tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57240025171824464522024-02-20T12:59:11.801-05:00Merely peeking...Just a glimpse into our lives... Hard working daddy, new stay at home mommy, 4 hilarious kids, and the dog.Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-86017970556213874452016-08-29T11:24:00.005-04:002016-08-29T11:24:31.502-04:00Fantastic Four<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYCvul2yMuDBO9Tnzaj2tYR5OR0hjpoPin3_zN_xcpjgkFckhAjyUgSZZUQtKioh1OIojWCMeBrRQtYlun77HgTlffK5LCfnRh3-YcS6nuE7n5PL8chFaW1qtMNCOLGxyX1EHfiGYiRw/s1600/IMG_1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYCvul2yMuDBO9Tnzaj2tYR5OR0hjpoPin3_zN_xcpjgkFckhAjyUgSZZUQtKioh1OIojWCMeBrRQtYlun77HgTlffK5LCfnRh3-YcS6nuE7n5PL8chFaW1qtMNCOLGxyX1EHfiGYiRw/s400/IMG_1096.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bo's birthday party was Saturday. Sadly, I took about 4 pictures... total. We had too much fun! I am still glowing from being surrounded by our closest family and friends! You wouldn't think that building a village in a small town like ours would be difficult, but finding the people that you really connect with... it takes work. I don't care where you are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyhow, Hubby is in the process of changing jobs. He's working out his notice at one place and prepping to start at a new one in September. This birthday needed to be low-key. I started with our immediate families. Then I added in our closest friends... you know... the ones your kids refer to as auntie and uncle? Those. Before I knew it, the guest list was at 20 adults and 22 kids. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I considered cancelling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then the text messages started coming in. "Can I bring anything?" "What can I do?" "How can I help?" "What size shoe does Bo wear?" It really started to sink in that these are our people. These are not the people to whom we are obligated. These are the people that we are blessed to love. They came early. They stayed late. We laughed. I don't know what anyone did. I hope everyone ate enough and chatted enough and left feeling as loved as I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks, y'all. For being my family.</span><br />
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<br />Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-30369403265268932692015-09-30T10:40:00.004-04:002015-09-30T10:40:39.691-04:00That's not Mickey.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're really loving the house that we're living in now. It's been just incredible. There are multiple rooms in the house where we can all 6 comfortably hang out together. I forget sometimes that we have a large family by most standards... until it's been raining for a few days - then it all comes screeching back into focus. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favorite rooms is the laundry room. It's HUGE - and it's mine. Several days ago, I went in to get dog food, and when I picked up the bag a handful of kibbles and bits rolled across the floor. Deep breath. There's a rodent. Upside? No evidence of this rodent anywhere else in the house. Downside? RODENT. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First step? Denial. It's a fluke! I literally taped up the hole in the bag and told myself it was a fluke. It was a friendly country mouse en route to visit his friend in the city who stopped in for a snack. Surely he wouldn't be back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But he was. The next morning there was another hole in the bag. Of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bought the sticky traps. Deep down I knew that this was going to lead nowhere good. There was really only ever one plausible conclusion and it included a panicked (and STICKY) wild animal, hysterical me, and at least one (probably 2!) child(ren) who wanted nothing more than to see what the ruckus was and then put it's hands in it's mouth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I looked to the traditional traps, and I saw one thing. SNAP. Microscopic diseased blood splatters. Think Dexter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nope. Nope. Nope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was one of those things that I was going to just have to power through. I tossed the glue traps in the cart and left.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One night went by... no mouse. Considered briefly baiting the traps, but the box said it would make the glue less effective. I needed the most effective glue possible. Considered briefly pouring extra glue on the traps. Decided to just be thankful that I had put off my face to face with those beady black eyes for one more day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Night two came and went. No mouse. Having found the silver lining the day before, I jumped directly to relieved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometime after lunch, I went into the laundry room and I heard it. I heard the furious scritching of a mouse ... a BIG mouse trying to escape from a trap. I couldn't even talk myself into getting onto the floor and putting my face in front of it. I was afraid that the face of his oppressor might be the thing that gave him the adrenaline rush he needed to pry his body from the glue and jump on my face. So I did what anyone would do...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I blindly snapped a picture and ran.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be continued...</span></div>
