tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77309387739133669472024-03-05T07:28:19.098-05:00Me SP & the Bean.Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-27240612134013850912017-07-11T22:51:00.000-04:002017-07-11T23:20:01.817-04:00two.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sweet girl, you are two today.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I like to go through pictures of those early days, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">to remind myself of how terrified I felt, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and my disappointment for a loss of the daughter </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought I was having.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I remember seeing </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the happy hopeful faces </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">of </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the other mothers as I walked </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">through </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the maternity ward </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">to visit you in the NICU, </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and sobbed with </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the overwhelming feeling </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">of fear, grief, and guil</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">t. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I like to remind myself because I know now </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">that those feelings were caused by my ignorance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the past two years, you have taught me more </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">about </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">joy, patience, acceptance, perseverance, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and unconditional love than </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">many people learn in a lifetime.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You are exactly the daughter, sister, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">granddaughter, </span><span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: large;">and niece that our family needed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank you for choosing us. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for being exactly who you are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Happy 2nd birthday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here's to many many more. </span></div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-24015260246159234692017-06-06T00:44:00.001-04:002017-07-11T22:21:21.663-04:005 years.<div style="text-align: center;">
My first baby.</div>
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The one who forever changed our lives, 5 years ago today.</div>
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You were the quietest most well behaved baby,<br />
during those first 2 weeks in the hospital for<br />
my difficult post labour recovery.</div>
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You came with grey blue eyes and fluffy black hair, that mostly fell out<br />
but you still looked cute with the male pattern baldness-esque 'do.</div>
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You were the chubbiest fluffiest baby.<br />
(no really, THE chubbiest.)</div>
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You were always a good eater.<br />
(which I think is pretty obvious from those rolls...)</div>
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Your first time in the pool.<br />
(exuding excitement...)</div>
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You've loved music, always.</div>
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You started walking at 14months.</div>
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You've always been a mini mama.</div>
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(& accessories. Always with the accessories.)</div>
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Your first little ponytail.</div>
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You in this snowsuit.</div>
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You're always dancing.</div>
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Always.</div>
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And when your baby sister came, you stepped up to</div>
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the big sister role, better than we could have ever imagined.</div>
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My sweet girl, may you always shine as bright </div>
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on the inside as you do on the outside.</div>
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May you always love your sister as fiercely as you do today.</div>
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You are a dream come true.</div>
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The best versions of me and your papa.</div>
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I am thankful for you every day</div>
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and love you more than words can ever describe.</div>
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Happiest 5th birthday.</div>
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Hope your day was wonderful.</div>
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You deserve it and so much more.</div>
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Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-36946483561559067722017-03-21T14:49:00.001-04:002017-03-21T22:03:12.933-04:00wds day & 2016 lookback.<div style="text-align: center;">
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Happy World Down Syndrome day.<br />
It's been 20 months since we became a family of four.<br />
20 months since we became parents of a special needs child.<br />
20 months since our first born became the most caring, kind, protective, and proud big sister.<br />
It's been the most hectic, exhausting, eventful, and wonderful 20 months beyond anything we could have ever imagined.<br />
<br />
I like to think back on those first 2 weeks in the NICU, trying to remember all of the little details, and all of the (mostly negative) emotions.<br />
Because if I could go back in time to tell that sad, disappointed, panicked self, just how amazing the next 20 months would be, I probably wouldn't have believed it.<br />
Back then I scoured social media, looking at pictures and reading blogs of parents who have walked this path before us, and wrote about how their child with Down syndrome made a positive impact on their lives, and how they wouldn't change a thing.<br />
Back then I was skeptical, because I thought my child had a "disability".<br />
Why wouldn't I want to change that for her if I could?<br />
Back then I was fearful, because what if months, even years pass and I could never feel as happy, or excited, or proud, as these parents do?<br />
<br />
Well 2015-me, you had nothing to worry about because that little girl who was hooked up to all those machines in the NICU is doing extremely well.<br />
In fact, she's basically human-Prozac and is spreading joy wherever she goes.<br />
I don't regret those initial feelings of fear and disappointment though, because it also reminds me how far she's come, and how far we've come as a family.<br />
<br />
I know I said this last year but today and everyday, I will shout your worth.<br />
To anyone who will listen.<br />
So that everyone understands just how amazing and worthy you, and the entire Down syndrome community are.<br />
That your difference is not a "DISability", but just a different ability.<br />
An amazing ability of positivity and perseverance that everyone can learn from.<br />
Happy Down Syndrome day baby girl.<br />
You are so special.<br />
You are so worthy.<br />
You are so loved.<br />
<br />
<br />
And now because I slacked off for a whole 20 months, I have a year's worth of photos just accumulating on my computer.<br />
So lemme just do a major photo dump, in the name of a recap of our 2016.<br />
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<b>JANUARY</b><br />
After rushing to the ER on Christmas Day 2015, and having our fear of infantile spasms confirmed on Boxing Day, we started a course of anti-seizure medication that made her very sedated and drowsy.<br />
She spent the better half of this month sleeping and trying to get used to the meds.<br />
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Long story short, the initial medication that sedated her to the point of dehydration and a second hospitalization wasn't even effective against the seizures.<br />
We had to move on to steroid injections, which came with a whole new slew of side effects...<br />
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<b>FEBRUARY</b><br />
The steroids proved to be effective and we gradually started seeing improvement.<br />
My birthday was the first time in almost 2 months that we saw our girl smile again!<br />
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But with the injections also came those awful side effects, the acid reflux, the insomnia, the baby "roid-rage"... and the water retention.<br />
Although it's harder to call the water retention "awful"...<br />
I mean, look at those cheeks.<br />
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<b>MARCH</b><br />
The cheeks just seemed to keep getting bigger.<br />
Not that I was complaining, although the sleep deprivation was something else.<br />
Having to carry/hold a roid-raging, acid refluxing, insomniac baby 24/7 for 2+ months was no easy feat... (and I literally mean 24/7, since poor girl couldn't lie down thanks to pain caused by the acid reflux.)<br />
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We survived though! And seeing the light come back in her eyes was worth every sleepless night and exhausted day.<br />
