tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556677433124176702024-03-12T19:40:01.967-07:00Simmons NestRachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-16773459856098019632016-02-20T20:55:00.000-08:002016-02-20T21:10:33.433-08:00Ramona: 6 Months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQ7OK8kUZ5Q/Vsih6Dt_5TI/AAAAAAAAAwo/LYBrp-Tnbuw/s1600/6months5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQ7OK8kUZ5Q/Vsih6Dt_5TI/AAAAAAAAAwo/LYBrp-Tnbuw/s400/6months5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Ramona: 6 Months!</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's hard and not hard all at the same time, to believe Ramona's been with us half a year already! What a <i>joy </i>she is!! Such a lovely, mild tempered, happy baby she is. A great night sleeper, loves Rory and I, the dogs, socializing with other kids, babbles all the time! This has been a very tough month, changes in sleep. Although it's been rough, we've survived! I hold Ramona ever so close now a days, the weight of her growing so quickly has really sunk down deep in my heart. Rocking her before her naps, signing to her " Jesus loves me", brings tears to my eyes, knowing how fleeting these times really are. My first baby, isn't going to be a baby much longer. The days are long, but the months are short. Can I get an "amen!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>growth:</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this month I've noticed her growth the most, she just seems so big to me! With her legs hanging off the nursing pillow, and taking up a lot of her crib, to her chubby cheeks and rounding belly, I love seeing her grow! We have her 6 month checkup on Monday and I'm so excited to see how much she's grown!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>likes: </u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when Rory tosses her up in the air/ riding on his shoulders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">socializing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">watching other babies/ children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when i sing to her ( I sing Jesus Loves Me & Twinkle twinkle before every nap).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">eating solids!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">drinking water from my cup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">waiting for food ( both breast and bites of food)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>firsts:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First time eating solids ( Butternut squash: still her favorite).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We introduced her to avocado, bananas, apples, & sweet potato.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ramona bit me, while nursing, I looked up solutions and found out, they're most likely teething and not bitting out of frustration or anger, so you simply unlatch them and offer a teething toy or your knuckle, it ended as quickly as it started once I offered her my knuckle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">first Sunday in the nursery for the entire church service. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">first airplane rides to and from Oregon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">first time I've left her at the daycare at the gym. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> :-( The poor baby had a rough cough. She was sick for about 7 days. We gave her lots of fluids, and she slept a lot, we also put a humidifier in her room and propped up her mattress on one end so the snot would drain better while she slept. She never had a fever & her appetite was the same, so we decided against taking her to the doctor. We did however call the advice nurse and she reassured me we were doing all we could for her and that the cold would pass within a week. It was the hardest week I've had in a very long time. I too had the same illness and was absolutely exhausted. Thankfully we were sick at the same time and slept a LOT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We still bathe her every 3 days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Still using cloth diapers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlG_pq77vkM/Vsih8RWFcxI/AAAAAAAAAw0/D8WzfYRx-QM/s1600/6months8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlG_pq77vkM/Vsih8RWFcxI/AAAAAAAAAw0/D8WzfYRx-QM/s400/6months8.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>sleep:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This month has been very abnormal as far as sleep goes! A ROUGH month all around :( Ramona woke throughout the night for about a week, and then the following week would wake up around 4am and not go back down till she was fed. It was a very tough time. She has been getting a tad bit better with napping. What seems to be the norm as of now, is a 6am wake-up, nap at 9am, 1pm and 4pm. Bedtime is usually around 7pm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nursing is getting better, less frustrating, thankfully all of our frustrations seem to be a phase that has passed. I've started to take fengugreek supplements and eating oatmeal with brown sugar, to up my supply, as I felt it was very low at night and Ramona would get overly frustrated right before bedtime. Recently we've been giving her a bottle of formula or solids before bedtime to hopefully stretch her sleep length. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQrbkspKhZM/Vsih4tuvsdI/AAAAAAAAAwg/IcF6VfY9XMg/s1600/6months11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQrbkspKhZM/Vsih4tuvsdI/AAAAAAAAAwg/IcF6VfY9XMg/s400/6months11.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>playing:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Play is such a huge part of our day, now that Ramona is older and more interactive. Books are a large part of play for us. I read to Ramona throughout the day. I have a high value for books, and her imagination, and the importance of those things. I think they're VITAL. Recently Ramona has been " Picking" out what she wants to read. It's the sweetest thing!! I sit her on my lap with our basket of books, and I'll pick and start reading a book and if she doesn't want to read that specific book, she'll fuss for a moment and lean forward toward the basket of books, so I pick her up and let her lean in and pick which book she wants. SO STINKIN SWEET.</span></div>
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<br />Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-9478670119196642092016-01-20T21:46:00.005-08:002016-01-20T21:54:58.674-08:00Ramona: 5 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My sweetheart is five months old today! So hard to believe we've had the privilege of loving her for almost <i>half a year! </i>What a <i>joy</i> it is to be her Momma. Her personality is blossoming so much! She is a joyful baby who loves her parents, dogs and being outside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Growth:</u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My guess is that Ramona is around 14 pounds and 27 inches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">her cheeks are getting so round and kissable!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Likes:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I sing to her</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">drinking from a water bottle or cup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rolling allll around</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">watching the pups play</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Daddy's beard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">being outside</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">loves watching my mouth move when i'm speaking to her or reading a book. she focuses intently!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Dislikes:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ramona dislikes teething</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">being hungry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">certain strangers </span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Firsts:</u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> First time in a grocery cart big kid seat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sat up by herself</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christmas</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pulled up her legs in a crawling position</span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Health:</u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ramona had her first cold this month, it lasted about 7-10 days. Coughing, sneezing, running nose, and lots of congestion. She never had a high fever or anything close to it, so we knew she could fight it off herself. We gave her more water than usual during her cold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Teething, no teeth yet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bath every three days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Still using cloth diapers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We give Ramona 4-6ou of organic formula every night before bed to top her off and get her to sleep longer. ( fingers crossed) </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMcXYrVzUr4/Vp_RJiDf25I/AAAAAAAAAv4/RieAp_3m6W4/s1600/IMAG0667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMcXYrVzUr4/Vp_RJiDf25I/AAAAAAAAAv4/RieAp_3m6W4/s400/IMAG0667.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We've had a rough month with sleeping. Ramona's naps are the shortest they've ever been. Some lasting 15 minutes, most only 30 minutes, like clock work. She wakes up exactly 30 minutes into each nap. We only got maybe 2-4 naps over 30 minutes this <i>entire</i> month. We had 3 nights in a row where Ramona woke up 2-4 times each night. Thankfully that seems to be over. We imagine teething, a growth spurt and the good ole sleep regression might have been rearing their ugly heads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am stretching Ramona's feedings to every 3.5 hours during the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nursing has become frustrating and difficult at times. Ramona is a <i>very </i>distracted eater. We think we'll introduce solids sometime very soon to hopefully help fill her up and help her nap longer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Playing:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Play has become so much more fun with Ramona now that she's much more independent and exploratory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She loves sitting in the walker activity set her Gramka ( Rory's Mom)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">gave to her for Christmas. ( her only noise toy)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She loves books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And still loves chimes, bells and the plastic noises that some of her toys make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">her newest discovery is the furniture, she rolls over to whatever is closest and explores it</span></div>
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my heart will never be the same.</div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-40008765327676514942016-01-03T15:26:00.000-08:002016-01-03T15:35:39.668-08:0031 things I'm grateful for:<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>December:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1: Remembering this time last year when I announced the joyful arrival of our baby! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2: Women's Christmas breakfast at my church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3: Ramona's milestones: Rolling over & starting to sit up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4: A much needed break from school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5: Working! I get a much needed break and get to put on another hat. I feel refreshed and excited to get home and see my loves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6: Our flocked tree!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7: Planning our trip to see my sister, her hubby and my nephew. It will be the first time Jonah meets Ramona!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8: A lovely short sweet visit from my Dad. He really got to enjoy and soak up Ramona's blossoming personality, it was such a joy to see!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qPEwCKvXjFs/Vof9ohPxnTI/AAAAAAAAAqo/T3pJlsS6Tfc/s1600/.walgreenHD1450805233819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qPEwCKvXjFs/Vof9ohPxnTI/AAAAAAAAAqo/T3pJlsS6Tfc/s320/.walgreenHD1450805233819.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9: Ramona's Dedication at church alongside some of my very close friends and their babies. Three of us were pregnant at the same time. So special to dedicate our babies to the Lord! We prayed for guidance & wisdom as parents to raise our babies and for the Lord's protection over them as they grow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10: Our First Christmas as a family of 3!!! How special it was to make our families traditional breakfast, open gifts under the tree together, watch Ramona as the candles were glowing at church on Christmas Eve... I can't imagine how special next year will be!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11: A good 4 mo appointment & a healthy growing skinny tall baby girl!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12: Rory and I's first date night since the birth of Ramona! Casino night company party! Real tables, open bar, food from many different cultures, and a dessert table to swoon over! How fun!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13: The sweetest woman, Ally, at the tree farm we visited, giving us a discount because it's Mona's first Christmas and taking our photo and featuring us on their facebook.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">( Ramona's face!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14: Sleeping in till 10:00 am on a few occasions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">( after our 6:30 am feeding)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15: Lots of clothes donated to us for Ramona.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16: Breastfeeding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17: A working heater! It was 25* at night multiple times this last month! Burrr!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18: A sincere loving Christmas card from Rory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19: The money to be able to book our tickets to Oregon...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20: & a really low fare from Fresno to Portland during decent times of the day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21: Walking to my in-laws on Christmas day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22: Rain!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23: Andy Williams on <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=andy+williams+christmas&newwindow=1&espv=2&rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS616US616&tbm=isch&imgil=X4xHQENz-TijhM%253A%253BpaRExv286lr3hM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.allmusic.com%25252Falbum%25252Fthe-andy-williams-christmas-album-mw0000196517&source=iu&pf=m&fir=X4xHQENz-TijhM%253A%252CpaRExv286lr3hM%252C_&biw=1600&bih=861&dpr=0.9&usg=__Z7YlRksDSL32XLLzSXEKRBx8Gus%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjXrIyB5I7KAhUI_mMKHSJjCpMQyjcIKg&ei=vqyJVtfVM4j8jwOixqmYCQ#imgrc=X4xHQENz-TijhM%3A&usg=__Z7YlRksDSL32XLLzSXEKRBx8Gus%3D">Vinyl</a>, Christmas morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24: Chilly walks around the neighborhood for sanity's sake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">25: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_baby_pancake">Dutch baby</a>, orange juice, fresh berries & hot coffee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">26: Consistent & reliable work for my husband.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">28: Selling our Toyota Camry! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">29: Family dinner every Sunday at my Mother in Law's, down the street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30: Thinking over this past year &</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">31: Looking towards 2016 & all the excitement that's ahead!</span></div>
Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-16621198271912935722015-12-21T22:27:00.003-08:002016-01-20T21:49:48.781-08:00Ramona: 4 months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HArEpjJ3deU/VnjnRzhEEZI/AAAAAAAAApk/HtaJ-lNqOkk/s1600/PicsArt_12-20-09.21.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HArEpjJ3deU/VnjnRzhEEZI/AAAAAAAAApk/HtaJ-lNqOkk/s400/PicsArt_12-20-09.21.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our sweet babe is 4 months old! How did this happen?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Growth: 13.7 lbs & 26in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">35% for weight</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">97% for height (!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dr says she's healthy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Likes</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hearing me say " Mama" & "Dada"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Watching the dogs fetch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gasping at toys or my hair while she nurses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laying on her changing table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Momma</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Dislikes</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tummy time after a few minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Evenings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strangers.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Dy4AZNB7oA/VnjnWVwI-OI/AAAAAAAAAps/EQuM4JPAfOo/s1600/IMAG0495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Dy4AZNB7oA/VnjnWVwI-OI/AAAAAAAAAps/EQuM4JPAfOo/s400/IMAG0495.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Eating</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She eats every three hours during the day when she wakes up from her naps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She gets formula every few days but is</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mostly breastfed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Sleeping</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Still sleeping though the night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Naps are hit & miss. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes they're 30 min sometimes 2 hours!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vsgp1ZazFw/VnjnY3W6-kI/AAAAAAAAAp0/KIxietx21MI/s1600/IMAG0466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vsgp1ZazFw/VnjnY3W6-kI/AAAAAAAAAp0/KIxietx21MI/s640/IMAG0466.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Firsts</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First time in a high chair!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First time rolling over from back to tummy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First giggles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dedicated @ church Sunday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Meeting Emmett (my best friend's 3 week old!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Falling off the couch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(She is OK :-))</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Health:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We bathe her every 4 days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She had 3 shots @ her 4 month appointment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We think she's teething (very slowly)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She has yet to catch a cold!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Go breast milk!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Playing:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Loves toys with bells & loves rattles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is completely content playing on a quilt while watching me in the kitchen for up to a half hour without fussing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is getting the hang of her bouncer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Puts everything in her mouth!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Loves laying under the tree & staring at any kind of lights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Loves to hear me sing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLjB6aG-bXA/Vnjnfd-mIRI/AAAAAAAAAp8/dmpcdbW8vrE/s1600/IMAG0453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLjB6aG-bXA/Vnjnfd-mIRI/AAAAAAAAAp8/dmpcdbW8vrE/s400/IMAG0453.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking forward to:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Baby lead feeding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sitting up. ( our next big milestone) she's getting so good @ holding herself up in that position.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cooking for her & seeing her in a high chair in the kitchen.</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-92068370726234453692015-12-03T11:26:00.001-08:002015-12-03T11:26:03.646-08:0030 things i'm grateful for:<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwsTvsPYA-A/VmCW-1lfJwI/AAAAAAAAApI/mjnNG8AV0_k/s1600/Mona%2526Momma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwsTvsPYA-A/VmCW-1lfJwI/AAAAAAAAApI/mjnNG8AV0_k/s640/Mona%2526Momma.jpg" width="361" /></a></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Ramona will be 4 months on 12/20!!! Amazing how time flies.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>November:</u></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1: Ramon's <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/229695483/giraffe-hearts-lovie-toy-baby-girl?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=lovie&ref=sr_gallery_38">Lovie</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2: A healthy baby boy for Rachel & Seth Scott! Their son was born on 11/30!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3: Ramona's first giggles!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4: A glass of red wine & a magazine to wind down the evening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5: Friends (!) on netflix. Reunited & it feels so good. Ah, nostalgia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6: Finding motivation in a hot cup of coffee. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7: Co-workers who truly make you feel loved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8: Health insurance! Yay Kaiser.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9: Thanksgiving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10: School ending this week for Christmas break! PTL!!!!!!!!!!(!!!!!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11: My down comforter <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12: Rain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13: KMJ Talk radio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14: Music.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15: Hard Root beer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16: Our dishwasher and washer and dryer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17: Advent</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18: Christmas shopping for Ramona's first Christmas!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19: New friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20: Gazebo Gardens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21: NyQuil and DayQuil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22: Josh and Britney's wedding!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23: Longer naps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24: Sleeping in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">25: Visits from both my Mom and Dad!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">26: Enjoying our daughter to our cores! <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">27: Laughing with my amazing, loving Husband Rory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">28: Handmade baby bonnets ( insert heart eyed emojis here x100000)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">29: Old Navy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30: Jobs.</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-84759324487556945492015-11-02T12:59:00.000-08:002015-11-02T12:59:36.662-08:0031 things I'm grateful for:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_WA4JwCMvQ/VjekBk1nkjI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/t-SRn-Pger4/s1600/10weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_WA4JwCMvQ/VjekBk1nkjI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/t-SRn-Pger4/s400/10weeks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our sweet baby will be 11 weeks Thursday!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>October grateful list:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Ladies Fall luncheon with our church!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Our local talk radio station KMJ 105.9. I listen every morning & love hearing news and local talk about our area! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Winning TWICE on KMJ in two weeks: I won tickets to a <a href="http://www.downtownfresno.org/am_event/sudz-in-the-city/">craft beer festival</a> & won a gift card to a local <a href="http://www.schoolhousesanger.com/">high end restaurant</a>! total value of both: <b><i><u>$200!</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Rain!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Gazebo Gardens: a sweet little garden nursery that stay open late Thur-Sat nights & bring in local bands & food trucks. Its a fun weekend spot where we go to grab dinner & a beer, and enjoy the community of people that gather there with their families!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. <a href="http://www.asu.edu/">School</a>: during the quiet of the mornings, before Ramona wakes up, I study & get assignments done and I love waking up slowly when it's quiet and the world is just waking up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Health benefits. We love Kaiser!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Hard apple cider & pizza. yum</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. That first sip of coffee every morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Sunday night football at my in laws.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">11. A very good 2 month check up for my tall girl!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Chipotle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">13. Random lunch dates with 3 very good friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">14. Showering & celebrating my best friend & her baby!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">15. Home made biscotti.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">16. Chocolate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">17.Jimmy Fallon!!! He truly makes me giggle everyday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">18. My husband. He chooses to bless me so often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">19. <a href="http://cupofjo.com/">Reading </a><a href="http://www.pbfingers.com/">blogs </a><a href="http://www.snappycasualblog.com/">every </a><a href="http://tysonandjanessaparker.blogspot.com/">morning</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">20. Daily contact with my Mom & sister.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">21. Singing to Ramona & seeing the joy she gets from it!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">22. My bed & pillows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">23. Rory & I's 30th birthdays!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">24. A lovely, relaxing massage (my birthday gift from Rory) at The Spa at Fig Garden.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">25. Ramona consistently sleeping through the night since 7 wks. old!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">26. A warm pan of roasted veggies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">27. Candles! <a href="https://www.virginiagiftbrands.com/">Woodwick </a>candles are the coziest! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">28. All things pumpkins!