<br />Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-5294603224669456052015-09-24T12:12:00.004-04:002015-09-24T12:12:38.130-04:00and then there were 5 M&M's...Unfortunately, the threat of losing M&M's did not stop Bo from streaking through the school today. He lost 5 M&M's for running away from his teacher naked after potty time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a good thing he's cute.</td></tr>
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He ate his lunch and went straight down for his nap. Hopefully he was just testing to see if we'd follow through today. I'm not done fighting the good fight. We'll try again next week.<br />
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<br />Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-59494270303422126642015-09-24T09:43:00.003-04:002015-09-24T09:50:28.613-04:0010 M&M'sI have a very intelligent, high energy, hard loving, hard living 3 year old. He tests boundaries. All the time. We've tried many things to encourage him to follow the rules. We've responded with anger and with love. We've expressed to him that it makes us sad when he acts like a bad boy because in reality he's a very very good boy. We've tried not responding at all in hopes that taking away the attention that comes with negative behavior will change it. Unfortunately, nothing really seems to penetrate that hard curly head of his.<br />
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Yesterday, there was a teacher absent from his school. (Praying for Mrs. Jen and her now removed appendix! Love you, Jen!) He was especially rowdy and had to sit out at recess. I was mortified. This behavior is just not acceptable. So, we're trying a new tactic. After school, we put 10 Pecan Pie M&M's in a jar.<br />
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When he misbehaves, he loses a piece of candy. After dinner, he gets to eat any M&M's that are left. Last night, he had 5 of the 10 left. Of course... we started at lunchtime. <br />
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This morning, we walked into school together. He apologized to Mrs. Bobbie. We talked to her about the M&M's. If you are reading this, please pray that he has a better day. It is just so frustrating to know what a sweet kid he is and have him act out this way at school. I'm telling myself that as long as we don't stop trying to correct him, then we haven't failed yet. Besides... he's 3. 3 year olds get to have bad days too.Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-74932465756763048192014-11-01T11:08:00.001-04:002014-11-01T11:08:38.780-04:00My Second Home: Floyd Labor and Delivery Ward<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday, I had a routine visit at the doctor's office. All thanks to my blood pressure, we were sent back to the hospital. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit tired of the same old story myself. I was excited to meet Miss Jasper Wheeler on her birthday! The nurse let us slip back to say hi before they strapped me to the bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was in triage for about 4 hours before they put me in a room on the maternity ward. I was told (again) that this was it. I'd probably be here until 37 weeks - November 10. The doctor visited this morning. All my labs look good, and my blood pressure is down. I'm convinced that the nurse at the doctor's office was using a blood pressure cuff that was too small and that contributed to my highly elevated blood pressure yesterday. The doctor told me that I don't look toxic at all - always nice to hear. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A determination will be made when my 24 hour test comes back after lunch, and I'll (hopefully) be discharged. Bo has gone to stay with his Moma and Bepaw. He'll be beside himself. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Up until this point, I was counting down to 37 weeks, but now they're saying that we could go past that. Good for the baby, but I'm OVER BEDREST ALREADY. I'm going to work on having a good attitude. A visit from the Wheelers will help. Totally looking forward to that.</span>Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-19177859100008987302014-10-28T13:53:00.003-04:002014-10-28T13:53:31.875-04:00Baby Cheeks: Good News!We had the first of our 2 weekly checkups today. I got there about 15 minutes early in the hopes that they'd get me in earlier. It was a joke. My 10:30 appointment turned into an 11:15. Ugh. I understand that doctors typically run late, and usually my clinic is really good. I think that when you're going twice a week, though, patience runs thin.<div>
