tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216183405602898572024-02-21T11:19:58.148-06:00Table For 4Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-51012608234385899382009-10-12T14:51:00.005-05:002009-10-12T15:34:40.382-05:00We're Moving!After nearly 7 months of debate, Randy and I have <em>finally</em> decided on a new name for our family blog....since, ya know, we'll no longer be a 'Table for 4' in just 6 short weeks. We didn't want to use a number just in case we continued our family expansion project and, we wanted to avoid using our last name since the Internet is, well, the Internet....so the decision took some time. <blockquote></blockquote>BUT, from today on out, you can follow our family news at........ <blockquote></blockquote><a href="http://thefruitsofourlabor.blogspot.com/">The Fruits of our Labor</a> <blockquote></blockquote>'Table for 4' will be up for the next 6 weeks or so, but after M3 joins our family, I will be deleting it...so make sure you update your blog feeds, IE Favorites, etc.<br /><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-36174157802648412742009-10-05T08:59:00.003-05:002009-10-05T09:29:42.805-05:00Wait for it.....<div>My sister so nicely reminded me last night, "You're behind on your blog posts, and I need new pictures." <em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389122676703378962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlgpSX37NV-EDbMLNSZumMn_UEk5BMKpbdhOQn_9ntkdmANG05rgl77EFZCVvRiQJdRGvnMvsyhYolw58LdfATYGRmFqVQsbxUcu-0G4Ot7ehVyGSvSomqM5q-USstFOVWHUBGmZlsS7N/s320/DSC_0003b.jpg" /> <div><em>So</em> sorry, dear blog readers, but as you can imagine, I've been a little preoccupied....but mostly tired.</div><br /><div></div><div>BUT a new blog post is coming soon.....complete with news about our new blog 'location'.</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-25611064777008649512009-09-11T23:05:00.006-05:002009-09-11T10:01:47.575-05:00Busy Labor Day WeekendSadly, I'm almost a full week late in posting pics and such from our Labor Day Weekend...but better late than never, right? So, here is what filled our weekend....in semi-bullet point fashion.<br /><br /><ul><li><div align="left">Friday night: Randy's first love is football...he just can't get enough of this season. And since our Residency Program docs work as one of the local HS team's "Team Docs", he thought it would be fun to take the family....show us (specifically, Josiah) where he will be "working" many Friday nights till November. It was a great night (minus the surprising cost of admission=$24)...and the kids really enjoyed themselves. We sat right next to the band (on the non-student side) where Josiah and Laney could dance their little hearts out...and they did! It was an interesting environment, being around all of those 'kids' (boy, things/kids have changed in the last 13 years--whoa, that makes me feel <em>old</em>) and seeing the marching band (yep, I was one of <em>those</em> band geeks, but I loved it). And one other interesting observation....a popular concession item here is cucumber wedges seasoned with chili powder and lemon. Hmmmm, wasn't quite sure what to think of that, so I refrained. Here are a couple off snapshots from our of HS football game experience.</div></li></ul><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHQeVxfU8xTuAhRt4iN0KnL6rt0Jo5EJytFHaM0piOVEU6f8KecX3UItruVdUvH4KqRuzS3IlgkzwML3ObVeT_Tg8a55eUnV-HVH8rbra2S1BRoViCpOtg7Z4_u-PDoW0xbzd1l9MpQep/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380058777658246834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHQeVxfU8xTuAhRt4iN0KnL6rt0Jo5EJytFHaM0piOVEU6f8KecX3UItruVdUvH4KqRuzS3IlgkzwML3ObVeT_Tg8a55eUnV-HVH8rbra2S1BRoViCpOtg7Z4_u-PDoW0xbzd1l9MpQep/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" /></a>Football is SO big here in TX that it's not uncommon to see scoreboards with jumbo-trons at the HS level...I was amazed.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5BnA-KAr9AVA3Q2KrADbRlIg4pDOTYJe1ZNWoxQkNBLF2qt8_7OXkuBR4dMm1pxHwhnqg9oGF4kEy2zPtdcnG7cwF45qeD6T-hmt5XY8zql4i4eleMXCvHENeCALiyA9EyH9663NvIWe/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380058341002233250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5BnA-KAr9AVA3Q2KrADbRlIg4pDOTYJe1ZNWoxQkNBLF2qt8_7OXkuBR4dMm1pxHwhnqg9oGF4kEy2zPtdcnG7cwF45qeD6T-hmt5XY8zql4i4eleMXCvHENeCALiyA9EyH9663NvIWe/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" /></a> As long as Laney had popcorn, she was good to go.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0OJXFXAvkMfZNKvgNLUbaBpJyolEkPFA3Fq9zvWyLYARuEkOYn_ZGKZn4jAc3obLa5_iGGLKc-KAvtxGwv06Wdq3WK2GEVGYiKTQ3TTe4To28p9xkPkmzhDYeM7SqJBqwO_zqhqi6LjK/s1600-h/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380058336490631218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0OJXFXAvkMfZNKvgNLUbaBpJyolEkPFA3Fq9zvWyLYARuEkOYn_ZGKZn4jAc3obLa5_iGGLKc-KAvtxGwv06Wdq3WK2GEVGYiKTQ3TTe4To28p9xkPkmzhDYeM7SqJBqwO_zqhqi6LjK/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" /></a> Ah, just remembering the days...wool uniforms in high heat and humidity. <blockquote><p align="left">Laney also turned 16 months on Friday...and sported her first up-do (or 'whale spout' as I've just been informed my bloggy friend, Sabrina). Isn't it just darling?! Up to this point, she's not really had enough hair for us to pull up/back with even a clip...but with all of the outside activity (translation: sweating), she <em>kinda</em> sat still long enough to let me pull it up off her forehead in an effort to cool her down.</p></blockquote><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 244px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380056911984891634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrJlZcBRaMlJQHib1-4JFSxnfSgWTqgVruCunxDle-DFyV7v3psPRWYpVNErZFT-dZ81w3dkJg_B7fE_SODduGRC-TUrops2hTeetRfnzQ2icpUz70bkQK81n8-NCnAjdi4dh1L3tnTvb/s320/DSC_0041-2.jpg" /><br /><blockquote></blockquote><ul><li><div align="left">Saturday: I decided it was time to finally install Laney's new car seat. The big, pink, flowery car seat had been sitting in the entry way for the last couple of months...and <em>every</em> day, Laney would sit in it. My hesitation about installing it so soon after it was delivered was that it was too big to sit rear-facing...and I wasn't ready to turn her around quite yet. But I broke down, cleaned out the backseat, switched Josiah to the passenger side (his legs are too long to fit comfortably when Randy drives), and installed Laney's new seat....she LOVES it. Now there's just one more seat to install.......</div></li></ul><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkXhl6jYs8EydcUJlxBBAklqXWlvvCIzO64x8kGOYvQC-8GOedcyJmWE-F-GDb0AmhpLQZk0_yMDf7EIXlEoNor19vmJz0cKjWwzvT8BHezY4BKXIHvFcOF3_rnufAB5vuhDBm4mQdbaz/s1600-h/DSC_0046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380058328406759650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkXhl6jYs8EydcUJlxBBAklqXWlvvCIzO64x8kGOYvQC-8GOedcyJmWE-F-GDb0AmhpLQZk0_yMDf7EIXlEoNor19vmJz0cKjWwzvT8BHezY4BKXIHvFcOF3_rnufAB5vuhDBm4mQdbaz/s320/DSC_0046.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvafD0kKLhx-hQ97RQ9dHwvKu-KLzAUAGdJSzeTl0Ae7HDynPCxmKD5S56Rrz3ILa7EScmCvePiJK7q5hiu_YYD04EpPH-BqZye7tOG_bz22ihJhguAtdI5ZRC-rOP60cFZ65mr2QFZ-i/s1600-h/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380058314617535010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvafD0kKLhx-hQ97RQ9dHwvKu-KLzAUAGdJSzeTl0Ae7HDynPCxmKD5S56Rrz3ILa7EScmCvePiJK7q5hiu_YYD04EpPH-BqZye7tOG_bz22ihJhguAtdI5ZRC-rOP60cFZ65mr2QFZ-i/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" /></a> </p><blockquote></blockquote><ul><li><div align="left">Sunday: We headed to Brownsville for a friend's first birthday party at a local splash park. I've been wanting to go the park since we discovered it last year; but when it came down to it, I never really could get myself excited about traveling 30 minutes just to play around in water when we have multiple friends in town with pools. So this was perfect....plus, we didn't have to worry about a ton of random kids pushing over the babies, my friend had reserved it specifically for her daughter's birthday. It was so much fun...and the weather was perfect (yep, still really hot down here; however, we have cooled down to the low 90s)! </div></li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3QIdW-BVeZS9OMkh1gWRKUUvzRQwMzDuCS6t6ycTrXi1QvDFq-sUFKXtz_xtQmzUmFPgzVj1K7U3Or2Tr-5IPyDdyPBq0IvvN5f0trVGJgNgblCH1IxDiZnQsrW6evovaKGUY2Y9AMgD/s1600-h/DSC_0057.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380056929104857586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3QIdW-BVeZS9OMkh1gWRKUUvzRQwMzDuCS6t6ycTrXi1QvDFq-sUFKXtz_xtQmzUmFPgzVj1K7U3Or2Tr-5IPyDdyPBq0IvvN5f0trVGJgNgblCH1IxDiZnQsrW6evovaKGUY2Y9AMgD/s320/DSC_0057.jpg" /></a><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvHrDDDqF0jI3ispSfx7BLe3ONm9dLWVZA-xcpRnnL0qXExQSWyPv5FByxpiDW6Uzata7h873FeDl5srEOAazi37m3gfj42xmDfFyR60P-NQvVNxfrUhszxtZ5pYoDQqKkfcKMAEoKCJ0/s1600-h/DSC_0061.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380056919039460034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvHrDDDqF0jI3ispSfx7BLe3ONm9dLWVZA-xcpRnnL0qXExQSWyPv5FByxpiDW6Uzata7h873FeDl5srEOAazi37m3gfj42xmDfFyR60P-NQvVNxfrUhszxtZ5pYoDQqKkfcKMAEoKCJ0/s320/DSC_0061.jpg" /></a></p><blockquote></blockquote><ul><li><div align="left">Monday: We just relaxed and enjoyed having daddy home for a change. I cleared out the hall closet to make room for my newly organized file boxes (I no longer have clutter in the 'junk' corner of our bedroom--YAY, now we have room for the crib!) and was granted time to grocery shop ALONE. Randy had also smoked a turkey on Saturday, so we invited our fellow PGY2s over for fellowship and food. </div></li></ul><p align="left">It was a great weekend, filled with lots of family-time. Only a couple more weeks before Randy heads into another horrible month of hospital service, and then shortly after that, we become a family of FIVE.....we are definitely cherishing these moments as our little 'Table for 4', full weekends or even an hour--we'll take whatever we can get. Hope you had a great weekend!