tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125349282024-03-13T05:56:33.777-07:00Brian, Paula and CompanyWant some fun? Munge together a Brian and a Paula, and let them percolate for a year or two. Then fold in a Becca and give it a good mix. Add a bit of Katie for flavor, a dash of Christopher for variety, and you've got a culinary masterpiece. Stay tuned for updates about the madness that is our gladness!Brian Whitmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00009042638644799674noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-44535472609440437602013-10-04T14:12:00.001-07:002013-10-04T14:15:35.536-07:00Becca's Storybook - also Welcome to Rett Syndrome Awareness Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6odUInvlFf0/Uk8vWF0apGI/AAAAAAAASZs/iHid5pIRtWg/s1600/SCAN0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6odUInvlFf0/Uk8vWF0apGI/AAAAAAAASZs/iHid5pIRtWg/s320/SCAN0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Paula and I were just talking (literally, just now) about how we should do something to help get the word out since October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month. Two years ago I <a href="http://beccatheblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/competing-with-pink-ribbon.html">wrote a post about it on Becca's blog</a>. Last year I don't think we did much of anything. This year I don't think we've decided what to do. But in the mean time here's a story that Becca wrote.<br />
<br />
How did she write a story, you ask? I held her hand for all the drawing. But more importantly, she made all the choices -- colors, characters, actions. It took <a href="http://beccatheblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/school-time-93-creative-story.html">us</a> <a href="http://beccatheblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/school-time-94-more-creative-story.html">three</a> <a href="http://beccatheblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/school-time-99-finishing-creative-story.html">days</a> to write it together, picking between different colored markers, deciding what items to put in the background, figuring out what types of animals to include... but I didn't do any picking. Obviously her range of choices was limited to what I could come up with, but trust me when I say she made me work for it, too :-). She didn't always like what came up with and we had to go back to the drawing board three, four, five, six times sometimes to get something she liked.<br />
<br />
At any rate, here's Becca's story. It's one of the few things she's been able to "create" in this world, and when we show it to people in front of her she is very proud of her work. The only reason we even knew a creation like this was possible is because of the ongoing research into communication strategies around Rett Syndrome, and the defiant belief by all the parents who came before us that their kids were "in there". Here's to believing in things we can't yet see :-).<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="356" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/26605391" style="border-width: 1px 1px 0; border: 1px solid #CCC; margin-bottom: 5px;" width="427"> </iframe><br />
<br />
<br />Brian Whitmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00009042638644799674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-6726916482294085572013-09-30T16:45:00.000-07:002013-09-30T16:50:16.583-07:00Summer!I have been in serious denial over the fact that fall is here. I know summer always goes by fast, but this year it was gone before I felt like I really enjoyed it. Sickness was a big part of our summer which was just frustrating. But don't feel too bad for us. We did some pretty great things.<br />
<br />
Our summer in pictures:<br />
<br />
Back in May we walked around the Oquirrh Mountain temple for family home evening. The kids absolutely loved it. It was a bigger hit than I thought it would be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZUaJhXl5hM/UknoqM0E58I/AAAAAAAAHOs/kWoYbeqHaR0/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZUaJhXl5hM/UknoqM0E58I/AAAAAAAAHOs/kWoYbeqHaR0/s400/IMG_1833.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkQWB_elouQ/UknoqTvatTI/AAAAAAAAHOw/8xI8g6XOgTk/s1600/IMG_1839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkQWB_elouQ/UknoqTvatTI/AAAAAAAAHOw/8xI8g6XOgTk/s640/IMG_1839.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOojCmaYRYk/UknoqfioZgI/AAAAAAAAHO0/YuRo8gK1EII/s1600/IMG_1847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOojCmaYRYk/UknoqfioZgI/AAAAAAAAHO0/YuRo8gK1EII/s400/IMG_1847.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lh0caHevP4/Ukno2sWzlNI/AAAAAAAAHPI/OOxc4bQpFZM/s1600/IMG_1859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lh0caHevP4/Ukno2sWzlNI/AAAAAAAAHPI/OOxc4bQpFZM/s400/IMG_1859.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWhJxlSnXN0/Ukno2sHIoMI/AAAAAAAAHPE/rQV1Q9EB3mo/s1600/IMG_1863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWhJxlSnXN0/Ukno2sHIoMI/AAAAAAAAHPE/rQV1Q9EB3mo/s400/IMG_1863.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We played in the water quite a bit this summer and the following picture is a good depiction of Christopher's feelings about getting wet at the beginning of the summer:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhdbvqjRRMo/UknpX17k6hI/AAAAAAAAHPU/coP0tIv-O4k/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhdbvqjRRMo/UknpX17k6hI/AAAAAAAAHPU/coP0tIv-O4k/s400/IMG_1890.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In June I got to go to InstructureCon again with Brian. His company has grown so much just since last year and it was wonderful to be able to be up there with him and see how many people are in love with his product. I have a pretty amazing husband who I adore...even in cutout form! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NPcSqW_J1M/UknpzvAgQrI/AAAAAAAAHPc/7c7i2iLUI08/s1600/instcon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NPcSqW_J1M/UknpzvAgQrI/AAAAAAAAHPc/7c7i2iLUI08/s400/instcon.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tr7IZ3yE9O4/UknpzhIpd3I/AAAAAAAAHPg/4qtBixvAd1k/s1600/mchammer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tr7IZ3yE9O4/UknpzhIpd3I/AAAAAAAAHPg/4qtBixvAd1k/s640/mchammer.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yep, that's us with MCHammer (or Hammer if you're in the know). Brian got his groove on with Hammer. It was pretty fun to watch :).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a wonderful birthday this year. My parents and sister were able to come visit for my birthday and it made my day special! We went to Saturday's Waffle for breakfast:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WI13IKyJ7W4/Uknspm44QVI/AAAAAAAAHPw/JKVSpTX0UKE/s1600/IMG_1991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WI13IKyJ7W4/Uknspm44QVI/AAAAAAAAHPw/JKVSpTX0UKE/s400/IMG_1991.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So delicious! We were all impressed. I wasn't good at taking pictures, but it was a good day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well then this happened...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZfoy_JIRY4/UkntkPpsdvI/AAAAAAAAHP4/Ko8k3ESqluM/s1600/IMG_1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZfoy_JIRY4/UkntkPpsdvI/AAAAAAAAHP4/Ko8k3ESqluM/s400/IMG_1955.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ok so you can't tell from this picture, but Becca got sick. It started out with a mild cold (see above picture) and turned into viral pnuemonia and a scary night that put her in the hospital for a couple days. I hate having to see how fragile her life really is. It was a long recovery. That was pretty much our end of June/July. We passed that lovely cold around but it was nothing major for the rest of us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But, Becca was better by our anniversary (July 22nd) which we celebrated by staying down in Provo. It was so fun to remember back to when we dated and the first five years of our marriage. We have so many wonderful/sad/exciting/funny/life changing memories down there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yeDMD6KcmRU/UknwpXpaaNI/AAAAAAAAHQI/WGkf3k_vfcI/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yeDMD6KcmRU/UknwpXpaaNI/AAAAAAAAHQI/WGkf3k_vfcI/s400/IMG_2058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ_Hn3yRSuI/UknwpWy83PI/AAAAAAAAHQE/gbxelVbFLiY/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ_Hn3yRSuI/UknwpWy83PI/AAAAAAAAHQE/gbxelVbFLiY/s320/IMG_2069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4apP4kCr-nQ/UknwpV_zTyI/AAAAAAAAHQM/8VQP6eQ_P2w/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4apP4kCr-nQ/UknwpV_zTyI/AAAAAAAAHQM/8VQP6eQ_P2w/s320/IMG_2108.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFARVsmo-ls/Uknwp0y6f7I/AAAAAAAAHQQ/ACfrg62upJU/s1600/IMG_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFARVsmo-ls/Uknwp0y6f7I/AAAAAAAAHQQ/ACfrg62upJU/s320/IMG_2109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvk81r0Bez0/UknwqM2g4DI/AAAAAAAAHQU/izDx4XRybFk/s1600/IMG_2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvk81r0Bez0/UknwqM2g4DI/AAAAAAAAHQU/izDx4XRybFk/s320/IMG_2110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bU0agPcVaFM/UknwqPWQsiI/AAAAAAAAHQY/teaN7rw7eFM/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bU0agPcVaFM/UknwqPWQsiI/AAAAAAAAHQY/teaN7rw7eFM/s320/IMG_2112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zEdI5LosMxo/UknwqrfihbI/AAAAAAAAHQg/iVuHi74zmZA/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zEdI5LosMxo/UknwqrfihbI/AAAAAAAAHQg/iVuHi74zmZA/s320/IMG_2113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEZPENz7Mek/Uknwq3t1tOI/AAAAAAAAHQw/ajzlcyvfslE/s1600/IMG_2121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEZPENz7Mek/Uknwq3t1tOI/AAAAAAAAHQw/ajzlcyvfslE/s320/IMG_2121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a wonderful and fun couple days. And as a side note: water slides are scarier than they used to be.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went up to crystal lake on the 24th of July:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Khv7TxYMIUM/UknzsuB-ZrI/AAAAAAAAHRI/FFrEj_riAoA/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Khv7TxYMIUM/UknzsuB-ZrI/AAAAAAAAHRI/FFrEj_riAoA/s400/IMG_2125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlF8EY40WSw/Uknzs0PdDxI/AAAAAAAAHRM/y7oADOLWyq0/s1600/IMG_2132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlF8EY40WSw/Uknzs0PdDxI/AAAAAAAAHRM/y7oADOLWyq0/s400/IMG_2132.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Becca slept most of the time we were up there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then in August we went on a cruise to the Bahamas with Brian's family!! It was such a fun trip and I'm so grateful to Brian's parents for making it happen! The hardest part of the trip was having to leave Becca. She was really sad and cried quite a bit when we said goodbye to her. I almost changed my mind about going. But she had a fun week with Grandma Hansen, Aunt Jamie, and Aunt Natalie. I'm so grateful to my Mom for coming out to stay with Becca along with my sisters. She was a spoiled girl :). While we were away:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlYZNuvtb-M/Ukn2qNK6kAI/AAAAAAAAHRo/t81c_3nDgp4/s1600/Grandma+and+Grandpa+Larson+visit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlYZNuvtb-M/Ukn2qNK6kAI/AAAAAAAAHRo/t81c_3nDgp4/s400/Grandma+and+Grandpa+Larson+visit.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iqx4B4PNCUo/Ukn2pvUbJ7I/AAAAAAAAHRg/1rPpqdYjuqk/s1600/Becca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iqx4B4PNCUo/Ukn2pvUbJ7I/AAAAAAAAHRg/1rPpqdYjuqk/s400/Becca.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ppqfF6Huprk/Ukn2qOQYjRI/AAAAAAAAHRs/1AWRq70AdzI/s1600/Becca+excited+about+family+coming+home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ppqfF6Huprk/Ukn2qOQYjRI/AAAAAAAAHRs/1AWRq70AdzI/s320/Becca+excited+about+family+coming+home.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It doesn't feel right to leave one of your children home when you go on a family vacation. A part of my heart was left behind and we thought about her frequently! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here are some pictures from our trip :):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlGWyojgR3E/Ukn-l8_aqaI/AAAAAAAAHR8/polDyLoh5Vw/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlGWyojgR3E/Ukn-l8_aqaI/AAAAAAAAHR8/polDyLoh5Vw/s320/IMG_2163.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o9PHEkOeap0/Ukn-lwYAD8I/AAAAAAAAHSE/AIdlKN2zvbQ/s1600/IMG_2169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o9PHEkOeap0/Ukn-lwYAD8I/AAAAAAAAHSE/AIdlKN2zvbQ/s320/IMG_2169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtqJisnl64o/Ukn-mLHJUiI/AAAAAAAAHSA/gR1DZB486-I/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtqJisnl64o/Ukn-mLHJUiI/AAAAAAAAHSA/gR1DZB486-I/s400/IMG_2176.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZO6Fk1fqNI/Ukn-mu3_OBI/AAAAAAAAHSI/-MEmngXk3us/s1600/IMG_2178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZO6Fk1fqNI/Ukn-mu3_OBI/AAAAAAAAHSI/-MEmngXk3us/s400/IMG_2178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53XCyOVlfO4/Ukn-m225z5I/AAAAAAAAHSM/7jrBoON513I/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53XCyOVlfO4/Ukn-m225z5I/AAAAAAAAHSM/7jrBoON513I/s400/IMG_2197.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2Rj7wgHphg/Ukn-nB-eJTI/AAAAAAAAHSc/zE-AUijlcPo/s1600/IMG_2201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2Rj7wgHphg/Ukn-nB-eJTI/AAAAAAAAHSc/zE-AUijlcPo/s400/IMG_2201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As you can tell Christopher changed his mind about water.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HijDwCwdW1c/Ukn-nBVmupI/AAAAAAAAHSU/0AOMsdzDS04/s1600/IMG_2206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HijDwCwdW1c/Ukn-nBVmupI/AAAAAAAAHSU/0AOMsdzDS04/s320/IMG_2206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_dDb9gowPvg/Ukn-naltYcI/AAAAAAAAHS0/CJlB4aPjXfw/s1600/IMG_2215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_dDb9gowPvg/Ukn-naltYcI/AAAAAAAAHS0/CJlB4aPjXfw/s640/IMG_2215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KIegDjnMYJg/Ukn-nlT4MAI/AAAAAAAAHSo/SlMmmk401hI/s1600/IMG_2222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KIegDjnMYJg/Ukn-nlT4MAI/AAAAAAAAHSo/SlMmmk401hI/s320/IMG_2222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B_rYeEU4h-Y/Ukn_eeAaOAI/AAAAAAAAHTE/Ofry8pXcbnc/s1600/IMG_2274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B_rYeEU4h-Y/Ukn_eeAaOAI/AAAAAAAAHTE/Ofry8pXcbnc/s320/IMG_2274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We could have ice cream whenever we wanted on the boat. And believe me, we did.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufiTiP6bZMs/Ukn_ebSjkXI/AAAAAAAAHTI/3Rrphvwkf6Q/s1600/IMG_2284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufiTiP6bZMs/Ukn_ebSjkXI/AAAAAAAAHTI/3Rrphvwkf6Q/s320/IMG_2284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There was kid area on the boat (daycare but they definitely didn't call it that) and Katie loved going there with her cousins. They painted their faces every night.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XFahMWWSjqU/UkoAndfHulI/AAAAAAAAHT8/BBG5rURe0kM/s1600/IMAG0867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XFahMWWSjqU/UkoAndfHulI/AAAAAAAAHT8/BBG5rURe0kM/s400/IMAG0867.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYWFNLdE3u4/Ukn_fuaAd6I/AAAAAAAAHTc/6DWSgpr7wJk/s1600/IMG_2300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYWFNLdE3u4/Ukn_fuaAd6I/AAAAAAAAHTc/6DWSgpr7wJk/s320/IMG_2300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FY6bHfBR4g8/UkoEX4mYnpI/AAAAAAAAHUg/lS_ApnoaSuo/s1600/IMG_2303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FY6bHfBR4g8/UkoEX4mYnpI/AAAAAAAAHUg/lS_ApnoaSuo/s320/IMG_2303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had lots of yummy food on the boat. Chris wasn't so good at having good manners in the nice restaurants. But I don't really blame him because they gave him crayons with a white tablecloth just asking to be drawn on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-occEK4XpSQA/UkoEX6-J4aI/AAAAAAAAHUk/ctQ2_lT4dEw/s1600/IMG_2306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-occEK4XpSQA/UkoEX6-J4aI/AAAAAAAAHUk/ctQ2_lT4dEw/s320/IMG_2306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SWuGjzK_7K0/UkoAor9fXaI/AAAAAAAAHUQ/OvE_Sk2hOeU/s1600/GOPR0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SWuGjzK_7K0/UkoAor9fXaI/AAAAAAAAHUQ/OvE_Sk2hOeU/s400/GOPR0105.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--u3J-991P7o/UkoAobFHC2I/AAAAAAAAHUM/eaVTQNsM3zE/s1600/GOPR0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--u3J-991P7o/UkoAobFHC2I/AAAAAAAAHUM/eaVTQNsM3zE/s320/GOPR0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Para sailing! So fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alEpPRAWBeI/Ukn_fFPt32I/AAAAAAAAHTQ/UZ2gftaS_Io/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alEpPRAWBeI/Ukn_fFPt32I/AAAAAAAAHTQ/UZ2gftaS_Io/s320/IMG_2287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went shark diving!! Best part of the trip!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tlr5jo0Q-mE/Ukn_fQ6xOCI/AAAAAAAAHTg/KvKCTmzsWYw/s1600/IMG_2296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tlr5jo0Q-mE/Ukn_fQ6xOCI/AAAAAAAAHTg/KvKCTmzsWYw/s400/IMG_2296.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AepdsHWzMc/Ukn_fLxbw9I/AAAAAAAAHTU/D0wHHDuYd4I/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AepdsHWzMc/Ukn_fLxbw9I/AAAAAAAAHTU/D0wHHDuYd4I/s320/IMG_2290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcazbU1EJm4/UkoAn5DIKPI/AAAAAAAAHUA/Lc1F_iOyPXk/s1600/Paula+and+Sharks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcazbU1EJm4/UkoAn5DIKPI/AAAAAAAAHUA/Lc1F_iOyPXk/s640/Paula+and+Sharks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I plan to post a video of our shark dive because it was incredible and one of the most amazing experiences of my life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we were saying goodbye to a very tearful Becca, Brian promised her that we would take her swimming when we got back from the Bahamas. And that is what we did.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSiyf3nta2E/UkoG2fxq44I/AAAAAAAAHU0/xYNd_FfhtQE/s1600/IMG_2370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSiyf3nta2E/UkoG2fxq44I/AAAAAAAAHU0/xYNd_FfhtQE/s400/IMG_2370.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qU7rH4A0aOs/UkoHNrkXkAI/AAAAAAAAHU8/9DlSSns44dc/s1600/IMG_2372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qU7rH4A0aOs/UkoHNrkXkAI/AAAAAAAAHU8/9DlSSns44dc/s400/IMG_2372.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v15E4lKwcbU/UkoHNRQMywI/AAAAAAAAHVA/VjU0Q5ocrRY/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v15E4lKwcbU/UkoHNRQMywI/AAAAAAAAHVA/VjU0Q5ocrRY/s400/IMG_2375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She was thrilled and loved every minute of it. Her siblings did too, but we didn't take any pictures of them :).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the end of the summer, before it got too cold at night, we went camping in our backyard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6eDhhxyJCc/UkoIW_5O72I/AAAAAAAAHVU/Qd-y6EV4ctI/s1600/IMG_2407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6eDhhxyJCc/UkoIW_5O72I/AAAAAAAAHVU/Qd-y6EV4ctI/s640/IMG_2407.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love my sweet, possessed family.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XyOL2fjZ2CI/UkoIXJ4sl8I/AAAAAAAAHVQ/2bP342sMMdU/s1600/IMG_2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XyOL2fjZ2CI/UkoIXJ4sl8I/AAAAAAAAHVQ/2bP342sMMdU/s400/IMG_2412.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The kids loved camping! I didn't love it quite as much as they did because I kind of like to sleep. But, it was fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Whew! Now on to Fall.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-29944860408489292972013-09-18T23:05:00.002-07:002013-09-19T19:30:52.395-07:00I Want Becca to Learn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGfDF4zHLeQ/UjuzSzun4qI/AAAAAAAASA4/d4B03Czck0M/s1600/IMG_20130906_241409241_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGfDF4zHLeQ/UjuzSzun4qI/AAAAAAAASA4/d4B03Czck0M/s400/IMG_20130906_241409241_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I've been talking to friends lately about our frustrations with the school situation now that Becca's moved up a grade at her special needs school, and I've been getting more blank stares than I expected. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that people would wonder why we'd be unhappy with Becca being in a classroom filled with other children who are also in wheelchairs, or why we would wish for Becca to be in a mainstream classroom when she could instead be around dedicated specialists who can give her one-on-one therapy all day. It's not necessarily intuitive that these might be problems.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
