tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53386040746372223992024-02-07T00:05:22.604-08:00The Adventures of ShennimJennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-32092001041830047892012-06-22T12:32:00.000-07:002012-06-22T20:11:47.761-07:00Sickness: The Dementors Have Struck<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzn-XoZ_slCyb4ZDpsDqdTRbkG_I_Pa1q8FJ86FLvZrrox6nFojHocU5mC8uT7pKMRi7cTZ8PysSTejkHK7hOejXDi_QCXf9pXvorJLxfwTvnHtgM36eOiCCXyviNan_q4HBU7cXAjTk/s1600/545516_3836389360019_1331444208_n+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzn-XoZ_slCyb4ZDpsDqdTRbkG_I_Pa1q8FJ86FLvZrrox6nFojHocU5mC8uT7pKMRi7cTZ8PysSTejkHK7hOejXDi_QCXf9pXvorJLxfwTvnHtgM36eOiCCXyviNan_q4HBU7cXAjTk/s320/545516_3836389360019_1331444208_n+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">This morning, Conner woke up grouchy. Which really isn't anything new. Like his Mommy and Daddy, Conner is far from a morning person. While Rylend loves to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn and start his day running, Conner would rather stay up late into the night then enjoy a great morning of sleeping in. I relate to this kid.</span><br />
<br />
I should rephrase my opening sentence.<br />
<b>This morning, Conner woke up grouchier than normal</b>.<br />
<br />
He was whining, crying over every little bump and poke Rylend gave him, and pretty much acting like his world was ending. I finally swooped in with his blankie, wrapped him tight, and initiated mommy cuddle time on the couch. Before I knew it, Conner was asleep. He slept on me for a good hour, completely passed out.<br />
<br />
Now. I know he wasn't feeling good. I could feel how his body was hotter than normal. He had none of his usual Conner energy and was sleeping... something that he had just woke up from not too long ago. Still, I have to admit I loved that cuddle time. I don't get baby cuddles much anymore. So I cherished it.<br />
<br />
Once he woke up, and was still barely walking around before giving up to lay belly first on the ground and moan, I knew he for sure wasn't feeling well. Out came the thermometer. Conner was running a low grade fever at 100.8. Just enough to implement the "I feel icky" stage but nothing to panic over.<br />
<br />
And go figure we just so happen to be out of any sort of medicine. (<i>Note to self: Get some!</i>)<br />
<br />
Luckily Grandma got the message and swung by with some baby tylenol. I gave it to Conner no problem (<i>My kids love medicine. I have to convince them that they </i>don't<i> need it most times. Like Rylend, who was begging for his turn. At least I don't have to wrestle them when they need it, right?</i>) Conner fell fast asleep again, then suddenly woke up...<br />
<br />
And up-chucked.<br />
Threw up.<br />
Barfed.<br />
<br />
Or as we say it in our house, and as Rylend very loudly announced it when it happened:<br />
<b>"Mom! Conner choked!"</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF9T0HqOkySBYUINH7S-0CB4v-siT1-4O4ruyn1pamO-DKaxUPvFulUrXgWWpMP_GC8vbYm_zpR3IokdG0Np88tE0W8JA9xxNdaqDBG9N_Pg7MnEuZkR5ZHR6au-omFTT0F5DNE8_U-A/s1600/538269_3836374519648_1851413318_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF9T0HqOkySBYUINH7S-0CB4v-siT1-4O4ruyn1pamO-DKaxUPvFulUrXgWWpMP_GC8vbYm_zpR3IokdG0Np88tE0W8JA9xxNdaqDBG9N_Pg7MnEuZkR5ZHR6au-omFTT0F5DNE8_U-A/s320/538269_3836374519648_1851413318_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sleeping Conman</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By now Conner was just plain emotional. He started to cling to to me, and I managed to get him to doze back off for a little while. As he was sleeping, Rylend came over with the thermometer. He took Conner's temperature. Kissed him on the head. Gave him Buzz Lightyear to hug and his ba-ba to keep near. Then very seriously walked over to me.<br />
<br />
With worry in his eyes, Rylend said:<br />
<b>"Mommy, Conner-baby isn't feeling good. He isn't happy. I think a Dementor took him to the dark and took away his happiness. Poor Conner-baby."</b><br />
<br />
Of course. How didn't I know? <i>Dementors.</i> The Dementors must have snuck in when I wasn't looking and made Conner sick. It all makes sense. Rylend then told me I had to make Conner happy again. After I promised that I would do everything I could, Rylend asked for me to say a prayer.<br />
<br />
He makes my heart so happy.<br />
<br />
We cuddled against Conner and said a prayer. After saying amen, Rylend smiled at me and said:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGpp8VzDJW-Q4UrPcuStNHOrOptfYwzAX85yuPtKh5eIW5t93jD_uiZNNP7whrG56OtW4uD1pjsVwCqogkXfooyAsVRgaRjAwyfvRVqiRzOqTdtn3LVqBj-70uzW1wf-yiLFW5dTZnA0/s1600/428534_3836564284392_293741602_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGpp8VzDJW-Q4UrPcuStNHOrOptfYwzAX85yuPtKh5eIW5t93jD_uiZNNP7whrG56OtW4uD1pjsVwCqogkXfooyAsVRgaRjAwyfvRVqiRzOqTdtn3LVqBj-70uzW1wf-yiLFW5dTZnA0/s1600/428534_3836564284392_293741602_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b>"That's better. Jesus will make the Dementors go away and Conner will feel all better."</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGpp8VzDJW-Q4UrPcuStNHOrOptfYwzAX85yuPtKh5eIW5t93jD_uiZNNP7whrG56OtW4uD1pjsVwCqogkXfooyAsVRgaRjAwyfvRVqiRzOqTdtn3LVqBj-70uzW1wf-yiLFW5dTZnA0/s1600/428534_3836564284392_293741602_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGpp8VzDJW-Q4UrPcuStNHOrOptfYwzAX85yuPtKh5eIW5t93jD_uiZNNP7whrG56OtW4uD1pjsVwCqogkXfooyAsVRgaRjAwyfvRVqiRzOqTdtn3LVqBj-70uzW1wf-yiLFW5dTZnA0/s320/428534_3836564284392_293741602_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Kisses all around</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just so you know...<br />
Conner is already feeling a <i>little</i> better. He is groggy and still very warm, but is eating a peanut butter sandwich and happily watching Spongebob Squarepants. As for Rylend: I am wondering if he has seen Harry Potter one to many times lately. Or if he is just that awesome.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzjYhgBN6h5GEz0TYZt8ZJg6ZP8JY7dGC5SoAUuhUK9OpbwDv65ZSi8Ug2p8HrTWYLj33xr1ydbVF3N2S2lvI7LrDvGOmCyZpOesK4kwyUL_9K6AB47ubxB_92_YneC2tdjk_JjOAKVQ/s1600/314177_3836581004810_1845724285_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzjYhgBN6h5GEz0TYZt8ZJg6ZP8JY7dGC5SoAUuhUK9OpbwDv65ZSi8Ug2p8HrTWYLj33xr1ydbVF3N2S2lvI7LrDvGOmCyZpOesK4kwyUL_9K6AB47ubxB_92_YneC2tdjk_JjOAKVQ/s320/314177_3836581004810_1845724285_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sleepy cuddle time</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzjYhgBN6h5GEz0TYZt8ZJg6ZP8JY7dGC5SoAUuhUK9OpbwDv65ZSi8Ug2p8HrTWYLj33xr1ydbVF3N2S2lvI7LrDvGOmCyZpOesK4kwyUL_9K6AB47ubxB_92_YneC2tdjk_JjOAKVQ/s1600/314177_3836581004810_1845724285_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b>I vote for the latter.</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Jenni Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342553894424663966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-88171994852559155942012-06-12T12:58:00.000-07:002012-06-12T12:58:01.393-07:00Hello... (Has it been that long?)<b>Why, hello there.</b><br /><br />I know it has been forever. The last time I updated our family blog was in 2011, and I didn't even finish that challenge I had been doing. Sad, I know. <br />
<br />
One of the leading reasons is that I had this blog solely linked up to the email I rarely ever check. I have been in the process of changing my emails over to ones less... high-schoolish ("idaluvbug" out grew me about 6 years ago.) Since I never log into <i>that</i> email anymore, this family blog got forgotten.<br />
<br />
Oops.<br />
<br />
To top it off, I have been busy keeping <a href="http://jennimerritt.blogspot.com/">my writing blog</a>. Starting <a href="http://jennimerrittphotography.blogspot.com/">my photography blog</a>. Writing books. Taking photos. Being mommy... Yeah, you can maybe understand why this certain blog got pushed to the back of the internet pile. I want to start it back up though. <i> (Because you know, I am far from busy enough.) </i> So I gave my official blogging account permissions, transferred some things over... and... <b>I'm back!</b><br />
<br />
Granted, posts here will still be sporadic. Random. Who knows when they will show up.<br />
<i>It will be like a surprise, via blogging. Oo...</i><br />
<br />
That is all for now. I will make sure to write a more up to date update post, very very soon.<br />
Until then...<br />
<br />
<br />Jenni Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10342553894424663966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-15113174117357399192010-12-14T15:17:00.001-08:002010-12-14T15:19:17.075-08:00Reverb 10 - Week 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Io1EHwrb3C7Wq4Ywdh5vGCV23i9v9dgVdV84FufKPXHVCzQRxvIxAiASfcbS1ErKw5prkn0Fw9zG6Q4VkZ6suTrr13MUzQFEYiuhxfY23ofGsW-tESo2IILKh8IFWto39NsHFiq8WfY/s1600/Reaching_The_Finish_Line_by_valorfive.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Io1EHwrb3C7Wq4Ywdh5vGCV23i9v9dgVdV84FufKPXHVCzQRxvIxAiASfcbS1ErKw5prkn0Fw9zG6Q4VkZ6suTrr13MUzQFEYiuhxfY23ofGsW-tESo2IILKh8IFWto39NsHFiq8WfY/s400/Reaching_The_Finish_Line_by_valorfive.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550681387233098946" border="0" /></a><br /><b>December 8 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-8-beautifully-different/">Beautifully Different</a></b><br /><br /> What makes me different... What do I do that makes others light up... Why is this such a hard question? I am different because I want to see you smile. I want to do something that makes you feel that surge of warm happiness inside, because I know how rare that feeling is. I will tell you the truth. Whether is showing you how beautiful you are in a photo I take, to sitting there online as you open up and vent... I will do it. Oh, I probably say the wrong thing at too many times. But trust me, when I do I feel even crappier than you do. Does this make me different, and beautiful? I don't know. But its what I have.<br /><br /><b>December 9 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-9-party/">Party</a></b><br /> I have no true social life. So, selecting which party "rocked my socks off" was a very slim selection. Of course any social gathering I have with my friends is always amazing. I miss them all, alot. But I guess the only actual party I went to this year, that comes to mind at least, was the NaNoWriMo KickOff Party.<br /> Come on, a room full of other Portland peers, all there for one reason: Their love of writing. How much better can that get? Yes, we supplied ourselves quite nicely with candy and soda. Then we sat and talked about our novel ideas, our triumphs, and our expected fails. It was more than awesome. It was the gathering I have been craving. The permission to be the geek that I am.<br /><br /><b>December 10 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-10-wisdom/">Wisdom</a></b><br /> The wisest decision I made this year. It would most likely have to be the decision to ignore all my fears and rational thoughts, and accept the WriMo challenge. I know I talk a ton about it. And for good reason. I should have chickened out of it. Come on... write a novel in 30 days? While having two kiddos, keeping house, plus who knows what else? Anyway, I never had finished any novel. I knew I wouldn't finish this. How could I?<br /> I ignored my thoughts though, and let the challenge happen. What happened? You should know. I finished my first rough draft ever. And I feel amazing, even to this day. I am one huge step closer to accomplishing a dream I have had for my entire life, and that there makes it a VERY wise decision.<br /><br /><b>December 11 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-11-11-things/">11 Things</a></b><br /> 11 things in my life that I don't need in 2011. Oh my...<br /> 1. <i>My laziness</i>. How many bills have been late, how many dishes have stacked high, how many photos do I still have to edit... all because I sit and think "Oh, I am just... going to do that later." I need to kick myself in the butt much more... and get off my butt in a sense and do the things I want and have to do. Life is waiting people!<br /> 2. <i>My weakness</i>. I feel physically week. And its not cool. I used to be in track, and good at it. I liked my body (well, enough... who really loves their body?) I even had some muscle in my arms that was a feminine flex worthy. Now... I feel like flab. So, I need to get back on my exercising bus.<br /> 3. <i> Stacks of laundry</i>. You know the drill. Let the basket fill up until its spilling out. Wash everything. Let the pile of clean clothes sit for weeks, until most are either dirty again or so wrinkly that they need to be washed again anyway. And... repeat. I am an expert at this. Its an expertise I wish I did not have. So, laundry, watch it. I am coming for you.<br /> 4. <i>Spending</i>. I am not a horrible spender. But I do know I spend a few extra bucks here and there when I really do not need to. Yes, we need our goodies. But I need to make it a prize, not an impulse.<br /> 5. On that note... <i>Debt</i>. We are in it, who isn't? Well, I don't want to be anymore. Credit cards were a BAD idea, and that idea is now being smacked upside the head and sent bye-bye. come tax returns, chunks will be paid, cards will be snipped, and we will make our way out of the stress of the in debt life.<br /> 6. <i> No Me-Time</i>. I am a stay at home mommy of two amazing little boys, and my husband works long hours at work. I love my "job," but the issue with being a SAHM is... you never get time off. Day, night, its all the same. And I am going nuts. I feel lost... Writing is one of my ways out. But I need to actually GET out.<br /> 7. <i>Diet</i>. I do not diet. I am very much so on the see food diet, and I love it. My issue? I don't eat the healthiest. I skip meals... I eat lots of candy... Mt Dew... I love you Mt Dew. This is most likely a leading reason why I always feel so weak, and lazy... So, "healthier" foods, whatever you end up being, time to be munched.<br /> 8. <i> Exhaustion</i>. I need to get to bed earlier. Enough said.<br /> 9. <i>Finger biting</i>. This is my bad habit. I don't bite my nails... but more so the skin around them. It hurts, all the time. And doesn't look pretty either. It has been a bad habit of mine since late elementary school, and I hate it. But I never seem able to stop. I need to. I have no idea how I will go about doing that, but now that I have stated it, I am bound.<br /> 10. <i>Loneliness</i>. Granted, some loneliness you cannot avoid. It is part of life. But I could try to get out more. Get to church more. Arrange play dates more. Go on hubby dates. Lots of things. I need to chase away the loneliness.<br /> 11. <i> My excuses to not write</i>. Pretty much fixing everything I just listed will help with this. I have been working hard on writing more, and it feels amazing. This next year... I need to keep that up. I am me when I write, and what is better than that?<br /><br /><b>December 12 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-12-body-integration/">Body Integration</a></b><br /> Well, naturally, I felt pretty integrated with my body this year when I gave birth to my little boy. That is probably one of the most in tune events you can experience. Since then though... I have been at sorts. Being chunky and preggo the first half of the year then spending the rest trying to get that to go away does a number on your integration.<br /><br /><b>December 13 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-13-action/">Action</a></b><br /> "Action When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?" My next step is so obvious I feel like a broken record for repeating it as often as I do. Ready? EDIT!<br /><br /><b>December 14 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-14-appreciate/">Appreciate</a></b><br /> I have truly come to appreciate this little family of mine. Though they drive me crazy, wear me out, and try me every second of the day... where was I going with that? No, really... I sit and watch my kiddos play and grow. I kiss my hubby, listen to him talk and laugh. And I realize how truly lucky I am to have this amazing family I have helped to create. Baby number two wasn't planned, not on our end. But with out him, our family was never complete. I love all my boys, so much, and am so thankful every day that I got to draw this straw.Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-84736107058656527972010-12-09T11:04:00.000-08:002010-12-09T11:06:32.564-08:00Reverb 10 - Week 1<p style="text-align: center; clear: both;" class="separator"><a style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbXZCAgIGOv2MXUtlgxO0otGCpkq4O0YbMV3jZIxxhfYDSMISQ5NYCve8T1DLOjTGI_3D7H73r59e4qDV9EvVZ2nzWMeMBgwfljG5BO2Ax_SxzLVcA8Fm6TBKvNzTkAHWrdv8fBEdd3g/s1600/The_Thinking_Tree_by_gilad.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbXZCAgIGOv2MXUtlgxO0otGCpkq4O0YbMV3jZIxxhfYDSMISQ5NYCve8T1DLOjTGI_3D7H73r59e4qDV9EvVZ2nzWMeMBgwfljG5BO2Ax_SxzLVcA8Fm6TBKvNzTkAHWrdv8fBEdd3g/s400/The_Thinking_Tree_by_gilad.jpg" style="" border="0" height="276" width="400" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> (I posted this on my <a href="http://jennimerritt.blogspot.com">writing blog</a>, and thought it would be nice to post here too!)</span></span><br /></p><p>A writing friend of mine, <a href="http://wordcolors.blogspot.com/">Kim</a>, posted this on her blog. I totally love the idea behind it, so I am stealing it from her and doing it too. It will be a great way to get my brain moving again, in prep for the mad editing I have laying in wait ahead of me.