tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57178579555054306372023-11-16T05:46:41.334-06:00My RealityI've always tried to be a positive person and look at life as an opportunity not a struggle. This is said with an understanding that I will have my ups and downs. This allows you to look at who I am and what keeps me going.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-87498241943040883602009-07-30T21:49:00.010-05:002009-07-30T22:18:06.336-05:00Life with an up and coming Toddler<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkC0xN2fZzCUDPn9Aws6H5ms4tmoCq-UqncL_8wKPE5anWc8_M5tW_MZlXP5BPtvfRvXXP_Kanap114QgHk_pbeH1bHIIoyUVZV5IE7RjVwMZcIQbd0dWSjalOpKglcBuo4_ux2-obae1r/s1600-h/IMG_0167.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364457020745371570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkC0xN2fZzCUDPn9Aws6H5ms4tmoCq-UqncL_8wKPE5anWc8_M5tW_MZlXP5BPtvfRvXXP_Kanap114QgHk_pbeH1bHIIoyUVZV5IE7RjVwMZcIQbd0dWSjalOpKglcBuo4_ux2-obae1r/s320/IMG_0167.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1eaSD9DxjBJ-lAkDCo265umFz9SUJ3Dfb-NabGl1LOc3NtD__Crd7Cs5V7XIWSLTq5wMlbEUYSUCjbSXsxbinEndrU1yrf6dsg1uNQR-j7xR9tR7VagkLItrGyyfbgm4nd79Hx5aneA0/s1600-h/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364457014400375378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1eaSD9DxjBJ-lAkDCo265umFz9SUJ3Dfb-NabGl1LOc3NtD__Crd7Cs5V7XIWSLTq5wMlbEUYSUCjbSXsxbinEndrU1yrf6dsg1uNQR-j7xR9tR7VagkLItrGyyfbgm4nd79Hx5aneA0/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wjj7jntuI22p3Df-L3dk26uBWv-INdTWT3FfK8J8TvYf0hyf8qczV2bYO9I8eqXUOkKLFsMXNiQ6nQ69T9PIR78rSCe87DEUZWY-zuGwvoIFVmishLmOa1_E9XXQx_MCG4r5kQKzpufM/s1600-h/bathtime+(5).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364457008421674290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wjj7jntuI22p3Df-L3dk26uBWv-INdTWT3FfK8J8TvYf0hyf8qczV2bYO9I8eqXUOkKLFsMXNiQ6nQ69T9PIR78rSCe87DEUZWY-zuGwvoIFVmishLmOa1_E9XXQx_MCG4r5kQKzpufM/s320/bathtime+(5).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawgGfGw8PXTNjd0M1MgHwvQrd_K0eeDuTqrBA5ilUcDp-1dlVE56hKu6pMkn3_1HViP9KEYPNHPVZ_kuYFADukFHWifBwolDwo_0DJ3gTXELtP7fAbghhDBnFnsc_aOQk-TUC_tblCneJ/s1600-h/Celebrating+Fathers+Day+and+Swimming+(5).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364455666689660306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawgGfGw8PXTNjd0M1MgHwvQrd_K0eeDuTqrBA5ilUcDp-1dlVE56hKu6pMkn3_1HViP9KEYPNHPVZ_kuYFADukFHWifBwolDwo_0DJ3gTXELtP7fAbghhDBnFnsc_aOQk-TUC_tblCneJ/s320/Celebrating+Fathers+Day+and+Swimming+(5).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixL6BhvNjiipf1sYGRS-7hnkm3PolUY7XeQ3yLPy0D1WfsIDr6lnmo1IX20cThaCuSI-y4nzOyyWk1lFychnClWPrs7JssgscxmRkpSt4DCI7bRpj12VzqrWnNx-M4sAcFfZ3ZZNewxXZJ/s1600-h/bathtime+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364455661377232610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixL6BhvNjiipf1sYGRS-7hnkm3PolUY7XeQ3yLPy0D1WfsIDr6lnmo1IX20cThaCuSI-y4nzOyyWk1lFychnClWPrs7JssgscxmRkpSt4DCI7bRpj12VzqrWnNx-M4sAcFfZ3ZZNewxXZJ/s320/bathtime+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fhQ3cY-rvxJbgawqIKH-vsYOpynFL5BQaEPOSjKjtyXe64BNsPATOG5YLfLnCFUPlgsV9q2P6U_TRk6SE-93_ITIl5uadjccrsI6xDbSwkesza3jluPBw7UssZvf8J89r53jUS_C5cB7/s1600-h/IMG_0127.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364455656080936018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fhQ3cY-rvxJbgawqIKH-vsYOpynFL5BQaEPOSjKjtyXe64BNsPATOG5YLfLnCFUPlgsV9q2P6U_TRk6SE-93_ITIl5uadjccrsI6xDbSwkesza3jluPBw7UssZvf8J89r53jUS_C5cB7/s320/IMG_0127.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tsNo0SBCoGJjHGXZIdeRZCTZjVLSHAf0gfkNxKYC5A53ENzbPgAMEY2NTMZKGQUVcRkeshGZfLxSBTU-sHUO_ztKKf-C4z3EXc4AFpgZlui7JE_8PDqqVaVI0bAvpz7HrWw33HgjpgoC/s1600-h/IMG_0233.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364455650184674802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tsNo0SBCoGJjHGXZIdeRZCTZjVLSHAf0gfkNxKYC5A53ENzbPgAMEY2NTMZKGQUVcRkeshGZfLxSBTU-sHUO_ztKKf-C4z3EXc4AFpgZlui7JE_8PDqqVaVI0bAvpz7HrWw33HgjpgoC/s320/IMG_0233.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HS78IWgq4wT_LBTlBccbXBXxey4rly2T8ZPaLfWJzgJIkbzFdpYhK4YO_g61qPbPYjPwBYuXtDoR0jB2wmfY35gE3yznuwwGWDHys_yFsgw70wvxFjay-S8LscKYpnAVG7EDFutXWWHn/s1600-h/IMG_0121.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364455652430292226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HS78IWgq4wT_LBTlBccbXBXxey4rly2T8ZPaLfWJzgJIkbzFdpYhK4YO_g61qPbPYjPwBYuXtDoR0jB2wmfY35gE3yznuwwGWDHys_yFsgw70wvxFjay-S8LscKYpnAVG7EDFutXWWHn/s320/IMG_0121.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">It's true what they say about how hard it is to remember what life was like before having children. Hailey turned one on July 19th! Time flew so fast that I can almost remember when I first felt her kick in my stomach. I still remember (and will probably never forget) taking the pregnancy test at 5:00am and immediately calling my mom. Hailey is very active and alert. She's saying "da-da," "ball," "baby," "bye-bye," "bat," and "ma-ma." She loves to read (or turn pages) books and her favorite toys are her pink Brewer bat and ball and her big ball that she tries to carry around. She started walking with help around 7 months and by 10 months was walking independent of anyone. Now she practically run's everywhere. She dances to music and knows Mickey Mouse and Elmo. She definately knows what she wants and when she wants it. Her cues are often easy to figure out. She does not like to nap, I think because she's afraid of missing out on something. She loves to smile and you can make her giggle at anything. If she's in a mood, she just stares at you with no expression. Her eyes are to die for! They are so piercing blue and she has very full lips like her parents. She's getting little curls in her hair and I will stick little bows in it. Hailey loves food! Stick anything on her plate and she'll eat it. Brian and I are so blessed to have family to help us out! Hailey loves her Auntie Leslie! It's pretty amazing to see my sister do such a great job with her! She is blessed to have so many grandparents and cousins that love her! </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-68693822837865512852009-05-06T09:21:00.000-05:002009-05-06T09:26:17.919-05:00My Favorite SongI had to share the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. I often listen to <a href="http://www.klove.com/Music/">http://www.klove.com/Music/</a> music station on my radio. The artist is BlueTree.<br /><br />Bluetree - God Of This CityFrom the album God Of This City<br />You’re the God of this city<br />You’re the King of these people<br />You’re the Lord of this nation<br />You are<br />You’re the light in this darkness<br />You’re the hope to the hopeless<br />You’re the peace to the restless<br />You are<br /><br />Chorus:<br />Greater things have yet to come<br />Greater things have still to be done in this city<br />Greater things have yet to come<br />Greater things have still to be done in this city<br /><br />You’re the Lord of creation<br />The creator of all things<br />You’re the King above all Kings<br />You are<br />You’re the strength in the weakness<br />You’re the love to the broken<br />You’re the joy in the sadness<br />You are<br /><br />Greater things have yet to come<br />Greater things have still to be done in this city<br /><br />Where glory shines from hearts alive<br />With praise for You and love for You in this city<br />Greater things have yet to come<br />Greater things have still to be done hereUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-72064309383446846332009-02-03T20:00:00.000-06:002009-02-03T20:38:28.547-06:00Pampers vs. Huggies<span style="color:#000099;">I've started to struggle with what type of diapers to use. When Hailey was born, I tried Huggies. I hated them because they were so tough feeling and I didn't think Hailey's little bum would appreciate that. So, I resorted to Pampers. I loved Pampers. They're soft and seem to serve their purpose. Hailey hardly ever had a rash. Until now....Ugh!!!! Now that Hailey's variety of food consumption has started to become more diverse, her poop has reflected that. It's amazing how disgusting the stuff is that comes out of her bum. Not only that, the smell is horrid. I feel like I walk into our house and it smells like poop. I definately appreciate air freshner! My issue is that it doesn't appear that Pampers is a good fit anymore. I'm giving Hailey more bath's because she has more poop outside her diaper than inside the diaper. What's the purpose of the diaper? Given this new issue, I've had to re-evaluate what brand of diapers to use. So, I'm back to the drawing board....Huggies or Pampers. Maybe I should try a generic brand. I love the Target brand for baby wipes. Anyone have insight into this new situation? </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-85622830930886203422009-01-26T20:58:00.000-06:002009-01-26T22:09:59.969-06:00~Adjusting~<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpBGwH6KZYL1CTOUZ4OrHrJ1TTVMkXmT_SUZho94KZce9PK6fJiYEtlUVqgRG-1u_kEF9FPuxbA7juKjFB3AAX22FBbc5XmUgdyY9hiPeuPMunw8BnJPmGFZOjW48OJT4BP-ZsF760g8f/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+(12).