tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48008264990005514442024-02-06T20:44:40.041-06:00Just ThinkingIt's a crazy world...but an amazing life!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-33869604831543768752014-11-05T18:53:00.001-06:002014-11-05T18:53:23.691-06:00Bringing Her HomeBryan went by the vet today and collected Haley's ashes, which we'll bury out back on a less rainy day. I hadn't cried in a few days, but bringing her remains home sure did it. Since I wasn't there with her when she passed, part of me was still half looking for her as we go about our day. Seeing her cremation certificate and having the box she's in come home helps reinforce the reality of her passing. That's a good thing, even if it hurts like hell. <br />
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I think Caylee has realized that Haley isn't coming home--she's talking about her more, but calling for her less. She'll say "Haley bit you, but Haley's sorry." And I'll follow it up with "Yes, Haley's sorry. She loves you, but had to go bye bye." It's still a punch in the gut, but at least it shows that she's processing Haley's absence. Annabelle's doing better as well. She's not looking for Haley anymore, and is slowly becoming less clingy, though she still refuses to be left downstairs if the rest of us are up. Bryan and I are adjusting too, slowly. It's been 8 days since we had to make the call to put her down, and, though we still miss our big dog like crazy, every day gets a bit better.<br />
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We love you Haley. Good dog. RIP. Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-11087125997593574712014-10-29T18:15:00.000-05:002014-10-31T11:04:52.811-05:00RIP Haley, We'll Always Love and Miss You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok. I've been debating posting about this, but it's the only way I can think of to let everyone know, without having to rehash it by telling everyone individually. None of us are really up to talking about this a whole lot at the moment, but I would rather people know so that we can heal without reopening wounds every time we have to tell it again.<br />
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We made the extremely difficult and heartbreaking decision to put Haley down yesterday. She had been an amazing dog for 7 years, but in the last month and a half something in her changed. She attacked and almost killed a family member's dog without warning or provocation back in September. On Monday evening, she and Caylee were playing just fine, and then Haley followed me into the kitchen. Caylee followed right behind her, and touched her on the back (not a slap or a grab--literally just put her hand on her), and Haley spun around and went after Caylee. She knocked her down and bit her face and didn't stop until I yelled and grabbed her, which fortunately was pretty quick since I was standing right there. <br />
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Caylee is fine. We took her to an urgent care clinic and they superglued the deeper puncture. Everything else is healing up fine, and she shouldn't have much of a scar. It could have been so much worse, and we are grateful it wasn't.<br />
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I wish Haley had growled or given me some sign so I could have stopped her, but there was no warning. While Haley had been a bit unpredictable around new dogs, and would respond in kind to aggressive dogs, she never exhibited unprovoked dog aggression until September, and had never exhibited any sort of human aggression until Monday. She had growled at Caylee once or twice in the past, and snapped a couple of time when Caylee hurt her accidentally--both normal dog communications that Caylee had done a good job of learning to respect--but she never gave any sign that she would actually hurt Caylee, especially without any provocation. She was always patient with her, and would go behind the couch or to the bedroom if she didn't want to play.<br />
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With this incident following so closely on the heels of her attacking our cousin's dog, we knew that we couldn't keep Haley. Though it was very tempting to rationalize doing so, Caylee's safety, especially in her own home, takes priority. Besides, any plan we could come up with for keeping her would have inherently decreased Haley's quality of life in our home. We tried to get her into a non-kill shelter or rescue group to rehome her, but because of the incident with my cousin's dog, and especially because she attacked a child, no one would take her. We talked to friends and family, but no one was in a position to take her. We talked about putting her up online, but couldn't bear the thought of her ending up in a bad home, or as fight dog bait, or possibly attacking someone else's child, or grandchild. We talked about training as an option--the problem is there was no observable trigger either time. It wasn't a pattern of aggression, but instead moments where Haley just unpredictably snapped. I really think something was starting to go wrong in her head. So, we made the best decision we could among all the bad ones, and chose to have her put to sleep at our vet's office, which she always enjoyed going to, with her boy by her side. <br />
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I spent the morning beforehand loving on her and giving her treats and ice bones. Haley was on her best behavior, knowing she had done something wrong, but she was her happy, normal, cuddly self. She was my big cuddle bug velcro dog, so I cuddled her a lot. I brought Caylee downstairs to hug her and say goodbye, so that Haley would know that Caylee was ok and not mad at her and so that the bite wouldn't be her last memory of Haley (for however long her memories of Haley last). Caylee wasn't afraid at all, and Haley nuzzled her. Bryan took her, and was with her the whole time. He got to love on her for a good hour before the procedure itself, and said she wasn't ever scared, just the normal vet office slight nervousness, and that it was very peaceful.<br />
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We are pretty torn up right now, and Annabelle is pretty sad and confused, but time will help. Soon we'll be able to look back at our time with Haley, and it will bring comfort and not sadness and regret. I miss my dog, and am heartbroken, but she attacked my child--Caylee comes first, period. Anyway, if you're still reading, feel free to stop here. As I've said, it's not something we really want to discuss or talk about much. That said, for my own processing, I'm going to make a list of all the things I'll miss about Haley, and my favorite memories. Feel free to read them, or not.<br />
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I will miss her jumping into bed in the mornings, after Bryan went to work, and cuddling. <br />
I'll miss how soft her fur was, especially her ears. <br />
I will miss the adorable way she perked her ears forward when we said one of her words (even words like bro-co-li), for all the world looking like the 6 month old pup we first brought home. <br />
I'll miss how high she could spring into the air, and the looks on people's faces when they saw her jump for the first time. <br />
I will miss how she would lay on the stair landing while we were upstairs with the baby, or when one of us was upstairs and the other was down, just so she could keep an eye on all of us. <br />
I'll miss the way she would let me know when the baby way up from her nap, even before the monitor picked it up, by coming to get me or by sitting on the stairs and staring at me. I'll miss how her she would jiggle her legs while sitting on the stairs.<br />
I will miss her low bark when she wanted to go outside and we weren't moving quickly enough, and her loud bark when she heard something in the yard at night. <br />
I'll miss how she would always lay on the bed or outside the bathroom door while I was showering, just to make sure she knew where I was.<br />
I will miss the way she loved to go on walks, and it will always haunt me a little bit just how excited she was to go on leash and go to Bryan's truck, and ride away shotgun style. <br />
I'll miss the way she greeted us at the door, and how she would tell us when it was time to go to bed. I will miss the way she would come back out and lay on the couch beside me when I couldn't sleep and decided to stay up and binge watch TV. <br />
I'll miss the way she would go to sleep behind the chair in our room, only to get up after we were all in bed and kick Annabelle off the pillows on the floor at the foot of our bed and curl up. <br />
I will miss watching her run with Annabelle in the back yard, doing laps. <br />
I'll miss the way her head popped up in the backdoor window when she wanted to come inside.<br />
I'll miss they way they wrestled and played together, and the way they would hunt lizards in tandem. I will miss the way they would always go to "their" bowls--there's only one bowl now. <br />
I'll miss the way she took her time to eat, then drink, then go outside. <br />
I will miss the way she was always underfoot in the kitchen, and the way she would curl up in my lap, or lean against my legs. <br />
I'll miss watching Caylee hug her and watching them play. <br />
I will miss hearing her "sing" with Annabelle when Caylee cries/screams, and I'll miss hearing Caylee say Haley's name as she slowly fades from her day-to-day life and memory. <br />
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I'll never forget how she loped up to Bryan when we first went to see her, and how she sprawled in his lap. She jumped in his truck without hesitation, sat in my lap in the front seat, and didn't look back. She wore the collar she had on that day every day, and would get very affronted if you took it off of her. <br />
I will never forget when she caught the sparrow in midair, and was so proud of herself--and was so confused as to why I was crying. I'll never forget when she came back to camp at the ranch holding a deer leg, looking as if she'd just done the best thing in the world by raiding a deer dump.<br />
I'll never forget her wading into cacti to get at the turkey buttermilk that Bryan had dumped there. <br />
I will never forget how beautiful and strong she looked when pointing at birds. <br />
I'll never forget how she mostly clipped her own nails by biting them off. <br />
I will never forget how she loved her walks, how she played with Penny, and Dixie, and Tiberius and Abby. <br />
I'll never forget the way she loved her jingle tire ball, and how confused she was about playing fetch outside instead of inside. <br />
I will never forget her running full speed down the length of our first married apartment and the entry hall in our home, and not being able to stop. She would skitter and slam into the door, get up and shake and jump around, and then do it again.<br />
I'll never forget her nervous tick when we first moved into our house--she would stand next to a wall and tap it with her foot. We had Haley footprints under our dining room window until we repainted.<br />
I will never forget coming back into the house, after forgetting something on the way out the door, only to find Haley standing on the dining room table, trying to see out the window to see where we had gone. And I'll never forget her and Annabelle howling together when we would go on a walk without them--we could hear them clear around the block.<br />
I'll never forget how, after I swatted her with a wooden spoon one time, she found the spoon in the sink and shredded it--and had a vendetta agains wooden spoons forever more.<br />
I will never forget her stealing most of my carefully-made crab cakes--off of the island, without moving the plate an inch. <br />
I'll never forget her doing her tricks for cookies.<br />
I'll never forget the way she would flip her head upside down to look at me, instead of just turning around, especially when I had stopped petting her without her permission. Her ears would flop back and then she would head butt my hand until pettings resumed. <br />
I will also never forget the times when I was reading a book instead of paying attention to her, and she would insert her head under my book and throw her nose upwards--sending my book flying across the room--and then lean into my legs and put her head in my lap.<br />
I will never forget her cuddling me when I was on bed rest, and how she would rest her head on my pregnant belly, or the way she and Annabelle would supervise feedings and diaper changes when Caylee was tiny.<br />
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Rest in peace, sweet Haley dog. Putting you down is easily the hardest decision we've ever had to make. I don't know why you snapped and attacked Caylee, and I don't understand, but you were incredibly loved and are and will be sorely missed. Good dog. <br />
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<br />Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-13788888348933399952014-08-02T14:36:00.001-05:002014-08-02T14:36:43.815-05:00ActemRA UpdateSUCCESS!!! Sort of lol.<br />
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Actemra is working, for the most part, and I'm doing better than I've been since before going off of everything to start trying to get pregnant, and I've even been able to start a moderate, very low-impact workout regimen here at home. I'm not doing as well as I did when first on Remicade, but I'm also not on my max dosage. And that is the part of all this that has been a success.<br />
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On the "sort of" side of things, my liver enzymes are being stupid. By that I mean they keep going up. They aren't at "oh-my-god-stop-everything" levels yet, but it's definitely something that is concerning enough that Dr. C is continuing blood work monitoring every 4 weeks. Additionally, he has decided to keep me at my current Actemra dose until/unless my numbers come back down. Or, at the very least, stop going up. The other "sort of" is that I am still on methotrexate, and Dr. C is not overly optimistic about me ever being able to stop taking that little brat of a drug. <br />
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All that said, I'm still feeling cautiously optimistic about Actemra. I'm doing my part to try to get those pesky liver enzymes to come back down by cutting down my alcohol consumption--which I know I'm not technically supposed to enjoy anyway. I normally don't have more than, say 5 drinks in a week; however, now I am trying to cut back to only 1-2 drinks a week. So far I've been successful! Additionally, in the trying to increase the effectiveness of my current Actemra dose, I've been refocusing on my weight loss efforts. I'm trying to be more aware of what and when I eat, making the choice to be more active throughout the day, and by engaging in the aforementioned workout regimen (courtesy of <a href="http://www.fitnessblender.com/" target="_blank">Fitness Blender</a>) in an attempt to boost my energy level, lower my stress level (sans wine lol), and, of course, lose some weight. Daniel and Kelli, a husband-wife team of professional trainers, make and share free workout videos. They also sell workout regimen PDFs organizing their videos according to specific health and fitness goals. The one that I am following cost about $5 and is a 4 week low-impact workout routine meant for both beginners AND for people with health issues. Hey look! I'm both of those lol. Anyway, they are very big on proper form, listening to your body, and working out according to your individual ability--all of which are attitudes that I would expect and require of in-person personal trainers. I'm enjoying it so much that I'm going to cancel my gym membership--saving $42 a month--and I'm already seeing results after only a couple of weeks! Suffice it to say, I'm very pleased with my $5 purchase.<br />
