UktsVmaPjhI/AAAAAAAACMQ/Iim396N2YgI/s1600/DSC_0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYJqYlzBPdw/UktsVmaPjhI/AAAAAAAACMQ/Iim396N2YgI/s400/DSC_0283.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wedding: awesome.<br />
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Reception: awesome.<br />
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Seeing much extended family: awesome.<br />
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Sunday brunch & gift opening: awesome.<br />
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Having to come back home on Monday: not awesome.<br />
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But I guess after missing three days of school, it was appropriate that my children go back. And learn and stuff.<br />
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<i>For Justin & Mindy & Perry: Congratulations! And Thank You! for allowing us to be a part of this day and this weekend. We are incredibly happy and excited to have seen the three of you become an "official" family, and by extension, an "official" part of our family. I thought of you much of my drive home, feeling so full. I love you so much!</i><br />
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Needless to say, I <i>cannot wait</i> for Christmas, to see you all again!<br />
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-45549180281806798552013-09-16T20:57:00.000-05:002013-09-16T20:57:27.801-05:00Week in the Life {the weekend}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our weekend was full, but relaxing. We had a couple of fun things to attend on Saturday, and then had our normal Sunday routine of church, Skyping, naps, football, and small group.</div>
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Saturday:</div>
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Late morning we headed across town for a family carnival, hosted by an area church. It was a bit chilly outside, but with the sun shining, it really made for a great day to be outdoors (something we don't do enough). <br />
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This weekend was also Balloon Festival weekend in Midland, so Saturday night we headed to the fairgrounds to take in the annual hot air balloon launch. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, and with wind gusts up to 20mph, it wasn't safe for the balloons to take flight. The skydivers were able to jump (which is equal parts entertaining and stomach-churning) and two balloons did do a very short, very low drift through the sky.<br />
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I found that my attention to, and interest in, taking photos wained considerably this weekend, especially on Sunday. I simply forgot to take pictures of much, really, and used my phone camera for the pictures I actually did take (which results in super poor quality). I think I may cheat and, if I remember, try to capture a few photos next week. Sundays are big days for us, and I want to be sure I have accurate documentation.<br />
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So here is a little sneak into Sunday: <br />
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There are a few other small things, here and there, that I'd like to have included in this project, so I may shoot a few more pictures around here throughout this week. Being as this was my first time playing around with this project, I found it difficult to really "see" all that happens in such a way as to want to capture it with the camera. And it takes a lot of forethought to set up the camera to capture said moments! <br />
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I did, though, learn quite a bit during this process, primarily about myself and how I approach my days. Each night, I journaled, just a bit, about each day and the things that struck me or were significant. Or funny. I may or may not share those thoughts here, but they will somehow be included in whatever final form (scrapbook?) this photo journal takes.<br />
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Thanks for playing along!<br />
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-7877480437134638382013-09-14T08:00:00.000-05:002013-09-14T08:00:07.125-05:00Week in the Life {Friday}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was a good day.</div>
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I can tell that I am really going to *love* my time on Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings when both boys are at school and I have a little "me" time. It will likely take a bit for me to figure out how to be both productive and relax at the same time. :)</div>
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My picture quantity was up today, but there were several things that I could've taken a picture of but didn't: Both boys running around the house like madmen before leaving for school. And how absolutely stone silent they both were while driving to school. The photo editing I did on the computer. The giant chore of sweeping/mopping/vacuuming. How well Reed entertains himself for what can be giant portions of the day. Folding the first of many loads of baby blankets and towels. How the boys picked up right where they left off after being reunited after school. Brad at a bonfire tonight.</div>
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There was quite a bit I did capture, though, and was surprised to see just how much of our "right now" that I hadn't yet photographed.</div>
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Looking forward to this weekend - a break to our weekday routine with a couple special events to attend.<br />