<br /></p><p>According to their <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/">website</a>: "Reverb 10 is an <strong style="font-weight: normal;">annual event and online initiative</strong> to reflect on your year and manifest what's next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10, we'll do both."</p><p>Simply, they give you a prompt a day, and you answer it. In interest of the fact that I am still not a decent blogger, I am going to just do a weekly post of that week's prompts, instead of daily. So, let's dive in shall we!</p><p><br /></p><p> <b>December 1 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-1/">One Word</a></b></p><p> My one word for 2010 would have to be "showcase." This wasn't the easiest year for me. Aside from some personal issues that need not be delved into, we had huge bill problems, birthed a baby, depression came back full swing, both kids got dislocated arms, oh the list can go on. Its no where near as bad as other people's lists, but still, it is my list. The year wasn't all bad though. We got our newest family member, who is one of the cutest babies ever. I finished my first draft of my first novel. Good things have happened. And I hope more do next year. Hence my word for the coming year to be "Hopeful."</p><p><b>December 2 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-2-writing/">Writing</a></b></p><p> "Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?" (Author: Leo Babauta)</p><p> Things that don't contribute to my writing... let's see... First thing that comes to my mind are my kiddos. I can't eliminate them, but I'm sure I can find a better balance that what I have right now. Other than that: Facebook, StumbleUpon, the internet in general. Reading books. Wanting to sleep or just zone out mindlessly into television. Yeah... I have a lot prioritizing to work on come 2011!</p><p><b>December 3 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-3-moment/">Moment</a></b></p><p> Its hard to pick a moment in which I felt most alive. Do I pick the birth of my second son? Writing the last sentence in my first novel? They are so close to being a tie...So here, I will pick the one that takes up a little less time :)</p><p> I sat at my computer, typing like mad, knowing how close I was to finally finishing. Some how I had succeeded in getting both kiddos to take naps, and the apartment was silent aside from my music lightly playing and the mad tap-tap of the keyboard. </p><p> I didn't know exactly when it would end. I had not fully planned it. Until that final sentence was written and I stopped and stared. That was it. I couldn't go on. This was the end. My heart fluttered and jumped, a strange mix of pure joy and odd anxiety. Had I said enough? Not enough? Did I really just finish the first draft? I did it!</p><p> I sat back and couldn't stop staring, a smile spreading on my face. I could have ran for miles that day. I felt like shouting in joy, bursting into tears, laughing like a maniac. I was alive.</p><p><b>December 4 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-4-wonder/">Wonder</a></b></p><p> Cultivating a sense of wonder... I do not need to cultivate. I have two imaginative little boys that keep me laughing at the wonders of life every second of the day. So I guess you could say I cultivated it when I conceived each of them... which wasn't this year... so it doesn't count. Along with that, I did remake my dining room into my <a href="http://jennimerritt.blogspot.com/2010/10/we-all-need-out-writing-spots.html">writing den</a>. I really do think it helped, a lot, with my writing adventures. It is wonder...full...<br /></p><p><b>December 5 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-5-let-go/">Let Go</a></b></p><p> This is hard. This is something I am still working on, and have not yet fully succeeded. But what I let go of was: The battle for love. I always feel like I need to try hard, to always get everyone to love me and want me around. But the thing is, how often does that backfire? How often am I just wearing myself out on a useless case? This is something I have done my entire life, and just this year I realized that I needed to change it. If they are going to love me, they will love me. I shouldn't need to try so hard, every second of the day. I am me. Love me or leave me.</p><p><b>December 6 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-6-make/">Make</a></b></p><p> This year I made a lot of things. A baby for one. :) And I have gotten back into baking and cooking. Discovering a tuna casserole my husband will actually eat. Banana chocolate chip cookies. My first ever apple pie. Oh yes, and I "made" a novel. The first draft anyhow. Materials: my brain and insanity. What do I want to make next year? Hm... the final draft? Maybe? Oh, and my first successful loaf of bread. Yeast, I will not kill you this time, I swear!</p><p><b>December 7 - <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/december-7-community/">Community</a></b></p><p> This has been something hard for me, living down here. Up on the island I lived on my entire life, the sense of community was so strong you could eat it. Here... not so much. I have felt almost lost. Then came November and I met my online, occasionally in person, community of writers. They made me like this area, finally. WriMos, I love you. This next year I hope to stay in contact with them more, attend the random writing groups that are hopefully forming... in essence: Be a writer.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>(even though today is the 9th, I want to only do one week's prompts at a time. So... on the 14th there shall be more!)</i></span><br /></p>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-88272269999434946992010-11-24T13:43:00.000-08:002010-11-24T14:20:50.874-08:00Its been a long time<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hello friends! </span><br />Believe it or not, I DO exist! I can't believe the last time I updated this was when I was 30 weeks along with Conner. I kept thinking to myself that I need to get on here and tell everyone the happenings in our lives, but each time I would, something would distract me and I would forget. <span style="font-style: italic;"> oo, shiney...</span><br /><br />I apologize to those of you who do not facebook and have been missing out on the photos and updates of the last few months. But, in the interest of time, I will just begin from NOW...and someday catch up on everything else in more detail some other time!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksbi8SH9e_3Ie5xgGauqNQ0cKbhV0ORG5cth-0ZTlU8HtbTQ2lzHYatH601agCkfsqsLef73Ocm4MHSdmBVei6I8FC9uQo8D6DUdz125-je7mWqDy8naepzq0t08EIHxcWc-znOfkWrc/s1600/100_0295.JPG"><br /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >First! </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>Conner Zachary Merritt was born May 28th! We decided on his full name a few hours after he was born (took a bit of a debate...) He is such an amazing little man! My labor was VERY fast and easy (I do need to post a post about that...) and there were no complications at all, thank goodness.<br /><br />Conner will be turning 6 months old in just a few days. <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh my! </span> I can't believe how much time has flown. He is such a happy little man, always wanting to cuddle and be loved. I find it amazing how different your children truly can be. Rylend was always out for a laugh, crawling by 5 months, two teeth in and weaned by four. Conner...he is still all gums, all smiles, and just mastered the rolling stage of life. And my oh my is he a love, always wanting to cuddle and make sure everyone nearby is loving him too. He has been such an amazing addition to our family, and I am SO thankful for him! He is my little Conman, and he knows it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksbi8SH9e_3Ie5xgGauqNQ0cKbhV0ORG5cth-0ZTlU8HtbTQ2lzHYatH601agCkfsqsLef73Ocm4MHSdmBVei6I8FC9uQo8D6DUdz125-je7mWqDy8naepzq0t08EIHxcWc-znOfkWrc/s1600/100_0295.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksbi8SH9e_3Ie5xgGauqNQ0cKbhV0ORG5cth-0ZTlU8HtbTQ2lzHYatH601agCkfsqsLef73Ocm4MHSdmBVei6I8FC9uQo8D6DUdz125-je7mWqDy8naepzq0t08EIHxcWc-znOfkWrc/s320/100_0295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543243731552669026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rylend. </span> This boy is growing fast! He is now obsessed with Santa Claus (I am very glad to see the Halloween and "ooOOooo" obsession go away for the time being!) and is always talking up a storm. I have recently discovered the singer Mika, and whenever I play his CD, Rylend busts out in awesome dancing. I wish I knew where he got all of this non stop energy...and that he would share some with mommy! He is also now obsessed with baking, and loves to count whenever he gets the chance. Smarty.<br /><br />We have just decided that this bag of diapers will be the last. Hopefully. We attempted potty training a few months ago and it was an epic fail. But now Rylend is barely fitting into the size 6 diapers, and is more than ready in every other aspect. So...wish us luck! I can't believe he is over 2 1/2 now...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7McnQplX_q01pvAlmf_BHadLyJtVD4qqH7mdHpM2tCi_HAL0MAl8qlO7XZaeqVQqgf-S1TQHUC6szGlvQXXgaFC3z5HTlJpyCB3x_TQJcSM85SOXoCFTc0cj5i_Q4saWHDW3P2yLQjOQ/s1600/100_0962.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7McnQplX_q01pvAlmf_BHadLyJtVD4qqH7mdHpM2tCi_HAL0MAl8qlO7XZaeqVQqgf-S1TQHUC6szGlvQXXgaFC3z5HTlJpyCB3x_TQJcSM85SOXoCFTc0cj5i_Q4saWHDW3P2yLQjOQ/s320/100_0962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543243734784479570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shane. </span> Shane got a promotion at work and is<span style="font-style: italic;"> very</span> happy with it. He loves the responsibility and choices he has now been given. I love seeing how happy he is, most days, when he comes home from work. Only problem with his new position is he has to deal with the more stupid side of people more often...but Shane is amazing and handles it with ease.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVFdK0pvdi74JtsUhbAtxKsJz4iO10LGGcYI4pD9MGa2CRKGW_SxHJyeFjR0ekIPHFu-Fid8aCo3w_SxAuYWDcGxmVAoAJi0L_qqBzuXQFq-BqR4quTtCslpDVZ5FRUUQhhyphenhypheneQ-M8GAw/s1600/100_0665-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVFdK0pvdi74JtsUhbAtxKsJz4iO10LGGcYI4pD9MGa2CRKGW_SxHJyeFjR0ekIPHFu-Fid8aCo3w_SxAuYWDcGxmVAoAJi0L_qqBzuXQFq-BqR4quTtCslpDVZ5FRUUQhhyphenhypheneQ-M8GAw/s320/100_0665-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543243720168038882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me.</span> I have healed up great from having Conner. Am back into my pre-pregnancy clothing. Am exhausted every day after chasing after, feeding, and loving my little boys. I finally donated my hair like I have been wanting to for years (cut off about 14 inches!) And on top of that:<br /><br />I did NaNoWriMo this year. (National Novel Writing Month...write 50,000 words in 30 days!) I was so afraid I would fail...but an amazing friend of mine joined with me and by day 14...I had won! I am still a tiny bit off from finishing the first draft of my novel, but man does winning feel amazing! All I win is a printable certificate and bragging rights, but really, that's all I need. Who knows how far this novel will go...but at least now I know I can do it! (If you want to follow my writing, follow my blog at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/jennimerritt.blogspot.com">jennimerritt.blogspot.com</a> )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Phew! </span>Talk about summarizing 6 months in a few very short paragraphs! I can't promise how often I will update this now, but I am aiming for AT LEAST once a month. I hope you all are doing awesome! Please comment me and let me know anything and everything... I miss everyone! Being a stay at home mom away from most people I know can suck. But aside from my non stop mommy duties, I am trying to find ways to stay distracted and busy... :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULLsO7HBnEmRE4lMaQ-_SxMZAtzkwBEkpYnQNyPttXmJHT8B-mm1Bl0OKI5x7Hce9Yq3gTizd-0Rqfk_bgXK7bX4Nhxi3Gc9YwyiJFc0G5njWBLVDFhzD-3eKth1qNePTi6xcBtBTX1o/s1600/100_0601-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULLsO7HBnEmRE4lMaQ-_SxMZAtzkwBEkpYnQNyPttXmJHT8B-mm1Bl0OKI5x7Hce9Yq3gTizd-0Rqfk_bgXK7bX4Nhxi3Gc9YwyiJFc0G5njWBLVDFhzD-3eKth1qNePTi6xcBtBTX1o/s320/100_0601-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543243740575207778" border="0" /></a>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-24890313292516174532010-03-29T18:27:00.001-07:002010-03-29T18:39:19.224-07:0030 weeks along!I had my doc checkup today.<br /><br />Everything is going great. Baby's heartbeat was at 140, and I am still measuring just right. Can you believe I am 30 weeks now?? Well, to be super technical, I am about 30.5 weeks...haha! Shane and I keep finding we have moments where we "realize" how close we are. We just look at each other and say "Wow..." We are so excited, but very nervous too. Two kiddos is a big step from one. Breathe...<br /><br />Aside from the indigestion, back pain, pelvic pain, exhaustion, and other such things...I am doing great. Definitely feeling huge! The baby looooves to move, so much that it actually hurts pretty often, which isn't fun. But it is still awesome to see my stomach doing the baby dance. And Rylend loves to kiss it and blow raspberries...VERY cute<br /><br />Oh, and for those of you who wonder: No, we have not settled on a name yet. Middle name is for sure Zachary. But as for the first name...well we don't need it set until we are leaving that hospital. We have a few we do like (the two in the lead are Conner and Jackson) but nothing is definite yet. So...you all just have to be patient until little baby boy #2 is born!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBnTZlW-x_hqy3iPyXkzaoTabnYTCOQGB48bvHBBN8_dnGaUl1yFgdfUm1D9T8-z-7Rrbnl-zpgiUaeL1wkOcf_f6IekLiwIg4aIizdPkLumgucm16DSPqrhr7owb8ku_lSiy4OxvTxM/s1600/3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 468px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBnTZlW-x_hqy3iPyXkzaoTabnYTCOQGB48bvHBBN8_dnGaUl1yFgdfUm1D9T8-z-7Rrbnl-zpgiUaeL1wkOcf_f6IekLiwIg4aIizdPkLumgucm16DSPqrhr7owb8ku_lSiy4OxvTxM/s320/3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454234970457404498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I thought to add these photos just for fun. Rylend LOVES stickers. And decided that today, mommy's belly needed to be decorated. It was too fun. I love my little man :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD6kWWVwNx8YnW2wXofpLqvXBZ3gZ4WwMLSMomiNTZIVY1xlxnw6r3YpyOg1tLCNkYzKvdCmgZ4z_mUqIkQAVmGiaSDWhi7Wit9o3o4zWEiEHoZQEVRoMHq1GqGRr2aNoZ-kNTv3yYLc/s1600/100_5374-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD6kWWVwNx8YnW2wXofpLqvXBZ3gZ4WwMLSMomiNTZIVY1xlxnw6r3YpyOg1tLCNkYzKvdCmgZ4z_mUqIkQAVmGiaSDWhi7Wit9o3o4zWEiEHoZQEVRoMHq1GqGRr2aNoZ-kNTv3yYLc/s320/100_5374-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454234982584241618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNiV2BaGAot8VbSXQM6DkCpQuQuTULGGnfQbIw9OUCdPVX2oNofd-fAsff2BqZvotgS4fryIvI_8huhSrgAxJk5GOTVZiJB1rCHdNQtLZy3D-ggbu57J5ifrZrN8ENLsidM6rIwDzGIg/s1600/2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNiV2BaGAot8VbSXQM6DkCpQuQuTULGGnfQbIw9OUCdPVX2oNofd-fAsff2BqZvotgS4fryIvI_8huhSrgAxJk5GOTVZiJB1rCHdNQtLZy3D-ggbu57J5ifrZrN8ENLsidM6rIwDzGIg/s320/2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454234959446509378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM0CjSq28lqdFmgV2mJE8FUvL4hNIhBSUkqMcLPgIrEJrjuR1ZIvxnwoy3BNlfssxw_8MmDgth39A0oqE0t6eNE1ohDwvQWmBVhS4F8qqJRavuI6KMgV595CzSEeeblRZo-_hWaECKcc/s1600/1-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM0CjSq28lqdFmgV2mJE8FUvL4hNIhBSUkqMcLPgIrEJrjuR1ZIvxnwoy3BNlfssxw_8MmDgth39A0oqE0t6eNE1ohDwvQWmBVhS4F8qqJRavuI6KMgV595CzSEeeblRZo-_hWaECKcc/s320/1-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454234950790422130" border="0" /></a>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-48708763511012518382010-03-17T17:24:00.001-07:002010-03-17T17:29:27.142-07:00Jenni's new writing blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj862iK5Ryf6wLTDaaD5GnXzZJcPIr5QtSBINzGM5i5xNpiAOhG-pNvw18Ym7O8nzb9RrFyyjdJ_NI-k6NH1MfaYToCe_NiQAHyyOYqyhWMS-0mt0qc1CuAtsCyzh_HsSp96H0kMSFNd0w/s1600-h/100_4514-3.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj862iK5Ryf6wLTDaaD5GnXzZJcPIr5QtSBINzGM5i5xNpiAOhG-pNvw18Ym7O8nzb9RrFyyjdJ_NI-k6NH1MfaYToCe_NiQAHyyOYqyhWMS-0mt0qc1CuAtsCyzh_HsSp96H0kMSFNd0w/s320/100_4514-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449764334743580386" border="0" /></a><br />As most of you know, I love to write. But I also suck at actually getting about to DOING it. This last weekend Shane took me to the bookstore and had me pick out some writing books, since we can't afford for me to take the classes I would love to take. Then I got an idea. I started a writing blog. One of the books I got is a writing prompts book, and I have set myself a goal: Write a prompt a day. Hopefully it will get me back into the swing of writing and I just may finish one of my books...someday. I post my prompts on the blog, along with other facts and tips I find about writing. I am really liking this and am excited about it. Sadly, I haven't got much feedback, or any I guess, but then again, I did just start it. If you ever feel like taking a look through the new blog, please do! Then...comment to me so I know you did! Its something I am really working on. Something for myself amidst all the mommy duties of my life. And I do need support. I just thought to let you all know! Here is the link<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theliteralme.