tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25761185918441487252024-02-19T07:01:57.260-08:00little postcards..Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-29501626671901562142012-08-18T14:34:00.004-07:002012-08-18T14:34:54.330-07:00we've moved!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For design purposes we moved the blog over to a new site. You can now follow along<a href="http://life-is-sweetness.blogspot.com/"> HERE.</a>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-66233989719585719542012-08-17T13:44:00.000-07:002012-08-17T13:44:30.793-07:00No More 'Poo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PihO6mcrdzqxL3UkX3Aj9_OWjT2q8aTkO1osXcHIJIA2xvtuJFN5xXBnPCB-SkmSuVSFbc62qCGd9roc8p8NfXLS4SqPbn7LKJ75HF7e670fa8BsDCYR5hQ7mHK-WVm2i0BMnW561a1U/s1600/shampoobar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PihO6mcrdzqxL3UkX3Aj9_OWjT2q8aTkO1osXcHIJIA2xvtuJFN5xXBnPCB-SkmSuVSFbc62qCGd9roc8p8NfXLS4SqPbn7LKJ75HF7e670fa8BsDCYR5hQ7mHK-WVm2i0BMnW561a1U/s640/shampoobar1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After reading great reviews, and hearing glowing testimonials from real life friends, I'm giving these all natural, sulfate-free shampoo bars from <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.com/">Chagrin Valley</a></span> a try. My hair has been so brittle since having Silas, not to mention it's falling out by the handfuls (darn you post partum hormones!)<br />
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I'm scared and excited...and scared. I'll let you know how I'm liking them in a couple of weeks.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-26076708074478668342012-08-16T13:12:00.000-07:002012-08-16T13:51:21.385-07:00August Glam Bag Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Subscription boxes are all the rage right now, and they come in all sorts of varieties. Paper goods, cosmetics, clothing, accessories.. I think the concept is cool. Getting a mystery box in the mail once a month filled with surprises for $10-$20 sounds ridiculously fun.<br />
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For my first try at subscription packages I decided to go with <a href="http://www.myglam.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">My Glam Bag</span></a> - a cosmetics site that sends out a makeup bag full of sample sized (and a few full sized) goodies in a cute bag for $10 a month. I had read reviews about their company from a few other bloggers, who all had good things to say about them (everyone seemed to agree that the products included in the monthly bag almost always exceed $10 value.)<br />
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The experience was totally fun, from filling out the survey style questionaire on the My Glam site about what my cosmetic preferences were, to seeing the shiny purple package in my mailbox.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. and 2. eclos Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream and Cellular Activator Facial Serum</span><br />
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I was probably most disappointed by these products, not because they aren't good, but because I don't really use these types of anti-aging creams/moisturizers. Maybe I should? :) The products claim to use plant stem cells to help problematic skin regenerate cells better, improving firmness and dryness.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Demeter Roll on Perfume Oil in "Clean Skin" scent</span><br />
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I'm really picky about scents, I always have been. I hate fruity scents and only like certain kinds of florals. This perfume really didn't even smell like a typical perfume, which I kind of like. The smell reminds of me of fresh linen. It's really clean and simple. I liked that it's infused in an oil, rather than alcohol.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. s.a.l.t.y. Glama-ZOiD Eye Shadow</span><br />
I wear eye shadow some of the time, mostly in neutral shades that are conservative and easy to wear. (Basically, I love the idea of makeup but have no idea what to do with it or what works for me most of the time, so I stick with easy no-brainers that I know won't make me look like a clown!) This eye shadow appeared white and glittery in the box and I was sure I wouldn't like it, but I was surprised when I applied it that it actually shows up on your eyelid as slightly purple, and is very subtly shimmery and pretty. (Yay for a glittery product that doesn't look trampy!) :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Circus [By Andrea's Choice} Nailpolish in "Spectacle" color</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4BX-Iew3ckRgb3Wr7KprKYXc-M3BReXlM6-YIgih7vNwcCw5Gx2NLj9JVr27agkFT0HocRl2MnRtB7raLGYJHdQ6Nlp6RAga5dS5aBDA0f-gOfROi4UnNqG-UiASQmWkO6S-rExwXa1u/s1600/augglambag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4BX-Iew3ckRgb3Wr7KprKYXc-M3BReXlM6-YIgih7vNwcCw5Gx2NLj9JVr27agkFT0HocRl2MnRtB7raLGYJHdQ6Nlp6RAga5dS5aBDA0f-gOfROi4UnNqG-UiASQmWkO6S-rExwXa1u/s640/augglambag1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was pleasantly surprised to receive a full sized nail polish! It's probably ridiculously juvenile for a mother of 2 to be such a nail polish junkie, but guys, I <u>love</u> the stuff. Wearing a pretty nail color just makes me feel pretty and put together, even on my worst days.<br />
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The color they sent me is a bit extreme. It's very, very orange. Like, traffic cone orange. I'm not sure I'm cool enough to pull off such a bright color but I'm going to give it a try. It came in such a cute box (I love pretty packaging.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. myglam glam gloss </span>[that's a lot of glam.]<br />