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-36921936677042395712013-09-13T08:00:00.000-05:002013-09-13T08:00:04.678-05:00Week in the Life {Thursday}Even fewer pictures today than yesterday. My mojo is waining a little bit, and my body just downright disagreed today. I was still able to capture a little bit of "us" though, as I went through my day.<br />
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-83273308446031240882013-09-12T08:00:00.000-05:002013-09-12T08:00:04.714-05:00Week in the Life {Wednesday}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I took fewer pictures today than the previous two. I didn't have too many daily tasks today, so I wasn't up and around taking photographs. I tried to concentrate a little more on Drew today, which, of course, only included the time before and after school. I need to recruit Brad to take at least a few photos while he his at work, too.</div>
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From morning until night, here's a look at Wednesday.</div>
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{too bad their faces are blurry...they were having so much fun!}</div>
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{29 week OB check}</div>
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-72448254050410408062013-09-11T09:00:00.000-05:002013-09-11T09:00:04.152-05:00Week in the Life {Tuesday}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After looking through Monday's photos, I noticed that I took pictures that primarily captured my daily <i>routine. </i>I tried to make it a point today to take photos of some of the regular "stuff" that is either common sights around our home or are of particular significance right now. Therefore, you'll notice several pictures of "things", as I took a few minutes to walk through the house to simply see the stuff that struck me as important. <i> </i></div>
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Again, no words in this post. I may add them later as at the end of each day I'm recording on paper my general observations and reflections.</div>
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So here's Day 2 of Week in the Life, from beginning to end.</div>
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-55350706949920951982013-09-10T15:08:00.000-05:002013-09-10T20:06:12.670-05:00Week in the Life {Monday}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This project will definitely be one that comes from my perspective. I'm doing the photo taking and documenting and so what will be recorded will be this family's life as I see it and experience it.</div>
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Reed is very much a part of my minute-to-minute everyday experience, so the pictures from yesterday are very Reed-heavy. And it was <a href="http://www.thevanderwaals.blogspot.com/2013/09/his-first-first-day.html">his *big* day</a> so lots of documenting going on there.</div>
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I will share a lot of photos here, primarily because publishing here may end up being the end result of this entire project. However, I don't plan on including too many words in these posts simply to expedite a bit of the time it takes to upload/edit/publish to the blog. Consider this more of a visual look inside my day instead of an essay.</div>
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These photos are in order from the morning until bedtime.</div>
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-4628450772082074642013-09-09T23:59:00.000-05:002013-09-10T20:09:58.088-05:00Week in the LifeFor those of you deeply immersed in the scrapbooking world, you are familiar with <a href="http://aliedwards.com/">Ali Edwards</a>. I have been following her blog/projects/products for a few years now and never cease to be inspired. I am especially drawn to her emphasis on documenting our stories with photos and words.<br />
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One such project that she hosts annually on her blog is called <a href="http://aliedwards.com/a-week-in-the-life">Week in the Life</a>. Here's what Ali writes:<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #686859; font-family: Georgia, 'Adobe Garamond', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">A seven-day documentary project,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #686859; font-family: Georgia, 'Adobe Garamond', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #686859; font-family: Georgia, 'Adobe Garamond', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Week In The Life</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #686859; font-family: Georgia, 'Adobe Garamond', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #686859; font-family: Georgia, 'Adobe Garamond', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">is an annual opportunity to capture the simple everyday details of your life with photos and words. The albums I’ve created...are some of my most treasured in that they are wonderfully true representations of my family’s life at a particular point in time. From the mundane to the profound, it’s those simple little everyday moments that I treasure most.</span></i><br />
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For several years, I have been a sideline observer of this project. I have not felt especially moved or motivated to tackle such a project - which is kind of odd to say because "working on projects" is how I go about my creative life. I have a lot started, always starting more, eventually finishing, making lists of those that I'd like to do, etc. I have always loved Ali's approach, her photos, her inspiration...but have never felt the particular urge to participate.<br />
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Until now.<br />
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Because who doesn't need another project whilst adjusting to both boys back in school, the launch of fall programming at church, and preparing for a baby??? :)<br />