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295803631634902466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpBGwH6KZYL1CTOUZ4OrHrJ1TTVMkXmT_SUZho94KZce9PK6fJiYEtlUVqgRG-1u_kEF9FPuxbA7juKjFB3AAX22FBbc5XmUgdyY9hiPeuPMunw8BnJPmGFZOjW48OJT4BP-ZsF760g8f/s320/Christmas+2008+(12).JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="color:#006600;">Hailey just turned six months. She is so darn cute! She is also a lot of work. I think my brother, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Scotty</span>, and I have really appreciated our mother a little bit more. Any women is crazy to have 7 children. I could never have that many children. Hailey has developed a little personality. She is very demanding and requires constant attention and human interaction. I leave her to play with her toys so that I can go and wash her bottles. She watches me leave the room and once I'm out of sight she starts complaining. I go and pic her up and see if we can wash the bottles together. We kinda do this routine a lot. She helps me change the laundry, watches me vacuum, brush my teeth, blow dry my hair , and put on makeup. It's actually fun watching her expressions with all the things she sees me do. My favorite is the vacuum. Not only does she watch me do things she wants to actually do it with me. She's grabbing EVERYTHING. I love when she sees one of my curls hanging from my face so she tries to grab it. She has to concentrate harder to grab something that small and it's fun to know that she doesn't give up until she has it in her hands. Speaking of never giving up....Brian and I have recently introduced the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sippy</span> cup. She's not sure what to do with it, but the other day, Brian and I quietly watched her try and figure it out. It was amazing that she didn't become frustrated with it when the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sippy</span> part isn't the same as her bottle nipple. Sleeping isn't her biggest strength. She doesn't think she needs naps. She fights sleeping because I think she's afraid that she will miss something. She is so nosey. She's constantly looking around and very alert. I'm actually hoping that Brian and I have changed some behavior because 4 days after letting her scream for a significant amount of time when putting her into bed for the night she has yet to really cry anymore. Listening to her scream is the worst. She loves to giggle. She's ticklish around her neck and on the sides of her tummy. She's just started to sit up independently and eat baby food. She seems to like sweet potatoes at the moment. She has no interest in rolling over. I think she would like to skip that step and just walk. For her six month pics she just wanted to stand so that's how we have her pics taken. She's standing with my hands supporting her. She's very moody. She has one of the cutest smiles, but it can switch very quickly to lots of crying. For the most part I think she's pretty easy to figure out what's wrong. It's just exhausting. </span>I returned back to work in the middle of October. It's now almost February and I still feel like I don't have anything together. I'm used to feeling like I have things "together." What ever that means. I have yet to understand what my new "normal" is. Everything physically, emotionally, and mentally has changed. I actually don't feel like the same person. I think I've completely lost who I am. So in order to remain somewhat sane, my favorite thing to do is go to the movies by myself. I also really enjoy going to church and going to class. It gives me a sense of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">rejuvenation</span>. However, what I would really like to do is go swim several laps. There is nothing better than being in the water. It's like a whole different world. My body has physically changed a lot. I lost what I think is a lot of weight. I kinda needed to do this. The only thing is that I'm not obsessed with how much I weight, but how I feel. I really don't have a clue what my weight is. For anyone that cares, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">weight watchers</span> helped me out! My mom has always been a big fan of this program so I thought I would give it a try. I was really sold on it being a lifestyle change, not a diet. The only thing that sucks, is that I have no clothes that fit. I also don't have tons of money to go buy new clothes. Probably the worst part of dealing with my whole body image is how much my boobs have changed. I swear that once I'm done having children (Brian and I want two) I will be getting boob enhancements. I absolutely was not prepared for what breastfeeding and engorgement would've done to them. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kylee</span> and I have plans to do this together. I was actually thinking of starting a support group on how to deal with this issue. Anyone want to sign up????? Mentally and emotionally things have been difficult. My issue is that I have high expectations, low tolerance, not enough patience all wrapped in a ball of being high strung. I'll blame it on not enough sleep. I'm actually moody, which I never really was. I want things a certain way. What I really need to do is go with the flow! Ya, that's never going to happen. Everything I do is based on how Hailey will act and how she will handle it. I also think part of my frustration is I feel my life has done a 180 and Brian's continues to remain the same. I actually thought I was pretty selfless, but I crave the need for some alone time. However, if or when I'm alone I think about what Hailey may be doing. I often feel guilty for some of my feelings considering that It took so long to get Hailey in my life. I continue to not really want to share her. My time with her is on the weekends so it's hard to give that time up for anything else. I would never change what I'm going through for anything else. I just wished I felt more confident about things and could find a way to relax and not feel that things have to be perfect. The good thing is that several friends of mine have recently become first time mothers so I have other females being able to relate to what I'm feeling. Thanks Ladies! </span> <div><span style="color:#006600;"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-81905691739144576712009-01-26T20:48:00.001-06:002009-01-26T20:57:24.871-06:00Hailey's Six Months<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfo8AELYyV1Kq1Nzcy2XdAL3As2hgYAfmqeB6Q0dfm-5jtxo9Hv6RgVDBWzFWbc53_r7DSP_Iz_dzPpJi5vUoetaEuqS2R9abnz6GJEgD2QS_f0gI2bVOpAvNP_TiSQlxWXm8t1zeCmFtP/s1600-h/Already+loving+the+remote+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295802108421396162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfo8AELYyV1Kq1Nzcy2XdAL3As2hgYAfmqeB6Q0dfm-5jtxo9Hv6RgVDBWzFWbc53_r7DSP_Iz_dzPpJi5vUoetaEuqS2R9abnz6GJEgD2QS_f0gI2bVOpAvNP_TiSQlxWXm8t1zeCmFtP/s320/Already+loving+the+remote+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m_J6lCBbXgn6caE5WWmX3Xpy3RJ-csCoStYZVbu6zNRZz2slsx_lEAF0ZniU5FPIt3xnUEzS3vsjCdKZhEQNB-WK3s__5bm_4Zz5ppsuPOIZ_23LZ4OzXlGIHDnL17zXbHVAKUoWBFTq/s1600-h/Happy+6+months+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295801593333804226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m_J6lCBbXgn6caE5WWmX3Xpy3RJ-csCoStYZVbu6zNRZz2slsx_lEAF0ZniU5FPIt3xnUEzS3vsjCdKZhEQNB-WK3s__5bm_4Zz5ppsuPOIZ_23LZ4OzXlGIHDnL17zXbHVAKUoWBFTq/s320/Happy+6+months+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIIde9DpGJWyQ4Jm4A3BAaCFTmJMCkK2fgZZH-9GkRegPmYmUO58yiK6GCLmxAXZfnQagCDLgdg5GH3Y_3l0X5v-qo8sGsoB6eE8bDJ_4OOs7Go953oIYFQHIA6ZyKWjJoMNhH6_GlMkw/s1600-h/introducing+the+spoon.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295801175230233730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIIde9DpGJWyQ4Jm4A3BAaCFTmJMCkK2fgZZH-9GkRegPmYmUO58yiK6GCLmxAXZfnQagCDLgdg5GH3Y_3l0X5v-qo8sGsoB6eE8bDJ_4OOs7Go953oIYFQHIA6ZyKWjJoMNhH6_GlMkw/s320/introducing+the+spoon.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBwpJZY0noYIaLepGiz2x5LTqTTi45Ndxeu85d-WaUuHGp-N3OKKvHQueWEJ2kX_dCgA3WxQvT2oXiFYcAtlMhwxM7K7ECElBNxy8hHGD7OIYfFQDpqB39fzlxN8lUD0WmZMvceD_UKV-/s1600-h/First+solid+food.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295801170160386802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBwpJZY0noYIaLepGiz2x5LTqTTi45Ndxeu85d-WaUuHGp-N3OKKvHQueWEJ2kX_dCgA3WxQvT2oXiFYcAtlMhwxM7K7ECElBNxy8hHGD7OIYfFQDpqB39fzlxN8lUD0WmZMvceD_UKV-/s320/First+solid+food.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP_5bm02KkYeTYSKT66gEHU2STqLSlVkuFTy5yTooZvt1NQawSmvIQVWLIzL7dfayXPaXIpQBLBiMBytBHieb9y-yeoFD1dXBiOJJ_NReV2cLbTphCt26fCUq0AZAP5woSqd1gicRE3_U/s1600-h/Exhausted+after+a+day+of+people+being+over.