And then there's big sis. Who was so incredibly understanding and patient since Christmas Day when we had to leave her at home with her uncle so that we could go to the ER (and the subsequent weeks of hospitalization and doctor appointments).<br />
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The way these two love each other is everything I could have ever hoped for.<br />
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(I wasn't kidding about those cheeks)<br />
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<br />
<b>APRIL</b><br />
Because the steroid injections also took away her immunity and her body's ability to fight any infections, we basically stayed home for the rest of the winter.<br />
It was so nice to finally get outside once the weather warmed up!<br />
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You're welcome for this ridiculously fluffy bunny.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>MAY</b><br />
Her water retention finally started to resolve, so I had to snap some shots of the chubb while it was still there...!<br />
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It was so good to get back into our normal routine.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>JUNE</b><br />
My sassy, witty, best-sister-ever of a big girl turned four!<br />
We got a bouncy castle taller than our house, and threw a "pink&purple party".<br />
As per the birthday girl's request.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>JULY</b><br />
And then the nugget turned ONE.<br />
When I was pregnant, I thought to myself<br />
"sorry second child, but I don't think you'll be getting a 1st birthday party like your sister"<br />
but then after the year we had, how could we not celebrate?<br />
And so we did.<br />
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Complete with a (kiddy) pool.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>AUGUST</b><br />
Mama got a MUCH needed break when we flew out west to see jiji and baba (my parents).<br />
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Enjoyed watering, just as much as she did GETTING "watered".<br />
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This one started getting more mobile, and with it of course came the injuries...</div>
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<br />
<br />
S<b>EPTEMBER</b><br />
We had a great summer, which definitely made up for our winter.<br />
First trip to the zoo.<br />
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One started school, and the other started being able to use two hands simultaneously!<br />
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Exciting times all around.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>OCTOBER</b><br />
Our long awaited trip to Japan.<br />
The initial plan for spring had to be postponed because of the seizure treatment, but it was worth waiting until everyone was healthy enough for travel!<br />
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And someone started crawling while we were in Japan!<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>NOVEMBER</b><br />
This month was a jet-lagged blur and I slacked off on taking pictures.<br />
Oops.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>DECEMBER</b><br />
We hadn't had the best of luck with our previous few Christmases.<br />
(ice storm, power outage, sickness... more sickness...)<br />
So we were determined to make this one great.<br />
And it was!<br />
Complete with gingerbread houses and matching pyjamas and playing in the snow.<br />
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The smiles on this girl's face alone made up for all of our past Christmases.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfMFqWd6FVI/WM7Hl0ihOQI/AAAAAAAACoE/PPry-Llzg38hIgI83LEudTv5hr_67OAFgCPcB/s1600/89A48E56-5405-4587-9BFF-1FABC4BAFF39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfMFqWd6FVI/WM7Hl0ihOQI/AAAAAAAACoE/PPry-Llzg38hIgI83LEudTv5hr_67OAFgCPcB/s640/89A48E56-5405-4587-9BFF-1FABC4BAFF39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lpKtV1oWI4E/WM7HlxX_3bI/AAAAAAAACoI/ZqRkbWPhg1c9cALkViUo3fcJP7ATTxNSgCPcB/s1600/41FE6B88-C9E8-4D06-A295-1184A4603C68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lpKtV1oWI4E/WM7HlxX_3bI/AAAAAAAACoI/ZqRkbWPhg1c9cALkViUo3fcJP7ATTxNSgCPcB/s640/41FE6B88-C9E8-4D06-A295-1184A4603C68.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Someone hadn't quite grasped the concept of what was happening<br />
but was excited anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y0hBUd7ApM/WM7Hl6GY0WI/AAAAAAAACn8/bXMmjGeuUPErqJx6SEe_FzS6d91zkE7AACPcB/s1600/6E842F57-0581-4729-950D-EFB4FDFCD14B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y0hBUd7ApM/WM7Hl6GY0WI/AAAAAAAACn8/bXMmjGeuUPErqJx6SEe_FzS6d91zkE7AACPcB/s640/6E842F57-0581-4729-950D-EFB4FDFCD14B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So there you go, our 2016.<br />
The first few months were tough, but looking back<br />
I'd say it was a great year.<br />
<br />
If you're still reading this all the way at the end,<br />
THANK YOU.<br />
Either you really love us,<br />
or you had a lot of time on your hands...<br />
(but really, thank you)</div>
</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-40758063527206628292015-07-29T02:15:00.000-04:002015-07-29T09:51:43.282-04:00a new chapter.<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I almost forgot I had this thing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We had yet another brutal winter, complete with hospital admissions, double ear infections, an almost </span>pneumonia<span style="font-family: inherit;">, and the flu.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also suffered a miscarriage in the fall. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So this time around, I was a little apprehensive to talk about it, but also being a pregnant, working mother of a toddler... it was even more exhausting than I remembered, and the whole thing flew by so quickly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's my "Don't say that I didn't warn you!"<span style="font-family: inherit;"> that the rest of this post is really long. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I contemplated about how much to share, and whether I felt ready to share it at all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week, I wouldn't have been, but it's our first day home from the hospital and I also wanted to write it out so that I had something to look back on and remember the last two weeks that we spent in the NICU. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So here it is.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At 5am on July 11th, I was lying in bed and felt my water break. I told Shaun and my mom but told everyone to go back to sleep because there were no contractions for another hour. The weak contractions that started at 6am were 2 minutes apart and went from "we still have a long while before leaving for the hospital" to "holy crap, we need to go to the hospital NOW" over the course of the next 90 minutes. All the while, I hobbled around trying to pack because we were not so prepared (hashtag second baby). We were at the hospital by 9am and our girl came 11:45am, with no epidural, 2 and a 1/2 weeks early, weighing a chunky 7lbs4oz. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They put her on my chest but I was still in a haze of the relief of having just pushed out my kid, pain med free. I held her close but didn't have a chance to take a good look at her. Once they took her away to weigh, measure, and clean her off, they brought her back and said to Shaun and I, a sentence that changed our lives forever, far more than we ever imagined. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"We think your baby has Down syndrome."</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"...how likely is it?"</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"We think it's pretty likely."</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shaun almost fainted. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just went blank.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> All of the plans for our family that I had envisioned during the pregnancy flashed through my head. There were no indicators in any of the testing that was done, no discussions of the possibility. And yet there we were, 5 minutes after the birth of our second girl, in what would have been enough of a life changing situation, but with an additional circumstance that would further change us in ways that we never imagined. I didn't cry, get emotional, or panic, it was just all too much for me to comprehend. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The doctors started talking about the different risks and complications that they would be checking for as a result of the suspected diagnosis. Congenital heart defects, thyroid issues, eye sight and hearing, as well as feeding issues caused by low muscle tone, which subsequently could cause low blood sugars. They also told us that based on how well she does in the next few hours, it was likely that she would be sent to the NICU. Still, in my mind I thought "but she was born so big, she's already showing interest in nursing, we won't end up in the NICU, that won't be us". So for the next few hours, we worked hard on trying to get some milk into her, and she was definitely trying. But by the evening, her blood sugar was starting to drop, and all of the sudden it became so low that they were rushing her to the NICU. For the next hour 3 nurses tried over and over again to start an IV, and even with the numerous pokes, she didn't even cry. She was so lethargic from the low blood sugar that she didn't have the energy to cry while they poked and prodded to find a vein. So I sat in the wheelchair beside her incubator and cried. I cried for my girl who couldn't even make a sound through the painful procedure, out of fear for all of the risks and possible complications to come, out of fear for all of the challenges we were about to face, and just a little bit out of pity for the unexpected situation that we were suddenly trying to wrap our heads around. So we started her NICU stay with her hooked up to a feeding tube, oxygen, an IV, and all of the probes and leads to check her vitals. </span><br>