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">theliteralme.blogspot.com</span></a><br /><br />"Writing is a journey, not an event"<br /></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-41483381689284413602010-03-17T16:59:00.000-07:002010-03-17T17:24:07.879-07:00All about Rylend, the update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUyZ9jc2t3W1xsbuxvNq7ZFHH55_nqce_yq2egASaqRWcMhw5kZdFXujohUXyklKr5zyvHpJcaU3iiukAol3x9k6NcKjc6ewymS92EZQofCHAI1v0ulRL2q8EnXU-mmiJRjd7Vn9pP8w/s1600-h/100_4195-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUyZ9jc2t3W1xsbuxvNq7ZFHH55_nqce_yq2egASaqRWcMhw5kZdFXujohUXyklKr5zyvHpJcaU3iiukAol3x9k6NcKjc6ewymS92EZQofCHAI1v0ulRL2q8EnXU-mmiJRjd7Vn9pP8w/s400/100_4195-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449761172163142770" border="0" /></a><br />I haven't been very good at updating this blog lately...sorry about that! I'm not sure how many of you are reading it, but I like to think I am keeping someone out there updated. This entry will be about *drumroll* Rylend!<br /><br />Can you believe he will be two in just about 2 weeks? Its just crazy. I can't believe how big he is getting! And smart too. VERY smart. People we meet all think he is at least three. Even my doc, who just met him for the first time today, was surprised to hear he wasn't even two yet. My little man is now fitting into most 4t shirts, and 3t pants. Almost size 9 shoes...crazy crazy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpDPu5amRvq9xQee2dB7NLFGWx3UwFkLxkHa_2D6SM-Na10s0jfhtk603wMF-eAdyMpBvSPlgRzSwOu07QiqiPG8-L3bhwXdsVDaBE8dA4BsvXoZXD-OgVhymBGld986FLluhDyjXfYc/s1600-h/100_4283.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpDPu5amRvq9xQee2dB7NLFGWx3UwFkLxkHa_2D6SM-Na10s0jfhtk603wMF-eAdyMpBvSPlgRzSwOu07QiqiPG8-L3bhwXdsVDaBE8dA4BsvXoZXD-OgVhymBGld986FLluhDyjXfYc/s400/100_4283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449761186063681218" border="0" /></a><br />He is really talking more too. The other day he was hiding in the cupboard under the tv (he thinks its a fort) and I was asking him questions. He kept answering "No" and "Um...no" so I asked "Why do you keep saying no?" His response? "I not sayin no!" Oh my... sadly though, he is also very much so, full blown, in his terrible twos. I have been at wits end too many times to count now. Temper tantrums, demanding, refusing to nap, screeching... I can't wait for this phase to GO AWAY, ha.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ay0xU1EIrD5WUvXx6HtSX_2s-qC66pt69XtYXDwSjnCacYJ7SxrpsFWvdadfDzrkUUL_RuMJP6OSriY83FIuIsUMm0kxHbPjHiSKEDv_nNwjrOvNcxAvVAfEvwZAXdaP0pN6G-bleYA/s1600-h/100_4437.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ay0xU1EIrD5WUvXx6HtSX_2s-qC66pt69XtYXDwSjnCacYJ7SxrpsFWvdadfDzrkUUL_RuMJP6OSriY83FIuIsUMm0kxHbPjHiSKEDv_nNwjrOvNcxAvVAfEvwZAXdaP0pN6G-bleYA/s400/100_4437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449761211035096306" border="0" /></a><br />Then he does something cute, and I remember why I love him. His new ritual? Every morning he wakes up, then comes into our room. Climbs into our bed and snuggles down between us, says "nigh night" then dozes back off for a bit with us. I love it. I wake up finally to him saying "oh mama" all loving, hugging me, then jumping on the bed. Its a nice start. With Shane's new work schedule, he is home in the mornings. So now the boys have breakfast together as mommy rests a little more. They have found the joy in building forts with blankets and giggle inside together, its quite cute. Then I come out of the room "mama!" and a happy boy running to hug me...most days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzY5P8hL2kIKcx6w5kXAviu_4L0-Hy84vheOr_9uydjaMLBqiPPOL3OD6lR9kxo1XxwZhsgg0QNndz7OrKIhuHAvPMRg7imEG-kmvPzYz1M52C_KjpUCwNcBh9e4sQL03uwGHo_IR2oLs/s1600-h/100_4619-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzY5P8hL2kIKcx6w5kXAviu_4L0-Hy84vheOr_9uydjaMLBqiPPOL3OD6lR9kxo1XxwZhsgg0QNndz7OrKIhuHAvPMRg7imEG-kmvPzYz1M52C_KjpUCwNcBh9e4sQL03uwGHo_IR2oLs/s400/100_4619-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449762520871510690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipEGnBzDW__J7vZOhZa5EWUzOU34xwEYysiIY1tRUubjEFKfxt1ywZn3HAS4DlGvgjUFgE18_qWTzO7cvyxZ5TrbhyxfthbHB5DnbN2BqcEXiTc7ltv1IgBBCVFJkXHClNcJZTzf3MhE/s1600-h/100_4562-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipEGnBzDW__J7vZOhZa5EWUzOU34xwEYysiIY1tRUubjEFKfxt1ywZn3HAS4DlGvgjUFgE18_qWTzO7cvyxZ5TrbhyxfthbHB5DnbN2BqcEXiTc7ltv1IgBBCVFJkXHClNcJZTzf3MhE/s400/100_4562-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449761193359888626" border="0" /></a><br />Rylend obsessions? Lately it has been "Ty-ee" (Thomas the steam engine), "Caws" (Pixar's Cars), "Buzzy" (Toy Story), and of course "Ah-mee" (Walle). He has some shoes with Thomas on them, and runs around carrying them yelling "Ty-ee Ty-eeeee!" Also, he has started to grab my hand, then hold it tight as he pulls me to his room. Then he makes me sit down and we HAVE to play with all his toys. Today he pulled me in, sat me on his bed, then said "shh" and walked out of the room shutting the door. Whenever I tried to leave, he pushed me back in and shut the door again, saying "shh" I guess it was my nap time...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpDPu5amRvq9xQee2dB7NLFGWx3UwFkLxkHa_2D6SM-Na10s0jfhtk603wMF-eAdyMpBvSPlgRzSwOu07QiqiPG8-L3bhwXdsVDaBE8dA4BsvXoZXD-OgVhymBGld986FLluhDyjXfYc/s1600-h/100_4283.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X8CQ9Ot6Hs3BVBzwHuL2o0Njvx7twokMsfsxv2UxahrLjRIW6owMlaMHtMoQqQi9-GJoHPWU7dGsAdFYXLnu6ayBIBAYTO7JgHUFf10GXqAyNyNDb5FDCCN6Xclj-CsXaG99yxf8qZE/s1600-h/100_4405.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X8CQ9Ot6Hs3BVBzwHuL2o0Njvx7twokMsfsxv2UxahrLjRIW6owMlaMHtMoQqQi9-GJoHPWU7dGsAdFYXLnu6ayBIBAYTO7JgHUFf10GXqAyNyNDb5FDCCN6Xclj-CsXaG99yxf8qZE/s400/100_4405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449761849448210514" border="0" /></a><br />He is quite an amazing little boy. He knows where the baby is (pats and blows raspberries on my belly), yells "I did it!" everytime he does anything, and is already ready to great anyone with a hi and share big hugs. My little man...getting big! And before we know it, he will have a little brother to teach all of his "darling" tricks to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_vzSTx5K47iWuwYO7L1jQDAwylWBKw98DPOgBx6HVxpL1Ynxgojsr6oLW_qK0NjilT_FNjVOOLZ1c4jLBMNEzNXG4EVWRquIOCvivXHwNvKQ4HFJ9dqqTICvZiddtcNd-H4rpxcXQc4/s1600-h/Project1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 558px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_vzSTx5K47iWuwYO7L1jQDAwylWBKw98DPOgBx6HVxpL1Ynxgojsr6oLW_qK0NjilT_FNjVOOLZ1c4jLBMNEzNXG4EVWRquIOCvivXHwNvKQ4HFJ9dqqTICvZiddtcNd-H4rpxcXQc4/s400/Project1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449761839753647442" border="0" /></a>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-15561549507117852522010-03-17T16:32:00.000-07:002010-03-17T16:53:59.031-07:0028 weeks!Can you believe it? I'm in the third trimester! This is so crazy...in just a couple more months I will be a mommy of two. Its amazing how fast life moves. Though, at the same time...days are just dragging by now. Will June get here?<br /><br />Ok, pregnancy update. Everything is going fine. I went in and saw my doc for my checkup today. He measured my belly and told me that its measuring perfectly. Which is good, because I don't feel perfect; I feel HUGE. Shane and Rylend came too, and my doc let Rylend push the button on the little heartbeat-listening device. Rylend thought it was amazing to push the bitton. I love hearing that heartbeat. Today also was the "beloved" glucose test. Luckily this time I got orange flavor instead of fruit punch (I hate normal fruit punch...glucose enhanced fruit punch was AWFUL!) I wont know the results from that test for a bit, but I'm sure it was fine. I can tell you one thing though...not wanting that orange soda now that's sitting in my fridge! (mmm but pineapple sounds good. ultimate craving this time around = fresh pineapple. Can't have enough!)<br /><br />I have been having REALLY bad back pain with this pregnancy. Probably doesnt help that I have to pick up my son constantly, who I just found out is now in the 90th percentile for weight (about 32 lbs) and the 80th for height (35 inches). The baby is sitting lower than Rylend did too. My doc gave me a vicoden prescription. The one time I tried it...it did nothing. Just my luck huh? And there are days where whenever I move around, I have to hold my belly because my lower ab/pelvic area HURTS. Yeah...maybe I'm not fully enjoying this pregnancy this time around...but I am still very excited to have the little boy soon! (About names...we think we know the name, but have decided to not fully announce it to the world just yet. Just in case!) Oh, and I waddle. That should make some of you chuckle.<br /><br />Everything is going good though. I am now at the point where I will see my doc every two weeks (oooo) I DO have a baby registry at Amazon. I have set everything to the priority we need it...just click "sort by priority." There are still things we need...but we are almost there!<br /><br />Ok, heres the pics!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNQkFrrGaeJKXg7PUZB3QCKOzriWW7rtIY0Sq7M4Nd9JzGGAsvVMvgrYIOJeA6I2AN4iuNm1u70ipQRFa-8lQywjPJI7zL15mG66o2x6LX9sZHrujgJEEtHDDLUwZ-Xiw11bDSizPsaY/s1600-h/100_4805-7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNQkFrrGaeJKXg7PUZB3QCKOzriWW7rtIY0Sq7M4Nd9JzGGAsvVMvgrYIOJeA6I2AN4iuNm1u70ipQRFa-8lQywjPJI7zL15mG66o2x6LX9sZHrujgJEEtHDDLUwZ-Xiw11bDSizPsaY/s400/100_4805-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449754489640888978" border="0" /></a>I am planning on trying to take some nice pics of my belly. This was a test one, just to see if the lighting in my living room will work. Still...I like it<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn4LnQVnKaHpUvG8uCQBZsM05LuGK5nb14xyMF8epONAXzFep8CbiQ_zGpCimFZmzkjJbcZxyWGqRlAfKjtLPmxnoQXXXx1plGUcfdiPDQYtkBt_KjKG9bqN1bu2HjglbvWucMOdP1YU/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn4LnQVnKaHpUvG8uCQBZsM05LuGK5nb14xyMF8epONAXzFep8CbiQ_zGpCimFZmzkjJbcZxyWGqRlAfKjtLPmxnoQXXXx1plGUcfdiPDQYtkBt_KjKG9bqN1bu2HjglbvWucMOdP1YU/s400/2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449754501064062466" border="0" /></a>28.5 weeks! (March 17, 2010)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZZeNlx87WMdf470wE4EkWBQElwu1SuGQupIa43XQfhVT5eIviAR5J1BPH4LzBFIWSY85q7brXybQ9ePYyfWX_65I7kLiqs5VeyNSH-4rhC4QAH0OYHqi9NKA-Rg9s1yjiGLzcpKx_fw/s1600-h/3-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZZeNlx87WMdf470wE4EkWBQElwu1SuGQupIa43XQfhVT5eIviAR5J1BPH4LzBFIWSY85q7brXybQ9ePYyfWX_65I7kLiqs5VeyNSH-4rhC4QAH0OYHqi9NKA-Rg9s1yjiGLzcpKx_fw/s400/3-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449754511316268082" border="0" /></a>Just had to include this one. My two little boys haha :)<br /></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-45647037579216497072010-02-12T13:38:00.000-08:002010-02-12T13:54:18.860-08:0024 weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kl430vBfCjGRrQgs8PQzZ3xWeCDsmg5zcLgxJ3XtUm7NtWdKk5YqxtltUWmvhnB_xyU8Odu60jy_gPT76JvnkhshvVCH7nD5C4f_5T9rB6searySYxwl8p2oYZGTJal9H-74X9Pn0IE/s1600-h/1.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ7Q8EBZlzwbclVcjqRF4CNGtCjDM82WBfTRxg2NuX71GJ4iKMGwpmIy4ahrdnKrkjvg6-hHhnWwKCnCmJoZ571AeR1KAw2KzxJRhgbBKCWsSOY714hAbUVbeOTdS7K3ut-6HkSD-OEk/s1600-h/6.JPG"><br /></a><br />Today marks 24 weeks pregnant! I cant believe I am now 6 months along...its crazy! I dont really have much new to report since my last post. I see my doc again in a few weeks. Until then, just feeling this little guy squirm and move around. And watching my belly slowly grow bigger and bigger. I am to that lovely point where I go to bed and can't fall asleep until about midnight or one. Then I wake up every time I want to change position. Then I have to go to the bathroom. Then...sigh I feel like I never sleep. And I never know during the day if Rylend will nap that day or not. I am pretty worn out.<br />Oh! But at least some good news, for once. Shane got his promotion at work. Its a small raise once he is trained...and new hours. He will be home during the early part of the day and working at night now. We are excited for the change and hopeful money increase...but I will miss him. We went in the other day to apply for food stamps. Yes, we are at that point. Can you believe this? We BARELY qualified. Like...we are right at the cut off line. So the help we are getting is barely anything...I hate this cut off line. They seem to only help the people who dont work at all, and rarely help the ones who are TRYING to work, just not earning enough. But a little is still something...I guess.<br />Ever since we set up Rylend's big kid bed, we have made it a night time routine to say family prayer before he goes to sleep. And he loves it. He jumps into his bed and Shane and I kneel on the floor by it. We take turns saying it every other night, and Rylend folds his arms, bows his head, and is very quiet until we say amen. I love it. The other day I was at the computer and he was playing with some toys in the living room. Suddenly he ran over to me and made me fold my arms. Then he folded his, bowed his head, and glanced at me. I got the hint and said a quick, small prayer. After I finished he looked at me, smiled, said "Amen!" then ran off to play again. Its moments like those that your heart melts. I will be sad when our routine changes and Shane isn't home anymore for night time prayer. But we have decided we will start morning prayer once the change happens. I love it. I love my little family.<br /><br />Ok, here are my 24 week preggo pics for all those of you who wanna see the bulge!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ7Q8EBZlzwbclVcjqRF4CNGtCjDM82WBfTRxg2NuX71GJ4iKMGwpmIy4ahrdnKrkjvg6-hHhnWwKCnCmJoZ571AeR1KAw2KzxJRhgbBKCWsSOY714hAbUVbeOTdS7K3ut-6HkSD-OEk/s1600-h/6.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ7Q8EBZlzwbclVcjqRF4CNGtCjDM82WBfTRxg2NuX71GJ4iKMGwpmIy4ahrdnKrkjvg6-hHhnWwKCnCmJoZ571AeR1KAw2KzxJRhgbBKCWsSOY714hAbUVbeOTdS7K3ut-6HkSD-OEk/s400/6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437478412563774578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kl430vBfCjGRrQgs8PQzZ3xWeCDsmg5zcLgxJ3XtUm7NtWdKk5YqxtltUWmvhnB_xyU8Odu60jy_gPT76JvnkhshvVCH7nD5C4f_5T9rB6searySYxwl8p2oYZGTJal9H-74X9Pn0IE/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kl430vBfCjGRrQgs8PQzZ3xWeCDsmg5zcLgxJ3XtUm7NtWdKk5YqxtltUWmvhnB_xyU8Odu60jy_gPT76JvnkhshvVCH7nD5C4f_5T9rB6searySYxwl8p2oYZGTJal9H-74X9Pn0IE/s400/1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437478426409862418" border="0" /></a>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-91147322533354137662010-02-01T13:33:00.001-08:002010-02-01T13:56:28.399-08:00Rylend and his big kid bed!A bit over a week ago we decided to take the plunge and move Rylend into his big kid bed. He was very confused when we were taking apart his beloved crib. It was a tough time for him. But he got to help Daddy put together his new bed, which he totally loved. That first night wasn't TOO bad. But the next day...no nap. No way. He sleeps at night just fine in it. Though there have been the few times we find him curled up on the ground instead of in bed. But when it comes to nap time...it is mostly gone now. The second day, when he didnt nap, he was SO tired by dinner time that he passed out in his chair. We moved him to his bed, changed his diaper, and let him fall back asleep. When I checked on him later, he had taken off his diaper and was sleeping on his belly, his bare little bum up in the air. It was too cute.<br />Anyway! Here are some photos I have snapped of his new bed and him. Hope you like! My little man...getting bigger!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD-8xtEoCZHvfXXs-o_R-SSW7Mo5y3UHKXrb8X42EssmSk0LuR3Vzt9O092uqdA0DNeHsllXfyln8GW9i6kC8gil8QzHSd2aumP0e4xEbqIwjLu-pdxJu2uJq96jmYzFHmNKbJSgXgFg/s1600-h/100_3657.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD-8xtEoCZHvfXXs-o_R-SSW7Mo5y3UHKXrb8X42EssmSk0LuR3Vzt9O092uqdA0DNeHsllXfyln8GW9i6kC8gil8QzHSd2aumP0e4xEbqIwjLu-pdxJu2uJq96jmYzFHmNKbJSgXgFg/s400/100_3657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433394623705352402" border="0" /></a>Helping Daddy put his bed together<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR8Oph0OdOY5pNwCkRsAB9aG9JuQysQNDXSGWKu5rCqZksrY94FCaDj9F87cWlIlNym-HbPdm0RzedOFUzlh0ABEILpPr-OV3Zya4uSReXXKx9PA8DxKKjs6Iiu8WqAjtLp497NSKI-M/s1600-h/100_3675.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR8Oph0OdOY5pNwCkRsAB9aG9JuQysQNDXSGWKu5rCqZksrY94FCaDj9F87cWlIlNym-HbPdm0RzedOFUzlh0ABEILpPr-OV3Zya4uSReXXKx9PA8DxKKjs6Iiu8WqAjtLp497NSKI-M/s400/100_3675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433394636761942098" border="0" /></a>TA-DA! No more crib!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrGen7xZ3Smgx1Mhj8bA2gK_JpUWeSG89G3G-kxkg-P6IydTJlILJB6KCWs1Uw0xCfj2jhIqsPs2UnkrftAgJ_C5vYxyWt_egap-XuwMGvgaAARLpbPpKy4jv9dbE3VmZBOvGlL3rZww/s1600-h/100_3663.