tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21696789805418767472024-03-12T17:33:13.143-07:00Coming Home“Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration.”
- Charles DickensLife is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-66498935685334408512012-01-22T17:16:00.000-08:002012-01-22T17:17:42.245-08:00Coming soon to a theater near you....<a href="http://web.me.com/kyle.viele/Blog/Welcome.html">http://web.me.com/kyle.viele/Blog/Welcome.html</a><br />
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A blog shower and communication tool dedicated to our new arrival. (Complete with a live baby count-down!) This is the brainchild of my mom, sister, and adoring husband. I will be updating it to go live in early February. It includes chances to vote on names and due dates, updates on the baby, and links to our registry. Check back often for updates!Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-35360672449356553302012-01-22T17:11:00.000-08:002012-01-22T17:11:31.938-08:00SwappingLately, driven by a desire to save all of our pennies for Baby #2 and to chip away at our debt, I've been delving into the idea of making old things new again. I guess it kinda goes along with the green movement of repurposing. I love it! The idea struck me last weekend that perhaps some other little one out there would love to read the books that Eva chooses to read with us (over and over and over again) and maybe we could trade with that little one so that we could relieve his or her parents of the books that they have been reading (over and over and over again). Thus our first attempt at book swapping was born. Today we went over to Adam and Carrie's house. They have elementary-age girls and an 11-month-old. Sitting among new friends and good food, we swapped our books and watched some football. It was wonderful! We came home with a whole bag full of books to explore together, Eva was exhausted, mom and dad got a break because the older girls loved taking care of Eva when we were there, and our bellies were full. It was so much fun to hear the kids talk about what books they liked and those they wanted to swap. Eva is too little to articulate her thoughts yet, but she kept pulling her "tried and true" favorites out of the swap pile to squirrel away. As sweet as that is, I know that Kyle and I will be grateful not to read the Crayola colors book another time. I think we may be on to something with this swapping idea. Toys, babysitting, a dinner club? What I enjoy most about it is the opportunity it provides to connect and share with neighbors. It almost feels like a lost art.Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-59504782352290040692012-01-13T17:10:00.000-08:002012-01-13T17:10:50.926-08:00Number SevenThe number 7 has great historical significance. God created the world and rested on the seventh day. In most world religions, the number 7 has special significance related to perfection and completion. The 7th day of the week is a holy day of rest. If you believe in numerology the number 7 represents the "scholarly and esoteric" forces of magic. For Kyle and I, seven now has its own special magic. On December 31st we celebrated our 7th year of marriage. I remember thinking to myself as a newlywed, "When we've been married seven years, we will officially be an 'old' married couple." Seven years is the median marker for marriages in the United States according to the research summaries I've read, hence the "seven year itch." On our anniversary this year Kyle and I talked about whether or not it feels like we have been married seven years. We both concluded that we feel like we have been married much longer, and much shorter, than 7 years. In so many ways the time has flown by! Our memories of our first days as a married couple and our wedding are still so vivid in our minds. When we look back at all we have accomplished together, it seems impossible that we haven't been married even longer. One thing is certain, we haven't had time to get bored or itchy. Our lives have become an interwoven fabric of lazy days, doing the dishes, putting a grumpy baby to bed, working late, climbing mountains, finding new jobs, laughing until we roll on the floor, cooking dinners, sitting atop the Roman gate, moving to one state, then another, and then back again, grad school exams, student loan payments, more exams, dinners out, breakfast for dinner, chasing run away dogs, and holding hands as we fall asleep listening to our little girl sing her ABC's. What more is there in life? Why would we want anything else? I never would have, or could have, predicted the adventures that would lay before me walking toward Kyle that day in a church seven years ago. I don't think I would have understood the meaning each small moment would hold then. I should only be so lucky to celebrate 70 more anniversaries with my best friend. Cheers to us, Kyle! I cannot wait to experience the new adventures that lay in store for us in the next seven days, seven months, seven years.....Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-64246964731284048012011-12-29T08:27:00.000-08:002011-12-29T08:27:22.306-08:00A New Year, A New ResolutionOver this holiday break, I have been learning to feel comforted by the small, meaningful rituals that make this time of year especially special. A few of my favorites are:<br />
- curling up and reading a good book<br />
- having a cup of coffee while chatting with a friend<br />
- baking goodies, especially with Eva<br />
- walking through the neighborhood to admire all of the lights<br />
- singing along to my favorite christmas music<br />
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All this got me thinking about the rituals I want to incorporate in my day to day life. One of the rituals I enjoy most is writing. (A close cousin to reading.) I am making a new year's resolution to blog at least once a week. I think this will be a good starting place considering my current blogging rate is zero, nada, nuthin'. I also realized I wanted to incorporate not only parenthood topics, but crafting, funny inspirations, and thoughts on marriage, work and home.<br />
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My first order of business is to share a new holiday tradition that my family has begun this year. From now on, after Christmas day, we will create a memory jar for our favorite memories of 2011. We will add to it the whole week after Christmas and New Year's Eve will be the perfect time to remember, laugh, and feel grateful for all the things we did the previous year. My hope is that instead of feeling sad the holidays are ending, we may feel excited and hopeful about the coming year. I got the idea from Kiwi magazine: http://www.kiwimagonline.com/<br />
