tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67596285377416827092024-03-05T17:52:36.937-05:00Adventures of Mini MunsonBeckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-36210300282289338572013-01-11T20:00:00.000-05:002013-01-11T20:00:45.918-05:00A Birth Story: Take 2From the outset, this birth was going to be very different from the first time around. My pregnancy with E was overseen by an OB on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Delivery took place at a hospital where celebrity babies make their grand entrances. This time we received prenatal care from midwives at a birth center in rural Pennsylvania. The major traffic concerns during the drive while in labor were horse and buggies or cow crossings.<br />
<br />
My biggest hope with the pregnancy was to go into labor on my own. I was a high risk pregnancy but there was no reason that the birth itself would be any more risk than normal. I have done a pitocin-induced birth without pain medication. I know I <i>can</i> do it. I just did not want to <i>have</i> to.<br />
<br />
Contractions started making an appearance at about the 37 week mark of my pregnancy. At 38 weeks I was having regular-ish contractions. One night I had them 8 minutes apart for two hours. I was absolutely convinced that this baby would be early. But each night I would go to bed and wake up with no contractions and no baby.<br />
<br />
My mum and sister arrived at 39 weeks. The plan was for my mum to team help Matthew during labor again and for my sister to watch E. My first check was at 39 weeks 5 days and I was 1+ dilated, soft, with a baby in -1 station. My body was definitely more ready to give birth this time around. I felt sure I'd have this baby close to my July 4 due date.<br />
<br />
Despite that, I was still pregnant more than a week later. My sister had to return home on July 9. On July 13 (a Friday, none the less) we headed to our weekly NST at the high risk OB, which showed good movement. The initial excitement over labor signs had gradually been wearing away as time passed. By this point I had started remembering some of the harder parts of labor and there was a small feeling of dread beginning to make itself known. My previous labor and delivery came up during the NST test and I told the full story to the tech. She had lots of questions about our choice to deliver at the birth center and had such words of affirmation about my rock star abilities to birth that I left feeling more at ease than I had been in days.<br />
<br />
At 12:15p we had an appointment at the birth center to start a foley bulb induction. The idea was to try non-pitocin induction methods before I hit 42 weeks, when I would be required to deliver at the hospital. At 12:45p, the bulb was inserted. I was roughly 3 cm dilated and soft. The foley bulb would help me dilate to 4 cm and the pressure on my cervix would help release the hormones my body was looking for to kick start labor.<br />
<br />
3 hours later, the foley bulb came out but no contractions.<br />
<br />
At 9:45p I added 2oz of castor oil to a chocolate milk shake.<br />
<br />
Around 11p, still having no contractions, I nursed E to sleep. As I held her sleeping, curled up in my arms, I realized I was starting to feel something. I carried her up to bed and decided it might be time to download a contraction timer to my phone. Not thinking much of it, I started timing contractions. The were about a minute long and 5 minutes apart. After 45 minutes I decided that they weren't quite close enough to warrant going to the birth center and thought a shower might slow them a bit so I could get some sleep. I spent another 45 minutes in the shower letting warm water run over my back. It didn't have quite the effect I expected. Post-shower, I lay in bed timing contractions that averaged 45 seconds long but only 2 minutes apart. At just before 2, I realized that this was the real thing.<br />
<br />
'Um, honey, it's time to go to the birth center.'<br />
<br />
Matthew called the birth center to let them know we were on our way. The midwife had delivered another baby just after midnight so they were already at the center and ready to go. I woke my mum to let her know that we were heading in. The plan was for her to stay home with E until morning. I waddled to the car and sat there, smiling and giggling to myself, while Matthew loaded the car. I wanted to make sure Mum knew I was okay since she would not be able to attend as much of this birth as she had the first time. I couldn't quite believe that this was really it. As we started the drive, Matthew realized he had left his wallet at home. He paused, as if to turn the car to retrieve it, just as I had a contraction.<br />
<br />
'Just drive- if anyone stops us, they can follow us to the birth center,' I told him.<br />
<br />
It was a bit surreal driving through the black countryside on winding roads surrounded by dark fields and farms. During the drive the contractions increased enough in intensity that I started making low throat sounds to help myself relax through them.<br />
<br />
We arrived at the birth center at 2:15a and were ushered in to one of the two birthing rooms. The midwife, Merrilee, and a nurse got us situated, turning on low lights and arranging our bags. Merrilee was one of the midwives that I'd only met once during my prenatal care. She was about halfway through her third trimester in her own pregnancy. I couldn't imagine having the energy to deliver a baby at that point in either pregnancy. After a quick check to see how the baby was doing via doppler, I asked if I could get in the tub. My back was starting to hurt with each contraction and soaking in the tub sounded great. I climbed in as the tub was filling and asked Matthew to start doing counter pressure during my contractions. The water felt nice but it was hard to get in a truly comfortable position. Reclining or leaning forward increased the back pain so I sat, cross-legged and slightly slumped, in the middle of the tub.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs-Rks7olLreUkJA8JGUpgZ12lCt8ybvsWVUeF9ceWyvpJ9Y4CxfwrihN-Kp-2FoTlp5vIJhP0seGsarUUXqTFP6A0z1zISgQjNG9hsEJErCIooL4GK4cEvAMiLsc6H-hajdE8UB7em1E/s1600/IMG_2003alt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs-Rks7olLreUkJA8JGUpgZ12lCt8ybvsWVUeF9ceWyvpJ9Y4CxfwrihN-Kp-2FoTlp5vIJhP0seGsarUUXqTFP6A0z1zISgQjNG9hsEJErCIooL4GK4cEvAMiLsc6H-hajdE8UB7em1E/s400/IMG_2003alt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
With each contraction, I did my best to stay relaxed. With my eyes closed, I focused on what my body was doing and blocked out pretty much everything around me. The low vocalizations and counter pressure helped but I was starting to struggle. I had not expected to have back labor again. The pain was different in that it only came during contractions but it kept throwing me off.<br />
<br />
I was in the tub for a while when I felt like I needed to either use the bathroom or push. Matthew got Merrilee and they helped me to the bathroom. I sat on the toilet and worked through some more contractions. Merrilee asked if I wanted her to check my progress. I said yes, expecting to hear that I was well into, if not through, transition. Dilation was actually only to about 5 cm. This was surprising to both Matthew and me. Based on my vocalizations and general mood, Matthew thought I would be well into transition. Since I was expecting to be told that this baby was ready to birth I would have estimated I was much further along. I reminded myself that I went from 5 cm to baby out in just over an hour the first time around. Focusing on the number would only lead to negative thoughts. The toilet was comfortable so I sat there for a while longer, with Matthew and Merrilee sitting on the floor.<br />
<br />
I moved to the bed next. Merrilee left us to ourselves. The birth center has full-sized beds to labor in which was quite the upgrade from the hospital. It allowed Matthew to lay next to me for counter pressure. I tried multiple positions. A favorite was on my knees with my chest and arms resting on the birth ball in front of me. I'd swivel my hips through each contraction, easing the pain in my lower back. I would have stayed that way indefinitely but my belly was too heavy! Prior to going into labor with E, I read many books on the subject of birth. Many included pictures of mothers laboring and delivering partially or entirely nude. In my pre-baby mind, I thought, 'Who would do that? Why not be covered?'<br />
As I was laboring on the bed I was struck by the fact that I was completely unclothed and could not be bothered to be embarrassed about it. I had a small towel keeping my hips warm but the thought of distracting my focus by finding something to wear seemed ridiculous.<br />
<br />
Settling in on my right side, with Matthew spooned behind me, I tried to be calm and relaxed. The back labor continued to stress me- I kept expecting the labor to go out of control the way it did when my pitocin was too high during E's birth. An irrational fear since I was not on Pitocin but labor isn't really the time for logic. There was alot of pressure on my tailbone, making me feel like I needed to push, plus lower back pain that came with each contraction. Matthew gently reminded me to breath deep and make lower pitched noises as I would start to panic. Merrilee came and sat next to me, holding my hand. I remember thinking that I needed to stay relaxed because I didn't want to hurt her hand. At one point I said that I couldn't do this and she responded, 'But you <i>are </i>doing this.'<br />
With their help I was able to drift off to sleep. I woke with each contraction but slept again in between. Matthew dozed next to me, providing counter pressure and soothing words as I needed them. I tried to be clear about what was and was not working.<br />
<br />
At about 5a, my water finally broke with a giant gush. I felt immediate relief in my lower back but still had the hard part ahead- a baby was about to make his or her entrance into the world!<br />
<br />
Ten or so minutes after my water broke, I started to feel my body pushing on its own. I let Merrilee know and, with the help of the nurse, I was positioned on my side for some slow pushing. Merrilee was aware of the tearing issues I had with my first delivery and was aiming to avoid a repeat. Pushing lasted about 20 minutes. Compared to having two pushes total the first time around, it felt like and eternity. I growled, 'Get this baby out of me!' at one point.<br />
<br />