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrGen7xZ3Smgx1Mhj8bA2gK_JpUWeSG89G3G-kxkg-P6IydTJlILJB6KCWs1Uw0xCfj2jhIqsPs2UnkrftAgJ_C5vYxyWt_egap-XuwMGvgaAARLpbPpKy4jv9dbE3VmZBOvGlL3rZww/s400/100_3663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433394645186462978" border="0" /></a>Hugging his kitties :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG2LzLznZQdtVfO4ACGX3zNIj51LDutT9In-yZgPAptzgwn7a0BVIjMM859W6zUXP-DQoIZQ1EQwdUimBtuxXzHfKwwOUZ3DE2kLQQ20Rgj9Ts7GpQZtklmw9C5WWSQOYJYEerTA5OYA/s1600-h/100_3670.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG2LzLznZQdtVfO4ACGX3zNIj51LDutT9In-yZgPAptzgwn7a0BVIjMM859W6zUXP-DQoIZQ1EQwdUimBtuxXzHfKwwOUZ3DE2kLQQ20Rgj9Ts7GpQZtklmw9C5WWSQOYJYEerTA5OYA/s400/100_3670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433394652090773650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bHDKpqksIuOHc5voNZXCXc9QxB8C-I0J7hSA3mXiJ_PlHYzCTBhWhANnMjofWRKlV0-OkkhCbjPKcdMFUB1aB-m2jUpOsEeB673_NxnXA5IWsd_QXI-b3a1d81ts6fLcU-OxUgVEOco/s1600-h/100_3671.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bHDKpqksIuOHc5voNZXCXc9QxB8C-I0J7hSA3mXiJ_PlHYzCTBhWhANnMjofWRKlV0-OkkhCbjPKcdMFUB1aB-m2jUpOsEeB673_NxnXA5IWsd_QXI-b3a1d81ts6fLcU-OxUgVEOco/s400/100_3671.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433394660377754754" border="0" /></a>I snuck in and took a pic of him sleeping...so cute<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPTbomkeGgkRS8gESiu7AizyW-2Wmj8pAIa9eJfZICIAfdyZ-1UEBlTOImKHJQ5XphVdpHueTVCfsIPUQziGl_DH7I3br0P_Y0FmN_h5YTL1O-dhlZL0ckaQnoiIkkVe_AVlu-D-azdw/s1600-h/100_3679.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPTbomkeGgkRS8gESiu7AizyW-2Wmj8pAIa9eJfZICIAfdyZ-1UEBlTOImKHJQ5XphVdpHueTVCfsIPUQziGl_DH7I3br0P_Y0FmN_h5YTL1O-dhlZL0ckaQnoiIkkVe_AVlu-D-azdw/s400/100_3679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433395880950793810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SRTC2-vx-RWLwIfjm8Uxzsw67eD6roYrLn6X57vMW_qme9C22XyX9TrxfMYvzYq7ooxyxO997HQoP8vQHc1kUY3WaxOoRe4P1Z11wqylYDxWSteZ1tSu85T3rxSq4r5DXp5TubFWl6E/s1600-h/100_3680.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SRTC2-vx-RWLwIfjm8Uxzsw67eD6roYrLn6X57vMW_qme9C22XyX9TrxfMYvzYq7ooxyxO997HQoP8vQHc1kUY3WaxOoRe4P1Z11wqylYDxWSteZ1tSu85T3rxSq4r5DXp5TubFWl6E/s400/100_3680.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433397061530425186" border="0" /></a>This is what happens when he doesn't take a nap...HA!<br /></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-69097802069528322912010-02-01T13:16:00.000-08:002010-02-01T13:32:47.242-08:00Ultrasound #3!A week ago I had my doc appointment and the long ultrasound where they measure everything to see if the baby is all good. As far as we know from what the woman doing the ultrasound said, everything looks great. She had to chase the little guy around though...he just doesn't like to sit still! And he kept covering his face, like he was saying "No...don't look at me!" I love being able to take that sneak peek at the baby. And Shane actually got off work early enough to make it this time, which TOTALLY made me happy. With his work schedule, he has never been able to make it to my doc appointments with me. And missed the ultrasound where we found out the gender. But he was there this time, so all is good.<br /><br />And yes, it is still a boy haha. We are starting to settle on the name. Its still a spelling battle for us, but I have a feeling it will end up Conner Zachary Merritt. (I like the "e" better so there!)<br /><br />Here are the ultrasound pics. I will take another belly pic...soon...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48F2ti_9xyqVFwnuBDKgwLMVvltbDseg5c8VrMZQI2HXboJi4vM8xwFGLrjUJapNaIrV366960B1AyQdTEqaeNZmaGN4i6cg4JncOBcU5-GZV-7HbjwfBPAgEEFtITZzbGXIVoSv3Bc4/s1600-h/baby001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48F2ti_9xyqVFwnuBDKgwLMVvltbDseg5c8VrMZQI2HXboJi4vM8xwFGLrjUJapNaIrV366960B1AyQdTEqaeNZmaGN4i6cg4JncOBcU5-GZV-7HbjwfBPAgEEFtITZzbGXIVoSv3Bc4/s400/baby001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433389872968133122" border="0" /></a>See...still a boy. LOL<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6iGAAcDnYkPDrogwUwAxakjdD3vQ1vh68tRxC7CJCcb9cYydIGdbQj0vBYeq4Se603r_PDWtxIfmNXAHAiiy2Me1CYKXYpXVCiGT4gMCLzXKn5FsPxIYSFxJ7-fJ-zZQhvalOrAwmsY/s1600-h/baby002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6iGAAcDnYkPDrogwUwAxakjdD3vQ1vh68tRxC7CJCcb9cYydIGdbQj0vBYeq4Se603r_PDWtxIfmNXAHAiiy2Me1CYKXYpXVCiGT4gMCLzXKn5FsPxIYSFxJ7-fJ-zZQhvalOrAwmsY/s400/baby002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433389881567134338" border="0" /></a>His little feet...one is on top of the other<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgfe6sGWHBJ3jw_kYzquQ04RHSgmWnv9nsrLu37mHvJg2DVtMDe88BoKyHS3CkpHYeajPlKp9CnfsCkyDNXZ_gsuywKwsvGBhzgcz9pv0DtPJH3nwehRBwv1UK2XzNVFxEICBjBNz4Ao/s1600-h/baby003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgfe6sGWHBJ3jw_kYzquQ04RHSgmWnv9nsrLu37mHvJg2DVtMDe88BoKyHS3CkpHYeajPlKp9CnfsCkyDNXZ_gsuywKwsvGBhzgcz9pv0DtPJH3nwehRBwv1UK2XzNVFxEICBjBNz4Ao/s400/baby003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433389890030940306" border="0" /></a>His arms...he was holding his hands together. Way cute<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidxZ4AFA9fw27R1rOmS29P_23jBursQ6Q1URZtxlpQlYuW8b7vM91J2kK096Towzy1VeBVdZPagBfa6OIcqWAmWdOxYZc-TfhHXLqCdzcVw31Tt-TPgO0pz35J7Pod4CJ64pPSYaqmc8/s1600-h/baby005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidxZ4AFA9fw27R1rOmS29P_23jBursQ6Q1URZtxlpQlYuW8b7vM91J2kK096Towzy1VeBVdZPagBfa6OIcqWAmWdOxYZc-TfhHXLqCdzcVw31Tt-TPgO0pz35J7Pod4CJ64pPSYaqmc8/s400/baby005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433389913652226114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_jjN132_reWX5yl-KztfdGjpRaHNBsdQQ8ZEyLGWnGTFLWQkgnFUJQE4oU7SBXzRfVjTTttXF7DT08D2uP6vor-8ka2hq-I5_ml6HVkzY6GdjK_i1fK_W4cdWNzGNNwbEx73TPD5CrM/s1600-h/baby004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_jjN132_reWX5yl-KztfdGjpRaHNBsdQQ8ZEyLGWnGTFLWQkgnFUJQE4oU7SBXzRfVjTTttXF7DT08D2uP6vor-8ka2hq-I5_ml6HVkzY6GdjK_i1fK_W4cdWNzGNNwbEx73TPD5CrM/s400/baby004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433389899712645602" border="0" /></a>These two are his profile. He was sucking in his bottom lip, causing his top lip to stick out far. It was cute. :)<br /></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-88732064447106278082010-01-22T09:01:00.000-08:002010-01-22T09:44:52.634-08:0020 Weeks!Well, last friday I hit 2o weeks! I know... this should be labeled "21 Weeks" but oh well...lol<br /><br />Yup! The half way mark has now come...and gone. Crazy how time flies huh? Before we know it, we will be having another little boy in our home. I am still mega nervous about that. But I think we will do ok. Right now Rylend is obsessed with babies. Everytime he sees one, he just HAS to yell out "BABY!" and run up to kiss it. Last night I put a diaper on his kitty...oh man he loved that. He kept giggling and saying "poo poo" then kissing his "baby" and carrying it around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Zpu_mNEJtqZjDi9wB4vHyvIzBfHEJlZeKX6PXmgHaFdIFEfCp0Beu3HLldsSB2WUl9gijC2Zt5QHEfPVO5qwMZZyqkKUgZloNts80OBTmhFAjmTWLL2HDBFBYBUrP2pLPvmKgbiivt8/s1600-h/100_3583.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Zpu_mNEJtqZjDi9wB4vHyvIzBfHEJlZeKX6PXmgHaFdIFEfCp0Beu3HLldsSB2WUl9gijC2Zt5QHEfPVO5qwMZZyqkKUgZloNts80OBTmhFAjmTWLL2HDBFBYBUrP2pLPvmKgbiivt8/s400/100_3583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429620869615882562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We went up to the island this last week for a visit. 9i will post an entry later with more pics from that) While there, my friend Jessie threw me a small baby shower. Only about 5 or so people showed up, but we had fun. Jessie, Megan and her mom went in together and got us the new diaper bag we wanted. We love the one we have, but it will NOT be big enough for two kiddos. The brand is called Dadgear. Its amazing! We got the backpack version...and I have promised myself I will not wear it in until the baby is here. (If you want to check out the bags, the website is www.dadgear.com) Also, my friend Jamie handed down her pack and play to us. AWESOME since we REALLY needed that. The crib wont fit in our room and plus, we just dont own one. And you just HAVE to love hand-me-downs! We got a few other things too. A baby swing, clothes, some toys, and an awesome baby name book from my mom called "Sci-Fi Baby Names" Basically it just lists a ton of different names that have appeared in scifi movies...perfect book for us! Good choice mom! We only have a few more things that we need before this little guy gets here. Phew.<br /><br />Last night I set up the pack and play in our room and started sorting baby stuff. I pulled out all the newborn and 0-3 month clothes we have, filled the bottom with baby toys, cuddled with the two baby blankets we got at the shower...I loved it. Rylend kept trying to put his kitty to bed in the pack and play, throwing it in and going "shh" I think Rylend is starting to notice something is about to change. He has become super needy of mommy, always needing to be in my lap or at my feet. In fact, he is sitting in my lap this very moment lol. Sigh...I love my little man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZPBpLjA_V5g6wz8YeG4t6FAbgi10j11qHUDLIjYIwPuuoAwGQR8PUUqzUP6AYOaBo-B7P1JwBXNT6P3HIW8WwdganuTUB0jcDwFBL2eP10sKhyphenhyphenDEbrPSlHY8_9YTB3HMn9fvcZmfzXM/s1600-h/100_3581.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZPBpLjA_V5g6wz8YeG4t6FAbgi10j11qHUDLIjYIwPuuoAwGQR8PUUqzUP6AYOaBo-B7P1JwBXNT6P3HIW8WwdganuTUB0jcDwFBL2eP10sKhyphenhyphenDEbrPSlHY8_9YTB3HMn9fvcZmfzXM/s400/100_3581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429620855017402434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So yes, we are in the last half now. I am feeling ok. My back is starting to hurt more, and the energy has yet to come back. I am very much so showing. You know, I really dont feel that big. Compared to my stomach at this time with Rylend, I am practically around the same size. So it really makes me self conscience when someone sees me and makes comments like "Wow! Sure its not twins!?" or "You so big already!" Really...wrong things to say to someone who is already out of their comfort zone. Then I spend the rest of the day feeling huge and fat...sigh. Just venting. The baby is moving a lot more. Some days I barely notice him. Others, like yesterday, it felt like he didnt STOP moving all day. And, just like with Rylend, everytime Shane rushes over to feel the baby move...it stops. Haha...<br /><br />We are still working at the name game. We were liking Jackson for a while, but all of the Michael Jackson jokes got old REALLY fast, plus I didnt like how it was the number 3 name for 2009. Sigh. So now we are maybe thinking of Connor. Or Conner. Believe it or not, both spellings have a different meaning. Connor means wolf lover. Conner means hunter. I originally just found it and liked it. Then realized it is kinda after Shane's Grandpa Harward who passed a while ago (Conrad). Shane mostly likes it because its the last name of a character in one of his all time favorite movies. (John Conner...The Terminator...yeah lol) So yeah, we will see. My deadline is the baby must be named by the time we are leaving the hospital...in June...so we still have some time. Still, what do you think?<br />Connor Zachary Merritt...<br />or Conner Zachary Merritt...<br />hmmm<br /><br />Ok well to wrap this entry up for now...heres my belly! HA!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfsecZE5l3nnoQCV1YKXqGy-ipqlFdIg9MT3-m742jp3oI6Qe7vqyZKnJIB8wEKTwKp0UP486Apu2m6tspmzO02lpAT2HvvY0YbtUGAlfwT9gWNcrryVjwWQD9jGpYTkgEf3Lfgs0tts/s1600-h/1-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfsecZE5l3nnoQCV1YKXqGy-ipqlFdIg9MT3-m742jp3oI6Qe7vqyZKnJIB8wEKTwKp0UP486Apu2m6tspmzO02lpAT2HvvY0YbtUGAlfwT9gWNcrryVjwWQD9jGpYTkgEf3Lfgs0tts/s400/1-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429620878496945730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1WU70J-uB48PlL6pEj9njyTGt0phEN0rUFv4NX5_GEyyEiH9TQMY20tTY-vapGhtWjzwcBHZ4yr7uYRYvbmsGgc8H_6hdks8eAMRxOaCkXz9GGQ7vii4rwcEIWM5BU7NQ6BbQFfTlEU/s1600-h/4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1WU70J-uB48PlL6pEj9njyTGt0phEN0rUFv4NX5_GEyyEiH9TQMY20tTY-vapGhtWjzwcBHZ4yr7uYRYvbmsGgc8H_6hdks8eAMRxOaCkXz9GGQ7vii4rwcEIWM5BU7NQ6BbQFfTlEU/s400/4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429620884928181410" border="0" /></a>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-45230049084634524852009-12-31T09:13:00.000-08:002009-12-31T09:52:45.477-08:00And the new baby is a....<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU2_8Z2drGydFAAteS-qe5lrF5EU-qKI30UKOm5pg_VOKzLvqdUKtNID7K6g82Jjc2U3G2JS1fSGROHiR14_9uSZUXNuQFmHgOYao_AAA5o-5n6HEZPWygVIU_oSSCJ7ETx4BcLLFWU0/s1600-h/100_3136.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5ZO0WR6GcI6F1gtAc-1iAGW8fQzgusrFFSHFNWpZ-2QxolwSvZvMdvP4aghz47YOsD4qtAL8-Jf8KmlFpa3PffSWO_QFCxMqfOPPLOlzFQaFU6wE9NoVX4HetXt1h-xBtedD5gdW0mk/s1600-h/baby2.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I went in for a quick ultrasound yesterday after my doc appointment. Sadly, Shane wasn't able to be there. Sucky thing with his job: he cant really just get off early, unless its an emergency. But I did have my friend Penny there with me. Well, the doc put the dopplar on my stomach and right away we were in the right spot. I saw what the baby was with no prob, but he went on explaining all the body parts we were seeing. My doc is a really nice guy who gets very excited about finding out the gender, almost as excited as you are. It makes it more fun.<div>Well, right when he pointed between the legs and announced. "And that is a ... BOY..." the baby spread its legs WAY out and made sure we could really see that he was a little boy, right on cue. Yup everyone. We are having another little:</div><div><br /></div><div>BOY!</div><div><br /></div><div>And right after we saw that, we saw the little guy start to pee. I know, that sounds weird...but it was cool to see. A little stream going out for a bit, then stopping. It was just cool...seeing my baby not only there, but already functioning and living.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to admit, I was sad. Shane and I were both really hoping for our little girl. Its funny. All growing up I just had this feeling like I would have daughters. It was never a question in my mind that I would. Now I am having my second son. I guess thats proof that things don't always go as you are so sure they will...but yes, we ARE excited. For one...we get to save a heck of a lot of money on clothes. There are only a few things we are needing for this second kiddo, all of which are on my baby registry if you are curious (Mainly a new breast bump since my first one got lost...a pack and play...lots and lots of diapers...a new play gym since ours was old and deplete...and yeah.)</div><div><br /></div><div>But for two...I do love our little boy. Rylend is such an amazing kid, so full of happiness and love. I am very excited to have another sweet little one like him. And now he gets that brother every boy loves having. My family was the same way: two boys then me. And my brothers were always close growing up. So this will be another great adventure. </div><div><br /></div><div>My belly is poking out more. Rylend laughs at it when he sees it, then lifts up his own shirt to show off HIS belly. Such a funny kid...</div><div>Now we are onto the project of picking a name...we have a few we are kind liking. We have a few months left though to really decide. Haha we shall see...</div><div>Ok, thats it for this post! Here are all the pics from yesterday! ENJOY!!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAvCTmYX4_5IPNUnREAsKMwEvYAGZJZcYgSqce84MdMONcS005chxC4MsKvzJqsePHd5OVQ2DNE1zNqH_kWV49NBiG2ftouvTFcQ8sy50new7jMwNuN4ixli6KgnsmcFCROh4ncnEloo/s1600-h/baby5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAvCTmYX4_5IPNUnREAsKMwEvYAGZJZcYgSqce84MdMONcS005chxC4MsKvzJqsePHd5OVQ2DNE1zNqH_kWV49NBiG2ftouvTFcQ8sy50new7jMwNuN4ixli6KgnsmcFCROh4ncnEloo/s400/baby5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421453734263876658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">BOY!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOf_Mic7Bj4iPyI-Y338o26YBJ1RRbUttf4NdEyec-HS7j8xaPIHd_k8hfI39L8uw7yp4QWJtYepT4VhDDUc6zt_Z7riY9XDoE1uxrEMNIKBEhJS6yMRbh_WnjOpo_9IP7ie55BZ75S0/s1600-h/baby4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOf_Mic7Bj4iPyI-Y338o26YBJ1RRbUttf4NdEyec-HS7j8xaPIHd_k8hfI39L8uw7yp4QWJtYepT4VhDDUc6zt_Z7riY9XDoE1uxrEMNIKBEhJS6yMRbh_WnjOpo_9IP7ie55BZ75S0/s400/baby4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421453723765538002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was when he spread his legs all wide. Haha</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP-hqyisKQG-46sVRuC-Kj69_XB2BnASWlpxyTD_Jxakek_fbf1-Asl_Fjrc1mPnU4Ov3pSPPt7PScogqZS8HICL4DnybZJCTOXQ32M9-SzMqC_drZaqTKhuIh4Iy5vO3Biv2ORNCCDQ/s1600-h/baby3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP-hqyisKQG-46sVRuC-Kj69_XB2BnASWlpxyTD_Jxakek_fbf1-Asl_Fjrc1mPnU4Ov3pSPPt7PScogqZS8HICL4DnybZJCTOXQ32M9-SzMqC_drZaqTKhuIh4Iy5vO3Biv2ORNCCDQ/s400/baby3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421453716380610370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">You might not be able to see it too well, but he is looking right at the camera in this one. His face is on the left. there are two dark circles for his eyes, a white bump where his nose is, and then a dark circle under. His mouth was open. Aw...I love it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5ZO0WR6GcI6F1gtAc-1iAGW8fQzgusrFFSHFNWpZ-2QxolwSvZvMdvP4aghz47YOsD4qtAL8-Jf8KmlFpa3PffSWO_QFCxMqfOPPLOlzFQaFU6wE9NoVX4HetXt1h-xBtedD5gdW0mk/s1600-h/baby2.