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295801163960141762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP_5bm02KkYeTYSKT66gEHU2STqLSlVkuFTy5yTooZvt1NQawSmvIQVWLIzL7dfayXPaXIpQBLBiMBytBHieb9y-yeoFD1dXBiOJJ_NReV2cLbTphCt26fCUq0AZAP5woSqd1gicRE3_U/s320/Exhausted+after+a+day+of+people+being+over.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5RmC1Eu-1ENqEELy8vFs0SDQFE49v_dEKNKCmkb7AaA88OxuHFu5apU6zciE1N6lq1tisyPeFDk-1CWQWUmXBRM7kgEFBOCCZ9Ty6mjc1D38vQb9cI-BY3R2ChM-A6s4ruOGTVvNhq4t/s1600-h/Cheesy+Smile.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295801163200403298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5RmC1Eu-1ENqEELy8vFs0SDQFE49v_dEKNKCmkb7AaA88OxuHFu5apU6zciE1N6lq1tisyPeFDk-1CWQWUmXBRM7kgEFBOCCZ9Ty6mjc1D38vQb9cI-BY3R2ChM-A6s4ruOGTVvNhq4t/s320/Cheesy+Smile.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGNoF-JZdfJ55MEu-8AwG0Ub_cMO6sh2SRUF8aRCYFgx6UDsBjlarDal4og99nGu31BTd4S7EZ_h0f0BGGiTnqkX3kNtljM6JHJ1tzkVIBKYrcnn2YYAbA8kvWRrkfOsr_vmMcrxtAF8F/s1600-h/Arms+wide+open.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295801158006730274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGNoF-JZdfJ55MEu-8AwG0Ub_cMO6sh2SRUF8aRCYFgx6UDsBjlarDal4og99nGu31BTd4S7EZ_h0f0BGGiTnqkX3kNtljM6JHJ1tzkVIBKYrcnn2YYAbA8kvWRrkfOsr_vmMcrxtAF8F/s320/Arms+wide+open.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59avhe-KHx13R-QLvncxizxACUpC6JAaKHGaDnHZOMHWLlU1dQ1c5RA6f9z49xY_qVS00o1wl4TCqS667GNVTieF_e5-2QAMmtQ1yDvHmtcv0FuMQ5cLxG8SMwaHMa0zi_eVUCvjBIvGf/s1600-h/ahhhh...so+comfortable+without+clothes.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295800312691758146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59avhe-KHx13R-QLvncxizxACUpC6JAaKHGaDnHZOMHWLlU1dQ1c5RA6f9z49xY_qVS00o1wl4TCqS667GNVTieF_e5-2QAMmtQ1yDvHmtcv0FuMQ5cLxG8SMwaHMa0zi_eVUCvjBIvGf/s320/ahhhh...so+comfortable+without+clothes.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Thought I would post some new pics...She's so adorable!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-45344236962793493052008-11-25T21:21:00.000-06:002008-11-25T21:39:10.157-06:00Nanny Leslie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFehXdnBSfZYxQNykiBpb8XPvCD0Te3VptLlxTKZ-_dZV1L76y8vzpj9MuavMj3xqpT6RqZEf1osV5hAqJl9MHl95_EIrYELeVvdt_MpLHUCQbah_-sv0wkJK-qIoEjyFQ9A6y1AGiK-J/s1600-h/lesandhailey.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272801778710292978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 97px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFehXdnBSfZYxQNykiBpb8XPvCD0Te3VptLlxTKZ-_dZV1L76y8vzpj9MuavMj3xqpT6RqZEf1osV5hAqJl9MHl95_EIrYELeVvdt_MpLHUCQbah_-sv0wkJK-qIoEjyFQ9A6y1AGiK-J/s320/lesandhailey.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;">This picture kinda says it all! Anyone that can take what could be a stressful situation and turn it into a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kodak</span> moment has a lot of patients and fun. Leslie has been watching Hailey two days a week since I've returned to work in the middle of October. Let me tell ya, this has been very exciting for me. Not only has she taken care of Hailey, but if she has time she will wash her clothes or our towels. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">I'm</span> very grateful for the opportunity to have family care for my little bundle of joy! It's been amazing to see how maternal Leslie is and how well she's adapted to caring for someone that is so demanding. I think she's had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">a lot</span> of practice dealing with so many crazy customers in the retail world. Taking care of a baby is probably the easiest task. Brian often comes home before I do from work to relieve Les from her nanny duties. I remember Brian laughing while telling me that he came home with Leslie laying next to Hailey, both on their backs, and Leslie reading a book to Hailey. My mom said that Leslie would call her with Hailey screaming wondering if she needed to try anything else to calm her down. Today, Leslie went to Hailey's 4 month doctor appointment. Hailey had to get shots and be poked and prodded by her doctor, which she is never excited about. Les has been a very good support! Thanks sis....Love ya :) </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-35853993064954506342008-11-23T21:10:00.000-06:002008-11-25T21:44:50.126-06:00Emmy Lou<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOy8ZoEvDSF4xJ06aqP0AdBZpW-mo4UYdhzyEbkRr0DdnywNJ9Pp42MhqGcVtHo7OJLHhyIxrRpNLdqRiFcp11giDhjRVoflSjDcXxmcq1Fug-echYrNA1ny27HpPsjBoti0EbZWrgEdab/s1600-h/sassy+emmy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272807121761221266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOy8ZoEvDSF4xJ06aqP0AdBZpW-mo4UYdhzyEbkRr0DdnywNJ9Pp42MhqGcVtHo7OJLHhyIxrRpNLdqRiFcp11giDhjRVoflSjDcXxmcq1Fug-echYrNA1ny27HpPsjBoti0EbZWrgEdab/s320/sassy+emmy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>When I was little I really wanted to have another sister. I prayed and prayed for God to grant me a little sister. What I really wanted to do was dress her up like she was a doll. My sister Emily is 8 years younger than me. She was born on July 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>! I was so excited when she was born. My mom gave birth to all of us, except the twins, at home. I remember my grandma or dad waking me up in the middle of the night telling me that my little sister was born. It was pretty crazy to think that what I prayed for came true. All my siblings are unique in their own way and have beautiful souls. Emily is special. She has a personality of a firecracker, who hates sharing her birthday with everyone else in America, has the ability to light up a room, and overwhelm someone like my husband. Anyone who knows Em's has a story to tell about her. She's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">spicey</span> in her own little way. She's a survivor through anger and madness. One of the things that I cherish about Emily is her ability to allow me to see things differently and not have the feeling of being judged or become defensive. Attached to this blog is a letter from Em's. She may hate me for posting it,but it was beautiful and people need to understand what a beautiful soul she is.<br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><em>Hi Ceecee, so I always love our little random chats that last like an hour, there so wonderful... Anyways, after we talked I thought a lot about what you said, and about Hailey.For a while I worried a lot about you and not being able to get pregnant, but then I felt like it was all for a reason, and just like that the worrying stopped. I felt like God had made you wait, to teach you just what real patients and trust is and best of all, how much fun being disorganized really can be!So when Hailey is screaming, and you get that overwhelming feeling where you feel like you have to take control and fix the problem ASAP, just take a deep breathe, look into that wide open wailing mouth and giggle. Giggle at Hailey for needing and wanting you so much, and embrace her with a smile, embrace the organization that flew out the door!! Don't stress yourself out so much, and feel like your missing something, because that is the exact reason why God made you wait. You aren't missing a thing. It's the Caralee who works at top speed to fix a problem, or take someone elses stress and tries to make it your own in hopes of brightening a person's day. This Caralee, though a beautiful side of you, is I feel the reason you needed to be taught a lesson by God. And to have God make you wait for something so special is such a treat.The thought of it makes me laugh. Hailey doesn't cry while in the car with Brian, and Hailey will scream for hrs with Leslie, but the second you pick up that baby and hold her the way she's been waiting for, then suddenly she takes a deep breathe and looks in your eyes, gives you a smile, and like you said, puts her tiny little fingers in her mouth.God made you a mom, and God made you wait for it, for some reason. Motherhood is such a learning process, filled with happiness, dissapointment, nerves, laughter, hugs, smiles, and so on and so forth. Embrace it all Caralee. Don't think about the ppl around you and worry about what they may think about a screaming baby. Laugh, say, "yeah, she is a girl who knows what she wants, the problem is that she can't talk yet, but we'll find out soon enough." Then show us just how well you soothe her.At Kristy's shower, I could tell that you felt like the world was looking at you. That you felt like her crying was annoying other people, and irritating. Well, I'm here to say, as an observer. It was really magical watching you calm her down. Within seconds of me handing her over to you, she settled down, and the same with Nina. The thing that worried me, was that your face looked so worried, like you were thinking too much. OBVIOUSLY I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM! But