Here is a sample of some of my favorite memories of 2011:<br />
Signing the mortgage on our first home<br />
Celebrating Eva's first birthday<br />
Eva's first steps<br />
Coming home after a long day of work to find Kyle painted our bedroom to surprise me<br />
Going horseback riding on our sixth wedding anniversary<br />
Swimming at the neighborhood pool<br />
Landing a wonderful job<br />
Having all of our family visit at one time or another<br />
Sleeping all together in our living room during Hurricane Irene (and not having any major damage)<br />
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I know this year will hold so many more wonderful surprises. I can't wait!Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-43543964672369236172011-07-24T17:49:00.000-07:002011-07-24T17:49:58.556-07:00Asheville, North Carolina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmr_4hsWGRmFkv3RtzOaBrc7IVrkRB9j0oeZWauPyxfvjbkF76DbPYa-yf5lnHb0VGRvrYEbvvfAldgY2p66FJOChBj91z29B9bOtqXnmaGNd-GUudu1huOtDKuu6ky8Vf-uVgDuCWAMF/s1600/DSC02253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmr_4hsWGRmFkv3RtzOaBrc7IVrkRB9j0oeZWauPyxfvjbkF76DbPYa-yf5lnHb0VGRvrYEbvvfAldgY2p66FJOChBj91z29B9bOtqXnmaGNd-GUudu1huOtDKuu6ky8Vf-uVgDuCWAMF/s320/DSC02253.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Our gracious hosts, Will and Adrienne<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnSeQBh_o5WOjJt2pEBb10-JtKm7wvb2rOAVlEFqhRfqbtvg0QnyV0vJ7FXPdsD1KVEfXWzHzrmqf3kWgjc1YHZMPPqDJ9yST1LTjXJPf_3ZlQbl5jJb_rX9OWRATZV9IvW49UYHpZKbb/s1600/DSC02255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnSeQBh_o5WOjJt2pEBb10-JtKm7wvb2rOAVlEFqhRfqbtvg0QnyV0vJ7FXPdsD1KVEfXWzHzrmqf3kWgjc1YHZMPPqDJ9yST1LTjXJPf_3ZlQbl5jJb_rX9OWRATZV9IvW49UYHpZKbb/s320/DSC02255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Every restaurant had their own garden. It was amazing and it smelled so good. Here is Eva giving it a whiff.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlbpX5zfFaMpc3DKs7NO6RwAofcB9WQA7AV8kXKdLdqjiEuQXUmdPV8RdULror92uMf059xW5bvYKoTZonIvngXPEeRYQn1FIIwyN82JEZlKwxU2CzmI6JQEImPkGQ6vV0ef09RN-GlQ4/s1600/DSC02257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlbpX5zfFaMpc3DKs7NO6RwAofcB9WQA7AV8kXKdLdqjiEuQXUmdPV8RdULror92uMf059xW5bvYKoTZonIvngXPEeRYQn1FIIwyN82JEZlKwxU2CzmI6JQEImPkGQ6vV0ef09RN-GlQ4/s320/DSC02257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCrX3Z31vS_H4Ah-IkiEG_6vOwyClYzSQlLu97P9Ygx1FP6Jnv47D4qsUwGkFv2LK_QjhyVMRW0SW4hMP1ULu8u6YeWYw6Cr3t_B4bfQyHM74QjEvKnhl7xANt7kqNMClw1Kvb5RfpO1c/s1600/DSC02259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCrX3Z31vS_H4Ah-IkiEG_6vOwyClYzSQlLu97P9Ygx1FP6Jnv47D4qsUwGkFv2LK_QjhyVMRW0SW4hMP1ULu8u6YeWYw6Cr3t_B4bfQyHM74QjEvKnhl7xANt7kqNMClw1Kvb5RfpO1c/s320/DSC02259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39440yvJSdXLPTlF_AApUljK7fCpQ3bPe1M0S5P0CwSC6YBd-ELyUlJk8Z8a9wKFSGVPetL0faP7C74gKihrshekHMoCLSw5BV3JfGoBvm5MXU5bBES9gkKnek-2x6ZgYwoOZ_1qxm8CV/s1600/DSC02261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39440yvJSdXLPTlF_AApUljK7fCpQ3bPe1M0S5P0CwSC6YBd-ELyUlJk8Z8a9wKFSGVPetL0faP7C74gKihrshekHMoCLSw5BV3JfGoBvm5MXU5bBES9gkKnek-2x6ZgYwoOZ_1qxm8CV/s320/DSC02261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This was the giant fireplace at the Grove Inn. It was amazing and this picture does not adequately capture it. It was more like a cave.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3hwhkxouWAZbS8XT49ods-lDongydmcjSCsKnDLgjRhPFrfNCv_QRPMofc3Uuc1NSB2AkWAffllhd6GLOOxMx8tshWy_csdANj5-REKwmrud6KKR0dXvpVXfRGhQy1RLCUTa57ShEZKp/s1600/DSC02265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3hwhkxouWAZbS8XT49ods-lDongydmcjSCsKnDLgjRhPFrfNCv_QRPMofc3Uuc1NSB2AkWAffllhd6GLOOxMx8tshWy_csdANj5-REKwmrud6KKR0dXvpVXfRGhQy1RLCUTa57ShEZKp/s320/DSC02265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The magnificent Grove Inn. Check out the link: <a href="http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/">http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VWR0qtAkd7k6-dyW6OXD1mdsuMMcalWULmzGTiGR3elZX9Dvyd92PkGoHHyQ-ZPnc0FfVhqcwn9lu3dJ26PnshiWiAhGbViEJVg1mVMBV2N4s3E9Nc5-Aj3vcPYjA4QU0TvhCnWGanFT/s1600/DSC02270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VWR0qtAkd7k6-dyW6OXD1mdsuMMcalWULmzGTiGR3elZX9Dvyd92PkGoHHyQ-ZPnc0FfVhqcwn9lu3dJ26PnshiWiAhGbViEJVg1mVMBV2N4s3E9Nc5-Aj3vcPYjA4QU0TvhCnWGanFT/s320/DSC02270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The mountains of Asheville<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9-ZIQDQ_4iqnP9brYztCiZMLX5wp33vxLNZHILosN8ii1K-g6P__Fkrd5bAd5IaNk3gj2LbzpfMl5yREbzE9DIJr8NMrc9nKhdKQfj2wPhJ1PR4DNT1O-aYdb1tBR8D0gZgFkI8n__CL/s1600/DSC02271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9-ZIQDQ_4iqnP9brYztCiZMLX5wp33vxLNZHILosN8ii1K-g6P__Fkrd5bAd5IaNk3gj2LbzpfMl5yREbzE9DIJr8NMrc9nKhdKQfj2wPhJ1PR4DNT1O-aYdb1tBR8D0gZgFkI8n__CL/s320/DSC02271.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> Eva did not inherit her mother's fear of heights. She had no problem looking down the mountain-side.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHAME7p-ozz5s-nS99mHQLZ462lSdRQrXFvJ60HqGTAsHmnrncQ9Lumz3XjC5FwMsSFBAYAo2EkSE702e2b6lLhvNMre-dwdEdWEFvFAOOegpwwg9mvDP-D-AjroiB8Jy_AT-wuZxk23-/s1600/DSC02273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHAME7p-ozz5s-nS99mHQLZ462lSdRQrXFvJ60HqGTAsHmnrncQ9Lumz3XjC5FwMsSFBAYAo2EkSE702e2b6lLhvNMre-dwdEdWEFvFAOOegpwwg9mvDP-D-AjroiB8Jy_AT-wuZxk23-/s320/DSC02273.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfqAxEoNnAqompluxbFuAZiOIHZRh1grr3Dn9S_ame8Uzrt6OWBsJC6YAQ-gmmN0SCoJEw_RE5jipX2PtG5G5fbOh6gBbX7ziNr2C9ruf25PYsad_83tY1N3f2vxtnigqAJ_RikGWBtg7/s1600/DSC02284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfqAxEoNnAqompluxbFuAZiOIHZRh1grr3Dn9S_ame8Uzrt6OWBsJC6YAQ-gmmN0SCoJEw_RE5jipX2PtG5G5fbOh6gBbX7ziNr2C9ruf25PYsad_83tY1N3f2vxtnigqAJ_RikGWBtg7/s320/DSC02284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Burritos all around!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuUjuG65T-B_MKCpvJmYh30mYLB1oNZtcbWXoRXB554kv_45KhO-r89FO7Q2XdVHB-QTaA9vWJSZpc1iycy0_3Ja1CS6sjOoE34vQS8e6rDAGSBE4YJ_S7rUV4LElXp-3sjgo2L_qUqgL/s1600/DSC02287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuUjuG65T-B_MKCpvJmYh30mYLB1oNZtcbWXoRXB554kv_45KhO-r89FO7Q2XdVHB-QTaA9vWJSZpc1iycy0_3Ja1CS6sjOoE34vQS8e6rDAGSBE4YJ_S7rUV4LElXp-3sjgo2L_qUqgL/s320/DSC02287.