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlvMFmcgXoc/Vbhn2Yk8BQI/AAAAAAAACgw/swIUgzPYPZU/s1600/IMG_1639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlvMFmcgXoc/Vbhn2Yk8BQI/AAAAAAAACgw/swIUgzPYPZU/s640/IMG_1639.jpg" width="315"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIbKYuo2iLo/Vbhn2p62kII/AAAAAAAACg0/D7VhXX57nLE/s1600/IMG_1648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIbKYuo2iLo/Vbhn2p62kII/AAAAAAAACg0/D7VhXX57nLE/s640/IMG_1648.jpg" width="300"></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But even with the bumpy start, she proved to us (as we hoped she would) that she was a fighter and a healthy baby, who just happens to have a bit of extra genetic material to love. Her heart, head, eyes, ears, all came back without concern, and she showed everyone that (like her big sister...) she wanted to EAT. Yes, the progress was slow, but we saw an improvement everyday. While most of the medical staff cautioned us to be prepared for a prolonged admission in the NICU, she proved everyone otherwise. So just like the first delivery (albeit for very different reasons), we are home after two weeks and starting a new chapter in our lives.<br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No, it wasn't what I had envisioned, and there is still SO much to learn and a lot of challenges we'll face. But so far, we have been incredibly lucky and fortunate. I'm thankful that we live in a country that has an accessible health care system, and for delivering at a hospital with incredibly supportive staff and facilities that allowed me to stay 24/7 for the 2+ weeks in order to work on feeding/nursing, for our family who despite the unexpected news, have been so accepting and excited for our family of four, and for our friends who have shown us similar support. And most of all, I am thankful for Shaun, who surprised me (in the best way possible) with his almost immediate acceptance and his calmness through the whole ordeal, and for my two happy, healthy, and adorable little girls. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span>
<br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fuCVnSB7_r0/VbhqVZFyKvI/AAAAAAAAChE/BhE7WIb1Rzo/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fuCVnSB7_r0/VbhqVZFyKvI/AAAAAAAAChE/BhE7WIb1Rzo/s640/IMG_1681.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It took me significant effort to even get to this place, this comfort level.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">During my extended admission post delivery, I had psych consults and discussions with the Social Workers. I was on an emotional roller coaster, and often times a sobbing mess, especially as I walked from my room in the Delivery and Recovery Unit, seeing the happy families celebrating their new arrival, while I passed them alone, on my way down to the NICU. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But I've also met some incredible people in the last two weeks, who have opened my eyes to a whole new perspective and outlook on life.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I refuse to let our family be defined or limited by this diagnosis. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, my girl has Down syndrome.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But this is not WHO she is, or will be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's just part of her traits, her characteristics, and I hope that she'll meet and even surpass our expectations if we don't limit her because of her extra chromosome. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqG3Oo_pZhc/Vbhng2LFhiI/AAAAAAAACgg/wm5FL4jlfBc/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqG3Oo_pZhc/Vbhng2LFhiI/AAAAAAAACgg/wm5FL4jlfBc/s640/DSC_0079.JPG" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GJyMVFAfcU/VbhnhMgcTSI/AAAAAAAACgs/vM5ope_yKg8/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6GJyMVFAfcU/VbhnhMgcTSI/AAAAAAAACgs/vM5ope_yKg8/s640/DSC_0084.JPG" width="640"></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Soon after we were given her diagnosis, Shaun sent me this essay that I thought was quite fitting for our situation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.000000pt;"><i>Welcome to Holland </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Emily Perl Kingsley
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who
have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's like this...
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of
guide books and make your wonderful plans. The coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in
Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several
hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome To Holland".
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Holland?!?" you say, "What do you mean "Holland"??? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy.
All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy"
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of
pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">So you must go and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet
a whole new group of people you would never have met.
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there
for a while and you catch your breath, you look around...and you begin to notice that Holland has
windmills...Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy...and they're all bragging about what a
wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes that's where I was
supposed to go. That's what I had planned".
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very
significant loss.
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy
the very special, the very lovely things...about Holland. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So here's to a brand new trip of a lifetime. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 1 at home was sheer madness (as I </span>imagine<span style="font-family: inherit;"> would be the case for most families bringing home a newborn...), but also full of happiness and excitement that we are finally together as a family of four. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I may not feel so optimistic every day, and I anticipate that there will be countless challenges ahead of us, but for now, I'm just going to enjoy being a new mom of two, and that new baby smell, her fluffy head of hair, her little baby sighs and noises, and share the excitement of my big girl finally being able to hug and kiss her baby sister, and find comfort in knowing that we can still do a lot of the things that I had envisioned during my pregnancy, just with a little bit of modification.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESIKOTSW6_A/Vbhx0M1RkNI/AAAAAAAAChU/rc6QWC8Egt8/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESIKOTSW6_A/Vbhx0M1RkNI/AAAAAAAAChU/rc6QWC8Egt8/s640/DSC_0161.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And last but not least, happy due date to our sweet girl.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In your two and a half weeks, you've already taught us patience, acceptance, and opened our eyes to a whole new world that we might otherwise have never known. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_7Md54PZ1E/VbhmyT83l3I/AAAAAAAACgY/7fbD2qMnoJ4/s1600/IMG_1870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="489" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_7Md54PZ1E/VbhmyT83l3I/AAAAAAAACgY/7fbD2qMnoJ4/s640/IMG_1870.jpg" width="640"></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: TT15Ct00;"><br></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7730938773913366947%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4075806352720662829%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-6GJyMVFAfcU%2FVbhnhMgcTSI%2FAAAAAAAACgs%2FvM5ope_yKg8%2Fs640%2FDSC_0084.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=BNdBJg96rYXq&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3348px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7730938773913366947%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4075806352720662829%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-6GJyMVFAfcU%2FVbhnhMgcTSI%2FAAAAAAAACgs%2FvM5ope_yKg8%2Fs640%2FDSC_0084.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=BNdBJg96rYXq&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3348px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-85352524552691450392014-11-10T01:19:00.001-05:002014-11-10T01:19:56.449-05:00two weeks ago.<div style="text-align: center;">
Only 2 weeks since we came back from Trinidad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hard to believe, it feels so much longer ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since then, we've already seen snow, and now we're fighting a nasty virus.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh cold and flu season, we did not miss thee…</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I'm reminiscing in the warmth and sun for a little while longer through pictures from our trip.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(oh it's another photo dump)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A weekend Tobago trip.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqO94mEbyZw/VGBPk8LzMCI/AAAAAAAACbo/i78qly__V8w/s1600/DSC_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqO94mEbyZw/VGBPk8LzMCI/AAAAAAAACbo/i78qly__V8w/s1600/DSC_0133.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I mean… not too shabby right?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m65vCeRsnLI/VGBPlytxYYI/AAAAAAAACbw/jBt3nZN3Dp8/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m65vCeRsnLI/VGBPlytxYYI/AAAAAAAACbw/jBt3nZN3Dp8/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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There was a significant improvement in the beach experience</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