if only you could have looked up and seen everyone watching you mother her... And now after typing that, the answer seems so clear.You are a problem solver, and you are a teacher, and you are a women who just went from organized to disorganized, a very complicated thing to have thrown in your face. Teach us Caralee. When mom holds her, and she cries, and she hands her off all mad. Take moms hand, look at mom, and teach her something. Prove to her that she taught you well, because that is what she is looking for. Say to mom. "You are Hailey's grandma, and it is important to me for Hailey to enjoy cuddling with the person that taught me so much, and helped me grow into a positive strong person." Then show her how you calm her down. Teach us Caralee! How are we suppose to ever know, unless you show us how? For example I was talking to Scotty, and he wanted me to talk to Jaiden, so I said stuff like, "hi Jaiden, it's auntie Emily, blah blah blah." You know what Scotty did, he told me, "no, no, no, Emily, you have to bark or growl, he doesn't know what your saying." So I barked and growled, and what I got in return was a laughing growling barking Jaiden. It was really special being taught by Scotty. He embraced his fatherhood and taught me how to speak to Jaiden, with a bark and a growl.Just try it. Next time your hanging with friends or what have you, and someone is holding Hailey across the room from you. The second Hailey starts crying for you, stay put Caralee. Look across the room, and say, "do you need help? If you cradle her like this... then she'll hopefully calm down, try it." And if they craddle her the way she wants, and the way you know it, and she stops crying, that person will look up at you and be astonished. And if Hailey continue's to cry, walk on over, and personally show us yourself, then let us try. Show us how much you've learned, the outcome could be a settling mind for you Caralee, and that satisfaction that you know best. Embrace it!</em> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-29207905419195977642008-11-15T21:42:00.000-06:002008-11-15T22:12:14.935-06:00Daddy's Little Angel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-cXZzh9T8GgS1MnhjDNJRRKvthivRLMmK7gK7ghS88WvtQK8YI425Xdo-wCAnK27goMF7soe6LYuBf7mcZMFyQS6j2D7HmIDOxcygzftZs6nMlU7tsJnydr301RzhMR0TADCh4O5WsN2/s1600-h/115.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269098806598451090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-cXZzh9T8GgS1MnhjDNJRRKvthivRLMmK7gK7ghS88WvtQK8YI425Xdo-wCAnK27goMF7soe6LYuBf7mcZMFyQS6j2D7HmIDOxcygzftZs6nMlU7tsJnydr301RzhMR0TADCh4O5WsN2/s320/115.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVsYUNX8mEHyWnpVlugv3YRd1yfbfep1k7PSlxnD_Y7MkTYriEUoKNNo6wvh9yf4SdTfGdhbsHyokE-22xHbMngwgfnDbeAmNWM4gt01-EOV7L2WdylTOeJt9enomPYnS82Biob-SLUun/s1600-h/113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269096254014955090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVsYUNX8mEHyWnpVlugv3YRd1yfbfep1k7PSlxnD_Y7MkTYriEUoKNNo6wvh9yf4SdTfGdhbsHyokE-22xHbMngwgfnDbeAmNWM4gt01-EOV7L2WdylTOeJt9enomPYnS82Biob-SLUun/s320/113.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#330033;">Who says that baby's sleep when they're traveling in a car. Definately not mine! However, Brian says that she always sleeps in the car with him. This is a look at Hailey after driving from Stevens Point to Milwaukee. Notice the red eye lids, blotched eye brows, and puffy eye balls! Hailey has never been partial to sitting and being confined in her carseat. She screamed for an hour straight. I was hopeful a couple of times when she stopped, but she was only preparing her lungs for a louder and pitchier sound. She got a lot of exercise because her legs and arms were flailing. Her lungs have developed perfectly, but I am a bit worried about her throut. I did stop at a rest stop to relieve her tears and frustration. I took her out of the car seat, sat her on my lap, gave her a hug and kiss, and asked her if she's alright. She looked up at me with her baby blues, stuck her fingers in her mouth while making a cooing noise and gave me a BIG smile. Needless to say, we shortly started off on our adventure back home. Several seconds later, the crying began. Ugh.....Hailey has quiet a personality. She's very strong-willed and knows what she wants and will reach the limit to try and get it. If you would ask my mom or her Aunt Leslie to describe Hailey in one word, it would be "busy." She's constantly in need of being entertained and stimulated. She knows when no one is around her and loves hearing the sound of her noises. I don't believe that baby's get spoiled because you can never give them enough love and affection. </span><br /></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-2589357667741347722008-10-18T10:20:00.001-05:002008-10-18T15:27:30.133-05:00Hailey's three months!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXyFF7fbzCllGzlMFBqJn_4DD28lhYvKRvi_IJ5fTNOflsICllo1TNsHe5ofbnOC6pJdCfhsAt9tpUvkW1_aNgFri2UKP7Zi9COH9IAcldo2nodoMPpdwq8hLNa9uZMWe850Io-L_7l8x/s1600-h/Cousins.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258588144245969442" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXyFF7fbzCllGzlMFBqJn_4DD28lhYvKRvi_IJ5fTNOflsICllo1TNsHe5ofbnOC6pJdCfhsAt9tpUvkW1_aNgFri2UKP7Zi9COH9IAcldo2nodoMPpdwq8hLNa9uZMWe850Io-L_7l8x/s200/Cousins.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMoA8hTYJUXydlqoh92EdRIqTM0cS7REr8wNaidED6JGWb2F2z9tgYIQrGS-4ByT9SMLpTYl2uyDcJQHKdo9QoHX4tDTmbRvFPQcXo_gIKEQlJM7nv1w409h7zR3FYSnVjSzuLLWgqqoY/s1600-h/Hailey+goes+to+school.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258588147184126770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMoA8hTYJUXydlqoh92EdRIqTM0cS7REr8wNaidED6JGWb2F2z9tgYIQrGS-4ByT9SMLpTYl2uyDcJQHKdo9QoHX4tDTmbRvFPQcXo_gIKEQlJM7nv1w409h7zR3FYSnVjSzuLLWgqqoY/s200/Hailey+goes+to+school.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6N3tzgMCkFSew0_PX1SbYyIIEW9qIBIK3f1G3i3kQABiT0ugd8jdVx3rP11DI4vNdEFZbr_LbBInLe-EXjj8DJUIwlC-doawRNh_cNo-fSG9L4_Qfych3V0Till9Fk0drSzwiBkxw-vg/s1600-h/Lots+of+drool.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258588159666387426" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6N3tzgMCkFSew0_PX1SbYyIIEW9qIBIK3f1G3i3kQABiT0ugd8jdVx3rP11DI4vNdEFZbr_LbBInLe-EXjj8DJUIwlC-doawRNh_cNo-fSG9L4_Qfych3V0Till9Fk0drSzwiBkxw-vg/s200/Lots+of+drool.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefUUpo_w9-8kSrEHjkRby_87gHq-bJt4YtiQ1JqpSt_QiMlDdU-TiEKcaC2GN-OTtCccTNXZ5y4fpWT5LSFZyPMoeccjD99nJw9Bc1clmTJRwbvf70DAfVRylN7seibUpGO9AIV0VBtUw/s1600-h/Wearing+the+dress+Auntie+Julie+gave+her+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258588162203278434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefUUpo_w9-8kSrEHjkRby_87gHq-bJt4YtiQ1JqpSt_QiMlDdU-TiEKcaC2GN-OTtCccTNXZ5y4fpWT5LSFZyPMoeccjD99nJw9Bc1clmTJRwbvf70DAfVRylN7seibUpGO9AIV0VBtUw/s200/Wearing+the+dress+Auntie+Julie+gave+her+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1BVqhLRHshaKfGAON6ONTXy537H9m5faj5cFzyoji0onyXHrqxfZD8nTXgBBteyiMObNm_mNVC4U0PwtOraxmKXQi0omv7oJrJm9rpDXC3FUqTuTkb6XCjIfM14iOY5zF2iPP9TPKUHZ/s1600-h/I+Love+Daddy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258585112973698562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1BVqhLRHshaKfGAON6ONTXy537H9m5faj5cFzyoji0onyXHrqxfZD8nTXgBBteyiMObNm_mNVC4U0PwtOraxmKXQi0omv7oJrJm9rpDXC3FUqTuTkb6XCjIfM14iOY5zF2iPP9TPKUHZ/s200/I+Love+Daddy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_-oHcPVgs3yEYT2epiFs8jrchFjznIoHqU0gUZSdp16SuFUsbj7IQDct5vVl1BJc5lhYTCT30TH5O0dSLH2J9Za5_QhBly83cA_95-2F6FGlb28-_ZuxVw6xenAs4kVeov2vlDFtGCeA/s1600-h/I+Love+Mommy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258585117929162306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_-oHcPVgs3yEYT2epiFs8jrchFjznIoHqU0gUZSdp16SuFUsbj7IQDct5vVl1BJc5lhYTCT30TH5O0dSLH2J9Za5_QhBly83cA_95-2F6FGlb28-_ZuxVw6xenAs4kVeov2vlDFtGCeA/s200/I+Love+Mommy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVep9cvOWrcWr3CoQmGrl6tyXUZfYpM4x7lY9TtyJ0SkiJ0nSwj417C_2tjirX09N6wofw-ARxakvmNGop3wlyjWDlic8l96CbVMOakkxPPuDGjjk7S8KEJy60pcyHWYHPcRV2Focy-PFk/s1600-h/Lil+Chunky+Monkey+(3).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258585123332307218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVep9cvOWrcWr3CoQmGrl6tyXUZfYpM4x7lY9TtyJ0SkiJ0nSwj417C_2tjirX09N6wofw-ARxakvmNGop3wlyjWDlic8l96CbVMOakkxPPuDGjjk7S8KEJy60pcyHWYHPcRV2Focy-PFk/s200/Lil+Chunky+Monkey+(3).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-xcqAoA46yVF2AOncD2w-1cKSin9QmtzZsOOO6LRHdmwW8xLzCQuFf5h4TQSb4FPumR79X-UuDt7y9EocNzt3CZUEXnKidFuph2BlJ2puRuJyr5D3rQt2PnDUQ2wgV8c0Eqq1tSm1p3W/s1600-h/Posing...Look+at+those+eyes+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258585124969504626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-xcqAoA46yVF2AOncD2w-1cKSin9QmtzZsOOO6LRHdmwW8xLzCQuFf5h4TQSb4FPumR79X-UuDt7y9EocNzt3CZUEXnKidFuph2BlJ2puRuJyr5D3rQt2PnDUQ2wgV8c0Eqq1tSm1p3W/s200/Posing...Look+at+those+eyes+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H_uircQ3RrrE83ICudW21rqxeFojIyJKvIka0xjMtKFs3XaW1DFi3Blol39KwOUdfXHdJTR2TNt84vdF6YNNW7y4uDDOnC488AVx2aQ75Vm84Sg9FvVeW4uhaz97gEjSh9TR1d-1fWqr/s1600-h/Posing...Look+at+those+eyes+(13).