tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20258383062172343512024-03-14T01:14:58.971-07:00Red, White, and Becoming Mama RiceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-61658696628071801352017-06-16T08:14:00.004-07:002017-06-16T08:14:54.542-07:00May 29, 2017also known as the scariest day as a parent yet. <br />
<br /><br />
the absolute <em>longest</em> and most terrifying 37 minutes of my life went down like this: <br />
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4:35--gave Fletcher spoon full of peanut butter <br />
4:37--texted Julia "We're trying it again too. Even though he's broken out twice." [oh Lauren, you fool] Julia was giving Wade his second taste of peanut butter too that afternoon. <br />
4:45ish--Fletcher starts coughing. He's had a cold so I didn't think it was too abnormal. <br />
4:46ish---Fletcher is coughing more. So, I asked Jared to come listen to him. Jared thinks he might have peanut butter stuck in his mouth. Mom instincts are telling me something is not right. Nursing judgment is out the window at this point <br />
4:48ish--Fletcher starts to wheeze, drool, cry, sweat, and is looking very scared<br />
4:48:30ish--we start to freak, I told Jared we need to get Benadryl in him. But of course I forget how much we are supposed to give him. Jared is reading the box which states "not recommended for children under two." I yell, "I know but I know we can give it to him, damn it," while googling the dosage to administer. <br />
4:49ish--finally find the dosage (3.75mL) and try to give it to Fletcher who can barely swallow<br />
4:50--called pediatrician on call to explain situation and get advice on what to do. She said they have a very low threshold for reactions to peanuts and to call 911 <br />
4:54--Jared calls 911 <br />
[I think they arrived around 3-5 minutes later which feels like an <em>eternity</em> when you are in full blown panic mode] <br />
5:00ish--breathing is much better. Fletcher and mom have calmed down. EMS says breath sounds are normal, pulse ox and heart rate are normal. <br />
5:12--snap survival picture with EMS people because when you have just had that intense of a moment, you need to document it. <br />
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The next day I took Fletcher to the pediatrician where we were asked a lot of questions and prescribed an epi pen. When we arrived at the pharmacy they told us the pen they prescribed was going to $600. I directly said, no, it will not be. The tech helped to get us set up with a generic which only cost $60 for two. Sheesh, I knew there was controversy about these epi pens but I was ignorant and didn't pay attention or care until my kid actually had an allergy. <br />
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I genuinely went through the stages of grief after the reaction and being diagnosed with the allergy. Initially it was denial. The pediatrician asked me if I wanted allergy testing and promptly said "no." Why, I couldn't tell you. I thought, well we already have an epi pen so if he almost nearly dies from anything else we will be ready. Then it was a lot of anger. I still am angry and sad. As a mother you never want your children to live with any limitations. I fully understand that peanut allergies are very common and are much more mainstream now. I also understand that he could have a much worse or obscure allergy. However, that does not prevent me from being worried about everything he puts in his mouth or what he could come in contact with on the playground or at someone else's house or if he is around someone who doesn't recognize the signs of a reaction. I don't want Fletcher to have to worry about what he can or can't eat. I don't want to be one of those crazy helicopter moms that constantly worry. But, here I am reading labels and planning where the epi pens will be stored. It just sucks, it really really really sucks. So yes, still working through the anger and depression stages. Not quite to acceptance because I did everything "like I was told" and he still ended up having a scary reaction. <br />
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Our plan is to find a great allergist and get him tested to find out the severity of his allergy so we can be prepared for the future. We are also lucky that we live in an area with wonderful doctors and hospitals. there are world renowned allergist who are doing clinical trials for peanut allergies. One is working on sensitizing children. When Fletcher is older I hope to get him into one of those. <br />
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It took me a long time to sit down and write this post because I was so upset and still am. Even reading this over I get emotional thinking about what happened and what his life will look like from here. However, we have a great support system and have friends whose children also have allergies so we are not alone. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-78483869000764162262017-05-24T19:24:00.001-07:002017-05-24T19:24:20.391-07:00Nine YearsNine years ago today Jared asked me to officially be his girlfriend. I will never forget that moment. I can recall exactly what we both were wearing. Where exactly he did it. How he said it and the little quiver in his voice. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 24, 2008 my goodness, we were babies</td></tr>
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I won't get too sappy here because that is not really our style. But boy, am I sure glad this wonderful man asked me that question nine years ago. It has been the best adventure ever since and I am thankful to be spending my life with him. <br />
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I once wrote about our "love story" <a href="http://redwhiterice.blogspot.com/2013/05/love-story.html">here</a>. Four years later, you can now add, wedding, moving back to Raleigh, buying a house, two new careers and a baby to that story. Phew. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is an old picture from our friends wedding in 2014 but still a favorite of us. Jared got to sing on stage with the band, Old Habits, and made my heart swoon.</td></tr>
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Cheers, to nine years with my favorite guy around. Thanks for keeping life exciting. I pray our son grows up to be just like you and treats his wife as good as you treat me. Lastly, "when I am with you I feel like I could die and that would be alright, alright." Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-44885761436132991262017-05-17T18:46:00.001-07:002017-05-17T18:46:38.613-07:00Fletcher Thirteen and Fourteen MonthsThis age is the BEST. I know I say it every time, but, for real, this is my <i>favorite</i> age. I wish I could bottle it up and keep it this way. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean, come on.</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
My favorites about this age:<br />
<ul>
<li>total mamas boy</li>
<li>the way he comes running to us after he hasn't seen one of us after daycare that day</li>
<li>when he is walking and holds his hand straight up for you to take it so you can hold hands and walk</li>
<li>his laugh. Honestly, it is the most joyful, amazing, sweetest sound in the entire world </li>
<li>playing chase is the most fun game on earth to him right now</li>
<li>his love for flowers</li>
<li>he doesn't scream bloody murder in the car seat anymore [anxiety about travelling have decreased <i>greatly</i>]</li>
<li><i></i>his <strike>walk</strike> waddle </li>
<li>obsession with books and wanting to sit in your lap and be read to </li>
<li>cuddling after a long day before he goes to bed. He still lets me hold him after his finishes his milk and we just sit there for a few minutes before I put him in his crib</li>
<li>the way he snuggles his head into my neck </li>
<li>his jabbering. No real words yet, but lots of babbling. </li>
<li>the shocked face and sound he makes when he is acting surprised</li>
<li>the face he makes when you ask "where did it go" and he tosses his hands up and shrugs his shoulders </li>
<li>gaining a little more independence </li>
<li>watching him learn and grow from a baby to a toddler. We have seen the biggest changes yet between months 11 and now.</li>
<li>asking him to do something and him <i>actually</i> doing it. For example, "fletcher bring this to dad." and he will take whatever I give him right to his dad </li>
<li>loves throwing stuff in the trash since we are trying to teach him to clean up after himself </li>
<li>his memory. He remembers much more than we give him credit for</li>
<li>thinking I have the smartest baby on the planet</li>
<li>how sweet he is. He loves to wave and blow kisses to complete strangers.</li>
</ul>
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I am telling you, I could go on and on about this age. It really is the best.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best surprise face ever</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
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As soon as I wrote that post about his temper tantrums, they seemed to decrease greatly and are really far and few between. It is like so many of the things we worry about as parents, but, just as soon as it started, it stopped. I am not naïve to think my child will not have a category five meltdown in the grocery store in the near future, but for now, I am enjoying this sweet, kind, happy little boy we have.</div>
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MONTH(S) HIGHLIGHTS</div>
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Uncle Matt and Aunt Kelly's baby shower for Wyatt, finger-painting thank you cards, playing with the play grill set from Dad, mowing lawn with bubble lawn mower, riding down the cul-de-sac hill on the play John Deere ATV with no fear, cue-grass festival downtown, first Easter, visit to Pullen park to ride the carousel and the train, visit to the Outer Banks for mamas half marathon, spirit week at school, pool time at Uncle James' new apartment pool, picking lots of flowers, visit from Uncle Chinn, trying to be just like Dad, moving up to toddler hall, visit to Wilmington for Mother's Day, and hanging out with Uncle Michael who is visiting from San Francisco. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we are so excited to meet Wyatt, due to arrive May 31st!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finger-painting turned into eating the finger paint...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n6EeockyFU/WRz30RUbIaI/AAAAAAAAhaI/n_krNpR0w-gi6TexG7jeLvWaQUQwJ4HjQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n6EeockyFU/WRz30RUbIaI/AAAAAAAAhaI/n_krNpR0w-gi6TexG7jeLvWaQUQwJ4HjQCKgB/s400/IMG_8652.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grilling, just like Dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0mirkN_aTw/WRz30f7J6LI/AAAAAAAAhaI/RIkegCrQU1Qcjj_R3PnQrrPxs3jw7mxPQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0mirkN_aTw/WRz30f7J6LI/AAAAAAAAhaI/RIkegCrQU1Qcjj_R3PnQrrPxs3jw7mxPQCKgB/s400/IMG_8674.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">favorite thing to do, obviously</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUkMstkE_Ak/WRz30X7dOfI/AAAAAAAAhaI/_ZT7dri7YRYoKWPxUj4QBVQ1Wyf-JzUngCKgB/s1600/IMG_8699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUkMstkE_Ak/WRz30X7dOfI/AAAAAAAAhaI/_ZT7dri7YRYoKWPxUj4QBVQ1Wyf-JzUngCKgB/s400/IMG_8699.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cue-grass festival on literally the hottest day in April ever</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq7-iDrlVLU/WRz30TP6CvI/AAAAAAAAhaI/Rgfykp-PU8Mh4VS4krhnmIX12sXOhZliQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq7-iDrlVLU/WRz30TP6CvI/AAAAAAAAhaI/Rgfykp-PU8Mh4VS4krhnmIX12sXOhZliQCKgB/s400/IMG_8882.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">carousel at Pullen Park on Easter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZL6pzSMvwg/WRz30cJRgkI/AAAAAAAAhaI/fPj_7lIymyEQCQieJLCf5zWTUfgv96sqgCKgB/s1600/IMG_9368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZL6pzSMvwg/WRz30cJRgkI/AAAAAAAAhaI/fPj_7lIymyEQCQieJLCf5zWTUfgv96sqgCKgB/s400/IMG_9368.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swimming in the pool at Uncle James'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOL54WlkTNs/WRz30QCwmKI/AAAAAAAAhaI/oZxAAIsiTncU9FyKqb5mh7OpaCgC1RMggCKgB/s1600/IMG_9380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOL54WlkTNs/WRz30QCwmKI/AAAAAAAAhaI/oZxAAIsiTncU9FyKqb5mh7OpaCgC1RMggCKgB/s400/IMG_9380.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the love for the animal magnets is real.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDbLhpoWlyE/WRz30UYB6tI/AAAAAAAAhaI/RdGsCJQxyiwuMdYlto6NpWymY6nhRIGkgCKgB/s1600/IMG_9413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDbLhpoWlyE/WRz30UYB6tI/AAAAAAAAhaI/RdGsCJQxyiwuMdYlto6NpWymY6nhRIGkgCKgB/s400/IMG_9413.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">obsession with flowers and loves to pick them, especially our neighbors...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EeCs6-22XBM/WRz30RdhToI/AAAAAAAAhaI/LKcloZJ1rrcpxV9kFaidIXCTsMjCv9M3wCKgB/s1600/IMG_9438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EeCs6-22XBM/WRz30RdhToI/AAAAAAAAhaI/LKcloZJ1rrcpxV9kFaidIXCTsMjCv9M3wCKgB/s400/IMG_9438.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing basketball with Dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">surprise visit from Uncle Chinn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all the boys headed to Wilmington</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">reading with Uncle Michael</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">officially a mom now that a good picture was messed up due to snot on the dress</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXimORt-VjQ/WRz5nqA9i2I/AAAAAAAAhaU/Pxt0A7LetK8Yd629PsYQCWIMnfuwbyZJwCKgB/s1600/IMG_9563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXimORt-VjQ/WRz5nqA9i2I/AAAAAAAAhaU/Pxt0A7LetK8Yd629PsYQCWIMnfuwbyZJwCKgB/s400/IMG_9563.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">being this boys mama is the greatest gift ever</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9stBaa_4wk/WRz5njZG7GI/AAAAAAAAhaU/maX_89l7Pd4FZOllvaxaBS7bPON2u9niwCKgB/s1600/IMG_9526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9stBaa_4wk/WRz5njZG7GI/AAAAAAAAhaU/maX_89l7Pd4FZOllvaxaBS7bPON2u9niwCKgB/s400/IMG_9526.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yummy family dinner at Indochine where Fletcher loved eating rice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Amv4GsUvJg/WRz5ngaXZxI/AAAAAAAAhaU/xcD3J6tE8s8XQmYQympFf7hQzYZNWKH9QCKgB/s1600/IMG_9486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Amv4GsUvJg/WRz5ngaXZxI/AAAAAAAAhaU/xcD3J6tE8s8XQmYQympFf7hQzYZNWKH9QCKgB/s400/IMG_9486.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">visiting best friend, Wade</td></tr>
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As much as I want to freeze time, I am having so much fun watching him grow into a little person. He learns new things all the time and I just wish it would slow down a little so I could catch it all. He is cautious but also a little daredevil. He is kind but will steal toys with the best of them. He will make you want to pull you hair out but then will tug on those heart strings just as hard. </div>
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Oh sweet boy, what will the next two months bring us? We have a lot of travel weekends in our future. Looking forward to a summer spent at the river and beach with family and friends</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-34532463340039852832017-05-06T18:17:00.001-07:002017-05-06T18:17:17.500-07:00Our Trip to the Outer Banks Having the half marathon in the Outer Banks made for a great excuse to have a little family getaway. We invited my mom, James and Matthew to come, but there was a day before and a few days after the race that were just the three of us. It was a perfect mixture. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJIkeAyXupA/WQ5wOZe9-CI/AAAAAAAAgyM/4VJ1reseGEQf9-btaPhgnmPo6vnmGYd-gCKgB/s1600/IMG_8955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJIkeAyXupA/WQ5wOZe9-CI/AAAAAAAAgyM/4VJ1reseGEQf9-btaPhgnmPo6vnmGYd-gCKgB/s400/IMG_8955.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pit stop on the way at the most scenic rest stop you have ever seen</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We rented a house just a few blocks away from the beach. Jared and I both agreed this would be the perfect house to come back to with a group of friends and their kids. The set up was awesome. The deck was huge. The pool (in warmer months) would be great after a day at the beach. It even had a separate garage with a pool table and wet bar for adults to hang out and be loud after the kiddos go to sleep. Fletcher loved the house because of the layout, it was an open floor plan where he could just do laps. He loved playing on the deck too. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fw3jwDfodRg/WQ5wOX7JrEI/AAAAAAAAgyM/HeHSYYMdeIob6AJXaoMePB_ftxCCACjHQCKgB/s1600/IMG_9283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fw3jwDfodRg/WQ5wOX7JrEI/AAAAAAAAgyM/HeHSYYMdeIob6AJXaoMePB_ftxCCACjHQCKgB/s320/IMG_9283.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pY4gMXaBBs/WQ5wOQCgXYI/AAAAAAAAgyM/Moz_bLSTA8wQ20b8RsigtfgVgVSUQqnNgCKgB/s1600/IMG_9280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pY4gMXaBBs/WQ5wOQCgXYI/AAAAAAAAgyM/Moz_bLSTA8wQ20b8RsigtfgVgVSUQqnNgCKgB/s320/IMG_9280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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DAY ONE</h3>
We got to Kitty Hawk around 12 but couldn't check into the house until 3 so we had lunch at Hurricane Mos, walked on the beach, and picked up my race packet to kill time. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little unsure about this sand stuff</td></tr>
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Once we unloaded all the stuff we brought, we made use of the rather warm day and hopped in the pool. It was <i>freezing</i>. Fletcher was not a fan so he sat on the edge most of the time with me or walked around the pool trying to climb on all the chairs. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you honestly never know what you may need. we packed like we were preparing for the apocalypse.</td></tr>
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<h3>
DAY TWO </h3>
We started our morning with a trip to the Wright Brother's National Memorial. It was National Parks Day so we got in for free. Score. We walked around the park and saw where the first flights were taken. Fletcher fell asleep on the way up the large dune to the monument. It was beautiful. <br />
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Next up, hot dogs. They don't compare to Trolly Stop but you can't beat eating hot dogs with a salt air smell. <br />
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Finally, we were able to make it out to the beach for the afternoon. This was the last weekend you could drive on the beach which made Jared very happy. It reminded us a little bit like Ocracoke, just not as pretty and way more horse flies which were awful. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first time actually playing in the sand. one scoop in the bucket, one scoop in the mouth. </td></tr>
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<h3>
DAY THREE--Race Day! </h3>
Well, I woke up early and ran 13.1 miles. <br />
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After the race and party we went to get lunch at Awful Arthur's which had delicious seafood. And of course a fun photo op outside of their gift shop area. <br />
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The day was kind of yucky so we just hung around the house. <br />
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<h3>
DAY FOUR </h3>
It was really overcast outside so we decided to head to the aquarium. Fletcher <i>loved</i> it. First, we walked around outside in their nature section and out on the pier. Then we headed inside where Fletcher was in awe of all the giant fish tanks. His favorite area by far was the large shark tank. He plastered his face against the glass and watched them swim by. <br />
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After nap time we headed to Hatteras Lighthouse. We couldn't take Fletcher up to the top because there is no elevator and the rules state you must be able to walk all flights by yourself without being carried. We were able to go into the bottom and admire from afar. <br />
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Our last stop of the day was to Outer Banks Brewing Station. We had the lawn to ourselves that evening. They had a large play pirate ship which Fletcher thoroughly enjoyed climbing. <br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></h3>
<h3>
DAY FIVE--Our last morning</h3>
We had to pack up the house first which took a little while because I feel like we basically moved in for four days. Then we had the most amazing breakfast at Stack 'em High Pancake House. The place is quite deceiving from the outside. <br />
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Our last stop of the trip was to see Jockey's Ridge. Basically a bunch of really large sand dunes. It was beautiful. But, not so fun carrying a toddler around in sand. <br />
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We had the most wonderful time on our trip. We explored more than we have on past vacations which was a nice change of pace. I really enjoyed getting to know the town we were staying in. We are still partial to the Southern part of Outer Banks but really had so much fun. Jared is already planning our next beach trip. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-84625273294985976692017-05-05T16:38:00.000-07:002017-05-06T18:26:40.623-07:00thirteen point one Sunday, April 23, 2017, I ran my first half marathon, The Flying Pirate, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. That's 13.1 miles. <br />
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I set the goal to run my first half marathon this time last year. My best friend, Meghan, was a big inspiration for this. She was training to run her first half marathon when Fletcher was born and was set to run the 2016 Flying Pirate race. Not only was she in great shape but she seemed happy and excited about running. So, I set my goal to run my first half by the time Fletcher was a year old. I chose the run the same race as Meghan for several reasons, but mainly because of the beach and mostly flat course. </div>
<br />
After I was cleared by my doctor, about 6 weeks after birth, I started working out off and on but I didn't get serious about training for the half until January. I used <a href="https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Half-Marathon-Training-Schedule-Beginners-2845222">the same training program</a> as Meghan, because, why not. Jared got me a treadmill for Christmas so I could no longer use the "I don't like running in the dark at night" excuse. Finally, I started paying for Orange Theory to use as my cross training days. If I pay for something, I am determined to use it and make the most of it. With all the barriers removed, I could focus on running and increasing my mileage safely.<br />
<br />
Jared was a huge support throughout all of my training. Especially the evenings where I had Orange Theory and Saturdays when I did my long outdoor runs. Since he is quite familiar with training for this sort of thing we was able to offer a lot of advice from pacing myself to race day prep. <br />
<br />
Four months of training seemed to drag. There were days, where I wanted nothing to do with running. I wanted to be on the couch with Jared [and a glass of wine] but I did it because I knew I would regret missing a day. I slowly added miles to my bank and gradually saw my overall pace decreasing. This is what kept me going [and the fact that I told everyone I was planning to run a half]. Those that know me well, know I don't back down from a challenge and once I tell one person I am going to do something, I follow through. For example, natural birth.<br />
<br />
I logged 172.4 miles and saw my average mile time go from
11min 30sec to 9min 30sec. I started to feel like a real runner. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrZSeMelVJE/WQ0MDmDVHqI/AAAAAAAAgxc/nreXm2kvwDogMx2ZJPWZgJvYu5OVA3uCQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrZSeMelVJE/WQ0MDmDVHqI/AAAAAAAAgxc/nreXm2kvwDogMx2ZJPWZgJvYu5OVA3uCQCKgB/s400/IMG_8974.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">two days before the race with all my swag</td></tr>
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Race day was here before I knew it. I was so nervous the
morning of the big day. Much more nervous than I had anticipated being. What if
I failed? What if I got sick? Or hurt? What if I get lost? Not to mention the
off and on rain that was testing me.</div>
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We left before Fletcher woke up. Not to fear, my mom and
brother were at the house with him. Jared walked with me to the starting line.
He reassured me the entire time that I was prepared for this. He promised me
that I was not going to fail. But most importantly, stressed how proud he was
of me. Good thing he stayed too because I couldn’t get my stupid headphones to
work. Dang technology. At 5 minutes to 7 we were directed to go to our corrals.
I was in Corral B because of my average pace time (as Jared explained to me). After
we were corralled like some cattle, he kissed me goodbye and I was alone to
run. </div>
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The gun went off, I shoved my headphones in and people
started to move. This was it. No turning back now. The beginning of the race
was very emotional for me. I felt myself getting teary eyed as I passed under
the first time sensor. But then tears started flowing after I saw Jared had
stayed to watch me cross the start line and was snapping pictures of me. Good
golly, I have one sweet man. The touchy-feely-feelings didn’t last long because
I was quickly reminded that I was running a race with 1199 other people.</div>
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I heeded Jared’s advice and ran painfully slow, like 10min
39sec slow, for the first mile. I didn’t want to rush and get a cramp trying to
be a badass. I did have to complete 13.1 miles after all. I was here to
complete the race not beat any records. Which I had to keep reminding my overly
competitive self. </div>
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The course was beyond beautiful.
We ran backroads through neighborhoods, along the Albemarle sound and were
cheered on by locals (despite the cold and drizzle). <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I really felt a sense of community from the
other runners and the spectators. I was actually having fun. The miles were
flying by thanks to the gorgeous scenery and Jared’s epic Dad Jams 2017
playlist. </div>
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We came to a long flat stretch between miles 9 and 10. I
could see a bright red NC State sweatshirt in the distance. There they were!
Fletcher was bundled up in Matthew’s jacket and didn’t see me. Sweet Jared was
holding a sign and attempting to clap and wave to me. My mom and brother were
cheering so loud. It was just the motivation I needed to get me 3.1 more miles.
