tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32924834152501279872024-02-02T06:35:03.305-08:00A vintage notionMeghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-31264953832770234682014-12-08T06:03:00.001-08:002014-12-08T06:03:27.636-08:00Valerie is here<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7FK5okKwInhB6eB6SWZTvWIHWf5o-KfAkfeITYwR9ycGiG8COwIPG_z4ZICvA94BHUd9VwoHeF-11mq5366BKOwLPFeVBOxIFRawALivChr4ep6fUMZGmHF9liQOYihB-LjUy8n1dIfF/s1600/NTP_3451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7FK5okKwInhB6eB6SWZTvWIHWf5o-KfAkfeITYwR9ycGiG8COwIPG_z4ZICvA94BHUd9VwoHeF-11mq5366BKOwLPFeVBOxIFRawALivChr4ep6fUMZGmHF9liQOYihB-LjUy8n1dIfF/s1600/NTP_3451.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bright eyed bushy tailed little lady</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little mermaid and her first modeling job at one week old. </td></tr>
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This blog post is almost 6 months overdue. I feel having 3 kids one and under, moving 2 weeks after her birth and having a husband who is working a crazy schedule right now, maybe buys me some time. But I really wanted to write this story down, or what I remember of it because it was a healing VBAC birth, I didn't even know I needed healing. But boy I am so thankful for little lady and the birth she allowed me to have. Please pardon all the pictures. Note birth story follows. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The twins a week before Valerie's birth picking GMA up at the airport<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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I was so worried on whether my mom, who graciously gave up all of her yearly vacation, would make it to Georgia in time. Having babies who were born at 34 weeks really made me a nervous wreck. Luckily, mom made it and enjoyed a whole week with us before I had to be induced with Valerie. My Dr. felt comfortable letting me try for a VBAC up to 41.5 weeks but then it would be c-section. I was thrilled to find a Dr. who was so on board with my desire to try for a VBAC. I know that many doctors do not always feel this way and especially with births only 15 months apart. However, my Dr. in Kansas (who delivered the twins) knew we wanted more kids and on his end made sure even with an emergency c-section I would be a great candidate for VBAC. </div>
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At about 38 weeks I started to make great progress. Baby had descended and was at a -1, I was dilating and effacing. I remember my Dr. saying he was on call that weekend and probably expected to see me. The nurses started laughing and joking about how I wouldn't be back for my next appointment. Sure enough I waddled back not once, but twice. My Dr. seemed so surprised at each appointment. My doula was going out of town on Friday June 13th. And my mom was flying back the following Tuesday on the 17th and baby needed to be out by the 16th, or it was a c-section. All of those factors combined with the fact that we were moving on the 28th of June. And if I was going to have a c-section I needed more than one day with an extra set of hands (plus I wouldn't have been out of the hospital and David was in an Army school meaning no time to take off) I knew we needed to schedule an induction. I was terrified of it, and many people are of the mindset that one medical intervention seems to led to more interventions. </div>
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My Dr. and I decided on heading to the hospital on the 11th of June for an induction. I did not want a Friday the 13th baby and I really wanted to be sure my doula could be there with us for the birth. My Dr. wasn't going to be on call until the night of the 12th, but he said the other doctors would all be aware of my decision to VBAC. I kissed the babies good night, told my mom good luck, and David and I headed to the hospital. We got there and there was no Dr. orders on file. At this point I was at 4, baby was at a zero and I was 75% effaced. The nurses decided to give me a small dose of pit and see what happened. I slept and by the morning I was at a 5. The new on call Dr. was not very VBAC friendly. He decided to up my pit some more. By this time the contractions were really coming and the only relief I got was from sitting on the exercise ball while my doula/David applied pressure on my back. The fetal monitors would move and it would look like Valerie was in distress. The nurses were all great with it, but this Dr. had a fit every time even though after the contraction her heart rate would be fine. He came in the room and said I needed to get back in bed and stay there or the next time it was a c-section. I tried for 3 hours to manage the contractions in bed (which is hard and pit contractions stink). By this time it was 4 pm on the 12th of June. The dr. came back and checked me and I was only at a 7. I was devastated, wore out, and upset with this Dr. who seemed to disagree with my VBAC choice and voiced it. I told my doula I wanted pain relief, I think I was more mentally exhausted than anything and it was interfering with my body doing the job it needed to do. We agreed to stadol and I had one dose of that, I got to an 8 before the relief wore off. In hindsight, I wish I would have known how close I was, had my dr, on hand, fought the urge. At that point I asked for an epidural. We had been at the hospital for over 24 hours, I knew the clock was ticking and being stalled at a 7 and 8 for almost 5 hours at this point was painful. Those are some wicked contractions. I couldn't move to ease the pain and I knew I still had to push. </div>
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At 8 pm that night my Dr. got there I was still at a 8. He came in this his larger than life laugh, and kept joking about no baby. Immediately I felt my whole body relax. I got the epidural shortly after that. At 10 pm I was at 9 almost a 10 and was told to let them know when I felt the urge to push. The nurses all kept saying you will know. At 11 pm I started complaining that my left hip was killing me with each contraction. Everyone kept asking if I felt the urge to push, I would say no, but my hip is really bothering me. Finally my doula told the nurse I was feeling the urge to push and she checked me sure enough I was ready. She said I had a feeling the hip thing might have meant you were ready. </div>
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At 11:50 pm my Dr. came in and gave the go ahead for some practice pushing. I did a few of these and then they called him back in and at 12:59 am on Friday the 13th (also happened to be a full moon) our sweet Valerie Ann was born. She weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces (I think she would have been more but she had meconium in the womb) and 20 inches long. The Dr. immediatly said that she had the strongest lungs he had ever heard and we knew then that Valerie, which means strength/valor, was the perfect name choice.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valerie and her dad right after birth, no wires how amazing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7a2bplvNdSw/VIWiTJc9XJI/AAAAAAAAJ8Y/mdJn3o0QYbo/s1600/10390180_10152545971530719_3988552756766096976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7a2bplvNdSw/VIWiTJc9XJI/AAAAAAAAJ8Y/mdJn3o0QYbo/s1600/10390180_10152545971530719_3988552756766096976_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My doula and I, she was amazing and without her I am not sure I would have had a VBAC. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuc9cWkiGwoa65iVC5eBLSEPXGMKRV1Wi7TFEshA84su8rkrFNWDmqexADOlvVI5XhWrDHR3s54P530OutVyeM0yZlyoz3uf4KSEkLibwuW_tTn0ywgyHsIcAh0zCuVD1FoEl0wx9tztD/s1600/1+Meghan+phone+2014+(213).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuc9cWkiGwoa65iVC5eBLSEPXGMKRV1Wi7TFEshA84su8rkrFNWDmqexADOlvVI5XhWrDHR3s54P530OutVyeM0yZlyoz3uf4KSEkLibwuW_tTn0ywgyHsIcAh0zCuVD1FoEl0wx9tztD/s1600/1+Meghan+phone+2014+(213).jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the hospital 36 hours after birth</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo5uqWd5BEY/VIWhYxUuUwI/AAAAAAAAJ78/Bf_5TLlKleo/s1600/DSC_0028-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo5uqWd5BEY/VIWhYxUuUwI/AAAAAAAAJ78/Bf_5TLlKleo/s1600/DSC_0028-2.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a> We left the hospital together, she only left my room once and that was 12 hours after she was born. She had no wires, I was able to nurse her and hold her right away. I had no idea how wearing and emotionally haunting my NICU birth had been. She is the perfect little lady for us. There are times now almost 6 months later when I get overwhelmed by the miracle she is. I look back at all the pain, and heartache we had with infertility, pregnancy loss, premature birth and NICU time and am simply beyond thankful for her blessing. If I knew that all those things would lead to this I would do them over again and have handled with so much more grace. Simply put Valerie, and her sisters, were worth it all 100 times over again. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo5uqWd5BEY/VIWhYxUuUwI/AAAAAAAAJ78/Bf_5TLlKleo/s1600/DSC_0028-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo5uqWd5BEY/VIWhYxUuUwI/AAAAAAAAJ78/Bf_5TLlKleo/s1600/DSC_0028-2.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My spunky, happy, life of the party little lady</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh baby!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom Ann, and her sweet little namesake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The twins playing with their sister for the first time. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One week old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One month old </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 months old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chaos that surrounds here, she fits right in. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQyjV5ObsG0F1nUxQHkA5w9v0WJiNQ3ufYmLPxXrYrboeU8gZbsd-ER3Fx_nCLi-VUq_0FGgmYAiLfvHUBZikE1oN5GRwVK4cYiBPNb2Gd3RtlVt_qK0vn06Sw8et6dR52ION_z4hMQ8p/s1600/Fall2014+(516)-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQyjV5ObsG0F1nUxQHkA5w9v0WJiNQ3ufYmLPxXrYrboeU8gZbsd-ER3Fx_nCLi-VUq_0FGgmYAiLfvHUBZikE1oN5GRwVK4cYiBPNb2Gd3RtlVt_qK0vn06Sw8et6dR52ION_z4hMQ8p/s1600/Fall2014+(516)-001.JPG" height="320" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture gets me every time! Valerie surprised by the photo bomb.</td></tr>
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<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-75269072458263273662014-12-05T09:37:00.004-08:002014-12-05T09:37:52.996-08:00Hedged In Love Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj5MmyWt_1qdsKADnBajm_Ozq4zTRcmk2e_sGptSot0DFt0VRx4a-loD_BTbcZ2yVXChpPN3ODq0FNxwhGS6dHmvAQINKDcGWDdhAOXm4-V9nH-9ZPvkFVKTSdu58H4XXkdFDyw2HzTQ_/s1600/DSC_1857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj5MmyWt_1qdsKADnBajm_Ozq4zTRcmk2e_sGptSot0DFt0VRx4a-loD_BTbcZ2yVXChpPN3ODq0FNxwhGS6dHmvAQINKDcGWDdhAOXm4-V9nH-9ZPvkFVKTSdu58H4XXkdFDyw2HzTQ_/s1600/DSC_1857.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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One most favorite people in the whole world is getting married to her prince charming. I can't make it back for the wedding and it is killing me. And how do you make up missing one of the greatest events in someone's life who has been to most of your biggest life events? </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31MSbOX-8jimnypC81-DM3HLY9giiQFI4sdwRxThI7UMv_gEIIxfwkZWUpn_e6XoluYBgPyItvS887xZPQpFdqeyEDYKf77edfauh1tmodj7ksz2DgYipAccdsOTwxtNbCwuxBVtXHHlf/s1600/1266801_615362753089_1451955929_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31MSbOX-8jimnypC81-DM3HLY9giiQFI4sdwRxThI7UMv_gEIIxfwkZWUpn_e6XoluYBgPyItvS887xZPQpFdqeyEDYKf77edfauh1tmodj7ksz2DgYipAccdsOTwxtNbCwuxBVtXHHlf/s1600/1266801_615362753089_1451955929_o.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph with Clara at the twins baptism.</td></tr>
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Not to mention she is the reason my 3 little ladies exist (she introduced me to the hubs). You pour your love into a quilt and send it off in hopes it reminds her how much you love her of course!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yGC0pEbIchxHGI3S4GMDDLyjD_HxOM6Umn5sOe-W-2o5-ucWugnipcWrnMHsi5X2f6IFYRwjE9nzsE7OA51xtLOQPvESCBYuExYWcbeT9AQ97Bom7gPfp5Dp5xnkZrBTnuS7WlvbfW8w/s1600/154458_585735396549_654804591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yGC0pEbIchxHGI3S4GMDDLyjD_HxOM6Umn5sOe-W-2o5-ucWugnipcWrnMHsi5X2f6IFYRwjE9nzsE7OA51xtLOQPvESCBYuExYWcbeT9AQ97Bom7gPfp5Dp5xnkZrBTnuS7WlvbfW8w/s1600/154458_585735396549_654804591_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 years ago myself, Stephanie, and Brittany friends since high school</td></tr>
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I have had an Outfoxed charm pack and fat quarter set for forever. Stephanie had a hedgehog for awhile, but took her dream job teaching at a university this fall and apparently hedgehogs are not allowed in California. I had planned to make <span id="goog_635881260"></span><span id="goog_635881261"></span>a quilt for her using this as soon as she got engaged. It isn't a real live hedgehog, but a hedgehog quilt is still pretty rocking, I think.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXyYxuIkPWo3FfV12MIzyYiyb9arf7FNgoTWb6Ewfhpr0kAYH1Xz4bzVCmio-BsXMzth-kuA8reMgSHwUZ1S3YTlaWWyyA4u2XBeaeryMERtOwIEuM4T2eZhOhQpLE7IWZc86m6HZ_KSj/s1600/Fall2014+(330).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXyYxuIkPWo3FfV12MIzyYiyb9arf7FNgoTWb6Ewfhpr0kAYH1Xz4bzVCmio-BsXMzth-kuA8reMgSHwUZ1S3YTlaWWyyA4u2XBeaeryMERtOwIEuM4T2eZhOhQpLE7IWZc86m6HZ_KSj/s1600/Fall2014+(330).JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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I threw in some Kona White and a few Kona fat quarters I had laying around and made a simple square in square with sashing. After washing the quilt was 46.5" x 54.5". I machine quilted very liberated (read wonky and crazy) figure 8s in the sashing and then stitched in the ditch on the squares. The texture up close on this quilt was a lot of fun. It was hard to part with it. I hope they love it and can find a use for it in their new home together. She is my person and as such she deserves the most amazing blessing as she makes her dreams come true!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sWZsuXvEgb0ag_OtCLUy9tVLJkLjryGZeTrlAa78QYTCePtI9dCMFqgdvtVGLfwfaE3mg1qaLw7wuzVuCT4SE7ts1do3gAg7DuA8GJUcNfsJFVYgZYEUpS89pqrCSX8VHEwCYTwt548F/s1600/247872_506649879559_9394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sWZsuXvEgb0ag_OtCLUy9tVLJkLjryGZeTrlAa78QYTCePtI9dCMFqgdvtVGLfwfaE3mg1qaLw7wuzVuCT4SE7ts1do3gAg7DuA8GJUcNfsJFVYgZYEUpS89pqrCSX8VHEwCYTwt548F/s1600/247872_506649879559_9394_n.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brittany, myself, and Stephanie at my wedding 2008</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTr0z_cq0j_LKtlF5HxR_6i4Ew-X_CGqOXlPCpaS8O2sdrlQ9Rl38F3W19IH8ZoIkF5794Rb18T0kNGhuTVYVUaPFiEwBRemqRnOPp4_9ssPGE5UfMDN10TKfFr4swhUp97eszzQIrAsBb/s1600/200046_502861027449_789_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTr0z_cq0j_LKtlF5HxR_6i4Ew-X_CGqOXlPCpaS8O2sdrlQ9Rl38F3W19IH8ZoIkF5794Rb18T0kNGhuTVYVUaPFiEwBRemqRnOPp4_9ssPGE5UfMDN10TKfFr4swhUp97eszzQIrAsBb/s1600/200046_502861027449_789_n.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">2005 gotta love the college days :)</td></tr>
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Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-55782489794299378312014-04-16T12:25:00.004-07:002014-04-16T12:25:59.155-07:00V is for Valerie <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZltVcqUmBAKYp3SaGzy7cwKPSEnKkR6tUwnRPuQWMU65r-0r0_F8koOlzv8QkWh1Miu0GS42X9ThDBPcoxUKARCofFvB4hFpmYBQMtReJrY4IZAifyJzpit_o-gAYffcfh_HuqUsp4Mi/s1600/DSC_1668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZltVcqUmBAKYp3SaGzy7cwKPSEnKkR6tUwnRPuQWMU65r-0r0_F8koOlzv8QkWh1Miu0GS42X9ThDBPcoxUKARCofFvB4hFpmYBQMtReJrY4IZAifyJzpit_o-gAYffcfh_HuqUsp4Mi/s1600/DSC_1668.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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V is for Valerie. Or rather the sweet little person growing in my belly. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6y2NmKlXBldniHQC3105mLCB7vDOswq6nxBl3gnh3PcdLtXq_NJpKIs4I38Df-axAhe3czMoQN-NCWCDagCz0l40oi5d_8fVuEhfVxNo_pOnh99G-db2UP-7hmB_7JHfRAYQ980KOYC6/s1600/DSC_1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6y2NmKlXBldniHQC3105mLCB7vDOswq6nxBl3gnh3PcdLtXq_NJpKIs4I38Df-axAhe3czMoQN-NCWCDagCz0l40oi5d_8fVuEhfVxNo_pOnh99G-db2UP-7hmB_7JHfRAYQ980KOYC6/s1600/DSC_1663.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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There are so many funny things already about this pregnancy. How you are such an unexpected blessing, or how we weren't supposed to know if you were a she, or he, but you decided you wanted to tell us anyway (shh it is still a surprise for most of our friends and all of our family). There have been lots of sweet moments as well feeling your first kicks, the way you wake up and move around when you hear your sisters, the way your sisters rub my belly and then theirs. </div>
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Perhaps the sweetest is finally getting to use this quilt fabric that I bought years ago when I thought starting a family would be easier than making a quilt. Years went by and there was lots of heartbreak, pain, and suffering. Then we were blessed twice with your sisters. But you, sweet little girl, you have erased so much pain, taught me to trust my body, heart and soul. Miracles happen and often when you least expect them. You are already such an inspiration and pillar of strength and I haven't even seen your face yet! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIOv0F1mWYEg2FSREutyrPzDvQsLz_Jee0GYwO3ua1VfqxCw7YvYidGHh3cEbNyNyOlOAJRO5hoXvvwLwzdrPRbcRXMHfan1FSJWJ3F9o0a_Wn6Djb4nnkQtzXGqFW0-0XaidTyhzIVrG/s1600/DSC_1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIOv0F1mWYEg2FSREutyrPzDvQsLz_Jee0GYwO3ua1VfqxCw7YvYidGHh3cEbNyNyOlOAJRO5hoXvvwLwzdrPRbcRXMHfan1FSJWJ3F9o0a_Wn6Djb4nnkQtzXGqFW0-0XaidTyhzIVrG/s1600/DSC_1672.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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Valerie means of strong health, strong minded, and brave. Dear baby Valerie may you always remember this in life. I can't thank you enough for blessing us with your presence and I can't wait to bring you home in this quilt that I have dreamt about for years. </div>