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Anyhow - the nurse took my blood pressure... she and I both know that it's been pretty high (sometimes frighteningly so). She gave me a funny look. I immediately thought that I was headed back to the hospital. NOPE! It was 136/90. If my count is right, that's lower than it's been in almost 6 weeks! Also, there was no trace of protein in my urine!</div>
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Baby Cheeks wasn't as responsive as we wanted on the NST, but that's pretty much standard at this point, so I got the go ahead to come back on Friday. </div>
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It's such a relief to finally have a good report! Now the challenge is to remember that my good report is because I'm doing things correctly and not use it as license to go back to running around doing whatever I want. Except Halloween. I want to see the kiddos Trick or Treat! Anyone have a wheelchair I can borrow for the night? </div>
Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-76271203772172929902014-10-27T15:03:00.002-04:002014-10-27T15:03:27.723-04:0035 WEEKS TODAY!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You'll have to forgive me. The next few Mondays are BIG milestones! Today we are at 35 weeks. If Cheeks comes now, (s)he is considered late preterm - not a preemie! (Okay - technically still a preemie, I guess, but you get it...)</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've done a lot of googling "babies born at 33 weeks" and "babies born at 35 weeks" and whatnot. I noticed that many of the babies born in the 34th week still have feeding tubes, whereas the babies born at 35 weeks seem to be pictured without them. I know it's not in the least bit scientific, but it does make me feel better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last night, I *think* we had some Braxton Hicks contractions. They were short, but I'm almost sure that's what they are. Could have been Cheeks pushing against my whole belly at once, but I kinda doubt it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doctor visit tomorrow!</span></div>
Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-66753064161227566232014-10-25T16:28:00.001-04:002014-10-25T16:28:04.747-04:00Pumpkin Carving!<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know what makes my husband a GREAT daddy?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He lets the kids be themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me? I want to direct... birthday parties, holidays, clothing, room decor, etc...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cam? If Bo says that the eyes go halfway down the pumpkin and should be squares, that's what happens. No questions asked.</span></div>
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Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-87082438550650752122014-10-25T09:58:00.001-04:002014-10-25T09:58:29.049-04:00Cheeks: My BIG baby.Yesterday, we had our follow up with the doctor. Cam and I arrived at 8:40 for our appointment at 8:50 only to be told that we didn't have an appointment. It didn't take long to work it out, and they squeezed us in only slightly after our original appointment.<br />
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The nurse took my vitals and then hooked me up to the machine for the nonstress test. Somewhere around the 10 minute mark, the doctor came in. Not one to mince words, she nodded her hello and then declared, "Your blood pressure sucks." While some people might not appreciate this delivery, it's actually my preferred method of communication. As a born optimist, when people don't speak clearly and directly, I have a tendency to gloss it over.<br />
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Once again, Baby Cheeks was not responsive enough for the doctor's liking, so we were sent to wait for a biophysical profile ultrasound. The ultrasound tech was nice enough to flip over to her 4D ultrasound so that we could get a really good view of this cheeky baby. It was amazing.<br />
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Baby was moving and grooving and we passed another BPP with 8 out of 8. The tech estimated that baby is weighing in at 7 pounds and 9 ounces, though she admitted that her estimates are usually about half a pound high. <br />
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We met with the doctor afterwards. I was just sure that she was going to send me back to the hospital, but she told me that she trusts me and my family to watch for symptoms and get to the hospital if anything changes. From the beginning, it's been clear that this baby will be another csection baby, and I consoled myself by thinking about how nice it would be to schedule Cheeks' birthday. It never occurred to me that there is every possibility that I will go into labor naturally before our induction date. (There I go again... glossing things over.)<br />
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The doctor told me that with a baby this big, there is every possibility that I'll just hit maximum uterus capacity and go into labor. She reminded us that God is in control and with His help, we'll make it to 37 weeks - but if we don't, that's His plan too.<br />