</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6AD1kqpL83c/WQ0MDlxOaqI/AAAAAAAAgxc/GsTYz7BMZIIJmHppNwNwTzZ4rt-0CnY_gCKgB/s1600/IMG_9272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6AD1kqpL83c/WQ0MDlxOaqI/AAAAAAAAgxc/GsTYz7BMZIIJmHppNwNwTzZ4rt-0CnY_gCKgB/s320/IMG_9272.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYn55EfLkQM/WQ0MDhKHQAI/AAAAAAAAgxc/9wdOY4nkOnUxiSfKTu0p5oQvOLBLFFjmgCKgB/s1600/IMG_9271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYn55EfLkQM/WQ0MDhKHQAI/AAAAAAAAgxc/9wdOY4nkOnUxiSfKTu0p5oQvOLBLFFjmgCKgB/s320/IMG_9271.JPG" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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The last three-ish miles were spent in the Nags Head Nature
Preserve. Tiny rolling hills and off-road terrain. I kept thinking how much
Jared would love running back here. The narrow trail was lined with signs made
from volunteers which contained knock-knock jokes and fun facts about the Outer
Banks. The perfect distraction for the last several miles. </div>
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Mile 12 came and the course went from 3 to 4 people wide to
just 1 and it was the hilliest mile. Some people were walking but I felt like I
was booking it. Luckily, I trained in the rolling hills of Raleigh so I was
prepared for this. I was passing people and feeling good. There was a volunteer
at the bottom of the last hill cheering and letting us know this was the final
stretch. At the top of the hill you could see the finish line. It was exhilarating.
I just kept thinking, don’t fall and roll down this giant hill in front of all
these people.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the very unattractive "I just ran 13.1 miles look" at the finish line</td></tr>
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I sprinted through the finish line and saw my family again. Fletcher
finally caught my eye and it was the most amazing feeling in the world. This
was for him. One mile for every month he has been alive. Thirteen point one
miles. I didn’t cry at the finish like I thought I would. But, I felt
accomplished. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NV-YxI8vYHM/WQ0KEitCosI/AAAAAAAAgxM/6XklsPoTZT4LxtSmo-sDzQSsRDYLqmxIACKgB/s1600/IMG_9096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NV-YxI8vYHM/WQ0KEitCosI/AAAAAAAAgxM/6XklsPoTZT4LxtSmo-sDzQSsRDYLqmxIACKgB/s400/IMG_9096.JPG" width="300" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
I finished just under my goal time of 2 hours and 10
minutes. The guy who finished in first completed the race in 1 hour 12 minutes
13 seconds #overachiever. But I did finish in the top 35% of the overall race
and in the top 25% for my gender. Pretty badass. </div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: left;">
We spent the next couple hours at the after-race party. Fletcher
slept in the Ergo on me because who doesn’t strap their nearly 13 month to them
for a nap after running a half marathon? We watched the winners get their awards.
My friend Christa won the random $500 cash prize raffle so that was fun. But
mostly, we were enjoying the free beer, company of other runners, and basking
the glory that I had just finished my first half marathon. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Christa the big cash winner!</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
It is a wonderful feeling to know that I completed this goal
I had set for myself. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I assume
thanks to the 4 months of training. There is something to be said for
that cathartic feeling you get while running. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I am actually thinking about running another
one in November. I am sure that is the runners high talking though. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUi6GAxDhik/WQ0KEtkkVQI/AAAAAAAAgxM/HaPHe8-llRoW7GMIjWjgnHlnurDUvb5owCKgB/s1600/IMG_9077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUi6GAxDhik/WQ0KEtkkVQI/AAAAAAAAgxM/HaPHe8-llRoW7GMIjWjgnHlnurDUvb5owCKgB/s400/IMG_9077.JPG" width="300" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-54731013707341072512017-04-10T19:03:00.000-07:002017-04-10T19:11:53.012-07:00Fletcher's First Birthday (and Party)<h4>
Then, March 28, 2016, 10:32 pm:</h4>
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Now, March 28, 2017, 10:32 pm:</h4>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-5qxjN9TXw/WOwoZUOwHLI/AAAAAAAAd5k/fmIjb9xYmxo2jHqgP3Zx_pPG6sTxTuFoACKgB/s1600/IMG_8314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-5qxjN9TXw/WOwoZUOwHLI/AAAAAAAAd5k/fmIjb9xYmxo2jHqgP3Zx_pPG6sTxTuFoACKgB/s320/IMG_8314.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Fletcher's first birthday fell on a Tuesday, there was <i>too</i> much celebrating we could do. We still tried to make it special. Jared and I woke him up for the day by serenading him with "Happy Birthday." We think he enjoyed it.<br />
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I left work early to get him from daycare. We got home in time for a wagon ride around the neighborhood. And in time to snap a few pictures in front of his magnolia tree. The tree was a gift we got on the day we brought Fletcher home from the hospital. We planted it in the front yard and will enjoy watching the tree grow with him over the years. <br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHznE-K58Hw/WOwswNXg2eI/AAAAAAAAd58/jFK22iLsmkgEYm1nRMGQg2gv4F3ELaA4ACKgB/s1600/IMG_8254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHznE-K58Hw/WOwswNXg2eI/AAAAAAAAd58/jFK22iLsmkgEYm1nRMGQg2gv4F3ELaA4ACKgB/s320/IMG_8254.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ix-qbuBaKs/WOwswNEVAMI/AAAAAAAAd58/VvJp0vesjIUkDkzdV-s-XzJ_hg2agNOtACKgB/s1600/IMG_8270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ix-qbuBaKs/WOwswNEVAMI/AAAAAAAAd58/VvJp0vesjIUkDkzdV-s-XzJ_hg2agNOtACKgB/s320/IMG_8270.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Once Dad got home we headed off to get Fletcher's first haircut! He sat in the police car chair. Dad got to pick the movie from a very wide selection of VHS's on the wall. Of course he chose Fox and Hound. I think this might have been the first time Fletcher had ever really seen a cartoon before. He's not very interested in the TV, thank goodness. He did so great while the sweet lady cut his hair. He got a little antsy at the end because he was tired of being strapped in. <br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLgeGrhhYVw/WOwswMQvX2I/AAAAAAAAd58/zhVYNILtyRclJq4nXFOrbBQquHzLkceHQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLgeGrhhYVw/WOwswMQvX2I/AAAAAAAAd58/zhVYNILtyRclJq4nXFOrbBQquHzLkceHQCKgB/s320/IMG_8279.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ni7sNIx7Ts4/WOwswEV7XzI/AAAAAAAAd58/xMFGu7ty7BgGTCiz3rmClNI6-rS2zWl4ACKgB/s1600/IMG_8280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ni7sNIx7Ts4/WOwswEV7XzI/AAAAAAAAd58/xMFGu7ty7BgGTCiz3rmClNI6-rS2zWl4ACKgB/s320/IMG_8280.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Big boy haircut meant big boy dinner. Where else would we go for our child's first birthday? Sawmill, of course!<br />
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It was a very low key day and wasn't anything too out of the ordinary for us. I still felt all the feels of my sweet little boy turning a year old and sobbed while I rocked him to sleep. After he went to bed I replayed the video of him being born and looked through all 300 or so pictures of the first few days of his life. Then we promptly went in at 10:32pm to wish him official happy birthday.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8g_4i6uhTF4/WOwswHKB2tI/AAAAAAAAd58/M1PtDuc--CkmaF587ZDfbQ5BsoK-lSxGgCKgB/s1600/IMG_8315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8g_4i6uhTF4/WOwswHKB2tI/AAAAAAAAd58/M1PtDuc--CkmaF587ZDfbQ5BsoK-lSxGgCKgB/s400/IMG_8315.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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April 1, 2017: Fletcher's First Birthday Party!</h4>
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We completely underestimated how many people were actually going to show up for Fletcher's birthday party. Can I just reiterate that we have the most <i>wonderful</i> family and friends? People traveled from all over to come celebrate our boy with us. Many made a day trip just so they could wish him a happy birthday which just made us feel incredibly special. We are so lucky to have everyone of those people in our lives. <br />
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Fletcher on the other hand was a little overwhelmed with all these people at his house. The poor boy woke up from his nap and the next thing he knew 30 people were there, some even that the audacity to bring their children to his house (who Fletcher is normally excited to see, by the way). He was not interested in entertaining or showing off his little personality. He either wanted to be held by me or his JuJu and no one else. I definitely think the saying "its my party, I can cry if I want to" comes from a first birthday. <br />
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He did warm up after he had his smash cake (and I let him play with no clothes on). I guess the boy is more comfortable sans pants but, aren't we all? </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmHOkDz_uuw/WOwxOiZLwZI/AAAAAAAAd6c/J4XG_-mFsoYGi60IIh3TBjXbSKIHLY-CACKgB/s1600/IMG_8371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmHOkDz_uuw/WOwxOiZLwZI/AAAAAAAAd6c/J4XG_-mFsoYGi60IIh3TBjXbSKIHLY-CACKgB/s400/IMG_8371.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made him a low sugar smash cake with blueberry icing on the inside and covered in raspberries</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yTZk407paFs/WOwxOq7EWsI/AAAAAAAAd6c/t1g98Be2SOUm3XAvA8df5V_lYUtjpf_QwCKgB/s1600/IMG_8377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yTZk407paFs/WOwxOq7EWsI/AAAAAAAAd6c/t1g98Be2SOUm3XAvA8df5V_lYUtjpf_QwCKgB/s400/IMG_8377.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The bib was made by his Aunt Charli Kay and was gifted to me the Christmas before Fletcher was born. When I opened it I knew I wanted him to wear the bib on his first birthday. There is something very special about being a Rice man. I guess you have to be one (or be married to one or have one as your dad or son) to know just what that means :) <br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSee1XmfGZI/WOwxOq-QfwI/AAAAAAAAd6c/YLrrj84yjsABf-H6gDGOtxISr131NA1OACKgB/s1600/IMG_8366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSee1XmfGZI/WOwxOq-QfwI/AAAAAAAAd6c/YLrrj84yjsABf-H6gDGOtxISr131NA1OACKgB/s400/IMG_8366.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Fletcher got so many gifts we didn't even know where to start opening them. For a kid that had a very small corner dedicated to his toy collection in the living room, I am sure this was overwhelming too. He did enjoy opening some gifts and made everyone giggle when he was just as obsessed with the lama wrapping paper as everyone else. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1W1tDMqrYCA/WOwxOgCFhXI/AAAAAAAAd6c/M_nKSAU1SIMZLPdZD6qvNCA7fb3O1mHLwCKgB/s1600/IMG_8416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1W1tDMqrYCA/WOwxOgCFhXI/AAAAAAAAd6c/M_nKSAU1SIMZLPdZD6qvNCA7fb3O1mHLwCKgB/s400/IMG_8416.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">see the awesome lama wrapping paper? next to Fletcher, Kelly's wrapping paper was the talk of the party</td></tr>
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Overall, we had a great time! It was definitely more a party for us considering the food (pork and chicken wings) and beverage choice, but we figured this was probably going to be one of the few birthdays we could actually have a say in the theme and decorations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NNtRjWaMW4/WOw3Xy30z1I/AAAAAAAAd7U/rRv182We_M8LqLCy3ew8OhqS7m_Y-K4XwCKgB/s1600/IMG_8362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NNtRjWaMW4/WOw3Xy30z1I/AAAAAAAAd7U/rRv182We_M8LqLCy3ew8OhqS7m_Y-K4XwCKgB/s400/IMG_8362.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet Elizabeth came all the way from...Kernersville :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas and Gigi (Virginia, pregnant with baby Bledsole, due in July) came from Wilmington for the day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAyBlBGzAzY/WOwxOvOfYgI/AAAAAAAAd6c/a9xfys43_7QOs--I0b228clAyG5Pjc-BgCKgB/s1600/IMG_8408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAyBlBGzAzY/WOwxOvOfYgI/AAAAAAAAd6c/a9xfys43_7QOs--I0b228clAyG5Pjc-BgCKgB/s400/IMG_8408.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julia, Will and Wade traveled to Greenville then to Raleigh to spend the night which allowed Fletcher and Wade to have their first official sleep over!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntUmW2EL1UQ/WOw0vogi9JI/AAAAAAAAd7A/P3U3yBKLgiwMQFLvVILNiTXR5xd-fx0LQCLcB/s1600/aunt%2Bmeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntUmW2EL1UQ/WOw0vogi9JI/AAAAAAAAd7A/P3U3yBKLgiwMQFLvVILNiTXR5xd-fx0LQCLcB/s400/aunt%2Bmeg.jpg" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet Meghan and Ryan came all the way from Charlotte for the day. Meghan came to meet Fletcher the morning after he was born. She is one dedicated Aunt and we LOVE her so much.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIstvZ7pTYQ/WOwxOkibBhI/AAAAAAAAd6c/j2T6Kjmepf0CcVhV5SyI5wb55NogL6m-gCKgB/s1600/IMG_8424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIstvZ7pTYQ/WOwxOkibBhI/AAAAAAAAd6c/j2T6Kjmepf0CcVhV5SyI5wb55NogL6m-gCKgB/s400/IMG_8424.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all mamas wild college friends aka Fletcher's crazy aunts who spoil him rotten with toys and sugar. </td></tr>
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I wish I had taken more pictures of everyone that was there, especially more of those that had made a trip to see us, but we have the memories to last. We can't thank everyone enough for coming to celebrate our sweet boy turning ONE! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4mTYU5O43Q/WOwxOly4u8I/AAAAAAAAd6c/GRrlh9gVWssI4lB-y90USML0dU40huv1wCKgB/s1600/IMG_8442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4mTYU5O43Q/WOwxOly4u8I/AAAAAAAAd6c/GRrlh9gVWssI4lB-y90USML0dU40huv1wCKgB/s320/IMG_8442.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Cheers to us officially having a TODDLER.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-48572455932643971352017-04-09T17:53:00.000-07:002017-04-10T19:11:39.981-07:00Fletcher 12 MonthsMan, what a roller coaster of emotions that hit me on March 28, 2017. Our baby is now a <i>toddler</i>. That just doesn't seem real [the unwarranted tantrums are certainly real]. My mind can't quite wrap itself around the fact that a year went by in what seems like the blink of an eye. All those clichés are oh so true. I am steadfast trying to hold on to every.single.moment. But, here we are, with a ONE YEAR OLD, <i>our one year old</i>, and I just can't believe it. <br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
TWELVE MONTHS</h4>
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Similar to the emotions I felt on his birthday, this age is a lot like a roller coaster. One minute we are happily playing and the next, the world is ending because the toy fell out of his hand incorrectly. The tantrums can be intense. We know they are happening out of shear frustration because he can't fully communicate his needs. That fact doesn't make them any easier to deal with. We just think he gets his expressiveness from his mom. Since the time he took his first steps, he has been on the move, and goes non-stop until he falls or passes out. He is truly a mamas boy but lights up the second dad comes into a room or he sees him pulling into the driveway after work. </div>
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MONTH HIGHLIGHTS </h3>
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walking <i>everywhere</i>, mom and dads first weekend away, blowing kisses, visit to mama's work, second snow, mama's 28th birthday, Saint Patrick's Day, brushing hair, solo weekend with mom, tantrums for no apparent reason, trip to Wilmington, first haircut and FIRST BIRTHDAY!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">second time in the snow. which promptly melted about an hour later.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday boy! standing with the sign I wrote a few days after he was born.</td></tr>
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FAVORITES </h4>
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<b>Activity:</b> walking [especially outside], playing "hide and seek" and mini chase. He loves when we gasp and say "I'm gonna get you." He squeals and "runs" away. Enjoys taking sunglasses and hats off and putting them back on [over and over]. </div>
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<b>Food:</b> carbs, any fruit, and cheese </div>
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<b>Toy:</b> he got a ton for his birthday but probably likes the magnets on the fridge the best, thanks to his Great Aunts. </div>
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DISLIKES</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">upset because he put pasta on his own head.</td></tr>
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<b>Activity:</b> being frustrated, not getting his way, not being held the second he gestures to be picked up, being strapped in, laying down for diaper changes and getting dressed, and being left at daycare by mom. yes, we are going through a little attachment issue phase right now. </div>
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<b>Food:</b> meat </div>
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TYPICAL DAY </h4>
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<b>Eating:</b> we slowly transitioned to whole milk one week prior to turning 12 months. We mixed whole milk with breast milk until he was only drinking cold whole milk. We chose to use FairLife milk. Won't bore you with the details of why we chose this but we plan on sticking with either the ultra-filtered milk or organic milk. In addition to starting whole milk we dropped the bottle. All milk is now consumed from a sippy cup, four times per day. The transition to both were much easier than I thought they were going to be. Praise. </div>
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<b>Sleeping:</b> at daycare he is napping on a cot now! Like a little boy. Be still my heart. He only naps once there, 12pm-2:00ish. On the weekends we are still getting two naps, one morning (9-10:30) and one afternoon (1:30-3). Night sleep is still the best. Since switching to sippy cup a night he doesn't drift off while drinking his night milk so he is wide awake when we put him down. He will roll around for a few minutes but puts himself to sleep pretty quickly. He sleeps in the <i>craziest</i> positions. </div>
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PICTURES FROM THE MONTH</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our first weekend away</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one happy boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mamas boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging out at work with mom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">welcoming dad home from work</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">visiting downtown Wilmington </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with his two favorite ladies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first time trying ice cream at Kilwins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">celebrating Vance's birthday (sans Fletcher)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">its all good baby baby</td></tr>
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With the number of times I mention the word tantrum in this post it probably seems like all he does is freak out. But the truth is that we are just so used to having a very calm child so to see him fall out on the floor for no apparent reason can be a little shocking. Just like everything else we know this is just a phase. </div>
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Sweet Fletcher James, this has been the best, craziest, fastest, funniest, hardest, and most loving year of our lives. You have changed so much since you were born. I never thought I could love you more than the first time I met you, but my heart grows for you everyday. You fill our lives with your constant joy. You have such an infectious smile and wonder for life. Thank you for giving our lives purpose. Having you here just makes sense. You are our greatest accomplishment. We love you more than you will eve know sweet boy. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-45496654621305556242017-03-23T19:31:00.002-07:002017-03-24T09:54:01.641-07:00Twenty-EightLast Monday I celebrated my twenty-eighth birthday. Nothing too exciting about turning twenty-eight. But, this was the first birthday I have celebrated as a mom and that made the day pretty special. <br />
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The Saturday before we went downtown to spectate some of the Saint Patrick's Day shenanigans. It was far too cramped and full of crazies for us. We opted for an early dinner at The Draft House before meeting some friends at the dive bar, Around the Corner.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">too cool for school</td></tr>
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On Sunday we kept with my birthday tradition of eating Japanese steakhouse dinner, specifically Kanki. Fletcher was in complete awe and stared at the chef the whole time. The similar reaction he gave to Santa. Maybe its the overalls?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">same Buddha, different belly</td></tr>
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The evening of my actual birthday I requested Jared watch the finale of The Bachelor live with me. To my surprise, he agreed and brought me prosecco in bed. Mighty good man. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">helping me open gifts</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he secretly loves my reality TV drama</td></tr>
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Last Thursday Jared left to go to Texas for his cousin, Jakie's, wedding. Fletcher and I were sad to be missing the wedding but couldn't figure out logistically how to make it work. Plus, this mama has zero PTO left. Jared being gone meant it was just Fletcher and I flying solo for four whole days. This was the most time we have spent alone together since my maternity leave. It also means I am now winning in the "nights alone with the baby" category. Not that its a competition. I think Jared still takes the cake since he had Fletcher in the hurricane alone. Mad props to single parents.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Fletcher and Mama Weekend Recap:</b></div>
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Thursday we made it to daycare and work on time</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jgOTKN9Prvo/WNSANKqgQbI/AAAAAAAAcq0/qt506ZoHz4sODd6UqI7jk_qIw9bYQqguACKgB/s1600/IMG_8065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jgOTKN9Prvo/WNSANKqgQbI/AAAAAAAAcq0/qt506ZoHz4sODd6UqI7jk_qIw9bYQqguACKgB/s400/IMG_8065.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Had a buffalo wing Friday night date</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtZTuFSa9f8/WNSANKUiZhI/AAAAAAAAcq0/EGpFgu76LuMoFZXW-pXfplFVo7cN2tLgwCKgB/s1600/IMG_8077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtZTuFSa9f8/WNSANKUiZhI/AAAAAAAAcq0/EGpFgu76LuMoFZXW-pXfplFVo7cN2tLgwCKgB/s400/IMG_8077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stuck to our Saturday tradition of bagels</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEpaBOuP1zk/WNSANCOMsjI/AAAAAAAAcq0/tReoh4imrLEq0xYuowCZd-DEecHtO0uTQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEpaBOuP1zk/WNSANCOMsjI/AAAAAAAAcq0/tReoh4imrLEq0xYuowCZd-DEecHtO0uTQCKgB/s400/IMG_8085.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Went to Myers' first birthday party at Umstead Park</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIzAQOzZfUY/WNSANICJhhI/AAAAAAAAcq0/AhL-dvvh5lkirG9i5Clq3lLjObDoVtEbgCKgB/s1600/IMG_8091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIzAQOzZfUY/WNSANICJhhI/AAAAAAAAcq0/AhL-dvvh5lkirG9i5Clq3lLjObDoVtEbgCKgB/s400/IMG_8091.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Got some new plants for the front porch at Costco</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BD9hWOqKBjc/WNSBewBeJaI/AAAAAAAAcrE/ITdw0eybRisqRDfx3Q70rnpAtIgG18a6QCKgB/s1600/IMG_8109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BD9hWOqKBjc/WNSBewBeJaI/AAAAAAAAcrE/ITdw0eybRisqRDfx3Q70rnpAtIgG18a6QCKgB/s400/IMG_8109.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Watched a crazy thunderstorm roll in</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvZlZS86v50/WNSANPCrCII/AAAAAAAAcq0/hlLg-6ZNuB4edtDCYL8yHVueoFp72sxgACKgB/s1600/IMG_8113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvZlZS86v50/WNSANPCrCII/AAAAAAAAcq0/hlLg-6ZNuB4edtDCYL8yHVueoFp72sxgACKgB/s400/IMG_8113.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sunday was spent organizing the house, laying grass seed, birthday party planning, and wagon riding</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-be9sgMVz_54/WNSANHZzX3I/AAAAAAAAcq0/D3DnCFzk00kYYZw-Tls2BVfBcgdtdPojACKgB/s1600/IMG_8136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-be9sgMVz_54/WNSANHZzX3I/AAAAAAAAcq0/D3DnCFzk00kYYZw-Tls2BVfBcgdtdPojACKgB/s400/IMG_8136.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our time together flew by and I will cherish those days we spent just the two of us, but we sure missed dad. You never realized how much your partner helps you until they aren't there. Again, single parents, you are <i>amazing</i>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
How are we celebrating this boy turning ONE year next week. ALL.THE.EMOTIONS. Yes, I frequently cry on the way to work after dropping him off at daycare now. Yes, I continue to hug him a little tighter. Yes, I am savoring every single moment, even the 6pm <i>meltdowns</i>. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-47408158093558583372017-03-12T13:15:00.004-07:002017-03-12T13:15:53.425-07:00First Parent Weekend Away<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Last weekend Jared and I cashed in
our Christmas gift from my mom, a weekend away in a cabin with