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258585129059310994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H_uircQ3RrrE83ICudW21rqxeFojIyJKvIka0xjMtKFs3XaW1DFi3Blol39KwOUdfXHdJTR2TNt84vdF6YNNW7y4uDDOnC488AVx2aQ75Vm84Sg9FvVeW4uhaz97gEjSh9TR1d-1fWqr/s200/Posing...Look+at+those+eyes+(13).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1j4b1E-inm_FJgBNQ5ujAX_SFl_Cqa2GdJQU6GUIKVL5ZlxJRolFtDNjEIJYlH11PN2m3NWpETsLYgHEPZCOd_OMLIzg7uszDrCi1k5cmGsD8olyGS1LWKYMG1sLz-X55ZLeeqrxNWLz/s1600-h/First+Winter+coat.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258584313995073970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1j4b1E-inm_FJgBNQ5ujAX_SFl_Cqa2GdJQU6GUIKVL5ZlxJRolFtDNjEIJYlH11PN2m3NWpETsLYgHEPZCOd_OMLIzg7uszDrCi1k5cmGsD8olyGS1LWKYMG1sLz-X55ZLeeqrxNWLz/s200/First+Winter+coat.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#00cccc;">Hailey is three months old! I dont think I'll ever get over how fast time goes by. I've returned to work, which has been difficult, but overall it's been a good transition. Hailey spends her time with Auntie Leslie two days a week and Grandma and Grandpa Hammerling the other two days a week. She also gets to play with cousins Anthony and Brooklyn during the week. I have Friday's off so that's when we get to catch up on missed time together! Hailey has become more noisy and continues to be interactive with her smiles. She's very nosey and likes to be held upright where she can see everything. She continues to enjoy her Baby Einstein activity mat and is starting to reach and grab toys that are hanging from it. She's been sleeping well at night in her big crib and still loves her baths. I think she will keep her eye color, which may turn out to be the same color as my dad's eyes. She's been to a lot of different places; the Zoo, parks, Concordia University to help out a motor development class, church, shopping, mommy and daddy's work, play dates with some of my friends kids (little Sam, Aoife, and Hannah), and of course visiting family in Stevens Point and Milwaukee. She continues to want and need everything her way and I have a funny feeling that may never change. My favorite thing to do with her is giving baths and dancing with her to music. Her favorite artist so far is Casting Crowns. Brian loves when she gets dressed up in Miami or Brewer outfits for gameday! She is very excited about her new cousin, Levi, in Australia and can't wait to play with Levi and Jaiden someday. She gets a lot of love from her cousins in Milwaukee; Aaron, Sydney, Andrew, Anthony, and Brooklyn. She is our pride and joy and we thank God everyday that she is in our lives.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-48278291292289341942008-10-03T16:44:00.000-05:002008-10-03T17:18:37.091-05:00The Inevitable<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNv-LxF7ek5ky9vt-d9EYypKq7cg58MNtf1aeWONPuRTor-yrQA4ZsxivmT39NbWaICDsHlr5KPCdRC_-BqDC-ODc6EWAJDGp3OQa94pqbpUrldxGMfnTMkeVCrV4kveqlo0SrI1mZEm9/s1600-h/taking+another+pic+of+us.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253048626215575506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNv-LxF7ek5ky9vt-d9EYypKq7cg58MNtf1aeWONPuRTor-yrQA4ZsxivmT39NbWaICDsHlr5KPCdRC_-BqDC-ODc6EWAJDGp3OQa94pqbpUrldxGMfnTMkeVCrV4kveqlo0SrI1mZEm9/s320/taking+another+pic+of+us.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">I have approximately a week until I have to return to work. AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! It's amazing at how anxious I feel about this next step. The hardest part is knowing that Im choosing not to spend every waking hour with my daughter. I have to ask myself often, "Is it worth going back to work?" Nothing else really matters in life except your family. I shouldn't be complaining because Brian and I have been blessed with fantastic family that is willing to take time out of their life and care for Hailey. My sister, Leslie, is watching her two days a week and my mother-in-law is watching her the other two days a week and I don't have to work Friday's at this point in time. I couldn't imagine how I would be feeling if I had to drop her off at a daycare where you really don't know the level of supervision. I do understand that for most people daycare is the only option. My anxiousness doesn't primarily come from leaving Hailey with family, it comes from not being there when she's crying, laughing, talking, moving, and sleeping. What if she forgets my voice? What if she would rather go to them than me? Did I make enough impact in these last twelve weeks for her to know who I am? I'm her mom, I should be the one doing everything. These questions and feelings may sound crazy, but I'm being honest. For the mother's who feel like this and have to deal with similar situations, how do you manage? I'm assuming you just go on living life. I remember while I was pregnant thinking how easy it will be to go back to work. However, I never knew I could love someone as much as I do. Deep down I know that I will be okay, it's just getting over that "hump" and feeling good about my new normal. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-40563927375044096142008-09-19T16:51:00.000-05:002008-09-19T17:41:00.704-05:00The Parenting Club<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmabaifwcAFmDW5rv0RwCd7Xqpit0uN2DszNlVMA2VSJp5dm-zAxMxC1mVHTE8xCvnwaZeWQ6aLzyFZbSpVUdnhKef6wkUQeuZjxKusfH4dxV_vQ8RwQcQ2ilSZEgI7MMVWp1mtqlQX-l/s1600-h/Daddy+and+I+sleeping+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247861818309508882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmabaifwcAFmDW5rv0RwCd7Xqpit0uN2DszNlVMA2VSJp5dm-zAxMxC1mVHTE8xCvnwaZeWQ6aLzyFZbSpVUdnhKef6wkUQeuZjxKusfH4dxV_vQ8RwQcQ2ilSZEgI7MMVWp1mtqlQX-l/s320/Daddy+and+I+sleeping+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">WHO DOES SHE LOOK LIKE....</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">BRIAN OR CARALEE</span></span><span style="color:#000099;"> </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSXEWnknKrMm7XbwZ9LU6_jRuq8UwAZa6t6PwwlU9o9LBmDCKiuLo9DXCMk5UMXl-sJ2b0cNO_3DxnZa-DtCkHf5Lel8l3Lv2ovqolLLOd6EIKE7cbneqRmvbEUzQTnfvQTEfPlAfJGON/s1600-h/2+months+old+(4).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247861818895513666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSXEWnknKrMm7XbwZ9LU6_jRuq8UwAZa6t6PwwlU9o9LBmDCKiuLo9DXCMk5UMXl-sJ2b0cNO_3DxnZa-DtCkHf5Lel8l3Lv2ovqolLLOd6EIKE7cbneqRmvbEUzQTnfvQTEfPlAfJGON/s320/2+months+old+(4).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aKMrQdEqEXkfqFTsQIhWUB4D2GP39Htl5qM8F7o66ta8ScBN9poNy7KmEsbjI4GV8d2-BZJsyu-Fil50jwi3EUlZlNPDZ4rDCDzvl7PBAh9mX7KixRs3U_elxLx2821hfwr2x-ADUHwV/s1600-h/004+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247861831285823074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aKMrQdEqEXkfqFTsQIhWUB4D2GP39Htl5qM8F7o66ta8ScBN9poNy7KmEsbjI4GV8d2-BZJsyu-Fil50jwi3EUlZlNPDZ4rDCDzvl7PBAh9mX7KixRs3U_elxLx2821hfwr2x-ADUHwV/s320/004+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaU_nqRJSUkKQ4EiRQaqtYIPiPainjnQEvQxyQ3-4TKUI8pJ11VhyjTMdwTadnWpGUcM2_trdbwiGxpaq8eM_sHoUp6V-4FPc7-ZDnT8R16XdVDM_4rep8KZbZrSAXUzq3jkSD3vN6p2p/s1600-h/Faces+of+Hailey+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247861830356066674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaU_nqRJSUkKQ4EiRQaqtYIPiPainjnQEvQxyQ3-4TKUI8pJ11VhyjTMdwTadnWpGUcM2_trdbwiGxpaq8eM_sHoUp6V-4FPc7-ZDnT8R16XdVDM_4rep8KZbZrSAXUzq3jkSD3vN6p2p/s320/Faces+of+Hailey+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlCNRT6VsQbmmHJmBdLECwawrzfoI7heZ3K1FcgmhyphenhyphenNXLC1BCRrxaaYv5oH3zfo9eOyb_Xj7y4IQ3ynDptnBG5-8DaFyQZzNDAaj_wzzBGidBNbeeC9OgPLpos_qjYcVDWl-J2dtMpeKL/s1600-h/Visit+to+the+Park+(9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247861838767592210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlCNRT6VsQbmmHJmBdLECwawrzfoI7heZ3K1FcgmhyphenhyphenNXLC1BCRrxaaYv5oH3zfo9eOyb_Xj7y4IQ3ynDptnBG5-8DaFyQZzNDAaj_wzzBGidBNbeeC9OgPLpos_qjYcVDWl-J2dtMpeKL/s320/Visit+to+the+Park+(9).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">Well, Hailey has been in our life for two months. I can honestly say that being able to play this role of parenting has brought so much joy and excitement in my life. It is true what they say that nothing else matter once you have children. I really feel that I've adjusted well to my knew "knew." There has been alot of suprises; difficulty with getting her to burp, the amount of diapers you go through, how often she wants to eat, and the biggest one is how resiliant I've become with the lack of sleep. I have a difficult time sharing her so when I go on outings where other people are going to want to hold her I have to prepare for that. I feel that she is my little miracle baby so I want to do everything and I dont want to miss anything. This leads to how difficult it's going to be to return to work. I don't know how I will manage this, but it's inevitable. Fortunately, I have family that will be watching her. Hailey has now doubled her birth weight so she is "chunky." She has a personality so I fear for when she's a teenager. She already tantrums when she doesn't want her seat belt strapped on. She's smiling and enjoys watching the lights change on her Baby Einsten mat. I love giving her baths, watching her sleep, and spending time together as a family.