tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11590388264111680602024-03-12T20:23:16.489-05:00A Work in Progress"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-21242046380645663502012-09-02T11:54:00.001-05:002012-09-02T12:08:19.659-05:00OverdueThere's something psychological about a due date that makes you feel, once it's come and gone, that you're in a straight jacket. <br />
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Of course that is unless you're one of *those* moms who feel great during pregnancy. One of those moms who "glowed." Well...not I. Though I certainly wish that was the case. I'm fully aware of the wonderful miracle that is taking place and the brand new human who will be here (not) soon (enough). But he needs to be miracling in his bassinet now, not my belly. I'm ready for that transition. <br />
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As it is I wake up feeling like I spent the night being beaten up. My back is a joke - my ability to stand upright is progressively declining. My ability to smile it away when people ask how I'm doing -- oh and the "are you still pregnant!?" and "are you sure it's just one?!" -- is rapidly disappearing. <br />
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Proceed at your own risk. <br />
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Swelling: check (ever-present, no reprieve)<br />
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Numbness/carpel tunnel: check (though wearing the splint at night helps the pain)<br />
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Sleep: fitful, restless. And when I wake up, pure suffering for a few hours as I reacquaint myself with being awake. <br />
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Breathing: shallow at best. <br />
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Attitude: getting worse by the day. <br />
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Hospital bags: packed a month ago. <br />
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Baby's room: ready for baby!!<br />
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Photo: me at 40 weeks, 08.31.12<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6icu5ZNMg7Q/UEOPOc3GOeI/AAAAAAAABKQ/2YAI3StNQFY/s640/blogger-image--841124946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6icu5ZNMg7Q/UEOPOc3GOeI/AAAAAAAABKQ/2YAI3StNQFY/s640/blogger-image--841124946.jpg" /></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-69611316098612429582012-08-23T15:25:00.004-05:002012-08-23T15:25:54.524-05:00Just Around the Corner<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">About a week from now, we'll have our baby here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I went to the doctor for my weekly appointment this Tuesday and he said if we don't have a baby by my next appointment (Wednesday, 8/29) then we'll discuss inducing. Which we'll likely schedule for our due date, Friday, August 31st.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">38 weeks [08.17.12]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So I imagine I'll be spending Labor Day weekend in the hospital for a couple days with a brand new little boy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm trying to go into the entire process - labor and delivery, parenthood - as open and blank as possible. So many people are so very eager to toss their 2 coins into the fountain of advice surrounding all new parents. A fountain we most definitely did not build and did not ask to be filled with 2 cents after 2 cents worth of advice that perhaps worked for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">There is so much information that is in conflict with a majority of the other sources of information out there that I would rather just have a basic understanding of what I've gotten myself into and then do it the way that works for me and for Kevin. I promise, we've done 99% of the grown up, adult stuff of life for the last 7 years entirely on our own. I'm sure we'll manage.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Dinner with Kevin, full term/37 weeks. [08.10.12]</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">At the same time there is still a feeling of weightlessness as we dive slowly into the unknown territory of parenthood. No matter how many people think they are helping with their tips and tricks, we are still the ones who will be living the new reality of a tiny, new boy in our house who needs us for everything. And he is not your boy. You are not me. Our circumstance will be entirely different from all the new babies out there. It will be specific to us. There will always be an element of 'winging it'.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PW90IKv2Bv0/UDaRh94ekfI/AAAAAAAABJY/xUokaDXyC-o/s1600/8_flannelblanket.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PW90IKv2Bv0/UDaRh94ekfI/AAAAAAAABJY/xUokaDXyC-o/s320/8_flannelblanket.jpeg" width="238" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty flannel blanket from Grandma H.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Everything is as ready as it can be. I want to vacuum (again); finish the laundry (it's never finished!), wash some more dishes. The dog needs a bath and the guest room needs to be organized. I picture myself living in dusty, un-vacuumed squalor the first weeks of his life feeling, not only the weight of managing a new life but doing so with crumbs of cat litter underfoot, unwashed dishes in the sink. What an unpleasant thought!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But I know I have a handful of people who are genuinely willing to help. They don't proffer advice like a vending machine, like a broken record. They actually care about me and Kevin and our little boy. Those are the very select few people who will be a relief to have around as needed. To make a meal or wash a dish. Or sweep up cat litter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">For now we just wait! To see when this guy decides to come. Whether he comes this week or we induce, Kevin and I will have our little boy here by August 31st. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Eight. Days. Left.</span>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-21319848677474016282012-08-12T11:00:00.001-05:002012-08-13T15:19:27.174-05:00This is what full term feels like...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This past Friday I was a full 37 weeks. Full term and due in just a few more weeks. Though he could come at any time! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here's how I've been feeling lately...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Sleep</strong>: spotty. When I do sleep its heavy and I wake up with aches and pains everywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Carpel tunnel</strong>: worse than ever. I have inflammation in my hands that makes my fingers arthritis-stuff and painful in the mornings. I'm wearing a wrist brace on my right wrist to help keep the shooting pains at bay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Feet (and ankles and legs)</strong>: the swelling is never going away. I'm convinced. For a while it was bad all day everyday, even straight out of bed. The last couple of days it seems like the swelling is better when I wake up but by the end of the day it's back: elephant legs. :/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Back</strong>: my back pain has gone from mild and irksome to intense and inescapable. Now concentrated in my lower back, I can't sit or stand or bend or turn without it hurting. If I sit "too long", it hurts. If I walk around "too long", it hurts. My pelvis and lower back are in constant pain. UGH.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Baby</strong>: baby boy is still moving a lot and excels at restricting my lung capacity. His little feet are stationed under my ribs on the right side, his bottom in the middle of my belly and his head, straight down in my pelvis. When he hiccups my whole belly shakes like a big bowl of jell-o. And when he kicks, sometimes it tickles and sometimes it really hurts, depending on where exactly his feet are in relation to my ribs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Gracefulness</strong>: out the window a long time ago. Getting out of bed means rolling over slowly (so as not to set off the almost cripling sharp lower-abdominal pain) and then pushing myself into a sitting position and then standing...on achy feet. The soles of my feet have a funny sensation whenever they touch the floor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Wedding ring</strong>: haven't been able to wear it in about 6 weeks. I thought about going Frodo and wearing it on a chain but I just haven't gotten around to it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In brighter news....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Baby (health)</strong>: the baby is doing great. He's been head down for at least 3 weeks now and at this point the Dr said its unlikely he'll turn. His heart rate is lovely and strong. And apparently he could be quite large. I'm going to see if we can get a birth weight estimate at my next appointment. I know it depends on when he decides to show up but ... Just an idea of what I'm facing would be great. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Nursery</strong>: his room is done. It needs stuff on the walls and it needs a changing pad. But it's done enough for me. And it's the nicest room in the house. And comfortable. And quiet. And pretty. I'm pleased. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Pretty new flannel blanket from Grandma H:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Little basket of toys and stuffed animals:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Hospital bags</strong>: packed last week. Mine and baby's. Though that reminds me, Kevin may need one, too. Though I want him to go home - if he wants - so he can get some sleep in our bed and not a hospital room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Hospital tour</strong>: done. We know where to go and what to do if we go into labor anytime day or night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Stroller</strong>: purchased! We spent a long evening with an awesome BuyBuyBaby employee last week and were schooled on all things stroller. The one I "knew" I wanted from my online research ended up not being the one I wanted after test driving. Which is why you should always try out a stroller in person before buying it. Always. So we talked about every stroller in the store, pushes around about 1/2 a dozen after narrowing down our choices and decided on the Baby Jogger City Mini. </span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ebm8CRtQ-jE/UCfTJDL_YFI/AAAAAAAABGg/GXal8gVpLZ8/s640/blogger-image-1684054689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ebm8CRtQ-jE/UCfTJDL_YFI/AAAAAAAABGg/GXal8gVpLZ8/s640/blogger-image-1684054689.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We like all the features. Kevin and I both felt comfortable pushing it (handle is not height-adjustable like some but was a comfortable height for us and padded) and loved the compact turning radius. With the 3-wheel design it is so easy to navigate. Plus the easy one-handle fold was enough to woo us: you just lift a handle in the seat and the stroller folds in on itself. It makes a nice flat fold to fit in the car easily. Its reclines nearly flat for newborns or sleepy 2 year olds and has a 50 pound capacity. The sun canopy is crazy huge with like 4 different settings and 2 windows so you can check on baby easily. We got the Chicco car seat adaptor as well and easily snapped it onto the stroller. Even with the added weight it's still a breeze to get around. Can't wait for Bebe to give it a try. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Stretch marks</strong>: none. Been moisturizing like mad (Nivea is awesome!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Baby shower news</strong>: My sweet co-workers threw me a surprise baby shower last week. I walked in to what I thought was a business lunch and found instead a baby shower: decorations, huge cake, catered lunch, gifts. What a surprise!! We had such a lovely time. I was so overwhelmed at first ... Such a sweet gesture. My guys were in in it too and had gotten gifts even though they weren't there to have lunch with us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Jennifer's baby shower on the 4th was a hit. The food and cake were ridiculous. We had a great turn out and everyone enjoyed themselves. Just an awesome afternoon overall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Next weekend we have a barbecue shower at my parents' house and then we are done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I certainly hadn't planned on 4 baby showers but am so honored that people want to host these events for Kevin and me and Little Man. I've certainly enjoyed the experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Jennifer and me at her fabulous shower:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Me and the cake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Erika and me at the shower:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Surprise baby shower at the office!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Meredith's baby shower at Chocolate Angel, July:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Va5Dfad5mIY/UClgg6oCasI/AAAAAAAABH8/P7nD7dP9CKQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Va5Dfad5mIY/UClgg6oCasI/AAAAAAAABH8/P7nD7dP9CKQ/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-10027223385735138012012-07-26T23:39:00.001-05:002012-07-27T09:24:24.958-05:0035 weeks. 35 days to go.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today marks the completion of my 35th week and the last 35 days of my pregnancy. The first several months went so slowly; I think I judged my progress on whether or not - or how much - I was showing. Once I started showing - around 4 months I think? - it started going faster. It's just a physical way to assess the progress I suppose and makes it feel like its going by faster? The last couple months in particular have flown. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I've felt so huge and clumsy, tired and achy and crampy. But I've been excited and happy about the "big day" getting closer and closer. It's been something of a roller coaster, emotionally. From day to day I am thrilled (yay! My own sweet little boy to take care of!) and then scared shitless (I'm going to be a mom! What was I thinking?!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It's a good thing there are 9 months to get ready. All the back and forth has finally stabilized and I feel ready. I'm confident and happy and almost completely ready for a new little human to live in my house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">He has a beautiful bedroom waiting for him and a pretty bed and comfy clothes and lots of love. I know it won't always be pretty and I know there will be days and weeks of madness and chaos and freaking out. But I'm ready for him to be here and join out little family. I'm excited to see what he looks like and to figure out his personality and temperament and his likes and dislikes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It's just hard to believe that we have a month to go before we are "officially" parents. It seems like yesterday was December 22nd and I stepped out of a late-night shower to see "pregnant" on that test. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">He'll be joining our little family before we know it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Can't wait to meet my little guy!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Not sure how the pets will act but ... they better behave with a new baby in the house! ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... We might be a different story. Behaving: sometimes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WBDdnllFE3A/UBIbe_DgdnI/AAAAAAAABFc/F3G_xKYxqMk/s640/blogger-image-109105988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WBDdnllFE3A/UBIbe_DgdnI/AAAAAAAABFc/F3G_xKYxqMk/s640/blogger-image-109105988.jpg" /></span></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-87878375896496315022012-07-21T20:35:00.001-05:002012-07-27T09:13:07.615-05:00Baby's room is almost done<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Just wanted to post a few photos of some of the lovely things baby got for his room recently. It's really starting to come together!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the triangle quilt from Anne</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the fish and pebbles crib bedding set from my parents</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the navy fish mobile from Astrid</span></div>
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</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-20249542988323241712012-07-13T14:19:00.003-05:002012-07-13T14:19:43.826-05:00A New Chair for Baby<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">On Wednesday evening I got a call from Daryl at R + L Carriers asking me to call back and reference such-and-such PRO #. I hadn't been expecting any large items shipped via freight carrier so I thought he must have the wrong number. I quickly looked up the pro # on their website but didn't find any info about the shipper or the contents of the container.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">As soon as I left work I called him back and found out: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>It was our new glider!! For Baby's room!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I was so so excited! The last large piece of furniture needed to complete his room was on its way to my house at that moment! We worked out the logistics for delivery the next morning. When I got home from work I asked Kevin if the chair had arrived. He said "What chair?" ... I was not surprised by this since he loves to tease, so I went into the baby's room and there it sat. =) He easily installed the back of the chair onto the base, since it had shipped in two pieces. We rearranged the room so we could place the chair where we thought would be best and ... now the room is done! I could not be more excited!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I had to check the registry to see who gifted us this awesome chair since there wasn't any reference on the package - my sweet friend Jennifer was the gifter; I sent her a picture of the chair in the new room right away so she could see how great it looks. What a sweet and generous gift.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Now all we need is a little bit of artwork, a couple wood shelves and to hang the new quilt and curtains. I'm just so pleased to have all the big stuff out of the way - what a huge relief!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here's the room in its new layout with the new chair and its pretty chevron pillow. =) (ignore the tools and junk on the dresser!