tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61357753304740007202024-03-05T03:38:48.962-08:00Supposedly SaneTiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-88049520517005171042015-01-28T16:31:00.001-08:002015-01-28T16:38:18.754-08:00Taking Off the Mask<br /><br /><br />There was a news conference yesterday, held by the LDS church. You can read about it and watch it <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-news-conference-on-religious-freedom-and-nondiscrimination?cid=HPTU012715648">here</a>. The church announced their support of laws in Utah that would allow for LGBT individuals to seek housing and employment without fear of discrimination.<br /><br />Yes, it is great that a church is standing up and saying that LGBT individuals should not be discriminated against when applying for housing and employment. The church reps went on to say that, as a church, they have the right to not hire LGBT individuals in their institutions and to force them to do so is an attack on their religious freedom.<br /><br />I think we can all agree, no one should be discriminated against. No one should be denied housing because of their sexual orientation and no one should have to resign as CEO because they don't support gay rights. But can we please stop lauding 'the church' for this amazing wonderful stance they are taking? Because the church basically said that they don't believe in LGBT discrimination in hiring practices except if they're the ones doing the hiring. Because church. And religious freedom.<br /><br />During the press conference, Dallin H Oaks said, "the precious constitutional right of free speech does not exclude any individual or group, and a society is only truly free when it respects freedom of religious exercise, conscience and expression for everyone, including unpopular minorities. "<br /> <br />Then, after the press conference, Elders Oaks and Christofferson held individual interviews with journalists to answer questions. Peggy Fletcher Stack, of the Salt Lake Tribune, asked the apostles what the LDS Church thinks of members who back same-sex marriage. This was the response from Elder Christofferson:<div>
"There hasn't been any litmus test or standard imposed that you couldn't support that if you want to support it," Christofferson said, "if that's your belief and you think it's right."Any Latter-day Saint can have a belief "on either side of this issue," he said. "That's not uncommon."Problems arise only when a member makes "a public, sustained opposition to the church itself or the church leaders and tries to draw others after them," he said, and that support swells into "advocacy."</div>
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So, the precious constitutional right of free speech does not exclude anyone but if your convictions aren't totally in line with church teachings, don't voice them in public, and definitely don't be an advocate.</div>
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Don't discriminate against gays unless you're a church. Don't speak freely unless your opinion is the same as the church's. Husband and wife are equal but men preside. We are given agency but we have to choose this path to gain exaltation. The holy ghost confirms truth to you unless that truth isn't church-endorsed - then it's satan deceiving you. </div>
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I'm just........tired. Also, I support gay marriage. </div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-42332030813674514762015-01-05T18:26:00.002-08:002015-01-05T18:26:26.018-08:00The Family Room is Done!So this is what our family room looked like 2 1/2 years ago, right after we put in tile and carpet:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxKodYh5_g5ImeeX86QD9fvPaPl_ccK_bPrGfVIRXD3-1GVyBEk2qXe4PIhbAvRRBgd1vQRN1k7HiGydv3XKyESuIwA1dIL2g-6Aee-ODkmvmalLQwd3-usNlGOtygF5AIEe7IM_mSTE/s1600/family+room2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxKodYh5_g5ImeeX86QD9fvPaPl_ccK_bPrGfVIRXD3-1GVyBEk2qXe4PIhbAvRRBgd1vQRN1k7HiGydv3XKyESuIwA1dIL2g-6Aee-ODkmvmalLQwd3-usNlGOtygF5AIEe7IM_mSTE/s1600/family+room2.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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But then if you turned too far to the left, this is what you saw:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62wmFio9CvbVB6eO14OvnTHAqpyySScCqjdXvcqeunXIswahrfqWdun3psD5hYOvBhloC-C96t40aK12pbQKJ_Inye_OLq1XYspcK-yGy_Grs6Zhm27Cic6MxFQPhTPxV_1ZPaB7sOMI/s1600/family+room3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62wmFio9CvbVB6eO14OvnTHAqpyySScCqjdXvcqeunXIswahrfqWdun3psD5hYOvBhloC-C96t40aK12pbQKJ_Inye_OLq1XYspcK-yGy_Grs6Zhm27Cic6MxFQPhTPxV_1ZPaB7sOMI/s1600/family+room3.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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Well, this area has stayed like this for the past.......2 years.....?? Yeah. 2 years. We are awesome. BUT NOW, thanks to a really awesome friend of mine, this corner looks like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPham7ap7NgeNAb48c9HZJBUPGq0eNktDG1d-8b9B5lYkKAbT2bMx7QAJUqwjKjzbnPxvjasvrcFXJEgZ9FXzM2Z7o2uxX93mhEIJ__L7HPLJHrZqWrTbOihKwZ12GAc9EyjY76btE5Hs/s1600/IMG_5278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPham7ap7NgeNAb48c9HZJBUPGq0eNktDG1d-8b9B5lYkKAbT2bMx7QAJUqwjKjzbnPxvjasvrcFXJEgZ9FXzM2Z7o2uxX93mhEIJ__L7HPLJHrZqWrTbOihKwZ12GAc9EyjY76btE5Hs/s1600/IMG_5278.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Sigh. Much better.</div>
Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-49861177506829263942015-01-04T11:54:00.000-08:002015-01-04T11:54:17.129-08:00*Cricket cricket*Well hello.<br />
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You've been quiet for quite some time. Oh wait, that was me being quiet. Quietness is not really something I'm known for. Like, at all. I guess le blog totally fell off le priority list. For a long time.<br />
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I'm back, I guess. I kind of like having a place to write ridiculous things because I AM known for being ridiculous.<br />
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So here we are. Let's chat. Let's paint each other's nails and play truth or dare. I'll go first. I choooooooooose TRUTH!<br />
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Today is my seventh wedding anniversary. SEVEN YEARS. Feels like 2. Feels like my husband and I are growing into each other; growing <i>with</i> each other, intertwined in each other's branches. Feels like we are truly working for the same things and on the same team and speaking the same language for the first time, maybe ever. Feels like our roots are sinking into the soil even further, and he would happily give up some nutrients to make my leaves greener and my branches longer. We are building something here; something ugly and gorgeous and knotted and breathtaking.<br />