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For the immediate future, I'm going to continue to implement these health changes as consistently as I can, and hope that my pissy little liver calms down. Ideally, I will be able to get on the larger dose of Actemra in the coming months and see even more improvement! Fingers crossed!<br />
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<br />Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-45683509933540298102014-04-21T09:00:00.000-05:002014-04-21T09:00:01.145-05:00ActemRAWell, my Remicade is crapping out on me. It has been slowly losing effectiveness for several months now; however, within the past two months, that process has started to accelerate. My rheumy let me know that we should start looking at other options back in October, but I just couldn't let go of the hope the it was just a lull in effectiveness. January and February disabused me of that hope, and March and April have only clarified the need to try something else. After looking at the options my doctor presented, I'm about to start Actemra this week, provided that all the insurance stuff goes smoothly. It's an IV infusion, like the Remicade, only much shorter, lasting one hour instead of 3. It also targets a different part of the immune response (IL-6), and so, hopefully, will have a good chance at succeeding where Remicade has failed. So, it looks like I will be starting my 4th "big boy" drug--methotrexate, Enbrel, Remicade, and now Actemra. <div>
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I'm scared. And feel silly for being scared. It's not like this is my first drug switch, or even my first IV or biologic medication. The side effects are basically the same as Remicade, with a few new rare ones thrown in, just to keep things interesting. I seem to be an ideal candidate for success, according to both my independent research and my doctor's opinion. I guess it's just that whole "fear of the unknown" thing, combined with the fear of failure. I'm tired of drugs ceasing to work, and it scares the hell out of me that my body seems to burn through them much faster than normal. Enbrel was supposed to be effective for 5 years--I burned out in 2.5. People stay on Remicade for 10+ years--I'm switching after a total of less than 4. Granted, that might be due to going off of it for the pregnancy and then trying to restart it again, so, my bad, I guess lol. Not something I regret even a little bit, even now that I'm facing another switch. I would just really like Actemra to work, work well, and work for awhile...and so I'm scared it won't.</div>
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The good news is if, worse case, Actemra doesn't work, or stops working, we still have a couple of other options on the table, and more options are being developed on a yearly basis. Hopefully, the speed of medical advancement will surpass the rate at which my body adjusts to the current drugs. At some point, I'll probably have to become a guinea pig, so to speak, but I keep holding out hope that day is pretty far in the future. Kind of like the possibility of ending up in a wheel chair or the reality of a future elbow replacement surgery--I'm planning on putting that shit off as long as possible. After all, what am I, if not the queen of procrastination? ;-)</div>
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Anywho, on the upside, going on Actemra means there's a high likelihood that I will be able to STOP methotrexate all together, and seeing as I wanted off that med even before I started taking it, that's enough of a bright spot to help dispel the encroaching gloom of another failed drug. So, hooray for Actemra! Here's hoping you prove my fears to be unfounded, and my particular pain-in-the-ass case of RA to be no match for your medical might! </div>
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And so, my journey with RA continues. Time to take the next step, and start making phone calls to ensure the bureaucratic paperwork part goes smoothly. Wish me luck!</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-27062465721648921312014-04-18T17:03:00.000-05:002014-04-19T11:46:44.555-05:00Expanding My CraftinessExciting news! I'm not as completely hopeless at making things as I've always believed myself to be! Lol, seriously though, I'm starting to learn another craft, in addition to knitting. While knitting is my first love, and I'm definitely keeping busy turning yarn into finished products, I have found another crafting love. My amazing husband knocked it out of the park with his Christmas 2013 gift to me--a shiny new sewing machine and a class to go along with it! The class was taught at the local yarn shop by one of my friends, and by the end of it, I had successfully completely a placemat! Since then, I have also made a lined drawstring toddler backpack for my nephew's first birthday, and helped my friend Julie show a quilt top! I have a few other things I want to make too, and I'm very excited to have added another craft to my hobby list! The only downside is that sewing is shaping up to be just as addictive of a hobby as knitting is...I stayed up until 4:30am working on the backpack without realizing it! While I can definitely stand a little sleep deprivation for the sake of the craft, my wallet just sighs--fabric and yarn are definitely going to eat any discretionary funds I can squeeze out of my budget! Anyway, here couple of pictures of the drawstring backpack I made!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">Upcoming Knitting Projects:</span><br />
MORE baby hats lol<br />
A couple of shawls<br />
Finishing a couple of almost-done and just-started projects<br />
A slouchy hat<br />
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Upcoming Sewing Projects:<br />
A drawstring backpack for Caylee<br />
A stuffed dino for Caylee<br />
Possibly starting my first quilt!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-33340003439995018102014-04-16T16:47:00.000-05:002014-04-16T16:47:53.075-05:00Where in the World Does The Time Go?Hello to anyone out there reading this! I can' believe my last post was in September, and here we are in April already...and I promised myself I would do a better job at keeping this blog updated! Oh well, nothing to do but try again, I suppose.<br />
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Let's see...I guess I'll start with October. HI made Caylee's costume this year--she was a zebra! Unfortunately, we were all sick on Halloween itself, so I just let her run around the house in her costume lol. November brought the birth of my cousin's second kiddo, a beautiful little girl we'll call R. That same month, however, also brought the hospitalization of my Papa. We stayed in town for Thanksgiving, and family came in for Christmas. Bryan's birthday was a lot of fun--dinner and a movie with some friends. Papa's surgeries all seemed to go well, and we even got to visit him Christmas Eve with all of my dad's side of the family, minus some of my cousins who were out of state. New Year's was a pretty laid back affair, and 2014 got started. We all got sick again, which seemed to be a pattern--Oct, Dec, Jan, and Feb too. My birthday came and went--dinner with lots of fun folks and realizing that I'm only a year away from 30 lol. We all hoped that Papa's recovery would continue making progress; however, it did not--he continued to have major set backs, and he finally came to the end of his journey with us. He passed in the beginning of February; however, Bryan and I and the baby all had a stomach flu the week of the funeral and didn't get to go. That was very difficult for me, to not be with my family to say our last goodbyes, but at the same time, I know that Papa was already gone, and I like to believe he and my Dee Dee are keeping an eye on those of us still here. Before I knew it, it was suddenly March. Caylee and I went to Fredericksburg with my parents to visit my Gan Gan for a week, and had a wonderful time seeing family and enjoying being in the Hill Country. Now, it's April--well, that got us caught back up fairly quickly!<br />
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Caylee is 20 months old today, which I can scarcely believe. She knows how to count 1-10, can say all of her ABCs, knows how to spell her name verbally, speaks in sentences and phrases, has several books mostly memorized, and doesn't stop moving until she's asleep lol. She's not quite ready for potty training yet, but I think it won't be much longer before she is--at the very least, she's getting to where she enjoys sitting on the training potty we bought her to read books lol! Bryan and I are extremely proud of her and constantly amazed at how quickly she learns and grows! Speaking of proud, I'm sure proud of my hubby as well--he is now working on his Masters degree while working full time and taking care of us! He's pretty much fantastic :-). Anyway, that completes the family catch up for now!<br />
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-77991362805242520252013-09-24T13:26:00.000-05:002013-09-24T13:27:45.852-05:00Caylee's First Birthday and Other Awesomeness!<div style="text-align: center;">
I know, I know. I said I was going to be better about updating this blog. In my defense, the past two months have been awesomely busy. Or busily awesome. I'm not sure which, but both seem to fit. Let's review the highlights!</div>
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August 16 was Caylee's first birthday. That's right, I am now the mother of a one-year-old! Since her birthday fell on a Friday, we planned her first birthday party for the next day: Saturday, August 17. The party theme was sock monkeys and the colors were red and pink. Caylee's Aunt Julie made her a red and pink tutu to go with her special birthday onesie. </div>
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In my family, the tradition is to invite everybody to the first birthday party. So that's what we did. We invited great-grandparents, great uncles and aunts, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all the cousins driving there from. And of course we invited our friends that we consider family as well. When was said and done, the best guess count was that we had 60 people at my house the same time. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful, so we got to make use of our back porch and pergola. It was barely controlled chaos, but a complete blast! That said, I'm glad we only do that for first birthdays lol. </div>
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All in all, the party was a complete success.</div>
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The next weekend, Caylee got to spend time with her Ganma and Grandpa while Bryan and I headed for San Antonio! It was our first "just us" get away since before I was pregnant. We took advantage of a LivingSocial deal and stayed at a wonderful bed-and-breakfast called the Ogé house. </div>
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We ate from food trucks, went to the zoo and the Riverwalk, had dinner, drinks AND dessert with Gina and Stephen, and took part in San Antonio's Culinaria restaurant week. It was an amazing weekend, and Bryan and I really enjoyed the chance to be just us for a while. We love Caylee more than anything, but it was really nice to not be "mama" and "dada" for a couple of days and to, instead, focus on enjoying time as best friends and spouses!</div>
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Kaylee had her 12 month check-up the week we got back. According to her doctor, she's the picture of health! </div>
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In September, Bryan's Papa invited us to go to the A&M-Alabama game on the 14th. Whoop! We excitedly accepted. Normally, Caylee would have stayed with my parents; however, they were on their celebratory "We're retired!" trip to Colorado. Fortunately for us, Caylee's Aunt Alicia offered to watch her for the day. It was Caylee's first time staying with someone other than my parents for a 12 hour+ period, and I was slightly nervous as to how she would behave. However, my concern was completely unfounded! According to Alicia, Caylee behaved wonderfully and had a wonderful time to boot.</div>
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Bryan and I also had a wonderful time at the game! Even though the Aggies came up one touchdown short, it was still a very exciting football game and they played very well. I tend to get very excited during football games, so I was pretty hoarse for the next couple of days! We were so grateful to Papa for inviting us! It was definitely the can't-miss game of the season!</div>
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At the beginning of September, Bryan also started his first graduate course. This is definitely required some adjustments to the family schedule, but it is more than worth it! I am so very proud of him! That pretty much catches us up on the highlights of the past two months. </div>
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In between the highlights has been our normal day-to-day living. I can't believe I'm the mother of a thirteen month old! This past year has gone by way too quickly. That said, I love watching her grow each and every day and love the excitement and proud look in her eye when she makes a new discovery, learns new word, or gains another ability. The newest ability is using the handles on our family desk as handholds to scale the cabinet in order to see the computer. Her rock-climbing Uncle Austin and Aunt Fanny will be so proud! </div>
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I'll end with a video of her next-to-newest word. I'm so proud of my munchkin!</div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-60442504739826375202013-07-23T14:57:00.004-05:002013-09-24T13:30:17.892-05:00Writing Again<div style="text-align: center;">
As I'm sure most of you have noticed, I have been doing an extremely poor job of keeping up with this blog. In part, it's because I have a very active 11-month-old. <br />
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However, the major reason is that my hands have not been doing well. Dr. C and I are still trying to get my rheumatoid arthritis in line, which means, of course, that my hands have good and bad days. I try to save my good days for playing with the baby, and so this blog gets neglected. Fortunately for me, I have an awesome husband! Bryan figured out how to set up the voice dictation software on my computer and bought me a nifty headset that allows me to speak what I want to write! This saves me a lot of time, effort, and especially saves me a lot of pain in my hands. Hopefully, this means I will do a better job keeping this blog updated!<br />