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJk4QygBg9g/UABz2AuU_6I/AAAAAAAABDo/n9W_I9b3Q8U/s1600/babysroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJk4QygBg9g/UABz2AuU_6I/AAAAAAAABDo/n9W_I9b3Q8U/s400/babysroom1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-30796111757841185322012-07-12T11:00:00.000-05:002012-07-12T11:00:24.857-05:00Baby's First Quilt!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have posted previously about the <a href="http://nataliemack.blogspot.com/2012/06/good-friends.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">small quilts</span></a><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> my neighbor made for the baby - small, "tummy time" quilts, also great for going out, in the car, picnicing, travel. She made them in bright rainbow colors with pretty backing and trim.</span> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWoi0ruA7jI/T_7zqmOEdbI/AAAAAAAABCs/Gyy1KqIwRb4/s1600/quilt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWoi0ruA7jI/T_7zqmOEdbI/AAAAAAAABCs/Gyy1KqIwRb4/s200/quilt6.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUjNvEzySTg/T_7zrzYvScI/AAAAAAAABC0/sxFjZpdVmFs/s1600/quilt7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUjNvEzySTg/T_7zrzYvScI/AAAAAAAABC0/sxFjZpdVmFs/s200/quilt7.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have always liked very colorful things and wanted a full spectrum of color for the Baby and his room so these little quilts are perfect. Kevin put them on the crib after we got it set up; here is a photo of one of them:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5jctVkxEmY/T_7wHSQv0sI/AAAAAAAABB8/4t-nqG7nR6k/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5jctVkxEmY/T_7wHSQv0sI/AAAAAAAABB8/4t-nqG7nR6k/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Well, she has finished the larger, wall-hanging quilt and came over last night to give it to us, along with his little pillow for the rocker/glider.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">She had shown us all the fabrics a few weeks ago and I loved the colors she chose. I had shown her a photo I found on <a href="http://pinterest.com/nataliemcmenamy/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> as my inspiration piece and she basically replicated it for me! It looks amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here is the inspiration quilt:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n_z7L48_-AQ/T_7y-yEHwPI/AAAAAAAABCk/0QqbCFS78pI/s1600/quilt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n_z7L48_-AQ/T_7y-yEHwPI/AAAAAAAABCk/0QqbCFS78pI/s320/quilt5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And MY quilt:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9OUsjfwHCs/T_7xyKsS-2I/AAAAAAAABCE/gd6ZnrR_pKQ/s1600/quilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9OUsjfwHCs/T_7xyKsS-2I/AAAAAAAABCE/gd6ZnrR_pKQ/s320/quilt1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The backing on the quilt and pillow are a very dark charcoal gray with a pebbled pattern:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And the front of the pillow is bright orange (!) and light gray chevrons:</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfEdIi8xVhc/T_7x3AOMB7I/AAAAAAAABCc/ngwxwR-NGF0/s1600/quilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfEdIi8xVhc/T_7x3AOMB7I/AAAAAAAABCc/ngwxwR-NGF0/s320/quilt4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Kind of awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Now I can hardly wait to get the chair so we can see how the pillow looks. And we'll have to figure out the final layout we want for the room so we know where to hang the quilt. *so impatient*</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-20071620804567106962012-07-11T22:33:00.001-05:002012-07-12T11:02:21.228-05:00DIY Project: Baby's New Room!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The last several weeks (months!) I've been working on <a href="http://nataliemack.blogspot.com/2012/06/third-trimester-so-soon.html" target="_blank">the baby's room</a>. I put together a "pin board" with a lot of inspirational and real life pieces that I envisioned for his new space. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The hardest part has been finding the right paint color. I wanted JUST the right color and didn't want to settle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I knew I wanted yellow. And I knew I wanted a bright, clear yellow, not a pastel, precious yellow. Almost neon really. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So the search began. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I would pick up a few paint swatches whenever we were out at Lowe's or Wal Mart. I narrowed it down to 4 favorites and then went to Lowe's to get samples mixed up. I had prepped the room for painting and then applied some primer to seal the old paint - mustardy tan/yellow and dark maroon. Then I painted big squares of the 4 samples onto a couple of the walls so I could see how they behaved in different lights. Then I waited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here's how the room looked when we first moved in - the red/maroon is on the left and right walls, and the yellow is on the window and entry walls. Very dark and enclosed...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We'd go into the room during the day, night, clouds, rain. I even went into the backyard and looked at the color from the outside! ;) I liked one of the swatches best so I painted over the other 3, enlarged the favorite remaining swatch and waited some more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Like I says, I didn't want to settle. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I finally decided I officially loved the color. We left for vacation over the 4th of July week, I still hadn't finished painting. So as soon as we got back I went to Lowe's and got a gallon of the color - Sparkling Yellow Shimmer - and finished the room in a weekend, walls trim and doors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm so pleased!! I love that it has a lot of cool green with the yellow, more grellow than yellow: like a tennis ball but toned down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My parents were nice enough to outfit baby's room with a majority of the large furniture items - dresser, nightstand, crib, rug and yet-to-be-hung curtains - and Kevin built them all for me last weekend once I was done with the painting. I was pretty worthless as an assistant since sitting on the floor, getting back up from the floor and lifting large pieces of furniture are kind of beyond my capacity right now, but I did try. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here are a few photos of the room progress and how it looks now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We still need the rocker/glider and the layout is tentative, but it looks so good! I'm really happy with it and am pleased with how my pin board came together so well in real life. :))</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Here is my orig</span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">inal pin board:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3oS3wazcqk/T_7cxQFM2QI/AAAAAAAABBU/Hg4KHzH5nYY/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="436" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3oS3wazcqk/T_7cxQFM2QI/AAAAAAAABBU/Hg4KHzH5nYY/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Priming the dark red beadboard paneling on this wall was a nightmare.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4y3wOa9aiw/T_7a5o8hKEI/AAAAAAAABBM/0-wiLlSVje8/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4y3wOa9aiw/T_7a5o8hKEI/AAAAAAAABBM/0-wiLlSVje8/s400/2.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The gallon of paint, ready for the walls!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQp-Agv-D7o/T_7ape5lhxI/AAAAAAAABAs/DoxFQhMiAIQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQp-Agv-D7o/T_7ape5lhxI/AAAAAAAABAs/DoxFQhMiAIQ/s400/4.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Finally done painting - walls, trim and doors - and almost done cleaning up.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8W3aRDsR5Zs/T_7arovKUGI/AAAAAAAABA0/663eYQTZ81A/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8W3aRDsR5Zs/T_7arovKUGI/AAAAAAAABA0/663eYQTZ81A/s400/5.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Cleaned up and read for furniture!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zB5bnL1PlXM/T_7asLe4v-I/AAAAAAAABA8/3OrYS_Z0k8A/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zB5bnL1PlXM/T_7asLe4v-I/AAAAAAAABA8/3OrYS_Z0k8A/s400/6.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Getting started on the dresser.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YO0zhP5NtPQ/T_7atB3UJ7I/AAAAAAAABBE/0buU_fiAr8E/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YO0zhP5NtPQ/T_7atB3UJ7I/AAAAAAAABBE/0buU_fiAr8E/s400/7.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Half way there...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The crib is done and looks amazing!