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Here's the thing: <i>this doesn't feel like just another project. </i>Motivated by the impending arrival of Baby #3 really makes me want to document the here and now. Because soon, the here and now is going to change, and life is going to look vastly different after this sweet bundle is born. The here and now is going to be a piece of the past, but a part of the past that is an important part of our story. So I don't want it to be forgotten.<br />
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So before this, *today*, is over and done, and before our life as we've grown to know and love it over the past several years is going to alter <i>for the better</i>... I want to remember. <br />
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I want to remember our days. Our routine. Our habits. Our stuff and experiences. The normalcy of <i>these days</i> that so defines who we are <i>right now</i>.<br />
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For those that have read my blog for a while, you are familiar with <a href="http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/what-is-project-life.php">Project Life</a>. While I haven't been able to share photos here as regularly as I would like, I am keeping up with documenting my family's life using the Project Life approach/products. Unlike previous years, though, this year has evolved into a much more relaxed approach. I still take photos. I still plan pages and put together the album and I am still loving how it all comes together to really showcase our family and our story. But I am finding that, with a much more laid-back approach, there are not specific details about the here and now. And that is how Week in the Life will be different.<br />
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Week in the Life will involve intense photo taking and writing. But more than that, it will involve intentional thoughts about my day and everything that it includes. <br />
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These will be the things that mean something to me, and to us. So while I'll be sharing my daily photos here on the blog, you may not "get it." You're not necessarily supposed to. ;) My hope for this project is primarily self-reflective...I hope to see more clearly how I am spending my time, my day, my life; what needs to be removed, what is lacking, what I need to add or change in order to do better, live better, be better. I hope to capture this week in our life as a means to remember but also as a means to improve.<br />
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How it will all come together, project-wise, in the end, remains to be seen. As a scrapbooker, I'm inclined to create an album to include both the photos and the words from this week. Realistically speaking, however, I know the time commitment required for that, and being as I'm already playing the catch-up game with several other projects, another scrappy album might not be the way to go. Perhaps I'll go digital, or maybe just include a larger segment in our Project Life album. Or maybe just leave it up here on the ol' blog to publish in the yearly book and leave it at that. We'll see.<br />
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My goal is to post my daily photos the day after I take them. So Monday's pictures will be posted Tuesday, Tuesday's will be up on Wednesday, and on and on. So prepare to be inundated with several blog posts!<br />
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With no further ado, here's to Week in the Life!<br />
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{For those that are interested in Week in the Life, <a href="http://aliedwards.com/a-week-in-the-life">go visit Ali's blog</a>. She has tons of explanations, tools, and examples for your perusal.}<br />
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-63616533248076369052013-09-09T20:30:00.000-05:002013-09-09T20:30:39.863-05:00His First First DayAnother milestone made today...<br />
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Today was Reed's <i>very first</i> first day of school.</div>
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And it could not have gone any better.</div>
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I don't know if it was the preparations we put into the first day (lots of talking, planning, getting excited, going to open house, etc). I don't know if Reed was looking forward to finally being able to do something that his big brother gets to do. I don't know if it's just Reed's more courageous, secure, trusting self. </div>
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But he totally rocked his first day!</div>
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The biggest bummer of the day occurred first thing...Reed didn't wake on his own in time so I had to wake him up. He really is quite pleasant to rustle in the morning, but it's just the idea that the kiddo probably could've used a few more minutes of shut eye. Nevertheless, he was fairly chipper and smiled when I reminded him what day it was.</div>
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Not to be outdone by his big brother, his special "Happy First Day of School!" breakfast was waiting for him at the table. </div>
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Seriously. This mood lasted all morning.</div>
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Reed attends preschool three mornings a week, and so on those days he will have to ride along as I drop off Drew before taking him to his school. We had a few minutes to spare before needing to leave, so we snuck in what will be his first of many traditional first day of school photos.</div>
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He was thrilled. He took himself to the steps, plopped down his school bucket, stood still, and smiled. Totally thrilled that <i>this</i> was <i>his</i> day!</div>