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-21151007527794769072008-09-10T22:38:00.000-05:002008-09-11T21:01:15.066-05:00A lost PoemAmong old pictures and cards was this poem. It was never initially meant for me, but It was given to me as a memory keepsake.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">What is love?</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">No words can define it,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">It's something so great</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Only God could design it...</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Wonder of Wonders,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Beyond man's conception,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">and only in God</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Can love find true perfection,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">For love means much more </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Than small words can express,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">For what man calls love</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Is so very much less</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Than the beauty and depth</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">And the true sickness of </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">God's gift to mankind</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">His compassionate love...</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">For love has become</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">A word that's misused,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Perverted, distorted</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">and often abused,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">To speak of "light romance"</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Or some affinity for</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">A passing attraction</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">What is seldom much more</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Than a mere interlude</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Of Inflamed fascination</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">A romantic fling</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Of no lasting duration...</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">But love is enduring</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">And patient and kind</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">It judges all things</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">With the heart, not the mind,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">And love can transform the most commonplace</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Into beauty and splendor</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">And sweetness and grace...</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">For love is unselfish,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Giving mor than it takes</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">And no matter what happens</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Love never forsakes,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">It's faithful and trusting</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">And always believing and honest</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">And never deceiving...</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">Yes, love is beyond</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">What man can define,</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#00cccc;">For love is immortal and God's gift is divine!</span></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-34304753147471048262008-08-23T22:03:00.000-05:002008-08-23T22:29:21.462-05:00Until Next Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-4caXrDgzwNUDT2y7lc3L2POjFIp3kUpLcsxWLbsR4M9cTE_2tU4X___G2ZOvitE0ZhNG4_dkXrYQ67U52hTzOLg6QNaxoEKYjMJHjHNxpWqcvD5q3lmtXdogF8XnUQBgPRZQeo9eQuv/s1600-h/Australia+2008+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237920535158008434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-4caXrDgzwNUDT2y7lc3L2POjFIp3kUpLcsxWLbsR4M9cTE_2tU4X___G2ZOvitE0ZhNG4_dkXrYQ67U52hTzOLg6QNaxoEKYjMJHjHNxpWqcvD5q3lmtXdogF8XnUQBgPRZQeo9eQuv/s320/Australia+2008+030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Saying "Goodbye" is never easy and for some reason that word just seems like it's the end. I know it's not, but knowing that you may not see your brother for the next two years is pretty difficult to swallow. So I'll just see you next time! I'm used to my brother, Scotty, not always being around. Growing up he stayed with my grandparents during the summer so that my mom had less kids to care for while we were all out of school. He then lived in Colorado during the time that we would've been in high school together and then traveled Europe for a month. It was fun listening to all his adventures and stories. It allowed me to live vicariously through him because his adventures weren't anything I will get to experience. Even through all his experiences we've always remained to keep things normal and continue an awesome sibling relationship. The thing about Scotty living in Australia is that I can't just get a plane ticket and go visit him for the weekend. So the time will come when I'll have that feeling in the pit of my stomach meaning that I miss him and I can't do anything about it. It's a lot easier dealing with him living so far away because I've gotten to visit and see what his life is like. Scotty has always made a point to save money to come and visit and spend time with his family in the States since he's lived in Australia. I want to thank him for doing this! I hope there will come a time that I can do the same and make Australia my second home. Your always in my thoughts and prayers. Please don't lose sight of who you are and where you came from. I love you! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-64704104684572858002008-07-26T19:02:00.000-05:002008-07-26T19:23:24.486-05:00Hailey Nicole Hammerling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHQvMgiq4mDYBy9utbzBBpkcN2N2D9B187ZN9a-t4-zPTB83JyRgIRDelGY-0bm2eN_l6WGvPZDAf2MxRY0OycYa1hXzSqvFwHWJa9RGUPRtZ4iFdxo-Pwlckst4aOE_Mb9GI5cme-RT7/s1600-h/029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227482102929588274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHQvMgiq4mDYBy9utbzBBpkcN2N2D9B187ZN9a-t4-zPTB83JyRgIRDelGY-0bm2eN_l6WGvPZDAf2MxRY0OycYa1hXzSqvFwHWJa9RGUPRtZ4iFdxo-Pwlckst4aOE_Mb9GI5cme-RT7/s320/029.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuUhMToWZveGataTAJ3sNjXCcgMQ845tUJ7rmGC9tz5nJVfEmE61NKbzEKvm4attBc0SWVlYp5bvSvekgiled6JI001Tfo8MC6dDTa0-f1PkSV0DxzlWoaotiBK_GxX_fcWXnsNoQgC3b/s1600-h/7+Days+old.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227481564835528914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuUhMToWZveGataTAJ3sNjXCcgMQ845tUJ7rmGC9tz5nJVfEmE61NKbzEKvm4attBc0SWVlYp5bvSvekgiled6JI001Tfo8MC6dDTa0-f1PkSV0DxzlWoaotiBK_GxX_fcWXnsNoQgC3b/s320/7+Days+old.