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5ZO0WR6GcI6F1gtAc-1iAGW8fQzgusrFFSHFNWpZ-2QxolwSvZvMdvP4aghz47YOsD4qtAL8-Jf8KmlFpa3PffSWO_QFCxMqfOPPLOlzFQaFU6wE9NoVX4HetXt1h-xBtedD5gdW0mk/s400/baby2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421453714560197794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">His little profile. Sadly, it blurred a bit. Maybe we will get a better one next time.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg3u2XEmYWui6YQyipsqEMf1CcvZw7iqwjzsH1EONi499qq4dlAKYLOWS3slQ2jkKUg-2IcRwCeRUb4AYnfgWAjrpohIIUr8udRo_Au1P0pSMOzuKvgV5yA0URuZt1oZRuQwpJ30hl94/s400/baby1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421453703597106130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see one arm, then his fingers of the other hand above it. He was running his fingers around in the fluid. It was cute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU2_8Z2drGydFAAteS-qe5lrF5EU-qKI30UKOm5pg_VOKzLvqdUKtNID7K6g82Jjc2U3G2JS1fSGROHiR14_9uSZUXNuQFmHgOYao_AAA5o-5n6HEZPWygVIU_oSSCJ7ETx4BcLLFWU0/s1600-h/100_3136.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU2_8Z2drGydFAAteS-qe5lrF5EU-qKI30UKOm5pg_VOKzLvqdUKtNID7K6g82Jjc2U3G2JS1fSGROHiR14_9uSZUXNuQFmHgOYao_AAA5o-5n6HEZPWygVIU_oSSCJ7ETx4BcLLFWU0/s400/100_3136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421454659340101170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43gC-NKYbg7R_hZ4OavDQVtPd31k_a1WT-m7seU3iqm4uvPcxGHq8nCqY_tbV5AhLtAprnOS5wlk1lFLQDpqi4dfmU3wgE97gVwX-YKY940ZSS8AxB5vxMHJMHX8L8f2RVAV_Zmcy_iU/s1600-h/100_3113.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43gC-NKYbg7R_hZ4OavDQVtPd31k_a1WT-m7seU3iqm4uvPcxGHq8nCqY_tbV5AhLtAprnOS5wlk1lFLQDpqi4dfmU3wgE97gVwX-YKY940ZSS8AxB5vxMHJMHX8L8f2RVAV_Zmcy_iU/s400/100_3113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421454649461886050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These are both pics of my belly I took yesterday just before my doc appt. 17.5 weeks along. ooo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here is the link to our registry. Any help would be VERY nice, but please, money is tight. If you cant get us anything, do not stress about it. We will make due! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/baby/3FWJRFGGZL1ZZ/ref=cm_br_send-invite_reg" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 51); ">http://www.amazon.com/gp/<wbr>registry/baby/3FWJRFGGZL1ZZ</a></span></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-13837167787956915952009-12-20T12:02:00.000-08:002009-12-20T12:11:26.195-08:00Here comes Santa Clause!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vDH3Y-8JV6FkkjJhGMgHQCc9Jeq_7gpxigpCoaJVo2zf_61wt3YkVDsBfSr6MjgSXFqhiy9tzJS9a4qqofimGhYMI1ZoULMbRD6wOuCi-Ke4xqIgRcLftgcJjf5qpyDweIT_-fXshCA/s1600-h/Img15472.jpg"></a><br />We went yesterday (saturday) to see Santa. My friend Jessie was visiting for the weekend with her hubby Ian and little girl Theresa (T is 6 months younger than Rylend). We thought it would be fun to all see Santa together. So after breakfast we bundled everyone up and headed over to the Cedar Hills mall.<br />So...Rylend...is such a little boy. He saw the OTHER kids running around, so just HAD to do that himself. And when we wouldn't let him run amok and tear everything apart...the world ended and the temper tantrums broke out. Oh my...it finally got to the point where I walked around the mall with Rylend as Shane stood in line with our friends. After walking for some time, a very wet diaper change, and more angry "Im not getting my way" crying...it was our turn to see Santa.<br /><br />I was pretty nervous he would be a little hellion for the man. Last year we got such a cute pic...and I thought for sure this year it would be the red faced anger snapshot.<br /><br />But, AMAZINGLY, right as we walked up to Santa, Rylend smiled and got super sweet. He said hi, then we put him in Santa's lap and stepped back for the pics. Rylend flashed his teeth, said "CHEESE!", giggled, smiled at Santa...even blew him kisses as we walked away. Then, as soon as we were out of Santa's sight...the boy went nuts again. One old man smiled and I heard him say "That kid is ALL boy!" I think Rylend sensed that Santa is the man you have to be good for...dont want to be on THAT naughty list! It was pretty cute...though I was pretty worn out after!<br /><br />Christmas is here in a few days! Rylend keeps eyeing the few presents we do have out...I cant wait! Ok, here are the pics! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vDH3Y-8JV6FkkjJhGMgHQCc9Jeq_7gpxigpCoaJVo2zf_61wt3YkVDsBfSr6MjgSXFqhiy9tzJS9a4qqofimGhYMI1ZoULMbRD6wOuCi-Ke4xqIgRcLftgcJjf5qpyDweIT_-fXshCA/s1600-h/Img15472.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 466px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vDH3Y-8JV6FkkjJhGMgHQCc9Jeq_7gpxigpCoaJVo2zf_61wt3YkVDsBfSr6MjgSXFqhiy9tzJS9a4qqofimGhYMI1ZoULMbRD6wOuCi-Ke4xqIgRcLftgcJjf5qpyDweIT_-fXshCA/s400/Img15472.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417413228327954898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA97Wo3HwXYzFqfcsjCCA2go61AWGwZxDiUPx9E2j3M0O4GCDhIrzCg6oJOQ7IS152CVce00VX1zJIh5z6Xu8TE_JbFVbugyV9Rj-PdrQTBpHJ-DwyEkVVMzvVbPQgJNdjbr3UjASB_o/s1600-h/Img15474.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 468px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA97Wo3HwXYzFqfcsjCCA2go61AWGwZxDiUPx9E2j3M0O4GCDhIrzCg6oJOQ7IS152CVce00VX1zJIh5z6Xu8TE_JbFVbugyV9Rj-PdrQTBpHJ-DwyEkVVMzvVbPQgJNdjbr3UjASB_o/s400/Img15474.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417413232282969218" border="0" /></a>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-42714678117236698572009-12-08T09:45:00.000-08:002009-12-08T10:09:49.646-08:00Belated Updates of all the HappeningsHave I really not posted anything since October? Ok everyone, here's my hand...slap away.<br /><br />Alright! So, since the last update...<br />Things are going ok for us. I am JUST not feeling sick now. Its got pretty bad for a while...I was losing weight instead of gaining. Ouch. Then I got my prescription for Zofran...and the world got a bit better. Its an anti-nausea medication, for those of you who dont know...it its a magic one too. Haha. I am just going off it now...been a week since I have had to take it and no escapades of dashing to bathroom. I do feel woozy still...but I can handle it...mostly. And as for the exhaustion...yeah still waiting for that to go away. This pregnancy is SO different from Rylend's. I can barely get myself up for the day...it sucks. On some plus sides: I am now showing of a tiny little bumpy. I will post one I took at 13 weeks...I am now almost 15 weeks and its more obvious but I am too lazy to go take the pic at the moment. Also, just before Thanksgiving I had a doc appointment. I got to hear the heartbeat! I love those moments...it was at 160. Fast little one! My doc told me that at our next appointment (Dec 30th) if the ultrasound isn't being used, we can sneak in and try to see the gender. YAY!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAReutfS8Gk7PCYee8ZFukfSMMSoQhlq4DnzdErthzC5_MhrCHI1v_DO6IjnUzof66t7X5AZH9FDNv0hm5Oc50PunT0k5CG9EuW8hAJ2R0aYqCk8uQsfrId6pvBueOuSIx86KDmB_SQGI/s1600-h/100_2572.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAReutfS8Gk7PCYee8ZFukfSMMSoQhlq4DnzdErthzC5_MhrCHI1v_DO6IjnUzof66t7X5AZH9FDNv0hm5Oc50PunT0k5CG9EuW8hAJ2R0aYqCk8uQsfrId6pvBueOuSIx86KDmB_SQGI/s400/100_2572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412928885123044978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Other, non-preggo related topics.<br /><br />We have all of our Christmas decorations up...we did it a few days before Thanksgiving. I will admit...I suck at waiting. I just love how they look! If it wasnt so weird, I would leave them up all year long. Rylend thinks the tree is the most pretty thing ever. Every morning when he comes out of his room he waits for me to turn on the lights, then gets all excited and says "oooo wow! PETTY!" He loves to lay next to the tree or under it and just stare at all the lights and ornaments...its so cute!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAHnLNUC0V1rNGQs_q9Yc3Z-sVDUfXPaClTu7g1hP0N-iTCPzxE9AN909LAj_turvSaEz2juvA0aD9zNdH3SjeMc-o0K9vtj4Ff6UECstig3iHbsDOGQ9nuwe3C2PgaBj72lnYKD5KDg/s1600-h/100_2783.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAHnLNUC0V1rNGQs_q9Yc3Z-sVDUfXPaClTu7g1hP0N-iTCPzxE9AN909LAj_turvSaEz2juvA0aD9zNdH3SjeMc-o0K9vtj4Ff6UECstig3iHbsDOGQ9nuwe3C2PgaBj72lnYKD5KDg/s400/100_2783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412928880230136130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We are stressing right now, gotta admit it. For some reason, no matter how hard we try, every december we are always broke. We have been SO careful with our spending! We dont even KNOW where the money goes...Just bills and groceries. I checked our banking today...They just took out power, rent, and car insurance....leaving us with a grand total of $48. And Shane doesnt get paid again until the 17th. Hmm...oh yes, and we are out of diapers and wipes. And groceries. Oh, and havent gotten one present for my little boy's christmas... I got WIC this last week, which does help a little. But I do think we will be having to apply for Stamps...hoping that Oregon wont suck for once and will approve us. And REALLY hoping no mystery bills or emergencies come up in the next week and a half...we have no money for any of it. I hate this rut. And we never seem able to get out of it. Then to top it all off...we are having another little one. Yes, we ARE excited. But nervous like nothing else. If we can BARELY scrape by as is...how will we afford even more? I don't know...I think I am just venting. And I am VERY impressed if you are still reading at this point. Sometimes it just feels good to vent. We have been weighing our options...looking at maybe some big changes we will have to make...but that's in the future to come. For now I sadly pull out my credit card which I am trying to pay OFF...and go get ready to walk to the store and buy diapers. Its the song that never ends....<br /><br />PHEW!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGEZWlWXFrJHXAA_IrydwGJY5DRnBt42Aj2H2uWRgE8enmcoQ53cU6qp_hyphenhyphenDH3e-ltxfK4V-CwAWpHA3kZbW7hVi7hTGc4LQvc4P1NszB08y-ChWLZDBe8UXcDxMzBcO_YB_wo8S0qmg/s1600-h/100_2544-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGEZWlWXFrJHXAA_IrydwGJY5DRnBt42Aj2H2uWRgE8enmcoQ53cU6qp_hyphenhyphenDH3e-ltxfK4V-CwAWpHA3kZbW7hVi7hTGc4LQvc4P1NszB08y-ChWLZDBe8UXcDxMzBcO_YB_wo8S0qmg/s400/100_2544-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412928862733958322" border="0" /></a><br />ANYWAY!<br /><br />Life is stressful. Whats new. But Rylend is so good at curling up in mommy's lap and cuddling. Really good at kisses too. And you should see his face light up when Daddy comes home and he runs and jumps into his arms. He is good at making us smile...which we need bad at the moment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mWryrkmrGwn4iBzSwFsJhOawtPUWcjgS21_264Q_MNIoQmqiZcIda2uCP4x5SYxnH63TXI0DVj3A63HYZ6h538Sj-T2OuVw3ESGHy9dLmWyjEyLdpVX05YRkOK2BQTKBVdxjsWHQTOY/s1600-h/100_2592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mWryrkmrGwn4iBzSwFsJhOawtPUWcjgS21_264Q_MNIoQmqiZcIda2uCP4x5SYxnH63TXI0DVj3A63HYZ6h538Sj-T2OuVw3ESGHy9dLmWyjEyLdpVX05YRkOK2BQTKBVdxjsWHQTOY/s400/100_2592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412928874625981602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ok, gotta run. Gonna bundle up to brave the cold cold cold weather and walk down the block. Wish me luck!Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-64491142195812562009-10-16T08:43:00.000-07:002009-10-16T08:56:30.639-07:00And the due date is...We went to get an ultrasound yesterday in order to get a more accurate due date. Well, the official due date now is:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">June 4, 2010<br /></span></div><br />The baby is a very cute little blob on the screen. I kept saying "Oh, what a cute blob" which kept the ultrasound technician laughing. She was very impressed though. At only about 7 weeks along, the baby already has a VERY strong little heart beat going. Which doesn't fully surprise me. This baby is spending all of its time and energy making mommy sick. I literally cannot touch food until afternoon every day. I try to force myself to nibble on saltenes and drink ice water. It helps a little...but I still find myself running to the oh-so-beloved bathroom much more than I would prefer. This is already VERY different than how it was with Rylend! They gave me a prescription for a med that helps with the sickness. I'm just trying to decide if I want to go get it and try it...I get paranoid about things. Though I HAVE found...peppermint chewing gum is my friend. Though it doesn't eliminate the queasiness, it makes it so I can at least move around and look a <span style="font-style: italic;">bit</span> alive for my little boy. Sigh...I am very ready for this first trimester to be done...and hoping the nausea goes with it.<br /><br />Im posting the two print outs they gave us from the ultrasound. Like a said...a very cute little Blob. Even though it doesn't look fully like baby yet...it was still amazing to see. Nothing solidifies the realness of a pregnancy like seeing the little person. I will also post a link to the site babycenter and a page that talks about the week I am on...for anyone who is curious.<br /><br />Hope all is well for everyone! I will go back now to chomping my gum. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_O5FF0_Gypf3RFnPt8nTlx1KCf3ZsIRswdhyhvFdfETc8mOfSsjrrPKYkwYu-tGvrCYI3nQH0pBbW3Cnlcb0_sr8bCnqnPZmwpguZgpMBaHwwMWW2nq5d0tQuU0yhiHwc_9wW3iCRfc/s1600-h/img092-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_O5FF0_Gypf3RFnPt8nTlx1KCf3ZsIRswdhyhvFdfETc8mOfSsjrrPKYkwYu-tGvrCYI3nQH0pBbW3Cnlcb0_sr8bCnqnPZmwpguZgpMBaHwwMWW2nq5d0tQuU0yhiHwc_9wW3iCRfc/s400/img092-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393226403446626146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eoI1_XUIcru_RE9dQ6XS0ih6Sytd6_r6tlt_3qdvNTb23RPgre-EnAt3gpidvY4zeCZgOvq1eGrpkxxmyfJVojlBmWpy1ika-jNyxzi4jkGMfM-SAB6WjCFxUlZ11eKTYdgUtcdoJM0/s1600-h/img092-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eoI1_XUIcru_RE9dQ6XS0ih6Sytd6_r6tlt_3qdvNTb23RPgre-EnAt3gpidvY4zeCZgOvq1eGrpkxxmyfJVojlBmWpy1ika-jNyxzi4jkGMfM-SAB6WjCFxUlZ11eKTYdgUtcdoJM0/s400/img092-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393226391843925074" border="0" /></a>And the site...<a href="http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-7-weeks_1096.bc?intcmp=timeline"> http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-7-weeks_1096.bc?intcmp=timeline </a><br /></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-70889470553977034302009-10-06T14:11:00.000-07:002009-10-06T14:23:12.634-07:00The News!Hey there everyone! In case any of you HAVEN'T heard yet...We are expecting again! Yup!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIgH3fTGtb5atBBRK-iSr7-SBE1QhaRUnPD2CaHsLP5mdH9ysr3OdqCrUdsmWW0H0SNkvLL4OrEzCfv2f8HlbOfDs7dRBSBvLzyQE3LjAoecNbRvmo0pNEvekgaXaBMRy7llWnWEHznw/s1600-h/100_1701-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIgH3fTGtb5atBBRK-iSr7-SBE1QhaRUnPD2CaHsLP5mdH9ysr3OdqCrUdsmWW0H0SNkvLL4OrEzCfv2f8HlbOfDs7dRBSBvLzyQE3LjAoecNbRvmo0pNEvekgaXaBMRy7llWnWEHznw/s320/100_1701-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389598055495068450" border="0" /></a><br />I had been feeling off for a week or two. Then got a cold last weekend that for some reason wouldn't leave. Shane kept teasing me, telling me that I was pregnant. I just brushed it off...until my lovely time of the month never came. I still had my doubts...mainly I didnt want to convince myself that I was, then take a test that said no. My breasts had been hurting...and a few days after missing my period, I started feeling sick. So I finally gave in and took the test friday morning (Oct. 2) and...a lovely little blue plus sign! Yeah...when I called Shane, his first thing he said was "Told you so." Since then, I took one more test...for save measures lol. Then saturday morning we drove over to Planned Parenthood and got the confirmation test. I called yesterday and set my first doctor's visit (Oct. 26th) and an ultrasound (Oct. 15th). We need the ultrasound because we arent fully sure when the due date is...but Im not complaining. I get a little sneak peek at the BABY!<br /><br />So...to answer obvious questions...No, we were not trying. We were talking about maybe starting...but obviously someone up there had different plans for us. We are very much so hoping for a little girl...whenever I ask Rylend if he wants a brother or sister, he just looks up at me and shakes his head....haha "no mama...you dont need any more!" I am very nervous about being a mommy of two. Rylend will just turn two before his future sibling is born...thats pretty close in age! And as for money...wow NOT ready there! Then again...who EVER is? We are very excited though. I am already seeing the difference in this pregnancy compared to Rylend's. I am only in my first trimester, and am tired ALL the time. And this time...I am actually getting the "lovely" morning sickness I "missed" out on with Rylend. <br /><br />I will make sure to try to update here whenever there is new news, pics, anything. I know I have been bad lately with my blog updates...maybe this will kickstart me back into it! :)Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-87817130489068156862009-09-21T08:12:00.000-07:002009-09-21T09:48:33.518-07:00Family is ForeverThis last sunday we actually made it to church. I know I know. Having just one kid isn't an excuse. It has just been hard for us to go to church every sunday, when we spend about 90% of the time in the halls with the kiddo. The main reason we went this last sunday was because Brother Coakley called and asked me to give opening prayer in our sunday school class. I am happy he did.