So I thought I'd explain the best I can. These are my opinions and I welcome any disagreement, but it's been hard for me to see people just drop the subject altogether when it seems like they don't understand rather than trying to understand. In other words, here is me forcing my opinion on the world :-P.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Education is Not a Privilege</h3>
<div class="p1">
In the United States the policies around special education, from what I've read, start from the assumption that a child, regardless of their special needs, should be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inclusion_(education)">included</a> in a mainstream classroom and be expected to handle all <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainstreaming_in_education">mainstream</a> curriculum, unless specific exceptions needs to be made. That's important because it means that mainstream education is a requirement unless otherwise specified, not something that has to be earned based on ability to perform on demand. That's one reason why we want Becca to have a more inclusive educational experience than she's getting, because she's been granted it.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Education is a Social Experience</h3>
<div class="p1">
More importantly, Becca needs to learn what to expect from the real world. She needs to learn what it will be like to interact with "normal" people and to pick up on social cues. Even basic things like raising your hand and taking turns talking are skills that, while Becca may not use, can help her understand what typical interactions are like. It will help her not freak out or shut down when she runs into those "real world" experiences.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHha0v0L7YY/Ujux55nLnAI/AAAAAAAASAk/eyleXR3eW9U/w1872-h1054-no/IMAG0789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHha0v0L7YY/Ujux55nLnAI/AAAAAAAASAk/eyleXR3eW9U/w1872-h1054-no/IMAG0789.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Most of our interactions are around shared experiences. I don't want Becca to have a six year-old's perspective of the world when she's twelve or twenty, but I worry that's what will happen if the only interactions she gets are with grown-ups focused on teaching and on therapy. Becca needs to see see disagreements and apologies, hear what kids do in their free time and about when they got in trouble, see what cute clothes other girls wear and have someone compliment her shirt. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The people growing up around Becca are going to keep learning and elevating their mindsets, and I don't want Becca to mentally plateau and get "left behind". I worry that if Becca falls too far behind those around her in her contextual understanding then she'll just disengage. Being in a classroom everyday of nonverbal, non-interactive children in wheelchairs feels like a knife-edge for mental plateauing.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Education is Empowering</h3>
<div class="p1">
The goal of education is to empower people to pro-act rather than react. It's to provide context in order to understand what's going on around you. It's to show you that not everything happening in the world is outside of your control. Becca needs that as much as anyone.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I think one reason why it sounds weird to put a girl like Becca in a mainstream classroom is because compared to everyone else she'll flunk all the curriculum. But think about it. If you *knew* your child understood, you wouldn't care much about grades. Mainstream classrooms are really just trying to pump whatever context and understanding they can get into the student's brains.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The alternative, what I hear about and am seeing happen in special education, is to stick with one skill until the student masters it and then move on. That's just not going to work with Becca. She already gets annoyed when my questions are too obvious, even though she's still getting things wrong 25% of the time. I *think* that if we keep the education train moving she'll retain more and be able to grow her mind more like the kids around her are doing.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Education is Really Hard</h3>
<div class="p1">
Don't get me wrong, I don't have any delusions that being in "normal" school means Becca would have a "normal" life. She would probably get made fun of, and would get overwhelmed and needs breaks during the day. I can't pretend she would understand everything, or that she wouldn't disrupt the class sometimes. I know full well that having her in a mainstream classroom would increase the burden on an already-overburdened teaching staff. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
These are all problems that don't have nice, shrink-wrapped solutions, and it would take time and energy and buy-in from everybody involved in order to successful solace them. But tell how you'd react if a teacher said to you, "your kid takes way more work for me to teach than some of the other kids, so I'd rather just work with them and not have to teach your kid."</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<h3>
I Want Becca to Be Educated</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paveAo4SJ2I/Ujux5xFqhVI/AAAAAAAASAk/6g5w5-ug_PI/w1872-h1054-no/IMAG0838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paveAo4SJ2I/Ujux5xFqhVI/AAAAAAAASAk/6g5w5-ug_PI/w1872-h1054-no/IMAG0838.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I want Becca to have her best shot at understanding the world that she's a part of, and to have the ability to interact with it even if it has to be to a limited degree. I want her to develop her own sense of humor and to have her own tastes and maybe someday to have a friend come over to the house for the afternoon. I want her to laugh at a joke someone makes because she gets it. If she doesn't know how the world works, or if she just has an academic understanding of the concepts we grown-ups remember to think of on her behalf, then I suspect she will have a superficial life that becomes increasingly internal and reactive.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
So anyway, yeah, that's why I think Becca needs a "real" education. It has nothing to do with the fact that she's starting to show very promising signs of retention, decision-making, and classification. Even if her apraxia were so bad that she did look like a complete vegetable on the outside, if there's any chance of her being "in there" then I want to maximize on that so she can do more with all that mental free time than just stare and wait for something to happen to her. Maybe that's selfish, but it's the same thing you all want for your kids, you're just lucky enough not to have to fight for it.</div>
Brian Whitmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00009042638644799674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-22823661411212638762013-04-25T10:49:00.001-07:002013-04-25T10:49:21.477-07:00St. Patrick’s Day<p>St. Patrick’s Day is a pretty big deal in our family. Growing up my Mom made St. Patrick’s day really fun and Brian and I have tried to continue many of those traditions. It was weird having St. Patrick’s day on Sunday, but we had a fun time anyway. My sister Jamie was able to join us that weekend for lots of green fun!</p> <p>Katie had a fun time dressing in green. Jamie let her use some of her green accessories and it was right up her alley! We had a very green dinner that night followed by grasshopper sundaes! Yum!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7zEZgfMYibQ/UXlsmSKxhFI/AAAAAAAAFjY/CiM37Ks6zLE/s1600-h/IMG_1416%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_1416" alt="IMG_1416" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KcEfexgXaTw/UXlsm7bNqFI/AAAAAAAAFjg/MxT7c8-ex5I/IMG_1416_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="520"></a> </p> <p align="left">And here is a video I filmed of Katie discovering the mess that the leprechaun's made. It’s pretty long so feel free to skip it!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:6efbf36f-e0b8-415d-8a9c-56ed01000328" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="efcf10db-f100-4edc-b6c6-cfbbc8f61024" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKe1jwvNoo4&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yGPmNpbE29g/UXlsnUOAPoI/AAAAAAAAFjo/yMbSZm9pjtA/videod51014b70f0b%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('efcf10db-f100-4edc-b6c6-cfbbc8f61024'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/NKe1jwvNoo4&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/NKe1jwvNoo4&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">We hope you all had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KiDn7D_8-H4/UXlsngADazI/AAAAAAAAFjw/jbOTAdYzwck/s1600-h/IMG_1412%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_1412" alt="IMG_1412" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MiuGRMUXqUU/UXlsoERg9RI/AAAAAAAAFj4/eDqzXNVnzzE/IMG_1412_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="474"></a> </p> <p align="center">Those silly leprechauns. We love you(though it is slightly annoying to clean up after you :))! See you next year!</p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-47716537288985882452013-04-05T09:27:00.001-07:002013-04-05T09:27:17.748-07:00Remember Valentine’s Day??<p>I do. It was a fun day for us. Katie and I made treats for her to bring to her friends in the neighborhood. She and Brian “knocked and ran”…as much as a 3 year old can. They had fun. In the evening we had a special visit…</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s1uGiqAzZPY/UV77UHJD1SI/AAAAAAAAFZw/eY9hZSuPvU8/s1600-h/IMG_1253%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_1253" alt="IMG_1253" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zpvG12PuLOw/UV77Usn5VwI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/bWoRRgA8uZA/IMG_1253_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="389"></a> </p> <p align="center">The panda!! For those of you who don’t know, the panda is the mascot of Brian’s company so he was able to borrow the costume again this year and make a surprise visit to our kids. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vXmcFF7k02o/UV77VE2KJcI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/ayiZhTYOm_M/s1600-h/IMG_1256%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_1256" alt="IMG_1256" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TsqG1LGtgkQ/UV77VYCfvQI/AAAAAAAAFaI/sx9xiIxKWaI/IMG_1256_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="296" height="395"></a> </p> <p align="center">The girls loved Panda!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mqERuWApM6c/UV77VyAdYdI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/NJRu4hH3COs/s1600-h/IMG_1261%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_1261" alt="IMG_1261" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1gdFf5TjoRI/UV77WEm8HKI/AAAAAAAAFaY/CPoAyhgq2Yw/IMG_1261_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="459" height="344"></a> </p> <p align="center">But Christopher…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5e8jpeAbc5k/UV77Wpm-FPI/AAAAAAAAFag/8gFjnjUqi1A/s1600-h/IMG_1264%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_1264" alt="IMG_1264" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jIJmN0AEBvk/UV77XNX6l1I/AAAAAAAAFao/eU3kDyXoaSs/IMG_1264_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" height="423"></a> </p> <p align="center">Not so much. He screamed his head off the whole time.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-in5dLNJQ3Nk/UV77X4j2spI/AAAAAAAAFaw/Qm5jQpU0Sng/s1600-h/IMG_1267%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_1267" alt="IMG_1267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vY5JChTeZxc/UV77YWdNqHI/AAAAAAAAFa4/qsGNvQcl0kU/IMG_1267_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="408"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NzcrHZvF3Uc/UV77Yr6_DiI/AAAAAAAAFbA/dan4VW3O5aU/s1600-h/IMG_1269%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_1269" alt="IMG_1269" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4fax9qs9hYU/UV77ZHpPkgI/AAAAAAAAFbI/owW9mmAiOCU/IMG_1269_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="408"></a> </p> <p align="center">We love you Panda! Thanks for the flowers!</p> <p align="center">Christopher was scared of knocks at the door for the next week :). Poor guy.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <blockquote> <p align="center"></p></blockquote> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-58338911137123284442013-02-03T19:35:00.001-08:002013-02-03T19:47:54.347-08:00Picture Catch UpI’m a little sad that we don’t have any pictures on our blog from the holidays. I never even posted pictures from Christopher’s first birthday? Hmmm. I guess I better take care of this.<br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K9Cgqsqs8T0/UQ8sGLbjz_I/AAAAAAAAELA/mm9ZeIiNDqg/s1600-h/IMG_0139%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0139" height="300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aZNZ2q_45VU/UQ8sGWlE2kI/AAAAAAAAELI/wsdhv1lkl88/IMG_0139_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0139" width="400" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VQCP-8gWhdg/UQ8sHJHY_sI/AAAAAAAAELQ/64XJK8Lt-wI/s1600-h/IMG_0141%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0141" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aSeftD6LUbc/UQ8sHThXiEI/AAAAAAAAELY/0cPcodEbiVA/IMG_0141_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0141" width="400" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MaSzatnfVhM/UQ8sH1spDoI/AAAAAAAAELg/0iLJGMiEPC0/s1600-h/IMG_0147%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0147" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G1j3CpKaflM/UQ8sIbs3rZI/AAAAAAAAELo/5O3qo4_xYAA/IMG_0147_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0147" width="400" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JA_KF_z7F1Q/UQ8sImpZjHI/AAAAAAAAELw/wDMqR7gL7lg/s1600-h/IMG_0143%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0143" height="300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TNpngi3kIkw/UQ8sJQRuKJI/AAAAAAAAEL4/NEcj3XenEa8/IMG_0143_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0143" width="400" /></a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Christopher liked his cake.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sa5HQjWs9VA/UQ8sJmcHHFI/AAAAAAAAEMA/eY77X6lEVEU/s1600-h/IMG_0159%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0159" height="396" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_qkcV-scFvo/UQ8sKONs96I/AAAAAAAAEMI/l9rs3cHeHBE/IMG_0159_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0159" width="297" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
For real.</div>
<div align="left">