babysitting included. This would our first time away together without Fletcher. His first time without one of us being home. Don't worry, I left my mom three pages worth of handwritten <strike>instructions</strike> notes to help her out. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2ahXE-ZbYE/WMWnCCvYrCI/AAAAAAAAcEo/1jefDNNdnyYKYuXxfp8alkHhbgSWpho2QCKgB/s1600/IMG_7782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2ahXE-ZbYE/WMWnCCvYrCI/AAAAAAAAcEo/1jefDNNdnyYKYuXxfp8alkHhbgSWpho2QCKgB/s400/IMG_7782.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwoxgjihALU/WMWnCOo3bsI/AAAAAAAAcEo/cxikNXyGVKIDn3ET9Rb16il0Ww-Zahw7wCKgB/s1600/IMG_7786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwoxgjihALU/WMWnCOo3bsI/AAAAAAAAcEo/cxikNXyGVKIDn3ET9Rb16il0Ww-Zahw7wCKgB/s400/IMG_7786.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We dropped Fletcher off at daycare
on Friday like usual. I only shed a few tears. Mainly because we drove past the
hospital and Jared pointed out the room I delivered Fletcher in. Then we went
to the same Chick-fil-a that we ate breakfast at the morning we had
Fletcher. It was far too sentimental for this constantly emotional mama. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">After our super romantic breakfast
of chicken minis we headed straight for Asheville.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Made a little detour in
Winston-Salem to see the house we first lived in together, 5 years ago. It
looks <i>exactly</i> the same. Still in the straight hood of downtown. The
quick visit brought back a lot of memories for us. We were so young and living
on just Jared's salary, but we had so much fun.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbuXqceSExQ/WMWnCIlhXAI/AAAAAAAAcEo/frmGQ2rKhfg24Arq2y74YvanhOeWA5p5gCKgB/s1600/IMG_7792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MbuXqceSExQ/WMWnCIlhXAI/AAAAAAAAcEo/frmGQ2rKhfg24Arq2y74YvanhOeWA5p5gCKgB/s400/IMG_7792.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">two bedrooms and one bathroom that hold oh so many memories </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We were making really good time and hit
Asheville at 11:30. We passed a State Trooper just a few miles
after getting into the city and you could feel Jared's heart drop. He was
coming for us. Jared's lead foots gets us in trouble again [funny, because
he is the worlds safest and slowest driver...usually]. It was the
quickest ticket that has ever been written. Not a great way to start the trip
but, he really was a nice and we knew we were in the wrong. Luckily, it didn't
delay us too much, just meant the beer would be well worth it. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We got to New Belgium with over an
hour to spare before our tour which meant we had time to sample the beers we
haven't tried before and enjoy a local food truck. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wtEWUjVdHc/WMWnCGjA-II/AAAAAAAAcEo/kDPBU4UmUko1uBo6mHyWkThUa-hvUN5ZgCKgB/s1600/IMG_7797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wtEWUjVdHc/WMWnCGjA-II/AAAAAAAAcEo/kDPBU4UmUko1uBo6mHyWkThUa-hvUN5ZgCKgB/s400/IMG_7797.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The tour was 90 minutes long and
very informative. New Belgium seems like a great company to work for. The
samples kept coming throughout the tour, which only made us like them even
more. The facility is huge and equipped with a bottling plant onsite. It was
the most beautiful brewery I have been to. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk_WXiVXKe8/WMWnCLqAEyI/AAAAAAAAcEo/VICp6hp4QDUBBN7dTgpLHkHRyl1O4DlngCKgB/s1600/IMG_7799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk_WXiVXKe8/WMWnCLqAEyI/AAAAAAAAcEo/VICp6hp4QDUBBN7dTgpLHkHRyl1O4DlngCKgB/s400/IMG_7799.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KfC1MjljqRQ/WMWnCOhMmYI/AAAAAAAAcEo/kDHGrEXcONsx_4Xqt9DBU4AI_trtDpOuwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KfC1MjljqRQ/WMWnCOhMmYI/AAAAAAAAcEo/kDHGrEXcONsx_4Xqt9DBU4AI_trtDpOuwCKgB/s400/IMG_7804.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7O9tSAGmenY/WMWnCKgzD9I/AAAAAAAAcEo/qbf1oTHSaKUDv6ulYkt4NIyiMB6m1ngQwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7O9tSAGmenY/WMWnCKgzD9I/AAAAAAAAcEo/qbf1oTHSaKUDv6ulYkt4NIyiMB6m1ngQwCKgB/s400/IMG_7805.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, that is a slide. yes, we did get to ride it. adults having fun. watch out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQoKIc9Txa4/WMWnCMNaOHI/AAAAAAAAcEo/G8GmGbsb5p0Ar1FIKK9gkDTf_lgZoiZMQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQoKIc9Txa4/WMWnCMNaOHI/AAAAAAAAcEo/G8GmGbsb5p0Ar1FIKK9gkDTf_lgZoiZMQCKgB/s400/IMG_7816.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">After New Belgium we made our hour
hike West to our cabin just outside of Bryson City, NC. We spent the evening attempting to make a fire for s'mores and failing at putting a puzzle together. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vO9Wd8tMRN8/WMWnCHJWR-I/AAAAAAAAcEo/RpJq-UZMdYguoBP6QxQ7rcW0zkX1XdqVACKgB/s1600/IMG_7818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vO9Wd8tMRN8/WMWnCHJWR-I/AAAAAAAAcEo/RpJq-UZMdYguoBP6QxQ7rcW0zkX1XdqVACKgB/s400/IMG_7818.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBmnFUOUAxM/WMWnCFZEosI/AAAAAAAAcEo/E6yXrX1Wu9A3LqTix2z8Vo9FgWGvITQLwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7835.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBmnFUOUAxM/WMWnCFZEosI/AAAAAAAAcEo/E6yXrX1Wu9A3LqTix2z8Vo9FgWGvITQLwCKgB/s400/IMG_7835.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">because FaceTiming your 11 month when you're in the hot tub is totally appropriate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2FuREREqjdY/WMWnCDOMlkI/AAAAAAAAcEo/bfS1RmJiiOcrXL99jjm9EC54evcDucCigCKgB/s1600/IMG_7837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2FuREREqjdY/WMWnCDOMlkI/AAAAAAAAcEo/bfS1RmJiiOcrXL99jjm9EC54evcDucCigCKgB/s400/IMG_7837.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">don't drink and puzzle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Of course I would've loved to sleep
in our trip, but my internal mama body clock woke me up at 7am sharp. We went
back to sleep and had a lazy morning around the cabin before heading into
Bryson City for brunch.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We ate at the cutest little place
called Cork and Bean. Then we grabbed to go coffee from the local café and
strolled the downtown area, which is only about two or three blocks in size. We
got Fletcher a little keepsake. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-MeCHWBSf4/WMWnCPKKxhI/AAAAAAAAcEo/fRoUCpFn1EQDRt9O2Omrxn5w7IDEpF56ACKgB/s1600/IMG_7844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-MeCHWBSf4/WMWnCPKKxhI/AAAAAAAAcEo/fRoUCpFn1EQDRt9O2Omrxn5w7IDEpF56ACKgB/s400/IMG_7844.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bloody marys before coffee. delicious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtIJTRUFbMk/WMWnCEWCxAI/AAAAAAAAcEo/346_kp7-iiQCcXakdLmu96RbcNE-23X8ACKgB/s1600/IMG_7865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtIJTRUFbMk/WMWnCEWCxAI/AAAAAAAAcEo/346_kp7-iiQCcXakdLmu96RbcNE-23X8ACKgB/s400/IMG_7865.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rGoEfduELuo/WMWnCMGhXTI/AAAAAAAAcEo/QnrqSi8KetsBow2zlTI2V-tutmSjWzwfQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rGoEfduELuo/WMWnCMGhXTI/AAAAAAAAcEo/QnrqSi8KetsBow2zlTI2V-tutmSjWzwfQCKgB/s400/IMG_7849.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryson City is located on the Tuckasegee River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMFfeHb16po/WMWnCJbVZpI/AAAAAAAAcEo/fZDB8-bL5L8eozE3wpp29PbxmBQJGrPKACKgB/s1600/IMG_7850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMFfeHb16po/WMWnCJbVZpI/AAAAAAAAcEo/fZDB8-bL5L8eozE3wpp29PbxmBQJGrPKACKgB/s400/IMG_7850.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is not the souvenir we brought back for Fletch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Up next, casino time! Cherokee was
less than 30 minutes from Bryson City. Why not do some gambling on our parent
weekend? Plus I had never been to a real casino before. Let me tell you, prime
people watching. I played the slots for all of 20 minutes before losing
interest. We didn't hit the jackpot but we also didn't spend more than we said
we would. A really interesting and very eclectic place. Two hours was all we
needed. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWZDy9AwcUY/WMWnCJUNW2I/AAAAAAAAcEo/1bL3lFLi7u0zmtSX48cwvPiAwv3m75nNgCKgB/s1600/IMG_7853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWZDy9AwcUY/WMWnCJUNW2I/AAAAAAAAcEo/1bL3lFLi7u0zmtSX48cwvPiAwv3m75nNgCKgB/s400/IMG_7853.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">winning nothing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T01MICKbhzM/WMWnCKWsUxI/AAAAAAAAcEo/QfeEac6UGWc5zNP6jJUtpRT32EhAetfiQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T01MICKbhzM/WMWnCKWsUxI/AAAAAAAAcEo/QfeEac6UGWc5zNP6jJUtpRT32EhAetfiQCKgB/s400/IMG_7859.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good times at ol' Harrah's Cherokee Casino</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We went back to Bryson City to try Nantahala Brewing Company. A cute little place in the heart of downtown with delicious brews. Something about beer freshly brewed in the mountains makes it taste so much better. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1XnmPqERfY/WMWnCJ2a_II/AAAAAAAAcEo/iCiG2q1Hv-0l4BcARNQDp6zZNYLt63VwQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1XnmPqERfY/WMWnCJ2a_II/AAAAAAAAcEo/iCiG2q1Hv-0l4BcARNQDp6zZNYLt63VwQCKgB/s400/IMG_7861.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it is true, water is for quitters.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">For lunch we ate the "famous" Filling Station. Ahh-mazing sandwiches and fries. We got two of their specialty homemade ice cream sandwiches that were out of this world delicious. They make the flavored frozen yogurt in house and bake the cookies fresh too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Then it was back to our cabin for a hike to the "waterfall" that was on the resort grounds. We completely underestimated how intense the hike was going to be. The mountain is quite steep. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efkS8adPbKY/WMWnCLYaTtI/AAAAAAAAcEo/NBeYzH0JMrUlY0itLs8kIOnSpuY-R_vygCKgB/s1600/IMG_7871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efkS8adPbKY/WMWnCLYaTtI/AAAAAAAAcEo/NBeYzH0JMrUlY0itLs8kIOnSpuY-R_vygCKgB/s400/IMG_7871.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">see that large waterfall...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We enjoyed or last evening with champagne in the hot tub and a nice steak dinner. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M27eL-NE1dM/WMWnCBGyYWI/AAAAAAAAcEo/0BQgqPLRy-QGzrPR-Cux6Zo9yrW3LVWpwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M27eL-NE1dM/WMWnCBGyYWI/AAAAAAAAcEo/0BQgqPLRy-QGzrPR-Cux6Zo9yrW3LVWpwCKgB/s320/IMG_7899.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the bottle we have been saving since before I gave birth to Fletcher</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEnPXY0vTGI/WMWnCFyC-SI/AAAAAAAAcEo/qFkpb3uwgEIBT0uHk_PmGNUwLUW1jNxygCKgB/s1600/IMG_7900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEnPXY0vTGI/WMWnCFyC-SI/AAAAAAAAcEo/qFkpb3uwgEIBT0uHk_PmGNUwLUW1jNxygCKgB/s320/IMG_7900.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we realize how incredibly lucky we are.</td></tr>
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\<img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lu6ONMTNWa0/WMWnCAVUZRI/AAAAAAAAcEo/8MD0cWFXXCQwZ-Bk4Du06tPIBgpkq7dMACKgB/s320/IMG_7908.JPG" width="320" /></div>
We took our time waking up and packing the car on Sunday, trying to enjoy the views before hitting the road. Brunch in Asheville seemed like a good idea, but after trying two different places that had ridiculous waits, we ended up at Waffle House near the outlet malls. Romantic way to end the weekend, huh? We stocked up on some 12 month clothes for Fletcher because my mom informed that his pants were too tight on his belly. Then we swung by the Biltmore gift shop to grab my mom some "Thank You Wine" before hitting the road. <br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbZUfTH1FFA/WMWnCMGpT_I/AAAAAAAAcEo/n6FGsWFG8WAnC6nNYDszR3eDwdeJktuqgCKgB/s1600/IMG_7907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbZUfTH1FFA/WMWnCMGpT_I/AAAAAAAAcEo/n6FGsWFG8WAnC6nNYDszR3eDwdeJktuqgCKgB/s400/IMG_7907.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Can't thank my mom enough for giving us one the best gifts. I didn't realize how much we took alone time for granted. Though, I know this was a little gift for her too. She had so much fun spending that quality time with her grandson. It was such a wonderful weekend. Nothing was scheduled which was a nice change of pace for us. It wasn't as hard to leave him as I thought, but we were definitely ready to get home to our boy. Highly recommend the area my mom chose, Watershed Resorts. We can't wait to go back again, with Fletcher [or friends] of course. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-6427916654484337082017-03-06T18:41:00.001-08:002017-03-06T18:41:08.351-08:00Fletcher 11 MonthsWe are less than a month away from having a ONE year old. Seriously, how is that even possible? Jared and I both agree, I was literally <i>just</i> pregnant. <br />
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<h3 align="center">
ELEVEN MONTHS</h3>
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This age is non stop and such a blast. He wears himself slap out which I think is why he has been napping so much harder at daycare and at home. He is legitimately always moving, unless he is asleep. His attention span is getting longer so we can actually play. He is figuring things out and putting pieces together, like when we hide something behind our backs he is actually looking for it. </div>
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We have one smart, sweet, gentle, mamas boy. </div>
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<h3 align="center">
MONTH HIGHLIGHTS</h3>
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This month brought us our first scheduled play date with a friend from birth class (Myers who is just 12 days older than Fletcher), a birthday party which resulted in a busted lip #bigheadedbabyproblems, Super Bowl and the Patriots ultimate comeback, still loving to open cabinets, pointing, calling everything "da" or "ba," swinging, first Valentine's Day, cutting of top front teeth, first PTs fry, discovering he can lift the toilet seat and put his hands in the water [disgusting, I know], Mama's work promotion, oyster roast, ate a little dirt, and FIRST STEPS!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmnjHKRSX1o/WL4XHuz5ywI/AAAAAAAAbxk/YmCiBotmSbsrmxSD-o0q5msxWvOVQFHhQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmnjHKRSX1o/WL4XHuz5ywI/AAAAAAAAbxk/YmCiBotmSbsrmxSD-o0q5msxWvOVQFHhQCKgB/s400/IMG_7334.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these boys are far too cool to smile with their moms on their first play date tog</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my sweet Valentine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfhYri02bh4/WL4Y_8MVx0I/AAAAAAAAbyU/246y5SfA_iEI1tTcnNGiLQ2Sh-jwRLPVQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfhYri02bh4/WL4Y_8MVx0I/AAAAAAAAbyU/246y5SfA_iEI1tTcnNGiLQ2Sh-jwRLPVQCKgB/s640/IMG_7934.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brought Fletcher's wagon to the oyster roast. it was a hit with the ladies. we are in trouble.</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
FAVORITES</h3>
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<b>Activity:</b> doing anything outside [swinging, walking, eating dirt, watching his dogs], dancing, playing in the toilet, pulling everything out from cabinets [kitchen and bathroom are the favorites] </div>
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<b>Food:</b> Hawaiian rolls [dang JuJu for introducing these], cheese, raspberries, blueberries, carbs</div>
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<b>Toy:</b> remote is still in first place, but also likes anything that is not intentionally a toy. Queue, bottle brush or toilet paper roll. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZNIbruHMqU/WL4XHiSaMqI/AAAAAAAAbxk/PwtLIL2dv9QPfKDLUH01olD-OYaxtY7SQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZNIbruHMqU/WL4XHiSaMqI/AAAAAAAAbxk/PwtLIL2dv9QPfKDLUH01olD-OYaxtY7SQCKgB/s640/IMG_7536.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">don't let this face fool you, he loves his swing</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
DISLIKES</h3>
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<b>Activity: </b>being strapped in to anything [we still hate the car seat], being told "no," not being picked up while dinner is being made</div>
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<b>Food: </b>meat</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKkJW6kVw9A/WL4YBJMe6vI/AAAAAAAAbx4/Q-z1G6viIJQEJnba7WWnsaQVOywpbY5_ACKgB/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKkJW6kVw9A/WL4YBJMe6vI/AAAAAAAAbx4/Q-z1G6viIJQEJnba7WWnsaQVOywpbY5_ACKgB/s640/IMG_7685.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crying for so many reasons: 6pm, being told no, wanting to be held, over the photoshoot, wanted to eat a leaf</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
TYPICAL DAY</h3>
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<b>Eating: </b>down to 4 bottles per day (700, 1100, 1300, 1900) three meals and lots of snacks! Bottles are still a mix of breastmilk and formula. Meals at daycare are provided and are way fancier than anything we are eating. For example, spinach quiche, hummus roll up, and salmon burgers. At home the meals are really just whatever Jared and I are eating or berries. </div>
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<b>Pumping: </b>I have officially weaned from pumping! I slowly dropped a pumping session every few days and decreased the amount of time I was pumping per session. I dropped the final pump just in time to not have to pump on our first parental weekend away [more on that in a later post]</div>
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<b>Sleeping:</b> [knocking on wood as typing] we have turned a corner on nap time at day care, PRAISE! He has consistently been sleeping 1-2 hours <i>everyday</i>. Phew, only took 7 months...Night sleep still great. He had a pretty bad cold his last week of his 10th month and would cough so much in his sleep but it never seemed to bother him too much or wake him up. Just sounded pitiful. </div>
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<h3 align="left" style="text-align: center;">
PICTURES FROM THE MONTH</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIsFm-sD3Rc/WL4bmV3YYUI/AAAAAAAAb0s/z9nYzHesM_04s1HuvivPv0ItPrXX1lYHwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIsFm-sD3Rc/WL4bmV3YYUI/AAAAAAAAb0s/z9nYzHesM_04s1HuvivPv0ItPrXX1lYHwCKgB/s400/IMG_7408.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bruise on cheek and forehead and busted lip. poor child.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nT42Mwi8wA/WL4bmYyzxjI/AAAAAAAAb0s/dRTRb_vAi7gB6zd7r41_Afp97szrTkR2wCKgB/s1600/IMG_7413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nT42Mwi8wA/WL4bmYyzxjI/AAAAAAAAb0s/dRTRb_vAi7gB6zd7r41_Afp97szrTkR2wCKgB/s400/IMG_7413.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JuJu made slippers like my great grandmother used to knit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all.the.fruit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HareosLEQ30/WL4bmdcxWkI/AAAAAAAAb0s/vM6CQI8CPHY5PxeTXI1HiVVGIWtfHSNywCKgB/s1600/IMG_7483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HareosLEQ30/WL4bmdcxWkI/AAAAAAAAb0s/vM6CQI8CPHY5PxeTXI1HiVVGIWtfHSNywCKgB/s400/IMG_7483.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still a fan even in a very disappointing season</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVzxWt8ThBg/WL4bmQLFHPI/AAAAAAAAb0s/KPzLR9a-cys5Ew11nUWbrsp3IOcAumQyQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVzxWt8ThBg/WL4bmQLFHPI/AAAAAAAAb0s/KPzLR9a-cys5Ew11nUWbrsp3IOcAumQyQCKgB/s400/IMG_7522.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the inherited "woman, why are you taking another picture" look</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WAwpPpotGPU/WL4bmRoAseI/AAAAAAAAb0s/x1c7Bm3CZIo1W-gwasHf0F6f-2vMTo31ACKgB/s1600/IMG_7587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WAwpPpotGPU/WL4bmRoAseI/AAAAAAAAb0s/x1c7Bm3CZIo1W-gwasHf0F6f-2vMTo31ACKgB/s400/IMG_7587.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wild child</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBBJOmHtBjs/WL4bmbYzjCI/AAAAAAAAb0s/5jLB8KFYcjkjgiHXIvzwR80NqDop9OLYwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBBJOmHtBjs/WL4bmbYzjCI/AAAAAAAAb0s/5jLB8KFYcjkjgiHXIvzwR80NqDop9OLYwCKgB/s400/IMG_7627.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first PTs fry! with a side of blueberries of course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-me1edqyO3cc/WL4bmaMhLvI/AAAAAAAAb0s/I7pgJNoxLPs4WSTejDNyduHLWIG_jr0SgCKgB/s1600/IMG_7648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-me1edqyO3cc/WL4bmaMhLvI/AAAAAAAAb0s/I7pgJNoxLPs4WSTejDNyduHLWIG_jr0SgCKgB/s400/IMG_7648.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mamas boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LiRe8yvfVLw/WL4bmRrtDuI/AAAAAAAAb0s/ypR4bicjFI4kVEEIxuGz2zmt0A13bSOBwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LiRe8yvfVLw/WL4bmRrtDuI/AAAAAAAAb0s/ypR4bicjFI4kVEEIxuGz2zmt0A13bSOBwCKgB/s400/IMG_7689.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the toddler size hat is almost too small.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSxXheJKhOw/WL4bmfYVqJI/AAAAAAAAb0s/qXgO-lxnRQ0m-HGyltrOcd46xW5akyUkgCKgB/s1600/IMG_7702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSxXheJKhOw/WL4bmfYVqJI/AAAAAAAAb0s/qXgO-lxnRQ0m-HGyltrOcd46xW5akyUkgCKgB/s400/IMG_7702.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dirt is good for the immune system, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AdtYmxmgyw8/WL4bmTvbmAI/AAAAAAAAb0s/evfmyY0hyu4tAHn6Kx-ND_kBH1E2M5QmQCKgB/s400/IMG_7754.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">big ol' front chompers coming in big.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fletcher James, you are keeping us on our toes. Everyday with you is better than the last. Thank you for being the sweetest and best challenge we have ever had. You are truly wonderful. We love you so much.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-79240718130370977472017-02-21T19:07:00.002-08:002017-02-21T19:07:09.662-08:00Weekend RecapCan we just go ahead and call this February the start of Spring? The last
several weekends have been amazing with wonderful weather in the mid to high
70s. I am so hopeful that the days will remain this nice. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzY52v5Hkq4/WKz8mH3xhBI/AAAAAAAAa90/hyvgVf2M_hA4wxOogXPKdsOzEMWDsrb0gCKgB/s1600/IMG_7538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzY52v5Hkq4/WKz8mH3xhBI/AAAAAAAAa90/hyvgVf2M_hA4wxOogXPKdsOzEMWDsrb0gCKgB/s400/IMG_7538.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">added two baby swings to the set in our backyard. perfect additions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was Will's birthday this past week so we decided to go down to Wilmington
for the weekend to celebrate and spend some time with my mom. Jared and I left
work early Friday to beat the traffic. This was our first trip with Fletcher's
new car seat. We weren't able to plan the drive around his nap schedule so he
was going to be awake for the ride once we picked him up from
daycare. So it was either going to be horribly awful or he would
do great. Please note, I still have PTSD from the Ocracoke nightmare that
was my 4 month old child screaming bloody murder for nearly 4 hours. But, hey,
he surprised us and did <i>amazing</i> on the trip down! He played with toys,
looked out the window and entertained himself. He only got antsy right as we
were pulling into my mom's neighborhood. I will call that a success. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GouJj1qeC-s/WKz3HcPjXrI/AAAAAAAAa84/kjTB-FMVI5kDjZG-st9uX43026xctEksACKgB/s1600/IMG_7605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GouJj1qeC-s/WKz3HcPjXrI/AAAAAAAAa84/kjTB-FMVI5kDjZG-st9uX43026xctEksACKgB/s320/IMG_7605.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp-COW0LjLI/WKz3HfOaxFI/AAAAAAAAa84/5-LAY2jZT6EdItq7GjFx7G1IwdREkeVnACKgB/s1600/IMG_7606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp-COW0LjLI/WKz3HfOaxFI/AAAAAAAAa84/5-LAY2jZT6EdItq7GjFx7G1IwdREkeVnACKgB/s320/IMG_7606.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
We were pleasantly surprised to see my mom had left work early to greet us
when arrived to her house. She's not fooling anyone though, we know it was all
for Fletcher. We had dinner at one of my favorite Italian restaurants, Osteria
Cicchetti. Sadly, they had taken my favorite pizza off the menu, The Brussels,
but they were able to make it for me, delicious as always. We got our first
glimpse of toddler-hood with a very impatient Fletcher who wanted nothing
to do with the highchair, insisted on grabbing everything from the
table to launch, and did not want to be held unless we were walking
around. He definitely gets his drama from his mama. <br />
<br />
After Fletcher went to bed, we met up with Will, Julia, and Wade at
Fermental, a little wine and bottle shop just up the road from my mom. We sat
outside and caught up over a few beers. We always thought Fletcher was an easy
baby, but Wade is by far the "chilliest" baby I have ever met. He
just fell asleep sitting in his carrier, no coaxing needed, surrounded by
people talking. It was pretty cool. He definitely gets that from his very laid
back parents. Julia is one of the strongest mamas I know. I won't go into
detail, but she constantly amazes me with her strength. I consider myself lucky
to call her one of my best friends. <br />
<br />
Saturday we spent the morning hanging out around my mom's with my mom, James and Matthew. My mom got
really creative with making Fletcher some toys. He enjoyed sitting in a
cardboard tomato crate that she tied a string to and pulled him around her
house. There was also rice in a Tupperware container that he used as a
rattle/maraca. Then a coffee box filled with a pack of vitamin C, measuring
spoon, and a ball that he enjoyed opening and pulling everything out of.
