tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79540943991585096732024-03-20T00:21:12.871-04:00finding jen's viewjenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-17193553200019564782013-07-12T02:19:00.000-04:002013-07-12T02:20:10.981-04:00checking inThis is not an abandoned blog. It may have appeared to be an abandoned blog for the past many moons, but it isn't. It still lives on in my mind, but has been beaten to the punch by that social media giant for quite a while now.<br />
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I've been having a good time, shooting a variety of fun things…parties and families and soon-to-be-mamas-again. So here's a sampling. Just to tide you over. Until I get my brain back to this space.<br />
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This is a shot I snapped quick as we headed down to the water for the "real" photo session. And it's one of my favorites of the whole deal.<br />
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My good friend is about to have a baby. And I just moved away and won't get to meet her. I'm so bummed about the timing, but so glad I got to do one last photoshoot with her and her family. She is the one who got me started again after our big move to California.<br />
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Another good friend is an <a href="http://www.misspartymom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">amazing party planner</a>. She may very well be the only reason I get blog traffic anymore, as each time one of her parties that I've photographed shows up on a party website, she's linked to me to credit me for the photos. I almost feel like it's cheating, since she makes it so easy to get good shots. I think I'll do a whole blog post on <a href="http://www.misspartymom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miss Party Mom</a> sometime soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJoWCuJ9N_MXMB5ouFAwcZr-mb8oKUeX9IhFNURGapPhjevDm0hDS7q1u2EEk1EtgEVJpbp9meqicqqLQjLEMsHjEf9mPbGT3MGCkTk0hINcgnm660w1VFECMoOdo2CNi0TjoSs3Mpr-Q/s1600/DSC_1445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJoWCuJ9N_MXMB5ouFAwcZr-mb8oKUeX9IhFNURGapPhjevDm0hDS7q1u2EEk1EtgEVJpbp9meqicqqLQjLEMsHjEf9mPbGT3MGCkTk0hINcgnm660w1VFECMoOdo2CNi0TjoSs3Mpr-Q/s1600/DSC_1445.jpg" /></a><br />
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Another friend just recently welcomed her husband home after a year overseas. Girls like her are my heroes…living gracefully and fully while a part of her is missing. I still need to edit the rest of her photos of them and their sweet kiddos. My last shoot on the central coast. I will miss it much!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY46414gPK0QxUs8yXSLdjrB2KFAfCf2XR7cZdibmugTy65G5dwecd2XYm3GXZsDv02J9Ox_Ufkjn6HUViMe5yAXgVXHJlBr0KA_WnbVlBJsk-K9ytEBmwc0iLDjaAIi_aw7qCpzedTRH/s1600/DSC_1571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY46414gPK0QxUs8yXSLdjrB2KFAfCf2XR7cZdibmugTy65G5dwecd2XYm3GXZsDv02J9Ox_Ufkjn6HUViMe5yAXgVXHJlBr0KA_WnbVlBJsk-K9ytEBmwc0iLDjaAIi_aw7qCpzedTRH/s1600/DSC_1571.jpg" /></a><br />
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Another <a href="http://www.misspartymom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miss Party Mom</a> party…I just loved this table she designed and her husband created. Her son is a huge Peter Pan fan, and she transformed her whole back yard into Neverland for his 4th birthday!<br />
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Combine another MPM party with my good friend above who's about to have a baby, and here's the gender reveal party…<br />
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And here's a shot I got today at the Grand Canyon. I know. It's not of the canyon. But I really love skeletal trees. Wanted to make sure there's still a bit of "just jen" in this post :)<br />
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jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-81196801966975831032012-10-18T01:58:00.000-04:002012-10-18T01:58:49.386-04:00discoveringI love watching Lucy figure things out. She starts with an observation, asks a few questions, then either solves the issue or moves on to something else. Tonight, it was putting things (a washcloth, a ball, a toy much too large) into a plastic cup while in the bath. A few weeks ago, she was exploring the effect of the light coming through my green water bottle.<br />
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<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/AVvXsEj7J_By2bx6MczGGGr_0xIdrNdjSWOBF599dGDSJz-ovbmnKvAJwWSN4uxn4WeZFE3yjHKIeBV_JTy8lmyfT6kFKPjbMMAK_LNIuyHeKScHoLU1pGDuffECJAGVYgX4RwSiuwK_ZK_lMTEl/s1600/LucyGreen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J_By2bx6MczGGGr_0xIdrNdjSWOBF599dGDSJz-ovbmnKvAJwWSN4uxn4WeZFE3yjHKIeBV_JTy8lmyfT6kFKPjbMMAK_LNIuyHeKScHoLU1pGDuffECJAGVYgX4RwSiuwK_ZK_lMTEl/s1600/LucyGreen1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ooh, pretty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKdKdKd6g9kCOqKK89v8PqDQ0R_-eyNbzl-UifyhnNiUUGLNjvJaOp9KR-WEi4YMK0i_Pl_reiuIILCCVNZh2l6fRCXk8SOzZKj1gpN0k-V60wsxcXnOU80oM328xP2siOrmFWB8K070y/s1600/LucyGreen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKdKdKd6g9kCOqKK89v8PqDQ0R_-eyNbzl-UifyhnNiUUGLNjvJaOp9KR-WEi4YMK0i_Pl_reiuIILCCVNZh2l6fRCXk8SOzZKj1gpN0k-V60wsxcXnOU80oM328xP2siOrmFWB8K070y/s1600/LucyGreen2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look, this green stuff is spilling off the table…</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jW1HBKqNQKT7mCFU64nJwFrDJE8BBN8NNwZQOq5Op2hMcCCbN3G7kPSCnAPzIFxNrdErb7vn3Xf-xKJ5mS6SeT7h2OnOjKaBTGqldMy3VmDxRMvLnyIlGUwpT7-I1DNHr89Og67eV4MI/s1600/LucyGreen3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jW1HBKqNQKT7mCFU64nJwFrDJE8BBN8NNwZQOq5Op2hMcCCbN3G7kPSCnAPzIFxNrdErb7vn3Xf-xKJ5mS6SeT7h2OnOjKaBTGqldMy3VmDxRMvLnyIlGUwpT7-I1DNHr89Og67eV4MI/s1600/LucyGreen3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what's up with that?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ki60btkJvrxBq5_zyOfq-oz0sc41u0NC_ruIWOVH9NnTRkRRt51Iu-bp8sZLg0U_yUli4xM7-Ll76rPBmuXTjOhWqav20qZid6GlSvKFcb0aAXe3nZAu3acTDukwIy3UJW0EpF8sFYGd/s1600/LucyGreen4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ki60btkJvrxBq5_zyOfq-oz0sc41u0NC_ruIWOVH9NnTRkRRt51Iu-bp8sZLg0U_yUli4xM7-Ll76rPBmuXTjOhWqav20qZid6GlSvKFcb0aAXe3nZAu3acTDukwIy3UJW0EpF8sFYGd/s1600/LucyGreen4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hey! now it's on my arm!</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEgRpGWhQTQj0Kw1x2OFiOxI3blUOUS7peTWGRkSZtGC1cJWndtQMxxC2q2_CCQ-lzKh20j4egPHjB9TzZa9HPxUq2GQYgpKWARcGsFfmwOIebjCWJc_lXSIHAYjEwJOc9y0OXmgUfbplQF-/s1600/LucyGreen5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpGWhQTQj0Kw1x2OFiOxI3blUOUS7peTWGRkSZtGC1cJWndtQMxxC2q2_CCQ-lzKh20j4egPHjB9TzZa9HPxUq2GQYgpKWARcGsFfmwOIebjCWJc_lXSIHAYjEwJOc9y0OXmgUfbplQF-/s1600/LucyGreen5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">does it taste good?</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEjnSQXHJOVIOOQpZZ7jle2hMerNH6IBlxywnam4h4Lu39_LrqqlExhMblpGReqEHJqzz8EWZupVuGATXCVnqSgiNBPmv7eOQ33Bep90-oyUyhzuK2cjetC_K8nup2VVtmnl_xElyOIq_vAs/s1600/LucyGreen6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSQXHJOVIOOQpZZ7jle2hMerNH6IBlxywnam4h4Lu39_LrqqlExhMblpGReqEHJqzz8EWZupVuGATXCVnqSgiNBPmv7eOQ33Bep90-oyUyhzuK2cjetC_K8nup2VVtmnl_xElyOIq_vAs/s1600/LucyGreen6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can I shake it off? wipe it on my shorts? </td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEiCcxlz9Oo84LhGzsmDoGChO_Nau-2Bo8md55hivo_Orr9fqrybFy-Tkq6XWHUAZu-bFxcVBrZ8B-cURU7oLsabDG1ydDrpEVfl4U0IF7XLfJQ2XrA9bwFq3ixxOIyS_mYFpCjK2NTilE3Q/s1600/LucyGreen7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcxlz9Oo84LhGzsmDoGChO_Nau-2Bo8md55hivo_Orr9fqrybFy-Tkq6XWHUAZu-bFxcVBrZ8B-cURU7oLsabDG1ydDrpEVfl4U0IF7XLfJQ2XrA9bwFq3ixxOIyS_mYFpCjK2NTilE3Q/s1600/LucyGreen7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at it cross-eyed?</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEivHuECM_rOjaLPV1n6pWuaxl8K6samua1x5WY0K4FM-pgX-TDV-dxaGYp8hBUvSCkv7XwkcN-w5P0KX_e_5cpzk9usYag50eQ72VWjWM0UqveoFG-BEn70bWdsNC7EmmoK60YCEzJSWHzO/s1600/LucyGreen8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHuECM_rOjaLPV1n6pWuaxl8K6samua1x5WY0K4FM-pgX-TDV-dxaGYp8hBUvSCkv7XwkcN-w5P0KX_e_5cpzk9usYag50eQ72VWjWM0UqveoFG-BEn70bWdsNC7EmmoK60YCEzJSWHzO/s1600/LucyGreen8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sorry mom, somehow I got green stuff all over me.</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEiAu1hvu_mQBPcBfK7Iy__ZJ84qqMdYvTQl4lZGBgoHREAbUSenC4B50ydtCmtgPpLSvWt9qzjAiNAx9kmOmPJm7o8emrLB1tLwKHZ6yF6vybwmVxNwAxs7FUNUBzUGCJuh2QDocJJerUKi/s1600/LucyGreen9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu1hvu_mQBPcBfK7Iy__ZJ84qqMdYvTQl4lZGBgoHREAbUSenC4B50ydtCmtgPpLSvWt9qzjAiNAx9kmOmPJm7o8emrLB1tLwKHZ6yF6vybwmVxNwAxs7FUNUBzUGCJuh2QDocJJerUKi/s1600/LucyGreen9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">don't worry, baby girl, it isn't permanent…</td></tr>
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<br />jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-81651452343454388732012-10-16T00:38:00.000-04:002012-10-16T00:38:17.383-04:00fourteen on the fourteenth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2CM2DJNtytSfOksebIgyYNV7CeBoVcNBAdQ32VzNyf-KbgifYKDu9A4xSuQKVOCLn6JcAEo5wBY0qux8LOcEPHhRrxQPZUYYfUasczOKKAh-dqCfw4_c7nGrWx8PzgibS-8ScqwFjcDr/s1600/14Months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2CM2DJNtytSfOksebIgyYNV7CeBoVcNBAdQ32VzNyf-KbgifYKDu9A4xSuQKVOCLn6JcAEo5wBY0qux8LOcEPHhRrxQPZUYYfUasczOKKAh-dqCfw4_c7nGrWx8PzgibS-8ScqwFjcDr/s1600/14Months.jpg" /></a></div>
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When Lucy is fourteen years old, we'll celebrate her golden birthday…go crazy with the whole 14 theme and make it extra special. At least that's my plan now. I guess we'll see how it goes when we get there.<br />
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Here she is, at fourteen months. On the 14th of October.<br />
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She's got gobs of teeth now, her latest two are on the top, one on each side. I'm sure I could find out what they're called, but I'm not gonna bother right now. She walks and runs like crazy…as long as she's holding our hands. She's not wanting to venture out on her own, and if we try to make her, she collapses on the ground in sobs like we're the meanest parents ever. She loves to push her stroller around. Our walks have gotten much slower.<br />
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She also babbles away and pays close attention to us when we sing the alphabet song to her and usually says "yay" and claps her hand when we come to the end of the song. But still no real, consistent words. She does great in the nurseries at church and Bible study & MOPS (three different places, three different groups of workers and other kids). <br />
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She loves her bath time and music of any sort and honey nut cheerios and yogurt and oatmeal and avocados and doggies. She's still charming total strangers just by turning those long lashes their way. She takes great delight in the simplest things and will entertain herself with her books and toys for a good long time…some days. Other days, she's whiny and "needs" mama every minute. And those days are good days, too. Because I know there will come a day when she doesn't "need" me…or thinks she doesn't. So I'll soak it in now.<br />
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We love being her parents.<br />
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I always have such fun doing a photo shoot with her, but usually only share my favorite shots. So here's some of the outtakes mixed in with some favorites.<br />
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jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-87528603055406697942012-10-09T00:51:00.000-04:002012-10-09T00:51:48.222-04:00pumpkin patch funShe doesn't know it, but <a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/blog/">Lisa Leonard</a> has been my tour guide to the central coast for the past two years. Her latest local mention was a pumpkin patch I hadn't heard of before. And I'm glad I looked it up!<br />
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Now, the <a href="http://avilavalleybarn.com/">Avila Valley Barn</a> is pretty great, as they have animals and food and pumpkins all right in one place, but they usually also have hundreds of PEOPLE you have to dodge to enjoy all the ambiance. <br />
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Probably going on a Monday helped tone the crowds down, but when we showed up at <a href="http://lafamiliaranch.com/">La Familia Ranch</a>, we were the only guests there. (In a fun coincidence, Lisa and her boys showed up a few minutes later. I got to introduce myself and tell her she was the reason we were there.)<br />
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Every kid should get a chance to ride in a wagon with a pumpkin on a sunny October day.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-5635756831737005782012-08-26T01:01:00.000-04:002013-01-30T00:27:58.699-05:00dear javiI loved getting to live at your house for a while. You have some pretty great toys and you were really nice to let me play with them. I'm glad I was able to help you out in the clapping and crawling departments. I told you it was no big deal and you'd just be able to do it one day without even trying.<br />
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I'm glad we got to spend some time together while our mamas clicked those things at us. Does your mom still do that to you? Mine does. I'm okay with it for now, I guess. But I'd really like to take a look at that thing she clicks and bang it around a bit to see how well it's made, but Mama won't let me.<br />
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I don't mind that you put your arm around me while they were clicking, but I think maybe the kiss was too much, too soon. I mean, I liked it and all, even with the grass tickling my face...but it scared me a little. I'm only used to mama and daddy kissing me. And grandparents. No one else my size kisses me. So I'm sorry that I ran away right after. Maybe some other day I won't.<br />
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love,<br />