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Our home, Drew's school and Reed's school are all relatively close to one another, so it didn't take Reed and I long to arrive at the front doors of his school after dropping off Drew. I told him we were early and that we could just sit in the van for a few minutes before heading in...and he said no. "Let's go inside and wait!"<br />
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Excited much???<br />
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Okay, kiddo. Let's go inside!<br />
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One last posed photo before entering.</div>
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Reed found his coat hook... </div>
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...and his nametag before we sat down and waited for his classroom door to open.</div>
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I truly had not been worried at all about any kind of emotional breakdown on Reed's part. He's usually pretty sure of things and can exhibit a carefree attitude (when he wants to), and there were no signs leading up to today to suggest that he would have a difficult time separating from me. And even if he did, Drew has kind of broken me in in that department, I was at least confident in the fact that both of us would make it through to the other side.</div>
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But as we sat there, and Reed was observing all the other kids coming in with their parents, I wondered if maybe he was getting a bit nervous. He was quiet and contemplative and not at all interested in the questions I was asking him. And I wondered if I was in for a surprise emotional attack...</div>
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When the door opened to his room, and the children began to file in, I asked him if I could walk him to the door. It seemed as though he wavered just a bit before saying "ok." I hugged him good-bye, gave him a big kiss, told him I love him and to have a great morning, and his big blue eyes were fixated on all that was going on around him. I said "Go ahead. Follow your friends. I'll see you soon." He turned for one last look, I waved, and down the little hallway his little tooshie shimmied until he rounded the corner and I couldn't see him anymore. </div>
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And just like that. Bam. Off to school his goes.</div>
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And I didn't have to cry <i>once</i>!</div>
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When I picked him up just before lunch, he had soooo much to tell me! Everything he played with, the books his teacher read, the project he worked on... and when he learned it would be two days before he would go to school again, he appeared to be a bit bummed.</div>
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For his special first day of school treat, he chose the PlayPlace at McDonald's. <i>Of course he did. </i></div>
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We ate dinner at home, but treated everyone to ice cream at McD's before spending just a bit of time in the PlayPlace.</div>
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Thus marks the beginning of the beginning for my little big man.</div>
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He's off on his own, finally able to do his own thing, away from Mom.</div>
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Something special and unique just for him.</div>
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It was only 2.5 hours.</div>
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But I missed him.</div>
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Yep. I did.</div>
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-24295207866928247922013-09-04T20:10:00.002-05:002013-09-04T20:10:40.965-05:00The First Day of First Grade<br />
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So yesterday was the day. This guy was off to first grade. And I was left feeling like "we have arrived."<br />
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Kindergarten was a big deal, don't get me wrong. We <i>all</i> loved kindergarten. I can go on and on and on about how much Drew grew and how much he learned and all <i>really good and important</i> stuff.<br />
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But... <i style="font-weight: bold;">First. Grade. </i>I mean, come on. It's like the big leagues. <i>(And all the sudden I'm feeling like I said this exact same thing last year...hmmm...)</i><br />
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Well, then...I have a hunch I'll be saying this every year! This fall just feels especially significant, for some reason. Look at him! He's growing up! Which, honestly, I'm really only about 10% sad about. I'm at a point where I am so looking forward to seeing him continue to grow that I'm no longer saddened that he isn't a baby anymore. Despite the challenges we've had at this particular age, we are <i>so incredibly proud</i> of this kiddo. And I cannot wait to see what this year will bring! <br />