Finally, his favorite had to be the metal bowl and wooden spatula that he made
a lot of noise with. Grandparents are so creative. It goes to show you
don't need to spend money on toys. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTbg6lobt_M/WKz3qiMRl9I/AAAAAAAAa88/zIqoP6InzJMpVOD3yV0cQkI90PzjXD0pQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTbg6lobt_M/WKz3qiMRl9I/AAAAAAAAa88/zIqoP6InzJMpVOD3yV0cQkI90PzjXD0pQCKgB/s400/IMG_7650.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmjTq0fmJoo/WKz3quxKNrI/AAAAAAAAa88/lOkwSgwBDjoOjFRvD_kervbkylC_Of3KgCKgB/s400/IMG_7617.JPG" width="300" /></div>
I took advantage of the gorgeous weather Saturday morning. Despite being
sick, I ran 5 miles. I hit a personal overall pace record, but I attribute that to
the flat course I ran. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45DPPlU4hJQ/WKz35VL2TzI/AAAAAAAAa9A/pKUagAjSqqgW4nx7dG_hz2nL0I3WzlM7ACKgB/s1600/IMG_7637.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45DPPlU4hJQ/WKz35VL2TzI/AAAAAAAAa9A/pKUagAjSqqgW4nx7dG_hz2nL0I3WzlM7ACKgB/s400/IMG_7637.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I haven't run the loop since high school. I ran it twice [pats self on back]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For lunch we attempted [and failed] eating on the water with
friends. Everyone else in Wilmington seemed to have the same idea. Fletcher had
a melt down in the Dockside parking lot. Can't blame him though I think most
people have mini panic attacks in that godforsaken lot. Come on, y'all invest
in better parking! After some struggle we ultimately decided to leave the beach
to have an overpriced, poor serviced, lunch at The Pub. Even though the food
took forever, the company was just what we needed. We got to spend a few hours
catching up with expecting parents, Thomas and Virginia (having a baby boy in
July!) and of course Will, Julia, and Wade. <br />
<br />
Again after Fletcher went to bed we went to Will and Julia's to have few
more hours to catch up with them, Thomas and Virginia. Always a good time with those four. <br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
[no pictures because I didn't even
think about taking one at lunch or that evening. shocker.]</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sunday we of course had PTs for lunch before hitting the road back to Raleigh. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kX2_KoS94Mg/WKz5yQ7AuXI/AAAAAAAAa9Y/_pGvinD64mIcZnnXFTA0NdjgndqDomoXwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kX2_KoS94Mg/WKz5yQ7AuXI/AAAAAAAAa9Y/_pGvinD64mIcZnnXFTA0NdjgndqDomoXwCKgB/s400/IMG_7624.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2vF_-3yvdo/WKz5yTKqvlI/AAAAAAAAa9Y/DpIfRIfxlUY196fsZQxqaWVN4OVjZEXmwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2vF_-3yvdo/WKz5yTKqvlI/AAAAAAAAa9Y/DpIfRIfxlUY196fsZQxqaWVN4OVjZEXmwCKgB/s400/IMG_7626.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eating his first ever PTs seasoned fry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The ride back to Raleigh was not as calm as the trip down, but still was not awful.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JLnDuQMpx0U/WKz8THoUgSI/AAAAAAAAa9w/L3qLn9m0V_UqzZRXA0EpXsojP2vXf_lXwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JLnDuQMpx0U/WKz8THoUgSI/AAAAAAAAa9w/L3qLn9m0V_UqzZRXA0EpXsojP2vXf_lXwCKgB/s320/IMG_7632.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yeah, this lasted all of twenty minutes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got home in time to do a little yard work, hammock time, swing fun, and back porch hanging. Our favorite.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khepKUyLIVA/WKz8L2rodwI/AAAAAAAAa9k/6wD7vsgop38pupbLp3A2zYLxxbLMbajOQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khepKUyLIVA/WKz8L2rodwI/AAAAAAAAa9k/6wD7vsgop38pupbLp3A2zYLxxbLMbajOQCKgB/s320/IMG_7635.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Such a wonderful weekend spending time with family and great friends. Fletcher was in a great mood all weekend. The last few weeks he has been a little fussier than normal, I blame it on the teeth which have officially broke through. Praise the Lord. Two huge top front teeth coming soon [inert all the heart eyes]. He was also non-stop all weekend. He napped so hard at my mom's which was a total shocker. It gave us a little look into the future with toddler-Fletcher. He is wide open, full of personality, and oh so fun. He just keeps getting better. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDeuQ3LZBLE/WKz_yf6Tb8I/AAAAAAAAa-M/ETTerQRetAoBHi8tVWYgQ32ipLy6ZbHZACKgB/s1600/IMG_7651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDeuQ3LZBLE/WKz_yf6Tb8I/AAAAAAAAa-M/ETTerQRetAoBHi8tVWYgQ32ipLy6ZbHZACKgB/s400/IMG_7651.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this kid and my brother's snapchat filters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-17753238126210463622017-02-12T07:03:00.002-08:002017-02-13T03:08:27.422-08:00Random Thoughts While Running<span style="color: black;">Yesterday, Saturday, was my long run day. My plan had me scheduled for 4.5 miles, but the route I did took me on 4.9 miles, ugh why didn't I just go the extra 0.1 miles for an even 5.0 #OCD </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Jared asked me the other day if I had ever been tested for ADD (rude) but then I got to thinking maybe, especially after these </span><span style="color: black;">random thoughts I had on my run yesterday. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>MILE ONE</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I really need to try those wireless headphones and get music synced to my watch </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">Technology is the worst </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Man those women must be running or training for a marathon with all that gear </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Cute dog</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Cute baby </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Brrr that wind off the lake is cold </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Oh hey! I love waving to other runners</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>MILE TWO</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">So much geese poop</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Do I need new shoes? </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I think I run funny </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Jared was right, I didn't need these long sleeves </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">[Passing the ladies on the loop again] There's no way they need all that gear for 3 miles. Please tell me y'all are running farther </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">[waves at another runner]</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>MILE TWO.FIVE</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Darn it! Stupid technology. I stopped my run app accidentally. Blame the sleeves. Now I will have two different runs on one day. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">I think I have mild OCD</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Damn 9.36 mile pace. Get it girl.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Thank god for panty liners </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">This.damn.hill.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>MILE THREE</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Ok really need to get those wireless headphones </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">How am I going to run 13.1 miles </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">There's no way</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">There is certainly no way my bladder is going to hold for 13 miles</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">Remember to wear dark pants on race day</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I wonder what Fletcher is doing [sleeping]</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">This is the worst.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Do I even like running. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>MILE FOUR</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I gave birth with no pain meds. I </span><i><span style="color: black;">can</span></i><span style="color: black;"> do this. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I </span><i><span style="color: black;">want</span></i><span style="color: black;"> to do this. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">New sports bras might be a good investment </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I love </span><a href="http://www.camppatton.com/"><span style="color: black;">Camp Patton</span></a><span style="color: black;"> [blogger] I wish I was that witty </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I wonder how my sister in law is doing</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">"I found you miss new booty..." nearly impossible to not sing along to</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Thank goodness hot n here didn't play</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">Recruit Jared to make my half marathon playlist.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>MILE FOUR.FIVE</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Pretty close to home, but could probably go farther </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">I really do enjoy running <span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I need to call my brothers more</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Am I good mom? A good wife? </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I wonder what Jared looks like when he runs </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Running is pretty refreshing. Wish it helped me make hard decisions. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Last hill, I bet Fletcher is awake [he wasn't]</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Look there's the house!</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">No, I definitely don't have ADD.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">This weekend has been beautiful! I am currently enjoying this 65 degree morning on the porch with my coffee while I finish this up this post before church. Hopefully meeting up with friends from birth class and their son, who is just 12 days older than Fletcher, for some park time or some outdoor Sunday brews. Can every day be this nice?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">I chopped my hair and went darker/more natural on Friday. Well, I consider this chopping. I wanted to go shorter but knew I would probably regret it after I realized I didn't know how to style it. Plus, I still need to be able to pull it back in a ponytail. My girl, Olivia, at Blo is the bomb-dot-com. Obsessed. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">awkward-before-cut-mirror-selfie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">come on, tell me Olivia is not the greatest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">because we can't have a post with out a picture of Fletcher</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-21380790518135553272017-02-08T17:33:00.000-08:002017-02-08T17:33:02.351-08:00Mama UpdateI want to challenge myself to share a little more about what is going on with me because it is so easy to talk just about Fletcher on here. Mainly I want to document so my older self can look back and laugh at Young Mama Rice, "you fool, you thought you knew so much then." <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>New Year Goal Update</b> </div>
Going strong on the no social media thing. It has been over a month since I deleted the apps. Surprisingly, I haven't even had the urge to log on. Go me. People ask me all the time "so how are you doing with that?" "don't you miss it?" "oh so you haven't heard about all the political stuff?" my answers, fine, no, and hopefully people are using other outlets besides Facebook to get their news. I feel like I am more productive with my time, especially after Fletcher goes to bed. I am reading a book. It has been years (no, seriously, <i>years</i>) since I actually read a book, and Moms on Call does not count. Finally, the best part, I feel like I have removed so much of negative energy from my life. I am not constantly comparing myself to others. It has been very cleansing for me. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDfOnCLUQu4/WJp3hdCli5I/AAAAAAAAZy0/kJdqkItX7xMPuWWIbEtq5Uun_fGeXUeogCLcB/s1600/Big_Little_Lies_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDfOnCLUQu4/WJp3hdCli5I/AAAAAAAAZy0/kJdqkItX7xMPuWWIbEtq5Uun_fGeXUeogCLcB/s320/Big_Little_Lies_Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">currently reading and currently captivated. also being made into an HBO series. so excited.</td></tr>
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Running has been really great too. Per Meghan's recommendation, I am using <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Half-Marathon-Training-Schedule-Beginners-2845222">this training program</a> to prepare for the race on April 23rd. I have liked the program so far, but won't know how beneficial it is until post-race. Will report back. My pace averages at about 10 min/mile, which I am more than happy with and hope I can keep that up for 13.1 miles. My longest run yet was last week, just under 5 miles, where I found my first "runners high" after mile three. <br />
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For Christmas, my cousin, Colleen, got me the holiday bundle to try Orange Theory at the beginning of the year. I have been wanting to try it for years since it has been so big out in Arizona where my family lives. Well it has finally hit North Carolina and since I am not pregnant this year (and looking to shed the last few baby weight pounds), it was the prefect gift. I am a <i>total</i> fan-girl and I've only been to a few classes. Coincidentally, the training program calls for 60 minutes of cross-training on Wednesdays. So it was sort of like fate telling me I needed to sign up for the membership. I honestly believe it has helped me become faster and I already feel stronger and trimmer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after each class OTF gives you these performance summaries to see where you averaged in the HR zones and total calories burned. I think 677 in one class speaks for itself. Not to mention, I am down 2.5 pounds!</td></tr>
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You can see how blogging has been going. I have averaged at about 1 per week since the <a href="https://redwhiterice.blogspot.com/2017/01/hello-2017.html">New Year post</a>. I can make all kinds of excuses for missing last week: work is crazy busy, working out, the book I mentioned above is awesome, etc. Hey, I am doing better than before. Now, to get some better content and layout...keep dreaming. <br />
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Finally, the love update. Yep, we are still married, not that it was ever a question. We are actually doing really great, not that we ever weren't. But, sometimes the holidays, a baby, work, life, and general stress, get the best of you and you forget about that spark. Some days are still hard, like when Fletcher doesn't sleep at daycare and we have less than 30 minutes to make and eat dinner, get him bathed and in bed, and then have to wash all 7 million bottles, parts, and clean up dinner. Most days are wonderful and end with a dance party in the kitchen. My favorite. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpv-TYUiD-g/WJvB2uTT1ZI/AAAAAAAAZ2A/MwUOGj1xWJsPYBQbxDSN4h2TYOB6A4W6ACKgB/s1600/IMG_7351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpv-TYUiD-g/WJvB2uTT1ZI/AAAAAAAAZ2A/MwUOGj1xWJsPYBQbxDSN4h2TYOB6A4W6ACKgB/s400/IMG_7351.JPG" width="300" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
When Fletcher started eating solids and sitting at the table, we started to make a conscious effort to eat most meals at our dining room table. This has really helped us decrease that screen time and focus on having deliberate conversations. Eating together every evening is something I wanted to instill in Fletcher right off the bat. It was something my family never did, but have read about how important it is for communication among family members. <br />
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I know I brag on him a lot, but Jared truly is an amazing father and husband. I don't have a great personal example since my father was pretty terrible at being both a dad and a husband most of the time. So, Jared definitely takes the cake in my eyes. There was one time I was so frustrated, I think after we got back from our Texas trip, he told me that he didn't want to by my assistant, he wanted to be my partner or my team mate. He was serious about that statement and has continued to be an active parent in every aspect. In addition to being totally hands on, he gives me time to myself, whether its a workout class after work, dinner with my girlfriends, getting my hair or nails done, or just running to Target alone. Not to mention, he has the most epic dance moves and knack for picking perfect songs #jaredsdadjams<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then he sneaks notes like this into your pump cooler and you find yourself crying at work.</td></tr>
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Because this post isn't long enough, I wanted to share a few things I have learned about myself and this life after becoming a mama: <br />
<ul>
<li>we are all just winging this parenting thing. fun fact, there is no rule book </li>
<li>I am terrified of potty training my child </li>
<li>I second guess my self daily and feel like I am constantly failing that this whole thing. Did I pick him up enough? Does he know how much I love him? Do I pick him up too much? Maybe I should've done more skin to skin contact when he was a newborn. Is his poop normal? Is he eating enough? Shit, I forgot the vitamin D drops <i>again</i>. </li>
<li>mom guilt is <i>so real</i></li>
<li>having mom-friends is critical. You have to have someone else to bounce your crazy off of </li>
<li>having non-mom-friends is just as important. Sometimes you don't want to talk about pumping schedules and Nose Frida usage</li>
<li>I am at peace with the fact that some of my pre-baby relationships have changed. Some have gotten stronger while others are no longer there. </li>
<li>I don't mind saying no to things that I really just don't want to do. Only sometimes do I use Fletcher as an excuse. </li>
<li>totally get the whole "my heart walking outside of my body" cliché now. Like, I would totally give my life for him and I am not just saying that (sorry Jared).</li>
<li>I am way more granola about my child than I ever thought I would be. Fletcher will be lucky if he tastes juice before he is 16. </li>
<li>so much respect for single parents. you rock. </li>
<li>this is all just a season. One phase can end a quickly as it started. </li>
<li>raising a child and being a parent is an overwhelming responsibility. </li>
<li>there is always wine.</li>
</ul>
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I learn something about myself all the time as I grow in this new role. I am sure I will fail more times than I will be able to remember, but I am thankful everyday that I was chosen to be this wild boy's mama.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-75585468567212434742017-01-29T06:53:00.001-08:002017-01-29T06:53:11.864-08:00Fletcher 10 MonthsIt seems impossible that Fletcher is already <b>TEN MONTHS</b> old. I mean, he just got here, but also he has been here forever. Oh, the mom feels. <br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhAOc3i9TuI/WI3Ui935BYI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/-86B135kf9whnZzmQijS0jcEgdIKc2DAACKgB/s1600/IMG_7327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhAOc3i9TuI/WI3Ui935BYI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/-86B135kf9whnZzmQijS0jcEgdIKc2DAACKgB/s640/IMG_7327.JPG" width="480" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
This age is so fun. You can see his little personality really starting show. He actually laughs at us now and makes the funniest faces. He is learning and figuring out new things all the time which is so cool to see. And he is starting to try to say words, which mostly all sound like "da."<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd9gHB3gQ2Q/WI3Ui1p5q2I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/wkw1tljrRDk4m99bLTWfNIgn_jSEtWbBACKgB/s1600/IMG_6862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd9gHB3gQ2Q/WI3Ui1p5q2I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/wkw1tljrRDk4m99bLTWfNIgn_jSEtWbBACKgB/s640/IMG_6862.JPG" width="480" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
This age is also really challenging. I can tell that he is starting to test us a little. He is into <i>everything</i>. Especially loves opening cabinets and drawers. We have started to tell him "no." Sometimes he will look right at us, laugh, then promptly go back to doing what he was told not to do. Yikes, what are the toddler years going to be like? He has also started those really fun 5:30-6pm cry-whining-irritated-at-everything-don't-put-me-down episodes that I have heard a lot of other parents talk about aka "the witching hour." How is it that those line up <i>perfectly</i> with making dinner?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgZgLT-90HU/WI3Ui3NFY0I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/wFN-IWysqIgM8mcbYjG9Zk8rriYInq3AACKgB/s1600/IMG_7277.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgZgLT-90HU/WI3Ui3NFY0I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/wFN-IWysqIgM8mcbYjG9Zk8rriYInq3AACKgB/s640/IMG_7277.PNG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">MONTH HIGHLIGHTS</span></b></div>
This month brought us a week off of work to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, New Year's Eve spent at the river, figuring out how to play peek-a-boo, waving (at <i>everything</i>), Dad's 31st birthday, snow day, 40 weeks in vs 40 weeks out, first signs of epic dance moves, first time throwing up and a high fever, big boy car seat, introduction to the sippy cup and water, JuJu's birthday and starting to point, mostly with a fist. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUv2KhxZpMI/WI3Ui5BRl4I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/rFVUrgX76z09PAqPsgUdg_xYGSb-NKX8ACKgB/s1600/IMG_6810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUv2KhxZpMI/WI3Ui5BRl4I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/rFVUrgX76z09PAqPsgUdg_xYGSb-NKX8ACKgB/s640/IMG_6810.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the river with Wade, Aunt Jules, and Aunt GiGi!</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMfwDHjs0-s/WI3Ui75GgOI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/x9fwsmgl-2k0PrUciT9ERMC5bIDIuycCACKgB/s1600/E8C0F1E5-5E60-4C62-93C8-194EECEE7ACC-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMfwDHjs0-s/WI3Ui75GgOI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/x9fwsmgl-2k0PrUciT9ERMC5bIDIuycCACKgB/s640/E8C0F1E5-5E60-4C62-93C8-194EECEE7ACC-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">40 weeks and 2 days out vs 40 weeks and 2 days in</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhmRXvFkp9M/WI3Ui5BNBiI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/6DYS5T_DuqYlEylggUPqSrZ-7PrVXzedQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhmRXvFkp9M/WI3Ui5BNBiI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/6DYS5T_DuqYlEylggUPqSrZ-7PrVXzedQCKgB/s640/IMG_7269.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared did a lot of research and ultimately decided on the Britax Marathon Click Tight. Fletcher likes this one much better. </td></tr>
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</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FAVORITES</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Activity:</b> taking Dad's hat off, wagon rides, knocking over block towers, playing sous chef while mom and dad make dinner, watching his dogs, and waving. Favorite things to wave at, his bookshelves and the dogs. </div>
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<b>Food:</b> blueberries, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes, and dried snap peas or black beans </div>