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here is the room as it looks today, as complete as possible (the cat seems pleased ;). </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We still need to ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1. get the glider (brown leather), </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2. get the laundry hamper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">3. paint and hang the curtains </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(I'm going to use <a href="http://www.viewalongtheway.com/2011/09/a-striped-curtain-tutorial/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> and paint wide navy stripes onto some of these great, simple <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40111987/" target="_blank">curtains from IKEA</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">4. get some art for the walls</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But it looks beautiful to me, even incomplete. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We put in a lot of time and effort and the energy this room exudes now is so serene and happy and welcoming. I hope Baby likes it, too. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Next up: Baby's first <a href="http://nataliemack.blogspot.com/2012/06/good-friends.html" target="_blank">quilt</a>!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-57401704604936356252012-06-08T12:52:00.000-05:002012-06-08T12:52:28.310-05:00Third Trimester?? So soon?!?!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today marks my 28th week - 7th full month - of carrying around this little dragon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">He's been kicking and flailing what feels like non-stop for the last couple of weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It HURTS! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Maybe I'm just a weenie, but it's painful lately: SO MUCH pressure and SO MUCH tightness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have embraced the ever-so-graceful pregnant lady waddle 110% and when I get up from the couch or out of bed, my knees are the widest part of me, like a bowlegged cowboy. *Awesome*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am starting to feel like I'll have to get all new shoes since practically every pair is now very snug. I'm hoping that's just the swelling and my feet will go back to their normal 7.5-ness, but I've heard that some people's feet actually stay bigger post-pregnancy so ... who knows. I kind of like my shoes and really don't want to buy a whole new shoe wardrobe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Apparently <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>little man is about 2.25 pounds and 14 inches this week.</strong></span> He is approximately the size of a napa cabbage. Makes me hungry for cabbage salad with steak and sesame dressing and noodles and lime juice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">With only 84 days to go, I'm definitely starting to feel the crush of duties that are yet to be completed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Two showers are in the works. My nesting instict tells me <strong><span style="font-size: large;">these should have been done 5 months ago (along with having all baby's clothes washed and folded, nursery complete, hospital bag at the ready ... learning to sew)</span></strong> so I'm kind of (irrationally) uneasy about the timeline; but I really just need to chill out about that. The hosts are doing a wonderful job and they are giving me such a great gift by hosting these parties for me, I'm beyond honored. I just need to chill out and not be mom-zilla!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Speaking of showers, here are a few maxi dresses I've been eyeing. I've wanted to get some for a long time and I figured being pregnant (maxi dress = best piece of clothes you can own as a preggy!) and being another hot Texas summer AND having 2 parties coming up, I might as well get something cute to wear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Sources (l to r):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Dress: Old Navy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Handbag: Charming Charlie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Sunnies: Pinterest</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Scarf: Old Navy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Dress: Old Navy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Necklace: Forever21</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Handbag: Forever21</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Shoes: Tory Burch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Dress: Old Navy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Necklace: Forever21</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Handbag: Charming Charlie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: x-small;">Shoes: Old Navy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Baby's room is laughably under-prepared. Curtains, unhung (not even purchased yet, for that matter!). Walls, unpainted. We bought primer, supplies and 4 different paint swatches to try but we haven't done anything with them. I still have to make a trip to IKEA for like 1/2 the stuff that I need for his room. Really stressing me out. I've been "meaning to" get his room ready for weeks, MONTHS, but it's just sitting there collecting dust. I imagine that it looks like the nursery in my mind: complete and coordinated and clean and ready for a baby to live there. NOT EVEN CLOSE. *bites nails*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here is a little collage I put together of all the elements I'd like to incorporate in his room. The quilt is an inspiration piece I found on Pinterest that my <a href="http://nataliemack.blogspot.com/2012/06/good-friends.html" target="_blank">amazing quilting friend</a> is going to recreate for me. She said it won't be exactly the same, but close. She's also making a gray and bright orange </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">pillow for the glider (of course we don't have that yet either!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Dresser: IKEA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Storage Cubes: IKEA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Glider/Rocker/Recliner: Amazon.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Pillow: will be similar, handmade</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Side Table: IKEA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Mobile: Amazon.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Quilt: similar, handmade</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Crib: Amazon.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Curtains: IKEA, navy stripes will be DIY</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-14652695615739410292012-06-05T14:13:00.002-05:002012-06-05T14:13:54.342-05:00Maternity Leave Across the Globe - Prepare to have your mind BLOWN!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Oh I just HAD to share this gem!!</span></strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A Facebook friend just posted this and I am yet again awed at the staggering discrepancy between our own 'great' nation and other nations around the world when it comes to the benefits - nay, rights - provided to working families.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Being pregnant makes you aware of so many interesting things about life and existence and parenthood and all that. Most especially as a female, the fascinating - disgusting! - lack of respect for the family unit when it comes to paid time off for mothers is simply mind boggling. (The family unit, which we as a super-conservative country seem to praise from the hilltops! What gives?!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Take a look at the other countries around the world treat their pregnant women/new moms. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">In the US, we get a whopping ZERO weeks of paid leave.</span></strong> Yes, friends. Good ole FMLA allows us to take off something like 10 weeks of UNpaid leave. Great if you have zero debt, no car payments, 6 months of living expenses acrued and your car never ever breaks down, your A/C never ever stops working, you never ever have to go to the Doctor unexpected. Yeah, basically not so great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>For a huge chunk of average women and families, having no paid leave means no leave at all, since many can't afford to simply not generate a paycheck for 4 or 6 or 8 weeks</strong></span> - however long each individual woman deems necessary for her proper recovery AND bonding time with her new baby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Of all the things we need to rectify about our great US of A, paid leave for new moms AND new dads needs to change, drastically. And NOW. This is unacceptable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">As my FB friend commented: "Pakistan? Really? Come on guys!!!" Yeah.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COWObuMAJKo/T85ZGFdNNVI/AAAAAAAAA9E/JySiTRdCqik/s1600/MappingPaidMaternityLeaveAcrossTheGlobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="556" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-COWObuMAJKo/T85ZGFdNNVI/AAAAAAAAA9E/JySiTRdCqik/s640/MappingPaidMaternityLeaveAcrossTheGlobe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-27897744800893616352012-06-05T11:07:00.001-05:002012-06-05T11:07:53.092-05:00Good Friends<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sometimes there is a lot for me to complain about. Or I just make up stuff to complain about? Either way I seem to gripe a lot, at times; not ALL the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Lately I've been stressing about getting the baby's room ready, finding the right paint, getting my kitchen updated and looking decent, making sure everything in the house is perfect before he gets here - because he'll know if my kitchen floors are ugly or if there is dust behind the couch. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I've had some really nice experiences lately that have reminded me how great it is to have great friends. <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>It's nice to have new friends, but it seems for me that the old friends are the best friends.</strong></span> It's so great knowing people for years and years and having history and familiarity with them. They are my family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I just spent the weekend with some of my friends/adopted family to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>An excellent excuse to get together for a proper tea with lots of Earl Gray and goodies and finger sandwiches.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And yesterday once I was back in town, I had a visit from one of my oldest neighbors - she has known me since birth. Crazy. Anyway, she has generously made some beautiful quilts for me and Baby. She is a seasoned and talented quilter/seamstress and does amazing work. Here are the two small quilts she made for Baby ... perfect for "tummy time" (tummy time is great and important but I do hate that term for some reason), in the car, picnicing, travel ... and they are so colorful! She knew I wanted lots of color for the Baby so she went with this beautiful rainbow theme with accenting trim and backing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">She is still working on one for Baby's room - about crib-sized - that will hang on one of his walls. Can't wait to see the finished product! She showed us all the colors she had selected for that and they are perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Square rainbow pattern on the front with musical notes on the back. She said the backing was in honor of Kevin since she knows he loves music:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And a pretty rainbow pinwheel with blue trim and stripes and dots on the back:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm very grateful for the friends and 'family' who give their time and energy and love to me and Kevin, and our little man Baby. Even before he is here, I know he is loved and looked forward to by our friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Another friend of mine - whose girls I've babysat since her oldest was just a few months old (she's turning 9 this year!) - is graciously hosting a baby shower for me! I'm so happy to have her do that; she will host a wonderful party. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here are a few inspiration photos I've gathered for the party ... we're still in planning mode, but soon we'll have everything hammered out and the party will be here before we know it. Can't wait!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today, I'm 27 weeks 4 days. Baby is about 2 pounds and the size of a cauliflower. And he is moving All. The. Time. Jabbing and punching and headbutting. And stretching and pressing. And squashing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sometimes it's really uncomfortable, but I'm reminding myself this is a good thing, and that he won't be able to do this forever. My next appointment is in 3 weeks then my subsequent appointments will be bi-weekly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This Friday I will be 28 weeks and starting my third trimester! I can't believe I'm almost a third trimester mom-to-be! September will be here before I can blink.</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-65343060182502060572012-05-23T17:22:00.000-05:002012-05-23T17:22:08.623-05:00Pregnancy Related Incapacitation!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My first thought if drop something on the floor: "$&@#!" (let's be honest)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Next: "Do I really need that?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">And then: "I'll just get another one."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Ahh, pregnancy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Slowly curing me of OCD, one day at a time.</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-3558063493102699312012-05-17T17:24:00.001-05:002012-05-17T19:17:36.857-05:00Dragon Lady is here! aka: grumpy pregnant lady. (Plus, yummy British
foods)<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The last couple weeks I've been a wimp and complained about everything. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Grumpy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Moody.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Edgy. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">You name it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And honestly I haven't had that much to complain about. =/<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm feeling great. Which is a nice change.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My back isn't hurting as much and I'm sleeping better. Even though I wake up uncomfortable sometimes, I'm not tired and I don't really have a "tired slump" as much in the afternoons, so I know I'm getting rested. I do wake up on my back a lot and supposedly you should sleep on your left side for circulation to the fetus or whatever. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But sleeping on my left side is PAINFUL - I have a sharp stabbing pain in my left ribs whenever I inhale. Not conducive to sleep. It's hard enough breathing these days, period; but add pain to the mix? ... So I sleep on my right side now. And then wake up on my back. Breaking all the rules!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I haven't been as hungry/cravey lately. Though I suppose I have been craving fruit. Some days it's almost all I eat before dinner: a banana, apple, orange (sometimes two), sometimes a handful of almonds, sometimes a small piece of cheddar with the apple, any leftovers I may have brought from home, a flipping gallon of water, and then dinner at home. I feel like I'm eating all day but I'm never hungry. I just feel the need to eat something and eat it. I am definitely NOT counting calories these days. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">OMG, Kevin convinced me to try some new McVitie's (I'm kind of stuck on my dark chocolate dipped digestives)called HobNobs and I'm flipping out. Addicted! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXniqaYCh7g/T7V5abtG5sI/AAAAAAAAA68/3VcvoW2d9V8/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXniqaYCh7g/T7V5abtG5sI/AAAAAAAAA68/3VcvoW2d9V8/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We got the original ones which are just-crispy-enough and oaty and so good (nobbly!).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">And the vanilla creme sandwich HobNobs which are half the size of the originals and filled with yummy vanilla creme, like Oreo but better. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2C90wEWVqaY/T7V5cny_rvI/AAAAAAAAA7E/oCvJAD71LC8/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2C90wEWVqaY/T7V5cny_rvI/AAAAAAAAA7E/oCvJAD71LC8/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">SO FLIPPING GOOD with my tea after dinner. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm pretty sure I'm a land whale but that hasn't slowed me down.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here is my 25 week self!</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYPFZcYtEM4/T7V3lRWAAjI/AAAAAAAAA6k/kjm7YN5ugAA/s1600/IMG_2679%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYPFZcYtEM4/T7V3lRWAAjI/AAAAAAAAA6k/kjm7YN5ugAA/s320/IMG_2679%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-44440652373992622192012-05-07T14:55:00.000-05:002012-05-07T14:55:52.007-05:00It's a little bit funny ... this feeling inside.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Can't help it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I lol'ed thinking about this clip today as the fetus was kicking.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jqVVrmSnT9I" width="420"></iframe></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-2806698843064328562012-05-02T17:13:00.003-05:002012-05-02T17:13:55.782-05:00If I were having a girl ...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">... I would buy both of these. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Right this minute.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjSlJ8TcgKk/T6GxNrqX5FI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/Vflz-5rrPQc/s1600/swimcap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjSlJ8TcgKk/T6GxNrqX5FI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/Vflz-5rrPQc/s320/swimcap.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79178&vid=1&pid=150852&scid=150852002" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">here</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-71vZ3q4U3C4/T6GxOVjCDbI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/2UaalQXOH8k/s1600/swimsuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-71vZ3q4U3C4/T6GxOVjCDbI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/2UaalQXOH8k/s320/swimsuit.