Next came Hawaii!! Brian and I were able to go to visit my sister in Hawaii in October. We had an amazing time.</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RAx3BzgehyU/UQ8sKrWBpvI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/-4eORptsV4k/s1600-h/IMG_0234%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0234" height="265" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v-GU4KDTRQw/UQ8sLV3huPI/AAAAAAAAEMY/qhsFV5oWblk/IMG_0234_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0234" width="354" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dfZQAw68Nl8/UQ8sLnfCi8I/AAAAAAAAEMg/fh-Bl9oI2xc/s1600-h/IMG_0258%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0258" height="264" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-01ZOeacGHTc/UQ8sMAi2gxI/AAAAAAAAEMo/KLQw6UjrTvA/IMG_0258_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0258" width="352" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ulp4CEThbcw/UQ8sMcWzCyI/AAAAAAAAEMw/1F9Mu-fTXU8/s1600-h/IMG_0429%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0429" height="262" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bOnVgwfoK_0/UQ8sNKRVm4I/AAAAAAAAEM4/PhDe3FObDBE/IMG_0429_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0429" width="349" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ixVBMpsW94k/UQ8sNbeQwOI/AAAAAAAAENA/o33omlgCH3E/s1600-h/IMG_0323%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0323" height="265" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jBgbrp6MuFE/UQ8sOIMkoNI/AAAAAAAAENI/5RkXBxxRCFI/IMG_0323_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0323" width="353" /></a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1MonaQxXwRc/UQ8sOtPgQRI/AAAAAAAAENQ/EL_86zGRI-M/s1600-h/Pano_0024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pano_0024" height="154" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FYOnFmJ9KqY/UQ8sPLdY9nI/AAAAAAAAENY/yihOVivuONI/Pano_0024_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="Pano_0024" width="839" /></a> <br />
Brian thinks he’s so funny.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6N16ZOEcpJo/UQ8sPcNMQQI/AAAAAAAAENg/vKSBeAR_Rmk/s1600-h/Pano_0006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pano_0006" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5c9hmUnjA94/UQ8sQN0jZiI/AAAAAAAAENo/grUqW3pGOwQ/Pano_0006_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="Pano_0006" width="542" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3UoNQ1rbjv8/UQ8sQUXRv-I/AAAAAAAAENw/71vEVWzRGRc/s1600-h/IMAG0293%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMAG0293" height="239" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_UEWKg8YGLE/UQ8sQhcvZPI/AAAAAAAAEN0/NqL6LAdUY34/IMAG0293_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMAG0293" width="424" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
I miss Hawaii a lot.</div>
<div align="left">
Next was Halloween!</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LzXQ5q5jdOk/UQ8sQ5aSrdI/AAAAAAAAEOA/te1HjW3_gTo/s1600-h/IMG_0536%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0536" height="309" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dhlNP8NQj78/UQ8sRbkFqRI/AAAAAAAAEOI/FZ8uWH03IQ4/IMG_0536_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0536" width="412" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
A farmer with her chicken and cow!</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V0vrxSkgq4I/UQ8sSOaLuxI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/mOrzvzNsSuE/s1600-h/IMG_0568%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0568" height="349" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e6Qe02smU2Y/UQ8sSowXrRI/AAAAAAAAEOY/ED3W9bfyY-o/IMG_0568_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0568" width="465" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
Complete with tractor!</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JQ8JvSuLANI/UQ8sTML6K3I/AAAAAAAAEOg/VlIMbGllGuA/s1600-h/IMAG0335%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMAG0335" height="412" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uvplRBGYDtk/UQ8sTUQuRDI/AAAAAAAAEOo/VdvGfOh20Uw/IMAG0335_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMAG0335" width="232" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ukdRPKYYRlY/UQ8sT082PcI/AAAAAAAAEOw/nKdy-uVvxo0/s1600-h/IMG_0498%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0498" height="374" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EM6aFe02Z7Q/UQ8sUBfBNYI/AAAAAAAAEO4/1pS7DmwFVrY/IMG_0498_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0498" width="499" /></a> </div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 400px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-twGlP93CpgY/UQ8sUkW4teI/AAAAAAAAEPA/k2qck9gV78s/s1600-h/IMAG0339%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMAG0339" height="361" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4Mo-jFeHv5I/UQ8sUzvraRI/AAAAAAAAEPI/EMv_z9kgYkk/IMAG0339_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMAG0339" width="203" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VioR9Se9PEw/UQ8sVaVBUtI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/O5UZjcpdxZQ/s1600-h/IMG_0596%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0596" height="358" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CAJpxHFo9Ns/UQ8sV2wW8QI/AAAAAAAAEPY/wvgMHVyTZKM/IMG_0596_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0596" width="269" /></a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
For Thanksgiving we went to Oregon! It was so fun to spend time with my family!</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ym61ifh_0oY/UQ8sWBf45gI/AAAAAAAAEPg/YnsgxTCUh0I/s1600-h/IMG_0718%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0718" height="417" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Ua0xo_vw2Q/UQ8sWu2RImI/AAAAAAAAEPo/tNwP7MrIyn0/IMG_0718_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0718" width="556" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
This is how I feel when I’m with my family :). Don’t I look content in that picture?</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1tpfgkDcNbI/UQ8sXLO0iHI/AAAAAAAAEPw/iaXG-t_3DIg/s1600-h/IMG_0807%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0807" height="355" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aMCDejTlIN8/UQ8sXtZIcjI/AAAAAAAAEP4/PM_6ewCVhF8/IMG_0807_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0807" width="473" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
Unfortunately I don’t have our whole family group picture on this computer but it’s pretty cool…fyi.</div>
<div align="left">
And then Christmas!! We had a nice, quiet Christmas with all healthy kids. What a wonderful blessing!</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0u1adbp7vyQ/UQ8sYUJV7FI/AAAAAAAAEQA/TYPlJ8TrfUA/s1600-h/IMG_1109%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1109" height="385" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vFT4LYJDMFs/UQ8sY6qY_PI/AAAAAAAAEQI/YihX0UYS08Q/IMG_1109_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_1109" width="513" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
Christmas morning is exhausting!</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ybUn4T0kbHU/UQ8sZGMKZOI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/EMpSqGdsa9A/s1600-h/IMG_1103%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1103" height="380" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Orrkq4WuAxs/UQ8sZkMOzTI/AAAAAAAAEQY/lW5T18PycJs/IMG_1103_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_1103" width="507" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
It’s pretty cool to be able to eat a stocking snack before breakfast!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:68ecf603-39d3-4269-be50-bd1c320fee71" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div id="fc9f445b-21c9-4064-914a-eae62cf6216a" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMGWMugyvVo&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('fc9f445b-21c9-4064-914a-eae62cf6216a'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/eMGWMugyvVo&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/eMGWMugyvVo&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SwMNqcJPvv0/UQ8saFYQMMI/AAAAAAAAEQg/l41Y-LPPpEk/video0e866a45aacb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Christmas was a happy day for this boy.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
And now so long…see you in a few months maybe? Oh and…</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gN_2zH-Notw/UQ8sagBGEmI/AAAAAAAAEQo/31OzrWxuvuk/s1600-h/IMG_0528%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0528" height="370" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dBanWbhWhJE/UQ8sbMoot3I/AAAAAAAAEQw/PXHj90ED6Tg/IMG_0528_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0528" width="493" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
Oh wait and!…</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7wZ0RXCIIks/UQ8sbaHNvKI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/6ofBcMuHOZE/s1600-h/IMG_1230%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1230" height="471" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hh3i5OalGYs/UQ8sb7dr5wI/AAAAAAAAERA/DX0u2i6Qm9U/IMG_1230_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_1230" width="353" /></a></div>
Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-91248670571684052732013-01-21T15:58:00.001-08:002013-01-21T15:58:29.590-08:00Christopher is getting close to walking?<p>Hello all! Happy Halloween! Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Ok ok, I haven’t been showing love to this little blog lately. Maybe I’ll post some pictures from the recent holidays in the next week. Don’t hold your breath or anything! I wouldn’t want to be responsible for the results of such an attempt! </p> <p>Our little Christopher is now 16 months. He is such a cute little guy and has a big personality to go with his big head (which is like floating way way above the curve on the growth chart). But well, no interest in walking. He’ll walk around the furniture but never ventures out. It’s funny how each kid is so different. He just wants to perfect the art of walking before trying (which I guess would take a long time). Anyway, we took a couple videos last Sunday of his walking practice. It’s so fun to see him walking a tiny bit more (though he hasn’t done any since this time :)).</p> <p align="center"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:7567016f-db60-4da7-8d93-cbb4ba908586" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="a50e7433-49e9-4d4b-8c04-18bbd1abd16b" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsDG1TZ3RMw&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rG9FBOCaTRc/UP3WI3ocsaI/AAAAAAAAC04/_Fx58Cwe5tU/video73faf9d51e74%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('a50e7433-49e9-4d4b-8c04-18bbd1abd16b'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/XsDG1TZ3RMw&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/XsDG1TZ3RMw&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div></p> <p align="center"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:74e84c7d-9fae-4b8a-9474-f4e826b3617d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="fe1e88aa-0abb-49ff-a211-9a3e15ed5e35" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtoeXKgI17E&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OKAaNS4WAYU/UP3WJGF-DZI/AAAAAAAAC1A/yyVJizZsjcI/video0d1b3cdb8450%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('fe1e88aa-0abb-49ff-a211-9a3e15ed5e35'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/DtoeXKgI17E&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/DtoeXKgI17E&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div></p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-76590015805184041322012-10-07T18:56:00.001-07:002012-10-07T18:56:38.933-07:00Things People SayI'm a dude. It's true. As a dude, I'm not supposed to enjoy things like Anne of Green Gables or the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice (though it's unclear to me whether adding zombies to the mix makes that one dude-able). I'm supposed to fall asleep when my wife makes me sit through Emma or Sense and Sensibility.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Slg-_chIHgQ/UHICesbijbI/AAAAAAAANps/B5ik-xc8tZU/s1600/hugh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Slg-_chIHgQ/UHICesbijbI/AAAAAAAANps/B5ik-xc8tZU/s320/hugh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qs-T5cspZXc/UHICgdW1F2I/AAAAAAAANp0/uTdp2wEtgmo/s1600/matthew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qs-T5cspZXc/UHICgdW1F2I/AAAAAAAANp0/uTdp2wEtgmo/s320/matthew.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which one is *your* McDreamy? And yes, I refer to the second one as "Matthew".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The reason I'm supposed to have a hard time with these shows I think is because there's no action, no adventure, the women are fully-clothed, etc. etc. I actually do have little bit of a hard time with these movies, but not for those reasons, and not to the point where I don't enjoy them (not sure what this confession does to my Man Card).<br />
<br />
The real reason I struggle ever-so-slightly with these flicks is because the people in them have such amazing memories that it seems unreal. Like, seriously, they can remember with perfect clarity entire conversations they've had months or even years before. Can <i>you</i> do that? I know that at least for me if I'm recounting a conversation from, oh, fifteen minutes earlier, it comes out something like:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I asked where he learned to do that and he said something about working really hard."</blockquote>
Not quite the same effect as quoting verbatim someone saying:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I do not attempt to deny that I think highly of him. Greatly esteem him! Like him!"</blockquote>
Or how about:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I remember when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find her a reputed beauty. I particularly recall you, Mr Darcy, one night after they’d been dining at Netherfield, saying: "She a beauty! I should as soon call her mother a wit!"</blockquote>
Maybe I just have a horrible memory, but my quoting skills are pretty pathetic. I can restate, sure, but I'd feel like a derp trying to quote what someone actually said. The people in these stories are perfectly comfortable talking about past conversations as if they completely remember the actual words used. It's not just Jane Austen stories, either. If you think about the Book of Mormon or Bible there are a bunch of examples where people got quoted for long strings of text in places where nobody could have been taking notes. Think about Alma and Abinadi for example. There's a couple chapters of sermons that Alma didn't write down until days later when he was in hiding.<br />
<br />
That's crazy sauce! Who remembers stuff like that? Nobody nowadays. I've actually thought about this a lot because it really bothers me that they could remember things that well. I'm jealous, quite honestly. For a long time I just brushed it off as a cultural thing, maybe people just used to be more comfortable speaking for someone else even if they didn't remember exactly.<br />
<br />
But! What if there's another reason? What if people back then really were just better at remembering things? What if remembering what people said is a lost art?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzoXYiccvV4/UHIyZVWxTSI/AAAAAAAANq0/0YFzQEY5XmU/s1600/snape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzoXYiccvV4/UHIyZVWxTSI/AAAAAAAANq0/0YFzQEY5XmU/s320/snape.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"For there is nothing lost? But may be found? If sought?" (question marks added by Snape for emphasis)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
[ Insert rant about our high-speed, short-attention society. ] Back then there were definitely fewer things to worry about. What if it was more common to hear what somebody said and roll it around on your brain for the rest of the afternoon? What else were you going to do with your day? It wasn't like you could just click "more" or switch web sites and pull down a dozen more pithy anecdotes. You probably got one per week on a good week, so maybe you were more likely back then to take things to heart?<br />
<br />
Anyway, it seems like a sad thing to lose. I know I hardly ever take time to actually think hard about something somebody has told me. Also, I don't spend much time making sure the things I say are well thought-out. Sad, huh?<br />
<br />