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Adrienne and ILife is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-9462671694849766132011-07-24T17:40:00.000-07:002011-07-24T17:40:17.276-07:00Fun with the Cousins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7NXdW57gi6So-Qvh2mPPm3RZ8zITbLQXpl6wAJ4h0Yk-br-v1DEzh0Es1C4tsnTR5DNVA3YYpWc2Fjj_pJkq2Zw0iueygc_WgTcQaWopcHS1-1q4aN1Hbe0H_1XKGZ2jDnhVmFICrdk9/s1600/DSC02207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7NXdW57gi6So-Qvh2mPPm3RZ8zITbLQXpl6wAJ4h0Yk-br-v1DEzh0Es1C4tsnTR5DNVA3YYpWc2Fjj_pJkq2Zw0iueygc_WgTcQaWopcHS1-1q4aN1Hbe0H_1XKGZ2jDnhVmFICrdk9/s320/DSC02207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3JZNd6vLDp80NAUUSCN-g0AMa14bEBV6Qkkbs7Z9eiIwVCPaDt3-Xmv7TNyAFKi1Y5NhT0zvMISmgUH8EGVo6j-kWn80CbDHZLaeDJFuUZk0HaqK85N-kec4JS4LvOBLUdlAfKnhsnY_/s1600/DSC02210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3JZNd6vLDp80NAUUSCN-g0AMa14bEBV6Qkkbs7Z9eiIwVCPaDt3-Xmv7TNyAFKi1Y5NhT0zvMISmgUH8EGVo6j-kWn80CbDHZLaeDJFuUZk0HaqK85N-kec4JS4LvOBLUdlAfKnhsnY_/s320/DSC02210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Making "chicken nuggets" with Audrey and Aunt Krissy<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYYGj-MvFnaZfMJJ-zihd8zlDNS8MfY60arcXZDq1sDY-5Lexm87AsnlUyZ8N9gQIWLdC_xWb0P3OL89zMC3HKB-rri6Rc3GLrqaPydRtEl74775y7l7qOkQ5gmZcxL3n5aJBz1hmi2Ww/s1600/DSC02212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYYGj-MvFnaZfMJJ-zihd8zlDNS8MfY60arcXZDq1sDY-5Lexm87AsnlUyZ8N9gQIWLdC_xWb0P3OL89zMC3HKB-rri6Rc3GLrqaPydRtEl74775y7l7qOkQ5gmZcxL3n5aJBz1hmi2Ww/s320/DSC02212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAz_3f8-l5HH2PPo8_kBsZzpsqRotfPfAVtk-cCGPrlwxBvbFoL_qfUVIDm_9Znr6V5FfyOVkeowpQh1TTKSGD7iEonkFPJwp8jjUmGY6MpqGMdQ4WM_roEh6-paDq4JMdlX8aOYmBTLM/s1600/DSC02213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAz_3f8-l5HH2PPo8_kBsZzpsqRotfPfAVtk-cCGPrlwxBvbFoL_qfUVIDm_9Znr6V5FfyOVkeowpQh1TTKSGD7iEonkFPJwp8jjUmGY6MpqGMdQ4WM_roEh6-paDq4JMdlX8aOYmBTLM/s320/DSC02213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Cousin Abbey- so pretty!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg5cF3qxRbgikvTYShSeB0tduCuUqgYthyphenhyphenLLS77CMQpjm4NoXNpgs0Jdzp93flpDjszHQbYKRxn5cutrHaxFsXPsVuutm_nqdC1Wx2Lk2KImMpHoISMgq6mCgtq0FYLOn42qYnZZyXJnX/s1600/DSC02214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg5cF3qxRbgikvTYShSeB0tduCuUqgYthyphenhyphenLLS77CMQpjm4NoXNpgs0Jdzp93flpDjszHQbYKRxn5cutrHaxFsXPsVuutm_nqdC1Wx2Lk2KImMpHoISMgq6mCgtq0FYLOn42qYnZZyXJnX/s320/DSC02214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Audrey hanging in the sunshine<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVGR00dfmuvzz8d1I6uXNSxd_YF_uWT2-6yBYqCkLYEvrb0eiKk1bMJeEgSkIsATfKHF7dl4exCfOXn4ZigJIVox7LZfwStnVnZpHCknKEocBtvXgoXr9SEJugKyX8nw_FWkZlNhXUeEu/s1600/DSC02215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVGR00dfmuvzz8d1I6uXNSxd_YF_uWT2-6yBYqCkLYEvrb0eiKk1bMJeEgSkIsATfKHF7dl4exCfOXn4ZigJIVox7LZfwStnVnZpHCknKEocBtvXgoXr9SEJugKyX8nw_FWkZlNhXUeEu/s320/DSC02215.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> After eating watermelon (Roxy's hoping for some leftovers)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LunOP7wLO-6E0OsXsbLlMRLFnIuS08HQcw92RJeVSpMt71MWi4MGJQAWgaVg4oHjwKqkdZ6bOoqpfYAzIkBGQrB9uJzlbm_KaRxUYu3gbPs51UzlKeJKw11t6CCLi8U24eStSZWrBgQ8/s1600/DSC02226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LunOP7wLO-6E0OsXsbLlMRLFnIuS08HQcw92RJeVSpMt71MWi4MGJQAWgaVg4oHjwKqkdZ6bOoqpfYAzIkBGQrB9uJzlbm_KaRxUYu3gbPs51UzlKeJKw11t6CCLi8U24eStSZWrBgQ8/s320/DSC02226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Being a trooper at Busch Gardens<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaRv9U11KF27rZR59IirW5jgZSP0EicAo42Rq2A9OgsMYGMP1JRs7QFEbKm8pZv65_wZuWcGqIczseBc-3EnR-gzzbgk8NZ2bm43mtd1u0oe3bqqdUKhRCo5L2mLu7ieQLc1ntBchyphenhyphenxXk/s1600/DSC02241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaRv9U11KF27rZR59IirW5jgZSP0EicAo42Rq2A9OgsMYGMP1JRs7QFEbKm8pZv65_wZuWcGqIczseBc-3EnR-gzzbgk8NZ2bm43mtd1u0oe3bqqdUKhRCo5L2mLu7ieQLc1ntBchyphenhyphenxXk/s320/DSC02241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Loving her some toast with jam!Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-9713464272490037952011-07-24T17:33:00.000-07:002011-07-24T17:33:38.279-07:00Visiting the Ver Eecke Family in Cape Cod<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8DH9tcziKkIFUsGIyJO6r-OaMHXbvnj2ed1rs2oGVrCKQRvULHP18fR85_RndWnknXG-NrSa1tjBut5WpDS7Q_KaeCf7_vXJ2bF0NYlm0dS38JoXrykAARc4qxYWhdSFR51MXDok_8NC/s1600/DSC02181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8DH9tcziKkIFUsGIyJO6r-OaMHXbvnj2ed1rs2oGVrCKQRvULHP18fR85_RndWnknXG-NrSa1tjBut5WpDS7Q_KaeCf7_vXJ2bF0NYlm0dS38JoXrykAARc4qxYWhdSFR51MXDok_8NC/s320/DSC02181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Did I mention Eva ran naked on the same beach the Kennedy's vacation on?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDBt530pmvegFBnPdwre9krfda72RBBfSSwRM5dzF-wLciNB7SqqQY0qWOzxEH9OxV2Cu2olNoIQIDnO0H0UkrU4kbmQAEbHq0ieJ6RvqVycaWyYZmf8wr3lOHiwgxfdJbfGDuWBQqykl/s1600/DSC02198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDBt530pmvegFBnPdwre9krfda72RBBfSSwRM5dzF-wLciNB7SqqQY0qWOzxEH9OxV2Cu2olNoIQIDnO0H0UkrU4kbmQAEbHq0ieJ6RvqVycaWyYZmf8wr3lOHiwgxfdJbfGDuWBQqykl/s320/DSC02198.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDrZpJQOQq6N2D3EkPEqeeu9yy45tM2Er_EFPCcFptHj1N5xGXUEGfgF4mSbjqvneNBWANcRlB4dG9FhGL_51cu2w5HUg6OiJgcylryaGBg0TZViMfN3d-QArFCpfIn4deteW3BFTbwAm/s1600/DSC02204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDrZpJQOQq6N2D3EkPEqeeu9yy45tM2Er_EFPCcFptHj1N5xGXUEGfgF4mSbjqvneNBWANcRlB4dG9FhGL_51cu2w5HUg6OiJgcylryaGBg0TZViMfN3d-QArFCpfIn4deteW3BFTbwAm/s320/DSC02204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There's Eva and my god-daughter, Rogan!Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-6880292582701015712011-07-24T17:22:00.000-07:002011-07-24T17:22:31.956-07:00GratefulThis week was a little rough for me. I know this because everyone in my house had trouble sleeping. Eva, by all likely accounts, has an ear infection. (We'll be visiting the doctor tomorrow morning- pronto!) Kyle has been up late studying every night. I have been tossing, turning, and worrying! I am a world-class worrier. If there is something I can worry about, something even remotely possible, I will worry about it. For example, every time it thunderstorms I worry one of the trees in our backyard will fall on our house. I know it could happen because it happened to a friend of mine. It doesn't matter that all of the trees are healthy; I'm convinced that my worrying is keeping them up and off our roof.<br />