Finally, with a last push, there was relief and a warm, wet, squirming baby on my chest at 5:34a! After cuddling for a moment, we realized we didn't know the sex of the baby yet. A quick peak revealed that we had a little boy. We've had a boy name ready since we were dating and now we had a boy to give it to: Owen Alexander. Together the name means 'well-born protector of mankind'. A big name for such a tiny person.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29yZFC7GySu9lcthHKj9QRQY1qaLz5t7516dod2j3f9JxvveOyKnpGFK-ugP8PPHgTRrEw1xY9agA2uMvmnl_f-b6JbJj8oSOh3y7A9hs81UV3jEmVTSQkfRwI5nezPsrH9J0N9BuUCzW/s1600/IMG_2007a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29yZFC7GySu9lcthHKj9QRQY1qaLz5t7516dod2j3f9JxvveOyKnpGFK-ugP8PPHgTRrEw1xY9agA2uMvmnl_f-b6JbJj8oSOh3y7A9hs81UV3jEmVTSQkfRwI5nezPsrH9J0N9BuUCzW/s400/IMG_2007a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The cord was cut after it finished pulsing and the midwife showed me the placenta, something I didn't get to do after E's birth. I offered to nurse but he wasn't interested. We cuddled and between 6 and 6:30, E and my mum arrived. It was incredibly sweet to introduce E to her new baby brother. She had been so excited about the prospect of becoming a big sister and meeting the baby in my 'baby belly'.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXysLSBnl8Dh-w87CoCDfeNUigN20pFE9ElYCrrToSxMiwkDeQgUNGPllfwI2sWvoIETOA4UsAE0LL1C3LH4MNsEfHnaxPqxByghb73cLC7hc4DDMjAmFz-DBA2Dlbpzm1RTLjOv9Qjpo/s1600/IMG_2012-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXysLSBnl8Dh-w87CoCDfeNUigN20pFE9ElYCrrToSxMiwkDeQgUNGPllfwI2sWvoIETOA4UsAE0LL1C3LH4MNsEfHnaxPqxByghb73cLC7hc4DDMjAmFz-DBA2Dlbpzm1RTLjOv9Qjpo/s400/IMG_2012-001.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>
<br />
I had a little bit of clotting issue so the midwife gave me a shot of pitocin to help clear things out and get my uterus on its way back to proper shaping. I was slightly amused that I didn't manage to completely avoid the awful stuff this time around. A shot in the thigh is not really comparable to an IV drip of the drug so it was not a big deal.<br />
<br />
We spent time as a family, cuddling and resting. I gave nursing another try. O was having a little trouble with sucking so Merrilee used her finger to show him how to use his tongue. A few minutes later, he was latched on and enjoying his first meal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIwIqpDUy1GvlUT5Kp0SSnJNo1AVZsQ44csLH6fM3UWR7JPROcyVcqaL9jdgAgazx-Cf5S1POMwskRLUK9cmdIy7-RP6m3kxk50gYmcNSoy5KzsKIU1oroRVPynptWynYPerIaqbMeD52/s1600/IMG_2030a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIwIqpDUy1GvlUT5Kp0SSnJNo1AVZsQ44csLH6fM3UWR7JPROcyVcqaL9jdgAgazx-Cf5S1POMwskRLUK9cmdIy7-RP6m3kxk50gYmcNSoy5KzsKIU1oroRVPynptWynYPerIaqbMeD52/s400/IMG_2030a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Merrilee and the morning nurse, Karen, asked if they could do the newborn examination about 2 hours after he was born. Healthy baby boy measured in at 8 pounds 9 ounces and a whopping 22" long. After ensuring that my bleeding/clotting was resolving itself, Merrilee, pregnant and exhausted herself, wished us the best and excused herself, leaving us in Karen's care. The birth center requires that new moms and babies stay for a minimum of 4 hours. As the time was approaching, my pulse rate was higher than normal, running around 110-115. Karen told me I could go home when my pulse was under 100. We did some more resting and family time. I got dressed and read to E while Matthew snuggled O.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8YTdmh9eCthwig_Wp3gHvZBkt2_pOpWW5aJ51SFXH9iDjXUICRSxgNJ12EuotTwfX0CxOBMGItSV1GNywR2q8iLc4o_rLh7e8KF0boXUyI7_mtn0qMfKs7wbVsGK1K__YFiqQPZOVs4P/s1600/IMG_2033a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8YTdmh9eCthwig_Wp3gHvZBkt2_pOpWW5aJ51SFXH9iDjXUICRSxgNJ12EuotTwfX0CxOBMGItSV1GNywR2q8iLc4o_rLh7e8KF0boXUyI7_mtn0qMfKs7wbVsGK1K__YFiqQPZOVs4P/s400/IMG_2033a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
At just past 11, Karen okayed me to leave. My pulse was still slightly high but she decided I would have an easier time relaxing in my own home. We dressed O in the same outfit that E wore home from the hospital, along with an airplane print diaper. Just under 6 hours after his birth, O was strapped into his car seat and headed home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfiU5Wb9sEgOlUYllZy-M3plWe3KPlEczZv1V-78GaM99xjBXaNnY6rh-eb6OdTTFX-YJvIJ150UMI4SBv8dQ1wjoWkPRU3zPOhAN0RNYLBJcj_-jTbRTLMM6ssXvyG5kgLOqMylCETfL/s1600/IMG_2041a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfiU5Wb9sEgOlUYllZy-M3plWe3KPlEczZv1V-78GaM99xjBXaNnY6rh-eb6OdTTFX-YJvIJ150UMI4SBv8dQ1wjoWkPRU3zPOhAN0RNYLBJcj_-jTbRTLMM6ssXvyG5kgLOqMylCETfL/s400/IMG_2041a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Welcome to the family, baby boy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-320150350681641752013-01-11T11:11:00.001-05:002013-01-11T11:11:40.136-05:00The Final Weeks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWUGUKhY8StNq3l1ByjIPYDPWmxHNL8NvGf_pLR1_8_or3oU3qmD1slWW4Mq46O_XHG6wRoqDyA6cU4rQo-_MDok6BvTUqcsnBM8eZ3PuJIigeAMZ8BTm9KaK5fst4pOMt8pibr1V-IL3/s1600/IMG_1373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWUGUKhY8StNq3l1ByjIPYDPWmxHNL8NvGf_pLR1_8_or3oU3qmD1slWW4Mq46O_XHG6wRoqDyA6cU4rQo-_MDok6BvTUqcsnBM8eZ3PuJIigeAMZ8BTm9KaK5fst4pOMt8pibr1V-IL3/s400/IMG_1373.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30 weeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPTPtpqwKr_MqHn1vB9sh7QAQ3SE9RgTp2NGdCskEF5MN5QFRxLuOau4zq47_MyE3bjdSQW2f4vCxh-LQ5CJcDo62eMwZuQxfBYbrH_zY-5Os7kaz0GYG6ff6ybB_tMX2UkVIl9a6oSyz/s1600/IMG_1418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPTPtpqwKr_MqHn1vB9sh7QAQ3SE9RgTp2NGdCskEF5MN5QFRxLuOau4zq47_MyE3bjdSQW2f4vCxh-LQ5CJcDo62eMwZuQxfBYbrH_zY-5Os7kaz0GYG6ff6ybB_tMX2UkVIl9a6oSyz/s400/IMG_1418.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">32 weeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrzUUFb3JTolZsBjjKR3X1-UAx03lzg0_YLVtI9SeFdzzdJMlmzItmCqkJJhS718ZUm3cpvIDAXKMWOkIm7aVX8VwsCPBaL3e5BE4mFQaxId4mqCGb4Q2byk6iL7WN5az2jbYfdHf1fQN/s1600/IMG_1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrzUUFb3JTolZsBjjKR3X1-UAx03lzg0_YLVtI9SeFdzzdJMlmzItmCqkJJhS718ZUm3cpvIDAXKMWOkIm7aVX8VwsCPBaL3e5BE4mFQaxId4mqCGb4Q2byk6iL7WN5az2jbYfdHf1fQN/s400/IMG_1425.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">33 weeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV0h3RKRyG8kXJDBaC_O8sIL3n2R0DVROFRq5ex_5mq_cQfvK1-DmxxoCLKvB41WHphJbijB4QR2NgBNOA_ouPZGSMN6dG1jtMse0DkL_7Q9NaTSy3rDXVdgU3k7fRa445pDH0ARc9s0M/s1600/IMG_1463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV0h3RKRyG8kXJDBaC_O8sIL3n2R0DVROFRq5ex_5mq_cQfvK1-DmxxoCLKvB41WHphJbijB4QR2NgBNOA_ouPZGSMN6dG1jtMse0DkL_7Q9NaTSy3rDXVdgU3k7fRa445pDH0ARc9s0M/s400/IMG_1463.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">34 weeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4boR1JzsphQK_9nMJ6ZY9iyO1XX4ALm37zlNrMaFwCbqxGzaixV2eWQK-yCkNTJ2FZ1zZkS2RfIFgvqFK1ONNGb2F3l3Ji_81XD0_q7yWeykkQ6QfLO4aaDGabzEFq70VJd-ysC8LUzDZ/s1600/IMG_1651-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4boR1JzsphQK_9nMJ6ZY9iyO1XX4ALm37zlNrMaFwCbqxGzaixV2eWQK-yCkNTJ2FZ1zZkS2RfIFgvqFK1ONNGb2F3l3Ji_81XD0_q7yWeykkQ6QfLO4aaDGabzEFq70VJd-ysC8LUzDZ/s400/IMG_1651-001.JPG" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">36 weeks 2 days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc71jhg3fcnYqC-wSjWrTPf_71GbqcSiUpOoJ3tLYt-o20c7epgmroU1glvTs43rLPEszRRmJl-aTHYGgkMINuP_ESWDeKvryiDk0BnW2YNV8pO0CZNZKF7HGZgW1Jx_wXABRYd5VDmbG/s1600/IMG_1711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc71jhg3fcnYqC-wSjWrTPf_71GbqcSiUpOoJ3tLYt-o20c7epgmroU1glvTs43rLPEszRRmJl-aTHYGgkMINuP_ESWDeKvryiDk0BnW2YNV8pO0CZNZKF7HGZgW1Jx_wXABRYd5VDmbG/s400/IMG_1711.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">39 weeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvihCHpV0Ubu6YpQqpvxrEPswyGvxRJ9aOa5gbpwdmU-OAGX3jUZjMJ938O0L1YNJVyf9yrwiMs5URVhgLVbCzeX1BPAuJzwr1oB0b8ZokkmsWCBDaDEtG7mRvnVUqmDB2ybXTzfDY_g_w/s1600/IMG_1714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvihCHpV0Ubu6YpQqpvxrEPswyGvxRJ9aOa5gbpwdmU-OAGX3jUZjMJ938O0L1YNJVyf9yrwiMs5URVhgLVbCzeX1BPAuJzwr1oB0b8ZokkmsWCBDaDEtG7mRvnVUqmDB2ybXTzfDY_g_w/s400/IMG_1714.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Due Date! 4o weeks. Too short maternity tank <br />making my belly look smaller than it really is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-81164025392745573772012-06-06T16:25:00.002-04:002013-01-09T15:30:21.478-05:0036 weeks!<b>How far along?</b> 36 weeks<br />
<b>Total weight gain:</b> 30lbs<br />
<b>Sleep:</b> Okay once I get there. It's hard to find a comfortable position with a giant belly and sore hips.<br />
<b>Movement:</b> We've got a great little mover which is reassuring. Thanks to my thyroid issues, we're at an increased risk for a stillbirth so I've had weekly NSTs and I keep track of movements everyday. Whenever I feel like there hasn't been enough movement, I take a cold drink and relax in the recliner. I usually get the expected 6-10 movements in under 30 minutes (ideally, you want at least that many movements in 1 hour).<br />
<b>Stretch Marks:</b> In the process of taking over my belly.<br />
<b>Belly Button:</b> Still in. Still deeper than it was with my first pregnancy. I also started this pregnancy 40lbs heavier though.<br />
<b>Best Moment this week:</b> Daddy and Evelyn playing dolls.<br />
<b>What I miss:</b> Energy. And beer.<br />
<b>What I am looking forward to:</b> The arrival of my new nursing pillow and being full term next week.<br />
<br />
<br />
For comparison: <a href="http://minimunson.blogspot.com/2010/01/week-36.html">36 weeks with E</a>Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-26887072652267381242012-04-19T14:05:00.000-04:002013-01-09T15:31:02.447-05:0029 Weeks!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_oeda6fyHruTYT2y9f2Xa38dnWm9BAfuYpnjMSI63Os4aWOotfU_dhjxPN6wA9JqpuDhHKAFakS0zq2VLsPzPWBXo2VjU922QoDAjwf0-0Tdb5UUYqntpsJwqHTLWy2OpAr7aFZGhH4j/s1600/IMG_1335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_oeda6fyHruTYT2y9f2Xa38dnWm9BAfuYpnjMSI63Os4aWOotfU_dhjxPN6wA9JqpuDhHKAFakS0zq2VLsPzPWBXo2VjU922QoDAjwf0-0Tdb5UUYqntpsJwqHTLWy2OpAr7aFZGhH4j/s640/IMG_1335.jpg" width="379" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">How far along?</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> 29 weeks</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