</p><div align="left"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></div></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-89537849812880585392009-09-03T14:44:00.005-05:002009-09-03T15:22:07.003-05:00Hiding His WordLast night was Josiah's FIRST night as a Cubbie in our church's AWANA Club. And if you aren't familiar with AWANA, it's an international, nondenominational, Bible-centered ministry for 3YOs through HS students, and the name comes from 2 Timothy 2:15:<br /><br />"Do your best to present yourself to God as one <strong>approved</strong>, a <strong>workman</strong> who does <strong>not</strong> need to be <strong>ashamed</strong> and who correctly handles the word of truth." <strong>A</strong>pproved-<strong>W</strong>orkmen-<strong>A</strong>re-<strong>N</strong>ot-<strong>A</strong>shamed.<br /><br />Last night was also Parent VIP Night for the Cubbies, so I was able to sit in his class and observe how he'll be spending his time (6pm-7:45pm every Wednesday)...and Josiah did pretty well considering he one ball of non-stop energy, which is only enhanced when he's around his friends. He began learning his first Cubbies Bible verse: "...God...loved us and sent His Son..." (1 John 4:10), the AWANA Pledge, the Pledge to the Christian Flag, the Pledge to the Bible, and Cubbies song. Each week, Randy and I will work with Josiah to memorize a different verse, thus hiding the Word in his heart. And with each successful verse recall (or series of verses), he will earn a badge to put on his Cubbie Vest, which he'll receive in a couple of weeks.<br /><br />Randy and I are excited to use this additional opportunity to teach Josiah (and Laney) about Jesus and God's grace (truthfully, I think I'm going to learn just as much). We just can't believe that <em>we</em> have a little one old enough to participate in the Club. 7-8 years ago, before Randy and I were married, we were group leaders for our church's kids program...I remember thinking just how cute, small, and impressionable our Cubbies were....and now <em>we</em> have one.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh966t7ZPfyNZ-hhkbFQXe2FaPp6_MfBCLfgxyZvq3hKWztroQmgv0VdyQpoWOvw0y3j8Go4_UScB_mIaJjvJzXdnEkYXkSnHgiChd4ALEAAVkRrs-caeXb3eMoJCbbp3_J-8pZeQF5xPnq/s1600-h/DSC_0003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 157px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377329674717687282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh966t7ZPfyNZ-hhkbFQXe2FaPp6_MfBCLfgxyZvq3hKWztroQmgv0VdyQpoWOvw0y3j8Go4_UScB_mIaJjvJzXdnEkYXkSnHgiChd4ALEAAVkRrs-caeXb3eMoJCbbp3_J-8pZeQF5xPnq/s320/DSC_0003.jpg" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;"> Kind of a goofy picture....he's learned the art of cheesy smiles.</span></em><br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></p></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-56903043820482775912009-08-31T14:36:00.005-05:002009-08-31T15:39:36.161-05:00Preparations for Baby: Part 1Today I'm 28 weeks pregnant, which means that I'm officially in my 3rd Trimester. I honestly can't believe how fast time is passing! It seems just like yesterday that we told our friends and family our shocking news. <blockquote></blockquote>I had the beloved glucose tolerance test this morning...and passed! I really didn't think I would fail, and I was praying that I wouldn't because I would not know life without my carbs and sweets....I already have to endure 6-9 months postpartum without chocolate or dairy.<br /><br /><div></div><div>Anyway, with only 12 weeks left, I've started preparing bit by bit. <blockquote></blockquote></div><div></div><div>1. <strong>Nursing cover</strong>: during the last couple of years, nursing covers have become popular among nursing moms. But for whatever reason, I've never purchased one. In thinking about things that I would enjoy having with this baby that I've not had with either Josiah or Laney, I decided that I wanted a nursing cover. However, I did NOT want to pay $35 for one. Sooo, I decided to search online for free tutorials and sew my own. I found two tutorials, but ended up using <a href="http://madebythemamamonster.blogspot.com/2008/04/nursing-cover-tutorial.html">this one</a>. There are a few things I would change upon sewing another one, but in the end, I was happy with how it turned out (despite its imperfections, which will probably continue to drive me nuts--but I do have the satisfaction of being able to say "I made it myself").</div><div></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376217384312204002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCRXiy7IQi10udV5x3KrOitA-e4xWGyPO3hsyKopQQBndHDj7HcgOFOp5to0-Ht-HXbB2ByZZ6dy7tNWgjfgJvnUs85NegyZ-8Fqqc8GZOcPdGXiPvW22M-6_5Yd0ToJmJmPuyz_wdT1T/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" /></div><div>2. <strong>Travel changing pad</strong>: in my search to find nursing cover tutorials, I ended up spending a few extra minutes perusing around Esty (very dangerous) and found that I could buy a travel changing pad to match my nursing cover. What a great idea! So that led me to search for changing pad patterns, and <a href="http://boogaboobabies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=39">this</a> is what I found. But again, I was unwilling to spend $31 for something I could easily sew myself for much less. Here are pics of <em>my</em> end product:</div><div></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376217406508107538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSrTRh2DzWZ48rz9PdvOZBVLcwiE6-vSH9PW1IMnYKZHVQHcGUcZpEx0U6r8ZEZPEP3TupkewgelsHE3AkzkcIWag7hMh30C5ms7Nah6dgJB_oqKQPTWJQS5LC5ZQRI4XUCD-r0qIomqa/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376217399745619490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOiMGgHLG3TW3qY75SwBUq8mzU22xbyYu1APrs12GGQGHyq7Vk6E9mZiC9JGgI4wwAZEhK40n0szLhWurShGTRctCi_C9eCXqS832lIdtsjVeYnIpXuZCdEffH0K0uY8qn4LHuE0RYc0L/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376217412714706322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOjW1iALPP9WZ9SlN1ZPiGbt24OkELLsEdkDhRs5_FlRcX4jHeSL7_FnM9mBI0TtlR44t1JO8eQDZJTci6ZgZQLRV0eHkgD3qP-J_4nwNBVmCcBdKsaTZ0mjalsE7CK0-cTcK5emW8TAO/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" />Again, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Although, next time I would use only 1 layer of quilt batting between the fabric layers (the 2 layers I used<em> does</em> make it extra cushy, but it definitely adds bulk) and try to find a softer fabric for the back side.<br /><br />3. <strong>Diaper clutch</strong>: this is the last piece of the set, and I'm just waiting on my mom to send me the pattern so that I can put it together. A friend made me one of <a href="http://01ede4a.netsolhost.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=22&Itemid=40">these</a> 'envelopes' when Josiah was born and thought it was one of the best gifts (thank you, Lori)! However, when I started carrying around diapers for TWO kiddos, the original clutch was too small....so my mom copied the pattern, making it bigger to accompany more diapers and wipes. And of course, I will be using the same fabric (bubbles-outside, orange-inside). <blockquote></blockquote></div><div></div><div><em>FYI--The cost to buy all of the fabric, quilt batting, ribbon, thread, boning and D-rings was a grand total of $35, the price of just one Hooter Hider. <blockquote></blockquote></em></div><div></div><div>4. <strong>Freezer meals</strong>: I've also started the process of stocking my big freezer. A couple of times a week, I'll make a double batch of dinner and freeze one. So far, I've got a Wild Rice and Chicken Casserole, <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=340027">Noodle and Spinach Casserole</a>, meatloaf, and some 3 Bean Turkey Chili already done. <blockquote></blockquote></div><div></div><div>This week will be: </div><div><a href="http://helpingthemedicinegodown.blogspot.com/2009/08/tacos-in-pasta-shells.html">Tacos in Pasta Shells</a>, </div><div><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/baked-spaghetti-recipe/index.html">Baked Spaghetti</a>, </div><div><a href="http://kellyskornerrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/05/mexican-chicken-aka-king-ranch-chicken.html">King Ranch Chicken</a>,</div><div><a href="http://kellyskornerrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/03/swiss-stuffing-chicken.html">Swiss Stuffing Chicken</a>, and</div><div>some banana bread (I've got tons of frozen bananas that I need to use up to clear out my in-house freezer). <blockquote></blockquote></div><div></div><div>And once I get my hands on a couple of OAMC cookbooks, I'm going to spend a day just cooking my little heart out. If you have any great recipes that work well for the freezer, <em>please</em> pass them along! If there is one thing that has me a little anxious about caring for a newborn, a 19-month old, and a 3YO, it's finding enough time <em>and energy</em> to cook. I just don't want to have to do much more than thaw and bake.<br /><br />Next on the list....moving Laney to her new car seat (and finally turning her forward-facing), crochet another baby blanket, organize drawers, and transition Laney to the toddler bed. Wish me luck...and energy.<br /></div><div><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-2540622120259766142009-08-22T13:55:00.009-05:002009-08-22T15:27:42.832-05:00Getting SO Big<div align="left">It's no secret that the baby stage is by far my least favorite stage about having children, so it should be no surprise that I'm filled with excitement and joy each time Josiah and Laney figure out how to do more 'big kid' things.<br /><br />Last Thursday, Josiah's 3rd birthday, I decided it was time to <em>really</em> try the potty-training gig <em>(having 3 in diapers really scares me financially).</em> The night before I purchased some cool 'big boy' underwear, the ones that had all of his friends on them--Buzz Lightyear, The Incredibles, Nemo, Wall-E, and Lightning McQueen, hoping that this would be a good place to start, incentive-wise. I'm excited to announce that since last Thursday, he's only had a handfull of #1 accidents and NO #2 accidents. In fact, as soon as we got home Thursday night from a Residency pool party/dinner, he told me that he needed to go poo-poo. SUCCESS! And don't you know that we had quite a cheering session! In this past week, we have even found him running out of the room, taking <em>himself </em>to the potty (even climbing up onto the toilet to take care of #2). He's also been waking up dry from nap and nighttime. I'm not entirely sure if I can say he is potty trained quite yet, but he is making strides everyday. We are SO proud of you, Josiah!