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Alas, I digress. What had me going this week were serious matters. Every now and then I'm reminded again how precious life is. Two dear friends of mine faced very difficult challenges this last month. One gave birth to a stillborn baby with a neural tube defect, and one's newborn son was born prematurely and diagnosed with Down Syndrome. I have witnessed these friends move through their grief (and joy) with grace. I have been awed by God's presence in their lives. Each one recounted to me that they felt the Lord with them when things seemed most dire, and both are finding the strength to hope and trust that God's plan remains before them. In my conversations with my friend who lost her baby, our focus has centered on the concept of risk. For her, it takes an enormous amount of trust, strength and faith to dare to hope for a healthy baby again. What it seems to come down to is that trying for a baby is risky, being pregnant is risky, giving birth is risky, and being a parent is risky. Having and sharing a life with a child is the ultimate risk <i>and</i> reward. There is no promise of how things might turn out. For us, Eva's birth was scary and unexpected. In many ways, it represented a valley in our lives, and the fear of what might happen sometimes won out over my faith that things would be okay. As I thought about my friends this week, what kept me up at night was my desire to be there for them, and also the realization of just how amazingly grateful I am for the way things turned out for our little one. We have come such a long way! I also realized that I would not hesitate a moment to do it all again, even if I did not know how well things would turn out, just for the chance to be Eva's mom.<br />
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<i>"Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof."</i><br />
<i>-Khalil Gibran</i><br />
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</span></span>Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-77065881253906909802011-07-19T10:05:00.000-07:002011-07-19T10:05:45.066-07:00Everyone MattersEva waves to everyone, and I mean everyone. Case in point, we were at a rest stop on our way home from North Carolina on Sunday. Kyle was standing with Eva near the car. Eva waved at every car that exited the highway and entered the parking lot in front of her. She waved so vigorously that a few of the drivers looked up at her in surprise, smiled and waved back. It's amazing how most everyone will smile at a baby. Old, young, rough around the edges, or well-manicured. Everyone loves a baby, and my baby seems to show an interest in everyone. To her, everyone deserves a wave... even the woodchuck crossing the street. We were out on the porch blowing bubbles and eating popsicles. I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye, and Eva saw it too. I stood up. She pulled on my leg, wanting me to pick her up. She took a look at the woodchuck scurrying across our neighbor's yard and began waving with a big smile on her face. Even the woodchuck matters. I think, but I cannot be sure, that the woodchuck smiled and waved back.Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-78865526562667200512011-07-13T06:44:00.000-07:002011-07-13T06:44:53.084-07:00Summertime AdventuresToday Eva and I are going exploring! We are going to visit some consignment stores and maybe stop somewhere new for lunch on the way. That's one of the things I love about living in a big city. There is always something new to explore. I am hoping that Eva will be able to help me find some great things to outfit my office. I am thinking that having a home office may inspire me to get some work done around here! Hopefully I will come home with some treasures and post some pictures.<br />
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In other adventures, we are going to Asheville to visit a dear friend this weekend. Never been, but it's bound to be fun! I love road trips with my family. Today I will start packing and prepare the trail mix. I love seeing how cheaply we can travel with a little preparation. That leaves more money for shopping!Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-73922091535339822632011-07-09T07:28:00.000-07:002011-07-09T07:28:46.047-07:00Ponderings of a Full-time MomBefore I had Eva, I was (and pretty much still am) one of those liberal, feminist types. I don't mean to paint people in broad brushstrokes, but if I had to sum up my beliefs about women, working, and social rights, I guess that is where I would generally fall. As with many things I've realized as I've matured, most things in this world are not so black and white. This past year I have been confronted with the age-old conflict of whether or not to stay home with Eva or continue to invest in my career. I always realized that having the ability to have and care for children put women at a distinct disadvantage in the competitive marketplace. It's no hidden fact that women still make less than men in almost all professions when experience and education level are otherwise equal. For some reason, I don't know why exactly, I thought I would be immune. However, since having Eva I have held four different jobs, none with any permanency in my desire to balance my identities as a working professional and mother. My most recent position, despite moving our family over 500 miles to new state and assurances that this position would be funded the following year, was cut due to department reorganization. So for the fourth time this year, I find myself sending out resumes, lining up references, sending out transcripts, and pounding the pavement looking for a job. After hitting my head against a wall more than a few times, I think it is finally dawning on me that I'm considered a "flight risk" to employers as a part-time employee. I have never concealed my desire to stay home at least part-time with my little girl. This threatens people. There's this perception that I must be less dedicated to my job, my students, and the teachers and families I work with if I work part-time. It's almost as if I cannot be counted on to show up everyday. My search for other flexible employment has generally come up empty-handed. It looks as if I must pursue full-time positions. I feel pigeon-holed and this opens up other cans of worms. Firstly, I don't want to be away from my little girl forty plus hours a week. I know that's what people do, and she would be absolutely fine, but I'm never going to look back at my life and wish I had worked more. I can project that one day I may look back at my life and say, "I wish I had spent more time with my kids." Secondly, finding a job in unstable economic times is incredibly difficulty regardless of my education or experience level. I have always been raised that any job is a good job and hard work is the only way to pay for the things you want. Recently I have been given the chance to pursue an opportunity outside of the field of education, in the corporate setting. I think I would enjoy the position, culture, and people I work with, but I am having trouble stomaching the idea of spending 2-3 hours a day with my child the majority of each week. I'm aware of some other options that would give me more time with my family, but are less stable and likely pay less as well. How can I turn down one job without any promise of another? What to do? Maybe it is a question of faith; faith in our definition of what's important, faith in my skills, and faith that God will provide the means. Maybe...<br />