</b></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Total weight gain:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> We'll see how my appointment goes tomorrow morning.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Sleep:</span></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Some good nights and some bad.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Movement:</span></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Lots. Starting to be able to see the movement from the outside. I can't tell if this is a more active baby or it's just the difference in placenta location.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Stretch Marks:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> A couple weeks ago I noticed a small pink dot next to my belly button. I realized it was the start of a stretch mark. I have a couple small ones, on either side of the belly button, just about where my marks are from my first pregnancy. I think it's odd that they are not connected to the old stretch marks at all.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Belly Button:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Still in.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Best Moment this week:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Evelyn hugs and kisses.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">What I miss:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> having a regular chiropractor. Now that our insurance is figured out, I need to make an appointment. Unfortunately we only have the one car so it makes timing difficult.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">What I am looking forward to:</span></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> My appointments tomorrow. Midwife in the a.m. (glucose test, boo) and OB in the afternoon. It will be Daddy's first chance to be at an U/S for this baby.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">For comparison: <a href="http://minimunson.blogspot.com/2009/11/week-29.html">29 weeks pregnant with E</a> and <a href="http://minimunson.blogspot.com/2009/11/17-weeks-vs-29-weeks.html">17wk vs. 29wk</a></span>Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-69256161529161958832012-04-04T13:31:00.000-04:002012-04-04T13:31:23.920-04:0027 weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisKib5B4_4LTxjANi96UzN2yD6O542jEEgS3PQRO8q6B5HgVSr3ksgCRHQLa34-LgwT8CjZJc9H8uN0NaKxPobqHMVxsZV1SAoLSs4eCl-LWGD9tm0qdYIsgqfeAI3h5TiTax5VoOpOg6/s1600/IMG_1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisKib5B4_4LTxjANi96UzN2yD6O542jEEgS3PQRO8q6B5HgVSr3ksgCRHQLa34-LgwT8CjZJc9H8uN0NaKxPobqHMVxsZV1SAoLSs4eCl-LWGD9tm0qdYIsgqfeAI3h5TiTax5VoOpOg6/s400/IMG_1225.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">How far along?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> 27 weeks</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Total weight gain:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> 17lbs at my last appointment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Maternity clothes?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Definitely. I've been in maternity clothes for a couple months now.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Sleep:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> E has been sleeping in her own bed for most of the night so I'm getting better sleep than I have been. I often find myself on my back when I wake up and have to remind myself to roll onto my side.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Best moment this week:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Listening to Daddy and E talk about the new baby.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Movement:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Definitely feeling it. I have an anterior placenta again but it must be in a different place with this pregnancy since I am feeling more movement than I remember feeling last time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Gender:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> We won't know until the baby arrives but my guess is boy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Labor Signs:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> I've felt the occasional Braxton Hicks but no real labor signs yet (thank goodness)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Belly Button in or out?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> In. It's starting to stretch though, which means lots of lotion so it's not itchy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">What I miss:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Beer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">What I am looking forward to:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Teeny tiny newborn cloth diapers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Weekly Wisdom:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Chocolate peanut butter ice cream may sound like it would be a good shake. It's not. You get a chocolate shake with giant chunks of peanut butter on the bottom of the cup.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Milestones:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> 1 more week of my second trimester left.!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">For comparison: <a href="http://minimunson.blogspot.com/2009/11/week-27.html">27 weeks pregnant with E</a></span></span>Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-18615894583649330022012-04-04T13:09:00.000-04:002012-04-04T13:09:11.833-04:00Songs by Evelyn<b>Silent Night</b><br />
<br />
'...sleep in Evelyn peace...'<br />
<br />
<b>Away in a Manger</b><br />
<br />
'...no crib for him bed..'<br />
<br />
<b>Alphabet Song</b><br />
<br />
'....H I J K Emily P Qoos R S... X Y P!'<br />
<br />
<b>It's Not Easy </b>from 'Pete's Dragon'<br />
<br />
'...it's not easy, find Circus Bears...'<br />
(Real line: it's not easy, to find someone who cares...')<br />
<br />
<b>Tomorrow </b>from 'Annie'<br />
<br />
'...betcha hunned dollahs tomorrow!'Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-55447048287972611722012-03-22T17:08:00.000-04:002013-01-08T15:14:15.628-05:00Word of mouth...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJctZ-SqUNt_LxPl-B_qdDO8JtTDw8KpuZMEKnFsTJZ5eriP_Dtg2lxUs8uEK6ctO5hqpx9IDOmrsU5rxoPSZEBunHiD4Ep7-xX0iZ3CFHM9ONAl8Wd-4jNiuKjPb2jVCBVQoqJEZUv3mP/s1600/IMG_0975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJctZ-SqUNt_LxPl-B_qdDO8JtTDw8KpuZMEKnFsTJZ5eriP_Dtg2lxUs8uEK6ctO5hqpx9IDOmrsU5rxoPSZEBunHiD4Ep7-xX0iZ3CFHM9ONAl8Wd-4jNiuKjPb2jVCBVQoqJEZUv3mP/s400/IMG_0975.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Recent statements made by Miss E:<br />
<br />
<i>'Mommy have baby belly. Me have belly button. Daddy have beer belly.'</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>'Me do it by mine own self.'</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>'When big girl, me ride horsey. Mommy help. Daddy help. Me ride brown horse.'</i><br />
<br />
While trying to put on one of Mommy's bras: <i>'No Mommy, not on mine tummy. On mine nipples.'</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>'No Boynton for you.' </i>(We still don't know what she means by Boynton, other than that it is the last name of her favorite author)<br />
<br />
<i>'Me go work. See you after while. You make me tea 'fore I go work?'</i><br />
<br />
Dinosaur (Soo-saur) names:<br />
T-Rex<br />
Tri-say-atops<br />
Brachi-soo-saurus<br />
Stega-soo-saurus<br />
Para-loaf-er (Parasaurolophus)Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-32098681340449481582012-03-10T19:22:00.000-05:002012-03-10T19:22:23.384-05:00Recent AdventuresThe first major adventure was moving from California to Pennsylvania, with a 2 month layover in Rhode Island. Los Angeles to Amish country has been quite a culture shock but we're loving it here. The air is clean, even if it smells like cow when it rains, and it's wonderfully quiet. Driving is a new experience as we deal with country roads with high speed limits, occupied by horses and carts. People are friendly and the widespread use of common courtesy is a welcome change. Fashion is 10 to 15 years behind schedule but people do try.<br />
<br />
The second major adventure is ongoing: E is going to become a big sister this summer! We are expecting Mini 2 at the beginning of July. E is very excited about the baby in Mommy's tummy and talks to him/her through Mommy's belly button.<br />
<br />
This go around will be a little different as we are delivering at a birth center instead of a hospital. When I go into labor, we will be driving past Amish farms rather than crossing LA to Beverly Hills. There is even horse/cart parking at the birth center. There is also a high risk component to this pregnancy, thanks to the Grave's Disease I was diagnosed with when E was 6 months old. Monthly screenings at a high risk OB will help to make sure the new baby is as healthy as possible.<br />
<br />
As we're taking these next steps, I'll do my best to keep up with the entries. So much is happening and I'd love for our children to be able to look back and read this someday :)<br />
<br />
Cheers from the east coast!Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-20016636189492886462012-03-10T19:08:00.001-05:002013-01-12T10:13:07.441-05:00Two Years Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49YXrviV-q6Xgn11WofrVTFmc3kNgbRpzTgfh0IqHOqfQlnA4wkORZKYWePnsSiN_xsjoQGRbDFcwALzCz2PjCCGkRL3irQl0mtNNqli_LlZYoBg0xETGkbSAWIVFCBPeh17AYKpIfuzj/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49YXrviV-q6Xgn11WofrVTFmc3kNgbRpzTgfh0IqHOqfQlnA4wkORZKYWePnsSiN_xsjoQGRbDFcwALzCz2PjCCGkRL3irQl0mtNNqli_LlZYoBg0xETGkbSAWIVFCBPeh17AYKpIfuzj/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Two years ago today, you came into our life! I'm having trouble believing that that much time has gone by. I'm also having trouble believing it's only been two years. I feel like I've known you much longer than that.<br />
<br />
You have too many words to list. You use basic sentences and paragraphs to talk about the world around you and the things you imagine. We often hide from dinosaurs and talk about how you'll ride a horse when you're bigger.<br />
<br />
You received a Little People Nativity set for Christmas and it's one of your very favorite toys. You also love books about the Christmas story. We talk about Baby Chee-a (Jesus), Mahyee (Mary), and Jofor (Joseph) quite a bit. Sometimes when you learn new things, you talk about how they did them too. Riding along in the car one day you announced that 'Mahyee fart. Jofor fart, too'.<br />
<br />
You love singing and requesting songs to be sung to you. Favorites include 'Holy, Holy, Holy', 'Away in a Manger', 'Tomorrow', 'Sugar Sugar', 'Little Green Frog', and 'Little Baby Jesus'. 'Pete's Dragon' has become a favorite movie (moo-bee) and you love singing along to 'I love you, too' and 'Candle on the water'.<br />
<br />
You are proud to be a 'big girl' and think it's neat that you can tell people how old you are with your fingers.<br />
<br />
When someone asks you your name, you respond with, 'I'm me!'<br />
<br />
Love you more than a mouse loves cheese,<br />