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<br />Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-10969113957755926372014-10-23T17:11:00.000-04:002014-10-23T17:11:06.466-04:00Bed Rest: The Glamorous Life.Today I wore my pajamas all day. I watched too much television, clipped some coupons, and called to make an appointment with the vet.<br />
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The most strenuous part of my day was losing the remote... or maybe it was microwaving a hot dog for lunch.<br />
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I took one nap, ate two large cups of ice, and updated Facebook too many times. <br />
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I think I'll balance my checkbook.<br />
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My life is SO exciting.<br />
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One day closer to a full term baby.Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-56407442524234789812014-10-22T07:49:00.001-04:002014-10-22T07:56:23.907-04:00Home again. Home again. Jiggety jig.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since my last update, I've been moved down to the maternity wing. I had been told fairly clearly that I should just NOT prepare myself to go home. Based on everything that was going on, I was told that I had 3 options.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tests come back looking dangerous. Emergency cesarean section.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tests come back looking fine. I go home.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tests come back borderline. I stay on the maternity hall until things start looking dangerous or 37 weeks.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the doctor presented me with these options, he made it very clear that he did NOT expect me to go home and he did NOT expect me to make it to 37 weeks. According to him, preeclampsia does not get better until delivery. It only will get worse from here. In his words, "it could be a matter of hours, days, or weeks." He didn't believe I'd take a turn for the worse in hours or weeks. I can't tell you how relieving it is to have a doctor just break it down for you in a realistic sort of way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wasn't happy, but I resigned myself to make the best of my next days or (God forbid) weeks on the maternity hall. All the tests were back and stable. Baby passed another biophysical profile. (Ultrasound tech estimates that Cheeks is 7 pounds +/- 1 pound and measuring at 37 weeks. If she's right, Cheeks is already bigger than Bo at birth!) Proteinuria had not increased at all. Blood work all looked normal. My blood pressure was bouncing around a little, but mostly steady.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I moved out of L&D and down to the M Wing. I got settled in for who-knows-how-long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's when things changed. I had had dinner and settled in to watch some TV when the doctor came back. He told me that my last proteinuria test was not actually correct. They had simply re-read my last results. My new results weren't even in yet. I was terrified. I've read many many horror stories of people going from levels like mine (low 400's - preeclampsic but barely) to the THOUSANDS (dangerous and ready for emergency cesarean immediately) overnight. He was done with his rotation, but said that someone would get me the results that night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I waited. It wasn't too long before the nurse came back to tell me that my levels were down in the 200's! Not even preeclampsic levels! The nurse called the new rotation doctor to tell her of the change. The doctor came to visit me and told me that based on all the evidence, she couldn't see a good reason for me to stay. She told me that she'd be comfortable discharging me immediately, but that if I was agreeable (and because it was already 7PM) that she'd like it if I'd stay the night and do a few more blood pressure checks. I agreed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I couldn't believe how quickly the news changed! I was going home! I AM going home! Hopefully I'll be heading back through town at the right time to pick up Bo from school! I'll be back on the couch, but I'll be home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baby Cheeks is coming soon - but not now!</span></div>
Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-22919896592565754092014-10-20T13:44:00.001-04:002014-10-20T13:45:37.857-04:0034 weeks: A Trip to L&D<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This weekend was the first weekend in 2 weeks that Cameron has had time to spend with us at home. It was very low impact and very needed. We spent a lot of time doing stuff like this...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last night, I woke up with an awful headache. I had been instructed several times to go directly to the hospital if I got a headache that didn't respond to Tylenol. Against my wishes, Cameron pushed me into the ER in a wheelchair, but when we got up to triage, it turned out that he probably knew what he was doing. My blood pressure was 180/106.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those magic numbers were my winning ticket to a trip to Labor and Delivery for 24 hour monitoring. I guess the determination now is that if my blood pressure goes down while I'm here, then I stay a little longer, and if it doesn't go down, then we have a baby sooner than later. Glad we had those steroid shots last week! </span></div>
