tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33619867040538773782024-03-05T21:20:48.999-08:00.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-11503638604094243702011-04-02T23:20:00.000-07:002011-04-03T00:09:39.781-07:001 year ago...<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnAvvCHwTyQYSETxZ_BddsMnS1imQ4heWUm3wSOYmoHiMtx6a1gal61jWDiBLKd75O-lzYjeh_WALb0aTuh53begedi92O9FDJI67fuSfJSK-4sn-qjc_nPoR_0ddTxcFnpyOATPgIv3B/s400/IMG_3836.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591239908264429730" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sweet Sadie baby is 1 year old today. I almost can't believe how fast this last year went. It's been 6 months since I've posted on this blog and haven't really had the time to keep up with it, but wanted to tonight so I could write my 2nd "milestone letter" to Sadie and am not organized enough to put it on paper in the baby book yet. <div>In the last 6 months, we've had so many firsts- Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day and now finally Sadie's 1st birthday. We did our best to not go overboard, especially since people point out that she won't remember it anyway. But her firsts are also firsts for us, so I want to make them special for us all. We had a little BBQ birthday party with her today. I made too many cupcakes ;) and I made Sadie her own little smash cake to eat. She ate/smashed it all. It was cute and funny. She partied hard as you can see in this picture. :)</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnJ4Kg0gFNvXnBZ4w-QsSFrfmbnFLPUy0KeeoivevHv8-RfuFLwX9m6dJ_sXC8BULMSmmmg3blaymPAgsDnlc28pPfvYOV2i5Gl5AQTa3GZwCtXeZt2IHiU3Ral9Yl57KxmyFo3xt1MNJ/s400/IMG_3818.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591241714815760722" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Dear Sadie,</div><div>You are 1 today. You are a smart, precocious and funny little girl. You love books. I love that you love books. Your daddy and I read many books to you everyday. You point at the pictures and lift the flaps and turn the pages. You love to eat. You love to feed yourself with a spoon or with your fingers. Sometimes that gets very very messy. Just yesterday you dumped a half cup of squash on your head. You still love your green foods. Green beans, spinach, peas- always a hit. You even eat meat too. You love cheesy eggs and your daddy cooks you one almost every morning. You have had chicken and turkey too. You definitely have a sweet tooth, and we let you have small tastes of the sweet things that we eat, because we love you and so we are willing to share. And good thing we are, because when you want to eat something- oh boy, watch out. You have been known to swipe a whole slice of pizza off our plates if we aren't watching close enough. You love to dance. You love music and shaking your little booty to the beat. When you hear a song you smile and you dance. You are standing up all by yourself now. You've been able to do it since you were 10+ months old, but just recently you are getting more brave about it. You took your first steps about a month ago, but last night you walked more all by yourself without us getting you started. I bet it will be just days before you're running all over the place. You can say lots of different words but you definitely know these- Dada, mama, dog, duck, ball, bird. If you hear a dog bark or see a picture of a dog, you'll say "dog". Maybe someday we will have to get you a dog since you love them so much already. You are sleeping much much better now, which makes your daddy and I very happy. Sometimes you still wake up at night, but most of the time you sleep from bedtime all the way until morning. You have two top teeth and 4 teeth on the bottom! You give hugs, you wave bye-bye and you blow kisses at your daddy when it is time to go night night. You are a very loving girl and enjoy playing with other kids, especially your cousin Haven and your friend Jude, who are the two you see the most often. You are very social and will laugh and smile at all the people who talk to you while out and about.</div><div>You are still and always will be my sweet baby, but now you are growing into a beautiful little girl. You fit perfectly into our little family and I am so proud to be your mama.</div><div>Happy first birthday Sadie B. Your first year was filled with love and health and fun and many happy memories. I wish you many many many more to come.</div><div>I love you forever and always,</div><div>Mommy</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKpglUH2AVQqg9w3SR34zXmHYt2xmko0lFeTKtRgpMwXwnW9PVRFp0gjkN8h7jetTQFNj8vf2rOnskDL4FQ78SRuIkSPsknN79EzpLVipop9gZAy9VCzLn89MkzrmmukQJXNlHYYQjnrl/s400/IMG_3646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591250616415289842" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-73104936911577301142010-10-02T22:43:00.000-07:002010-10-02T23:39:39.000-07:006 month Wrap-up<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After almost 6 months of maternity leave and 2 5-week long trips to Illinois to hang with family, I have crossed over and become a working mom. It was a big adjustment to resume the life I'd led before Sadie entered my world and then again, it wasn't. The night before my first day back, I slept only a handful of hours. Sadie woke up constantly, and I woke up constantly. My anxiety about being away from my girl longer than ever before must have rattled us both. But no matter what, that morning came. And after loads of advice and planning to Caleb and lots of kisses, I got in the car and drove to work. I walked in the door to hellos and welcome backs and was it hard to leaves? and with tears in my eyes, said yes and thanks and that was that. And Caleb fed her green beans at 10am, which was not in our plan (at all), but that was okay too, because the torch had been passed and he was in charge now. I think that was the hardest part of it, the relinquishing control... the knowing that things would happen that I would not be there for... that I didn't get to spend every moment with her, leading her through this world and experiencing it again through her eyes. But I do get to do that, just lunch hours, nights and weekends. The work part wasn't hard, it was like riding a bike. I've had that job for 5 years, it was a part of who I was and so it was not difficult to reestablish as a part of who I am. I am glad that I didn't have to start a new job, because that would have been REALLY hard. And I've been busy with lots of casting and shows and projects and movies and so the days go pretty fast. And I've had some run ins with some big celebs on set. I do like my job, but I'm not going to lie- I wish it was more balanced. Maybe someday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I still can't believe how fast time is going. My girl is 6 months old today. I used my mad cake decorating skills (I took a class while I was home in Illinois, note- not really that great of skills, but I'm trying haha) to make her a 1/2 birthday cake. CB's in Europe on tour again, and my mom is coming tomorrow to visit. I have no idea what to have us be for Halloween and the holidays seem to be practically upon us.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwFIsEo3meZnR9YDUvIc9VSvOjc15b7HIAqP0AixETyqmZuF0Cc9_ojrUTuuWLtHvWQWaa06M234iK8QNuiI6RpwCzFkrQ921iwIrCyGqyDCKLnEDgY7AE6pu8a5gFLRg4clqzhvI9WtZ/s320/sadie+half+bday.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523697145779281330" /></div><div><br /></div>I thought it might be nice to write a little letter to Sadie on her milestone birthdays and put them in her baby book to read when she's older, so she can see what she was into and doing, etc. I don't have pen and paper readily handy and this day is almost over, so I'm sticking this one on here, that way I can transpose it later. Warning, it will probably be cheesy.<div><br /></div><div>Dear Sadie,</div><div><br /></div><div>Today you are 6 months old. Your Daddy and I love you so very much and are so glad that you are a part of our family. You make my heart smile just by looking at you. You are very smart and very strong. You can sit by yourself, you scoot (almost crawling) all around a room, oftentimes backwards, you drink out of a cup, you roll both directions. You've always liked to stand and are starting to pull yourself up, when there is something to grab on to. You like going to the park to swing and to play in the sand. You are eating solids and always want to hold the spoon yourself. You've eaten rice cereal, carrots, green beans, peas and bananas. I think your favorite is green beans, but bananas are a close second. You are not as fond of carrots. You love taking baths and you will kick your feet and splash your hands. You like to chew on your rubber ducky. You like to chew on most things actually. Probably because you have 2 teeth already. You love music, listening to and dancing with, singing, playing the tambourine with daddy (*video below). We call you Sadie B, Princess of the Flowers, Sadie Potatie (your cousin Stella came up with that). You are a happy baby and are full of smiles and giggles. People constantly stop us while we're out and comment on how beautiful you are and your eyes, especially, and you always have a smile for them. You are very photogenic, which is good, because we take lots of pictures. You love your kitties, especially grabbing their ears, or a fistful of fur. So far, they like you too and tolerate quite well this occasional tug. You sometimes put up a fight when you're sleepy and you still wake me up every couple hours all night long, but we're going to work on that. You are very loved by so many people. You are a very special little girl and I'm so glad that I am your mom. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love you forever and always.</div><div>~Mommy</div><div><br /></div><div>(wow, I've never signed anything Mommy before... weird!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the video of Sadie playing the tambourine.