Something to work on, I guess. I'll probably start by trying to remember a good one-liner or two from General Conference.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Brian Whitmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00009042638644799674noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-88964311924675015862012-09-15T19:39:00.001-07:002012-09-15T19:39:42.835-07:00Back to School!<p>Last week Becca started Kindergarten and Katie started preschool. Both have absolutely loved school so far and come home with huge smiles on their faces. I guess it’s nice for them to have a break from me :). Becca’s first day of school was extremely hard for me, but it sure wasn’t for her. </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PyIGbEbbjWU/UFU7ybCmHGI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/S7vMUR9y-dU/s1600-h/IMG_00314.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_0031" alt="IMG_0031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tnPxaAU-qWA/UFU7y8fl0rI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/Xb1wI0Tou8M/IMG_0031_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="420"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BjvZeGX04GI/UFU7zNjyDrI/AAAAAAAAB6g/ppK7wud4hA8/s1600-h/IMG_00333.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_0033" alt="IMG_0033" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HReHtwmpbCU/UFU7z5bB1-I/AAAAAAAAB6o/_HR13E_EHi8/IMG_0033_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9_quG95Eako/UFU70seq_NI/AAAAAAAAB60/AWMNYLYCTV0/s1600-h/IMG_00373.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_0037" alt="IMG_0037" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-45PoHMlTj2w/UFU71BG33mI/AAAAAAAAB68/J_3upNU4MP0/IMG_0037_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6-0m3YPgU4I/UFU71q7Th8I/AAAAAAAAB7E/vr5A5iKP__o/s1600-h/IMG_00384.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_0038" alt="IMG_0038" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-koQQwRTXNO4/UFU72NP00LI/AAAAAAAAB7M/uglRKSSyskg/IMG_0038_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="408"></a> <br>I tried to make Becca’s hair especially cute for the first day of school</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JsHEh3y4EBA/UFU72QBURRI/AAAAAAAAB7U/4JDlgcNkzr0/s1600-h/IMG_00224.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_0022" alt="IMG_0022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-52iPGZvyfRY/UFU72-srkGI/AAAAAAAAB7c/-Yn2sWChFYs/IMG_0022_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="370"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BVq7TGJsC10/UFU73YTKhFI/AAAAAAAAB7k/ixgIgBip_3I/s1600-h/IMG_00243.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_0024" alt="IMG_0024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wnL1WM7aHqc/UFU734WOljI/AAAAAAAAB7s/coqzCQ5BLwE/IMG_0024_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_SLSraQlqR8/UFU74aUjGNI/AAAAAAAAB70/pWLLxhT8AC0/s1600-h/IMG_00253.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_0025" alt="IMG_0025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4v02F9TE8vo/UFU74_S9ntI/AAAAAAAAB78/QTeANcLFtVw/IMG_0025_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></a> <br>Katie still had wet bangs for her pictures but oh well…at least she gave me a couple real smiles!</p> <p align="center">In other news this little boy…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ql-8pygNcW4/UFU75ZEbOKI/AAAAAAAAB8E/mh-ciseKgvI/s1600-h/IMG_00524.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_0052" alt="IMG_0052" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7pIPA5vpnd0/UFU75i3PdZI/AAAAAAAAB8M/UYfYuVeS1ys/IMG_0052_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="379"></a> <br>Is turning one tomorrow! How did that happen!? </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u853RTRrKk8/UFU76KvPlqI/AAAAAAAAB8U/yeZ1jR5I6AY/s1600-h/IMG_76204.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_7620" alt="IMG_7620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QpVMH12zCeM/UFU76bM7uWI/AAAAAAAAB8c/4z0lPv8cZeo/IMG_7620_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="305"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xeTO7qwaGPk/UFU767a0ckI/AAAAAAAAB8k/PbNRX29Jkws/s1600-h/IMG_76214.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_7621" alt="IMG_7621" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2YdkouTVYhg/UFU77SdHJFI/AAAAAAAAB8s/2MaCYU2TuC4/IMG_7621_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="304"></a> <br>No he doesn’t have a twin brother that we never talk about, I just like both facial expressions.</p> <p align="left">In case you haven’t notice and want to notice, I recently revived <a href="http://beccatheblog.blogspot.com">Becca’s blog</a>. That’s all. Well, and I’m way excited for fall.</p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-52690215064772857462012-08-16T10:44:00.001-07:002012-08-16T10:44:43.034-07:00Christopher is “SO big”<p>Well hello blog. How have you been? Lonely? Yeah. Well, I don’t really have much time to post today but I wanted to put up some videos since our kids (particularly Christopher) have changed quite a bit since I last posted. </p> <p> </p> <p>These first two videos are of Christopher and are about a month old but that’s ok. Sorry if they’re a bit long. And apparently Christopher doesn’t like to perform for a camera.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:da7afe53-2072-4718-9e58-d2707d05819b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="4be792dd-ef91-4558-9236-ffb787995540" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zNgc00dizE&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QPyI91ShDpI/UC0xgqcC9UI/AAAAAAAAB4o/wVxj7Vj-CdE/video4de4676ae93c%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('4be792dd-ef91-4558-9236-ffb787995540'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/7zNgc00dizE&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/7zNgc00dizE&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:d54b7bc8-81e8-4ce1-8df3-2a6a15c58a9a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="5fdc6191-f5a4-4d1b-8637-f5744555b4f1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4q6hEwITU&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zYokIP5vUCw/UC0xhBGQPbI/AAAAAAAAB4w/-8UYps7rlks/videoa9773a177503%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('5fdc6191-f5a4-4d1b-8637-f5744555b4f1'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/3Y4q6hEwITU&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/3Y4q6hEwITU&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>The next two are of Katie. They are from April or something like that. I would like to mention that I have really loved seeing what outfits Katie comes of up with since she started dressing herself a few months ago. </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:5ea805b0-a2fd-43dc-afb5-619e73840d86" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="aefd4daa-eb12-4342-8e8d-7e1df497b35c" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K3Kk_fXUvk&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wfgr8CD_XJ4/UC0xhgNy6QI/AAAAAAAAB44/UQfmciA48mA/videoe94095bc8e7c%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('aefd4daa-eb12-4342-8e8d-7e1df497b35c'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/2K3Kk_fXUvk&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/2K3Kk_fXUvk&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:f9204e6f-bf21-4152-b45e-ba0574caa6ec" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="a6298f1b-034a-4996-9777-02860c55c7df" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbN-5Hd3fCg&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jXPwm0UUhhI/UC0xiSI6nrI/AAAAAAAAB5A/SKsVNYCEaXQ/videod3c970d34aa8%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('a6298f1b-034a-4996-9777-02860c55c7df'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/zbN-5Hd3fCg&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/zbN-5Hd3fCg&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p> </p> <p>We’re having a bit of a crazy summer here. Maybe someday I’ll feel like writing about it. </p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-44571788806403365062012-02-03T15:38:00.001-08:002012-02-03T15:38:34.793-08:00Time Goes By<p>I can’t believe how fast the month of January went. I have had so many excuses as to why I haven’t been blogging (sick kids, Brian’s work has been crazy busy, don’t feel like it, I need to do a Christmas post and it’s overwhelming, and taking care of three kids is, well, busy), but the fact of the matter is, time goes by whether I document it or not. It’s important to me that my family members that don’t live close by get to see pictures of our kids at least relatively recently. So I have a new goal to blog “in the moment”. I won’t focus as much on catching up all the time because that keeps me from posting. </p> <p>I do want to say that we had one of the best Christmases ever and I am so grateful that we got to go to Colorado. I will at least post some pictures of our trip on picasa and maybe get around to posting about it soon…maybe. And now, here’s what our kids are looking like these days…</p> <p align="center">Let’s start with this little guy:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3DPHSRawta8/Tyxvr6UlxdI/AAAAAAAABjk/udcQ-fV0dPk/s1600-h/IMG_6802%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6802" alt="IMG_6802" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lwkUypoBFNY/TyxvsZp5F7I/AAAAAAAABjs/Xyn5eiaePhI/IMG_6802_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="349"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cQf1uZA7q-k/TyxvssVA4sI/AAAAAAAABj0/r9qymsxcxPw/s1600-h/IMG_6734%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6734" alt="IMG_6734" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xEYI5ivRpX4/TyxvtHgbs-I/AAAAAAAABj8/sW5qET8v434/IMG_6734_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="289" height="385"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9UuZ0mn00xU/TyxvtvNLXiI/AAAAAAAABkE/HWWwRzmoTLU/s1600-h/IMG_6735%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6735" alt="IMG_6735" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IVK9xWNaL94/TyxvtyHBjmI/AAAAAAAABkM/zC5NPDrdeww/IMG_6735_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="384"></a></p> <p align="center">He has been working on getting chubbier and learning to put things in his mouth. Oh and he’s a drool machine!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vHVbkk4cO1g/TyxvuAby4rI/AAAAAAAABkU/o3egF3Y3PDo/s1600-h/IMG_6742%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6742" alt="IMG_6742" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R_9HdLv9gME/TyxvuSolkKI/AAAAAAAABkc/dIaM1xLmuMs/IMG_6742_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="363"></a> <br>It’s true Christopher! You can’t deny it!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rUAYvT6B6Ks/Tyxvu5d-8CI/AAAAAAAABkk/NIJS8rEajbU/s1600-h/IMG_6728%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6728" alt="IMG_6728" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AWseKTj6mL0/TyxvvNMG8bI/AAAAAAAABks/mFtYyblQ-AE/IMG_6728_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="295"></a> <br>He adores Katie. And it’s nearly impossible to get a non blurry picture of Christopher when he’s smiling because he wiggles.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l7KK2TP_JnM/TyxvvS4nu2I/AAAAAAAABk0/skS1T_g9Uw0/s1600-h/IMG_6729%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6729" alt="IMG_6729" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fqcmGnrJQ0E/Tyxvvl7BPoI/AAAAAAAABk8/Im5agtuDlwE/IMG_6729_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="248"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VhWPRiGQ5OE/TyxvwIG-JVI/AAAAAAAABlE/jLhRXTdGseQ/s1600-h/IMG_6730%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6730" alt="IMG_6730" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ODFD7tFV8o/TyxvwYGQIVI/AAAAAAAABlM/GJb3Jvp7tVo/IMG_6730_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="247"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xunb89EPyq8/TyxvwnlWsrI/AAAAAAAABlU/uPIN0Me8cI0/s1600-h/IMG_6747%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6747" alt="IMG_6747" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uwdqLnFdBqY/TyxvxHJ8AUI/AAAAAAAABlc/7Y6qkYk4xgU/IMG_6747_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="347"></a> <br>Sunday Best. Interesting side note: button up shirts don’t work really well when you don’t have a neck.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k-0t2mnSRXY/TyxvxXbQKCI/AAAAAAAABlk/YJJPtcr2zm4/s1600-h/IMG_6748%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6748" alt="IMG_6748" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7DrDtZKXfLQ/Tyxvxu6nVSI/AAAAAAAABls/VRPgmtPb8I8/IMG_6748_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="335"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wOAfz7syjAs/TyxvyFqalOI/AAAAAAAABl0/tRxBvXv1qS8/s1600-h/IMG_6753%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6753" alt="IMG_6753" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BHCvs_Bv6qU/TyxvycAZtvI/AAAAAAAABl8/kloYmJFJ280/IMG_6753_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="347"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PNv0c8bPboc/TyxvyiYZjSI/AAAAAAAABmE/IGpo2c0DY1I/s1600-h/IMG_6756%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6756" alt="IMG_6756" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M538chzBMcQ/Tyxvy4bWF3I/AAAAAAAABmM/-Zeviw5R4Kw/IMG_6756_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="346"></a> <br>See? Smile=Wiggle=Blurry</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_tYT9nTpm98/TyxvzShvRXI/AAAAAAAABmU/PZ1kQ_8j3Bs/s1600-h/IMG_6763%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6763" alt="IMG_6763" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d2lem78J-JQ/TyxvztAMpvI/AAAAAAAABmc/nNEvQzZUwTg/IMG_6763_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="279"></a> <br>Katie always wants to climb into pictures</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gv3s313HyNw/Tyxvz8qKYrI/AAAAAAAABmk/jK7k3S1_Djg/s1600-h/IMG_6764%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6764" alt="IMG_6764" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8OmxKDZ2lRM/Tyxv0RnDawI/AAAAAAAABms/7HuBIzJHY94/IMG_6764_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281"></a> <br>Christopher doesn’t seem to mind</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SLc8K1rAa1I/Tyxv0hFsqAI/AAAAAAAABmw/K66cF-3845I/s1600-h/IMG_6768%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6768" alt="IMG_6768" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iBeIb2Z2meg/Tyxv1HnyaTI/AAAAAAAABm8/MBgC-UR-zvw/IMG_6768_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mq5yniyOSqU/Tyxv1X91veI/AAAAAAAABnI/CvClkjJO9IE/s1600-h/IMG_6770%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6770" alt="IMG_6770" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DRIs-D5BLEs/Tyxv1xanpOI/AAAAAAAABnQ/kc7QEK8czp8/IMG_6770_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="303"></a> <br>We thought we’d be fair and let Becca in on the action. I love how no one is paying attention in this picture.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UoFAEpodNds/Tyxv2RRw18I/AAAAAAAABnY/r_hllwm_x0w/s1600-h/IMG_6773%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6773" alt="IMG_6773" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-psa5gJPt5po/Tyxv24-gEHI/AAAAAAAABng/rp0I4Ylfs0g/IMG_6773_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="308"></a> <br>She wasn’t really in the mood. But she did look cute in her church outfit!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cUe3UfrRs54/Tyxv3MKtxoI/AAAAAAAABno/QfQpsG8r1nE/s1600-h/IMG_6774%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6774" alt="IMG_6774" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9XKmbsQ6zvU/Tyxv3eiVAxI/AAAAAAAABnw/bZL7pyqlUjk/IMG_6774_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="334"></a> <br>Christopher got really excited that his other favorite person was sitting next to him…super wiggle!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XlW_Ic3zZkA/Tyxv3v8iCzI/AAAAAAAABn4/STyEhpqSAnE/s1600-h/IMG_6779%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6779" alt="IMG_6779" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vIw-UE1k9TE/Tyxv4Ee1frI/AAAAAAAABoA/Aa5QIJ965SE/IMG_6779_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="293"></a> <br>Becca: Can we be done?<br>Chris: Yep I’m bored<br>Katie: I could get my picture taken all day</p> <p align="center">Alright let’s see what Katie has been up to…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kPBSMO8gAxE/Tyxv4WKXcxI/AAAAAAAABoI/N87uxqGtuNA/s1600-h/IMG_6715%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6715" alt="IMG_6715" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gzgNKqoUHWQ/Tyxv4zWWi6I/AAAAAAAABoQ/eA6PdQAHw54/IMG_6715_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="314"></a> </p> <p align="center">One of Katie favorite things to do.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V7WKVAo1ze0/Tyxv5Gn61EI/AAAAAAAABoY/XuphB2ypMbc/s1600-h/IMG_6783%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6783" alt="IMG_6783" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X7Bi8yn2GUU/Tyxv5UYggvI/AAAAAAAABog/FkS05f8KyT0/IMG_6783_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="459" height="344"></a> <br>I love this picture! Brian has been teaching Katie how to make funny faces.</p> <p align="center">And Katie has been potty training this week and doing quite well (maybe this time will stick??). So of course we practiced funny faces while on the potty. I really love Katie’s after nap hair…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--LGecnu6pek/Tyxv5vCc-2I/AAAAAAAABoo/ZAQlY47JlEo/s1600-h/IMG_6813%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6813" alt="IMG_6813" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O2ajvlVjcPQ/Tyxv51t6_dI/AAAAAAAABow/EXrZrAAiaY8/IMG_6813_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="319"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3lobWEIPQvM/Tyxv6s__AaI/AAAAAAAABo8/5bYEUX-1xDw/s1600-h/IMG_6814%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6814" alt="IMG_6814" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wf5S2VwYY0g/Tyxv65k2uwI/AAAAAAAABpE/KlfRU0xz3mo/IMG_6814_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="316"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PYuovGmCTEE/Tyxv7dqNeGI/AAAAAAAABpM/BlsgONBqQj0/s1600-h/IMG_6815%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6815" alt="IMG_6815" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x391imC5xGY/Tyxv7i_QwDI/AAAAAAAABpU/MNGFtWBzrFI/IMG_6815_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="325"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r-40dAC16Ec/Tyxv74Ghb4I/AAAAAAAABpc/Q8R4ZUNbT54/s1600-h/IMG_6816%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6816" alt="IMG_6816" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ADP0tdzkf0Q/Tyxv8C1R3yI/AAAAAAAABpk/hLIb8X0eavA/IMG_6816_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="322"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RVcl8DeKbZI/Tyxv8cwTXeI/AAAAAAAABps/A9A24mYLVWk/s1600-h/IMG_6817%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6817" alt="IMG_6817" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N8ei_OrEUh0/Tyxv9LTevRI/AAAAAAAABp0/8cDobRJ4gjM/IMG_6817_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="328"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H1Pf-pMQA3I/Tyxv9Ur-8YI/AAAAAAAABp8/cc2YJBqvZQ8/s1600-h/IMG_6818%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6818" alt="IMG_6818" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5Y5ehyu03v0/Tyxv9jq_GrI/AAAAAAAABqE/cEo_C-nN0qI/IMG_6818_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="326"></a> </p> <p align="center"> The other morning I was sitting at the table feeding Becca and Katie breakfast and I had one of those moments where it really hit me, I have three kids. Crazy. I had all of them sitting really close to me and it got me thinking about how hard it has been to have three kids but at the same time how much I love each of them. So naturally, I took a picture.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MYTHiVunSys/Tyxv-JlOZSI/AAAAAAAABqM/FhJunpxbOUk/s1600-h/IMG_6719%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6719" alt="IMG_6719" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GBXnxGKomXM/Tyxv-dj69PI/AAAAAAAABqU/Iqt5X7BfXWQ/IMG_6719_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="324"></a> </p> <p align="center">Awesome picture right? Well, it didn’t really capture the moment as I had planned it to, but I sure love our beautiful kids!