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79178&vid=1&pid=150699&scid=150699002" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">here</span></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-72989466800156387832012-05-02T11:21:00.000-05:002012-05-02T11:21:50.979-05:00Baby Update<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Yesterday I went to my monthly Ob visit. Everything is "perfect" apparently ... my weight (hah!), the baby (of course he is) ... his heartrate was 150 - I always like getting to listen to his little heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm at 22 weeks and 5 days today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Fetus is (almost) the size of a <a href="http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-tools/articles/how-big-is-baby.aspx?MsdVisit=1" target="_blank">pomegranate</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">At my next appointment I have to get the glucose test. I've heard some mixed feedback about that so we'll see how I handle it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Now to wait another month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This year is flying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">By September there will be a third human living in my house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">*wow*</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-81234808931671026102012-05-01T12:22:00.000-05:002012-05-01T12:22:22.754-05:00Be Irreplaceable<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Loving this Coco quote from </span><a href="http://simplystated.realsimple.com/2012/05/01/daily-thought-05-01-2012/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Real Simple</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It doesn't take much. Just be yourself.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyD0D27RPlE/T6AbgLoaEEI/AAAAAAAAA6E/o9SOd6MX4xc/s1600/cocochanel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyD0D27RPlE/T6AbgLoaEEI/AAAAAAAAA6E/o9SOd6MX4xc/s400/cocochanel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-26638164882873136572012-04-30T19:55:00.001-05:002012-05-01T22:55:13.863-05:00Grilled Fish TostadasThis happened for dinner. Party in my mouth! :)<br />
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Grill tilapia filets over medium high heat after seasoning with salt and chili powder (on both sides).<br />
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On a small bowl, mix 1 cup of sour cream and 1/2 a cup of mayo with juice from 1/2 a lime, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder and chopped cilantro to taste. Set aside. <br />
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Prepare some veggies to go on top: <br />
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Cabbage, chopped<br />
Tomato, diced<br />
Fresh corn cut straight from the ear<br />
Avocado<br />
Lime wedges<br />
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Fry corn tortillas in a small pan with enough oil to immerse the tortillas. Fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side. <br />
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Spread the sour cream mixture over tortilla and top with coarsely chopped fish, veggies and a squeeze of lime. <br />
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Amazing!!<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-niqxPq3B490/T580inl5Q6I/AAAAAAAAA54/dpQDstzARtA/s640/blogger-image-593491196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-niqxPq3B490/T580inl5Q6I/AAAAAAAAA54/dpQDstzARtA/s640/blogger-image-593491196.jpg" /></a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-84112220756327060152012-04-30T14:50:00.000-05:002012-04-30T14:50:22.725-05:00The Weekend Review: Trampolines, Pork Tacos and Baby Pains.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This past weekend we had my cousin over to spend a few days with us. He and Kevin got a new trampoline on Friday night and had it set up in less than an hour. Kevin was very motivated. He's wanted a trampoline of his own for years and we finally have our own yard to house one; actually we've had a yard for 2 years but ... we finally have a trampoline! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It's huge and round and takes up a lot of our yard. But it's worth it. It's great to just lay on the trampoline at night and watch the sky. Pretty much the best ever. Being the pregnant balloon that I am, Kevin has kindly set a chair next to the trampoline so I can get on without crushing my uterus or pulling 5 muscles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Over the weekend he was practicing some flips and impressing our brunch guests. Have I mentioned how I love brunch? It's my new favorite meal of the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Oh and Kevin hung the hammock this weekend too! Pretty much a great weekend for the yard: we had a lawn service (first time ever!) come mow our yard because we are mower-less for the time being; we applied a 'coat' of mosquito repellant spray; we got a new trampoline and we set up our hammock. All excellent reasons to spend as much time as possible in the back yard. And </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it's been delicious outside the last few weeks. We're soaking it all in before summer hits.</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I tried out a new recipe this weekend for Griffin's first dinner with us on Friday. I had some pork chops lolling in the freezer, a bit of pineapple leftovers, and corn tortillas that needed a purpose ... basically I had some random ingredients that, when married, would make something yummy. I just needed a guide. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I was craving tacos but usually I do fajita-style tacos or fish tacos with the cabbage and the cumin-y sour cream dressing. But it was time for something different. I found a recipe on the Tabasco website of all places; I've never been to the </span><a href="http://www.tabasco.com/tabasco-recipes/recipe/4384/jalapeno-pork-tacos-with-pineapple-salsa-and-pickled-onion/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Tabasco website</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> but they really came through.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Of course, I tweaked it because I don't actually have any Tabasco products in my house. PLUS they didn't use cilantro! *tisk tisk*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here is my version. If you are not pregnant, be sure to eat these with some beers. yum!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa + Pickled Onions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 medium red onion, sliced into thin rings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 c vinegar, red wine or rice have a ton of flavor though any vinegar will do the trick</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Seperate all the rings of onion once you slice them and immerse them with the vinegar in a small bowl. Leave them to pickle while you prepare the rest of the recipe (about 20-30 minutes). Once you're ready to serve, drain off the vinegar. I also sliced the larger rounds in half so they were "C" shaped. This seemed easier to eat than a big round of onion on a small corn tortilla.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2 cups chopped pineapple (small pieces, like 1/2")</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 fresh jalepeno pepper and seeds, diced small</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1/4 c cilantro, minced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Toss all 3 ingredients together and set aside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">4 small pork chops, I used boneless</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">cumin, to taste</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">chili powder, to taste</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">pinch of salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Season the pork chops on both sides and sear them in a hot pan with some olive oil til cooked through. Turn them as little as possible so they can get crispy and brown. They'll stick a little at first which is fine. Set aside to rest then slice into thin strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Corn tortillas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Place a small non-stick pan on medium-low heat and warm the tortillas, about 1 minute per side. Don't let them get too brown or they tend to get tough once they are back to room temperature. Wrap them in a tea towel or a few paper towels to keep them warm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Construct!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Take a warm tortilla, add a few slices of pork and top with onions and pineapple salsa. Repeat!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Sleeping has pretty much been my only relief lately. The back aches and the strained breathing have been enough to turn me into an angry pregnant Godzilla. Everything annoys me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I can't stand up from the couch without swaying side to side as I approach the edge of the couch - as though I weigh 400 pounds. Walking or standing for more than 5 minutes causes pain all the way from my feet, up the backs of my legs, through my entire back and then into my neck. I have head aches and body aches constantly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So yeah, sleeping and napping are my friends. Except that it's hard to find a comfortable position. Sleeping on my left side has proved the most comfortable of all, using a body pillow to help keep me aligned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The fetal kicks are still consistent and the times of day are consistent, too. He's hell-bent on waking me up, even from the womb. All the complaining aside, his kicks are probably the best part of the pregnancy at this point. Everything else is unpleasant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Oh and I seem to have an instinctual drive to tip over every cup I drink from. Every cup of water I have at work ends up all over the floor or my desk. At work. Only at work. I have yet to spill a thing at home (knocking on wood right now!