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This was my favorite product, which is funny because I have never been a lip gloss girl. Not even when I was a teenager did I wear gloss. I never liked the oily feel on my lips, and I never felt comfortable with so much shine. So I was very skeptical of this super bright, Barbie pink gloss that they sent in my bag, but it's actually great. Applied, it's a very soft, subtle pink color and it feels comfortable and moisturizing to wear (not icky and oily.) For a lip gloss, I don't think it's too shiny and attention grabbing, AND it smells amazing. Did I mention this is a full size product? The cost of the lip gloss and nail polish most likely exceed $10 so I think the subscription price was probably a pretty good deal.<br />
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You have the option of cancelling your My Glam Bag subscription at any time, but I think I'm going to keep mine going for September. Over all I was impressed with the quality of the items I received and the experience was a whole lot of girly fun. Like I said before, I know so little about cosmetics and am always hesitant to try anything new or out of my comfort zone, so getting these samples is a good way to branch out and try new things without committing to full sized/full priced products.<br />
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-18017696639930839272012-08-16T12:27:00.000-07:002012-08-16T12:35:27.405-07:00personal space<div style="text-align: center;">
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this week i was messing around with my camera and started taking pictures really up close of silas. i kept pushing the camera up as close as it could focus on his face, and was captivated by the up-close details caught on the camera.</div>
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kind of funny, but seeing pictures of him so up close, he almost seems like a different baby. little details i don't really notice when i'm simply looking at him just pop on such a close-up shot.</div>
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the drool bubbles, the wispy hair, the flaking baby skin, those speckles in his enormous blue eyes..</div>
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..so i took some of olive and myself too.</div>
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they almost hurt to look at, and i think the reason i have that reaction to them<br />
is because we rarely if ever get so close to other people's faces, or allow<br />
others to get so close to ours.<br />
it just kind of comes naturally to us humans to protect our "personal space"<br />
and only let those we trust most of all be there.<br />
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Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-60012479369823716922012-08-11T18:22:00.001-07:002012-08-11T18:22:41.600-07:0027 Years Ago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today my parents celebrate 27 years together. I'm really proud of them, and blessed to be their daughter. I love this picture of the 3 of us. Strange that I'm now about my Mom's age in this picture, with a daughter (and son!) of my own!Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-544104067181984512012-08-11T17:44:00.000-07:002012-08-11T17:46:04.393-07:00Improptu Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other night we were at my in-laws' house and my mother in law mentioned she was going to a party. Olive's ears perked up like antennas and immediately started asking questions about this party and whether or not she could go. When we told her she couldn't go, she was quite upset, and for the next day or two kept asking me when she could go to a party.<br />
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I've been sick (still - ugh) and we didn't have anywhere to go this weekend, so Matt and I decided to throw Olive an improptu, "just because" party. We ran to Target this morning for party hats, bought a new game that Olive could play with us, ordered out for pizza for dinner and made a fun evening out of it.<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-64689483755662734702012-08-11T17:35:00.000-07:002012-08-11T17:36:50.589-07:00Gluten Free Dinner #2 - Fancy Spaghetti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Growing up, Mom's spaghetti was a weekly staple. I seriously think we had it at least once or twice a week the entirety of my childhood.<br />
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Mom's spaghetti was simple: hamburger, store bought pasta and store bought sauce. That was it, and we loved it. It was a cheap, filling meal for a big family on a very tight budget.<br />
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My family doesn't eat spaghetti every week, as we try to keep pasta dishes more of a special treat rather than weekly standby. But I get a craving every so often for Mom's spaghetti, and this is my twist on her basic recipe.<br />
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Gluten free pasta is readily available at regular grocery stores, and makes cooking so much easier! So many good old recipes that used to be off limits with a gluten allergy can now be made safely and just as deliciously as the originals. Don't be afraid of the gluten free pasta! It cooks exactly the same way as regular pasta, comes in all varieties from angel hair to penne, and your gluten-eating family and friends will never be able to tell it's gluten free. Most gluten free pasta is made of white rice, which is not very good for you, so we usually stick to the quinoa/corn pasta (as seen above) and brown rice pasta.<br />
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I am ashamed to say I don't make my own tomato sauce. Part laziness, part time constrictions that come with being a mom to ittie-bitties, part love of the taste of my childhood years of eating Prego every week...I just don't make my own sauce. (Yet. It's on my "when I grow up" list of things to learn.) Most canned tomato sauces are gluten free, and some brands (like Prego) list that on their labels. (Remember to always read your labels!)<br />
Instead of using ground hamburger, I use ground turkey in my spaghetti, and I season it with minced garlic, onion, and basil.<br />