</p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-39950756588603413312012-01-06T11:18:00.001-08:002012-01-06T11:18:37.043-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<p>We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Huntington Utah where Brian’s grandparent’s live. It was wonderful to see family, Katie really enjoyed playing with her cousins, and Becca was happy pretty much the whole time! Brian and I felt like it was a successful trip for us and a great practice run for our Colorado trip. And now, because Thanksgiving was a long time ago, I will mostly fill this post with pictures…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i5dB4H0XUZU/TwdIvwaDpsI/AAAAAAAABc8/8OLJ7AyL6VA/s1600-h/IMG_6111%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6111" alt="IMG_6111" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7t6FknK3bTk/TwdIwB-SXgI/AAAAAAAABdE/cTduHPHsasE/IMG_6111_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281"></a> <br>The kids had fun playing in the bounce house</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OEp7tUWD08w/TwdIwjtVFeI/AAAAAAAABdM/qHUaUV2qhTo/s1600-h/IMG_6139%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6139" alt="IMG_6139" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AyhfL7_vIhs/TwdIw9YCOsI/AAAAAAAABdU/jgTrzZ_oukA/IMG_6139_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="331"></a> <br>The adults playing a game</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PvziVk9zRQc/TwdIxM_7N8I/AAAAAAAABdc/Vy6hUDwlSuk/s1600-h/IMG_6153%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6153" alt="IMG_6153" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n3FeYNkfVuk/TwdIxh_jyEI/AAAAAAAABdk/R_FgdSoGR6w/IMG_6153_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="231"></a> <br>Becca and Christopher spent most of the time playing on a sleeping bag…Becca was happier about it than Chris was.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yj_s6K7GS98/TwdIx1gmZqI/AAAAAAAABds/UvZJM6KChFk/s1600-h/IMG_6160%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6160" alt="IMG_6160" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l-gH-YY7sxI/TwdIyb1lfsI/AAAAAAAABd0/zoUgUqe9wCo/IMG_6160_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="416"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L2lmUnSdxYU/TwdIywDGipI/AAAAAAAABd8/tDaONsnpxVw/s1600-h/IMG_6164%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6164" alt="IMG_6164" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OYgDOryVPT0/TwdIzcxsl2I/AAAAAAAABeE/hytS-xcCm5g/IMG_6164_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="294"></a> <br>Katie spent a lot of time on these bleacher…her feet and hands were black (yuck)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6toVBIfAuls/TwdIzrABWpI/AAAAAAAABeM/r4UaNIvg9SQ/s1600-h/IMG_6170%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6170" alt="IMG_6170" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fh2E9LHyeQw/TwdIzyO-oOI/AAAAAAAABeU/XQnuo7ZULN0/IMG_6170_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" height="353"></a> <br>There were a lot of fun toys!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rjfpAeTfWHs/TwdI0RtjGSI/AAAAAAAABec/VKREHSk1GOA/s1600-h/IMG_6185%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6185" alt="IMG_6185" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aTLSKWcJj3s/TwdI0qAl6yI/AAAAAAAABek/RJKND1hY4iE/IMG_6185_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="342"></a> </p> <p align="center"> <br>Grandma and Grandpa Grange</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z_OAjTE_img/TwdI1JF_7_I/AAAAAAAABes/H_0lsfapw2A/s1600-h/IMG_6196%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6196" alt="IMG_6196" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EsiQYrVXxWA/TwdI1ed30CI/AAAAAAAABe0/myqaZvI1Aew/IMG_6196_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="316"></a></p> <p align="center">Becca loved being pushed fast around the gym and well, Grandpa’s funny in this picture.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z_OAjTE_img/TwdI1JF_7_I/AAAAAAAABe8/t8kqLxK-Op4/s1600-h/IMG_6196%25255B3%25255D.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CMfezQ_pO54/TwdI2U_zMZI/AAAAAAAABfA/dZ8RM35QcqY/s1600-h/IMG_6199%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6199" alt="IMG_6199" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V3f0U_YlnM8/TwdI25XTvfI/AAAAAAAABfI/CwxvVIy1ixs/IMG_6199_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="282"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BT3iDPTCfvE/TwdI3Gt9q5I/AAAAAAAABfQ/P96Gr5vXTlI/s1600-h/IMG_6203%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6203" alt="IMG_6203" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mMK02pgR9Uc/TwdI3svp4cI/AAAAAAAABfY/785l8J_P2AA/IMG_6203_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="282"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9QkVJW6BgiM/TwdI3_SQ3CI/AAAAAAAABfg/WiTeUwTzNUY/s1600-h/IMG_6205%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6205" alt="IMG_6205" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dJPJPVD09KY/TwdI4RqrcOI/AAAAAAAABfo/7IG_J2pdKMs/IMG_6205_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="292"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-00H3h0J-khY/TwdI4qwg5rI/AAAAAAAABfw/xF7sHLWJ1Lo/s1600-h/IMG_6215%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6215" alt="IMG_6215" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U8XvaYNti_c/TwdI4zwtrzI/AAAAAAAABf4/rKMhqxP5j4o/IMG_6215_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="292"></a> </p> <p align="center">Katie loved the animals!! She cried when we had to leave the corral. I was surprised by how much she loved riding the horse (even though I could tell she was a little nervous). We got Becca up there with Brian and well and she liked it ok once she settled in.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2ljN8eXVg_w/TwdI5UALbZI/AAAAAAAABgA/2x6GfdZJGkk/s1600-h/IMG_6216%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6216" alt="IMG_6216" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iW2rizftGT4/TwdI5yTYe0I/AAAAAAAABgI/Etmq4LaGhWA/IMG_6216_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="345"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c4ztaDxIp-U/TwdI6E6Gg2I/AAAAAAAABgQ/7PtrpG5t6bk/s1600-h/IMG_6227%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6227" alt="IMG_6227" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CKskFK-JZIk/TwdI6tgPKMI/AAAAAAAABgY/FRnHqt-VIpI/IMG_6227_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" height="344"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j2t_ifs4-gg/TwdI65M3eYI/AAAAAAAABgg/E7MvorR3WDk/s1600-h/IMG_6235%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6235" alt="IMG_6235" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xdW_sb4fvYk/TwdI7e58r-I/AAAAAAAABgo/FQfueKTdkDM/IMG_6235_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="283"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EC-1MYPRxJ4/TwdI77iQrnI/AAAAAAAABgw/Gwk3UavHyRM/s1600-h/IMG_6244%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6244" alt="IMG_6244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VgB5Vyc2yHk/TwdI8X28nyI/AAAAAAAABg4/nKYDNhS6csU/IMG_6244_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="282"></a> </p> <p align="center">Brian talked me into trying it out myself and aside from being a little nervous, I had a good time.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--x8TO2Fw6i0/TwdI86nH7rI/AAAAAAAABhA/_L9pyPC62Lw/s1600-h/IMG_6250%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6250" alt="IMG_6250" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IEFxJxQhsJQ/TwdI9d2uK4I/AAAAAAAABhI/lyAZrGTgGr0/IMG_6250_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="272"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_0-p6vOd3Sk/TwdI9xvPKHI/AAAAAAAABhU/TdXuqdNkFGg/s1600-h/IMG_6212%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6212" alt="IMG_6212" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6a57-ZGoyQY/TwdI-NSQGwI/AAAAAAAABhc/2jL1i3Yg74Y/IMG_6212_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="272"></a> </p> <p align="center">It was fun to watch Brian ride fast…he’s a natural and loves horses. He hopes to one day have a horse of his own.</p> <p align="center">And as Grange tradition goes…we had a Christmas celebration the day after Thanksgiving and guess what!! Santa came! Guess who played Santa…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AolEvlvrsgk/TwdI-ualVZI/AAAAAAAABhk/nEZJz3fa-Xc/s1600-h/IMG_6259%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6259" alt="IMG_6259" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ndu8n6T2suQ/TwdI-1ZMYXI/AAAAAAAABhs/9npWZfUaDBc/IMG_6259_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="342"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BrUXxQV1Z6U/TwdI_RZX0sI/AAAAAAAABh0/NkJH4-U1_fI/s1600-h/IMG_6260%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6260" alt="IMG_6260" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q1cyqI6SsBM/TwdI_pnsAFI/AAAAAAAABh8/rQcix9_pWH0/IMG_6260_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="341"></a> </p> <p align="center">I think Becca guessed right…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jgg7RKfJl2c/TwdJAFOj6JI/AAAAAAAABiE/8W7nTtTmt0A/s1600-h/IMG_6265%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6265" alt="IMG_6265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kCAWssEbN00/TwdJAkNRRnI/AAAAAAAABiM/RuYQXm8-9rs/IMG_6265_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="440"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Eaqyr-feuUw/TwdJA9aUJxI/AAAAAAAABiU/IjGsJCMFXKw/s1600-h/IMG_6267%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6267" alt="IMG_6267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TlGIUzmsmks/TwdJBbUCvLI/AAAAAAAABic/aPsGwawIhEE/IMG_6267_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="439"></a> </p> <p align="center">I don’t think Katie guessed right…</p> <p align="center">Yep! Brian was our Santa this year!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7bs39tK2TMI/TwdJByU1r2I/AAAAAAAABik/4pc-ODqMt3s/s1600-h/IMG_6270%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6270" alt="IMG_6270" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vBqNOumRz8I/TwdJCNYLKKI/AAAAAAAABis/UBurQm35uB0/IMG_6270_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="384"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s1RFqdYlgdk/TwdJCkgizGI/AAAAAAAABi0/d3I-ispvtTg/s1600-h/IMG_6271%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6271" alt="IMG_6271" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yZsyH8aBKbE/TwdJC5b0c4I/AAAAAAAABi8/ZV0cdeW_E-8/IMG_6271_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="383"></a> </p> <p align="center">I love him :).</p> <p align="center">And although it’s way delayed, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This year I felt like I had a ton to be grateful for. Here are my top 5:</p> <p align="center">1. Becca’s health (the 6 lbs she’s gained since being in the hospital)<br>2. Modern medicine (The machine that breathed for Becca until she got stronger and Becca’s seizure medicine in particular)<br>3. Brian’s company success<br>4. Our new chunky baby boy<br>5. All the funny things Katie says every day</p> <p align="center">Ok and and two more:</p> <p align="center">6. Brian<br>7. The Gospel and the perspective it brings</p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-19580041408825376372011-11-17T09:08:00.001-08:002011-11-17T09:08:38.597-08:00Halloween!!<p>Hooray for Halloween! I have always loved Halloween and as our kids get older I’m loving it even more. It’s so fun to see Katie get excited about every little thing and Becca definitely loves holidays as well. Leading up to Halloween we carved pumpkins and had our traditional hot chocolate and doughnuts. When we were little we would always go trick or treating in my Grandma’s neighborhood and then she would have doughnuts and homemade hot chocolate waiting for us when we got back. I always think of my Grandma every year when we do this tradition. Since Halloween was on Monday this year, it was going to be hard for Aunt Jamie to come down so we changed it to Saturday. It was sure fun to have Jamie down here and we even watched a ridiculous zombie movie. Sorry about that Jamie :). Halloween was fun too! We got to visit Brian at his office for a little Halloween party and then in the evening the girls enjoyed trick-or-treating (just on our street). Katie thought trick or treating was magical and has asked to go trick or treating many nights since then.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yr74LijdPuo/TsU_ZaW2oQI/AAAAAAAABXk/GXhZ9w6fLI0/s1600-h/IMG_5975%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5975" alt="IMG_5975" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Swrci5R4PgE/TsU_apvN4jI/AAAAAAAABXs/iLIyuqxD3uw/IMG_5975_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="308"></a> <br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QI-LKhy_Mt4/TsU_a8duyzI/AAAAAAAABX0/FMbSnoPn6ow/s1600-h/IMG_5976%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5976" alt="IMG_5976" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QWkDX7ILVnQ/TsU_bbwvjqI/AAAAAAAABX8/leb_7q172J8/IMG_5976_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="284"></a> <br>Katie cried the first time she touched the pumpkin guts (I guess the sliminess surprised her), but Brian convinced her that it was cool.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tU2BdbOPBeM/TsU_bgNgs5I/AAAAAAAABYE/9vaqppyZkjc/s1600-h/IMG_5981%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5981" alt="IMG_5981" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6EuMYju8zgg/TsU_cKi4V-I/AAAAAAAABYM/8qZ0TR9nlnI/IMG_5981_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="315"></a> </p> <p align="center">We didn’t get pictures of the adults carving pumpkins but here are the finished products…<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-32mcXTbHpS4/TsU_cn9_IkI/AAAAAAAABYU/1W3i5Ww3vXI/s1600-h/IMG_6011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6011" alt="IMG_6011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DwjGsMZLcHg/TsU_c7J0uYI/AAAAAAAABYc/IGba40MiQXU/IMG_6011_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="567" height="425"></a> <br>From left to right: Katie’s, Jamie’s, Brian’s (duh), Mine</p> <p align="center">And lets get a close up of Brian’s amazing pumpkin shall we…<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6HaAYT011jE/TsU_dC5cFTI/AAAAAAAABYk/jhC5Rf9_spE/s1600-h/IMG_5991%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5991" alt="IMG_5991" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-88itP9JkY18/TsU_diM7_EI/AAAAAAAABYs/LJ3gv8hECTA/IMG_5991_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="348"></a> <br>And here’s another one of Brian’s masterpieces from this Halloween:<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bKRhb-HXO2Y/TsU_d57IwHI/AAAAAAAABY0/ad-S4CDryjE/s1600-h/IMG_6000%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6000" alt="IMG_6000" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U6RX1Bk0kJM/TsU_eQv4paI/AAAAAAAABY8/vhlUXPsipvA/IMG_6000_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" height="381"></a> <br>We couldn’t get a great picture, but believe me, it looked really cool! </p> <p align="center">And what everyone really cares about…the kids…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SCP7iBEDeh0/TsU_en7_PQI/AAAAAAAABZE/wfNKVJPbvk0/s1600-h/IMG_6026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6026" alt="IMG_6026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iMUjH-sCvvw/TsU_fFSX2HI/AAAAAAAABZM/hdTVKV_Rrl4/IMG_6026_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="348"></a> <br>A witch! Complete with broom!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aFbIqBhxyjY/TsU_ffbuN-I/AAAAAAAABZU/hv19rbO_aUM/s1600-h/IMG_6031%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6031" alt="IMG_6031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GUq6r-785TI/TsU_f07V1YI/AAAAAAAABZc/QyG_7Wre5ps/IMG_6031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="341"></a> <br>Our pictures are kind of blurry, but she was really happy.<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NMKWCxr-l8w/TsU_gcf_enI/AAAAAAAABZk/SMu3SfgusCY/s1600-h/IMG_6029%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6029" alt="IMG_6029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_o_XC3tfaG0/TsU_gjWyy-I/AAAAAAAABZs/XBdu1Ofr3sk/IMG_6029_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="308"></a> <br>A cat!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K8MnGaL-FRM/TsU_hH-sliI/AAAAAAAABZ0/hq6DAhf0Flo/s1600-h/IMG_6045%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6045" alt="IMG_6045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lj99nF1E848/TsU_hoHFvhI/AAAAAAAABZ8/awz33S4CwCQ/IMG_6045_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="326"></a> </p> <p align="center">And…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MEUEGaT2zwU/TsU_hyGaxBI/AAAAAAAABaE/fblEQMx2Qv8/s1600-h/IMG_6022%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6022" alt="IMG_6022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pMF7KlwK5yA/TsU_iT7XPTI/AAAAAAAABaM/-xI8f9hvPtc/IMG_6022_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" height="423"></a> <br>A frog!!! Brian was busy this Halloween (he made the frog costume)!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yGuskZYRJ-8/TsU_ilWywzI/AAAAAAAABaU/z1CFB7ynF18/s1600-h/IMG_6024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6024" alt="IMG_6024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_2CIk4AwiIw/TsU_jFHuGJI/AAAAAAAABac/SMZbKDtvOTQ/IMG_6024_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="396"></a> <br>Sad Christopher, but this shows the fly at the end of his tongue.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3as8KWAgwmM/TsU_jcnJKdI/AAAAAAAABak/b00m7HPM9k8/s1600-h/IMG_6049%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6049" alt="IMG_6049" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BbcJFhk1rW4/TsU_j6sU9EI/AAAAAAAABas/hYJqQHAWy-U/IMG_6049_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="593" height="445"></a> </p> <p align="center">The least blurry picture of all the kids. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QQIg2LHuz7k/TsU_kJKN9YI/AAAAAAAABa0/qFt6fgUJ59I/s1600-h/IMG_6054%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6054" alt="IMG_6054" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LUTzFV1oRHE/TsU_ktKX9UI/AAAAAAAABa8/o0Ux4bsvuz0/IMG_6054_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="377"></a> <br>Ready to go trick or treating!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nDRXerTDSmU/TsU_k4r0xJI/AAAAAAAABbE/vZUKzP2FtAw/s1600-h/IMG_6055%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_6055" alt="IMG_6055" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zzQkakvMJYs/TsU_ldVnzeI/AAAAAAAABbM/WFDQ54El_dw/IMG_6055_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="363"></a> </p> <p align="center">Happy Halloween!!</p> <p align="center"></p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-34464576761656634782011-11-06T21:36:00.000-08:002011-11-06T21:36:06.392-08:00Competing with the Pink Ribbon<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRx57kLG0z4/TrdtfiY8NDI/AAAAAAAAKlA/606rwRAyR4c/s1600/IMG_5820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRx57kLG0z4/TrdtfiY8NDI/AAAAAAAAKlA/606rwRAyR4c/s320/IMG_5820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Most people don't know this, but Breast Cancer Awareness Month coincides with Rett Syndrome Awareness Month. I don't know who thought going up against breast cancer in October was a good idea, but I guess you probably wouldn't see very many purple ribbons regardless of the month IRSF chose. It's just not that well-known.<br />