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Kevin and I ended the weekend with a walk which was nice. I had to go slow because my lung capacity is at about .27%. It's a drag, no lie. But the walk was pretty. Our neighborhood looks so sad in the winter but once spring comes, everything is glowing green and floral and pollenated. It's so verdant and refreshing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I took this photo of our alley which is not verdant or refreshing, but the light is cool.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-57114244749175332872012-04-26T11:43:00.000-05:002012-04-26T11:43:03.168-05:00Tortilla Soup + Smashed Bladder = bathroom breaks!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Little man cub/<a href="http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-tools/articles/how-big-is-baby.aspx?MsdVisit=1" target="_blank">papaya baby</a> has been very active this week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">His kicks/jabs/elbows/knees are much stronger and when he's moving, the duration is longer, too. He has quiet spells a lot but he's still super active - mostly in the evenings, midday and early mornings when I'm just not quite ready to wake up but ... he doesn't seem to care. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The other day I woke up at 6:30am to my bladder being smashed by a fetus foot/hand/elbow/whatever. Good morning to you too, baby! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Thankfully my rocky food relationship is long over and I can eat like a "normal" pregnant human now. And from time to time I crave a little something spicy. I've craved spicy and pickled things from the very beginning, actually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And last night I was craving tortilla soup: something rich but light, and obviously spicy. And lots of cilantro! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I had a picked-over chicken carcass (hate that word a lot) from a roast chicken earlier this week so I threw it in a pot of water to make some quick broth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here's the recipe I just made up as I went along; that's how I roll in the kitchen and it *usually* works out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Last night was a complete success and <strike>I</strike> the baby ate like, a gallon of soup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Of course tweak this to your taste ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Chicken Tortilla Soup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">One 4 pound chicken or just the carcass, either way you get a lot of flavor </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Large pot/dutch oven </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Put the bird in the pot and fill with water til the bird is covered (about 12+ cups). Heat to a boil for at least 30-45 minutes to get as much flavor as you can into the broth. Of course if you are using a whole bird, cook for longer so it's not raw in the center, a full hour. Then make a cut where the leg meets the breast to check that it's running 'clean' (not red). Remove the bird and add the following to your pot of broth:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Can of diced tomatoes with juices, preferrably a spicy variety - I used a 'salsa style' tomato that was fire roasted with green peppers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Can of green chilis (the little baby can)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1/2 bag frozen or one can of corn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Can of beans, your choice - I used kidney because it's what I had but chili or black beans would also work</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Let this simmer for a while, about 20 minutes. Then add:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 T Cumin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 t Chili Powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1/2 t Thyme</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1/2 t or less, just a hint really, Ground Cinnamon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Fresh Jalepeno pepper, diced with seeds - use 1/2 a pepper, a whole pepper, 2 peppers - this is where you'll be controlling your heat so use as much as you like</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Diced chicken, about 2 cups</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Let this simmer a few more minutes to let the jalepeno soften. At this point I tried something different, for me at least: I crumbled up 3 small corn tortillas and dropped them into the soup. I wanted a little 'thickness' to the broth - it seems like a good tortilla soup has an almost creamy base, even though there isn't any dairy added. The tortillas kind of fell apart as it simmered and turned the broth a little opaque. *Perfection*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Add coarse salt to taste. And that's it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I prepared the following toppers while the soup was simmering:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Fresh diced avocado</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Fresh minced cilantro</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Grated cheese - I used colby which was good but cheddar would work. Heck if you are an actual Hispanic person or a Mexican food purist, use something like Queso Fresco. yum (Actually if you are Hispanic you're probably laughing at my gringo recipe or not even reading it in the first place!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Also a little squeeze of lime juice would rock this soup but I didn't have limes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of bebe</span>: These things somehow made their way into my Gap.com cart and then just showed up at my house. *weird*</span></div>
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</div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-58455107321063572192012-04-19T13:11:00.001-05:002012-04-19T13:13:38.816-05:00Happy Feet! Or elbows or knees.<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Best feeling this month: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Feeling the fetus move.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A little bit crazy and a whole lot awesome.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">He has been moving - <a href="http://nataliemack.blogspot.com/2012/04/goldfish-baby.html" target="_blank">ever so gently</a> - for a few weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Until this week. Apparently he has been taking his Flintstone's vitamins because he is totally stronger. I can tell.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Red letter day: I saw my belly move. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">No lie.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I was in bed reading last night; he was moving a lot and I had my hand on my stomach so I could feel it. Then I saw it! A foot or an elbow or something. Totally sci-fi. Crazy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And then Kevin came in and I tried to have him feel it but little man was done; no more movements. We've still got a few more months for Kevin to feel it though. I'm sure bebe won't be shy forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Yes, a little crazy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But mostly awesome.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><3<3</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-64166638037265185072012-04-09T09:59:00.000-05:002012-04-09T09:59:51.681-05:00Goldfish Baby<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Last week, we found out: <span style="font-size: large;">We're having a boy!! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We couldn't be more excited. Little man took a beautiful sono photo and was very cooperative with the technician. And apparently very proud of his ... boyhood. ;) He sized a little big and his fat and brain symmetry measured just right.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And since then, I have been feeling like my belly is a little portable goldfish bowl. Like there is a little fluttering fish in there just hanging out, kicking around. I'm 19 weeks 3 days and I know it's a little early for the official, oh-my-gosh-I-just-felt-the-baby-move moment. But I am pretty sure I feel him moving. Nothing monumental yet, no jabs or punches. Just little baby butterfly flutters.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have been a little ... dubious? Uncertain? About feeling the first movement. Just a few weeks ago it seemed like the strangest part of this generally very strange experience: growing your own human inside of your body is a little wild, after all. But now that I can feel his gentle little baby movements, I am kind of excited and anticipating the day when he makes that first big jolt of movement.