tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46989748977510592512024-03-18T22:43:37.515-05:00Life of a ReddittWelcome to our little corner of the world! We hope to use our blog to document our growing family and where our journey goes from here. We are glad you stopped by!Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-65688539261449786682013-02-18T12:28:00.000-06:002014-10-16T12:30:05.208-05:00Samuel - 9 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The day you turned 8 months, it snowed! We bundled you up and took you outside so you could see what that white stuff was all about. I think you would have been just as happy indoors :). Nevertheless, we got some pictures of you with your first snow before Mommy had to go to work, since snowfall is few and far between here in Mississippi! </div>
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This month you have really started crawling and can go just about anywhere you want to go! By the end of your 8th month, you had started to pull up on things. Watch out world!! You tried lots of new foods this month, including avocado, watermelon, eggs, pancakes, and a little pasta. You still love your pureed fruits and veggies, sippy cups of apple juice mixed with water, and your bottles. I think sippy cups may be your favorite before too long, but for now you still take a bottle easily. You typically sleep from 9-10 hours a night, although at the beginning of this month you went through a wonder week and woke up several times a night for a few nights. After the wonder week was over, you learned to crawl and started 'talking' more, so the sleepless nights were worth it :).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for church!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love Saturday lunch with Daddy!</td></tr>
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You got to see your Uncle Doug catch a fish, and you saw your first ever bream up close and personal. You thought it was funny :). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing your first fish</td></tr>
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You went to see your 'cousin' Maya this month! She is just over 4 months younger than you, and I am excited you two will grow up together. You had lots of fun, and tried to hold her hand a lot :).</div>
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Your 'Aunt' K'Anna got married this month, and we had you all decked out in a white button up with a tie, a blazer jacket and a hat! There are a good many pictures from that night, so I will save it for another post. </div>
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Daddy's birthday was this month, just 2 days before you turned 9 months old. His birthday is on Valentine's Day, and we celebrated big this year! More about that on my next month's post since we had his party the day you turned 9 months :). But Daddy was super sweet and thought of mommy on his birthday! I got beautiful flowers, and a pedicure gift card! </div>
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Other fun things that happened this month:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing Pops how you can stand up</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly boy! </td></tr>
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Just watching the world go by!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry's Fish House with the Hausers. You and <br />
your Pastor Ed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You love your Mrs. Patti!</td></tr>
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Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-74288453710647971572013-01-18T00:03:00.003-06:002013-01-18T00:03:54.665-06:00Samuel - 8 Months<br />
Your 7th month was probably your busiest month yet! We had Izzy's ballet performance on the day you turned 7 months, then there were all kinds of Christmas get together's to attend! You took it all in stride though, and seemed to really enjoy yourself. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You really 'enjoyed' the ballet :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JjcDtpDOChISuw_Orw0b05l5Gj4UO87UMsj_RvlmlrsFvozqNhZI3tHoyKHhw3KjjWXLibvmCfwCybtPObfd_ttlx2fg4Mro2jcenw_rdYl6feY1Y06mHGTKthNORjYgTM7E-TFwfbOn/s1600/DSC06437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JjcDtpDOChISuw_Orw0b05l5Gj4UO87UMsj_RvlmlrsFvozqNhZI3tHoyKHhw3KjjWXLibvmCfwCybtPObfd_ttlx2fg4Mro2jcenw_rdYl6feY1Y06mHGTKthNORjYgTM7E-TFwfbOn/s320/DSC06437.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Julep after Izzy's ballet</td></tr>
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There is a long standing tradition to go to Aunt Emma and Aunt Nell's for Christmas Eve. That is the Hemphill family Christmas. It's so much fun every year and I was very excited for you to be a part of the tradition this year. You wore your Elf onesie and Elf hat since you would be 'Santa's Helper' this year. Daddy and I even rushed to take you for your picture with Santa before we went to the great Aunts'. We were the last people to be let into the line, and I'm so thankful they decided to let us in! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG6qjr9VdBAOOMPQl0yNLY52kbKRaOHHdQ8UsB7hq5G7JOckNMPNMSgxBymyZIzvBmURVtVYqISV6_iXDptIussp4PmmoLn8e8nrTN_4so25e5NI70c3BD7dP4y7f7aj-tiM0fi9sKSVG/s1600/christmas+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG6qjr9VdBAOOMPQl0yNLY52kbKRaOHHdQ8UsB7hq5G7JOckNMPNMSgxBymyZIzvBmURVtVYqISV6_iXDptIussp4PmmoLn8e8nrTN_4so25e5NI70c3BD7dP4y7f7aj-tiM0fi9sKSVG/s320/christmas+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel with Aunt Emma</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gWx9UgKUAJAl1_OA6x983RTNrVzfBk5KolqjUOv4M1tuVSU-Y-ZFEgp97P63w1bJAvGqRkEvETxQvG2rFKddx-iDI6199xlgzZC-l1GDgZ7Yf9N1vOpGK2zdLuD3OYVC4KegpzIU7baM/s1600/christmas+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gWx9UgKUAJAl1_OA6x983RTNrVzfBk5KolqjUOv4M1tuVSU-Y-ZFEgp97P63w1bJAvGqRkEvETxQvG2rFKddx-iDI6199xlgzZC-l1GDgZ7Yf9N1vOpGK2zdLuD3OYVC4KegpzIU7baM/s320/christmas+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel with Aunt Nell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n0HyCoXO43ZLQnCzHEZ1HOnHgGl3jTfzDAqSC5n1NWwAwHBJ7-J6oLn4kHkLjTJebT0MoRFdwg_zmDsehJveFWl9_LwTsDcg4-1tcpyBsp-TVmKp5ZjtnTJeRzwls3cSGK_YGOIKcSiP/s1600/christmas+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n0HyCoXO43ZLQnCzHEZ1HOnHgGl3jTfzDAqSC5n1NWwAwHBJ7-J6oLn4kHkLjTJebT0MoRFdwg_zmDsehJveFWl9_LwTsDcg4-1tcpyBsp-TVmKp5ZjtnTJeRzwls3cSGK_YGOIKcSiP/s320/christmas+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hemphill gang!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet sisters</td></tr>
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On Christmas morning you opened your presents from Daddy and me, as well as your stocking. I know this year was more fun for us than for you as far as opening presents goes, but you really liked your toys and that's all we could hope for!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much fun!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CHkxTRDb03fgAim9jYRniche7VcsXGA66lUGxb8yeu_7nxfXB6gTFvWS5QQPz58GkXqm_9VxdNSrZEhL7SW3vxHQ-JGY90_HZgHL2-XckseCHUSj7841I37yxZHY0gioGcYBXXs1N823/s320/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="238" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much fun, in fact, that a nap<br />was in order!</td></tr>
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Then it was time to get dressed in your Santa outfit and go to Mimi's house for the Redditt family Christmas! We decided to get your picture in front of the tree first... Yeah, that didn't turn out so well :). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy because you finally got the ornament<br />off the tree!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IIK4ccDkum6tzjXSwoQxO3X3L2Z74Yx7-y3NF1xWxlJ9z8NYSVbs8tRP_-7tHjS-PHcKFEd4uLX3jx5CndRB44_gegiefWFktVKZFub8Berg3h3Vd9ZRx4WOEWMfZBtdHZrQ8ockBdjs/s1600/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IIK4ccDkum6tzjXSwoQxO3X3L2Z74Yx7-y3NF1xWxlJ9z8NYSVbs8tRP_-7tHjS-PHcKFEd4uLX3jx5CndRB44_gegiefWFktVKZFub8Berg3h3Vd9ZRx4WOEWMfZBtdHZrQ8ockBdjs/s320/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin' in your walker </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one cracks me up! Talking to pops</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_fI0OG1QI8XH83gzWtbgHhaERcaTo7iLIZRByb9d16xGjHnU9C92RgP8R_P-duAGi_W3D5AbDx-OiAqAY2wdhD5eY_mb5Cp4DBksfhCkl9BYB7PqqnJ-mhke6Unv8o0TLq6NGBzIebXA/s1600/photo+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_fI0OG1QI8XH83gzWtbgHhaERcaTo7iLIZRByb9d16xGjHnU9C92RgP8R_P-duAGi_W3D5AbDx-OiAqAY2wdhD5eY_mb5Cp4DBksfhCkl9BYB7PqqnJ-mhke6Unv8o0TLq6NGBzIebXA/s320/photo+%252812%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You love your rocking horse from Nana, along<br />with all the other awesome presents you were<br />given by your family!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Other fun things that happened this month:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissgqjMALtn95kRJ6InkKRszmr1AH6fyfnqeuEeWzIM8A06MwL-HExbDhyphenhyphenaLdj5cZzw3DTWy_UB0eVNnaV71DcDIt9kV-gJptWDJRGZg3VN2gtD6SHSXtgXSgZ0cXgyNaCkfQVyI1DuSOw/s1600/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissgqjMALtn95kRJ6InkKRszmr1AH6fyfnqeuEeWzIM8A06MwL-HExbDhyphenhyphenaLdj5cZzw3DTWy_UB0eVNnaV71DcDIt9kV-gJptWDJRGZg3VN2gtD6SHSXtgXSgZ0cXgyNaCkfQVyI1DuSOw/s320/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt K'Anna and Bren came over to see us!</td></tr>
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Mommy got the flu so we sent you to your Mimi's in hopes that you would keep from getting sick. You had a fun time with Mimi!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VzpOypWnaRbBigkUqZmbW6i6oGZXoPbgAF4Lim_eAElaekJwXJ_eOnQMxij5bV5JHt8ovdaoWnbKRhOxKN4gWsnEutmt90RtW-ZSkdansx4GmWtwNc8N5SFoXWdHZJqKuNWkeBOHpYpA/s1600/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VzpOypWnaRbBigkUqZmbW6i6oGZXoPbgAF4Lim_eAElaekJwXJ_eOnQMxij5bV5JHt8ovdaoWnbKRhOxKN4gWsnEutmt90RtW-ZSkdansx4GmWtwNc8N5SFoXWdHZJqKuNWkeBOHpYpA/s320/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling for Mimi at bedtime</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibg6A9yIbFBlZ8IG6-1NqRaYLUi_MKacZQpKMJJ1Kbig-8z3KKOuahWnBe5g7u4zs3rBqwOecfO4nlQuLVNW-cRzz8Bd2G-GIqRJCEsnGRIiOYcC7soRzAabZ7U8SU4DrK5OfgqAjGkcUl/s1600/photo+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibg6A9yIbFBlZ8IG6-1NqRaYLUi_MKacZQpKMJJ1Kbig-8z3KKOuahWnBe5g7u4zs3rBqwOecfO4nlQuLVNW-cRzz8Bd2G-GIqRJCEsnGRIiOYcC7soRzAabZ7U8SU4DrK5OfgqAjGkcUl/s320/photo+%252814%2529.JPG" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi gives the best toys!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