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Also? I may or may not have thrown out my back. Talk about knotted........Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-33527823527776844292014-01-18T05:09:00.001-08:002014-01-18T05:09:44.069-08:00And another thing...My pinky toe got broken on a baby swing. Just when it was feeling better, Henry left his swing sitting out again annnnnnnnd it got rebroken. <div><br></div><div>On the most annoying wounds list, it's pretty far up there. It's just above 'cuticle cracking at the corner of your nail' and right below 'cancher sore'.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vd_RKoKIREQ4y48nqKLlbUEROw3zKaudao20oSouaQTtihJ8Kx56XDcJ_9uQnh4LPC7M9QGJvVchQ6FY6Maoyjj4e_IRDmc44VGJQygayPG0WiwZurpFBE3QVio-W6ftWzs5A1QAbwE/s640/blogger-image--242485498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vd_RKoKIREQ4y48nqKLlbUEROw3zKaudao20oSouaQTtihJ8Kx56XDcJ_9uQnh4LPC7M9QGJvVchQ6FY6Maoyjj4e_IRDmc44VGJQygayPG0WiwZurpFBE3QVio-W6ftWzs5A1QAbwE/s640/blogger-image--242485498.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcHq0wTrPlrT91L-7xx0P2T04-oDpara_MNgkc5jqOJcZ-kOspC1xzRvq_bQA0AORgNA2nj4woHSlDHQcYVqZpa3ACUuAXwYTR2mfmuO7I1V7tZdijMSN4MLrYzaGJuvNgNDzLkcUors/s640/blogger-image--140982459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcHq0wTrPlrT91L-7xx0P2T04-oDpara_MNgkc5jqOJcZ-kOspC1xzRvq_bQA0AORgNA2nj4woHSlDHQcYVqZpa3ACUuAXwYTR2mfmuO7I1V7tZdijMSN4MLrYzaGJuvNgNDzLkcUors/s640/blogger-image--140982459.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-30189446909321702122014-01-17T19:57:00.001-08:002015-01-04T11:56:23.277-08:00This is realI will break my snoop bloggy blog silence tonight by talking about something that enrages/scares the daylights out of me. Regardez:<br />
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I cannot believe what is being marketed to young girls these days. Can. Not. </div>
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The first picture I took in a toy aisle whilst looking for a very specific gift for my daughter. They are called Bratz dolls. The huge blue eyes, the teeny nose, the huuuuge unnatural collagen lips, and the stripper makeup is Just. Too. Much. I know these dolls have been around for a while but I don't remember them looking so lady-of-the-night when they first came out. Hooooooow does anyone think that marketing this doll to young girls reinforces anything but negative ideas? I was in disbelief when I saw the ad. </div>
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Picture number two I took in Target. In the girls' section. Ava is one size away from shopping in that section and I was so sad to see one of her favorite cartoon characters (Rainbow Dash) referencing the <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">song Blurred Lines. (If you don't know the song you have probably been living under a rock.)</span></div>
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I'm sad that money comes before morality in marketing to preschoolers, kindergartners, and elementary aged children (I expect it with older age groups). I'm sad that there are 6 year olds that know the song Blurred Lines. I'm sad that there are little girls growing up thinking that they need to have tons of makeup and tiny noses and huge lips to be beautiful. I'm sad that there are parents who buy that crap for their kids. I'm sad that innocence can get lost so young, so easily now. </div>
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And I'm mad. Mama Bear has been awoken. I'm ready for a fight. A big long one where Ava is the winner. </div>
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She is so very beautiful, from the inside out. But it will become so easy for her to forget that. </div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-44234162087026368902014-01-08T12:22:00.001-08:002014-01-08T12:22:50.490-08:00Ava's RoomI realized that I have never posted pictures of Ava's awesome room and the awesome bed her daddy made her. Or did I? Whatever. I'm posting them anyway. <div><br></div><div>Walking into her room - pink chalkboard wall on the left covered in plus signs inside circles....little concerned about that. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITSo8RugCwOitRXwGhEbPHUgXsjvSyHulzuJf2yPdsUwmWUxwFBB2whTKvO8ufc0ZYdcAVe2KSqavVlCslED5AU9FP-bBsOAvFKhIZed2q5i2hgVAe4gRhjr-Ugi-q1OCdK4sdoBJZnk/s640/blogger-image-677490046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITSo8RugCwOitRXwGhEbPHUgXsjvSyHulzuJf2yPdsUwmWUxwFBB2whTKvO8ufc0ZYdcAVe2KSqavVlCslED5AU9FP-bBsOAvFKhIZed2q5i2hgVAe4gRhjr-Ugi-q1OCdK4sdoBJZnk/s640/blogger-image-677490046.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>Her sweeeeet bed (and the "nest" where she sleeps....also concerning):<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcvUBtAed_TD6NYOHGxDT82aaGdeJkshLO61lUuCdDT2RYRj_MSq4gKSdd5bYzpGblnN3aG0g4gg3hMrphCAPL9PAJp_7MjBewqdMlQjDvfQyWNyNfO0VTwG6FLKM-fmlJ3n4zsk5qjg/s640/blogger-image-1200534190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcvUBtAed_TD6NYOHGxDT82aaGdeJkshLO61lUuCdDT2RYRj_MSq4gKSdd5bYzpGblnN3aG0g4gg3hMrphCAPL9PAJp_7MjBewqdMlQjDvfQyWNyNfO0VTwG6FLKM-fmlJ3n4zsk5qjg/s640/blogger-image-1200534190.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsTNsFqTuCFgbHi9udMreI5-v4_HJbgnqXOdWogKBmeHxSg6Jo-Ra_7Ja02UjdaQTMWMjkl0PsAT5D5eeycarlwn5QVoAfW9neadOz6tZABmqa59heFdUwq_Se-W1op847U51PqNt138/s640/blogger-image--420040030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsTNsFqTuCFgbHi9udMreI5-v4_HJbgnqXOdWogKBmeHxSg6Jo-Ra_7Ja02UjdaQTMWMjkl0PsAT5D5eeycarlwn5QVoAfW9neadOz6tZABmqa59heFdUwq_Se-W1op847U51PqNt138/s640/blogger-image--420040030.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Books within reach. They ALL end up in her bed at some point. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeDjN3SBo4CNxgQIFTeWrs1NdSC0ShdkHp4Z0TxhxQ1PTusmALElKAJlBXWab1JSTMhzu43kDx9RHqdrhEuLOR3cG_g7A11E6Ffu_0PdY4J36sgQF6M75zZJo_ol4lb7YfbV9tsDVrfI/s640/blogger-image-1239010407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeDjN3SBo4CNxgQIFTeWrs1NdSC0ShdkHp4Z0TxhxQ1PTusmALElKAJlBXWab1JSTMhzu43kDx9RHqdrhEuLOR3cG_g7A11E6Ffu_0PdY4J36sgQF6M75zZJo_ol4lb7YfbV9tsDVrfI/s640/blogger-image-1239010407.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And her "stage" (she's making my married dress):<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedEHazOfHCQULo-3z3YbXJ-0qWZ814_eXaTLN1cSJQ96j5HKSqHSflCHNdTYFjO4WCawQIWDFfCs2uEDcuRW7FnyQ4nl18v7YmGCR9Bq7VzVurJmKm5sPaQvNLBMqTL0tZ60kQTgyU10/s640/blogger-image--1958886622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedEHazOfHCQULo-3z3YbXJ-0qWZ814_eXaTLN1cSJQ96j5HKSqHSflCHNdTYFjO4WCawQIWDFfCs2uEDcuRW7FnyQ4nl18v7YmGCR9Bq7VzVurJmKm5sPaQvNLBMqTL0tZ60kQTgyU10/s640/blogger-image--1958886622.jpg"></a></div></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With Henry taking 3-4 naps a day in his room and me having moved all my LPM/office stuff into my room upstairs, she will definitely be playing in her room more often (because heaven forbid she be somewhere in the house where I am not). I can't wait to see all the plays she puts on!</div>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-26185154623625729332013-12-11T13:20:00.000-08:002013-12-11T13:20:08.723-08:00Just normal stuffsOh, hey blog. How are ya? I'm busy these days.<br />