</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz0-gNFocwWhxp-JQKh8VqiquIeW3-oIZkpLW1h0N1XxWx-dRgkXVdkbkWgKgRRnk7T2c2Ud81UG-Mfy_edqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-39973284194078311892010-07-12T23:42:00.000-07:002010-07-13T00:20:13.348-07:00Sadie lady<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Today was an awesome day. The 3 of us went down to the get some free stuff from his record label's clothing store and it's about an hour drive. Sadie slept all the way there, and slept all the way back. The girl that hates her car seat at times- was an absolute joy to travel with! We started thinking road trips... probably we'll just do the plane ride to Illinois and the short car rides involved with that and call it a day. haha No need to press our luck.Anyway, so we had time to sing in the car and talk and laugh and act a little like our former selves and it was great. And the label was pretty generous and I was able to get some jeans called Sadie lady skinny jeans. And they fit amazing (obviously still a size larger than before, but I'll take it for now) and are a color I don't have in my post pregnancy closet yet.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We're almost all settled into our new place... just in time to leave again. haha We're heading back to visit family again and then CB will be starting a new tour in a couple weeks. This one will be a challenge because I'll actually have some time in LA on my own with the babe for the first time... and he'll be out for my birthday this year. He's been around for my last 12 birthdays and I'm a sap and can't imagine not having him there, but it'll be fine and go quick and soon enough he'll be home, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>And a quick update on my own little Sadie lady:</div><div>She turned 3 months old a week and a half ago. She's overall a happy baby, but as I mentioned before definitely hates the car seat sometimes. She's laughing a lot now- especially if you lift her up over your head. She has also rolled over several times. The first time was last week on July 6th (date for me to remember to add to baby book later) and that day she rolled belly to back 4 or 5 times in a row. Then I got out the computer to video it and she started watching herself on the screen and no more rolling. Today she rolled again a few times for the first time in a week. I finally got her rolling over on video, but it was only in like 3 steps and not at all smooth like she was doing, so I won't post it (3 steps took like 45 seconds for the whole roll! haha). She's nowhere close to rolling back to belly, but I figure that seems like the harder one, so no worries there. She likes to take baths and she'll kick her feet in the water. She doesn't like getting dressed after the bath at all and will almost always scream and cry until she's totally dressed and in your arms. We are trying out a "flexible" schedule routine, which basically means: Wake and eat, play time, nap time. This is definitely easier to do at home when I can drop everything and feed her, but we do our best and I watch her cues and go with the flow. </div><div>I still look at her and think sometimes- Wow, you are really real. And you are mine. The connection I feel to this little girl is so intense and so real and so surreal, it catches me off guard all the time. If you haven't tried this motherhood thing yet, I highly recommend it... but just be ready to be blown away (or maybe it's just me).</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took some pics of Sadie on the day she turned 3 months old. She was giving a lot of love to the camera that time- very cooperative.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX2IbDCEfQo_rl9-IMcrH_Fdz4yblTpvrUSgj9Rso30y9IEkl3wexbVBBa1rqF8po7ETgsPoiC0K0j3Ug0kabxo0bFKU7buy-G00M-9bBqe1LBYrhvwvH__pgwYkeYGPyHiZnGdrjBTFz/s320/IMG_1528.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493284039875779666" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sadie on the 4th of July- She was going through a "squealy" talking phase. That's the face she's making- "aaaah"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZl-Ha6syw5lpLnwgtUVrEo8wQPgns3Xf6AH9uqHNWze2s5iRMuGGUiwQmUp9sT2x6DoYuOValfVe3nWz_aywQVJ7dBYhcHxNfqT2E6AvPGrdQyjtIrsoMfRlYs0Q5tC_aGXdelEIFxOM/s320/IMG_1624.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493284047203644866" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our little fam. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> (I think it's hilarious that we're all doing "big eyes")</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGjJOUlugGidNGFSiuBGbiO4uyeSkx1Bw8uFlEMMkggjdpM9qh-1cQpiQly3ANwj7pX0VdL5yMxCRK89IHrWyQyLgYCsGx3yE4flTp5YWclIxH4PaP2FwxY49e7GDF1pJu0m0umpI-0JF/s320/Photo+on+2010-07-08+at+20.19+%235.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493284375729472258" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's late and I'm too tired to re-read this and see if it makes sense... Hope so!</div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-91116178427752553272010-06-17T10:36:00.000-07:002010-06-17T11:10:38.997-07:00Milestones<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lots of changes going on over here...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Sadie is growing growing growing! She's grown more than 5 lbs since we left the hospital. We had her 2 (and 1/2) month checkup on Monday and she is now 11 lbs 4 oz. and 23.5" long. She is in the 76th percentile for length and the 45th percentile for weight. If you compare her weight to other girls her age that are also her height, she's in the 5th percentile. She is our little skinny minnie I guess. But she's growing really steadily (about an ounce a day!) so I'm thinking the height part is just a fluke. I mean, how did CB and I produce a tall baby ? haha</div><div><br /></div><div>The other change is really great... but also bittersweet in a way. The pediatrician said that we can turn back in the apnea monitor that she's worn every night since we got home from the hospital. At first the monitor was a source of frustration for us. Sadie doesn't have sleep apnea (thank goodness!) but she was born with laryngomalacia, meaning the cartilage in her neck/throat/larynx area was immature and too soft. When she'd cry really hard, the cartilage would collapse and she wouldn't be able to get a breath in, causing her to turn dusky blue in the hospital. So in order for the hospital to discharge her, they required that we go home with this apnea monitor (and the guy was really really late delivering it, which is why we didn't get home until midnight!). So anyway, the doctors told us that she would just eventually grow out of this as her cartilage grew stronger, probably by the time she was 18 months. So the monitor was frustrating because it was set to go off if she didn't take a breath for 20 seconds, or if her heart rate was to go down past 70 bpm, and we knew that neither of those were her problem. Because she was small (6 lbs 5 oz) when we left the hospital, we had to use these sticky electrodes for the first month, which would become unstuck and cause false alarms (and really really loud too) off and on throughout the night when her foot would catch one and she'd kick them off. Once she was 8 lbs, we switched over to the belt and the false alarms went away. Around then, I realized that this monitor is actually very comforting. I know that she is breathing, all night long, when she is hooked to it. I don't wake up and check her like I've heard lots of other new moms do (or if I do, I just glance and make sure the monitor is on and working, rather than stare at her belly). Last night, for the first time, I didn't put the belt on and I woke up to check her a few times, but I made it through and slept decent enough, I guess. So I am ecstatic that my baby is deemed "healthy" enough to get off the monitor, but can't help but be just a little nervous about not having my safety alarm.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sadie hooked up to her monitor on her sleep wedge. She always kicks off her cover too, it's really funny. (She is not using the wedge anymore, since she is starting to wiggle more at night) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWWQomjYbKZcUJwirLgnOkbTTLCqamDGCBD2BTrh9Q8_sZ8-zLG0FqnNH-HDVpWGup9H87E2H5-UumdQJy2QsNwKVEl7UoAP6XH676ntku6bDDI_LP9IwRgeFSdVq5piGjpr6ABpfb-8U/s320/IMG_1351.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483803939407252386" /><div><br /></div><div>The last change is we're moving apartments. We found a 2 bedroom just down the street that allows cats and is only $50 more a month that what we pay now. It isn't super fancy, but does have dark hardwood floors. It is exciting and bittersweet too- we've lived in our current apartment for 4 years - that is the longest I have lived anywhere since graduating high school. I'm excited to decorate Sadie's room and we'll have a dining area!! We haven't had a dining table since we moved out of Hollywood. I'm looking forward to family dinners with Sadie in her high chair and us at the table. Yay! I'll post pics when we get all moved in.</div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-60172359512973271602010-06-08T00:28:00.000-07:002010-06-08T00:55:07.543-07:00Fairy Princess baby doll<div style="text-align: center;">I seriously teared up when I saw this picture for the first time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP7O8ky1Z-GpgnB6lPaHLVNd9TIIxfHKlanUceLVMVxzDOXZmKG4MIzhUjX8rCYednE2scuCpS8LF4v0jo140J_ye9JAxisuMVcbhiHz87HGsUTokcEUceWGoAgxjzFHnqeleIJfocc03/s1600/Sadie+in+bed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP7O8ky1Z-GpgnB6lPaHLVNd9TIIxfHKlanUceLVMVxzDOXZmKG4MIzhUjX8rCYednE2scuCpS8LF4v0jo140J_ye9JAxisuMVcbhiHz87HGsUTokcEUceWGoAgxjzFHnqeleIJfocc03/s320/Sadie+in+bed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480302345825312898" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Makaya went above and beyond on this one. She found the doll bed. She found the perfect spot in my mom's backyard and made it resemble something out of a storybook. She burned her finger hot-glueing ribbon rosettes when I cluelessly handed her the headband and shrugged my shoulders (sorry about that, kaya :( ). And she also warned me just in the nick of time that Sadie was waking, and I was able to dive and catch her as she rolled off the back of the bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I plan to blow this one up big. There are a couple more <a href="http://makayalarsonphotography.typepad.com/">here.