Mommy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9DlSq-iMHWw/T1vrhImnp1I/AAAAAAAAMuA/1crVJBc4Dh0/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9DlSq-iMHWw/T1vrhImnp1I/AAAAAAAAMuA/1crVJBc4Dh0/s640/IMG_0800.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-64696482547744683252011-11-27T09:26:00.000-05:002011-11-27T09:47:25.161-05:00More WordsYou've gotten so much bigger in the time you've spent at Gramma Peel's while Daddy finishes school! You've also gotten much chattier! Here are some of your fun new words. You learn more every day.<div><br /></div><div><b>Stuff in Evelyn's world:</b></div><div>Mone - phone</div><div>Mote - remote</div><div>Mono - motorcycle</div><div>Puddow - pillow</div><div><div>Minnow - window</div><div>Banky - blanket</div><div>Bahts - pants</div></div><div><div>Necka - necklace</div></div><div>Belt</div><div>Shoes</div><div>Boots</div><div>Carcar - car</div><div>Book</div><div>Heynow - Jane and the Dragon (a TV show)</div><div>Clock</div><div>Keys</div><div>Bag</div><div>Baby</div><div>Hat</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Animals:</b></div><div>Anuhmool - animal</div><div>Moush - mouse</div><div>Horshie - horse</div><div>Moots - moose</div><div>Kiki - kitty</div><div>Toot-toot - bird</div><div>(clicking your tongue) - squirrel</div><div>Puppy</div><div>Monkey</div><div>Buggie - bugs/spiders</div><div>Fish</div><div>Nay - what a horshie says</div><div>Ruff-ruff - what a puppy says</div><div>ee-ow - what a kiki says</div><div>dub-dub - what a fish says</div><div>ooo-oo - what a monkey says<br /><br /></div><div><b>Food:</b></div><div>Milky - milk</div><div><div>Bites</div><div>Juice</div></div><div>Waah-Waah - Water</div><div>Coco - Hot cocoa</div><div>Cheese</div><div>Egg</div><div>Hot dog</div><div>P'ia - pizza</div><div><br /></div><div><b>About Evelyn:</b></div><div>Eyes</div><div>Nose</div><div>Ears</div><div>Hairbow</div><div>Eyebrah - eyebrow</div><div>Moush - mouth</div><div>Feet</div><div>Foot</div><div>Toes</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Other things:</b></div><div>Wherego?</div><div>Oots - oops</div><div>Aw nuts!</div><div>Sneak</div><div>Go-Go</div><div>Hot</div><div>Abbi-Dah - happy dance</div><div>budduh - booty dance</div><div><br /></div><div><b>People:</b></div><div>Nikki</div><div>Juh'Ya</div><div>Amah Ollie</div><div><div>Amah - gramma</div><div>Whoa - grampa</div></div><div>Mommy</div><div>Daddy</div><div>Lena Puppy</div><div>Mina/Manah - Savannah</div><div><br /></div>Matthew Munsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16209133801013242539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-63830536153180243482011-10-06T04:01:00.000-04:002011-10-06T04:01:38.157-04:00Chatterbox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Zbc6ETZalaWQzxCVVctWRHjKKgwLdAlOuQ289trUaSb-z6FKXQJN6O_GbOZ31fT-SgTFb9mWXbLsY43UForU3i5-B76xDLE4HGIIc8E9dfdomxliJ6r5RVKCNcHYkltp0sNjct-YzxEE/s1600/IMG_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Zbc6ETZalaWQzxCVVctWRHjKKgwLdAlOuQ289trUaSb-z6FKXQJN6O_GbOZ31fT-SgTFb9mWXbLsY43UForU3i5-B76xDLE4HGIIc8E9dfdomxliJ6r5RVKCNcHYkltp0sNjct-YzxEE/s400/IMG_0247.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Dear Evelyn, <br />
<br />
Your vocabulary is rapidly expanding and it has been amazing to watch.<br />
<br />
At 12 months, you had about 8 words you used regularly, in addition to your signs.<br />
At 18 months, you had about 20 words and would try to repeat many Mommy and Daddy said.<br />
<br />
Some of your favorite words and phrases from the last 6 months include:<br />
<blockquote>Uh Elp (Uh Oh Help)<br />
No Way<br />
Yesh, Yes or Yep<br />
Okay and N'okay<br />
Owies (Kitties)<br />
Uppies (Puppies)<br />
AniMoos (Animals)<br />
Toot toot (Bird)<br />
Tsoo (Zoo) <br />
Booyah (usually accompanied by a hip thrust)<br />
Bites<br />
Eyes (and recently eyebah or eyebrow)<br />
Toes<br />
Shoes<br />
Poop (any bodily function)<br />
Poo (Shampoo)<br />
Tat Too Mommy (Thank you Mommy)</blockquote><br />
You will frequently jabber away in your own made up language but you do try to tell stories about your favorite things (at the moment this includes kitties, babies and puppies) by repeating the words you know.<br />
<br />
You introduce Mommy (and sometimes Daddy) to everyone you meet. We practice pointing to Mommy, Daddy and Evelyn and saying names. You haven't said your own name yet. You refer to yourself as 'Me'. <br />
<br />
Next I'm going to teach you to type so you can help Mommy keep up on your blog :)<br />
<br />
Love you with all that I am,<br />
Mommy<br />
<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtbPooo5f1ef8UOfJSdY61YOwYVelcbMogksa7ShJf6kcjlYV1Bccg7hDprMSsDy282oc3ry9rFJVKX12k430HSZOayHqeC958pnLUaMFfzVbs33ZaV2XoEifJ1GOWXcGJH7QyP7rxnmo/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtbPooo5f1ef8UOfJSdY61YOwYVelcbMogksa7ShJf6kcjlYV1Bccg7hDprMSsDy282oc3ry9rFJVKX12k430HSZOayHqeC958pnLUaMFfzVbs33ZaV2XoEifJ1GOWXcGJH7QyP7rxnmo/s400/IMG_0145.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Cheese'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-18276931073849287992011-05-26T01:16:00.000-04:002011-05-26T01:16:46.829-04:0015 Months Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtvSCgw21YM/TchOokn1AQI/AAAAAAAAI-4/HX0hjTh5NZc/s1600/IMG_8302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtvSCgw21YM/TchOokn1AQI/AAAAAAAAI-4/HX0hjTh5NZc/s400/IMG_8302.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Dear Evelyn,<br />
<br />
Every morning you seem to wake up taller. You are suddenly very leggy and your face has lost some of it's baby chub. You are very much a little girl now, instead of a baby.<br />
<ul><li>You still enjoy giving kisses and hugs. Your new favorite interactions are high fives and fist bumps. The little girl next door asked you for a fist bump and you thought it was pretty much the best thing ever. So we've been working on it with you.</li>
<li>For the first time ever, you have asked to go to bed. You picked up Erik Keaton (your Cabbage Patch doll) and took Momma's hand. Toddling towards the stairs, you made it clear that it was time to go to sleep. You were asleep within 5 minutes of laying down to nurse.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2_NNJ07CS0U/TchOcFghE9I/AAAAAAAAI-A/JI_PLOxwD5s/s1600/IMG_8246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2_NNJ07CS0U/TchOcFghE9I/AAAAAAAAI-A/JI_PLOxwD5s/s400/IMG_8246.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>You have a new bottom tooth. That makes 7 overall. You are currently working on quite a few teeth, including some molars, and it's made for some sleepless nights.</li>
<li>You love waving and saying 'hi' to the world and people around you. You sometimes do a cute little wave where you hold your hand against your chin and wave. Sometimes you 'whisper' wave by waving just your index finger.</li>
<li>You take pride in communicating with Momma and Daddy. You use sign language alot but you are always trying out new words. You have started to say 'lights' and 'hot'. You try to repeat people's names and words that Momma and Daddy tell you. Last night it was 'bites'. Last week you tried out 'love you'.</li>
<li>You tell jokes in your baby language. You'll say a sentence and pause. Then another sentence. Pause. Punch line. And then you laugh at your own jokes. Sometimes it's a real laugh and sometimes it's the work laugh you use when you think something should be funny but you're not sure.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2pntwzheHip8bNGdAXFH5B_1uyhOrJLdg3bnicOPeQSWHqLDnEuc98XUnEdOwkbsBBH4yc4dTIDJYgu7_ulvK0SrhyphenhyphenCYRneARWjb70fFnLNWcdILfkTF-BayU5g-YHkHcjuedAniMU-6/s1600/IMG_8078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2pntwzheHip8bNGdAXFH5B_1uyhOrJLdg3bnicOPeQSWHqLDnEuc98XUnEdOwkbsBBH4yc4dTIDJYgu7_ulvK0SrhyphenhyphenCYRneARWjb70fFnLNWcdILfkTF-BayU5g-YHkHcjuedAniMU-6/s640/IMG_8078.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><ul><li>Tickling is great fun, especially when you get to be the tickler. Daddy is one of your favorite people to tickle and to be tickled by.</li>
<li>We're going to start teaching you how to use the potty soon. You have started letting us know when you have a dirty diaper. And on the occasions that you have an accident during diaper-free time, you are immediately concerned with letting us know so we can clean it up. Sometimes you try to clean it up yourself. My favorite times were when you ran across the room for a wipe so you could clean your bottom (this was my clue to check the nook where you had been playing for a mess) and the time when you were poised, water bottle in hand, to wash the mess away.</li>
<li>We've created a play area on the porch for you with interconnecting rubber tiles. You think they are pretty fantastic. There are times you are so pleased with the tiles that you lay down and roll around. Or stand and 'stomp-stomp' your little feet in a happy dance.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYj9493qM0mCsqdL2-6pdJIi4wW5y2Zup2E2QKvqAEsO5y29JCyy5QTsHGJO8-yFsozyIcFIkHK4BLSPpcOJpuxmy2Yztueg4JLU1ZMOZp1HdaROtbXNVh3i_pCcsTPBhe-tcStFREtdo/s1600/IMG_8450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYj9493qM0mCsqdL2-6pdJIi4wW5y2Zup2E2QKvqAEsO5y29JCyy5QTsHGJO8-yFsozyIcFIkHK4BLSPpcOJpuxmy2Yztueg4JLU1ZMOZp1HdaROtbXNVh3i_pCcsTPBhe-tcStFREtdo/s640/IMG_8450.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><ul><li>You say 'whoa' whenever you hear a burp or a fart. You even did it in your sleep the other day. You also say it whenever fast cars go by or when there are loud noises.</li>
<li>Cleaning is a favorite pastime of yours. You will take a napkin and wipe your face, hands and then the table. You'll also use dish towels to wipe the floor and the noses of your toys.</li>
<li>You had your toenails painted for the first time this month. Momma was painting her nails and you were very intrigued. She asked if you wanted some color and you sat patiently on her lap while she painted your toenails.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3Nbq8WbXkk/TcikkSJT6II/AAAAAAAAJDE/TQQWw-O9VnU/s1600/IMG_8429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3Nbq8WbXkk/TcikkSJT6II/AAAAAAAAJDE/TQQWw-O9VnU/s400/IMG_8429.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>You have an active imagination and it has been a delight to watch you pretend with your toys. Momma and Daddy often comment about how we wish we could see inside your head.</li>
<li>When you want Momma or Daddy to come play or to help you with something, you pat a leg and then grab a finger and lead where you're headed. You are quite proud of your ability to get us where you 'need' us to be.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BF1lVhMMVK4/Tcikdg_jpQI/AAAAAAAAJCc/dQf4sEk7a5M/s1600/IMG_8416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BF1lVhMMVK4/Tcikdg_jpQI/AAAAAAAAJCc/dQf4sEk7a5M/s640/IMG_8416.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Love you like the sun loves flowers and cookies love chocolate chips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">XOXO,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Momma</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mk4OTYhI2Y/TchOvvSP7fI/AAAAAAAAI_g/yK3cQmrAWz0/s1600/IMG_8317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mk4OTYhI2Y/TchOvvSP7fI/AAAAAAAAI_g/yK3cQmrAWz0/s640/IMG_8317.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<ul></ul>Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-13220544591915988522011-05-09T03:16:00.000-04:002011-05-09T03:17:59.733-04:00Months 13 and 14!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoTf0vzd7YwCSRY_L4AsXlq6wNbEIZIb3RpRWVMKwEqhcc7iPEKD6W3wY8TBPaE2WD94Apnff4Ypx6YrMEhrvs-IobfHWYeBvVpMC0cm5sZdSCet7XYoYZCqeZA36BpSqzDlqR5ekKxO_/s512/IMG_7776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoTf0vzd7YwCSRY_L4AsXlq6wNbEIZIb3RpRWVMKwEqhcc7iPEKD6W3wY8TBPaE2WD94Apnff4Ypx6YrMEhrvs-IobfHWYeBvVpMC0cm5sZdSCet7XYoYZCqeZA36BpSqzDlqR5ekKxO_/s400/IMG_7776.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Dear Evelyn,<br />
<br />
You have been keeping Momma so busy that she never got around to writing your letter at 13 months. You are an active and imaginative toddler who constantly wants to go outside and you want Momma and Daddy to come with you. You're a charmer and a flirt, but shy sometimes as well, who loves making new friends and reconnecting with old ones.<br />