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After I had Ava I overheard a lady in an old ward say something like, "you're not a <i>real</i> mother until you have 2 kids." As you can imagine, I was incensed. I was pretty sure I was a mom....yup I had the physical and emotional scars to prove it (hahaha! I make it sound so traumatic)! I couldn't believe anyone would say such a thing.<br />
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And then I had my second kid. Although poorly worded, her comment makes sense to me now. I'm not sure how one tiny little human makes us all suddenly create 5x the laundry......but he has. There's more to be done and to stay on top of it all I have to employ the "leave a room better than you found it" technique and I am becoming a morning person (DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN!!!!). Both of these things, I thought, were against my natural woman. Turns out I just needed the right set of circumstances for these particular changes to happen. These are strange times, my friends. But, I can honestly say that I have never been happier in my life.<br />
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Well played, life.<br />
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-89065964818207684692013-10-16T11:46:00.000-07:002013-10-16T14:51:20.618-07:00Henry's birth....almost a month laterFor those of you who care, here's how Henry's birth went down.<br>
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I woke up at 3 am on a Saturday with a contraction, right before my water broke. I thought I just needed to pee (wouldn't be the first time this pregnancy I peed my pants. TMI? Meh.) but after taking care of that business I realized that my water was breaking. I woke Danny up and got ready as my water continued to break. I waddled to the car with a beach towel between my legs and we headed for the hospital (after alerting my sister).<br>
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Now. I was all set to do a waterbirth with this little guy buuuuuuut I couldn't because A) the midwives weren't on call and the docs can't do water births (stupid insurance) and B) after my water broke his head was still too high so there would have been a risk of bacterial infection if I had gotten in the water. So they checked my dilation - I was at a 6! Good job, body! - and then they broke the news to me and offered me a shower room with a shower chair. I took it.<br>
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I got out when the contractions really kicked in and headed back to my room. I turned on some super soothing music I had downloaded not even 24 hours before and hummed into my contractions until I felt like I was going to die. About the time I told everyone in the room that I didn't want to do it anymore, I was at a 10 and ready to push. I pushed on all fours.....kind of... and it went so much faster than pushing on my back with Ava. About 15 pushes later, the doc was able to help maneuver Henry out (you don't simply push out babies that are as big as he was). And there he was, in all his chubby, 10 pound 12 ounce glory. All told, it took 5 hours for Henry to make his way into the world.<br>
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It is such a surreal moment, meeting your tiny human for the first time. Also? The absolute relief after the baby and the placenta come out is indescribable. I am a huge fan of not being pregnant anymore. And being able to bend over. And sleeping on my stomach. Sigh.<br>
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Henry and I chilled for about 45 minutes while the doc stitched me up and I nursed and ate something myself. I lost a lot of blood when I had him because of how big he was but I noticed a lot of blood on the bed in the 45 minutes following the birth. The nurses kept massaging my uterus and I could tell they weren't happy because it wasn't staying firm. My nurse suggested that I go to the bathroom - it could be that a full bladder was to blame. The helped me stand up and I delivered a liver-sized clot and immediately started vomiting. That's when I could tell something was wrong. It got very busy in my room and the doctor came back in.<br>
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Now, at this point, I was mentally spent. I had gone through labor and delivery with no drugs and my ability to withstand pain was completely gone. After she had put her hand up inside of me to feel what was going on (so. much. pain.), my doctor continued to deliver more large clots. She then had a nurse fetch her "instruments"and she went in to find the source of the bleeding. The morphine didn't even touch the pain and I'm sure you could hear my screaming from the other end of the unit. Later, what happened became a little more clear.<br>
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I have pretty bad varicose veins and they got noticeably worse with this pregnancy. Apparently, there were some bulging varicosities right near all these lady parts and when the doctor removed her retractor she nicked one. I went from clotting to squirting blood everywhere. They rushed me to the OR and, thankfully, were able to get the bleeding under control without having to remove any of my parts. I have to say, while it was the scariest thing I've ever experienced, that OR sleep was the best sleep I've ever gotten.<br>
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So you have 3600 cc of blood in your body. They estimate that I lost around 2000 cc during this whole ordeal. I entered the hospital with a hemoglobin of 13 and was discharged, 3 days later, with a hemoglobin of 5.7. I could barely walk without getting winded and lightheaded and exhausted.<br>
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I suppose it sounds dramatic but it is very true that if this were a different century or if I lived almost anywhere in Africa today, I would not have survived all of this. I had a beautiful birth all planned out in my head and on paper but nothing went to plan. I was quick to see though that Heavenly Father put very capable people into my life to take care of me through it all. I felt that strongly as I was being wheeled into the OR. The OR was such a cold, sterile place but I could feel nothing but comfort as I realized that I wasn't ready to die and pleaded with God to help them stop the bleeding.<br>