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<b>Toy:</b> his remote. Yes, Jared took the batteries out of an old remote so Fletcher could play with it and he loves it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPHPwERXMI4/WI3Ui666UvI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/ueEHbua1r5ENjzTCl5AJrIwdItHL7-hQACKgB/s1600/IMG_7084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPHPwERXMI4/WI3Ui666UvI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/ueEHbua1r5ENjzTCl5AJrIwdItHL7-hQACKgB/s640/IMG_7084.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fletcher now gets so excited when we go outside to open the garage because he knows that is where the wagon lives.</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DISLIKES</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Activity:</b> car rides, diaper changes, getting dressed, 6pm and being left out of anything. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Food:</b> avocados, bananas, and spicy chicken sandwiches (parent fail)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m1buBlBZ-Po/WI3Ui2trxjI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/iEQ_BPGc5yMblzwkapQiQY_RVUaLxhZpwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m1buBlBZ-Po/WI3Ui2trxjI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/iEQ_BPGc5yMblzwkapQiQY_RVUaLxhZpwCKgB/s640/IMG_7236.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no, Jared is not yelling at him. He is mocking Fletcher's fake cry because Jared wouldn't let him knock down the tower he was building...</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">TYPICAL DAY</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Eating:</b> five, 5-8 ounce, bottles, 3 "meals" and two snacks per day. We are dropping a bottle this weekend since he is starting to eat more food. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6AvmUwzTTM/WI3UiyEgxHI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/xsFSZmPHmZ0f2gDVuwVIEJsKB-5CvvWUQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6AvmUwzTTM/WI3UiyEgxHI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/xsFSZmPHmZ0f2gDVuwVIEJsKB-5CvvWUQCKgB/s640/IMG_7114.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all meals should be consumed sans clothes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Pumping:</b> still pumping three times during the day. Planning to start weaning in mid-February! Supplementing with formula more now so enough breastmilk can be frozen to get us to the 12 month mark! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcUAEQZttfI/WI3Ui6teIzI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/Nyu7JSA-l7MUokxWBANJGYTYdMLTDgVTQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CcUAEQZttfI/WI3Ui6teIzI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/Nyu7JSA-l7MUokxWBANJGYTYdMLTDgVTQCKgB/s400/IMG_7135.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Sleeping:</b> still great, thank goodness! Naps at daycare are still not the best, but we did end this week with several 1-1.5 hour naps! When he is at home he has two naps that last about an hour each. His nighttime sleep has always been good. In bed by 7:15/7:30pm and wakes up 6:30/7:00am.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S7lWxQ8Utk4/WI3Ui5EWOsI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/kNH42vo2J8Myz-NYL_wo-tBgCGDGbY3IwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S7lWxQ8Utk4/WI3Ui5EWOsI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/kNH42vo2J8Myz-NYL_wo-tBgCGDGbY3IwCKgB/s400/IMG_7173.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHFNwPWBERs/WI3Uiz9OJRI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/2zjmR3o9pFcerJD2FJczQIGfHvyDxqWygCKgB/s1600/IMG_6882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHFNwPWBERs/WI3Uiz9OJRI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/2zjmR3o9pFcerJD2FJczQIGfHvyDxqWygCKgB/s400/IMG_6882.JPG" width="300" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I absolutely <i>love</i> the way this sweet boy sleeps. Always on his belly. Usually with his little bottom up in the air and his ankles crossed. Too precious! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PICTURES FROM THE MONTH</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFP7xO0q9ms/WI3UizOJJ-I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/LhjT8mLM3qk1RJuvkQk5NPwMQF5hd2SvwCKgB/s1600/IMG_6822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFP7xO0q9ms/WI3UizOJJ-I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/LhjT8mLM3qk1RJuvkQk5NPwMQF5hd2SvwCKgB/s400/IMG_6822.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last bath of 2016 was spent in a red claw foot tub with a lightshow courtesy of Uncle Thomas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWf5x8alyVY/WI3Ui6WNvYI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/Ch4SIf8t7-kEOKATX8_usWjoDUmhjIliwCKgB/s1600/IMG_6795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWf5x8alyVY/WI3Ui6WNvYI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/Ch4SIf8t7-kEOKATX8_usWjoDUmhjIliwCKgB/s640/IMG_6795.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">twins met mom at the mall for some shopping!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TLERRg0EkA4/WI3Uiw0xElI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/l26tT3H2igIqoy89Z0vZFeMr5muW_FtpgCKgB/s1600/IMG_6838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TLERRg0EkA4/WI3Uiw0xElI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/l26tT3H2igIqoy89Z0vZFeMr5muW_FtpgCKgB/s640/IMG_6838.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">remote=love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oq5EMuVaEIU/WI3Ui9wthFI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/to0Dc1ap9FkQGhENqS3u-Mo-zmKkWXLHQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oq5EMuVaEIU/WI3Ui9wthFI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/to0Dc1ap9FkQGhENqS3u-Mo-zmKkWXLHQCKgB/s640/IMG_7123.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">berry messy. #momjokes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tm2i5pPvMYM/WI3Ui0LY22I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/U2EoNUFDvBwsU5CpiPVXCBOytDssbbQawCKgB/s1600/IMG_7128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tm2i5pPvMYM/WI3Ui0LY22I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/U2EoNUFDvBwsU5CpiPVXCBOytDssbbQawCKgB/s640/IMG_7128.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some rare, non-sick, snuggles before bed time</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_B-DiSUfzM/WI3UizkQy9I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/xZcHbQmk5m8zmuhdop9lW7at3-q3Le4JACKgB/s1600/IMG_7131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_B-DiSUfzM/WI3UizkQy9I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/xZcHbQmk5m8zmuhdop9lW7at3-q3Le4JACKgB/s640/IMG_7131.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this boy is so happy in the mornings. love walking into this big ol smile!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B93mitkhDnw/WI3Uizzr4AI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/bBoDRzilPagsqqWHC8qXODT4Sn-ljnjhACKgB/s1600/IMG_7061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B93mitkhDnw/WI3Uizzr4AI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/bBoDRzilPagsqqWHC8qXODT4Sn-ljnjhACKgB/s640/IMG_7061.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking like a little man</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LR_giX0vYPw/WI3Uiz0pL-I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/2fQUakLvyrI0P1Nb4SrIkKObqkCwIppYgCKgB/s640/IMG_7260.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sous chef reporting for duty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqQb5QdLmyA/WI3UizX7kwI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/GhVFrQM_9MM-HZEesz7MTZ7VbxLK7HvAQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqQb5QdLmyA/WI3UizX7kwI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/GhVFrQM_9MM-HZEesz7MTZ7VbxLK7HvAQCKgB/s640/IMG_7291.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">throwing that sippy cup back</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8p2S16GGwo/WI3Ui2GxoaI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/vyOnN8XckbAIgKwXLna68GSApf10xvhXQCKgB/s1600/IMG_7279.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8p2S16GGwo/WI3Ui2GxoaI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/vyOnN8XckbAIgKwXLna68GSApf10xvhXQCKgB/s640/IMG_7279.PNG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fletcher video chatting with Dad in the airport before he took off to Buffalo, NY for a work trip</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb5880tTAQc/WI3Ui7ZB46I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/Q99jf-Kt7QIpVILCJSzNXOSRqPQbY5b9ACKgB/s1600/IMG_7301.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb5880tTAQc/WI3Ui7ZB46I/AAAAAAAAZYQ/Q99jf-Kt7QIpVILCJSzNXOSRqPQbY5b9ACKgB/s640/IMG_7301.PNG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">realizing I gave birth to my husband's twin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33nNsYGwlWQ/WI3Ui8QQwbI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/Uz_QjXTH0l4krwMQV3mjzQhjnXplN8LcgCKgB/s1600/IMG_7320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33nNsYGwlWQ/WI3Ui8QQwbI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/Uz_QjXTH0l4krwMQV3mjzQhjnXplN8LcgCKgB/s640/IMG_7320.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">celebrated JuJu with a belated birthday lunch at H-Street Kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3hrcL0m2Hc/WI3Ui_j5unI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/A48ZW4Xcs3MimIWaV7T_oitFHIvjGA_gwCKgB/s1600/IMG_7317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3hrcL0m2Hc/WI3Ui_j5unI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/A48ZW4Xcs3MimIWaV7T_oitFHIvjGA_gwCKgB/s640/IMG_7317.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bringing your 10 month old to your college campus is a little surreal </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sfJD4a0sXQM/WI3Ui1pkucI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/fogPg1znvsAOh2IXkM8TOWzQrTDQmO8OACKgB/s1600/47A6B859-0AB6-4070-920C-FC9429939E8D-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sfJD4a0sXQM/WI3Ui1pkucI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/fogPg1znvsAOh2IXkM8TOWzQrTDQmO8OACKgB/s640/47A6B859-0AB6-4070-920C-FC9429939E8D-COLLAGE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chair highlights. can we talk about that right hand?</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-34714856663450161682017-01-22T17:19:00.001-08:002017-01-22T17:19:19.558-08:00Sick BabyWe started off Thursday as usual. We went to get Fletcher up and ready for the day. But noticed there was puke all in his crib. Joy. He looked at us like nothing had ever happened even though he was covered in it. His little footed pajamas were soaked. Not sure when this actually happened but I assume he slept in it. We didn't hear any unusual noises on the monitor and he definitely didn't cry. I thought it was maybe a fluke so we got him in the bath and planned to take him to daycare. While we were getting him dressed he threw up again. Ok, so no daycare today. He threw up one more time that morning. Besides the three morning episodes he was acting completely fine, didn't feel warm, and was eating mostly normal considering he blew his guts out. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looks like a kid who figured out to play hooky from school</td></tr>
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Friday morning was a different story. He was in a good mood just didn't want to finish his morning bottle, which is pretty normal from time to time. I took him to daycare and everything seemed fine. Until daycare called and said we needed to come get Fletcher. He had a 101.4 fever. Great. Jared went to get him since I had stayed home the day before. No throwing up this time. Just clingy and very sleepy. He took several naps and fell asleep on our chests. Something he hasn't done since he was itty bitty. When he went to bed he was at 102. No, I did not give him any medication. Just lots of love and rest. Slept through the night no problems. <br />
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Saturday was heartbreaking. He woke up hot as fire. His temperature still at 102. Not wanting to eat. Just wanting to cuddle and sleep. Not going to lie. I enjoyed those snuggles. It also felt nice that his mama was so comforting to him. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first time since he was a newborn that he has just fallen asleep (no rocking or coaxing) on my chest. be still my heart.</td></tr>
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I broke down and had Jared call the nurse line at our pediatrician office. The doctor on call wanted to see Fletcher just to make sure it wasn't anything serious. His temp was 102.7 in the office. She said everything looked great with him (eyes, ears, nose and throat) but she was concerned about his grunting. She said that sometimes that work of breathing can lead to decreased oxygen. So she talked me into giving him some Tylenol even though I pushed back. She had good reason though. Overall, she said there wasn't much to worry about and she was really happy with his demeanor in the office. He is such a ham whenever we are there. Her prescription was popsicles and snuggles. We could get on board with that. <br />
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Next stop, Whole Foods, for some sugar free fruit popsicles. The kid has never had sugar and this illness was not about to change that. The Tylenol from the doctors office started to kick in around 2 and Fletcher (and us) a false hope that he was feeling better. Gee, wonder why I wanted to hold off on that. He crashed shortly after. Refused to drink a bottle but did enjoy some popsicle. He didn't not want to leave our side for the rest of the afternoon. He laid so still on my chest and drifted in and out of sleep until it was time for bath. When we got him up we realized he was burning up. We took his temperature and it was 104.1. Truly, I got a little panicked. Especially because he was acting a little lethargic. But, I still didn't give him any medication. We walked him around and gave him some more popsicle. His mood changed a little. We started his bedtime routine as usual and he was happy as a clam in the bath. Thankfully, he sucked down 9 ounces before passing out for the night. He didn't sleep as soundly as the night before but still slept 7:45pm-7am. <br />
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Sunday morning he woke up with a huge smile. Jared took his first ever rectal temp (way to go hubs) and it was only 99.0! Woohoo. With the loss of the fever came a whole lot of congestion. . Hey, I will take that over the scary fever. The congestion made him not want to drink bottles all day. So, I looked up saline nasal flushes for babies online because I was little worried about him not eating for almost a third day in a row. I took these saline flushes I had from when I worked in the hospital and shot 3 up one nostril and 2 up the other. So much snot came out, Fletcher was screaming bloody murder, and Jared was video taping the whole thing (because we are awful parents). It actually worked though! Fletcher was able to drink his next bottles without problem. Still decreased appetite for solid foods. I was happy to get some fluids in him. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so.much.snot.</td></tr>
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Hopefully we are in the clear with this yucky virus. I stick to my decision of not giving him medication. I have read a lot about how fevers are actually good for babies and help them fight the infection stronger and will tend to get better sooner. <br />
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This weekend was one of the most challenging I have had as a parent yet. Second guessing yourself, feeling helpless, and watching your child in pain is awful. I am thankful for a supportive husband that let my granola ass avoid giving our 104.1 febrile child Tylenol. He really trusted my judgement. He of course was so great with Fletcher all weekend. Really don't know what we would do without him. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-57855917987724403452017-01-21T17:26:00.000-08:002017-01-21T17:26:01.663-08:00Snow Day and Birthdays!The weekend before last, January 7th, was a snow day here in North Carolina. It was also Jared's 31st birthday! I am an awful wife and did not even get him a gift. Literally, nothing. #wifefail I blame the holidays and the impending snow and being crazy busy at work and having a baby. Is that enough excuses? I haven't made myself feel better about it. I really have never not done anything for his birthday. Truly, I just couldn't top <a href="https://redwhiterice.blogspot.com/2016/01/27-28-29-surprise.html">last year's big 3-0</a>. We had planned to do a joint birthday celebration with Alyson at some local breweries, but of course the snow ruined that. So, we hunkered down at home for his big day instead. <br />
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We started the morning with a breakfast request from the birthday boy, pancakes! Fletcher had blueberry and strawberry, Jared had chocolate chip and I had plain. <br />
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I am not a big fan of snow. North Carolina is just not equipped to handle it properly. Also, the "snow" we get isn't the same as it is in other states. We get mostly ice which causes everything to shut down and then you're cooped up inside all weekend. So not fun with a 9 month old and a stir crazy husband. Since this was Fletcher's first snow we tried to make the best of it, even if it was 30 degrees out. </div>
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We stuck Fletcher in about three layers, socks on his hands, and put on dad's too-big-fuzzy-boots from New Zealand that he had when he was kid. He could barely move his arms and looked like the kid from a Christmas Story. It was too cute! I think he was mostly confused about why he had to have so many clothes on. A little irritated about not being able to move much. But, he had fun taking this wagon all around the neighborhood. </div>
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Luckily, Jared was able to make it out that evening to get to Ba Da Wings so he could have his birthday buffalo wings. Finished the day with baking brownies. Yum.</div>
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The NC State vs Carolina basketball game was rescheduled to Sunday due to weather. We got our butts kicked. It was beyond embarrassing. So, overall, not the best birthday weekend for Jared.</div>
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The following weekend we finally made it to the breweries for Jared and Alyson's birthday celebration. My mom and Uncle James came over to watch Fletcher for us. We went to Neuse River Brewing first followed by Nickle Point Brewing. It was some much needed adult time out. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-41937596143857543992017-01-19T16:47:00.003-08:002017-01-19T16:47:21.648-08:00First ChristmasBefore I even got pregnant I knew Christmas would be big discussion between Jared and our families. You see, both our families are big on Christmas. Since all of Jared's family (except Charli Kay) live in Texas, that has meant a lot of traveling over the past 9 years and too many 5 am Christmas morning flights for me to make it home to my family for Christmas day. I knew when Jared and I decided to have a family we were going to want to make some holiday traditions of our own. One major one for me was waking up in our own home on Christmas morning. This meant not traveling to Texas or Wilmington. It probably sounds silly, but that first Christmas morning together, just the three of us, was just how I envisioned it and something that I will remember forever. So the tough decision to not travel was worth it. <br />
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<b>Prepping</b></div>
Having a baby this Christmas made the whole season feel so magical. I am sure each year will get better and better especially as he learns the meaning and his imagination grows. <br />
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We went to the tree farm to cut our own tree. I thoroughly enjoyed the 1.5 hours we spent looking for the perfect one. Jared on the other hand, knew we would go with the first one I picked 5 minutes into it. He was a great sport and let me have my fun walking up and down the rows of trees (several times). I loved our tree, even if it ended up being just a baby pine in our living room.<br />
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We took Fletcher to meet Santa in Wilmington with my mom. He wasn't impressed. He just stared at him and remained in complete shock until we left Santa's village. I secretly kind of hope one year he just loses it like some of the other children we saw there. <br />
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Jared and I tried to do a little more outdoor decorating since we wouldn't be traveling this year. It didn't come out exactly how we imagined, but I like to think we had fun putting them up. You'd have to confirm that with him though.<br />
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<b>Christmas Eve</b></div>
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This was the first Christmas Eve in 31 years that Jared was not with his family in Texas. I know it was tough for him. We did our best to keep it low key since in years past it is an all day sprint to see and spend time with everyone. We started the day at Layne and Emily's where Emily gifted Fletcher <u>the best gift ever,</u> his Junior Wolfpack Club membership. It came with so many fun goodies and definitely something we will be using. Then we ran a few errands before stopping by to see my brothers and letting Fletcher wear Wilbur's reindeer antlers. </div>
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We went to the 5:30 Christmas Eve service at our church. It surprisingly wasn't as crowded as I was anticipating. Nothing like the Easter service. The nursery was super full but Fletcher did great.. </div>
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Once home from church we tried (and failed at) some self timer pictures. Ate Grandma Sandy's famous chili for dinner. Then Jared read us The Christmas Story from our family bible. </div>
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After bath time, we helped Fletcher put out cookies and milk for Santa (aka ourselves). He was trying so hard to steal a cookie before bed. <br />
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After he went down. We got to play Santa, something I have been looking forward to for so long. Once all the gifts were set up, we curled up on the couch with our cookies <strike>and milk</strike> wine and bourbon to watch Christmas Vacation. <br />
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It was my favorite Christmas Eve yet.</div>
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<b>Christmas Day</b></div>
Like I said, Fletcher's first Christmas morning is something I will remember forever. It truly was just how I had imagined it with just the three of us. I will never forget that sweet innocent face lighting up when he saw the living room. Granted, at 9 months he wasn't entirely sure what was going on. <br />
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We took it slow and opened gifts without a hurry. Fletcher's big gift from Santa was his wagon. Jared had so much fun picking this thing out. Of course it has all-terrain tires that you have to pump with an air compressor. Its pretty legit. The rest of the morning was spent pulling the wagon around the cul-de-sac and eating Irwin Family Breakfast Casserole. <br />
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Jared started a tradition with Fletcher this year that his Uncle J did with his boys growing up. Each Christmas Fletcher will get a tool from Jared to build his collection. This year, he got his very first toolbox!<br />
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My mom and brothers came over in afternoon to finish opening gifts with us. Fletcher had fun playing with his uncles. But I think his second favorite thing next to the wagon was playing in the cardboard boxes. Yes, it is true what they say, don't spend money on gifts. </div>
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Next Christmas Fletcher will a year and 8 months. Which is bananas to think about. I am sure it will be pure chaos and we will love every minute. I am so glad we took it slow this year and soaked in all the sweet little moments. The day seemed to last forever and it was so much fun. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-50838261062965809852017-01-16T12:09:00.002-08:002017-01-16T12:09:49.143-08:00Fletcher LatelyConsidering my last post about Fletcher was his 4 month update, we have a lot to catch up on. I felt like I was doing so well too. Until I went to publish the 5 month update...I couldn't add pictures then when I refreshed the webpage, I lost everything I had typed. Needless to say, I was a little tired and did not feel like re-writing that. So, here we are, almost 5.5 months behind. <br />
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I think it goes without saying, this will be a long one.<br />
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<b><u>MONTH FIVE</u></b></div>
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Our first big trip! We kicked off month 5 with our annual trip to Ocracoke with our closest friends. Every year the Boddie's host us at their house. We always have so much fun and make the best memories while we are there. Fletcher slept great despite being in the pack and play in the same room as us. He loved being on the beach and playing the water. Next year will be even more fun when we have more babies to add to the mix and Fletch will be a little older. I have PTSD from the trip home where our carseat-hating-son screamed bloody murder from the time we left the island until about the time we arrived home (its a 4 hour trip). Oy vey. </div>
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This month brought us lots of pool dates, first tastes of food (guacamole, plain avocados and banana), some "talking," smiles galore, drooling like life is a wet-t shirt contest, birthday party (my boss' son turned two), sitting up somewhat unsupported, and turned a <i>slight </i>corner on naptime. <br />
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<b>MONTH SIX</b></div>
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Mama had her first weekend away for Hannah's Bachelorette trip in Folly Beach, SC. So dad was home alone with Fletcher for two nights! They both did amazing. Friends welcomed their babies (and Fletcher' bffs), Willow Boddie and Wade Landen! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxCJcH3f4ik/WHl6I1w4pgI/AAAAAAAAYZk/2N6SOXISq5UOvGrSrmUyWtdiyVgF_pw0gCKgB/s1600/IMG_3996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxCJcH3f4ik/WHl6I1w4pgI/AAAAAAAAYZk/2N6SOXISq5UOvGrSrmUyWtdiyVgF_pw0gCKgB/s640/IMG_3996.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fletcher's six month birthday was also mine and Jared's third wedding anniversary! We celebrated with a dinner out to Sullivan's Steakhouse while my mom babysat Fletcher. This month brought us lots of babbling (like mama), a love for dad's music choices, sitting up unsupported, dad's work promotion, obsession with touching faces and pulling hair, <i>almost </i>crawling, and first NC State tailgate. </div>
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<b><u>MONTH SEVEN</u></b></div>
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First plane ride! Fletcher, JuJu and I traveled to Arizona. We met my brothers there. Fletcher got to meet one of his namesakes, my grandfather, James Irwin, and lots of other aunts, uncles, cousins, and puppies. He did excellent on the plane and trip (even with the time change). We sure missed dad while we were there though!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFV5TWzlvFo/WHl6I9_GZ3I/AAAAAAAAYZk/qctq5_W63oYmpz9C_8EK0axioKUL-vuJwCKgB/s1600/IMG_5069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFV5TWzlvFo/WHl6I9_GZ3I/AAAAAAAAYZk/qctq5_W63oYmpz9C_8EK0axioKUL-vuJwCKgB/s640/IMG_5069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This month brought us Fletcher's first NC State football game, 6 month shots and well check, baby led weaning attempts with food, trip to the pumpkin patch, met Uncle J and Aunt Susan who visited Raleigh from Texas, went to the fair, pushing/pulling himself to sitting and standing, army crawling, learned to wave thanks to JuJu, and finally started saying "Da-Da" after spending a week with mama in Arizona. </div>