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{Gracious. What'll I feel like when we really hit the big leagues!?!? You know, like <i>second grade</i>?!?!}<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oU17EFsxKrI/UifQF_mu9dI/AAAAAAAAB28/Rr3BDkSBnug/s1600/school2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oU17EFsxKrI/UifQF_mu9dI/AAAAAAAAB28/Rr3BDkSBnug/s400/school2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A971NjfJDjA/UifQHCeIdRI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/zF03-X3Qdio/s1600/school3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A971NjfJDjA/UifQHCeIdRI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/zF03-X3Qdio/s400/school3.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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I had taken Drew to school on Thursday of last week, to meet his teacher, Miss Cooper, and to see his new classroom. He's right across the hall from his kindergarten classroom (his school is really rather small) so everything is familiar. There are 16 students in his class, which is a *huge* difference compared to the 28 in his class last year! It's only Day 2 and it already feels more calm and peaceful in his room! As a parent, I am so thankful for that!<br />
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So yesterday when he woke up, I had what will be our traditional "Happy First Day of School" special breakfast waiting for him at the table.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuwj79yYKi0/UifVHKs4RSI/AAAAAAAAB30/4crHKM8ngo0/s1600/DSC_0670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuwj79yYKi0/UifVHKs4RSI/AAAAAAAAB30/4crHKM8ngo0/s400/DSC_0670.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLkFQPILpPY/UifVHT_Q0uI/AAAAAAAAB34/hVKsOZYEcfk/s1600/DSC_0669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLkFQPILpPY/UifVHT_Q0uI/AAAAAAAAB34/hVKsOZYEcfk/s400/DSC_0669.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thankfully, he wasn't just excited about the cinnamon rolls, but he was genuinely looking forward to going to school! What a difference a year makes! I packed up his lunch, he got dressed, brushed and combed, and we headed out.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqiU62TlF-s/UifQI6s1uKI/AAAAAAAAB3c/h_-jUv_B85A/s1600/school4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqiU62TlF-s/UifQI6s1uKI/AAAAAAAAB3c/h_-jUv_B85A/s400/school4.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Seriously, how far this kiddo has come the last year. Was he nervous? Yep. Was he a bit unsure? Yep. He thrives on routine, so after a few more days, when he knows what to expect and when to expect it, he'll be even more comfortable. He hangs pretty close to me, but check him out, walking confidently into school yesterday! We were the first to enter the classroom, so Drew found his nametag and his seat, and we waited as the other kids filtered in.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjXz9utpusQ/UifQJMKjBII/AAAAAAAAB3g/hPTvtSAocOk/s1600/school5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjXz9utpusQ/UifQJMKjBII/AAAAAAAAB3g/hPTvtSAocOk/s400/school5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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When the second bell rang, I told him it was time for me to go. He said, "Ok. Bye, Mom."<br />
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I love that it was that easy... <i>I do</i> ...and while I didn't want him to be all clingy and desperate and make it difficult for me to leave...I wanted a few more words than just "bye, Mom"!! So I gave him a hug, said I loved him and to have a great day. And I left with this guy <i>really</i> ready to begin first grade.<br />
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And just for fun, check this out...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cD6UwqPSDk8/UifQGJOSGTI/AAAAAAAAB3I/gnySZmY6qTA/s1600/firstdaysofschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cD6UwqPSDk8/UifQGJOSGTI/AAAAAAAAB3I/gnySZmY6qTA/s640/firstdaysofschool.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first day of school the past four years.</div>
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Go ahead an oogle for a while.</div>
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Because I can't stop.</div>
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:)</div>
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lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-20614525722537765182013-09-02T20:20:00.000-05:002013-09-02T20:20:44.311-05:00Goodbye Summer, Hello SchoolI love my children.<br />
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I love them with that unconditional, fierce, deep-down-to-the-soul kind of Mama love.<br />
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The kind that loves them so much, I will fight the world for them.<br />
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The kind that loves them so much, I will stand up for them, comfort them, cheer for them, encourage them, correct them, kiss them, and never forget to tell them how much I love them.<br />
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And the kind that loves them so much, I will <b>joyfully</b> send them back to school tomorrow.<br />
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I say that to you with a bit of trepidation...because of the way it sounds. I shared with a few friends last weekend that I <i>really don't</i> want to be the mom that <i>rejoice</i>s when her kids go back to school. I've always loved school, and I love school for them, but I really wanted to have those feelings of at least a little bit of sadness at being apart from them all day long. You know, like I felt <a href="http://www.thevanderwaals.blogspot.com/2012/08/six-more-days.html">last year</a>.<br />
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<i>Well... </i><br />
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I feel it only fair to be honest with you, myself, and my children....<br />
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<i>Mama needs a break!</i><br />
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All in all, this summer has been great. Although it seemed as though there was plenty on the schedule, it really was relaxed and playful and sunshiny. We had many good days. We had a couple big handfuls of great days. But oh boy. The not-so-good and downright horrible days that were sprinkled in there...just enough for me to really see how much value there is, <i>for both the boys and myself</i>, to spend quality time <i>apart</i> from each other.<br />