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Beyond the updating of this blog, I am very excited about another specific opportunity this setup presents. You see, I have been a writer my entire life. I have spiral notebooks, folders, computer folders, and even a Trapper Keeper full of story ideas, dating as far back as elementary school. However, for years, this blog has been my only outlet for that passion. Why? The answer is simple: my rheumatoid arthritis has taken away my ability to write or type for any length of time. This blog, with it's short, simple format, is pretty much all I've been able to manage since college. There have been several posts in recent years that have taken me multiple days to complete. This means that all those half-formed, partially started stories have languished unattended and unfinished for the better part of a decade. Heck, there are even a few completed stories somewhere in there that need to be edited and fine tuned! Now, I am not saying that all of these ideas are necessarily good ones; however, amongst the notes, outlines, and half-started stories, there are one or two ideas that I feel truly have potential. I'm excited that this setup will allow me to revisit these ideas and perhaps turn them into something, even if that "something" is never read by anyone other than myself. At the very least, it will be a chance to actually finish all of the half-stories floating around inside of my head. It's getting kind of crowded up there lol!<br />
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Because it has been years since I last wrote regularly, I'm sure these first few attempts are going to be pretty atrocious. In the past, the very fact that I might write something horrible would have deterred me from starting to write again; however, at this point in my life I'm excited even about the bad stories I'm going to produce! Part of that excitement comes from my husband's enthusiastic support and encouragement. He is almost as excited about my starting to write again as I am! More than that though, by taking my hands out of the equation, I will be able to reconnect with a part of myself that I had feared lost, and re-employ a skill set that I thought my rheumatoid arthritis had rendered inaccessible. It is yet another way to refuse to allow my chronic illness to define, limit, and control my life. And who knows? Perhaps someday I will craft a story worthy of actually being read by someone else!<br />
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And if not, at the very least, this setup will allow me to both write and save my hands for making wonderful memories with my daughter, and, of course, for knitting! <br />
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(JIP: Jackalope In Progress!)<br />
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-31533898830794054152013-06-28T21:57:00.002-05:002014-04-19T16:20:37.188-05:00Where I Stand: Marriage Equality<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: none;">As I'm sure everyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows, the United States Supreme Court struck down Section 2 of the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) this week. Section 2 prevented same-sex couples whose marriages are legally recognized by the state in which they live from receiving the same federal protections and benefits as heterosexual married couples. Unfortunately, Section 3--the section that allows state governments to make same-sex marriage illegal AND to not legally recognize such marriages performed in states that have legalized same-sex marriage--still stands.</i><br />
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<i style="background-color: none;">Unfortunately? you may ask. Yes, unfortunately. I am completely, whole-heartedly, and enthusiastically in favor of gay marriage, or as I feel is the more accurate term, marriage equality. After discussing this topic extensively with friends and family, I've compiled a list of the more common objections I have heard, along with my responses to those objections. I'll start with what I deem the most common objections, give my response, and move on from there.</i></div>
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<i style="background-color: none;">OBJECTION 1: The Bible declares homosexuality to be a sin and immoral; therefore, homosexuals shouldn't be legally allowed to marry.</i></div>
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<b><u style="background-color: none;">MY RESPONSE</u></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: none;">Yes, Leviticus 20:13 condem<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">ns homosexuality. That said, t<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; text-align: left;">he Bible condemns a lot of things regarding marriage and sexual behavior that are legal and accepted today. To flesh out one example, Jesus condemns divorce--"that which God has joined together let noone put asunder" (MARK 10:8) and goes on to say that remarriage is the equivalent of</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; text-align: left;"> adultery (MARK 10:11-12). The Old Testament condemns adultery and the punishment is death (LEVITICUS 20:10). Heck, even if you leave the New Testament definitions that Jesus himself gave out of it, r</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; text-align: left;">egular old adultery is still punishable by death. So, going by Biblical definitions and principles, anyone who has had/participated in an affair, or who has divorced and remarried, should be executed. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.38; text-align: left;">However, in our society, adultery, divorce and remarriage are perfectly legal. Why? Because our legal system was not created to be a religious legal system. It's purpose is to maintain the functionality of our society, create equality between all of our citizens and protect our rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." You have every right to disagree with the lifestyles and choices of others based on your religious morality, and to live according to your religious beliefs; however, no one has the right to force others to live by their personal religious code. That's the problem I see with the current moral arguments against legalizing homosexual marriage--the arguments against it are ALL based on the religious belief that being gay is wrong. Laws should not uphold the religious beliefs of one group at the expense of the rights of another.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.38; text-align: left;">Another point that bothers me about this objection is that it is primarily Christians bringing up Leviticus to condemn homosex</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; text-align: left;">uality. As far as the Bible goes, the verses that specifically condemn homosexuality are found in the Old Testament as part of the Levitical Law under the covenant between God and the people of Israel. As I've mentioned, this same law condemned many practices that are legal today--divorce, adultery, men cutting their hair, eating pork, etc. The problem with employing Old Testament law as a Christian is that the old covenant was theologically done away with by the establishment of the New Covenant, which was salvation through grace rather than adherence to the law. Furthermore, the only commandments given by Jesus in the New Testament are to 1) Love your God with all your heart and soul, and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. If someone claims to be a Christian, then there is a fundamental theological and logical flaw in trying to deny their fellow man/woman the same rights that he or she expects to receive themselves. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.38; text-align: left;"><i><u>OBJECTION 2: Across religions and cultures, the historical definition of marriage has always been between a man and a woman, and we should keep it that way.</u></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.38; text-align: left;"><u><b>MY RESPONSE:</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; text-align: left;">Ummm....no. Lol. </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">Our current definition of marriage is, historically and anthropologically, extremely new. The definition in the U.S. is one man, one woman who both consent to enter into the union willingly. It hasn't even been 200 years since polygamy was outlawed in the United States. Also, it wasn't that long ago that a father could marry his daughter off to whomever he pleased...and this still goes on in other cultures, India for example. And the fact that polygamy is outlawed really only applies to western cultures! In many muslim countries, polygamy still legally exists today. Buddhism, Islam and Judaism are some current religions that allow polygamy. The only reason Judaism no long practices is because of the Western cultures in which most adherents live. Heck, even in Hong Kong...which is about as "western" as China gets...didn't ban polygamy until the 1970s. The general polygamy ban in most countries had nothing to do with religious or ethical definitions, and everything to do with 1) sucking up to western powers and, most importantly, 2) allowing the governments to not have to financially support families with multiple wives and the resulting kiddos. The definition of marriage changes with the era and situation in society, and always has.</span></span></div>
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<i><u style="background-color: none;">OBJECTION 3: Homosexuality is either a 1) a choice or 2) a choice that is similar to profession--genetic tendencies brought out by environmental factors (i.e., upbringing), and because it's a choice, it shouldn't get legal recognition or protection.</u></i></div>
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<u><b style="background-color: none;">MY RESPONSE:</b></u></div>
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<span style="background-color: none;"> In response to the claim that homosexuality is a choice, I offer this: if individuals choose to be homosexual, then being heterosexual must also be a choice. In other words, Bob made the choice to be sexually attracted to his wife Sally, as opposed to his friend Bill. If this is true, and Bob receives legal protection and rights for choosing to be attracted to Sally, why shouldn't those same protections and rights be applied had he chosen Bill? This smacks of legal favoritism, not legal equality.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Furthermore, the vast majority of the latest research and studies show that homosexuality (and sexuality in general) is indeed genetically influenced. That said, t<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">he genetic argument is a dangerous one to employ, mostly because we know so very, very little about genetic predisposition and it's interaction with nurture. For example, I was genetically predisposed to RA. We have no idea why it manifested in me, only that it did. So, should my employer or insurance carrier be able to deny me benefits because something in my environment that was beyond my control triggered my genetic predisposition? That's basically what the second argument states--that something happened in the lives of homosexuals that they had no control over, and because this something triggered their genetic predisposition, we should deny them the same rights and privileges under the law as a heterosexual person, who, by the way, had just as little control over their orientation. Again, this is playing legal favoritism, not pursing legal equality. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: none; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"> (Disclaimer: I'm not equating homosexuality to a disease, merely extending the genetic predisposition-trigger argument).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On a side note, the comparison between having genetic predisposition to a talent and then choosing a career based on that talent, and the genetic predisposition towards sexuality is categorically flawed. </span></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Having a predisposition to a talent does not, in fact, mean you'll be at all good at it. That relies on nurturing that talent. For example, my mom is great at math and I suck lol. Am I genetically predisposed? Absolutely. But I didn't nurture the talent. And no one knows where my language abilities came from, but because I nurtured that talent, I pick up languages fairly easily with time and studying. Speaking of time and studying, to enter a profession, you have to be systematically educated and develop specific skills over a period of years to become an engineer. Or a musician. Or a teacher. All things left equal, you would not enter any profession at all, but sexual desire and attraction is not a voluntary response that is the product of years of study and education--it is an complex, mostly unconscious response when the change of puberty starts.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><i><u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">OBJECTION 4: We already have legal definitions for marriage and changing them for "special interest" groups is a slippery slope. We have to draw a line somewhere--if we legalize gay marriage, what's next? Animals? Machines?</span></u></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We've already changed the definition of marriage to include groups that were previously excluded, specifically interracial couples. And while there are some civic protections that come along with marriage, the majority of the legality surrounding marriage actually deals with legal benefits and advantages that the government allows married people. Also, we've already changed laws to apply to special interest groups--like disabled individuals--and adapted laws for others--the opt out of the birth control mandate for religious organizations--so why is this different? Not to mention all of the legal changes made in favor of civil rights! If we didn't allow the law to change when we find it lacking, we would stagnate and rot as a society, and I would still be unable to vote, drive, or get a college education.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The second part of this objection <span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">always makes me chuckle in disbelief. "If we allow the gays to marry what next? People marrying their pets?" I guess people are just oblivious to the fact that they are comparing an consensual relationship between two committed, rational human beings to a man/woman screwing a non-rational critter, right? Marrying animals and inanimate objects is illegal for the same reason as child brides in this country. There has to be a level of rational and informed consent when entering into the legal state of marriage. Animals and toasters are neither rational nor capable of being informed, nor capable of giving consent, so this argument is just a silly attempt at fear-mongering.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><i><u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">OBJECTION 5: Legalizing same-sex marriage opens us up to all sorts of fraud, and will bankrupt the country.</span></u></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: none; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The risk for fraud already exists in our current system. This objection assumes that a male and female who are friends/coworkers/etc. wouldn't get married just for the benefits. Or, heck, that there aren't homosexual men marrying homosexual women strictly for the legal benefits now. Any governmental institution is going to be at risk for fraud. Allowing homosexual marriage allows for an honest union between two committed adults of the same sex, and allows them access to the legal protections and benefits that such a committed union deserves. And I don't for a minute buy that homosexuals receiving marriage benefits would bankrupt the country--they pay into pensions, healthcare, social security, medicare, insurance, and everything else just like heterosexuals do. At this point, they are paying in but then being denied access to the very institutions their money funds. It's one thing for people who choose to remain single to not reap the legal benefits of marriage; it's another thing entirely to deny people who want to get married the benefits that their money supports that come along with marriage.</span></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: none;">So, that's pretty much where I stand on marriage equality and a good bit of why. The rest of the why involves my friends from high school and college who are homosexual. They want the same thing I wanted from a relationship--to find the person they want to spend the rest of their life with, get married, and possibly start a family. Because I am heterosexual, I was able to fulfill that desire and marry the love of my life with whom I am raising a wonderful little girl. My friends deserve no less than the legal opportunity to do the same. I have high hopes that the day is quickly approaching that we recognize that we cannot continue to claim to be a country based on principles of justice and equality while denying legal rights to a portion of our population. It's way past time for equality under the law.</i></div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-74717752137347313792013-05-25T16:07:00.001-05:002013-05-25T16:11:47.385-05:00Oh The Month of May<div style="text-align: center;">