compared to the <a href="http://me-and-sp.blogspot.ca/2013/01/not-so-fun-in-sun.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">previous time</span></a>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBhRl6rf9Z4/VGBWvqpvjhI/AAAAAAAACek/sod__dv5V9o/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBhRl6rf9Z4/VGBWvqpvjhI/AAAAAAAACek/sod__dv5V9o/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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She still refused to go into the water though.</div>
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And she loved the pool, but only if her feet were touching.</div>
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Feet touching:</div>
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Feet not touching:</div>
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Maybe next time she'll join her cousins...</div>
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"mama! fishies!"</div>
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Precious cousin time.</div>
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And some fun with friends.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Sigh… now back to reality (ie. Monday)...</div>
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Double sigh.</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-307983951331839192014-10-31T14:24:00.001-04:002014-10-31T14:24:47.301-04:00it's the great pumpkin.<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Halloween!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not the same holiday for us as it used to be pre-parenthood </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
**small sigh of disappointment**</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and more of a "let me take way too many pictures of my kid with pumpkins and in costume etc"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
kind of situation, but it's still fun nonetheless. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's raining again today like it's becoming a tradition,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but we're hoping to take her out trick or treating for the first time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a <strike>drunk</strike> happy & safe Halloween everyone!</div>
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Lest you think that we're just full of picturesque moments…<br />
This is how we really feel about taking pictures with papa.<br />
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Also, the small pumpkin was immediately stolen from our front step after bringing it home,<br />
and the big one continues to be gnawed at daily.<br />
Papa explained that it was probably a squirrel (I'm thinking more racoon…) that took it.<br />
So her new thing is to yell at any and all squirrels within eyesight.<br />
"No! No squirrels! Go away!"<br />
<br /></div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-83085527492547633962014-10-22T19:21:00.001-04:002014-10-23T00:06:41.863-04:00much needed.<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a very physically challenging and emotionally draining few weeks.<br />
But now we're taking some much, much, very much needed time off<br />
and spending quality time with family.<br />
Lazy days and afternoon naps with my girl is my kind of vacation.<br />
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</div>
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Falling asleep with my girl wrapped around my neck saying</div>
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"love you mama"</div>
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Really, no matter what's happening in life, I know my cup is more than half full.</div>
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Most definitely.</div>
<br /></div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-23482449862065084292014-07-31T01:05:00.000-04:002014-07-31T13:40:28.114-04:00she says the darndest things.<div style="text-align: center;">
Ignore the fact that I haven't been here for 3 & 1/2 months.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Life just keeps happening.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Warning you now that I'm about to do a blitz of the past few months to play catch up.<br>
(it's another massive photo dump)<br>
You've been warned.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We traveled to Japan at the end of May.<br>
My tiny traveller.<br>
She did so well. Carried her own backpack any kept up with me the whole time.</div>
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Vacation attire. Diva attitude.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSkcfcJbaKE/U9mzmQ0yQLI/AAAAAAAACWA/PEOdfC3nH5o/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSkcfcJbaKE/U9mzmQ0yQLI/AAAAAAAACWA/PEOdfC3nH5o/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" height="424" width="640"></a><br>
Visiting temple with jiji and baba.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQn-TGh5-0g/U9m0y5nxcqI/AAAAAAAACWI/qbS6bw7tPYE/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQn-TGh5-0g/U9m0y5nxcqI/AAAAAAAACWI/qbS6bw7tPYE/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG" height="424" width="640"></a><br>
We were only there for 2 weeks and it wasn't enough time at all.<br>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As of June, we have a two year old.<br>
How that happened so fast, I have no idea…<br>
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Who needs actual gifts when you can be SO excited over balloons?<br>
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<br>
The summer's going by too fast.<br>
Is the memory of last winter still WAY too fresh in everyone's mind,<br>
or is it just me?<br>
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(she may be the tiniest tweenager but she's still my baby)<br>
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<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We spend a lot of time playing outside, which sometimes results in injuries…<br>
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<br>
Other summer activities including, but not limited to:<br>
Bubble blowing<br>
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A little vacation.<br>
Ah yes… I can just see our headaches in her teenage years all the way from here...<br>
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Loving the pool.<br>
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Trying to leave required minimal effort…<br>
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<br>
And just generally making the best of the good weather while it lasts.<br>
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(H.A.M.)<br>
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<br>
It's been a good summer so far.<br>
Just let this weather last until October… wishful thinking?<br>
<br>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">The so called "terrible twos". <br>
There are definitely times when she gives us a run for our money,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it's still my favourite stage so far.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her vocabulary seems to grow by the minute, and it's amazing to watch her </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
switch between English with Shaun, and Japanese with me.<br>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some recent highlights:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"mama, your shoes are cute today"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(me) "aw, thanks!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"…ya, it's a little bit cute"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"mama I want to play (a game on the iPhone)"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(me) "no, we're not using the phone right now"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"…ok a little bit"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(me) "no, let's play something else"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"… ok just one time"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(me) "no really, we're not playing with the phone right now"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"… ok last time then"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Persistance…<br>
<br>
(me) "are you a big baby?"<br>
"no, I'm a little big girl"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Shaun) "just hold on we're going home"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Bean) "<i>going hooooooooome</i>"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Shaun) "it's hard to do these things along"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Bean) "<i>things alooooooooone</i>"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shaun's attempts at creating his own family band.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the most frequent used phrases towards Shaun:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"no papa no!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"stop it papa!"<br>
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So it begins already.</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-67655474297342215342014-04-14T21:25:00.000-04:002014-04-15T00:39:37.570-04:00the little pony that (almost) can.<div style="text-align: center;">
And this is why I shouldn't say these things out loud.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday 20+ degrees, today 17 degrees, tomorrow - SNOW.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enough already.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also, it's another feverish sick day at our house.<br />
Haaappy Monday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like I said, ENOUGH ALREADY.<br />
But this isn't what I was going to talk about today...<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once upon a time, she was a little baldy.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(she was probably equally concerned for her lack of hair)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But finally, after almost two years,<br />