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<u>Quilt Stats</u></div>
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Fabric:Hushabye by Tula Pink, Kona Cotton, and Minky back</div>
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Size:36 inches square</div>
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Quilted in straight lines</div>
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<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-13947936113062881832014-01-08T11:38:00.000-08:002014-01-08T11:38:16.817-08:00A recap of 2013This is not the normal nostalgic recap of the last year, rather a list of what did work for us and did not work for us as our first year as a family. Before, having children we had all these ideas of how life would be-well as always reality is very different. A good different, but different none the less. Since we had two babies last year, and will be having one this year. I am trying to very intentional this year and that means purposefully thinking about what did and did not work for our little family.<br />
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What did not work:<br />
1. Social Media-I know this one is a shocking one. Having social media is amazing, letting it go unchecked it becomes a major time suck. For me, I could spend an hour or more looking at other peoples lives instead of focusing on the beautiful one around me. I found myself getting angry at some people's post, jealous of others, and more than anything spending way more time investing in my Facebook friends than in face-to-face time with my friends. <br />
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2. Trying to do all the things I was doing before I had kids-this left me drained, emotional, over tired, and spending my time thinking about all the things I did not do-instead of getting a task completed. <br />
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3. The Cry It Out Method- I know for some people this works. For me this was worse than trying to work through things with my girls. When I was pregnant people kept saying you are just going to have to let them cry. I admit sometimes my girls cry now, but to let them cry for minutes on end was more emotionally draining for me than working it out another way.<br />
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4. Fast Food- our diet was horrible. I attribute this to a crazy year, but none the less it is something that needs to be fixed this next year.<br />
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5. Planning- I was a horrible planner, our days were jumbled. We had scheduled moments-but in each of those moments there was a lack of planning. Their was no goal planning. It seemed like we were floating around just trying to survive. I don't want another year of that same feeling. I want a purpose for each day.<br />
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6. Clutter-the amount of stuff we have amassed is amazing. This year alone we have gotten rid of about 5% of the stuff we moved to GA. There is still room for improvement. We are trying to live a more simpler life in all things including the amount of material possessions we have.<br />
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What did work:<br />
1. Family dinner time- we have always eaten dinner as a family, and now with children it is infinitely more rewarding. I now eat 3 meals with my girls at the table, and I love this time where they are fully engaged with us, and not all their toys. Being able to take time out of David's hectic school/work schedule, and my running around chasing the girls are my favorite moments of the day.<br />
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2. Schedule/Routine- this was the preferred method to the crying it out method. Schedules are hard, but they keep our life from becoming a 3 ring circus. The girls go to bed so much easier, sleep through the night, have play time, reading time, and a bath 99% of nights.<br />
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3. Alone time with my husband- we did get a few dates in, and it was worth the planning and time. I realize how important it is to make time for just each other-even if it is after bed time eating a dessert. Continuing to better our marriage should always be a priority in our life. <br />
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4.Flexibility- I know I mentioned routine before, but there must be moments of flexibility. We lived with family for 2 months, while David was away with the Army. I fought to keep our schedule in tact, that made things a lot worse. When I let go and enjoyed the time with family life was much easier. It is ok to deviate from the norm every once and while, learning to be ok with that was a huge parenting milestone for me.<br />
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5. Baby Led Weaning- the girls are amazing eaters. I fully believe it was due to baby led weaning. I have yet to buy one can of baby food, the girls feed themselves 95% of their food. They have no food aversions, or allergies yet. It is something that I want to repeat with all of my children. I simply can't say enough good things about this process of teaching babies how to eat.<br />
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6. Running- it rocks what can I say. I got a moment to myself, being able to think, jam out to a song, or simply just pound the pavement. I am currently just walking due to my pregnancy, but I miss running and can't wait to get back in June. I meet weight goals, and finally ran my first 5k and got up to running 7 miles.<br />
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Goals for 2014:<br />
1. Giving up control- I want to be present in what I am doing, not upset about all the things that I am not doing. I have started taking clothes to try dry cleaners, creating easier meals to prepare, and letting a groomer handle the dogs. <br />
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2. Planning-I am trying to find a great planner where I can meal plan, goal plan, and list out daily and monthly activities. If anyone knows of a great one-I would love a recommendation.<br />
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3. Intentional Living- I want to be more intentional in savings, time with my girls, clean eating, and just focusing on what matters to me and try to live my life in that manner. Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-16593398589916111492013-08-11T20:04:00.001-07:002013-08-11T20:04:24.795-07:00Cloth Diapering the Twin Way-The Stash<div style="text-align: center;">
I have gotten a lot of questions about how I manage to cloth diaper the twins. Really I don't think too much about it, it was a decision I made before I even knew we had twins on board. Once I was committed I was fully committed, but I did read a lot of blogs about cloth diapering-so I am going to share our routine, our stash and what I have learned thus far for those are interested. </div>
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The main reason I decided to cloth diaper was to save money-that dictated many of my diaper purchases. For curious minds based on what we have spent versus the cost of disposable diapers we are on track to save 1,000 in one year alone. </div>
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The Stash: </div>
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Our stash is a small one for two reasons- initial costs and space. We are moving in 6 months and live in a tiny townhouse-we just don't have tons of space for diapers. Also, the initial investment in cloth diapers is a bit high. I know we will have to add, replace along the way and that is okay with me, but for now our small stash is working perfect. </div>
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<h3>
24 <a href="http://www.sunbabydiapers.com/">Sunbaby Diapers</a></h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EV8euU0sgxZA7kxuwSwAnF-vtBQ-jteQSfEtrnUPfXVfyu5ec74Mw3st7tb1fZh1tZHnX3fbryBNwD4_VdInfDmq-PPdyl-wGIJlj0oZTAOVTCLfchRDKerEiPP-JYoUsWoZV-s32sjE/s1600/DSC_1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EV8euU0sgxZA7kxuwSwAnF-vtBQ-jteQSfEtrnUPfXVfyu5ec74Mw3st7tb1fZh1tZHnX3fbryBNwD4_VdInfDmq-PPdyl-wGIJlj0oZTAOVTCLfchRDKerEiPP-JYoUsWoZV-s32sjE/s320/DSC_1128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I bought them directly off of the website from China. Got them extremely fast (I paid for the fast shipping). It was hands down the quickest, most cost effective way to build our stash. We paid roughly 4 dollars a diaper and so far have little complaints. I don't think they will last beyond our twins, but we rotate them a lot so they are used a lot! I love the hip snap as it allows it to fit ok on both girls. I prefer these diapers to almost any American made pocket diaper. I hands down recommend these diapers, and will buy them again. </div>