This month has been insanely busy. I'm glad that I posted our <a href="http://crazyworldamazinglife.blogspot.com/2013/05/caylees-catch-up.html">April update</a> earlier in the month; otherwise, it might never have been written! That said, it's been a month filled with fun, family and friends, and I sure can't complain about that!</div>
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The beginning of the month saw me frantically menu planning. Yes, I've finally gotten back into the habit I started with my <a href="http://crazyworldamazinglife.blogspot.com/search/label/MENU%20PLANNING%20MONDAY">Menu Planning Monday</a> posts! However, now it's more like Menu Planning for the Month. Thanks to <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> and <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/index.aspx">Weight Watchers</a>, I've found tons of really good recipes that I can prepare ahead of time, freeze, and finish cooking later! What this translates into is two or three days of intense food prep at the beginning of each month, followed by weeks of thaw, cook, eat, repeat! While labor-intensive at the beginning, it sure does pay off in time saved every evening, giving me more time to spend with the hubby and Caylee!</div>
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On May 7th, Julie and I took our girls on their first zoo trip! I know they saw the animals--the monkeys and the anteater in particular caught their attention--but Caylee at least seemed more interested in watching the people watching the animals. Julie and I had an absolute blast, and we're definitely going to make a return trip with the girls...though we might wait a few months. Why? Because summer has officially returned to the Texas coast, and we're in no hurry to sweat through our clothes and have our babies overheat lol.</div>
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May 11th we threw a beginning of summer/Lindsay's bday/successful thesis defense grill out here at the house. It was a blast! Ben and Lindsay came, of course, as did Julie, Ethan and Lucy. Jake and Alicia also came, with baby James! He's such a cutie, and getting so big! He was just short of a month old, and a day short of his original due date--Mother's Day! We had an absolute blast hanging out, catching up, and watching Caylee and Lucy play! </div>
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The next day was Mother's day. That morning we Skyped with Bryan's mom and Granny Jo. Caylee enjoyed seeing them on the TV screen too. That afternoon, we had a houseful of people again! My parents, Austin and Fanny (who are engaged! YAY!) and Fanny's mom, my Nannie and Papa, and our cousins Chris and Melissa and their twins Corbin and Eliana all came down. We grilled, again, and had a wonderful time together. We all exchanged Mother's Day gifts and watched the kids play together. I must say, Bryan did an amazing job for my first Mother's Day...I only hope he loves his Father's Day gift as much!</div>
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May 16th was Bryan and my 5th wedding anniversary! I can't believe we've been married 5 years! We ordered in Mexican food from Chuy's, drank his homebrew beer (a delicious chocolate boch and a grand cru), and he made some wonderful after-dinner margaritas! We also watched our wedding video and reminisced about our incredible wedding day. Caylee watched the video with us, and it was hilarious to see how excited she got when my mom and dad appeared on the screen during the interview segment! And he got me the coolest gifts ever!</div>
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The next day was my mom's retirement party in Spring, and we headed up to celebrate with her! They kept Caylee for us that night, and we went out dancing with Ethan and Julie! And realized how rusty at dancing we actually are lol. Might need to work on that! The next morning we headed back up to Spring to get Caylee-bear, and hung out with my Gan Gan, Aunts Amy and Candy, Eleanor, and Jenna Kay! My cousin Brooke had left for Ireland that morning, but she's going to come stay with us when she gets back!</div>
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The 16th was also Caylee's 9 month mark! She now babbles and says bababa, mamama, and esss. She's doing amazingly with finger foods--her favorites are peas and macaroni and cheese! I find the peas part funny because she used to try to spit out pureed peas so hard she would gag herself! Apparently it was a texture issue! She is practicing free standing more and more, and will walk holding onto someone's fingers. She occasionally dances to music, and is absolutely fearless! She climbs on anything and everything--including couches, tables, chairs, stairs AND baby gates lol. We have to keep an eye on her, that's for sure! She's also very tough though, and bumps and bruises don't phase her a bit! Her 9 month check up was yesterday, and the doc says she looks great! She weighed in at 20 pounds 10 ounces (90th percentile) and was 28.5 inches tall (95th percentile)!</div>
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This past Monday, Julie and I also took the girls to a baby time at a local library. We sang songs--which Caylee didn't care about--and the librarian read a story--which she did--and played with rattles and scarves and a big ball! Caylee was the only one to hit the ball back to the librarian, but Lucy did a great job of catching the ball when it rolled to her! They also had free play time at the end. Lucy stayed closer to Julie, but Caylee basically said "Bye Mom!" and took off to play with the other kiddos! Of course, she came back several times to check in and play with her bestie Lucy!</div>
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We are so proud of our baby girl! Today we had another mini session at Kat's Photography and this weekend she's staying with her Grandpa and Ganma! Bryan and I are going to celebrate our anniversary without little bit! We're going out to a surprise (to me) dinner location tonight, and then seeing a play at the Alley theater downtown! This weekend, we're also planning on seeing Iron Man 3 and Star Trek: Into Darkness, as well as any other new releases that catch our fancy! We want to go to a new beer spot, and work on some projects around the house, and generally enjoy some us time. I'm very excited!</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-71884016608617898172013-05-13T18:46:00.001-05:002013-05-13T18:46:36.500-05:00Caylee's Catch Up<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, I completely missed posting in April didn't I? Whoops! Here's the summary: </div>
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Caylee had a wonderful first Easter, getting to see a lot of her family and got to go on scooter rides with her Papa!</div>
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She also got to spend some wonderful quality time with her Gan Gan when she came down for a visit!</div>
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Ganma took pictures of her in the bluebonnets!</div>
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Caylee got to experience her first NASA Chili Cook-Off, even if we adults enjoyed it more than she did lol.</div>
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She helped me decorate her Aunt Alicia and Uncle Jake's house in celebration of baby James' arrival, though she didn't get to meet him until May.</div>
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She had her first play date with her yarn shop friend, Miss Juliana, who is 4 days older than Caylee! They had a blast!</div>
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Her cousin Max celebrated his 4th birthday, and Caylee loved getting to play with him and Grandpa in the bouncy house! She also got to meet Casey and be down in the grass for the first time--my cousins don't have dogs, ergo no dog poop! She wasn't so sure about grass lol.</div>
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And, of course, she celebrated her 8 month birthday! I can't believe she's getting so big!</div>
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All in all, April was another wonderful month for our Caylee-bear! We sure love her more than anything, and I sure do feel blessed and love being her mama!</div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-43358345539835816982013-03-25T16:45:00.002-05:002014-04-19T15:39:17.496-05:0010 Year Reunion<div style="text-align: center;">
This past Saturday was my 10 year high school reunion. I'm still trying to figure out how the hell ten years went by so quickly! That said, it was still a ton of fun! While Facebook has allowed me to keep in internet touch with many of my classmates, the two I've stayed closest with in real life are Kim and Victoria. The three of us made plans 6 months ago for them to come into town for the reunion--and of course, we were taking our hubbies too! Even if they weren't as excited as the three of us lol.</div>
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In the days before the reunion, as I was playing with Caylee and cleaning house, I was thinking about the Kristen of ten years ago. It's safe to say that quite a bit has changed! I've been told I'm still as upbeat and smiley as ever, and I'd like to think that's true. I'd like to think that I still try to treat people with the same friendliness and acceptance as I did ten years ago. That said, I'm much more comfortable in my own skin now, even than I was as a high school senior. My beliefs have changed quite a bit, through an interesting and sometimes mentally exhausting journey. Dealing with chronic illness has changed many of my assumptions of the way my life would go, but I've learned a new appreciation for every experience I've had and for every ability I still possess. My tolerance for manipulative and catty people is so much lower than it was--or maybe it's just that I'm better at recognizing that behavior in others and avoiding including them in my life. It was an interesting internal reflection, and it was entertaining, retracing my steps during the last ten years and seeing how they've led me to today.</div>
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Anyway, on Saturday the six of us loaded up and headed to Live!@BayouPlace and had an absolute blast! It was a great venue--lots of space and good music from our high school days and today--and the food was catered by Chuy's! Our tickets got us two free drinks a piece (^_^) and there was also a photo booth AND a green screen photo room!</div>
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It was wonderful, and yet surreal, seeing everyone again. With a few exceptions, we all look pretty much the same, with only slight differences. I saw Danielle, a friend whom I've known since kindergarten, but haven't actually seen in ten years. We had a blast together for most of the night. She is still such a sweet, bubbly person--it's good to know that some things never change.</div>
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I got to catch up with friends who meant so much to me during my high school tenure, and heck, some that I've known since the elementary years. It was even fun seeing folks with whom I wasn't particularly close. I learned so much from all of them: lessons about friendship, accepting people for who they are, and how to weather less than ideal social interactions. From a couple in particular, I learned lessons about relationships and caring for someone else. Those lessons enabled me to recognize how unique my relationship was with Bryan when we started dating, and to realize that he was the man I wanted to marry. Most of all, though, though all of those relationships and interactions, I learned to accept myself for who I am. It was good to see and hear that all of them are doing well and seem to be very happy in their lives! I just wish that I'd have had a little more time to catch up with some of them...hopefully it won't take us another 10 years to find another opportunity!</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-5858846492537092012013-03-18T13:09:00.000-05:002014-04-19T15:39:38.526-05:00Caylee is 7 Months Old!<div style="text-align: center;">
March 16, 2013 our little girl turned 7 months old!</div>
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I can't believe it's been seven months already since her arrival. Even more than that, I can't believe how fast she's growing and how much she's learning and developing each and every day!</div>
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As a six month old, Caylee:</div>
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Continues to play pee-pie-boo...she started this about a week before her six month mark.</div>
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Continued taking practice baby steps while we held her hands to keep her up and help her balance.</div>
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Mastered her sippy cup.</div>
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Cut her two bottom front teeth--at the same time.</div>
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Started sitting up all on her own.</div>
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Went from scooting backward, to scooting forward, to full out crawling.</div>
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Started crawling over obstacles--like mommy's legs--and chasing her Annabelle puppy around the living room and under the coffee table.</div>
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Started pulling herself into standing position without assistance, the same week she started crawling.</div>
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On her 7 month birthday, she pulled herself up using her hippo walker and let go and balanced for a few seconds. Also, she took several steps holding on to/pushing her hippo walker...and promptly fell down lol. I have a feeling she's going to be walking on her own before we know it!</div>
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Today, she pulled herself up into standing position in her crib! Thankfully, when she came home from her Spring Break visit to my parents' house (where she started full out crawling and pulling up), my dad lowered her mattress. Otherwise, she probably would have taken a nose dive. Her other favorite pull up spot is the breakfast table chair. Today she finally stood all the way straight up using the chair for balance. </div>