she has just enough hair, that's just long enough to tie into the littlest pony.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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Just pulling her hair back made her suddenly seem so much older,<br />
like a little girl… where is my baby?!<br />
I'm so excited, and a tiny bit sad.<br />
She was too busy playing to barely even notice.<br />
And then yanked it right out when she eventually realized that something was in her hair.<br />
And then complained to me that it came out, and told me to put it back in.<br />
We played that "game" about 10 more times.<br />
Oh the joys of having a girl.</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-49137149957675343612014-04-12T09:40:00.000-04:002014-04-12T09:49:58.399-04:00mini michelin woman.<div style="text-align: center;">
For a while it felt like it would never end…</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but hello spring, although I say that with caution because I'm almost convinced</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that the second I let my guard down, it's going to snow again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But in the event that spring is really here to stay, let there be a record of this nugget in her snowsuit. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On a day that was finally warm enough to play outside.<br />
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Of course she wanted nothing to do with the fluffy white snow that was in abundance since December,<br />
but this grey, solid as a rock, left over ice with bits of garbage stuck in it?<br />
Well let me at it.<br />
(as mama stands behind the camera, trying not to freak out)</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-74884806062451588622014-02-23T22:47:00.000-05:002014-02-23T22:47:43.905-05:00thirty…ish.<div style="text-align: center;">
I had my thirty-ish birthday over Family Day weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a woo… hoo.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Age aside, it was still a good day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First thing's first - doughnut break.</div>
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"……"</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
"All of them."<br />
<br />
Second stop - AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario).<br />
Where we spent most of our time playing tag… it was still a good time.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
More interested in creating her own art than looking at someone else's…<br />
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Actually, most interested in throwing pencil crayons.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhf_du1tV1Q/Uwq6JldsLsI/AAAAAAAACR8/DchsSvFvADY/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhf_du1tV1Q/Uwq6JldsLsI/AAAAAAAACR8/DchsSvFvADY/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh our mischievous monkey.<br />
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</div>
"who me?"<br />
(The get-away-with-anything smile)<br />
<br />
Thanks for the birthday calls, emails and messages!</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-82165445167659896632014-02-17T21:02:00.000-05:002014-02-17T22:42:24.105-05:00family wash. cut. blow.<div style="text-align: center;">
A family that haircuts together, stays together…?<br />
Not because it was family day weekend or anything,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we all just really needed haircuts.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCHuEBiCxm0/UwJrI84in0I/AAAAAAAACQc/Vjp1GHIONSQ/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCHuEBiCxm0/UwJrI84in0I/AAAAAAAACQc/Vjp1GHIONSQ/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg" height="450" width="300" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-D3w4q0zQI/UwJrDjjqWCI/AAAAAAAACQQ/GWrmkomaAS8/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-D3w4q0zQI/UwJrDjjqWCI/AAAAAAAACQQ/GWrmkomaAS8/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" height="450" width="300" /></a></div>
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Curious minds want to know...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Watching papa get his hair did.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-97-KEzcCdBU/UwJrAMJO1ZI/AAAAAAAACQA/feE_nasfY98/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-97-KEzcCdBU/UwJrAMJO1ZI/AAAAAAAACQA/feE_nasfY98/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
…but that didn't last long so thank goodness for stickers.<br />
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Mama's turn, then Bean's turn.</div>
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So serious, so still, so quiet, so good. </div>
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Primping is no joke.</div>
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<br />
Hope you had a good long weekend!<br />
(or a regular weekend if you have no idea what "family day" is)<br />
Yay for short work weeks.</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-58122996023479824782014-01-31T23:23:00.000-05:002014-01-31T23:24:43.657-05:00busy: an understatement.<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh hi.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy end of January.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've complained (a lot) about how busy 2013 had been for us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But then life threw us a curve ball and said</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"busy? you haven't seen anything yet".<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To summarize our December to January:<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the ice storm that could probably freeze hell<br />
<br />
followed by a 6 day power outage<br />
during which time, Shaun still slept in our subzero house<br />
in an attempt to prevent our pipes from freezing<br />
<br />
only to wake up on christmas morning to a frozen leaking pipe in our bathroom<br />
<br />
by the time we finally moved back into the house, Shaun had a cold<br />
and I spent the next week trying to prevent the spread of his germs<br />
<br />
Bean started daycare - she cried, mama cried, there was a lot of crying<br />
also, trying to get ready, fed, and out the door in the morning should be an olympic sport<br />
<br />
I went back to work, GAH... 'nough said<br />
<br />
right of passage, the-never-ending-string-of-colds-from-daycare started and hasn't stopped<br />
<br />
I learned the hard way that you can still catch the flu (I'm talkin the liver inflaming, never ending fever,<br />
wicked body pain, rib cage damaging, cough til you vomit kind of flu) even after a flu shot<br />
<br />
and to top it all off, how many extreme cold weather alerts have we had this season?<br />
there's something wrong when I'm clearing snow off of the car without a jacket<br />
because -15<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: start;">°C </span>feels "warm"<br />
needless to say, I have never looked forward to spring more.<br />
<br />
I barely picked up the camera in January, but some highlights of December.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng1b3-johtk/UuxvmKLZaiI/AAAAAAAACPU/9t9vfQnioBI/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng1b3-johtk/UuxvmKLZaiI/AAAAAAAACPU/9t9vfQnioBI/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the love of food.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSFjaRBg5Fs/UuxvpFm3wOI/AAAAAAAACPo/rqJ81kMxFqM/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSFjaRBg5Fs/UuxvpFm3wOI/AAAAAAAACPo/rqJ81kMxFqM/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
We're still working on the exit strategy.<br />
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How to dress up pajamas.<br />
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My baby with my "baby" - as in the dolly my grandma gave me for my 3rd birthday.<br />
And yes, my mother keeps everything.<br />
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It wasn't much of a christmas for us with the power outage, but we still made it work.<br />
And not that you're wondering, but with everything that happened, our christmas tree still stands.<br />
Hopefully I find the motivation to put it away by the end of February. </div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-72480789993013864942013-12-13T12:37:00.000-05:002013-12-13T12:37:37.313-05:00november in pictures.<div style="text-align: center;">
I must've blinked extra long, cause I missed the whole of November.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And half of December.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean, how is it December already? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The speed at which this year has passed is highly alarming...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But back to November:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had the first snow fall.<br />
(She won't step on grass, leaves, dirt, or sand. What makes you think she would step in snow?)<br />
(She also likes to run away naked.)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLafy5zXBhc/UqqqTN4WQCI/AAAAAAAACNA/1CSZkG36eYM/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLafy5zXBhc/UqqqTN4WQCI/AAAAAAAACNA/1CSZkG36eYM/s640/DSC_0021.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Learned how to put on pants. <br />
But due to its highly labour intensive nature, we had to take several breaks.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
We put up the Christmas tree.<br />
Yes, in November.<br />
She loves it - especially the twinkly lights.<br />
It's a lighting ceremony at our house everyday.<br />
"3, 2, 1..."<br />
"wooooooow"<br />
18 month olds are awesome.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-NCQq_blAY/UqqqmgcwktI/AAAAAAAACNQ/3O7RgBQeHik/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-NCQq_blAY/UqqqmgcwktI/AAAAAAAACNQ/3O7RgBQeHik/s640/DSC_0051.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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The ornament bandit has not been as much of a repeat offender as I anticipated.<br />