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">29. My co-workers & customers! Excited to be going back to work part time starting tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">30. Finding a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/MAM-Anti-Colic-Bottle-Single-Months/dp/B00EM5CLDI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1446497950&sr=8-7&keywords=baby+bottle+mam">bottle </a>Mona LOVES, and getting it for FREE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">31. Laughter.</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-46217343617009596292015-10-22T08:39:00.002-07:002015-10-22T08:45:48.678-07:00Chicken carrot and wild rice casserole:<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I must have a little bit of a crush on creamy, chicken, wild rice dishes... my favorite soup is creamy chicken and wild rice :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Chicken, carrot, and wild rice casserole:</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Is there anything more homey and fall than a casserole?! All the warm and cozy feels </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://tdwilleyfarms.com/recipes-for/carrots/">T.D. Willey's</a> recipe:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 c. stock of your choice ( i use chicken stock)</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.5 tsp. ground nutmeg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.5 c. chopped carrots</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp cayenne pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 c. cooked, chopped chicken</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 heavy cream ( whatever milk you prefer)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbls. butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 tbls. flour ( i use whole wheat)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 c. sliced green onion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salt & pep </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 375*. Lightly coat 2 qt baking dish with spray. bring stock to a boil in a med soup pot, add carrots, reduce to simmer. Cook, uncovered until carrots very tender ( 10-12 min). Drain carrots, reserving stock. Allow carrots to cool at least 5 min, transfer to blender or food processor, add cream and process until smooth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scald Milk* in a small pan (do not boil).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melt butter in a med pot over low heat, stir in flour, cook for 2 min, gradually whisk in milk, then reserved stock. Add carrot puree, nutmeg and cayenne to taste. Increase heat, bring mixture to a boil add rice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 12 min. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove pot from heat. Stir in scallions & cooked chicken, season with salt and pep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour into prepared baking dish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake 30+ min</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Casserole will be finished when solid and browned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ENJOY!!!!! Get ready for warm cozy comfort. Don't feel bad if this doesn't last long or you don't have leftovers... ( heart eyed emoji)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*How to scald milk:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.3333px; text-align: left;"> To </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.3333px; text-align: left;">scald </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.3333px; text-align: left;">milk, you use a heavy bottomed pan or double boiler and bring the temperature of the milk to 85-100°C (185-212°F). At sea level, the milk should just start showing small bubbles and releasing steam at the lower end of this temperature range.</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-71295180015658016982015-10-05T11:28:00.004-07:002015-10-06T01:49:50.379-07:00Ramona's Birth story:Photos, final thoughts and our hospital stay!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Walking the halls with my love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My sweetheart, such an amazing support.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> My favorite nurse: Kim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rory was able to cut the long length off of Mona's cord after the nurse made sure she was o.k. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved how focused He was when cutting Ramona's cord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">" It's a girl!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mother in law, meeting her first grand baby <3 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Skin to skin with her Papa. My heart in one tiny frame.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our amaaaazing doula, Rebecca, such a strong support, encouraging me <i>so much</i>. hearing her say she was proud of me, and how well I was doing, spoke so highly to me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After delivering Ramona,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> we had an hour of skin to skin, and I nursed her for the very first time. She latched on almost immediately, once I got the hang of it! And nursed almost the entire hour! What a joy it is to supply everything your baby needs with God-given nutrients and antibodies, and sustenance, designed just for her..</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. it doesn't get much more amazing then that! During that time I was being stitched up, I had a <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/0_perineal-tears_1451354.bc">two degree tear</a>. That was a pretty painful process. But nothing trumps the feeling of your baby on your chest. I was relishing in our baby girl. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Her name:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since we didn't know what gender our little one was, by choice, we decided to wait to name our baby, until we saw her. We had a top three-ish list of each gender names, and Ramona was #1 on the girl list! It was the only name I had written down <i>twice. </i>I have no idea why, but I loved it that much :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We knew when we saw her, we knew that she our Ramona. <br />She wan't a Ruby, Rilo, or Reece: Other contenders. And we still agree, her name fits her so well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Our stay:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In our Post-labor room:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At first, when I got pregnant, I considered a home birth. MAN can I tell you how glad I am I didn't have a home birth! Hospitals are around for a good reason! And the fact that someone is bringing you food every few hours, that cannot be beat! More importantly, the monitoring on Mona during labor, to make sure she was handling the stress adequately, and keeping an eye on me, knowing the nurses truly had me and Mona's best interest in mind. I also loved the hospital bed! I know that sounds silly, but man I appreciated the mobility of the up/ down capabilities of the bed and the back of the bed. Lots of buttons on the bed too, lights for the room, tv controls, ( as if we ever even turned that thing on. comical) Funny fact that I just remembered, during labor, since all the controls for the bed are in the inside of the arm rest, I kept pushing them as I was pushing and turning the T.V. on! It was on some Mexican soap opera channel an it upset me every time, I'd say, " someone <i>please </i>turn that off!" Sometimes I think I was the only one who realized it was on. LOL. This happened at least 4-5 times...-_- hahah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I <i>loved </i>all the " goodies" you get during your stay too! MEDS :) After labor I was ALLL about those extra strength Ibuprofen. Also those goofy mesh undies, the topical sprays, the largest feminine pads you'll ever see in your life, nurses checking on you and your baby, and teaching you how to care for the little one you're now responsible to feed, bathe, clothe and care for. They showed me lots of helpful nursing techniques, how to bathe her, and other helpful tips. We also got lots of diapers, onsies, and other goodies. And may I mention the fact that someone comes in most hours to c<i>lean up </i>after you?! Replace things you've used, change and make your sheets, etc. Guys, have your babies in hospitals. All good things. Even though we had a fantastic experience at Kaiser, we were <i>so </i>ready to head home!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall the experience we had was one I will always cherish. The nursing staff at Kaiser Fresno, is beyond kind, capable, and go <i>above and beyond! </i>I had so many positive experiences with many of the nurses there. We also were <i>blown away, </i>with the cost of everything. After our insurance covered it's portion, we paid a total of <i>$150!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am still shocked to write that. Thank you Starbucks for your great coverage!! ALLLL those years of ALLL those customers, yeah you know the ones, <i>finally </i>paid off ;)</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-23740992079473539392015-10-03T20:15:00.000-07:002015-10-03T20:16:09.304-07:0030 things I'm grateful for:<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been inspired by one of my favorite bloggers to start a grateful list each month reflecting on the previous month. You can view hers <a href="http://www.snappycasualblog.com/?category=grateful">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Dr. Brown's bottles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Bible study: what we're <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fervent-Womans-Serious-Specific-Strategic/dp/1433688670">reading</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. Funny texts with my sister.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Family dinners every Sunday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. Starbucks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">7. Getting back to the gym.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">8. Surviving and celebrating month one with a newborn!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">9. Gazebo gardens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Parenting-Original-Feed~Wake~Sleep-Reference/dp/B001K5FESC">Sleep training</a> success: seeing all of my <i>hard </i>work pay off!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">11. Packages from family members from afar with gifts for Ramona.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">12. Our church nursery and the lovely women that volunteer there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">13. Quality, sturdy, adorable <a href="http://buttonsdiapers.com/">cloth diapers</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">14. My dogs, Lily and Luca.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">15. Sweets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">16. Cooler weather!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">17. Birthday countdowns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">18. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mona taking a bottle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">19. Cheap lunch dates at Costco.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">20. My husband getting home early multiple days this month!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">21. My bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">22. Coffee in the morning, already ready for me when I get up, thanks to Rory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">23. A good 6-week postpartum Doctors appointment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">24. Adorable baby clothes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">25. <i>Last full month of my twenties!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">26. Friends from church who we connect with and enjoy so very much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">27. Watching Ramona work on and conquer so much this past month: Taking her pacifier, taking a bottle, working on holding her head up, recognizing my voice from across the room, smiling at us (!), learning to fall asleep on her own, handling new situations like a champ, and becoming her own little person.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">28. Remembering the gift my husband has said He's wanted for years, right before His birthday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">29. Smiles every morning from my sweet baby girl! She's such a morning person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">30. Dependable friends who text back. </span><br />