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I'm okay. Henry is perfect. And I am so incredibly grateful.<br>
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<br>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-63012532978395200192013-09-17T18:46:00.001-07:002013-09-18T12:17:14.112-07:00Baby boy's nursery<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>So my sweet husband and sweet father built a new loft bed for Ava (since the crib-turned-toddler-bed is needed for her brother). Let's just say that it is freaking awesome and I am jealous of it every day. <div><br><div>I had planned on the loft bed and the baby crib fitting in the same room and had a whole decorating scheme in place and ready to execute. When we actually assembled the bed, however, it was way bigger than I thought it was and we ended up having to switch things around. It was stressful at the time but now I'm really glad it ended up that way. Two kids in two different rooms and all of Ava's stuff in her room. She's still mad about having no toy room sometimes but she will get over it, eventually. Right? Or maybe this will be the seed of her teenage angst...... Oh well. She'll live. </div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, since then, I've had a lot of fun decorating this little boy's room. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoH32AQhp2jVkETJwsjVi5_ks_pxdUK1exUPtWxbfZxhaa2jFVr6BUNUiahqXbLTV_aHC89J3wNa_RdN4XqbVkyM_e4HMdQiC3t5_FWg90wSOyicNB7fFoYXY4FJCMsFcLqgi7n1KfJ0/s640/blogger-image--482170712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoH32AQhp2jVkETJwsjVi5_ks_pxdUK1exUPtWxbfZxhaa2jFVr6BUNUiahqXbLTV_aHC89J3wNa_RdN4XqbVkyM_e4HMdQiC3t5_FWg90wSOyicNB7fFoYXY4FJCMsFcLqgi7n1KfJ0/s640/blogger-image--482170712.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2pyZGqHCimFEVG1ybpJnojwJO5SC49eN3JqKqwmlZpuv8GC1nX5EItN4Z9Jdp4fMCDnF1uwkOEvMt6o1vmtNf-6PMJr1HrXUYukWByAuBkxPphiKphPHMPEitstFBQ5E7s7UDZmEX8U/s640/blogger-image--1484555886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2pyZGqHCimFEVG1ybpJnojwJO5SC49eN3JqKqwmlZpuv8GC1nX5EItN4Z9Jdp4fMCDnF1uwkOEvMt6o1vmtNf-6PMJr1HrXUYukWByAuBkxPphiKphPHMPEitstFBQ5E7s7UDZmEX8U/s640/blogger-image--1484555886.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BMlwlSvCoC6Dhzsbzm7Lu5xfQuKimaWYg4MAwnd3TyYWvP_cb4oHegqKpYCRqZkveETMwYvu78oG1EaZcgqqZqzaIcWVZJgPy57IkDNvleW9m-KG1povs71ylgZEY8mN4b38Q1HUiDs/s640/blogger-image--1047070917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BMlwlSvCoC6Dhzsbzm7Lu5xfQuKimaWYg4MAwnd3TyYWvP_cb4oHegqKpYCRqZkveETMwYvu78oG1EaZcgqqZqzaIcWVZJgPy57IkDNvleW9m-KG1povs71ylgZEY8mN4b38Q1HUiDs/s640/blogger-image--1047070917.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BMlwlSvCoC6Dhzsbzm7Lu5xfQuKimaWYg4MAwnd3TyYWvP_cb4oHegqKpYCRqZkveETMwYvu78oG1EaZcgqqZqzaIcWVZJgPy57IkDNvleW9m-KG1povs71ylgZEY8mN4b38Q1HUiDs/s640/blogger-image--1047070917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWetAwS6nCt_9LeBHVZ84KjN5zhwpp3yz8APln7msVh0KcEhn6gH4UAL0naIQur2JrcgiDXseHhbaRYo1_zs_enMWdvbcoNoUdb_towbYcVaiDzkQ57M2S34ziJaSuVdvFKrf_7Zsqc9Y/s640/blogger-image--271724592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWetAwS6nCt_9LeBHVZ84KjN5zhwpp3yz8APln7msVh0KcEhn6gH4UAL0naIQur2JrcgiDXseHhbaRYo1_zs_enMWdvbcoNoUdb_towbYcVaiDzkQ57M2S34ziJaSuVdvFKrf_7Zsqc9Y/s640/blogger-image--271724592.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The only thing missing is the changing pad cover annnnnnnnnnnnd a baby. The former will be a cute orange something and the latter will, hopefully, be flesh-colored. Both will be adorable. </div>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-24514142182008146052013-09-14T18:49:00.001-07:002013-09-14T19:01:13.036-07:00House Stuff. So much of it. All spring and summer.We, here at The House of Fun, have been working tirelessly to get our crap together before the arrival of baby number two. We have done a whole lot of little and big projects this summer to get things more or less in order so that we can just enjoy this little man. Plus, newborns and house projects don't really sound like a fun mix.<br />
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Here is a little of what we've been up to.....more updates to come.<br />
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We painted the trim on our house black and added some black shutters. No more jungle green!!! Yay!!!<br />
Before:<br />
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After: (maybe we'll get around to a new porch next year....)<br />
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I got kind of really bored with the curtains I made out of drop cloths sooooooo I painted them! Most affordable window treatments ever.<br />
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Before:<br />
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During. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, painting a few curtains, but you have to remember that I have 7 windows in my living room/entryway. 7. So that was a lot of measuring and taping and whatnot.<br />
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After: I love them.<br />
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Danny redid the upstairs floors ALL BY HIMSELF in July while Ava and I escaped to GramGrandpa's house (because of the fumes). When I say redid, I mean he sanded, vacuumed, mineral spirited, stained, and polyurethaned SINGLE HANDEDLY. THIS MAN DESERVES AT LEAST A BAKED GOOD OR SOMETHING.<br />
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Our room before: (pretty bad, eh?)<br />
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Annnnnnd after: (sorry for the blur. Also, I will mention that this room got repainted in this past spring and I looooove the color).<br />
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Ava's room before:</div>
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And after (this room was also repainted this past spring):<br />
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I still cannot believe what a HUGE difference refinishing the floors made up there. My husband is kiiiind of the best.<br />
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THEN. While Danny was in Las Vegas <strike>on vacation doing really really fun things with his family</strike> for a work conference, Shannon and I decided that we would do a few small projects to surprise him when he got home.<br />
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Shannon started off with the built-in bookshelves in my living room. I have hated the "shutter doors" on them since we moved in and Shannon was itching to do a project. <br />
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Before:<br />
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After painting the insides white and the back green (sorry about the night picture, but that's like, apparently the time of day when projects get completed around here):</div>