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<h3>
3 <a href="http://www.kellyscloset.com/GroVia_c_902.html">Grovia Covers and Shells</a></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DSc5l94tE98zjutw_AvC8acsXNObtlN2FbaN5VcqU1tvDJFPFfl4-NTZe5b5OmKKqhewR6GONdsitgac0pwovI9q6yPhOuIDuAsrQInZcTBfFXH6DhFTYZkQtzXxotpWMkqp3WfvPEOg/s1600/DSC_1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DSc5l94tE98zjutw_AvC8acsXNObtlN2FbaN5VcqU1tvDJFPFfl4-NTZe5b5OmKKqhewR6GONdsitgac0pwovI9q6yPhOuIDuAsrQInZcTBfFXH6DhFTYZkQtzXxotpWMkqp3WfvPEOg/s320/DSC_1140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love these diapers! If money were not a factor I would buy a ton more. They are super absorbent, the hybrid system is amazing! What can I say I just love them. I hope the next go around to add more and use these for baby number three (if and when that happens!).</div>
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One <a href="http://www.amazon.com/bumGenius-One-Size-Closure-Cloth-Diaper/dp/B003VRGYT0/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1369840017&sr=1-1&keywords=cloth+diapers+bum+genius">BumGenius 4.0</a></h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqEvQpIoPCz19nu86p5YP7lzrTzjxJY5lVrgBxKD3KA9PEl-cSfw2VSYAhe6ZM7bmzaVUFbuZVDmSf_Kx2j1lNb7HPkNr2thVgfOrCqLtmKENVoEWLyETloqzXD8aBil3pTnQpABmIYH6/s1600/DSC_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqEvQpIoPCz19nu86p5YP7lzrTzjxJY5lVrgBxKD3KA9PEl-cSfw2VSYAhe6ZM7bmzaVUFbuZVDmSf_Kx2j1lNb7HPkNr2thVgfOrCqLtmKENVoEWLyETloqzXD8aBil3pTnQpABmIYH6/s320/DSC_1131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My first cloth diaper purchase. I like it, but I don't love it that much more than the SunBaby Diapers to justify the cost difference. SunBaby's run about 4 dollar, BumGenius run 15-18 dollars for one. Don't get me wrong I have no complaints I just don't love it that much to run out and buy anymore. </div>
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2 <a href="http://hyenacart.com/stores/littlefancypants/">Little Fancy Pants and Covers</a></h3>
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These are a WAHM diaper that is amazing!!! I have 2 of the sleepys (one windpro and one fleece-we prefer the windpro) and they helped us ditch disposables at nighttime. The twins are pretty much sleeping through the night, but the pockets were leaking causing them to wake up soaked and unhappy. Adding another layer to the pockets just made them have larger openings at the legs (more leaks around the leg area at night). LFP saved the day!!! They fit one of the twins amazing and even though they are bulky I love that we were able to re-claim our nighttime cloth routine. These are our most expensive diaper, but they are worth every penny. They have a high re-sale value and are very hard to get so the used ones sell pretty quickly! </div>
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One <a href="http://www.bumbledoo.com/sloomb-snapless-multi-fitted-cloth-diapers/">Sbish</a> fitted diaper</h3>
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I love this diaper. We will be adding more for our other little lady at night. It looks cute, it is squishy, and the company has an amazing mission statement. It is not as bulky as the LFP, but pretty darn close in absorbency. The diaper pin can be a bit tricky-but once you get it down it is no problem at all. You will need a cover for this diaper. The price is 7 dollars cheaper than the plain fleece LFP sleepy-but the re-sale value is a bit lower. We ended up using this diaper all summer long, the LFP were just too bulky when it was super hot. </div>
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One Pack of <a href="http://www.kellyscloset.com/Rumparooz-LilJoeys-Newborn-Diapers-2pk_p_3978.html">Lil Joey's Rumparooz</a> </div>
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We liked these and even though they would still fit our tiny girls, they are not absorbent enough anymore. I don't think I would buy another pack for another baby. They were fine but I don't love them, or really hate them. I hear you have to wash them a lot to get them fully absorbent-I guess we did not stick with them long enough. </div>
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What I have learned:</div>
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If it I had all the money in the world I would invest in fitted diapers from the start. I love our pockets, but they are still not the perfect fit for the girls. However, cost wise and the fact that I can use them on both girls is pretty amazing (they have a very different build so finding a diaper that works for both is a bit of a challenge). I would and will invest in newborn diapers the next go around (probably a WAHM version). Our girls could still fit them. However, I would advise someone to find the most absorbent newborn diapers-like I said the Lil Joey's still work but just don't handle a large volume of liquid. </div>
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Research, research and research some more a great nighttime diaper if you want to cloth at night. It was very hard to have a week of changing the sheets, clothes, and sometimes our sheets for two babies. I hated moving to disposable at night-but am glad we are getting a good nighttime system down. It can be hard, but the research will pay off. The nice thing is most cloth diapering mommas, and dads, are more than eager to share their fluff, their experiences, and their advice. However, always remember every baby is different (ahem my 2 little ladies) so be prepared that what worked for them might not work for you. </div>
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Don't be afraid to try a diaper used. I did not know if it was worth stalking the LFP site to get a sleepy diaper, I bought a used one feel in love. If you want to try a diaper try going to swapper site, or site that sells used diapers. Again most swappers are more than happy to share ideas and feedback with you-the cloth diapering community is pretty amazing! </div>
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Next up I will go over our accessories and washing routine. Let me know if you have any questions at all!!!<br />
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Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-80329357913099042882013-08-06T12:59:00.002-07:002013-08-06T12:59:33.797-07:00Twin Update- 5 months <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Gosh I can't believe that I have not written anymore about my little ones. But I need to get it down so I can remember these moments forever. This last month I have truly started to realize how fleeting this stage is in my life. While I yearn for some things to change (diapers) I am saddened by how independent they both are becoming. So for a few updates on these babies</div>
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Lydia:</div>
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My first born is turning into the sweetest little thing ever. There are many days where I am beyond thankful for your easy-going temperament and sweet smile. You are more than happy to be held and snuggle right in (you have been a lover since day one). You are now smiling and laughing . When you first started to laugh you would startle yourself and then cry-now you take joy in your new way of communicating.You would much rather be held and than play, but if you have a mirror in front of you-you are pretty smitten with yourself. You sleep through the night and take awesome naps-you are an amazing sleeper! You love to blow bubbles, pet Leo, and give hugs. You are still eating 5 ounces, you were 3-9 month clothing. You are doing better with the rice cereal, but at the end of the day you are more interested in our food than your cereal. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/r90/921660_600807896139_279539463_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/r90/921660_600807896139_279539463_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia at 2 months old<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/947332_604220716819_343041777_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/947332_604220716819_343041777_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia at 3 months old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH89KMheHz8F54KCzMD980OOA_xCYf0YqCiHSUpE6zzJYFOjK-QFT5sMXTMO60Gndk0riBtNpCVMSGk6D_yKGpYEZ1mAhwL0P9tuEqzEre48aTJ5FWmgNit_qPoN2uMXgAyRyZiJArt8O/s1600/DSC_07192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH89KMheHz8F54KCzMD980OOA_xCYf0YqCiHSUpE6zzJYFOjK-QFT5sMXTMO60Gndk0riBtNpCVMSGk6D_yKGpYEZ1mAhwL0P9tuEqzEre48aTJ5FWmgNit_qPoN2uMXgAyRyZiJArt8O/s320/DSC_07192.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia at 5 months old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia at 5 months old<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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Clara:<div>