</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I totally am jumping ahead here... but spending the last few weeks at my mom's has made me think of my mom when she had little baby me and how someday Sadie will be in my shoes, looking at her childhood memories. I looked at my baby book (wow, I need to get on Sadie's... all we did so far was a footprint stamp), looked through my newborn photo album (she is a pretty good mix of the two of us, I'd say), and went through all the clothes that mom saved of mine. ...Anyway, I can't help but think that future Sadie is going to love this picture and that makes me very happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-92156781378338589292010-05-24T12:35:00.000-07:002010-05-24T12:44:23.111-07:00Want a new cardi?<div align="center">My friend Mari (who I collaborated with last fall, so many of you have met her/seen her gorgeous stuff) has new designs for spring and this cool cardigan is being given away. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474924384795125106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5D5tpI9GBHE7xNOyraBDjFHoorV6J0dsGpeXhhKT7FqpMrUNtd3jFewW_b8LVG9Yt1nwl1PYfNrqbjkbaT4Q2n2Cc8wuIg_f6dYZoRv-vI9hN9qxJMayTKGoOucnxL6j_11bWNPaxKFQl/s320/yellow_one.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">All you need to do is <img class="gl_photo" alt="Add Image" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" border="0" /><a href="http://wechirp.blogspot.com/">visit this blog</a> and leave a comment. </div><div align="center">Good luck! I hope I win... but if I don't, then I hope you do! :)</div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-1364973540035875682010-04-26T18:04:00.000-07:002010-04-27T11:44:20.348-07:00My baby story<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sadie Magnolia. </div><div style="text-align: center;">April 2nd, 2010. 2:57am. 6 lbs 14 oz. 19 in long.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pretty much nothing went as expected. And that is now my advice for any pregnant friends- Don't try to plan anything... be ready for it all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Caleb cutting the cord</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY75iaAXOJq5nIy9iTDAXVgHYec41A0MQVMuWbISzTX7rS0Pz_Gub42xOHA1ZBPo7WxeWOkBnIddZ6p14wwhHkj20KBD3WEYecgtXOV-3VWfrNCmtcnG8sdog0pthgrU3Ln2OqL-yBlcfQ/s320/IMG_0668.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464618279902983762" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Brand new Sadie</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzovLMTkPiIvNG42YlPQpgwBipU1VWznN6YKhMslGey8ofb0P8Y4QtBzwJj5ijMMo_qy9u5Z3tP-od8mL4P8NBlOF6MPL55VCEIdDnJ4GrBFOuUDgdz98N9dRZ4s_KRXiiiZG4_joM_7PE/s320/IMG_0684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464618307108492322" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Bright eyed baby</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsqjSEX5hXocD5GlehFWabPCt0I-T3hzuBdMKeso3RXQoFKfCJtb3F4BG_Ix9Ti2m03v6Nif-ycD3LGRUweE99wumpeFPI4sOhkdIEoF6DWcishJV2-Z3d-9ZAtv6WK5sJrkwColikljy/s320/sadie+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464619809466293122" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Sadie and me on going home day</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxfAPcauFfsIEckwnHo7uGWEqbO9dTnI7xbeQdgupbFJfIOqmK9xVSlirYFCDJw7OD2N9UNdZUqqnxQtEm3I6BISaH0S6Oo8QDMJFb5ZwCDpozeN_KEecAobxnnDAS1Zyr57VV5szosO2/s320/me+andbabe.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464618315184355666" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Family picture</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmGJKmUDX4vxQUuvtaI2K3NEqWOAbziZuZcVsxQ1YNYHR2xG4iy_AB4vcRfSZYMIVRkdq2aYAFK0a6a1HXqAd6l2ecVUro3tjd3q9Xc53WUNxt9XpVfEdoD1zfXb-_zG79ruKwYmpD3Wq/s320/ourfam.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464619827750182146" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Primped up for the hospital photo shoot</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qy0l6b551WJPw1ZFDbzvUnEuL43yd8sYuxr_ZIljaub7xVCfuRrXAkho3eumsTzS5YGadFoRqH1oGkL9CqbCnCJFnBuPHco2OoAZrKMWwITou2ks_mEMP9oHpKcyx4vE-rAlAya-up0g/s320/photo+shoot+pic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464618318208050674" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">3 weeks old and </div><div style="text-align: center;">wearing the dress I made 1 1/2 years ago</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XMJoTr3t3bL-B2xjYU6cOxXQKEoMcj8wEsy2036shNs5uoS0PMSxDuk_U4_8PBQTMleqJo0IZ2Knp1-1lhvgeJCdadfk7p2tSeLUvrt4STZ99kywf4OVOhqzd3gdTxtO516m7ub0w2Fd/s320/IMG_0908.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464620615545977554" /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">These pictures are from last night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our attempt at tummy time</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd2cJ-NJrd9wC6sxCZyLiJIabo3rziOS0AgAjtm_w-SEGXst8c2E2kZwPzFF27BFGNRNG26xareCKrfiSGwPJ6qBzX-kIQqtyUUQ1LXGMvsHBv6phhZL5YfznN1OyyOqxn2kuzpB61nPd/s320/IMG_0915.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464888068726784930" /><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously this kid has huge eyes</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGbQeGa-lwALhcUiaN_m8lYrkKY97x2QorqKioyBI0RFDRuM6xVZePyVNSjeuj3oCOIlKuoWV6hgpqtzSwgktpLKrqIaJAenDzVfrMTYAodyXSOgIL2Z5fKkDrYLhGgnO1gwt22ieCkMY/s320/IMG_0929.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464888085972861442" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We love her!<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhPz1WCyhILhcNg3aNu2uVoX17OqTmnl141Tpcp7hmM6cuHywMVV3JXi91GUamFHICCBdEAfmwWUrGcyIGVh6O-ri5sZiZsDB5skZJvzceGQQpevwKWYeNm6CNcavm0xNrsHM0SILbFTf/s320/IMG_0922.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464888077799892130" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-51849397393500970932010-04-11T11:53:00.000-07:002010-04-11T12:01:32.684-07:00Mother's Day Giveaway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdswpnKsLDDFegm8WGaSIutbZxqSV29fpSL7IFlp8io-0WENvw9ITtk435r2eIoTxREBGPg6Gwfz2frm9hJ_QVqkt1eQawmvJi8X-Y1wv1yZBBNLxGmoDhdse1cr6P1qCX7HK0vkSqYNs/s1600/natalies+giveaway.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdswpnKsLDDFegm8WGaSIutbZxqSV29fpSL7IFlp8io-0WENvw9ITtk435r2eIoTxREBGPg6Gwfz2frm9hJ_QVqkt1eQawmvJi8X-Y1wv1yZBBNLxGmoDhdse1cr6P1qCX7HK0vkSqYNs/s320/natalies+giveaway.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458956724045025378" /></a><br />Wow, what a long couple weeks. I am now a mom. I will have to post pics of the baby and the story of these crazy last couple weeks later, maybe after a nap- HA! But for now, I HAVE to post about a giveaway that my sister in law, Harmony is taking part in. (The button on the left for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladelidesigns">LaDeLi designs</a> will take you to her etsy if you want to see what types of products she has) <div>But this giveaway is awesome. It is on <a href="http://shane-natalie.blogspot.com/">Natalie's Sentiments</a>, which is a blog that I admit, I've peeked at a few times. Natalie is a friend of Harmony's from when she lived in Tennessee and from what I've seen of her blog, she has great style and really cool ideas. I'm also loving the yellow and grey- which our the colors of our car seat/stroller system :) </div><div>Anyway, there will be 3 winners of 5 different prizes. <a href="http://shane-natalie.blogspot.com/2010/04/monumental-mothers-day-giveaway-three.html">Go enter</a> for really cute prizes. I love the bird and nest necklace. </div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-48040320350193514262010-03-31T12:50:00.000-07:002010-03-31T18:55:54.471-07:00Waiting for baby...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since "Sadie" is now 4 days late (and counting) and my Dr's appointment today was cancelled (so that she could deliver someone else's baby) I have decided it is best to think positively. I am finally going to get a post up here about how lucky I am to have such great family and friends that I had 3 baby showers thrown for little miss (stubborn). ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They were all very different from each other and just perfect. The first one was a<a href="http://sewlong.blogspot.com/2009/12/illinois-baby-shower-pics-mini-cupcakes.html"> tea party shower</a> with family and friends from Illinois back when I was visiting at Christmas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next shower I had was an awesome surprise~ I knew there was a shower that night, but didn't really know that much about it. Well, they threw the coolest theme shower I'd ever been to. It was held in the super cool lounge area in an apartment building downtown. I'm not very quick and was pretty nervous, so I didn't catch on to the theme, haha. There were top hats everywhere and stars and bunnies. Then Alli told me it was a <i>magic </i>theme. Uh, I LOVE magic. Perfect</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Star cookies that Johanna made, they were delicious.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjuM8PciNBflYGUbdO3_lZXxE8pas8TrNegv51qlVHXQ8do6e1K_L4r6BsZb1gOxPXNvqWdvh0kQFLn2LJa5qLOVBTXbT4Ekh5pSkmGIIxs0DuygL2_JWDCUn0pufPoywruh9AX2-r_s7/s320/IMGP2931.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454928888627439698" /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">The food (all vegetarian!) was really tasty. And the set up was fancy</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6hLmokCRM1kdR_5JmbBrvVbkCfE7mKAV25mhFR0xssp9OEcGk8RKQwC4Qmwl1uRlTSd31Ugszn4Z6-Vn37mcYse8LL9y8Z8REBj59ASVl8KBGml2s40x_rw641duyD2OnHVYxXAypC9T/s320/IMGP2930.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454930274452423378" /><div style="text-align: center;">There was a cool candy/ cupcake bar set up. Yum</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYSGdgc6Sa1ptThxoLlEh7772pVU8LnpX37Eh1nnCZeQb19i_vsr1U-ViRWyNIYL0iqLOpM0A47DWdo3tV2W54_-PIZnsrV927ktnbLKPOxC0H4ERz0taRH6RPjwHvo1OBe9q9X6K9SFu/s320/IMGP2928.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454930269471098370" /><div style="text-align: center;">The cupcakes had bunnies and card shapes on them.