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All the books in. I still need to arrange everything in an aesthetically pleasing configuration of books that humans go nuts over annnnnd figure out where to put all my Let's Play Music stuff, but you get the idea. So much better. </div>
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And for our last before and after of the evening we will TURRRRRRN BACK TIIIIIIIIIIIIME. </div>
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To the year 2011. </div>
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When these were my stairs:</div>
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You can't really tell the armpit-stain-off-whiteness from that picture but it was there. Trust me.<br />
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So, for our other project, Shannon and I refinished the stairs whilst Daniel was off gallivanting. It was a pain in the butt. More sawdust everywhere, only being able to do every other stair at a time, sanding the banister, removing the railing and sanding it, and, oh yeah, the SAWDUST EVERYWHERE. AGAIN.<br />
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Buuuuut, as of this evening, this is what my stairs look like:<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Totally worth it, don't you agree? Even with the big belly.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Man, remembering how much we've done has exhausted me. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Look for the second installment soon. </span></div>
Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-34296576657012927772013-09-14T17:52:00.001-07:002013-09-14T17:52:51.618-07:00PreschoolAva started preschool this past week and she absolutely loves it. How did she get this big??<br />
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I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up and she said, "A MISHARY!!" (translation: a missionary). Annnnnd THAT'S what happens when you have really awesome sister missionaries over for dinner a lot. Your kid wants to be them.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-9337678951817330652013-07-13T05:41:00.002-07:002013-07-13T05:41:37.708-07:00Just a summer nightYesterday was one of those Fridays that was just good for the soul.<br />
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We fed the Sister Misharies (missionaries), which is <i>always</i> the best.<br />
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Then, Danny and I went on a date. We sat on the beach and talked and watched the sun set.<br />
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Probably one of our best dates ever. I do love that man. </div>
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Strawberry lemonades in hand, we got home to a little girl who was still awake (thanks, 4:00 nap!) but it was totally okay because she was suddenly beyond adorable and I realized that she had never been awake late enough to see the fireflies. </div>
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And fireflies are <i>magic</i>.</div>
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So we sat on the front porch and she? Geeked. Out. about the fireflies. It was one of those moments that, if harnessed correctly, could bring world peace. </div>
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I love summer.</div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-37343024986608916612013-07-11T06:27:00.002-07:002013-07-11T06:27:41.565-07:00The FourthWe had a fantastic 4th of July with my parents this year. Gotta say, I'm totally a fan of four day weekends. Let's have some of those more often, K? K.<br />
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We had a fun day together and then headed to the beach around 3 with lots of snacks and dinner. <br />
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Water fight with GramGrampa ("GramGrampa is how Ava refers to Grandma and Grandpa Brown. It's awesome because it reflects how my parents are each other's besties and are always together.)<br />
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Me and my boo:</div>
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My kind of sunset:</div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We met up with some more friends while we were there so Ava had lots of entertainment after it was too cold to be in the water but before the fireworks started. </span></div>
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Some of Ava's friends. They were all decked out in facepaint and glowsticks. Good thing other parents were prepared with festive things to occupy the children.....</div>
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My sassy kid:<br />
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Fireworks in St Joe are lit from a pier so you can hang out on any of the surrounding beaches and watch them. So that was the plan. But we left before they really started because they didn't really start until 11 and my kid was a zombie. But we had fun, nonetheless!Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-35351174447212701402013-07-01T07:20:00.000-07:002013-07-01T07:20:14.885-07:00Armstrong Family Reunion 2013I totally read back through my blog the other day and realized that I am a horrible blogger now-a-days. <i>Horrible. </i>So maybe I should be better. I'll try but I can't make any promises.<br />
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ANYHOODLE, we totally had a little family get-together with Danny's side of the family a couple of weeks ago. People flew in and drove in from all over and we got our camping on. Yes. Camping. 25 weeks pregnant. Thankfully my SIL, Mandy, was 27 weeks pregnant at the time so we were all, "solidarity, sister" and, "yeah, we'll go on a hike....for like 3 minutes." I really would not have made it through without her. She is the best.<br />
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So once everyone got to our house, we headed up north to Sleeping Bear Dunes and stayed for 3 nights and then went to the Great Wold Lodge and stayed for one more night and then called it good. Ava was in heaven. She's been asking to go camping for quite some time and the fact that she got to go with her cousins alllllllmost made her head explode. Especially Lydie. Ava and Lydie arelikethis. It was really fun to watch but also weird because she had no time for me.<br />
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Sleeping Bear, aside from the mosquitos, was beautiful. Lake Michigan is so clear and blue and absolutely freezing up there. And the dunes. Man. I called them dune cliffs. Huge mounds of sand. So, without further ado, here are some pictures (thanks, Mandy!! My husband thinks I don't need a good camera.....or a camera at all.... and maybe these will help him realize that I do! Maybe.)<br />