But our tree is still trimmed ombre style...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gi2cTZK-Yc/UqqqrmL1SFI/AAAAAAAACNs/MJpbYoKASBs/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gi2cTZK-Yc/UqqqrmL1SFI/AAAAAAAACNs/MJpbYoKASBs/s640/DSC_0063.jpg" height="450" width="300" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGQTY7EgpXc/UqqqsEYf8FI/AAAAAAAACNw/tfkNTfwIesE/s1600/DSC_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGQTY7EgpXc/UqqqsEYf8FI/AAAAAAAACNw/tfkNTfwIesE/s640/DSC_0065.jpg" height="450" width="300" /></a></div>
And last but not least, in fact, the highlight of my November (but she'd probably disagree):<br />
we met Santa.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FM0UXtWe3E/Uqqq0H5WnSI/AAAAAAAACN4/nK7GtYtMdlM/s1600/IMG_7002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8FM0UXtWe3E/Uqqq0H5WnSI/AAAAAAAACN4/nK7GtYtMdlM/s640/IMG_7002.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
Classic.<br />
This was the first of four shots that got progressively more desperate.<br />
The entire mall heard my child screaming<br />
"MAMAAAAAAA"<br />
"AAAHHHHHHHHHH"<br />
"MAMAAAAAAA"<br />
as I smiled and waved at her.<br />
I'll take that mother of the year award now, thanks.</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-10907710103845573512013-10-31T18:42:00.000-04:002013-10-31T22:59:30.199-04:00happy halloween. rawr.<div style="text-align: center;">
...wait, do leopards rawr?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyways.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boo to yet another rainy halloween.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not that we were going to go trick-or-treating, since any candy collected </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
would inevitably be eaten by mama and papa.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little Miss wanted to wear her costume a day early.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why not? Better that we get some use out of it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we went to the park and mama was able to take SOME (understatement) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pictures on a nice sunny day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What I mean to say is:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post is a photo dump of my child dressed as a leopard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8qsrAvydT0/UnLWpp0HlfI/AAAAAAAACMY/0SjKDbXv8P4/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8qsrAvydT0/UnLWpp0HlfI/AAAAAAAACMY/0SjKDbXv8P4/s640/DSC_0032.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1E1xIEDLBg/UnLWmUqfQuI/AAAAAAAACMM/id7ypMn_r-g/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1E1xIEDLBg/UnLWmUqfQuI/AAAAAAAACMM/id7ypMn_r-g/s640/DSC_0044.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Who taught her to pose like this?</div>
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I mean really.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaQ9R-5doVo/UnLWqPWNbSI/AAAAAAAACMc/3hBhMMYOjQE/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaQ9R-5doVo/UnLWqPWNbSI/AAAAAAAACMc/3hBhMMYOjQE/s640/DSC_0065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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"I don't get to eat any candy AGAIN?!" </div>
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"I'm very upset with you right now."</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqYpE34g4Vk/UnLWufkhfMI/AAAAAAAACMo/SN5_lo85UC4/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqYpE34g4Vk/UnLWufkhfMI/AAAAAAAACMo/SN5_lo85UC4/s640/DSC_0071.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-570498v4j5Q/UnLWuZ9QuSI/AAAAAAAACMs/MvfHzFVWEmk/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-570498v4j5Q/UnLWuZ9QuSI/AAAAAAAACMs/MvfHzFVWEmk/s640/DSC_0072.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hope you're having a happy & safe halloween!</div>
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<br /></div>
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(and a reminder of what <a href="http://me-and-sp.blogspot.ca/2012/10/a-mini-minnie-mouse.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>a very chubby minnie mouse</b></span></a> looked like)</div>
</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-25124936777830443442013-10-25T15:59:00.000-04:002013-10-25T18:53:40.993-04:00pumpkin patch.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That time we tried to go pumpkin picking and it turned out to be a mistake.</div>
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Well not a mistake, but seemed like every other family in the GTA had the same idea.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xO7bGTIl38/Umqo89l1C7I/AAAAAAAACKc/79TfVqKPhDA/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xO7bGTIl38/Umqo89l1C7I/AAAAAAAACKc/79TfVqKPhDA/s640/DSC_0021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Constantly backtracking here. All the way back to the beginning of October.</div>
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We went/tried to go pumpkin picking. But basically spent the entire time standing in lines.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bzZqEX3-pqU/Umqo9vZA1jI/AAAAAAAACKk/xKa-u4llddY/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bzZqEX3-pqU/Umqo9vZA1jI/AAAAAAAACKk/xKa-u4llddY/s640/DSC_0004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Managed to stay long enough to snap a few pictures...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bylHLh0zUTQ/Umqo-f7M6HI/AAAAAAAACKo/CUUJBeEdAPU/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bylHLh0zUTQ/Umqo-f7M6HI/AAAAAAAACKo/CUUJBeEdAPU/s640/DSC_0007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8wgCuXj7tw/Umqtpel78OI/AAAAAAAACLM/zxwolegkwgQ/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8wgCuXj7tw/Umqtpel78OI/AAAAAAAACLM/zxwolegkwgQ/s640/DSC_0030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Don't let this smile fool you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This city girl absolutely refuses to step on grass (or dirt, or sand...)</div>
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and spent most of the time like this:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSME8TGhuOE/UmqpDxGd04I/AAAAAAAACLA/AKbtuOTjo4U/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSME8TGhuOE/UmqpDxGd04I/AAAAAAAACLA/AKbtuOTjo4U/s640/DSC_0028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In summary, this is how I felt about the whole experience.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZAP-U6lKA8/UmqpDvUCgWI/AAAAAAAACK8/EoIhacVJhMA/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZAP-U6lKA8/UmqpDvUCgWI/AAAAAAAACK8/EoIhacVJhMA/s640/DSC_0037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh ya, makin' memories.<br />
Happy weekend!</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-30719942415764393302013-10-04T21:34:00.000-04:002013-10-04T21:34:22.588-04:00more is more.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I meant to post these a while ago but life got in the way, blah blah... you know the drill.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This girl, lover of hats, scarves, headbands, hairpins... anything that will fit on her head.</div>
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(pants even, boxes even, oh and a toque in 30degree weather even)</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you can't choose one, then wear them all.</div>
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And then check yourself out in the mirror.</div>
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And ask your mama if she thinks you look pretty.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-za9iNNbP0Cc/Uk77U8CG1BI/AAAAAAAACJ8/66vDBMy3Esc/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-za9iNNbP0Cc/Uk77U8CG1BI/AAAAAAAACJ8/66vDBMy3Esc/s400/DSC_0223.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ueBGmC3mQJA/Uk77TewhSaI/AAAAAAAACJs/SBQpdkSSzF0/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ueBGmC3mQJA/Uk77TewhSaI/AAAAAAAACJs/SBQpdkSSzF0/s400/DSC_0224.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iBTBL36OMZM/Uk77TouFiuI/AAAAAAAACJw/7kALbXNRv98/s1600/DSC_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iBTBL36OMZM/Uk77TouFiuI/AAAAAAAACJw/7kALbXNRv98/s400/DSC_0234.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-pXuRrAU9k/Uk77V8EJPuI/AAAAAAAACKA/evMz4h46sy0/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-pXuRrAU9k/Uk77V8EJPuI/AAAAAAAACKA/evMz4h46sy0/s400/DSC_0238.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once upon a time when I was a little thing, I too practiced the "more is more" approach to fashion. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(although mine was probably "more is more and maybe a little more")</div>
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Also, I may have had an "I insist on wearing my pink swimming cap" era in the mid80s. </div>
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So with that image, I bid you adieu.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Have a great weekend!</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-5288696241482993532013-10-01T21:59:00.000-04:002013-10-01T21:59:26.453-04:00hi. i'm still here.<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi Hi</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Too many things have been happening around here and I haven't been able to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
find the time (or energy) to make my way over here.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mainly, we moved (!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With some very helpful friends (and a little person who likes to think that she's helping),</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we moved into our new place over the weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're still living out of boxes, on a mattress on the floor,<br />