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Silas cheered me on as I cut up a couple of green peppers into strips to add into the sauce, to give the spaghetti some vegetable content. We love green peppers. We like them crunchy, so I usually throw mine into the pan once the meat has browned, and let them cook a bit before I add the sauce to the meat.<br />
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I love my giant cast iron skillet, and cooking one dish meals in it! Keeps things simple.<br />
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I just topped my spaghetti with a light dusting of parmesan and it was ready to eat. If I was having company over and wanted to make the spaghetti a little more fancy, I might have added 3-4oz of cream cheese to make the sauce creamy and rich. It's a fun twist. Another fun variation is to use italian turkey sausage instead of ground turkey. It gives the dish some serious kick.<br />
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It's a simple, affordable, filling meal that can be dressed up or kept really simple. Best of all, everyone loves it, even picky kids!<br />
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*Disclaimer: This post is not endorsed by Prego or any other brands.*Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-83030753920811058092012-08-06T17:26:00.001-07:002012-08-06T17:26:29.003-07:00a little "lately" updateso lately...<br />
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1. we are doing a 30 days without sugar challenge. mostly just matt and i, though olive is going to have to tighten up as well. that girl loves her ice cream as much as her mama and that probably isn't the best thing.<br />
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2. we have all been so sick. the summer cold from h-e-double-hockeysticks has hit the 4 us with no mercy. i've had a particularly hard time and can't seem to kick the fever.<br />
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3. speaking of which, i'm pretty sure i have been infected with lyme again. i got a horrible insect bite a month ago that came with such a bad rash that i had to be put on a steroid to decrease the swelling. i thought it must have been a spider bite but now i'm thinking it may have been a tick bite. i have been having a host of old symptoms that i thought i had beat once and for all. so frustrating. i have a dr. appointment thursday about it.<br />
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4. we have been working on getting our house ready to be put on the market. we are so excited to be inching closer and closer to our goal of getting out of our too-small-house!<br />
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5. matt and i are addicted to watching "the biggest loser" on netflix. i don't know why i just admitted that. but those contestants are pretty darn inspiring!<br />
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6. we are counting down the days until we head down to hilton head in september for a family beach vacation! can't come soon enough!Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-61422059356746824362012-07-31T14:11:00.000-07:002012-07-31T14:11:36.067-07:00oh deer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spent last weekend at Pipestem State Park in WV.</div>
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Someone made a new friend, while we were there.</div>
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The drive was long, and the kids didn't travel too well.</div>
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And our room was tiny and none of us got much sleep.</div>
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But the park was beautiful, the weather glorious and we enjoyed seeing some </div>
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family members there that we haven't seen in a while.</div>
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<br /></div>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-37097006485811537362012-07-20T11:26:00.000-07:002012-07-23T15:57:12.252-07:00Daddy's Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Um...how precious are these two together?</div>
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Silas is infatuated with Matt these days.</div>
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It was inevitable. It's pretty much impossible not to fall in love with that guy. </div>
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But I get a teenie tiny bit jealous when I see Silas making those eyes at Matt,</div>
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and vying for Matt's attention, and completely ignoring ME! His mother! </div>
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(Hey son, I'M the one who carried your heavy rear end in my belly for 9 months! Not that cute guy!)</div>
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But it's good for a boy to be in awe of his daddy. </div>
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And those silly jealous feelings aside, I could watch them play together all day.</div>
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I adore my boys!</div>
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(And yes, that is Olive running around pants-less in the background. We are smack in the middle of <span style="background-color: white;">potty training, so pants haven't been very popular lately.)</span></div>
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<br /></div>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-60839171181664080292012-07-20T11:10:00.001-07:002012-08-11T17:11:31.048-07:00Gluten Free Dinner #1 - Burgers and Fries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Gluten free can still be fun, healthy and even delicious! I find it a really fun challenge to give old, unhealthy, (usually gluten laden) recipes a more nutritious, gluten-free makeover.<br />