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Tomorrow, Drew begins first grade.<br />
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Next Monday, Reed begins his own exciting new adventure, heading off to preschool for the first time.<br />
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Drew is ready. He met his teacher, knows which friends from last year are in his class this year, and has seen his new classroom. He went to bed tonight with no negative words about having to go back to school, and he's especially excited for his little brother to begin school, too.<br />
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Reed seems ready, although we'll see how next Monday goes for him...and for me! As much as <i>it's time</i> for him to take off on this new adventure, I am sure his first day of school will very much resemble <a href="http://www.thevanderwaals.blogspot.com/2010/09/hobby-horse.html">Drew's first day three years ago</a> (maybe with a few less tears from him, but most likely with just as many from me! The significance of the occasion will get to me, no doubt...) <br />
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And, when I really sit down and feel beyond my own mixed up emotional jumble of relief and anxiety and joy and neediness... I am ready, too.<br />
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Ready to hug them goodbye as they go about their days. <br />
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And ready to hug them hello, with a plate full of warm chocolate chip cookies, when they return.<br />
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<br />lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9122794804456615712.post-18596086458675882742013-08-31T14:48:00.000-05:002013-08-31T14:53:35.991-05:00Scenes from the Ballpark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the things we were unable to do this summer was take a vacation, just the four of us. We traveled a few places (seems as though the boys traveled more than we did!) but none of those destinations was for the purpose of a fun family time, just us. And can I be honest? I'm really bummed about it. I had a couple different ideas at the beginning of the summer but nothing came to fruition, primarily due to other summer obligations/schedules. </div>
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With time seeping away from us, and a schedule that wasn't letting up, we had to make do with what we had. One item that we had yet to cross off our <a href="http://www.thevanderwaals.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-summer-list-2013-edition.html">Summer List</a> was attending a baseball game, and seeing that the Twins would be playing in Detroit for a three-game series, we pulled off something that looked a little bit like a super-short family getaway. Not a vacation. Not always "fun." But it's something, and at this point in the summer, we'll take it!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grEo8fCU8pQ/UiI59ExvJfI/AAAAAAAABzk/pWYRWpovbAY/s1600/2013-08-22+14.53.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grEo8fCU8pQ/UiI59ExvJfI/AAAAAAAABzk/pWYRWpovbAY/s400/2013-08-22+14.53.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We traveled into Detroit last Thursday (the 22nd) morning, heading for the 1:00 game at Comerica Park. It was exciting for a couple different reasons: 1) our first visit to this ballpark and 2) the boys' first major league baseball game. A bummer we couldn't make it happen when we lived in Minnesota, but at least we saw the Twins!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByKft4l7DSI/UiI59aFmZbI/AAAAAAAABzo/A_2s1SgWGNs/s1600/2013-08-22+14.43.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByKft4l7DSI/UiI59aFmZbI/AAAAAAAABzo/A_2s1SgWGNs/s400/2013-08-22+14.43.32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And that's about where the excitement ended. Let's just say this trip wasn't our brightest, shiniest moment as parents, or as a family. We met up with some circumstances beyond our control that proved to be frustrating for everyone, but we also learned a handful of lessons whilst {some of us} were crying our eyes out.<br />
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1) When traveling to Detroit for a ball game, plan on arriving downtown at least two hours prior to game time, just to battle traffic and find parking. The hour that you have currently allotted yourself will not be adequate. {Yep, we drove around downtown in both Tiger AND Lions traffic (might be smart to check the football schedule as Ford Field is directly across the street from Comerica Park) for over an hour trying to find a parking spot, eventually finding one approximately 10 blocks away that resulted in us missing the first 1 1/2 innings of the ball game.}<br />
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2) Sitting in the non-shaded outfield seats for an afternoon game on an 85 degree day is NOT SMART. The children are hot, especially after having walked from the car, Mama is hot, Daddy is sweating...and we all know how we get when we're hot! Expect whining. From everyone.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wEC0PJySI0w/UiI59f252eI/AAAAAAAABzs/BAl2983776k/s1600/2013-08-22+14.45.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wEC0PJySI0w/UiI59f252eI/AAAAAAAABzs/BAl2983776k/s400/2013-08-22+14.45.45.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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3) In order to try to beat the heat, go ahead and cough up the cash to purchase ice cold beverages and treats. However, an ICEE may not be the way to go. Children who are unable to manage the movement of the straw while slurping is going to cause even greater distress. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFq-fgs-usE/UiI59xP0GWI/AAAAAAAABz0/wjWU3Dz-3so/s1600/2013-08-22+14.56.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFq-fgs-usE/UiI59xP0GWI/AAAAAAAABz0/wjWU3Dz-3so/s400/2013-08-22+14.56.02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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4) Rooting for the opposing team is awkward. But cheer loud anyway, dang it!</div>