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-50430344537853374052015-09-16T10:39:00.001-07:002015-10-05T10:20:49.752-07:00Ramona's birth story: Hours 10:00 pm - 10:31am<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://simmonsnest.blogspot.com/2015/09/ramons-birth-story-hours-400-1000pm.html">Part one here</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My water breaking was the mental edge I needed! I asked the nurse, " Does this mean<br />I won't have to get Pitocin?" She said she thought that might be the case but they wanted to see how my body progressed. Well thankfully my body did just that! I went from 2 or 3 cm to 7 cm in a matter of hours! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">11:00 pm-2:00 am </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I walked the halls with Becca and Rory, swayed back and forth during contractions and took a hot shower. Every hour or so I had to return to the room for the nurse to get a good read on Mona's heart rate. During that time, while I had to stay close to the monitor, I swayed and used the meal table on wheels to help stabilize myself. Rebecca made me a wash cloth with lavender oil on it so I could breathe it in during contractions, that helped me so much! She also massaged my lower back a lot! I apparently had Pandora on. haha! I couldn't even tell you what station it was on, or what music was playing. Rebecca also had small battery operated tea lights around the room, and the lights turned down low. It helped the room feel relaxing and calm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2:30 am:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Had a dilatation check from my nurse Kim. I had requested on my birth plan, not to get updates on how much or how little I had dilated, only because I've heard how discouraging it can be. But my nurse asked me anyways... do you want to know what you're dilated to? I couldn't decide so she told me anyways... I'll never forget hearing those words come out of her mouth! " You're at a <i>seven</i>." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!!!!!! What. That was so encouraging!! So we called my family back to the hospital. They couldn't believe I had progressed so quickly! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3:00 am to 8:00 am</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I stayed in bed the rest of the morning, trying to find a comfortable position to lay and labor in. Unfortunately at some point in the early morning my nurse had me start pushing, and after a half hour realized part of my cervix was still too thick. So i stopped pushing and we waited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love this photo... Its my sister and Mother in law outside of my hospital room, my Mother in law's ear, pressed to the door... (insert heart eyessss)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ps: THANK YOU DAD for these photos!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">8:00 am- 10:31 am </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I pushed for about 2.5 hours plus the half hour prior. It was unbelievably intense. I asked for something about an hour in, to help me with pain. The nurse gave me <a href="http://www.drugs.com/fentanyl.html">fentanyl</a>. It is a muscle relaxer. It didn't relieve any pain but did help me relax between contractions. Since Ramona wasn't in the right position the nurse Kristy had me pushing in all sorts of positions to try and flip her. None of them felt good expect using the birthing bar. They connected a sheet to the birthing bar and during the contractions I pulled on the sheet and sent all of my energy downward. It was the exact same birthing position my sister labored and delivered her son, in as well! :-D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ramona's Birth:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the very end of pushing, my Doctor called in extra nurses, and so at one point we had a total of 6-8 nurses 4 of which were standing by. I had no idea what was going on, and it worried me a bit. It also gave me the encouragement to get her out! I gave the last push, so anxious to meet my baby and know what we had!!! The cord was between her legs, so Rory couldn't see the gender! They removed the cord, and He looked at me and said with such light and joy in his eyes, " Babe, we have a girl!" It was the sweetest look in his eyes, it just melted my heart. Brings tears to my eyes as I type.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The nurse had to cut the cord, which is something I didn't want them to do, I wanted the cord to drain fully and we had also planned for Rory to cut the cord. But they were concerned because her shoulder was stuck coming out, so they were worried about her little body. They showed her to me ( I couldn't believe that head of hair!) She was so gorgeous.<br />I was blown away that I had a daughter!! They took her to a table to inspect her and make sure her little shoulder was ok. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Birth and labor are so unbelievably intense, having a few moments to simply gaze at my little girl from a few feet away, was such a good time for me to process and for it to hit me! </span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">And then they laid her on my chest.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The moment they laid her on my chest, it was the most natural feeling I've ever felt. It was like, "Oh yes. You. You who have been part of me for almost a year. You are mine." <i>It was like my heart was outside of my body. I finally got it.</i> Being a Momma is one of the greatest gifts God will ever give me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More to come!</span><br />
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-44085482053945510262015-09-02T13:32:00.000-07:002015-09-02T13:32:09.814-07:00Ramon's Birth Story! Hours 4:00- 10:00pm<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you would come to expect, " free" time is limited over here in the Simmons nest, but I knew I wanted to write this out before I forget too many details! God given amnesia is starting to set in, THANK GOD, or else I might never have wanted to give birth to another child. Back labor is NO joke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4:00 pm August 19th:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Mom, Rory and I met my Dad (who drove down from the bay area) at Kaiser, here in Fresno. MANY hours and prayers lead up to this day. I was almost a week late, and we were there for my <i>induction</i>. Something I dreaded and was so against, but for many reasons, we decided it was time, and left it in the Lord's strong hands, trusting that everything was in His timing and Will, even with the supposed help of meds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4:30 pm:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Getting settled into our room, at this time it was only Rory and I in the room. My Mom, Dad and later my Mother in law, were in the cafeteria, waiting on a word from us. Right when we arrived two women gave birth, so we waited a long time to be seen. The staff at Kaiser is amazing, and made sure we were informed as to what was going on, and made us laugh and helped me to relax a lot! Eric & Jen were our nurses who got us checked in. At this time we still had our doula hold off on coming to the hospital, since there was obviously no reason to need her at this point. And my family was in and out visiting, my mother in law left after picking up Karie, to return at a later time, once we called her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6:30 pm </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My sister Karie arrived in Fresno!!! My mother in law and Dad went to pick her up at the airport and she quickly joined us in the room! We visited and enjoyed catching up with her. I was so glad to have her there! *Fun fact!!*: She also was 6 days late with her first born, Jonah, and I flew in the day before He was born, just like she did, and was able to be there at his birth! It was God's plan for us to be there at such significant events in each others lives!! We couldn't be more thankful for our experiences...plus</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Jonah and Ramona! hehe I swear I didn't plan that! :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first 1/2 dose of Cytotech (cervix softening med) The plan was that the nurses would administer two doses, three hours apart. The first dose didn't feel like it did anything, at this point I was laying in bed, visiting with family members. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First full dose, second dose altogether, of the meds. administered orally, we called Becca to come in, figuring things would pick up soon. This worked out well for her since she is married with two small children. Once she arrived we visited and got her acquainted with my sister. We all enjoyed some quality time together while things were still calm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10:00 pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rory and Rebecca went to the car to get some of her supplies. I had the sudden urge to use the restroom, and as I got up, liquid spilled all over the room as I made it to the bathroom. I was thinking to myself, " Wow Rach, you made it this entire pregnancy without peeing on yourself and all of a sudden you can't hold it in anymore?!" hehe silly first time Momma! I'm trying to clean up and take care of myself in the restroom alone, and I realize I should call someone. Thankfully there's a nurse call button in the restroom, so I alarm the nurses and let them know what was going on. I figure this might be my water breaking, but there wasn't a ton of fluid. They did a neat little test with a strip of paper, and confirm it was in fact my water breaking! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now is an exciting time to stop. Will continue when I have a few free moments! Thanks for reading. And now a bunch of cute photos of my gorgeous daughter! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKEEvFmHE1A/VedcWNPWmAI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/bDepa9MlSAo/s1600/first%2Bdinner%2Bout%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKEEvFmHE1A/VedcWNPWmAI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/bDepa9MlSAo/s400/first%2Bdinner%2Bout%2521.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">first dinner date: Cattlemans</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> one of our favorite nurses! Jen</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One week old! Hello World!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">our sweet little hippie chick</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> my favorite outfit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She already has such great feed, wake, sleep stretches!</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-64733663347951141882015-08-10T14:47:00.003-07:002015-08-10T14:48:05.550-07:0040 weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here we are folks! Full term! Any day now Baby ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">40 weeks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">( my technical due date is still friday, but I go by today because of how baby was measuring, we're praying baby comes Aug 12th, Wed, because Rory's Dad's birthday was on Aug 12th and He passed away 10 years ago, so it would such an honor to have baby then!)</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">How far to go:</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>any day now!!!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Slept great last night! Didn't even get up to pee! Most nights I get up about once to pee, and sometimes my legs get sore, but otherwise I'm sleeping great. Can't <i>wait</i> to sleep on my stomach again so soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How do I feel:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I feel good for the most part, told my Mom today that I feel like a over stuffed Thanksgiving Turkey! I was feeling a bit off earlier in the day, lethargic and overstuffed. I'm feeling more balanced now. I feel a lot of pressure in my lower areas, I can feel baby's head in my birth canal, so there's a lot of pressure and sitting on anything too firm will leave me sore after awhile. My lower back has also been hurting and sore, quite often recently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dr. Burgo's checked me at my apt. Thursday and I'm 2 cm dilated!! No effacement. My Bp was perfect and I shared with Him that I don't not want to be induced unless medically necessary and He fully agreed with me. :-)! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mama thoughts: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm so ready to get this show on the road!! So anxious to see what we're having and meet our baby! I'm also so excited to see how my birth story plays out! I hear so many stories and am to the point with learning about pregnancy/labor and hearing stories, that I don't want to hear or learn anymore, I'm just ready to do it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Additional Information: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our baby is the size of a watermelon. It's the official end of your pregnancy — though your baby might not have gotten that memo. Hang in there. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 27px;">His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Weight:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b>25 lbs</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-74023133551497474732015-08-03T11:04:00.000-07:002015-08-03T11:04:09.878-07:0039 weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WpnyMnD93Y/Vb-d2b8o8pI/AAAAAAAAAgU/rN5LiYjLc2U/s1600/39weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WpnyMnD93Y/Vb-d2b8o8pI/AAAAAAAAAgU/rN5LiYjLc2U/s400/39weeks.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How far along: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">39 weeks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How long to go:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b>1 week</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How do I feel: </b>really good! I didn't honestly think i'd feel as well as I do, being at the bitter end of my journey. I'm so grateful, to say the least. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Movement:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b>relatively normal, lots of movements at night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mama thoughts:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b>I'm doing everything I can to get this baby out this week naturally. <i>Induction</i> is an ugly word in my world right now, but The goal of having a healthy labor and delivery and baby, is more important then the journey. I know I have to keep that in mind. Drinking lots of raspberry leaf tea and pregnancy tea from <a href="http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/">this</a> wonderful company. And doubling my date intake in my morning smoothies. Eating lots of spicy foods and excising daily, either swimming or walking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am also thankful to say that I have <i>not</i> heard from my Doctor. He said if the labs came back with any negative results, He'd be calling me right away and tell me to head into L&D to be induced. So not hearing from Him is such a blessing. I have an ultrasound tomorrow and another Dr. appointment Thursday and will update as soon as I can. He will be checking me for dilation as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sleep: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sleep is good! I try to go to the bathroom as much as I can before I get to sleep so I don't have to wake up <i>too</i> often to pee, but it's usually once a night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nursery: </b>I'm in <i>love</i> with our baby's nursery!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm beyond grateful for my friend Shadon, who after reading my blog entry last week, text me letting me know about a changing table pad she heard about on FB, used that was going for $5!!! The gal who was selling the changing pad, lived just <i>minutes</i> away from me and I went over there as soon as this sweet gal gave me the go ahead. She also included a sheet! What a doll! And a huge thank you to Shadon!!! What a need fulfilled! What a blessing. Makes my changing table feel complete! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We put up curtains and it really brings things together. I feel really set up for success in there! I purchased a </span><a href="http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials-storage-ottoman-with-feet/-/A-17300960#prodSlot=medium_2_30&term=storage+ottoman" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">storage ottoman</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> (grey)</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> with a gift card, from Target, to keep next to my rocker, stocked with nursing essentials, coconut oil ( to be used as nipple cream), water, nursing pads, etc. A great idea from my sister. It's so transitional! It's a foot stool and a storage cube. It's top is also firm enough that I can put a glass of water or iced tea on top, so I can keep hydrated while nursing. I also have that adorable little yellow basket filled with burp cloths, a few soft blankets, and little terry cloth wash cloths, and my Breast Friend is next to the chair too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also put in a few succulents and a soft light in the nursery and a few prints i've been wanting to hang up. It's such a calm room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-39.aspx">Additional Info: </a> </b></span><span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby is Full-Term</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations! At 39 weeks pregnant, you've got what is officially considered a full-term baby. Your baby now weighs around seven to eight pounds and measures 19 to 21 inches.</span></span><div style="text-align: right;">