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My husband loves burgers and fries. (What American husband doesn't?) So this summer, instead of grilling fatty beef burgers, we've been eating lots of turkey burgers. Serve on a piece of gluten free toast, with grilled red peppers, mustard and a little cheese, and you've got an easy, yummy dinner that even your pickiest eaters will love. (Olive is my picky child, and even she likes turkey burgers.)<br />
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We have fallen in love with the amazing sweet potato, and it has pretty much taken the place of white potatoes in our house forever. They're so good, and SO much more nutritious than their white, starchy relatives. Making your own sweet potato fries is pretty easy, but if you're in a time crunch (or don't have the energy to peel and bake your own in the midst of cleaning up potty-training accidents behind your 3 year old and comforting your early-teething 4 month old...ahem, I digress...) just pick up a bag of frozen sweet potato fries at the supermarket. Most are gluten free, I've found, but <b>make sure you check the ingredients list to be sure before you buy! (Rule #1 of the gluten-free lifestyle - ALWAYS read ingredient lists!) </b>Most frozen fries are lightly coated with oil and a starch for crispiness. I've found the majority are coated with rice flour, but if the ingredient list reads "wheat" or "modified food starch" I'd beware.<br />
Sweet potato fries are just as good (if not way better!) than regular fries, and again, it's something that young, picky eaters will enjoy. That's something that's important to our young family.<br />
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So, don't let a gluten sensitivity rob the joy from your kitchen! It's easier than you think to feed your family fun, healthy, GF meals!<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-84817011662723334012012-07-18T12:51:00.000-07:002012-07-18T12:51:45.590-07:00Oodles of Doodles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am loving these cute books by Sachiko Umoto. I've always loved doodling, and these little tutorials are so inspirational. I've been scratching up my new sketchbook with a pencil all week. (Well, in those rare spare moments when I'm not juggling feeding my infant and potty training my toddler. Let's keep things real.)<br />
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-16920220735438030252012-07-18T12:36:00.002-07:002012-07-18T12:36:56.273-07:00Easy Gluten Free Living & Fruit Crumble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm slowly easing back into blogging since we welcomed Mr. S into the family, and as I've browsed older posts on here, I realized I haven't said much about being gluten free, which surprises me since living gluten free is so important to my family!<br />
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2 years ago I made a decision to forever change my diet by saying goodbye to gluten. It was a decision that should have been made years before, (I had had the bloodwork and endoscopy reports proving I was allergic to gluten in my possession since I was a teen,) but I had been too afraid and too lazy to make the change. But 2 years ago, I hit a breaking point. I was in my early 20s, only 3 years into my marriage, with a one year old daughter and I felt like an old woman. I was overweight, had no energy, struggled with chronic joint pain and muscle fatigue, and had weekly migraines.<br />
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About 10 weeks after strictly following a gluten free diet, I started seeing miraculous results. Weight started coming off that hadn't budged in years, my migraines disappeared, I had a surge of new energy and started working out again (and actually enjoyed it for the first time in years, as my joint pain started to disappear,) and my appetite and cravings for junk were greatly diminished as I believe the healing that took place in my gut enabled me to start absorbing my food for the first time in a long time.<br />
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Living gluten free has changed my life for the better in so many ways, and I'm always so excited to share my successes with my friends. One thing that drives me crazy, though, is that I run across so many people who would like to benefit from this way of life, but are afraid of giving up good food and having to learn a whole new way of cooking. Maybe I can use this little old blog to be an encouragement to those of you out there who feel this way. It's been 2 years of being gluten free for me, and I am continually surprised how so many of my old favorite foods can very easily be made gluten free (and healthier!) and how learning to cook good gluten free food isn't half as scary or difficult as I once worried it would be.<br />
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Which brings me to this wonderfully simple, delicious fruit crumble recipe.<br />
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My pastor's wife, who is also gluten free, brought this crumble over for us while I was recovering after just having Silas, and it is SO good. When she shared the recipe with me I was shocked at the simplicity of the ingredients. I love recipes that are simple and versatile. This recipe can adapt to whatever you have in your kitchen (or garden) and turn out fabulously each and every time.<br />
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Preheat oven to 375*F.<br />
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4 apples or peaches (or a mix of both) peeled, cubed and placed in a lightly greased casserole dish.<br />
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1 - 2 cups of blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries (whatever tickles your fancy. We have a freezer full of freshly picked blueberries so that's what we used.)<br />
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For the crumble topping, just mix 1 cup of gluten free oats (we use Bob's Red Mill brand) with 1 cup dark brown sugar, a half teaspoon of cinnamon and one stick of softened butter. Blend with a fork until very well mixed.<br />