But alas, you got the flu anyway :(. So you came home and we gave you Tamiflu to help you get better quicker. Mommy felt so bad for 'sharing' her germs with you.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisadAv3lZn5IFeOYKML5RwpBQnIeBDRMzWCBTklPvHGvIzHcbKoZepunsO60-kYr7t6vU1OuRcYifm689kbzCzimUkWR8ZrTvU6QySCrv4c2qHw4pksV1z7zRepzOvpY-qG_-zWsSQDoB-/s1600/photo+%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisadAv3lZn5IFeOYKML5RwpBQnIeBDRMzWCBTklPvHGvIzHcbKoZepunsO60-kYr7t6vU1OuRcYifm689kbzCzimUkWR8ZrTvU6QySCrv4c2qHw4pksV1z7zRepzOvpY-qG_-zWsSQDoB-/s320/photo+%252816%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet sick baby with the prettiest blue eyes</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsLQtSibSAgFkozMi_nZf-6gTL5BseBkevMEe6s78xYts_a_bd_jTUXC9dy1AbLO_6xjZ4PclLrvxgsDhmF4y30GoLWhxr-uxpX54sVhy0AsJ2s-soD63z9BWTQdjbibAVtxRCrK_QT9Z/s1600/photo+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsLQtSibSAgFkozMi_nZf-6gTL5BseBkevMEe6s78xYts_a_bd_jTUXC9dy1AbLO_6xjZ4PclLrvxgsDhmF4y30GoLWhxr-uxpX54sVhy0AsJ2s-soD63z9BWTQdjbibAVtxRCrK_QT9Z/s320/photo+%252817%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTyJKmap7uAuVrXLCI0SGz65N0LEWQ5F8uqk5IkZR7XlbVp9Wizc0cACllJRFVDkdgg_hEmj3tvzZfwMaCStpRQhNo4DikI-UsICPoZ3SIB7piuvqwk8oqMA_64JF5HUKwD6cYFeNiBhq/s1600/photo+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTyJKmap7uAuVrXLCI0SGz65N0LEWQ5F8uqk5IkZR7XlbVp9Wizc0cACllJRFVDkdgg_hEmj3tvzZfwMaCStpRQhNo4DikI-UsICPoZ3SIB7piuvqwk8oqMA_64JF5HUKwD6cYFeNiBhq/s320/photo+%252818%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finally started to feel a little better</td></tr>
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Once we were both over the flu, it was time to get going again at our normal pace! We almost never missed a beat :).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3lwY-MaRURsbLJQAoThlY1KskgVZozraCVjSU9fu_Au_3U7jGFMlOjb1gssj6p5TdWyq5eKURgoZREFP_8bNsy8Jo3oGDJg7TVCHjLK4z0lMNC8iv_H-kuPUXNpjv9isRIkjTC3gaXTl/s1600/photo+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3lwY-MaRURsbLJQAoThlY1KskgVZozraCVjSU9fu_Au_3U7jGFMlOjb1gssj6p5TdWyq5eKURgoZREFP_8bNsy8Jo3oGDJg7TVCHjLK4z0lMNC8iv_H-kuPUXNpjv9isRIkjTC3gaXTl/s320/photo+%252820%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding Julie's 'hand' while you bounced</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA6gkZobVFB2I-HqOSIJSfLgoA-Ja9aXFkMBsfbKVGECVkkPLUh70ybRMZT86-keYsH_5NwTry1GbWi7Pp123ThyphenhyphenkdR6G10C9OXoM34gUBowhU6Lig0cOCAEP9Tm4btBtWLUX5kQrcMN4/s1600/photo+%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA6gkZobVFB2I-HqOSIJSfLgoA-Ja9aXFkMBsfbKVGECVkkPLUh70ybRMZT86-keYsH_5NwTry1GbWi7Pp123ThyphenhyphenkdR6G10C9OXoM34gUBowhU6Lig0cOCAEP9Tm4btBtWLUX5kQrcMN4/s320/photo+%252821%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping with Mama and Nana for a bridesmaid dress<br />for Mama for Aunt K'Anna's wedding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPljyduOEhOC_Pky9sCGRRtVEGqxIxlMEo8iX01F_lW6J39jKLwYLFhTkTOnY9lF5HpPrpd_tQJxIqlQIilBPor8Xc2ePOxovGPuyNGKFqgPItsh4I4D3y3giRm7Y5QCqDIdC8Lx6-HdF/s1600/photo+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPljyduOEhOC_Pky9sCGRRtVEGqxIxlMEo8iX01F_lW6J39jKLwYLFhTkTOnY9lF5HpPrpd_tQJxIqlQIilBPor8Xc2ePOxovGPuyNGKFqgPItsh4I4D3y3giRm7Y5QCqDIdC8Lx6-HdF/s320/photo+%252822%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You fell asleep in church just like this. Cutest<br />thing ever!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjL158OXPqJzAKwGOARiwE31BwK4gdjc2EAaxMBgNKaeZC1LZUzyb1rOxR72qnwH_EcoWly2jGGGUcuL378ffvIo8bgdD5bzQRbRzLaxAlQ2sLp88LKdq6vDtNmYDnVjuk9BiyHU-gtWRn/s1600/photo+%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjL158OXPqJzAKwGOARiwE31BwK4gdjc2EAaxMBgNKaeZC1LZUzyb1rOxR72qnwH_EcoWly2jGGGUcuL378ffvIo8bgdD5bzQRbRzLaxAlQ2sLp88LKdq6vDtNmYDnVjuk9BiyHU-gtWRn/s320/photo+%252823%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And before we left church you had to 'flirt' with Ms. Ava!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRlxAooaJQ6w1_DMNUYXIKua47YQuwhH_ZJKRdG-vqYlpjG2paXpsMPIQH-3qVZHe4AkpbXCejMPijGFX8Rj6iW-L0WmmNvZV9Jg8VTD6PbHRyBo3ZUWGtE5lqfBaB3S6KMNQCm-xKEz9/s1600/photo+%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRlxAooaJQ6w1_DMNUYXIKua47YQuwhH_ZJKRdG-vqYlpjG2paXpsMPIQH-3qVZHe4AkpbXCejMPijGFX8Rj6iW-L0WmmNvZV9Jg8VTD6PbHRyBo3ZUWGtE5lqfBaB3S6KMNQCm-xKEz9/s320/photo+%252824%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with Monty. Such a sweet dog!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymOwL0k54Fsl_MT4M8yFZMVsyfSKi9LmGNjIiYYjiojxwHuq22J3r74vqoJDXSYuPNR4GKYmtwe2-j5pfqDA7UOPbuVji2JywZ1bgBOaeOHHSg8PeK3O3Z8Wi3yDAx-KaEy6hH3lEAgz1/s1600/photo+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymOwL0k54Fsl_MT4M8yFZMVsyfSKi9LmGNjIiYYjiojxwHuq22J3r74vqoJDXSYuPNR4GKYmtwe2-j5pfqDA7UOPbuVji2JywZ1bgBOaeOHHSg8PeK3O3Z8Wi3yDAx-KaEy6hH3lEAgz1/s320/photo+%252813%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly mommy and baby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uD2E40tZB0JLNubgKB__lltL9GJZSrzAbdYklaOZrH4QCvt0dyqTCAG0bMM9OepumgSDdW7eraaeuucajn5WS6Mw5EIFcAFtznaav-woZbqAcq2pkzM4w_zjK6PGQWU5OCRx1B8gvjWc/s1600/photo+%252825%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uD2E40tZB0JLNubgKB__lltL9GJZSrzAbdYklaOZrH4QCvt0dyqTCAG0bMM9OepumgSDdW7eraaeuucajn5WS6Mw5EIFcAFtznaav-woZbqAcq2pkzM4w_zjK6PGQWU5OCRx1B8gvjWc/s320/photo+%252825%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Julie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pnHc3b0-1ezMj3WvK0wVVv8pDbuIPUf2A-i6515r3tq6ED4yACdkDxxoGFrblicaQcCoNW-9dYcXhpB9Bv6OIoeNfM2T1CWpc3vs5DIRHRSB0-CjpCgOKdGkp4VKS9Vwkt_-ShXL0jSG/s1600/photo+%252827%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pnHc3b0-1ezMj3WvK0wVVv8pDbuIPUf2A-i6515r3tq6ED4yACdkDxxoGFrblicaQcCoNW-9dYcXhpB9Bv6OIoeNfM2T1CWpc3vs5DIRHRSB0-CjpCgOKdGkp4VKS9Vwkt_-ShXL0jSG/s320/photo+%252827%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You found the baby on the fridge :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMrNM2R5CHm7PJGPGY9_8Oj46Db8Jpn9RIXRxgNLK1n9wFAxiLgB_fxRj6FnO1PsMZ4Vx3OH8qUHNUrimg_ZazjqmMUPu1VRGCvOCFbfpTpNSNWGvrcO2V5f8nYVUTs731WlaH4Cuo-yI/s1600/photo+%252828%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMrNM2R5CHm7PJGPGY9_8Oj46Db8Jpn9RIXRxgNLK1n9wFAxiLgB_fxRj6FnO1PsMZ4Vx3OH8qUHNUrimg_ZazjqmMUPu1VRGCvOCFbfpTpNSNWGvrcO2V5f8nYVUTs731WlaH4Cuo-yI/s320/photo+%252828%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These moments melt my heart. Your cheeks and<br />mouth are so very perfect</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading with Nana</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7CcCy7JVq1v01ABK4lPi6aNvykvfl_BpmEUIfd00DMFZ1aVaUsyyWEkuKX06r9zrCaj2hRPoBUrnRGp1y3TmQVRXkBktGIGZJda7ob7dwUFVQCsATy7QXorPlTyUhKra3ZxfMG2Zb5tl/s1600/photo+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7CcCy7JVq1v01ABK4lPi6aNvykvfl_BpmEUIfd00DMFZ1aVaUsyyWEkuKX06r9zrCaj2hRPoBUrnRGp1y3TmQVRXkBktGIGZJda7ob7dwUFVQCsATy7QXorPlTyUhKra3ZxfMG2Zb5tl/s320/photo+%252830%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You were just so intent!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjeoEaYEV3ueIyQrXG3tTzlUsxRakwxdIjoITS3NKNDSc6ez2BgNAb5-CY7oCY1PBhtU3npmp1Y-0FDeYgI8oKKlNvZVRsddYVs7qfTp6LDYnk1qu8rPGve__AJllMB8eUMmGEU-GxoWV/s1600/photo+%252831%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjeoEaYEV3ueIyQrXG3tTzlUsxRakwxdIjoITS3NKNDSc6ez2BgNAb5-CY7oCY1PBhtU3npmp1Y-0FDeYgI8oKKlNvZVRsddYVs7qfTp6LDYnk1qu8rPGve__AJllMB8eUMmGEU-GxoWV/s320/photo+%252831%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your first sippy cup!!</td></tr>
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You drank out of your first sippy cup at the end of this month! Angie said you weren't sure at first, but you seemed to like it. You also had your first bite of grits and eggs! My gracious where has the time gone...All in all, we couldn't have asked for a better 7th month for you! The blessings just keep coming and coming!Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-23066739984135138592013-01-17T22:43:00.004-06:002013-01-17T22:43:39.914-06:00Samuel - 7 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This month was another big month for you! You enjoyed you first Thanksgiving!! The whole family got together at Uncle Bobby and Aunt Ginger's house to eat and celebrate. It was a fun time, and you got in lots of lovin's :). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing with Aunt Ginger</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6w_TqI2FZs9XlVIrSTQtYJb_tVkVKHgMoMZuTMv6N0xoO-JiWDEUqE_f2297toY5hcvJU5AKeTxcRYfkRfnVqMdsug24I5GCpedV7wKuIELqcfSja04bU0jNk_Aypnwvs6Dsi_BMZB0p/s1600/DSC06351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6w_TqI2FZs9XlVIrSTQtYJb_tVkVKHgMoMZuTMv6N0xoO-JiWDEUqE_f2297toY5hcvJU5AKeTxcRYfkRfnVqMdsug24I5GCpedV7wKuIELqcfSja04bU0jNk_Aypnwvs6Dsi_BMZB0p/s320/DSC06351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Walking' with Minna</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All that commotion just wore a baby out!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jiTn13Qnxps-B21J2WWWheUNU7Okxx__mCgIZyneTtThsKdFtKjaURae7CQOXFZ_v5NkDTrqE1bvGuGLVYeDFuKiGIE1kcmS2cmJ9ukMQYKUSqbvVTPJY6MoFxQb7WjHzgurJXgBbzwc/s1600/DSC06365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jiTn13Qnxps-B21J2WWWheUNU7Okxx__mCgIZyneTtThsKdFtKjaURae7CQOXFZ_v5NkDTrqE1bvGuGLVYeDFuKiGIE1kcmS2cmJ9ukMQYKUSqbvVTPJY6MoFxQb7WjHzgurJXgBbzwc/s320/DSC06365.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally a picture with Mommy! You're always moving :)</td></tr>