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Quick recap: Rett Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a genetic mutation resulting in a malformed protein. There are I think around 20 different known mutations all resulting in the same malformed MECP2 protein and gene. The mutation occurs on the X chromosome, so males do not typically survive since they don't have any properly functioning X chromosomes if they have a mutation. The severity of the disorder is dependent on the percentage of well-formed X chromosomes, which apparently is not always 50% like I would have assumed. Rett is an autism-spectrum disorder, but the symptoms are more commonly compared to cerebral palsy. Rett girls typically do not talk and only half are able to walk. The life expectancy is stated to be around forty, but most deaths I hear about are for girls in their twenties. One in twelve thousand girls are born with Rett.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEgvYhlb-i0/TrdtfXDBUgI/AAAAAAAAKk4/BaGqQr-bBoI/s1600/IMG_5600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEgvYhlb-i0/TrdtfXDBUgI/AAAAAAAAKk4/BaGqQr-bBoI/s320/IMG_5600.JPG" width="320" /></a>Our little girl Rebecca has Rett Syndrome. She was diagnosed in August of 2009. The geneticist, Dr. Rope, walked me through the biological details of her specific case, and also Rett in general. He then said, "I can tell you all about the biological effects, but I've never had to take one of these girls home with me." I didn't realize at the time how apt his comment really was.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
We've tried some to interact with other Rett families. We subscribe to some blogs (thank you everyone for sharing your experiences), we've been to a couple events (these are kind of depressing to me, I already have one Rett girl I don't need to see twenty more), there's even a mailing list. But when it comes down to it, raising a girl with Rett is I think a lot like raising any other kid: you just have to figure it out as you go. It's been great to get some advice for what to expect and how to make life a little easier, and Becca's doctors have been super helpful in knowing what to worry and not worry about, what equipment we might need, etc. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
But Becca is undoubtedly her own person. She gets annoyed if you touch her face. She thinks it's funny when her siblings cry. She doesn't appreciate it if we leave her inside by herself. She's not a big fan of mashed potatoes, but she loves cole slaw. She needs some time and space when she first wakes up or she'll be super grumpy. She loves to wear cute outfits and likes to play the piano. We recently discovered that she thinks The Nightmare Before Christmas is hilarious. She doesn't get as many opportunities to express herself, or to make decisions for herself, but it's very clear to us that she has opinions on things and that she is fiercely devoted to her family.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfSJsjMItBs/Trdtf873VrI/AAAAAAAAKlI/dMKoQQwRWb0/s1600/IMG_6059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfSJsjMItBs/Trdtf873VrI/AAAAAAAAKlI/dMKoQQwRWb0/s320/IMG_6059.JPG" width="320" /></a>We are so grateful for our little Becca. I know some people think we're crazy for having more kids after giving birth to a disabled child, but I don't think there will be much that's more valuable to our other children than having the experience of growing up with their sister in our home. It makes us all think a lot more about what it really means to live a "full" life, and what God intends for each of His children when we can't even be sure some of them will ever be able to walk or talk.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
At least, not in this life.</div>Brian Whitmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00009042638644799674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-55916105278205706562011-10-27T16:48:00.001-07:002011-10-27T16:48:58.330-07:00Happy Halloween!<p align="center"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:39ab6c5b-9e78-454e-b5f6-85d11cfcfbf1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="019e600e-73ae-48d2-866a-c7a1cadc719c" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D10jnlXcopY&feature=youtu.be" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jNDvcN9kVqc/Tqnt6HfTRvI/AAAAAAAABW8/7bhuVuXLFcI/video0dd519867d80%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('019e600e-73ae-48d2-866a-c7a1cadc719c'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"480\" height=\"400\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/D10jnlXcopY&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/D10jnlXcopY&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"480\" height=\"400\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div></p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-77041585598718831092011-10-05T09:41:00.001-07:002011-10-05T09:41:52.341-07:00I Think We’ll Keep Him<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a35QiHAelh4/ToyIsCbzhHI/AAAAAAAABVs/-DA6Ni5PDSU/s1600-h/IMG_5782%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5782" alt="IMG_5782" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-phQbNwJHtmk/ToyIsr7EY5I/AAAAAAAABVw/Oe5GsSCNvXQ/IMG_5782_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="401"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ryYDehwkzc8/ToyItLAZu5I/AAAAAAAABV0/EGuodvQ9DrQ/s1600-h/IMG_5783%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5783" alt="IMG_5783" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2z-gWQlBKoQ/ToyItXI7CUI/AAAAAAAABV4/h_CREhYcfRg/IMG_5783_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="399"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MmX61_U-roU/ToyItxAu0lI/AAAAAAAABV8/SL6cx0wA_TQ/s1600-h/IMG_5813%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5813" alt="IMG_5813" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3bWOvdHNpEc/ToyIuPtKsLI/AAAAAAAABWA/uPeGVXUigBQ/IMG_5813_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sKOxYpo5ttk/ToyIuoVrkGI/AAAAAAAABWE/_ZHjylWbGdY/s1600-h/IMG_5815%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5815" alt="IMG_5815" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OpkwJls05bA/ToyIvD9bNXI/AAAAAAAABWI/yK9h0y7NGjM/IMG_5815_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="403"></a></p> <p align="center"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:1b2860a8-e51a-4d6f-a8c2-a185b5767f93" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="eff66335-2074-4e4e-b6f3-3993e765be54" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ-hknVHyi8" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ngdSFiKCe58/ToyIvYgluFI/AAAAAAAABWM/_Vz5QKT20UM/video0eee2961c6f4%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('eff66335-2074-4e4e-b6f3-3993e765be54'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/SZ-hknVHyi8&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/SZ-hknVHyi8&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-18yaDFTRu20/ToyIvgWdXWI/AAAAAAAABWQ/1vau7cloW14/s1600-h/IMG_5820%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5820" alt="IMG_5820" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uy1SxWiEpb0/ToyIwEaDdLI/AAAAAAAABWU/BVpl8dytENo/IMG_5820_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="346"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fk2fla4A81c/ToyIwbMaoUI/AAAAAAAABWY/1mubD1DApxA/s1600-h/IMG_5825%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5825" alt="IMG_5825" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ivrnyw38Q00/ToyIwwcqfBI/AAAAAAAABWc/YUo3dD0bbck/IMG_5825_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="311"></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:2ddfb33e-ef4c-4c1e-ab0b-0a9fd0431fc7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="b87d859a-936f-4a46-85c5-cd415b53a215" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpSDym8Rys4" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-igm5VpMrSaA/ToyIxYZm0YI/AAAAAAAABWg/Ra0PKGW1Lr4/video46d51653c751%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('b87d859a-936f-4a46-85c5-cd415b53a215'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/jpSDym8Rys4&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/jpSDym8Rys4&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MUMFNT6SEvU/ToyIxpHwCNI/AAAAAAAABWk/7bOtRxtVefQ/s1600-h/IMG_5845%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5845" alt="IMG_5845" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MsXAamu0zJs/ToyIyMIZ-nI/AAAAAAAABWo/3R9JWHsH43Y/IMG_5845_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="352"></a> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6az5M1L22j8/ToyIyoGq_6I/AAAAAAAABWs/ipLYOco4GWk/s1600-h/IMG_5849%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5849" alt="IMG_5849" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1XseGvZufwc/ToyIy3w9yTI/AAAAAAAABWw/ZRJT5pwwJqs/IMG_5849_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="296"></a> </p> <p align="center">I love our little family! I suppose it’s not so little anymore :). </p> <p align="left">I think it’s safe to say that we all love Christopher. Katie loves Christopher but has yet to understand that having a Christopher means Mommy has to take care of him. But, other than some whining and a little bit of getting into trouble, she has been a great helper. There have been more than one occasion where both Katie and Christopher are crying and Becca seems to get a kick out of it. She has been known to smile and giggle when her siblings are being dramatic. Oh and even though there aren’t any pictures of me with Christopher, rest assured, I am growing very fond of the little boy. I have been a lot more relaxed about things this time around and have been able to enjoy the newborn phase a bit more.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6F86hu9RDeI/ToyIzQElgLI/AAAAAAAABW0/9es6BKM3n1Q/s1600-h/IMG_5854%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5854" alt="IMG_5854" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--LE4skLLZOY/ToyIzpE8q1I/AAAAAAAABW4/kkVStNzb6O4/IMG_5854_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="280"></a> </p> <p>Christopher still does a lot of this. That and eat. Eat, sleep, poop, eat, sleep, poop. What a life!</p></p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-90190039039372944342011-09-28T14:31:00.001-07:002011-10-01T12:39:37.497-07:00Christopher GordonIn a couple days it will be two weeks since Christopher joined our family. It seems like he’s been a part of our family for longer than that. It has been a wonderful (and exhausting) two weeks and we’re so grateful to have Christopher as a part of our family.<br />
<br />
Let’s rewind…<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sebA1RifbFs/ToOR6dqPrbI/AAAAAAAABUU/vFU4JjSfTDs/s1600-h/IMG_5666%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5666" height="389" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JSnyBKmx6NQ/ToOR7Gm9PpI/AAAAAAAABUY/EBWTef9BsTo/IMG_5666_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5666" width="292" /></a> </div>
<div align="left">
Here is what I looked like two weeks before Christopher’s arrival. But, believe me, this picture doesn’t do my belly justice. I was a lot bigger than I was with the girls and I carried him a lot differently too. </div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
So, my original due date was the 30th…two days from now, weird. Because of many ultrasounds and how I was measuring (3 weeks big at basically every appointment) my doctor changed my due date to the 26th. My doctor was very willing to induce me any time after the 19th because I was measuring big and dilated 3 cm and Brian and I decided we would be induced on the 22nd since I really didn’t want this baby to get too big to come out :). </div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
If you want a short version of Christopher’s birth story…I woke up at 1:45am on the 16th and two hours later we had our beautiful baby boy. And now you can skip down to the picture. For those who want a longer version:</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
I had braxton hicks contractions my whole pregnancy this time and they were getting so they were pretty intense there at the end. Brian and I went to a movie (Contagion…disturbing movie) the night of the 15th and I was having a few pretty intense contractions with a lot of the pain in my back throughout the movie but when we got up to leave, they stopped. I felt pretty normal that night (by normal I mean extremely uncomfortable, but no contractions), and the baby was moving around like crazy! I was pretty sure he was trying to come out of my belly button and then we went to bed like normal. At around 1:45 am I woke up having to pee…at this point I was getting up at least 4 times in the night having to go to the bathroom so this was nothing out of the ordinary. After taking care of business, I stood by the sink and…what the!? Did I not get it all out? I was pretty sure I peed my pants, just a little bit. I was really paranoid of this happening to me since I was close to peeing my pants all the time. I always thought that if my water broke, I would know it. But, well, I wasn’t so sure. So after standing in the bathroom and leaking tiny bits for about 10 minutes I decided I would go google it. I also did some dishes and figured maybe I would have a contraction or something. Upon doing internet research I learned that to test if it was my water breaking and not pee I should lay down for 30 minutes and if I had a gush of water when I stood up, then I would know it wasn’t just pee. Ok, cool, I went to lay down around 2 am and stared at the clock. At like 2:10 I had a really intense contraction, and then again at 2:15. I was determined to stay laying down for 30 minutes. Ok, maybe just 20 minutes. When I got up I didn’t have a gush of water but I did have a little trickle and since I was having contractions I was pretty confident that I would have the baby in the next 24 hours. So I thought, I’ll finish packing my bag and then if my contractions are close and bad I’ll wake up Brian. Just turning on the closet light woke up Brian and I said, “I think my water may have broken a little bit”. He was like, “Ummm, ok, and you didn’t just pee your pants?” <em> </em>I said, “Well if I did then I keep peeing my pants” He asked if I was having contractions and I said yep about 5 minutes apart and then he jumped out of bed and started getting ready. By 2:20 my contractions were 3 minutes apart and Brian decided we couldn’t wait until his mom got there (in like 20 minutes) so I called my sister-in-law and she was able to come over right away. At that point I was still slightly hesitant to go so quickly. I’m so glad that Brian rushed me to the hospital…</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