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Then you simple pack the oat mix on top of the fruit and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.<br />
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It can stand up on its own, but is really decadent with whipped cream, yogurt or ice cream on top. A perfect summer dish!Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-73554042616419236382012-07-10T11:59:00.002-07:002012-07-10T12:00:45.570-07:00Weightless<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love this picture of Olive,</div>
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floating in air.</div>
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glowing with joy.</div>
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<br /></div>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-55951234949145820642012-07-10T11:55:00.001-07:002012-07-10T12:01:04.659-07:00Sillies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqG_kYLsJ-kb4P8F8U-O8NxnK8U4r7orq5BuCXCUt6MyB0w80QsA3txtCTrE8X5iaXTU32nFr6XGAxEdotvynFHWteb64MydX4J0vbCNjpORzwrqtbGUiw93fyVloSGAaPC8G1whdTNCQ/s1600/sibs8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqG_kYLsJ-kb4P8F8U-O8NxnK8U4r7orq5BuCXCUt6MyB0w80QsA3txtCTrE8X5iaXTU32nFr6XGAxEdotvynFHWteb64MydX4J0vbCNjpORzwrqtbGUiw93fyVloSGAaPC8G1whdTNCQ/s640/sibs8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
my kids are ridiculously silly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and ridiculously cute.</div>
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i love them!</div>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-46076827133496844712012-07-10T11:50:00.004-07:002012-07-10T12:01:36.538-07:00almshouse road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfelKtiB6rNRp47OZuBCG20L0lfB1P5j22sBpVYyORpGRHjmZPki7H8Tf9Rw1QI_gRzckNdF3mnliHzJiMOEskU2nR3ATlUUELK6pafL7l5Gy5O1tkCCmDgRLwmaYPlIhb9-gxXB-Pj-_/s1600/poorhouse5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfelKtiB6rNRp47OZuBCG20L0lfB1P5j22sBpVYyORpGRHjmZPki7H8Tf9Rw1QI_gRzckNdF3mnliHzJiMOEskU2nR3ATlUUELK6pafL7l5Gy5O1tkCCmDgRLwmaYPlIhb9-gxXB-Pj-_/s640/poorhouse5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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just some snapshots from an evening trip to the park recently...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7XCOUxVNdKz9GvsYuPwbqlBYVB2iX_dy0V2G2bENj9AGNjcMpEdk7Y_yqXepgfAUm79nmzIQzNFnhT23ypNhtnToXrbkJCr6XfQ9nXHy3Z753eVo7-lNFgKcssO_4YJC9x-ni9IXHryV/s1600/poorhouse4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7XCOUxVNdKz9GvsYuPwbqlBYVB2iX_dy0V2G2bENj9AGNjcMpEdk7Y_yqXepgfAUm79nmzIQzNFnhT23ypNhtnToXrbkJCr6XfQ9nXHy3Z753eVo7-lNFgKcssO_4YJC9x-ni9IXHryV/s640/poorhouse4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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summer nights in early june were lovely.</div>
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summer nights in late june and so far in july?</div>
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not so much.</div>
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too hot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd92z_AMGbe-z6K7bzL1MwgFcSymF2jsGNpOBreXznLt8YBLExnqQqDZLJnvdUfHhbWGN5gKAiFJZ_WyTglOKNHR9gpox56_HuWzH97Gbqu73YLRYm81QTc6P26ypKHzJgNGr7TkKfuJA/s1600/poorhouse12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd92z_AMGbe-z6K7bzL1MwgFcSymF2jsGNpOBreXznLt8YBLExnqQqDZLJnvdUfHhbWGN5gKAiFJZ_WyTglOKNHR9gpox56_HuWzH97Gbqu73YLRYm81QTc6P26ypKHzJgNGr7TkKfuJA/s640/poorhouse12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEx04ylG3nyPy9TM6JDl83JZcBkRr9TC7F8oR7c16p2mORsRSKy5zvW90Y-3xjTcbrxB7xQriivdqxZ-zA-yJB9SEQoJsC1RxTkrZtaAJrstfOu1Twda_blR4yCSUGlTtW0cuCe4KIvzm/s1600/poorhouse22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEx04ylG3nyPy9TM6JDl83JZcBkRr9TC7F8oR7c16p2mORsRSKy5zvW90Y-3xjTcbrxB7xQriivdqxZ-zA-yJB9SEQoJsC1RxTkrZtaAJrstfOu1Twda_blR4yCSUGlTtW0cuCe4KIvzm/s640/poorhouse22.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-23798801048270891332012-06-10T16:22:00.001-07:002012-06-10T16:22:41.462-07:00getting back to work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I'm having a hard time loving some things lately.<br />
<br />
(Like the fact that I'm turning 26 in 2 weeks. But lets not talk about that.)<br />
<br />
And the fact that I have a very post-partum body right now. And it ain't pretty.<br />
<br />
Actually, what I'm hating more than the sagginess and bagginess, is the crazy hormone ride. That's one of the great things about pregnancy - 9 months of high, happy levels of progesterone that keep me feeling pretty level headed and happy. Post partum hormone fluctuations and mood swings are not my (or Matt's) friends. They kind of make everything else seem a lot worse than they probably are.<br />
<br />
Anyway. I'm back to hitting the treadmill. I started two weeks ago. An hour a day of running/brisk walks and strength training with free weights in the mornings and family walks outdoors at night. It's harder to make changes with the diet, because I'm working at pumping as much milk as I can to feed my ornery (but oh so stinkin' cute) son who refuses to nurse, so I can't really afford to go on a low calorie diet. But I'm making healthy choices, eating lots of fruit and veggies, cutting back on sugar and snacks, etc.<br />
<br />
I feel awesome, but I am really disappointed because in 2 weeks of tiring workouts and eating right I've lost one stupid pound. Like, what the heck body? I know you're not a teenager anymore but you should still be able to drop pounds with hard work, right?<br />
<br />
I'm trying to make my motivation for working out and eating right about feeling good and being healthy, not about appearances. I feel good when I work out every day, so I have no plans on quitting.<br />
<br />