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Lucy<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpiAbz8wiRuuPjIBCvvHutiPvGxqrcKimHh21V2xn_t1QPSqxB7EmcYdseytllHNypzm0laTNaHgv85907ZBEvz0CZoV2ZgkPxgDUAhf42zfY3gAA5WJS9Y-Hr_rWb3AI2ykjGVf19eQI/s1600/LucyJavi_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpiAbz8wiRuuPjIBCvvHutiPvGxqrcKimHh21V2xn_t1QPSqxB7EmcYdseytllHNypzm0laTNaHgv85907ZBEvz0CZoV2ZgkPxgDUAhf42zfY3gAA5WJS9Y-Hr_rWb3AI2ykjGVf19eQI/s640/LucyJavi_03.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like Javi. This is nice. Just hanging out on a beautiful day, leaning on my friend…</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at her looking at me. She totally wants me to kiss her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooooooch!</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEg2unOexGhANy2_Q91N2eAAOc5Palq-aspEkTynD7C4vUi_gtQp7Ke1hbfb6uxqja3Qi7-3QbCZDiASRWAQRETl3y_ZsAh-5H-uapNRbfDEW0oymh2aM7cIQYNggTa-mCtDLactQ9gSUeBL/s1600/LucyJavi_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2unOexGhANy2_Q91N2eAAOc5Palq-aspEkTynD7C4vUi_gtQp7Ke1hbfb6uxqja3Qi7-3QbCZDiASRWAQRETl3y_ZsAh-5H-uapNRbfDEW0oymh2aM7cIQYNggTa-mCtDLactQ9gSUeBL/s640/LucyJavi_06.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stink. Probably should have dropped the grass before makin' my big move…</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEguDKbGOi7UY18bB4sQjr90XRkFf8S2sFYsTNDI9tC2SAGtBNyrjGYfOkQ9_mcQIMDt7NYc52gXQ_EETWJDTz6BRRTd60xYQh1KUwtBTNGfkRsoSJxjAkMGjLWYCFy12gwinSvPfAJQs4W1/s1600/LucyJavi_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDKbGOi7UY18bB4sQjr90XRkFf8S2sFYsTNDI9tC2SAGtBNyrjGYfOkQ9_mcQIMDt7NYc52gXQ_EETWJDTz6BRRTd60xYQh1KUwtBTNGfkRsoSJxjAkMGjLWYCFy12gwinSvPfAJQs4W1/s640/LucyJavi_07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waitaminnit…whaddid he just do??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEix1AdD4VFJg8lEvmvt2v2L40Ju0cW3EPRyopW8W_00Xtx4SZNdYNK6nt2jXn3WqlQq-qhaETKfaHe0KeLMjAHRbob5xcTtLWSLlh6CP_awjjW1FKf_4G8KCjQ5Gf2-hDcKokFopAKFbUMN/s1600/LucyJavi_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1AdD4VFJg8lEvmvt2v2L40Ju0cW3EPRyopW8W_00Xtx4SZNdYNK6nt2jXn3WqlQq-qhaETKfaHe0KeLMjAHRbob5xcTtLWSLlh6CP_awjjW1FKf_4G8KCjQ5Gf2-hDcKokFopAKFbUMN/s640/LucyJavi_08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait, Lucy, don't go!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEiIBJvbW7Uoc9XKEzbNxkenZ3iQSzYkq5ujzR55v_1G-TF0NNMrBl1StCtYVd47lcRIFExYqAlvjtxqdrULXkFS700ZdiutWKuSDVa1PvAiHnGXLNzrftpvZnn8cjwXg01fPNztU6cG_VmH/s1600/LucyJavi_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBJvbW7Uoc9XKEzbNxkenZ3iQSzYkq5ujzR55v_1G-TF0NNMrBl1StCtYVd47lcRIFExYqAlvjtxqdrULXkFS700ZdiutWKuSDVa1PvAiHnGXLNzrftpvZnn8cjwXg01fPNztU6cG_VmH/s640/LucyJavi_09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama! Help me! He kissed me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEiLeZ0LGRRg4BRv8AZ-MWhpazK-_zTsOurqmVo4Ardkj1S1lOF043czyKjH9kyJI2yE_HTB5frpq810c4ceM5wSAu8qaWWspCK0fKT7ykfgO7OseazvRyQCFY5tRF7IoXm2Z3vpVqBtuZcY/s1600/LucyJavi_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeZ0LGRRg4BRv8AZ-MWhpazK-_zTsOurqmVo4Ardkj1S1lOF043czyKjH9kyJI2yE_HTB5frpq810c4ceM5wSAu8qaWWspCK0fKT7ykfgO7OseazvRyQCFY5tRF7IoXm2Z3vpVqBtuZcY/s640/LucyJavi_10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh man, I blew it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You can read Javi's letter to Lucy <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1449118363"></span>here<span id="goog_1449118364"></span></a>.</span>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-30591824181396582802012-08-14T23:25:00.000-04:002012-08-14T23:28:35.107-04:00exhausting (happy) birthdayThree hundred and sixty-six days ago, we served you your eviction notice and then forcibly dragged you out into this big crazy world. You've charmed pretty much everyone you've come into contact with ever since. <br />
<br />
Here's some photos from today, one year after your entrance.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj8JWGn3Vdq-bgdkLg-UvYXY_6xJcWCznE7u8MlpQXXuq0NbgeOlisRV6ozXTgxCo8Cl-RGcXH8MbULnHOAvXibF182cW_w5k8x_cORcAWK6QhULLFBmfUouvabcA7UVtebKPzN7bxS6f/s1600/LucyBirthday01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAj8JWGn3Vdq-bgdkLg-UvYXY_6xJcWCznE7u8MlpQXXuq0NbgeOlisRV6ozXTgxCo8Cl-RGcXH8MbULnHOAvXibF182cW_w5k8x_cORcAWK6QhULLFBmfUouvabcA7UVtebKPzN7bxS6f/s1600/LucyBirthday01.jpg" /></a></div>
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<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/AVvXsEiGdabZZ2wRtKRAfa5urWWFd-HSeLnmI9YbUb0EmXO1tekMuyUBdKhQuVOVf9Gnl3aPfgQ1qoSnNNx9cVn9i2P7Tga_8QKwr1eb-BkDGS1XH-Hhoqg99dX80Fo1Pk2hfgeACZDsjMLIh-32/s1600/LucyBirthday02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdabZZ2wRtKRAfa5urWWFd-HSeLnmI9YbUb0EmXO1tekMuyUBdKhQuVOVf9Gnl3aPfgQ1qoSnNNx9cVn9i2P7Tga_8QKwr1eb-BkDGS1XH-Hhoqg99dX80Fo1Pk2hfgeACZDsjMLIh-32/s1600/LucyBirthday02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You woke up so happy! Mama sang Happy Birthday to you…the first of several renditions you would hear today.</td></tr>
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<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/AVvXsEj_2At44fpp22oymc1E7zkK87yE0kEYij0k8fh9UWi4dp337zpyqEQe5golOki4bAcVnJ_vbOCvk4RPmeAM6uDmk9L6FhMYJdrr33CQqeZ9fcX2_32CFU6HWFa2RvOH8E6FiiSFooXL34NT/s1600/LucyBirthday03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2At44fpp22oymc1E7zkK87yE0kEYij0k8fh9UWi4dp337zpyqEQe5golOki4bAcVnJ_vbOCvk4RPmeAM6uDmk9L6FhMYJdrr33CQqeZ9fcX2_32CFU6HWFa2RvOH8E6FiiSFooXL34NT/s1600/LucyBirthday03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You conked out in the car on the way to the Doctor's office. I know. Who schedules a doctor's appointment ON your birthday?? Sorry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEi0_fnhHVgMeXoaTlv4LrwdLjva7dYp2pUZGUwdsaRK-a9fkkwdWCIfRyOz83jObNv9r0ljNOSUp6_EBSg_w2Sn1oEFhqttGu2-Eu0BOBy0X2-B2XcA8eQ-KNmNY9EBKtyilJKyAWzm_q6g/s1600/LucyBirthday04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_fnhHVgMeXoaTlv4LrwdLjva7dYp2pUZGUwdsaRK-a9fkkwdWCIfRyOz83jObNv9r0ljNOSUp6_EBSg_w2Sn1oEFhqttGu2-Eu0BOBy0X2-B2XcA8eQ-KNmNY9EBKtyilJKyAWzm_q6g/s1600/LucyBirthday04.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEhPAHRbInye1c5YX6fehhP5cENf1-sk1U5xDvItGRjNl_P4JsMjWiEvWaDgGe-dNITcGRRN6qdcLJMGJdTaA9H-E0RRIon5Dqx45IKuhEgCl0PhZkLT-bBv2mNqWA6RWYPt1FwgI5DeGj2H/s1600/LucyBirthday05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAHRbInye1c5YX6fehhP5cENf1-sk1U5xDvItGRjNl_P4JsMjWiEvWaDgGe-dNITcGRRN6qdcLJMGJdTaA9H-E0RRIon5Dqx45IKuhEgCl0PhZkLT-bBv2mNqWA6RWYPt1FwgI5DeGj2H/s1600/LucyBirthday05.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You had a great time climbing around in the exam room…</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEjJRHkK5izHhotprlLlyw1I7UfE2WiZF7IGLjPmJUUf4KUiD2225HxuYqPUmm2KosE6z0MsOYzs5I1tM1WGdkQZaE7k050dOB7J3B8y2i9r0ynxIXDFfzplmyAHkYzX0bRUYfkBGOkeoqQp/s1600/LucyBirthday06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRHkK5izHhotprlLlyw1I7UfE2WiZF7IGLjPmJUUf4KUiD2225HxuYqPUmm2KosE6z0MsOYzs5I1tM1WGdkQZaE7k050dOB7J3B8y2i9r0ynxIXDFfzplmyAHkYzX0bRUYfkBGOkeoqQp/s1600/LucyBirthday06.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You were a bit perplexed by the bandage on your finger…it didn't take you long to get it off! No tears for the pinprick, though. Brave girl.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgDqb4mgJrJKvGjBKOSvtSSWBsPnGZjdGyLwd-h-gJNSHqiQvVQr6Aj7zQDkiHlnvuuCLyDgh_i25ZSW39l9TLl0wzW6fHXhxl-ucJB7UdK6LG5WZt1ckyuvV9Q9lCt9ql14Zc-Qu7qF-wY/s1600/LucyBirthday07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqb4mgJrJKvGjBKOSvtSSWBsPnGZjdGyLwd-h-gJNSHqiQvVQr6Aj7zQDkiHlnvuuCLyDgh_i25ZSW39l9TLl0wzW6fHXhxl-ucJB7UdK6LG5WZt1ckyuvV9Q9lCt9ql14Zc-Qu7qF-wY/s1600/LucyBirthday07.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How about going grocery shopping on your birthday? Fun, right? Okay…not so much. Again, sorry, baby. Maybe when you have a clue what a birthday is we'll do more fun stuff on it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEgndUeyMMbKBH53RW3jI84bXdMbc2DBsVubcFkwZ9Mm2EenOV9Q5t3XnAjEb14l6VQeQA7SWgDGLrRWiDNAyW37ckUS5M5A9nS8lKizKlXfegXXHwwo3y3rTcOUSZH3wzYjJyvyXDiA6-UW/s1600/LucyBirthday08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndUeyMMbKBH53RW3jI84bXdMbc2DBsVubcFkwZ9Mm2EenOV9Q5t3XnAjEb14l6VQeQA7SWgDGLrRWiDNAyW37ckUS5M5A9nS8lKizKlXfegXXHwwo3y3rTcOUSZH3wzYjJyvyXDiA6-UW/s1600/LucyBirthday08.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your first cup of milk! More, please.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEhupfUK5kKUZlhLj8NdBmoQnYHVsFDVcnKaQiV2dVxzYNDBwbUlhIgA_drfuz_gsvqlsLdxXjmRL24-ZvGv0dG9brkYeLiQXlLBWc9MtjfGKDGKX-A0Mjtfl5g0KFlBrUYZdZBC9FwwHoiE/s1600/LucyBirthday09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupfUK5kKUZlhLj8NdBmoQnYHVsFDVcnKaQiV2dVxzYNDBwbUlhIgA_drfuz_gsvqlsLdxXjmRL24-ZvGv0dG9brkYeLiQXlLBWc9MtjfGKDGKX-A0Mjtfl5g0KFlBrUYZdZBC9FwwHoiE/s1600/LucyBirthday09.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You were so very tired by the time we got to your cupcake. You want me to do what, Daddy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEioOH8m_mt4rjRN3CAkVJjftqq55MFsfBRLbqVZywTGprbtP2Zq8tnsgGX8VyQdv26ojSa9K4f2x75CWNyUA3m24G-y8oNIfK6FP1hDnE23H9gpEnLG8Qpdr0_CwbtewUFI2yM60BzhDT-u/s1600/LucyBirthday10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOH8m_mt4rjRN3CAkVJjftqq55MFsfBRLbqVZywTGprbtP2Zq8tnsgGX8VyQdv26ojSa9K4f2x75CWNyUA3m24G-y8oNIfK6FP1hDnE23H9gpEnLG8Qpdr0_CwbtewUFI2yM60BzhDT-u/s1600/LucyBirthday10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, I guess I'll try it. Meh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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/AVvXsEieMvOL782XZGZvswDZtlIk0LeC75BExSMthMxLBDRl8rBphd4FNqxqFyXJQMWiZj8vBepYZkD1OewyoGPWryo6GNrCV9GfSA4jA7uE0SI-uXrGzMaT4KGYREHf3JtOG8L85M29ICqL4WEz/s1600/LucyBirthday11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMvOL782XZGZvswDZtlIk0LeC75BExSMthMxLBDRl8rBphd4FNqxqFyXJQMWiZj8vBepYZkD1OewyoGPWryo6GNrCV9GfSA4jA7uE0SI-uXrGzMaT4KGYREHf3JtOG8L85M29ICqL4WEz/s1600/LucyBirthday11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then you swooped that cupcake right into your arms and snuggled it to death.<br />
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The end.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-33260820691186327282012-05-16T02:22:00.000-04:002012-08-01T02:26:28.718-04:00outside vs. inside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMi2S1-ujzn6Fw-En8Ue6n-O89gW5CjWfw49u408qIFUwjd6JSz5Ugsw59NC6uFe51I6uY9hKUlu54LMDNSTuTScP-NIXX0Isg0DagAJJd4151d5lZ1xF_GzeIrwxGdlSuo-8Pb8WnikGb/s1600/Lucy9Months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMi2S1-ujzn6Fw-En8Ue6n-O89gW5CjWfw49u408qIFUwjd6JSz5Ugsw59NC6uFe51I6uY9hKUlu54LMDNSTuTScP-NIXX0Isg0DagAJJd4151d5lZ1xF_GzeIrwxGdlSuo-8Pb8WnikGb/s1000/Lucy9Months.jpg" width="" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">You've now been outside my body as long as you were inside it!</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Milestones this month:</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Official transition from your infant car seat to a convertible car seat. Which also means you get to ride in the shopping cart seat now, and ride facing forward in a stroller. I am amazed at how much you have loved stroller riding when you can see all around you. You hold onto the tray and sit up straight and just smile and smile, occasionally waving your arms around. You love the feel of the wind in your face. On a long walk, you eventually slouch back, pop one foot up over the side and just chill. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWux9hE3e_WUlHt1_-i5DeeF2mIOmn_7Tf5YoIM6LTue-skHwByWGgm8uMQ4L89Y9oDvyJ8zxBWploQ_S_ylAvY9UeGWynil41hf6COIT8HszCJHgPkQ0l2sUkhM3oHPNm1jDGonM96sRi/s1600/Lucy9Months08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWux9hE3e_WUlHt1_-i5DeeF2mIOmn_7Tf5YoIM6LTue-skHwByWGgm8uMQ4L89Y9oDvyJ8zxBWploQ_S_ylAvY9UeGWynil41hf6COIT8HszCJHgPkQ0l2sUkhM3oHPNm1jDGonM96sRi/s800/Lucy9Months08.jpg" width="" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Time with the grandparents!</b> They have all really enjoyed getting to know you at this age, and you've enjoyed lots and lots of love from all of them. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjfZ5bGjyV8-wSTbWusZJbZNBCpMdLuGsw9oTSISWgIhimJNkPbLyhmN9362FAZtAPIdYEU1v323gPRcEzt1dgXtTCCAO3C_nWEuKoy9JqDWr0SalmnfsgUZBhAfYn25uf5OkiPsRY-v5/s1600/Lucy9Months20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjfZ5bGjyV8-wSTbWusZJbZNBCpMdLuGsw9oTSISWgIhimJNkPbLyhmN9362FAZtAPIdYEU1v323gPRcEzt1dgXtTCCAO3C_nWEuKoy9JqDWr0SalmnfsgUZBhAfYn25uf5OkiPsRY-v5/s800/Lucy9Months20.jpg" width="" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Road trips!</b> After your first plane ride on your 8-month birthday, we had a couple of days of longish road trips on our way to meet up with Daddy. You do really well in the car…such an improvement from when you were mere weeks old and screamed the whole time.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Beer!</b> Just kidding. I just think this picture is funny.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gTcXFpVgWLZX8g3_h1EFyaWObgNN5oJiKEUf5HqqqH7FTK-Uy3kxeYl8n0n8pGUw4pRnc-Qwq0B6fVL3y3D8Uyc2RJcMLsQspDLGilMV31XoTgyD0_PtjZcu_YQ8Rub0yh8OHdDNPz4k/s1600/Lucy9Months18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gTcXFpVgWLZX8g3_h1EFyaWObgNN5oJiKEUf5HqqqH7FTK-Uy3kxeYl8n0n8pGUw4pRnc-Qwq0B6fVL3y3D8Uyc2RJcMLsQspDLGilMV31XoTgyD0_PtjZcu_YQ8Rub0yh8OHdDNPz4k/s800/Lucy9Months18.jpg" width="" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Cousins!</b> (And their parents!) You met your cousin Gabby for the very first time, and the two of you have had a great month+ getting to know each other. I think you'll both be sad when we are back on the other side of the country and can't spend time together. You got to spend a weekend + with your cousin Esther, and she just can't get enough of you! </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgte0ZAqa12kqeLhmA0lZBlGZymwHHm0bD63OjzuBlyOhhSnHwYOR62xK7RWjQGbNMVMh0e9MATcOBRj9Mp9Oran42vvEXG207YBhOeJAMsFcIixEzYYgR950amhEc7iFmFcaPwJUCxnXQ6/s1600/Lucy9Months02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgte0ZAqa12kqeLhmA0lZBlGZymwHHm0bD63OjzuBlyOhhSnHwYOR62xK7RWjQGbNMVMh0e9MATcOBRj9Mp9Oran42vvEXG207YBhOeJAMsFcIixEzYYgR950amhEc7iFmFcaPwJUCxnXQ6/s800/Lucy9Months02.jpg" width="" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Food</b>…let's just say you don't follow all the books. You think it's funny when I try to feed you with a spoon, and would much rather take the spoon and chew on it. I manage to get some food into you this way, but you are still just not very interested in baby food. You were almost all the way to 9 months when I offered you some avocado…and you ate it and wanted more! Ever since, we've been offering you bits and pieces of lots of things we're eating, and you really like most of it. Still not eating very much of any one thing, but you have tried lots and lots of new foods.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuIv1S_-Oe1X7OSWVqyGmQqoArAdYWK9XeoaESs-acBH2KLdy30Hs4QzXQya-0LodclsOrg8dDVzZa2bWqM_NJjQmaRXSTdZeLews-PEVa2JsAJMq3Qu-rpbb8NdZI1NisGtiXg4F-r8q/s1600/Lucy9Months03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuIv1S_-Oe1X7OSWVqyGmQqoArAdYWK9XeoaESs-acBH2KLdy30Hs4QzXQya-0LodclsOrg8dDVzZa2bWqM_NJjQmaRXSTdZeLews-PEVa2JsAJMq3Qu-rpbb8NdZI1NisGtiXg4F-r8q/s800/Lucy9Months03.jpg" width="" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Sightseeing!</b> we got to take you to some historic spots near where we were staying. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbtbDpDKpSAu7KX7XLRoILBqLTIa8Q6oaHt5O0Oq2eYQPo4MpndPPRNECqhIjWWGTiGGInReDpuhL5lj5iM0YvuwkS1jCp7GNzL9VIQdAQDsanY_ed_NkVQfJSSKH9-mNqmykRii_Pq7C/s1600/Lucy9Months13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbtbDpDKpSAu7KX7XLRoILBqLTIa8Q6oaHt5O0Oq2eYQPo4MpndPPRNECqhIjWWGTiGGInReDpuhL5lj5iM0YvuwkS1jCp7GNzL9VIQdAQDsanY_ed_NkVQfJSSKH9-mNqmykRii_Pq7C/s800/Lucy9Months13.jpg" width="" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Restaurant highchairs!