<br /><br />Not only has Josiah tackled potty training during this past week, he is working on dressing himself. The arrangement is for me to lay out his clothes, and then he is responsible for putting them on. We are still working on "the tag goes in the back" and "your head goes through the big hole at the bottom of your shirt first"...and dressing in a <em><span style="font-size:130%;">timely</span></em> manner, but he's doing a great job. And a lot of times, despite his obvious struggle, he still wants to "do it by myself"......<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372863923212682962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHq7dBMKHnSP_h0j143jptW6z9Vh3W0IYbjwZicXAk02OjrB503Q3uq0jRGqLDZNjDhTBKR16nC4oSCSNPK9tm9Q0zigLx9tsrA6usLFzmnVDk16gQmfCROI223SUzUfLgx8UFA7tGlwm/s320/DSC_0080.jpg" /> <p align="center">thus the unique way to wear his underwear. </p><blockquote></blockquote><p align="left">And we moved Josiah out of the 'baby' room and into his own room, complete with 'big boy' bed with 'big boy' sheets. As per my mom's suggestion, instead of transitioning Josiah and Laney at the same time, we decided to make a big deal about him moving to the big bed...and we disassembled the toddler bed. There <em>are</em> days when he wants to sleep in his 'little' bed, but overall he's doing really well.</p><blockquote></blockquote><div align="left">Laney, too, is growing by leaps and bounds. She can now speed walk, can step up and down stairs unassisted, throws balls well (and is even trying to shoot baskets), is gaining a little bit more 'air' each time she tries to jump, is speaking many more words--saying 'more' and 'all gone', will say "uh-huh" and shake her head 'no' depending on the question, and can tell you what the letters A, B, D, and M say...it's so cute! She's also become our biggest picky eater....not entirely sure what happened, but one day she wouldn't eat her up-til-then most favorite foods. Speaking of eating, she <em>loves, loves, loves</em>, to sit in a booster seat and will sometimes prefer it over a highchair. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372884022255763890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgctuM_RRmIwl-V0Qt-5fHhuDKfCEqZ1ypjKxoTT5xpjt_-yMnXgx4p0ZuKR1HD8guDsxJc-LCVZxWa1Y0I4CIqDyzuI8csIFI-vc27HrYWd3q_AjeZGNqTGJj7LO1vBOu1IMlWneyj6R/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" /> <div align="left"></div><div align="left">She is also becoming quite a the 'little mama'....she sits her baby in her highchair when she's not in it, she brings baby up in the highchair with her and feeds it Cheerios, and even enjoyed helping me change Josiah's diaper by wiping his bottom (when we were using diapers, *wink, wink*)....let's just hope this behavior continues once her little brother/sister arrives.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372876993638390002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsfOHrKUVZFIAB8yOylx9iycl1DzeqQFDt1QcJadjkDUO1DXXVRYBflB5XinXB4rRG3SigLBNVCdGiq3aLu09Et-l7IQbx6yJKB8SuvH4dtKyhZ9BBPaEoTnsUZkvRqon-qBhV4PpCMrc/s320/DSC_0002.jpg" /><br />I took both kids to their well-child/baby exams on Tuesday (Josiah-3 years, Laney-15 months), and here are their stats....<br /><br /><strong>Josiah</strong><br />Weight: 37.5 lbs (just shy of 90%)<br />Height: 39.75 in (between 90-95%)<br />Head: 19.5 in. (50%)<br /><br /><strong>Laney</strong><br />Weight: 27.5 lbs (between 90-95%)<br />Height: 32 in. (90%)<br />Head: 18.5 in. (75%)<br /><br />Clearly, neither one of them is deficient in the physical growth department. YAY for healthy babies!<br /><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-3618104576756705792009-08-19T12:51:00.005-05:002009-08-19T13:33:25.979-05:00Outside-InsideAs of today, <em>we</em> are 26 weeks and 2 days pregnant...only 96 days to go....or 14 weeks....regardless of how you count it, though, it's not much time left at all! <blockquote></blockquote>Everything is going well....I'm measuring right on target, my BP is good, weight gain is <em>fair (as in maybe gaining too much)</em>, my iron level is great, and baby's heartrate is around 150-160bpm.<br /><blockquote></blockquote>On Monday we had our 'big' ultrasound...and I managed to keep my word and tell the U/S tech that we were not interested in finding out the gender and to please tell me when she would be taking the abdomen and femur measurements so I could turn my head. Baby M#3 is still laying horizontal with its feet near his head. According to <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-26-weeks_1115.bc?intcmp=Nav_Global_MyBC_Stagepage&pn=My%20BabyCenter">BabyCenter</a>, he weighs about 1.75 lbs and is 14 in. head to heel.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371738227126604130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn6Y-ekg6ENYJmMmlfcUGc37V92EFiSJa-g8rFUdyqVAi1mTgJDQJ_cNR6zyFX524T7Akd-zxqEVUygIOYNuqCZQISIb1J5qZwMx2aHhD-Q8_LiWp_0N95Zma0BKPr3T3tUPISTV_6B_f/s320/DSC_0078a.jpg" /><br /><div align="center">Picture from the <em>OUTSIDE</em>....</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO84AOJRG6Q1p10q8-3hEZu7ZW-zo8Ks-CT0Q_WjarIxXTpjosPS0AhrslfPl9RlYSbpW1EMdCXnEw2hZ_my3XZ1ebq2nv50V6G93JUTG-_DLz7arZcj178HgHeANLDVkD41sW6DSXhEV/s1600-h/DSC_0081a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371738837876356034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO84AOJRG6Q1p10q8-3hEZu7ZW-zo8Ks-CT0Q_WjarIxXTpjosPS0AhrslfPl9RlYSbpW1EMdCXnEw2hZ_my3XZ1ebq2nv50V6G93JUTG-_DLz7arZcj178HgHeANLDVkD41sW6DSXhEV/s320/DSC_0081a.jpg" /></a> and from the <em>INSIDE</em>....<br /><div align="left"><br />In 2 weeks, I go in for the oh.so.loved glucose screening and the following week, I have my very first appointment with the Nurse Midwife. I've hesitated in switching my provider to the CNM mainly because I've loved my epidurals too much and I really don't think I can endure 12+ hours of labor with no medical intervention (I'm too much of a pain wuss). But after sitting hour after hour to see my OB and then to just feel like a chart, I'm more than willing to try a different perspective to labor and delivery. Please pray that it goes well.</div><div align="left"><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></div></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-9993658814569424362009-08-14T14:56:00.010-05:002009-08-14T16:31:22.234-05:00Flashback Friday<div align="center">I'm going to be perfectly honest...I'm not sure if I failed to post a "Flashback Friday" last week because I was wrapped up visiting with family or if I was just hesitant to post baby pictures of both me and my husband....okay, maybe it was a little bit of both.<br /></div><blockquote><p align="center"></p></blockquote><div align="center">BUT....for your viewing pleasure and a few giggles.....</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369931745077746066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKH2-sGvXHLZYykParZeD_jMnOuNjrE15BkPFKsgUDegusPCNXXv4VIO6msVRIrRV7tGgiKPLPZSnXjwPkP5DB5IGMD9YhyphenhyphenSANh6T8AXqZU_2aevJkuqXpltcAaNOUOOXXDyF5w_Du_dJ/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Me: 3 1/2 Months</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369912206856636018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0_87TocyhS-fjnp8iHldeLgKEDlBo2SYfGSoIBVudRxWYVLTk_1xpX9KwhtY32JlwSs_q_14NEDYsDtZw5JRQxojDwB0RtMDfOoR1gsyxcxq36lhJ73OLxiTxiTcXoUEoS-Lrn1peSya/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" /> <p align="center">Randy: 3 1/2 Months<br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369916307515273922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-GweEMu_sDXm3zPHPCNNLDFDZeaoPI7vUaeqDk-aqjkXPaqiaTSKFz3B_oOgWpgR7ClajvNOZr3WupafohE4P3OpfJ1DOLeaFX9j27RmO_s9ZgduEGuzIrEbwHtnFd-jycfw4y3NJvPg/s320/PICT0015.JPG" /> <p align="center">Josiah: 3 1/2 Months<br /></p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369915340635648834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAFJxwxLITTBm7jAFk7KuUzbKbwAtp3orS-7CfnxARTmXrjkfgZIvZM_nfJsd0nOQncdgzjAOmOr_DEs6JBZraMFbrrcVzJ_eo9o5SpkXj9cmOwOVGbJdpWyUKyo32L2l7DisyQ3Si_7h/s320/PICT0125a.jpg" />Laney: 3 1/2 Months</p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(I always thought my children looked similar, but geesh....at 3 1/2 months, it's hard to tell who is who)</span></em></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369932795885945314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtVn3R4YXLUHBLTwj8a7VLFrrJjfREOpN0eYt18g87fR7ciRl5f6JZUCet_Fz2G2GD1cAs4FlN8SNxX2djjwZfyoYU7pHnxXyBn9WbJ6GaTBM3BPDjCADaOZuBmHt3W_lHyp5lwfrGMxt/s320/JD+2nd+birthday.jpg" /> <blockquote><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Me: 2 Year Birthday</p></blockquote><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369931031559482130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfdDdw7ttQvL6qCGZfv83cglHwOG7ffzujTXByoVN5_SIStGtfUTnFLC2fdFdy9DF5B5VtJIqLNe7kN4yK-X3rTIhDKjrSdasRLovOuuIIAjcsdhAdljBg70jqL_rY1CPYKxjQHU9AQSC/s320/PICT0030a.jpg" /> <p align="center">Josiah: 2 Year Birthday<br /></p><p align="left"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></p>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-32633317919484238222009-08-13T12:45:00.012-05:002009-08-13T16:05:12.571-05:00Three<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369506516558085010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEBwbBD1M06F6j8beAsGH_CwTDsWs5ZpuYhctKviCpOuX1O-10GpE5Rvi5kNiBe2vWfdJX9-a2sB635liDGTTg_pbvIuMPVkDXfYthCN7NA-alPA9MzZ-mSqsV7fSaE3BIzzBW6u7c8FU/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" /> <div><div>My dear, sweet Josiah,</div><br /><div></div><div>As we celebrate the THREE years of life God has given you and blessed us with, we can't help but reflect on all of the things you've done or come to enjoy this past year. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>Since you turned 2, you've become quite the big brother...you gladly bring me diapers and wipes whenever I ask, you inform me when Laney wakes up from her naps, and you make her laugh <em>every </em>day in a special kind of way that no one else can. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>You learned how to pedal your tricycle and eventually ride a bicycle with training wheels....you especially enjoy riding up and down the 'ramps' (aka driveways) when we go out on our family walks. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>You absolutely <em>love</em> anything to do with skateboards, scooters, motorcycles and tractors. You ask Daddy for a ride on his motorcycle <em>each and every</em> time he takes it out. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>You enjoy helping me in the kitchen....you are a great stirrer. You even made your first gingerbread house this past Christmas. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>You discovered how much fun carnivals are....you love the rides, the faster and taller-the better. <blockquote></blockquote></div><div></div><div>In the last 3-6 months, you learned your letters and their sounds. Plus, you enjoy playing Starfall on the computer since you figured out your hand-eye coordination with the computer mouse. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>You love to play basketball....and you often say to us, "I have to practice so I can make the team." </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>You took your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th trips to the beach this year....and you loved it! Plus, you love to swim in your friends' pools....and you even started purposefully putting your face under water. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>You love to sing, play your guitar, and drum on <em>anything</em>....you are our little noise maker. Lately, your favorite song to play your guitar to is the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1t8MVZRNb4">"Fruit of the Spirit" song</a>. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>You love to go to church (the worship is your favorite part)....and play with your friends during Children's Church. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>Your favorite movies are Bolt, Cars, and Kung Fu Panda...you could watch them over and over and over again. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>You don't really have any favorite foods because you've grown into a very picky eater (except if we stop at <a href="http://www.rudys.com/">Rudy's</a> for smoked turkey). However, you do love your 'hot cocoa' (aka chocolate milk), and you call it 'hot cocoa' because you heard it once during an episode of Curious George. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>And today, you moved to your own room and wanted to wear underwear...marking the start our potty training endeavor. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>We are so proud of all of your developments and accomplishments this past year, and we can't wait to see how you will make us laugh, how you will make us jump for joy, and how you will stun us with your knowledge/comprehension this next year. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div>We love you.</div><div>XOXO,</div><div>Mommy & Daddy</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-37704730307212393662009-08-12T13:55:00.016-05:002009-08-12T14:42:13.419-05:00A Bouncy House and MotorcyclesThe day that Josiah's been waiting for, for what seemed like <em>forever</em>, finally arrived on Saturday, his birthday party--complete with bouncy house and motorcycle cake!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 206px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369156805122272706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmo_7eKiUG9Iv7DfgSNPrOD-cJhEX_mC5xpu6MK9tXyMNMPw2xACgRvBcwXwPVkmeYeyKo7t7YlBEjE4R210gCgCeLP6MyVXa4tqx4fImkolX210HtwQhrJHVubMM4_v-XTS1ooS7PCnUN/s320/Josiah+3rd+Birthday+inviteb.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369154087445164866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonBtRlteqoU7YLR7liz7H5kFffiyx5XAIlhTZTjLitrg-lT43_flNxoTo_aVh4dOYp-W66lEeAxB4wJj2GWGxzGV0jmPyFqIVehfsKByxIEX3kIe4cVZ_Vu9jStlR6lxwCymGR9TVf_ht/s320/DSC_0041a.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369156033942039842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPGWgbYipSzjd80hTA1newQpoApecAhXNIB7P6_0lU21-I1tk8CgPHHZ7Cu4ezkyXeT0PabNz4LlqgTCj4R_J4y9ETpvTA0blpX9C_2CwKzfpZV81vI1nPchz7_JHrcHkWYgl_Cgo7KZf/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwvNRgoi5Oe6aKk250y-1EB9zWMqw-HNeuZXkrsap3go5zRhA4i5QXprGlZbaruxO9Ldf8xxzlAXGHZN8vScvXfdXOGc_43cP7dWHwa4pV7x-_Zzh8nOe-OiOANBmZVaMHgMhGe49kCFg/s1600-h/Josiah+3rd+birthday+party2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369157067846742402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwvNRgoi5Oe6aKk250y-1EB9zWMqw-HNeuZXkrsap3go5zRhA4i5QXprGlZbaruxO9Ldf8xxzlAXGHZN8vScvXfdXOGc_43cP7dWHwa4pV7x-_Zzh8nOe-OiOANBmZVaMHgMhGe49kCFg/s400/Josiah+3rd+birthday+party2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369154386431039922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLMlnefeBjruNrC-tOjf_54ZUeUaaGr47sr8EJxKdB7kF4aIbGaOf_djl6LOxiDyEB3DhBeVaJPtCijn1sD-RTsG_qgytGfGzbFz5vXC3o59YxKIsPDwPXmYoaTxmC70Y_KrXkcOPKSiH/s320/DSC_0068a.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Josiah and his cousin, Samuel</div><div align="center"></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369155647499362354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfZmkdlLgTRf9Kr49zYUDYlhskVQYdRXMCASavdMLS0GkEBjX5W7h80UMgH88jZJMIiEAeEzfAdCypFNDx4y4Q7910Cjs9d5ybhV9tIn1TBBy6dAlyCQygIhoEdjMbjSL_uRepFhLsxB-/s320/DSC_0104a.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNeCkp45fzzUL3L54E1tJJJHpIPwwpav-cihAkH2MwOCn8vbdvYpChL0AmvChwo8brla77f2tnAHYKfksuHRxfNfGXTs-bOMm5Uu9PErCuPtrfAirD1tcpAJhN-EvNJTOn8OscXuFHS-O/s1600-h/Josiah+3rd+birthday+party1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369157062779133906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNeCkp45fzzUL3L54E1tJJJHpIPwwpav-cihAkH2MwOCn8vbdvYpChL0AmvChwo8brla77f2tnAHYKfksuHRxfNfGXTs-bOMm5Uu9PErCuPtrfAirD1tcpAJhN-EvNJTOn8OscXuFHS-O/s400/Josiah+3rd+birthday+party1.jpg" /></a>We had a great evening....WE (yep, the pregnant momma even enjoyed the bouncy house) bounced until 9:30PM. Many thanks to Randy's family for making the 10 hour drive down to celebrate with us....for the smoked brisket, homemade tortillas and potato salad, and especially for spending an extra day in town, just hanging out with us and the kids. <blockquote></blockquote>Tomorrow is Josiah's <em>real</em> birthday, and we will be spending the morning moving him to his own room, the afternoon decorating cupcakes and the evening swimming with friends.<br /><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-13967056084540891822009-08-06T10:17:00.012-05:002009-08-06T11:33:55.691-05:00You Know You're A Mommy When.....<div align="center">Despite the fact that I never leave home without <em>both</em> sippy cups full of some kind of liquid and a snack cup full of Goldfish crackers or two <em>(or more)</em> packs of fruit snacks..... <blockquote></blockquote></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">that I've cleaned up multiple piles of cheerios and raw oatmeal off the floor (because the kids wanted a snack).... <blockquote><p>that I just spent the last 45 minutes talking with a friend about car seats....</p><p>and that I consider myself lucky if I get a shower once/day....<br /><br />You know you're a mommy when you get the store, rummage through <em>every</em> pocket of your bag only to find that you have <strong><em>no</em></strong> pen (to mark things off your list) BUT....<br /><br /><strong>you have crayons. </strong><br /><br /></p></blockquote></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT8MJvl7eC11JG1jiQkDa7oZc3GfHqsoss8BTj0zUfvnCwDP7EIPw4gNvyspouBGmh5mBUQjeqN2L76cTgF2y8CtmLk8kQvTIeFg30E_KF2QBUtpi_4o-a9gdOYpx5DmUdt5uUcWE49Na/s1600-h/DSC_0022a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366880698165846898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT8MJvl7eC11JG1jiQkDa7oZc3GfHqsoss8BTj0zUfvnCwDP7EIPw4gNvyspouBGmh5mBUQjeqN2L76cTgF2y8CtmLk8kQvTIeFg30E_KF2QBUtpi_4o-a9gdOYpx5DmUdt5uUcWE49Na/s320/DSC_0022a.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-8335853558284146082009-08-04T22:24:00.004-05:002009-08-04T22:52:53.459-05:00Beachy SundayWe headed to the Island on Sunday, our first trip of year. Sad, I know...we live 45 minutes away from the beach, and we haven't been but one time all summer....but there is<em> no</em> appeal in dragging two toddlers (and all of their gear) to the beach by myself. But since we would be joining friends (who have a tent for shade) and Randy was able to go with us, I thought it would be a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon...before <em>we </em>start a rough month.<br /><br />It was beautiful out on the Island (translation: it was 10 degrees cooler). The water was a little cool, but it was still refreshing; and the sand was soft. Surprisingly, Laney wasn't too excited about the water--she went crazy in Corpus. But after we sat down, started digging a hole, and building/destroying a couple of sand mounds, she was ready. Unlike his sister, Josiah jumped right in with his friend, Lincoln. They immediately found fun in trying to jump over the waves and splashing in the "baby pool" we dug just a few feet from the "big pool".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9n_PYiz8gtxz3tmhxqFI6HqA44281ehig-Bs4xcoyNAFzdUjW3g2_waNbPql4I_yhXQEtmR6SvfrAHDfLAa8V6WGQn6ErivpZcu3rvJOh-GzkpzUf7YIu2KnwQ3r7QBRK-x6JJiVDfik/s1600-h/first+beach+trip+2009+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366315641385465842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9n_PYiz8gtxz3tmhxqFI6HqA44281ehig-Bs4xcoyNAFzdUjW3g2_waNbPql4I_yhXQEtmR6SvfrAHDfLAa8V6WGQn6ErivpZcu3rvJOh-GzkpzUf7YIu2KnwQ3r7QBRK-x6JJiVDfik/s400/first+beach+trip+2009+2.