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This month, Caylee also had her first Easter photo shoot with <a href="http://www.katsphotography.net/">Carina</a> and celebrated her first St. Patrick's Day by "helping" daddy brew beer!</div>
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We are so proud of our Caylee-bear and are having a ball watching her learn and grow and experience the world around her!</div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-74755978508634839612013-03-18T13:08:00.001-05:002014-04-19T15:40:12.595-05:00Spring Break!<div style="text-align: center;">
OK, so technically, since I no longer teach or attend school, I no longer have a Spring Break. Now that I'm a full time mom, I look at it as every week is Spring Break! Which, ironically, means none of them are lol. But this year, I actually did get a break that coincided with Spring Break!</div>
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To start off with, we were all in various stages of sick around here. A few weeks ago, my parents kept Caylee. Unfortunately, without knowing it, mom had a really bad cold during this time--she just thought it was her normal seasonal allergies. Well, no such luck. Thankfully, Caylee's version wasn't as severe as my mom's, but she decided to share with us too. Bryan was actually pretty sick, and I didn't feel well at all.</div>
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Originally, the plan for Spring Break was for Bryan to go with Ethan on their motorcycle trip to North Carolina, and for little bit and I to load up with my mom and head to Fredericksburg to see my Gan Gan. Bryan, of course, still went on his trip lol. With the baby and mom still getting over being sick, and me smack dab in the middle, we decided to cancel our hill country run. However, mom and dad offered to keep Caylee until Wednesday anyway because 1) I was still sick and 2) they pretty much adore their granddaughter :-). Bryan headed out Saturday morning and mom and dad came and got Caylee Saturday afternoon/evening. All of which meant...</div>
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I WAS COMPLETELY ALONE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE BEFORE I WAS PREGNANT!!!!!!</div>
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It was absolutely wonderful! I got to just be sick for a few days, which, as any mom knows, is just not feasible when the hubby and the kiddo are sick at the same time as you. When everyone is sick, mama can't be...even when she is.</div>
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Once I was feeling better, I ran some errands and worked on some projects that I hadn't had a chance to accomplish with Caylee-bear in tow. I went to Hobby Lobby and made progress on decorating our bedroom. I watched a LOT of anime--52 episodes to be precise--and got a lot of knitting done at the same time! I didn't go to bed until at least midnight every night. I also didn't get up before 9 at all :-). One particular night, I was so engrossed in the anime that I was watching, and so determined to finish the hat I was knitting, that by the time the end to both came, I realized it was 5 AM! Needless to say, I wasn't up before noon the following morning. That type of schedule has always been my preference, but obviously Caylee's schedule takes priority now.</div>
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Of course, I did miss my munchkin and my hubby. I FaceTimed with Bryan a couple of times, and with Caylee and my parents every day. Good thing too, because during one of our FaceTime chats, Caylee crawled for the first time! She crawled right over to me (well, my face on the phone)! She also showed off her pulling up skills, using Grandpa for a ladder.</div>
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That said, it was pretty wonderful to only have to take care of myself for a few days. I did an amazing job staying on plan for Weight Watchers, and ate their frozen dinners instead of cooking. I decided I wanted to run an errand, and left the house in under two minutes. I was able to get all of my chores done and still have time to read, watch TV and knit. It was a true break.</div>
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That said, I was really glad to have Caylee-bear back Wednesday night. I had missed her sweet smiles and snuggles. Bryan made it home late Thursday night, which was wonderful. We put Caylee to bed together and then I got to hear all about his trip. Friday we just relaxed around the house.</div>
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Saturday, Bryanne-Michelle came down and she and I went out to a girls' lunch while Bryan and Caylee had some daddy-daughter time. Then we all hung out at the house that evening, eating Dominoes pizza, drinking margaritas, and watching TV. Yep, we're a wild bunch lol.<br />
Sunday was Bryan's yard work day, while Caylee and I relaxed in the house.</div>
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All in all, it was a wonderful Spring Break that combined good friends, family time, and a true BREAK for this mama!</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-18278588391788708992013-03-08T18:07:00.003-06:002014-04-19T15:40:44.095-05:00Life Catch Up!<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, the Caylee Catch Up post tells much of what I've been up to the past couple of months. :-) It's been an absolute blast! Fortunately for my sanity, however, I do have other things going on in my life other than the many joys of motherhood!</div>
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For example, I am definitely still knitting! I haven't gotten to knit as much as I would like, but believe it or not, that has little to do with the munchkin. My RA is tending to get the best of me when it comes to my hands. We--and by we I mean my doctor:-)--are still trying to get my meds back in alignment. Dr. C warned me that it would take time after my pregnancy to get everything straightened back out--I just naively assumed that "time" meant a couple of months after starting my meds back up. Turns out, not the case lol. It gets frustrating some days, having to choose what I'm going to spend my spoons on--but since most of those tend to go to cuddling and playing with my little girl, it's not as frustrating it could be! Eventually, we'll get the RA under control. The question is whether my current combination of drugs will be the answer. If not, we have a plan of action, but I'd really rather the Remicade get it's act together and get to work!</div>
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Other than that, the 20 mg of daily prednisone I was on during my pregnancy seems to have had the unfortunate side effects of throwing me into Cushing's Syndrome and insulin resistance. I'm shopping for a good endocrinologist at the moment, but have made an appointment with a Dr. C that a friend highly recommends. I've had excellent luck with my current Dr. C, so I'm hoping the letter is lucky! Both Cushing's and insulin resistance are treatable, and I'm currently taking metformin for the latter. I hate metformin almost as much as I hate methotrexate--possibly more--but if it controls the situation enough to keep me from developing full-out diabetes, I'll deal with it. In the meantime, I get to check my blood sugar and try to avoid bottoming it out...which has happened a couple of times. Not fun, not fun at all, just in case you're curious. Here's hoping the next endo I see can help me understand what's going on and get it under control.</div>
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I've also read some good books lately--City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte being the most recent. Reading helps keep my mind active, as opposed to saying "Yes! That's a red block!" and agreeing with Caylee's latest cooing sounds. While fun and adorable, not exactly mentally stimulating lol. I'm also trying to speak Spanish to Caylee for at least one hour a week, just to keep in practice, and I'm learning Japanese! Why Japanese? Well, I've always wanted to learn it, and I have access to plenty of anime to practice listening to native speakers. Also, we were planning a trip to Japan this fall, which we ended up having to cancel in order to replace our truck when it cratered. That was pretty disappointing, but at least now, by the time we do go, I'll hopefully be fairly proficient! I have a friend who speaks Japanese, and so does her mom, so I'm hoping to practice conversational skills with them, once I've learned enough to have conversations. Right now, I can greet and comment on general weather conditions--I think I need a bit more lol.</div>
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Bryan, Caylee and I have gotten to hang out with Ethan and Julie and Lucy. The adults played cards and the girls just played. We also got together with Jake and Alicia--who are expecting a little boy in April! We went with Lindsay and Ben to the paint pub, and Lindsay and I also had a girls' night at a local sushi place! Julie, Alicia and I had a girls' lunch with Caylee and Lucy! Bryan and I have also enjoyed a few child-free weekends just the two of us, while Caylee visited her Ganma and Grandpa (my parents). It was great to spend quality adult time together as well as with our friends, going out, having some drinks, watching movies, going to a paint pub and getting projects done around the house. It's always fun getting to spend time with your best friend!</div>
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In the next few weeks, Bryanne-Michelle is coming in, as are Victoria and Philip! We and Vic and Philip are going to Vic and my 10 year high school reunion, where we'll meet up with Kim and Clay! That same weekend I'm also hosting Alicia's baby shower! Lots of fun stuff coming up! And that pretty much brings us up to date on what's up with me! </div>
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Caylee is waking up, so that' my cue to fix her dinner! Hopefully I'll do a better job of keeping up with this now that I've gotten started again!</div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-76194188851011779382013-03-08T17:23:00.001-06:002014-04-19T16:20:16.898-05:00Caylee's Catch Up!<div style="text-align: center;">
Boy oh boy do I have some catching up to do! First, I'll catch up on our Caylee-bear! When last I blogged, we had just finished up Caylee's first Thanksgiving, and December saw many other big moments as well!</div>
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During the first half of the month, we celebrated Daddy's birthday with a bunch of Caylee's honorary Aunts and Uncles.</div>
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On December 17th, one day after she turned 4 months old, we got Caylee's ears pierced at her doctor's office.</div>
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Later that week, we loaded up and headed out to the nearest Bass Pro Shop for Caylee's first pictures with Santa! She loved Bass Pro, and especially enjoyed watching the fish in their large tank. She didn't give Santa a big smile, but was very comfortable with him. After all, he had a beard like Daddy!</div>
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We had a whole slew of family Christmases this year. Caylee's first family Christmas was at her Grandpa and Ganma's house with Uncle Austin and Aunt Fanny, Grandma Robin, Grandpa and Grandma Pior, and Uncle Mike and Aunt Jess, and Nannie and Papa!</div>
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The next family Christmas was Christmas Eve at Nannie and Papa's house. Caylee got to meet lots of family she hadn't seen yet, and got some wonderful presents that she continues to enjoy every day!</div>
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Christmas morning, we had family Christmas at our house. Uncle Austin and Aunt Fanny were in France, and Grammy Lynn came a little later, but Grandpa and Ganma, Paw Paw, Aunt Kelyn and Uncle Clint all celebrated with us! Caylee wore her My First Christmas booties from Aunt Fanny, and got many wonderful presents, including a birthstone earring set from Mommy and Daddy!</div>
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For New Year's Eve, we went over to Uncle Ethan and Aunt Julie's house, and Caylee got to play with Lucy! The two of them were thick as thieves! </div>
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December also saw Caylee start on "solid" foods! Her first food was rice cereal, which she felt was "meh". Her favorite food so far is sweet potatoes, which she ate for the first time on her first New Year's Day! (Rice is on the left, sweet potatoes on the right.)</div>
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Caylee's final first Family Christmas was the Cardwell Christmas and Reunion in January! She got to meet several cousins for the first time, and thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend time with all of the cousins she already knew!</div>
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January 16th saw Caylee turn 5 months old! </div>
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February saw Caylee's first Super Bowl, which we celebrated with the SOT family!</div>
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February 14th was Caylee's first Valentine's Day! Before V-day, Carina with <a href="http://katsphotography.net/">Kat's Photography</a> had taken some wonderful Valentine's pictures, and on the day itself, Caylee received her first Valentine's Day flowers from her first and forever Valentine: her Daddy!</div>
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And, of course, our baby girl turned 6 months old on February 16th.</div>
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And yes, that 7 pounds is a typo. She was actually 17 pounds and 7 ounces!</div>
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And now we're in the month of March! I still cannot believe how quickly she is growing, and how much she is changing and learning every single day. She now drinks four bottles a day, and has two meals of pureed foods--one at lunch and one at dinner. She eats anywhere from five to eight ice cubes of food at each meal! I make her food and freeze it in ice trays...thus the unit of measurement lol. She can use her sippy cup, and she sits up on her own. Just this week has figured out how to get into a sitting position from laying down. She isn't quite crawling, but she's definitely mobile, and now goes forward with the same ease as backwards! She wants so badly to stand up, and if you give her your fingers, she will pull herself from a laying down position into a sitting position and from there she stands up with only a little assistance. Her balance on her feet is getting better by the day, and she will actually baby step along while you hold her hands--especially if she wants to go after one of her puppies! To cap it all off, just this morning I felt the edge of her first tooth making it's way through her bottom gum! She still sleeps through the night and now take two naps a day. She is still one of the smiliest babies I've ever seen and has a happy, sweet, even temperament to match. I love her more each day, and more than I ever thought possible--and it constantly amazes me that, each time I utter those words, I feel the sentiment more keenly and deeply than the time before.</div>
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We are so proud of our Caylee-bear!</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-1578042598447122872012-11-28T14:55:00.000-06:002014-04-19T16:20:47.848-05:00Caylee's First Thanksgiving!<div style="text-align: center;">