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Regard:<br />
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On a huge dune:</div>
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How cute are they??</div>
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Allll the Armstrong cousins:</div>
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trying to stay away from the mosquitos (notice the tutu):</div>
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sandcastles!</div>
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Inseparable the entire time:</div>
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Heh heh. I love this one. Nana and Ava:</div>
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Burying Ava:</div>
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More cute husband:</div>
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Lydie and Ava. Heart melty.</div>
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Singing with her cousins:</div>
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Yeeeeeah. If she stays this beautiful, we're in trouble. Don't mind the s'mores all over her face.</div>
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Yes. Pregnant. Wicked sunburn lines. Embracing it.</div>
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Washing the "shampoo" our of her hair (handfuls of sand served as a the shampoo):</div>
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This is TJ. She is the youngest right now and she is adorable. In her free time she enjoys eating, being sassy, keeping up with the older kids, and yoga. </div>
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The pedicures my sweet broham-in-law treated us ladies to after we got back to civilization. Don't mind the bellies. </div>
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So grateful for my bed and my house and pedicures. And famiry. Heh heh.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-23999802049774440912013-06-30T14:53:00.003-07:002013-06-30T14:53:49.442-07:00A Summer EducationRemember how I was doing all these mommy school updates not too long ago? We were having so much fun jumping from letter to letter and crafting and coloring and repeating sounds. Well, we got to P in February - P was for penguin and pregnant. Emphasis on the pregnant part. It took a month to get through P and then I was so sick pretty much all the time that I lost my motivation to do anything but the basics (i.e. keep Ava alive). That's also when I kind of developed a TV addiction (and an aversion to meatballs).<br />
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So. Mommyschool, as it existed, stopped happening and I felt guilty about it for 5 seconds and then, guess what! I noticed that Ava was still learning, even though it wasn't structured and planned and crafty. She still wrote 5,000 Ps and we still read a bunch of books. She certainly didn't get dumber. So I stopped feeling guilty and we all survived winter in Michigan.<br />
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And then spring/summer finally hit and beach. Beach beach beach. And she learns lots of stuff at the beach: what a dead catfish looks like, what to do with the dead catfish, how to eat fruit snacks without eating sand, the proper sand-to-water ratio for building sand castles, etc. She's also learning just how big a belly with a baby in it can get. Although, she is still quite confused about what's in her belly. You see, since I have a baby in my belly that kicks that means she MUST have something in her belly that also kicks. Regard: the other night, she grabbed my hand and put it on her belly and said, "The Holy Ghost is kicking, mom! Can you feel it?" (We have gone over the Holy Ghost thing 5,000,000 times so I'm hoping she'll just grow out of that line of thinking.)<br />
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I will be vigilant about my child's beach education all summer and then preschool will start and I will have this baby and she will get all sorts of learned and educated. Heh heh. And she, in her usual Ava fashion, will wax philosophical about it all in the car.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-89290911102925632892013-06-22T14:37:00.001-07:002013-06-22T14:37:19.062-07:00A princess with secretsSo here is a picture of my kid's outfit today. One of her best, I think. I feel like you need to know that she would not hold still long enough for me to take a picture. But she did stop so that she could let one. And she thought it was funny. So yeah. Here's my farting princess bahahahaha. <br />
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I'm the nicest mom ever. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIsRW3bHO7y_Es-vd2vGqFXEsqab7YuqwwPCPTZZZcINAY52qphsc8x5IyH9dicg6_uFQIPY3UMhO9pcgagAQ11Oe12bYn2Cb0plStAEf7F6nC0IRB7sr3kCqSsTi1xQZR4XPc7qe-Js/s640/blogger-image-1255592825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIsRW3bHO7y_Es-vd2vGqFXEsqab7YuqwwPCPTZZZcINAY52qphsc8x5IyH9dicg6_uFQIPY3UMhO9pcgagAQ11Oe12bYn2Cb0plStAEf7F6nC0IRB7sr3kCqSsTi1xQZR4XPc7qe-Js/s640/blogger-image-1255592825.jpg" /></a></div>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-65296420246572225422013-06-18T12:28:00.001-07:002013-06-18T12:28:22.842-07:00Some slight organization<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">So I have been needing a command center of sorts in my house for a long time. Right where this blank wall with a single picture hanger sat for months and months. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">So this is the before:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFunJE69ksVT8ckgkgsbamVyVeeH617CHCvW9HgICc0nH_zKnfetErHGjVrxrErachS984iVxNrTn_592ph50jsjEnDsY091eE_JTP2EDf0vYvnKikMUNk7a5oD82EcsA_XwwYzkZiUUA/s640/blogger-image-980019544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFunJE69ksVT8ckgkgsbamVyVeeH617CHCvW9HgICc0nH_zKnfetErHGjVrxrErachS984iVxNrTn_592ph50jsjEnDsY091eE_JTP2EDf0vYvnKikMUNk7a5oD82EcsA_XwwYzkZiUUA/s640/blogger-image-980019544.jpg" /></a></div>
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And this is what I have so far:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eg8ECbQpyJQIHlqEvXnfJ8Nv64ZX5IvYMguL4G5rGrDGgr41xSqlBFQZfu_OtsuhvzoBmbgPd3URj_jibSjCTMSrdeIh5KfbppCxTm2jHeQrmKewXwLoIota2emYbl36i277rs8l6p0/s640/blogger-image--435570125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eg8ECbQpyJQIHlqEvXnfJ8Nv64ZX5IvYMguL4G5rGrDGgr41xSqlBFQZfu_OtsuhvzoBmbgPd3URj_jibSjCTMSrdeIh5KfbppCxTm2jHeQrmKewXwLoIota2emYbl36i277rs8l6p0/s640/blogger-image--435570125.jpg" /></a></div>