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Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-90203931411347669632014-10-17T18:29:00.002-04:002014-10-17T18:29:32.291-04:00Cheeks: Week 33 Day 4<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went in for my scheduled non-stress test today. I arrived late and limping thanks to bad traffic and bed rest. (I swear that I'm so stiff since going on bed rest that I wonder if it's even worth it.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My blood pressure was up, but I'm now referring to it as my "walking around BP", so it's nothing much to talk about. My protein levels were down - YAY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had been concerned since last night that Cheeks wasn't moving as much as normal, so I was really looking forward to hearing that heartbeat. Of course, when the nice lady put the sensor on my belly, she got dead silence. It took a minute or so for her to find Cheeks - the longest minute or so of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stayed in the room for about 20 minutes, happily listening to that little heartbeat. The nurse came back and told me that even though the heartbeat was steady, they really wanted to see some highs and lows on there - Cheeks was not responsive enough. I drank some ice water and stayed for 10 more minutes before heading to the ultrasound tech for a biophysical profile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheeks was doing well - all the benchmarks were passed very quickly, and we were given a perfect score.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm taking off points for being a thumb-sucker!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We go back for another non-stress test on Tuesday. I'll be on the couch til then! </span></div>
Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-20922960183000170612014-10-16T05:45:00.000-04:002014-10-16T05:45:09.751-04:00Cheeks Week 33: Paranoia, Heartburn, Insomnia<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I checked back in with the hospital yesterday - bedrest is a joke when the hospital and doctor are 20 something miles from home and you're going 2-3 times per week. I went to turn in my 24 hour urine sample and get my second steroid shot. They told me that I should hear something about the sample this morning, so of course I was up at 4:30 AM to worry about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point, every twinge and cramp is making me nervous. It's an odd sensation for me - I'm so used to assuming the best and only half-planning for the worst that I don't know how to function at this point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't want to be negative, and I'm pretty sure that with the second baby, I'm supposed to worry less and not more, but it's just not working for me. When the nurses started saying things like, "We just need to monitor closely to be sure that you aren't getting <b>sicker</b>," it flipped a switch in my brain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No appointments today - I'll be home and mostly on my left side. For once, I almost wish I was driving to Rome just so I could hear some good news, but hopefully the hospital will call in the next few hours with some. Tomorrow, Cheeks and I have a nonstress test at the doctor's office. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every <strike>week</strike> day matters at this point, so we'll just keep plugging along here. I don't want to be impatient - I know that Cheeks is developing lung power and immunities now, and I definitely don't want to do NICU time. Guess we'll keep making the best of the situation. </span>Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-64575310324980869672014-10-15T08:12:00.003-04:002014-10-15T08:12:39.452-04:00Baby Cheeks: Week 33 Day 1<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheeks and I made our first trip to the Labor and Delivery triage yesterday. I went to my regularly scheduled doctor appointment at 8:30AM. We started with an ultrasound. Cheeks is apparently measuring somewhere around 5 pounds and 9 ounces. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm pretty sure it's all in the cheeks.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> My blood pressure (which had been creeping up) was even higher than expected. Couple that with the fact that the lab lost my last 24 hour urine sample, and it was off to the hospital with me. I was given a bed and a blood pressure cuff. After two hours on my left side, my blood pressure was into the healthy range. My blood work showed that my kidney/liver function was good. I was given another 24 hour urine bucket and a steroid shot in my hip and sent home. I'm headed back up there today for my second shot and to turn in my homework.