</b> Since we're not home, we're eating out much more often, and you are getting good at sitting in your own chair (and getting strangers to talk to us).</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Teeth!</b> Those first two bottom teeth showed up about halfway through this month after not much fussing at all…just lots and lots of drool and a few nights of interrupted sleep. You're a dream baby.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTXDS4MA-YF44yumoSJHKtpjWXJ2Bw1LlApWGSkzVttdX6gF9dzR3IjeGJL3W1d1oxcuqoTxeva3yoQIWn9ftYw1oHluCHTEMEIt3Y6_Q5_U_V_dXqG7apf1Sz3k3cNeBXltIIKU3LwhO/s1600/Lucy9Months09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTXDS4MA-YF44yumoSJHKtpjWXJ2Bw1LlApWGSkzVttdX6gF9dzR3IjeGJL3W1d1oxcuqoTxeva3yoQIWn9ftYw1oHluCHTEMEIt3Y6_Q5_U_V_dXqG7apf1Sz3k3cNeBXltIIKU3LwhO/s800/Lucy9Months09.jpg" width="" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Swinging!</b> Both in the park and at Uncle Chris' house…you get all mellow in the swing.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Spectator sports:</b> Daddy's been playing softball, so we get to go watch. You chill out in your stroller and take it all in.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>New toys!</b> At both cousins' houses, you've gotten to play with way more toys than you have tried as of yet. Toys requiring batteries (help!). You have enjoyed all the exploring and have figured out quickly how to make the noises you want to hear.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Clapping!</b> You've figured out how to put your hands together…the clapping noise comes a bit later on :)</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">You manage to scootch yourself backwards, but haven't yet figured out forward, purposeful mobility. You still love to "fly" on your belly with arms & legs going like crazy. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">You love being outside and I can generally count on a walk to calm you down if you're cranky. You love textures and sounds and exploring how the two relate (spent several minutes rubbing your head on the foam mat, then the laminate flooring, curious about the different feel & sound!) You cluck your tongue and think it's great when every adult around you starts doing it, too.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">You love doggies & cats & birds & airplanes & being outside. You get super excited when you hear the door and know that Daddy is home.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I love being your mama. As much as I loved the 9 months of holding you inside of me, I have loved these past 9 months of holding you and loving you and looking in your eyes and watching you grown and learn and discover. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-45997005825862746812012-05-07T21:45:00.000-04:002012-05-07T21:46:18.210-04:00eight months already!<div style="text-align: left;">
Better get her 8-month post up before she's 9 months!</div>
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She's stolen the "C" … apparently wants to be known as "Luy" from now on?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcBqRTHQmHqeO1N54JVwDv4-bohCUh1Sko1fI2Xyo02RI7xnQ3mPCpzyJstSkxWwr5QUBJYq70ADTbYtC29PsrRE1ToikmTN7GkQlrblCmMQHF8JT4t75QfBF4wIU79kOsTx5mcIhyxCG/s1600/Lucy8Months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcBqRTHQmHqeO1N54JVwDv4-bohCUh1Sko1fI2Xyo02RI7xnQ3mPCpzyJstSkxWwr5QUBJYq70ADTbYtC29PsrRE1ToikmTN7GkQlrblCmMQHF8JT4t75QfBF4wIU79kOsTx5mcIhyxCG/s640/Lucy8Months.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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She's enthralled by fire, and enjoys sitting with daddy in the man chair watching the flames. If daddy's not home, she'll watch the fire by herself…all comfy on the floor like so:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB46pZdS5BQJRMkXtX_H7yjBZ_q2_dCRkFNPb4-cIMYRoHhdR_gb4dp8RHCMDjybKtqPCVkhqcvUkpoX63-2XPMxRGfsfy-VsdHg0LtVFmfo-JoW83p-L42wHZ5CvmglOOuaAAwZMcAAoe/s1600/Lucy8M_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB46pZdS5BQJRMkXtX_H7yjBZ_q2_dCRkFNPb4-cIMYRoHhdR_gb4dp8RHCMDjybKtqPCVkhqcvUkpoX63-2XPMxRGfsfy-VsdHg0LtVFmfo-JoW83p-L42wHZ5CvmglOOuaAAwZMcAAoe/s640/Lucy8M_1.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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She's super content to play in her play pen or on the floor with a few toys. Once she knows I'm watching her, though, she wants mama time! She caught me sneaking up on her here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDizssRzphLgxJDwqMmbBvt6WqbECWq4zqxbDsbdY7axbM9MkETp7ZNAYa7L-zjqT25pfnIvrwDzKWnkx9IH1Z_mYiHhcls7IbkP3DGyHpZB3-kUwHOjkWB6ewA5BsE25qORmier7Zc2lK/s1600/Lucy8M_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDizssRzphLgxJDwqMmbBvt6WqbECWq4zqxbDsbdY7axbM9MkETp7ZNAYa7L-zjqT25pfnIvrwDzKWnkx9IH1Z_mYiHhcls7IbkP3DGyHpZB3-kUwHOjkWB6ewA5BsE25qORmier7Zc2lK/s640/Lucy8M_2.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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She had just woken up from a nap and gave me the sweetest series of faces, from totally zoned to grabbing for the camera. Here's one of the ones in between. Love how her eyes match the chair.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTr0OBtDRC05Lrz6ngb_Yncj5Jd05h73-iqC8Y4CUXSVNOSJZZ-mXKaL255OEZNq6wuqMbS-7qfDzwZspcJ5e3xUrh15mrs63pkYvPqpX-S3HXF0Q7hRNe93vpdqt5kIw-Pu-qLBUHZwwG/s1600/Lucy8M_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTr0OBtDRC05Lrz6ngb_Yncj5Jd05h73-iqC8Y4CUXSVNOSJZZ-mXKaL255OEZNq6wuqMbS-7qfDzwZspcJ5e3xUrh15mrs63pkYvPqpX-S3HXF0Q7hRNe93vpdqt5kIw-Pu-qLBUHZwwG/s640/Lucy8M_3.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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We love spending the day in <a href="http://www.slocity.org/" target="_blank">SLO</a>, doing some shopping and finding yummy food. Okay, mama loves it…Lucy enjoys being along for the ride. Here she is on the table outside at the <a href="http://www.urbanecafe.com/" target="_blank">Urbane Cafe</a>. Some day I'm sure she'll have a Senior Portrait to match this shot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_Yo5qAjc8QqoGX3mw4vJP8qtw9v4TokTkq1rw-447TWM8pvBpvGOuza3s171aizdgpvSihe9-61K7dVD3JY4o-ck5yy3opoPv3XPLzn2CcVdjP1Sc04S58YomgpRCQ2TNGgDqas0s2Gi/s1600/Lucy8M_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_Yo5qAjc8QqoGX3mw4vJP8qtw9v4TokTkq1rw-447TWM8pvBpvGOuza3s171aizdgpvSihe9-61K7dVD3JY4o-ck5yy3opoPv3XPLzn2CcVdjP1Sc04S58YomgpRCQ2TNGgDqas0s2Gi/s640/Lucy8M_4.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Sleepy-eyed girl at her first Easter sunrise service, after getting up in the wee small hours to bring daddy to the airport. She was a trooper. Even though she looks less than thrilled.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5036NNgvuJBnXwgTEonoi7KU1YRfFNeZaKYyZniDYox2nnHb1wl6a7Q1fOMAzFMUTxkVybjh3RevFelaBle3qomTCGrxi4ZRCXSPkycEZ7jxv9ArDnelb5erM9QMZfUZf-aMKctOyvZHA/s1600/Lucy8M_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5036NNgvuJBnXwgTEonoi7KU1YRfFNeZaKYyZniDYox2nnHb1wl6a7Q1fOMAzFMUTxkVybjh3RevFelaBle3qomTCGrxi4ZRCXSPkycEZ7jxv9ArDnelb5erM9QMZfUZf-aMKctOyvZHA/s640/Lucy8M_5.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Later on Easter Sunday…she was just talking and gesturing away…she's such a sweet, happy girl!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6rjY7BcuONPn5eva_Z9gA7dobdw-9VDsO4x2avQpKXl6S-SVbJ9lxJXf2EtBvwIuuuZV6Yzy3Tl0wSASfeFdjSyGpLVNsMU56U2NAJzvP_ZG82X-RFv9BHAd0oZEI7HcmNFdHobxztps/s1600/Lucy8M_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6rjY7BcuONPn5eva_Z9gA7dobdw-9VDsO4x2avQpKXl6S-SVbJ9lxJXf2EtBvwIuuuZV6Yzy3Tl0wSASfeFdjSyGpLVNsMU56U2NAJzvP_ZG82X-RFv9BHAd0oZEI7HcmNFdHobxztps/s640/Lucy8M_6.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Even later on Easter Sunday…in her official first Easter outfit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTZ6QznlhUDAd_08cCTM08Mg9gJu5rb8mpbKV1d2664ZtjdKqFGPBlVmWZMPti2lL72TY_c6NrDVi11LMtT5IC4gedskGJ9RBJiN3R-bwC66U223ZOjguJC80uPB6x7YsoNzpdUVA-fhB/s1600/Lucy8M_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTZ6QznlhUDAd_08cCTM08Mg9gJu5rb8mpbKV1d2664ZtjdKqFGPBlVmWZMPti2lL72TY_c6NrDVi11LMtT5IC4gedskGJ9RBJiN3R-bwC66U223ZOjguJC80uPB6x7YsoNzpdUVA-fhB/s640/Lucy8M_7.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">More talking and gesturing and posing…wish I had set her up with better lighting for this one!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcMg4Q-QxZ4rkPB-POU_9mD_AmBoH6crdah1Fk2m7xxYeiTFt18lA_VZz0zCh5ODIbR8O_xP8h-CHNLU0_RZZBwvaicyBLAy0eHVhCb9JtuOFNpZv0f7H29Tk0Vk3KrL6cpjbp4z_9dAk/s1600/Lucy8M_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcMg4Q-QxZ4rkPB-POU_9mD_AmBoH6crdah1Fk2m7xxYeiTFt18lA_VZz0zCh5ODIbR8O_xP8h-CHNLU0_RZZBwvaicyBLAy0eHVhCb9JtuOFNpZv0f7H29Tk0Vk3KrL6cpjbp4z_9dAk/s640/Lucy8M_8.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Trying out our new <a href="http://kozycarrier.homestead.com/" target="_blank">Kozy carrier</a>…she needed some snuggle time and mama needed to get some things done! Conked right out. Yay.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksk2fXwW5EjId62o56LJh5R9PCDJtErWSZEVnhH6wDn_MlbZLSgrn9wCkx05NZ3vxVvVFsVUUBHngmGdNUjWDs5qhoYqR4RnFfUv1p5UCFhXhy-PWVnWyPIwZ4CKFT1KLy7VCFz0eTaLJ/s1600/Lucy8M_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksk2fXwW5EjId62o56LJh5R9PCDJtErWSZEVnhH6wDn_MlbZLSgrn9wCkx05NZ3vxVvVFsVUUBHngmGdNUjWDs5qhoYqR4RnFfUv1p5UCFhXhy-PWVnWyPIwZ4CKFT1KLy7VCFz0eTaLJ/s640/Lucy8M_9.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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A walk along the riverbed. Loving the new carrier…and her new Gap hat. There were some days this month that the only thing that would calm her down was heading out for a walk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9c4NI9K3NxxBta1lJpNVolYF3g6NOelJ6Wzl3Bzm1CVIJHY0lJHinLp0pLlnpwjSDxWpJECCHas29L7ayp44ur3uu0XWePAAHqLD3i3b7mU-qOHYyoUzkYX7P2DAqenPBDZx6Pqhe7d0/s1600/Lucy8M_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9c4NI9K3NxxBta1lJpNVolYF3g6NOelJ6Wzl3Bzm1CVIJHY0lJHinLp0pLlnpwjSDxWpJECCHas29L7ayp44ur3uu0XWePAAHqLD3i3b7mU-qOHYyoUzkYX7P2DAqenPBDZx6Pqhe7d0/s640/Lucy8M_10.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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And here she is on her 8-month birthday, enduring her first plane ride! She slept the whole first leg, and this shot is of her just waking up at the end.</div>
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Lucy, it's been a big month for you! I'm trying to feed you baby food, but you are much more interested in sucking on your bib and tasting the paper towel I clean you off with. You still aren't rolling over or crawling, but you do love to "fly" on your belly…arms & legs waving and kicking. You get up on your hands and knees and rock back and forth a bit and sometimes even scootch backwards, but you have yet to move forward on purpose. And that's okay. Life is still pretty easy, knowing you're not going to disappear on me if I turn my back for a minute :)</div>
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You love to talk, and wave your hands around like you're conducting some invisible orchestra. You think your hands are the coolest things ever. You love playing with paper or anything that makes that fun crinkly noise. You rarely nap for more than 40 minutes at a time, but most of the time you sleep the night through with just an early-morning nursing and back to bed. You've been working on your teeth for a while now (and there will be more on that in your 9-month post!). </div>
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We love your grin and your squeals and your babbling and your half-hearted attempts at locomotion. We love your snuggles and smiles and drool (well, daddy is still a bit drool-shy). We love watching you learn new things. We love all the compliments you receive from total strangers. We love you. More and more all the time.</div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-5749360727263961592012-05-01T22:29:00.000-04:002012-05-01T22:29:50.184-04:00dresses for zambiaSeven years ago, I went to Zambia, Africa. I was pretty sure at the end of the trip that I wouldn't ever go back. Not because I didn't love it there, but because I was pretty sure God had a different plan for me. I didn't have any idea what that plan was at the time, mind you, I was just pretty sure it didn't involve Zambia. Which made me sad at the time. I met a woman there who really taught me what joy and trust in the Lord was. I would like to sit down and talk with her again. I had little girls follow me around and kids sit behind me so they could touch my hair. I was surrounded by hundreds of African people singing praises to Jesus. It was an experience I will cherish always.<br />
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Several weeks ago, I found out that my home church was sending some folks to Zambia on another trip like I had taken. And they were getting together beforehand to make dresses to bring for the girls they would meet. I thought of the little girls who had followed me around (my photos are on another hard drive, or I'd dig them up and show you). I thought about how they dressed…in cast-off American t-shirts and cheap flip flops with a wrap-around skirt that could double as a mat to sit on or a sling for a baby.<br />
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Even though I had a million things to get done at home before leaving on a long trip, I just felt like this was something I had to do. I got details on the dresses and found some fabric in my stash…fabric I had picked up for some other project a few years ago that never got used. Turns out it was just the right fabric, and just the right yardage, to make three dresses for some girls who maybe have never owned a dress made just for them.<br />
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I hope these dresses make some girls smile, and make them feel pretty and loved. I hope they stand up to being worn every day for years on end. And I hope someday I get to meet the girls who will wear them.<br />
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I'm glad to know that, though I may never go to Zambia again, my dresses will.<br />
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The tutorial I used for the dresses can be found <a href="http://dressagirlaroundtheworld-va.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-make-best-dress-ever-tutorial.html">here</a>, and the tutorial I used for the pockets can be found <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2009/06/tutorial-pleated-pocket/">here</a>.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-76483344830417160872012-04-30T17:00:00.001-04:002012-04-30T17:01:05.488-04:00lucy in the grass with…twigsI love watching her discover something new. She sat in the grass and picked up leaves and twigs one at a time, carefully inspecting each one, talking to some of them, then put them right back down.