But it's still frustrating. Gosh darn it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-78631407446906307082012-06-08T12:42:00.001-07:002012-07-10T12:02:04.756-07:00Mr. Universe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlt8DZp_sHsm8w3yxKTiXZ7aRmigN06nlJgpLvbQQI5M7NsvfwcrdRcLOr5ZdA_5YSDw6X8hXPdcGNvc2Fyfiq3gyTSTwHBmmfErlJ2Xzf7mWpHlDKkcu01XoAJLsbsXC4wS-NdU8LvxJ/s1600/mruniverse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlt8DZp_sHsm8w3yxKTiXZ7aRmigN06nlJgpLvbQQI5M7NsvfwcrdRcLOr5ZdA_5YSDw6X8hXPdcGNvc2Fyfiq3gyTSTwHBmmfErlJ2Xzf7mWpHlDKkcu01XoAJLsbsXC4wS-NdU8LvxJ/s1600/mruniverse.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
finding good comedy, these days, is really hard.</div>
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(and by good, i mean family friendly, won't-make-you-blush or feel like</div>
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you need a shower afterwards.)</div>
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that's why i've kind of fallen in love with mr. jim gaffigan.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he makes family friendly, ordinary topics like fast food, large families</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and even hot pockets wildly entertaining and hilarious.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwikj4mtAeeSmYgBnjXN29WfU-5Urx3tvccbpC8CATJ44FliyYtAqVU_RCRo9Hvy5Q_ZYtWQU_GQKju9J6uA97Sr3VO792g0vGHwZg9TKeovhyphenhyphenGVofVhwpmWwyUVpMWUQAKO5XaCBkc1YX/s1600/jim-gaffigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwikj4mtAeeSmYgBnjXN29WfU-5Urx3tvccbpC8CATJ44FliyYtAqVU_RCRo9Hvy5Q_ZYtWQU_GQKju9J6uA97Sr3VO792g0vGHwZg9TKeovhyphenhyphenGVofVhwpmWwyUVpMWUQAKO5XaCBkc1YX/s320/jim-gaffigan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you can watch two of his stand up specials on netflix.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"mr. universe" just became available to stream this week and it's hysterical.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(disclaimer: he does use a few mild swear words and reference pornography a couple of times, but</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not in a way that we found overtly distasteful. but because of those things i probably</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wouldn't recommend for really young children.)</div>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-23662562935165190612012-06-04T15:20:00.001-07:002012-06-04T15:20:05.820-07:002 Months Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Silas turned two months old yesterday!</div>
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(Wow that was a fast two months!)</div>
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He is 14 lb 10 oz, and about 25" long!</div>
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These days, he's all about smiling at his adoring family members</div>
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(especially that fascinating sister of his)</div>
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and practicing holding up his very heavy head.</div>
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He's eating like a champ (obviously) and was a great little</div>
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traveler over Memorial Day weekend, only making</div>
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us stop once on the 7 hour drive so he could eat! </div>
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And not to brag too much, but he's been sleeping through the night</div>
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for a couple of weeks now!</div>
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Our big, easy going, handsome boy...</div>
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We love him so much!</div>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-32139405780482296372012-06-04T15:12:00.000-07:002012-06-04T15:12:35.165-07:00picnic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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we were blessed with perfect weather last weekend, and decided to pack a little picnic dinner to take to antietam battlefield in MD. it was an awesome evening.<br />
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we hope there are more fun picnics in store this summer!</div>
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<br />Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-28915448406247663692012-04-16T11:03:00.000-07:002012-04-16T11:03:28.059-07:00Siblings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPAocFEgEJ4UcRfteouorJrEgwyrlvG-4Yf25Gq8Q624CEzjKs7tjxIigZd4EAKTHV2iX5AUxGmPrGWR5Bw7Vpnmm4Y4YLBWuQsFs_IMpaMDUHtW1HCQxLBmIn3X93pL8GsNgjqX3iJUD/s1600/silasolive1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPAocFEgEJ4UcRfteouorJrEgwyrlvG-4Yf25Gq8Q624CEzjKs7tjxIigZd4EAKTHV2iX5AUxGmPrGWR5Bw7Vpnmm4Y4YLBWuQsFs_IMpaMDUHtW1HCQxLBmIn3X93pL8GsNgjqX3iJUD/s640/silasolive1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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it still feels surreal to see these guys together, and to realize matt and i are parents to TWO. i can't wait to see how their relationship grows over the years. i pray that they'll love each other and grow up to be really good friends. my heart runs over with love for both of them...my two little small freys.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-81890317084689945582012-04-16T10:58:00.000-07:002012-04-16T10:58:00.871-07:00I Hate Breasfeeding...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfGYslMw54O84xjEJPnICPGehTPuYRRXx0kLCJCUw5uYk7jCTnHLELh_3SeYtvzb261eKOdN5tyA16sgVQU-GQAA1WK_RLHnLarSjTFkjo_lbjejlPHRaw-dQIuNn47awWpUG9Gzlyk51/s1600/silas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfGYslMw54O84xjEJPnICPGehTPuYRRXx0kLCJCUw5uYk7jCTnHLELh_3SeYtvzb261eKOdN5tyA16sgVQU-GQAA1WK_RLHnLarSjTFkjo_lbjejlPHRaw-dQIuNn47awWpUG9Gzlyk51/s640/silas1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
...at least, the first few weeks of it.<br />
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ouch, ouch ouch!<br />
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i've been so frustrated lately, because my voracious little <strike>pirhana</strike> darling has been tearing me up. he's getting plenty of milk, his latch doesn't seem bad, but i've got bruises galore and am just barely surviving with the help of my new best friend, "motrin."<br />