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Other things that happened this month:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqw-7EBUPMV3-cbuiTjEyHyp7hSZIkkLlGI9qaRQWQFO1Q2-8WZjNClYZC6TK3tmKK6tuU1hca3wg9vithUJfkw-lFfx9cEonw363imc2CxgKfUahYqI_PAq-pfADmuTdOs7hy4X57dSJ3/s1600/DSC06334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqw-7EBUPMV3-cbuiTjEyHyp7hSZIkkLlGI9qaRQWQFO1Q2-8WZjNClYZC6TK3tmKK6tuU1hca3wg9vithUJfkw-lFfx9cEonw363imc2CxgKfUahYqI_PAq-pfADmuTdOs7hy4X57dSJ3/s320/DSC06334.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for church!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi-sW40xFMML2nESxHbF5fN1-LgGUVtOrO1U55cx1rlxuuP8GSpSUxWV9EnoTT2JCDeRRR-VA-74NTYMXjjLYQaVx4GrliiVgNkOna8v00Oth-C6Nzr-r9nrIText-gHkLZdrPJ4YO7Rn/s1600/DSC06378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi-sW40xFMML2nESxHbF5fN1-LgGUVtOrO1U55cx1rlxuuP8GSpSUxWV9EnoTT2JCDeRRR-VA-74NTYMXjjLYQaVx4GrliiVgNkOna8v00Oth-C6Nzr-r9nrIText-gHkLZdrPJ4YO7Rn/s320/DSC06378.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your first playdate! You loved playing with Katie and Garrett!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzR2NCJHPlY1Y3kbRWS6wCa-_ajhLhq9NuGGUB5exdRmla9SqvG-YHpvRAKut4YTao2reuoY2o6myvS3b5g7ULg2WgaqGFsJ6PmzN2pFSCW1CtuKbcJMR7at2JJhFsVps4XwTOGfKxaEp/s1600/DSC06387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzR2NCJHPlY1Y3kbRWS6wCa-_ajhLhq9NuGGUB5exdRmla9SqvG-YHpvRAKut4YTao2reuoY2o6myvS3b5g7ULg2WgaqGFsJ6PmzN2pFSCW1CtuKbcJMR7at2JJhFsVps4XwTOGfKxaEp/s320/DSC06387.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's one tired kiddo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA90dZThqg7xFU3whFOQEkn6w4lUD8MAciMGcyCyVRjiLDoguRbGq4XofLozRnJQE2opqiN7gpvHpVqqTDAkRr7703I5uOwKSIGKQXemVn5zeymdxhYvT49Jcsx5aMyEQ2-zOus8zzejc/s1600/DSC06381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA90dZThqg7xFU3whFOQEkn6w4lUD8MAciMGcyCyVRjiLDoguRbGq4XofLozRnJQE2opqiN7gpvHpVqqTDAkRr7703I5uOwKSIGKQXemVn5zeymdxhYvT49Jcsx5aMyEQ2-zOus8zzejc/s320/DSC06381.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You love your Winnie the Pooh blanket!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi217XL2jGWZJDrPOKi6a5Gio2Ns46dIyYfI7soJlhU34iP9GPNfCrL6TTyj77MWViWYhmGZRQs5vre2rlwito-riKWTSBNtYs43dhQ4tQLAu8IvT70I9v2n_RGBPX7Fnz7h6HI6xPZeiL/s1600/DSC06394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi217XL2jGWZJDrPOKi6a5Gio2Ns46dIyYfI7soJlhU34iP9GPNfCrL6TTyj77MWViWYhmGZRQs5vre2rlwito-riKWTSBNtYs43dhQ4tQLAu8IvT70I9v2n_RGBPX7Fnz7h6HI6xPZeiL/s320/DSC06394.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My silly boy makes the funniest faces!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2oVqeeBKdQEvsKQKCjMO831FFOUI0w5AxpymVvEDi_8ju0BgbfP9z-EQseDrbqIbCIRhg-E8xFHIz9O4RoIxuoZYnHd1vRthbJrNPEWY4hMFR76KpD8GA9p8wp3QHWQvd3tfOOq35kWl/s1600/DSC06405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2oVqeeBKdQEvsKQKCjMO831FFOUI0w5AxpymVvEDi_8ju0BgbfP9z-EQseDrbqIbCIRhg-E8xFHIz9O4RoIxuoZYnHd1vRthbJrNPEWY4hMFR76KpD8GA9p8wp3QHWQvd3tfOOq35kWl/s320/DSC06405.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy putting the lights on the Christmas tree!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxCY7pegojXhd7ONw5QdRf_wdyxnrjYllf58tQnW4JWBOk3xh597N36SCgpDy9jyEEFucqIDVP7JPsm9HRGkWxtwhgn98w8e4Ou5xsfeYihIPWVYsMZFS8FDBwjLCKTw5b1kQQ6ERI7Uf/s1600/DSC06400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxCY7pegojXhd7ONw5QdRf_wdyxnrjYllf58tQnW4JWBOk3xh597N36SCgpDy9jyEEFucqIDVP7JPsm9HRGkWxtwhgn98w8e4Ou5xsfeYihIPWVYsMZFS8FDBwjLCKTw5b1kQQ6ERI7Uf/s320/DSC06400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patiently waiting while Daddy puts the lights on the tree...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_EEm4Okd5tzKPy2Lw2KqZJ0_jopQKtZwBhuLQ1R61R8G7C1QP0Uoy6CkHfn4i3Kx1a76LDjp9wbfGOIvp4V-xuqJ_XvwLbBY6AV2a3A_X7MqpQAXeueFQPFO2uokiSelfVGJNEiUBH1K/s1600/DSC06408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_EEm4Okd5tzKPy2Lw2KqZJ0_jopQKtZwBhuLQ1R61R8G7C1QP0Uoy6CkHfn4i3Kx1a76LDjp9wbfGOIvp4V-xuqJ_XvwLbBY6AV2a3A_X7MqpQAXeueFQPFO2uokiSelfVGJNEiUBH1K/s320/DSC06408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somebody just couldn't wait any longer, he had to take a nap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHxgFN7LLM2ridydRUabT12obVlLPrE0VXej1j_Ag0M091WWmZKBnHd7BQndpDyVZ3Mj46iKhfWcJTo6-gjdZ_WKKNnIy6h96J_UcEUE13mNnQnrJ-L69TP-zdp8xGJdX2KBNCnfDcOIm/s1600/DSC06412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHxgFN7LLM2ridydRUabT12obVlLPrE0VXej1j_Ag0M091WWmZKBnHd7BQndpDyVZ3Mj46iKhfWcJTo6-gjdZ_WKKNnIy6h96J_UcEUE13mNnQnrJ-L69TP-zdp8xGJdX2KBNCnfDcOIm/s320/DSC06412.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But then he woke up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You loved the lights!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napping with Daddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You decided that tummy sleeping is where you want to be!<br />No matter how many times I rolled you over, it was<br />immediately back to your tummy!</td></tr>
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Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-14505848529954705182012-11-25T18:12:00.003-06:002012-11-25T18:13:14.146-06:00Samuel - 6 months!!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Your 6th month was busy just like all the other months we have been blessed with you! Just before you turned 5 months old (four days to be exact), your Nana had a bad car wreck. After a few days in the hospital she came to stay with us for a little bit. You loved having another person in the house to talk to you. And even though Nana couldn't hold you at first, you still talked and cooed to her! </div>
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Hanging out with Nana on the day she came home</div>
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from the hospital. </div>
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We were actually on our way to the Fox Family Reunion when Nana had her wreck, so we turned around and drove back to Jackson so we could be with her at the hospital. Your 'aunt' K'Anna took care of you while Daddy and I waited at the hospital. Once we saw that Nana would be admitted at least overnight, Daddy took you back up to Grenada so everyone could see you at your first Fox Family reunion. Your middle name is Fox, after that part of your Daddy's family :).<br />
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You are progressing in your eating, and so far have had: carrots, squash, green beans, and peas, along with the oatmeal you still eat. You love everything we feed you! <br />
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You attended your cousin Alayna's homecoming to watch her walk as a Senior Maid. She was beautiful, and you loved the family interaction! It was so exciting that you stayed up past bedtime just so you wouldn't miss anything.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSXGV7sdTfq8_-c83tCAUNfsRbLSq8MER8X21NCSp6wD8U-WUAaqD8I_PZLUzp2ejGr5L2qhTC4fP5G8TSdyNEEF83eZ85MEtPQlEz5-yROieNqdQz88DeFyvUvMxpgFTZYw0xggDjZ9v/s1600/DSC06175-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSXGV7sdTfq8_-c83tCAUNfsRbLSq8MER8X21NCSp6wD8U-WUAaqD8I_PZLUzp2ejGr5L2qhTC4fP5G8TSdyNEEF83eZ85MEtPQlEz5-yROieNqdQz88DeFyvUvMxpgFTZYw0xggDjZ9v/s320/DSC06175-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for cousin Alayna's Homecoming</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihG9uxo0rwisB4phYRWhyphenhyphen_KONnTN6DoDfhFuCjAgScVPnHVZU_n3kXReRYkJQTmkhLhB1Jx7Exxe0pZLpkmDnPeTFY2_muVyQGnxGX9YkLhI9gLf0d6t3MFzK9VfdZLSafRLcqXhNw7UQd/s1600/DSC06176-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihG9uxo0rwisB4phYRWhyphenhyphen_KONnTN6DoDfhFuCjAgScVPnHVZU_n3kXReRYkJQTmkhLhB1Jx7Exxe0pZLpkmDnPeTFY2_muVyQGnxGX9YkLhI9gLf0d6t3MFzK9VfdZLSafRLcqXhNw7UQd/s320/DSC06176-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a funny pumpkin head!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking to 'Bug' before the parade</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTkFW8-E_DBqFvMypb8J1D5TWzV6mFQn4G9vNlUtEfZVxYcyQ6qboPVNGk0wuzltq1mHU6btGLIGJSrXHKJiCq551Dr0Mzh2Q9JznkRbz76ce7GWCSpu986p4gOq9yZ8mwKJRYNkao3p4/s1600/DSC06157-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTkFW8-E_DBqFvMypb8J1D5TWzV6mFQn4G9vNlUtEfZVxYcyQ6qboPVNGk0wuzltq1mHU6btGLIGJSrXHKJiCq551Dr0Mzh2Q9JznkRbz76ce7GWCSpu986p4gOq9yZ8mwKJRYNkao3p4/s320/DSC06157-001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You and beautiful Alayna</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Dad and Pops during the game</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZBKZCmLGZem2FEm57rjq6n289b35jrRwSIVP4054LDrRbxziHH_ohnQTxyprM1l9E-_2z1J8cH-ISfbjYKg9DVT_5jgy7kTbsUQJ5-fd4IdRTNWhVyDW98LWE7vU3YnPXQiL2ygSNFkO/s1600/DSC06212-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZBKZCmLGZem2FEm57rjq6n289b35jrRwSIVP4054LDrRbxziHH_ohnQTxyprM1l9E-_2z1J8cH-ISfbjYKg9DVT_5jgy7kTbsUQJ5-fd4IdRTNWhVyDW98LWE7vU3YnPXQiL2ygSNFkO/s320/DSC06212-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Daddy and Bug after the game</td></tr>
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Your first Halloween was this month! We spent the evening with our friends Jo-z, Shae, and their little girl! It was Shae's birthday so we are super happy that they invited us to come enjoy some fellowship and food with them. You wore your monkey costume that Nana got you, and you were the most precious monkey I have ever seen! We also attended a Halloween party with our friends Corey and Anna. Dad and I went as two robbers and you were our bag of money :)). As usual, I got caught up in taking pictures and forgot to get someone to take one of the three of us together :(.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7fx74JLzGlyrr4Rc1KmpX0XYLrUzzi23BwLDiUu8zI7-U659rB2oAoq_JFWGrKHTYwbhdgKHJE55_x6KtME8zJXaFrwieQ3YRgVSBjJt558DKaKO4LDClx2-DUHesWaRO5Btyo-gC3l3/s1600/DSC06228-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7fx74JLzGlyrr4Rc1KmpX0XYLrUzzi23BwLDiUu8zI7-U659rB2oAoq_JFWGrKHTYwbhdgKHJE55_x6KtME8zJXaFrwieQ3YRgVSBjJt558DKaKO4LDClx2-DUHesWaRO5Btyo-gC3l3/s320/DSC06228-001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy with his bag of loot at Corey and Anna's :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVKhdVtNgfjMY-8pn0BEyK2Pu9rcozrWCsmaoh8_altW0FMdYGSSQD5mSU5d5D44uYgQI4c_wHBRlYt2fFwn7Py3pQ5A5I2i5xSotJxEgI-LyCkoEAN9Z64ZPJ-k6UKC0hC5vOO3Bh0g7/s1600/DSC06231-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVKhdVtNgfjMY-8pn0BEyK2Pu9rcozrWCsmaoh8_altW0FMdYGSSQD5mSU5d5D44uYgQI4c_wHBRlYt2fFwn7Py3pQ5A5I2i5xSotJxEgI-LyCkoEAN9Z64ZPJ-k6UKC0hC5vOO3Bh0g7/s320/DSC06231-001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only picture I have of me from that night..<br />
I need to work on that!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCDg_5p6prRk7W-ZXw7DfvZqkizVoH6_D-5BYhOs-ODEQhTYVyNpgb0Yk2BLeDYaAtrhCsa1exGX7vZW87GYY4VD0st1-z9A_cgo8P20QlxWqfCBUPSHZwBEUsW7xwUP-kMG-amFbvq-K/s1600/DSC06233-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCDg_5p6prRk7W-ZXw7DfvZqkizVoH6_D-5BYhOs-ODEQhTYVyNpgb0Yk2BLeDYaAtrhCsa1exGX7vZW87GYY4VD0st1-z9A_cgo8P20QlxWqfCBUPSHZwBEUsW7xwUP-kMG-amFbvq-K/s320/DSC06233-001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilly was NOT happy you were on her sofa! She<br />