with no curtains on the windows, but it's nice to finally start settling in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And there's no greater motivation for me to unpack, than a toddler who likes to ransack anything/everything within reach, and eat cardboard (amongst many other non-edible objects).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since my last post, Moo is walking, starting to say words </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(and tries to repeat everything we say... gotta watch our mouths)</div>
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and has gone from baby to toddler way too quickly.<br />
With the attitude she gets when she doesn't get her way,<br />
it's like she's 16months, going on 16 years.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're still scrambling around here, but I want (hope) to update more often!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFobzmyhSgA/Ukt7gkENQXI/AAAAAAAACJE/_-gS3254aHg/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFobzmyhSgA/Ukt7gkENQXI/AAAAAAAACJE/_-gS3254aHg/s640/DSC_0037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MApxk6f0RUg/Ukt7lkFuOLI/AAAAAAAACJg/LrZW2hT9xs8/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MApxk6f0RUg/Ukt7lkFuOLI/AAAAAAAACJg/LrZW2hT9xs8/s640/DSC_0057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CschsPKrliY/Ukt7lT5TKxI/AAAAAAAACJc/ZPxTON2t0zo/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CschsPKrliY/Ukt7lT5TKxI/AAAAAAAACJc/ZPxTON2t0zo/s640/DSC_0059.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Be back soon!</div>
</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-45619005485181068702013-08-27T14:25:00.000-04:002013-08-27T14:25:25.377-04:00out west.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfLOpxmjqYg/UhzoZ7uix7I/AAAAAAAACHo/VX7fHrXX9NQ/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfLOpxmjqYg/UhzoZ7uix7I/AAAAAAAACHo/VX7fHrXX9NQ/s640/DSC_0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
We're in BC!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My idea of a vacation is to sleep in without an alarm clock,</div>
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eating lunch (that I did not have to prepare myself)</div>
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and going back to sleep.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So can I call it a vacation if I've been getting even less sleep than usual?</div>
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A little girl refuses to sleep unless she's literally on top of her mama<br />
can be cause for some serious sleep deprivation...</div>
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At least I don't have to cook.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FHV9Mcu_KuI/Uhzoqcw4_bI/AAAAAAAACIY/jaHVon-j2LE/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FHV9Mcu_KuI/Uhzoqcw4_bI/AAAAAAAACIY/jaHVon-j2LE/s640/DSC_0126.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My girl. Lover of fast rides and heights.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nD3mRNOL2o/UhzoaYG46II/AAAAAAAACHs/8KWCLOWu1ls/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nD3mRNOL2o/UhzoaYG46II/AAAAAAAACHs/8KWCLOWu1ls/s640/DSC_0070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-36366677151663825622013-08-17T15:18:00.002-04:002013-08-17T22:00:13.161-04:00that kind of week.<div style="text-align: center;">
The kind of week where the neighbour's dog wakes up Bean in the middle of the night,<br />
and 5min after she's finally gone back down, the (false) fire alarm goes off for 20min<br />
and it takes me the next 2hrs to put her back to sleep.</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then it goes off again the next day - during nap time of course. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I get two giant bruises from mom related injuries. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I get 2hrs of sleep on Thursday night. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And by Friday, I'm contemplating drinking wine at 10am. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So hallelujah for the weekend. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
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Hope you have a good one!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhdyIteCrGQ/Ug_LMGeSaaI/AAAAAAAACG8/d43W7aDOY6Y/s1600/DSC_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhdyIteCrGQ/Ug_LMGeSaaI/AAAAAAAACG8/d43W7aDOY6Y/s640/DSC_0139.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxYmfuBSS2o/Ug_LMz_H5MI/AAAAAAAACHA/2fsEDnj-AlE/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxYmfuBSS2o/Ug_LMz_H5MI/AAAAAAAACHA/2fsEDnj-AlE/s640/DSC_0143.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
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Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-74223371435961554992013-08-06T21:52:00.001-04:002013-08-06T23:27:07.600-04:00the zoo part two.<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope you had a good weekend!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I woke up this morning with a hangover... (?!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apparently this is what happens to me when I've had a 2 year hiatus </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from alcohol and have more than one drink. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just skip the buzz, the flush, all of it, and head straight to the best part.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I digress.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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We went back to the zoo this weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hoped that it wouldn't be too busy, since I imagined everyone out of town, at their cottages.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was wrong.</div>
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All of the like-minded cottage-less people decided to go see some pandas too.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhRZxG4edew/UgGKYuK4xLI/AAAAAAAACE0/lYOCUC7IIOU/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhRZxG4edew/UgGKYuK4xLI/AAAAAAAACE0/lYOCUC7IIOU/s640/DSC_0018.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"what are we looking at?"</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lddRUfimsq4/UgGKYZ8GYNI/AAAAAAAACEw/43rdM2nECOY/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lddRUfimsq4/UgGKYZ8GYNI/AAAAAAAACEw/43rdM2nECOY/s640/DSC_0019.jpg" width="315" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB8mi8shIrE/UgGKY2xXP4I/AAAAAAAACE4/e7tH8PTylPs/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB8mi8shIrE/UgGKY2xXP4I/AAAAAAAACE4/e7tH8PTylPs/s640/DSC_0021.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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Pointing at the pandas. </div>
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Or maybe at all of the people who are blocking her view of the pandas.</div>
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(I feel the latter, based on that pout...)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_uqQfCZ8WM/UgGKbr6bwsI/AAAAAAAACFE/F0xUDH9jnd8/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_uqQfCZ8WM/UgGKbr6bwsI/AAAAAAAACFE/F0xUDH9jnd8/s640/DSC_0028.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ha2roU6ByBI/UgGKb6SOJyI/AAAAAAAACFI/sv-DRstGIu8/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ha2roU6ByBI/UgGKb6SOJyI/AAAAAAAACFI/sv-DRstGIu8/s640/DSC_0031.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
You have to wonder where she gets that expression from.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7XsT-k9bZ4/UgGhKn5xzJI/AAAAAAAACF8/2iOrV7bt_lU/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7XsT-k9bZ4/UgGhKn5xzJI/AAAAAAAACF8/2iOrV7bt_lU/s320/DSC_0073.JPG" width="315" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr80ztmDg3U/UgGgQlox_nI/AAAAAAAACFY/rmQZGbBMY6M/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr80ztmDg3U/UgGgQlox_nI/AAAAAAAACFY/rmQZGbBMY6M/s320/DSC_0078.JPG" width="315" /></a></div>
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D.I.V.A.</div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk_FwAOPB2E/UgGgQu25ypI/AAAAAAAACFc/6qb57vu7yu8/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk_FwAOPB2E/UgGgQu25ypI/AAAAAAAACFc/6qb57vu7yu8/s320/DSC_0081.JPG" width="315" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TXSa-B64GE/UgGgS4s-4aI/AAAAAAAACFs/AjWXRG9hY0c/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TXSa-B64GE/UgGgS4s-4aI/AAAAAAAACFs/AjWXRG9hY0c/s320/DSC_0103.JPG" width="315" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nsdc3Ojgos/UgGKHgPl-1I/AAAAAAAACD8/iuieug1cnfE/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nsdc3Ojgos/UgGKHgPl-1I/AAAAAAAACD8/iuieug1cnfE/s640/DSC_0117.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
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Checking out the giraffes.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAE7G6fasQE/UgGKIKkhgzI/AAAAAAAACEA/yEfGxuonsjc/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAE7G6fasQE/UgGKIKkhgzI/AAAAAAAACEA/yEfGxuonsjc/s640/DSC_0125.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
And the elephants.<br />
It was even better than <b style="color: #8e7cc3;"><a href="http://me-and-sp.blogspot.ca/2013/05/birthday-weekend.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">the first time</span></a> </b>because she was even more alert and aware, and was super excitedly pointing at all the animals.<br />
She even went on the merry-go-round. Which if you saw my Instagram video,<br />
was about the best $3 we have ever spent.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pvFeZ3X2UM/UgGlpJl2KVI/AAAAAAAACGM/rtccZGYyD_4/s1600/DSC_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pvFeZ3X2UM/UgGlpJl2KVI/AAAAAAAACGM/rtccZGYyD_4/s640/DSC_0136.jpg" width="315" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07y81OMnTzs/UgGlpwnBg2I/AAAAAAAACGU/t_2eRhprRxc/s1600/DSC_0139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07y81OMnTzs/UgGlpwnBg2I/AAAAAAAACGU/t_2eRhprRxc/s640/DSC_0139.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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Blowing me kisses. I die.</div>