On the way to the hospital my contractions stayed at 3 minutes apart and were very intense. Brian sped the whole way and only ran one red light. He asked me if I needed him to pull over at one point and I was like NO! I’m not having this baby in the car! We got there at about 2:45 and as we were checking in the lady was being really really slow. Here I am leaning with my head against the counter and breathing really heavily and she’s like, type…type…type. Doesn’t preregistering mean fast!? They put me in a triage room and told me to change and pee in a cup. Pee in a cup!?!? You mean you want me to hold this baby in while getting a little pee out. Yeah that didn’t happen. Finally we called the nurse back in and I found the magic words. I had said more than once that this was my third child but the magic words were, “I feel him coming!!” They checked me and I was 9cm dilated and they ran me in my bed down to delivery. At this point I was still interested in getting an epidural. They put in an IV faster than I’ve ever had them get one in and called the anesthesiologist. By the time he got there I was fully dilated and my contractions were basically one on top of the other. I’m actually really surprised that they let me get an epidural at that point, but they did…halleluiah! I got a special kind of epidural that they use for emergency c-sections that’s supposed to take effect almost instantly and it started working just in time for me to push. One push and out came our beautiful boy at 3:42am weighing 7 lbs 8 oz, and 20 inches long. I’m still grateful for that epidural because man, there are a lot of really painful things that happen after the baby comes out. I could have had the baby a half hour sooner if not for the epidural, but it was totally worth it. I was shaking so bad afterwards that I couldn’t hold Christopher for a while, but I was so grateful that at this hospital they don’t take the baby away, they take care of the baby right there next to you.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:c6179655-b722-4e1f-aa1b-86931e37c942" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div id="0b5467d5-3d24-42cc-9ba4-789db011d023" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il3ZZEVEhEo" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('0b5467d5-3d24-42cc-9ba4-789db011d023'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/il3ZZEVEhEo&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/il3ZZEVEhEo&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yzroU9T_u8A/ToOR7fDAvHI/AAAAAAAABUc/lUCZdi4Bkzc/video8020f6b4b947%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pa7g-ClH8r8/ToOR71CmGII/AAAAAAAABUg/ZGBsoRGWbz4/s1600-h/IMG_5685%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5685" height="378" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2-kILsn0tR0/ToOR8esmKnI/AAAAAAAABUk/WS85E1GURLM/IMG_5685_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5685" width="504" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HodCa4np5LI/ToOR8xHnPnI/AAAAAAAABUo/uaavvBet6aI/s1600-h/IMG_5691%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5691" height="292" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QGgQW7itiOo/ToOR9vFiB_I/AAAAAAAABUs/ZVn4P5jW98c/IMG_5691_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5691" width="389" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k4j02jzr77o/ToOR-NigDHI/AAAAAAAABUw/Mx4Auk8gzFs/s1600-h/IMG_5721%25255B26%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5721" height="231" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3kx5lWLg-rQ/ToOR-5v7YhI/AAAAAAAABU0/HIRLIrgKvlI/IMG_5721_thumb%25255B20%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5721" width="324" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6-RMlHoXNOE/ToOR_eabVII/AAAAAAAABU4/9H6UHvu_W0c/s1600-h/IMG_5733%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5733" height="356" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G820WcKvcgQ/ToOR_4ipllI/AAAAAAAABU8/XR1GYOX_GCk/IMG_5733_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5733" width="475" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KeppClUL5zo/ToOSAbNLM1I/AAAAAAAABVA/FHqGN-hvISY/s1600-h/IMG_5739%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5739" height="293" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UPMTg0HcL2s/ToOSA3P5wWI/AAAAAAAABVE/l58hFDyUQYw/IMG_5739_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5739" width="391" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EcxWQi6NVuc/ToOSBWqNYSI/AAAAAAAABVI/FdW8ySwy-Zo/s1600-h/IMG_5743%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5743" height="345" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fd_odGJgD3Q/ToOSCKgbHvI/AAAAAAAABVM/Fapb1u24TjU/IMG_5743_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5743" width="259" /></a><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q7qBZOGv3gw/ToOSClVtveI/AAAAAAAABVQ/6k9Iq3rrhwI/s1600-h/IMG_5745%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5745" height="288" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RBf86m-vuAw/ToOSDf8sAQI/AAAAAAAABVU/zbCrCP-INKU/IMG_5745_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5745" width="216" /></a><br />Mid sneeze<br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tbNBlKQlrT8/ToOSECdDxlI/AAAAAAAABVY/Fi9G390shVg/s1600-h/IMG_5754%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5754" height="358" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--FMdUiStrIw/ToOSEtjJt8I/AAAAAAAABVc/kY2p3WgnMBY/IMG_5754_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5754" width="477" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:8e71df6a-29b1-4c9d-a8e3-b6060ce54d2b" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div id="9ed40674-eb6c-4bf0-bc34-c5090f6bef71" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qutRsVsey6w" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('9ed40674-eb6c-4bf0-bc34-c5090f6bef71'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/qutRsVsey6w&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/qutRsVsey6w&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FgLN7rFMwSM/ToOSFP4nVxI/AAAAAAAABVg/M-ytBleVtDo/videoc19048c65a75%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FSLYkw0niqw/ToOSFz1AEqI/AAAAAAAABVk/9-QejDt_IQU/s1600-h/IMG_5763%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5763" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--tWRr5o2TkQ/ToOSGeTjucI/AAAAAAAABVo/0Ns8EHdhJ-s/IMG_5763_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_5763" width="439" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
We love our Christopher and we’re so grateful for a safe and smooth delivery!</div>
Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-83691433880683018952011-08-09T15:26:00.001-07:002011-08-09T15:26:53.093-07:00Spring and Easter<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RwRa8ylrIpk/TkGzoIL9HOI/AAAAAAAABRc/I4VgPjXQ0Tk/s1600-h/IMG_5320%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5320" alt="IMG_5320" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DAUVUTQRKuk/TkGzo8mQm9I/AAAAAAAABRg/IDBUK6MHlfk/IMG_5320_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="279" /></a> <br />Our beautiful weeping cherry tree</p> <p align="left">We were all so excited when warm weather finally appeared around these parts.  It took forever this year.  It was fun to see our tree bloom for the first time since moving here.  It was also fun to plant our first garden!  </p> <p align="left">We had a lovely Easter and were excited to have Jamie up for the weekend.  But first, these are the cupcakes I made with my activity days girls…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IZKKRvg4x-c/TkGzpTwmcxI/AAAAAAAABRk/bLlPccjvJt4/s1600-h/IMG_5219%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5219" alt="IMG_5219" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NKk6g8155w8/TkGzpyPO76I/AAAAAAAABRo/47Hjjvy6EM8/IMG_5219_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="230" /></a> <br />I pictured them loving them so much and wanting to copy them exactly.  Unfortunately I thought they were way cooler than they did. They ended up just trying to fit on as many jelly beans as possible.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NjCL5cBSRK0/TkGzrwowvFI/AAAAAAAABRs/FEcpHgwuTnA/s1600-h/IMG_5234%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5234" alt="IMG_5234" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4aL64oeEKJs/TkGzsXVdzkI/AAAAAAAABRw/VG2wMrAJIiI/IMG_5234_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="223" height="294" /></a> <br />Katie enjoyed dyeing eggs for the first time. She only did two, but it was a fun experience for her. <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_N1MW2CyXLo/TkGzswPhM3I/AAAAAAAABR0/cNF6hMWe9tY/s1600-h/IMG_5237%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5237" alt="IMG_5237" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qkWdpAZiSHc/TkGztRJrTsI/AAAAAAAABR4/pcGyBzQzbqc/IMG_5237_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="323" /></a> <br />I have no idea why, but she really wanted to have that mitten on one of her hands.  She wouldn’t take it off all evening.</p> <p align="center">We all got little Easter baskets outside of our doors on Easter morning and Katie enjoyed her first Easter egg hunt that afternoon. <br /> <br /> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:eb7b9301-b50c-4335-877f-e5351546d7fb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="4dfc7595-4242-4650-8e2a-78ad0d95f199" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v48vc4hc8ao" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ep6J7Q2YN0s/TkGzt0qFtwI/AAAAAAAABR8/bU1IxpzQqls/video523c28f18330%25255B57%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('4dfc7595-4242-4650-8e2a-78ad0d95f199'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"393\" height=\"221\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/v48vc4hc8ao?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/v48vc4hc8ao?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"393\" height=\"221\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2LyaFIqzWew/TkGzuZEx8-I/AAAAAAAABSA/Wvbik5cTaWk/s1600-h/IMG_5262%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5262" alt="IMG_5262" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1iG4_jrcGtk/TkGzvAtgbhI/AAAAAAAABSE/vjLeMzDO05I/IMG_5262_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p align="center">And here are the finished dyed eggs…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TBKPzSCCpos/TkGzvmZuBsI/AAAAAAAABSI/4XMyM_R0dN8/s1600-h/IMG_5264%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5264" alt="IMG_5264" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r53q_2GSrE8/TkGzyDTsZTI/AAAAAAAABSM/5Xun2PsIpsU/IMG_5264_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="251" /></a> <br />You can easily pick out Brian’s eggs as they are the ones that are artistic/creative.  Jamie and I felt inferior in our egg dyeing skills, but we all definitely had fun. <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aLZDDiVTOtc/TkGzyyvztNI/AAAAAAAABSQ/cfoYk5QEhAY/s1600-h/IMG_5265%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5265" alt="IMG_5265" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3zfc2zFPnVY/TkGzzdn-FsI/AAAAAAAABSU/ed_Gka8NUzY/IMG_5265_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gp5Tn1wAwKY/TkGzz8IzUwI/AAAAAAAABSY/ePN3CVJcGUA/s1600-h/IMG_5266%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5266" alt="IMG_5266" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5lt3xoq3Yn0/TkGz0iUhwzI/AAAAAAAABSc/KmvtKRjrB_o/IMG_5266_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-watRDMEkZQg/TkGz1MlGBjI/AAAAAAAABSg/J5mbuykFL2o/s1600-h/IMG_5268%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5268" alt="IMG_5268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZLz5YNGHcto/TkGz1tivfwI/AAAAAAAABSk/GPEX6wPjCZI/IMG_5268_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jqBEERRu0sU/TkGz2B0l9JI/AAAAAAAABSo/1te9De4Ca7U/s1600-h/IMG_5274%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5274" alt="IMG_5274" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aevZC7IH3hA/TkGz2rD-7KI/AAAAAAAABSs/_kRG5s-IM94/IMG_5274_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> <br />Yes, this is a Jamaican egg. <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ie10DHwKFKo/TkGz3IWUOSI/AAAAAAAABSw/xQEiTNSpWdU/s1600-h/IMG_5279%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5279" alt="IMG_5279" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ttIJMIk5XLQ/TkGz3vJDVoI/AAAAAAAABS0/ZZWRanTFabQ/IMG_5279_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="332" /></a></p> <p align="center">We had a lovely afternoon Easter walk… <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lKGj6hRiKhs/TkGz4P77lQI/AAAAAAAABS4/vfQa7fPtS6I/s1600-h/IMG_5285%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5285" alt="IMG_5285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yURCEgRPHr4/TkGz4hs6S5I/AAAAAAAABS8/Z0XTzaOIrWM/IMG_5285_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="277" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cmyjCq9MfMA/TkGz5B6cBPI/AAAAAAAABTA/omua40bsEOs/s1600-h/IMG_5289%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5289" alt="IMG_5289" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GV9WIomrCho/TkGz5rgm0AI/AAAAAAAABTE/jipcO4i0_U4/IMG_5289_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a> <br />We were all happier than we look in this picture.</p> <p>We had a fun visit from Natalie in May and Jamie was able to come up for part of it as well.  We had a fun girls afternoon with In-N-Out and then shopping. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0soH0NYAkTc/TkGz6MXWO_I/AAAAAAAABTI/Ii9ScaGdfqA/s1600-h/IMG_5325%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_5325" alt="IMG_5325" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F5xbFC3krKA/TkGz6vGQghI/AAAAAAAABTM/WHGlsH5YaSs/IMG_5325_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="264" /></a></p> <p align="left">And here are a couple random pictures I took this spring. Here is Katie trying to be just like Becca.  She sure loves her big sister.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-34kvOGTHNLE/TkGz7dMdTgI/AAAAAAAABTQ/rA6bXX7OshA/s1600-h/IMG_5307%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5307" alt="IMG_5307" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lb9st8qAdQI/TkGz717cezI/AAAAAAAABTU/zIv0M0whQFc/IMG_5307_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="267" /></a> <br />They were pretty zoned into their show. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KFh5eGHogtk/TkGz8yI847I/AAAAAAAABTY/6L2T9cTrNjI/s1600-h/IMG_5347%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5347" alt="IMG_5347" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--548ep818e8/TkGz9M6ZnYI/AAAAAAAABTc/4p8RTZyH4b8/IMG_5347_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="404" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h8mHrY9vy1Q/TkGz9rnS8eI/AAAAAAAABTg/aSI747jWcDc/s1600-h/IMG_5310%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5310" alt="IMG_5310" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S0-CHC2yUlE/TkGz-G2F-aI/AAAAAAAABTk/7kK2q0eteaI/IMG_5310_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="313" /></a> <br />Becca with her Aunt Jamie enjoying the warm weather. <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zl0jvnd3Euo/TkGz-2DbeEI/AAAAAAAABTo/vlxoxJNlWP4/s1600-h/IMG_5215%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5215" alt="IMG_5215" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZCia4w0fooQ/TkGz_VKFIQI/AAAAAAAABTs/ugeheKGJ8io/IMG_5215_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="334" /></a> <br />Katie still loves hats.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5HdGbRyNbPA/TkG0ANg4W5I/AAAAAAAABTw/osqB2fofKbM/s1600-h/IMG_5351%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5351" alt="IMG_5351" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9rgEpmSE3zU/TkG0AgZ_YRI/AAAAAAAABT0/VxF42TaNQrE/IMG_5351_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="218" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w1dLhMxpYFg/TkG0BRraKxI/AAAAAAAABT4/hiZ1jD6IE1I/s1600-h/IMG_5352%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5352" alt="IMG_5352" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HQtNKlPH-SQ/TkG0Jdc0JHI/AAAAAAAABT8/Jxen01XiqLk/IMG_5352_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="215" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AVCChbHOKSg/TkG0Jymg6KI/AAAAAAAABUA/Pnskcn9gCug/s1600-h/IMG_5354%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5354" alt="IMG_5354" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6GEI4MqmTqk/TkG0KWktU9I/AAAAAAAABUE/BVuendTUMB0/IMG_5354_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="217" /></a> <br />Brian putting together a swing set with the help of his parents.  It was their Christmas/birthday present to our kids and they absolutely love it.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:e3d21a07-c23b-4013-89ca-a38549ffcd13" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="0072a633-29ba-458c-b4b6-a8a417f768d6" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbpiMSxVkms" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XeMbSHrKZs8/TkG0K1L4TgI/AAAAAAAABUI/qbqZTUrNNak/video6e1789a9e771%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('0072a633-29ba-458c-b4b6-a8a417f768d6'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"404\" height=\"227\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CbpiMSxVkms?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/CbpiMSxVkms?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"404\" height=\"227\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-51468920833795604682011-08-09T10:58:00.001-07:002011-08-09T10:58:37.274-07:00Katie’s Birthday<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OVz1MRePgGI/TkF1HA9MdQI/AAAAAAAABQk/inMRxP90DBA/s1600-h/IMG_5153%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5153" alt="IMG_5153" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GAD-Mwovnyg/TkF1HhmtkCI/AAAAAAAABQo/Ue0SKuhrcq4/IMG_5153_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></a> <br />Katie turned 2 on April 9th!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:3c4385a2-e0ff-4ac0-9e33-c4d9a0b706b0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="04eb2cbb-45bd-4e9b-b51c-8f2d2297f6b1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygHeYFq1agU" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F_1AJTiF7fY/TkF1HxwZwmI/AAAAAAAABQs/ZYqn2FtqMIk/video0660b72e9d6d%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('04eb2cbb-45bd-4e9b-b51c-8f2d2297f6b1'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"408\" height=\"229\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ygHeYFq1agU?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ygHeYFq1agU?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"408\" height=\"229\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ejptg6QBSZ8/TkF1I1vDcUI/AAAAAAAABQw/5wKOn_cCO_g/s1600-h/IMG_5168%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5168" alt="IMG_5168" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JvGHgZJQNoI/TkF1JPMhocI/AAAAAAAABQ0/MG2b-1eg_uI/IMG_5168_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="236" /></a> <br />This was Katie’s birthday outfit from her Aunt Natalie. She LOVES it!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6t9vx7eqWY4/TkF1JqwPSnI/AAAAAAAABQ4/ETMmO3M_tEU/s1600-h/IMG_5170%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5170" alt="IMG_5170" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5RnDsZk9acw/TkF1KF9KW6I/AAAAAAAABQ8/WEVfPNGg18s/IMG_5170_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="290" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KFnfHmp4mYA/TkF1Kt_EZ2I/AAAAAAAABRA/--pOW_-4jlM/s1600-h/IMG_5174%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5174" alt="IMG_5174" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p-GOgttm3DY/TkF1LNJ8cbI/AAAAAAAABRE/TOA-In8o0Ks/IMG_5174_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="232" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JV4Xg5zY47E/TkF1QT3w8pI/AAAAAAAABRI/SFLAh2UKZpE/s1600-h/IMG_5177%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5177" alt="IMG_5177" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NL4i7bEwVC8/TkF1RNbIH8I/AAAAAAAABRM/kJ9zkFlDd-I/IMG_5177_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="265" /></a> <br />Katie wanted all those clips to be in Becca’s hair. And that’s the doll we gave Katie for her birthday.  She was scared of the sounds it made so she laid it by Becca and told her she could have it.  Becca was actually really interested in it.</p> <p align="left">We had a small little family birthday party for Katie and it seemed like it she had a good day.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9a9e1650-a309-44b8-a4f8-a635d004f6c1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="dcced7fa-8965-4eeb-be92-5f59eb0479a4" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpRiBsz6onQ" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dM3P_3ZIbN0/TkF1RwQEDOI/AAAAAAAABRQ/Su7TD0ftRQ8/video2ec9d52622a1%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('dcced7fa-8965-4eeb-be92-5f59eb0479a4'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"403\" height=\"226\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/IpRiBsz6onQ?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/IpRiBsz6onQ?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"403\" height=\"226\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cy4f2xirBn0/TkF1SjyKHqI/AAAAAAAABRU/Kgt9vArjwgI/s1600-h/IMG_5203%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5203" alt="IMG_5203" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jfgnGY4CJaA/TkF1TNn6_rI/AAAAAAAABRY/4bnbzFrSrwI/IMG_5203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="251" /></a></p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-18624234551624958252011-08-09T10:00:00.001-07:002011-08-09T10:10:04.859-07:00Becca’s Birthday<p>This year Becca had a very special fourth birthday. My parents and brother and sister were in town that weekend and so she was shown a lot of love that whole day. She was happy the entire day and it really was the happiest birthday she’s had yet. Thank you to my parents for coming out for it. She was spoiled by seeing both sets of Grandparents on her birthday. So much fun! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--e1QSvUG-5s/TkFnlCFvV4I/AAAAAAAABPc/rg84klDEURM/s1600-h/IMG_5101%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5101" alt="IMG_5101" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gdnBwXNuQvM/TkFnl_N9v2I/AAAAAAAABPg/zqPe-NeRQvQ/IMG_5101_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="273" /></a>