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<b><u>MONTH EIGHT</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fletcher's first trip to Tarkington Prairie, Texas for Thanksgiving with Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Charlie Rice. Did excellent on the plane ride there again. Didn't sleep very well while in Texas. Had so much fun seeing where his dad (sort of) grew up. He got to meet his great Nanny and Papa and more aunts, uncles, and cousins! Also rode (and hated) the tractor with Grandpa and went to the zoo with Grandma where he enjoyed watching the kids more than the animals. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVTUHSACEhY/WHl6IyAzcCI/AAAAAAAAYZk/zoVJibO5xY8l3T8MnDr0ZFCMpSzTwWg6wCKgB/s1600/IMG_6028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVTUHSACEhY/WHl6IyAzcCI/AAAAAAAAYZk/zoVJibO5xY8l3T8MnDr0ZFCMpSzTwWg6wCKgB/s640/IMG_6028.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the day he actually turned 8 months old sitting in dad's rocking chair from when he was a boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCvDghd_Y6w/WHl6I0WTDSI/AAAAAAAAYZk/8y0S7UNxL4oWpgMmMNNpYBMn2E2QtVkuwCKgB/s1600/IMG_6129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCvDghd_Y6w/WHl6I0WTDSI/AAAAAAAAYZk/8y0S7UNxL4oWpgMmMNNpYBMn2E2QtVkuwCKgB/s640/IMG_6129.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This month brought us Halloween (basic pumpkin), the election (Trump won), first taste of Dad's smoked pork, first busted lip at daycare, Friendsgiving at the Boddie river house, baths in the big boy tub, lots of sticking out of the tongue, blowing spit bubbles and raspberries, furniture walking, visit from Uncle Chinn, Cowboys beat the Redskins and NC State beat Carolina in football, tasted Whataburger ketchup, and said "mama" for the first time! </div>
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<b><u>MONTH NINE</u></b></div>
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Fletcher's first Christmas and all the magical fun that came with the season. Like, pcking out a Christmas tree, decorating, meeting Santa, Christmas music, and spending Christmas eve and morning just the three of us. Will do a separate "First Christmas" post. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rwc34kzc6A/WHl6I4syx-I/AAAAAAAAYZk/gcmzDks_D9kpzDx4jlwHSDElQ7N0IUA4wCKgB/s1600/IMG_6757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rwc34kzc6A/WHl6I4syx-I/AAAAAAAAYZk/gcmzDks_D9kpzDx4jlwHSDElQ7N0IUA4wCKgB/s640/IMG_6757.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This month brought clapping, high-fives, visit from Aunt Meghan, "real" crawling (hands and knees), standing unsupported for a few seconds, hand foot and mouth rash, Uncle Michael came from San Francisco, visit from Aunt Elizabeth, and wagon rides galore! </div>
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<b><u>STATS</u></b><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05K4x0mLDFM/WHl6I2QTVdI/AAAAAAAAYZk/D5g-NSp1v-8hz0NRbmpSasi1BiOSEkY5QCKgB/s1600/IMG_6707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05K4x0mLDFM/WHl6I2QTVdI/AAAAAAAAYZk/D5g-NSp1v-8hz0NRbmpSasi1BiOSEkY5QCKgB/s400/IMG_6707.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeeIu6RsbHU/WHtjb3aq8nI/AAAAAAAAYcI/IP-HdVoZ0-En98Qfl9ZVrrgXpzVYqIbGgCEw/s1600/stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeeIu6RsbHU/WHtjb3aq8nI/AAAAAAAAYcI/IP-HdVoZ0-En98Qfl9ZVrrgXpzVYqIbGgCEw/s640/stats.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S43M_v8nqUk/WHl6I77NmeI/AAAAAAAAYZk/ItCyye4C7FkOGGTuISclB5Ad3XUxZk_aACKgB/s1600/IMG_4355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S43M_v8nqUk/WHl6I77NmeI/AAAAAAAAYZk/ItCyye4C7FkOGGTuISclB5Ad3XUxZk_aACKgB/s400/IMG_4355.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">six month well check weight</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqcL03AQvgY/WHl6I_Cd-lI/AAAAAAAAYZk/jV3ELtZJXZ4WXUTH_SwcguCO_PzUStx8gCKgB/s1600/IMG_6705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqcL03AQvgY/WHl6I_Cd-lI/AAAAAAAAYZk/jV3ELtZJXZ4WXUTH_SwcguCO_PzUStx8gCKgB/s400/IMG_6705.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nine month well check weight </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>TYPICAL SCHEDULE</u></b></div>
<ul>
<li><b>6:30/7am</b>: wake up, get dressed [unless its the weekend and we are in PJs until after morning nap] and have bottle (8 ounces)</li>
<li><b>7:30-8:45/9am</b>: play in room or living room, have breakfast or snack </li>
<li><b>9-10/10:30am</b>: morning nap </li>
<li><b>10:30am</b>: bottle (6-7 ounces) </li>
<li><b>10:45-12:30pm</b>: play, run errands, have lunch </li>
<li><b>12:45-1:30/2pm</b>: nap </li>
<li><b>1:30/2pm</b>: bottle (6-7 ounces)</li>
<li><b>2-4pm</b>: play, wagon ride, errands, have snack, go for walk</li>
<li><b>4-4:30pm</b>: <i>might</i> take a catnap and usually in the carrier </li>
<li><b>4:30pm</b>: bottle (6-7 ounces)</li>
<li><b>5-6pm</b>: play, watch mom and dad make dinner, have dance parties in the kitchen</li>
<li><b>6:15/6:30pm</b>: eat dinner [always at the table with mom and dad]</li>
<li><b>6:45/7pm</b>: start bath and bedtime routine, have bedtime bottle (8-9 ounces)</li>
<li><b>7:15/7:30pm</b>: in bed, sometimes passes out drinking the bottle and we get some rare snuggles</li>
</ul>
Monday-Friday he is at daycare, 7:50am-5:00pm, where he <i>might</i> nap 25-60 minutes <i>all day</i>. The kid has serious FOMO or just can't get comfortable there. He has always done well at night despite not sleeping at daycare so I really can't complain. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6oEJAtO7CxA/WHwoMhihRPI/AAAAAAAAYhI/dDs2PmRL0I05T6JqS8ulu2tnp_3nwJn-gCLcB/s1600/daycare%2Bsleep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6oEJAtO7CxA/WHwoMhihRPI/AAAAAAAAYhI/dDs2PmRL0I05T6JqS8ulu2tnp_3nwJn-gCLcB/s400/daycare%2Bsleep.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sleeping at daycare. shocker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>SLEEPING</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
aka "what everyone cares about." I've said it before, and I am probably shooting myself in the foot, but we have a really great <u>nighttime</u> sleeper. Stress <i>nighttime</i>. Meaning, he is not a huge fan of naptime. <strike>We</strike> I have gotten in the horrible routine of rocking him to sleep for his morning and afternoon naps. We have tried, briefly, the cry it out for naptime but that has been so much more difficult for me than the nighttime cry it out. So, I take the 5-10 minutes, and rock him to sleep for his naps. It works just fine for <strike>us</strike> me. Now, nighttime is a totally different story. He sleeps 11-12 hours no problem. We can even put him down wide wake in his crib without an issue. </div>
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Read: Naps are the bane of my existence. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5o7XeT-BC7c/WHwm2tTh2tI/AAAAAAAAYhA/bmJqc1xMNbAuQTqWyjaLx7Mubnu_y_HqwCKgB/s1600/IMG_3796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5o7XeT-BC7c/WHwm2tTh2tI/AAAAAAAAYhA/bmJqc1xMNbAuQTqWyjaLx7Mubnu_y_HqwCKgB/s400/IMG_3796.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rxPgUMxUQs/WHwiLoM655I/AAAAAAAAYgk/fhtS_eT9Yj4UiAeKJzMfV90uYaxkFRUFQCKgB/s1600/IMG_6883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rxPgUMxUQs/WHwiLoM655I/AAAAAAAAYgk/fhtS_eT9Yj4UiAeKJzMfV90uYaxkFRUFQCKgB/s320/IMG_6883.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJGjSWEESeE/WHwoTRP93ZI/AAAAAAAAYhY/IbipXCqFeTwCvRRGKVr0iYBdDPg2UgqLwCLcB/s1600/sleep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJGjSWEESeE/WHwoTRP93ZI/AAAAAAAAYhY/IbipXCqFeTwCvRRGKVr0iYBdDPg2UgqLwCLcB/s320/sleep.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>EATING</u></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
After a little research we decided we wanted to take the "baby led weaning" approach for introducing solids to Fletcher. You can read more about it <a href="http://www.babyledweaning.com/">here</a>, but basically you wait until baby shows interest in food, can sit unsupported, and loses the tongue thrust primitive reflex. The idea is that baby eats whatever you are eating, thus eliminating the need to buy or make baby food. For Fletcher this happened at about 6 months. Initially it was a lot of playing with the food and "chewing" then spitting it out. Jared really enjoyed seeing the regurgitation. It was about 6.5 months that he actually started eating [and swallowing] the food. Now he eats 3 "meals' and 2 snacks a day. He still has five bottles a day but we have decreased the amount in each so he will be hungry for actual food. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iy41YoA0Inc/WHl6I9fQkuI/AAAAAAAAYZk/DsujdB5Ne1QwhNI9jVemyTbRvEOvXmMOQCKgB/s1600/IMG_3211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iy41YoA0Inc/WHl6I9fQkuI/AAAAAAAAYZk/DsujdB5Ne1QwhNI9jVemyTbRvEOvXmMOQCKgB/s400/IMG_3211.JPG" width="225" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjV1WNf1Q2w/WHwm2u989YI/AAAAAAAAYhA/srx3C9cZfGQu4V8M1h3vjPyD5xiStVWcgCKgB/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjV1WNf1Q2w/WHwm2u989YI/AAAAAAAAYhA/srx3C9cZfGQu4V8M1h3vjPyD5xiStVWcgCKgB/s400/IMG_6482.JPG" width="300" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We weren't really strict about what he could and couldn't have. We gave him whatever was on our plates and went with it. We try to stick with whole and somewhat healthy foods. I just knew I did not want to be spoon feeding him mushed up vegetables and meat. Current favorite foods: tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, dried snap peas, and cheese. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>PUMPING</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have a love-hate relationship with pumping. I <i>love</i> that pumping has saved us so much money. I <i>hate</i> being tied to my pump for 30 minutes, three times each day. I <i>love</i> that I have been able to feed Fletcher breastmilk for 9 months and he has been given all those benefits. I <i>hate</i> having to wake up before Fletcher so I can pump his morning bottle. I <i>love</i> that pumping burns so many calories and I haven't really dieted to lose most of my baby-weight. I <i>hate</i> that pumping is just not really convenient and we have to schedule things around my pump schedule sometimes. I <i>love</i> that I trained my body early and only do it three times a day because I could not imagine doing it more. I <i>hate </i>pumping after Fletcher goes to bed because and the last thing I want to do is pump then clean bottles and pump parts for 30 minutes. I<i> love</i> how much money it has saved us. Yes, that one needed to be stressed again. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-TFwtJz1b4/WHl6I0dGjVI/AAAAAAAAYZk/hFzIZpEWj8whBRKb9qEZ1T91CdtKfFTpQCKgB/s1600/IMG_2922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-TFwtJz1b4/WHl6I0dGjVI/AAAAAAAAYZk/hFzIZpEWj8whBRKb9qEZ1T91CdtKfFTpQCKgB/s320/IMG_2922.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the most I ever produced in one session (22 ounces)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had to start supplementing at the beginning of November. I had gotten a horrible stomach bug and my supply plummeted. We went through all the freezer stash and I just wasn't producing enough to feed him what he was consuming in a day. This was when he was taking five 8 ounce bottles. I felt like a massive failure and cried on Jared's shoulder repeatedly. It was a similar feeling I got when Fletcher wouldn't nurse anymore. I mean, I wasn't going to feed my baby poison, but it felt that way from some of the things I read about formula. Or what if he didn't like my milk anymore. So I reached out to some of my mom friends who I thought were exclusively breastmilk and found out that they too had to supplement. It made me feel so much better that I wasn't alone. I realized that he in fact wasn't going to die from taking a few ounces of formula a day. Moms, we are too hard on ourselves.</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
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<div align="center">
<b><u>HEALTH</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We have been so fortunate. I can not stress that enough. We have been blessed with a very healthy baby. Granted, he has had his fair share of daycare coughs and colds but never anything major. I mean, I guess you could count the hand foot and mouth as a pretty bad one. But, even that wasn't horrible. Aside from the rash, he was a trooper and it didn't seem to bother him. We did have a scare with peanut butter crackers just after turning 9 months. He broke out in hives and we had to give him some Benadryl. I am still not convinced he has a peanut allergy. We will be holding off on giving any peanut butter for a while though. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAA7BLeznOY/WHwm2ns078I/AAAAAAAAYhA/xKdqX596FPIsUreWDZhNON7TdCN24yjSQCKgB/s1600/IMG_3264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAA7BLeznOY/WHwm2ns078I/AAAAAAAAYhA/xKdqX596FPIsUreWDZhNON7TdCN24yjSQCKgB/s320/IMG_3264.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSzcdlybyEc/WHl6I05X7TI/AAAAAAAAYZk/U4F8kctELLAz00gjCmIjbET3YElPVjWdQCKgB/s1600/IMG_6733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSzcdlybyEc/WHl6I05X7TI/AAAAAAAAYZk/U4F8kctELLAz00gjCmIjbET3YElPVjWdQCKgB/s320/IMG_6733.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>PICTURES</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because people don't read this for my horrible grammar.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div align="center">
<b>With Family</b><br />
consists of mostly our trip to Arizona and to Texas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NLikZ1n_sY/WHl6Iy-NqHI/AAAAAAAAYZk/E3w_rSWCc4kab28KDLotuIIYeFzDxwgFQCKgB/s1600/IMG_4894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NLikZ1n_sY/WHl6Iy-NqHI/AAAAAAAAYZk/E3w_rSWCc4kab28KDLotuIIYeFzDxwgFQCKgB/s400/IMG_4894.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with two of his namesakes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNnSBC0H2tA/WHl6Iy4M-8I/AAAAAAAAYZk/HzCiZn7KQ8EgQFWj8ArueS9aYfbId9bGACKgB/s1600/IMG_4952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNnSBC0H2tA/WHl6Iy4M-8I/AAAAAAAAYZk/HzCiZn7KQ8EgQFWj8ArueS9aYfbId9bGACKgB/s400/IMG_4952.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi and Pappi</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XV8npfWwzFs/WHl6I5ZpfUI/AAAAAAAAYZk/P2STUhn_cJ8BT7cWX9rtGzd0SWy7uGJiwCKgB/s400/IMG_4902.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">celebrating Thanksgiving in October</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRziWUZP280/WHwiLncTrSI/AAAAAAAAYgk/EOdpZoFEnHYwX6F6_J9mC08D2qxFnwrygCKgB/s1600/IMG_4993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRziWUZP280/WHwiLncTrSI/AAAAAAAAYgk/EOdpZoFEnHYwX6F6_J9mC08D2qxFnwrygCKgB/s400/IMG_4993.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Dale and Aunt Kathie</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j_EApDf1ss4/WHl6I1yhSAI/AAAAAAAAYZk/Z61WdsVKtBUy3MeNNA70yf_2ys8tPNlKwCKgB/s1600/IMG_4983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j_EApDf1ss4/WHl6I1yhSAI/AAAAAAAAYZk/Z61WdsVKtBUy3MeNNA70yf_2ys8tPNlKwCKgB/s400/IMG_4983.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with cousin Charlie</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NgtZDITDpYM/WHwm2q6MtMI/AAAAAAAAYhA/SA2bsHFhvAQqaJMTRrQo_oP5wkXBhDlGACKgB/s1600/IMG_6289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NgtZDITDpYM/WHwm2q6MtMI/AAAAAAAAYhA/SA2bsHFhvAQqaJMTRrQo_oP5wkXBhDlGACKgB/s400/IMG_6289.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with JuJu after meeting Santa!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div>
uncles on Christmas</div>
<div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cqYPD5RsMg/WHl6I2f4VmI/AAAAAAAAYZk/gah7XfX7-BwfKiW9ZORUoOqXCkBwmCkiwCKgB/s1600/IMG_5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cqYPD5RsMg/WHl6I2f4VmI/AAAAAAAAYZk/gah7XfX7-BwfKiW9ZORUoOqXCkBwmCkiwCKgB/s400/IMG_5968.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">visit to Tarkington Prairie with Granma and Grandpa </td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3K6tevLQ04A/WHwoQNTMy-I/AAAAAAAAYhU/Zdz704a4Q_wABvIpd68vj0BYtKQXWi1SACLcB/s1600/j%2Band%2Bsusan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3K6tevLQ04A/WHwoQNTMy-I/AAAAAAAAYhU/Zdz704a4Q_wABvIpd68vj0BYtKQXWi1SACLcB/s400/j%2Band%2Bsusan.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle J and Aunt Susan</td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe6i-NXAQR8/WHwiLplLt7I/AAAAAAAAYgk/AjnojnnTUCUpizn7M37vrDtCBfqgAhHYQCKgB/s1600/IMG_5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe6i-NXAQR8/WHwiLplLt7I/AAAAAAAAYgk/AjnojnnTUCUpizn7M37vrDtCBfqgAhHYQCKgB/s400/IMG_5818.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Mary Martha </td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GjGgezArTY/WHwiLpNdgUI/AAAAAAAAYgk/9vD49wvY5zYByklKALbyMGTUAo804VLIwCKgB/s1600/IMG_5811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GjGgezArTY/WHwiLpNdgUI/AAAAAAAAYgk/9vD49wvY5zYByklKALbyMGTUAo804VLIwCKgB/s400/IMG_5811.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cousins on Thanksgiving </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JVEGSt016ls/WHwj1rjfVtI/AAAAAAAAYgw/cRx-i9Bc_pcAp3O5XlEyEHRdmOW4_KM0QCKgB/s1600/IMG_5823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JVEGSt016ls/WHwj1rjfVtI/AAAAAAAAYgw/cRx-i9Bc_pcAp3O5XlEyEHRdmOW4_KM0QCKgB/s400/IMG_5823.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Culbertson clan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>With Friends</b><br />
lots of Summer and Fall activities</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>With Dad</b><br />
Mama's two favorite people </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Football Season</b><br />
we spent a lot of time at Carter Finley this Fall. Fletcher did so well at the tailgates and games!</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>In The Chairs</b></div>
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I have made it my mission to take a picture of Fletcher everyday. Most of the time the daily picture is snapped in one of these chairs in his room. I love to see how much he has changed through these. Yes, there are many more where these came from.<b><br /></b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fDICvl4exXY/WHwm2jt4eZI/AAAAAAAAYhA/TVtM7xQZXncDQZ6Qzecwyl_LOj1rleFPgCKgB/s1600/IMG_3808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fDICvl4exXY/WHwm2jt4eZI/AAAAAAAAYhA/TVtM7xQZXncDQZ6Qzecwyl_LOj1rleFPgCKgB/s320/IMG_3808.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5fIcARlgls/WHwoOX7jh6I/AAAAAAAAYhQ/18CbwtFqI24byhep1FfAFVN445ZeERGNQCLcB/s1600/chair%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5fIcARlgls/WHwoOX7jh6I/AAAAAAAAYhQ/18CbwtFqI24byhep1FfAFVN445ZeERGNQCLcB/s320/chair%2B2.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEBlfjhusQI/WHl6I-ilcDI/AAAAAAAAYZk/l1ChURNpOxYAawJI7V57qjNlCPTaPWohgCKgB/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEBlfjhusQI/WHl6I-ilcDI/AAAAAAAAYZk/l1ChURNpOxYAawJI7V57qjNlCPTaPWohgCKgB/s320/IMG_3243.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFDl4co5Ocw/WHl6I6b67tI/AAAAAAAAYZk/udofCsOPhyEqsEODYu4hdqasr9lh0uhlgCKgB/s1600/IMG_3960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFDl4co5Ocw/WHl6I6b67tI/AAAAAAAAYZk/udofCsOPhyEqsEODYu4hdqasr9lh0uhlgCKgB/s320/IMG_3960.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ZP4jcWdvg4/WHl6I2j9doI/AAAAAAAAYZk/vy_-mDUHSBsTXOg9dwlbr90DyrSIvPHewCKgB/s1600/IMG_3206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ZP4jcWdvg4/WHl6I2j9doI/AAAAAAAAYZk/vy_-mDUHSBsTXOg9dwlbr90DyrSIvPHewCKgB/s320/IMG_3206.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDxPa3qL_0E/WHwm2tCjerI/AAAAAAAAYhA/LQW-92cj5TgfLR4aubPxbWJku37759fdwCKgB/s1600/IMG_3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDxPa3qL_0E/WHwm2tCjerI/AAAAAAAAYhA/LQW-92cj5TgfLR4aubPxbWJku37759fdwCKgB/s320/IMG_3389.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICJOgnXK0bg/WHl6I7_B91I/AAAAAAAAYZk/CdbOFLDIanQAjBUnV2PqYCpL5kod23K1gCKgB/s1600/IMG_3418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICJOgnXK0bg/WHl6I7_B91I/AAAAAAAAYZk/CdbOFLDIanQAjBUnV2PqYCpL5kod23K1gCKgB/s320/IMG_3418.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cof26V2XumY/WHl6Iw6NB1I/AAAAAAAAYZk/9oVC2VdTOnYH4_xl61_CKwQMS9pNi3OogCKgB/s1600/IMG_4366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cof26V2XumY/WHl6Iw6NB1I/AAAAAAAAYZk/9oVC2VdTOnYH4_xl61_CKwQMS9pNi3OogCKgB/s320/IMG_4366.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzpHGyPFiQE/WHl6IxRfVZI/AAAAAAAAYZk/KnuUvxCMHQUpj-jpmM55xfxcOJp76smGACKgB/s1600/IMG_5031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzpHGyPFiQE/WHl6IxRfVZI/AAAAAAAAYZk/KnuUvxCMHQUpj-jpmM55xfxcOJp76smGACKgB/s320/IMG_5031.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4A4-ANgsoLU/WHwiLpuJ9nI/AAAAAAAAYgk/c5wdO9l2UJcpPm62JWtsQ87vA91LcNR_ACKgB/s1600/IMG_5237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4A4-ANgsoLU/WHwiLpuJ9nI/AAAAAAAAYgk/c5wdO9l2UJcpPm62JWtsQ87vA91LcNR_ACKgB/s320/IMG_5237.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Each month keeps getting better with this sweet boy! I swear I say "this is my favorite age" every time he turns a month older. I can't remember what our lives were like before him. Wouldn't change this crazy fast moving life for anything. </div>
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Fletcher James, thank you for being the best thing ever. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-41293926242955763782017-01-10T18:44:00.000-08:002017-01-11T03:30:37.026-08:00Hello 20172016, you're going to be <i>really</i> hard to beat. I mean, my best gift ever came so I really can't complain. I am looking forward to what 2017 has in store for our little family.<br />
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<br />
To kick of the New Year, I am setting some goals, not resolutions, for myself:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Unplug </b><br />
Over the last year, especially the past several months, I have felt like I was allowing social media to take up too much of my time. Honestly, I was allowing it to take over my life. Whenever I had an idle moment I was on some social media outlet. Ask Jared, I was addicted. Certainly these apps were helpful to keep me entertained while I am tied to my pump 3 times a day for 30 minutes at a time. But obviously that wasn't the only time I was checking though. My breaking point was when I realized this was the first thing I opened on my phone after turning off my alarm in the morning. Yes, I would often open my Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat feeds before even getting out of bed. Disturbing, I know. So, I quit cold turkey. I deleted every app from my phone on January 2nd. It has been kind of <i>freeing</i> which is sad that I feel that way. My goal is to go a year with hopes that I will never return. <br />
<br />
<b>2. Blog </b><br />
No, I don't consider this blog a social media outlet. I think of this more as an online journal and a way to keep extended family in touch with our life. I started this blog back in 2013. Jared and I had recently gotten engaged, we were living in Winston-Salem, I was in my last semester of nursing school, and Jared was in his MBA program. I wanted a way to remember the craziness that was consuming our lives. I went back and read some of those older posts while I was updating the layout (and name) of the blog and I was reminded of why I wanted to keep these memories on here. My goal is to post on here once week or at the very least, every other week. <br />
<br />
<b>3. Run </b><br />
Before I got pregnant I was trying to get into running. We have a really great neighborhood to run in, with lots of sidewalks and greenways close by. But, then I got pregnant and I was <i>really</i> tired, like all the time. So I turned to prenatal yoga and Pilates as my workouts to prepare for my plan of natural birth. During this time, my best friend, Meghan, was training for her first half marathon. I jokingly said that I too wanted to run a half marathon one day. After Fletcher was born I said my goal was to run a half marathon by his first birthday. The one I am currently training for will be a month after his birthday. Technically, I should pick one closer but, this one is in the Outer Banks and I can't pass up a trip out there. <br />
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<b>4. Love </b><br />
The day I married Jared I could've sworn I couldn't love him (or anyone else) anymore. Oh boy, was I wrong. My heart grew five times the moment he became a father (and I met our son). Watching him learn and grow into this truly amazing dad has me constantly melting. I always knew he would be great, but he has exceeded every expectation. The past 9 months have not been without their challenges though. I think in part because we need to remember that we are not just mom and dad we are also husband and wife. My goal is to make sure we don't forget the latter part of that. I want to continue to build on our marriage and grow as a couple. This means, more dates nights (or day dates), less screen time after work, and more meaningful conversations. My mom was kind enough to gift us a weekend away to Asheville in the beginning of March as our Christmas gift this year, babysitting included. <br />
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Fletcher's face says it all, let's hope 2017 doesn't blow by like 2016 did. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-12043744390132268912016-08-06T17:35:00.002-07:002016-08-06T17:35:55.374-07:00Fletcher's 4th Month! <div align="center">
<strong>MONTH FOUR</strong></div>
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The changes between three and four months have been the biggest to me. Jared said to me the other day, "I know you miss him being that little newborn baby, but I am really excited about him getting bigger and older because we are bonding a lot more." Well, melt my damn heart. It is so true, watching the two of them grow closer over the last month has been the best, and oh so heartwarming! </div>
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<strong><u>Eating:</u></strong> Fletcher is up to four 7-8oz bottles during the day and a 9oz bottle before bed. With numbers like that, you would expect our child to be <em>huge</em> but he's actually really average at 15 pounds and 24 inches. I suspect all those calories are going to his large noggin, yep, still in the 97th percentile there... He is still just exclusive breast milk. We talked to the doctor at his 4 month check up and she said she did not think he was ready for solids just yet because he still has a few primitive reflexes, like the tongue-push-out-thing, yeah real technical term there. We are interested in doing the baby led weaning with him too, so we are not trying to rush it. He has already started to show an interest in food and loves to watch us eat dinner while sitting up in his Bumbo. Can't wait to start introducing foods to him, especially since I don't know how much longer my pumping can keep up with his current milk demands. </div>