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I know this is turning into a total photo dump, but two more.</div>
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Because on the way back to the car, I took one of my favourite shots as of late (and maybe ever).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWcGhCxhk_w/UgGKOAfLpJI/AAAAAAAACEU/IJcNCEqmGwo/s1600/DSC_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWcGhCxhk_w/UgGKOAfLpJI/AAAAAAAACEU/IJcNCEqmGwo/s640/DSC_0156.jpg" width="315" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy9aWwoGDqk/UgGKP7__COI/AAAAAAAACEg/88UkIR096V0/s1600/DSC_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy9aWwoGDqk/UgGKP7__COI/AAAAAAAACEg/88UkIR096V0/s640/DSC_0158.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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Perfectly epitomizes our girl right now.</div>
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I hope she stays this happy forever.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ok, Now I'm done.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by!</div>
</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-54063454319638126262013-08-02T20:21:00.002-04:002013-08-02T22:50:53.939-04:00it's friday, so we're having a dance party.<div style="text-align: center;">
In the ever wise words of Liz Lemon...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"aaaaahhhhhh things are happeningggggg"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To say we're "busy" may be a slight understatement.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it's Friday, it's the long weekend, and we are celebrating the fact that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we are going to take a break, relax,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and calm the * down.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now please enjoy a clip of our child grooving to her summer jam. Waving a rag and everything.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's in her blood I tell ya.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="282" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/71618244" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Happy Weekend!</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-39741310845868176052013-07-19T21:40:00.000-04:002013-07-19T21:40:46.920-04:00bedtime battles.<div style="text-align: center;">
And the teething continues. </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which I can assume is the only reason why the 1-5am wake up calls also continue. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or so I keep telling myself in hopes that the wake ups will stop when the teething ends. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nowadays, she usually goes down to sleep (naps and for the night) fighting and screaming. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She'll cry and squirm (and scream) while I bounce, swing, hop, lunge until she finally gives in. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe because she's over tired by the time I finally get her to sleep... (my bad) </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But there's also some times when she'll be so smiley and chatty. Talking and giggling, and touching my face, and she drifts off, just like that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tonight was one of those nights. <br />
I love those nights.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(1 month)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHeD1q4ZJgE/UenjkULbduI/AAAAAAAACCM/Kd6hTte6ZkY/s1600/IMG_1545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHeD1q4ZJgE/UenjkULbduI/AAAAAAAACCM/Kd6hTte6ZkY/s640/IMG_1545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(2 months)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84uRAQLFBk8/Uenj-43WMvI/AAAAAAAACCU/WvPeIkv-7OA/s1600/IMG_2407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84uRAQLFBk8/Uenj-43WMvI/AAAAAAAACCU/WvPeIkv-7OA/s640/IMG_2407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(5 months)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1CnED5wZYU/UenkR3V5xlI/AAAAAAAACCc/oUOOdjPuiog/s1600/IMG_3976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1CnED5wZYU/UenkR3V5xlI/AAAAAAAACCc/oUOOdjPuiog/s640/IMG_3976.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(11 months)</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJhkD9CZVdY/UenpdnwZDSI/AAAAAAAACDE/AfnbDAESIn4/s1600/IMG_5538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJhkD9CZVdY/UenpdnwZDSI/AAAAAAAACDE/AfnbDAESIn4/s640/IMG_5538.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(1 year)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LmFX_0mnM4I/UenkyM7GFkI/AAAAAAAACCs/Tj8L7GckH4E/s1600/IMG_5940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LmFX_0mnM4I/UenkyM7GFkI/AAAAAAAACCs/Tj8L7GckH4E/s640/IMG_5940.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Today)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ArNYwJAdpHU/UenlYS7XTfI/AAAAAAAACC0/TQE9XIMlY58/s1600/IMG_6002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ArNYwJAdpHU/UenlYS7XTfI/AAAAAAAACC0/TQE9XIMlY58/s640/IMG_6002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And now I get to sit down for what feels like the first time today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it's the weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hallelujah.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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***all pictures from this post taken on my iPhone4s***</div>
</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-51998164582009598692013-07-17T22:19:00.002-04:002013-07-17T22:19:56.714-04:00a little dip.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vbbhivi1-ek/UedFh5P1mWI/AAAAAAAACBc/MBnuX9b1oFM/s1600/DSC_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vbbhivi1-ek/UedFh5P1mWI/AAAAAAAACBc/MBnuX9b1oFM/s640/DSC_0189.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, we were all complaining about it not being hot enough this summer,<br />
and I guess we got our wish.<br />
So thank goodness for friends with access to a pool.<br />
Especially when they turn off our water for repairs blah blah blah...<br />
and close our pool for the entire summer for renovations (the timing is impeccable).<br />
Considering what happened <a href="http://me-and-sp.blogspot.ca/2013/01/not-so-fun-in-sun.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">the last time</span></b></a> Bean went into a body of water other than the bathtub,<br />
I was a little nervous...<br />
But first things first.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHn3m-Y7z0E/UedFViSZ4JI/AAAAAAAACAo/61cZI01yVlA/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHn3m-Y7z0E/UedFViSZ4JI/AAAAAAAACAo/61cZI01yVlA/s640/DSC_0120.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
Just exuding enthusiasm right here.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eyYpPB1if0M/UedFXaLW5xI/AAAAAAAACAw/Fw5nWtoYVmg/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eyYpPB1if0M/UedFXaLW5xI/AAAAAAAACAw/Fw5nWtoYVmg/s640/DSC_0121.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
Some pre-swimming stretching.<br />
And big brother already enjoying himself.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCeMDpxCcK4/UedFVT-lTxI/AAAAAAAACAk/bDKB2mYVjnE/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LCeMDpxCcK4/UedFVT-lTxI/AAAAAAAACAk/bDKB2mYVjnE/s640/DSC_0141.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
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Pouty McPouterson.</div>
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She's about to start enjoying herself I swear.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WA40IuHICvI/UedFaHuAmVI/AAAAAAAACBA/nZvd3FFHozM/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WA40IuHICvI/UedFaHuAmVI/AAAAAAAACBA/nZvd3FFHozM/s640/DSC_0159.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
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Told ya.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCUzIGJz9Ac/UedFevPaOlI/AAAAAAAACBU/ixNAfD0DRG8/s1600/DSC_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCUzIGJz9Ac/UedFevPaOlI/AAAAAAAACBU/ixNAfD0DRG8/s640/DSC_0173.JPG" width="670" /></a></div>
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But she spent most of the time trying to skim dead bugs and totally grossing me out.</div>
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And the rest of the time she spent trying to eat rocks, grass... and of course bugs.</div>
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Wooooo pool days!!!<br />
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Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7730938773913366947.post-75199331295235087902013-07-15T22:46:00.000-04:002013-07-16T00:20:26.998-04:00pieces of the weekend.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Morning at the park.</div>
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"doggies!"<br />
(or anybody else that walks by! because I insist on waving to everyone!)<br />
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At <a href="http://www.edsrealscoop.com/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>Ed's</b></span></a> for some ice creams...<br />
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Picking out flavours is serious business.<br />
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Eating is also serious business.</div>
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It's been a year since we were here last.<br />
The little baldy bundle.<br />
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(do we always match outfits? um ya, we do a lot of the time. she hasn't learned to say "no" yet.)<br />
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Teething is a b*tch for everyone involved.<br />
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A little dinner at the Distillery.<br />
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"Cheers!"<br />
(is it the weekend yet?)</div>
Naohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600601689195260009noreply@blogger.com0