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So, as you can see... it was a rough afternoon... so long as we could get the boys to sit still, they managed okay at times, but Drew made it very clear that he hated baseball and he was never coming back. At some point in the latter half of the game, we handed our phones over to the boys to take pictures. WHY we did not think of this sooner, I do not know, because it provided at least a few minutes of distraction, and dare I say, JOY.</div>
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It's a hoot to see things through their eyes. Here, have a look. (Pictures taken by both boys.)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87XP8AIA8RA/UiI5-LTDOPI/AAAAAAAABz8/BmitciyBfmo/s1600/2013-08-22+14.59.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87XP8AIA8RA/UiI5-LTDOPI/AAAAAAAABz8/BmitciyBfmo/s400/2013-08-22+14.59.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-srvomG2i_rU/UiI5-qroHuI/AAAAAAAAB0M/HAsE952TtBc/s1600/2013-08-22+15.00.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-srvomG2i_rU/UiI5-qroHuI/AAAAAAAAB0M/HAsE952TtBc/s400/2013-08-22+15.00.37.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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{Hey look, another Twins fan!}</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CAUNDd57qno/UiI5-0TWnaI/AAAAAAAAB0U/zDfPvVjwUIY/s1600/2013-08-22+15.00.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CAUNDd57qno/UiI5-0TWnaI/AAAAAAAAB0U/zDfPvVjwUIY/s400/2013-08-22+15.00.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJfCTBa5AQI/UiI5_154nCI/AAAAAAAAB0c/5ptKRal5_Sk/s1600/2013-08-22+15.04.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yJfCTBa5AQI/UiI5_154nCI/AAAAAAAAB0c/5ptKRal5_Sk/s400/2013-08-22+15.04.49.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofygyzymvM0/UiI6BAJ33AI/AAAAAAAAB04/BNfAcES3zuQ/s1600/2013-08-22+15.09.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofygyzymvM0/UiI6BAJ33AI/AAAAAAAAB04/BNfAcES3zuQ/s400/2013-08-22+15.09.14.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFplx6gVPQk/UiI6B9R9qOI/AAAAAAAAB1E/MRSOvrxkrRw/s1600/2013-08-22+15.10.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFplx6gVPQk/UiI6B9R9qOI/AAAAAAAAB1E/MRSOvrxkrRw/s400/2013-08-22+15.10.07.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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{And another one!}</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNrXmX5ubNA/UiI6CBNujGI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/cG7davyHkOo/s1600/2013-08-22+15.12.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNrXmX5ubNA/UiI6CBNujGI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/cG7davyHkOo/s400/2013-08-22+15.12.17.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DB47M4Cpdz8/UiI6QBx9R7I/AAAAAAAAB1c/G2YNyODo6Uk/s1600/2013-08-22+14.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DB47M4Cpdz8/UiI6QBx9R7I/AAAAAAAAB1c/G2YNyODo6Uk/s400/2013-08-22+14.59.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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The afternoon wasn't a total loss. The Twins won (whoop!), we were filmed for Minnesota TV (although it doesn't sound like our footage was aired, at least not during the game), and the people that were sitting around us tolerated our moods and our opposing cheers.</div>
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When we had purchased our game tickets, we decided to also reserve a room at a hotel to spend the night. I wasn't going to get a long weekend vacation or a weeklong vacation this summer, but I'll take at least one night away! And kudos to my travel agent (Brad!) for finding this place! A family friendly hotel with not just a pool, but a waterpark inside!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYmNgNqco10/UiJEwn37bLI/AAAAAAAAB1w/XWqvVUoYFKM/s1600/2013-08-22+19.07.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYmNgNqco10/UiJEwn37bLI/AAAAAAAAB1w/XWqvVUoYFKM/s400/2013-08-22+19.07.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The day ended a LOT better than how it began! The boys swam until the pool closed (at 9:00) then we headed to bed. </div>
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There was only one thing on the agenda for Friday:</div>
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And this made Mama very, VERY happy. I have been wanting to make a shopping trip here since we moved, and I was so excited to finally be able to purchase a few things for the house. And would you believe it???....the boys were in a waaaaayyyyyy better mood to be shopping than to be watching baseball! The boys did great (all three of them!) and were rewarded with ice cream cones after sticking with me for two hours of looking and deciding and buying.</div>
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Our overnight wasn't a total loss, as difficult as our time at the ballpark was. These overnight trips certainly are a lot easier to pack for and are a lot easier to manage with a lot on our schedule. Despite how it began, it ended with gratefulness (at least for me!) that we even are able to do this much. </div>
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That said, plans for next summer are already being discussed!</div>
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lesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16183938059080289144noreply@blogger.com0