<ul><li>You've got walking figured out. Now we're working on running. And walking backward. Sometimes you forget to watch where you're going and you trip over things in your haste to be where you want to go, fast.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHbL9SDm4tIa0GKNBr4nZc9hRCcCle5MuANkPivTqxHMUh-KbYu9AlU0Z7oo0Nvd2lJkXifnTebqLPAxokVhEJ4l0dgve1EARhI98WCwrxWPsF-X8GRsVs2VF2c-1E-0vdsVUXK3Cn-y-/s800/IMG_7936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHbL9SDm4tIa0GKNBr4nZc9hRCcCle5MuANkPivTqxHMUh-KbYu9AlU0Z7oo0Nvd2lJkXifnTebqLPAxokVhEJ4l0dgve1EARhI98WCwrxWPsF-X8GRsVs2VF2c-1E-0vdsVUXK3Cn-y-/s400/IMG_7936.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>Hugs and kisses have become your latest way to show some love. You don't give them to just anyone and you don't always honor requests but that makes it all the sweeter when you do decide to give some smooches. Sometimes you decide to smooch inanimate objects (which makes Momma laugh) like the vacuum or your toys.</li>
<li>You've received your first kiss from a boy (Jacob). But Daddy is okay because we'll live on the other side of the country soon. This first kiss was followed, within days, by kisses with another boy (Jackson). Again, Daddy is glad we're moving. </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TZlflL3D-1I/AAAAAAAAISo/nD8pNK1QdSA/s720/IMG_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TZlflL3D-1I/AAAAAAAAISo/nD8pNK1QdSA/s400/IMG_0478.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>The baby in the mirror is one of your very best friends. You chat all the time, give kisses, and even, occasionally, get into little fights.</li>
<li>You still love to talk on the phone. You still use all sorts of random objects as phones, like teething rings, book lights and business cards.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PGmtve7VNthmMQkaU0pXYPw7KVjTYquPpxN0VrXJt5EJIec8xSkPxaFJuYnl35NNEJilEQK5z14_WPMmm-f7NYPc9xjyxiNdb5keltRVvr32WTrBdoy1i0Cl9faw0L0jlGh2938fyHq-/s800/IMG_7906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PGmtve7VNthmMQkaU0pXYPw7KVjTYquPpxN0VrXJt5EJIec8xSkPxaFJuYnl35NNEJilEQK5z14_WPMmm-f7NYPc9xjyxiNdb5keltRVvr32WTrBdoy1i0Cl9faw0L0jlGh2938fyHq-/s400/IMG_7906.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>You go on a walk with Momma every day. We walk by an elementary school and you love to see the kids running, playing, and yelling. After we pass the school, the sun shade on your stroller gets pulled down and you settle in, usually falling asleep momentarily. On days that we didn't manage to make it out for a walk, you always ask for one in the evening. It has become part of your routine.</li>
<li>Speaking of routine, you love your shower time in the evenings with Daddy. We start by singing our Shower Time song and we climb the stairs. Daddy is usually a little busy and you call him from the top of the stairs to remind him to come up: 'Dah-dah-Dadd-eee'. You have a set order that you accomplish things in the shower, like soapy-soapy time (rubbing your soapy hands together and washing your face); putting your faces under the water; banging on the shower walls, with hands then with heads; and washy-washy time (washing your arms and chest or Daddy's chest).</li>
<li>You are really starting to communicate. You know several signs: milk, more, all done, please. You have your own versions of the 'real' sign but you are consistent and Momma and Daddy understand what you mean. You've made up some of your own as well. 'Help' is holding your arms straight up over your head. 'Pick me up' is hands in front of you, palms up, and tapping the sides of your hands together. You tap the side of your mouth when you want to wipe your face. You tap your chin to ask for water. You point to your mouth to ask to eat.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunks_cE5Lj34WoaMaQgdlF5Mo5TDVgG-hxGlVi1sBp5I26KO7t_5sgZePPybrJ-9G11Wij3DaCYwtGbXWCheSApyQJp4u48NAQwO6qjDI7011idsZnfVqhTUn8y5yp26S51ZPj5TCXG_F/s800/IMG_7450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunks_cE5Lj34WoaMaQgdlF5Mo5TDVgG-hxGlVi1sBp5I26KO7t_5sgZePPybrJ-9G11Wij3DaCYwtGbXWCheSApyQJp4u48NAQwO6qjDI7011idsZnfVqhTUn8y5yp26S51ZPj5TCXG_F/s400/IMG_7450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>You can say hi, Daddy, help, eyes, this and that. You are seem to prefer sign language but we think it's just a matter of time before you start using your words.</li>
<li>You are an affectionate stuffed animal owner. You give them cuddles and kisses. You wipe noses and cloth diaper. And sometimes you try to use your baby laptop as a panini press. But you definitely care for your friends.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d_NTUiAhBXGju-s40RgtyxCwtTnnBrfu67vbcQf_wcAQM30JqzF_qvTCdDpWq_pZef0WbnCZN5MTIt7uZVQWFKx1-YuHyMCVCP97ZNslpRdzxCwubttIrd3lrkWhsz8d7VALRpjK6ZEQ/s800/IMG_7828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d_NTUiAhBXGju-s40RgtyxCwtTnnBrfu67vbcQf_wcAQM30JqzF_qvTCdDpWq_pZef0WbnCZN5MTIt7uZVQWFKx1-YuHyMCVCP97ZNslpRdzxCwubttIrd3lrkWhsz8d7VALRpjK6ZEQ/s400/IMG_7828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>You adore being outside. You would be outside all the time, if we let you. Naked, preferably. You are a little irritated that we make you wear clothes outside.</li>
<li>You are showing signs that you'd be interested in potty training. We'll be starting that adventure very soon.</li>
<li>A little boy moved into our apartment complex and the two of you have become fast friends. He's a year older than you but it's fine because it means you can push him around. You want to climb the stairs to his house every time we go outside.</li>
<li>You've discovered that keys unlock things. Like doors and mailboxes. You often play with a set of keys and pretend to be unlocking things. Like the vacuum and your Push'n'Go. And, earlier today, a broom. You've got quite the imagination.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CdZmXttMQ_OpZqkkYW5xwtY2Dxw6oVf7GXtJJsU9t9d-Wl8LvccUy05ZzOWGp6BNr-eX8u0dvupLAmWouVFnribWLlAEISlsUWEwaXzJhei9AOjh4GB7czX4IbTHJqCzoRP9bL0JiyGl/s800/IMG_7955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CdZmXttMQ_OpZqkkYW5xwtY2Dxw6oVf7GXtJJsU9t9d-Wl8LvccUy05ZzOWGp6BNr-eX8u0dvupLAmWouVFnribWLlAEISlsUWEwaXzJhei9AOjh4GB7czX4IbTHJqCzoRP9bL0JiyGl/s400/IMG_7955.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>You are starting to play more independently. You want to know where Momma and Daddy are but with us safely positioned, you've started keeping yourself busy for up to an hour at a time. </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/Tbpf9IHd7iI/AAAAAAAAIaY/68YDnfKQU5g/s800/IMG_7763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/Tbpf9IHd7iI/AAAAAAAAIaY/68YDnfKQU5g/s400/IMG_7763.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><ul><li>A third bottom tooth appeared this past weekend.</li>
<li>You've had your first cold, first ear infection, first stomach bug and second cold and second ear infection since turning one. You're getting better but we really need to stop hanging out with other kids with stuffy noses...</li>
<li>You have started picking out your own clothes. And you love wearing shoes- yours and other peoples. You like to wear Momma and Daddy's clothes sometimes too.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeMEJRKmpToYuNWLEqVa-FsgLXLVcQ8kyydh9HFvPB4Tg7mIuyyk6toa-OYMBlO7EdmFhLYkBoURo121RSaS95LhKqDjzZ3949b8QWgFUkpOnh4ty5CREWptSyT431Xhqi9KCKvyEB20N/s512/IMG_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeMEJRKmpToYuNWLEqVa-FsgLXLVcQ8kyydh9HFvPB4Tg7mIuyyk6toa-OYMBlO7EdmFhLYkBoURo121RSaS95LhKqDjzZ3949b8QWgFUkpOnh4ty5CREWptSyT431Xhqi9KCKvyEB20N/s400/IMG_1710.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><ul><li>You are wearing size 18 month clothes and size 5 shoes. You have been weighing in between between 24 and 25 pounds but you're so active you are really getting tall and lean. You are 31" tall and very leggy.</li>
<li>Your favorite foods are Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, lima beans, cheese, and bites from Daddy's dinner plate.</li>
<li>We've done some tourist-y things: you visited the beach for the first time. You weren't impressed.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TZlfdg_C53I/AAAAAAAAISo/a_IekpwYXzw/s720/IMG_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TZlfdg_C53I/AAAAAAAAISo/a_IekpwYXzw/s400/IMG_0474.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> We saw the Hollywood sign. You weren't impressed with that either.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oEko2P6mpSfJvSX6SYyLF6g9skR2dp5DgsdwHZfAsujYPVF7d03fKgGBlA1TOy1ga8v9Nhbb6LLu_QNkliU387N275KfVjegzJZCPO2PRMj5x89L9wTQhKk54iMnAOt5kWjsjl29bAT5/s800/IMG_7752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oEko2P6mpSfJvSX6SYyLF6g9skR2dp5DgsdwHZfAsujYPVF7d03fKgGBlA1TOy1ga8v9Nhbb6LLu_QNkliU387N275KfVjegzJZCPO2PRMj5x89L9wTQhKk54iMnAOt5kWjsjl29bAT5/s400/IMG_7752.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Okay, maybe you a little...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TZlfzvrHGQI/AAAAAAAAISo/efuC6VaV4Ic/s512/IMG_7761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TZlfzvrHGQI/AAAAAAAAISo/efuC6VaV4Ic/s400/IMG_7761.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>You are an ever-changing little person. You pick up new quirks all the time and slowly drop old habits. It's impossible to truly capture who you are in a single blog post. Momma and Daddy are so blessed that they get to be there for each moment of your growth, in stature and in experience.<br />
<br />
Love you more than chocolate chips! Which, as you have discovered, is a very big deal,<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
Momma<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/Tbp3S_jzA8I/AAAAAAAAI7A/MEUSy6ahH08/s800/IMG_7933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/Tbp3S_jzA8I/AAAAAAAAI7A/MEUSy6ahH08/s400/IMG_7933.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<ul></ul>Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-42658616771979950962011-04-03T00:54:00.000-04:002011-04-03T00:54:17.592-04:00Love at the MallWe've gotten into the habit, E and me, of taking walks each day around noon. This works well at the moment as it coincides nicely with nap time and the early spring weather is lovely. This past week, however, we've had a brush of summer in the air. In order to avoid melting, I decided that we would do our daily walk at the mall this past Thursday to take advantage of the free A/C.<br />
<br />
The local mall has a play area that is always swarming with children (usually significantly taller than the welcoming Kangaroo says should play there) but, being a weekday, was relatively tame during our visit. E explored a tunnel, a ladybug, and attempted to steal another child's shoes before she discovered a little red car available for her use. She climbed in and happily chatted while spinning the steering wheel. A little girl, perhaps 4 or 5, came to investigate. She was nervous that I was right next to the car but succeeded in getting E's attention. Being very social, E thought this was fantastic news. It got even better when she noticed, over this girl's shoulder, a boy. Maybe 2 years old. With dark hair and Asian eyes.<br />
<br />