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm on edge every time I have to go up there - I was blindsided last time. A routine visit turned into admission so fast that it made my head spin. I should never have gone without (at the very least) a phone charger. Many many thanks to Jessica who bought me a charger and brought it up - even though I was being discharged as she got there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I got home, I did a little research. (Never do this. Ever.) I found out that usually when steroid shots are given between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation when doctors believe that they need to strengthen baby's lungs for impending delivery. I called the doctor's office and was told that this was merely a precaution. They don't give the shots once you pass the 34 week mark, so I was in at just the right time for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm now officially on bed rest - except for my 2-3 trips to Rome every week. Luckily, I have excellent caretakers in Mom and Cameron - even if I'm THE WORST PATIENT EVER. (Sorry, guys.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hands down though, the best treatment that I got yesterday was having my Bo returned to me. Moma and Bepaw were fantastically understanding, and Cameron met them halfway so that I could spend some time with him one on one just in case this baby comes sooner than later. We read every book that he wanted to before he crashed out last night.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Snuggles are the best medicine.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-38125244045526929202014-09-09T20:07:00.000-04:002014-09-09T20:07:19.315-04:00School Days!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was Bo's fourth day of school. I didn't document it with a picture, but I did get a few last Tuesday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There have been more than a few tears, but today was our first bonafide GOOD DAY.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so excited that he has the opportunity to spend 3 mornings a week playing and learning with other kids his age. Since we aren't far from our new addition, I'm hoping that having his school routine will help ease his transition into big brother. </span><br />
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Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-8876542972386341812014-02-02T19:52:00.001-05:002014-02-02T19:52:35.243-05:00Superbowl.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like we should have helmets for this.</span></div>
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Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-84421122459986638682014-01-30T13:12:00.000-05:002014-01-30T13:12:03.176-05:00What hashtag problem?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like hashtags - it's no secret. I used them on Facebook before Facebook recognized them. I might have used them in texts. Once or twice, I've even used them in conversation. I'm ready to accept now that there may have to be an intervention.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw_sel8o8-HJ1WwEUg9GQPD3baCdHNMCGuLqi02BzZH7blEjg4kjc8XkItXNdt6_JNoAvNvd-36M6CC4OL0flDdkdBks3-1GER33T-L7tgzIVOWuqYbJMfOjUqBTQzumUCd0EKQkXMgY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw_sel8o8-HJ1WwEUg9GQPD3baCdHNMCGuLqi02BzZH7blEjg4kjc8XkItXNdt6_JNoAvNvd-36M6CC4OL0flDdkdBks3-1GER33T-L7tgzIVOWuqYbJMfOjUqBTQzumUCd0EKQkXMgY/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My name is Tricia... and I'm a hashtag addict.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Don't judge me by my gross keyboard - please? I blame the toddler.)</span>Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-41990762200388489502014-01-29T12:46:00.002-05:002014-01-29T16:24:43.491-05:00Snow Day 2014!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here I sit in my jammies, hanging out with my boy Glenn Burns and the rest of the <a href="http://www.wsbtv.com/s/weather/" target="_blank">Severe Weather Team</a>. Atlanta is a mess. My yard is gorgeous. I left work at 12:30P yesterday. The snow was coming down hard, and my normal 40 minute commute took me 3.5 hours. Thankfully, I have non-Southern friends (Hello, Brownings!!) who were willing to go and pick up Bo from his babysitter's house. Cameron was in Atlanta doing *asuperawesomething* that I'm not going to disclose yet. He drove 9.5 hours, like a champ, until someone came to a dead stop in front of him on an icy hill causing him to slide off the road. From there, he walked to a Waffle House and hitched a ride to <a href="http://www.cityofhiramga.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Hiram-Community-Center-3" target="_blank">an emergency shelter</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning, around 6AM, my cousin called - his wife was also stuck. She was much further in and had found lodging with some Good Samaritans. He had slapped chains on his 4WD truck, loaded it down with gas tanks, tow straps, and a four wheeler, and he was headed out to get his wife. He picked up Cameron on the way, and they have now successfully navigated in, picked her up, and had brunch with some other cousins. (Thank you, McClatcheys!