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Htn4oaUR764oi1uPQTOR8UtTXIId6fjnwQQIOkXeEBLRD8SYdxKMi9YG-lQUjk5E7atTmZla2oKHttTxmR2bS_8_kMk16NY8oPqbQX7nUgbrTobr785hiVuVbnWK1CVfFI7r2UicrjYt/s320/IMGP2932.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454928885543438338" /><div style="text-align: center;">Then in walks a man in a suit and I'm thinking... why is there a GUY at a baby shower? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Until it hit me~ He's a MAGICIAN!!! Wow, wow, wow!</div><div style="text-align: center;">The show started and seriously, he did tricks I could not figure out. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here he is with his magic rope. (You can also see how many of my lovely friends showed up to celebrate this baby girl)</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7ff4PVTFNGehXCnFV3zhyphenhyphenjBcHa_kYcYCUEmGUXvXaCo8n7HUVnFL01BR6P3E38XCZTCjbnCaBe4XdztcVCs34a6VL7YZy4O7yrNvrlc04diLQ4uSdF6oz7Nj2wBtrb0g4bqYwl15-vte/s320/IMGP2936.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454929296192162450" /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of his other tricks included picking and correctly guessing cards, lighting money on fire and then bringing it back (a hundred dollar bill too!). I can't remember some of the other ones he did, but they were pretty cool and even being that close- I couldn't figure it out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yiv-w5CMsXknmn6vjGN6O0qMePi6q1Z2UG-xWtiQ20vmTH5OetsDothcizBmIHJjb564PgO-HBx1iPY_CkKNvk_t1NB6-trciU-pDhPyZ9zV43YdT_pkXYFwN6KH0Mqdo-jQd-JROk79/s320/IMGP2934.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454928906260280674" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My friends spoiled her rotten with lots of presents.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEQbZxI5QBDWcCeIrmGamjdgRzh_D1U1HE4nHduPxKydbjilrwPdnjpezCHXdbHyAhL-07BG_XWvv_9LKJsSOfPj6epksZMFxHMWZcjYBm0Xm7eSKpAccVAw24c1pzx2UnHHMXEPt_9vV/s1600/IMGP2937.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEQbZxI5QBDWcCeIrmGamjdgRzh_D1U1HE4nHduPxKydbjilrwPdnjpezCHXdbHyAhL-07BG_XWvv_9LKJsSOfPj6epksZMFxHMWZcjYBm0Xm7eSKpAccVAw24c1pzx2UnHHMXEPt_9vV/s1600/IMGP2937.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEQbZxI5QBDWcCeIrmGamjdgRzh_D1U1HE4nHduPxKydbjilrwPdnjpezCHXdbHyAhL-07BG_XWvv_9LKJsSOfPj6epksZMFxHMWZcjYBm0Xm7eSKpAccVAw24c1pzx2UnHHMXEPt_9vV/s320/IMGP2937.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454930283228074914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately I am not a good picture taker, so this is the one I'll post. I made a really goofy face, consistently in every picture when posing with each gift. Consistently. The same goofy raised eyebrow-uncomfortable-with-attention face.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZhFHuaTOzL-m2oEsfkpbMCfHEKL3X90frHnm0uASYclJj26PXhjzuIikM3lEDAY4I2CKEqJh9A0EnV8f6SJIUjanpAPhmtDxtFjsGP1u0ArhX5xtUIrncmoJaO7I1kaDS_twjaVwzdEP/s1600/IMGP2938.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZhFHuaTOzL-m2oEsfkpbMCfHEKL3X90frHnm0uASYclJj26PXhjzuIikM3lEDAY4I2CKEqJh9A0EnV8f6SJIUjanpAPhmtDxtFjsGP1u0ArhX5xtUIrncmoJaO7I1kaDS_twjaVwzdEP/s320/IMGP2938.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454929291339315202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After that magical evening, I had yet another fun party in store that weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;">On Sunday afternoon, my friends from work threw me a great shower with lots of games and prizes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was given a crown "New Mom to Be" and a ribbon to wear</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxzh6zUtj-eCzWAo3CiPvC7ol6W1-K-GJvxhd5u8aDmIynz2G34OWw4Ea7eQuyxprZGjQj5o9WFIxNH6iL8jefvCVuIECGTlO1MAiPOzhBMUIEnrW-9sU5W13vJyAgEwgx3HPCtnkhG-p/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454889392391358578" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was probably the best tasting cake I've ever had. They got it from Pavilions. It had strawberry/whip cream filling and whipped icing. Seriously delicious.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuILHhcbivKpJBPCSV5_7jq6AkGB9trFifA8Pf2G25Nh0J0-KsE_XHdeQMUdlf353zdYgyZD-o0n1IbxJ6jjl4YfpctRIYcK5Eo6qH6tIoqnIvMqM1vMEd6fW0RJUDe2_kSPi9TsKvLSh/s320/IMG_0598.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454888841103649922" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sandwiches, fried chicken, chips and salsa, veggies and dip. So much to eat and drink. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I stood by the food for probably 45 minutes just snacking :)</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTZiLUyqtYvx-ucr6qvprlogzn57aCLmkXIhuZMSnSxbZbvlB7chehIurvLSkQUb-_P_DjgorNWm292pyQew8Pl_BR6n8GWPB-xk9arqFgnTsE5JJayrkIUszUaeZxXqnXv2AE-xI-qJv/s320/IMG_0599.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454888825261762802" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jami, Tanya, Lauren and Karen</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiDruRqdpdKSjEJYelRjZiftQjEIi1g1bUWIHxFnbcstwfeZa73LZaM2ueSn-aGr8RjXAD62op0aiDX46_9R4XFUAIrBUyA3HZCCeo0_kwRe70zxqXfYv2MR0TP7YR0d363xIuuJxBT-M/s320/IMG_0603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454888810194504130" /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Leslie, Lilly and Mariann (2 of the hostesses) me and Lauren</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pNLVeHPKucaw9zYk_RASsOhCsZklpRbKuz4DrYoZqm-iJRYe5DzzGRPh9ELT8tka-2AQCMdLZgURXlWftWZZNEXqz5wr-bPM05DjUGaQzg1OPMpr2h1l5rTNMprUcjJRxCJww-xu26Gt/s320/IMG_0629.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454888795036244610" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cute little Lila wearing my crown. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Lila is the granddaughter of Laura (the other hostess) who opened up her house for us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV6OkiMcwTel8Jkw8C2YWc9r2UyVL0YiBVxJCwlpU9WYuy_vP23gRf1t-GW8v-JVsEMNJd4AVvc8e3MjTP5wgC-gd1fiTSF2a5lM3_TV1H3QhW0Msm5Z19y277zHKYa8lLC6clstdoXZJ/s1600/IMG_0634.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV6OkiMcwTel8Jkw8C2YWc9r2UyVL0YiBVxJCwlpU9WYuy_vP23gRf1t-GW8v-JVsEMNJd4AVvc8e3MjTP5wgC-gd1fiTSF2a5lM3_TV1H3QhW0Msm5Z19y277zHKYa8lLC6clstdoXZJ/s320/IMG_0634.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454889404915487346" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't get very many pictures (and even though I tried hard not to make a goofy face in the present pics, I mostly did, so I'll be avoiding those again too) but there were so many sweet girls from the office there. And we played game after game after game. Clothespins, memory, bingo (which I won! haha), chocolate poop diaper guessing game. It was great!</div></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-84110307646294723232010-03-17T09:40:00.000-07:002010-03-17T09:54:45.417-07:00broken machines<div style="text-align: center;">Grrr. What's that old saying- Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, yesterday (during day 2 of housewife-ness) I decided it was a good time to wash the rest of the baby stuff - particularly the outfits CB picked out for her going home choices, so that I can finally pack our hospital bag (I mean, she's due next week right? haha)</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I pack a light, but still pretty good size basket of clothes and walk it down the stairs with my brand new roll of quarters. And the washers are not in use. Perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have all these motivating ideas of laundry and cleaning the bedroom as I load 4 quarters into the first machine. Shut the lid. Nothing. I check the plug. Well, my motivating ideas are turning into- I just don't want to walk this back up the stairs 9 months pregnant... So I load 4 quarters into the other washer, close the lid- Nothing! By this time I'm frustrated. $2 lost. Laundry down the stairs. I use my phone to call the repair company and file a work order.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They don't know if the repair guy will be by this afternoon, so I begrudgingly walk the basket back up the stairs. But not before I go get post it notes to mark that they are broke, so that no one else has to fall victim to the same misfortune I did.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Flash forward to last night- CB gets home and we decided to go across the street for Thai food. As we are passing the laundry room, we see someone in the room with clothes, so we think, wow- they came to repair it fast. So this morning, as Caleb is leaving for work, I have him carry the basket down the stairs and into the laundry room. The note is on the left washer still, but the right one is noteless, so I think, oh- I guess this one is working. Load in my $1 in quarters and shut the lid- NOTHING! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't believe that it got me again! And the hospital bag is STILL not packed. A lot of people requested/predicted that I would have the baby today, but I would rather not, so I'm keeping her in. haha</div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-69117912492140652472010-03-15T16:18:00.001-07:002010-03-15T16:38:28.482-07:00The Talented Ms Larson<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A couple weeks ago, my sister-in-law came to visit with my niece Stella.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We did Disneyland (which was definitely a different experience this pregnant! haha) We ate donuts. And we fit in this photo shoot. What Makaya did in about 30 minutes from 8:30-9am before I had to hop in the car to go to a set- was amazing. And some of the most real pictures that CB and I have ever had taken together. I'm so thankful to have these pictures of "just us" taken mere weeks before our lives will be forever changed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Nh-CYbbWG7R-bTHqzZ9Orioshyphenhyphengp3msrzU04os661fUNFdLOlRs55Quhk4dnoR9E3PmMMCRvms-9J5cOy_IIKl4xlfI1OdJG8ZXBSAYIwIuHJqM1xrTvW_o4_WO3TT0Krw8lrJKkJbzv/s320/meandhim.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449004468808530914" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, the point of this post is that Makaya has just launched her new website- www.makayalarson.com</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check it out- Her work is beautiful and has real emotion. Congrats on the new site Kaya!