<br />I spend basically all of sacrament meeting (first hour) out in the hall with Rylend. He was able to sit still long enough for us three to take the sacrament, but then very quickly got VERY bored. So I went to to the usual laps. Another mom with her little girl was out there too. Rylend and Brooklyn became friends very fast (she is 16 months, he is almost 18 months) and soon her mommy Courtney and I were walking and talking together as the two little tykes explored the halls together. It was pretty cute. Rylend would randomly sprawl out on the ground on his back and Brooklyn would walk over and crouch next to him, patting his tummy or rubbing his hair. He would smile, then spring up and they would run again.<br />At one point though...while taking a break on the couch...Rylend saw the fire alarm. They have a plastic cover over them to prevent them from being pulled too easy and...well..Rylend must have decided that the cover just had to go. Before I could stop him, he reached over and knocked it off. The cover has ana alarm...much like a car alarm...it it started peeping away. I snatched Rylend up and was just thinking "Oh, you gotta be kidding me!" Luckily our friend David Lloyd came out and made it stop for us, and just gave us a smile. My kid...<br />Well, halfway through sunday school (yes, after I said the opening prayer) we decided we would duck out and see if we could maybe slip Rylend into nursery a few weeks early. They very happily accepted him and as we opened the door for him to go in, he smilied and booked it in, instantly running for another little boy he knows (my visitng teacher's 2 year old son Tane). It was wayyy nice to be able to just sit next to Shane the rest of sunday school and...LISTEN! Oh my! On my way to Relief Society I decided to peek in and see how Rylend was doing. He was sprawled out on his belly on the floor, Brooklyn cuddled up next to him, and they were happily playing with some toys together. It was too cute. After church when I went to get him, he was cuddled up to Sister Sellers (his teacher) and looked pretty content. Then he saw me. His eyes got all huge and water, and he quickly stood up and ran towards me, arms out, saying "Momma!!" It made my day. They told me he did awesome, only got a bit teary eyed in the last ten or so minutes. I was so proud of him. My little boy is now in nursery. AWW<br /><br />In Relief Society they were talking about doing temple work for your ancestors. I was listening, but found my mind drifting to other thoughts. As most of you know, my family converted to the church when I was a little kid. Im not one of those born and bred mormons, like it seems most are. When I was about 9 or so, my family went to the temple to get sealed together. I remember feeling so special, because most other kids my age didnt get to go to the temple, and here I was, not only going in, but going up to a sealing room too. Its hard to have spiritual experiences at that age. I remember my parents dropping us off in the kid care area while they went to do their thing. My brothers and I did our usual bickering, though we did try to be more reverent about it (as if that is possible). Sitting in Relief Society yesterday, I looked back on that day and realized there were moments that made more of an impact on me than I had realized.<br />One of the moments was a little girl that was there. Oh man, she was energetic. And not happy to be kept in the kids area. I think she was about two or so. She was all over the place, throwing toys and crying and making noise. Finally one of the temple matrons came to get her and bring her to her parents. Her family was getting sealed that day too. I remember wondering what they would do with her and her noisiness. In the temple, you are supposed to be quiet and reverent. Its a very peaceful place. Well, later the matron who was taking care of us told us what had happened. The little girl had made noise all the way up to the sealing room. Yet as soon as they opened the door, she quieted down. They handed her to her parents, who were kneeling together at the alter. Very quietly, and without anyone telling her to, the little girl reached out and placed her small hand on top of her parents'. Something had calmed her. The little girl knew that at that moment, it was time to be reverent. I truly believe little children can feel and hear the Spirit stronger than we adults can. Moments like this shine that true.<br />Another moment. There was a little boy waiting in the room with us also. He was maybe a year old. This boy...He had a heart defect. His skin had a blue tinge to it. His family was getting sealed to him before they knew he would pass, which could be any day. I remember looking at him across the room. A matron was holding him, showing him toys. She saw me watching, and asked if I wanted to come play with him. I walked over and reached out to hold his tiny hand. It was ice cold. Even at 9 years old, I remember feeling my heart break for this little boy and his family. It wasn't fair that he was barely even a year old and was facing death so soon. My brothers held his hand too. A few moments later a matron came to pick him up and bring him to his family. To this day I still remember his name: Benjamin. I never found out what happened to him. But for some reason, a few days after our temple day, I always felt like someone had told me he had passed. I know my parents didnt. And no one from the temple would have. But in my heart, I was always so sure that someone had told me that Benjamin, just a few day after being sealed to his parents, had passed from this life. I felt sad, but I was always comforted, knowing that one of the last things he did was be sealed to his family for time.<br />I remember finally going up to our parents. Walking in my stocking feet down the hallways of the temple, taking a quiet elevator ride up, the matron smiling at us. I remember waiting outside the room, looking out the window at the temple grounds below. I can still point out which window it was that I looked out that day. Then they opened the door, and let us in. My Dad always jokes about my mom was able to hold it together the whole day until she saw us three enter that room. Tears started to stream down her face, and my dad's eyes glistened. We knelt at the alter with my parents, placing our hands on top of theirs, and were sealed together as a family for time. I remember feeling the peace of that day, but not understanding it fully.<br />Looking back now, at all the moments of that day, I finally do understand. We all pray for God to send us moments, to touch us with His presence. And we never realize how often He truly does do that. I remember the little girl, who felt the Spirit so strong, even in her youth, that she quieted down and let it fill the room. I remember Benjamin. A boy that in our minds was being taken before his time. And his family knew they needed to be sealed to him before he left. I can imagine the joy in their hearts as he sat at the alter with them, his tiny cold hand held in theirs, as they were promised that though this life may end, he will always be with them. Always. And though my brothers and I faced no life theatening illnesses, the tears on my mom's face as she saw her three children enter the room, dressed in white, shows she too felt the same thing.<br />This life is a precious thing. We spend much of our time struggling for money, for bills, for the small things we think are so important yet really mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. In all reality, kneeling across the alter with your love and your children, knowing that no matter what may happen in this life, you will NEVER lose eachother in the eternities to come...THAT is what life is about. I have been thinking about this alot today. I have been watching my little boy play. And I find myself with tears in my eyes, knowing that I will never lose him. That he is sealed to this family that Shane and I have created. And though life may be hard. Though he might stray, he might grow distant from us and lose his way, that in the end we will all be waiting to embrace and comfort. Family is a bond that cannot be broken. Maybe it will look weakened at times, but it can never disappear. I am so happy that I sa tin Relief Society and let my mind wander back to memories I do not touch on often enough. They seemed to simple when they happened. But years later...thats when I needed the memories of those moments to touch my mind again. God truly does work in a very mysterious way. But if we do listen, He does answer.<br />I love my family. I may live far from them and may not talk to them enough. But they are my family. We have our great memories, our bitter ones, and everything in between, but I would never trade any of them. Each memory, each moment, has made me who I am today. I am proud of my parents for choosing this path, even though I know how hard it has been at times for them. There is no doubt how much they love their children, and looking back now at the memory of both of them kneeling at the alter, tears in eyes as they saw us enter the sealing room, I know how much I do love them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi146VuqTXLJUcw3HTLos56bQhCIi3bkdut2QcgosLsxKXAh0cZvJYWmchF0EsmcHeYUzUAnknp0PzOpVKd8UQZ6nV_TFzv5wFtHPwTN5SAjlem0-VZv6bU4SSlwxcryLx8aQPssVKByM0/s1600-h/SCAN03.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi146VuqTXLJUcw3HTLos56bQhCIi3bkdut2QcgosLsxKXAh0cZvJYWmchF0EsmcHeYUzUAnknp0PzOpVKd8UQZ6nV_TFzv5wFtHPwTN5SAjlem0-VZv6bU4SSlwxcryLx8aQPssVKByM0/s320/SCAN03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383962709948410242" border="0" /></a>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-74311712496064539782009-06-12T10:34:00.000-07:002009-06-12T10:58:01.746-07:00He likes to.. MOVE IT!Rylend may be a bit behind in the whole "walking stage"...but he is trying to catch up! We all joke its because he knows Brandon (Kandra's little boy) is visiting soon and Rylend wants to be able to keep up with him. The last few days Rylend, out of no where, has REALLY been trying to walk. I already posted a video of an attempt. His problem is its just TOO exciting for him, so he falls over all the time as he laughs. <br /><br />Just yesterday I was sitting on the couch and Rylend was standing about five feet away with Shane. Out of nowhere...he just walked over to me all by himself! It was SOO CUTE! Of course, when those moments happen...you NEVER have the camera! He has been trying to walk by himself alot too...just standing, holding onto something...then he lets go and takes a few steps. Funny thing is, every time he does, he EXPECTS an applause. He will start clapping and look around to who ever is in the room. If you dont clap and say "Yay!" you are in trouble. Ha!<br /><br />Well, today he has been REALLY working on it. I decided to take a chance at getting it on video. So as he was leaning up against the couch...I quickly backed up and hit record. And...he did it! Man he is SO CUTE! I love watching babies waddle around. Now MY baby boy is doing it. He already climbs on EVERYTHING and tears EVERYTHING apart (I think he likes to prove that he really is a boy) and I know as soon as he masters walking...we dont stand a chance. But at least then I can take him outside more and just let him get it out!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So here is the video! <br />YAY RYLEND! *claps*<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxKaxAovfoNdoj3HduHgdoyppgjacYIbJIy1fHOFlekhzXcY3VWxTh4ciY3o0g2fuz4rPaxfYBtJV7_BCvpQQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-48678722172417769062009-06-09T13:29:00.000-07:002009-06-09T14:11:50.920-07:00Build-A-...CAT!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbncgldID3__bsQYEtUn4WIzoJ7hYWph06WDqzGvH_KGaxfA6aWVcuVr0zHZ-s-0DJdZBzD5aiSqryCgTLwyd5YKsRMmv4mjorQfjfh6S0KkcofncOg9oO2yZIfCYN9AotERD1teWaEw/s1600-h/100_3973.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbncgldID3__bsQYEtUn4WIzoJ7hYWph06WDqzGvH_KGaxfA6aWVcuVr0zHZ-s-0DJdZBzD5aiSqryCgTLwyd5YKsRMmv4mjorQfjfh6S0KkcofncOg9oO2yZIfCYN9AotERD1teWaEw/s400/100_3973.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345431344284250354" border="0" /></a><br />We took Rylend to Build-A-Bear for the first time. As soon as we got there, he got super excited. And, of COURSE, chose a cat for his toy! It was so cute how even before the kitty was stuffed, he was just LOVING it. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GX1ihS4jwkiUAI_cmx2hcIW0ooEZyxmxcGbgVf9TAa_gtS3Sp53dnQEILeTDBPmPEJyVHsOBsvoUF7mj6Mlfs7gL3K5vCd6QPn_9TX6DTNFGpxyRvY1iuLPpb3i2TIRFhkA37vXIHu0/s1600-h/100_3922.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GX1ihS4jwkiUAI_cmx2hcIW0ooEZyxmxcGbgVf9TAa_gtS3Sp53dnQEILeTDBPmPEJyVHsOBsvoUF7mj6Mlfs7gL3K5vCd6QPn_9TX6DTNFGpxyRvY1iuLPpb3i2TIRFhkA37vXIHu0/s400/100_3922.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345429638702820066" border="0" /></a><br />He wouldnt take his eyes off of the lady who put the stuffing in his kitty. And as soon as she finished and handed it back to him, he wrapped his arms around it and flashed all of us the BIGGEST smile!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCkU2k6PA4Oj3jN0IN96bIh1egQ7OaA9ImROK4sNcQUkk85jHxFC-XON_lr9fDg10CC0WpQwuCVX0auB8lSWGnHwgVhPlxj0Nfbkl4qSKN9183tROKmYM-C7YfyLIAtCUgXwLbnib_5E/s1600-h/100_3924.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCkU2k6PA4Oj3jN0IN96bIh1egQ7OaA9ImROK4sNcQUkk85jHxFC-XON_lr9fDg10CC0WpQwuCVX0auB8lSWGnHwgVhPlxj0Nfbkl4qSKN9183tROKmYM-C7YfyLIAtCUgXwLbnib_5E/s400/100_3924.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345429637697337346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW3VO3AnF0LctOP7apLrh3c5xrK_6HnRGv9aYs57XOltfDPhfOg6kTWvmbj5-d_Pf1hZqwSoIYFE7QFMuQld2mdP3ATlv3VLMnToUVPYBd79Kb_xA8fimuA6w3jTo0MLoNqC9poGFWYo/s1600-h/100_3925.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW3VO3AnF0LctOP7apLrh3c5xrK_6HnRGv9aYs57XOltfDPhfOg6kTWvmbj5-d_Pf1hZqwSoIYFE7QFMuQld2mdP3ATlv3VLMnToUVPYBd79Kb_xA8fimuA6w3jTo0MLoNqC9poGFWYo/s400/100_3925.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345429648822650434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwaNluPm0FxfLKNVUuMalVMKYBG7E54rdNHVICJIxDe32o0WnXJwQn2bsbTTyJztelypvjJLjcXjK1XRGx0AKs1ihrYtF2Lt1l-V8ftYsw5OGuYFNTHEU_eZdlIIEZZThhl7XPy_O4us/s1600-h/100_3927.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwaNluPm0FxfLKNVUuMalVMKYBG7E54rdNHVICJIxDe32o0WnXJwQn2bsbTTyJztelypvjJLjcXjK1XRGx0AKs1ihrYtF2Lt1l-V8ftYsw5OGuYFNTHEU_eZdlIIEZZThhl7XPy_O4us/s400/100_3927.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345429653151600146" border="0" /></a><br />The rest of the time we were there, he would NOT let go of it. We officially named it "Zitty Zat" ...which got the guy at the check out to chuckle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT7IGirSqbgKpAbpFfwHgwRz86kZXl0Ybfgd2OEMam0a_qjTQwCuVjaIScAyPhORffXesEqXz5hVsWfkMmrzRZu1r0KrqRLdIBVNb8ZRKVZZK50_mZlHsPfCaO31Zjp1n0VwfuEmSI_g/s1600-h/100_3928.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT7IGirSqbgKpAbpFfwHgwRz86kZXl0Ybfgd2OEMam0a_qjTQwCuVjaIScAyPhORffXesEqXz5hVsWfkMmrzRZu1r0KrqRLdIBVNb8ZRKVZZK50_mZlHsPfCaO31Zjp1n0VwfuEmSI_g/s400/100_3928.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345429662717106818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_W91hY2BHx94rXSI6YFWVeGCIELpY7WrPAFYyanxK6WYwdRa8nnD1AFBReiDKI5ljj2AGnJ6AZns_LlWLNZZqo1yNBMr7qy3GicUWoY4javhhQqJXfioe4Y505tlj8Hfwia6k7d-_sg/s1600-h/100_3944.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_W91hY2BHx94rXSI6YFWVeGCIELpY7WrPAFYyanxK6WYwdRa8nnD1AFBReiDKI5ljj2AGnJ6AZns_LlWLNZZqo1yNBMr7qy3GicUWoY4javhhQqJXfioe4Y505tlj8Hfwia6k7d-_sg/s400/100_3944.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345431325381289026" border="0" /></a><br />Rylend is now VERY much in love with that new kitty of his. He takes it to bed with him and giggles when I put his clothes on the kitty. This kid...Its crazy how out of nowhere they stop being babies and start being kids...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiP3q05uRGZufWuZA2J-TsMJjT4k1jiUHXn354GY7YfJJV93eiIa7sJFBBBjNbjF9iISCesEpbP_NrcuflCJpcUpd0mw55gmHYOEBUhMRdB_VwEQcPbbs3EDU2nyKZo6x6Wcymm6saS4/s1600-h/100_3958.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiP3q05uRGZufWuZA2J-TsMJjT4k1jiUHXn354GY7YfJJV93eiIa7sJFBBBjNbjF9iISCesEpbP_NrcuflCJpcUpd0mw55gmHYOEBUhMRdB_VwEQcPbbs3EDU2nyKZo6x6Wcymm6saS4/s400/100_3958.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345431340031502626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQenrCAaClxA7A9t34xoxlJdb68eUC_1YUBdEANarrNFBNbxaBpV08gmULax7sP8t9mYF3PIAlqmb9EUl8zQI3tEch_ZZyhpYYLzPuBnvpWRdaBgj7SyioWc-qV3wsaN05KivvJcRFH6A/s1600-h/100_3956.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQenrCAaClxA7A9t34xoxlJdb68eUC_1YUBdEANarrNFBNbxaBpV08gmULax7sP8t9mYF3PIAlqmb9EUl8zQI3tEch_ZZyhpYYLzPuBnvpWRdaBgj7SyioWc-qV3wsaN05KivvJcRFH6A/s400/100_3956.