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bo and I have not been outside yet today - he's napping good, and I was hoping it would warm up some and we could play outside with Daddy when he gets home. We did go outside and experience it briefly yesterday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope everyone else is safe and warm!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qQyPwQ3hbh87nHUeUFjzGt3pHnWh1_pONzwvsGvO0zv1_UWI4tvRoiPCxukhSYm0j0BUOIxF5iaqP2h5VhAXyA9xWBtdGLdZ3y7d0qqnqoFsrGv6NRlc67VUskYcW49idth56b_L-yw/s1600/happysnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qQyPwQ3hbh87nHUeUFjzGt3pHnWh1_pONzwvsGvO0zv1_UWI4tvRoiPCxukhSYm0j0BUOIxF5iaqP2h5VhAXyA9xWBtdGLdZ3y7d0qqnqoFsrGv6NRlc67VUskYcW49idth56b_L-yw/s1600/happysnow.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-8850973380900147802014-01-19T20:06:00.001-05:002014-01-19T20:06:29.375-05:00Hi Polly!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-76299917136881267202013-07-10T08:34:00.002-04:002013-07-10T08:34:31.681-04:00Wordless Wednesday - Baby Fever Edition<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/AVvXsEjSd4Hl_saF8f7bAtY3pN8AsbPYd7bJlvSW745HiC1CDrdJqO4B2DzT8dOzn-RHhNMShVnG0ITIShL8Xd9TD4hIu7tifHjnFmf3v8Qh69hTyYQsg-lp48d9O-7NIlnrXTmtM17kO9wHhhk/s1600/sosweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSd4Hl_saF8f7bAtY3pN8AsbPYd7bJlvSW745HiC1CDrdJqO4B2DzT8dOzn-RHhNMShVnG0ITIShL8Xd9TD4hIu7tifHjnFmf3v8Qh69hTyYQsg-lp48d9O-7NIlnrXTmtM17kO9wHhhk/s320/sosweet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bo enjoying Aunt Juliet's lap - while she still has one.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-65852781939553124022013-01-24T23:38:00.002-05:002013-01-24T23:41:22.959-05:00An open letter to my 5 month old.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Bo,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, you are five months old. It has been almost half a year since I first laid eyes on you.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gratuitous newborn photo.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In many ways, you look exactly the same. {You'll always be my baby.} At the same time, you're filling out. You're developing facial expressions. You're becoming more and more handsome. {You'll still always be my baby.}</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You've pretty much mastered rolling over from front to back. Back to front is more difficult - or you're less interested. {I'm not sure which.} </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are much more interested in the world. You're constantly looking around. You discovered Gus Dog. He's happy that you finally petted him - even if you pulled his fur and accidentally poked him in the eye. You love having your brother and sister here. Des thinks you're the cutest thing ever. Tyler thinks you're heavy. You made friends with your cousin Aubrey. She calls all babies Bo-Bo now.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8nsSy-yqY8HEVd1UYr5pM4Un89zlBTU0sc46PJi7dGT0K9WHN_jywXW7htGKuYG0yNMuiOQv0a-3Ic9P5D9rDwXtIVHpu-AUKOGviRjUS5TABGCfw18de4gx2Q5ZOsOJkB2Hy5zUX1U/s320/photo+(4).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cousins are our first friends.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You love your feet. You hate socks. You're <strike>stubborn like your mama</strike> persistent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You've really found your voice. You talk. A lot. <strike>Like your daddy.</strike> I love your gurgles. It reminds me of that night 5 months ago - the first thing I heard when you were born was a gurgle. It terrified me - but you were perfect.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last gratuitous newborn photo.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, Okay - Back to now. You sound like a baby wookie. {Still cute.}</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As of tonight, I noticed you really putting weight on your feet. You put your feet down in my lap and pushed yourself up. I downloaded a Fisher Price app for you on my phone. It has lots of animals. You touch the screen to make them change and you smile. Our favorite is the bear. He is really funny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have finally started taking an interest in our food. I let you drink water out of my cup, and now you're insatiable. We plan to start you on oatmeal on Saturday. You're currently hovering around the 5th percentile for weight {95% of babies weigh more than you at your age.} You're just above the 50th percentile for height, though! The doctor calls you lean and mean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You saw your first snow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You like going to church. The ladies there love on you a lot. Plus, they have <i>this</i> thing.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't blame you. I'd sit in one if I fit.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I promised you that I wouldn't get all mushy mushy on you again. It's just that I want you to have this. I want you to look back one day and know that every day with you was exciting. I want you to know that from the beginning, you were smart and funny and determined and handsome and loved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Always,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mama</span></div>