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmCiIJI6V7vm4MGGw1RyL6jwqWLxX-_0899EpX9v23hLpSDWp_JN7gYfqK6YRzfBBykMCnw-Lr7e2t0MxL6OOzJRvzXxJkvSIues8n1iROWSzMXOBiRrK-gFfK4HqB0isyQCy0k-k-Kxp/s320/truck.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006652275083458" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm beyond lucky to have her in my family and I can't wait for her to capture our babe. Hopefully she is more photogenic and less whiney of a subject than I am ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6v8ckZo7pp9joABPp5BqcGEhjwILdL2WeQhF9WExk8VSbMZw1SCRaW8F2LS_oz2N8K8V9QBjMNb-StdMw_Pjc5SlJpJa6BOx0FLtv7n__KCw6MRkgEZlR-VAuqNUj8n3ssEa4diWocJpG/s320/tree.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006646551199506" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And just for fun, here's one she took of me on Christmas eve, in the drizzling rain about 20 minutes before she packed up the car to drive 5 hours to her in-laws. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoHzH84d-C5NxDtA_XolQCVednG1vdVe9quwN5d5gzWdzFC1MAk5U7i8W5MFHFaBY6eyG9oN1zn_CWJMH2OsrXCJS5PllvcAJH2Cu4id2ZinB2VVwumM3nm2q11i5xaSCDUXqWFykUoZb/s320/belly+pic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449006760181832722" /></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-53188717431674287322010-03-04T17:45:00.000-08:002010-03-04T18:12:49.833-08:00Finally!We've tried it out for a few weeks. It's been a long road coming, but we finally decided- Unless she comes out looking completely different, our little girl will be named Sadie Magnolia. (Sadie was Caleb's suggestion and one that I'd liked from a book I read as a teenager. Magnolia is one I suggested while he was in Europe and since then I just knew it had to be part of her name somehow.)<div><div><br /></div><div>It is March. She's coming THIS month. That's unbelievable. Saturday I'll be 37 weeks and she'll be full term. The doctor reminded me this past week that she could come anytime now. I think she'll hang in there for a bit longer though. She's pretty good at minding us already. She flipped when we asked her to get back head down. She stayed in when we wanted her to wait for Caleb to get home. I'm asking her to let me get through my last week of work and I expect her to stay put <i>at least</i> another week or two. </div><div><br /></div><div>The sweetest thing though- she started moving a lot the first night CB was back from his tour, especially when he'd talk to her. It hit me- she missed him. How adorable. She's already a daddy's girl.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-25931057187236973102010-02-24T20:03:00.000-08:002010-02-24T20:26:28.117-08:00Just a few Confessions:<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Whenever I hear the song "Empire State of Mind" by JayZ and Alicia Keys... I want to move to New York City. I have always kind of thought that I would live there someday. Whenever I have pictured it though, I have kid(s) that are a little older- like 5.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I haven't done dishes since Caleb left on Saturday. I will have to crack and wash them tonight though... I'm out of clean drinking glasses and I have to make a salad for a work potluck for tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm excited for the baby to come but I think being excited for my 5 month maternity leave to start is a VERY close second. She is due 4 weeks from Saturday! This pregnancy has flown by and I really don't see it slowing down anytime soon.</div><div><br /></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-44094552779986695412010-02-20T22:36:00.000-08:002010-02-20T22:42:09.778-08:00My tolerance must be down...<div style="text-align: center;">Day 1 of Caleb's mini-tour and I already miss him...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Guess I've been pretty spoiled having him home for the last 2 months! </div><div style="text-align: center;">At least it is a short one- only a week this time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; ">I think my melancholy is also due to not getting enough sleep last night. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">I'm sure I'll feel much better tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">He played at an Indian reservation tonight. I hope he finds a cool pair of moccassins for the baby!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-76009086307960433042010-02-15T22:22:00.000-08:002010-02-16T00:12:39.604-08:00Genius Shopper Part 2<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I stumbled upon a great deal! I had received an email from B.R.us saying they were offering free shipping today only and thought... we should really take advantage of this to buy our dresser for the baby. I went online and even though I'd picked one out in the past from there, nothing today was catching my eye. Still, free shipping is a good deal on something as heavy as a dresser, so I didn't quite want to give it up yet. We had talked about looking at the unpainted furniture store down the street from our place, so I decided that I'd run check there really quick to make sure there wasn't something better, before settling on one online. The unpainted furniture store is right next door to a baby store that I'd already looked at and written off as way too expensive. But as I passed by there today, I noticed that they had some discounted pieces on the sidewalk out front. LO AND BEHOLD- the most perfect dresser was right there, marked 50% off. It was everything I wanted for her dresser: dark colored wood, drawers on the left/door with shelves on the right, flat top where we can put a changer AND it was some things I didn't know that I wanted: silver knobs, smooth sloping lines (rather than a box with drawers), 2 small top drawers instead of a 3rd bigger one and SOLID WOOD. With the discount, it ended up being the same price as the lower quality model I'd nearly bought online from Target a week or so ago since tax and shipping was factored into that. CB loaded it up in the van, drove it home, his friends that are visiting helped carry it up the stairs and I filled it with her things this afternoon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm just slightly jealous of her fancy dresser (CB and I have the Ikea style that look like boxes with drawers), but I'm glad she has such a nice piece of furniture (and I'm going to make her use it forever). Here's a picture of the dresser I took from the website. There is a matching crib but we're probably not going to get that until we move to a bigger place. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-K6H3FcaMO_XySt2upek1iSetk3MIDU1uzguH9qSI83sRHJmYwaL3_OG9pK3q30YHcb7izSA-VFTatJfpc28Mb-PT_ylaI_Y3ixj80tV7_2m8X2MlXQGqgVrql9JWPVvV9tcEU1IsyN2/s320/baby+dresser.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438746356538461586" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Which style dresser and which car seat/stroller have been 2 of the biggest decisions we've had to make with picking out "her gear". I've been looking online and changing my mind back and forth since October. It is such a relief to have those decisions made and carried out... not to mention 2 big checkmarks on our 3 page to-do list (typed!).</div><div style="text-align: center;">PS- And good thing about the genius shopper part... because we spent A LOT of money this weekend! Oh well... doing our part for the economy right?</div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-45127147937493440652010-02-13T23:26:00.001-08:002010-02-13T23:47:27.853-08:00I am pretty much a genius shopper...<div style="text-align: center;">That is what I came up with earlier.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A week ago, we got an ad in the mail from Babies R Us saying that if you bring in your used baby items (car seat, stroller, playpen, high chair or bassinet), you can get 25% off a new item (in certain categories/brands). Here I am thinking... I don't have any used big ticket type baby items. How can I take part in this great deal? So yesterday, I started looking at Craigslist- thinking if I could get a cheap something I could trade it in for our travel system. I didn't see anything super cheap on craigslist or not convenient enough to go get. I drove "the long way" to babies r us this morning to pass by as many yard sales as possible to see what I could find. I thought I hit the motherload when I saw a yard sale with 2 car seats and a bassinet. But they were in pretty good shape and nice brands and priced at $50 and $60~ not going to work for my $55 discount. I run into the thrift store and there it is~ a pink dingy car seat priced at $10.99. Woohoo! Standing in line for the cash register I see that Saturday is 30% off used item day!!!! Meaning I got the car seat for $7.70! Sweet! So for my 15 minutes of searching and my $7.70 investment, I saved $55!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here it is in all it's glory, our new travel system...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrC354AChV51i0xJd9v_qh8NT94yRXlAwG3eis9_KxcZ1MaX8hM9vI96ARS1xndHumUocfnfaCjoN6FdvL38p6045u_tul7QZkn_0Kaezuz7woPcb2WSMqdU0ElInyfNxiJReXYh6vs3J/s320/carseat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437997773710095186" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since the box was kind of heavy and bulky, I got it up the stairs (Caleb was out of town for the day) by opening the box and taking it up the stairs piece by piece. I'm sure I looked hilarious. Once I got it up the stairs, I put it all back in the box- haha. Not quite ready to have it out and about yet, but it does feel responsible to have it. Maybe because having a car seat means we would be allowed to take her home from the hospital. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">6 weeks from today is her due date. It's still going really fast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-45007105519128678632010-02-10T21:59:00.000-08:002010-02-10T22:25:50.754-08:00FYI- Pregnancy = babyTonight we had our maternity tour and pre-registration at the hospital. Right before we left, we walked by the postpartum nursery and saw a few of the new babes in their bassinets... and it hit us right then- Wow. We're going to go to the hospital some time in the next 6 weeks and when we leave, it will be with a baby. Funny that we reacted the exact same way in the same moment. It's getting very real.