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345431337348241858" border="0" /></a><br />Rylend LOVED Build-A-Bear and we know we will have to go there again...no doubt for yet <span style="font-style: italic;">another</span> Zitty Zat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvBvj-Slyb_uv0AMa6CKjOFDeAjoT-RVX6t9ug1w5gbPDGxgaqdhk3UQtFvrtOIRgKu63txdz70Alj3l9aNqJAG_7lelD7TvQl00V4FWHgz9Co0WFpg3W800c5AbR-kYJ60SjCASN2tk/s1600-h/100_3975.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvBvj-Slyb_uv0AMa6CKjOFDeAjoT-RVX6t9ug1w5gbPDGxgaqdhk3UQtFvrtOIRgKu63txdz70Alj3l9aNqJAG_7lelD7TvQl00V4FWHgz9Co0WFpg3W800c5AbR-kYJ60SjCASN2tk/s400/100_3975.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345431348972755426" border="0" /></a><br />ALSO...he is SO close to walking! We have been able to get him to take a few steps by himself here and there. He just gets wayyy too excited and ends up toppling over laughing. Then he claps for himself as we say "yay!" He is cruising along anything and everything though. And the last few days I have spent most of my time holding his hands as he walks all over the apartment. Here is a video of us trying to get him to walk one night. He does in the end...kind of. If anything...you can just see how dang cute he is!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxg4W0DaIBBD1mfsR_vl6EL2zCDjPQ7EbXSHKqNNC6Wi7NN1IK1Nfprh8OOMiCjjf3mmm2EoQ7g55CusxE2-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-63211679828006915862009-06-04T13:31:00.000-07:002009-06-04T13:53:04.130-07:00The Untitled Crowley Project - Promo Extra!<span style="font-style: italic;">Guess what I did!</span><br />Well, to explain it first...I am a member of a site called Extras Only. Its a local casting agency that specializes just in casting extras for movies, commercials, photo shoots...anything really. I started it just for fun, since another friend of mine was doing it too. Well, they are filming a movie in Portland right now. At the moment it is just called the Untitled Crowley Project. And guess what...they do all their casting through Extras Only. Oo...<br /><br />The movie is starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Frasier and Keri Russel. Its about a married couple (Frasier and Russel) who are trying to find a cure for their childrens' disease...so they team up with a doctor (Ford) to find it. Gonna be one of those tear jerkers I have a feeling! Anyway...I have gotten a few calls to be a PAID extra, but ended up not being needed for each as of yet. But they also needed promo extras...aka people to fill the gaps and who arent getting paid. There was a shoot last week at Pioneer Square in Portland, but I didnt go. This week was over at Oaks Park. I really needed to get out of the apartment and away from some of the things happening in my life right now (THATS for another blog another time!) So...I decided to go!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRr3dnll6QJBNHcVaIqwz1rz9DYkYKlczcqfK_bIi-7HKInotjnfHuzzf6M-npR3riQx5vvHBWfBFGI7hTRwHroAxOHkOOUlaN15TjchKIIJWK5LcuOHsv5Otk5EuNxP2jcYV7OChab1o/s1600-h/100_3850.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRr3dnll6QJBNHcVaIqwz1rz9DYkYKlczcqfK_bIi-7HKInotjnfHuzzf6M-npR3riQx5vvHBWfBFGI7hTRwHroAxOHkOOUlaN15TjchKIIJWK5LcuOHsv5Otk5EuNxP2jcYV7OChab1o/s400/100_3850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343577109699937666" border="0" /></a><br />My sisters in law Tania and Sammy went too. The motto for the movie biz is "Hurry up and wait" and thats EXACTLY what we did. We arrived and checked in at 11:30, then they closed the gates for anyone else. There were probably a hundred or so promo extras...maybe a bit more. Then...we waited. They supplied water and cookies and chips...and for about 3 or so hours we sat in our holding area. Inside the skate rink across the park from us they were shooting a birthday scene with Frasier, Russel, and the kids. It was a nice day, occasionally drizzling but not bad enough to run for cover.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPFAvkCYpA9_Q4O_pZ7K8uUpRZeijUNCBskB_20RiNqGtcPwui6dG3M8xA_BM9bJxlkfh5KaeNJQsMv1bXJk1_0MAyWZYxl9J2Nv_IUadNvklaEiF29xSFt96_6mhhpPqPzkNMcP9M2U/s1600-h/100_3871.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPFAvkCYpA9_Q4O_pZ7K8uUpRZeijUNCBskB_20RiNqGtcPwui6dG3M8xA_BM9bJxlkfh5KaeNJQsMv1bXJk1_0MAyWZYxl9J2Nv_IUadNvklaEiF29xSFt96_6mhhpPqPzkNMcP9M2U/s400/100_3871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343577110583822834" border="0" /></a><br />Finally around 4 or so they took pity on us and opened up the amusement park for our pleasure. Yay! We got to ride all the rides we wanted for free, and they gave us hot dogs. It was fun to just goof around with Tania and Sammy while watching how the movie biz works. Around 5 they finally told us it was time. They gave us our marks, our actions...and...ACTION! Us three were sitting on a table, told to gab about boys and check them out. Haha! Yet it was all supposed to be pantomime. They gave us some greasy, cold props EW. About twenty feet from us was Brendan Frasiers start mark. Sad to say, I doubt we will be caught in the film. There was a big tree in the way. But it was still cool to see the scene being shot. I took a few pics of him too...which...shh...we werent supposed to do. We were told very clearly not to talk to any actors or crew unless they talked to us. So no people, dont ask, I did not get any autographs. The crew was really nice and friendly though. And from what I could see of Frasier, he seemed like a nice guy too, which is nice to see in Hollywood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkOTlFRood6LeqgtrrG1IK1sj5eBicrY0ivVlR4_N81HMfaVKG4plF44WAp-Kz3rOz-YxMwslMJL6lXy4jAdyacu9qtPlOqq0LEkIMtIvmsFxQA8JDkzJCwknnNXQ-nZU24-ZlTz24dw/s1600-h/SDC10274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkOTlFRood6LeqgtrrG1IK1sj5eBicrY0ivVlR4_N81HMfaVKG4plF44WAp-Kz3rOz-YxMwslMJL6lXy4jAdyacu9qtPlOqq0LEkIMtIvmsFxQA8JDkzJCwknnNXQ-nZU24-ZlTz24dw/s400/SDC10274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343577120605412146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP8M0-epivrjpRqemb5MXDllsyNkiyFHj_cMMvPOClLOm3ldWQKoMkMbBrjJDwz2UM6QlEY-5WSuGqfgDSzXLVLQioP3gatUziMFZLz7bkjDFKFob-turIDQzzH9YT1ALjK-IUy_vQRs/s1600-h/SDC10281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP8M0-epivrjpRqemb5MXDllsyNkiyFHj_cMMvPOClLOm3ldWQKoMkMbBrjJDwz2UM6QlEY-5WSuGqfgDSzXLVLQioP3gatUziMFZLz7bkjDFKFob-turIDQzzH9YT1ALjK-IUy_vQRs/s400/SDC10281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343577117828986850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXPel3dFz1LKNNMt-_tjFxOiccRdisf8bx4VxzADjQSyg4Ff8K9snbi8i6k5d4YOw3IxVl39VPSJln4BTOFK2lP421lQ4AT1QG41bEyoEcLGLxU6z_kiTIQyiz-X24Ckf6yBfDFV1oz4/s1600-h/SDC10284.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXPel3dFz1LKNNMt-_tjFxOiccRdisf8bx4VxzADjQSyg4Ff8K9snbi8i6k5d4YOw3IxVl39VPSJln4BTOFK2lP421lQ4AT1QG41bEyoEcLGLxU6z_kiTIQyiz-X24Ckf6yBfDFV1oz4/s400/SDC10284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343577664760757602" border="0" /></a><br />Finally around 7 we were done. To be nice to the promo extras, they do a raffle afterwards and give out prizes. Sadly...we won nothing. Still though, it was an awesome day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jxIgCXF6VbptugQ1IQZllpLnJVKmIGDVO8tvXyVqWvfnF4sK4lcY5WOgYMABKWubj7sRla1emYGvWtzswVmsrgcduCMcCmTa6B0WlZT4_5M4k3uYJ3pyUhZ6CfelY3vlkczfYCE_Beo/s1600-h/SDC10289.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jxIgCXF6VbptugQ1IQZllpLnJVKmIGDVO8tvXyVqWvfnF4sK4lcY5WOgYMABKWubj7sRla1emYGvWtzswVmsrgcduCMcCmTa6B0WlZT4_5M4k3uYJ3pyUhZ6CfelY3vlkczfYCE_Beo/s400/SDC10289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343577117180093202" border="0" /></a><br />I have to say, its addicting. Even though I spent most of my time sitting...I can see why people do keep trying to get into the movie biz. Im thinking about activating my account to become a paying member. That means they open you up to even more casting opportunities. It could be fun...just gotta get my self-confidence to think so too! I am definitely going to go to any other calls that happen in the future. And even if you cant see me in the film when it comes out next year...you can point to the tree in the amusement park as Frasier runs with the kids to the rollercoaster and say "HEY! Jenni is sitting behind that!" <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">hahaha<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Good times.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion0xhfNpxWPTmXSmYpAeFErqsqN0ricMUXZgs_40-PFWDJnJKBTmOE5r4RPbzdXva1qWx-DLevpsRW6b12ohFJscpsDbHmPtg5vhOgWzraNuuBn9JAHi8ac-RGFLfEZ7crV6zdpnxNMg/s1600-h/100_3886-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion0xhfNpxWPTmXSmYpAeFErqsqN0ricMUXZgs_40-PFWDJnJKBTmOE5r4RPbzdXva1qWx-DLevpsRW6b12ohFJscpsDbHmPtg5vhOgWzraNuuBn9JAHi8ac-RGFLfEZ7crV6zdpnxNMg/s400/100_3886-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343577670399895186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(A pic we took of me while waiting..I like it... Woo...)<br /></span></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-76408215955533442622009-05-19T09:38:00.000-07:002009-05-19T13:19:43.163-07:00Jenni misses...<span style="font-style: italic;">Here is the first segment of Jenni misses. I figured every so often I should write something about just me. Rylend is definitely the center of my life and makes enough stories for me to write a book, but I realized that moms way more than they should end up totally forgetting themselves. Sometimes its good to at least just write about something the mommy likes or misses or did...Maybe it wont always be something I necessarily MISS...but here we go...</span><br /><br />JENNI MISSES...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>RUNNING</u></span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2K5ru7-vWezkyy0VWeZTx0zDfoZ8xYVNWPihIeKovbph0O9kXrimD_B9hIg8yipTdAbJLtNdwXRKaNQGWit85y6P1xIvuGLecTB-hZiuAIHx0eLODslUgleXQTxtL-MZgspbGVkrbOs/s1600-h/track003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2K5ru7-vWezkyy0VWeZTx0zDfoZ8xYVNWPihIeKovbph0O9kXrimD_B9hIg8yipTdAbJLtNdwXRKaNQGWit85y6P1xIvuGLecTB-hZiuAIHx0eLODslUgleXQTxtL-MZgspbGVkrbOs/s400/track003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337631161028210930" border="0" /></a><br />Ever since I was very very little I remember how much I love running. My family has two acres of property and during the nice weather I would literally just run in circles for fun. There was a grassy driveway down one side of the property and I remember racing my brother John up and down it. I couldnt wait until I was finally in middle school and got to join the track team.<br /><br />My dad did track growing up. I remember him telling about the events and his memories of it and I would just sit there thinking "Wow! I cant wait!" I always ended up saying I wanted to do whatever my dad did. I wrote in first grade that when I grew up I wanted to be "an EMT, just like my dad." I know I really wanted to be a writer...but doing something like dad sounded so much cooler. Really though, even thugh the fact that he loved running helped, I truly did love it.<br /><br /><br />I joined softball in fourth grade. I really wasnt that good at it. I think it was more a competetive thing with my brother since he was a huge baseball addict. I couldnt throw right and barely ever caught the ball. But when my chance came to bat and I got to run around those bases, thats when I loved it. Other teams learned that I was the girl who would always try to steal a base. I would sprint as fast as I could. In fifth grade I quite softball and joined basketball. I wasnt as bad at that as I was at softball. I was decent at dribbling and stealing and even made a basket every so often. But my favorite thing? I bet you can guess...booking it down that court, swerving in and out of the people for that little bouncing orange ball. I would dive for it, usually ending up with bruises and bloody noses.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWF0sVKUFnS35rEyQCqsoHpFaVhx5hE3N69GnYt1_MZuTRPRygToltKiAkzvrldtrNAAeYqll3Sn7tVZo-WZbIze1TkI3_ufv7222ptgD5pnR_gkh1hYSVRXvGUhQtAPy5b__4L9Qolzg/s1600-h/track004-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWF0sVKUFnS35rEyQCqsoHpFaVhx5hE3N69GnYt1_MZuTRPRygToltKiAkzvrldtrNAAeYqll3Sn7tVZo-WZbIze1TkI3_ufv7222ptgD5pnR_gkh1hYSVRXvGUhQtAPy5b__4L9Qolzg/s400/track004-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337631167486159170" border="0" /></a><br />I remember one time a friend of mine asked me to teach her to run. Ha! We were hanging out in front of the whale museum in town and she told me I was so good at it and wanted me to teach her. I think we were about nine. So we spent the rest of the time we had there running up and down the sidewalk, me "teaching" (like I knew what I was doing right? It was like "so stretch your legs as far as you can...stay on your toes, think of your ankles like springs, etc") and she running after me.<br /><br />Finally the day came that I left the elementary school and entered the long awaited middle school. I joined volleyball that fall and loved it. I was the youngest setter on the team and actually did pretty decent. But all I could wait for what that spring. As spring drew closer, I found out something horrible.<br /><br />Our middle school didnt have a track team!<br /><br />I dont remember everything I did, but I wasnt happy. I had always been one of those kids who would write up petitions whenever I wasnt happy with something and get everyone who could write to add their signiature. Then I would wave it in front of my teachers face...it rarely changed anything but I always had to get my point across. I remember writing one, saying that we needed our own track team. Then bringing it to the principal. Within a few weeks our science teacher had agreed to be the coach and we started our first practices. I was in heaven!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHyUCPEqlNXcu-TyW36IzMQ0iVLiuVW-1jm3o3Ve3fYiunfCTIEVxuLrzNr3Qd-4xh7pYKxBGRhNJNdzNW63l8JKrfJscZMpTAHhMJmZ-wSTHVfl-tetC8HsgScOxaJwF60nwzqMjwPE/s1600-h/track002-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHyUCPEqlNXcu-TyW36IzMQ0iVLiuVW-1jm3o3Ve3fYiunfCTIEVxuLrzNr3Qd-4xh7pYKxBGRhNJNdzNW63l8JKrfJscZMpTAHhMJmZ-wSTHVfl-tetC8HsgScOxaJwF60nwzqMjwPE/s400/track002-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337631147776068834" border="0" /></a><br />I couldnt get enough of it. I wanted to do every event and run run run. Yeah, I would complain sometimes. It was hard! But inside I loved every second of it. Through out middle school I looked forward to volleyball in the fall, theatre in the winter, and then the long awaited for spring and Track season. We were a small school with a new track team, so we only had about two meets a year. It mostly was a bunch of kids getting together and running. I slowly came to find some of my favorite events: Hurtles. 4x1 Relay. 400m dash. 1600m. Long jump. It was hard because we could only do four events. I would have to bounce back and fourth, the only one I constantly doing was 4x1.<br /><br />Middle school ended. I entered high school. I quite volleyball, mostly out of fear that I wouldnt be good enough. I sike myself out alot and even ignored the fact that the high school volleyball coach had come to me asking that I join the team. I just chickened out. Sadly. But Theatre and Track...they never left me. My first year I qualified for Tri-Districts (one away from State) with three events: Long jump, 400m, and 4x1 relay. I was so nervous! I kept messing up my footing on long jump and ended up not placing high enough. I took off too fast for 400m and placed one spot below the qualifying spot for State. Then 4x1. We were doing amazing. Ahead of the pack. I ran third leg (hated that leg) and as I sprinted to the last hand-off, she took off her mark too late and I ran into her. We placed two spots too low. That year I also had my first break-up. I remember during PE the next day asking my teacher if I could just run. Of course he let me. I probably ran about nine or ten miles that class. I was burning and aching but I had just discovered what else running can do: heal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlLlBdpzWPAaERZORLRKdCxOV77lsSf2kPMsxfaJX12EWf5n6ZipZ6FJ_pkFR5GT57WzTk_9JLpzh56Gfu3nE2LH9kEfhmweuRN4ZU-LaVb7_V0G8eGVnq7tKBiOGnI9fRl2usOQ0Kmk/s1600-h/Track03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlLlBdpzWPAaERZORLRKdCxOV77lsSf2kPMsxfaJX12EWf5n6ZipZ6FJ_pkFR5GT57WzTk_9JLpzh56Gfu3nE2LH9kEfhmweuRN4ZU-LaVb7_V0G8eGVnq7tKBiOGnI9fRl2usOQ0Kmk/s400/Track03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337631326314489762" border="0" /></a><br />In tenth grade I discovered a new love: Triple jump. We were having a home meet and there were only two other competitors. Our coach asked if anyone wanted to try it. As long as we didnt scratch, we would place and get points for the team and our lettering. A friend and mine and I decided to give it a shot. The judge at the pit gave us a quick lesson...and I placed first! There was one other girl on our team, a grade ahead of me, who had been doing triple for a while. She wasnt too happy. But I had just fallen in love with it. It quickly became my main event that I focused on. They would have to pry me away from the pit to practice relay or 400m. I would alternated between triple and long daily, flying through the air over and over. Sprinting down the line then leaping into the air and landing into the sandy pit. I loved it! I placed first at almost every meet after that. My distance got better and better and before long I had almost pre-qualified for State.