decided to take her cow-costumed self to her own corner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQugwfp52WnpvAawBhYbKg5BpPaco9hk5mK8PlRHTwbYH0hqH70PTi2cMULwSpwms0KEFhMmyMlUss9slvP8v6otSmEO8TYkpuD65czBV3MBfrJoezt4OXI8VZhvThZ9o32gyhHZ2PyCv4/s1600/DSC06288-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQugwfp52WnpvAawBhYbKg5BpPaco9hk5mK8PlRHTwbYH0hqH70PTi2cMULwSpwms0KEFhMmyMlUss9slvP8v6otSmEO8TYkpuD65czBV3MBfrJoezt4OXI8VZhvThZ9o32gyhHZ2PyCv4/s320/DSC06288-001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkeys need naps too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgX2Nzt4Cy4a5cVnw3HoT1tDb3Z_-X3Je_usC5R8hRHau62ekVMa5YjKR36cnx408oY08upa0do5liyFZum538u7hzenvB2PKk0o5VQ9k-0CbSlga7J08XW2MGl-rZ2ksvOGNdjGEgk09/s1600/DSC06301-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgX2Nzt4Cy4a5cVnw3HoT1tDb3Z_-X3Je_usC5R8hRHau62ekVMa5YjKR36cnx408oY08upa0do5liyFZum538u7hzenvB2PKk0o5VQ9k-0CbSlga7J08XW2MGl-rZ2ksvOGNdjGEgk09/s320/DSC06301-001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweetest monkey ever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzsmJ6mtXtuQJ4ZKhLFpjL3mA5GVm_I-QWAPnUDqmSy0XGceScI8HhnfhICHd7oeHsMtwWO3NFq4XvQ17Y5dvCGNCmmZAfcjcaSH4z_dMoHbwoFg7mowLlR2vKbWssXKzIzmimWtou0By/s1600/DSC06318-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzsmJ6mtXtuQJ4ZKhLFpjL3mA5GVm_I-QWAPnUDqmSy0XGceScI8HhnfhICHd7oeHsMtwWO3NFq4XvQ17Y5dvCGNCmmZAfcjcaSH4z_dMoHbwoFg7mowLlR2vKbWssXKzIzmimWtou0By/s320/DSC06318-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Daddy and Tea' on Halloween</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji49tsAEk7Vuy3xqP61i9dgbE048YsmZjA3S_yz5btiZYoIurln8w0lunssxbB8xMLq6eI4quZ_ImiRns7RUasbtiUJvUlqcZFclhDjUQJ83uXao7sT6MGFY4wzE7s16tDyklBh3ztVvT3/s1600/DSC06330-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji49tsAEk7Vuy3xqP61i9dgbE048YsmZjA3S_yz5btiZYoIurln8w0lunssxbB8xMLq6eI4quZ_ImiRns7RUasbtiUJvUlqcZFclhDjUQJ83uXao7sT6MGFY4wzE7s16tDyklBh3ztVvT3/s320/DSC06330-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy, Daddy, and baby monkey on Halloween!</td></tr>
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We went to the Pumpkin Patch for the first time this month! You were the most precious pumpkin EVER in your little hat! We met 'aunt' Janine and her family there. Even though we only saw them for just a minute, I did manage to get a picture with you and your German grandma (Janine's mom). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBULk9WXvXyqV-Tb7fATr1fyLi6XxhxE9GFokJpI5Gvcbc0zaCDpW2YG86lFvKZDm2C1Y65HYlx882D9RQFx9gwkltlt7XivEb12N7cL38wpI3ggj05rzI8n3APW9nKRlfyhKmb6A3Q7s/s1600/DSC06238-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBULk9WXvXyqV-Tb7fATr1fyLi6XxhxE9GFokJpI5Gvcbc0zaCDpW2YG86lFvKZDm2C1Y65HYlx882D9RQFx9gwkltlt7XivEb12N7cL38wpI3ggj05rzI8n3APW9nKRlfyhKmb6A3Q7s/s320/DSC06238-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel with 'Oma' Nina!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg48huWyQd4Hfb-RPDzMdKQuXwSmf-cCkWWirrh6DOSBc160TFuja-MqNR7DE1ByFWW87Y8P9PWAn3t14iMrqlNoKWfZ4LMkaYXelN4NwptZ4npJG920l2bpBo87BoQ28b39DHP9ZNPwcK/s1600/DSC06242-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg48huWyQd4Hfb-RPDzMdKQuXwSmf-cCkWWirrh6DOSBc160TFuja-MqNR7DE1ByFWW87Y8P9PWAn3t14iMrqlNoKWfZ4LMkaYXelN4NwptZ4npJG920l2bpBo87BoQ28b39DHP9ZNPwcK/s320/DSC06242-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Izzy B went too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_uQk5xpjmnpgvaqLdEAJ9-9ACZjdqdVK8ht4wgJRlU2X4l1jOXaHkX4Sjo94rvl07ig6xe7isr9eRlgN9XKqGMACyIskrr-oy6k-DYL9b7GwePQcLHXr-5nhyphenhyphen4n2vEY-mtFbCtGJLq4Z/s1600/DSC06250-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_uQk5xpjmnpgvaqLdEAJ9-9ACZjdqdVK8ht4wgJRlU2X4l1jOXaHkX4Sjo94rvl07ig6xe7isr9eRlgN9XKqGMACyIskrr-oy6k-DYL9b7GwePQcLHXr-5nhyphenhyphen4n2vEY-mtFbCtGJLq4Z/s320/DSC06250-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel had to get a picture taken with his Izzy B in the<br />
pumpkins!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0yaxQlOuUUuRfBZhCfDwvRMhtEYu6r4Hy08C9vGvx0UYs5He3Wpdhb5PfoWSCwiCryguhwdatgKSOnPUAEFSoq21VR2pW4OEPgoa0tdCRwGc1H9LulrXWV_SMVwrMZTMgcA-bTZ1icGm/s1600/DSC06257-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0yaxQlOuUUuRfBZhCfDwvRMhtEYu6r4Hy08C9vGvx0UYs5He3Wpdhb5PfoWSCwiCryguhwdatgKSOnPUAEFSoq21VR2pW4OEPgoa0tdCRwGc1H9LulrXWV_SMVwrMZTMgcA-bTZ1icGm/s320/DSC06257-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this little man soooo much!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuORqvOQ4kYG3MJA5btC9KcXEhTFw2fhzEQtsO834CKXhlYkqS7Ys97r3Sw5qOaEij0IM6-vP1ON3scEIPnPPj39QTOSLeMPD2MVJ3EZGvpshCpZsa7cJU6tdQzO3jBjA0kVzFpR9gFok4/s1600/DSC06259-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuORqvOQ4kYG3MJA5btC9KcXEhTFw2fhzEQtsO834CKXhlYkqS7Ys97r3Sw5qOaEij0IM6-vP1ON3scEIPnPPj39QTOSLeMPD2MVJ3EZGvpshCpZsa7cJU6tdQzO3jBjA0kVzFpR9gFok4/s320/DSC06259-001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So does Elizabeth!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHANpi8rkIDm7he5MJZnZmyBuSwd8SJGghEk98EhUg1ZhDiYry4OD0OtAp8RUQdZ4-F-vfbWjhf0jlc1BZZ2p_YwwKwghWYgID4CwqSKUQRJ30p09iwTNGY2O1oJ2PNkwJvYAyb1sluMZ/s1600/DSC06268-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHANpi8rkIDm7he5MJZnZmyBuSwd8SJGghEk98EhUg1ZhDiYry4OD0OtAp8RUQdZ4-F-vfbWjhf0jlc1BZZ2p_YwwKwghWYgID4CwqSKUQRJ30p09iwTNGY2O1oJ2PNkwJvYAyb1sluMZ/s320/DSC06268-002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay family photo!</td></tr>
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Other things that happened this month:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiV6DqZh7i_nSMZwojmD9PzwPFqGYpmYWsMXWIb6J1aLO3zq7W6zl3Hh1yqBUYzeWgoP4AIzLVeKHGECXu4VWTkFzodFV16xEt86AEE0ZdLT5dB0eEBbVbF1BNkC9jyyWcmikRPq_XZ9y/s1600/DSC06221-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiV6DqZh7i_nSMZwojmD9PzwPFqGYpmYWsMXWIb6J1aLO3zq7W6zl3Hh1yqBUYzeWgoP4AIzLVeKHGECXu4VWTkFzodFV16xEt86AEE0ZdLT5dB0eEBbVbF1BNkC9jyyWcmikRPq_XZ9y/s320/DSC06221-001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging with Daddy on our porch swing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiCP72m7_GjTcU-z_jz8EtF2FGmui39lJyiV-YKU5k24SXkxWUGq7S8h8jyYWwxBKk9bh3kr2YpnwKX6HhIem3MrpgL0mp1kDnNEoATuN0cS11BfdOelYr5gQsG6N0mIuGvOyv2rJMZ4j/s1600/DSC06147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiCP72m7_GjTcU-z_jz8EtF2FGmui39lJyiV-YKU5k24SXkxWUGq7S8h8jyYWwxBKk9bh3kr2YpnwKX6HhIem3MrpgL0mp1kDnNEoATuN0cS11BfdOelYr5gQsG6N0mIuGvOyv2rJMZ4j/s320/DSC06147.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Mom, have you seen my feet lately?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dk-6v1cuxgfEMKlt_kZbWHjssTloLzfWZGRekA8vjjIrS6hi4IOsjJf_8HTZuTG-a6J8m6eDBUrWCZ3Jc-EFSXL7DY2qbJviKhAq5GjWDv1TrFa4t6NldCbZ-BuSr1jv_tCzhPxtIo77/s1600/5+mos+at+angies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dk-6v1cuxgfEMKlt_kZbWHjssTloLzfWZGRekA8vjjIrS6hi4IOsjJf_8HTZuTG-a6J8m6eDBUrWCZ3Jc-EFSXL7DY2qbJviKhAq5GjWDv1TrFa4t6NldCbZ-BuSr1jv_tCzhPxtIo77/s1600/5+mos+at+angies.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving his play seat at Angie's!</td></tr>
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Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-31411948379672173722012-10-18T15:10:00.000-05:002012-10-18T15:10:06.228-05:00Samuel - 5 Months<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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You had your 4 Month shots the day after your 4 month birthday. Mommy got to take you to the appointment by herself because Daddy had class. You cried for a little while after your shots, but overall you did great! Your measurements at this checkup: 14 lbs 2 oz (45%), 27 inches long (95%!!!), head circumference 16 cm (45%). I can't get over how long you are! My little tall fella!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASnGZOTIZ8_Csi1xrHAatCHvNpRWWXgGxYe44beN6meB7IR0jTaMPHvOjlnTR4BvgM4crEkc-U1GVEckOGpUPpKWLKkTriPU4UeoDh7sNXUYTJK4ViUn-gVNvm2xoqw5BhjLMAWWcSDpn/s1600/4+mos+waiting+on+shots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASnGZOTIZ8_Csi1xrHAatCHvNpRWWXgGxYe44beN6meB7IR0jTaMPHvOjlnTR4BvgM4crEkc-U1GVEckOGpUPpKWLKkTriPU4UeoDh7sNXUYTJK4ViUn-gVNvm2xoqw5BhjLMAWWcSDpn/s320/4+mos+waiting+on+shots.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Waiting to see the Dr and get your shots, you were </div>
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obviously so concerned!</div>
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A couple days after your shots, you stopped sleeping through the night. We had really gotten used to getting 9+ hours of sleep every night, so going back to 4 hours in a stretch, then waking every hour after that for several hours was no fun at all. I feel certain you were going through a wonder week though, because after about 5 days of sleeplessness, you started sleeping better again. You also seemed so much more aware of your surroundings and seemed to be able to hold your focus on things for longer periods of time. It's still so incredible to me to watch you discover this big world around you!! You started eating baby oatmeal this month and taking an extra oz in your bottles at the beginning of this month, and by 4 months and 3 weeks old we started you on solids. Your first solid food was carrots and you loved them just like your mommy does :). You love to eat your oatmeal for breakfast and supper. Mommy is making your baby food and we will slowly add more veggies and then fruits to your diet! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkXO5OXmn8JG7JwXU3OHLy_ovBruSETgFJcLsUcDJjFUBShCrii1QpIiLIY1a9jsSbc4vdQQEbvN1BdGKS059mtrrSE8ZR4xWoysAcN7lWNkk1z9fy_hDqzgKed0qIC35AhZaVLTzuBJ4/s1600/4.75+mos+carrotts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkXO5OXmn8JG7JwXU3OHLy_ovBruSETgFJcLsUcDJjFUBShCrii1QpIiLIY1a9jsSbc4vdQQEbvN1BdGKS059mtrrSE8ZR4xWoysAcN7lWNkk1z9fy_hDqzgKed0qIC35AhZaVLTzuBJ4/s320/4.75+mos+carrotts.JPG" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First food! Yummy carrots :)</td></tr>
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You are still staying with Angie, and get to spend a lot of time with her outside on blankets when the weather is pretty. I know you are just soaking up all the new things in the world around you, and that is priceless to me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF9sJTfA4E3qRfk_XqCBWBT0tgRBv4nXmE5ZP-jBu1CugCl7d5Utbs7P61-75U1N8PTwPAUuhzk0Lgc6o3j3YcRObJNmlxZCxpEgETnDdqvbiVtHEaBthkNAkOnb13Bx0jjHIovPM_4pi/s1600/4+mos+at+angies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF9sJTfA4E3qRfk_XqCBWBT0tgRBv4nXmE5ZP-jBu1CugCl7d5Utbs7P61-75U1N8PTwPAUuhzk0Lgc6o3j3YcRObJNmlxZCxpEgETnDdqvbiVtHEaBthkNAkOnb13Bx0jjHIovPM_4pi/s320/4+mos+at+angies.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Angie while she plants flowers</td></tr>
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We had our first cool weather this month, and you seem to like wearing your long sleeve outfits and your little hats. On the day of Bren's 4th birthday, you were all bundled up! Your great great Aunts Emma and Nell loved on you most of the time. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Emma and Nell loving on you</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just too much excitement for a little fella!</td></tr>
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Other things that happened this month:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding your bottle for the first time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First long sleeve shirt!</td></tr>
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Who is that super cute baby in that mirror?</div>
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Talking to Mimi at lunch</div>