My strong-willed, tiny but sassy one. You also recently started wanted to feed yourself with a spoon and a bottle. It is so amazing to watch you try to complete any tasks. You use to hate tummy time-until you learned to roll over now you love tummy time as long as you decide to be on your tummy. You still love your wubbie (pacifier) but now enjoy throwing it, picking it up, and trying to put it in your mouth. You also really like your exersaucer and if you are not tired play in it for hours. You are eating 5 ounces and for the most part sleep through the night. Teething for you has started so that has affected your sleep a bit. You love to blow bubbles, give kisses, and tell us all about it! You can wear 0-3 and most 3-6 month clothes. You are tiny peanut! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJixV7ENvzFDDdeahfrjvGT5oGDm4WT5fLbFDDMQWT2-vj3KwdKF2uyXu8TEitA-49S0oJ50-2DgVwNpkbsZ6tEQUHgRmsN1DRNx5jIqb-Ioms-iaKx-Y4VWx-iq_tsXJ2r1QAHveW0pu/s1600/DSC_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJixV7ENvzFDDdeahfrjvGT5oGDm4WT5fLbFDDMQWT2-vj3KwdKF2uyXu8TEitA-49S0oJ50-2DgVwNpkbsZ6tEQUHgRmsN1DRNx5jIqb-Ioms-iaKx-Y4VWx-iq_tsXJ2r1QAHveW0pu/s320/DSC_0663.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clara at 2 months old </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clara at 3 months old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clara at 4 months old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vDAQBHjpxAog81aq-mZGGvOnjYci3l9DBZElEiWjBDIzUx-aJnrmWRZJlY39hVGSnWQbGHQhRTeNiACM3g4RPrtDFiEsVlEeKQ9fVn0Y1kiPa2dBEgEDyux4l0vdgK3hWK2eCFh65VDb/s1600/DSC_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vDAQBHjpxAog81aq-mZGGvOnjYci3l9DBZElEiWjBDIzUx-aJnrmWRZJlY39hVGSnWQbGHQhRTeNiACM3g4RPrtDFiEsVlEeKQ9fVn0Y1kiPa2dBEgEDyux4l0vdgK3hWK2eCFh65VDb/s320/DSC_1084.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clara at 5 months old </td></tr>
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I can't believe I have not written down anything before. Months 0-3 seem like blurs. You both are so much fun to be around and every day my joy and love grows. You both are truly great babies and we get compliments all the time on how happy you both are. I still can't believe you were entrusted to us and we get to raise you and watch each and every milestone. Now please try to be tiny a little bit longer :)!!!</div>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-67826496761953593832013-07-03T12:41:00.002-07:002013-07-03T12:41:45.690-07:00Cinderlla MomentsLets face having twins does not just turn your life upside it down-it puts it on a freaking roller coaster. There are moments of pure joy and moments of pure terror. Here lately we have been hanging on out on the 110 feet drop backwards. I have one baby who has suddenly developed tummy troubles from her shots. Another who is in the midst of getting three teeth. And I myself smashed my finger in the door and am living life with the use of one fully functional hand. It is pure mayhem!! Cinderella moments are hard to come by between the constant diaper change, screaming baby who can't sleep because her teeth hurt so bad, the laundry piling up, and the dinner wanting to be cooked. <br />
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I had all of these wonderful ideas to make their first Fourth of July special-but at this rate we will be lucky to get through the day. However, on Sunday what started off as a really bad, no good, terrible morning turned into a fairy-tale night. We were in between the last bottle of the day and baths when both girls were happy, content, and cooing. If you know my children at 7:30 you know this is not the case! I went to pick out our nighttime story and grabbed Cinderella. I then decided to grab their princess crowns someone gave to us-they had not fit until Sunday. Well the girls donned their crowns, even Lola get in on the fun while mom narrated the story. The smiled, squealed, and just looked like mini princesses. Our resident prince charming heard the story came in and then danced with all of his girls. In that moment all I could do was give thanks for this beautiful, fleeting moment I had been given. <br />
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Sure I was covered in spit up, my hair was everywhere, the bed was still not made but none of that mattered. All that mattered was having this moment with my family. I know the girls won't remember it but I forever do it was a much needed Cinderella moment. I needed to write this down to forever remember. Times are tough and sometimes I feel like I am living in no man's land with these girls but looking at them then all I could think was time is going to fly by. Soon my little princesses will be big enough to ask to play dress up, then dressing up to go to prom and before I know it marrying their prince charming. So here's to Cinderella moments on the Fourth in whatever form or fashion they come in!Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-67682974509858099902013-04-10T09:36:00.001-07:002013-04-10T09:36:54.005-07:00April 10th- D Day <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiUy0jwyBYC3VmXa8QFNB8HXNJuy2eVPwYKdjv-4zMx9lutnohyphenhyphenHMVIzJbSVPoGgXYZozStYo8W_HyYHqvsP4DD8QOWtR-QVKcFNJyRJmWSwiNcqbv0471egIrEIzZvdZEG1JuUKxYM5A/s1600/10183_631478730210956_608948981_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiUy0jwyBYC3VmXa8QFNB8HXNJuy2eVPwYKdjv-4zMx9lutnohyphenhyphenHMVIzJbSVPoGgXYZozStYo8W_HyYHqvsP4DD8QOWtR-QVKcFNJyRJmWSwiNcqbv0471egIrEIzZvdZEG1JuUKxYM5A/s320/10183_631478730210956_608948981_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For most of my pregnancy we always referred to April 10th as D-Day or due date. I knew when we found out we had twins I would have to deliver early-our scheduled date for that was March 27th. However, I had no idea how early I would deliver. Instead today the girls are 5 weeks 1 day old. I can't believe how time has flown. I member counting down the months, then weeks, then days to the proverbial due date. I knew few women delivered on their due dates, but it was always a measure of how I was progressing, and how the girls were developing. Before, we knew of all that happened in the hours before my delivery I spent the first 12 hours after the delivery upset, crying, and mourning for a pregnancy that did not go as far as I thought it should. I felt a pang of sadness that I could not carry my girls to a safer point. In reality, they came at exactly when they were supposed too and not to toot my horn but were amazingly resilient for as early as they came. They weighed as much as most twins born at 38 weeks, the knew how to suck, swallow, breathe right away, and most of all their lungs were fully developed. So instead of being sad I decide to celebrate a pretty complicated free pregnancy, the sweetest little babies in the world, and the good health we all had! So here are some fun stats on the girls on what is supposed to be due date:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k9osofUvvnppM0E5F6Nebrx8i_lv8CiXT_-jFDuQWR0SJ5OwOsFjnBDibH9Lsomw19ARAq3GG6c51xPdCjDHWeaYLmhblXmMOQhyHITKnpA_KO-bpBpFC5eCWyZ6kr4xHeWAd0TBNxUp/s1600/DSC_0700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k9osofUvvnppM0E5F6Nebrx8i_lv8CiXT_-jFDuQWR0SJ5OwOsFjnBDibH9Lsomw19ARAq3GG6c51xPdCjDHWeaYLmhblXmMOQhyHITKnpA_KO-bpBpFC5eCWyZ6kr4xHeWAd0TBNxUp/s320/DSC_0700.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia on April 5th- One month old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHMKBIUXwXoKq4k66j79rTx16KK420jnHd8gzVNORvpRgl1HPqRhmhs6t0bWi1DCVQj7xVh2aZjU1AUh2EDuxPcu-VA_00dNIkO_JqRLNzBUsrPCujPahtbIWZCzMyVYdPo0ErllbY4o6/s1600/DSC_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHMKBIUXwXoKq4k66j79rTx16KK420jnHd8gzVNORvpRgl1HPqRhmhs6t0bWi1DCVQj7xVh2aZjU1AUh2EDuxPcu-VA_00dNIkO_JqRLNzBUsrPCujPahtbIWZCzMyVYdPo0ErllbY4o6/s320/DSC_0686.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clara on April 5th-One month old </td></tr>
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Sleeping: </div>
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Last night Lydia slept two four hour stretches. Clara slept on five hour and one three hour. During the day they each have one-two times between feedings where they only cat nap 45 minutes. The rest of the time they sleep the three hours between meals. </div>
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Eating:</div>
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Just this week we went from 8 bottles a day to 7. Progress ladies!! You normally eat right at 3 oz every feeding (sometimes a little less) and then one 4 oz bottle right before bedtime (11:30). That is 22 ozs a day. You get 4 Neosure bottles a day still for growth. </div>
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Likes/Dislikes:</div>