<br /><br />One practice I was trying to get past a mark I had been landing for too long. I just couldnt get it. We all played in the sand while others jumped, making sand castles and such. The girl that was jumping long before me, who I was now beating every time, was digging in the sand. I saw her digging, and should have looked closer at what she was doing. I went back to my starting spot, sprinted down the lane, hop skip jump...and landed in the whole she had dug right where I had been landing all day. She had dug it down to the hard dirt below. All I remember was screaming, feeling fire go up my leg, then falling over and blacking out. I opened my eyes to the team running to me and the girl begging me not to tell. Of course I did...she never showed up for practice again. Turns out she wanted to make my shin splints worse (I suffered from those non stop). But instead I twisted my right ankle and tore the cartelidge in my right knee.<br /><br />You cant do much to fix knee injuries. I was heart broken. I was about to qualify for State. I couldnt run at all now. I kept showing up for practice. And they let me come on the meets to root everyone on. Bi-Districts rolled around...and I decided I would compete. I started practicing, trying to push through the pain. My knee was always wrapped tightly and IB Profen was a good friend. I remember that meet. I can picture that runway and pit and remember the pain as I tried to shoot down it. I didnt do horrible. Better than I thought I would. And my coach was proud of me. I was trying. I remember running and jumping into the air, tears filling my eyes, and landing, trying to put as much weight as I could onto my left leg. I didnt go onto Tris that year.<br /><br />My knee never got back to how it was. in 11th grade I was back in track, but I couldnt push like I once did. I hated 4x1. Basically girls 4x1 is a popularity contest fill of bickering abckstabbing girls. And Coach always put me on it even though I told him I didnt want to. I had to deal with the girls, the attacking, the snide comments. Sigh. All I wanted to do was be at my pit. I did well that year...not AS well as before...but well. My senior year I didnt start track right away. I was busy with running start, planning my wedding, etc etc. But I got pulled back in. I couldnt resist it. Its like a drug haha. I did it for the love of running, not the competition. I did well, could have gone onto tris but decided not to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_wdxauGaF1u-jLvQtd8FG1ACMEES5iuV9j4YQh-SrSKRk0FgYWURbrJaFFP-kvvzcZGDbFP0fPEIeBKy63rfz6BqnyNTMfZYwTMIoQ75j6hwYmhLO7zt9neDmmhqaqIrz-CeoPVbI6o/s1600-h/Track02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_wdxauGaF1u-jLvQtd8FG1ACMEES5iuV9j4YQh-SrSKRk0FgYWURbrJaFFP-kvvzcZGDbFP0fPEIeBKy63rfz6BqnyNTMfZYwTMIoQ75j6hwYmhLO7zt9neDmmhqaqIrz-CeoPVbI6o/s400/Track02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337631169291979282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I wish they had a track team for Addicted Graduates. You leave school, get handed your diploma and move into the "real" world, and all your passions you created those 12 years become ignored gems. Unless you have been accepted into a college for one of you talents, you end up losing them. Theatre, Track, Choir...what do you do when you dont have the afterschool announcements and Meets and scheduled field trips?<br /><br />I stopped running.<br /><br />I have decided something though. Just because I dont have the Meets and competition, why cant I still run? Like when I was younger, running around my family's property just for the sheer joy of it. The burn of the lungs. The strain in the legs. The quick breaths and pounding heart. Watching the world whiz by as you take step after step down the path. Not to mention is kick starts your metabolism and trims in those parts of your body ruined by such things as...pregnancy...<br /><br />So I am running again. I mapped out an area in a neighborhood near us. It is about a mile there and a mile back, so a good two miles. Some hills, lots of sidewalk...quiet streets. I went running yesterday in the first time in who KNOWS how long. It was about 6 at night and had been hot all day. But a breeze kicked in right when I started. I couldnt run the entire time. Thats what you get for being out of shape. But I ran most of the way. I loved the fact that my legs throbbed and felt like Jell-o. I loved the sharp burn in my lungs and the sweat beading on my forehead. Running is one of the best therapies out there. Life is a headache, like nothing else. I am trying my hardest to raise a kid in a good home with the right morals and lots of happiness. He has a mind of his own and I am on my feet alot chasing him. We have bills and rarely enough money to pay them. In all senses we are poor. Friends are far and few between and family is far away. Its easy to feel alone and depressed and worn out. But putting on my running clothes (which I found out I need new ones. Especially shoes sigh) and letting the pavement take away my thoughts...I had forgotten how good it feels. I miss getting the metals of first place. The kudos and the slaps on the back and the news articles...you dont get those in real life. <br /><br />But I feel good. Thats worth it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpKrCUHBFO7iOnydOwtJLD4tPFouYHBooqgmMuovsGfxVruvQmtooOINqGPb66hTehpSCPFDbn2UDdVB12sejflTqu0bLNmQbeel0SZA3zYdysdgzHPXhEDDeV8iGJ9Sa9lSiIGQXp6c/s1600-h/track001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpKrCUHBFO7iOnydOwtJLD4tPFouYHBooqgmMuovsGfxVruvQmtooOINqGPb66hTehpSCPFDbn2UDdVB12sejflTqu0bLNmQbeel0SZA3zYdysdgzHPXhEDDeV8iGJ9Sa9lSiIGQXp6c/s400/track001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337631144359265250" border="0" /></a>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-41686604374549431522009-05-13T11:42:00.000-07:002009-05-13T12:31:42.535-07:00Our trip to the Rock<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwYDJFIci9zNRSE06lP-QsrMNKBmZFspHJpsAYLXnvReqs_lYcukdrGtzdh_FuIgT2snGhwRIOpnWKA5q4cYUXEjHesjaGWyuuXnY97C5ZLMyPIe0AbZyQ77HyXJqMY3QatEUVFzJIY0/s1600-h/100_2620.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwYDJFIci9zNRSE06lP-QsrMNKBmZFspHJpsAYLXnvReqs_lYcukdrGtzdh_FuIgT2snGhwRIOpnWKA5q4cYUXEjHesjaGWyuuXnY97C5ZLMyPIe0AbZyQ77HyXJqMY3QatEUVFzJIY0/s400/100_2620.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391093816430354" border="0" /></a><br />So the other weekend we made it up to good old San Juan for a visit. Shane took of monday and we were able to visit for three days. It was nice. The island is one of those places that no matter how long you are gone, as soon as you step foot there it feels like you never left. We werent able to make it to see everyone we wanted to. Its kind of hard when you only have about 2 and a half days and you want to spend as much time with your fam as you can...while trying to make time too see your friends also.<br /><br />On Saturday we went to the Children's fair. Its an interactive "fair" they do for the kids on the island...with classes about safety and such stuff. Rylend got to meet Officer McGruff for the first time and couldnt take his eyes off of him! He was like "WOW! Thats a BIG puppy!" We wandered around, saw some people, then found a cute mermaid booth and took his pic in that too. The hair tickled his face and he couldnt stop laughing! It was wayyy cute...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_YuMfCPB8SHUmzUFKahJHJAdJV1mFbylYguMEWPaLRLE1c4ICWR_7kSUoHxWzp3okY_lxlfQ1xQRd5TxI34RA96smoRw3FHWm_CCleUtwaCKXSBF-CQU2AjX-aWSX8rMnhSZ4yxftbM/s1600-h/100_2468.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_YuMfCPB8SHUmzUFKahJHJAdJV1mFbylYguMEWPaLRLE1c4ICWR_7kSUoHxWzp3okY_lxlfQ1xQRd5TxI34RA96smoRw3FHWm_CCleUtwaCKXSBF-CQU2AjX-aWSX8rMnhSZ4yxftbM/s400/100_2468.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335386279450043778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBd3vUfmrDd4VRub8HXuveIP6r9hRqCN7osf7s7jl5NupebSiSrsfsB0wCoLsHhPgQ2mTZaPWnJ1WwNqUasDpoHY5EfAWihwBu33PW7RwtZwMHDjIdAdt-v8X_QbDo46YM3h_B2Ea5DM/s1600-h/100_2470.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBd3vUfmrDd4VRub8HXuveIP6r9hRqCN7osf7s7jl5NupebSiSrsfsB0wCoLsHhPgQ2mTZaPWnJ1WwNqUasDpoHY5EfAWihwBu33PW7RwtZwMHDjIdAdt-v8X_QbDo46YM3h_B2Ea5DM/s400/100_2470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335386291870044290" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday night we were able to get together with some of our friends. It was sooo nice seeing them again. I really wish they could visit us more too...but money is very tight I know. Still, we had fun chatting and remembering fun memories.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjRcmP3BXCn-FqsisWJqmz6D1megwBONDqJK-vm5peTsyB2rXA79mWFvxegwRPwO_Nh8ljXeKKmWKawZjcqqdeuQ-leA_OmARrD7-LleBGBoMQqlDKWqKgRUtfF-6L_Zdy7kPQV35kOE/s1600-h/100_2486.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjRcmP3BXCn-FqsisWJqmz6D1megwBONDqJK-vm5peTsyB2rXA79mWFvxegwRPwO_Nh8ljXeKKmWKawZjcqqdeuQ-leA_OmARrD7-LleBGBoMQqlDKWqKgRUtfF-6L_Zdy7kPQV35kOE/s400/100_2486.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335386298348089346" border="0" /></a>My dad babysat Rylend later and we were able to all go see Wolverine. It was a pretty good movie! I think I am biased though just because I think Hugh Jackman is very yummy...haha!<br />And look! A nice pic of just Shane and I (in line for the movie) I know...its rare. Mostly because I am usually in my pj messy hair getup and pics of Rylend are WAY cuter. But I do like this one.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFveohwpSZuLO0X01lAlAG7EXXuU4eqLnkxHLMS42Q_0odkN1I7gZym4htIfGuNhc7BGzffB_PUjqQw7Ivyra08grzzzbQTeT-pkTJSXsCJrEB-K4uI89ZHbkhd4qYArUD0qy5AvPBtc/s1600-h/100_2499-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFveohwpSZuLO0X01lAlAG7EXXuU4eqLnkxHLMS42Q_0odkN1I7gZym4htIfGuNhc7BGzffB_PUjqQw7Ivyra08grzzzbQTeT-pkTJSXsCJrEB-K4uI89ZHbkhd4qYArUD0qy5AvPBtc/s400/100_2499-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335386302327138002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sunday was nice and relaxing. We just spent time with my family, went out to see my grandma, then relaxed. Its easy to forget exactly HOW cute my little nieces and nephew are...but as soon as I see them I remember VERY easy. Aly was all over me all weekend, giving me hugs and wanting to play with Rylend who is her "best buddy." After being shy at first, Breken was all about playing "BOO!" with "nenni nenni nenni" and shelby finally gave me a hug without me having to steal it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6SuJoF04rpV1zBPbgHLR2oLFS9SmpjliMf1QL4lReNBNmKSVRgHky9v7mOZLr-NSTlzESy2XAhF2B1lQBp_0fZomtblWn3Gq99940bzFUhiGK1ZmdVj89Qss4cifsXCxVUMFj6_FZyI/s1600-h/100_2565.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6SuJoF04rpV1zBPbgHLR2oLFS9SmpjliMf1QL4lReNBNmKSVRgHky9v7mOZLr-NSTlzESy2XAhF2B1lQBp_0fZomtblWn3Gq99940bzFUhiGK1ZmdVj89Qss4cifsXCxVUMFj6_FZyI/s400/100_2565.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335386303746303762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On monday we tried to squeeze in a few more visits while spending time with my mom too (it was her day off yay!) It was sad to have to leave. I really do miss my family and friends on the Rock, alot. If I had the money (and patience for that car ride) I would be visiting WAY more often...but for now I guess blogging will have to do. Sigh...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywDjGofJ6Tq1YoMNaPSSrmJ70UC6DAuPbFlo1nHYKEVLiCP04DoctFeqhQxgr9jN2HOenDBDE8QtKhfo_bDsPjJkXgODenxvdDcS_CFLr7Kb0NhnN9ixdo3TFzr6LKuYzryHpjVGzWDM/s1600-h/100_2601.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywDjGofJ6Tq1YoMNaPSSrmJ70UC6DAuPbFlo1nHYKEVLiCP04DoctFeqhQxgr9jN2HOenDBDE8QtKhfo_bDsPjJkXgODenxvdDcS_CFLr7Kb0NhnN9ixdo3TFzr6LKuYzryHpjVGzWDM/s400/100_2601.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391084054858178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oNXLd1XZODG9xqJJl3IhDKG2W6CSWpIZ_VdipVbwc08OWtAmhocnMzkLT_O5XfRnOjvn3Ozv8GVbbpFGZATNFTutGRm1RU2lp6hyphenhyphenNxXkZou1zZ0x3IgxqRIBu1dnK6cZgqlQQYg_OXQ/s1600-h/100_2603-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oNXLd1XZODG9xqJJl3IhDKG2W6CSWpIZ_VdipVbwc08OWtAmhocnMzkLT_O5XfRnOjvn3Ozv8GVbbpFGZATNFTutGRm1RU2lp6hyphenhyphenNxXkZou1zZ0x3IgxqRIBu1dnK6cZgqlQQYg_OXQ/s400/100_2603-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391086452262066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl4prr_x8NeJbdgyuJvsyKp85RidlWqIUOn8YwGJ5Po7YlU4nWHCuonwa0Ta9aTmrNbRqRAOfozBJUicC-_5A2XHOPoqvPlytkjeGkt8MNk8PHSp0c3aLpKJv5bJTo5muP4e5ish96EE/s1600-h/100_2609.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl4prr_x8NeJbdgyuJvsyKp85RidlWqIUOn8YwGJ5Po7YlU4nWHCuonwa0Ta9aTmrNbRqRAOfozBJUicC-_5A2XHOPoqvPlytkjeGkt8MNk8PHSp0c3aLpKJv5bJTo5muP4e5ish96EE/s400/100_2609.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391088751589330" border="0" /></a><br />The car ride home was LOOOONG. Traffic was bad and Rylend didnt like his seat anymore. He finally passed out for about an hour...but that was it. He basically didnt sleep all weekend and ended up getting a cold. We had an angry tired sick baby on our hands and he is still suffering from that dang runny nose! At a rest stop (we had to stop for a VERY stinky diaper) Rylend decided HE wanted to drive the car...it was cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqyfNzylSSy8amltag-uTobbiVW-mMelVZ7nqLHyXJXeWBOvQ6XcapuzLlWfID27V2QNkZwHzQV5Q9J2Q7gAq6d1-3YgS96fqSUeiWWfNzeP2fd7JzTwZznJZFY_nMKiO2Jj2wBSDUQY/s1600-h/100_2724.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqyfNzylSSy8amltag-uTobbiVW-mMelVZ7nqLHyXJXeWBOvQ6XcapuzLlWfID27V2QNkZwHzQV5Q9J2Q7gAq6d1-3YgS96fqSUeiWWfNzeP2fd7JzTwZznJZFY_nMKiO2Jj2wBSDUQY/s400/100_2724.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391937432024162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWSJqHB7za8CcH-5LVDx1z76p7SV2H-LR4CpQ5ST2DGP2VnFGHPGsCzLlxvQqIk16_oUky7OeEGIE_bvNULIOQvcFMvFmfGC-DvQwvtsI58CaRlEWDpUhLRNIQjUmw8IX8XfwfscjTRk/s1600-h/100_2729.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWSJqHB7za8CcH-5LVDx1z76p7SV2H-LR4CpQ5ST2DGP2VnFGHPGsCzLlxvQqIk16_oUky7OeEGIE_bvNULIOQvcFMvFmfGC-DvQwvtsI58CaRlEWDpUhLRNIQjUmw8IX8XfwfscjTRk/s400/100_2729.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335391933630987730" border="0" /></a><br />Overall it was a nice visit. I was VERY tired by the time we got home, but I had a ton of fun seeing everyone again. Till next time!! LOve you all!!Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338604074637222399.post-3934932957283974142009-05-12T11:52:00.000-07:002009-05-12T12:13:44.589-07:00IHeartFaces - Laughter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwrfqBrlvBVdRLVBZ6XCr8A-t9i0nexsodor_BE4IR13kEc-fiEYQz6xA_6jrPfHsvSVI1C471JwYfG0zsDZ47ZQJ4tF5aYm3ZDhwgWH_CU5Td_9b-h0FgPYnyLgIh3L7jsw_pkoE8eY/s1600-h/Button_-_Kids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwrfqBrlvBVdRLVBZ6XCr8A-t9i0nexsodor_BE4IR13kEc-fiEYQz6xA_6jrPfHsvSVI1C471JwYfG0zsDZ47ZQJ4tF5aYm3ZDhwgWH_CU5Td_9b-h0FgPYnyLgIh3L7jsw_pkoE8eY/s400/Button_-_Kids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335016227469057218" border="0" /></a>It was so hard to pick a pic of laughter for Rylend! I have wayyy too many. If there is one things he is good at, it is laughing!! This one is one of my favorites, out of the hundreds I do have. And since I have to pic only one...here it is! Rylend playing with one of his favorite things: his Blankie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY15dnWTOGbmsl1JRoJX63tcTi0prVPg1yzhVR0HZzX2LKeybcVG-wLECkW0pt4l2HgJLuqIVwKvGyZHqJ1cRqJNIQNOUpiPoPXpWi4wcOExXZzoYq4n4ZudR_4Oz-b7pfJzgJm4NdfzY/s1600-h/100_6102.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY15dnWTOGbmsl1JRoJX63tcTi0prVPg1yzhVR0HZzX2LKeybcVG-wLECkW0pt4l2HgJLuqIVwKvGyZHqJ1cRqJNIQNOUpiPoPXpWi4wcOExXZzoYq4n4ZudR_4Oz-b7pfJzgJm4NdfzY/s400/100_6102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335016215951252434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLaAlyzx2MrOjd_QseE9xzgUTk1Db_9j-l6pVe8euLwyUW8MrcgLKRh_ClOMxpUCiZr-UOMycVNfVHjgwdCiq8mu5LAmILGS1sLoFZY_G1SA1Rqy2o2Di5zEnuMrYpflUAo2PjLJ0B0w/s1600-h/Button_-_Adults.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 64px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLaAlyzx2MrOjd_QseE9xzgUTk1Db_9j-l6pVe8euLwyUW8MrcgLKRh_ClOMxpUCiZr-UOMycVNfVHjgwdCiq8mu5LAmILGS1sLoFZY_G1SA1Rqy2o2Di5zEnuMrYpflUAo2PjLJ0B0w/s400/Button_-_Adults.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335016222997582418" border="0" /></a><br />I took this pic a while back. We were goofing off with some friends at the park at night and taking random pics. Those are the memories I love. In this one we were all cracking up because I just got kicked in the face...oh yes good times! I miss them though. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYANgLE_Wsxi4Pvsk5U5OuMNQLOBl0Hf8OqLdRnfTbGIagQZ64X5_DymXx3TPLm8dpRTNUvBOU45z3rPN1PSBw8yPua4ksaNzpKAVLAbXDw50PyysQeJLxW4afnEaJ_WlYF60pFCTsga0/s1600-h/laugh2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYANgLE_Wsxi4Pvsk5U5OuMNQLOBl0Hf8OqLdRnfTbGIagQZ64X5_DymXx3TPLm8dpRTNUvBOU45z3rPN1PSBw8yPua4ksaNzpKAVLAbXDw50PyysQeJLxW4afnEaJ_WlYF60pFCTsga0/s400/laugh2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335016692456165890" border="0" /></a>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06716180966581782422noreply@blogger.com4