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I wonder who was the last person through those doors?jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-12330281223774898252012-03-18T00:44:00.007-04:002012-03-18T01:28:08.358-04:00the many faces of lucyShe's mostly a very serious baby, but about a month ago she came up with this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSa21_mIXsV0n0pYgpiKuPZsRQCGpUoqQhUPQBFqt5fyRe49iuZW4z5xsLJtL-2mdEISSTV-64OuilQxUncyu6CSWSLynj252iEqee1rPnN8ze8xsbuiluKN2SbddHldZ13ZHhGoeyeu7/s1600/LucyFaces.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSa21_mIXsV0n0pYgpiKuPZsRQCGpUoqQhUPQBFqt5fyRe49iuZW4z5xsLJtL-2mdEISSTV-64OuilQxUncyu6CSWSLynj252iEqee1rPnN8ze8xsbuiluKN2SbddHldZ13ZHhGoeyeu7/s800/LucyFaces.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094372270213058" /></a><br />It's a smile that takes serious concentration. And though it may look like she's making all kinds of noises while she's doing this, it's actually a totally silent process with very serious faces in between the grins.<br /><br />She does have some normal smiles in her repertoire as well…and though she is serious much of the time, it's a happy serious. She's quite content and seems to be thoroughly enjoying this process of growing up and discovering things. Like blocks! With letters! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVpYU6lZTDGj1r2w9P3lDpL31hSnO3tgdr3jTg8ECz_ZA7tzQrG3kyOBSqvQiRaXxlGi73hgZHXMup7Yvb7e-w1Sg0dB8Dwe7jSfqwC5Soy-fo6qt21aS038nW7LzuYn5tNAZGWZ6erVG/s1600/Lucy7Months.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVpYU6lZTDGj1r2w9P3lDpL31hSnO3tgdr3jTg8ECz_ZA7tzQrG3kyOBSqvQiRaXxlGi73hgZHXMup7Yvb7e-w1Sg0dB8Dwe7jSfqwC5Soy-fo6qt21aS038nW7LzuYn5tNAZGWZ6erVG/s1000/Lucy7Months.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721095705939228866" /></a><br />Sometimes I think she's just so happy that she can sit up by herself. She just sits and smiles and waves her arms around for a while and it's all great fun for her. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78z3InTxZASpzG3A52JkJoA6ujT8Jz_owq1vlsPAvn7n7Q6Vhyf1zdu0NEQU8dGi7OHtGxrY446hBmoCYkCXQ7CVlpAJvtxltIF1_KMHqWB3mm7AD8ZVvi3-DlWE_ujZvugVFtIi4ug8Y/s1600/Lucy7M_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78z3InTxZASpzG3A52JkJoA6ujT8Jz_owq1vlsPAvn7n7Q6Vhyf1zdu0NEQU8dGi7OHtGxrY446hBmoCYkCXQ7CVlpAJvtxltIF1_KMHqWB3mm7AD8ZVvi3-DlWE_ujZvugVFtIi4ug8Y/s800/Lucy7M_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094373963360594" /></a><br />It's nice, because I can sit her down in the hallway and do laundry and she's just happy to be there! I hope she's also learning how to take over this job asap…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy55rIBPYDfs5m6PglcP4teYJEUIgxBBARZiKNBYGPwIgb4gLl_Ye3qEhHaPydb81ZhZzYST8xB3zL_mMZBA4mD6TKocUbmmvG_SuN84rvVC1F6AzuQoACilGF4LlvM4VDikD4I0ozugW/s1600/Lucy7M_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy55rIBPYDfs5m6PglcP4teYJEUIgxBBARZiKNBYGPwIgb4gLl_Ye3qEhHaPydb81ZhZzYST8xB3zL_mMZBA4mD6TKocUbmmvG_SuN84rvVC1F6AzuQoACilGF4LlvM4VDikD4I0ozugW/s1000/Lucy7M_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094370997542722" /></a><br />We had some beautiful weather this past month and spent some time outside. She grabbed her first handful of grass…and didn't try to eat it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT2wsvzs4m7fa5oZQJmOajSogsprsDU9AaPvTU0sK7lXvlSeadl9iw9jlGcTwnlohMB6dOCoGVkqiOzKYevyHCt3U7OpLx9grMF026lH4ojtrhwi3K0FDw-0w_bxu8zK3UBQuYxJMcNGz/s1600/Lucy7M_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT2wsvzs4m7fa5oZQJmOajSogsprsDU9AaPvTU0sK7lXvlSeadl9iw9jlGcTwnlohMB6dOCoGVkqiOzKYevyHCt3U7OpLx9grMF026lH4ojtrhwi3K0FDw-0w_bxu8zK3UBQuYxJMcNGz/s1000/Lucy7M_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094205633626034" /></a><br />She loves bathtime, and has discovered splashing. And rubber duckies. She likes them both.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKo-m-0gRFXkEyHuBvIQmX57S6IE6rePlRxNy4_o-aoIULn4Db7hddtfYz1_UxvrB9d3lBsPJg1AhmTuv0GexNvdSQ5prACxhoCIAfmnPummLJWRjP5QsfyYLGBpKf2pyGil0MDc_9_il/s1600/Lucy7M_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKo-m-0gRFXkEyHuBvIQmX57S6IE6rePlRxNy4_o-aoIULn4Db7hddtfYz1_UxvrB9d3lBsPJg1AhmTuv0GexNvdSQ5prACxhoCIAfmnPummLJWRjP5QsfyYLGBpKf2pyGil0MDc_9_il/s800/Lucy7M_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094200497807410" /></a><br />We've tried various foods with little to no success. This picture is misleading, as it looks like she's really enjoying her apples. Actually, I think she did enjoy the apples…but mostly she just closes her mouth and turns away. No thanks, mama.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxwQ4-SaTzZe75wjES3_pmbz3VZzfkyjQP9DkG51nJTQa5NgyAVUkz-tpzHyrSSMRfVFb8iUjr6Ci4jkc4RwdeeEXd_ZmfONlIEriPJFhwKcXuFG6veh7NM_aOybeJVsF7jJRpNH5Cb2M/s1600/Lucy7M_5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxwQ4-SaTzZe75wjES3_pmbz3VZzfkyjQP9DkG51nJTQa5NgyAVUkz-tpzHyrSSMRfVFb8iUjr6Ci4jkc4RwdeeEXd_ZmfONlIEriPJFhwKcXuFG6veh7NM_aOybeJVsF7jJRpNH5Cb2M/s800/Lucy7M_5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094203661044914" /></a><br />She does love her some daddy time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ifwWiD39W6Ms-9udc00iV8AWw3vUVNJe8xcmCKWEhU2dnBxQjmjS-BBpIVT03P2PgKt1ceZMPAA47gqTzb-GuJW8ERDTPJxpl2tnpNNLWOsq-BbCgIN_j6EaMqKWgLIszzlzZhZDUKCB/s1600/Lucy7M_6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ifwWiD39W6Ms-9udc00iV8AWw3vUVNJe8xcmCKWEhU2dnBxQjmjS-BBpIVT03P2PgKt1ceZMPAA47gqTzb-GuJW8ERDTPJxpl2tnpNNLWOsq-BbCgIN_j6EaMqKWgLIszzlzZhZDUKCB/s1000/Lucy7M_6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094196757874402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfoFnoKDY8KtDS-h8HE0JRDAOFh-jvdHyI0SBOPw2Lhm2K8HrU4WARmT8oi2kDv8FYwkNtS8KsnbMDcTS5-gdA5ClX67WU_35_iC_fZae8bwKIxI2FXHgdfs6CEC03UC7hycaYzXbnwFb/s1600/Lucy7M_12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfoFnoKDY8KtDS-h8HE0JRDAOFh-jvdHyI0SBOPw2Lhm2K8HrU4WARmT8oi2kDv8FYwkNtS8KsnbMDcTS5-gdA5ClX67WU_35_iC_fZae8bwKIxI2FXHgdfs6CEC03UC7hycaYzXbnwFb/s800/Lucy7M_12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721093717865754722" /></a><br />And of course she loves to eat several things that are not food. Her safety straps being one of her absolute favorites.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0Wz2tvBbhyphenhyphen-QrH9iTXgwBrshrg0SLjhYx6B_N5FV7bLqWATDQ-nkHuwXYZuf6gOEzbij0OV2BmZxzX6fVOh2nqiGf0XVNyF57hGHgoU8cilGi1ooRCK78XZbLu1dTGRFiI5LtOV1XSlL/s1600/Lucy7M_7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0Wz2tvBbhyphenhyphen-QrH9iTXgwBrshrg0SLjhYx6B_N5FV7bLqWATDQ-nkHuwXYZuf6gOEzbij0OV2BmZxzX6fVOh2nqiGf0XVNyF57hGHgoU8cilGi1ooRCK78XZbLu1dTGRFiI5LtOV1XSlL/s1000/Lucy7M_7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094057022918818" /></a><br />Her sneakers are another.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllNoEk_F704LLjWup5Ufsf1fjG-uTbf-RKJfp5QIw3veIimQ0ATCDbI1clW9Epk7a_bxMlPJCYZybe2OLFdGlRa7vp3L2lPcInyNSynYEerv-M7iZceC0xR43XCoSI0LCUi1-9LGNylSp/s1600/Lucy7M_8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllNoEk_F704LLjWup5Ufsf1fjG-uTbf-RKJfp5QIw3veIimQ0ATCDbI1clW9Epk7a_bxMlPJCYZybe2OLFdGlRa7vp3L2lPcInyNSynYEerv-M7iZceC0xR43XCoSI0LCUi1-9LGNylSp/s800/Lucy7M_8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094048950435714" /></a><br />I simply cannot explain how much I love this face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJR_AckMCnPZoWDDuWNr17nlst-SxXwE9GXOU-_FvEHZi91ebADEaJQFh5FvYWyfZSyoEbzz0dRpJbfPr_bulYee2yspo4nC07rcy3HagNzVZuOaDKv__m419N0HEh2sMN_AHxGbUhcod/s1600/Lucy7M_9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJR_AckMCnPZoWDDuWNr17nlst-SxXwE9GXOU-_FvEHZi91ebADEaJQFh5FvYWyfZSyoEbzz0dRpJbfPr_bulYee2yspo4nC07rcy3HagNzVZuOaDKv__m419N0HEh2sMN_AHxGbUhcod/s800/Lucy7M_9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094036171247170" /></a><br />And this one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vVa3U45PXNoQ7-lFAb_okToOYXgne6JKgi8CiAe7YFvr5dwm3sFx_eQMhwN-yf_wR_Ec0Bdzi84tZOCAtx9wRDXGIp3Auf0Un8SvW1Q5yX6J6C-jPi5uOWMew5Guari8ZVoti1HfJzSi/s1600/Lucy7M_10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vVa3U45PXNoQ7-lFAb_okToOYXgne6JKgi8CiAe7YFvr5dwm3sFx_eQMhwN-yf_wR_Ec0Bdzi84tZOCAtx9wRDXGIp3Auf0Un8SvW1Q5yX6J6C-jPi5uOWMew5Guari8ZVoti1HfJzSi/s1000/Lucy7M_10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721094034323462786" /></a><br />And this one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEhlFeU_sruBbTtVHvmtm_u-1NL0ismG0uTGV4YKaIjIl5yQ7Ub451mrDiX5mv_HleWLbOB4nLOHv2kmZWMuHZ-9OavKAZsD2NkMkjaGQYAIedpXwsfJdl5Z7uBqqf-XYqnoMXWTq1ZpJ/s1600/Lucy7M_11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEhlFeU_sruBbTtVHvmtm_u-1NL0ismG0uTGV4YKaIjIl5yQ7Ub451mrDiX5mv_HleWLbOB4nLOHv2kmZWMuHZ-9OavKAZsD2NkMkjaGQYAIedpXwsfJdl5Z7uBqqf-XYqnoMXWTq1ZpJ/s1000/Lucy7M_11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721093712711298418" /></a><br />Yummy block! C is for cookie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgign1fLVuuupcI0pC9XVk5I8IORVBOIC0pZo6JYughI2B27HxxLkPu_rbrEt5QPUleWVVTU8ZVxdcQmBALpyo8izb79njZkHQmQRLYFuta8ddBVAG57TyHiSwVa3qn2lG809wdjtVxz_QJ/s1600/Lucy7M_13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgign1fLVuuupcI0pC9XVk5I8IORVBOIC0pZo6JYughI2B27HxxLkPu_rbrEt5QPUleWVVTU8ZVxdcQmBALpyo8izb79njZkHQmQRLYFuta8ddBVAG57TyHiSwVa3qn2lG809wdjtVxz_QJ/s1000/Lucy7M_13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721093726969849010" /></a><br />And this is how she spent a good 15 minutes tonight, watching the fire. Comfy :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmSPujFcwdqtEb5OkqvRhZeMT2MmueXwmU8Vi6x5XmXS0fygpTi41iiqv2sDlMflkxxZ2wYFON1fpNLSHcjdSh9cMNxnSWhRvfEALcZZhZhaEBMvQm_3Do5lGIGK9Kkd49rEZI7qp6Eqx/s1600/Lucy7M_14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmSPujFcwdqtEb5OkqvRhZeMT2MmueXwmU8Vi6x5XmXS0fygpTi41iiqv2sDlMflkxxZ2wYFON1fpNLSHcjdSh9cMNxnSWhRvfEALcZZhZhaEBMvQm_3Do5lGIGK9Kkd49rEZI7qp6Eqx/s800/Lucy7M_14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721093728250266146" /></a><br />This age is so much fun…we love watching her play as she discovers new things she can do. She loves to hang out in the kitchen with mama, watching me fix breakfast or empty the dishwasher. She will sit for increasingly longer periods by herself and play with one or two toys the whole time. She is sweet for other people who want to hold her and has started giving out smiles more and more to anyone who tries to get one from her. She has her screechy noisy times and when she babbles, it sounds more and more like words…dadadada being the primary sound, though I think she has yet to connect that to "daddy." She loves it when daddy comes home, and I had better be done feeding her when he walks through the door, 'cause she is totally distracted by him. She loves to play with the patches on his uniform. We have just this week been putting her to bed without rocking her to sleep first, and she's doing great…still cries a bit, but not for long at all. We have been so very blessed with this sweet girl, and we are grateful to God for entrusting us with her care and training. Seven months already!jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-68543979121151544062012-03-15T01:15:00.005-04:002012-03-15T01:51:41.967-04:00heeere kitty kitty!I'm trying to remember the last time I was at a zoo…I think perhaps it was many years ago, that year that I was really in terrible shape but guilted myself into doing the zoo run/race anyway and almost puked right at the finish line. Maybe I did puke and I've blocked that part. Not a happy memory.<br /><br />I think I'll replace that zoo memory with this most recent one. No puking, just sore muscles from all the crazy hills with a baby strapped to me or in the stroller…though I did manage to time the worst hill for when Dave was stroller-pushing…I'm savvy like that.<br /><br />I took so many photos that I'm just going to share the kitty cats with you tonight. <br /><br />Purr.<br /><br />First up, we have a mountain lion/puma. One of these guys bounded across Highway One in front of my husband on his way to work a few weeks back. He may look all lazy and chill here, but from Dave's description, a mountain lion in an all-out leaping run is pretty amazing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45V0xu9NXR2DsxjHXRlHiARBA-P6aG25xhdoGgNxn4XugcXS-oKzpm4PgFk-xZGkPvoSalixskZbFupHWr-BCk2Js7v33obwFNLACRrtravRNvSos6KQlNpc1AS1gw9YWKxtk1CyWHBBT/s1600/HereKitty_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45V0xu9NXR2DsxjHXRlHiARBA-P6aG25xhdoGgNxn4XugcXS-oKzpm4PgFk-xZGkPvoSalixskZbFupHWr-BCk2Js7v33obwFNLACRrtravRNvSos6KQlNpc1AS1gw9YWKxtk1CyWHBBT/s800/HereKitty_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719989222160237826" /></a><br />Lion<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpkQywRDRjwe_rsDN38BdNtxUrinGc-PDQ9zRc2bMyN0u1QMwGFKGUzyGIx-W9-hWj7dGoubtRUQ2mOH1b22tWFp_mBDPXN22nbKCE_hFFNu7AKK9fBiBhHha-axrK2Eilkq5WU1PIfqk/s1600/HereKitty_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpkQywRDRjwe_rsDN38BdNtxUrinGc-PDQ9zRc2bMyN0u1QMwGFKGUzyGIx-W9-hWj7dGoubtRUQ2mOH1b22tWFp_mBDPXN22nbKCE_hFFNu7AKK9fBiBhHha-axrK2Eilkq5WU1PIfqk/s800/HereKitty_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719988614768791410" /></a><br />Jaguar<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxAeQcJrEe0et7oStoCLqIG5H57S6UU2sA6NdMB1rolZznhUkwjLtfc3q8LRiGeKJlk8StJKEsmsUrVfBhaKYnS1S7FoZ3lIWXrCqCY7FS0Elo3OqdMDRgQJzlqiXmcaQ_vMQFKyHR1SD/s1600/HereKitty_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxAeQcJrEe0et7oStoCLqIG5H57S6UU2sA6NdMB1rolZznhUkwjLtfc3q8LRiGeKJlk8StJKEsmsUrVfBhaKYnS1S7FoZ3lIWXrCqCY7FS0Elo3OqdMDRgQJzlqiXmcaQ_vMQFKyHR1SD/s800/HereKitty_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719988437369964082" /></a><br />Snow Leopard<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtRaMAb3__a8NnNyByZzZfEIQEPFfAOh7wmBXDMljYv2nNHtKuZUS_A-9Y-59v_zwu6S5IkZo-SiuRlvne1CAhzBP0m_esDHK1XriE6FoPilTo5X-IztjaxxIWIazOdDbtQYBE3U7l9s6/s1600/HereKitty_5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtRaMAb3__a8NnNyByZzZfEIQEPFfAOh7wmBXDMljYv2nNHtKuZUS_A-9Y-59v_zwu6S5IkZo-SiuRlvne1CAhzBP0m_esDHK1XriE6FoPilTo5X-IztjaxxIWIazOdDbtQYBE3U7l9s6/s800/HereKitty_5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719989228601410194" /></a><br />Chinese Leopard. Make that <span style="font-weight:bold;">hungry</span> Chinese leopard. I think he wanted Lucy for lunch. So glad for the four fences between us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYj7GdAnLdIjGKDqA2c2v3VxkAQrUE6vgl9VNV_4Bg9D39VaKLIegCHi-wtGXpa_LeHs-xogALrQwDyGesE0MSlYl1zC3AXg51Wggm5uDpZfMk4Un-yQiqYlhhT16KUMXEmsa5DBPNCPMR/s1600/HereKitty_6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYj7GdAnLdIjGKDqA2c2v3VxkAQrUE6vgl9VNV_4Bg9D39VaKLIegCHi-wtGXpa_LeHs-xogALrQwDyGesE0MSlYl1zC3AXg51Wggm5uDpZfMk4Un-yQiqYlhhT16KUMXEmsa5DBPNCPMR/s800/HereKitty_6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719988436194657858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIADGF6kPpCFMz3stWs4d4tI-sDiuRKNri2QG-qFI2eeCAf6sxu5z29rvMbQfPx4yje8W9rMjjte-788_ue6u68Hsa-GuQv8PzhVowipL_ALnlA9XgBMLapY4viWZxuZ9oKlkJqdqIJ2T/s1600/HereKitty_7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIADGF6kPpCFMz3stWs4d4tI-sDiuRKNri2QG-qFI2eeCAf6sxu5z29rvMbQfPx4yje8W9rMjjte-788_ue6u68Hsa-GuQv8PzhVowipL_ALnlA9XgBMLapY4viWZxuZ9oKlkJqdqIJ2T/s800/HereKitty_7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719988442987244834" /></a><br />Tigger! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboBekqvDbOSxlYkg-83HFw9r8VDG-SG7pNie0vDwI5ZWg_5nope9F3yYVbRkwYGaWu2wtczRPzptksg0ngY0aDk0uf2-CsqSB7yZ9Wfh7j7yhIQlHNMXpHwC2HMYXuOFqs8pSz1UsRQ1o/s1600/HereKitty_8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboBekqvDbOSxlYkg-83HFw9r8VDG-SG7pNie0vDwI5ZWg_5nope9F3yYVbRkwYGaWu2wtczRPzptksg0ngY0aDk0uf2-CsqSB7yZ9Wfh7j7yhIQlHNMXpHwC2HMYXuOFqs8pSz1UsRQ1o/s800/HereKitty_8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719988445034645202" /></a><br />Did I just list all the OSX versions in almost backwards order?jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-1230934875855130072012-03-11T01:43:00.003-05:002012-03-11T01:57:04.844-05:00a lot can happen in three years!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7HyaOrM8hTb1cKA1oDlMA-l0PBWJ-FWd86D-VgmqeIv2pHQ7-HblGBESw45voijp0gxzxCmOhwcL9M66mUGNkhoRTStaMaBDRi-czhEcZHx7qmaOETrk9OefMWiTqrKcq-4l9TtiwXYb/s1600/AnniversaryTrip6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7HyaOrM8hTb1cKA1oDlMA-l0PBWJ-FWd86D-VgmqeIv2pHQ7-HblGBESw45voijp0gxzxCmOhwcL9M66mUGNkhoRTStaMaBDRi-czhEcZHx7qmaOETrk9OefMWiTqrKcq-4l9TtiwXYb/s800/AnniversaryTrip6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718526787640924594" /></a><br />We took our girl for her first overnight trip back in January for our anniversary. A much different anniversary celebration than the previous two! She looked so teeny in the chair in the hotel room…and barely awake…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP0ja6WgUJssrV3zB43O5DoeRADNlvQ_7iZdqVj8i27BxH4dnO2Xms7UB43Ra2p_dzhnM7J1LCvpdIHht1WdhTXAQQKm8CdAgiUod6gQQjy-2EHn1U9M8osMfXncxFMrsTrvgZk4_6Hdp/s1600/AnniversaryTrip2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP0ja6WgUJssrV3zB43O5DoeRADNlvQ_7iZdqVj8i27BxH4dnO2Xms7UB43Ra2p_dzhnM7J1LCvpdIHht1WdhTXAQQKm8CdAgiUod6gQQjy-2EHn1U9M8osMfXncxFMrsTrvgZk4_6Hdp/s800/AnniversaryTrip2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718526883416206834" /></a><br />She loves her some daddy time! I know…I've really got to keep her in headbands. I really don't blame folks for thinking she's a boy some days!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVD7SF9A1sxOvdCTOs6T2mCFEbvwBhCojg1Gy2lp62eOk1TJJkDxqTRC34iH9cpajWC_d5xa9HxkgxQMlcSpZrnJbVUaf3NYuIL4RJIGZQhUxh_WdS_Uy4hA3gWzFfXkUPkguLUlJ_-FR/s1600/AnniversaryTrip5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVD7SF9A1sxOvdCTOs6T2mCFEbvwBhCojg1Gy2lp62eOk1TJJkDxqTRC34iH9cpajWC_d5xa9HxkgxQMlcSpZrnJbVUaf3NYuIL4RJIGZQhUxh_WdS_Uy4hA3gWzFfXkUPkguLUlJ_-FR/s800/AnniversaryTrip5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718526783404550226" /></a><br />We just headed up the road a bit to Paso Robles and wandered around the little downtown area with cute shops and cafes and such. It's wine country, so we visited a winery on our way out of town…I love seeing the rows and rows and rows of vines all pruned up and waiting for the sunshine and rain to bring forth fruit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiw34dwMfNipVBkL7ChfZxZfKBA8BRZ5JjPNo_giKYe_Uojz5Crm6SVJOCjgtpRGK1_QHGsYS5KS17Pd2hkQql2e2hiYZ6PrshFe4uvCJxmpXqkyEn9TMrsCsz9v4SCAbi2fu7wUZHfiCQ/s1600/AnniversaryTrip3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiw34dwMfNipVBkL7ChfZxZfKBA8BRZ5JjPNo_giKYe_Uojz5Crm6SVJOCjgtpRGK1_QHGsYS5KS17Pd2hkQql2e2hiYZ6PrshFe4uvCJxmpXqkyEn9TMrsCsz9v4SCAbi2fu7wUZHfiCQ/s800/AnniversaryTrip3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718526779590560674" /></a><br />I'm so glad I married the man I married. It's been a fantastic three years…full of adventure and change and learning and love.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-11279830753791545542012-03-11T01:12:00.009-05:002012-03-11T01:40:36.217-05:00a halfI'm guessing in a few years, Lucy will be anxiously awaiting Valentine's Day…not for the candy and hearts and all of that, but so she can then say "I'm four AND A HALF!" Children are so thrilled to be that much closer to another year older. <br /><br />So I imagine her these days to be responding in her baby brain, when every stranger we meet asks how old she (or he!) is, "I'm a half!"<br /><br />But she is so whole. Whole-ly lovable and kissable and squeezable. Whole-ly our daughter, though many more people say she looks like Dave than like me. Whole-ly loved and cherished.<br /><br />She's sitting up great, and does her "flying girl" thing on her tummy, but isn't rolling over or crawling just yet. She gets so very close sometimes! We are enjoying the last bit of time we have before she goes mobile. I'm sure life will get much more complicated when it happens. <br /><br />She's really a sweet baby…wakes up happy and doesn't have cranky days all that often. She's super mellow when we take her out and about…she mostly just sits back and takes it all in.<br /><br />And yes, I realize that most of my photos of her are all about the eyes…but how can I not?<br /><br />Enjoy :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcwJmrniw5S43_-sZtY7A1ADkYsjVigjdH-ltsnRM8RV5mc0AcK0Q852Q0nDLS8I3nchAvtyrZrye8EqJMSxvJf5tgf3wMGTcIr3UnO8A9ce99OxxR1_P0f1rZZSxgUtHYHOYVW5f5WfN/s1600/Lucy6Months.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcwJmrniw5S43_-sZtY7A1ADkYsjVigjdH-ltsnRM8RV5mc0AcK0Q852Q0nDLS8I3nchAvtyrZrye8EqJMSxvJf5tgf3wMGTcIr3UnO8A9ce99OxxR1_P0f1rZZSxgUtHYHOYVW5f5WfN/s1200/Lucy6Months.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718521709359258018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvIdORimQ7cuSKQ4axqVHI08Oxt0m_f2vx7GaOP2p2wUfZSXOLyuJl9wiScGz3jf4uLdPawQqUNNSVcoCszihXULT2XGZDuq44oSgrY8kBtIftqD-y8kOMWabzfK6VhPh3emBHNNmeF3a/s1600/Lucy6Months4b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvIdORimQ7cuSKQ4axqVHI08Oxt0m_f2vx7GaOP2p2wUfZSXOLyuJl9wiScGz3jf4uLdPawQqUNNSVcoCszihXULT2XGZDuq44oSgrY8kBtIftqD-y8kOMWabzfK6VhPh3emBHNNmeF3a/s800/Lucy6Months4b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718520451460844626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1FkNdrKw6yNCdGj5hfhg-HhwvUFw5HaXareHXUcQBRHFD123WDIY43YfGCugJsPN2CJ8CHfGawXtMyvF0CyFYTcWRDCRFv7BMUZYoAfMjWsI2MWyIUrobQOKYVeRz0NhzcdsRpfqsWnO/s1600/Lucy6Months4a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1FkNdrKw6yNCdGj5hfhg-HhwvUFw5HaXareHXUcQBRHFD123WDIY43YfGCugJsPN2CJ8CHfGawXtMyvF0CyFYTcWRDCRFv7BMUZYoAfMjWsI2MWyIUrobQOKYVeRz0NhzcdsRpfqsWnO/s800/Lucy6Months4a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718520452671464322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIy7rQx1AvSEZrShNEDGqzfxBqqQyN6CHMeCrD6uGqfNXpcVfXXf8f6n3BdxV_SomHLOeq6R3fav-Y020inY94PZzx0hNo5pqLu-15XJoMEk9Mj5n2GzxRMikryG7n1CwxR_dL3tokx5w/s1600/Lucy6Months4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIy7rQx1AvSEZrShNEDGqzfxBqqQyN6CHMeCrD6uGqfNXpcVfXXf8f6n3BdxV_SomHLOeq6R3fav-Y020inY94PZzx0hNo5pqLu-15XJoMEk9Mj5n2GzxRMikryG7n1CwxR_dL3tokx5w/s1000/Lucy6Months4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718520447100538466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OJ75m30Y_DwrZ-EeGfX07mtgqvHmLhanRY4AjMCqOKflHh7gzicQlQ2mRIlvBfKYDQpKM_z2JtpikmujqVIf3J8Lc3ObsW2AR_WwDB1-OZUqCcUMRz7_2wz0aiz9ulBxw0D9ypXqTDSm/s1600/Lucy6Months3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OJ75m30Y_DwrZ-EeGfX07mtgqvHmLhanRY4AjMCqOKflHh7gzicQlQ2mRIlvBfKYDQpKM_z2JtpikmujqVIf3J8Lc3ObsW2AR_WwDB1-OZUqCcUMRz7_2wz0aiz9ulBxw0D9ypXqTDSm/s1000/Lucy6Months3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718520444195900178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf1zv8YWrouWwGQei7QGLE5GUwEAO48tI27WyAd5y70sVdJ6Abpxi8TwfZ5NJpzEuOt2KPc6q0hsxwF4WN4Z-vOdVnLjC2HZ3LKU6d__QcWW7UwZrcL0o_J42HhozWYwYOYKSLJQMBIHU/s1600/Lucy6Months7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf1zv8YWrouWwGQei7QGLE5GUwEAO48tI27WyAd5y70sVdJ6Abpxi8TwfZ5NJpzEuOt2KPc6q0hsxwF4WN4Z-vOdVnLjC2HZ3LKU6d__QcWW7UwZrcL0o_J42HhozWYwYOYKSLJQMBIHU/s1000/Lucy6Months7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718520270989405154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNqQd7nQKkOr4ZEvihwBAmXIarprU508cEhGkHlw6dC6yKiRhm7hWr7jp0ujClpkdz1ZvTeuQkhBU-rpN6aFD1d8NfVSAltR1D3LsIyrWC25t_69Vmcu4B9W2AEXdJMMNC17mNVp_a5A1/s1600/Lucy6Months6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNqQd7nQKkOr4ZEvihwBAmXIarprU508cEhGkHlw6dC6yKiRhm7hWr7jp0ujClpkdz1ZvTeuQkhBU-rpN6aFD1d8NfVSAltR1D3LsIyrWC25t_69Vmcu4B9W2AEXdJMMNC17mNVp_a5A1/s800/Lucy6Months6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718520269898124690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40x08oSWd4qd291CXZ2TTurUMYPOdmIIwtFH8-9LEy_7UaLmzV76SO7nTpwj8JWmPiErY5BvhqfTMMGP3CNRhGJ_-ALqUsfTvh9WHMaqhpApWrDZ4C8AA50RWmRCIZRHU_MIWN-gjZtOp/s1600/Lucy6Months5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40x08oSWd4qd291CXZ2TTurUMYPOdmIIwtFH8-9LEy_7UaLmzV76SO7nTpwj8JWmPiErY5BvhqfTMMGP3CNRhGJ_-ALqUsfTvh9WHMaqhpApWrDZ4C8AA50RWmRCIZRHU_MIWN-gjZtOp/s800/Lucy6Months5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718520265323176338" /></a><br />In this last photo, you can see the bubble in her eye…it's a conjunctival cyst that the opthamologist hopes will just pop on its own. It doesn't bother her in the slightest that we can tell, and it's only visible when she's looking upwards, like here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYe5XTeJidOMXCWOjwUwOhF3l6Gf5JA_71SmnKF3yfYT5evYF_45dghiQiWaApTsYwovzt_SN2aXtHhGMPLRMDUO4n7RFFcbut9_wXfpDz2No9-w_ymMvB3uNIy3XMVyH5710BgXFbq7GP/s1600/Lucy6Months4c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYe5XTeJidOMXCWOjwUwOhF3l6Gf5JA_71SmnKF3yfYT5evYF_45dghiQiWaApTsYwovzt_SN2aXtHhGMPLRMDUO4n7RFFcbut9_wXfpDz2No9-w_ymMvB3uNIy3XMVyH5710BgXFbq7GP/s800/Lucy6Months4c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718520262950554194" /></a><br />Looking forward to all the "halfs" to come, my sweet Lucy girl!<br /><br />love,<br /><br />Mamajenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-62059166171462645142012-02-11T01:08:00.004-05:002012-02-11T01:43:36.932-05:00another year gone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oAWd9K4ilNYpch6IvHH0mmanw_oY_OH1RrNqfETT_IRYQaOp3EWbntXpeCJ3a3vv3h-cA4Z7FSKE7W2IqkdP39sgxoYUrIxpBt6ffh3KUfQz_HlGyFXKaT6XrXYBIz926GHw9JAvGs7L/s1600/PapaAndJen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oAWd9K4ilNYpch6IvHH0mmanw_oY_OH1RrNqfETT_IRYQaOp3EWbntXpeCJ3a3vv3h-cA4Z7FSKE7W2IqkdP39sgxoYUrIxpBt6ffh3KUfQz_HlGyFXKaT6XrXYBIz926GHw9JAvGs7L/s800/PapaAndJen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707756349673136562" /></a><br />Sorting and organizing and trying to make sense of the chaos recently, I found a CD of images my mom had scanned and sent my way. Baby pictures of me. Some with her, some with my grandma, some with my big brother. Some with my papa, like the two shown above. <br /><br />My own baby girl will be 6 months old next week. And I try not to spend too much time thinking about how she'll never on this earth know her maternal biological grandfather. My papa. 16 years ago, he went on ahead of us all to glory…and I wouldn't wish him back, really, for anything. God always knew the number of his days.<br /><br />And it's not like Lucy is missing out at all in the grandparent department. My stepdad has been an accomplished grandfather for years, and I'm pretty sure he couldn't love her more if she was his own flesh and blood. I'm not worried that she won't know a loving grandpa…she's got one on each side of the family!<br /><br />But I want her to somehow know my father, and all I have are some fuzzy photos and typewritten letters and imperfect memories. Imperfect memories of an imperfect man…from his inhuman cheerfulness in the early mornings to his fascination with new technologies to his bizarre attachment to microwave cooking to his thorough enjoyment of a good book or a bitter cold winter day. I think there are a lot of things about me that are very much like him. <br /><br />Maybe I'd just like Lucy to know that her mother came by some of her oddities honestly :)jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-16935961088655567262012-01-17T10:43:00.001-05:002012-01-18T01:46:38.187-05:00one hundred and fifty-three daysYou've rolled over a handful of times, but haven't really done it on purpose yet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiS8Cflkuzgt4g8JkewKbm0MvvZGBiCPEjhniULN4YVMtV-Mvq-Z9sgbmzcFV9D9v3RrpJ6Dyl6p42ohJya7nEDDdh_MnNqDzwTvObE0BTsa5fQ8WiJSW-MoI7Kj_mVdnGKSzTAJn3AS-/s1600/Lucy5Months.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:left; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiS8Cflkuzgt4g8JkewKbm0MvvZGBiCPEjhniULN4YVMtV-Mvq-Z9sgbmzcFV9D9v3RrpJ6Dyl6p42ohJya7nEDDdh_MnNqDzwTvObE0BTsa5fQ8WiJSW-MoI7Kj_mVdnGKSzTAJn3AS-/s1000/Lucy5Months.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698846533872517362" /></a><br />Your mama smooches your face about a thousand times a day. You even smooch back…sloppy, drooly, messy kisses!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeHUOgU0xoFCZngucN2NOhhuujgO4KtNV43sCvSJ6kpe7o63i-hZbota42t56QdGMRTbuaiFWjyABXRqWBKHuHmkiBRPkhPgwdu9vsYKiRiXw1-xpX5BJeJuTBbYPWrl4tYlV_ihBIuy2/s1600/Lucy5Months_1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeHUOgU0xoFCZngucN2NOhhuujgO4KtNV43sCvSJ6kpe7o63i-hZbota42t56QdGMRTbuaiFWjyABXRqWBKHuHmkiBRPkhPgwdu9vsYKiRiXw1-xpX5BJeJuTBbYPWrl4tYlV_ihBIuy2/s800/Lucy5Months_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698846529897138002" /></a><br />Recessive gene eyes! We're still wondering if they'll stay blue. Or maybe go grey?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWeaU6H9xvgbVNGytVkpS4X_sX676ALKJl4BJB5QHQnNIHpBZjEtMsBlu0iZGSJaE9jyCrmLcXUT1I4nNGt8aKwL-fV-q2MPQsv1x-F_TBQaIssLB8aL2aVagwkeGesB15YbTV_fwrL_v/s1600/Lucy5Months_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:left; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWeaU6H9xvgbVNGytVkpS4X_sX676ALKJl4BJB5QHQnNIHpBZjEtMsBlu0iZGSJaE9jyCrmLcXUT1I4nNGt8aKwL-fV-q2MPQsv1x-F_TBQaIssLB8aL2aVagwkeGesB15YbTV_fwrL_v/s1000/Lucy5Months_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698846518633565266" /></a><br />You've discovered your feet, and are quite fascinated by them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPhGU1wGiptth2bQmOAvdVyHulchSbjeTN-mUHrfvqCIOmIuxMrVj59W7VmUy5RnnoQsCfBDEvkTlHRyDCmucAKXgXlTbMB3tAJq56i4Y4yCGOXaFNs11yTdEDw7y5WKDzhfQnQVIMIhB/s1600/Lucy5Months_3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPhGU1wGiptth2bQmOAvdVyHulchSbjeTN-mUHrfvqCIOmIuxMrVj59W7VmUy5RnnoQsCfBDEvkTlHRyDCmucAKXgXlTbMB3tAJq56i4Y4yCGOXaFNs11yTdEDw7y5WKDzhfQnQVIMIhB/s800/Lucy5Months_3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698846514608050210" /></a><br />I love that this was an accidental photo.