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-38792833438773091902015-07-31T13:57:00.000-07:002015-07-31T14:04:08.077-07:00Baby update: 38 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm updating today after a Doctors appt. that i had earlier today. I want to remember all the little things and big things that happen over this journey, for my Child's sake and mine. My doctor is concerned about my blood pressure. He thinks the number is higher then it should be at this point, and a concern of his is <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/0_preeclampsia_257.bc">Preeclampsia</a>. Which is high blood pressure, protein in the urine or liver, kidney problems. Baby Center explains: " </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">The condition most commonly shows up after you've reached 37 weeks, but it can develop any time in the second half of pregnancy, including during labor or even after delivery (usually in the first 48 hours)." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">A lot of times this occurs at the very end of pregnancy without any notice. I never had high blood pressure, so there's no major indications to look for, it does really come up quickly sometimes and without notice. It doesn't always mean induction or cesarean, but it can. It depends on the severity: " </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">The more severe the condition and the earlier it appears, the greater the risks for you and your baby. Most women who get preeclampsia develop a mild version near their due date, and they and their babies do fine with proper care."</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> With all of this in mind, my doctor sent me to the Lab for blood work, and had an ultra sound ordered for early next week, if baby's size is too high, or the lab work comes back with negative results, He will have me go in right away, labor will be induced right away. Hearing this was a bit heart breaking. I want to have a natural labor. But I'm keeping my mind open and know that blood pressure isn't something you mess around with. <i>My highest priority is the safety of myself and my baby.</i> I will put my desires on the back burner and just hope for the<br />Lord's Will in this story. I pray that His Will be done and that He leads my doctor and I, in the wisest choices. I came home and cried on the couch, and prayed. I left this over into the Lord's hands, and felt prompted to read Psalm 91, knowing it's been a source of comfort for me in the past. It reads: </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-91-1" id="en-NIV-15397" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Psalm 91</span></h3>
<div class="poetry" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span class="text Ps-91-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">1 </span>Whoever dwells in the shelter<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15397A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15397A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the Most High</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">will rest in the shadow<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15397B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15397B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the Almighty.<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-15397a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-15397a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+91#fen-NIV-15397a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-2" id="en-NIV-15398" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>I will say of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “He is my refuge<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15398C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15398C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and my fortress,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15398D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15398D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">my God, in whom I trust.”</span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-91-3" id="en-NIV-15399" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Surely he will save you</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">from the fowler’s snare<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15399E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15399E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and from the deadly pestilence.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15399F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15399F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-4" id="en-NIV-15400" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>He will cover you with his feathers,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and under his wings you will find refuge;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15400G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15400G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">his faithfulness will be your shield<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15400H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15400H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and rampart.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-5" id="en-NIV-15401" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>You will not fear<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15401I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15401I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the terror of night,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">nor the arrow that flies by day,</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-6" id="en-NIV-15402" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">nor the plague that destroys at midday.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-7" id="en-NIV-15403" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>A thousand may fall at your side,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">ten thousand at your right hand,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">but it will not come near you.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-8" id="en-NIV-15404" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>You will only observe with your eyes</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and see the punishment of the wicked.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15404J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15404J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-91-9" id="en-NIV-15405" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>If you say, “The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is my refuge,”</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and you make the Most High your dwelling,</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-10" id="en-NIV-15406" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>no harm<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15406K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15406K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will overtake you,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">no disaster will come near your tent.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-11" id="en-NIV-15407" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span>For he will command his angels<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15407L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15407L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> concerning you</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to guard you in all your ways;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15407M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15407M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-12" id="en-NIV-15408" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>they will lift you up in their hands,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15408N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15408N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-13" id="en-NIV-15409" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>You will tread on the lion and the cobra;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">you will trample the great lion and the serpent.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15409O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15409O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-91-14" id="en-NIV-15410" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span>“Because he<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-15410b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-15410b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+91#fen-NIV-15410b" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> loves me,” says the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “I will rescue him;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-15" id="en-NIV-15411" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">15 </span>He will call on me, and I will answer him;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will be with him in trouble,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will deliver him and honor him.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15411P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15411P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-91-16" id="en-NIV-15412" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span>With long life<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15412Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15412Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> I will satisfy him</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and show him my salvation.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15412R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15412R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">What a comfort these words are for me.</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-29458378757440819302015-07-27T12:46:00.001-07:002015-07-27T12:46:38.692-07:00Oh see how that belly grows!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WF-a-svFEdI/VbaKWKcarBI/AAAAAAAAAfc/sUa-MqZxNag/s1600/seehowthatbellygrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WF-a-svFEdI/VbaKWKcarBI/AAAAAAAAAfc/sUa-MqZxNag/s640/seehowthatbellygrows.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-82529527464293605832015-07-27T12:17:00.003-07:002015-07-27T12:34:14.960-07:0038 weeks and counting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80tn9J5u5Xg/VbZ71tHuhFI/AAAAAAAAAes/IQnFIB8DOFI/s1600/38weeks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80tn9J5u5Xg/VbZ71tHuhFI/AAAAAAAAAes/IQnFIB8DOFI/s640/38weeks2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<u><br /> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How far along:</b></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">38 weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>How long to go:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 weeks ( or less or more) I like to really say anyday now though. I called Rory at work the other day, He was having a tough day, and He said, " I really thought you were calling to tell me it was time!" haha no babe not yet. He's so anxious to meet His sweet baby. As am I! I felt an overwhelming sense of love for the baby during church yesterday! I just can't believe it's so close! All these weeks and months! It really is a <i>long</i> journey!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>What do I miss:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beer, wine, cocktails. Moving freely and easily. Working out! I cannot WAIT to sweat it out at Zumba after this baby comes out, I seriously dream of getting back to the gym and really going for it... I just adore working out and I want to get some intense cardio in ASAP. I also really miss school... something 14 year old me would SCOFF at! I start again at the end of October and really cannot wait to get back into the classroom! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Weight:</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">+24lbs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Cravings:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">BBQ meat. tis the season though. last week I think I a beef brisket lunch sandwich three nights in a row while working, I can't get enough protein right now! especially the bbq'd smothered in sauce type ;-) Thankfully at family dinner last night we had BBQ'd turkey burgers and hot dogs. Cravings satisfied. Also turkey deli sandwiches and salt and vinegar chips. YUM! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Still drinking SO MUCH ice water and chewing soft ice, all day! I just LOVE chewing ice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Movement:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other night while I was sitting up in bed, Rory got to feel a really good " roll" movement across the very top of my belly, I imagine it was a little foot stretching, since baby is headed downwards! That was a special movement! I imagine when I interact with this little one for the first few weeks, I see the way baby moves, It will make a lot of sense what I was feeling while baby was still curled up inside of me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Nursery:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a fun project I've asked for Rory to build for the wall in the nursery. I also still want to hang some succulents and get a large fig leaf plant for the corner to add some clean green. I also plan on picking <a href="http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials-storage-ottoman-yellow/-/A-15744201#prodSlot=medium_1_59&term=ottoman+footstool+storage">this baby</a> up, or something very similar either at Target or Home Goods, both places I have G.C. to, for a place for my feets when I'm in the rocker, and a storage for nursing essentials, which my sister Karie suggested I have close to the rocker, since the first few weeks are spent nursing so often. I also need to pick up a changing table pad and cover, and Rory needs to fix a few broken parts on the changing table, we got it free from a neighbor, " previously loved."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Dr. Appts:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had an appt last friday with my Doctor. Everything's looking good. Baby is in the 85% of growth and height, so I imagine we don't have a small baby on our hands! Never thought we would :-) My appts will be weekly now that I'm getting so close to my D.D. So I'll have an appt. this friday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Sleep:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sleep hasn't been that hard these last few days thankfully! And I've been sleeping in a lot and resting during the day! I want to make sure and not do anything too intense, because as my doula reminded me, you never know when you're going to go into labor and you don't want to start off exhausted. Wise woman. :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>How do I feel:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HUGE!! VERY pregnant. " how much bigger can this belly/baby get?!" That about sums it up! ;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still feel really great 90% of the time, so no complaints here, just observations about my belly and the size of the baby! I had my last day of work on Saturday! I am really excited to rest and nest till my Momma arrives in one short week and two days! I have a list of things I want to accomplish while she's here, the list grows daily. I hope we have a little bit of time before I have the baby, to deep clean, and spend quality time together walking the block and putting away my last minute goodies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>On another note:</u> I'm really looking forward to not being pregnant anymore! Some women are miserable during pregnancy and others it's the best they've ever felt, i've felt neither extreme, but more so in the middle, thankful I'm not miserable, but also not super stoked about sharing my body with another for such a long time! I really do look forward to being me again and having freedom and physical mobility back ;) Sometimes Rory has to help me out of bed because at this point it's a joke how big this belly is and how incapable I am of doing certain things. Oh and let me tell you! I dream of the first beer and real sushi roll I get to consume! CANNOT WAIT! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Momma thoughts:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I picked up this <a href="http://www.oeufnyc.com/index.php/knit-crown-indigo.html">little cutie</a> for our " if we have a boy" blog photo and insta-nouncement, and I have a sweet little floral headband for our " if we have a girl" announcement. :-) Rory is trying to think of a fun way to announce to anyone who's in the waiting room, what the baby is, and our doula thought of a really sweet idea: She said when the nurses print the baby's feet, we can bring along blue and pink ink pads, and have them do a set in the respective color, on a while shirt that Rory can keep and wear to announce the gender! I loved the idea. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Additional Information: </u></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: floralwhite; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">B</span><span style="background-color: floralwhite; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2000007629395px;">aby is the size of a winter melon. </span><span class="visible-desktop" style="background-color: floralwhite; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.2000007629395px;">Your baby is producing surfactant, which will help him take those first breaths while you're producing colostrum, the precursor to breast milk. </span><span style="background-color: floralwhite; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 27px;">Your little one isn't quite so little anymore, weighing close to seven pounds and measuring nearly 21 inches long. Only two more weeks (or plus two more, max) before your baby makes his or her appearance!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>This series of photos titled: Getting ready for baby!</b></u></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvq27-uGimw/VbZ7xH4QjoI/AAAAAAAAAec/gFcDmVi8qSE/s1600/papacarseat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvq27-uGimw/VbZ7xH4QjoI/AAAAAAAAAec/gFcDmVi8qSE/s400/papacarseat.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Rory figuring out the carseat</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfAdrpsZGQA/VbZ7xkpYP8I/AAAAAAAAAeg/WzPLKlbqNPI/s1600/smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfAdrpsZGQA/VbZ7xkpYP8I/AAAAAAAAAeg/WzPLKlbqNPI/s400/smoothie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How I "eat" my five dates daily: Smoothie!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-taIWn9TCKqc/VbZ71sn9FrI/AAAAAAAAAew/hBQSDCyuQt4/s1600/38weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-taIWn9TCKqc/VbZ71sn9FrI/AAAAAAAAAew/hBQSDCyuQt4/s400/38weeks.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaf6q1Afc8c/VbZ75XRAauI/AAAAAAAAAfE/I_YETkEp_vc/s1600/baby%2Bshower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaf6q1Afc8c/VbZ75XRAauI/AAAAAAAAAfE/I_YETkEp_vc/s400/baby%2Bshower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>My co-workers threw Rory and I a sweet little baby shower on the patio at work yesterday after church! we ate lunch, and visited, and opened all sorts of lovely gifts! they showered baby with so much love!! We left feeling so blessed.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xqgKFgv5OiI/VbZ74xu6kVI/AAAAAAAAAe8/mYkUUeTZYFo/s1600/carseattext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xqgKFgv5OiI/VbZ74xu6kVI/AAAAAAAAAe8/mYkUUeTZYFo/s400/carseattext.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The hilarious text Rory sent me yesterday after He finished installing the car seat in the pathfinder. It really does make it that much more real, seeing the sweet little seat in my backseat. Soon our little one will fill those tiny cushions. </b></span></div>
<br />Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-83347442733763205742015-07-20T13:25:00.003-07:002015-07-20T13:25:44.445-07:0037 weeks- Full Term!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcQ3iAL9z_8/Va1UPLDC4kI/AAAAAAAAAeE/NVEW5jQHNLA/s1600/37weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcQ3iAL9z_8/Va1UPLDC4kI/AAAAAAAAAeE/NVEW5jQHNLA/s400/37weeks.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How far along: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">37 weeks! <i>Full term</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How long to go:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b>I can honestly say " anyday now" even though I want to at least go to 40 weeks, this baby could arrive at anytime! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sleep: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><u>Ugh</u></i></b>. that's all I can say. Hah! Sleep has finally become a kind of task that is difficult to accomplish. I think i still get on average 7 hrs a night, but it's very interrupted and very HOT! :-( I sleep SO WARM at night, during the day I'm completely fine, don't mind the heat one bit, but when I'm sleeping it's another story. I've been using ice packs, two fans, and 77* AC every night, and still wake up sweaty. It's ok though! Sleep in small increments is how my life will be for a while soon anyways, so as long as I get a nap in at some point I feel okay. Plus Coffee. I'm a zombie without it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Movement:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Movements are so different. I love them, I can just feel the length and weight of this little one by it's movements, lots of rolls and for me, uncomfortable rib rubs, and i get a lot of way up high kicks, I can tell baby is in the right position for birth because of the high kicks I get right up under my chest. it's amazing. that baby must be so squished, ready to stretch out and join our world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Still cannot get enough ice and ice cold water!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mama thoughts:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b>This week has been rough! I had a very hard day on Thursday at work, I worked really early, 7 am, which isn't NOT something I'm at all used to, and my body wasn't happy. I got Braxton Hicks from 7:20 am on, and unless I was sitting or on a break, they were there. Along with soreness and exhaustion. That was a tough shift. The following 2 days I was completely fine<b> </b>at work, it's just some days are harder then others!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nursery: </b><br />With the help of my wonderful hubby and a friend, we got the furniture moved around in the nursery! Everything's pretty much done as far as that goes, my hubby needs to fix up our changing table a bit, it's used and a bit shaky, but once that's done, I just have a few photos I'd like to hang and a few plants I want to put in the nursery. We plan on putting baby in the crib from day one, so I want to make sure that room is handy and all settled so we don't have too many projects after baby. I need to get a side table next to the rocker with nursing accessories and things to help that time feel more comfortable. I'm on the lookout for something to fit in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Additional Information:</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: floralwhite; font-family: MuseoSans300, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.020544052124px; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.2000007629395px; text-align: left;">Your baby</span><span style="background-color: floralwhite; font-family: MuseoSans300, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.020544052124px; line-height: 19.2000007629395px; text-align: left;"> is the size of a large cantaloupe. </span><span class="visible-desktop" style="background-color: floralwhite; font-family: MuseoSans300, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.020544052124px; line-height: 19.2000007629395px; text-align: left;">Your doctor may check for labor signs, while your baby prepares for birth by sucking, turning and breathing in the womb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">22+ lbs</span></div>
<br />Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-58524885713102661122015-07-13T11:46:00.000-07:002015-07-13T12:02:25.531-07:0036 weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: right;">another classy bathroom shot! soon enough my belly will cover up the reflection of the toilet... ;)</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How far along: </b><u><i><b>36 WEEKS!!!</b></i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How long to go: </b>4 ish weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Movement: </b>Baby is headed downward so I get lots of kicks and movement with baby's feet on the upper right side of my stomach, and lots of hiccups and punches on the lower left side. Baby's movements have changed a lot since there isn't a lot of room. Movements are so constant and frequent throughout the day, it makes me sad to think I won't feel them in just a few short weeks :'(</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sleep: </b>Pretty good for the most part! As long as I stop my water intake at a reasonable hour before bed, I don't tend to wake up in the middle of the night. Since baby is headed downwards, when I lay on my left side, I know the baby's head slides over to the side because I feel hiccups and lots of movement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How do I feel: </b>Really very good. Rory has pointed out that about every two or three days I have a hard day, where it just feels like baby is so heavy and stretching me, then I'll get used to it and have a few really good days. My last day of work is July 25th!!!! I'm really looking forward to that time off, my Mom joins us for a month, starting Aug 3rd!!! I hope the baby waits till she's here to show up. I'm looking forward to quality time with her. I would love to make freezer meals, and deep clean the house, before baby arrives. I do hope the baby comes early August though, because both my Sister -in-law and Mother-in-law are teachers and they go back to school around 8-10. My sister Karie arrives Aug 19th for a week! My baby shower for work is 7-26! I have SO MUCH to look forward to in this next month! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">Mama thoughts: </b>As time narrows down, I feel so much excitement and I really do feel ready. Having taken most of our newborn classes with our friends from church, and getting my birth plan, meetings with Doula (tomorrow </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and another before baby)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are still quite a few things I need to do before baby shows up, and a few more classes through Kaiser ( birthing class, stork tour and breastfeeding class) that we still need to cross off our list. I feel as if my to-do list grows longer everyday! What with getting my maternity leave and state leave in order, trying to get all of my schooling paper work and appts finished, I transferred college's just recently and will start my first semester at Arizona State University online, in October (!!!!), as well as getting all my baby ducks in a row here at the house, organizing nursery, etc. I've been home a lot more lately and I love it! It gives me such good time to rest, sleep, organize, keep up on daily chores, cook dinner, etc. My husband works long long hours and it makes my heart so happy knowing that when He gets home the house is clean and dinner is on it's way to being done. He can just relax and rest, from hard physical labor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Additional Info: (<a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-36.aspx#section-1">WTE</a>) </b></span><span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; font-family: MuseoSans100, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16.8959999084473px; line-height: 27px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px;">B</span><span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px;">aby is now about six pounds and 20 inches long. Growth will experience a slowdown now, both so your baby will be able to fit the narrow passageway to the outside and also so he or she can store up all the energy needed for delivery.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nursery: </b>I have the next three days off, so I plan on doing some major damage in there today and the following few days! I am making a few returns today and using a few gift cards and money to buy the crib mattress, crib sheets, and a few other things that will make me feel more ready! I think the only large item we still need is our stroller, but my wonderful sister found me a barley used <a href="http://mobywrap.com/">Moby</a> Wrap, which I can use for walks, church, etc for the first few months anyways. We also are needing to invest in the cloth diaper system with my friend Amy's company <a href="http://buttonsdiapers.com/">Buttons Diapers</a> eventually, but will use disposables for now, until we can afford to buy the cloth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dr. Appt: </b>Thursday I had an ultrasound ( possibly my last!) and then Friday a routine doctor visit. At the Ultra sound the tech said baby is headed down and facing the right direction! And she said baby's estimated weight is 6.7lbs! Which puts me at about 37+ wks as far as baby's growth is concerned. I doubt i'll have a small baby anyways, so I imagine this little bugger is going to be close to 9lbs at birth! A friend suggested a poll that we take for babys delivery date, time weight & height. I might set something up on here, so be on the lookout in the next few weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Important to-do's:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1.) Pack hospital bag</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-46916279014007521142015-07-08T16:58:00.001-07:002015-07-08T16:58:31.170-07:0035 weeks! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Had to do this picture extra large..haha no not because of the large baby belly, but look at that beautiful "Big Sky Country!" Montana sure is gorgeous!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How far along: </b>35 weeks and 2 days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How far to go: </b>4 weeks and 5 days!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How do I feel: </b>If I do too much, like take a long walk or work on my feet too long, I really pay for it later, but if I rest and put my feet up, I can keep going! Being higher in altitude in Montana this week and with all the traveling we did, 6hrs in the car, 4 plane rides etc. my feet were pretty swollen, but already being home and putting them up, the swelling has gone down a lot. PTL. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sleep: </b>Sleep this week, because we weren't in our own bed, was a bit restless and difficult. I'm hoping for a soild nights sleep tonight as we are home and get to sleep in our own bed! Nothing like it! Still typically able to make it through the night without getting up to pee! YAY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Movement: </b>movements are so frequent!! I feel them throughout the day. I love it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Additional information: </b><a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-35.aspx">What to expect</a> @ 35 weeks: </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px;">Your baby is standing tall (so to speak) this week at about 20 inches (baby's pretty much reached the in utero limit). But at about five and a half pounds, she is continuing her steady weight gain: She’ll pack on anywhere from one pound to several, including large amounts of baby fat, up 'til delivery day.</span><b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mama thoughts:</b> I think baby is headed downward, I feel a lot of little kicks way high up in the upper right side of my belly, and I felt hiccups in the lower left side, so I think baby is downward! Good baby! Getting ready to make His or Her debut here shortly! I had a dream about baby last night, woke up so happy and filled with joy to be a Momma so soon and to be sharing it with my best friend!! <i>How special.</i></span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-14129027182153273262015-06-29T10:47:00.002-07:002015-06-29T11:11:23.217-07:00My beautiful baby shower!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My friends did such a lovely job throwing my baby shower! I was so showered with love and beautiful gifts. The baby has so many books now, to add to my already wonderful collection of children's literature.<br />I am a firm believer in this quote: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/207160.Emilie_Buchwald" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Emilie Buchwald</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I believe whole-heartidly in cultivating imagination and wonder through reading and enjoying stories spoken over children. I am beyond grateful I was raised by parents who held reading and story telling at such a high standard and a must. I cannot wait to read to my child.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">ps: I gave each guest a colored heart of their choosing, when taking a photo with them. Their heart color was their guess on the baby's gender :-)</span></span></div>
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<br />Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-49448173773092582872015-06-29T10:32:00.000-07:002015-06-29T10:48:46.582-07:0034 weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How far along: </b>34 weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How long to go: </b>6 weeks till my due date!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mama thoughts:</b> I was feeling very overwhelmed and unprepared the afternoon after my baby shower and the following morning, thinking about everything we still " need" for baby. I was pretty emotional about feeling inadequately prepared, with not having the nursery ready, not having a stroller or crib mattress. I talked with a few wise women, and my pastor prayed over my hubby and I at church, Rory and I also got work done in the nursery after our parenting class yesterday. I am feeling better now. My pastor's prayers were very spot on when He said you aren't prepared, and that's the beauty of the Lord, He will give you what you need when you need it. And I know He wasn't just talking about physical items, but more then that, Jesus will give us everything we need to be the best parents we can be, when we need it. Love, grace, mercy, strength, endurance, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nursery: </b>We got the crib wall finished yesterday and I organized the newborn baby clothes I have, feeling a lot better about having more then enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Movement: </b>I sure do love feeling the rolls and twists this baby is doing in my belly!! It's amazing that the larger this little one grows the more distinct the movements. In church yesterday, I felt the baby roll, and had Rory put his hand on that spot and the baby rolled across my stomach right where his hand was. It was so neat! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sleep: </b>Sleeping pretty good, lots of tossing and turning, but I'm finally starting to train my body to sleep on the left side, which is best for baby at this point because it's getting heavy, and when I sleep on my right side or back, the weight of the baby pushes on important veins and nerves that deliver oxygen and blood to the placenta, so I'm trying my hardest to sleep for only short periods of time on my back or right side </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">( the side I always slept on pre-pregnancy) and sleep more on my left side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How do I feel: </b>I feel great. Some days are harder then others. I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions at work, so I try and drink lots of water and take more frequent sitting breaks. Being on my feet at work is bringing on those " practice" contractions. I've also been drinking Raspberry Leaf tea ( not as tasty as it sounds) which is supposed to help my body get ready for labor. Here's more information on </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the benefits: </span><a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/x545986/can-raspberry-leaf-tea-help-to-ease-labour" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Raspberry Leaf Tea and Labor.</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">'m also going to start eating dates one month before my due </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">date ( July 10th) because a friend said it is supposed to help mom's go into labor naturally and right on time, she and three other friends tried it and all had their babies right around their due dates! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21280989">More information on eating dates later in pregnancy</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Parenting classes:</span> </b>Rory, Seth, Rachel & I, are going through material for parenting called: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Parenting-Original-Feed~Wake~Sleep-Reference/dp/B001K5FESC">"Preparation for Parenting"</a> by Gary and Anne Mary Ezzo. A couple from our church teach the lessons, and so far we've done three video sessions. The first emphasizes the importance of the family dynamic before baby arrives and how important the marriage relationship is for Children's well being. It also talks a lot about the " why" behind what we do as parents, even from day one, and helps new parents understand the impact these choices have on the rest of your babies life. I sum it up like this: <u>BE INTENTIONAL</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we want to be intentional and specific with what we're doing for our child, the habits we're forming and the schedules and routines we're maintaining. Dave our leader put it this way, so perfectly put: " If you don't know the why behind what you're doing, you'll do what's easiest, and that isn't always whats best for you or your baby." That is wisdom. When I am cranky tired and it's 3am, and I don't know why I'm doing what I'm doing, I will do whats easiest, IE: convenient and habit forming. It was a good lesson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday we went through two video sessions, the first on setting good eating patterns with baby, and spending your first 10 days getting full feedings, without any kind of schedule, learning hunger cues and sleeping ( lots). I love knowing the what to do, and having very specific direction with schedules and feedings. What I love about this book and their philosophy is that the ideal schedule should look something like this: hunger cue + clock + P.A. ( parental assessment: which is as it sounds, using our God given ability to know what our child needs) = feeding time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basically it isn't a clock or baby led system, it's a little of both and your discernment as a parent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's neither free spirited (baby led) nor legalistic ( clock led)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a very real life approach to parenting your child and setting them and their little bodies up for success. This book also highly encourages not using sleeping aids ( rocking chair or swing) or co-sleeping, which is very dangerous for baby and intrudes on Mom and Dad's sacred space. Another thing I love about this book!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel so much more prepared after reading up and attending these sessions, with wise godly parents who have lived this out and have wonderful children as a result. Many of the families I admire and respect in my church followed this with their children and I see the results. It's wonderful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Additional Information: </b></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px;">This week your baby is clocking in at five pounds and could be as tall as 20 inches. </span><span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px;">In other baby-related developments, those tiny fingernails have probably reached the tips of his fingers by now — and getting ready for that first postpartum manicure.</span><b> </b></span></div>