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My own little resident goldfish baby.</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-27459480133190947892012-04-02T14:06:00.000-05:002012-04-02T14:06:21.337-05:00Tomorrow!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Tomorrow is the day that determines the color of all the baby clothes we will be gifted by people who think baby girls have to wear pink and baby boys have to wear blue until they are old enough to have long hair that differentiates them from the opposite sex. Some people really are that old fashioned.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm not old-fashioned, really. I guess I'm not very traditional at all. I don't think that hair or activity or color of clothing - or even style of clothing - determines sex. I think that a child should be able to choose what they wear even if that sometimes means they look like an old bag lady or Hallowen costume gone very, very wrong. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I think when they are too young to chose for themselves, that parents could manage opening up their predispositions and allowing a little yellow, orange, green, red and black (gasp) into their child's wardrobe, whether boy or girl. I'm not sure who came up with the pink/girl, blue/boy themes but I'm over them. I want ALL colors and lots of them around my baby. I am pretty sure there is nothing wrong with exposing your child to all the options out there and allowing them to make their independent decision to wear blue or pink or orange or purple without swaying their choice. Check out this Smithsonian.com </span><a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/When-Did-Girls-Start-Wearing-Pink.html?c=y&page=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">article</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> for more.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So yeah, all that to say: <span style="font-size: large;">tomorrow we find out if our little dragon is a boy or a girl.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We go in at 1:30pm to have our sonogram and find out if everyone and their dog has been right: My friend and I are the only ones who thing 'boy'; Kevin and everyone else think we're having a girl.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If the old wives tales hold any water, then I feel like it might be a boy based on my symptoms. But you never know. I have a 50% chance of being wrong! ... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm not sure how this might change my ideas of baby color coding. I tend to get a tiny bit nauseous when I see babies in pink and flowers and lady bugs or blue and trucks and bears and construction equipment. (Or worse yet: Dora! omg! Take your infant OUT of that branded polyester, please! Gap makes great cotton onesies. No logo or mascot required) No wonder your toddler loves those things; that's all you've exposed them to.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">There is still so much gender expectation and inequality, however modern humanity likes to think we are 'advanced' and 'open-minded'. I'm not sure who or where these open-minded, free-thinking parents and citizens are but they certainly aren't in Texas (open-minded, free-thinking, non-traditional people of Texas please prove me wrong!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I may find out we're having a girl and then go nuts for tutus and pink - paint and clothes and stuffed bears and shoes and socks blankets, and, and, and - but I really don't see that happening.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We'll know tomorrow! =)</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-63797203135387403552012-03-30T15:41:00.000-05:002012-03-30T15:41:46.439-05:00Someone Like You. Just not quite you though ...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Every time I hear this song - which lately has been entirely too scarce since I'm now kind of addicted to it - I want to curl up into a sad little ball and enjoy feeling sorry for myself. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And maybe cry a tiny bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Something about this woman and her insanely epic voice ... and those lyrics. Yeah.</span></div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hLQl3WQQoQ0" width="560"></iframe>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1159038826411168060.post-61431645104229970632012-03-29T16:08:00.001-05:002012-03-29T16:14:46.869-05:00Well this is just sad. ... And chocolate chip cookies. And babies!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Three months and no blog posts! Not like I have a flock of eager readers tracking my every post and life decision and meal and clothing purchase/recommendation and Hipstamatic photo. ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But still. I have such good intentions and then just ... abandon them instead for an hour of repinning on </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/nataliemcmenamy/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">, making dinner and eating it with my husband on the back patio and voraciously watching 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' like a proper Trekkie/nerd/pregnany lady on a mission. ... Oh yeah!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since my last post, I am excited to share that my sweet husband and I are expecting our first child!</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm 18 weeks and due 8/31/12. This week the fetus is the size of a </span><a href="http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-18-weeks_1107.bc?intcmp=timeline" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">bell pepper</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">, my uterus is the size of a </span><a href="http://www.parenting.com/timeline/2nd-trimester-week-18" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">cantaloupe</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> and my balance is officially non-existent! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf-yphuMy_s/T3TOcQc93pI/AAAAAAAAA3w/6BUMhJEt2jo/s1600/GreenBellPepper.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf-yphuMy_s/T3TOcQc93pI/AAAAAAAAA3w/6BUMhJEt2jo/s200/GreenBellPepper.gif" width="160" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JpaskrXxafk/T3TOdB9aVPI/AAAAAAAAA34/X3quu_IrQk8/s1600/cantaloupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JpaskrXxafk/T3TOdB9aVPI/AAAAAAAAA34/X3quu_IrQk8/s200/cantaloupe.jpg" width="197" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I've worked in the same office for 5 years and have started bumping into walls that have never posed a problem before. I am clumsy - actually I have always been clumsy but this whole daily-shifting-center-of-gravity thing is NOT helping: I drop full glasses of water all over the kitchen and myself and trip over rugs. And my own bare feet. I am emotional: I have cried more in the last month than I have in the last 5 years all together. I don't have a love-hate relationship with food anymore, as I did in the first trimester. Actually it's all love now (yay! no more gagging! I have to be grateful that I was spared from some of the most horrific first trimester symptoms, thankfully)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Yes, now all foods are friends again. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Especially chocolate chip cookies.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Speaking of which I have been on something of a quest recently to find the "right" CCC recipe. I wanted to say "perfect" but that is really relative to who is eating the cookies. Some people like crisp cookies (we don't); some like soft, Famous Amos cookies (I could take them or leave them unless they are oatmeal which must be soft); some people like cookies with crisp edges and chewy middles (yes please!!). Thankfully Kevin also likes the perfectly balanced crispy/chewy CCC so I am working on finding the right recipe for us. I typically just use the one on the package of Toll House or Ghirardelli chips, whichever one I have around. But surely there is a magic combination of ingredients I can use all the time to ensure we have the ideal cookie.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I just recently tried </span><a href="http://savorysweetlife.com/2009/10/alices-chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> recipe from Savory Sweet Life which is wonderful and maybe I did it wrong but as they cool they get a little TOO crispy - like, all-over crispy so the chewy part is all gone. Kevin is a dunker (not me) so this can work for him the next day but for me it's just like eating a cracker or something. Not preferred. They are SO GOOD fresh though: like 3-minutes-from-the-oven warm with ice cold milk. M-hmm.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I think </span><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2012/03/in-the-kitchen-with-jennifer-martines-salted-chocolate-chip-cookies.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">these</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> are up next. Don't they look divine?? And I'm loving the addition of the sea salt sprinkle on top. Just that little extra something. And the yummy toasted walnuts sounds AH-mazing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Of course mine wouldn't come out looking quite this nice but it's worth a try!</span></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02141990919804517216noreply@blogger.com2