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Mr. Blue Eyes!</div>
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Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-50470869208601397432012-10-09T16:09:00.000-05:002012-10-09T16:09:12.618-05:00Samuel - 4 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We celebrated a couple milestones this month! The first, Daddy started back to college!! He is attending Mississippi College, so he is a CHOCTAW now (like Mommy!). We celebrated his first day of school with a surprise outfit that Mommy made just for the special occasion. I think it made Daddy happy :).</div>
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Hurricane Isaac came through this month, leaving us without power for two days. For some reason any time the wind blows hard we lose power. I guess that is the down side to living in a neighborhood that is full of old, beautiful trees! We spent the first day and night of no power at Mimi's house. You had a good time hanging out on your pallet in the floor!</div>
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Football season started this month!!! Mommy is super excited when football season starts, so we had to dress you accordingly...</div>
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We celebrated Labor Day at the begining of the month, and that night was your first night to sleep in your crib. I loved having you right there beside me in your pack and play at night, so I could make sure you were ok, but it was time for you to be in your big boy room! The first couple of nights I swear I checked on you 20 times, but you sleep longer and better in your own room, so that has been a blessing! You actually seem to love bed time (HUGE blessing!). We have a nice little routine down, and you are usually asleep within 5-10 minutes of being put into your crib. </div>
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Work got super busy this month so we decided to let a good family friend keep you during the day while Mommy works and Daddy goes to school. It's a true blessing, and Angie takes such good care of you! Every day when I pick you up you are smiling and happy. It definitely took some getting used to and a good bit of letting go on my part, but I truly feel like this is best for you right now. I have a feeling that as you grow older, you are going to learn the best parts of being in the country while you are with Angie! One thing is for sure, I figure you will grow up with a love for blueberries, since you will be able to run right outside her house and eat as many as your little heart desires! </div>
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You discovered the wonders of a play seat this month. The play mat no longer holds your attention, but you just LOVE your new seat!!<br />
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Other things that happened during your third month:</div>
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Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-59535206898336862602012-09-09T10:39:00.000-05:002012-09-09T10:39:47.314-05:00What a difference a year makes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One year ago today, we found out that we had a baby on the way. I still remember the shock and excitement like it was yesterday! That feeling still takes my breath away, the feeling that everything in our lives would be so very different from that moment on. The idea that a miracle was taking place right before our eyes, and that God had indeed heard our prayers for a child.</div>
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I never thought that I would get a chance to feel the love I feel for little Mr. Samuel (aka Peanut, Squeaker, Squeaks). I look at him and I see perfection. He doesn't know sin, he doesn't know differences in skin color, or differences in political preference. He is a blank canvas. I was a blank canvas once, and as I grew so did my views on certain things. My past helped me become the person I am today, and I will continue to grow and change until the day that I die. It's so overwhelming to me when I see Samuel do something for the first time, because I know that he has NEVER done that particular thing before. It's new to him, and with each discovery he becomes more 'Samuel'. I can't believe that God lets parents have the responsibility of teaching their children. He trusts us to show them a Christ-like love, and to not screw them up! No pressure... Every night before bed I pray that Samuel becomes the man that God planned him to be. That's all I can do, is turn this little guy (who we prayed so hard for) back over to God. Any time I do that, I think of Hannah, and how she prayed and prayed for God to bless her with a child and when He did, she turned around and gave her son (Samuel) back to serve God at the Temple. I know that our Samuel will make mistakes, just as I have. He will have regrets, as I have. I want so badly to protect him from pain, disappointment, and heartache, but I can't. If I did I would be doing him an injustice. Those things will help shape the fabric of his being, and hopefully he will look back at his life and be thankful for that. Hopefully he will know beyond a shadow of a doubt how much his Daddy and I love him. I pray that I won't waste ONE SINGLE moment to show him just how big that love is!</div>
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-LessaBen and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-75366080145171024412012-08-19T20:24:00.002-05:002012-08-19T20:24:56.780-05:00Samuel - 3 Months<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
This month was a busy month for you! I'm pretty sure you had a 'wonder week' in there somewhere because all of a sudden you started focusing in on things and 'talking' specifically to them. You found your hands at right around 9 weeks old! This month you've started really loving to hang out on your activity mat (or anywhere with bright colors that's flat so you can kick and squirm). You are still going to work with Mommy every day and so far so good! We have a pretty easy routine of eat, nap, play, repeat. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAPPY THREE MONTHS! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet smiling baby :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding my hands!</td></tr>
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You also went on another trip to Grenada to see Poppy Don and all the cousins. The twins (Maggie and Katalin) even came down from Wisconsin and D.C., so you got to meet them as well. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy may kill me for this one, but I can't help it! It's too precious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel's yawn cracks me up! Sweet baby boy with Daddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcNivPQVzlm6l4fXz4LzjAsD-HZ7K-UW7RhUPOWKHbwiT9sBP_IznVxvzsAr8ZNtqmf59DJcTLq5v1q9oh4BAGhFhG1K1pl-m2IhuVjM5vNJF85ncwIgMkonbF6q8XXgmMGVoUrQOtmJo/s1600/DSC05951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcNivPQVzlm6l4fXz4LzjAsD-HZ7K-UW7RhUPOWKHbwiT9sBP_IznVxvzsAr8ZNtqmf59DJcTLq5v1q9oh4BAGhFhG1K1pl-m2IhuVjM5vNJF85ncwIgMkonbF6q8XXgmMGVoUrQOtmJo/s320/DSC05951.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the twins (Katalin on the left, Maggie on the right)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppy Don holding Samuel for the first time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandfather, grandson, and great-grandson!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four generations!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHLDyH4uQObRpeFNzhg4uzCjlH5dSKN3THCl0BfNDAypStr1NzAavG3axnezoje_ys6O9eOWBBEOhk-dOUis1g03i_ZfW8FqrYqeZ8aozp_k2qO0Fx-3vkqtqFjf4Hhde3VbHsDSKFAN0/s1600/tuckered+out+from+traveling+9w5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHLDyH4uQObRpeFNzhg4uzCjlH5dSKN3THCl0BfNDAypStr1NzAavG3axnezoje_ys6O9eOWBBEOhk-dOUis1g03i_ZfW8FqrYqeZ8aozp_k2qO0Fx-3vkqtqFjf4Hhde3VbHsDSKFAN0/s320/tuckered+out+from+traveling+9w5.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuckered out after traveling</td></tr>
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This month I was able to start using your bigger sizes of cloth diapers! It feels so nice to not have to spend as much $ on disposables. I can also say that strangely, I love cloth diapering you! I'm sure I wouldn't say that if I had to wash them all by hand :).<br />
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This month you and I went to a Pampered Chef party at 'Aunt' K'Anna's house and you got to see your great great Aunts Emma and Nell. They held you for the first time and you were such a good baby for them! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtI5R-uM1Ygc-7eaIRYBIjmIoY02eOT4qFvE79t4yCLtYGm9gRiAfmmWuEzPaNh2jSN7XTloo5sx-WJxZpuAh9TGHOQfVAEM1sbkLluiOA96C_JybX5FbvAu4Y7LByjC4IG1itOJLg51NL/s1600/Aunt+Emma.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtI5R-uM1Ygc-7eaIRYBIjmIoY02eOT4qFvE79t4yCLtYGm9gRiAfmmWuEzPaNh2jSN7XTloo5sx-WJxZpuAh9TGHOQfVAEM1sbkLluiOA96C_JybX5FbvAu4Y7LByjC4IG1itOJLg51NL/s320/Aunt+Emma.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With great great Aunt Emma</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQUeW5IdNIq9kHSY5T2m9ENLPcTlzcSZvU3Y2q5BYrk66P_O1BrnMLJX8YnXZsjKqHx7CIAR0mLC4JSAZpWJQF7wpVdKNpZ9auwvPQWXzOpmR-ZYDFk_xp2aYkCUVYcu2TYAXbd93JNVV/s1600/Aunt+Nell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQUeW5IdNIq9kHSY5T2m9ENLPcTlzcSZvU3Y2q5BYrk66P_O1BrnMLJX8YnXZsjKqHx7CIAR0mLC4JSAZpWJQF7wpVdKNpZ9auwvPQWXzOpmR-ZYDFk_xp2aYkCUVYcu2TYAXbd93JNVV/s320/Aunt+Nell.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With great great Aunt Nell</td></tr>
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More pictures from this month:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWQ2QbtXgnzHVHJvCe-sJ8nlrs6oRgeJahz9pYkmGy3CcVzMi4jPUDnU57gCnVjSe1yeDiTd4T8ndc8rKIFo0AonOnSMHlX0Cs1_aaW4cbDnrbzU1lg9IlxoQ8ryJ3F_yuluJRKLX4d-F/s1600/10+weeks+olympics+with+tommy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWQ2QbtXgnzHVHJvCe-sJ8nlrs6oRgeJahz9pYkmGy3CcVzMi4jPUDnU57gCnVjSe1yeDiTd4T8ndc8rKIFo0AonOnSMHlX0Cs1_aaW4cbDnrbzU1lg9IlxoQ8ryJ3F_yuluJRKLX4d-F/s320/10+weeks+olympics+with+tommy.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Watching' the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics <br />
with great Uncle Tommy</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myduUC1g6IQ/UBwuLwGnAdI/AAAAAAAAAVU/vDeu0tFgAuQ/s1600/10+weeks+watching+olympics.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myduUC1g6IQ/UBwuLwGnAdI/AAAAAAAAAVU/vDeu0tFgAuQ/s320/10+weeks+watching+olympics.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what you thought of the Olympics :P. You really liked <br />