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of course, the lactation nurse (who has been wonderful and has made THREE house calls to help me out and is making a 4th trip out tomorrow,) keeps insisting i shouldn't be feeling any pain at 2 weeks post partum, which makes me feel like a total failure. what are we doing wrong, baby silas?<br />
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i'm determined to see this out at least another week in hopes that things start getting better (they've GOT to get better, right?) but boy-oh-boy, memories of <strike>watching my husband feed </strike> feeding my daughter formula have been tempting me <i><b>sorely</b></i> to give up, especially during those agonizing, painful, sleepy night feedings.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-51343923028089486172012-04-13T11:55:00.000-07:002012-04-13T11:55:52.206-07:00silly mama loves silly hats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEq_YOXh_GWqkr5yqYjW0PoS5xJQErcWYFp_hFV_SQrCIW-AU0wX4ixfeOxr2awuLX_-o7JCd0q4ud0Ls_ATe8T5plf6koaXYNdqH5zIKWo9_CxLEZZw-9EhSG0v67ubFedOxQ1KrMRGQ/s1600/winterspringbabyarrives2012+393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEq_YOXh_GWqkr5yqYjW0PoS5xJQErcWYFp_hFV_SQrCIW-AU0wX4ixfeOxr2awuLX_-o7JCd0q4ud0Ls_ATe8T5plf6koaXYNdqH5zIKWo9_CxLEZZw-9EhSG0v67ubFedOxQ1KrMRGQ/s400/winterspringbabyarrives2012+393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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when we first found out we were having a BOY i have to admit, i felt a brief moment of disappointment, partly because boys are scary, uncharted territory for me, but also a little because baby girls are so much fun to dress up, and i assumed dressing up little boys would be boring.<br />
<br />
not. at. all.<br />
<br />
with a little help from some fun finds via etsy, i've had a little too much fun dressing up my son. in fact, i think i've been having more fun with his wardrobe than i did with my daughter's! he's going to think i'm a little (or a lot) crazy one day when he looks back at his baby photos. but i don't care because i'm having a ball. :)Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-25322550578902561962012-04-09T14:15:00.000-07:002012-04-09T14:15:21.049-07:00a happy birth story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDSpyaLCFZ_qjizSMcP8Ra6KkZornAKnIIc74AeWkmYKP3qKnqAwDGoZMpdJ2jRwsqMdlK-sXEIqDDpNMks1gKZFW-YYI0HsUFIVk09yX2s4gssBD6w9_xFVftKoUo7g4WWZzwCsnWdA8/s1600/mamasilas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDSpyaLCFZ_qjizSMcP8Ra6KkZornAKnIIc74AeWkmYKP3qKnqAwDGoZMpdJ2jRwsqMdlK-sXEIqDDpNMks1gKZFW-YYI0HsUFIVk09yX2s4gssBD6w9_xFVftKoUo7g4WWZzwCsnWdA8/s1600/mamasilas1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
as my due date came and went with this pregnancy, my anxiety grew and grew.. memories of how difficult my daughter's delivery was 3 years prior, (15 hours of induced back labor, followed by a placenta abruption that caused hemorrhaging, followed by debilitating anemia that lasted months...oh, and did i mention a precious baby girl who had colic and major breast feeding issues? yeah, it was bad,) had me torn between wanting to not face the delivery at all and wanting to get it over with as quickly as possible.<br />
<br />
i started losing my plug on my daughter's birthday, 2 days past my due date. contractions picked up some intensity, but would not stay regular. i continued to do everything i had been doing for weeks in hopes of inducing my labor naturally - walking up to 2 miles a day, taking lots of evening primrose oil, bouncing and rocking on the exercise ball, but by monday evening contractions were painful but still irregular. at my midwife's appointment that monday night, i prayed there would be some sign of progression, but to our dismay after all that work to get things going all week, i had made no progress at all. i cried while my midwife handed me an order for an induction in four days, just in case i didn't go into labor before hand. i cried all the way through dinner with my husband, (poor guy,) and all the way to my mother in law's house to retrieve olive. i was terrified about going through another induced labor and felt really defeated. i had really hoped this labor would be more easy and natural.<br />
<br />
early the next morning, at midnight to be exact, i woke up with a really painful contraction. i went back to sleep but woke up about 20 minutes later with another one. these painful, back centered contractions continued all night, every 15-20 minutes. i waited optimistically for them to get stronger and closer together, but they never did, so at 6a.m. i got up and showered. the contractions continued to come every 15-20 minutes all morning, but didn't get closer together. they did start getting more painful, and i found i felt too distracted to pay much attention to olive. matt encouraged me to let him ask his mom to come get olive. i refused at first, just "knowing" this was more false labor and was going to lead nowhere, and i hated to inconvenience my mother in law, but eventually i let him call her.<br />
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as soon as olive left, the contractions started getting really uncomfortable. soon i couldn't lay in bed through them anymore, and sat on the edge of my bed wincing my way through them. getting on my hands and knees helped me get through them for a while, and when that didn't help anymore i walked through them. but around 4:30pm i could no longer walk through them, in fact walking seemed to intensify them.<br />
<br />
through all this, it never crossed my mind that i could be in real labor. the contractions were still not regular, and i was completely convinced i was being a big baby and handling the pain poorly because i was anxious and hadn't had any sleep the night before. i did start thinking about calling in to the hospital, to see if i could come use their laboring tub, knowing it would take some of the awful pressure off my back, and would perhaps stop the contractions if it were false labor, but i was determined not to go in only to be sent home with a diagnosis of being in false labor.<br />