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlsbP5XUuu1rdv3Oz_qQOTP_lNUTY_xlevFC8OYLtuoIF-OnVmm9n96KqosObNUHGjdwsZWpaJwUEGar1fa84uV1F2l3o-EQ6r9kYDFjs4ag1lwcTGLsl3XTf61pmfoMi4npXhXWlIR3Z/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227481575264067666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlsbP5XUuu1rdv3Oz_qQOTP_lNUTY_xlevFC8OYLtuoIF-OnVmm9n96KqosObNUHGjdwsZWpaJwUEGar1fa84uV1F2l3o-EQ6r9kYDFjs4ag1lwcTGLsl3XTf61pmfoMi4npXhXWlIR3Z/s320/022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIQfTFBCbWChwPDeZeHmYm0QkpIfUSjaRmp-rLCIEFPpWQ7UL7jFlhMv-_2y39cMOSQ8v23V-OkGuutLFgOcGr-1F3Nyvd37VeOP1dEKtJeAtB4qOUcHtNRRrvgo6KFS3e_E0qoyo37ro/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227481575504567266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIQfTFBCbWChwPDeZeHmYm0QkpIfUSjaRmp-rLCIEFPpWQ7UL7jFlhMv-_2y39cMOSQ8v23V-OkGuutLFgOcGr-1F3Nyvd37VeOP1dEKtJeAtB4qOUcHtNRRrvgo6KFS3e_E0qoyo37ro/s320/020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStq6k4w7PypGjawY3i6MM_-H2ceqCLzTJZno2cDTLbS5-o0_4kLvgAkffMnkDCER8fK9Ss-ADgRlRpk6Rhn9oa6PRvx0riIpDjMtyD8zqurPEgp6PWWjpmFpITt4vVKuUzeU_bN79fIEJ/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227481583641717074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStq6k4w7PypGjawY3i6MM_-H2ceqCLzTJZno2cDTLbS5-o0_4kLvgAkffMnkDCER8fK9Ss-ADgRlRpk6Rhn9oa6PRvx0riIpDjMtyD8zqurPEgp6PWWjpmFpITt4vVKuUzeU_bN79fIEJ/s320/028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">Hailey Nicole <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hammerling</span> was born on July 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> 2008 at 8:18am. Hailey was born a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">whopping</span> 6 pounds 6 ounces and 19 inches long. I was a bit <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">surprised</span> because I was expecting to have a 7 1/2-8 pound child. She came a week early. She has a very mild mannered demeanor (unless she's hungry) and is strong. She lifts her head when she's on her stomach and really likes to grab onto your finger. She came out holding her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">umbilical</span> cord, which almost put me into a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cesection</span> because her heart rate kept declining. Overall, I had a great labor, delivery, and so far my recovery has gone well. I have to thank the person who created the epidural, because that drug is amazing. I praise any women who had a natural delivery with out any help for the pain. So far I've learned that swaddling is very effective in getting an infant to sleep longer. I'm very excited to be a parent and feel blessed to have this opportunity. Having a child is such a miracle!</span></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-21078960495816451432008-07-06T09:43:00.000-05:002008-07-06T14:13:05.096-05:00Influencial Adults<span style="color:#006600;"><span style="color:#006600;">I</span><strong>'m a pretty indecisive person! So I often look to others for advice, suggestions, and feedback when it comes to making different decisions. However, that doesn't mean I will always listen. I don't believe that I got this way on my own so I would like to introduce you to adults in my life that have helped me become who I am.</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyKWM_D8bhKWCtVEHiYbOiFjSsUUVJEKuFywTTLCweX2OVpEDlmKNHu9C3lnmgr-uQANMNn-G-LSa8l_Ov3AbeEvj71eoqdfGhX2LYnjqdDrt1DrT1Sy9kvycJUxXW3y7cszK0oECPt6d/s1600-h/043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219972569596371938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyKWM_D8bhKWCtVEHiYbOiFjSsUUVJEKuFywTTLCweX2OVpEDlmKNHu9C3lnmgr-uQANMNn-G-LSa8l_Ov3AbeEvj71eoqdfGhX2LYnjqdDrt1DrT1Sy9kvycJUxXW3y7cszK0oECPt6d/s320/043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Meet</span><span style="color:#ff6600;"> my "Pops!" Beyond all his crazy adventures in life, he's a very traditional man. He's always worked very hard and believes in earning what you want in life. I feel I have adopted my father's heart and soul. He's very sensitive, caring, and empathetic. My dad knows what it's like to be the oldest. He is one of 11 sibs! </span></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cFsnvTwNf-nc6dCAlp28Zyjd3796aVkD5FrlOr9M3vYsFGsqSswmqNK5YuqWmzGNbwnysuRypdBQQnEFZTeAeW0Ckeffg41qJd2P5zAzSh53q9EIDsCzYmSQ6WFPArYgZrRa93fSVugZ/s1600-h/Twins+graduation-Jeff%27s+grad+party+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219972171018295186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cFsnvTwNf-nc6dCAlp28Zyjd3796aVkD5FrlOr9M3vYsFGsqSswmqNK5YuqWmzGNbwnysuRypdBQQnEFZTeAeW0Ckeffg41qJd2P5zAzSh53q9EIDsCzYmSQ6WFPArYgZrRa93fSVugZ/s320/Twins+graduation-Jeff%27s+grad+party+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Meet my dearest mother, Ms. Debby Beachy! Anyone that can have seven children and look the way she looks is amazing and has some good genes. Unfortunately, I didn't get those specific genes</strong>! <strong>She is very passionate about everything she does. She's extremely creative and when she wants to do something and sets her mind to it she will succeed at it. She's determined and this is probably the one thing that I've taken from her! </strong></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fARx0hTTQ4BNAwoGvIYfLtG5hSt4_Exxr_csgZhfH67W8vfCC56qQbOdOLDQ94_gEss_uA72h1YIbHheuqxLpAkOR13pej6gVh5eI3quPYc2acO324k_7MMmmd5Vc9NAdcDOuGssqOaY/s1600-h/Grandma+and+Henry+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219932660809687858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fARx0hTTQ4BNAwoGvIYfLtG5hSt4_Exxr_csgZhfH67W8vfCC56qQbOdOLDQ94_gEss_uA72h1YIbHheuqxLpAkOR13pej6gVh5eI3quPYc2acO324k_7MMmmd5Vc9NAdcDOuGssqOaY/s320/Grandma+and+Henry+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Here is my grandma Pletcher and her pup, Henry! I have a lot of my grandmother's attributes; same eyes and body structure. I spent a lot of time with my grandma growing up. She has a special place in my heart. She's always encouraged me to be who I wanted to be and the one the led me to be a social worker</strong></span><span style="color:#ff6600;">. <strong>Her faith in God is evident in everything she does through out her life. She is a strong-willed(very similar to my mother) individual and about the only one I know at her age that <span style="color:#ff6600;">has kept up with our technological world and taught herself how to use the computer!</span></strong></span><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uRnT-aVeBNwKtgp8HgGzyjD-dBcLEOE5QAPo_B_bH1K4MvcViFqgAuOn__lr3XRc1_MqAC89iyy0QEBA_FRXchEfPOs6Bc9qCifazVIUZD-haGKOs50pl00KUt8JzU6j6VuS-zX-wpiT/s1600-h/Auntie+Debby%27s+Wedding+(5).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219974163660798866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uRnT-aVeBNwKtgp8HgGzyjD-dBcLEOE5QAPo_B_bH1K4MvcViFqgAuOn__lr3XRc1_MqAC89iyy0QEBA_FRXchEfPOs6Bc9qCifazVIUZD-haGKOs50pl00KUt8JzU6j6VuS-zX-wpiT/s320/Auntie+Debby%27s+Wedding+(5).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Brian's Parents: Mird(Pat) and Dird(Harry). They've adopted me as their daughter from the moment that Brian and I have been together (It will be about 11 years in August)</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">. They've always been supportive of our relationship and have always valued family coming first. They gave me Brian! </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong><br /></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;"></span></strong></span> </div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#006600;">I come from a large extended family so their are many other individuals who have also played an important role in my life some way, some how. The hardest part of getting married was knowing that I no longer would have the "Winkelman" name. Being a Winkelman is something to be proud of because of the history. I have two step-parents, Nina and Tim, who took on the challenge of adopting seven kids into their life! Crazy, but somehow they've managed being successful with this challenge. Now I'm a Hammerling and I have the best In-Laws I could ever ask for! So, I see it as a "win-win" situation :) </span></strong><br /></div></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-56061603383183076742008-06-29T17:03:00.000-05:002008-06-29T17:46:33.791-05:00Siblings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbCBk3r-wGNpZ2bqw6Cx3ZVOydqzGlAZHBVC4aHBsD1lQQ1xu5MrO4_BeVtknWrtrcVI6qbzToGcnBnYXYj-kN8VSFKEyM_isjrOmB4dS3Wh5qGl4UlOSGBERoH_59fjlf3GrOJ6eHuuO/s1600-h/100_0113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217428606438025122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbCBk3r-wGNpZ2bqw6Cx3ZVOydqzGlAZHBVC4aHBsD1lQQ1xu5MrO4_BeVtknWrtrcVI6qbzToGcnBnYXYj-kN8VSFKEyM_isjrOmB4dS3Wh5qGl4UlOSGBERoH_59fjlf3GrOJ6eHuuO/s320/100_0113.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRqsM59sQvG3bLrhlPJbLWfq2Hdt9jP-ffCqsIi96q8r8CwQGCMrBWu21PDJxG6JDjTFZ6-Lva0P4L5fGe8QN2FghxqhRSefUpry6FEPtB777bwldfeVYmdcZqdvDLYVObL3MiKRq-39F/s1600-h/100_0225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217428619451601042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRqsM59sQvG3bLrhlPJbLWfq2Hdt9jP-ffCqsIi96q8r8CwQGCMrBWu21PDJxG6JDjTFZ6-Lva0P4L5fGe8QN2FghxqhRSefUpry6FEPtB777bwldfeVYmdcZqdvDLYVObL3MiKRq-39F/s320/100_0225.