watching swimming, volleyball, and gymnastics.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbWfx3YgJdcbl4PStYKfPlhu_S_E7A2dSxVhbZ6wZNXiW_B4EuIcShododV8B7ncc_6elFkHOnpTY5dkatj7o918lNbQ4QNT3Cu884f-DrHRVyZl_jmrctuF9xEQkDnYUAZT18WplejOF/s1600/10+weeks+the+elite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbWfx3YgJdcbl4PStYKfPlhu_S_E7A2dSxVhbZ6wZNXiW_B4EuIcShododV8B7ncc_6elFkHOnpTY5dkatj7o918lNbQ4QNT3Cu884f-DrHRVyZl_jmrctuF9xEQkDnYUAZT18WplejOF/s320/10+weeks+the+elite.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your very first trip to the Elite restaurant in downtown Jackson!<br />
I hope you enjoy eating there as much as we do!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EibOujR-N5kk8nKxY45tXWOCaQv7MXsEcQDFrwMpil1wbkh1CqnCd1GSHxEP4D8I57f5zy0tP-CRkTFs5b30uVT9yVBhnDDKHLWwPlAPBxSDplOMB64qeBo7ORlKj4PN6crZessaNT96/s1600/10.5+weeks+smiling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EibOujR-N5kk8nKxY45tXWOCaQv7MXsEcQDFrwMpil1wbkh1CqnCd1GSHxEP4D8I57f5zy0tP-CRkTFs5b30uVT9yVBhnDDKHLWwPlAPBxSDplOMB64qeBo7ORlKj4PN6crZessaNT96/s320/10.5+weeks+smiling.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My precious Samuel</td></tr>
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When you were born, a nice lady came around to our room in the hospital and took your newborn pictures. We bought some of the pictures and the package we got came with a free sitting and free picture when you turned 3 months old. Since we scheduled that sitting just before you turned three months, it makes it onto this blog post :). One of the outfits you wore was a onesie that was your daddy's when he was your size! That was a special thing to us :).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHczOI1_nyHZ5ESfx1tJOoeOsr-DnD46RElofNjY6j4TJiJM57zLdvqQ9AsvDzOq_b4SpG6-MgoHJSx6RlDIunPmw5AIoeBX2r2bMWk4hl481Ghi3nlyObHXO2U5pdnmSb6SIptpFoCEbr/s1600/12.5+with+daddy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHczOI1_nyHZ5ESfx1tJOoeOsr-DnD46RElofNjY6j4TJiJM57zLdvqQ9AsvDzOq_b4SpG6-MgoHJSx6RlDIunPmw5AIoeBX2r2bMWk4hl481Ghi3nlyObHXO2U5pdnmSb6SIptpFoCEbr/s320/12.5+with+daddy.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing Daddy's onesie waiting to have your pictures done</td></tr>
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Other things that happened this month:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbNEJvS7F7sHt25MlBO9lR-LNTMXhdSx61-i-8bNUdY19t0SHDZik8xQcf3s20jnE-FmjwxL9COShyphenhyphenzlh2aGYlRGXz9hyphenhyphenC0TLfZXWrIOj9a9VanqIbYJnDsuTGIvaiWKIdrT898yZX3DJ/s1600/12+with+mimi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbNEJvS7F7sHt25MlBO9lR-LNTMXhdSx61-i-8bNUdY19t0SHDZik8xQcf3s20jnE-FmjwxL9COShyphenhyphenzlh2aGYlRGXz9hyphenhyphenC0TLfZXWrIOj9a9VanqIbYJnDsuTGIvaiWKIdrT898yZX3DJ/s320/12+with+mimi.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You sat outside on Mimi's porch with her and watched the world!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZSuQ31xudBqnOtx6jBVeb_mau1qnFcIkx9u-ODBU8-hQ1mxuW8tIqTN34z0EK5EqncQSuijfCqf-ZVAW07aXPSt6J8qV9r261_go-dmdBj0cGUl0lJQwt6jeuUsYdooYwLRBMfK4XKR9/s1600/12.5+first+binky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZSuQ31xudBqnOtx6jBVeb_mau1qnFcIkx9u-ODBU8-hQ1mxuW8tIqTN34z0EK5EqncQSuijfCqf-ZVAW07aXPSt6J8qV9r261_go-dmdBj0cGUl0lJQwt6jeuUsYdooYwLRBMfK4XKR9/s320/12.5+first+binky.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We gave you your first binky! You loved it :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA1l_in3lo8bsG5vBBD1WzedhV4pnYSE3gb9W9sTc-rBIJg2ZhYxbLJVufgmnnVcbSKLmlt3i0-8-lQDAom9WH7xSMFZVPy5Cw3xziUOs7TVEQfHS4sx4jZChnkNnaC7_V7Og8ekEjKvc/s1600/12.5+hooded+towel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA1l_in3lo8bsG5vBBD1WzedhV4pnYSE3gb9W9sTc-rBIJg2ZhYxbLJVufgmnnVcbSKLmlt3i0-8-lQDAom9WH7xSMFZVPy5Cw3xziUOs7TVEQfHS4sx4jZChnkNnaC7_V7Og8ekEjKvc/s320/12.5+hooded+towel.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You still LOVE baths, especially your hoodie towels!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjohZw2CyaC3fUjdK0UY2guzKtVcS3UcDi61EkTZ3LIgQiohL77oR7YCLrpJw2WsHL3wZfCB-v7KVWxEGfn0PNtJa5qDjVGfKKAcwBsMZ6y9cLmKD1T1l9_0CrBE7mavl0UypGEvko-sVv/s1600/12.5+outside+with+mommy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjohZw2CyaC3fUjdK0UY2guzKtVcS3UcDi61EkTZ3LIgQiohL77oR7YCLrpJw2WsHL3wZfCB-v7KVWxEGfn0PNtJa5qDjVGfKKAcwBsMZ6y9cLmKD1T1l9_0CrBE7mavl0UypGEvko-sVv/s320/12.5+outside+with+mommy.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting outside with Mommy, enjoying a rare cool afternoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VlMfO5A5Qwy4wZntdZ22S5SiWOM5VjasEdnBb0ZR6dWRXLu9BN_CK2R4kD6r16C6GXMig9NB63Z_Kmaq24CU8k7u2SftoGR5E7DbpT_cVM7UGMLFRNsyyIwg7mifIAIyl7uGRZob2m_k/s1600/DSC05988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VlMfO5A5Qwy4wZntdZ22S5SiWOM5VjasEdnBb0ZR6dWRXLu9BN_CK2R4kD6r16C6GXMig9NB63Z_Kmaq24CU8k7u2SftoGR5E7DbpT_cVM7UGMLFRNsyyIwg7mifIAIyl7uGRZob2m_k/s320/DSC05988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monty just loves to 'protect' you</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7yJPPayk9WIeozsAqadlXjhkyynCdGZ8DO4sxzYLmGQin5tRWPZcxFL5w5I9PzKfbu6BqtlRSxJqaJ53BQ0W19DDl3HRY2CVGkkpY-ej49uAUjSNk0UgPCDg9PjFLOtcHpRWdG8Pp7N9/s1600/DSC05995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7yJPPayk9WIeozsAqadlXjhkyynCdGZ8DO4sxzYLmGQin5tRWPZcxFL5w5I9PzKfbu6BqtlRSxJqaJ53BQ0W19DDl3HRY2CVGkkpY-ej49uAUjSNk0UgPCDg9PjFLOtcHpRWdG8Pp7N9/s320/DSC05995.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking to Daddy</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxs37KhK-72byhFKpe-o_IsPLs5DX3P8i4laHVf2BSRvUjMhsjBLVcWXs3QH0X6k3Sfk6_aDsEGWMC619W6L_9BGfpVCqkIO_i1tciDLqXE9V1UQcB6bGxFLZT8dNHF11sPIJC23w1xyc9/s1600/DSC06009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxs37KhK-72byhFKpe-o_IsPLs5DX3P8i4laHVf2BSRvUjMhsjBLVcWXs3QH0X6k3Sfk6_aDsEGWMC619W6L_9BGfpVCqkIO_i1tciDLqXE9V1UQcB6bGxFLZT8dNHF11sPIJC23w1xyc9/s320/DSC06009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another pic of you with Mr. E-a-hant</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gzCi4vnMJcRTXsfrTMMr6xXMIF2ornrEv48JnuFi53oYIS0R0zqDVs7FFliFh6aHlRxL5fn6CUliAA9YxM7EL8rYBhHfCQ9VbiLRXNWglUF7eUnXgurM6ow4BJXvfMPY5W8hyphenhyphenbWFb1va/s1600/DSC06040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gzCi4vnMJcRTXsfrTMMr6xXMIF2ornrEv48JnuFi53oYIS0R0zqDVs7FFliFh6aHlRxL5fn6CUliAA9YxM7EL8rYBhHfCQ9VbiLRXNWglUF7eUnXgurM6ow4BJXvfMPY5W8hyphenhyphenbWFb1va/s320/DSC06040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You also like playing with things that rattle and crunch. I can't get<br />over how blue your eyes are! I think they are so pretty!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYsNbBZXNmLIbP851jSGdTCHGFFGPxuf8jAfQZqIUQHL9-iBxXyIZ66xamRkaFazYmiQ7M1AhvVTFSMgVa3Gao4Fc7xrcYoFCjrhVjouD6OI1kJFHgJyzx6TLS5e37D_8Isgje-d7gTsB/s1600/DSC06048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYsNbBZXNmLIbP851jSGdTCHGFFGPxuf8jAfQZqIUQHL9-iBxXyIZ66xamRkaFazYmiQ7M1AhvVTFSMgVa3Gao4Fc7xrcYoFCjrhVjouD6OI1kJFHgJyzx6TLS5e37D_8Isgje-d7gTsB/s320/DSC06048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All that playing tuckered a fella out!</td></tr>
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We are so grateful that God sent you into our lives! It almost doesn't seem right to be in your 4th month of life! Time is sure flying, and we are trying to enjoy every second!<br />
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Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-87474609622255059702012-08-13T16:01:00.001-05:002012-08-13T16:03:19.798-05:00Parenting... or something like it!Our sweet little man was prayed for, man was he prayed for! Next month will be a year since we found out he was on the way, and our lives began to change. I began to pray for a healthy pregnancy, for God to provide financially, and for guidance on our new journey. I got so caught up enjoying each moment of my miraculously complication-free pregnancy that I didn't really prepare myself for Samuel actually being here. I have learned over the years that people can give all kinds of advice on a number of things, but that advice doesn't really sink in until you are in the thick of that particular situation (at least that's how it happens for me). Then I find myself searching my brain trying to remember what in the world that awesome piece of advice was. I won't lie, the first 4 weeks of Samuel's life I was a wreck. W-R-E-C-K. I was trying my darndest to breastfeed him, and it wasn't working out so well. I blamed myself for not being able to provide a basic need to my son, and felt guilty for 'starving' him. I know neither of those things are true, but try telling that to a first time mom who is dealing with crazy hormones mixed with some post-partum depression. We were being told one thing by his pediatrician, and another by the Breastfeeding Specialist we saw. It was the hardest place I have ever been in my life, and the decision to supplement with formula was way harder for me than I think it should have been. I found myself questioning every decision I made after that, thinking 'If I was wrong about the breastfeeding thing then what if I could be wrong about this?'. I have spent the past two years in a program where I have worked hard to learn to have faith in myself and my decisions, and I am forever grateful for how that program has changed my life. But I think during the first couple months of being a mommy, I reverted back to my old ways and began to grasp for other people's opinions and advice to make them my own. Over the last few weeks I think I have begun to just 'be' a mommy without thinking, without second guessing my decisions. Maybe I figured there would be some 'how to' manual that would be true for every child in every situation, and now I'm realizing that couldn't be farther from the truth. Perhaps I was waiting for 'mommyhood' to slap me upside the head and make me the perfect mom who always knew exactly what to do and when to do it. Again, couldn't be farther from the truth. I look at my best friend, Emmy, and how her kids are well taken care of and loved, and I want to be a mommy like her. When I say that I don't mean I want to copy everything she does, but I want to be flexible and willing to adjust my parenting style to what is fit for my children as they grow. Her children are normal kids who have temper tantrums, growth spurts, sicknesses, and she takes it all in stride. I want to be able to do that. I know that what works for others may not always work for our family, but I am grateful that I have realized it is OK to ask for advice, to listen to other's experiences and to learn from them. In the end it is up to me to be the parent that I feel is most beneficial to Samuel. I approach the rest of this wonderful journey with my head held high, and faith that God will guide me to be the best Mommy possible (even if that means not being perfect). Thank you to any and every one who has prayed and is continuing to pray for us on this journey!<br />