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDG4S4ZDZP_ATEGoNUTd6BgjtS98TQ62-BDe4sAlLXHlGfNDqi7OCxelsLvTrpGtmtrTjGDpXgFBn_TVo3UeBgj7jb9FT4jU7NJ-4JtmLoO45pKt15d0VN4BZ3upISN91O0a04qPGduZY/s1600-h/first+beach+trip+2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366315635792571442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDG4S4ZDZP_ATEGoNUTd6BgjtS98TQ62-BDe4sAlLXHlGfNDqi7OCxelsLvTrpGtmtrTjGDpXgFBn_TVo3UeBgj7jb9FT4jU7NJ-4JtmLoO45pKt15d0VN4BZ3upISN91O0a04qPGduZY/s400/first+beach+trip+2009.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">*I decided to take the camera off 'automatic' and play in 'P'....</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">clearly not ready to take the next step...</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">but this is what we walked away with.*</div></span></em><blockquote></blockquote><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><div align="left"></span></em></div>We stayed all afternoon...and we heard not even one small whine from the little people. We all had a great time, and the only bit of sunburn happened on my back (<em>due to an error in application by the husband)...</em>is it bad to be jealous of your children because they have gorgeous tans (and don't seem to burn)? <blockquote></blockquote><div></div><div>I'm so glad that Josiah and Laney enjoyed themselves and were so well behaved because next weekend is our Program's Beach Retreat, and I'll be taking them....alone because Randy has to work.<br /></div><div><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-83490887904098977602009-07-31T08:47:00.006-05:002009-07-31T09:13:11.421-05:00Flashback Friday<div align="left">During the summer, every Friday we have a playdate at the pool. It's the only place outside we can stand to be for longer than it takes us to get fastened into the air conditioned car. Have I mentioned that we have been on quite a lengthy stretch of 100 degree weather? </div><blockquote></blockquote><div align="left">Much of my childhood was spent in the water, and I'd hope that my children would love it as much as I did. I'm excited to say that it takes quite a few "no, not yet"s and "wait"s once we enter the "pool zone" to keep them from jumping in alone. They are <em>more</em> than ready. </div><blockquote></blockquote><div align="center">Here are a few pictures from Josiah's first swim at 6 months old.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364620679570066354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKWzbXzvTgDONWi9p5WnDGVXIjLslYKZUugCZaXJUphbhidYaHr8PL2EC_HkwmDzBS_u96qRIFeNsNhi7HvcMPADaUh0SAJNFRqnArM1Tc3_qXwh881DK5e7CZagKxmrP6KtjIkkpeu1m/s400/Josiah+first+swim.jpg" /> These are a couple from Laney's first trip to the pool....she was just 2 months.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364625200737018594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUeSQRuWCwnuDPin0y8PY_3omwPxljWuD0oItcis0ypszFXBYxcFlYyFXXx72SELCzOI-DSjSreE0jEVr6AlpXH1PeQrl2ldmT0o3aa6fhkUU6ifqvqm5lQYY05Uv8cb9Ddps-df8v9u0/s400/Laney+first+swim.jpg" />Thank you, Sabrina, for hosting "Flashback Friday"....I've really enjoyed looking back. Although, I'm not sure I'm too excited about next week....baby pictures of me and Randy (<em>if I can find any</em>).</p><p><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></p>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-30661074558525589922009-07-30T15:02:00.004-05:002009-07-30T15:18:00.407-05:00Compliments of Big Brother<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OTbY_U9fL1ftTLefIjA_LkUvF4UBWlb3IIOgZc4puDfzfc0232VYgMIs9vXzQMbROSvEgxsl-YGC0K2YtMAKZHQ84P5MsOlc4xURnZk7X_8qclxzRLowB5FpFgiTEW1TNpIEzlx_sXmK/s1600-h/DSC_0016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364346427868640754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OTbY_U9fL1ftTLefIjA_LkUvF4UBWlb3IIOgZc4puDfzfc0232VYgMIs9vXzQMbROSvEgxsl-YGC0K2YtMAKZHQ84P5MsOlc4xURnZk7X_8qclxzRLowB5FpFgiTEW1TNpIEzlx_sXmK/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" /></a> <div><div></div>This is what happens when you bend over to pet a puppy, and then your big brother decides to pet the puppy from the front of his bike, accidentally moving backwards and causing you to face-plant into the back tire. Poor baby....now she has an eyebrow boo-boo, <a href="http://martinez-tablefor4.blogspot.com/2009/05/accidents-at-13-months.html">just like her big brother</a>.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a></div></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-24341747303319564612009-07-28T14:37:00.007-05:002009-07-28T15:17:07.270-05:00Cafe PreggersInstead of enjoying a much needed afternoon nap, I dove head first into a massive pile of papers begging to be filed. I've never been really good at keeping the filing pile minimal, but it's also never really bothered me...before. Now it bothers to me to end that one corner of my bedroom has become overrun by a mountain of loan statements, receipts, tax documents, etc. I'm pretty sure it's a result of needing to find all of the extra space possible in order to welcome baby #3 to our home without resorting to putting him/her in the bathtub...and as we all know, clutter takes up more space.<br /><br />Sooo, after about 30 minutes into my filing extravaganza, I undercovered an issue of Babytalk magazine. Of course, I had to stop my efforts and read through the magazine real quick before I threw it in the "garbage pile" (plus, I had to take a potty break--boy, I forgot just how small the bladder gets when a baby is competing for space). And written on the last page was a menu from "Cafe Preggers"....I thought it was just too funny not to share. Hope you enjoy it just as much as I did.<br /><br /><div align="center">*******</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">Cafe Preggers</span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">We always have just what you want, at any stage of pregnancy--from the queasy beginning to those last weeks when the baby has taken up every ounce of spare room in your belly. <blockquote></blockquote></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">First Trimester Menu</span></div><div align="center"><strong>Appetizer</strong></div><div align="center">Turns compote</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Entree</strong></div><div align="center">Fresh Saltines on a bed of Saltines, lightly seasoned with Saltines</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Beverage</strong></div><div align="center">Ginger ale (IV drip available upon request)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Dessert</strong></div><div align="center">Ten minutes in a dim room with an ice bag on your head <blockquote></blockquote></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Second Trimester Menu</span></div><div align="center"><strong>Appetizer</strong></div><div align="center">Half a roast chicken, extra crispy</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Entree*</strong></div><div align="center">A succulent leg of lamb smothered in pork chops, served with BBQ ribs and garnished with cheeseburgers (all burnt beyond recognition for your safety)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Beverage</strong></div><div align="center">Toll House-pie smoothie, prepared with 1/2 pint heavy cream</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Dessert</strong></div><div align="center">9"x16" pan of double-fudge brownies <blockquote></blockquote></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Third Trimester Menu</span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(Each course followed by a 15-minute neck massage and/or bathroom break)</span></em></div><div align="center"><strong>Appetizer</strong></div><div align="center">Three bites of tossed salad</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Entree</strong></div><div align="center">Two bites of lasagna</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Beverage</strong></div><div align="center">None-so you'll have room for dessert</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Dessert</strong></div><div align="center">A Tic Tac <blockquote></blockquote></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">*Double portions available if you're expecting twins</span></em></div><div align="center"></div><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-38513948839505479072009-07-24T08:00:00.010-05:002009-07-24T12:18:31.341-05:00Flashback FridayI mentioned last week that I wanted to start posting old pictures, particularly of Josiah, since this blog started about a year and a half after he blessed our world. Soooo, I decided to join my good bloggy friend, <a href="http://raisingoaksofrighteousness.blogspot.com/">Sabrina</a>, in her "Flashback Friday" series, which she created to enable her love of looking through old fotos. I, too, enjoy drifting back....although it does make me <em>a little</em> sad to see just how quickly and how much my children have grown.<br /><br />It was tough deciding on which pics to use for this post, so I decided to copy Sabrina's idea and use pictures from our first family vacation in July 2007. Randy's parents, brother, SIL and our nephew flew from West TX to VA to celebrate Josiah's first birthday as well as visit Washington, DC (it was their first visit).<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362013549872046786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tVFvZ5-do6UIomayUPM93au1YujAJ_V1x09sJTFitWIi2hhQ7FAKIC6O8tTpUsc_wjDfg7fSittappByDWp5Js7XzfT5FmllRVB_JawOJYOGhP6g9QjZwlxcnescDEaf5qjGluhIekbU/s320/Picture+074.jpg" /> <div align="center">National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial </div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(Randy's uncle was shot during a routine drug check at a Greyhound bus stop in West Texas in 2002)</span></em></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362016318599496338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJlxLxLPW4HPkl7ly6MxMBWvDkLo2lf1X66m57UPNEo6yS6xVe2-WIlP0RR-Fx62_4iQVB4IRl3WZ2TboQZ2voaHfTwZu-DrfzNVQ2H_hiDz-Pv70ZuHqUnCQbXxB68TJ53TN5j2UNmYO/s320/IMGA0017.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">WWII Memorial </div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(Iowa--the other half of his 'roots')<br /></span></em></div><br />Randy and I always enjoyed our time in the DC area....and we miss being so far away.