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Lydia loves the bouncy chair (not bouncing though), food, her thumb, nursing, bath time, and tummy time. She dislikes waiting for food, diaper changes, and burping. </div>
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Clara likes her pacifier a lot, being worn, hanging out on the play mat on her back, and Phil Collins (I kid you not). She dislikes tummy time on the mat, sleeping during the day, and bath time. </div>
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Growth: </div>
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At birth Lydia was 5.75 pounds at one month she weighed in at 7.13 ounces. She had grown a .5 inches in a week! She measures in at the 15% for other one month old babies. Clara weighed 4.75 pounds at birth and weighed in at 6.14 ounces and was 19.5 inches long (17 inches at birth). She is at 15% for head and length and 7% for weight. The fact that even can "play with the big kids" as their Dr. puts it is impressive! </div>
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The other big news is we are officially a cloth diapering family! We did our first full day/night and I love not having all the disposable trash stinking up our house. Word to the wise though invest in a diaper sprayer-it has come in super handy for us!!! I will write more at a later date about our cloth routine for other twin mamas out there. </div>
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Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-22867428420436709132013-03-27T10:46:00.000-07:002013-03-27T10:46:03.244-07:00An Extra Special Delivery <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrIqLbX3NZfPoOyLkj7p8MdnXiCO0G2mNW00il3LV7v8paix-xz9fGiVHA4QLwSV9NLMt5b_LRwKXeTergmSKXBcbu_fulkHYsf5j1Ndx58RYZLjlYCmrdeTUC3772A1vshFIV_9dzkOJ/s1600/DSC_06662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrIqLbX3NZfPoOyLkj7p8MdnXiCO0G2mNW00il3LV7v8paix-xz9fGiVHA4QLwSV9NLMt5b_LRwKXeTergmSKXBcbu_fulkHYsf5j1Ndx58RYZLjlYCmrdeTUC3772A1vshFIV_9dzkOJ/s320/DSC_06662.JPG" width="248" /></a></div>
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Ok if you are not for birth stories scroll to the bottom for all the photo goodness!!</div>
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Birth Story</div>
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We had some pretty bad snow storms the last week of February. I was 34 weeks and started getting braxton hicks for the first time in my pregnancy. They did not get any worse but by the end of the week something just felt a little off. On Feb. 28th I went in for a BPP and both girls failed. I checked into L and D and boy am I glad I did-we got a tour and met some nurses. The girls ended up passing their NST test, but I started to worry about the effect the irregular contractions were having on the babies. </div>
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All weekend long I had constant cramping but nothing horrible. Monday I went to volunteer and while there the cramping started to get a little worse. However, I could not count them very well so I decided to go home and try to sleep it off. That night was a long night, but I was really trying to hold out for my Drs appointment on Tuesday morning. </div>
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That morning I woke up and felt good. I figured it was just another instance of false labor-how wrong I was! Luckily Mr. Project took me to my appointment. On the way there I had the most gut wrenching pain in my life. At that point I figured it was the real deal. The doctor wanted me to have the BPP which both girls passed and then checked me. I was at 2. He decided to hook me up to the machine and monitor my contractions for 20 minutes and check me again. While on the machine I had the gut wrenching pain again and did not register at all as a contraction. I kept thinking all the other contractions were fine...but how is that pain not a contraction!!! After 20 minutes I was at a three. Dr. P decided it was go time! </div>
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I got wheeled over the hospital. My appointment was at 9:00 and I was checked into the hospital at 11:10. The hospital was thinking they had time, however; Dr. P wanted them delivered now since they were both breech. In hindsight we are so lucky he moved so quickly. After they realized how quickly he wanted me back in the operating room-things started to happen quickly. I was wheeled back to the OR at around 12:30. Dr. Peck came in a little before one and started the section before Mr. Project was back with me. He had just sat down and they announced Lydia was here. </div>
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It seemed like hours (when only seconds) before we heard her cry. When it came I have never cried such happy tears. She was born at 13:03 and weighed 5lbs 7.5oz and was 17 inches long. Clara came a minute later at 13:04 weighing in at 4lbs 7.5 oz and also 17 inches long and crying right away. The only part of the c-section that I felt was Dr. P tugging her out from my ribs-she was super high up there!! I got to see the girls for a minute before they went back for observation. </div>
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Since I had been in labor before the operation-it was decided I had to keep the epidural in until the next morning. Since the girls were under observation I could not see them for at least 6 hours. At first they said Lydia would be able to come out and see me after those 6 hours-then things took a turn. The reason Lydia did not cry right away was because she had blood in her lungs. The nurses later said she was covered in blood clots. They thought she had just swallowed a little since she showed no signs of distress before the operation. However, that was not the case. The pains that I had felt that morning was her placenta abrupting. Due to this I had lost a lot of blood and she had a few tummy troubles from swallowing a lot of it. Finally, after 12 hours I got to go back the nursery and see my ladies. They did 15 days in the nursery to gain weight and to let Lydia's tummy troubles resolve themselves. We are so lucky they never needed oxygen or had any horrible effects of coming a bit early! </div>
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Twin love </div>
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Clara </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VmYalWyFFvbQhR85CzAQnNl4PyH-pzv7x6saHcJW0V5d8FGtgexzy8Pa_eeLz7b2KMmXQVZ-DpCFn3FO9eFWSp8naxIePk91RDqmC7MbPuIASo2yH9AWq8vcu1UsoSPrsgqAXUEdx89T/s1600/IMAG0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VmYalWyFFvbQhR85CzAQnNl4PyH-pzv7x6saHcJW0V5d8FGtgexzy8Pa_eeLz7b2KMmXQVZ-DpCFn3FO9eFWSp8naxIePk91RDqmC7MbPuIASo2yH9AWq8vcu1UsoSPrsgqAXUEdx89T/s320/IMAG0385.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss_Cdlc5pgB1wKn0-DSDgS9PJm0PH-B_luWYELrbgyQisAb8fysIqC7UDnrulGPCGyr7k1NYvGiB-k8ZWjhUZQfYfHku2p4UGS4OyallZYcRqew6aExUJ5GXJRZ5jZq6xTMU2RU5pmrQO/s1600/IMAG0387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss_Cdlc5pgB1wKn0-DSDgS9PJm0PH-B_luWYELrbgyQisAb8fysIqC7UDnrulGPCGyr7k1NYvGiB-k8ZWjhUZQfYfHku2p4UGS4OyallZYcRqew6aExUJ5GXJRZ5jZq6xTMU2RU5pmrQO/s320/IMAG0387.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Lydia </div>
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We took the quilts in and both girls loved looking up at them. Who knew how comforting they really would be! </div>
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Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-23304014943621780892013-02-27T08:51:00.002-08:002013-02-27T10:14:20.477-08:00Sugar and Spice... Snow and Ice <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nothing like the internet being down and another snow storm to get some quilts
done. I can't wait for these girls to be here and snuggled up on them!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjicOwk7LcCZ2jUcMDpxvmv5h8jK7z_YAaYrKCkOJ-1Gvy1sCdwRWqkPIHGeThzvF1OLsOq4JHGk3j8MpexBzsDqyD3VlLKHLm8WJmCjm1cPj5LOmRbC_D2cArmQkqFcsoiqeNaVCLs3t/s1600/DSC_05912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjicOwk7LcCZ2jUcMDpxvmv5h8jK7z_YAaYrKCkOJ-1Gvy1sCdwRWqkPIHGeThzvF1OLsOq4JHGk3j8MpexBzsDqyD3VlLKHLm8WJmCjm1cPj5LOmRbC_D2cArmQkqFcsoiqeNaVCLs3t/s320/DSC_05912.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Each quilt is filled with some of my all time favorite prints. These are prints that I have saved over the years for a one day baby quilt...who knew I would be making two!!! It was fun to think about our life at the time when I bought the fabrics. There are also a few special blocks from other quilters mixed in too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig49SBTmrGOWSfDwDOwOLKmkcwX5rJChLqvK2D1vxzIWVtkA5ANwySErhlWQJlovSQM-9WZ4R_sfDLrM4PRV42MTETZvMq1T_9MjLz3ssAgs3GAFn8p7ipvLaTb0gjLKRSVTOsYdaW0bjL/s1600/DSC_05952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig49SBTmrGOWSfDwDOwOLKmkcwX5rJChLqvK2D1vxzIWVtkA5ANwySErhlWQJlovSQM-9WZ4R_sfDLrM4PRV42MTETZvMq1T_9MjLz3ssAgs3GAFn8p7ipvLaTb0gjLKRSVTOsYdaW0bjL/s320/DSC_05952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also did simple quilting (gasp!) I just quilted around the stars with a pink variegated thread. I also did a single fold binding. I am not sure what I was thinking and used the binding fabric for another project not leaving me enough for a double fold. Then I could not find the print anywhere anymore. </div>