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I leave you with this.. Months ago a dear friend of mine forwarded me an email of a daily devotion that talked about the Proverbs 31 woman. I printed this out and read it often, trying to imprint it into my mind. It rings true for me now more than ever! <br />
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Imitating the (Real) Proverbs 31 Woman</div>
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Lori Chally</div>
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This is about the time of year when I usually consider writing the <a href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/xggjvsdbjgjtdcbmtplqntkndstchllcgrdnvvmvhhdvbvd_sksmrvjpjpcm.html" title="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/xggjvsdbjgjtdcbmtplqntkndstchllcgrdnvvmvhhdvbvd_sksmrvjpjpcm.html">Proverbs 31 woman</a> a nasty letter.<br />
You know what I mean. It’s the time of year when all those thoughtful, prayerful goals you’ve set seem hopelessly unrealistic. (How many books were you planning to read in January? What was that bit about organizing the kid’s closets? And cutting back on caffeine… seemed like a good idea at the time.)<br />
Or maybe that’s just me. I’ve finally gotten to the place (now that I have four kids, it’s about time) where I am enthusiastically embracing the joys and headaches of homemaking. The art of butter cream frosting, the green of fresh parsley, the spicy kick of garlic: yes, please.<br />
I’m slightly less enthusiastic about laundry, but we’ve made our peace.<br />
These are my peeps. This is my calling, so let’s get to it. Let’s pursue excellence. I’ve got the whole wide world at my fingertips! Do I want to sew up twirly skirts for the girls? Make my own soap? There’s probably a tutorial online. I’ve learned so far that I’m awful at organic gardening. I love chopping vegetables. The smell of baking bread makes me want to put on an apron and hug someone. I want to keep learning.<br />
So I sit down at the beginning of the year, and I map out all the things I want to master, or at least <em>try</em>. All the things I want to do differently than last year. All the ways I want to <em>be</em> different. Grow.<br />
Goals, goals, goals. LOTS of very good goals.<br />
Sometime shortly after this moment of raw idealism, life happens. “Routine” is just a low-scoring word in Scrabble. I wake up before the sun; the kids wake up even <em>earlier</em>. I start sorting through closets; everybody gets the flu. I really do want to attack those unfinished sewing projects, but have you <em>seen</em> the new drama on Masterpiece Theater?<br />
Enter Proverbs 31 Woman with her strong arms and her well-clothed household.<br />
Cue the despair.<br />
The woman is amazing, and if I’ve been listening in Sunday school, I know she is my standard. She is generous, strong, kind, wise, trust-worthy, never lazy, and she most certainly does not yell at her husband when he comes home from the store without the Kalamata olives.<br />
I pretend I’m annoyed at her brilliance, but really I’m not. I want to be like her. I want to be a safe haven for my family. I want the word of kindness on my tongue. I want to laugh at the future.<br />
When I spend some time re-reading the Biblical portrait of the virtuous woman… I’m shocked. I could have sworn I read in there once “She has organized all her spices alphabetically.” And, “She immediately picks up toys as her children put them down.” And this gem: “She is always caught up on her laundry.” None of these are in there!<br />
In fact, most of the descriptions of the virtuous woman have to do with her <em>faithful actions</em>, not the state of her household. We learn how she spends her time. We learn what her priorities are. What her character is like. She is <em>faithful</em>, even when life throws curveballs. She <em>works hard</em>, even though the work is never done. She expands her interests, even when her world feels small. She demonstrates grace to her family, (I’m guessing here) because she knows what it is to receive grace.<br />
Why is it so easy for me to trade in one wrong heart-attitude for another? I ask my Father to help me drop-kick idleness and discontentment, but I fail to guard my heart, and in creeps the idol of perfectionism. I work manically to accomplish all I think Proverbs demands of me, but what if God’s plan for my day doesn’t look like that? Perfection tells me to get that cake baked and the kitchen cleaned up. Grace says to let the kids help even though it will take longer and some batter will get spilled down the side of the cabinet, because somewhere in the middle of measuring and pouring, they start to tell me what they’re thinking. They ask questions about life and friendships and God.<br />
I imagine what the Virtuous Woman would have to say about being held up as the standard of womanly perfection. She’d probably be shocked, because like all of us, she would know her own shortcomings best. She’d remember all the battles she lost before she started to win a few. I think she’d tell me that a joyful home, a home where grace dwells, is better than an organized one. A clean heart is to be sought above a clean house. Yes, I do think she’d remind me to pick up my bones and get busy. <em>Life is full of trying! Work! Give! Love! Laugh! Don’t quit!</em><br />
“You will fail. But you will grab hold of grace, and you will get back up again,” she says to me. “<em>This</em> is the kind of thing your children will rise up and bless you for.”<br />
<em>Lori Chally is an aspiring fiction author and mother of four creative children who never fail to provide inspiration. In her spare time (yeah, right!) she enjoys modern quilting, trying out new recipes, and scoring vintage finds! Lori can be contacted at </em><a href="mailto:lorichally@gmail.com" title="mailto:lorichally@gmail.com">lorichally@gmail.com</a>.</div>
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Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-7129578678344324382012-07-24T08:34:00.000-05:002012-07-24T08:34:54.984-05:00Samuel - 2 Months<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
This month you have changed so much! You smiled for the first time on the day you turned 6 weeks, and haven't stopped smiling since.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First smile on camera!</td></tr>
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You have also started 'talking' to us by opening and closing your mouth and making little cooing sounds. Every time you smile it melts our hearts! You are still doing the little 'ahh' sound after you sneeze (cutest thing EVER by the way). I wish I could bottle that sound and keep it forever!! Right after you turned 7 weeks you started sleeping through the night, which is incredible. We have a nightly routine now -bath, pj's, bottle, bed- and you seem to love it! You also like to play on your activity mat in the living room floor. Monty lays down beside it and watches you as you kick and squirm. It is precious to watch him 'protect' you. I wish he could be around forever so you would know what an awesome doggie he is :). You got your 8 week shots this past Tuesday. Mommy was nervous but you did great! You were 'talking' to Daddy while we waited on the nurse to come in and administer the shots. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Talking' to Daddy at the pediatrician's office</td></tr>
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You weighed in at 9 lbs 15 oz and 23-1/4" inches long at your 8 week appointment. The pediatrician is very happy with your progress! You lost most of the hair on top of your head this month, making you look more like a little old man :). It's finally starting to grow back, and it looks darker than blond but not quite brown. I still think you're going to be a redhead, but I guess only time will tell. Your eyes are staying blue for now. Some days they even look more aqua blue than grey-blue, so I'm interested to see what their final color will be. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little angel with big blue eyes!</td></tr>
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Other things that happened this month: </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First shopping trip to Vicksburg!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Nana! You spent time with Mimi too, <br />
but silly Mommy didn't get a picture :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great-Uncle Doug holding you for the first time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Aunt' Cassie and cousin Tanner giving you a bottle</td></tr>
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We are loving every minute of having you in our lives, and can't wait to watch you continue to grow and thrive!</div>
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<br /></div>Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-6493389547653771082012-06-25T14:48:00.001-05:002012-06-25T14:48:56.379-05:00Samuel meets Poppy Don & Mommy Jean<br />Last weekend Ben and I took Samuel up to Grenada to meet his great grandparents on Ben's side! Since all of my grandparents are no longer with us, I think it's awesome that Samuel gets to meet his great grandparents on daddy's side. What a blessing! We made sure to take lots of pictures of this special trip. We wish we could have stayed longer but Ben had to work. Here are a few of the pictures of the weekend!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsEiECcn1nn29k3JSz52Io1rY0OMH_zbPoECBtNHfwDn9ceJVNOXOucWypBbiortKYoTo5rhWsudO2YSZdoWar4-rkJDktYwbacHZZzu8wmp1m4QtI7o_UVIxpxzNe25i6Hz-jdk8iCiB/s1600/DSC05869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsEiECcn1nn29k3JSz52Io1rY0OMH_zbPoECBtNHfwDn9ceJVNOXOucWypBbiortKYoTo5rhWsudO2YSZdoWar4-rkJDktYwbacHZZzu8wmp1m4QtI7o_UVIxpxzNe25i6Hz-jdk8iCiB/s320/DSC05869.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi and Mommy Jean with Samuel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy and Poppy Don with Samuel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6eWD8juxE7GAYPZlq_U9S5TmhyphenhyphenZEhtn7NPwwj9EsLc8_Yr4ycB7uAXKetXXGqqKvzqr1Cjiie5VeUuM-KHeBKcS3GNLZotD-1uIwoye-YWZLaev_OE0S9qdo4lG-eXjT1Ynl9CiDBvsy/s1600/DSC05874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6eWD8juxE7GAYPZlq_U9S5TmhyphenhyphenZEhtn7NPwwj9EsLc8_Yr4ycB7uAXKetXXGqqKvzqr1Cjiie5VeUuM-KHeBKcS3GNLZotD-1uIwoye-YWZLaev_OE0S9qdo4lG-eXjT1Ynl9CiDBvsy/s320/DSC05874.