<br /><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-56167634261209059542009-07-22T21:53:00.013-05:002009-07-23T11:15:07.606-05:00Zoo-tastic!<div align="left">Our MOPS group decided to change up the scenery of our Wednesday AM play date this morning, from the air conditioned church gym to the 95 degree ambient air of the Zoo. It really wasn't <em>too</em> bad, even being pregnant....we just made sure that we had enough juice and water. The kids really enjoyed themselves. Josiah thoroughly enjoyed running around with his good friend, David; and Laney giggled each time I picked her up out of her stroller to get a better look at the animals. She loved watching the flamingos and did a petting hand motion each time she saw a big kitty--lion, tiger, or bobcat (she pets the kitty cats in her books while she reads). <blockquote></blockquote>After 2.5 hours, we just couldn't stand the heat any longer and left to enjoy a picnic lunch at a neighboring park. Even though Laney missed her morning nap, she did really well...and enjoyed playing with the other kids. Of course, she crashed once I got her fastened in her car seat and got the A/C circulating. Josiah amazed me by continuing "full throttle" despite a full morning of running around the zoo in the heat. But they were more than ready to say "good night" tonight. No fighting at bed time always makes for a perfecting ending to the day, don't you think?<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm still trying to figure out this whole collage construction thing in Photoshop, but here are a few pictures from our day.</span></em></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361689333927731042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2-6lbmvCSfJVsnDlAGPNR1AtmtAox5YLopf-B54zW7FPConoClevI0DAjGxYGn1vf0XNOdz0JKwq2SW1brhhKZmVFrypOsnlDHwcIVVtQ3xlOcnfCgLVDkZ8Pb1rjuJdjYoJB6pGUllK/s400/zoo+collage3.jpg" /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361687902433459538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNXX7fDVqbG0Ryo_fpt4XjZOhmYJOx37ioGfodC4l1UKk0cdWdt6F4xWPt-WcSMSEZcePU-J9MXh56cPO9QaTfuWRVUVyD3P4T2SJrYA-fJfGkV36KruwltfMNe2Mz6MYyQ69yc7JVWih/s320/PICT0044.JPG" /> <p align="center"> <span style="font-size:85%;">Taken Sept 2008 (Laney was just shy of 5 months old)</span> </p><blockquote></blockquote><p align="left"><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view&current=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" /></a> </p>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-29633742364917684152009-07-18T12:26:00.008-05:002009-07-18T15:29:35.979-05:00Something NewIn preparation to change our blog name (ya know, 'cause we're adding another little Mexican to the family), I thought I would try my hand at redesigning our blog. I'm trying a free 30-day trial of Photoshop Elements 7.0 just to see if it would be something I would and <em>could</em> use...and so far, I'm LOVING it!<br /><br />I've also learned a little bit of HTML to change the background tile as well as adjust the writing space.<br /><br />Who says you can't teach an old dog <em><span style="font-size:85%;">(with preggo brain)</span></em> new tricks? LOL! Nap time for the kids just can't come soon enough.<br /><br />Soooo, what do ya think?<br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(I've got a lot to learn, but I don't think what I've created thus far is all too bad.)</span></em><br /><br /><a href="http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/?action=view¤t=signature-2.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg32/goodjes/signature-2.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-22096311455537806082009-07-17T19:53:00.005-05:002009-07-17T20:30:20.011-05:00Then & NowMy bloggy friend, <a href="http://shewood.blogspot.com/">Trisha</a>, started a "looking back" series as a way to incorporate the pictures taken before she started her blog. I thought it was such a good idea, I couldn't not copy (imitation is the ultimate form of flattery, after all).<br /><br />Not counting our trip to IL just last weekend, our last trip up to visit my parents and sisters was Dec 2007, when Josiah was just 16 months old (he's now just 1 month shy of being 3).<br /><br />And since I finally broke down and started a new <strike>addiction</strike> friendship with Photoshop, I thought I would try to compose a simple collage of a couple of "Then & Now" pictures. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">(It's far from perfect, but you have to start somewhere, right?)<br /></span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeheJTkO2vU29HeZvhhaWx3dxsXKpneV0YnGeGzu2y0zFNOBN7rRYLIyKtrh-Mrmory3VjzWk-q1Whao8A3M_lrAFdPdKbBVxpcEaZh46LBGaM0FB12Of7mvSxyH_rra-mPoEaC3UJCCMQ/s1600-h/Josiah+Dec+2007+%26+July+2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359601684103032514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeheJTkO2vU29HeZvhhaWx3dxsXKpneV0YnGeGzu2y0zFNOBN7rRYLIyKtrh-Mrmory3VjzWk-q1Whao8A3M_lrAFdPdKbBVxpcEaZh46LBGaM0FB12Of7mvSxyH_rra-mPoEaC3UJCCMQ/s320/Josiah+Dec+2007+%26+July+2009.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/64/A09571595CB257282EB74A43BB89946D.png" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-53572488215095699912009-07-16T12:57:00.016-05:002009-07-17T08:42:41.045-05:00Fun in IL<div align="left">Last week we travelled to IL for my sister's wedding, the last "Good" wedding. And we figured that since we were spending $$$ on tickets and we are uncertain when the next time we'll see everyone again, we decided to spend a week at Grandma and Papa's house.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves...we had great weather and lots of new things to do.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">They had fun at the park....</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359132261323194210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5skqEymzRf26CVEXqOk-_x6Km_COHpIWHtOU4P71s-0G-sEeCA1wws8w3QZCTxcaiyH2Ewxd4K9o-i5tceJyVsWjgaTqs6YXUzFeeG9qjosHir_ikB1mIZsamCAOC4XsNpam_lfj91T5/s320/LesWedPict071109+011.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359132256242962914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWHGJGMyQExcb2MIXJw6AjuyeY0MCHNeTYie4-QtPMqeDnDjdIsD0CeRnHkED01WIrmZC93PmbCvAb3mQnoxdAeyY4ajaV285UZcjCoxAd4HsJhwR3HI85Qw9buIDR-eeUymGj1eKn-Qc/s320/LesWedPict071109+025.jpg" /> <div align="center">They wrestled with Aunt Kara.... </div><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359131810454358578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinTgnu1LKZ_aWWzoJrNmaBIz-Z5nLv_My_YKl8WEywi2Mz8_0EXPjk0J81qs1aknOdED1iugYIe3PshJBg8UxtzXWrzfc9mYGySE1nMNl6vRDyOCUehb2tNZ3OwfRQNtb1ZWqIDciS-NE/s320/LesWedPict071109+035.jpg" />They rode the John Deere with Papa.... </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359131803987963906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm67qhsfAa_Plk3tOQFAFA9i9jutjW76-6c5HNzFEJDVmRt6ooe1vd18PiABO93Bj_aRYd0rZhFe2ZERssd6rSZdq41-X-V-BGOlhgWuRxBtnCj-hBRbNXzH9UNVL9ASZ5pNRuvj92WvqS/s320/LesWedPict071109+046.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359131795456226466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdiO2E_v759FKD-XSwXl4adZrBDyklX5G9JNnsLna5KJZWKAUnqmaeIP-BO-0rvV5IPzkhzjxmJlAh2IkGb4NhLa5DRsiYF04Varx33yHhrgtkAQflJ7krRlFPBczRRU42RiVPASIlVaM/s320/LesWedPict071109+055.jpg" /></p><div align="center">They loved on Moby (Aunt Leslie's furry child).... </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359129735710338370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iMbIWs60bEnxOLNpFTaRNllaaqwrFTDFYvUoAAiJG9cj-YY1J4NhjrA5vbfJCZY-rKlhSJRQ-GNrJmE6SZssyskzszP8ozItEEJ1BmghINBOUqnZeHB53jkb7StoZ_keFd0lWF5i80wc/s320/LesWedPict071109+087.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359129731614873426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQv2BB-dySV_a2obNsO3DDmi5GH4AXTeUcoeOsFVd_E01DsU8I4EAhZqRMIPvKS8CO2t7mSYlko9oimfjhl53KcoaZsiF6f0EHWZG5XoUUbb4DoyikhfXKng_H2Fpzsb0sYFi2LcRP95FG/s320/LesWedPict071109+097.jpg" />Laney got her toes painted.... </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359129721739995666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqg2jidK3rh2zcG5nG_ore1SVPJwu9Bgyo3SVzWreR1y3m_0GMZQxEzUTCx9_CO30a02-ies13h_uCXk8ZFIVZ9euO7K21k3PRpDde4VtgeCPuu1-JQ_o0FfzFQXzbgfqMpkxAG4_lKpnu/s320/LesWedPict071109+102.jpg" /> <div align="center">Laney with Aunt Leslie and Soon-to-be Uncle Josh....</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359144794034865474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVUc44B2CBejlzRhgM09tEPyOAFEgl9JfVVeOGVv2O0MQ__myzNpYxD0K7CJFAAUiBPNhOhsbNdX9oJhSp4fEiVQk6dgxC9CwhzChjJ1WwwSZUXIJMmsbTMY_o_2yk2UObh9KdNVhx5zD/s320/LesWedPict071109+112a.jpg" /> <div align="center">They played the piano.... </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359144796907119986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCAQvkWmqHLxsO3Ce-luVmpzPV3WVWQKdN9704tOPlYVupq_PyRrb7AhG4isAKqxrD763IdTVhF7tBtwtJlOXurCFijniOEvFXojvnpa4nVuRrIZ6Mi8amUvcuxzEJMpxMRYRA0sCEgEJ/s320/LesWedPict071109+125a.jpg" /> <div align="center">Josiah played Candy Land (game board circa 1978) with Aunt Kara and Uncle Chris....</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359127677677972114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDV9_qU4HjSdx4fe_lgYcpgqyXlP_COEm7ZiDabpDc-VqrLIkQ6IaOlDg1oy8GsqSxFw3rBzLWPCh0Hb4NAyDyhnB7Guai1XHBQ1KJfM-otSyNfkxqQDj-8m-c6kRuo0eYN1CmEcS1GIi/s320/LesWedPict071109+133.jpg" /> They rode on the John Deere some more.... </div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359127667813539346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjsyBUSGJYiiVWK0AkZlWB7I67gCsPoyu48c_KOiufwV2Z4zyQXgMrcmc62Hb4ljjvvlbDR2lLNRdgxeX1CgxGe-qFnSormgB7VNm9LCNmcL34GWY2JXSFN7FKO6QNFb4Fepm2h88Rj6l/s320/DSC_0153.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359119730230923250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRT1jKZNlMDfsyTUS6qW8NHptEs2AysB9HYC4HliG0PlkFu9je59D60cXlxmPpt34hMXv6tUhnMi2YTZLEpFhx2MRMDpd25mjPnaaM6PSVKgykjH4MgIOEI4_PVD2G2wiQxGH4NMdHynX/s320/DSC_0200.JPG" />They helped Grandma sweep the grass clippings off the driveway....