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This Thanksgiving brought about a lot of first for our family! Not only was it Bryan and my first Thanksgiving as parents, not to mention Caylee-bear's first Thanksgiving EVER, it was also our first road trip as a family! Both Bryan and I were astounded by the amount of STUFF required to cart our little girl to the hill country, but we ended up using every last piece of equipment we packed! I guess at least that means we didn't over-pack, even though there wasn't room to set the dog kennel up in the car. Haley and Annabelle didn't seem to mind getting to ride on their pillow though! </div>
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Caylee did wonderfully on her first road trip! We left home on her 3rd Month Birthday and made it to Frederickburg in about 6 hours the Friday before Thanksgiving. We stopped once for our dinner, and for her bottle and diaper change, and then it was back on the road! We stayed with Gan Gan Friday night through Monday morning, and sure Caylee sure enjoyed getting to spend good quality time with her great grandmother! Also, she got to see her second cousin Jenna Kay and her second cousin Eleanor drove in on Sunday especially to meet her!</div>
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Monday, Gan Gan, Mom, Dad, Bryan, Caylee and I all headed out to Junction to Aunt Zala and Uncle Charlie's incredible new lodge! It's still a work in progress, but it is already fantastic! Bryan and I spend Monday and Tuesday night there, while Caylee went back and forth on day trips from Frederickburg with her Grandma and Grandpa. She did great on her first overnights away from us, and we did ok too lol.</div>
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Wednesday, we headed back to Fredericksburg and Thursday and family Thanksgiving with Gan Gan and the rest of her clan! Caylee got to meet her second cousin Morgan and his girlfriend Anna, as well as her Great Uncles Bruce and Pat and her Great Aunt Susan. She also got to see Uncle Austin and Aunt Fanny, and her Great Aunts Candy and Amy! She didn't get to meet her Great Uncle Larry this trip, or see her second cousin Brooke until the very end of the trip, because poor Brooke was sick for most of Thanksgiving.</div>
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Thursday through Saturday saw us return to Junction! Mom and Dad were very sweet and got Bryan and Caylee and me a hotel room in town, but we were out at the Koym land every day, seeing and spending time with cousins I hadn't seen in almost two years. Saturday was the big family turkey fry, and almost everyone from my Gan Gan's side of the family was there! We're talking over 70 people! Caylee got to meet soooo many family members! It was wonderful!</div>
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Saturday night we headed back to Fredericksburg and got to see Mama and Daddy P as well as Caylee's Uncle Mike and Aunt Jess. Oh, and we got to watch the Aggies BEAT THE HELL out of MIZZOU!!! WHOOP!!! Caylee actually likes watching football more than any other TV program so far, which I think is awesome! We headed home Sunday morning, making Caylee's first Whataburger stop, and made it in another 6 hour trip.<br />
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It was a wonderful week, but it's good to be home! This week is all about re-establishing routine, and to that end, it's time for little bit's three o'clock bottle!</div>
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MILESTONES FROM THE TRIP:</div>
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As mentioned, first road trip, first overnight away from mommy and daddy, first Thanksgiving, and first time at the Ranch! </div>
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Caylee now sleeps from about 9 pm to 8 am (or later!)</div>
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She has started teething, so we bought her first teething rings as soon as we got home.</div>
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Caylee can stand, holding her own weight with me holding her hands to help with balance!</div>
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She has hit another growth spurt, and as of today I'm making her 8 oz bottles instead of 6 ounce so she can drink as much as she wants without getting a belly full of air!</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-51496976413036614462012-11-14T11:10:00.002-06:002014-04-19T16:21:41.882-05:00What a Month!<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been meaning to post an update for what feels like ages...but looking on here, it's only been a month since my last entry! I guess that shows how busy we've been lol. So, just in time for the craziness that the holidays always bring, I'm going to share in brief form what all we've been up to for the past month!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;">CAY<span style="font-size: large;">LEE</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our Caylee<span style="font-size: small;">-bear will be 3 months old in two days! The time <span style="font-size: small;">just seems to be flying, but I know that we're doing our best to enjoy every sin<span style="font-size: small;">gle day<span style="font-size: small;"> and experience with our baby <span style="font-size: small;">girl. She's getting so big, and developing so much! <span style="font-size: small;">I'll do a picture post on her 3 month bday, of course, bu<span style="font-size: small;">t here's an activity update!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eats <span style="font-size: small;">at 6-6:30am. 9am. noon, 3pm<span style="font-size: small;">, 5:30pm, and 8pm. Has 30-<span style="font-size: small;">60mins of awake time after eac<span style="font-size: small;">h feeding, and then naps until her n<span style="font-size: small;">ext baba.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rolled over from back to tummy--TWI<span style="font-size: small;">CE--<span style="font-size: small;">at Park Avenue Yarns!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rolled over from tummy to back once <span style="font-size: small;">here at home!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Has the "social smile" down pat, and GRINS whene<span style="font-size: small;">ver <span style="font-size: small;">she is really<span style="font-size: small;"> happy, <span style="font-size: small;">or when she sees me or her Daddy first thing in the <span style="font-size: small;">morning!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sleeps from <span style="font-size: small;">9<span style="font-size: small;">pm-ish to 6<span style="font-size: small;">am-ish most nights<span style="font-size: small;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eats between 4 and 5 ounces most feedings!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Has gotten really good at grabbing things in the past week...even if she can't control what she does<span style="font-size: small;"> with them beyond t<span style="font-size: small;">hat!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Has really<span style="font-size: small;"> active playtime<span style="font-size: small;"> on her mat!</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Holds her<span style="font-size: small;"> binky in about half the time.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pats the bottle <span style="font-size: small;">during feedings.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">TALKS! <span style="font-size: small;">Well, baby talk lol. She makes all sorts of coo and goo and mmmm sounds now! She actually wo<span style="font-size: small;">ke us u<span style="font-size: small;">p the<span style="font-size: small;"> night <span style="font-size: small;">before last at 2:45am talking...for about 30 <span style="font-size: small;">minutes lo<span style="font-size: small;">l. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Has started self-soothing sometimes when she wakes up at night...see above lol.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Has a new best friend--Raffa the Giraffe! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">BRYAN</span></span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Built his work benches in the garage.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Getting really close to having the Sportster where he <span style="font-size: small;">wants it.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bought a new<span style="font-size: small;">, self-propelled lawn m<span style="font-size: small;">ower when the lawn mower from my childhoo<span style="font-size: small;">d <span style="font-size: small;">stopped working.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fi<span style="font-size: small;">xed the old lawn<span style="font-size: small;"> mower.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Has the back y<span style="font-size: small;">ard about where he wants it, as far as flowerbeds and such.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Working really hard at work.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is fantastically supportive and all-around wonderful :-). And <span style="font-size: small;">such an amazing Daddy<span style="font-size: small;">!</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">ME</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying the heck out of all the baby cuddles I can, and loving every minute of taking care of my beauti<span style="font-size: small;">ful, sweet daughter--even on the rare fu<span style="font-size: small;">ssy occasions, and the rare-but-not-as<span style="font-size: small;">-rare-as-<span style="font-size: small;">fussiness early morni<span style="font-size: small;">ng <span style="font-size: small;">wake ups.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally got my butt to a Wei<span style="font-size: small;">ght Watchers meeting to weigh in last week, and returned this week. In other words, I've <span style="font-size: small;">officially gotten started.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Had a blast at the Quilt Show wit<span style="font-size: small;">h Mama Lynn and Julie--and bought waaay more yarn than I had intended lol. Also, bought yarn and INTERCHANGEABLE N<span style="font-size: small;">EEDLES at P<span style="font-size: small;">ark A<span style="font-size: small;">venue Yarns' Anniversary Sale!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">H<span style="font-size: small;">ave started <span style="font-size: small;">knitting again! Lucy's hat is done, and he<span style="font-size: small;">r blanket and Nannie<span style="font-size: small;">'s scar<span style="font-size: small;">f will be done <span style="font-size: small;">by Christmas--I <span style="font-size: small;">hope! And then <span style="font-size: small;">I can start on my long list of other pro<span style="font-size: small;">jects :-).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bought 3 new WW cookbooks, and spent all day ye<span style="font-size: small;">sterday cooking and free<span style="font-size: small;">zing meals for when w<span style="font-size: small;">e get b<span style="font-size: small;">ack f<span style="font-size: small;">rom the R<span style="font-size: small;">anch. Mostly, because I don't want to have to menu plan, <span style="font-size: small;">gro<span style="font-size: small;">cery shop, or cook for a while lol.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <b><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></b> </li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">ANNABELLE & HALEY</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Loving on their baby and coming to get u<span style="font-size: small;">s/howling and baying if we don't address her crying quickly enough.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying slee<span style="font-size: small;">ping in bed with Bryan and I <span style="font-size: small;">(Annab<span style="font-size: small;">elle) and on cushy pillows on the floor (Haley).<span style="font-size: small;"> Yes, we<span style="font-size: small;">'ve gone soft lol.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A<span style="font-size: small;">ll of us are very much looking forward to <span style="font-size: small;">our trip to the H<span style="font-size: small;">ill Country this holiday season, and seeing al<span style="font-size: small;">l the extended family that we haven<span style="font-size: small;">'t seen for over a year and a half now.<span style="font-size: small;"> And, of<span style="font-size: small;"> course, lookin<span style="font-size: small;">g forward to Caylee meeting all of her cousins tha<span style="font-size: small;">t she hasn't met yet!!! Hope everyone has a <span style="font-size: small;">happy Thanksgiving!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b> </div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-74938971461245684472012-10-08T14:48:00.000-05:002012-10-08T14:48:02.623-05:00Back in the Habit<div style="text-align: center;">
And no, I'm not talking about the Whoopi Goldberg movie. Though I did watch it on TV the other day, and had forgotten how much I actually enjoy it! Yay Cinemax!</div>
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Anyway, what I'm talking about is my weekly injection habit. I took my first methotrexate shot in almost two years on Saturday night. Bryan and I decided Saturday nights are the best time because we almost always have something going on Saturdays and almost always have nothing going on Sundays. This means when I'm feeling less than awesome the day after my shot, he can help me with the baby! I have such a good hubby :-).</div>
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While I'm glad to be officially back on my meds, I honestly had forgotten how yucky the methotrexate makes me feel. Saturday night was pretty bad--mostly nausea and feeling woozy--and I was pretty wiped out on Sunday. Bryan took over the baby's night feeding on Saturday so I could go to bed extra early, and was a huge help taking care of her all day Sunday. I'm feeling better today, especially after 2 cups of coffee lol. Of course, it's been completely out of my system for quite some time--I'm sure that once it's reestablished itself, it won't hit me quite as hard. I'm just very thankful that Bryan is so understanding and takes such good care of me and of Caylee-bear when I'm feeling so icky.</div>
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The other habit I've restarted is Weight Watchers! I haven't been to a weigh in and meeting yet, but I'm officially tracking my points again, and hoping that I'll see some progress, even if I'm still on 20 mg/day of prednisone. I'm going to talk to Dr. C on Thursday about the protocol for weaning off that dose--not that I'm going to be able to actually attempt that anytime soon. Until my big girl drugs get to work, that and my NSAID are all that keep me functioning though, admittedly, they're not really doing an amazing job at that at the moment. But that's why we're reintroducing the methotrexate and Remcade and hydroxycholoquin--hopefully I'll see more improvement this time than back in 2010! </div>
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Other than that, I'm looking forward to getting back into the exercise habit; however, I'm just not to a point where I can do that yet. With my first Remicade infusion this Thursday, water aerobics will have to wait at least another week. It might have to wait even longer, depending on how I'm responding to the meds, and going on walks will have to wait even longer than that. That said, this beautifully cool fall weather sure makes me itch to put the baby in her stroller and go for a, well, stroll! Oh well. Hopefully the meds will make it possible before it gets flat out cold outside.</div>