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I recently read a post on another momma's blog about this subject. I know that moms are harder on themselves than anyone else would be. There is guilt on either side of the fence, but the author of this post said that all of us, part-time, full-time or no-time, need to let go of the "should dos." We all need to cut ourselves some slack and realize that the balance between our families, our careers, our identities, develops a day at time. There is no right way or magic solution. We are all doing what we can, the best we can, and let's leave it at that.Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-7479584919020551372011-06-28T07:40:00.000-07:002011-06-28T07:40:38.325-07:00Turning Over a New Leaf Part 2Okay, I know I haven't posted in a million years. But I have lots of good reasons, I swear. Since my last post Eva turned one, we moved to Richmond, Virginia, bought a house, and both of us started new jobs. Can you believe it? Eva joined the world of walkers. She can run, jump, and (to my dismay) climb all two flights of stairs in our new home. She laughs all the way up because she knows she is not supposed to be climbing without us. We moved in the beginning of March and between visitors, unpacking, a few long road trips, and remodeling a bathroom I have fallen sadly behind on my correspondence. Now that summer is here and things are calming down a bit, I can't wait to catch up. There are so many good things to share! Looking back at my previous posts made me a little teary-eyed. I loved reading them. Time passes by so fast. I am reminded of my original purpose in writing this blog; to share our lives with those that we love and also to take the time to record all of our "firsts" with our beautiful, not-so-baby girl. It's hard to figure out where you're going, if you don't take the time to appreciate where you've been!Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-31731561445560365982010-12-14T17:19:00.000-08:002010-12-14T17:19:47.242-08:00My name is Taylor and it has been 14 days since my last post.... "Hi Taylor"I've been so busy doing the business of living that I have not had a single minute to reflect on it! Eva has been recovering from a cold the last few weeks. In a not so rare moment of new parenthood, I made my husband and I sleep on the floor next to Eva's crib to make sure she was breathing throughout the night when she first came down with it. Picture this: Eva sleeping (snoring) in her crib, and Kyle and I laying on the floor with a large, black, furry dog sandwiched between the two of us. The humidifier was humming, the smell of Vicks was in the air, and there was one worried momma laying awake the entire night. This is not the first time I have done this. I used to do it all the time when she came home from the hospital. And as my wonderful nanny, Peggy, assures me, it won't be the last. Ben the furry dog wishes we would sleep that way all the time. It's his favorite!<br />
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Lots has been happening lately. Eva is sitting up all by herself. She is so proud that sometimes she looks around the room and laughs at all she can see now. What a wonderful thing to change one's perspective! I spent a whole, wonderful week with her as one job ended, and I prepared for another to begin. I left last Friday to visit my sis in Chicago, and wouldn't you know it? Eva cut her first tooth! It is her lower right, front tooth. She keeps sucking in her lip and offering us a toothy smile. I think she is showing off. I'm so proud of my baby. It was fun that all this occurred during her first weekend hanging out with her daddy. She is also drinking out of a sippy cup like a pro. She has even been known to protest if you take it away before she is ready. Starting this week, her Nanna will be watching her while I work. I'm so excited that they will have this time to spend together. No one better to leave your little one with than your own momma!<br />
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We are also gearing up for Christmas. Eva's presents have been purchased, including her stocking stuffers. Her Christmas outfits are ready and cameras are charged. We can't wait! When I asked Kyle which Christmas was his favorite, he replied, "It will be this one."Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-35816611629464058582010-11-30T17:41:00.000-08:002010-11-30T17:41:10.695-08:00The Kitchen is a MessI'm not the neatest person in the world, although I am a bit of germa-phobe. (I have also been known to check the oven more than once before going to bed.) One thing that drives me crazy is a messy kitchen, and since Eva entered the scene that's exactly what I have! Bottles are always in the sink. Formula is always drying on the counter somewhere. Lot of times the dishes have to wait. Today I tried my hand at making baby food. It seems like a healthy and cheaper option to commercial baby food, and I love being able to do things for my little one. My first attempt was at sweet potatoes and squash, two of Eva's favorite foods. I think it turned out pretty well, although Eva wasn't very hungry by the time I finished the process. We'll have to see how it goes tomorrow. I think it will take me until then to scrub the taters off the cupboards. :) I also mashed some organic pears, and even managed to freeze some for later. More to come.....Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-72781615121129685532010-11-29T08:19:00.000-08:002010-11-29T08:19:39.014-08:00Eva's First Thanksgiving!Eva has had an amazing 8 months of "firsts." Her first Thanksgiving certainly was no exception. The Crow Family, Eva's Aunt, Uncle and cousins, live on post at West Point in New York. For the past three years, with the exception of Kyle's deployment year, Kyle and I have spent Thanksgiving with the Crows. It has become an honored tradition as an opportunity to spend quality time with our nieces, nephew, and Krissy and Mark. Although there is a lot of ground between families, we treasure our time together and always seem to pick up right where we left off. Kyle and I could not wait to include Eva in this Thanksgiving tradition. Time with the Crows is always jam-packed with excitement, lots of laughs, good food, and a few tears too. (With four kids, what else could there be?)<br />