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I made a magnetic chalkboard and a letter bin. Since I already had black latex paint and unsanded grout lying around, my only cost for the chalkboard was the $4.58 I spent at Lowe's for the piece of metal. I went to the plumbing section and got this piece by all the duct work (you can get bigger, heavier pieces for $15-$20 but Iiiiiiiiii'm cheap and this was the perfect size for my space). It had a little piece at the top that I bent to create a little ledge for holding the chalk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cdsD6HycmwICte_3CKrd3TB8eyaIV1-KtbW6O0Xd5rQu74U2IA_3YULB1UtiPWs3SoilIXjiyQcduw1SVON93WuB6glo0DJOePLmF4IkTBqdgKUh1JZXT8KHFzecZAG7LiVowCu2eqs/s640/blogger-image-682034288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cdsD6HycmwICte_3CKrd3TB8eyaIV1-KtbW6O0Xd5rQu74U2IA_3YULB1UtiPWs3SoilIXjiyQcduw1SVON93WuB6glo0DJOePLmF4IkTBqdgKUh1JZXT8KHFzecZAG7LiVowCu2eqs/s640/blogger-image-682034288.jpg" /></a></div>
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I roughed up the metal with some sand paper, primed it (spray paint primer is my favorite), and put 3 coats of homemade chalkboard paint on it. I rubbed it all over with chalk and erased it - to "cure" the chalkboard surface and attached it to my wall with 3M picture hanging strips (GENIUS, those strips are). </div>
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For the letter bin, I used<a href="http://ana-white.com/2011/08/pb-inspired-daily-system-letter-bin" target="_blank"> these plans from Ana White's website </a>and some spray paint. My cost for this was $5 for the 1/4" plywood and $4.67 for some spray paint. </div>
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So. For about $15, I have a little command center. Not too shabby. And, as with everything in my house, it is a work in progress so this corner will probably get more awesome later on.</div>
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This was the first of MANY organizational projects I am attempting to get done before this baby boy gets here. Wish me luck!</div>
Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-26342806503368823342013-05-11T14:31:00.000-07:002013-05-11T14:31:07.877-07:00slugs and snails and puppy dog tailsSo we found out last Monday that we are having a BOY! We are still in shock. We just figured we'd follow the precedent of Danny's older brother and his wife and have a gaggle of girls. But no. Regard:<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FAOOK21OY6dOamnmrALHbiznB2RZxvD9ouD2i1cTXrWXMLkR032sUetYYbG_MjRN49cjls3LeoxIfMQWMQCaagg_MSOrCHbwUz1F8DR6bCVb_tdAI3_Z-0rLEz9Ny8DVexqJC2j1PlM/s1600/ARMSTRONGTIFFANYB20130506095406394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FAOOK21OY6dOamnmrALHbiznB2RZxvD9ouD2i1cTXrWXMLkR032sUetYYbG_MjRN49cjls3LeoxIfMQWMQCaagg_MSOrCHbwUz1F8DR6bCVb_tdAI3_Z-0rLEz9Ny8DVexqJC2j1PlM/s640/ARMSTRONGTIFFANYB20130506095406394.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was extra fun finding out because Danny's older brother was in town (really, in Chicago but we kidnapped him for 24 hours) so he went to the ultrasound with us. Let's just say, the reaction was a loud one. </div>
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Ava was not excited about it. At all. She said, "but we can change it to a sister." We kept asking her if she was excited afterward and she would either say that she didn't like brothers or that she didn't want to talk about it. I got the chance to talk to her about it, just the two of us, that afternoon and I discovered that she thought that having a brother meant that she couldn't keep her friends that were girls. I set the record straight, we talked about all the ways she'll be able to help me with the baby, and now she is alllllll about her brother. </div>
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Crisis averted. </div>
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Now, as I prepare to garage sale most of the ruffle-bummed onesies and all the pink! I've been hoarding I realize I need to get serious about my boy name list. Feel free to throw out any suggestions. And no, we will not be naming him Daniel.</div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-21124290829216313512013-04-30T15:05:00.002-07:002013-04-30T15:05:27.475-07:00Happiness in my hugeness I think it's easy, as a pregnant woman, to get caught up in all the negative aspects of offering your body up as an incubator for nine months. I have had plenty of un-funness so far this pregnancy (I love that my computer didn't even try to tell me that un-funness isn't a word. So glad it's getting to know me.) but I don't really care. Now, if I were puking the entire nine months, that might be a different story. As it is, I'm still in a state of awe at what my body is doing. I am making a human being.<br />
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So while the ever-swelling belly may get in the way a lot, I feel privileged that I get to experience such a thing. Too many women don't. And the joy from feeling all these little popcorn kicks overshadows the annoyances. By a lot. Plus maternity jeans are sooooooo comfy.<br />
<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-53515512542761942422013-04-01T07:09:00.001-07:002013-04-01T07:09:26.924-07:00Baby Number TwoRemember how I had PPD after I had Ava? No? <a href="http://supposedlysane.blogspot.com/2011/09/explanation-of-my-smirk-when-you.html" target="_blank">Well, you can read about it here</a>.<br />
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Thankfully, Heavenly Father totally slipped some forgetfulness into my morning smoothie like I was hoping he would. We are having baby number two at the end of September and I am SO! EXCITED!<br />
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It feels good to be excited about another baby. It's feels right.<br />
As far as PPD goes, I'm hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.<br />
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Until then, I will spend the summer on the beach. Resembling a whale. I will be a beached whale. And it will be awesome.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-9260396632093031272013-04-01T07:01:00.001-07:002013-04-01T07:09:36.431-07:00Spring Break?Welp.<br />
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It's spring break. That wouldn't normally mean anything to me since my husband is done with all schooling forever and my kid is not old enough for school but this year, spring break means I don't teach my music class this week (Let's Play Music!). For some reason that makes me feel like I have a ton of time on my hands.<br />