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Each quilt is a little bit different. Clara's quilt has more pink and her bedding is pink (right). Lydia's has more peach and her bedding is peach (left). I love how they are similar, yet different. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMIFWTlZsCw7iIVW3IlD_-AYDYWMaz56MtdvxEI2pwyA68-eTaeH0dWBgdwj_BY6Y6QRz3U3WG1ck2R6XgzgcQewpGUlaMJJ5DjKrvof5FZwoKngaNnoTlb0IZwNzklYqfgDjPBrLuyEn/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMIFWTlZsCw7iIVW3IlD_-AYDYWMaz56MtdvxEI2pwyA68-eTaeH0dWBgdwj_BY6Y6QRz3U3WG1ck2R6XgzgcQewpGUlaMJJ5DjKrvof5FZwoKngaNnoTlb0IZwNzklYqfgDjPBrLuyEn/s320/DSC_0615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Taking these pictures with a 3 foot snow bank 34 weeks pregnant was probably not the best idea. Luckily I had an assistant on the scene who helped by showing me the best way up the bank, and eating snow that might get in the way! </div>
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<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-71901406192627999402013-02-23T07:19:00.000-08:002013-02-23T07:19:02.521-08:00Butterfly Mobile Tutorial <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgaa0HTeIKWYlwWZ0c0o6zHkLi3EGQvGBYHEzOGSX7jR_rABI2DVjf3H4Z5BZD9FDf8tdFo1ief1Q4zcNuMTMQtddzDY6wqXFj96zNLsbZJweWuOlhO3flSAe1yEInF6TPJ6ryTZ3ibF_/s1600/DSC_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgaa0HTeIKWYlwWZ0c0o6zHkLi3EGQvGBYHEzOGSX7jR_rABI2DVjf3H4Z5BZD9FDf8tdFo1ief1Q4zcNuMTMQtddzDY6wqXFj96zNLsbZJweWuOlhO3flSAe1yEInF6TPJ6ryTZ3ibF_/s320/DSC_0567.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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I have had a few emails asking me to share, or write up a tutorial on the butterfly mobile. I am sad to say that I did not take any pictures while making it. Pardon the pun I just kind of winged it after reading several different tutorials on making them (which I link below). Mr. Project and I normally like to try to make things with what we have around the house so that dictated a lot of the supplies that we used. </div>
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Supplies Needed: </div>
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100 Butterflies (made from cardstock paper). I bought mine from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePrettyPaperShop">The Pretty Paper Shop</a>. It was 5 dollars total for 100 butterflies plus shipping. </div>
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Embroidery hoop- the inside ring only, or the ring without the metal clasp. It will come with two hoops from the store that you will need to take apart first. Any craft store should sell these in the needlework section- you want a wooden one in the size of your choice. </div>
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Spray Paint- Ballet Slipper Pink color (Krylon- Wal-Mart)</div>
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Fishing Wire</div>
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Hot Glue and Hot Glue Gun</div>
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**We also used a drill to make holes along the embroidery hoop in which to tie the fishing wire. </div>
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Steps:</div>
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1. Spray paint the embroidery hoop the color of your choice. We had the Ballet Slipper Pink on hand so went with that. </div>
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2. After hoop dries, we then drilled four evenly spaced holes (with itty bitty drill bit) around the hoop. </div>
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3. Affix fishing wire in holes. This is tricky to describe without photos. But you are going to create a cross, or axle with the two strings of fishing wire. Attach one side of the fishing wire to one of the holes then attach it to the hole directly across the hoop. Repeat for the other side- if you don't feel comfortable drilling I don't see why you can't just tie the wire around the hoop. You will see how your wires will cross right in the middle. </div>
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4. Then, cut out varying lengths of fishing wire. I wanted a more organic look so mine are similar in length but not the same. I worked one length of fishing wire at a time for the next steps. </div>
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5. Hot glue butterflies to wire. I hot glued them willy nilly to get a look I liked more. I did anywhere from 3-5 butterflies per wire. </div>
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6. Then, either hot glue the wire on the inside rim of the hoop, or tie it tightly onto one of the wires that are strung in the middle of the hoop. For reference I tied 4 wires with butterflies onto each of the two wires. 2 on each side of the wire from the middle point. 8 wires around the rim (I used the strings in the middle as my guide and spaced them evenly between those).</div>
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7. Next, I hot glued extra butterflies I had randomly around the outer rim of the hoop. </div>
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8. Using the wires I had already affixed on the inside of the rim as my guide, I tied two pieces of fishing wire around the hoop and had them cross above the rim- this will be what helps you hang your mobile. These two wires do need to be the same exact length to get them to cross right in the middle. We then added a tiny s hook where the wires meet in the middle. </div>
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9. We then looped on more straight wire-cut the length from the ceiling to where we wanted the mobile to dangle-onto the s hook. </div>
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10. Then we affixed this wire to the ceiling. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCU-MY0AHf5QM0M3pW6Ux48VsuIbeWynEE3IB63FC7X5Bz66pjJpFyGK4Q_v6LQSPF7AI5mkLo_oj1B3UQVfwOs0eCrZnEmXleUfqv5GM0u31SBNjgNVcgHo13PNVqCE2Rs9Fhj7I2jLDb/s1600/DSC_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCU-MY0AHf5QM0M3pW6Ux48VsuIbeWynEE3IB63FC7X5Bz66pjJpFyGK4Q_v6LQSPF7AI5mkLo_oj1B3UQVfwOs0eCrZnEmXleUfqv5GM0u31SBNjgNVcgHo13PNVqCE2Rs9Fhj7I2jLDb/s320/DSC_0566.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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Again I apologize about the fact that there are zero pictures and it is probably hard to imagine. But hopefully it will answer some questions and help you get started. Here are some other sources that I read about to get the jist of the concept: </div>
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<a href="http://shanglishsha.blogspot.com/2012/01/butterfly-mobile-with-tutorial.html">http://shanglishsha.blogspot.com/2012/01/butterfly-mobile-with-tutorial.html</a></div>
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<a href="http://boogirlcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/10/butterfly-mobile.html">http://boogirlcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/10/butterfly-mobile.html</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/2010/do-it-yourself/diy-how-to-make-a-butterfly-mobile/">http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/2010/do-it-yourself/diy-how-to-make-a-butterfly-mobile/</a></div>
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One more resource as always is etsy. There are sellers who offer them already made for a price (ours total was 5 plus shipping since we already had everything) and also offer a kit for a reduced price. Please let me know if you have any questions. One day hopefully I can make another to show the concept better :)!</div>
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Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-53744638027164267372013-02-22T09:35:00.001-08:002013-02-22T09:35:31.657-08:00Guilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/857579_593647899829_576550007_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/857579_593647899829_576550007_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Guilt: I am sure it won't be the first time I will feel this as a parent but I am shocked that I feel guilty before they even have come. You see these babies were extremely well wished for. We suffered infertility and pregnancy loss. During those 4 years I made countless baby gifts: knitted hats, burp cloths, wash cloths, onesies, quilts, you name it I probably made it. I remember crying through some of the projects, imagining myself being able to open a handmade gift and shriek with joy, and daydreaming of the day when I would make my children gifts. In a way it kept me going-I knew deep within my heart that one day I WOULD make my own children things. </div>