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy3VUIWpbiMCsObFi42FkAUfjohbbdjM7ozFRpNj9aFL4GBKCm08O3TEyxLuEjzSRQOo8AG5GDSnPOP309QO_3MtskvTcyPavOxy-3qXjasRpk0aCstFfRGM6tTLL0W5FzKvV25WwZnER/s1600/Lucy5Months_4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHy3VUIWpbiMCsObFi42FkAUfjohbbdjM7ozFRpNj9aFL4GBKCm08O3TEyxLuEjzSRQOo8AG5GDSnPOP309QO_3MtskvTcyPavOxy-3qXjasRpk0aCstFfRGM6tTLL0W5FzKvV25WwZnER/s800/Lucy5Months_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698846282018416770" /></a><br />We have matching sneakers! But yours won't fit for too much longer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYDxIbPj0Tc6_6wdTUXggBrSfYszx-WX6746wzbW8Ve7Umsg-49LZgx8r1OpAKPt6QelncWt0oJD1ObBLeQ_aOj4azAS0MwE24A219zkMCNUpleoJ0C6uIoOmjk1v89WdWp-64wvu5iPj/s1600/Lucy5Months_5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYDxIbPj0Tc6_6wdTUXggBrSfYszx-WX6746wzbW8Ve7Umsg-49LZgx8r1OpAKPt6QelncWt0oJD1ObBLeQ_aOj4azAS0MwE24A219zkMCNUpleoJ0C6uIoOmjk1v89WdWp-64wvu5iPj/s800/Lucy5Months_5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698846264708157266" /></a><br />Not one smile did you crack during this photo shoot. I guess we needed daddy here, because you've always got smiles for him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNnfxueuh4N62cxWOvH1D47SHTvcVuMZcSPyLf3NogV_P-62XjXiJ-C_en3TX5zWsxkfaAYd4oBxUjbYoB0Hq6O6ULuAnDRA7kidFxGG8r-yV9moO-Ijj-ZKfnlZmyahwQp-RWBgzZxAa/s1600/Lucy5Months_6.jpg"><img style="display:left; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNnfxueuh4N62cxWOvH1D47SHTvcVuMZcSPyLf3NogV_P-62XjXiJ-C_en3TX5zWsxkfaAYd4oBxUjbYoB0Hq6O6ULuAnDRA7kidFxGG8r-yV9moO-Ijj-ZKfnlZmyahwQp-RWBgzZxAa/s1000/Lucy5Months_6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698858163783648466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9K8939np9FEL5upbsBrdtoJ-5_WSKz5L2JWKPqrXF1vGusZabTgjySkhkzAOegzOl3ff0owRXOr-zJf0uGCo0n6S1zXL9xeAg7zBbpHFKhR1JaoLoYjqqbQbAk8zfKLrCIBZuCNMXHyh/s1600/Lucy5Months_7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9K8939np9FEL5upbsBrdtoJ-5_WSKz5L2JWKPqrXF1vGusZabTgjySkhkzAOegzOl3ff0owRXOr-zJf0uGCo0n6S1zXL9xeAg7zBbpHFKhR1JaoLoYjqqbQbAk8zfKLrCIBZuCNMXHyh/s800/Lucy5Months_7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698846254865878818" /></a><br />You're doing great with the unassisted sit…you can't get there on your own yet, but you can stay up for quite a while if we sit you up. You do tend to just plain tip over when you're done, though. <br /><br />You can scootch backwards on your tummy, and can dial yourself around in a circle on your back. You love to stand up on mama or daddy's lap and just stare all around at things…sometimes with commentary.<br /><br />You are very serious and observant when we take you out and about, and you don't give out smiles to just anybody. Same with the camera…you tend to give it a dead-on stare, rather than one of your brilliant smiles that we love so much.<br /><br />You are exploring all the different fun things you can do with your voice…from the breathy screech to the low giggle that's almost more of a chuckle to just general babbling. We rarely get that giggle, either…it's mostly just when we are changing you into your jammies at night. Or when you're over-tired and mama tickles you relentlessly…but that particular giggle often quickly changes to a cry.<br /><br />We love you, Lucy Paige…more after these one hundred and fifty-three days then we did on day one. It's so fun to watch you learn and grow and explore your little world. May God grant us wisdom to teach you truth and guide you safely.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-73204678590723286742012-01-10T01:32:00.004-05:002012-01-10T01:55:47.220-05:00elephant sealsAt first, it just looks like a beach strewn with boulders. But then you realize that the "boulders" are occasionally moving…flipping sand into the air, making noises, rolling over…um, giving birth??<br /><br />Okay, this first guy is a certainly not giving birth…nor is he rolling over or doing much of anything. Peak mating season isn't for another few weeks, so apparently he's resting up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6yMo9IXy_Ea2z4fySDkwGo14DUilEGhICkB58lkfJuK7xholL_aW0ppdZEqzVPhdwWkbdjrc1cXOL0_ijpva2IBISUFXvQRVqhb5pew1XIKzmYvAEPuFounMjQMmRRZXX2PO69NCddqy/s1600/ElephantSeal1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6yMo9IXy_Ea2z4fySDkwGo14DUilEGhICkB58lkfJuK7xholL_aW0ppdZEqzVPhdwWkbdjrc1cXOL0_ijpva2IBISUFXvQRVqhb5pew1XIKzmYvAEPuFounMjQMmRRZXX2PO69NCddqy/s800/ElephantSeal1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695888005666460802" /></a><br />These girls look to be having some territory issues? Or maybe just having a friendly chat…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVxnBAtsPvd_Cz8wCBbBa8Q06_ryggp-KZsKVzZs915X-VwEiREI38s9H_qkZ7tluZB_sD42rSdgKb0bIZlx5XCzl3IKYhZocGiv2PMuVQAhAj9tknGmahgSgQDDRSQB93zBKjzZeEfB2/s1600/ElephantSeal2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVxnBAtsPvd_Cz8wCBbBa8Q06_ryggp-KZsKVzZs915X-VwEiREI38s9H_qkZ7tluZB_sD42rSdgKb0bIZlx5XCzl3IKYhZocGiv2PMuVQAhAj9tknGmahgSgQDDRSQB93zBKjzZeEfB2/s800/ElephantSeal2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695887946311272402" /></a><br />Some sand flipping in action…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn9fAK0X4MQ9hfM6SdczHVJJGhkt8skQpzsSqpQ10dxbxq6rHCH7paMAARCcaR_0hKLfGkB3H0iVZE_uupw7-_Sfo7wwB7FayB4Z3PFejLcC008PYqhFUhVJSSGcHFZCUfh8cWCYBHhDR/s1600/ElephantSeal3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn9fAK0X4MQ9hfM6SdczHVJJGhkt8skQpzsSqpQ10dxbxq6rHCH7paMAARCcaR_0hKLfGkB3H0iVZE_uupw7-_Sfo7wwB7FayB4Z3PFejLcC008PYqhFUhVJSSGcHFZCUfh8cWCYBHhDR/s800/ElephantSeal3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695887931045677330" /></a><br />Mama & baby just chillin'<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYkQkNK66QBSAvT1RGqJgnL75htxnj3lQfElMhCewxLg96TaQrHyXFOa89Ccfsmr9y89UdTO8Hc-tU2Bid4tUsLlmk760pNSSHZxi0DuaONx346VPjSzveMrHOgoJH2ssBz_TH_VSeKPv/s1600/ElephantSeal4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYkQkNK66QBSAvT1RGqJgnL75htxnj3lQfElMhCewxLg96TaQrHyXFOa89Ccfsmr9y89UdTO8Hc-tU2Bid4tUsLlmk760pNSSHZxi0DuaONx346VPjSzveMrHOgoJH2ssBz_TH_VSeKPv/s800/ElephantSeal4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695887927791663682" /></a><br />Elephant seals nurse for about a month, during which time the mothers are fasting and losing about 1/3 of their body weight, while the baby is quadrupling her weight. Amazing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBxMPWU4y2sBCnLcYuP0ZgT-tFwlf8z-IyN0PvOM5LaGuu_Ru2QVGi26pukGbwSRa-G4XylbxSxf4QZpRXGNBjSUC9_JQpS9xtX-szR2GRifTbDE_hXX1d-GoS9p5OH2iRBTdLL1Gsx4b/s1600/ElephantSeal5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBxMPWU4y2sBCnLcYuP0ZgT-tFwlf8z-IyN0PvOM5LaGuu_Ru2QVGi26pukGbwSRa-G4XylbxSxf4QZpRXGNBjSUC9_JQpS9xtX-szR2GRifTbDE_hXX1d-GoS9p5OH2iRBTdLL1Gsx4b/s800/ElephantSeal5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695887917939859794" /></a><br />This is just a small section of the rookery where these seals come each year to give birth and mate. Strewn with seals.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G8QcPyEeveAf_TX0CANbBY5U7Ao3DStzk-u-UJBuXZl7jtuvbby-NXvq0hM2DQzpgRgibcSYneoJMfCcmIO-qzXMs7agpOkhdhvO55wI8rcblcMIleii6Oozv8tfsq9v-Hz9saeXui44/s1600/ElephantSeal6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G8QcPyEeveAf_TX0CANbBY5U7Ao3DStzk-u-UJBuXZl7jtuvbby-NXvq0hM2DQzpgRgibcSYneoJMfCcmIO-qzXMs7agpOkhdhvO55wI8rcblcMIleii6Oozv8tfsq9v-Hz9saeXui44/s800/ElephantSeal6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695887745319722322" /></a><br />These last three are of the same mama and her pup. I'm guessing he was pretty brand-new.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk_GswyPOiYYSSzcSmOisEz_7-PlaVheEdDxPJQiuYVNRfH6pjWU4Dop6eECy7TFCgEMjUVT9XitPy69nco5QfqA1PDKlQx3cdZgTUJzmdNtqDsAaF_xtMcVQsyNXbRIWKvJbuwwJi2_7/s1600/ElephantSeals7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk_GswyPOiYYSSzcSmOisEz_7-PlaVheEdDxPJQiuYVNRfH6pjWU4Dop6eECy7TFCgEMjUVT9XitPy69nco5QfqA1PDKlQx3cdZgTUJzmdNtqDsAaF_xtMcVQsyNXbRIWKvJbuwwJi2_7/s800/ElephantSeals7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695887736324910258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1bouYRw0kt9wcyyN4eUnjw2MknS8sQRf_-ZdfO_vUoG4XRgsOXO1seJGvtULAb19vAvRBD-2ZGrHniu3eEAufFPDofBkK1wCK-DxG7uyJ9QxaBEOXSbgnNNKEl_qdmOohg2JExWkfOeI/s1600/ElephantSeals8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1bouYRw0kt9wcyyN4eUnjw2MknS8sQRf_-ZdfO_vUoG4XRgsOXO1seJGvtULAb19vAvRBD-2ZGrHniu3eEAufFPDofBkK1wCK-DxG7uyJ9QxaBEOXSbgnNNKEl_qdmOohg2JExWkfOeI/s800/ElephantSeals8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695887726583805314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmhFuNrbzA0kI6zMltUavVy2N5ibnIt4izbP_7nd6PAPvuR4WSH6Rzi6nWAqS4iGLNbqRZoGzJdn5_5y4HKicU-JcIXVB4eNIba-beWGBn-IquYGrvj6Uh-4qKwwU1EH-28HymS3fPzw1/s1600/ElephantSeals9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmhFuNrbzA0kI6zMltUavVy2N5ibnIt4izbP_7nd6PAPvuR4WSH6Rzi6nWAqS4iGLNbqRZoGzJdn5_5y4HKicU-JcIXVB4eNIba-beWGBn-IquYGrvj6Uh-4qKwwU1EH-28HymS3fPzw1/s1000/ElephantSeals9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695887716691588850" /></a><br />If you're curious for more info, check out the friends of the elephant seals website <a href="http://www.elephantseal.org/E-Seals/intro.htm">here</a>.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-78298453617450333162011-12-26T18:14:00.002-05:002011-12-26T18:15:18.646-05:00Christmas recapBy a day or two after Christmas, I'm over it all and don't want to see anything Christmas related until after Thanksgiving the next year. So I thought I'd hurry and get a post up with our Christmas decorations for this year commemorated and our baby girl's first Christmas documented so then we can move on to the new year!!<br /><br />Welcome to our home :) The typewriter serves as our guest book (when I remember to have people "sign" it). The tree is meant to be a card holder, but I like it better by itself, so I ended up using the typewriter as our card holder as you can see further down. I want to spray paint that bright silver star with something bronzish…maybe I'll get that done before I pack it away for next year. The wreath is a fresh one from Trader Joe's. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRiUn_CTtHWor1wL2Jy1DaJzPJxfprPMpEgWfwIxJqhiPTj4L9-ze3Xorg16uUdIrtmxRnHt398MmSp-ld6BXVsUbtDfFB8NrjWkT-pvCOa06NTRIUXkyBFflsqz9GVAW4pUVkiIfHC5u/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRiUn_CTtHWor1wL2Jy1DaJzPJxfprPMpEgWfwIxJqhiPTj4L9-ze3Xorg16uUdIrtmxRnHt398MmSp-ld6BXVsUbtDfFB8NrjWkT-pvCOa06NTRIUXkyBFflsqz9GVAW4pUVkiIfHC5u/s800/Lucy1stChristmas17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690492414229643890" /></a><br />Thomas Kincaide really isn't my favorite, but the painting below was my husband's before we met, and since it's 5th Avenue in NYC and not a cottage or a lighthouse, and since it covers the weird cut-out nook above our fireplace, it stays. And it works really well for Christmas, I think. I hung ornaments from the top of the frame so they would float in front of the glowing sky. <br /><br />The vase hold our glass ornaments, since we have a tree-trimming open house every year, and invite plenty of families with children…I put out all of our unbreakable ornaments for that, and keep the glass ones safely out of the way. The stockings are all handmade…mine & Dave's were a wedding gift from my oldest friend…um, not that she's older than all my other friends, but that I've known her longest. Can't figure out how to say that correctly! Lucy's stocking was made by a dear friend back in NY…I love the jingle bells and that her name is knit right into it. The tree needs one more strand of lights, and I think we'll go back to the short-needled kind next year. Much easier to actually hang ornaments from, instead of them sprawling on the surface like they do on this one!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bqO97BXVP2CQ4JHaP-OkSgfgrQeXac7SzI3gJd2oGp57xIbfmxFJBNBPJguqPPsBBC3PB4NeK86jifqMK6ha0mRGcait6gDnS8vOLqNV5cHXBmIl5L8fWjBauzK4j1EQg79UcjLLW6Kz/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bqO97BXVP2CQ4JHaP-OkSgfgrQeXac7SzI3gJd2oGp57xIbfmxFJBNBPJguqPPsBBC3PB4NeK86jifqMK6ha0mRGcait6gDnS8vOLqNV5cHXBmIl5L8fWjBauzK4j1EQg79UcjLLW6Kz/s800/Lucy1stChristmas18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690494070638967570" /></a><br />After using whatever I had on hand for the mantle, I decided it needed some candles, so I headed to TJ Maxx…and found my favorite…fake, remote-controlled candles! yay! So weird. And Dave hates the way they smell, so we barely "burned" them at all. But it just cracked me up, the way technology has taken over everything.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9ULkDeTnkH4b6jeSpPbPAMk1wwFrOzw_u5lOwjMZp-ir9iyvN6zfZ3kkoOzpiki4YLimcUQsfYXg8zZvOIoszD-x8KFFwh-aOus367QdtEzdztDif7XWo_BPF9ftzrsUlkuR8fTxnAvR/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9ULkDeTnkH4b6jeSpPbPAMk1wwFrOzw_u5lOwjMZp-ir9iyvN6zfZ3kkoOzpiki4YLimcUQsfYXg8zZvOIoszD-x8KFFwh-aOus367QdtEzdztDif7XWo_BPF9ftzrsUlkuR8fTxnAvR/s800/Lucy1stChristmas10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304549717681842" /></a><br />I have loved receiving so many Christmas cards from far away friends and family…it's fun to see how folks have changed and grown over the past year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxnxPLeUr4TIr6Amhjj6DZvnFnEpVlUPUvpO4VsXU_KfeT7VwMNjggWZcNxe5N9wnWksOU2NItMEX_o3PBulsMh__iFsVDJ7u4RuieZ_vGG9S2ECv3uDDHZgHC7RSmRfAnoZaBvcI-eLs/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxnxPLeUr4TIr6Amhjj6DZvnFnEpVlUPUvpO4VsXU_KfeT7VwMNjggWZcNxe5N9wnWksOU2NItMEX_o3PBulsMh__iFsVDJ7u4RuieZ_vGG9S2ECv3uDDHZgHC7RSmRfAnoZaBvcI-eLs/s800/Lucy1stChristmas16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304353005918754" /></a><br />Here's the card we sent out this year. She really does.