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<strong><u>Sleeping:</u></strong> this is of course everyone's favorite baby topic. As a new and first time mom, I feel like this is the number one question I get asked about. "is he sleeping through the night yet?" "how many naps does he take?" "does he sleep in his crib?" "do you rock him to sleep?" "use a pacifier or swaddle?" It is so overwhelming. And I know I shouldn't, but I feel guilty when I admit how good of sleeper we have been blessed with. However, this was our most challenging month sleep wise because I questioned myself a lot. </div>
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On the first night of month four, Fletcher decided he was going to start rolling over back to front and continuously breaking out of his swaddle. He kept waking himself up and I thought, "shoot, is this the 4 month sleep regression starting early??" The rolling meant it was time to drop the swaddle (dun dun dun). I was dreading this day because the swaddle is amazing but also knew we were going to start sleep training. I was being selfish thinking about all the sleep <em>I</em> was going to miss. </div>
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Up until this point we had been reading the Moms on Call book for scheduling. Their method for dropping the swaddle is really intense. It entails placing the baby in their crib, awake, no swaddle and not going back in the room until 7 am, no matter how hard your little one is crying. I knew that I could not do this method, it would be just too rough on my heart. But, I also knew I wanted to drop the swaddle and sleep props cold turkey. I didn't want Fletcher to be reliant on a sleep sack or pacifier to go to sleep. So, Jared and I decided on the "Ferber method." Yes, I know, this is a very controversial topic in the parenting world and has gotten a bad wrap in my opinion. We made a decision, as parents, on what would work best for our family. Plus lots of support from a friend who did this with her son. </div>
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The method has been incorrectly named the "cry it out" and people assume you are just leaving your child to cry until they pass out or throw up (yes, I actually read where someone thought that was the case). It is actually is teaching them to self-soothe. The method takes a "progressive waiting approach" that calls for waiting predetermined amounts of time before going in to check on the baby. It starts with 5 minutes then 10 then 15 then 20 and so on. It is not only reassuring for mama but also for baby. I will never forget the night of July 2nd. It was the most time interval we had ever gotten to, 35 minutes which, combined is a total of 2 hours of on and off crying. It was rough emotionally because I felt like I was a horrible mother. I was sobbing in the bathroom while poor Jared was watching Fletcher on the monitor. I considered throwing in the towel so many times, but I was armed with the research I had done and I was trying to reassure myself that this was the worst part. And it was, it has been all up hill since. This method is not for everyone and like Jessie said to me, "it sucks it sucks it sucks" but it also <em>works</em>. </div>
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We have kept a consistent bedtime routine since he was just a few weeks old; bath, book, bottle, bed. Sometimes he passes out while drinking his bottle and other times I will rock him a little until he is drowsy but awake. Most nights he is still awake when we put him down, but he quickly rolls to his belly and puts himself to sleep, without any tears. The boy <em>loves</em> to sleep on his belly with his little butt sticking straight up. I am pretty sure this is how he was positioned in the womb. He typically sleeps 8pm-7am now. There is the occasional 6:00 or 6:30 wake up where he will be restless and cry for a few minutes but always puts himself back to sleep. </div>
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We are still in a love-hate relationship with naps. In the beginning of the sleep training we were still swaddling for naps. Unfortunately, we started daycare around this time as well and can't swaddle them, so we had to drop it all together. It was rough at first and some days are better than others. Honestly, I'm fine with a crappy napper as long as the sleeping through the night continues ;) </div>
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<strong><u>Activity:</u></strong> biggest milestone this month, rolling back to belly. He still has only laughed a handful of times. Apparently mom and dad are not at funny as we thought we were. He is super smiley though. Loves to put things in his mouth, especially his hands and Sophie. Started to reach for objects which makes me feel like I have the smartest baby in the world for some reason. He loves to stand up while we hold his hands out. Though, we were told by the doctor not to do this because of skipping some milestones. Whoops, he's been doing that since about 2.5 months...He is still obsessed with being outside and bath time of course. Drooling like you couldn't imagine. It is like a constant wet t-shirt contest. Still giving the stank-face-stare-down that can make you feel so inferior. Not a fan of the car seat but is getting better thanks to some distraction techniques (aka hanging toys). He is still just a happy snuggly sweet boy. </div>
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<strong><u>Four Month Picture Recap:</u></strong></div>
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just like dad </div>
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First Fourth of July spent at a the Beer Garden! </div>
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started daycare. mom had a much harder time than Fletcher. He has wonderful teachers who love him and give me lots of updates and pictures :)</div>
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went in the pool for the first time. very hesitant at first but then loved it. </div>
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slept on some runs with mom and enjoyed being in the stroller and not the infant seat!</div>
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rocked the cutest damn overalls</div>
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peed on mom and thought it was hilarious</div>
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whole family caught the summer flu/cold from daycare</div>
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went to the church nursery for the first time</div>
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twinned with Dad some more</div>
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bid Uncle Michael farewell. He now has a big boy job in San Fran. doing big things. </div>
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remained the cutest thing ever</div>
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found dad's beard and realized how fun it is to pull :) </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjTmRV4m_fc/V6Z8Znh0G9I/AAAAAAAAA1s/GOqZrs89rq4uuZNI1uObYYHoAUjWMc6ngCEw/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjTmRV4m_fc/V6Z8Znh0G9I/AAAAAAAAA1s/GOqZrs89rq4uuZNI1uObYYHoAUjWMc6ngCEw/s320/5.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GO-K26vNljs/V6Z8cKa4OnI/AAAAAAAAA1s/rBUxHqeHmA0fYCmVbrPiAycFZWtnWuZ0wCEw/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GO-K26vNljs/V6Z8cKa4OnI/AAAAAAAAA1s/rBUxHqeHmA0fYCmVbrPiAycFZWtnWuZ0wCEw/s320/7.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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had 4 month check up and shots </div>
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Fletcher James, we are beyond lucky to have you in our lives. What did we do before you? Thank you for being the greatest thing that has ever happened to us. We love you more everyday sweet boy. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-70407581895978745172016-07-02T18:17:00.001-07:002016-07-03T14:39:00.905-07:00Fletcher 3 Months <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>MONTH THREE</strong> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNrokFuRkC8/V3hd6H1xVBI/AAAAAAAAAv8/CY1wurir8y8pUYPFQ-aRCGckQyCxK85RwCKgB/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNrokFuRkC8/V3hd6H1xVBI/AAAAAAAAAv8/CY1wurir8y8pUYPFQ-aRCGckQyCxK85RwCKgB/s320/17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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ok time, you can slow down now. How are we already through a quarter of a year with our sweet boy and already halfway through 2016? </div>
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This boy had a vary busy and fun third month of life! Learning lots and changing everyday before our eyes! </div>
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taken about 3 weeks apart to show those rolls and moobs really coming out.</div>
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<strong><u>Eating</u>:</strong> still full time bottle and exclusively pumping. He went from taking 5oz to 6-7oz overnight around 2.5 months. He takes 8oz at night just before bedtime. Yes, this child loves to eat. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-174ADEB1-rI/V3hd8m07uQI/AAAAAAAAAwE/d7a4J-ka0aECsWJeClA0t7G6IFcG2Y-rwCKgB/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-174ADEB1-rI/V3hd8m07uQI/AAAAAAAAAwE/d7a4J-ka0aECsWJeClA0t7G6IFcG2Y-rwCKgB/s320/19.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LF_AEPifzIw/V3heVNlqtUI/AAAAAAAAAxI/qDoIURXwCJo2Lr1a1C9hWUkY-_I_vcmegCKgB/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LF_AEPifzIw/V3heVNlqtUI/AAAAAAAAAxI/qDoIURXwCJo2Lr1a1C9hWUkY-_I_vcmegCKgB/s320/8.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<strong><u>Sleeping:</u></strong> like a champ. He slept 8:30pm-7am regularly. There were the random mornings when his typical day was thrown off (family coming to town, growth spurt, etc.) when he would wake an hour or so early but never woke during the night. We still swaddle and rock him to sleep after his bedtime bottle. My heart just wasn't ready for the cry it out just yet. Plus he passed out within 5 minutes of being swaddled. There is nothing sweeter than rocking your baby to sleep in your arms. He rarely falls asleep on our chests anymore so when he does, I spend a lot of time studying all his features and watching him smile in his sleep. </div>
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<strong><u>Activity:</u></strong> still obsessed with the outdoors. If he is ever fussy, the second you walk outside he calms down. He has started to not hate his car seat as much and doesn't fight being buckled in. Bath time is his favorite time of day and loves to splash. He laughed for the first time this month. I finally caught it on video, in the bath of course. He figured out how to kick the legs of his activity mat and loves to watch the things move above him. Tummy time has turned into roll over time. Found his feet and really enjoys looking at them. Enjoys siting up in his bumbo seat to watch us eat dinner and hang out on the porch. He is getting better about not being held all the time. Loves to watch what is going on around him. Usually has a very inquisitive look on his face. Smiles all the time. Overall, he remains our very laid back chill happy baby boy.</div>
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<strong><u>Three Month Picture Recap:</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Afpjbo_8E0/V3heA7LSx4I/AAAAAAAAAwU/DjEWgKgUN-YkWRg66AShjTgDWeBj8Vr3gCKgB/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Afpjbo_8E0/V3heA7LSx4I/AAAAAAAAAwU/DjEWgKgUN-YkWRg66AShjTgDWeBj8Vr3gCKgB/s320/20.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OfRNaVBdd8/V3heDCvJQuI/AAAAAAAAAwk/KCvgugJdZFUGNrtGC4GHdPDzkXJoPs3xwCKgB/s1600/24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OfRNaVBdd8/V3heDCvJQuI/AAAAAAAAAwk/KCvgugJdZFUGNrtGC4GHdPDzkXJoPs3xwCKgB/s320/24.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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met Aunt Charli Kay for the first time! And danced a lot to inappropriate songs with her ;) </div>
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visited with Grandpa Charlie to learn all the Rice Man secrets </div>
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spent three weeks with Grandma Sandy when mom returned to work full time and was forced to wear Aggie gear </div>
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started to like tummy time a little more<br />
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celebrated Dad's first Father's Day! With the help of a very kind friend, we got him a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle. For special occasion drinking only :) Watching Jared become a dad has been one of my favorite parts of these last 3 months. I always knew he would be a great dad to our son but I certainly underestimated him. They are equally obsessed with each other and it just melts my heart. </div>
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kept up the stank face but added some stunner shades</div>
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twinned with my uncle James </div>
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got even cuter</div>
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obsessed over feet and toes</div>
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redneck pool day with dad. loved it. </div>
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We love you more everyday. Watching you grow and change has been so much fun. Looking forward to a fun summer ahead with my two boys who are equally obsessed with the pool. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-17956836131209619772016-05-28T08:39:00.006-07:002016-06-01T10:36:49.805-07:00Fletcher 1 and 2 MonthsI'm sorry, no one told me that time suddenly vanishes after you have a child. Rude. But seriously, where did TWO months go?!? On one hand I feel like Fletcher <em>just</em> got here but on the other I don't even remember what our life was like before him. <br />
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<strong>MONTH ONE</strong></div>
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Basically we had no idea what the hell we were doing. Jared and I read <em>zero</em> baby books in preparation for our boy's arrival. I think in a lot of ways that helped us because we were not overloaded with information and trying to do so many different things, but I also wish we had known just a little more beforehand. The number one thing: newborns can only stay awake for 45-60 minutes MAX. Yes, this is so true and overstimulation is the realest thing ever. This bit of information would've saved us from a lot of guessing in the beginning. <br />
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<strong><u>Eating:</u></strong> Luckily we both took to breastfeeding really well and until 3 weeks Fletcher ate every 2.5 hours on the dot. After his 3 week visit he was gaining enough weight so we moved the schedule to every 3 hours. I also started pumping at 3.5 weeks and at first it was just one pump per day with Jared giving him a bottle for his last feeding before bed. But around 4 weeks he started to scream before and just after latching and we never knew if it was going to be a good nursing session or a frightening one. So we switched to the bottle full time and never looked back. He is much happier with the bottle, probably because he gets it faster and at a more consistent rate. We also never did on demand feedings. We tried to stick as close to the schedule as possible. Now, if he were going through a growth spurt or wanted to eat early obviously I fed him. I quickly learned when he was hungry versus tired.<br />
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<strong><u>Sleeping:</u></strong> From the beginning Fletcher has been a "good sleeper" (minus the first 2 nights home from the hospital) We attribute his sleep habits to his chunkiness. We moved him into his crib on day 7 and I think that made a world of difference for all of us. Babies are really loud sleepers in case you didn't know. Weeks 2-4 he went down at about 10pm and woke to eat 1:30-2:30 and 4:30-5:30 like clockwork. We tried a lot of different swaddling techniques during the first month. First I thought he didn't like to have his hands swaddled. False, his hands would wake him up from startling. Then we tried the "swaddle me sleeping pod" and that worked well until he started wiggling his arms out. Finally, there was the Halo sleepsack which got us our first 7 hour stretch! We introduced our nighttime routine around 3.5 weeks which consists of bath, food, book or song, then rocking to sleep. Some naps he would do in his crib but it was hit or miss and a lot of them were taken on my chest those first few weeks. <br />
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<strong><u>Activity:</u></strong> refer back to the 45-60 minute rule. When he was nursing, which took about 30-40 minutes every 2.5 hours, he was only awake for <em>maybe</em> 10-15 good minutes before getting fussy. Once we switched to the bottle and realized the timing you could set your watch to his schedule. Now if he starts crying everyone will look at the time and can immediately tell what the deal is. In month one he slept (a lot), really just enjoyed being held and would be pretty upset if you tried to put him down for longer than 5 minutes when he was awake.. He loves being outside and going on walks. Around week 4 we started to get our first smiles. They were far and few between but melted my heart every time.<br />
<strong><u>One Month Picture Recap:</u></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">came out expecting some answers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mama's push present. Jared's birthstone (garnet) and diamonds. red and white for life ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stole mom's heart</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">met the fur brothers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">battled some serious baby acne</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found out Aunt Jules and Uncle Will are having a BOY aka Fletch's bff!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVtIUe2z7-o/V0mcn-u5hTI/AAAAAAAAAqk/U5If68URL8ohJ-AJHcKhnhtc7z9nzLn3ACKgB/s1600/what%2Byou%2Btalkin%2Bbout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HVtIUe2z7-o/V0mcn-u5hTI/AAAAAAAAAqk/U5If68URL8ohJ-AJHcKhnhtc7z9nzLn3ACKgB/s320/what%2Byou%2Btalkin%2Bbout.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mastered the stank face in several different forms</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slept. a lot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bonded with my best friend, dad</td></tr>
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<strong>MONTH TWO</strong></div>
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Hey, who were those parents that knew absolutely nothing? haha joking, we still know next to nothing. But, we have started to learn what works for us as a family of three. I wish we could say that we are really great new parents and know all the tricks but it is really him who is just that awesome and chill ;) In all seriousness, there are still hard days but those are becoming really infrequent. We have learned a lot of Fletcher's queues and know how to respond (most of the time). <br />
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<strong><u>Eating:</u></strong>full-time bottle-eater and exclusive-pumper over here. I pump three times per day and they are my least favorite parts of the day. I just feel so alone when pumping. Its 30 minutes where I am tied to a machine, can't hold Fletcher and then have to do dishes after, not that fun at all. He is taking 4-6oz per bottle and eating every 3-3.5 hours. The boy loves to eat! <br />
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<strong><u>Sleeping:</u></strong> around 5-6 weeks we started getting our first 8 hour stretches at night. The first night he slept through his usual 3am wake up I shot up in shock and checked the monitor to see if he was still breathing. From 6-7 weeks he slept 9:30pm-5am pretty consistently. On week 8 we moved on to the next schedule in our "Moms on Call" book [which is a recommended reading. thank you again Jessie!] so he is now going down between 8/9 and sleeping until 6/6:45. Yes, those are 9 to 10 hour stretches people! There are still some wild nights where he wakes up at 4:30 and wants to eat. Our goal is to get to a 8pm-7am schedule but we aren't trying to push it and are beyond happy with where our almost 9 week old is currently! He takes three 1.5-2 hour naps and one 45 minute catnap before dinner. Napping in the crib the first half of the month was a real struggle but we are happy to report almost all naps are now in the crib! This month we broke down and bought the Ollie swaddle which was a total game changer in the swaddle department. It is made of the softest and most breathable material plus its super stretchy so you can get baby tight, tight, tight! He has only broken out of it a handful of times which were mostly due to my poor securing of it. Finally, we started putting him down in his crib somewhat awake and letting him soothe himself to sleep. It doesn't happen every time and we only do cry it out for about 5 minutes but he is putting himself to sleep and it feels like winning the lottery every time. <br />
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<strong><u>Activity:</u></strong> he started cooing and giving us his biggest-gummiest-sweetest smiles around week 6. He has started to enjoy his activity mat which I swore I would never own because they are hideous. Still loves to be outside and has started joining me on my morning runs. I think his favorite part of the day is bath time. He could splash in his little whale tub for hours! He is getting more tolerant of tummy time but still only lasts a couple minutes. He is able to hold his head up really well when being held or sitting in your lap. He gets the cheesiest grin when Jared reads to him at night and it might be the cutest thing I have ever seen. He loves to "talk" to us and wiggles all around.<br />
<strong><u>Two Month Picture Recap:</u></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grew. a lot. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">attended uncle Michael's graduation</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">twinned with dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mom's first Mother's Day gift </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first trip to the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bath time serenade </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grew some more</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">told mom how much I hate tummy time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hung out with dad before work</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flirted with the Dr. at my 2 month check up</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mastered the art of blowouts </td></tr>
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<strong><u>Biggest things I learned from my first two months as a parent: </u></strong><br />
-a good lactation consultant is worth their weight in gold [Raleigh friends, Heather at Pediatric Partners is ahhhmazing]<br />
-having a mom friend who is similar to you is the best thing you could ever ask for [Thank you Jessie times a million! You, my friend, are wonderful]<br />
-babies cry. Sometimes a lot and sometimes for no reason at all.<br />
-finding support in each other even when said baby is screaming in your ear every night for two weeks straight from 7:30pm-9pm [Jared, you are a trooper. Thank you for dealing with me and all my crazy antics and questions about swaddling and scheduling even though we both have no clue what we are doing half the time. There is no one else I'd rather be with in a zombie apocalypse]<br />
-a positive attitude is a saving grace. Yes, some days are wonderful and Fletcher sticks to his schedule to a tee. Other days are shitstorms (literally) where he wants to cry a lot for no good reason and be held all day [luckily these are seldom]. For me it was taking a deep breath, smiling at my sweet sleeping baby (who refused to nap in his crib for the third time that day), knowing dad will be home to help soon, the day will end and we would get to restart in the morning. It is all a season and one day I will want all that craziness to return. <br />
-people tell you about the love you will have for your child but there is nothing that will prepare you for it. It is this amazing, all-consuming, knock-the-breath-right-out-of-you, heart-swelling, gut-busting, every-second-of-every-day, kind of love.<br />
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Fletcher James, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are truly a blessing to me and your dad. I pray that I am the best mother I can be for you. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-70758752860112082592016-05-18T16:29:00.005-07:002016-05-19T10:36:21.474-07:00Fletcher's NurseryThe nursery is hands down my favorite room in the house. While we were piecing it together I knew we would be spending a lot of time in there so I wanted to make sure it would be a comfortable space that we all three loved being in. I also knew that this was going to be one of the last times I would get to pick everything that was going into our child's room because in about four years there will be requests for footballs, airplanes, and racecar bed (just like his dad). <br />
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Before we knew the gender of our little babe Jared and I discussed what we each had in mind for the nursery. I believe Jared's first pitch was for an NC State theme with a Carter Finely mural on the wall behind the crib. That was quickly shot down by me (sorry hubs). His next suggestion actually stuck. He said we should do themes for boy or girl based on our favorite childhood Disney movies. Jared's is Fox and Hound and mine is The Little Mermaid. Initially I was picturing cartoon characters all over the walls and absolutely hated that idea. But then I realized we could have that theme without it being so "Disney." <br />
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Once we knew we were having a little boy I got to planning the Fox and Hound theme sans cartoon characters. I knew I wanted earthy tones with a woodland feel. I based the room around these prints:<br />