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p><span style="color:#ff0000;">I'm the oldest out of seven of us; Me, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Scotty</span>, Leslie, Tom, Emily, Stephen and Phillip. Their is a ten year gap between the oldest and youngest. We were all born in Northern Indiana and the twins(Stephen and Phillip) were the only one's born in a hospital. My mom had a midwife for everyone else. I would say that the first 13 years of my life were the simplest. We lived in a lot of different houses, but the most memorable one was on a pig farm. We had a lot of land, which allowed us to be creative when playing. I can vividly remember the time I hated being the oldest(around my middle school years) so I attempted to spend a lot of time with friends. I really started to appreciate my role as a big sister towards the end of High School and when I moved on to college. We are very unique in our own ways. Neither one of us are alike, and after you get to know us you can guess what characteristics we took from our parents. I love my brothers and sisters very much and no matter where we are in our lives we will always have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">eachother</span>. The other cool thing about my life is that I have two sets of parents as well as two step-brothers; Avery and Andrew. My parents divorced when I was 15 years old. My dad met Nina and then my mom met Tim and they all got married in 2001. It's different being the oldest of so many kids because what I experienced growing up is very different then what my twin brothers experienced. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-30703944667805818342008-06-15T09:46:00.000-05:002008-06-15T10:03:21.844-05:00THANK YOU!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZeFa-4fAKMVfpJdV045_qOsFNjg__8hS8-4ypYX91lPAGwmZOhjt3QebvRJN_hL9Z6kj0dFLnt1n36Yzq8IOKeP0epHZWWm_pPiV94StYYYL-HuEl51-teyldA_scQVIXWi82iXCPzn8/s1600-h/The+Girls+menus+Ann,+Jen,+and+Sam+at+baby+Shower.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212123342135354850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZeFa-4fAKMVfpJdV045_qOsFNjg__8hS8-4ypYX91lPAGwmZOhjt3QebvRJN_hL9Z6kj0dFLnt1n36Yzq8IOKeP0epHZWWm_pPiV94StYYYL-HuEl51-teyldA_scQVIXWi82iXCPzn8/s320/The+Girls+menus+Ann,+Jen,+and+Sam+at+baby+Shower.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusGFfnXF-o_jMyQRiqch1981_iciqlJms6F7tjep0jI3SwHFXz3lXLGk3AY0cRYJQS_n1-1hQa6c_tnXtttf-5l47GpkmBHplAGQYqcIJLkCbQNAwEMFowT42Ed1CEBNxKWhafG7yJmX0/s1600-h/Winkelman+Ladies.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212121562168294914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusGFfnXF-o_jMyQRiqch1981_iciqlJms6F7tjep0jI3SwHFXz3lXLGk3AY0cRYJQS_n1-1hQa6c_tnXtttf-5l47GpkmBHplAGQYqcIJLkCbQNAwEMFowT42Ed1CEBNxKWhafG7yJmX0/s320/Winkelman+Ladies.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl56VaImxsQb5sHuP5vKCIEZXIx4RFcNApBSv86_-C9uFmtGXu7OCHbbxkksTCB62MjS4iBd1j-p97hfMYYw15I_o9N3VLIHwOcU1CZFmcZuoPYZRKplPhoxfIWHoEzV0rmpiLROVLaje0/s1600-h/April,+Loriann,+Shannon,+Kristin,+Amy+with+baby+Sam.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212121574110296274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl56VaImxsQb5sHuP5vKCIEZXIx4RFcNApBSv86_-C9uFmtGXu7OCHbbxkksTCB62MjS4iBd1j-p97hfMYYw15I_o9N3VLIHwOcU1CZFmcZuoPYZRKplPhoxfIWHoEzV0rmpiLROVLaje0/s320/April,+Loriann,+Shannon,+Kristin,+Amy+with+baby+Sam.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEb87uVoXnaZiww0WG5Ae5cNDYSGHtnVSFOqeD7AbJip8X-6SOsgxgTSsNdeM57-5hF0JGKius_aBVrogkO8BVQmsIgss3GVIaSaXl-YAId4Qw8nR5poRYhH628_NX6dBWw9hNfQyn2hP/s1600-h/Mom's+Shower+Cake.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212121582321898722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEb87uVoXnaZiww0WG5Ae5cNDYSGHtnVSFOqeD7AbJip8X-6SOsgxgTSsNdeM57-5hF0JGKius_aBVrogkO8BVQmsIgss3GVIaSaXl-YAId4Qw8nR5poRYhH628_NX6dBWw9hNfQyn2hP/s320/Mom's+Shower+Cake.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix94Ur6HuVtUMalhPLQrWb7YlF-feNU-L4B1hiqxo8a20aqaTBC4bYsnC7-9RJh1bCBNA0o0lhhSJmoRDWvVbqfh12fyAGTfo_VbaksvGFfXDqnObT5uAagaF7dqFYn0mfMfoVNcOmbVL6/s1600-h/Help+I%27m+drowing.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212121590485167890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix94Ur6HuVtUMalhPLQrWb7YlF-feNU-L4B1hiqxo8a20aqaTBC4bYsnC7-9RJh1bCBNA0o0lhhSJmoRDWvVbqfh12fyAGTfo_VbaksvGFfXDqnObT5uAagaF7dqFYn0mfMfoVNcOmbVL6/s320/Help+I%27m+drowing.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTffZeaNCagRCI2C8MEwJjQpMxlAvPxT5mXmYxu-mScQO14CPVvN-onC5lyF5mKw0MbF6SrNRYRTGAj2A29_aD4yHzu4fXpwuJUdbF9D60ZCY7opmq-7J2aNZynqnqNgUaqa5pRX9q_IXI/s1600-h/Syd's+my+designated+helper.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212121593962923922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTffZeaNCagRCI2C8MEwJjQpMxlAvPxT5mXmYxu-mScQO14CPVvN-onC5lyF5mKw0MbF6SrNRYRTGAj2A29_aD4yHzu4fXpwuJUdbF9D60ZCY7opmq-7J2aNZynqnqNgUaqa5pRX9q_IXI/s320/Syd's+my+designated+helper.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#330033;">Over the last couple of months, Brian and I have been showered with lots of gifts. We had a fantastic time celebrating with friends and family. I wanted to say Thank You to all of you! I can't wait to show her off :)</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-91750001274061887582008-06-12T18:52:00.000-05:002008-06-12T19:37:17.460-05:00Best Friend and Lover<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTI061k6B73zQ9YAXgSZmU53IneodFZ2rq16NwZQhS9y9-f1DYAx-atbxCnHmL_WPQT_qDEjg5fGa0dM-qBT9cnY00wST7TOTBVkhzjBhrNTRwNHq58wUXb4PWHGAqjI4lZZZyLO_zulEg/s1600-h/100_0161_edited.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211148111487176626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTI061k6B73zQ9YAXgSZmU53IneodFZ2rq16NwZQhS9y9-f1DYAx-atbxCnHmL_WPQT_qDEjg5fGa0dM-qBT9cnY00wST7TOTBVkhzjBhrNTRwNHq58wUXb4PWHGAqjI4lZZZyLO_zulEg/s320/100_0161_edited.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#cc0000;">Meet my husband, Brian, also known as "B" or B-Pod." We met through a mutual friend when I was 18 years old. We've been together since then. We are completely different and often laugh at how we can answer a question two very different ways. The one thing that we agree on is how much we love each other and will always be there for each other no matter what. He has allowed me to be an independent thinker and decision maker. He has taken care of me since I was 18 years old; protected me, loved me, and challenged me. When we were both attending college at UW-Stevens Point we decided to take austronomy together. I've always been challenged academically and of course school came easy to him. I needed to get a good grade on my final exam so he quizzed me to death which got me the grade I needed. He first told me he loved me while in Aruba after six months of dating. I would say my favorite memory is our wedding. It was such a day of celebration and sharing that with lots of family and friends. Our challenging moments are few and far inbetween, but I think that's because we compromise and don't put a lot of pressure on having to come up with the perfect answer. A marriage is a growing relationship that is always being challenged by elements around you. As long as you have faith and trust each other things will work out. You may be reading this and question if I'm for real and may say, "just wait until you have a baby." We'll, bring it on! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5717857955505430637.post-77434235648141337422008-06-11T21:59:00.000-05:002008-06-11T22:22:28.497-05:00Infertility Pains<span style="color:#000000;">I found out I was pregnant around Thanksgiving 2007. I woke up early in the morning to take a pregnancy test, which finally came out positive. This was after two years of trying including several months of fertility assistance. The first person I told was Brian, obviously, but then it was my mom. I was then forced to immediately tell my grandma or my mom would spoil the excitement for me. I honestly feel that I got pregnant</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2MLAtrsEGpsVuOpgVybK1aaBBtl-nk0OIybW34XoziQz-vw5ZWZbNaHSE8oSfSvjF6n1Myv5LZeYlhKGBZNAXL5c72C4n4PPYphGnsLhDH5maH8TtLhveUnPpou0KRPsJ_9XLxRVm8y_/s1600-h/Lots+of+Love+for+Hailey.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210824751192361090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2MLAtrsEGpsVuOpgVybK1aaBBtl-nk0OIybW34XoziQz-vw5ZWZbNaHSE8oSfSvjF6n1Myv5LZeYlhKGBZNAXL5c72C4n4PPYphGnsLhDH5maH8TtLhveUnPpou0KRPsJ_9XLxRVm8y_/s320/Lots+of+Love+for+Hailey.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> after lots of prayer and booking a ticket to Australia to visit my brother, Scotty, that I missed dearly. I have been blessed with the best pregnancy ever! My first trimester was a breeze. I was able to fly across the world during this time and had never gotten sick. The only think I couldn't eat was pizza. I almost forgot I was pregnant, but was quickly reminded when I took a dive into the ocean and my stomach stretched out more than it should've. I never did that again. My second trimester was the hardest because I had some major growing and stretching pains. Now I'm in the third trimester and I'm awaiting the excitement of meeting our first child to be, Hailey Hammerling! I know you can never be prepared for parenthood, but at this point, Brian and I are ready for it. This is one of my favorite pictures with my sisters. They are very excited to meet her as well. The coolest feeling in the world is all the support that I've had while trying to get pregnant in addition to everyone's anticipation for her debut.<br /></span><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3