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GWGvUJKqAKMzmDaE0LuhlYWscJowLiJi6J74P2GpPbR4sHQHPD5dEaQNyK-D5D-p97I7-gSYftfGcOH72wtCulb8mWmTQiSsd5FHU-C7Qj2aLmdGAlzTIY91iF7lBDZ4oAR7JfDuqfxo/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GWGvUJKqAKMzmDaE0LuhlYWscJowLiJi6J74P2GpPbR4sHQHPD5dEaQNyK-D5D-p97I7-gSYftfGcOH72wtCulb8mWmTQiSsd5FHU-C7Qj2aLmdGAlzTIY91iF7lBDZ4oAR7JfDuqfxo/s800/Lucy1stChristmas_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690578637971993026" /></a><br /><br />Look what we found under our tree yesterday! A wee bundle of joy. She's my best gift this year, for sure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q9nwC-05WNF7OlPTI77BqDJ6gCkPm7Rh1ySF2YgA0PXgbNyb106PRsDqJiJs1vhIjErQAnKqGcvLoP8aGa8qv6zxu9xNW2HurScuftXF1sPz2y1hIE5d-ahPZjPguJKA-wShAKTxfXf5/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q9nwC-05WNF7OlPTI77BqDJ6gCkPm7Rh1ySF2YgA0PXgbNyb106PRsDqJiJs1vhIjErQAnKqGcvLoP8aGa8qv6zxu9xNW2HurScuftXF1sPz2y1hIE5d-ahPZjPguJKA-wShAKTxfXf5/s800/Lucy1stChristmas9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304543322845858" /></a><br />She was super smiley, as if she actually knew what was going on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1CWVHP6trFyYuMG2ItH3ADLytJwfI6dvB0SZyDi0AGc9KlB7x2qO4FlBjgXUbQtFlRD-2EH9YLY2YUtxNpDY6nLZwVo6k-4X9ExaHRHksoGiKdR9Ubi2tyt5FEabWtWCl1c8NxLYIYQJ/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1CWVHP6trFyYuMG2ItH3ADLytJwfI6dvB0SZyDi0AGc9KlB7x2qO4FlBjgXUbQtFlRD-2EH9YLY2YUtxNpDY6nLZwVo6k-4X9ExaHRHksoGiKdR9Ubi2tyt5FEabWtWCl1c8NxLYIYQJ/s800/Lucy1stChristmas1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304894841659074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoccMe1Ch0SeYJFC9DK2_inhWo7RttjCaeSNLHbXm5375YOkMskZF2g75uLxK4lBf-oS5XsWq7Yd_a7o5FJuE1ygqhDybv3ewqXFNP4sQi9CLs0QU0HchZgUeEkytHk6_A1vt_HqH6HY5/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoccMe1Ch0SeYJFC9DK2_inhWo7RttjCaeSNLHbXm5375YOkMskZF2g75uLxK4lBf-oS5XsWq7Yd_a7o5FJuE1ygqhDybv3ewqXFNP4sQi9CLs0QU0HchZgUeEkytHk6_A1vt_HqH6HY5/s800/Lucy1stChristmas4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304911331065858" /></a><br />She did great opening her gifts…and playing with the paper :) <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_Q3AQLxcPM4j5BAC2OHEZAw5jKpxA33QLmivNzVREUJt4aGrGbNk3qzVGT2Nb45Flbk9MYeGxbCLlQLTtR1ZTw9wzy__EJC51UkpP-jra2cn5fC3KYG7mfBUfxCa45O1qAE8FUpQh2BS/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_Q3AQLxcPM4j5BAC2OHEZAw5jKpxA33QLmivNzVREUJt4aGrGbNk3qzVGT2Nb45Flbk9MYeGxbCLlQLTtR1ZTw9wzy__EJC51UkpP-jra2cn5fC3KYG7mfBUfxCa45O1qAE8FUpQh2BS/s800/Lucy1stChristmas3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304908950392594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEWSRhnaIQRYtxt_DJfXlSgytGToqjcGJnj6_tdl2evCFxVAS6pPFKvFf7V0s3rBfwt3XtjQiP19BO1tx0csVJw-pLVKsW2FL_3RpVN06NCJrW8K9Bu3aysKKLbmMgQ90S0lqX_uiJqQL/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEWSRhnaIQRYtxt_DJfXlSgytGToqjcGJnj6_tdl2evCFxVAS6pPFKvFf7V0s3rBfwt3XtjQiP19BO1tx0csVJw-pLVKsW2FL_3RpVN06NCJrW8K9Bu3aysKKLbmMgQ90S0lqX_uiJqQL/s800/Lucy1stChristmas8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304746124624514" /></a><br />I love how she smiles like crazy for her Daddy…and how he interacts with her. He's her biggest fan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIqey5r_IaomLH9WoijZFacOxM1_StIFDbnaNZt9e0LwmwfGKJ2uZ2seU4U4YYtnH8_ZgC9W9jk-s5QVXsPJ0qeK6jrq35QLp7hsG7Rq2eaHqAlGxrN2cD2qHA_FWITlFyHu4erhtc_yK/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIqey5r_IaomLH9WoijZFacOxM1_StIFDbnaNZt9e0LwmwfGKJ2uZ2seU4U4YYtnH8_ZgC9W9jk-s5QVXsPJ0qeK6jrq35QLp7hsG7Rq2eaHqAlGxrN2cD2qHA_FWITlFyHu4erhtc_yK/s800/Lucy1stChristmas5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304729946950242" /></a><br />Sigh. I found her cousin's pictures from last year in this outfit…her cousin who is now walking and talking. That'll be her next year!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpuiIdPivD7ZHpgoCqeMnL-Rnbk1coDQR2dePz2DdKz0PuzYhKOIk4oUJPu3P3tBjniCeSoYDPNiQIl2mJQ1k5HnKAt5_Ew54kKuHC9twyVIBeMSVpcQQGD0xkAD-CjrtGo1lCRBIqsvY/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpuiIdPivD7ZHpgoCqeMnL-Rnbk1coDQR2dePz2DdKz0PuzYhKOIk4oUJPu3P3tBjniCeSoYDPNiQIl2mJQ1k5HnKAt5_Ew54kKuHC9twyVIBeMSVpcQQGD0xkAD-CjrtGo1lCRBIqsvY/s800/Lucy1stChristmas7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304743205927426" /></a><br />This shot will get put into an ornament frame for adding to our tree next year…love how our family has changed each year we've been married.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RLD3Hbf6dZ_ZckeT3yWMonRDLn5_10m3z3r5HEjgvQOlnhhcd1Sx_b-6ukWyB17XoLd3KIFe6xlyr8illTkUfmYHNBl6GF-BGrs93V9Eub18OKFc8l7K4SBd5Xsk9-IIfV4v0f6MEjpg/s1600/Lucy1stChristmas6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RLD3Hbf6dZ_ZckeT3yWMonRDLn5_10m3z3r5HEjgvQOlnhhcd1Sx_b-6ukWyB17XoLd3KIFe6xlyr8illTkUfmYHNBl6GF-BGrs93V9Eub18OKFc8l7K4SBd5Xsk9-IIfV4v0f6MEjpg/s800/Lucy1stChristmas6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690304728056106642" /></a>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-44926861011429607612011-12-24T01:15:00.004-05:002011-12-24T01:33:10.431-05:00snickers and smoochesSomehow I forgot to mention that Lucy has started giving out super sweet and slobbery kisses. She practically gnaws my cheek off. Probably won't manage a picture of that, so I'll just share a turquoise tutu photo with you instead. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zxOx412TrwZuv44aoyZ74CrNZQSQoSFpud7traVfHEoHbdUQ4Uep8tAi8xwZC5OotymiF0_U0zj_wjvg9h1dIW_eW62HzKjda1fRVFvrLi7WjJsx6FrG-w3dxH4mOo8d18rq-f5oNEPa/s1600/tutubaby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zxOx412TrwZuv44aoyZ74CrNZQSQoSFpud7traVfHEoHbdUQ4Uep8tAi8xwZC5OotymiF0_U0zj_wjvg9h1dIW_eW62HzKjda1fRVFvrLi7WjJsx6FrG-w3dxH4mOo8d18rq-f5oNEPa/s800/tutubaby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689577858501442578" /></a><br />She also just the other night gave us her first continuous laughter. She's been giggling just a bit here and there, but it's mostly just a "heh, heh" and a smile in the midst of crying as she tries to make up her mind which emotion is winning out at the moment. But the other night as I was getting her undressed to put her pjs on, she just started laughing and kept going…now I want to do anything and everything to get her giggling again!<br /><br />Like I said…I'm loving this adventure.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-44572363680869973942011-12-23T02:03:00.005-05:002011-12-23T02:40:10.604-05:00amazed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwUvku_jfqi_Rr7mrwie3KlxNIaWfljdw8iJneLT_wfCQycUY9KczYqGVNYnya649lgFp56KX7FoYGp6RlhIONYSa2b_pXDdRbV9Z0n9DMMx59H-0e9tFGi78V5vank9jjP_9s-cOEiIZ/s1600/Lucy4Months.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwUvku_jfqi_Rr7mrwie3KlxNIaWfljdw8iJneLT_wfCQycUY9KczYqGVNYnya649lgFp56KX7FoYGp6RlhIONYSa2b_pXDdRbV9Z0n9DMMx59H-0e9tFGi78V5vank9jjP_9s-cOEiIZ/s1000/Lucy4Months.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689224122396864290" /></a><br />Some days it just hits me all over again. This is our girl. For life. She's ours to care for and love. Ours to snuggle and smooch. Ours to try our patience every day. Ours to sacrifice time and freedom to be with her, to not miss a moment of her growing. Ours to raise in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ours to tickle and rock and hum to. Ours to feed and clothe and educate. <br /><br />There's days I wonder that they let us take her home from the hospital, days I have no idea what I'm doing, and no idea why she's crying or how to comfort her. Nights she just plain doesn't want to go to sleep. <br /><br />But then there's nights she sleeps for 11 hours and eats and naps on a perfect cycle all day long and plays contentedly in between. Days that she smiles up at me with such an innocent, whole-hearted grin that I just want to grab her and hug her and smooch that sweet face a million times. And I do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dP5IRekXi_GoxqXN244DbOKKgiTTsRaYayWcjwH53UFGglz8cukjK-6x-e2V9Lc8eFd5gBo9JTEDbJQFB9feNXzxv4HrRVC5ipIM86CJSihRZvD3RvfkS20PNxnM91BoQ24IZBqDHOoI/s1600/Lucy4Months1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dP5IRekXi_GoxqXN244DbOKKgiTTsRaYayWcjwH53UFGglz8cukjK-6x-e2V9Lc8eFd5gBo9JTEDbJQFB9feNXzxv4HrRVC5ipIM86CJSihRZvD3RvfkS20PNxnM91BoQ24IZBqDHOoI/s800/Lucy4Months1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689216595140064178" /></a><br />I'm in awe of how beautiful she is. How such perfection came from the two of us, I just don't know! Except that the Creator-God had His hand in it. And we're so grateful she's so healthy. So grateful we didn't have to spend her first weeks visiting her in the hospital like one family I know. So grateful she's not waiting for a kidney transplant like another baby boy I know. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fwo4-V4OuYOMOV4Rr8Ehy0KPhKEDMthiXI62Ah_IuGKFYo7oZD_LVsSc9kDotNi2Wu2EjLUcAWVu9ppwCHsM84PY-t3sVUBksXl0u4gWHf8KRPIrQhqmjKwYrHRo8DJt4d526yRogwei/s1600/Lucy4Months2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fwo4-V4OuYOMOV4Rr8Ehy0KPhKEDMthiXI62Ah_IuGKFYo7oZD_LVsSc9kDotNi2Wu2EjLUcAWVu9ppwCHsM84PY-t3sVUBksXl0u4gWHf8KRPIrQhqmjKwYrHRo8DJt4d526yRogwei/s800/Lucy4Months2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689216412219045538" /></a><br />Yes, those lashes, they kill me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ny7fVv6C6VgnAJcjNBmIO3c3evCrErf3Zjc33jY0CuH4oq1V0CVeqG_Mue2EnEzt_YokAGUgN1B7lY6QwxNglILeJOtG_wZGDU_gH4vorVUrs60V6R7NbZT7uZr8iUkQr9StK6z5xsvo/s1600/Lucy4Months3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ny7fVv6C6VgnAJcjNBmIO3c3evCrErf3Zjc33jY0CuH4oq1V0CVeqG_Mue2EnEzt_YokAGUgN1B7lY6QwxNglILeJOtG_wZGDU_gH4vorVUrs60V6R7NbZT7uZr8iUkQr9StK6z5xsvo/s1000/Lucy4Months3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689216408734459858" /></a><br />She's so precious when she's just waking up. She's so happy to see me coming into her room. The photos above & below were from a morning I brought her downstairs (after stripping off her wet pjs and changing her peed-through diaper). She was waiting to eat, and so sleepy and smiley and stretchy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxsMNr9BEVzxLnLm0O4fF04KN4Ns4mgVytlmXGS4-RGle4o4aODpCbypBGOXV0LlDtu9bJ3otOMUGhTwMxlt0nZS3CJ5UPGH797Jfiwjojrupnm14S040zEuXAgEJ6W5aArVvVPQpo6TO/s1600/Lucy4Months4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxsMNr9BEVzxLnLm0O4fF04KN4Ns4mgVytlmXGS4-RGle4o4aODpCbypBGOXV0LlDtu9bJ3otOMUGhTwMxlt0nZS3CJ5UPGH797Jfiwjojrupnm14S040zEuXAgEJ6W5aArVvVPQpo6TO/s800/Lucy4Months4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689216245714783170" /></a><br />A friend of mine, years ago, when talking about his firstborn daughter, told me "she breaks my heart a thousand times a day." I don't know why that phrase stuck with me all these years, but I think I get it now. Every moment with this girl as she is right now is fleeting. She's almost unbearably amazing in all the things she's learning, in all the ways she's growing and changing. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u6afJ8yOsweNSNyRrlJ2B-7X6cg55rT-q1FiXKYoa0cptwrORQn0DXmmT06u9YH_HwSvYNsgbQiXU5NybFpRCHcFY-kOhyphenhypheng8JaXKZmaj1fpEghdt5KL1Om973A8-sei0R3y5qGHFPDL2/s1600/Lucy4Months5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u6afJ8yOsweNSNyRrlJ2B-7X6cg55rT-q1FiXKYoa0cptwrORQn0DXmmT06u9YH_HwSvYNsgbQiXU5NybFpRCHcFY-kOhyphenhypheng8JaXKZmaj1fpEghdt5KL1Om973A8-sei0R3y5qGHFPDL2/s1000/Lucy4Months5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689216237261364994" /></a><br />I know. The eyes. They kill me too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ5IR06CW47KkGofqMkwKjIDumfpbxh-XT2M0OaXzNmNrVO5tsKFO-07Ae31q15x4SglIVC2kffzBUBqOizzB1eVQoiMF23OfHAuCOquXQtrSRgONeM0niVxj_05p6o53qyEGM23R777F/s1600/Lucy4Months6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ5IR06CW47KkGofqMkwKjIDumfpbxh-XT2M0OaXzNmNrVO5tsKFO-07Ae31q15x4SglIVC2kffzBUBqOizzB1eVQoiMF23OfHAuCOquXQtrSRgONeM0niVxj_05p6o53qyEGM23R777F/s800/Lucy4Months6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689216231426677330" /></a><br />She recently discovered her feet, and found that she can fold herself in half. And I love to watch as she tries to figure out what to do with these new discoveries.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPITJagpPuV9q0zi4Ob32XKlIU69pImN0oJfT_cS_PyQjaXKFlKgqya1g9fgDbYYZlAVE-pqSU-ujpu-zDrttx18UKdmdXZoPquzHZ3SH9dcjG2DFXeJxNdJfxoVevfu5dACrOyyKv6yZ/s1600/Lucy4Months7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPITJagpPuV9q0zi4Ob32XKlIU69pImN0oJfT_cS_PyQjaXKFlKgqya1g9fgDbYYZlAVE-pqSU-ujpu-zDrttx18UKdmdXZoPquzHZ3SH9dcjG2DFXeJxNdJfxoVevfu5dACrOyyKv6yZ/s800/Lucy4Months7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689216228016046370" /></a><br />I love this adventure.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-82109544853803934332011-12-04T16:49:00.005-05:002011-12-04T19:08:34.580-05:00so fast<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iXutj8y8AoV8MGqMSEJMgWEmhRzdim3iOjKhxJy0Py2UVo4tHzWs747hLfeRG4FDwF-GPPvo3nJetKQChzn-Ax0Iac0InOnYMpTdLRtpND2wP78Kc-sItzTdBqpoS9jXhJ5_cNH-fW-G/s1600/Lucy2Months.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iXutj8y8AoV8MGqMSEJMgWEmhRzdim3iOjKhxJy0Py2UVo4tHzWs747hLfeRG4FDwF-GPPvo3nJetKQChzn-Ax0Iac0InOnYMpTdLRtpND2wP78Kc-sItzTdBqpoS9jXhJ5_cNH-fW-G/s1000/Lucy2Months.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682395463302912434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW-NjXmx8CrzAPTLNT_T_oHA7KtxPYHxW1AOaoeP2VeC7i5ngsOvyJIdqt50S8jZ8kOiBmKUADRPNt897lKtnfgGJ82BL8_4aUCMxAYea8cZVVIIDOrlkGTv4rLXux9AqMtxXENjnZqrh/s1600/Lucy3Months.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW-NjXmx8CrzAPTLNT_T_oHA7KtxPYHxW1AOaoeP2VeC7i5ngsOvyJIdqt50S8jZ8kOiBmKUADRPNt897lKtnfgGJ82BL8_4aUCMxAYea8cZVVIIDOrlkGTv4rLXux9AqMtxXENjnZqrh/s1000/Lucy3Months.