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We left the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to make the 10 hour trek to New York from Detroit. The drive seemed to go by very fast, and for Eva's first long trip she did so well! We arrived there around 3:30 in the afternoon and were welcomed by the Isabella, Will and Krissy. Their house is amazing. It is at least 100 years old, and out of its grand windows you can see magnificent views of the Hudson, especially this time of year. Eva's cousins, especially the little girls, loved to see her. Abbey, age 3, attempted to "mother" her, and even taught Eva the sign for "more." Eva was speechless, I believe. Never in her life has she been around so many kids and so much going on! She loved watching her cousins. At one point, when Kyle and Will were playing catch, she broke out into a fit of laughter. She laughed out loud each time Will caught the ball. She also liked to watch Isabella. Isabella, being the responsible sort, held Eva and watched her at times throughout the weekend. Uncle Mark was able to meet Eva for the first time the day we arrived. She warmed right up to him by giving him a hug. Throughout the weekend, he referred to her often as the "screamer" and "brat" because compared to other children she was anything but! Eva enjoyed being carried around in the hub-bub by her Aunt and Uncle. It was truly heart warming to see the way Eva began to fit right in with the family.<br />
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For Thanksgiving dinner, Eva enjoyed a fancy ballroom sup at the Officer's Club at West Point. Isn't that what every baby does for her first Thanksgiving? It is a mid-evil, castle type of place jutting out onto the river. It was a wonderful dinner! The servers brought Eva her very own high chair, and Eva tasted mashed potatoes and enjoyed her sweet potatoes and apples, specially made by Gerber. For her first Thanksgiving Eva wore a parisian inspired sweater dress with cream colored leggings. She loved looking around the ballroom and dipping her octopus toy into her taters. Later in the weekend, Eva tried her first "puffs" and was able, after several attempts, to put them into her mouth all by herself. She enjoyed playing by the Christmas tree, and received complimentary tongue baths by Timber the German Shepard. Eva was spoiled by her Aunt Krissy. She took home at least 20 outfits, including special bath soap and a new gingerbread ensemble. Eva certainly is loved! Thank you Aunt Krissy and Uncle Mark!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful West Point!</div><br />
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The Crow Residence<br />
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Cousin Abbey Helping Eva<br />
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The trip back was a piece of cake, if not for Kyle feeling under the weather. Eva fell asleep at the exit gate on post and didn't wake up until past Scranton, PA, much to her Uncle Mark's dismay. (His kids are not good car sleepers.) She cooed and played during the few time she was awake, and then she experienced her first dinner at the infamous Ohio turnpike Panera's. Kyle and I feel blessed to make the trip. We love spending time with the Crows, and it was wonderful to have Eva share in the holiday with us. Everything, even a 10 hour drive along I-80, is new and exciting because Eva is here to share it with. We are so grateful this Thanksgiving to be healthy and able to spend it together. Eva is certainly our greatest blessing.Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-27376445082825920122010-11-15T13:42:00.000-08:002010-11-15T13:42:39.515-08:00"Isn't She Lovely?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbwpWsE6TfIUnwNYBomk0Z8pAPbk7yVoj9cuHcVrZ8UZtHSmwONPARXPCbrlYzWAMLge6U4OFFEnGWrYvU-OPH3nW_Azl0-er4PxxAVdAXHrJBXaA45u4iZ2J94yPvB110pYT2mND5iRM/s1600/DSC01541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbwpWsE6TfIUnwNYBomk0Z8pAPbk7yVoj9cuHcVrZ8UZtHSmwONPARXPCbrlYzWAMLge6U4OFFEnGWrYvU-OPH3nW_Azl0-er4PxxAVdAXHrJBXaA45u4iZ2J94yPvB110pYT2mND5iRM/s320/DSC01541.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Visit with Aunt Julie and Great Grandma Templin<br />
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Hi Papa!<br />
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Watching football with Papa T.....<br />
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My new high chair! I'm a big girl now!<br />
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What baby doesn't have a satin lined leopard coat?<br />
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Going for a walk with momma!Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-25461003314383221312010-11-15T13:18:00.000-08:002010-11-15T13:18:52.702-08:00My Husband is the BestThis New Year's Eve, my husband and I will have been married 6 years. I can honestly say that at least once a day for the past 11+ years that we have been together, I have thought, "How did I get so lucky?" Kyle is the kindest, most honest, and moral person I have ever met. We have been through a deployment, being "poor", health scares, five college degrees, being lost on a train in Europe across three countries, six moves, high school, and the birth of our daughter into the NICU just to name a few events. He continues to surprise me all the time! With Eva's birth, I had a chance to see yet another side of him. He has become the most tender, goofy dad a little girl could ever want. Here is a sample of what I heard one morning this week while Kyle was bathing Eva:<br />
"Hello, hello, my little gnome. It's time to wash your little dome. (head)"<br />
"Hi Sweetie! How is my lovie? You are so pretty. I love you so much. You're going to have a good day today!"<br />