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All in all, I'm feeling fairly optimistic and empowered (weight watcher word lol) at the moment. It sure feels good to restart my healthy habits! </div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-24259424094894250072012-10-02T17:37:00.002-05:002012-10-02T17:41:50.188-05:00Family Fun!<div style="text-align: center;">
Our Caylee-bear turned 6 weeks old last Thursday!</div>
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Aside from being excited that she's growing so big and strong, we were excited for another reason: 6 weeks was the age our pediatrician said we had to wait to take her out!</div>
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Granted, I cheated and took her to the yarn shop at 5 weeks, but that was just a quick "mommy and me" trip to see a very small group of my knitting family members all of whom were healthy. Here's a pic of Caylee with her big sis (and birthday twin!) Blair :-D!</div>
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At 6 weeks, we took her out to a public place with--*gasp*--strangers we didn't know present! Lol. Bryan and I decided to celebrate her (and our) 6 week milestone by having lunch at one of our favorite restaurants--Jason's Deli! So, I got Miss Caylee all dressed up in a new outfit. It's hard to believe, but she's already wearing 3 month clothing!</div>
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We loaded her into the car and went to lunch at about 1:30pm. While it was a late lunch, it turned out to be perfect timing since we missed the weekday lunch crowd! Jason's Deli was pretty empty, so Bryan and I snagged a booth near the back corner. He had his Club Royale and I FINALLY had my turkey wrap! After 9 months of abstaining, man did was it delicious! Of course, we also had the free ice cream :-D.</div>
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Caylee did wonderfully! On the way there, I sat in the back with her, and she seemed to enjoy that. At least, she didn't fuss at all with me back there, so I'm assuming that was enjoyment lol. She fell asleep halfway there and slept all the way through our lunch! She woke up when we left and fussed on the way home, but seeing as she had a very wet diaper when we got back to the house, I couldn't really blame her!</div>
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No shoes? No problem! Lol. </div>
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It was a wonderful first family outing!</div>
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This week has been Bryan's first week back to work. He's been going in for half days to give us all a chance to transition slowly. So far, it's been going just fine, though Caylee and I are both glad to see him when he gets home! Next week will be the final transition of him going back to work full-time and Caylee and I continuing our routine here at the house without him--at least until he gets home in the evening! It'll be an adjustment for all of us, but I know it'll end up being great!</div>
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Other than that, we've got a busy week this week. Saturday morning is Caylee's Halloween mini-session with amazing photographer Carina with <a href="http://katsphotography.net/index2.php?v=v1#/home/">Kat's Photography</a>, and I'm super excited! Carina also did Caylee's newborn shoot, and she is extremely talented! </div>
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As for me, I have lots of doctor appointments that I'm getting out of the way while
Bryan's home in the afternoons--optometrist, dentist, etc. My 6 week
postpartum check-up is tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be back on
methotrexate and hydroxycholoquin tomorrow as well! I'm getting ready for knit night tonight--sans baby this time! Saturday afternoon, I'm taking a magic loop class at <a href="http://parkavenueyarns.com/">PAY</a>, and am looking forward to it. Oh, and I rejoined Weight Watchers! Since I can't run--or even go on walks at the moment--and I'm not yet cleared for water aerobics, it's time to attack this baby weight from the dietary end! I had a lot of success last time, and am looking to repeat it! So, wish me luck! And hey look--another blog post! Thank goodness for a wonderful baby who sleeps so well--mama still gets to enjoy her hobbies!</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-62854670666903199562012-09-29T09:00:00.000-05:002012-10-02T17:39:57.608-05:00Early Morning Baking Buddy<div style="text-align: center;">
One thing I really missed during the last trimester of my pregnancy was baking. Quite frankly, I didn't have the energy before I was put on bedrest, and afterwards I sure wasn't going to risk Caylee jumping the gun just to bake! The fact that she did jump the gun completely aside, of course lol. So, while Caylee has been sleeping, I've been reintroducing myself to my bakeware, spices, and baking cabinets!</div>
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My first post-pregnancy projects were basic banana bread and pumpkin bread loaves. They turned out quite nicely, but I was wanting something a little sweeter. So, I found a recipe online for a cream cheese layer to go with pumpkin bread and gave it a go! So far, it hasn't quite worked with the pumpkin bread--mostly it either rises to the top or mixes with the rest of the batter. Oh well, it sure tastes good!</div>
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My next project was an amazing Blueberries and Cream Coffee Cake Pie recipe by <a href="http://coffeehousemystery.com/">Cleo Coyle</a>! She is the author of my first and favorite mystery series--<a href="http://coffeehousemystery.com/about_coffeehouse_mystery_books.cfm">The Coffeehouse Mysteries</a>. I've read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_13?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=coffeehouse+mysteries&sprefix=coffeehouse+m%2Caps%2C267">all of them</a> on my Kindle and loved each one! One amazing aspect of her books is all of the scrumptious foods she describes therein--even more amazing, she includes the recipes in the back of each volume! Out of respect, I'm not going to post the recipe for the Coffee Cake Pie here, but you can find it in her book <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/roast-mortem-cleo-coyle/1100316828?ean=9780425242728">Roast Mortem</a>. And yes, all of her titles are plays on aspects of coffee! While I won't include the recipe, I will include the picture of my pie--and boy was it yummy! I made it for Caylee's first outing to Uncle Ethan and Aunt Julie's house for a play date with Lucy, and it was quite a hit!</div>
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My other baking project was a loaf of Cinnamon Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread. Last Saturday, I threw the recipe together myself, modifying my basic pumpkin bread recipe and combining and modifying several of the cream cheese filling recipes I had found online. My first step, of course, was to preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Of course, I had my baking buddy on deck. </div>
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I wasn't sure how long she'd stay asleep, so I measured out all of my dry ingredients for the bread first:</div>
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1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour</div>
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1 1/2 cups granulated sugar</div>
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1 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon (next time I'm going to up that to 1 Tbsp--I wanted more cinnamon taste!)</div>
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I then measured out the ingredients for the cream cheese layer:</div>
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1 8oz package of cream cheese, microwaved for 15 seconds</div>
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1 egg</div>
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1 Tbsp all-purpose flour</div>
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract</div>
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1/2 cup granulated sugar</div>
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Next, I mixed all of the cream cheese layer ingredients in my mixer until mostly smooth. Caylee-bear woke up at that point lol. We took a break for a diaper change and then got back to work! I poured the cream cheese mix into a giant measuring cup with a spout and then washed out the mixer.</div>
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Once it was dry, I poured the dry bread ingredients in and used the mixer to blend them. Next, I measured out the non-dry ingredients for the bread:</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract </div>
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1/2 cup vegetable oil</div>
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1/3 cup water</div>
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I poured all of that into my blender and mixed it together with the dry ingredients until smooth. While that was blending, I pulled out my 9 ounces (1 1/2 small tubs) of frozen blueberries and tossed them in about 1 Tbsp of flour. This is a trick I learned from <a href="http://coffeehousemystery.com/about_coffeehouse_mystery_books.cfm">Cleo Coyle's recipes</a> to help absorb excess moisture from the blueberries while they bake! Next time I might use more blueberries, but this time I carefully folded the flour-coated blueberries into the bread mix. I definitely didn't want to smoosh them! </div>
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After that was done, I carefully poured some of the batter into my already-Pamed and floured bread pan. I then added a layer of the cream cheese mix. I could tell right away that the cream cheese mix was not going to layer as I had originally intended. The blueberries make the bread batter thicker, but the cream cheese mix was especially runny. Next time I'll refrigerate it for a bit. This time I went ahead and added more blueberry bread mix, then cream cheese and topped it off with the remaining bread mix.</div>
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In my oven, it ended up taking 70-75 minutes to bake at 350 degrees. The blueberries sunk, resulting in a fruit layer at the bottom, which I rather enjoyed. The cream cheese marbled instead of layering, but it still looked pretty and tasted pretty darn good! At least, my little brother Austin and his girlfriend Fanny both enjoyed it! I was
glad to be able to make them something yummy while they were in town,
especially since they watched Caylee-bear Saturday night so Bryan and I
could go on a dinner date!</div>
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All in all, it was a success even with with modifications I'll make next time. It's so good to be baking again!</div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-61445259631946519262012-09-23T21:45:00.000-05:002014-04-19T16:22:34.012-05:00RA and Motherhood<div style="text-align: center;">
As I've already mentioned, to get Caylee here safely we opted for a C-section. The upside--at least for me--was a fairly easy recovery. Of course, never having delivered a baby vaginally, I have nothing to personally compare it to; however, the C-section recovery was about what I expected from a major abdominal procedure. That is, the recovery was annoying, inconvenient, and somewhat painful--though of course the wonderful pain meds helped with that last bit lol. The downside was that it has postponed my restart of my RA medications.</div>
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Even more of a downside, for the last week and a half I've been dealing with my first post-pregnancy flare, which has been a doozie. Luckily, the prescription strength Ibuprofen from my C-section combined with my 20mg a day of prednisone seem to be keeping me at least functioning. Of course, that's when I remember to take my middle-of-the-day Ibuprofen. For example, I forgot today and am severely regretting it tonight. Soon though I will be back on my once-a-day Meloxicam with the prednisone, so hopefully that combination will tide me over until I get to start the big boys.<br />
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There are a few hoops for my to jump through before I get to start the rest of my drugs back up. First comes my MRI this week. This is sort of like a baseline for the post-pregnancy condition of my joints. Of course, it's also a way to measure how much damage I've managed to do by being off of my meds since November of 2010. Should be interesting! I also am probably going to have to get more bloodwork done--as always lol. Of course, last week, the tests saw some slight elevations in a few areas, so I had to do a repeat on Friday. Since I haven't heard anything this weekend, I'm assuming no further issues showed up, but I should get a phone call to confirm that either Monday or Tuesday.<br />
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After that, the next step is to get my postpartum clearance from Dr. F. That will be next week. I don't foresee any issues with that appointment--I seem to be pretty much healed up. And if I haven't been taking it as easy as I should be, at least I haven't been vacuuming or lifting objects heavier than Caylee. In other words, I haven't done anything the doc needs to hear about, unless she detects an issue on her own! Lol. The day Dr. F clears me, Dr. C will call in my methotrexate prescription and I'll be back to my weekly injection. I'm not looking forward to that AT ALL, but I am looking forward to a month or so down the road when the drug reestablishes itself in my system. At that point, hopefully I'll see some improvement!<br />
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Finally, there's my insurance company's prior approval process for my Remicade infusions. We're billing it differently this time, which should help with the financial end of that medication. It's amazing what you can learn about your insurance when you have the time to call and chat with people about something you read in your policy! There shouldn't be any issue with getting approval, so we went ahead and scheduled my first infusion appointment for the week after my postpartum clearance appointment. In around two months, I should start seeing improvement from the Remicade establishing itself in my system.<br />
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Until then, I'll keep on keeping on. Bryan's been a big help during this flare, as always. I'm so lucky to have him! That said, I'm looking forward to getting this nonsense back under control. Believe it or not, it hasn't been anywhere near under control since the Enbrel stopped working during my first year of teaching. So, here's hoping this drug combo will do the trick! And of course, hooray for the end of my prednisone usage FINALLY being in sight. I hate that drug, as much as it does the job.<br />
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So anyway, that's where things stand RA-wise. Wish me luck in regards to the MRI--unrealistic as I know it is, I'm still hoping that Dr. C tells me there hasn't been any progression! Hey, a girl can dream, right? ;-) For now, I'm going to go enjoy my last bit of evening with my hubby and baby girl before I head to bed. Gnite!</div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-34913818503038090072012-09-22T16:04:00.002-05:002012-09-22T16:15:50.733-05:00Caylee's First Month!<div style="text-align: center;">