<div>The more items we check off our to-do list (it's 3 pages long- TYPED!) the more excited I get for her arrival. We did our 8 hour long all in 1 day birthing class on Sunday. I feel just a teensy bit more prepared for that part, I guess. My biggest job right now is to keep her in. Caleb is doing a mini tour from February 21- March 1st and she is NOT allowed out until he gets back. We have an ultrasound scheduled for a week from tomorrow, so hopefully that would indicate any complications that would throw a wrench in these plans before he leaves. (KNOCK ON WOOD) But I really feel like I have had a "by the book" pregnancy so far, so I figure I'll probably not have her until the week she's due. </div><div>I'll try to think of something else to write about for the next time... this is turning fast into a pregnancy blog... boring.</div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-78781880142916375802010-01-31T18:11:00.000-08:002010-01-31T18:20:10.411-08:00wow. just wow.<div style="text-align: center;">So every now and then I've been setting up the laptop to take a pic of the belly to send to my mom so she can see how much the baby's (I've) grown... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I saw this one in the file from early on and couldn't remember how far along I was when it was taken. I was thinking 8-10 weeks or something. I just checked the date in the info from the pic... OCTOBER 16th! I was already 16 weeks pregnant!! So this is how much she grew in her first 16 weeks...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Fa47pCK7cv4LCeLqSg-xO0Yv6yYQpjGVs0HUB0XMyliqN2wZrEGDKxLI_8dAYWEIv14mGmnUdlXZMV3l6drZoD26smVZi99FaoIpOtdzZnfPGxl-xWbO7V9yytknIc8BxUR0iyp2oyVb/s1600-h/16ish+weeks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Fa47pCK7cv4LCeLqSg-xO0Yv6yYQpjGVs0HUB0XMyliqN2wZrEGDKxLI_8dAYWEIv14mGmnUdlXZMV3l6drZoD26smVZi99FaoIpOtdzZnfPGxl-xWbO7V9yytknIc8BxUR0iyp2oyVb/s320/16ish+weeks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433092125712485666" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">And this is how much she's grown in the 2nd 16 weeks...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> here we are in all our bumpy glory.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVUllvVjFap42HhZI08ucJRx8GhSCGzu1QiXVh6tnCz6iFoOPEVdqTWmzFrWmojjeNeEA4F_LeMPa0-kxPwV77nEFOPuSn40ggGODcViwI7pOlHk6rOYfPgzaPd2Y6khLV1c8xkajW026/s1600-h/32+weeks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVUllvVjFap42HhZI08ucJRx8GhSCGzu1QiXVh6tnCz6iFoOPEVdqTWmzFrWmojjeNeEA4F_LeMPa0-kxPwV77nEFOPuSn40ggGODcViwI7pOlHk6rOYfPgzaPd2Y6khLV1c8xkajW026/s320/32+weeks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433092122739649906" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 8 weeks left. How much is she going to grow now?!? </div><div style="text-align: center;">It already feels like I can't get much bigger. </div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-53920990165174363252010-01-29T20:41:00.000-08:002010-01-29T21:14:45.955-08:00Another Wrap-Up<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was a really busy week for me work wise. I put in more than 50 hours- yikes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a little run down of how it went:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Early Monday morning I had a production meeting for a new movie I'll be working on. It wraps 1 week before I intend to start my maternity leave, so it is really good timing. The movie is starring this guy. He wasn't at the meeting so I haven't seen him yet, but I will definitely be dropping by the set sometime, so it is in the works --I'll let you know how it goes down Sarah ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85ZwIhe3mqe1reBlHsKmdbD_VeNIUh-Zs2BOmegP3spp63Iq5gDdhhjuv4gE0X0HnQsWh0Ru-Psh9WufHrRkYEoQiOLilgelXVvEMvRuNytO1E6C4otahlwZi8u-aEVc9B9E9H8YuM8cO/s320/orlando.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432389293393205826" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then Tuesday, another early production meeting for this TV show that I work on.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just finished reading scripts for episode 17 and 18 and I am definitely hooked. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLAM7L2FSJMr3jnx7QJluev8-yiDkg5cYXcE9BtSrBmTu48uJRcHAE3w-SV9Khij-NKnLyUUxglmCUiM4s444wWgzzJB3soB4qrV1zgqqZ3NaF3HuVwVp1RoiTryF4pwNR92o2ds7EoIF/s320/ffposter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432389283108339346" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Then Wednesday and Thursday were devoted to reshoots for this movie. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wednesday casting and Thursday visiting the set.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o9NDphXA-ih8_Gk48vABz-tnStyFI3CHK5e2Y-pEzYbwm02ZHtmPCYsVBSrWIQxl4A1gomNSGk0ZmDaQLasAgeYS3JpB8qzRCKCFfXyCJT0Vkd51QB0tSgf-coFhAP3NEEgmcK6C4fmF/s320/mock-iron-man-2-poster.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432389274304089362" />Pretty much every available moment in the evenings of the last week have been spent catching up on Season 5 of this show. Man, I wish season 3 would've been that good, we would've never slipped away. We have the 2 part finale left and that is it. Excited for season 6!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkWyUXnJ1eaSfSjaDzyA07EgWjtNSf7Db3kmKYJaSwx7fskEIekjzpREFW5ZDKP4w1vp-EbPqLFFDk5hPCihnpyHo7ZqBEcFHDLKNGOth3SezUa6lENMWTSNpMmvtlx-JbPdzD_2PtHpd/s320/lostposter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432393608071577730" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also on Wednesday, it was officially 2 months until this little girl's estimated arrival of March 27th. Which sounds like more than it is, because if you remember, one of those months is February... which is really a fake month of only 28 days (no offense February, but seriously) </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm 32 weeks now and the other day I looked down, saw my stomach and thought, what?! I never imagined what this would be like. This is by far the most amazing, intimidating, miraculous, uncomfortable situation I've ever experienced.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The past few weeks I've had some REALLY random dreams... storms, horses, driving cars inside toy store/restaurants, killing zombies, setting zombies ghost ladies free (that one was after watching Coraline... definitely a direct reaction). I had the most saddest dream that the baby was born and they told me she had died (in hindsight, I saw her and she was not dead, she had her eyes open and opened her mouth and looked at me- but that's what they told me) I woke up and sobbed for probably 5 minutes while Caleb just held me and assured me that it was just a dream, but it was just soo sad anyway. I dreamed that she was a hispanic baby with tan skin and brown hair. I dreamed last night that she was a boy baby (but fair skin and hair and eyes again). Crazy crazy crazy dreams. I've always had vivid crazy dreams (even night terrors as a kid), but now seriously weird and a lot more often.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is what I know about her:</div><div style="text-align: center;">She gets a lot of hiccups. And she likes James Taylor. And she does not have a name.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our next ultrasound is 3 weeks from yesterday. I'm excited to see her again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaFAMhtrcluaSpdDKJyV2_OXPcaivxaYjK5LqNZpykT2fv4XAMAlfCyaMXM9bZaN2s7ItMKrq_F3uxNT6a5DyiVgDoJ1mEKVyJjKwyymLDEyI7fPYvs5GxW_MAiuLJRmuORuWUAHc_iYy/s1600-h/baby+girl.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaFAMhtrcluaSpdDKJyV2_OXPcaivxaYjK5LqNZpykT2fv4XAMAlfCyaMXM9bZaN2s7ItMKrq_F3uxNT6a5DyiVgDoJ1mEKVyJjKwyymLDEyI7fPYvs5GxW_MAiuLJRmuORuWUAHc_iYy/s320/baby+girl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432389301363903138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-44491620798055860622010-01-12T17:21:00.000-08:002010-01-12T17:21:00.142-08:00The Betty Draper Evening Gala Gown GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/01/betty-draper-evening-gala-gown.html">The Betty Draper Evening Gala Gown GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!</a><br /><br />I don't think I'd have a real occasion to wear this style dress... but if I were to win it- I'd totally have <a href="http://makayalarsonphotography.typepad.com/">Makaya</a> take pics of me in it and they'd be awesome! Plus I love Mad Men!!Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-3203949375883958232010-01-09T23:50:00.000-08:002010-01-10T00:08:16.740-08:00To Move or Not to MoveCurrently this is what we keep going back and forth on. But today we decided... not to move. Well, unless we find the perfect place. We saw 5 different apartments today and realized that we either encounter a great (small) building/neighborhood with a crappy apartment, or a great apartment in a crappy building. I don't want to live in a building that looks like a hotel or nursing home! So we're staying put for now. I like our apartment, even with it's shortcomings. This is the longest I've lived in one place since I moved out of my mom's house 10 years ago- it feels like home now. The stairs up to our landing really suck, it's only 1 bedroom, the layout isn't ideal for once the baby becomes mobile, and the parking spot is ridiculous (I'm almost too big to get out of the car now when I drive- that's how close we have to park to the wall), but it is ours and it is pretty reasonable rent. And a huge thing for me- I'm comfortable here. Whenever CB has to leave for touring, I feel safe. So we're staying put... <b>and</b> keeping one eye open looking for the perfect next place for our little family. After all, she'll be in our room the first few months anyway, so the way I see it, we could be fairly comfy here for the next 6-7 months (and that is a lot of extra rent money we'd save). Which means we have a long time to be picky. We don't want to settle (at least not at this point) and I think that eventually the right place will find us.Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-9579141327066103542009-12-31T20:48:00.000-08:002009-12-31T21:23:20.628-08:00The end of 09- Time for a wrap up!<div style="text-align: center;">****I had to break up these posts, because I find blogger to be really hard to use with more than 6 images in a post. I get really impatient with it and having to move them one by one. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">We just got home from visiting family in Illinois and yes, I did say "WE"! Caleb's back! Woohoo! After an entire 4 weeks apart- our longest yet, we were finally reunited. And of course, because there is travel involved, and it is us... there was of course a snag.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I flew in to St Louis Thursday (Dec 17th) late at night, landing just after midnight and set to stay with my dad. Caleb was to land in Chicago the next afternoon and then drive the 5 hours to Carbondale to meet up with me. He lands and all is well... except the car they're driving in breaks down on the side of the highway in Chicago! After an hour of calling rental car places, we discover that no one will rent a car for a one way trip. Boo. He ended up having to take the Amtrak the next morning arriving about 18 hours later than expected. But we were FINALLY back together! He did have quite a bit of jet lag and ended up falling asleep at 6pm that night and waking me up at 4 in the morning though! But I missed him so much I didn't care at all! He was surprised to see how big the baby had gotten and felt her kick for like an hour in the middle of the night.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">While I was in Illinois, <a href="http://makayalarsonphotography.typepad.com">Makaya</a> and I ran out for a quick last minute photo session for some maternity pics. I can't wait to see them and will post them here or link to them when I can. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We both ended up catching colds. I'm just almost over mine now.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We then both ended up catching the stomach flu- luckily it was 24 hour variety, but unluckily- CB came down with it on the way to the airport before our 7am flight. He threw up in the backseat of my dad's car, so we called Southwest- cancelled our tickets and rescheduled for the next morning. We went back to my dad's and spent the day hanging out (on opposite sides of the room, since I was still trying to not get sick) and watching Food Network. At about 10pm and an entire day of quarantine, I threw up too. So we got back on the phone with the airline and rescheduled our tickets for a few hours later in the day, cause there was no way I was going to get up at 4:30am not knowing if I was still sick. Love that Southwest doesn't charge fees- just makes you pay the fare difference. By that time, we had already paid the max, so no additional fare for the 2nd change. But it did mean that our boarding order was reset to the C group. Boo. We had been in the A group. She said we could pay $15 to upgrade the ticket the next day to business class to board first. We woke up feeling pretty good, so we decided to make the flight. BUT when we got there, she couldn't upgrade one ticket to business class. I mentioned that I was 6 months pregnant and not wanting to sit separate and the lady said they'd let us pre-board- Just like that! Woohoo! We got seats together for both flights. I felt a little bit guilty about pre-boarding, but considering all that we'd been through the last couple days, I decided to get over that guilt. I guess pregnancy is considered enough of a disability to allow for pre-board.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We finally make it home and at some point, checked our bank statement to see the holiday damage and start planning our maternity leave budget... We then discovered that someone had gotten my debit card number and charged 14 different purchases at various gas stations in Southern California for around $75 each!!! We got had for $1049 total! After about 30 minutes on the phone, Caleb got the ball running on getting the money back and I faxed in the affidavit saying they were fraudulent charges and we hopefully should get the money back in a few weeks. Bummer, but it was money we were saving for my maternity leave anyway, so as long as we have it back by the time she's born, I'll be okay with that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All in all it was a great trip home (pictures follow in the next few posts). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had an amazing 2009. The band had a lot of awesome opportunities- which also meant that he was gone a lot though. I was top booker at work- casting about 22,000 people- I wonder if that is a record. haha We also had some sad times in 2009- both of us having a grandmother pass away in August.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking forward to an amazing and life changing 2010. Our baby girl will shake things up in a way I don't think either of us can even fathom yet. I'm also really looking forward to taking some time off work when she comes. The band will be releasing their first full-length album in the late Spring, which we will be awesome too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy New Year everyone!!</div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-86206777463059043692009-12-31T20:45:00.000-08:002009-12-31T20:48:14.365-08:00<div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Illinois Baby shower pics</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Mini Cupcakes made by my mom</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh5KGTQIZjJp3EXVk7I-iDvs1l-BsTZ0VhknKnXeeDBJuXqffFc1etORHr7hnrmYmRg-5lsr0q2whOqO450zgUc65yp_FGgpG2EVJQdrIy8AJeBVego51vBxHm5zIdRmfcDMk7OFCHypm/s320/baby+shower+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421556019089171090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">The decorations-- wish the color exposure was better, but they were shades of pink and ornaments hanging from the ceiling over the table set with china and tea cups.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f2hNrwebcgzKETMcPvhDV7siRWf-aWSks8_VOxxlasMbXJGA6ikR4UYKVbX6uz-kdpYxgUs-QzRtRDxbwEwoedV4FJFaVDmlJLCYcrKw5GbB56tr7g4Pc2uCZdN2TaWH4-ce8YrZeJK-/s320/baby+shower+decor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421556039116726002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">The hostesses - Makaya and Harmony</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOMq5GYHLFt6TPyJU_17YBxDKe3ITD2SEFA-PHsSuV6ARItnFBSRPvZ7ALAGggK7h0soxj9JEUz2QpyJcqWX2uKYCG1JHmVeqNRfmmtvGefWCelYmBYZZOPHN9MvscEY0gn0sCQEMC2h7/s320/baby+shower+harm+and+kaya.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421556046669006450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">My mom with her tea cup.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Being a tea party, everyone had to wear hats,</div><div style="text-align: center; ">and my mom was a very good sport to wear a flower on her head :)</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSJaZyWbECb0CeWvnfL-ml9ji8FPnhzG_TYTB7ZU2-wkcZtnuiPbROM9BSfV_sUdTyRnxICmOQ5NlYh2pSHgSv-hxOcNyklQrJcRnNE6qvixMcKlocDSHXUZ3lBPtzY98HbwX5Q01l3Cl/s320/baby+shower+mom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421556363245755362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWYYdXUF8uLaOKcsp4bAa6yRAZl0JrWbMiG_WPMYmwH9-lZx3V7BPppLOtddJx2kp9m28GM78ke9ed46tpeZuzjbtcsHzuXi40jdtSX5kMK0iyIIXr1c8qwV3hcUKbzXvmQiVrQrVCEyB/s1600-h/baby+shower+stell.jpg"></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">My niece Stella (no longer will be the only girl! yay!)</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWYYdXUF8uLaOKcsp4bAa6yRAZl0JrWbMiG_WPMYmwH9-lZx3V7BPppLOtddJx2kp9m28GM78ke9ed46tpeZuzjbtcsHzuXi40jdtSX5kMK0iyIIXr1c8qwV3hcUKbzXvmQiVrQrVCEyB/s320/baby+shower+stell.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421556373283911010" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Caleb's sister Rachel and me seated at the table</div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8UIv5oDr1mO-RZlZ24H1YbWiskGvYfhfloOGqG_2PhXu0A5_Fei8T2Q_Nn7iZj-bnq7zPLP7HT_fHYKr9sGJJ-M758zcQSx-0OdnuPV3dODHJsimO6aV_GxW3LfA284ZP1Or2b0ip9Be/s320/baby+shower+rach+and+claire.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421556364815029426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Me and my friend Shaina who I haven't seen since I moved here.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">She knew me before I started dating Caleb and there aren't many who can say that anymore.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWzfWnKT_nP1UMZRsvyiYm__TN4y-3c2_cbe8Lacizul7IraCIOx8gc0_HO4hPWcqyhJ-YstlUGD4bTxa4-dluIW20FK0UZzkimdc-7trx7gtUadULCmmuLFiGttg7etthQ0frZLX4Nro/s320/baby+shower+claire+and+shaina.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421556031656661330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">My brother's wife, Annie and I- bump to bump (She's due in May)</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Wish I'd thought to hold my dress in a little under the stomach so I didn't look so huge. haha!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBdpq6ozIzj5ioFamoxlgmzsyQGdYrstblc51z8sGrwsxMK2I3JnTOuRqL9u_z5dF-Z1U542puKvff-lQAtat7XSA1GH_fbdMdFLfnSZIUHAkePtJIH4nppmY-5GWN2ERxcEJrgm-FJIz/s320/baby+shower+claire+and+annie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421556023935547602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-75877341252288595172009-12-31T19:53:00.000-08:002009-12-31T20:43:30.904-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My family's Christmas Eve tradition is to hang all our stockings,</div><div style="text-align: center;">pose for a family picture and then each open one gift.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thomas started us off...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93krbYFvMHGGql4UQ53Bxy8lqgSTpTmx-2yz72tHC0GyYhhIjODir7ed6V7C6cBsde2E-FXf4uBT1aDGfCzgI7Vt4QPHStZzqEirF-XFdSNKypctsIRQzZbjxdiNIK0zFc339De9ZAqhm/s320/IMG_0284.