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On Wednesday night I had a rough night thinking that the girls were on their way any minute. I tried to stay calm as I know storms can throw women into labor (we got over a foot of snow on Thursday). During those early morning hours when I was frantically packing our bag just in case, I looked around at their nursery and wave of guilt came crashing over me. Their quilts were still not done, I don't even have a pattern, or yarn in mind to knit them up a cute newborn hat. While I have made a lot I still felt like I had let them down in some ways. </div>
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Silly I know, but I also know I am not alone in this feeling. In the pinterest/diy/etsy world we live in there is pressure to make so much for your kids, your home, to cook amazing meals every night and keep your Tupperware drawer organized. I had one mom remark recently how horrible she felt that her kid was the only kid in preschool with store bought Valentine's day cards. I could not believe it! My mom was a full time single mother who barely had time to get home from work, dinner on the table, and to the store to even buy cards. I never thought twice in fact I think most kids in my class would have been turned off by handmade Valentine's- we all wanted the cards with the suckers attached to them! I had to decorate and design my own Valentine's day shoe box and even won one year! I took great pride in doing it myself, with no help, and not even one google search. I am sure glitter is still in the carpet from the whole debacle though. </div>
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I love all of the creative juices that are all over the internet. I also love all the recipes, handmade soaps, and parenting ideas that 10 years ago I would have never been privy to. However, I really had to make myself take a few deep breaths and realize that having a perfect DIY nursery is not an indicator of the love I have for my children, or my parenting abilities. Beating myself up because my girls might go home in a store bought beanie should be the last of my worries. Instead I should worry about their health and well being and to take the time to savor that scary, joyful, overwhelming car ride where I,for the first time, ride in a car with my children. I should take value in the fact that I have remembered my vitamins most nights, helped sustain two beating hearts, and watched what I feed myself and therefore the girls. The working mom who works 8-5 everyday to provide a comfortable life for her children, who comes home after a rough day and still has a mountain of laundry waiting for her. All of these things are just as valuable. At the end of the day I think we are all just trying to do the best we can for those around us. </div>
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The projects are wonderful, but the quilts will be memories that my children get to cherish and define. Rather I just need to remember when I stay up late to make party favors for their first birthday to stop, look in their nursery and smile because it is for them at the end of the day! </div>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-39025607475922619102013-01-23T14:47:00.000-08:002013-01-23T14:47:05.376-08:00WIP Wednesday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">A few pictures from the nursery aka "biggest WIP in my life right now". I am down to curtains, a few more wall hangings, finishing the quilts, and possibly two pillows. </span></div>
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What has been done:<br />
2 Bookslings Made<br />
Butterfly Mobile Made<br />
Aqua Dresser Re-Finished<br />
1 Changing Pad cover made<br />
2 Crib Sheets Made<br />
2 Crib Skirts Made<br />
3 Tissue Pom Poms Made<br />
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Whew looking at the list I don't feel so bad at far behind I am! <br />
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<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-64984636259372255132013-01-17T10:56:00.001-08:002013-01-17T11:07:50.639-08:00Growing Pains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe I am writing this and about to say I am in my third
trimester with twins. I hate to even complain because this pregnancy
was so wanted, wished for, prayed for, and celebrated. But I am really
wondering how much more my body can handle. I am hoping for at least 8
more weeks to give these girls the best start in life. I know as
uncomfortable as I am-I will miss this time. It is amazing the bond
that girls and I get during these 9 months. Yes they kick others but no
one else gets to experience those late night flips, hiccuping fits, and
the ability of my body to provide a loving, nurturing home for these
little ladies. </div>
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The day we found out! </div>
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18 Weeks About Halfway through for Twins. Also the week we found out they were girlies!!!</div>
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28 weeks. Wow what a difference 10 weeks make! I can only imagine the picture in 8 weeks. My feet have officially disappeared :)! </div>
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Our next big goal is 30 weeks and then every two weeks after that! I am pretty sure we have got this-we have made it thus far already which is really worth a milkshake celebration! Hey when else in my life is my doctor ever going to RECOMMEND a 2400 calorie diet? </div>
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<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-47263552058904113872013-01-16T14:14:00.001-08:002013-01-16T14:14:41.444-08:00WIP Wednesday One of my favorite things about all the quilt blogs that I follow is the WIP Wednesday feature. I REALLY need to do a better job keeping all my projects in order. I am slowly wrapping up what is left in the baby nursery but my sewing machine has decided to pretty much quit on me. <br />
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Since it is a windy, wintry week here I have gone back to working on this:<br />
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I love Madeline Tosh yarn it is a wee bit expensive for all projects but the colorways really make my soul smile. I have started turning this into the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mara-3">Mara Shawl </a>. Here is hoping I finish this before the babies arrive. I plan on spending February parked in my comfy chair knitting away for both myself and the girls. Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292483415250127987.post-50491853445694431902013-01-14T10:34:00.000-08:002013-01-15T10:40:00.962-08:002013=New<br />
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Looking forward to 2013 I realize how
much will be changing in my life. I am officially entering this new
world called motherhood with much excitement and trepidation. My
time will not be “my” time solely but will be divided up among
two precious little ladies. At some point we will be getting orders
to a new duty station and my husband will go back to a new position
in his old job. For the first time we will move as a family of four
and create memories there. There will be a new balance between
housework, hobby time, volunteering, social time, cuddling and play
time. For all of this newness I felt it was time to start afresh
with a new blog.
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I love blogging and I love the quilting
world that brought my entrance into the online journaling community.
However, I don't have that inspiration to write solely about quilts
at this point in my life. Nor do I think it is fair to suddenly
change my old blog into the random snapshots of my life that I do
want to document: baking, child rearing, pregnancy, canning, reading,
knitting, etc. For awhile when I would sit down to write about
something it felt like a chore. I finished plenty of quilts and no
posts were ever written and that last minute camera phone snap shot
sort of made me feel like a failure for not being more dedicated to
my craft. The truth is I love the freedom blogging has provided for
me, but want to give a more accurate, transparent, whole rounded view
of myself. When I would sit down to finally write that post about
the quilt finished 4 months ago the words did not come out I found
myself wanting to share about a new vintage find, or a new recipe I
tried. I am also finding myself reading more blogs about new moms,
military spouses, bakers, etc. My life is changing and I want to
document and try to remember this time because I know it will fly by
in the flash of an eye.
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My goal as I embark on this journey is
to buckle up and enjoy the ride. It may not always be pretty but
that is life and I hope to use the blog to write on the good, the
bad, new recipes, finished quilts, sleepless nights, noon cuddles,
the predictable and the unfamiliar. I have benefited so much from
blogs that show and share that rawness and I hope to be able to do
the same!!! </div>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17714453630515091922noreply@blogger.com1