</div><div align="center"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359121746931069426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPh6Q64CXchxXsMeBRtR7pp_6cZFSp8jT2jvLTzaAOjTT7w6DTPsRSuWIieyx_JPT3OGnLROwar-gr3i1zaxaLq8rC6VRBjO3mQo9Yey9YHnsfPNkd1goixGkjifrVolUoxeUj_QKFnEBx/s320/DSC_0164.JPG" /> <div align="center">They posed with Grandma....</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359139915148496114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRVm3rjayKtm9Qkj1fXIzbdhXqlw1FkQhKsuRqCVxsgxrlv222G6YcxC0UgeZQlzNZ2o4ejULglV-eCeV95sbcEapsG10QVxWLnTyvn8RnWLwCzm44nV5z6pBKptmIFX356-LsLJKfw9A/s320/DSC_0151.JPG" /><br /><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359121733423268850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFmEcUrzEIbcNEthA1OCJi4gvYPmp4R-WcL4n89HTS0RJLYQHGOPsHyGdITk0jLnnlOH9yo_7l_0Jhqov3RXrTdaTcu1-9c3l4QDvKRL7AtP5jrw1tvZ6OrzDuoPDS397ny_poXfj1H1J/s320/DSC_0206.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Laney quietly ate a mouthful of black M&Ms....</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVam2mRTYf5-jaoQmZjLKEgz6DnkUAE7pvqbH4Kes4wATG_8I3iGtlw6hUxQ0T-0zdYP0vvCYAa9F_uJgvEN83o64mwnXMYX-wiGHJx5Tu_GxCBwMcfvS0gTeIc79YATImqZPM0gkI-HL/s1600-h/DSC_0167.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359121736217020882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVam2mRTYf5-jaoQmZjLKEgz6DnkUAE7pvqbH4Kes4wATG_8I3iGtlw6hUxQ0T-0zdYP0vvCYAa9F_uJgvEN83o64mwnXMYX-wiGHJx5Tu_GxCBwMcfvS0gTeIc79YATImqZPM0gkI-HL/s320/DSC_0167.JPG" /></a>They even celebrated their birthdays (2 months late for Laney and 1 month early for Josiah)....<br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmLZXxP5RyWSN4VKGFgm2HMopV9B_OSYh1eYgnikwojeCHbtTaxfcGOfAwbX-R8tIg3TTdyYR9pr_LKc8Gep1uO1sjTPetqKwNHmMPcx7SsjRXIm2nsgRRFUGdKt0s3JreQBdHI2Y76EN/s1600-h/DSC_0182.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359119724094280658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmLZXxP5RyWSN4VKGFgm2HMopV9B_OSYh1eYgnikwojeCHbtTaxfcGOfAwbX-R8tIg3TTdyYR9pr_LKc8Gep1uO1sjTPetqKwNHmMPcx7SsjRXIm2nsgRRFUGdKt0s3JreQBdHI2Y76EN/s320/DSC_0182.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359119719985943426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3fEUPhINUYvNfNmp9QZBsjw5HsEo9OxyIazS9xwprhk1tOR1P4jLt_iu0S3vXjHSL42XRKv3wozbqwOJ5EplTyIJjol378_FeAAnDT07SLeoDxAKTh8BATuiqUYTMEUci2CugiJqDAni/s320/DSC_0188.JPG" />Laney even blew out her candle by herself...<br /></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKfKau6m4YapZtA6jS2l6bKnzwNKbUZJEHoqskqd4Tp8e_zmxmz0BjoK8OtQkgCp8gTW8xtRuJOyZTjdSUL4gYEnQQAJJHA7DcpJXQsb9WlSUAi9GtCvbcFrizpuFpOqZeh9fcgm-_S7b/s1600-h/DSC_0197.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359119713026926898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKfKau6m4YapZtA6jS2l6bKnzwNKbUZJEHoqskqd4Tp8e_zmxmz0BjoK8OtQkgCp8gTW8xtRuJOyZTjdSUL4gYEnQQAJJHA7DcpJXQsb9WlSUAi9GtCvbcFrizpuFpOqZeh9fcgm-_S7b/s320/DSC_0197.JPG" /></a>Whew, it was a fun yet exhausting trip. We were sad to leave, but it's good to be home. <blockquote></blockquote></div><div></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">PS. I apologize for all of the individual pictures....I have just downloaded Photoshop and hope to figure out how to create collages and edit color, etc. Wedding pictures will be posted soon.<br /><br /></span></em><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/64/A09571595CB257282EB74A43BB89946D.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-54191415558145240332009-07-09T11:14:00.002-05:002009-07-09T14:33:50.519-05:00Happy 4th and Fourteen Months!<div align="left">Sorry, I'm a bit behind, but better late than never, right? I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend, celebrating the freedom that our many service men and women work so hard to protect. <blockquote></blockquote>We spent the afternoon at a cookout/pool party at our Program Director's house. We enjoyed good swimming, good food, and good fellowship with our fellow Residents and their families. </div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355390402175526818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2273SXBnm10Wu0a_ySrhPyZ4743mb3LL9GjRDny_BiRgHUyn5Y0mdK1DACMCQ2FWPMCuKo0R6-4Fv6R7JUpIvGK5iATfA7bPMxpV-yntu0tm_aQsZ-LfRhh58lCsb9UFn30sLfV7dnYFQ/s320/PICT0011.JPG" border="0" /> July 4, 2008 </p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Laney was just 2 months old)</span> </p><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355382190857806690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8JKgtwyLV-iMwRUYC47UxtXO5pIFW9C-mBWEOCGLO4qqUBqH-ZLx5eeGYjMqZjhsuweZmCARiPwE6AB-SFGcig3UMBmE3rzRGDG4pg1vXKGweMYBvFlrGA4As5A5QOltWrzeU5BCuUYp/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" /> July 4, 2009 </div><div align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355382184956305090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5Ae4Wu4CMiy7hT0QZpiEp6ku_y7Eeux3H7K0pts3FiXYnwNPn9EiFzGCMZnxandkrMupfTsOLk0i8ZPlGl9VB0SaoDRQaSuLsoQrgoguilU3AUxGV3OsnEoiNDeLfkSABFXjXgvhd_9z/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="left">In addition to fun in the pool, Josiah tried out the homemade slip n slide, complete with dishsoap (helps in gaining distance). </div><br /><div align="left"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355382175815686498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnI6lKjmoImyvNCc9x_hRcTIScUVvhdY1el6KEQi-ZKOR0E3HJFRCr7Jmw4qqfHbc6slJydF42HANH0hEK8EIt7DQ6ibXg1JFgjcn_UhLTTfgAwxGqYA5NG0LNEVkE67Q5WRFU5UN6rVH/s320/DSC_0036.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="left">There were also games. Josiah was excited to be able to participate this year. I think he was even more excited about wearing matching bandanas with Randy. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355382172809509170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEVo1SWyeWJc5b-xL-z5IhuJelryWaeKNIm-q-kOTxKKhjl20neXnXYMxki9MBKwDn0T8LGoylQv2TjC2ZH5yq0ral1zy2aKuvtWwPg8qKvqwlWYJfxSQDNkZtoD3XXUKUuKtirVU9b-N/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" border="0" /> Our evening ended with a small backyard fireworks display. It was a great night...bright moon, no clouds, light breeze, and NO mosquitos. After spending the last couple of days saying how he wasn't going to be scared of the fireworks this year, Josiah ended up hiding out inside while Daddy, Laney, and I enjoyed the site, sounds, <em>and smell</em> of the fireworks outside. Laney even fell asleep during the "show", that's how much she enjoyed them. Oh well....maybe next year.<br /><blockquote></blockquote><p align="center">*********<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355452413032787378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJyMzU7SSjG_VvUPL1Ovm7gC4MH4EN-0c2LlmX0KSa8UJGaWPdZhU9w3gqzcRTjkmFOIDmGFydo44ZS_G822P3iLQQeDdaaweprcDvpWQ96_smk0JGZRj6aN0WMxkjsNkEZOgRRJWKSGD/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" /></p><blockquote></blockquote><p align="left">And while we were celebrating our country's independence, we were also celebrating Laney's 14 month birthday. Laney is getting so big and is doing <em>and saying</em> so many things. A couple of weeks ago during a visit to see Randy, I weighed her....26.5 pounds, so still a big girl. She is still wearing 2T clothes and has grown into a size 6 shoe...and speaking of shoes, she <em>loves</em> to wear them. If she sees them laying around, you can most certainly expect that she will bring them to you, say "shoes" or "here ya go" and sit down. Definitely a girl (well, except for the whole not-wearing-a-bow thing)!<br /><br />In addition to saying "shoes", Laney now says "juice", "go", "ouch!", "uh-oh", and "up". And she will clearly sign "please", "thank you", "milk", "more", "eat", and "all done" (and she'll also open her mouth REAL big if she sees something she wants to eat and say "ah, ah"). Laney is also thoroughly enjoying learning her letters and sounds along with her brother, she already knows that "the A says ah, the A says ah, every letter makes a sound, the A says ah". She is also learning her animal sounds and has cow, dog, and goldfish down pat. If you ask what a goldfish says, she'll open and close her mouth silently...it's SO cute. </p><p align="left">Laney is still seated rear-facing in the car (her feet are just now barely touching the back of the seat). However, she will get an opportunity to see the world from a whole new perspective when we turn her around this week for my sister's wedding. I hope that she won't like it too much because I do plan on turning her back around when we get home....until her new car seat and baby brother/sister arrives.<br /><br />Laney sure does love her brother...if imitation truly is the highest form of flattery. It's 100% "Monkey-see, Monkey-do" around here. And in just the last couple of days, she'll walk up to Josiah and give him a kiss. It's darling! Eeek, so many cute things to capture on video before they are gone and forgotten!</p><p>Laney, you are definitely one quirky, sassy, funny, and cute little girl...and we just love that about you. </p><p>Happy 14 Month Birthday!</p>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-28292661512688485722009-07-06T14:53:00.003-05:002009-07-06T15:07:57.246-05:00HalfwayIt's hard to believe that I've reached the halfway point of this pregnancy already. It seems like just yesterday I was sharing our shocking news. I guess that's what happens when you're in denial for 3 months. *wink* Things have been going well, and I feel great. I've just barely started showing, and I'm not in maternity clothes yet (losing 30-40 pounds twice now has given me a little bit of room for growth in my "fat pants"). While Laney has no clue what is about to happen to her little world, Josiah is much more aware...and he has started talking to the baby and pat my belly when we lay down together...it's very cute.<br /><br />Please pray that the next 20 weeks go smoothly (and I'm on the fence about whether I want them to go by quickly or not) as we adjust the house and the big brother and sister for baby's arrival in just a few months. We hope to transition Josiah to a big, "big boy" bed, in a separate room from Laney, move Laney to the toddler bed, and move the crib back to our room, in about 4 months. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Radian-Convertible-Car-Seat-including/dp/B001TE80BW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1246910769&sr=8-3">New car seats </a>are on order (our current seats are too wide to accommodate 3 seated across the back of our car)....I just hope they fit and that the kids like them as much as their current seat.<br /><br />Lots to prepare for in the next 5 months....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rCDbq7OW9r0DUpfYI0ui_9CSeJCKxBb5KOXHDTG9FxN_rD4hWUBZeJ17gn9xT9vAeFKr6q7LKD2IqRnSghLOUeEHJEYl706NMkPdN9EgpKtfO6P7GVDJT9w1Wcmj5LzzNlFN0dmdqPsN/s1600-h/belly+20wks.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355437917295591138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rCDbq7OW9r0DUpfYI0ui_9CSeJCKxBb5KOXHDTG9FxN_rD4hWUBZeJ17gn9xT9vAeFKr6q7LKD2IqRnSghLOUeEHJEYl706NMkPdN9EgpKtfO6P7GVDJT9w1Wcmj5LzzNlFN0dmdqPsN/s320/belly+20wks.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/64/A09571595CB257282EB74A43BB89946D.png" /></a></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-43417878143500662042009-06-28T21:04:00.014-05:002009-06-28T22:59:52.661-05:00PromotionAs of Friday evening, Randy is no longer the lowest on the food-chain, an Intern. <em>WE </em>are now 2nd Year Residents, which also means that we have drastically less "First Call", more time spent in education-packed rotations (ie. Hospital Service), and a <em>teeny, tiny</em> raise! Woohoo! But Friday night's Graduation Dinner was bittersweet....while we were excited to be one year closer to being done with this training nightmare (my word, not Randy's), we were also sad about saying "good-bye" to friends.<br /><br />I had a lot of reservations about moving <em>all.the.way.down.here</em> for a number of reasons...probably too many to list...but a good friend helped make the tranisition a little easier. She was willing to look at houses for us, she hooked me up all sorts of information about utilities/formalities once we got here, she kept Laney's breastmilk (AKA liquid gold) in her freezer just days after we met in person (we lost power for a week after we moved in because apparently you just can't transfer the names like we were originally told), she frequently brought her daughter over to play with Josiah to help pass the time, and she shared whatever she learned about coping (about Residency and about living so far away from 'home'). Over the past year, she and I had dinners together, MOPS together, Bible Study together, and chit-chatted about anything and everything while the kids played together.<br /><br />Katie and Matt became wonderful friends over the past year, and we will miss them. They've headed to St. Louis for the next year for Matt's Sports Medicine Fellowship.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352567435413618178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dmvA43ganNNScQcA2S6T2c5OrIWBvBlUzbJgMgdUANOIwHPfgJbfAFgYyvLeY0zpSjVWmeJSQ-F6xcw6zm_9UhVqrORirsmHRCBCtaeQeCFzEkXbAuEATrXTdrmoYXWadazIv_lip4NF/s320/DSC_0059.JPG" /><br />And while I am losing a good friend (in person--thank goodness for Facebook and the Blogosphere), so is Josiah. Isabella (only 6 months younger) and Josiah grew to be great friends, and Josiah will tell you that she is one of his best friends. They were MOPS buddies, sandbox buddies, Children's Church buddies, and pool buddies. Being dropped off at MOPS or Children's Church seemed all right as long as they were together. I know Josiah will miss his friend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLD-maOkJcrA0GtWQg7BVom7SiGAgnvWU9ldR-rNc-W2ceWSjCSaJYwP1Fw-KbqXDwVTZNNUGq0BYH5QgdmlVYFSmcF-2WFXRWMbZfmRwQmJj7qnGRdXg0EOUNGw6YM_b8axnDkZLHnxY/s1600-h/DSC_0026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352568478457038258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLD-maOkJcrA0GtWQg7BVom7SiGAgnvWU9ldR-rNc-W2ceWSjCSaJYwP1Fw-KbqXDwVTZNNUGq0BYH5QgdmlVYFSmcF-2WFXRWMbZfmRwQmJj7qnGRdXg0EOUNGw6YM_b8axnDkZLHnxY/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" /></a> Katie and Matt, we are so blessed to have gotten to know you this past year. We are excited for you guys as you start yet <em>another</em> new journey in this crazy life we call "playing doctor"....we just wish it were closer. ;-) We pray abundant blessings for you and your family...and can't wait to hear the news of Isabella's Big Sisterhood.<br /><br />Dr. Matt left his scooter with us to sell.....so in the meantime, the kids are enjoying it.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHGckDlAVhLQ2_gIsyjg0esUC2TDCxxtBFXhUtJhYJxjeHQwJ3PaCRLf0x6tHWpIzQ0keqpMiNFV5sd2wnqlz2vHq9mhABD9AlH48IxSmPecyLyCc0Nm8coWCD7-9Gpm51us2BB1_PvPC/s1600-h/DSC_0061.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352567430030302146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHGckDlAVhLQ2_gIsyjg0esUC2TDCxxtBFXhUtJhYJxjeHQwJ3PaCRLf0x6tHWpIzQ0keqpMiNFV5sd2wnqlz2vHq9mhABD9AlH48IxSmPecyLyCc0Nm8coWCD7-9Gpm51us2BB1_PvPC/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4gK4mHElw1CWkE3vePf08B0qkYeKoL89S7W_mMWY9leWjRttwiMmPr1OBIb8ninkU5EAEvN3JMRiKZpJZ2nuWk4E1h62RUXPaMfDnzURCFc6LjH6IJpbWug6EuVQ_DV1LFDkmu9n7SUM/s1600-h/DSC_0064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352567414582100210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4gK4mHElw1CWkE3vePf08B0qkYeKoL89S7W_mMWY9leWjRttwiMmPr1OBIb8ninkU5EAEvN3JMRiKZpJZ2nuWk4E1h62RUXPaMfDnzURCFc6LjH6IJpbWug6EuVQ_DV1LFDkmu9n7SUM/s320/DSC_0064.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsHcXDSBWnW_491F4P9xRAgCfSlOBlO8ZREM5ZLDxcS3nhsnSS9-AARWWZ5MUZpBvCaIHu0fR4Y41yHVKiLerhX6xPxj9O9JfplYsNdgk0tyAty_WmpPYtfpvoJMUdVlCDgQJfiMBaItB/s1600-h/DSC_0065.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352567406430112594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsHcXDSBWnW_491F4P9xRAgCfSlOBlO8ZREM5ZLDxcS3nhsnSS9-AARWWZ5MUZpBvCaIHu0fR4Y41yHVKiLerhX6xPxj9O9JfplYsNdgk0tyAty_WmpPYtfpvoJMUdVlCDgQJfiMBaItB/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/64/A09571595CB257282EB74A43BB89946D.png" /></a></div></div></div></div>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-54205518623185268212009-06-20T09:33:00.006-05:002009-06-20T10:44:05.379-05:00Inner Iowan"Sweet Corn" season is by far my favorite food season of the year, if I can describe a season by what which food is harvested when. I just *heart* sweet corn....and we were able to find some pretty decent corn in our neck of the woods this year ("knee-high by the fourth of July" doesn't apply down here as corn season is already over-sniff, sniff)...however, it's just not the same as the good ol' fashioned Iowan variety.<br /><br /><br />I apologize for the not-so-great pics <span style="font-size:85%;">(not great lighting)...</span>but I wanted to show my family that I haven't forgotten that the kiddos <em>are</em> half Iowan (as much as Randy drills into their heads that they're 100% Texan). ;-) To say that my children <em>loved</em> sweet corn would be an understatement...Laney couldn't get enough (this was her first time eating corn straight off the cob).<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349419709764495074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YSEf7-rAwOd6XT67L4X4v4aTf40Jr0aD4zMVZ7aQsVapsTsDMvnf7K1OWAeGX7th1SW08pcH6HIDblwQdHIrServQokrvy0BSgPAOgdne5SQCVCuFTJzEhHbOHc-UtUEwlcFfjlKGBu0/s320/DSC_0344.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349419713438332610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HojVheU9aIgW3-aK7eBI9h0iUW_GzMSRt0SH1KCv2FUM_1HhJ82JG22JTbVPFYFnJ1JcMfcOlRSKRPPviFaJelu8TGejiFbCxGzzsNVP1-0ceTet1m4xgyCVsDfwfKJdxBCWBIKC01bs/s320/DSC_0357.JPG" /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/64/A09571595CB257282EB74A43BB89946D.png" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621618340560289857.post-87270594176187844122009-06-16T09:01:00.005-05:002009-06-16T09:21:49.647-05:00AKA TroubleGuess who's tall enough to open doors now?<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347925441336550786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUzUicKkx3I34PNZ_x8k4R3wG8uS3kWG3Aj83WsraYIYkmAFy6IYfj_3OzHp5j81KEUy2Ywjj01IPVIqLNVQ8Nt2kSgNGaMLgfrXvzlFTeemFyA35auL6NWzOMC62wizrGFkI4Cua-Dih/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" /><br />Oh, this has introduced us to a whole new meaning of child-proofing. I've already had to switch out the knob going out to garage because of Josiah's excitement to wash the car <em>(he helped himself out to the garage, fetched his stepstool, opened the big garage door, and hung out in the garage by himself while I was busy putting Laney down for a nap when a Police Officer drove by, walked into the garage, and then proceeded to tell me that I need to keep a closer eye on my child or he would write me up the next time he saw this happen). </em><br /><br />We have started closing the bathroom doors because she thinks unrolling the toilet paper is a great way to keep busy for 10 minutes. However, now that she can open doors, we can no longer keep the toilet paper where it's <em>supposed</em> to be....it's now kept on the counter.<br /><br />And, I can't forget that she (and Josiah) <em>thoroughly</em> enjoys playing in the pantry. And now that she can open the door, I have found canned food, boxes of mac-n-cheese, and various other pantry-stored kitchen items strewn around the house.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347927805524377906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg8PrqGdDVk1ZZHm0kdXjCCkpacZq9htQhlvRrQqyk6X35kdHGLJEUGBWHXEWMPwIw1xTzy0C5PO6kMdPAn8AeOl4jDl1tLYBDFf0wwhL2-uWMGXpBvPzj6ndfLqTvlmQNCQXFMdKo6RE/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" />Of course, now that she's taller, she can grab things off the kitchen table, our usual dumping ground for bags, mail, emptying pockets (Randy).....and sidewalk chalk, need I say more? Thankfully, I watched her grab the chalk, so I could successfully intervene before our walls and floors were recolored.</p><p>Laney is into SO many more <em>and different</em> things than Josiah was ever interested in....we've really had to grow eyes in the back of our heads.</p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/64/A09571595CB257282EB74A43BB89946D.png" /></a>Jessihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02769364489161216610noreply@blogger.com10