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682395473988526370" /></a><br />My baby girl is almost four months old, and these are the things I don't want to forget:<br /><br /><ul><li>The completely bewildered look she wore for the first few days of her life…</li><li>The way she stretches when I unwrap her and she wakes up…bending almost backwards, with her little legs tucked up and her arms free of her swaddling, reaching for the sky…</li><li>The sight of her perfect profile as she snacks and snoozes…</li><li>The sweet look of total satisfaction when she's done eating…drunk on sleep and mama's milk…</li><li>The peace on her sweet face when I finally lay her down…</li><li>Watching her snooze on her daddy's shoulder…either with her nose squished into his neck so I wonder how she's breathing, or facing to the side, her mouth a lopsided triangle of contentment…</li><li>Her pure, clear voice as she "ooo"s at me…</li><li>Her full-faced smiles…</li><li>Her "flopsy" pose at the end of a feeding and I attempt to burp her on my lap…head drooping towards her knees, arms straight out in front like she's about to fold in half…</li><li>The conspiratorial grin she gives me when she's almost done eating and just wants to goof off …</li><li>Her thorough enjoyment of having her face washed at bath time…</li><li>Her delight in her Daddy singing her special "poopsie" song…</li><li>The pouty lip quiver right before the all-out wail…</li><li>The weight of her on my shoulder as she gives in to slumber…</li><li>The look of delight she gives me when she's just filled her diaper…</li><li>How she hooks her tiny arm around my shoulder when I'm carrying her…</li><li>Her "whole body smile" she gives when she wakes up…</li></ul><div>Over the past several weeks, Lucy's hands have found each other, and she's grasping things and pulling them to her mouth. She loves to suck on her blanket or burp cloth or bib or whatever cloth she can get her hands on. She babbles away to her mama and daddy, and touches our faces and gives us spectacular smiles. Her daddy cheers louder for her to roll over than he does for the football game…she's not quite there yet, but does go from back to side a lot…it's intense, this waiting for the complete rollover! She attempts crunches when she's sitting in our laps and can sit up with only a bit of assistance.</div><div><br /></div>I don't want to forget these things. Nor do I want to miss today because I'm longing for the way things were. She grows and changes so fast, and I feel like I can barely keep up…as soon as I think I've got some things figured out, she goes & changes on me! I'm loving getting to know the person she is…loving the time I get to spend with her…loving being her mama.<div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GoJ8h9A922JPutTOJ2euunDNAf398H9dMf13nSo4HVN4n734pWmzNOnJ2tkwHqTFjKHk8RrRigoztIZRJ8LE5K4SeX4PlQJtp_UXLCgdRiGCG2H1zEKiXqJTT-4W6zmdgRolxaX8w5dA/s1600/Lucy112411_1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GoJ8h9A922JPutTOJ2euunDNAf398H9dMf13nSo4HVN4n734pWmzNOnJ2tkwHqTFjKHk8RrRigoztIZRJ8LE5K4SeX4PlQJtp_UXLCgdRiGCG2H1zEKiXqJTT-4W6zmdgRolxaX8w5dA/s800/Lucy112411_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682405089506265330" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1fNwfBs_3fDEVmYaXqkyw6eM4Xy-KO0nd1sHcibdxojzbOR5j4G5up8UTYFUVj66hZmJzr_PnZk-w50TI6PrNaW6NWSQGcP5yC05-xGGZqdP70CaUs6VXA57CSn0o0GG6XkiQ10kduj4/s1600/Lucy112411_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1fNwfBs_3fDEVmYaXqkyw6eM4Xy-KO0nd1sHcibdxojzbOR5j4G5up8UTYFUVj66hZmJzr_PnZk-w50TI6PrNaW6NWSQGcP5yC05-xGGZqdP70CaUs6VXA57CSn0o0GG6XkiQ10kduj4/s800/Lucy112411_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682405083805150290" /></a><br /><br /></div>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-83904860795162094222011-12-03T19:43:00.007-05:002011-12-03T20:31:33.877-05:00oh, christmas tree, oh christmas tree!I can't remember the last time I went to cut down a Christmas tree. (Okay, actually, I can. It was a few hours ago. Humor me.) My last few single Christmases I walked around the corner to the boy scout lot and got a tiny 3-foot table tree and carried it home to my tiny apartment. Our first two married Christmases, we just went to a lot and found one already cut for us. This year, being our baby's first Christmas and all, I guess we're feeling nostalgic for the family outing to cut down a tree. <br /><br />And every man needs an excuse to wander around outside with a hacksaw in his hand and a measuring tape hooked on his belt!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfh9y8UtMpNPwta0avy5WbjJXo3Tk_vFAyFe5oV76jeiOXGNE9cpp8IZfsiwFRuQBaxqUK-nJ6buVUgmC_FHchaad0_T0TlZugef8Cz6BJ30984nxf588_3eQPpu9amyp9PrXooJeiuAA/s1600/ChristmasTree11_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfh9y8UtMpNPwta0avy5WbjJXo3Tk_vFAyFe5oV76jeiOXGNE9cpp8IZfsiwFRuQBaxqUK-nJ6buVUgmC_FHchaad0_T0TlZugef8Cz6BJ30984nxf588_3eQPpu9amyp9PrXooJeiuAA/s1000/ChristmasTree11_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682072812660740018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGY34ayiVODuTeqAeE6dsKx9LVMasmkF6J15FKcNqA5jmeArfS4yARmJMWx_r08PYr2Lexpldal95mguPyA6sb2ENpHQNxqOhs2bXzDdEIJ6VozOMiSQlyTS_7OoP1olcjA7cOLNIJi9M/s1600/ChristmasTree11_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGY34ayiVODuTeqAeE6dsKx9LVMasmkF6J15FKcNqA5jmeArfS4yARmJMWx_r08PYr2Lexpldal95mguPyA6sb2ENpHQNxqOhs2bXzDdEIJ6VozOMiSQlyTS_7OoP1olcjA7cOLNIJi9M/s800/ChristmasTree11_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682072540252325522" /></a><br />The few short-needled trees we saw growing made Charlie Brown's tree look stunning. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAPYBtv5zf5bl9p3191aDPjPUdcD1pZ2blIPy0qj1zr6BeJuh7IDEhGY4zi4Yg2HdPxNC_dRS7zA4NvrOYZWlffXeTuBw-K8qBx5MJwn_Qox1RIdfuY1TR4rqvPPEolsLH0Q2iU3KbTYr/s1600/ChristmasTree11_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAPYBtv5zf5bl9p3191aDPjPUdcD1pZ2blIPy0qj1zr6BeJuh7IDEhGY4zi4Yg2HdPxNC_dRS7zA4NvrOYZWlffXeTuBw-K8qBx5MJwn_Qox1RIdfuY1TR4rqvPPEolsLH0Q2iU3KbTYr/s1000/ChristmasTree11_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682072527840381522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BmDrIVXMURmibNGDND7Xucan091IXRCEDcRdsYApqQl5ecgtbrtoAYW8-U4qC47lT5SX3qJoOwJxVzkfP7qiTKd9oXfUyA2bhdK6P2SDRBMP83XSFhIT5MlG8b78xPwHHCIg1IXd_oxj/s1600/ChristmasTree11_5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BmDrIVXMURmibNGDND7Xucan091IXRCEDcRdsYApqQl5ecgtbrtoAYW8-U4qC47lT5SX3qJoOwJxVzkfP7qiTKd9oXfUyA2bhdK6P2SDRBMP83XSFhIT5MlG8b78xPwHHCIg1IXd_oxj/s800/ChristmasTree11_5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682072521334988322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45XG7CPhSQcCg2QdGmclOcLB5rD1KDf7x2J_VcSUW6qsnN6q1ut5oGvNbEKJmdyZl_BCEWKLn5T0tjKXu7O7pN5XHScFnRtnX-4n7GjWBlrW9a2S4DXgzEud7fgFjRyVMR5ehuUI3fqdl/s1600/ChristmasTree11_6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45XG7CPhSQcCg2QdGmclOcLB5rD1KDf7x2J_VcSUW6qsnN6q1ut5oGvNbEKJmdyZl_BCEWKLn5T0tjKXu7O7pN5XHScFnRtnX-4n7GjWBlrW9a2S4DXgzEud7fgFjRyVMR5ehuUI3fqdl/s1000/ChristmasTree11_6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682072515677969362" /></a><br />Sixty-four degrees and clear, sunny skies was a bit of a different experience from my childhood memories of Christmas play practice and lots of snow and boots and snow pants and a sled and chainsaws. But I'll take it.<br /><br />We debated getting one of the ones they ship in from Washington state…which seemed much more like Christmas trees to us…but decided that we would go with the local Monterey Pine instead. Perfectly shaped, very full…and I'm thinking we can just throw ornaments at it and they'll lodge themselves in amongst those long soft needles just fine!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirx4A9zNxCHCovrKd1IoWf5hXyKT6prHHvlnWaLtMZ5W9G2nrnRzq-EBqEpuknlzIygAW6egElNnFcp2wXQvuDIBdAh7U2mkpQLGVX3RKiiFmHC7ZWykc_k5kTZdbk81deN2FDJm4yxELQ/s1600/ChristmasTree11_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirx4A9zNxCHCovrKd1IoWf5hXyKT6prHHvlnWaLtMZ5W9G2nrnRzq-EBqEpuknlzIygAW6egElNnFcp2wXQvuDIBdAh7U2mkpQLGVX3RKiiFmHC7ZWykc_k5kTZdbk81deN2FDJm4yxELQ/s800/ChristmasTree11_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682072807967603602" /></a>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-69666970583817883332011-09-16T16:46:00.009-04:002011-09-16T19:04:22.070-04:00introducing…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSsBVc3iMB1SUmHW8DsIPm-1JJBtfQuWX3ogrIk5gDUyd9K-2xtlH_fj0lnKtvwdCd9XptFQx4jtBah1X1HCSwGcG8joV8wOsS45Jn11FnMs7TfvHV-oQF-qKl1GfHVSLlgmk5cQvHU8I/s1600/LPM0902.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSsBVc3iMB1SUmHW8DsIPm-1JJBtfQuWX3ogrIk5gDUyd9K-2xtlH_fj0lnKtvwdCd9XptFQx4jtBah1X1HCSwGcG8joV8wOsS45Jn11FnMs7TfvHV-oQF-qKl1GfHVSLlgmk5cQvHU8I/s800/LPM0902.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653067908990798786" /></a><br />Miss Lucy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhKWT74WoRQzuqN2IayEtKk3waCUwwOgKOEKMr05ztrBOJquR73-nOLMHOu2NMx-XOYv6ekFVWdEi0x8UNaQYwQ10u0yA0Bsjy75AQDTXBhaR8k2fawQnmYWEIWI5RBW1sf33wtxyhBiq/s1600/LucyMonthly_02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhKWT74WoRQzuqN2IayEtKk3waCUwwOgKOEKMr05ztrBOJquR73-nOLMHOu2NMx-XOYv6ekFVWdEi0x8UNaQYwQ10u0yA0Bsjy75AQDTXBhaR8k2fawQnmYWEIWI5RBW1sf33wtxyhBiq/s1000/LucyMonthly_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653067769208935186" /></a><br />who is already a month old! (I think I've mentioned before that I'm not very timely with my posting.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_H2Mc7LGTFOpZdneClpO4X63cK93sKet6c1WpoRzIYXBZjl9DDas5YtPTgkMR4iqrpC08TEvk5nFJXL8umpQ5OaRJgAXJPf2CC5fjzSREuinjMeOH2j3WC3IPinXXZW7ztrU-qCbA10zj/s1600/LucyGifts1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_H2Mc7LGTFOpZdneClpO4X63cK93sKet6c1WpoRzIYXBZjl9DDas5YtPTgkMR4iqrpC08TEvk5nFJXL8umpQ5OaRJgAXJPf2CC5fjzSREuinjMeOH2j3WC3IPinXXZW7ztrU-qCbA10zj/s0/LucyGifts1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653063074859086146" /></a><br />This girl has turned our world upside down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pEGErAyjEszGPfWf23k0dIrrJb3aPOPLAHMo7mw2LdxUb0EmqWd_DG0ksa5nr1kBHguPcBnEjKr_rXOGkmyZBiTvu98aV-dVxjJwTKc2SzgioyDOH_U3c3Uc6PRGfFK4wK-bBidrNusE/s1600/LucyGifts2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pEGErAyjEszGPfWf23k0dIrrJb3aPOPLAHMo7mw2LdxUb0EmqWd_DG0ksa5nr1kBHguPcBnEjKr_rXOGkmyZBiTvu98aV-dVxjJwTKc2SzgioyDOH_U3c3Uc6PRGfFK4wK-bBidrNusE/s0/LucyGifts2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653063069839635090" /></a><br />The first few weeks of being her mama were the toughest weeks of my life. From the long, hard labor that went nowhere to the totally un-wanted c-section that got this stubborn girl out at 42 weeks, to the feeding issues and recovery time in a crowded hospital, this experience has challenged me at every turn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGEbWwXlbhqi8HTZOvPCqX5sgAxDsXGO4-VnCXzdV3HBUpZbQIpbzDcaGxZqwH_Z4zS5rKdEJXwRUBQHjqeyUiomGNrucdrVFFBq7CTzl_w6Ko5h5kEfoWbl2GtuFj5UJFe-LQxK7oW8M/s1600/LucyGifts3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGEbWwXlbhqi8HTZOvPCqX5sgAxDsXGO4-VnCXzdV3HBUpZbQIpbzDcaGxZqwH_Z4zS5rKdEJXwRUBQHjqeyUiomGNrucdrVFFBq7CTzl_w6Ko5h5kEfoWbl2GtuFj5UJFe-LQxK7oW8M/s0/LucyGifts3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653063072034926562" /></a><br />I even wondered at times if I would be able to say it was worth it in the end. Just look at that face, though. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7sS0Q3hBI29kXyB5ExdnhIpiY2S3DaEV3ADFX9kKfbPYitMaFc0PJ9VLoU5U8E3wOL_WD2Xs4xE7wD1rE26uk7uDFcouzaqFMk5gbG5NG87N2W2nR20-W8GQmVpnb7PGK_Q0e_KrfcM7/s1600/LucyGifts4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7sS0Q3hBI29kXyB5ExdnhIpiY2S3DaEV3ADFX9kKfbPYitMaFc0PJ9VLoU5U8E3wOL_WD2Xs4xE7wD1rE26uk7uDFcouzaqFMk5gbG5NG87N2W2nR20-W8GQmVpnb7PGK_Q0e_KrfcM7/s800/LucyGifts4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653063068840636034" /></a><br />I love you, Lucy, more than I'll ever be able to explain to you.<br /><br />My dear friend Andrea, who knit me a <a href="http://findingjensview.blogspot.com/2009/02/gift-of-warmth.html">blanket</a> for a wedding gift, spent who knows how many hours knitting Lucy this beautiful blanket that I want to wear as a sweater! It's one of the most precious gifts I was given. She also had Lucy's full name put onto a set of wooden blocks…shown in the second photo here. The felt flower was made by my friend <a href="http://juliemom.blogspot.com/">Julie</a>, who started making and selling all sorts of cute hair accessories recently, and I won this one in a contest she ran! Love the colors in both, and how they work so well together.jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954094399158509673.post-66957808963384176302011-08-07T19:35:00.005-04:002012-10-23T01:15:47.045-04:00stuffedI went to a baby shower a while ago for a friend who loves to make things. Not everyone appreciates a little handmade goodness, but others who like to make things usually do. So I went ahead and jumped into as-yet-uncharted territory for me, and made a "softie," as such things are apparently called in this world of crafty blogs. I had seen the beginnings of my friend's nursery design, and knew there were a lot of woodland creatures and lots of green, so I hunted for an easy pattern online and searched my stash for some fun fabrics and came up with this sweet owl. Found the pattern on Emily Ashby's blog <a href="http://ashbyfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/easy-owl-pattern-and-tutorial-win-one.html#axzz1UOGGZvqg">here</a>. Nope, I don't know Emily…but she's got a bunch of fun projects on her blog…both freebies and some patterns for purchase…go check her out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjWS3yCnsUagQRku99710s6lNKVlHckaqKgO1gH539WoTAt78rpjiRcgIAmLiyGGbcck9ayLfENkq9vA3cb79fL6-hgmAisddBvL4OUfq4Vq4CHp60-yQDG8yA5L2jtRzhJ1SqoSWvjYm/s1600/stuffed1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638262423665677794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjWS3yCnsUagQRku99710s6lNKVlHckaqKgO1gH539WoTAt78rpjiRcgIAmLiyGGbcck9ayLfENkq9vA3cb79fL6-hgmAisddBvL4OUfq4Vq4CHp60-yQDG8yA5L2jtRzhJ1SqoSWvjYm/s800/stuffed1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
And I liked it so much that I then had to make one for my girl. Who says an owl can't be zebra-striped?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnebl6rN_4aKQ79HwryyxQBbdKuc3yHagk9zxdFneDcFv5WSAM3oPSBZH9A-D3ZqifnCpLxmSsYF8ZzYGQoL40RFti83eR7i1JDq1N77Vql74Oe6AsLmzlfhiqGBW7wFSHxuB284yBy4Jx/s1600/stuffed3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638262414909155298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnebl6rN_4aKQ79HwryyxQBbdKuc3yHagk9zxdFneDcFv5WSAM3oPSBZH9A-D3ZqifnCpLxmSsYF8ZzYGQoL40RFti83eR7i1JDq1N77Vql74Oe6AsLmzlfhiqGBW7wFSHxuB284yBy4Jx/s800/stuffed3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
And then, just to challenge myself a bit more, I decided my niece needed an elephant for her birthday. Found a pattern in one of the issues of <a href="http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blogs/stitch/about.aspx">Stitch</a> magazine. Yeah, I think the elephant is a bit weird, too. It looked much cuter in the magazine!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWnmTGfqTpr73Ll4eIIUQGcVDvFOt5VrQZAJZrhL0hRmohdoTTcR0fRCR4obE7vlCATmiw_a8t-XAG4xJhkMg6D1QHdYeHdd2IwnabvsdAz_dYovyjifR387AfuodYuG-fdcpqG6npIUE/s1600/stuffed2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638262418846569122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWnmTGfqTpr73Ll4eIIUQGcVDvFOt5VrQZAJZrhL0hRmohdoTTcR0fRCR4obE7vlCATmiw_a8t-XAG4xJhkMg6D1QHdYeHdd2IwnabvsdAz_dYovyjifR387AfuodYuG-fdcpqG6npIUE/s800/stuffed2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874235969074846208noreply@blogger.com6