"Oh dear, don't scratch your eye. You need your eyeball to see. This is the lense, and the light enters your eye through the lense and is reflected off your retina. Can you say retina?"<br />
"Don't eat the soap!"<br />
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I don't know how I would live with out him! Kyle has been known to make me dinner after a long day at work. I have witnessed him washing bottles and breast feeding gear. He obtained his own membership card to Carters and Osh Gosh, and it is not uncommon for him to come home with some kind of surprise for our little one. He's the best "baby wrapper" at night. He woke up with Eva three times last night. Never once have I heard him complain! Not even when Eva has a blow out diaper or is fussing with an ear infection. Eva does not know it now, but she is a very lucky little girl to have a daddy that loves her as much as Kyle does. I'm a very lucky woman to have him by my side.Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-87450999946294976072010-11-01T10:39:00.000-07:002010-11-01T10:39:12.309-07:00Happy DaysEva rolled over! She wobbled a little, but rolled from left to right on her tummy like a pro on October 30th. Now we can't stop her from going where she wishes! She rolls and scoots across distances! It was amazing to see. Kyle, Mimi and I were there. It won't be long before she will be crawling, I know it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7imFP-IrqKiJ1z8A_wbPphPC-QHDxjj6Wcim2rn5zJC_MpnI3FtxzWrq0BCN8oD8HN5UJmmdcdoCdK7HrY7lduXm9Puq1juERVvWI8RIqOs11Ka99almaxF5Dr16qLFbdd0ahNkxPJGA/s1600/DSC01527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7imFP-IrqKiJ1z8A_wbPphPC-QHDxjj6Wcim2rn5zJC_MpnI3FtxzWrq0BCN8oD8HN5UJmmdcdoCdK7HrY7lduXm9Puq1juERVvWI8RIqOs11Ka99almaxF5Dr16qLFbdd0ahNkxPJGA/s320/DSC01527.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1W91PLdZHNe6H7RIW_bLUfATxLJUDVAS-X6HQFIeOTOtMYK4mhP8x-N_-9XVoadr1HtDh-y9kceDdiv-eRUYnxNn223xDg_M2RZod3K3h6gYtmbckCZKcTh4eP7bx080vjk-ZeORI4Bn/s1600/DSC01529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1W91PLdZHNe6H7RIW_bLUfATxLJUDVAS-X6HQFIeOTOtMYK4mhP8x-N_-9XVoadr1HtDh-y9kceDdiv-eRUYnxNn223xDg_M2RZod3K3h6gYtmbckCZKcTh4eP7bx080vjk-ZeORI4Bn/s320/DSC01529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>For Halloween we went over to Tyson and Kristen's house. They just moved into a beautiful home in Monroe, about 25 minutes south of here, close to the Ohio border. We were expecting lots of trick-or-treaters there, but unfortunately we all ended up with lots of candy and few treaters. Eva went as the cutest cow you have ever seen (courtesy of her Aunt Krissy), and Kyle and I did not really go as anything. We can assure you that next year we will be planning a very clever costume. Eva seemed to have fun, and she even got to stay up a little later than usual for the special occasion. Kristen made Eva her very own Halloween treat basket, complete with rice cookies and a skeleton finger puppet. Eva especially loved the "Happy Halloween" balloon and pumpkin basket. A great time was had by all. (And, no, I did not get sick from eating too much candy this year! I made Kyle take it to work so I would not be tempted.)Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-1162867541924832962010-10-24T09:42:00.000-07:002010-10-24T09:42:47.478-07:00Eva's Big Day at the Eastern MarketYesterday we took Eva on an adventure in the big city. We started off at the renown Eastern Market in downtown Detroit, and then made our way to Greek Town. We then watched the swans swim to Canada from the otherwise abandoned-looking Belle Isle. Here's a link to the Eastern Market (it was awesome!): <a href="http://www.detroiteasternmarket.com/">http://www.detroiteasternmarket.com/</a><br />
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Kyle and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. We saw all kinds of fruits, veggies, spices, plants, and crafts. We smelled ribs on the barbeque, fresh cider and coffee, and flowers. We passed right on by Virg Bernero, saw a dumpster on fire (?), and gave our left-overs from Pegasus to a nice homeless man who called Eva our "little shorty." These are the reasons I love big cities! Where else in the world can you see, hear and smell such an assortment of things on any given day? We also saw this sign, which has to make you wonder:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI_UbhM66gkeLS_pf5vOKuYnbvxWSG6B2AZ3k9wB7M1U8SkMFE0payn7D1NNaR83cA_9YRCmYhHBkSiOfiIzm_3a2DQHsLgdEHWfXL8BSvInfBCNXzJu5_Tw7-aMYdElPiwq4zjmSZGr_/s1600/IMG_0288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI_UbhM66gkeLS_pf5vOKuYnbvxWSG6B2AZ3k9wB7M1U8SkMFE0payn7D1NNaR83cA_9YRCmYhHBkSiOfiIzm_3a2DQHsLgdEHWfXL8BSvInfBCNXzJu5_Tw7-aMYdElPiwq4zjmSZGr_/s320/IMG_0288.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Does this mean it's okay to hurt each other if we would just use our fists instead of guns? I think they may be missing the boat on this one. To be fair, this sign was just down the street from a black market shop that was selling shirts that said, "Detroit Hustles Harder".<br />
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Here's what Eva might describe if she had the words to do so:<br />
This is a long car ride. Where are we going?<br />
Why is momma changing me in the back seat? Daddy is swearing a lot to find a parking spot.<br />
I love my stroller. I'll chew on this lady bug. Something wet is falling on my face. (rain)<br />
I'm snuggled in. I can see my momma pushing me. I hear lots of noises. I hear a man yelling, "1 for a dollar! These mums must go. Time to send me home!" I hear people talking. I see that sometimes I am outside and sometimes I am inside. Daddy is holding something up to my nose for me to smell. It makes me wrinkle my nose.<br />
Mommy is holding me tight and my hood is over my face. We are walking somewhere. Mommy and daddy kiss me a lot and tell me I am safe.<br />
I'm hungry! Feed me!<br />
We are at a restaurant. I feel heat on my face. I think that man just lit that cheese on fire! Wow! I'll hold on to mommy a little tighter.<br />
Daddy is holding me now and feeding me a bottle. I feel sleepy.<br />
Mommy is bouncing me to sleep. I'll hold on to her shirt with one hand just in case she tries to go anywhere while I'm sleeping.<br />
Zzzzzzz........<br />