<br />
i talked to my mom on the phone through some of the contractions, and every time one would hit me i'd have to put the phone down and focus on breathing through it. my mom encouraged me to keep waiting until the contractions got to 5 minutes apart before going to the hospital. at this point they were coming every 8-12 minutes.<br />
<br />
at 6pm matt finally finished work and came upstairs to check on me. we talked about it, and decided he would go grab us something for dinner and we'd make a decision about whether or not to go into the hospital after we ate. while he was out getting dinner, the contractions started coming quickly and erratically, sometimes as close as every 3 minutes, sometimes 8 minutes. when i walked, they seemed to come one on top of the other. i took a few bites of my sandwich and told matt i was ready to go. i was tremendously uncomfortable and having a hard time focusing to breathe through the contractions anymore. i prepared myself to be sent home from the hospital, but i really wanted to know if these contractions were doing anything useful.<br />
<br />
at the hospital i refused to let matt drop me off at the door, and insisted on walking through the parking lot to the emergency entrance, because i was still so sure i was being a big baby. it was a long slow walk because the contractions were so much worse when walking. as soon as the nurse at the reception desk saw me, she rushed me back to get registered as quickly as possible. before i knew it we were in triage on the birth center floor.<br />
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my midwife, lisa, came in to see me, and i struggled to keep it together while she examined me. i was so sure i was going to be sent home. during the exam, i told her how i was just checked the evening before and was only 2 cm.<br />
<br />
"well, you're not 2 cm anymore," she told me, surprise coming over her face. "more like 6 or 7. your water is bulging, we need to get you to a delivery room quickly. this baby is coming!"<br />
<br />
words cannot explain the relief and shock i felt at that moment. i could tell by looking at matt that he was shocked too! i had spent all day feeling like a wimp and failure who couldn't even handle false labor, and now i couldn't believe i had labored for real all day at home, coming into the hospital at the very end!<br />
<br />
during the next 2 hours, i received an iv, and a low dose epidural which took the excruciating back pain away but left me in full control of my legs and still allowed me to feel the full extent of the pressure of the contractions. then lisa broke my water, and things started moving very quickly. as soon as my water broke, the contractions finally became regular - as in 1 every minute. the pressure was overwhelming, but i focused hard to breathe through them and not allow myself to tense up through them. lisa did a good job encouraging me to stay relaxed as we let the contractions bring the baby down.<br />
<br />
around 10:40pm, just 3 and half hours after being admitted into the hospital, i was ready to push, and just 20 minutes of pushing later at 11:03, silas made his appearance! there was a tremendous feeling of relief as the pressure from the contractions disappeared, and tremendous joy as i was able to hold my son as soon as he was born. he took his first breaths and cries in my arms, and matt cut the cord. it was perfect. just writing this i feel overwhelmed with thankfulness to the Lord for allowing matt and i to experience such a wonderful birth, in spite of my anxieties and fears. thank you Jesus!<br />
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<br />
just as the delivery was dramatically easier than olive's labor and delivery, my recovery since silas' birth has been miraculously easy in contrast with that of his sister's three years ago. breast feeding has also been natural and easy, and silas has had no sign of colic. he is an easy going, content baby, who loves to eat, cuddle and sleep. matt, olive and i feel well rested, happy and very very blessed!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuwVrfWYO03HcBpGte3srk3F9oUKaBF2UnDZcCYIzQ2QPF6uMcRT38qxEQNT6J4jn4z9c02KpuanKXymvkC_GxSytfY0flX5o7If_1eFCehYVURATjQwOiAhHlJYTxutRkxJyeUpCRJfV/s1600/olivesilas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuwVrfWYO03HcBpGte3srk3F9oUKaBF2UnDZcCYIzQ2QPF6uMcRT38qxEQNT6J4jn4z9c02KpuanKXymvkC_GxSytfY0flX5o7If_1eFCehYVURATjQwOiAhHlJYTxutRkxJyeUpCRJfV/s1600/olivesilas.jpg" /></a></div>Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2576118591844148725.post-79150775690471458322012-04-08T11:49:00.000-07:002012-04-08T11:49:28.552-07:00Resurrection Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxYaLIkEnIdvR0smfaTNuNmNK4zwzClQtuty-zqQ4B11N69-LzCkHK75JwjzkP2U8niEXi4wrTJtAynU8bWLOmzuRABKbURF4_nwCyqJAX62sDzlUw3zGaUojqNKxr2MxwV-prBoMm4rx/s1600/winterspringbabyarrives2012+423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxYaLIkEnIdvR0smfaTNuNmNK4zwzClQtuty-zqQ4B11N69-LzCkHK75JwjzkP2U8niEXi4wrTJtAynU8bWLOmzuRABKbURF4_nwCyqJAX62sDzlUw3zGaUojqNKxr2MxwV-prBoMm4rx/s400/winterspringbabyarrives2012+423.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Happy Easter! We are enjoying the day quietly at home. Since Grandma does Easter baskets for the kids every year, (we'll wait to do those next weekend when cousins are in town,) we made Olive a little gift bag with things to dress up with, books and crayons. She was excited. :)<br />
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My little sweetieheart didn't get a gift bag, but he did get a lot of cuddling time with mommy last night and this morning. What a eater this boy is! Which is a good thing, since I'm having a horrible time with engorgement. (Yowwwch!) Can't wait for things to normalize.Jacquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03104557787691853474noreply@blogger.com0