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It's crazy to me that our little girl is already one month old! I know everyone always loves to point out how fast time goes once you're a parent, and how much a little baby changes from day to day, week to week, but it still astounds me to be living the reality of it! Especially since the possibility was very much in question there for awhile.<br />
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The pups adore Caylee--she is THEIR baby and we are allowed to care for
her lol. They both get very vocally upset with us if she's crying and
we don't fix it soon enough! Bryan and I are more than just surviving--we're loving this whole parenthood thing so far! He is still home on paternity leave, which we have all thoroughly enjoyed! He's been working on household projects along with spending plenty of cuddle time with Caylee-bear. I've been (of course) getting lots of cuddle time in too and figuring out my own system for keeping the household running and keeping up with bottle washing and laundry. So far, it involves fewer naps than people tell me I should be taking, but I'm doing fine! Especially since I'm now an avid coffee drinker lol. College didn't do it, being a teacher didn't do it, but man, this motherhood thing sure did make me a coffee convert! </div>
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So, for Caylee's First Month post, here's a rundown of what she's up to, and how our lives are operating at the moment!</div>
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Weight (as of 9/13): 10 lbs</div>
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Length (as of 9/13): 22 inches</div>
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<u>Daily Schedule</u><br />
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6:30 AM: Wake her up for first daytime bottle, generally followed by anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes of wake time and then back to sleep</div>
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10:30 AM: Second daytime bottle, generally followed by 30 to 60 minutes of wake time and then back to sleep</div>
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2:30 PM Third daytime bottle, generally followed by 30 to 60 minutes of wake time and then back to sleep</div>
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6:30 PM: Fourth daytime bottle, generally followed by bath time every 2nd to 3rd day and anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes of wake time before back to sleep</div>
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10:15 PM: First of what I call the night bottles followed by 15 to 30 minutes of wake time and then down for bedtime</div>
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2:30 AM: Second "night" bottle, back to bed<br />
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Repeat. Well, most days lol. She has her fussy days, mostly due either to an interruption in her routine that makes her overly tired or a bad gas bubble. Mostly, it's a bad gas bubble. We now put .3 mL of simethicone gas drops in her bottles, and that seems to help!<br />
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<u>Wake Time Activities</u><br />
Listening to Mama and Dada talk<br />
"Talking" <br />
Listening to Mama sing her the ABCs and the special ABCs<br />
Sitting in her high chair and looking out the window (she really likes windows)<br />
Sitting in my bouncer and watching the fan and lights (she really likes fans and lights)<br />
"Reading" books with Mama and Dada, especially the black and white picture book<br />
Laying on my Activity Gym mat and looking at the dangling animals and the mirror<br />
Listening to music--mostly Texas Country and Classical--while doing any of the above<br />
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<u>Sleep Places</u><br />
Crib<br />
On someone's chest--her favorite lol<br />
High Chair, Bouncer or Swing<br />
Laying on the floor<br />
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<u>Outings</u><br />
The Emergency Care Clinic and ER when Daddy through his kidney stone<br />
Aunt Julie and Uncle Ethan's house for a play date with Lucy<br />
Aunt Alicia and Uncle Bouncer's house <br />
Papa and Mimi's house<br />
The yarn shop! <br />
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This weekend, Austin and Fanny are in town to visit her (and us too...kind of lol). Gan Gan watched her one night during her week here so that Bryan and I could go have dinner at Chuy's, and tonight Austin and Fanny are letting us go to dinner again! And possibly even breakfast tomorrow by ourselves! Well, speaking of Caylee-bear, it's about time for her nap. Hopefully I'll be more prompt with her two month post, and in the meantime have a couple of other posts on what all else is going on around here. That said, it took me the better part of this week to finish this one up and get it posted, so no promises! In the meantime, here's another picture!<br />
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-64248088507377789042012-08-26T13:05:00.000-05:002012-09-22T16:15:32.490-05:00Caylee Is Here!<div style="text-align: center;">
Our little girl has arrived! And on her own schedule, may I add lol. My last post was all about how we still had <a href="http://crazyworldamazinglife.blogspot.com/2012/08/only-8-more-days.html">8 days</a> until my scheduled C-section. Three days later--on Thursday August 16th--we headed to see Dr. F for what was supposed to be our last OB check up before the big day. I was excited to hear that the doc was going to take me off of bed rest, thinking that now we could go pick out Caylee's curtains and a lamp, and that Bryan could move the pack and play into our bedroom. Basically, I was looking forward to doing a bit of last minute nesting to make sure all was in order for Caylee. Dr. F mentioned that we could go see a movie, joking that it was the last chance for such an outing that we'd get for some time. Then she checked my cervix. </div>
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"Well, so y'all are going to head to the hospital and we'll probably be doing the C-section this evening."</div>
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Bryan thought she was making a joke. I immediately asked if I was dilated--and she replied that I was at 4 cm. My response: holy crap! She asked if I had been having contractions, and I replied that I'd been a bit crampy off and on, but nothing consistent, regular, or nearly as painful as the preterm contractions that put me on bed rest in the first place. Initially, she was going to send me for monitoring with a possible C-section, but then decided to go ahead and send me to Labor and Delivery and scheduled the C-section for 5 pm that day!</div>
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Bryan and I immediately started on all the phone calls we had to make on the way to the car. We did swing in Dr. W's office to share the news, and then we were on our way--back to the house lol. Since Caylee wasn't arriving imminently, we made the executive decision to go get our bags and take a last minute picture or two before heading to the hospital. </div>
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We finally checked in about 11am, and settled in to wait. Bryan's mom was the first to arrive, and they ran down to the cafeteria to grab lunch. Her arrival was followed by my mom and dad--along with Joy the Giraffe, a huge stuffed giraffe my parents just HAD to get Caylee lol. Family slowly filtered in between then and 5 pm: Bryan's Papa and Mimi, my Nannie and Papa, Bryan's dad, and my brother and his girlfriend all made it!</div>
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They wheeled me back and hooked me up to my epidural--best thing ever, by the way! Dr. F, Renee, Bridgette, and all the other nurses were fantastic. Dr. F started the procedure--talk about the weirdest sensation ever! I couldn't feel what she was doing, but I could feel her doing something! My legs only existed as a vague warm sensation, and all the cutting and gutting felt like pressure. When she pulled my muscles apart, it was even more pressure combined with jerking. Then there was a huge tugging sensation and Dr. F pulled Caylee out!</div>
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She was born at 6:04 pm, August 16th, 2012, and weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. It sounded like there was a bookie in the room, the way the doc and nurses were calling out guesses about her weight! Everyone but one nurse thought she was at least 9 pounds lol. I did pretty good through all of it, though I did need the nausea medication--there was a moment where I really thought I was going to hurl thanks my rapidly changing fluid levels. I ended up with 15 staples--I asked Dr. F how many she was putting in and she laughed. Apparently she's never been asked that before, but she still counted for me.</div>
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They put Caylee on my chest for a minute and boy was she mad! She has good lungs, that's for sure. I didn't get to hold her nearly as long as I wanted--her O2 levels were a bit low, so she had to go to the nursery and be under her astronaut (oxygen) helmet for a while. She got a great APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration) score of between an 8 and 9 out of 10. Bryan went with her when they wheeled her to the nursery and got to show her off for a minute to the family. Dr. F went ahead and cut my tubes and finished sewing me up, and then I was wheeled back to my prep room.</div>
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A bit later, they transferred me to the Postpartum ward and we settled into the room where we stayed until Sunday. It was a big private room and even had an extra bed! Everyone but my parents and Austin and Fanny headed out around 9:30 pm. Mom, Dad, Austin and Fanny waited with us until they brought Caylee back, which wasn't until close to 11 pm. I have to admit to being pretty lousy company---I just wanted to see and hold my baby!</div>
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Once it was just the three of us, Bryan and I decided to room in with Caylee. We had originally thought we would let her stay in the nursery so we could sleep, but when it came down to it, we couldn't bear to let them take her away again when we had finally gotten her back.</div>
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The next few days were filled with holding Caylee, feeding and changing her, and sharing her with all of the family and friends that came up to see her. Oh, and watching Shark Week on the Discovery Channel! Bryan stayed with us Friday night, and then Mom stayed Saturday night. Saturday evening, Bryan and Dad ran errands and got the house set up for our homecoming. I didn't get feeling back in my right leg until over 24 hours later, when they removed my epidural at 5am Saturday morning and my system had a couple of hours to clear out the medication. Saturday night, Bryan stayed with us again, and we had a wonderful Sunday morning, just the three of us getting ready to go home. Mom and Dad came up to help us get out the door, and we ended up being discharged at 1 pm instead of 6 pm!</div>
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We've been home with our little Caylee-bear for one week today. Last week, Vic and Bryanne-Michelle came in to meet their niece and help out around the house. We had Caylee's newborn photo session last Tuesday, and she got to meet her Aunt Julie and cousin Lucy on Friday. Bryan has to go back to work this week to wrap things up before his paternity leave, so yesterday Mama Lynn and my parents came over and stayed for dinner. Then Mama Lynn is staying until Tuesday and Mom and Dad will be here Wednesday through Friday! I can't find the words to express my gratitude at all the help we've received, as well as all the yummy casseroles that friends and family have made for us!</div>
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Caylee is doing wonderfully! She eats every 4ish hours, and man can she put away her bottle! Between feedings, she only fusses when she needs to be changed, and the rest of the time either sleeps or stares at the big new world in which she finds herself. She has Bryan's forehead, ears and chin, and overall head shape. I think she also has his hair, as it's starting to curl and she has a ton of it! I hope she has his skin. She has my nose and cheeks, and we'll see whose eyes she has as they pick a color. And she smiles a LOT, just like I did as a baby. Yes, I know some of it is gas, and that she won't exhibit the "social smile" for another month or so, but she smiles even when she's not gassy at all. She's just one happy, chill little girl! Bryan and I think she's pretty much perfect, of course, and have fallen completely in love with her.</div>
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We are so happy to finally have our little girl safely home in our arms!</div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4800826499000551444.post-14274772830659302272012-08-13T12:00:00.000-05:002014-04-19T16:22:54.894-05:00Only 8 More Days!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
In only 8 days, Caylee will make her arrival! In only 8 days, Bryan and I will become parents! And then, 3 days after that, we'll bring our little girl home and start our lives as a family of three people and two dogs! </div>
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Last week we had our last ultrasound, and everything still looks
wonderful...except Caylee is definitely running out of room. Her face in her ultrasound picture was all squished lol. She
measured in at 7.5 lbs at only 36 weeks and 4 days! Basically, at that
point, she was the same size as an average baby at 38 weeks. My only
thought was, well, at least she's slowed down a bit! At the last
ultrasound she was 3 weeks ahead of average and now she's only ahead by a
week and a half! </div>
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That said, by the time she's 38 weeks
and a couple of days, there is a good chance that Caylee will weigh in
somewhere between 8.5 and 9.5 pounds. This means there is also a good
chance she could get stuck coming out. Add to that her head size and you get a scenario where we can't use a vacuum or forceps to help her if she does get stuck. Personally, I'm not at all fond of the idea of going through 10+ hours
of labor only to have to have a C-Section anyway! So, we're cutting out
all that middle concern and skipping straight to the end! After talking all of this over with the
maternal/fetal specialist and my OBGyn, we went ahead and scheduled a
C-Section for August 21st!</div>
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And, double-plus bonus, my doctor is going to go ahead and clip my tubes while she's in there! For a <a href="http://crazyworldamazinglife.blogspot.com/2010/07/single-child-stigma.html">whole variety of reasons</a>, Bryan and I are completely happy with just one little one, and this means I don't have to go back on birth control after the pregnancy. One less pill a day to take once I'm back on all of my RA meds!</div>
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While I continue to enjoy every moment of my pregnancy, Bryan and I sure can't wait to hold our little girl! </div>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002865042562964799noreply@blogger.com2