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Here are pictures of Eva and I. Notice the expressions of concern on her face....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPySH-EF2Agg7B1m-TM3Fg_LqT65u3osRvVpQvH6JvTNdBRhRMQnPfRI1QIjq91D8quG3LD7t0uh3enM5D4eBQz2vJntACgy5o6Si_D_LYU_BLtS9WsmnlBY0MDIxfOF0BEtjUqWtpEDZx/s1600/IMG_0294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPySH-EF2Agg7B1m-TM3Fg_LqT65u3osRvVpQvH6JvTNdBRhRMQnPfRI1QIjq91D8quG3LD7t0uh3enM5D4eBQz2vJntACgy5o6Si_D_LYU_BLtS9WsmnlBY0MDIxfOF0BEtjUqWtpEDZx/s320/IMG_0294.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-32402727966446626002010-10-24T09:19:00.000-07:002010-10-24T09:19:08.330-07:00Reverse Scoot-ScootSo, I've been a little concerned about Eva's gross motor skills. (Being a psychologist for the Early Childhood Program does not work in my favor on this one.) She is not quite sitting up or rolling over yet, and I worry that those skills are delayed. However, in typical Eva fashion, she continues to amaze us and tell us what she thinks of our fears! She has invented what I call the "reverse scoot-scoot". Because she has the tendency to be a little impatient (like her mother) she has developed a way to get from point A to point B without rolling over or sitting up. She uses her strong legs to propel her.<br />
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Here is how it works:<br />
1) Lay on your back<br />
2) Roll your head and upper body over just enough to see where you want to go.<br />
3) Push off the ground, using you legs, while arching your back to propel yourself in the direction of your choosing.<br />
4) Scoot the rest of your body as you push off the ground with your legs.<br />
4) Repeat.<br />
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She is a strong little girl! To be certain, she has started to try to sit up on her own. Her head is getting so much stronger, and now we are working on trunk strength. Our wonderful care-giver, Peggy, bought Eva the coolest little planet activity center. Eva is starting to really enjoy that, although most of her play centers around trying to fit things in her mouth. I know Eva will do what she wants to do when she is good and ready. If anything, I have learned that she has her own way of creating a time-line that is perfect for her. I guess we could all learn to relax and let things happen in their season. In the mean-time, we can laugh as she "scoot-scoots"!Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-3291556391699534892010-10-24T09:03:00.000-07:002010-10-24T09:03:38.592-07:00A Perfect Day at the Zoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPta-lBESxs9iHWaKoznFeQu5dB2_ev_jpY_npCpw8i6ziHYMNDJ3cAbMm18iR9lri395czeXKR2Jb-whONQrP9wfyZN-tscPAJHCYt1l4hrCznsO2IxgMOp9kbiT9gLLlJ3FuqDk3fNj5/s1600/DSCN1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPta-lBESxs9iHWaKoznFeQu5dB2_ev_jpY_npCpw8i6ziHYMNDJ3cAbMm18iR9lri395czeXKR2Jb-whONQrP9wfyZN-tscPAJHCYt1l4hrCznsO2IxgMOp9kbiT9gLLlJ3FuqDk3fNj5/s320/DSCN1283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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This week Eva also started showing signs of stranger awareness. If she sees someone she is not sure about, she buries her head and the lower lip begins trembling. Her doctor at her six week check-up insisted that babies don't show that awareness until nine months old. Then she looked at Eva and Eva promptly starting crying. That's my girl! She continued to glare at the doctor throughout the appointment. :) It's amazing how babies' personalities emerge so early in life. I think she's a good mix of Kyle and I. She is stubborn like the both of us, but she has her daddy's laid-back attitude. She smiles all the time, especially when she sees her family. I think maybe she will love books like me. We read together often. She will sit on my lap and listen to two or three stories at a time. She loves the bright pictures and looking at the words.Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-29693209289432899482010-10-04T06:29:00.000-07:002010-10-04T06:31:49.512-07:006 Months Old TodayOur beautiful daughter came into our lives exactly 6 months ago today on April 4, 2010. I never envisioned all the ways our lives would change! Eva is a constant joy to us, despite the three of us going through a very difficult time these last months. Everyone that meets Eva says she is the sweetest, best baby. Of course we agree! Here are a few important milestones to share with you all:<br />
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September 1st- Eva began to suck on her thumb at will. She usually sucks on it to get to sleep.<br />
September 11th- Eva's first art festival. She loved being outside! She also began to stand and sit with support this week.<br />
September 23rd- Eva started solid foods! Orange veggies and bananas seem to be her favorites.<br />
Week of September 20th- Eva began turning on her side. She's been sleeping on her side throughout the night. Eva is off most of her medicines beginning this week! She has also moved into 6-9 month old clothing. New pj's from Nanna and a special batch of fall clothes from Aunt Krissy mean that Eva is warm and cute no matter what the weather!<br />
September 28th- Eva's first double ear infection. Let's hope it's the last!<br />
October 1st- For one of the first times, Eva began to laugh at something she thought was funny all on her own. She saw Roxy rolling around on the floor and making noise, and she started to laugh! She watched her, reached out to her, and laughed. It was so cute. Kyle and I are pretty sure she will be an animal lover like the two of us. Good thing neither of the pups mind her pulling their fur!<br />
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Every day is a little different. It is such a blessing to see her be healthy, strong and curious about everything. Thank you to all of our family that have shared in these last 6 months and helped us from the NICU to our new home in Woodhaven. You guys mean the world to us! We could not have done it without you.Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169678980541876747.post-82968330400328484542010-09-27T05:32:00.000-07:002010-09-27T05:32:47.653-07:00Time for Dinner!After a misadventure caused by a formula recall last week, Eva's appetite has now returned! It made its debut with rice cereal and green beans. She loved the green beans! I have to admit I shed a few tears thinking of her eating "real food". She was so excited and proud of herself. I think our excitement may be short-lived though. She is getting a cold and sounds like a little nasally old man. Hopefully a lot of rest and extra love from mom and dad will help her to get better quickly......Life is Beautifulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622662920534596879noreply@blogger.com0