She waved and he toddled over to wave back. They sat in the car together. She let him drive. I told her this was the only time she would ever be allowed to sit in a car with a boy. He was quite smitten- his mother mentioned he normally runs all over the place. Today he was content to play quietly with E in the red car. Ah, young love.<br />
<br />
Good thing Daddy wasn't there. He's declared that E won't be allowed to date until she's 35.Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-71118007732603429752011-03-18T22:35:00.000-04:002011-03-18T22:35:18.332-04:00Our little diva...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkatdmMbkbbPWnVA6fSNn0U8uZuwTGv01k0NB48uaFy8c74nEkiPJ4n-o-ET_sx9DV3oZ_60IFnNKPFEeoQCBavdTL7QWHsFPceHVvumXIgdA6mYDCXeH9CW6VFw1pYtMPhr-LMkBocfEe/s800/IMG_5789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkatdmMbkbbPWnVA6fSNn0U8uZuwTGv01k0NB48uaFy8c74nEkiPJ4n-o-ET_sx9DV3oZ_60IFnNKPFEeoQCBavdTL7QWHsFPceHVvumXIgdA6mYDCXeH9CW6VFw1pYtMPhr-LMkBocfEe/s320/IMG_5789.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Helping' Daddy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>E <i>loves</i> beer bottles. She gets excited every time she sees one. She enjoys sitting on Daddy's lap and 'helping' him drink.<br />
<br />
Last night Daddy blew over the lip of the bottle to make a sound and then offered E the (empty) bottle. She put her mouth over the lid and sang the same note Daddy had just made. We're pretty impressed with her musical ear. :)Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-73234717110887779802011-03-03T17:37:00.001-05:002011-03-03T17:37:57.864-05:00Evelyn and PDAEvelyn has made her opinion quite clear on the topic of Momma and Daddy hugging. She does not want to see it. Ever.<br />
<br />
Kissing, however, is greatly encouraged. She grins and pushes us together to kiss more. Then kisses for Evelyn!Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-60110875055261484682011-02-27T03:31:00.000-05:002011-02-27T03:31:26.035-05:00One Year Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSkWkl9s2OLBUz4mhzDjF9DyQq-N5KSSyu0SeirifTQk5uJFGDcs2Ttf7QfCHYO_p4vSU058eo_iFwd2zsfMcSF3E5a1XnFufJ-PjrRDb9DSD6reWiWWAc08eN9wMEUvBYv75sHZON68v/s800/IMG_6822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSkWkl9s2OLBUz4mhzDjF9DyQq-N5KSSyu0SeirifTQk5uJFGDcs2Ttf7QfCHYO_p4vSU058eo_iFwd2zsfMcSF3E5a1XnFufJ-PjrRDb9DSD6reWiWWAc08eN9wMEUvBYv75sHZON68v/s400/IMG_6822.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dear Evelyn,<br />
<br />
An entire year has passed us by and you are still getting more awesome by the day. Your personality is blossoming and it has been a pleasure to watch. I'm not quite sure where the time has gone. I am positive it was only yesterday that you were learning to sit. And the day before that you were learning to roll over.<br />
<ul><li>Scrunchy face and 7 teeth have combined into a delightful combination we like to call your "Toothy Grin". You flash it when you are being sneaky, find an item that you just love, or get compliments. Sometimes you flash it just because.</li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUcZI1WrX8gRcrGRiJijGbE5avivLtzMiw5c5U8wZrVO_vq5vQszJ9MZV6xGElmcCMZWYvt9FizmDYbxvBRrxisexnTxZ6S1N8AbudsEP2ppRD-ZksdxsNLrkSH0IA1uZiF3wil7iuCX9/s800/IMG_7274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUcZI1WrX8gRcrGRiJijGbE5avivLtzMiw5c5U8wZrVO_vq5vQszJ9MZV6xGElmcCMZWYvt9FizmDYbxvBRrxisexnTxZ6S1N8AbudsEP2ppRD-ZksdxsNLrkSH0IA1uZiF3wil7iuCX9/s400/IMG_7274.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toothy grin because Momma is singing 'Hot Stuff' to you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li>You can make a noise that Momma and Daddy can't duplicate. Sounds like D'go but somehow you make it throaty and add a double tongue noise. </li>
<li>You are very chatty with your Mamamamama and A-da (Momma and Daddy) and like when we make your noises back to you.</li>
<li>A few days before your first birthday you really figured out this whole walking thing. You took your first steps during the Christmas holiday but were too cautious to commit right way. If you were walking, you wanted one hand (at least) holding onto the couch (or a chair or Momma's leg, etc) for security sake. Occasionally you'd break away and take 4 or 5 steps before realizing you were on your own. Then you'd get nervous and sit down. Until a trip to the mall with Momma and Auntie N. Those racks of clothes were SO tempting. You couldn't help yourself. While Momma tried to find a pair of jeans to fit her still-post-partum booty, you discovered the joy of walking.</li>
<li>Shaking hands has become a pleasure of yours. As has head butting. That one's not as cute though.</li>
<li>A favorite game we play on the bed is called Flops. With a pillow behind you, Momma or Daddy will say flops. And you'll fall backwards onto the pillow. From a sitting position, of course, and always checking to make sure there is a pillow there. Or a pile of laundry. Whatever. You're adventurous, but not foolish.</li>
<li>You adore taking showers with your Daddy. You two have a whole routine involving 'soapy-soapy', where your rub your soapy hands together and then wash your face; 'washy-washy' or 'cleaning Daddy's chest'; and laughing your little head off when he shakes his head under the water spray.</li>
<li>You enjoy being able to feed yourself, as well as feeding others. Favorite eats include pouches of pureed fruits and veggies, cheddar bunnies, cheese, tortilla chip, pretzels, and apples. Breast milk is still your favorite. You make a funny laugh noise when you know you are about to have some.</li>
<li>Your hair sometimes has a mind of it own because Momma is not ready to cut it yet. And hair clips have a habit of being removed...</li>
</ul><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://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TWkxrPl8mqI/AAAAAAAAHMc/uSNzoFNnY5o/s800/IMG_7175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TWkxrPl8mqI/AAAAAAAAHMc/uSNzoFNnY5o/s400/IMG_7175.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is there something on my face?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li>You adore talking on the phone. In fact you have 4 fake phones you practice on. And when you don't have those handy, you use whatever you have: crackers, shoes, pizza crust, anything.</li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPyloKbCuo954OAZg-lgyjChiOyHM7rl5-8H3ogNX3rrjebZP4WrkgLaZJuVV4tC3gR3bn3847qfStxRLtHTIeWtt2-KQ9A-3xbfixqQojPvqtV8AIxov4p6lgFXVuuCIrHcG3Wrm__4b/s576/IMG_7393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPyloKbCuo954OAZg-lgyjChiOyHM7rl5-8H3ogNX3rrjebZP4WrkgLaZJuVV4tC3gR3bn3847qfStxRLtHTIeWtt2-KQ9A-3xbfixqQojPvqtV8AIxov4p6lgFXVuuCIrHcG3Wrm__4b/s400/IMG_7393.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, hello!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li>Momma is your best pal and sometimes you yell at Daddy for hugging her. Group hugs are much appreciated however.</li>
<li>Almost every time we go out, you are complimented on your eyes.</li>
</ul>Love you, Dear Girl. Cuddle monkey. Senorita Poopy Pants. Face. Sweet Love.<br />
<br />
xoxo,<br />
Momma<br />
<ul></ul>Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-14622309559271640112011-02-17T19:04:00.001-05:002011-02-17T19:06:09.685-05:00Happy Birthday!Today you arrived in our world and changed it forever for the better.<div><br /></div><div>We love you more than we can express and more than we could ever have expected.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for letting us be your Mommy and Daddy. Or as you say, "Mamamamamamamamama" and "A-Dah!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Birthday, dear one.</div>Matthew Munsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16209133801013242539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-79408643484049509612011-02-03T16:33:00.000-05:002011-02-03T16:33:54.346-05:00One year ago today...I was due to have a baby. I was 44 pounds heavier and had more sleep on board than I've ever had since. What an amazing year it has been!Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-44013839711454022582011-02-03T03:01:00.000-05:002011-02-03T03:04:46.518-05:00'Evelyn has a fall' or 'The scariest day of my life...'Sunday morning started out like any other. Snuggles in the morning with Momma and Daddy. Playing in the living room while Daddy does laundry. Rolling around in the pile of newspaper on the floor while coupons are cut. Gathering laundry from the porch as rain started coming down. Normally Sundays are pretty low key until we head to church in the evening. This week, however, we had a birthday party to attend for the afternoon. As the time was approaching to head out we got dressed and went to change Evelyn's diaper.<br />
<br />
The next 15 seconds are going to give me nightmares for a while.<br />
<br />
I turned to get a wipe and turned back to see her falling off the changing table. She landed on the floor on her butt and her head slammed backward into the frame of our bed. She looked at me as I picked her up but she wasn't moving and not crying- just a sort of groan coming from deep inside her. I yelled for Matthew but didn't get a response so I cradled her and rushed down the stairs. Her arms were just flopping by her side and she still wasn't crying. In hindsight, I'm pretty sure she wasn't conscious. When I got to the bottom of the stairs Matthew was coming back inside. The next bit is blurred in my memory but I know I handed Evelyn to Matthew and he held her against his chest, immobilizing her neck. He told me to call 911. I somehow managed to tell the operator what was happening. Evelyn was finally making some crying noises but not a lot. She'd fuss for a moment and then go silent again, with labored breathing. She would push away from Matthew with her right side but wasn't moving her left side. Her left hand looked a little gray and when I touched the bottom of her feet the left side had no response. Matthew said her neck felt a little funny. Matthew told me to get our wallets and cell phones. I ran upstairs to find the phones and started sobbing, 'What have I done?' and praying, although I don't know how much was coherent.<br />
<br />
The EMTs arrived and rushed into the house. They told me to get a diaper bag and change of clothes. One followed me upstairs to see where the accident had happened. He asked me for some information and I lost it again. He was very reassuring. He was a dad and knew how I was feeling. He explained that when we went downstairs, Evelyn would be strapped into the Papoose, the child size body board used to keep her from moving. When we got down, the EMT holding the Papoose told me that all her limbs had been able to move when they put her in and her neck felt normal.<br />
<br />
I was ushered to the ambulance to ride with Evelyn while Matthew would follow in the car. I held her hand and ran my fingers through her hair, telling her what a good girl she was and reassuring her. We were on our way, sirens blaring, and the EMTs explaining what was going to happen when we got to the hospital and generally working to keep me calm. They were incredibly reassuring that she was doing well but about halfway to the hospital she nodded off to sleep and I started crying again, since I didn't need to keep a calm face for her.<br />