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Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-37303345875066348762013-01-23T19:33:00.000-05:002013-01-23T19:33:12.217-05:00Rocking the winter.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't like winter. Outside of <a href="http://www.peekingunderthemattress.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thanksgiving-of-try.html" target="_blank">holiday celebrations</a>, it's a bleak time. There is not enough sunlight. It's too darn cold. The days are too short. It's dark when I leave for work, and it's getting dark again when I get home. For most of my life, I've been content to hunker down and survive winter. If hibernation were an option, you'd find me in a cave... and probably furry.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year, though, I had a bright spot. There is a tiny baby who isn't fussed about the winter. His world is exciting and new. His happiness is contagious. Because of him, I've soldiered on. I can't put off my life until spring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I walked again today. I'm almost at 4.5 miles for the week. I headed for the <a href="http://www.silvercometga.com/" target="_blank">Silver Comet trail</a> at lunch and then took a quick post dinner stroll with the bebe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're cruising towards the weekend now - <a href="http://www.crossviewcc.com/index.php?page=journey-groups" target="_blank">Journey group</a> tomorrow, a visit from the newly engaged Polly and Jason on Friday evening, and then a birthday party for a dear friend on Saturday. </span></div>
Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-87169923778185996622013-01-22T19:13:00.001-05:002013-01-22T19:25:59.854-05:00Challenge accepted.I had the joy of having a whole 15 minute conversation with the one and only <a href="http://www.oneradmother.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">OneRadMother</a> today. For once, there was no Bo screaming or Marshall babbling or husbands vying for attention. <br />
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She sent me some clothing last week - I love it when she cleans out her closet. In the box of clothing, there was a fabulous red jacket. Only recently have I embraced color in my wardrobe, and I am positively dying to wear this coat. Unfortunately, the COAT OF ONE AMAZING COLOR is too small.</div>
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Pregnancy is a funny thing. I cried when I had to start wearing elastic waist pants, but now? Seriously - they're just comfy. Bo will be 5 months old on Thursday, and I think it may be time to retire them.</div>
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OneRadMother is somewhat of a workout junkie/gym rat. In all the time I've known her, she's been that girl. I think part of it is that she's so dang competitive. Seriously. If there is no one to compete with her, she'll compete with herself. She threw down the gauntlet. We're going to walk 10 miles this week. Next week, she'll probably want to bump that up, but she'll drag me across that bridge kicking and screaming when we get there.</div>
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I started tonight. Bo and I walked 2.1 miles. I took a screenshot of my Runkeeper app and texted it to OneRadMother. Not quite as good as walking together, but we can motivate each other from opposite sides of the state regardless.</div>
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So now - who's coming with us? Anybody else wanna get in on this? If there is any response on this, I'll post my before photo in the beautiful red coat here. You wanna see? You've gotta walk for it. I'll text you my numbers and bug you for yours. What else are friends for?</div>
Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724002517182446452.post-17176686089971384042013-01-16T08:05:00.002-05:002013-01-16T08:05:45.571-05:00One more milestone.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bo has gotten pretty skilled at rolling from his tummy to his back... but he hadn't rolled from his back to his front. Until last night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I woke up this morning, and as I always do, before I started getting ready for work, I peeked in on him. Check his breathing. I know it's morbid. I don't know why I do it - I just do. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I peeked in his room, something was different. He was face down with one little arm up. His hand was so cold. I picked him up and he stretched and then he smiled. He must have slept well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Congrats on the milestone kid. Thanks for the heart attack.</span><br />
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Mommy Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15223690952957669809noreply@blogger.com0