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Secondly, the continuous cloud cover that hangs over these here parts for most of November-March is finally dissipating. We've had sunshine like, five days in a row and it is miraculous. (The cloud cover reminds me a lot of Ghostbusters 2. It's like pink slime over the entire midwest.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNuaZS1KwdR7G95gptZho9_kWJRJVsZVcFc80Iv7-Dpg-kGZXeKfMJPYsXDasxRhJ2Gt9j6UhEBJ0SMGar7sjsdVXCWuhnU4jVFQtFXQEdeWKAKYv0N5y3A0xooMHpZUPRU-Em6c4TWI/s1600/GB-II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNuaZS1KwdR7G95gptZho9_kWJRJVsZVcFc80Iv7-Dpg-kGZXeKfMJPYsXDasxRhJ2Gt9j6UhEBJ0SMGar7sjsdVXCWuhnU4jVFQtFXQEdeWKAKYv0N5y3A0xooMHpZUPRU-Em6c4TWI/s640/GB-II.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thirdly, I am into my second trimester of pregnancy with baby number dos (yay for babies!!!!) and I am FINALLY feeling like eating and living again. I have energy!<br />
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So. Let's recap.<br />
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TONS of extra time + sunshine that motivates my soul and gives energy to all living things + second trimester =<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpCFzKTFedzkDExDHqh-KJI2t4NSMs3xytYX8z7l-8VJ-gUe8d6h1ruUnPtW1AXp2gASAFmS_OFwi4RwErhtdEK9REUDHpEOHGwhOkFnPCnKJT21btoNtA069NxIAeBEmZwYr27VxB3Q/s1600/do-all-the-things_thumb1_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpCFzKTFedzkDExDHqh-KJI2t4NSMs3xytYX8z7l-8VJ-gUe8d6h1ruUnPtW1AXp2gASAFmS_OFwi4RwErhtdEK9REUDHpEOHGwhOkFnPCnKJT21btoNtA069NxIAeBEmZwYr27VxB3Q/s320/do-all-the-things_thumb1_thumb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We'll see how this goes.....</div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-1919157248564781392013-03-19T11:25:00.001-07:002013-03-19T11:25:26.773-07:00On Being a CurmudgeonI have been feeling this post bouncing around in my head for quite some time.<br />
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My name is Tiffany and I am curmudgeon. Specifically, a holiday curmudgeon.<br />
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Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, 4th of July, and Halloween so much I might even Celine-Dion-LURVE it. But. I take issue with all the other "holidays" and "holiday traditions" that keep popping up, aided no doubt by Pinterest and blogland and this ever-increasing need to appear to be the best parent ever who does all! the fun! things!<br />
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I <a href="http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2013/03/lets-bring-holidays-down-notch.html" target="_blank">read this blog post</a> this morning and it basically summed up my feelings about all these extra holiday goings-on. I know the pressure will only grow as Ava gets older and enters elementary school but I hope I can just stick to my guns like this mom.<br />
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In summation: the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. Thank you, Stephen Covey, for saying something so obvious and so often forgotten.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-85541278454201997242013-03-11T17:14:00.002-07:002013-03-11T17:14:26.199-07:00Kid art is favorite art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ava's new favorite way to pass her time is drawing. She's getting pretty good at it too.<br />
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"A sun, a flower, and lots of rainbows!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPYchJVnKX7twG23M_GGtgOQukyQz5mxKbTXYRDLSN163fZClxpuYLGXTO-xJtp-QXd-r5bJSr36sc-4vH6oV1txYhshS2MqajF-wvCmVlwYTBSjxPiCIFn4Ukl4OXkQSIiOLGGTeods/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPYchJVnKX7twG23M_GGtgOQukyQz5mxKbTXYRDLSN163fZClxpuYLGXTO-xJtp-QXd-r5bJSr36sc-4vH6oV1txYhshS2MqajF-wvCmVlwYTBSjxPiCIFn4Ukl4OXkQSIiOLGGTeods/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My new bed with lots of pillows:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehKQu4j6qs8c1dl_ukUFKlhw4ecgGRaZkTaBIdQoAhkl3CRJYguJKi-akJrvatCWls0AN-KtPXASzhNDmhpV8qiZTKButjDkqSvw8dEMz1DCe8E4nX85EW3tRrfiPOde1dffs9fy4mts/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehKQu4j6qs8c1dl_ukUFKlhw4ecgGRaZkTaBIdQoAhkl3CRJYguJKi-akJrvatCWls0AN-KtPXASzhNDmhpV8qiZTKButjDkqSvw8dEMz1DCe8E4nX85EW3tRrfiPOde1dffs9fy4mts/s640/photo-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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a whale!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj655vUCB56WqJqr53fRRyoPh1Yo_7bH6OA8ZLw5h-dkl6ud0kXG97uUzqo6XUuoqxSp8vtoj1SqjcqB3Kh9bH4pu5GHMTL73CzStr27ej-9kI0AA8taEIOOXR-6wqh1qg93IUbEVPMP1c/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj655vUCB56WqJqr53fRRyoPh1Yo_7bH6OA8ZLw5h-dkl6ud0kXG97uUzqo6XUuoqxSp8vtoj1SqjcqB3Kh9bH4pu5GHMTL73CzStr27ej-9kI0AA8taEIOOXR-6wqh1qg93IUbEVPMP1c/s640/photo-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Annnnnd a doggy (my favorite).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AoZoiWz0m_Y-RL78CQZm4xKigoFbqyhUCoWbeXcFavqb1Ce460dmBxpxJOz-hHtndO1-beIxhq8dC96M_M-Ah_Rz2wA3B8nPgXI_aTLZ6MopkA7T3RPpb4Pp2Umb-nKkx-90HMtwAxA/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AoZoiWz0m_Y-RL78CQZm4xKigoFbqyhUCoWbeXcFavqb1Ce460dmBxpxJOz-hHtndO1-beIxhq8dC96M_M-Ah_Rz2wA3B8nPgXI_aTLZ6MopkA7T3RPpb4Pp2Umb-nKkx-90HMtwAxA/s640/photo-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not bad. In fact, this is slightly better than my drawing.<br />
<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-471973208229490342013-03-07T08:30:00.000-08:002013-03-07T08:37:03.362-08:00Today.I handed Ava "The Friend" magazine this morning. She freaked out and said, "it made my dreams come true!"<br />
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Then, throughout our errand running session this morning, she started picking up leaves and rocks and such and insisting that she needed to keep them for her "collection".<br />
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I think we need to lessen the amount of Little Mermaid that gets watched around here.<br />
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Or not. Because it's kind of awesome.<br />
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Also? This:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wZo9EPxoaL4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6135775330474000720.post-56945609831466502772013-02-27T10:05:00.000-08:002013-02-27T10:05:28.708-08:00The time has comeSo Ava and I were at the doctor's office this week. We were sitting there talking to the nurse when she just pipes in and says, "my dad leaves his hair in the tub." I tried to make the awkward moment a little better by saying that he shaves his face in the shower and we cleaned it out and it's okay but she just shook her head lightly and said, "he's a gross man."<br />
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The nurse and I were dying. I guess we've gotten to that age when nothing is a secret and our dirty laundry will be aired at inappropriate times to inappropriate people. Yaaaaaay.....Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148992892028860187noreply@blogger.com4