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<br />Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-49061840974727896582015-06-23T10:07:00.000-07:002015-06-23T10:15:28.299-07:0033 weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How far to go: </b>6 weeks, 6 days! give or take :-)<br />I will go over my due date, almost up to a week or two before considering inducement, I want to avoid inducement as much as possible. it's not natural and is almost <i>always</i> followed by an epidural, which I would like to avoid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Movement: </b>movements are changing! instead of all kicks and punches and jabs, it's turned into a lot of twist and rolls and i LOVE it! it's the craziest feeling to feel your baby slowly roll across your stomach, it throws me off and makes me laugh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Maternity clothes: </b>i love my maternity clothes! thank GOD for maternity clothes, slimming and flattering yet still comfortable. I might need to get a few more bottoms before this pregnancy is over, because the old rubber band trick on my pre pregnancy pants and shorts is a JOKE now. SO uncomfortable! it's leggings only at work now, thank you Starbucks for changing your dress code for us Pregnant gals! ( up until a few months ago, starbucks didn't allow any leggings or yoga pants while working, and they changed their policy months before I got pregnant!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cravings: </b>still loving the ice cold drinks! I cannot get enough ice water and chewing on ice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Weight gain: </b>still only 17lbs! PTL! I had a Dr. appt on friday & was overjoyed to step on that scale and see I haven't gained anything! WOOOO! my Dr. measures my belly at 35weeks, but my last ultra sound is perfect, baby measures in the %63 percentile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mama thoughts: ALLL </b>over the place. Sometimes I feel amazing joy looking forward to this baby's arrival, and sometimes I have fearful thoughts about labor and birth, it's so hard to not know how things are going to go, and know that I'm literally the only one who can accomplish this task at hand. I know I will have amazing support, but this is my honor and privilege, to bring this baby into this world. I'm reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435078146&sr=8-1&keywords=ina+mays+guide+to+childbirth&pebp=1435078149604&perid=14R42N8122PATYR5YC2G">this </a>book, little by little. It's mostly stories of woman sharing their birth stories. It's empowering. I love how they have changed the language around birth, instead of saying contraction, they call it a rushing, they want us Mommas to think of it as a rush of energy to get the job done, it's your bodies way of getting ready. It's the only book my sister Karie read and she said it helped her to not feel any fear surrounding birth, she felt so confident going into her birthing experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On another note, my BABY SHOWER is this saturday! I'm soooo excited to celebrate this baby's arrival with the ladies from my church and some friends I don't get to see often. I am so excited to " feather" our nursery with all the lovely gifts and things people make for baby. It will feel so real once the nursery is set up! I'm waiting on this baby shower to really start setting up the nursery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How I feel:</b> I feel really good. I am amazed I can still say that ;) I kinda feel like, when is that going to end?? Some days are harder then others, just like life. But for the most part I really have <i>nothing</i> to complain about. I'm so grateful. As the baby grows, it's nearly <i>5lbs </i>now (!!!) it does get harder to be on my feet at work, my belly gets sore, but if I get off my feet and sit for a few minutes, it's back to normal. I plan on working till I'm 39 weeks. I've asked to be scheduled more during the day, that way I can sleep in, and not work so late at night, I want to really enjoy these last few weeks with Rory. Being home at night to have dinner and taking walks swimming at His Mom's and relax together, sounds exactly what we need before baby arrives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also dropped the two summer school classes I was enrolled in. The decision brought me peace. Only having around 7 weeks left in my pregnancy, sitting a classroom and writing essays, isn't how I want to spend my last few weeks in this pregnancy. It also hit me, how this really is the only time I'm going to have to myself, to rest and prepare for this baby, while still keeping a 20hr work week, before this baby shows up. When I shared this decision with Rory He was in support, and so aptly replied " A lot of change is coming soon." And he's right. I'm going to " guilt-free" enjoy a lot of down time, extra sleep, and time to myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sleep: </b>Lots of tossing and turning, but not as warm as I was experiencing last week. PTL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Additional <a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/week-33.aspx">info</a>: </b></span><span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week your baby may be anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length and could grow up to another full inch this week — especially if he or she has been on the shorter side. She weighs more than four and a half pounds and is still gaining weight (about half a pound a week — weight gain can range from a third more to a full doubling before the big debut). With that much baby inside your uterus, your amniotic-fluid level has maxed out at 33 weeks pregnant, making it likely you have more baby than fluid now. That's one reason explaining why some of her pokes and kicks feel pretty sharp these days.</span></span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-68795095869100731982015-06-15T10:49:00.002-07:002015-06-16T09:43:03.210-07:0032 Weeks!<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How long to go: </b><i>8 weeks</i> till my due date! ( Aug 10th)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How do I feel: </b>really good! The heat has kicked in here in Fresno in FULL force, most days reach over 100* and some over 105*, I feel like summer is starting really early! We usually don't get consistently hot days till July! I think I was in some type of pool 6 days straight last week! I'm getting bronzed! Yay! I love summer and mostly have no real issues with the heat, that I am thankful for! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sleep: </b>I've been sleeping <i>really </i>hot recently. <b>Thankful</b> we have A/C! Getting to sleep has been hard, but once I'm asleep I'm a ok! Still not getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, even though this baby is only getting heavier and when I lay down I feel baby pushing on my bladder. My hands have been getting numb again at night, that's really frustrating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Movement: </b>lots and LOTS of it!! It's the best!! Rory has been able to feel some really strong kicks lately when we lay down to go to bed at night. It's so special. The other night I was laying on my left side and baby was moving so much, rolling and twisting, it made me feel sick to my stomach! The only thing I can compare it to, is when you ride a roller coaster and your stomach drops on the big hills or loops, but it's constant. I had to flip over to my back to avoid the feeling :-) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mama thoughts: </b>Recently I thought it would be really cute to dress baby in something gender specific when we send out text/ instagram announcements, so I've been looking on Etsy for inspiration: Here are some cute ideas: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/207470451/baby-boy-onesie-aviators-onesie-baby-boy?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=baby%20boy&ref=sr_gallery_5">Baby Boy</a> or <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/224973586/mini-felt-flower-crown-headband?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=felt%20flower%20crown&ref=sc_gallery_3&plkey=46cb0f694cfab23639a95145b767659be2b9a8ee:224973586">baby girl</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">Additional information:</b> t</span><span style="background-color: floralwhite; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ipping the scales at almost four pounds and topping out at just about 19 inches. In these past few weeks, it's all about practice, practice, practice as she hones the skills she'll need to thrive outside the womb — from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. In anticipation of that momentous transition to mouth feeding, your baby's digestive system is all set and ready to go. And though you’re weeks away from D-day, your baby's looking more and more like a newborn: As more and more fat accumulates under her skin, it’s becoming less transparent and more opaque.</span></span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-41022114059034472062015-06-08T12:38:00.002-07:002015-06-08T12:38:23.408-07:0031 weeks! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />My due date has changed to Aug 10th, which is why my weeks are changing on Monday's instead of the Friday or Thursday you were used to! Things are moving quickly toward that due date! It's unreal!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How far along: </b>31 weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How long to go: </b><i>Nine weeks left! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sleep: </b>Sleep has still been pretty great! I've noticed I've been sleeping a lot warmer recently, but the weather is quickly turning to Summer, so that might be it. Today is supposed to be 105*!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Movement: A LOT</b> of movement, and more frequently throughout the day! I love feeling the baby roll and kick. It's wonderful. I want Rory to feel it more often. Hopefully the bigger the baby gets the more He'll feel it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mama thoughts: </b>I'm super excited for my baby shower coming up at the end of June! My two very close friends are planning it and working so hard to make it perfect. I truly cannot wait to see all their hard work! I have also made the final choice on the <a href="http://www.pollyannaevents.com/2014/02/wall-decor/">pattern</a><br />( third photo down) for the nursery wall. But finding the time is <i>hard</i> now a days. Rory works 40+ hrs a week and I typically work Saturdays, and Sundays are lazy pool side, family dinner, made for naps, not project, days! :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I just found out my best friend Rachel is having a *<span style="color: #3d85c6;">BOY</span>*!!! Ever since she got pregnant, I had a sense that we'd end up having the same gender children, and I've felt very strongly a few times during this pregnancy that I'm also having a boy. I'm SO curious now!! I truly can't wait to find out if we're cooking a little bestie or a spousie for Seth and Rachel :-) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Additional <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-31-weeks_1120.bc">Information</a>: </b></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">This week, your baby measures over 16-18 inches long. He weighs about 3 1/3 pounds (</span>about the size of a coconut<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px;">) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy</span></span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255667743312417670.post-60005439658639439842015-06-04T10:57:00.001-07:002015-06-04T10:57:38.046-07:00***30 weeks***<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a <i>milestone</i>! I don't think I've ever imagined what this would look like for me, before I got pregnant, it just seemed so far off! Only <i>10 weeks to go! </i>Give or take a week or two. Lord willing this babe comes when it's supposed to! And after 40 weeks! I want this baby in there till 40 weeks! That's best for baby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How do I feel: </b>Pretty great this week!! I'm grateful for such an easy healthy pregnancy. I have nothing to complain about! Symptoms come and go, but nothing sticks, and my baby is right on track for growth, 63% percentile. And all of my tests and numbers are perfect. I am so grateful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nursery: </b>I finally decided on the pattern for the crib wall! It's another Sharpie paint pen design, made with sharpie paint pens!! I'm stoked. Can't wait to work on this project with Rory, we have so much fun doing house projects! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>What I'm looking forward to: </b>My baby shower!!! It's later this month and I cannot wait to celebrate this little one with so many ladies, that I love and adore. I cannot wait to get a few more items to feel a little more prepared for being a Momma. Thanks gals for helping me feather my nest! If you're curious on how I'm having a baby shower while not knowing the gender, we're doing a children's book themed party! <br />I also have two registries that are filled with good neutral things! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/baby-reg/ref=?ie=UTF8&lid=1DOYZOA88HDZE">Amazon </a>& <a href="http://www.buttonsdiapers.com/cart.php?m=registry_detail&r=58">Buttons diapers</a> ( we are cloth diapering) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm also counting down the days ( 31) till we go to Montana to visit with my Mom and sister and her family! We are flying for the fourth of July ( my FAVORITE holiday!) for about five days! I cannot wait to float the lazy river, soak in the high mountain sun, and celebrate while having time with my family!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mama thoughts: </b>I have a strong feeling we're having a <i>boy.</i> I lay in bed at night and think about my baby and dwell on imagining how it will all go down on that big day and my heart feels strongly we're having a boy. We shall see!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Movement: </b>I loveeee feeling this little one move around, it's such a fantastic feeling! It never gets old. It puts a <b>smile </b>on my face!! I look forward to it daily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Maternity Gear: </b>I love my my mat clothes. I haven't purchased anything new, except for a pair of maternity swim shorts for my upcoming swim class at City College this summer! They're perfect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sleep: </b>sleep this week has been pretty good. I've been sleeping in so much since ending my spring semester at the end of may. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Additional Information: </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;">Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds (</span>about the size of a large cabbage<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px; text-align: start;">). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds your little one, but that volume will shrink as your baby gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after baby's born, they'll keep their eyes closed for a good part of the day. ( www.babycenter.com)</span></div>
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Rachel Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886514886562375221noreply@blogger.com0