<br />
Once at the hospital there was more waiting than I wanted but the EMTs had assured me that it was a good thing and meant that she wasn't in horrible condition. I didn't see them leave but it happened shortly after Matthew arrived, covered in rain. I'm not sure of how much time everything took because it was as if the world was in slow motion. The doctor came and undid the straps of the Papoose. She okayed me to put a diaper on Evelyn (since we hadn't made it to that part of the diaper change) and said I could pick her up. I spent the rest of the time we were at the hospital hugging her to my chest.<br />
<br />
Being held by Momma calmed her down and the doctor told us to try to get her to sleep so that they could do the CT scan without needing to sedate her. She drowsed on and off but she had started throwing up, down my back and onto the floor. Matthew cleaned up with the towels from the Papoose and the nurse gave her some anti nausea medicine. Which she promptly threw up. The ER was completely full, beds lining the halls, but we were luckily in a more quiet corner. It seemed like we were there for days. Finally she settled in and we let the nurse know we were ready. We were top of the list to get a CT scan but for some reason it took them (the radiology team) about 45 minute to come get us. The nurses were furious. Finally we just said we'd walk up instead of waiting for transportation (whatever that meant) and were escorted up to radiology. Evelyn was laid down with her head in a cradle and arms swaddled to her. They put an apron over her body and gave me one as well. I held her chin while they did the scan, talking to her and letting her know I was there. Matthew picked her up after the scan and carried her back down to our hospital bed. I took the opportunity of free arms to change my dirty shirt for a hospital gown, before the smell of vomit made me sick as well.<br />
<br />
I had never managed to find our phones and we had no way to contact anyone to let them know where we were. While I'd been working on putting Evelyn to sleep, Matthew had found one of the nurses to find a phone. She let him use a doctors office, where he looked up some phone numbers in his email and managed to make contact with one of our small group members, Jon, who in turn got word out so that people could be praying for Evelyn. He joined us shortly after we got back from radiology, with snacks and a cell phone, followed by another group member, Jeremy. It was strangely reassuring to have friends there. They're not doctor so it's not as if they could do anything but the support was appreciated.<br />
<br />
The doctor came back with good news- no problems on the CT. She gave us a run down on head injuries and told us what to look for over the next 24 hours. We were asked to bring Evelyn to her pediatrician the following morning. We left the hospital, 4 hours after the accident, feeling years older.<br />
<br />
Once at home, we called our parents to let them know what was going on, changed into comfortable clothes and settled in with the girl. We had company in waves through the evening, per our request, to distract us from thoughts of the day. Chipotle burritos were delivered for dinner. Evelyn was doing a bit better but was still very subdued. It was hard to see her be such a shadow of herself. One of her favorite little girls arrived, parents in tow, and Evelyn lit up and pointed and made some talking noise. It was such a relief to see her starting to react to the world around her. Even the little boy Jackson she is normally scared of was interesting to her. She stayed cuddled on my lap but watched the kids play until she got tired. I was finally able to nurse her around 7:30 or 8 and it was the first food into her stomach since around 11 that morning. She threw up some but most of the milk managed to stay in her stomach. <br />
<br />
We decided to take shifts to sleep so that one of us could keep an eye on Evelyn and make sure she was okay. I took the first shift, which turned into the only shift. As she would wake up, I'd nurse her, something that Daddy can't do, so I decided to let him sleep. I watched her sleep next to me on the bed and then snoozed with her on the recliner. By about 4am she was still doing well so I told Matthew, who was sleeping on the couch, that I was going to go to bed with her. At some point during the night she vomited pretty heavily but after that managed to nurse a bit more. Matthew came up to bed around 5 and we fitfully slept on either side of Evelyn until 8am, when the pediatricians office opened. Evelyn was still rather wobbly- I attempted to sit her on her own and she tottered and slowly lay down as if she had just gotten off a carnival ride.<br />
<br />
We were able to get an appointment for 9 and quickly packed up and headed out the door. The nurse weighed her in at 23lbs 5 oz and 30" tall. The doctor checked her over and prescribed some anti nausea suppositories so that Evelyn would be able to keep some pain killers down. She told us that Evelyn had a grade 3 concussion and may have had a small seizure when she hit her head, which could have been why the left side of her body had been temporarily paralyzed. She stressed that babies are resilient and that she should be fine. The pediatrician was still waiting on the final CT report but told us that at this point it was basically waiting and watching how she recovers. As long as she steadily improved, it was not likely that there were serious problems.<br />
<br />
She also spent a moment with me, explaining that I was not at fault. I think I was still in shock because I sort of felt numb to anything other than taking care of Evelyn.<br />
<br />
The rest of Monday passed by a still wobbly, but improving, Evelyn. Jackson came over again with his mom, Lena, and entertained Evelyn. His mom brought us chocolate chips cookies and a giant sandwich for lunch. Every time Evelyn did something she normally would for the first time since the fall, Matthew and I would simultaneously laugh and cry. Like when she laughed and pointed at Lena's arrival. Like when she smiled. Like when she said her version of hello. Or wanted to eat one of her food pouches. She worked at playing with Jackson but needed someone to hold her steady. We heard back from the pediatrician that the second opinion on the CT scan also saw no sign of trouble.<br />
<br />
Tuesday showed more improvement still and this morning we decided to stop the anti nausea medicine to see how she would do. She's kept all her food down and her appetite is returning. I think it will be a day or two until she's got her balance back but she is our happy, spunky little girl again.<br />
<br />
I want to thank Matthew for being strong for me in spite of his own struggles; our families for being with us on the phone at all hours of the day; Jon, Lena and Jackson for their loving support, for food, and for smiling baby boys; Jeremy for coming to support us and Vanessa for letting him, despite being at home pregnant and sick; Jett, Kelly and Ruby for company, entertainment and clean dishes; Mel for delicious burritos and cheerful company; Tim and Deb for chatting with us past bed time; the Popes for stopping in and checking in; and everyone who was praying for our little girl and showing love via phone, computer and/or brain waves. We appreciate it more than we could express.Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-6987702971641006892011-01-19T03:36:00.000-05:002011-01-19T03:36:38.537-05:0011 Months Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwZrhePvh9qWkjBoVeVJAiux2-QLcx92Ev_U9VORwKFeunWsUXF9vjOqDL20FnDZ-S8KHbYy2gOm_gyqIQ2C6_xC9W65QFdtdesbJYv8CiihO1mbKattXeutcs7Gb2rtqntKSgP0udmYe/s1600/IMG_6651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwZrhePvh9qWkjBoVeVJAiux2-QLcx92Ev_U9VORwKFeunWsUXF9vjOqDL20FnDZ-S8KHbYy2gOm_gyqIQ2C6_xC9W65QFdtdesbJYv8CiihO1mbKattXeutcs7Gb2rtqntKSgP0udmYe/s400/IMG_6651.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Dear Evelyn,<br />
Almost an entire year has gone by since we first met you. This time last year we were anxiously and excited awaiting your arrival. I expected you to come at any time although, honestly, I never expected to have to wait two weeks after your estimated due date to hold you.<br />
<ul><li>You are delighted by walking. You technically can walk on your own but you are a very cautious child (like your father before you) and, if you don't have someone or something to hold onto, you drop to a crawl after two or three independent steps. You are very clever about inventing walking devices- you've used upside down laundry baskets and the foot stool to a papasan chair to make your way around.</li>
<li>Walking with Momma outside is fun. You like to crunch your bare feet on the fallen leaves. It really is very nice that we live somewhere that you can walk outside barefoot in January.</li>
<li><i>"My by myself,"</i> as your Momma used to say, is the phrase of the month. Especially when it comes to food and climbing the stairs. Finger foods are the best, made even better if they require the use of your precision pincer grip. Crispy rice, pizza crust and peas have been favorites and recently you've added sliced banana to the mix. Apples and pears are preferred in their original form. None of this silly cutting into baby size pieces.</li>
<li>You drink very well out of an adult cup. Sometimes though, if you don't have help, you forget that there is still water in the cup when you're done drinking and it ends up all over your. This happens when you are overzealous in your cup tipping as well.</li>
<li>We let you try coloring with crayons for the first time. You put one crayon in your cup of water and bit the tip off another. So we'll be waiting a little longer to reintroduce those.</li>
<li>You enjoy putting items into other items. And taking items out of other items. Spoons go in cups. Toys go in your lunch box. Anything small enough goes in your mouth.</li>
<li>You love "talking" on the phone. You got some toy cell phones for Christmas and you put them up to your ear... you do the same thing with pizza crusts, garlic bread, combs... anything in hand that can be a phone. Hello, hello!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TTZg77SgAsI/AAAAAAAAGWU/RUZX4m_JKu8/s1600/IMG_6327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QCzT9J2aoFo/TTZg77SgAsI/AAAAAAAAGWU/RUZX4m_JKu8/s400/IMG_6327.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><ul><li>When you get excited you have started to make a growling screech of joy. Real laughter (belly, as opposed to breathy) has become a part of your repertoire as well after being an infrequent occurrence. Dohdohdoh and Wowowow are popular words. Nuhnunna is another. During our trip to Alaska you met a dog and some birds and learned to call them Dadada and Berberber, respectively.</li>