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They were all found on Etsy from various sellers. The large white distressed frames are from a clearance sale at a furniture store last year. We just held on to them waiting for the perfect use :) The rest of the frames are from Homegoods of course. </div>
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The changing table is actually a hand-me-down from my best friend, Caitlin. Her mom used it for her and her older sister when they were little which makes the dresser almost 32 years old and that much more special to have! I just repainted it white and changed out the knobs, which are actually sticks from out backyard cut down to drawer-pull-size. I almost passed out when I saw that bear hamper in Homegoods. I had been looking for weeks for the perfect hamper for his room when I stumbled upon that gem. </div>
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Since I was planning to breastfeed I knew I need a comfortable glider for nursing Fletcher throughout the day and in the wee hours of the morning. We searched high and low for a reasonably priced, comfortable, functional, and attractive glider. However, that does not exist and the one I fell in love with was way out of our price range. Jared suggested we just recover the old recliner we had sitting in the guest room unused. I was against it at first, naturally, but this is by far the most comfortable chair. All it took was a navy slipcover from Amazon to make mama happy.</div>
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The curtain rods are one of my favorite things in the room. They are just sanded down tree branches from the woods in our backyard. I will never forget being <em>huge </em>pregnant walking back there with Jared and Maverick looking for the perfect stick/tree/branch for my insane idea for a curtain rod. I love the way they turned out! </div>
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I picked up this side table at the Restore for $15! I painted it and added drawer pulls to match the changing table/dresser. </div>
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The jar on the table is a gift my mom gave me at my baby shower. It is filled with pearls. There is a card attached that gives instructions to remove a pearl from the jar once a week, every week, until Fletcher is 18 years old. It is to remind me to cherish the time I have with my boy each week.<br />
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The closet doors in this room are straight from the 70's. So I jazzed them up a little by painting them a greenish-grey color and framing the doors with wood that I stained and distressed. <br />
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The bookshelves turned out just how I had pictured them. I stained and painted the wood to match the wood around the closet and Jared put them together for me. I think we are going to need to add some more shelving because baby boy already has an insane amount of books! </div>
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I had to point out a few of my favorite things on the shelves, the monogrammed wooden rattle and the "Go Wolfpack Go" book. The rattle was a gift from our friend Emily. She knows us so well! The Wolfpack book is from our friend Alyson and will be my new go-to shower gift for our fellow expectant NC State mamas. It is an interactive book that follows Mr and Ms Wuf around campus and Raleigh. It is just too cute! </div>
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The initial letters were one of my other Etsy splurges. Each letter is handmade from driftwood found on the beaches of Rhode Island. </div>
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The final piece in the nursery was this cross-stich made by a friend. It is a play on the song "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." Jared's idea of course. Gotta start em' young ;) </div>
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Other miscellaneous things in the nursery: </div>
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Target: rug and pouf </div>
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Homegoods: toy chest, baskets, lamp, and curtains </div>
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Pottery Barn Kids: crib</div>
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Then here is a picture of our updated master. This was a surprise facelift for our room in conjunction with the nursery.</div>
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And...what is a blog post without pictures of Fletcher?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was the very first onesie we purchased after finding out we were going to have a baby!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">intentional smiling just melts my heart every.single.time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first trip on to the beach. he loved it!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-41719185475295944292016-04-13T11:57:00.000-07:002016-04-13T11:57:31.151-07:00Fletcher James Rice--Birth StoryI can't believe Jared and I have been parents for a little over two weeks now. People always said having a child would change everything, but I don't think anyone could have prepared me for the feelings we have for this boy. Love is an understatement. He is perfect in every single way and I feel incredibly blessed to be his mother. <br />
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Fletcher James Rice was born March 28, 2016 at 10:32 pm. This is his birth story. <br />
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My due date, March 25, came and passed. I worked late that day to get a few things finished at the office in case I happened to deliver over the weekend even though I was fully convinced I would be back at work on Monday. After work I went to have my eyebrows done. The lady asked, "twins?" I felt like crying right there in her chair. No, not twins, I am just massive! <br />
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Saturday, March 26, still pregnant, Jared and I decided to take the dogs for a long 3 mile walk that morning to see if we could get things moving. During the walk I had a few intense Braxton Hicks contractions but nothing more. We went for our usual bagels, hopeful I would have my water break at our favorite bagel spot, but no such luck. Then we decided donuts were a good idea because if I was going to go past my due date, I was going to make it worth it. Side note, all the hype about Duck Donuts is for real, that place is ahhh-mazing. We thought maybe a movie would help. So we went to see Superman vs Batman. We joked before the movie about how inconvenient it would be to go into labor during a movie. Well, I started to have (what I thought at the time) contractions. They were 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, throughout the two hour movie. This is when I started to get excited. I called the on call service and spoke to the doctor on call. She, however, was not excited and said it sounded like false labor and was probably the weather (there was a storm coming that night). She told me to drink plenty of fluids and get some rest (HA!). I was a little discouraged and decided the baby was never coming. We finished out the day with Five Guys and another walk around the neighborhood. After over 13,000 steps that day, we went to bed with still no baby in sight. <br />
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Sunday, March 27, Easter Sunday, we went to church as usual and prayed for baby boy to make his appearance soon. I felt huge and my swelling was out of control. After church we took the dogs around the neighborhood for a walk. About halfway through the walk Jared farted and I laughed so hard I thought I peed myself because that is totally something my pregnant self would do. Jared thought this was hilarious and tried to scare me which only made me laugh harder and thus, more pee. I cleaned myself up and we decided to have a lazy restful Sunday, baby would come when he was ready. Throughout the rest of the day I noticed some "abnormal leakage" everytime I got up from the couch or went to the bathroom. Around 9pm it occurred to me that it could of been my water breaking and not pee. So I called the doctor on call fully expecting her to think I was crazy. However, the opposite happened. She talked to me for about 15 minutes and told me she was unsure if it was my water or not and there was no way to tell without a test. She gave me the option to come to the hospital that night or to wait until 8 am the next day. Since I wasn't having contractions I decided to stay home.<br />
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Monday, March 28, I woke to zero contractions. I felt like I would be going to work that morning after my appointment. I texted my boss and team to let them know I would be in later after my doctor checked me. Jared and I left the house with our work bags but also packed our hospital bags just in case they found something. We drove separate cars, stopped a chik-fil-a for breakfast because Jared insisted if we were staying we should eat something. I was still convinced I was going to be at work in a few hours. We arrived at the doctors office promptly at 8am. When we checked in the nurse asked why we were there. I said "Either my water broke or I peed myself yesterday, we aren't sure." They laughed but then got serious. The doctor had told them about me and were expecting me. My doctor examined me, which was <em>super</em> uncomfortable, took a sample of the fluid, said my bag looked intact and checked my dilation, only 3 cm (ugh!). She sent one sample to the lab before doing an ultrasound to check the fluid around the baby. Everything looked great to her and she confirmed we were in fact having a boy. She chalked everything up to "mystery fluid," told me to get dressed, and gave me the OK to go back to work. The nurse called in and said we needed to wait for the results from the lab. So we waited and I sent a couple emails. Then the doctor came back in with a very different demeanor. She said the fern test was positive, which meant it was amniotic fluid leaking. She suspected it was a high slow leak but since it had been close to 24 hours since my "peeing incident" they were worried about infection to the baby. She said I would need to go check into labor and delivery and possibly be induced. I immediately felt sick. I did not want to be induced. I wanted to have a completely natural birth. I wanted labor to start on its own. This was not my plan. She talked me through the process and the pros and cons which was somewhat reassuring. I still left in tears and in panic. I was going to have a baby today, but this was not the way I had planned. I called my mom in tears and told her to come even though I had no idea how long it would actually take. <br />
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We headed across the parking deck to the Women's Center and checked in at 9:15. The triage lady said, "man, that is a belly!" Yes, lady, I am very pregnant, thank you for noticing. We waited in this awkward area with several other pregnant women until they took me back at about 10:15. I got undressed and the nurse hooked me up to the monitors. She got all my information and asked me about my birth plan. I said, "not this." She laughed but I told her my intention was to go as natural as possible and wanted no interventions unless necessary, but understood that there were some circumstances that would warrant the need. At 12:00 the doctor came in and we discussed the plan. She manually broke my water which was the most interesting experience. It was in fact a huge gush of warm fluid <em>all over</em> the place. At the time of the break she said I was measuring about 4 cm. Mild contractions started shortly after. Jared left to get lunch and I did some work. <br />
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I decided to take a walk around the unit around 2pm to see if that would help get things moving a little faster. My mom arrived around 2:30 and we walked down to the gift shop to get my mind somewhere else. The contractions were increasing in intensity but still irregular intervals. At 4pm the doctor came back to check my progress. She sadly told me we were going to have to start Pitocin to get the labor moving because of the infection risk to baby. Around 4:30, after starting the Pitocin, I thought to myself, "oh, so this is real labor." The contractions were strong and consistent intervals. Jared was watching the monitor and quickly learned to not tell me when contractions were coming. We tried to use some of our distraction techniques we learned in class and turned on an episode of House of Cards. That lasted all of 20 minutes before I needed silence in the room during contractions. At 6:30 the doctor came back for another check. I had only dilated to just over 6 cm. She decided the Pitocin needed to be increased. I decided I wanted to try the nitrous oxide. The purpose is to take your mind off the pain so you don't really care. The nurse hooked me up and I tried several times, but it did not seem to work and actually messed up my concentration. <br />
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Around 7:30 the contractions were very intense. Sometimes they would couple on top of each other and I wouldn't get the break that I was looking for between them. I started to get the urge to push and the nurse wanted to check me to see if I was ready. Unfortunately I was only about 7 cm dilated but baby was at +1 station. Baby was engaged and my body thought it was ready to go but my cervix was just not ready. The nurse told me that I would need to combat the urge to push. This was the most painful and most difficult part of the labor. This went on for two more hours. The contractions would come strong and sometimes three on top of each other with no break and then I would get about 4 minutes of rest. My mom and Jared said that between contractions I would zone out and looked like I was very "zen." I have no idea where I went but I knew the pain was worth it and would be over soon. I lived for the breaks between contractions. <br />
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At 9:30 the urge to push was unbearable. The nurse checked me again and said I was just over 9cm and a few more contractions I would be ready to push. At 9:40 she said I was ready to start pushing. Jared had one leg and my mom had the other. The nurse did a couple of pushes with me and then had the doctor called into the room. The doctor was concerned because with every push the baby's heart rate would drop. They gave me a non-rebreather mask to get oxygen to me and the baby between pushes. The doctor said the cord was wrapped around his neck but she remained calm. Jared was amazing and watched the whole thing. He coached me through each push and gave me water between pushes. He was so excited when I started crowning and said "Lauren, he has blonde hair!" I began to feel very tired and felt like I wouldn't be able to push any longer. The doctor had me reached down and feel the baby's head. This was just the motivation I needed. A few strong pushes later and out came my sweet boy at 10:32pm! Jared said he watched the doctor un-lasso the cord from around his neck the second he came out. They placed him on my belly and the room went silent for just a brief second. The doctor exclaimed, "oh my gosh, he is a big baby." They brought him up to my chest for skin to skin while the placenta was delivered and the doctor stitched up my very minor first degree tear. A few minutes later they took our sweet boy to the scale to be weighed. Everyone was guessing around 9 pounds. Everyone in the room watched as the numbers on the scale began to climb and then quickly passed 9 then settled at 10 pounds 3.8 ounces! I cried out, "it was all the frosty's!" <br />
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The feelings that came over me cannot be explained. It was something I would do again and again. There is nothing more magical than seeing and holding your child for the first time. Just when I thought it couldn't get any sweeter I saw my husband hold our boy for the first time. My heart exploded. I thought I loved him before but this was no comparison. It doesn't help that our boy is literally the spitting image of his father. <br />
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My brothers came and brought me my post-push meal, Wendy's, of course. I enjoyed my spicy chicken sandwich and frosty while we drooled over how perfect Fletcher is before being brought to the mother-baby unit. We didn't sleep much in the hospital like we should have, as in I think I got <em>maybe</em> 6 hours of sleep in 3 days, but I couldn't stop staring and holding our precious gift. <br />
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We have been home with him for exactly two weeks and it still sometimes doesn't feel real. How did I get blessed with such a perfect baby? He is nothing like I thought having a newborn would be like. Everyone says his size helps with that. He is chunky and I love it. He sleeps and eats great! He is now starting to become more alert and finding his voice which means more crying than the first week but he is easy to soothe and remains a very chill, snuggly, sweet, squishy baby. He is changing everyday and time seems to be passing all too quickly.<br />
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Fletcher James, we love you so much. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10309704227972579373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025838306217234351.post-82489569021135376612016-03-20T14:34:00.001-07:002016-03-20T17:09:47.135-07:00Due Date Week! <div align="left">
Well, another 3 weeks just flew by and now we are exactly 5 days away from Baby Rice's due date [insert shocked emjoi face]. It has gone by so fast, yet also seems like it has drug on for a long time. I can't imagine how fast time is going to go once this baby actually gets here. Trying to savor every moment.</div>
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<u><strong>36-37 weeks</strong></u></div>
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Not too much happened these weeks. We started going to the doctor once a week at 36. At visit they checked for dilation. Yes, it is as pleasant as everyone says it is. I was not dilated and I was really excited about that. The doctor thought I was bonkers and said very few women get that excited about not being dilated. I told her I wouldn't mind if the pregnancy lasted a few more weeks. Hey, I still have a nursery to finish and loose ends at work. Weight gain is steady and feet swelling is continuing. Week 37 we finished up some final touches on the nursery. Jared hung the bookshelves, the paintings, baby boy's initials above his crib, and we finally rolled out the rug we bought back in December...</div>
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<strong><u>38 weeks</u></strong></div>
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This week I celebrated my 27th birthday! I spent my birthday weekend down in Wilmington getting spoiled by my mom, brother, and Matthew. We went to the beach, where I got fried, and had some much needed relaxation (and a virgin daiquiri). </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zMar9515qc/Vu8JgE5uhJI/AAAAAAAAAhk/hENbagtYcb4DaeqRSzCI0x9sD-2NuqprQ/s1600/38%2Bbeach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zMar9515qc/Vu8JgE5uhJI/AAAAAAAAAhk/hENbagtYcb4DaeqRSzCI0x9sD-2NuqprQ/s320/38%2Bbeach.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
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They treated me by taking me to get my nails and toes done. Thank goodness because I was starting to worry my toes would look hideous in labor. You can't paint your own toes when you can't reach them. </div>
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I came home and celebrated with my girlfriends at Kanki, of course. I have been eating at Japanese Steakhouses for my birthday for as long as I can remember. Even more fun to eat there when pregnant! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WMq2C-3y5I/Vu8LDu33EII/AAAAAAAAAh8/pggrtWnOhf0QPTt7okzltSE_lR1dsuQpQ/s1600/bday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WMq2C-3y5I/Vu8LDu33EII/AAAAAAAAAh8/pggrtWnOhf0QPTt7okzltSE_lR1dsuQpQ/s320/bday.JPG" width="256" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fv_DkRb51M8/Vu8L2WtO2kI/AAAAAAAAAiM/lGj11BJxBaoaRb1h1GE3Px-OCHpiN3fVw/s1600/gf%2Bbday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fv_DkRb51M8/Vu8L2WtO2kI/AAAAAAAAAiM/lGj11BJxBaoaRb1h1GE3Px-OCHpiN3fVw/s320/gf%2Bbday.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Jared and I both had pretty busy weeks so we weren't able to really celebrate my birthday until later in the week. We treated the dinner as a combo, Lauren's birthday and our possibly last date night before baby arrives! The sweet waitress brought us out a complimentary dessert and wished us congratulations. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhPY5iw4vpQ/Vu8LpLy-WHI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/xVykmc_x_2s0WTjT8_pOBvIgJYXtADe6g/s1600/bday%2Bhubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhPY5iw4vpQ/Vu8LpLy-WHI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/xVykmc_x_2s0WTjT8_pOBvIgJYXtADe6g/s320/bday%2Bhubs.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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As for the doctor update, I let them check me again at 38 weeks to see if I had changed any. We found out I am 1 cm dilated, which is basically nothing. I don't have any real signs of labor, just what seems to be Braxton Hicks contractions here and there. The scale has me weighing in now at a total of 50 pounds gained (oy vey). I am attributing that to all the swelling, I swear I am retaining all the water I am consuming. I give myself a +1 pitting edema on my assessment (only my medical friends will get that).</div>
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I thought this was pretty crazy to see. Everyone at work had told me I was dropping and they are all guessing I am going to deliver soon. The left is 37 weeks and the right is 38 weeks, exactly one week apart. I'd say I see the drop they were all talking about. </div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsx88FP0E2w/Vu8LnLOIDaI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/UsP6fAjh1ZckbQg-lYZled30hfpMZ0TzQ/s320/3738.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<strong><u>39 weeks</u></strong></div>
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Here we are, 39 weeks, standing in the completely finished nursery, which will at some point get its own post. I am obsessed with it and can't wait to share all the little details. I love how everything turned out and it is now easily my favorite room in the house. </div>
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I kicked off my 39th week by celebrating a good friend's bridal shower. She is going to make one stunning bride! I am really looking forward to their wedding at the end of April not just because it will be our first evening out post-baby, but because her and her groom have been together <em>forever</em> and its about dang time they got hitched!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xA7hmqEf-WQ/Vu8Okp-SfQI/AAAAAAAAAi0/xte-EiV8OogcigkmqGZDvi4oy5V2BXOCA/s1600/va%2Bshower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xA7hmqEf-WQ/Vu8Okp-SfQI/AAAAAAAAAi0/xte-EiV8OogcigkmqGZDvi4oy5V2BXOCA/s320/va%2Bshower.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I swore I would not be one of those women that obsessed over their due date approaching soon (5 days to be exact). Being clinical, I know that the dates are simply estimates and only about 5% of women deliver on their due date. I promised myself I would remain calm and realize baby boy would come into this world when he is ready. However, all the other pregnant women around me are delivering like crazy! Two moms from our childbirth class, one was due two days before and the other one the day after me, a girl I work with was due 5 days after me, all delivered last week. I know my time is quickly approaching which makes it hard to focus on anything else. </div>
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I am not necessarily ready for this pregnancy to end, because I have really enjoyed this time. I think I am more anxious about the unknown of all of this. He could come today, tomorrow, or two weeks from now and all those would be perfectly acceptable from a clinical standpoint. I however, do not like the surprise element in this. I wish I could get a narrowed down date, like, he will arrive between Wednesday and Friday this week. That way I quit freaking out and overthinking every little symptom I have. Honestly, I don't think I have any signs that he is coming soon. I just have some minor cramping, feeling tired, and backaches, but those are all signs of pregnancy itself. </div>
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In addition, I am trying to go as natural as possible with this labor. I understand that there are some things that are going to be out of my control, but I want to try to go with a little medications and interventions as possible. With each day that passes I get more worried I will go over my due date and they will start talking induction, which is the absolute last thing I want.</div>
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Finally, I think it is hitting me that I am actually going to have a baby at the end of this. I have been living in a little bit of denial about all of this because my pregnancy has been so "easy." But, in a few days or weeks (hopefully not) our lives are going to change forever. I know all for the good, but nothing will ever be the same again. We will be <em>parents</em> and will be responsible for keeping a tiny human alive. </div>
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Just when I think I am about to lose it and have even more crazy thoughts, Jared does something like this:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he hid a thank you card to me in my stack of cards I was addressing</td></tr>
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He is constantly reminding me how everything is going to be alright and we will figure all this out. And yes, everything is going to change, but it will all be worth it. He reminds me that soon we will be holding our son and all the worries will be gone. Though I am sure I will be plagued with more worry as our boy grows and we venture through this parenthood thing. But, I am so lucky that I get to do all of that with this man. He is one amazing husband and I know he will be an even more wonderful father. </div>
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