<br />Katie sat by Becca and opened all her presents. Becca watched her he whole time.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C0XkMI4UWMw/TkFnmVrf37I/AAAAAAAABPk/z_0HiR8040c/s1600-h/IMG_5111%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5111" alt="IMG_5111" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eCMI1uMVgWA/TkFnnBtz_GI/AAAAAAAABPo/QN2JZt6-WZE/IMG_5111_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="268" /></a>
<br />A fun birthday party!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jrPgXE8auvU/TkFnnvu8b5I/AAAAAAAABPs/hdLaXQ0lHIU/s1600-h/IMG_5115%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5115" alt="IMG_5115" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-asQQIP5qs7I/TkFno5DE_RI/AAAAAAAABPw/gqsPXvBzB9c/IMG_5115_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="268" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cr3qr9OposY/TkFnpfM-KBI/AAAAAAAABP0/f_Fr0wSdjIc/s1600-h/IMG_5118%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5118" alt="IMG_5118" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ekV12PXSTN4/TkFnpzlNVlI/AAAAAAAABP4/nLHwwICLegA/IMG_5118_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NpNjGdR2Jo4/TkFnqikAjdI/AAAAAAAABP8/WhCxrkpsPe0/s1600-h/IMG_5125%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5125" alt="IMG_5125" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3JB8QePYNNI/TkFnrHzxyFI/AAAAAAAABQA/sUNZ8t1Dn4g/IMG_5125_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="264" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6qOfv9CTqwM/TkFnrmj3XfI/AAAAAAAABQE/7KukbkeyL1E/s1600-h/IMG_5128%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5128" alt="IMG_5128" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IFAicMc0AYI/TkFnsNkRV-I/AAAAAAAABQI/0GFrmPKpjYk/IMG_5128_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="246" /></a>
<br />I think Grandma and Katie were a little distracted by something.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TeXL5FZzAx0/TkFns3CL_NI/AAAAAAAABQM/eB7WSP5BJhc/s1600-h/IMG_5129%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5129" alt="IMG_5129" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ja6M_mICOv4/TkFntaQOrzI/AAAAAAAABQQ/81osVNMWzR0/IMG_5129_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="403" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3SRE-xUaIVE/TkFnt9VFIAI/AAAAAAAABQU/fdQ3aYSwX8w/s1600-h/IMG_5136%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5136" alt="IMG_5136" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5oGEL8lWMwU/TkFnuRasIVI/AAAAAAAABQY/dO3eZ62qFcY/IMG_5136_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="283" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4yQU5FfI3eA/TkFnu4lq-vI/AAAAAAAABQc/dTrmggRupMY/s1600-h/IMG_5140%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5140" alt="IMG_5140" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mZtdJkNG-zQ/TkFnvQKw6AI/AAAAAAAABQg/w7DsAcPRt28/IMG_5140_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>
<br />Katie wasn’t as happy that day. </p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-36516931561795785592011-08-09T09:18:00.001-07:002011-08-09T09:18:16.338-07:00Whew.<p>So, our summer hasn’t gone exactly as we’ve planned.  But that’s ok.  We are finally feeling settled and back into a routine with Becca and she has gone from intubated to this…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-79igYGBspwc/TkFdqbsD6kI/AAAAAAAABOs/Fjy_JMqFhGE/s1600-h/IMG082%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG082" alt="IMG082" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M9k59MCz2ss/TkFdroBKF8I/AAAAAAAABOw/RDqer3fgDOI/IMG082_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="315" /></a></p> <p align="center">to this…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QQXiBZ1YMa8/TkFdsBQU5DI/AAAAAAAABO0/GJDd8hnRCnY/s1600-h/Becca%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="Becca" alt="Becca" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nkny2I2Tws8/TkFdsvHuhiI/AAAAAAAABO4/jqVtcWDPLa4/Becca_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="331" /></a></p> <p align="center">and then at home but still healing…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dP59fIjmXdM/TkFdtI3CNjI/AAAAAAAABO8/nkiGNgrXH_0/s1600-h/IMG_5596%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5596" alt="IMG_5596" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hPmJFcho44I/TkFdtp4XdAI/AAAAAAAABPA/xK8CaaJCbR4/IMG_5596_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="333" /></a></p> <p align="center">Since being home she has made some great improvements and is now healthier than ever.  I mean she’s gained almost 5 pounds since leaving the hospital/being on this NG-tube.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wym9KN6Stj8/TkFdufV86oI/AAAAAAAABPE/RV5D_85jZbc/s1600-h/IMG_5602%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5602" alt="IMG_5602" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q7Y2vC5KR88/TkFdu6jOi3I/AAAAAAAABPI/qql0D95fek0/IMG_5602_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="283" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jr0BXJJLwsE/TkFdvhR6PQI/AAAAAAAABPM/i91pU8ma1No/s1600-h/IMG_5638%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5638" alt="IMG_5638" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mu6a9MsI3bs/TkFdwM-vCBI/AAAAAAAABPQ/0697PuQ_pog/IMG_5638_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="333" /></a> <br />And we’re all so happy to have our healthy Becca back! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HUHg1FbJAmE/TkFdwn-_MZI/AAAAAAAABPU/DSZ_S-uTO0o/s1600-h/IMG_5642%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="IMG_5642" alt="IMG_5642" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hmggBfo8WJs/TkFdxkviF9I/AAAAAAAABPY/8beMF1sV_1Y/IMG_5642_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="275" /></a></p> <p align="left">Thank you to all who have helped our family so much through this hard time.  We are so nervous for Becca’s G-tube surgery on the 23rd, but we have faith that everything will work out ok. And now, I think it’s about time I update this little blog.  </p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-19444651509597632912011-06-12T16:20:00.001-07:002011-06-12T22:46:24.675-07:00How About, Two Steps Enough For Me?Ha. I used to think I had this pretty much nailed. "Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me." It's not hard, right? You just say, "dear God, I know you know how this story ends. I know you have a better plan than what mine would have been. So I'm going to stick with your plan and not worry so much about needing to know every waypoint down the road. I'll do my best with what's here and trust you to lead me where I need to go." Sounds great.<br /><br />This week I'm realizing how badly I suck at this.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hqAqO7YgzjM/TfWiGtENXQI/AAAAAAAAKEg/g1H7Yb_iPvI/s640/IMG_20110606_090846.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hqAqO7YgzjM/TfWiGtENXQI/AAAAAAAAKEg/g1H7Yb_iPvI/s640/IMG_20110606_090846.jpg" width="300" style="float: right;"/></a>Tonight we're in the pediatric ICU with Becca. Monday we brought her to Primary's to have her tonsils and adenoids removed in the hopes of helping her sleep a little better. She woke up with a sore throat in an unfamiliar setting with a completely empty stomach. Unfortunately, poor little Rebecca's reaction to stress is to cough and stop swallowing, which after a few hours snowballed into a seizure, a collapsed lung, respiratory arrest, and about thirty doctors surrounding her bed just trying to keep her alive. I watched this bald, stocky respiratory technician with tattoos down both arms walk up to a blue-lipped Becca whose body had given up coughing, force a plastic tool down her throat and attach a green bag that he then squeezed by hand over and over while he fought the numbers on the monitors for thirty minutes above our motionless little 4 year-old (that man's name is Nathan. He's back in the PICU tonight and I can't help getting choked up with gratitude every time I see him. He has no idea how often I've seen him in my mind over the last week, and how much love and gratitude I feel for his efforts that night).<br /><br />Since Monday night it's been ups and down. Becca apparently caught metapneumovirus from Katie right before her surgery, which has definitely exacerbated the situation. Some days she has improved a lot and other days not so much. Thursday they took out her breathing tube but it was too much too soon, and she's been back on the ventilator since then. We're on our way up at the moment, and it looks like she should be out of the hospital hopefully by the end of next week.<br /><br />The really scary thing for us hasn't been seeing her go up and down; there isn't a safer place for her to have medical problems than in Primary's PICU. What's been scariest has been to see how frail our little girl really is, to see the dips in her oxygen levels, the spikes in her heart rate, the irregular breathing, the possible seizures, the heavy sweating that nobody seems to have an explanation for -- and then to think about signing out at the front desk and taking her home again.<br /><br />Becca's never had these kinds of problems at home that we know of. Is this what the rest of her life is going to be like? Are we going to get home and settle back into Becca's old routine? How many times have her oxygen levels dropped dangerously low in the night without any monitors hooked up to warn us? Is this the kind of situation we should expect now every time she gets a cold?<br /><br />This is hard. I really really want to be able to know what our life is going to look like two weeks from now, two months from now, and two years from now. I thought I was doing a pretty good job not worrying too much about down the road, not fretting about what Becca's high school life is going to be like, what we're going to do when she starts having a period, how we'll know when she gets a cavity, how Paula's going to handle her at home when she's gotten too big to lift, or a dozen other things. We'll get to those when we get to those. But this one sure is rough. How much did our life just shift from beneath us?<br /><br />We attended church here at the hospital today where Paula said the thought came to her that this hurdle happened now because Becca was in a place where it could be caught. She could have aspirated that much any night at home and we would have walked in the next morning to find our daughter asphyxiated. We'd considered delaying the surgery to make 100% sure she hadn't caught Katie's bug... who's to say her condition at home would have been better than it was here? It really is a miracle that our little girl is with us today.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9qmx3zGUtmY/TfWjgbs2ANI/AAAAAAAAKEw/MvNTWmlv1sM/s640/IMG_20100912_190514.jpg"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9qmx3zGUtmY/TfWjgbs2ANI/AAAAAAAAKEw/MvNTWmlv1sM/s640/IMG_20100912_190514.jpg" style="width: 300px; float: left;"/></a>I'm trying to focus on that. I'm trying not to think too hard about the follow-up question, "what about next time?" We can be more ready than we were, but when and how often are we going to <span style="font-style:italic;">need</span> to be ready? What's going to happen this summer? Or during the next flu season? How long does it take an ambulance to reach our house when we call 9-1-1? Are we going to feel comfortable asking anyone to babysit our kids ever again?<br /><br />I obviously have a lot of room to go in the faith department. I think for now that means just focusing on the time we have left in the hospital. I can work on preparing but also accepting after we're home and settled. And I guess if there's one thing that can straighten out your perspective, it's living under the same roof as an angel like Rebecca.Brian Whitmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00009042638644799674noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-60751567903773299642011-04-05T15:31:00.001-07:002011-04-05T15:33:06.165-07:00Number 3<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_d8udIUGujAk/TZuYUhBgsrI/AAAAAAAABNc/Wjb2TA7WUFw/s1600-h/baby0001%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; display: inline" title="baby0001" alt="baby0001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_d8udIUGujAk/TZuYVteElRI/AAAAAAAABNg/cir0gXKl1hQ/baby0001_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="232" /></a></p> <p>We’re excited to announce that baby #3 is due to join our family somewhere around September 30th!  That puts me at a little over 14 weeks. I have felt a lot different this pregnancy so everyone seems to be guessing a boy.  Of course we would be very happy either way.   </p> Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-10673057275652565572011-03-27T15:33:00.000-07:002011-03-27T15:58:30.642-07:00Some Perspective<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_YFZ-FVkAzBU/TY-_bMxfAWI/AAAAAAAAKCY/s3rVBfeVGJw/s640/IMG_5141.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 200px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_YFZ-FVkAzBU/TY-_bMxfAWI/AAAAAAAAKCY/s3rVBfeVGJw/s640/IMG_5141.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />So I was at Wal-Mart yesterday running a few errands and somewhere in the store some poor child was absolutely screaming their guts out. I, like everyone else in the store, pretended not to notice what was going on. Nobody was really making eye contact with anyone else, and everyone had a semi-serious look on their faces. You have to realize, this kid was wailing. Like, my-life-is-ending-by-periodic-amputation or something.<br /><br />Anyway, this went on for probably ten minutes. I had Katie with me and she always gets a serious look on her face when other kids are freaking out, but she was distracted by her sucker so all was well. We actually ended up at the registers about this same time as this still-screaming child, and I stole enough of a glance to see she was probably six or seven years old. She kept trying to run away from her mom, and I realized her banshee cries were actually made up of the words "GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!!!" over and over.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_YFZ-FVkAzBU/TY-_bG-W3qI/AAAAAAAAKCc/6YaxfsI5Ugo/s640/IMG_5137.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 200px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_YFZ-FVkAzBU/TY-_bG-W3qI/AAAAAAAAKCc/6YaxfsI5Ugo/s640/IMG_5137.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>Before I had kids of my own my first reaction when seeing this kind of stunt from a child, as the mom tried over and over to stop her girl from running away, would have been something along the lines of "honestly, how do you let your kid get to that point? This is the result of years of poor parenting coming now to a head in a public setting."<br /><br />Now, instead of that, I get a sinking feeling in my stomach and can't help but wonder how long it will be before I end up in the same situation.<br /><br />Funny how your perspective changes over time.Brian Whitmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00009042638644799674noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12534928.post-48705380064086366672011-03-08T14:59:00.001-08:002011-03-08T15:01:00.494-08:00Twinkle Twinkle Little Star<p>Katie really loves to sing. We can even bribe her with songs: if you do___ we’ll sing___! Here’s one of the songs she can sing all the way through on her own (there aren’t very many of those…she tends to get stuck in loops or just sing parts). And it’s kind of funny that she’s out of breath because she was just running around like crazy. At the end you can hear her request another song. Can you guess what song she’s asking for?</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:f6df6c53-0c97-4345-9573-04acccd0bd19" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="87bd5ed5-0f5b-4b0d-a1c0-4bed3afd232b" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><object width="394" height="318"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rmMN7ZOfVyY?hl=en&hd=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rmMN7ZOfVyY?hl=en&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="394" height="318"></embed></object></div></div></div> <p>PS-She’s asking for the Primary song, The Wise Man and the Foolish Man. She calls it house on rock.</p>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431720582982660996noreply@blogger.com2