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421616975384185394" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tom helping Thomas </div><div style="text-align: center;">(I didn't actually get one of Tom with his own stocking)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgML34i3I392c-BH6UphF19R1Tok1hT6qVecCQ9pm8XZhldkWWPB09J7ZC-LtgN72d827YtBieuAm2LdFBPem4I2vSNadYAwmWIyolnL67EtF1Z4h9BfUbD87OFJTnbnKquJb8RPClq9jIc/s320/IMG_0286.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421616967736179682" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Then Me... </div><div style="text-align: center;">I told CB that my arm looked fat in this picture- so he retook it...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-MyGscVTfDIQ4TJ2OBKSUgRCZqJ5YfX3mQS1ZL_usTyiivuUMmKo1_X4r0lV5KhHZGzzoqSboxHKnjRrYRvlK0UdxgHcCQEg1qgeCzlnyWXxLF33ZqX1lqkINeWUiP2h5I8b0U4pncGQ/s320/IMG_0292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421616962332957122" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And this is how he "fixed" it- by cutting my arm completely off</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQeHUtZ0plZy_boB5i9bDNIH6Ztz3nfgcNg0_eXlOm37CEl0u34pmAUwvqsrcNpgxbvUI0arjbKfZmSikmooJNJvJtTOSQpBM0MMjCT-6Z3vVfxj3ZgvxZOikaEjl2nNEGkbEzZsLU14Y/s320/IMG_0301.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421615885542505474" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Steven's turn</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QZSMXBmYdBRveZc0QI4vTeTwavUaCGwx5ZZQWzGUcBgPcRktXJbM8sEI61XtVyD4k1G1_ufr2UTvmHIwRG6h5flX6gAoiBW7mvSS8JQcWeDLN-Mf-GbXSkNyalSzWL3L8JEClSMhcyld/s320/IMG_0295.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421616952447430642" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Then CB</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFE57NherZpSid6ISJCcVivpVVHd5d_IBe9ehKsjUEfJwcq1PYCKafDiEdekOZ_DYIHowVZsfSjChfI_Lz-ctYuGlR7FYI3SjiIUagmJxCkMzDSPCgNijnzvjaCBeDSxJcKt2mQmSMxOB/s320/IMG_0297.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421615899510979938" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Annie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-Cl0szhDXYGaR2RZ08J25NmeEwU6EKAuDXT9HjLs94in0xZtJBzmBqAi1chao9Dr05evx8BKElojP3EFs1QHQ17nykgpSpZmPQF5ORzMu7uSwyBYfR7548XJTs72oXxz64dlAfjWMsOd/s320/IMG_0300.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421615895072301922" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are our group pics</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aAL6fq2LhViF5H95DxG3imXjvY0_HUM2xpUwXlSk6ygdvoXBwp3r0xg6LdGKiYYfuWzBGmnKxtt9jEJKwD-JRR49SBmK8ZeY-0GGlVwo1SjiJhJTy4Jt3HlWLVLfxjpN7PeuJ6BI2bjR/s320/IMG_0302.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421615879981123410" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our dog, Joby, stood up</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and walked into the picture. haha</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinemhswUCF0Fx9_Ljp7KNwImM8dRzqZEoajmJMZbF_3YmxTBmSGifFUjEED3SgFVffxUGiqBqYjJT2XJn8iDv2In0f4_mXV_utodVSYSWeO4ACwXxrXJnmgvJ8sIiBSkxz_5l3VsaF4KXX/s320/IMG_0305.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421615865428203186" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then Christmas morning, we open our gifts under Mom's tree and head up to St Louis to visit with family. We spend a couple hours with my mom's side of the family, then go to meet up with my Dad's side.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aunt Mona, Aunt Marcia and my Mom </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iMaAsnbr-V6qnLAS4_ASSCv3DKCB-TWBrMItF5jH_jjzCHvMZHIQSzY2BNe1nNLN3omeSkeNhxtxLYUW6meIqm9mUB5BxWY6vTx20AF1k8Z4xBUf0gJUhxrlITBpK88Mhcxd0HD6nB8W/s320/IMG_0320.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421621906625551026" /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Opening up all the presents- haha</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAw7pfh7o6QHow8wuGhfxrdM49MXwLM2ofQ03FDAKMUpbrDDBddfhQom3GDpxXgAlF5bfgRaEe5-nofXn7_6vi-1GzGZZT3I2n1xQ-KIX0ucbvEKoM-GHSjnDW1JDLcwvBGerJcYJByAXT/s320/IMG_0326.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421621914638017874" /><div style="text-align: center;">My Dad has decided to try his hand at hockey again- </div><div style="text-align: center;">He was a goalie when he played in college. The day after Christmas he put his gear on, we headed down into the basement of his new house and took turns taking shots at him :)</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewcXlgo1mwAEuX1l1D-VDVOASl2RK-3qUR6FfOu8B9ZHVNLfUAbqPJ4E-nFBU1PdC7crndKgXbGsdws01_KSHB1Dckpx5f1DxddnK_4p3HqbIWYkn1QmYyBebf12hSD6vVXAJ9FDOKCfb/s320/IMG_0354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421621939938745330" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">CB's turn</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz7P-zFO0MG2JRDd5P7uSsDYHWI1lHYGNPANRLAwpksxxdnVivFEpVeBvObWtxh7AHh6S-7eE-hUJAclNz6VU_lsZfhkEhdzdC6w2Nex4TGVo5F1bTit11OKUgziacwMvZTC1G0nrc2eQ/s320/IMG_0359.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421622403636106082" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Never was one to let the boys have all the fun.</div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZF6u0len0uU_HiNC0ElQnnUnaZCIa1Fzr-aTEdhUpf5Tt0NlcEw71aNdvTGcEzIdIHqC0zTVYoW-aBAuO0NfvL8kVeXZs06Clmd2R9mMvvRuehJDad0GO7LWMqNNYGJV5nhVAe67anzHG/s320/IMG_0352.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421621935927267170" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It snowed off and on the whole time we were in the midwest.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This day the snowflakes were really big, but they didn't photograph very well at all.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was FREEZING without my coat on. Brrrrr.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1x4D9fLKdkbfOwyRFdiHmgPjhRqgGwjsRAjeWpsyE_H6TwMNyTLqCU7FcapeELTKXjbSB2Qeq46bFZWkPGkZPQo9aJHIr8IjQYdDDJFZkShBkWWJ8xqzRaZ4rSEwxRbhoG7EqGmmlv8W/s320/IMG_0379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421622408312327826" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361986704053877378.post-25377788043038962322009-12-31T19:25:00.000-08:002009-12-31T20:44:01.637-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">Christmas with CB's side of the family</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stella, me and Rachel posing on Christmas Eve</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGNw_6y8mPEY4BY2m3YQnmyfOst5CStsLBgyMBkwyDTkFL_VvwQZi-ZkUHF7btOSI29Ssi2tuI-8uxmIfuKNrUxRX_qkaCCsF2OHn-UB0SGBRyVV4l8R3-TD3AuXdDN6EQdfL8S9FLLzG/s320/the+girls+christmas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612712613774754" /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">"Family picture"</div><div style="text-align: center;">CB was a really good sport and posed for a few pictures </div><div style="text-align: center;">even though he was still getting over a nasty cold.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVIx_jm0rtVQjtsb-jGW80BtQmw5DCsrwf1uv8n4bPxzHgxiq7NW8NWYztonbDajl5aNWiDA3Sia7l13utEHekyum2V8lG22avL-9v0UO66cD33eDgytZ-QqCEWPOZWHzCXwE4wQPkiUb/s320/IMG_0247.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612242402104210" /><div style="text-align: center;">The annual group photo... constantly growing</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7bR-QQRN0_Jcn9SE6EZ8QY-ZAtZU32BqmChjZz1Ze1mpQQAs5xz9bB9HD92IGDs0ZZuIoiX5I2pJg4-iRv9nMQhb7CEcgyX0oLLqwIH754kTOXAdN1eG3N8bzMDYcldruWPDAUCporz5/s320/cbfamilypic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612704951144498" /><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't want to post a lot of early morning Christmas pictures with everyone's bed head and pjs... but kids are fair game. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Levi standing in front of the huge stack of gifts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREsJJpt2dxw6fs-jChln42GmVsKib7ma9cMfoYKG8h7015DQdgpOWJqhFfxoP7iQseHL1hAyRJ__yFk99dzvNiAp4ppZrUShTeHq6MAWTWOS1puumQdIK2LzHDNIBFErtFrtiDlh2bgIl/s320/IMG_0261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612237252311202" /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Stella had the best reaction</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxZaJ861w8tSbilpjlljUHQddRy6xV2f3H2AfDCs2Z3IESOvEZEP71-M7Yf3ceOOB-tZ-mp-tNZCzhCQ1m7EpoYN8x_8_zkqPokhmfPOHw_HTUZ8-iqSIvow_BeLMQOzLbLlRfzRQPc5H/s320/christmas+joy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612709881701746" /><div style="text-align: center;">CB and Ashton got cool presents from Harmony- </div><div style="text-align: center;">these shirts have a detachable amp and really play music.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlTWWoEka6_Xh6BUdb8TIMGXs36u1Xx4vBzWrwoSm72bPYp2p-gIxbMqbKacH785BGxmBAIszV2DF_b070fPyWRKNGnWeZeKjmWeIB60Wjbzgz_g6hlTRo9-1uz-qKdRuLm39LKluPq4z/s320/IMG_0274.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612225852804706" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAX5wOD4pDHYNbcLg-q4leTcTtWm5mRq-mGbRnF-KxGmFfzOpb9J-UM6YRGar0a6UzMSbkVkeF5hSOwKNGyj9kX7w5UBMTOFyjXtMqG1eS3A-jp1ZvFCvhBSiOes8H0UGZ9MKEbm1oeh9/s320/IMG_0276.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612219143902274" /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Every year we make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers, icing and candy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Caleb's are pretty much always a master creation. This year, Mason asked him to make a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse- here's the work in progress.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6ZRWvDeuc5JZ3ZuhxGKcrRE_4PO4KW3qx9rDdbjm89dfuoRNHxJ0WgsecPGIHG90_7kXQBblsXBMsNiQXZ92bUDJl_yfP0nG604fwV-hiZqf1MxU-hysS9fPjmo1sxEvzpJ_vGLG-CZS/s320/IMG_0278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612209160230930" /><div style="text-align: center;">And the finished product</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00ImeFUlzDrSUj9zE1E8DwfbKDpByXKWBiNMqiulGoxm3H7BQ8To2IoYwbHZVGyahhTxC-YVGziNNaGvKgD3HoCwtYt84H57qg1kA7C1fnZNd1xsRLcbtLCjdVmCGYfCXkehp-U3AqFO2/s320/mickeymouse+house.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421612802391074226" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16690446249755257545noreply@blogger.com2