<li>This month marked a huge step in your relationship with scary things- dogs and little boys. Up until now, either type of creature would easily reduce you to tears with their loud noises and fast movements. When we arrived in Alaska you were literally shaking with fear at the sight of Peter Jehosaphat Munson. By the end of the trip you would follow him around, trying to pet him. You still would get scared if he barked but the time spent with him also made little boys less scary.</li>
<li>You are growing like mad and stretching out into a toddler. There are days that Daddy comes home from work and you are longer than when he left.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG7_flBGHQzTqAWdr3aXyNqyPQXRh-8okkTPGIXHQeRjSt0qEryasNy2jabJChFDW7ontnxai-c4GRa15M3ISi6DCAxMsWxKtLmudyakR3DTzqMJa4DKXIdbkaOOT4D5kX3zqOw-vu0nJ/s1600/IMG_1566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG7_flBGHQzTqAWdr3aXyNqyPQXRh-8okkTPGIXHQeRjSt0qEryasNy2jabJChFDW7ontnxai-c4GRa15M3ISi6DCAxMsWxKtLmudyakR3DTzqMJa4DKXIdbkaOOT4D5kX3zqOw-vu0nJ/s400/IMG_1566.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li>You get separation anxiety at night in your crib so you still spend a good portion of the night with Momma and Daddy in their bed. In the middle of the night you are insistent on snuggling with Daddy. And then you get mad at him because he can't nurse you. You also sleep in odd positions- Momma might wake up with a foot in her face; Daddy with a noggin' nestled in his neck; arms and legs akimbo with your head sideways up against the headboard.</li>
<li>If you were in charge you'd be allowed to: spend all day on the 3rd or 4th step of the stairs, watching the world; no clothing would be allowed; bath time would occur while standing up.</li>
<li>Your Aunty N got you a swing for Christmas that we've hung on the porch. You've fallen asleep in it several times. Just get you going and the eyes start drooping!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwmbXVkizjMVfwS2QOC-725Rs0ks49GMYIthB82V5ETlfObgTv2jFkYVCgZ7U0iAeo4PbixuNHiniB_dgnohGn3mARvkoLBdTshiPRt5A6RQ5tKTjJP_-c7lbfsmaoxCTP_6z8y3cy_0U/s1600/IMG_1569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwmbXVkizjMVfwS2QOC-725Rs0ks49GMYIthB82V5ETlfObgTv2jFkYVCgZ7U0iAeo4PbixuNHiniB_dgnohGn3mARvkoLBdTshiPRt5A6RQ5tKTjJP_-c7lbfsmaoxCTP_6z8y3cy_0U/s400/IMG_1569.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Love you, little girl, more than the moon and the stars! Love you, dear heart, more than chocolate ice cream! Love you, Senorita Poopy Pants, more than I can really express!<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
MommaBeckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-84653917487070884572010-12-31T07:11:00.000-05:002010-12-31T07:11:53.086-05:0010 Months Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7Nyekp4ltp3__mXgvsmmnCLlqDI69_aWNa_bl-Q8JWIIL16aQPnd_FkjSopGY_QLVlHr0J5oh7kyfc_pIK67Ly2CffVbauB_1KQDDYC6mIp66lxAjqikFRK7oh5AbOQGRK5tzRnl-pov/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7Nyekp4ltp3__mXgvsmmnCLlqDI69_aWNa_bl-Q8JWIIL16aQPnd_FkjSopGY_QLVlHr0J5oh7kyfc_pIK67Ly2CffVbauB_1KQDDYC6mIp66lxAjqikFRK7oh5AbOQGRK5tzRnl-pov/s400/IMG_1370.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
Dear Evelyn,<br />
<br />
Hey there little person! You've got opinions on the world now that you aren't afraid of sharing. Life is meant to be explored and you're doing your best to learn all you can.<br />
<br />
Momma was so late in writing your 9 month letter that a lot of the things you enjoy remain the same. <br />
<ul><li>You took two rides on a big airplane to get to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Alaska.</li>
<li>You are an excellent stander and cruise along the furniture with ease.</li>
<li>Dancing is your favorite pastime. You appreciate encouragement to really get going. You also take requests.</li>
<li>You enjoy being able to feed yourself. You prefer fruits and love the pouch baby food that comes with a spout so you can eat it 'my by myself'.</li>
<li>You're our little hippie in the making. No shoes for you. No clothes, in fact, when you can swing it.</li>
<li>Favorite toys include cell phones and remotes, when you can get them; things that fit in other things are wonderful; and Momma and Daddy's stuff. </li>
</ul>Love you with all my heart. And Daddy's too. <br />
<br />
Forgot to add:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>You can stand without support and enjoy combining it with your other tricks, like dancing or twisting.</li>
<li>When you're in your booster seat, and pleased with life, you bring your hands up and twist back and forth as fast as you can.</li>
<li>You developed a scrunchy face that is interchangeable with a smile. It's on it's way out of your repertoire but it was awesome while it lasted.</li>
</ul><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51tRcUbzIJYmUkNFOMaOUoKsm7QaVu_yqXbc-JYfQhKGHNPYt6G7vBHG3F0Pyl-ojqGyu76kZULXxcjc8luA_J814w4VcZE4hfHbJz61QjN0Kbat7c5xIyOxp3fDk40u-D6YKB1FnPBaF/s1600/IMG_5592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51tRcUbzIJYmUkNFOMaOUoKsm7QaVu_yqXbc-JYfQhKGHNPYt6G7vBHG3F0Pyl-ojqGyu76kZULXxcjc8luA_J814w4VcZE4hfHbJz61QjN0Kbat7c5xIyOxp3fDk40u-D6YKB1FnPBaF/s400/IMG_5592.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-65239271143016079552010-12-25T16:57:00.001-05:002010-12-25T16:57:18.886-05:00Merry Christmas!Christ the Savior is born!Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-82982715831269049242010-12-25T04:18:00.000-05:002010-12-25T04:18:22.741-05:00Since arriving in Alaska...We've:<br />
<ul><li>Felt 12° below zero.</li>
<li>Felt 23° above zero.</li>
<li>Bundled up and sledded down the driveway.</li>
<li>Watched a moose forage and nap in the backyard.</li>
<li>Learned that dogs are our friends and not scary monsters.</li>
<li>Discovered a love of Rice Krispies.</li>
<li>Taken 2.5 steps without help.</li>
</ul>Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6759628537741682709.post-28470640705803323392010-12-13T03:44:00.000-05:002010-12-13T03:44:56.291-05:00Diapers are here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Since E was born we've been using cloth diapers from a diaper service and the occasional disposable. Now that I'm staying home full time we're making the switch to cloth diapers. And I'm way more excited about it than a normal person would be. Here's some of our goods:<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FxQdULSfHubMlAPbs2072J9RMPzPvzPn3VMdfcVgOzmAZpqJ37SWp_68aFU_m5mg6tu3_i0wihdyk5kLo9BOxfyabJomMcwTTxW-_VBXf2R-oGuza8xVNsvJUkH1W829xcjSDF3kKxOa/s1600/IMG_5713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FxQdULSfHubMlAPbs2072J9RMPzPvzPn3VMdfcVgOzmAZpqJ37SWp_68aFU_m5mg6tu3_i0wihdyk5kLo9BOxfyabJomMcwTTxW-_VBXf2R-oGuza8xVNsvJUkH1W829xcjSDF3kKxOa/s320/IMG_5713.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty colors!</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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLPx3slDogh6nxS1LlVGaXctB6BmDuR1aAcYrSXs1DeVpG_59QH86WFj8rUe1G3VMAtsvnER096pbzMS4S5wP8VgJZFVQ9yEbRnkN1lm4upi1FN12twar59HfG6t7QoM4D56a1NQuJW_5/s1600/IMG_5740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLPx3slDogh6nxS1LlVGaXctB6BmDuR1aAcYrSXs1DeVpG_59QH86WFj8rUe1G3VMAtsvnER096pbzMS4S5wP8VgJZFVQ9yEbRnkN1lm4upi1FN12twar59HfG6t7QoM4D56a1NQuJW_5/s400/IMG_5740.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All contained.</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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRKlZYhc8iZJl9MpoVRN3ey4y3IHyDy40hzXm3v4ckn9FT1LBz-tXM2joha7Njk08zgwExhHkf3O3RnbRaSxOrZ7RHTEUKCzQ3V2VEI29f2VS20pDGHafv_ZQCv1S38fC_YgDONs55V42/s1600/IMG_5717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRKlZYhc8iZJl9MpoVRN3ey4y3IHyDy40hzXm3v4ckn9FT1LBz-tXM2joha7Njk08zgwExhHkf3O3RnbRaSxOrZ7RHTEUKCzQ3V2VEI29f2VS20pDGHafv_ZQCv1S38fC_YgDONs55V42/s400/IMG_5717.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the shipping box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We've got the majority of the diapers cleaned (waiting on a diaper safe detergent for the rest) and started the 'christening'. Our diaper service last through this week so we've mainly been using those diapers in pretty new covers. Since we're in the process of preparing for our Christmas holiday we're trying to generate less laundry than normal.<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="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v322/68/0/54300311/n54300311_30570155_7437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v322/68/0/54300311/n54300311_30570155_7437.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage cloth diapering! Lil Bro in the parachute pants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cloth diapering has come a long way from the time our parents (and their parents and theirs) used cloth diapers. There are a plethora of options- diaper pins and crinkly plastic pants are a thing of the past. There is the all-in-one diaper, the cloth answer the the disposable; hybrid systems that can snap in a biodegradable disposable or reusable insert to a diaper cover depending on your needs for the day; covers with 'pockets' for inserting a variety of doublers and soakers to customize your wetness protection. Alot of people are overwhelmed by the number of options but this is a situation in which I thrive. Most people know that I love to research and coming up with the top picks is what I do.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I'm excited about this. And, even though I know that diaper pins are not necessary any more, I was thinking that in order to truly dominate my new found hobby I should master some of the more mundane nuances involved. I remember having cute diaper pins as a child with heads shaped as animals and flowers and wanted to find some of my own.<br />
<br />
I discovered two things:<br />
<ol><li>Fancy diapers pins are no longer produced due to lack of demand.</li>
<li>Cartier used to make diaper pins. Like these:</li>
</ol><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="http://jewelry.1stdibs.com/archivesE/jewelry/upload/83/106/XXX_83_1276558835_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://jewelry.1stdibs.com/archivesE/jewelry/upload/83/106/XXX_83_1276558835_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond and sapphire (<a href="http://jewelry.1stdibs.com/jewelry_item_detail.php?id=18563">source</a>)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</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="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-sGFdZKPpdAe2YTGL-HATj0gtdUX8FlStsWFxpCuszGXrD_84" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-sGFdZKPpdAe2YTGL-HATj0gtdUX8FlStsWFxpCuszGXrD_84" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral with platinum inset diamond (<a href="http://antiqueauctionpressrelease.blogspot.com/2008/03/white-jade-vase-establishes-new-record_17.html?zx=de64f962ea4f9b58">source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> What do ya think? Practical.<br />
<br />
I'm in the process of creating blog pages covering baby gear, including cloth diapering. What questions do you have about diapers? What would you really like to see covered?Beckerellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14523315802727031319noreply@blogger.com0