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking about Samuel's hair</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZND060BzJgSm4Ze247-LR64eE8t9lHip_edRywCTByHAFa7L9x96nEvZt1cxQAW4Q0cQ1I0Rvt-KopWmXKKkS1uZSnqthyphenhyphenZew6kcQH7Z2Bq2jDrorDd1dDvpuhe-t_P8tmF3PBk38yIx4/s1600/DSC05877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZND060BzJgSm4Ze247-LR64eE8t9lHip_edRywCTByHAFa7L9x96nEvZt1cxQAW4Q0cQ1I0Rvt-KopWmXKKkS1uZSnqthyphenhyphenZew6kcQH7Z2Bq2jDrorDd1dDvpuhe-t_P8tmF3PBk38yIx4/s320/DSC05877.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet baby feet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnBuDsmr2NumFuHf8UGtzVeg99swjfikTGNqX3t-4H5zocCoto9UsqFjc_-hyeWbkHig9Tcox3voZzf0IOVXQDnBpFYh6-U04xL86i93ISBWVS-kxrUDKAyo3fxGUxRF-2LR4LdJXRb4t/s1600/DSC05887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnBuDsmr2NumFuHf8UGtzVeg99swjfikTGNqX3t-4H5zocCoto9UsqFjc_-hyeWbkHig9Tcox3voZzf0IOVXQDnBpFYh6-U04xL86i93ISBWVS-kxrUDKAyo3fxGUxRF-2LR4LdJXRb4t/s320/DSC05887.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strong fella!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVP8UBVzRu90XLNZ4LOJnvDHH1mqioTqn0EqfvLjTEk0UowoM9ssgInas2NiqmM0ntBmNyTm1R2gVWS_VxO64ceOjRx2h6WA0gzb45g3m8LGhb5bbZBDT_G0u-RGcHfP9iedikSv95GN6/s1600/DSC05892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVP8UBVzRu90XLNZ4LOJnvDHH1mqioTqn0EqfvLjTEk0UowoM9ssgInas2NiqmM0ntBmNyTm1R2gVWS_VxO64ceOjRx2h6WA0gzb45g3m8LGhb5bbZBDT_G0u-RGcHfP9iedikSv95GN6/s320/DSC05892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi and Poppy Don gave Samuel a bath :) Poppy Don took<br />this picture afterwards</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fj8pkN9QmyK_zrwu883UuESdfqXZc37RkCtIe1jpECx7B9yFtkOCC3F6Bp2xoqmn5yiXGKcm4TA9-Pmc7KP7QgOPCVSBSmWWwYJ3ukZWzKou6TFMSVhc1oaKQOgRRH1Y1xhdKA9i6pqM/s1600/DSC05894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fj8pkN9QmyK_zrwu883UuESdfqXZc37RkCtIe1jpECx7B9yFtkOCC3F6Bp2xoqmn5yiXGKcm4TA9-Pmc7KP7QgOPCVSBSmWWwYJ3ukZWzKou6TFMSVhc1oaKQOgRRH1Y1xhdKA9i6pqM/s320/DSC05894.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nap time with Daddy</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb1aDkDUdQcDnr4w2aCiwbjHNxNq_iB7ti-HQBbb6U3eDJhgIAINqRhzIJCp23sarvFBTqm8J0i3ngsl21rdf1dv7OFOtyt9tCyX9I_WcBQqdouNLCFCT5Lqb8wsIJs-jgmKLnF6kAZpc/s1600/DSC05900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb1aDkDUdQcDnr4w2aCiwbjHNxNq_iB7ti-HQBbb6U3eDJhgIAINqRhzIJCp23sarvFBTqm8J0i3ngsl21rdf1dv7OFOtyt9tCyX9I_WcBQqdouNLCFCT5Lqb8wsIJs-jgmKLnF6kAZpc/s320/DSC05900.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:) LOVE!</td></tr>
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We took little guy to his first Sunday service at the Quest after we got back from Grenada! Brother Ed introduced everyone to him, and we got a picture. Samuel did really well during church, I was proud :). After church we went to eat at Jerry's Catfish House - yum! Overall it was a great weekend!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy5om6kpJj3q56uhRtbA4Hu5s_hZ8VqQOvkYbbLCvphCZV6hQev3pXF_qGPJAWtFVpsX2pOZldvZu2UCvppODqob7eyxlg7-psoHOsUVpVfqDmGksfKFql2KWKV-3LtyBZWgo_Np9xQOe/s1600/DSC05902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy5om6kpJj3q56uhRtbA4Hu5s_hZ8VqQOvkYbbLCvphCZV6hQev3pXF_qGPJAWtFVpsX2pOZldvZu2UCvppODqob7eyxlg7-psoHOsUVpVfqDmGksfKFql2KWKV-3LtyBZWgo_Np9xQOe/s320/DSC05902.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being introduced to everyone at Quest</td></tr>
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<br />Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-22215218823542668082012-06-21T09:25:00.000-05:002012-06-21T09:25:14.114-05:00Ben's First Father's DayWe spent Ben's first Father's Day with everyone at his oldest sister's house. As is the practice for Father's Day, the men all got steaks and the rest of us ate hamburgers. The food was yummy, and Samuel really enjoyed spending time with his aunts, uncles, cousins, and Pops! Here are a few pictures of the day's festivities:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK06yEHwtSS523zO9lGxH-Fporek33Kw0ugdsjXYpUOoShm2AT6r77QxQWNkDqYFDw6rpdWwJvlyo4H5aipkZDjQgM3YBrxq9ulwN9FXHKfMQMcGxFDR2yxmNuYe1ZoLsCRHkFzXU26of1/s1600/DSC05795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK06yEHwtSS523zO9lGxH-Fporek33Kw0ugdsjXYpUOoShm2AT6r77QxQWNkDqYFDw6rpdWwJvlyo4H5aipkZDjQgM3YBrxq9ulwN9FXHKfMQMcGxFDR2yxmNuYe1ZoLsCRHkFzXU26of1/s320/DSC05795.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first family photo since the hospital</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWwaIhzXwZtxIU1Z7TFzVyw8sm0LTb86e1mUYN_jjFU-Raea7R2cHrCjvILeOrUPtNVq1LAGjil8-ZpuzqXQHp_W7nOohLB692iYlkOndKSL0MAYHerJDFJQ5nnxF_MdfPSIOKdB-9zDx/s1600/DSC05800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWwaIhzXwZtxIU1Z7TFzVyw8sm0LTb86e1mUYN_jjFU-Raea7R2cHrCjvILeOrUPtNVq1LAGjil8-ZpuzqXQHp_W7nOohLB692iYlkOndKSL0MAYHerJDFJQ5nnxF_MdfPSIOKdB-9zDx/s320/DSC05800.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Father's Day! 3 generations of Redditt men </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqowT6_v9kswYisO0kMUhUZDVDy3CEZF0K8bIyT_i7LpthrKKAfeViLAAEKVtrzQAFb9KNbFkdQAF7zp1Z6wBOG0cYfV1VaIBvoPf4BEWgU2pMEZKfLlixpC9XvVpuvMV1Dq6I0j_yRnxa/s1600/DSC05801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqowT6_v9kswYisO0kMUhUZDVDy3CEZF0K8bIyT_i7LpthrKKAfeViLAAEKVtrzQAFb9KNbFkdQAF7zp1Z6wBOG0cYfV1VaIBvoPf4BEWgU2pMEZKfLlixpC9XvVpuvMV1Dq6I0j_yRnxa/s320/DSC05801.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel with cousin Jay</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhle5oC5rjGXoiq8avInDi59faJTwoLJVVZTTeh1ZmxM17_v4ra8Zl2MntD-6MkkhG4KwWXg_dUL63PwnIm4iLNqFkn9Kd4QtPhU7oliDoHybrO1RbWggvDA-yuLSjLbvkfhYWDZH99VQQe/s1600/DSC05803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhle5oC5rjGXoiq8avInDi59faJTwoLJVVZTTeh1ZmxM17_v4ra8Zl2MntD-6MkkhG4KwWXg_dUL63PwnIm4iLNqFkn9Kd4QtPhU7oliDoHybrO1RbWggvDA-yuLSjLbvkfhYWDZH99VQQe/s320/DSC05803.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth holding Samuel for the first time!<br />She was the baby before he came along :)</td></tr>
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<br />Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-81401074211210708732012-06-21T09:19:00.002-05:002012-06-21T09:19:51.591-05:00Samuel - 1 MonthIt is really hard to believe it has already been one month since you arrived! Those first few nights were not the most fun we've ever had ;) but we made it through. We had some issues with your growth at first. Mommy wanted to breastfeed you exclusively, but when you hadn't regained your birth weight by 4-1/2 weeks we decided to supplement you with formula. Once we did that, you started growing like a weed, and fluffing up very nicely! You are starting to look in the direction of anyone who talks to you, and I have gotten you to smile after I tickle you (only once, but still it is a start!). You've got your Daddy wrapped around your finger, and it warms my heart to see him with you. You love baths in your little bathtub. I've noticed that you are losing your hair on the top and front, so that it looks like you have old man hair! When you sneeze it is the most precious thing ever, beginning with a sneeze and ending with a little sigh as if to say 'ah, that feels much better'. I wish I could record it so whenever I am having a bad day I could listen to that sweet sound over and over again!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXz1H7xVmpzzAvJD5FVwdkQKlU8KDhGRgBfTcRGHSlDZ3zBK1E4NSWU5Nx-_PzZZgY2ajRIapy5sigNs2XPDH6l6KlRZt7vCf_sE6wzg_5-gsjSiLp_iH0s7z35-f-sOsSri3mN7-PFCl/s1600/DSC05844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXz1H7xVmpzzAvJD5FVwdkQKlU8KDhGRgBfTcRGHSlDZ3zBK1E4NSWU5Nx-_PzZZgY2ajRIapy5sigNs2XPDH6l6KlRZt7vCf_sE6wzg_5-gsjSiLp_iH0s7z35-f-sOsSri3mN7-PFCl/s320/DSC05844.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 MONTH! (this was seriously the 15th picture I took <br />of you, trying to get one where you weren't being silly)</td></tr>
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Thanks to Auntie Em showing us the rocker bassinet she got for Garrett, you have a favorite place to hang out now. It's been a wonderful thing, and I'm thankful to Nana for getting one for us! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU27ruxsHTny2xiGkmlcbWqvmQietOYJkXBpptmbHCNLu5Fz2vK2M7IhyphenhyphenNIUCtN-9vjg_BNAJv57rwXeN4OszGX59wWXa86E_o62HwcQKadjKTj7O6893jMUc2kMgddiMc4lgiGCuVHlu/s1600/DSC05823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU27ruxsHTny2xiGkmlcbWqvmQietOYJkXBpptmbHCNLu5Fz2vK2M7IhyphenhyphenNIUCtN-9vjg_BNAJv57rwXeN4OszGX59wWXa86E_o62HwcQKadjKTj7O6893jMUc2kMgddiMc4lgiGCuVHlu/s320/DSC05823.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling in his rock and play!</td></tr>
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You pretty much eat, sleep, and dirty your diaper at this point, but when you are awake you are bright eyed and looking around at the big world. I hope you continue to be such an easy baby :). We are really excited to see how you continue to grow and change!Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-90128059318897163562012-06-21T09:11:00.001-05:002012-06-21T09:11:22.419-05:00First BathHere are some pictures of Samuel's first bath in his little bath tub. Up to this point we had been giving him sponge baths while we waited for his cord to completely heal. He isn't such a fan of sponge baths, but he LOVES his bathtub! Daddy does such a good job bathing him!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqb6Oeb7mjGbeBCZBZknDwL_uhK_EhBD2QHu6Tk1bEnA4qFfwRFj9tvgeyFAvCPKKYK4WycYwu-yLnXPBKUInod_wATsjv7yFprBoanZ8tR8wXz-5eF8LKIEEZh7yxUn7M2OqRyOmLuhM/s1600/DSC05780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqb6Oeb7mjGbeBCZBZknDwL_uhK_EhBD2QHu6Tk1bEnA4qFfwRFj9tvgeyFAvCPKKYK4WycYwu-yLnXPBKUInod_wATsjv7yFprBoanZ8tR8wXz-5eF8LKIEEZh7yxUn7M2OqRyOmLuhM/s320/DSC05780.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel LOVES getting a bath in his little tub!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZjcEixH-kVVBihdkbECeyrwg6Jp1MpOZupM6dKIjx2FJm0-TDqQuHwPj0y2P674a9OevLh2n-aei-aVFxRSOFp9blTm-YJBl9aXhQz8IFL2301N7anaZRmcvqW-3EUzGLsHxwnqlAhKs/s1600/DSC05783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZjcEixH-kVVBihdkbECeyrwg6Jp1MpOZupM6dKIjx2FJm0-TDqQuHwPj0y2P674a9OevLh2n-aei-aVFxRSOFp9blTm-YJBl9aXhQz8IFL2301N7anaZRmcvqW-3EUzGLsHxwnqlAhKs/s320/DSC05783.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet boy with the big blue eyes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh11B2fDwmsXykd61mQC0XfPoHty1M2YPvUXlS_2rgHYbDhQnHxtIf2ekTa1k8-fosCkMm9FgHMxzhyphenhyphenKjm1VT2h1iUcKczaJs5plfva0-VEtcnON4AElXrIBSt9AW_cuAh-VXwLN1SClk/s1600/DSC05785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh11B2fDwmsXykd61mQC0XfPoHty1M2YPvUXlS_2rgHYbDhQnHxtIf2ekTa1k8-fosCkMm9FgHMxzhyphenhyphenKjm1VT2h1iUcKczaJs5plfva0-VEtcnON4AElXrIBSt9AW_cuAh-VXwLN1SClk/s320/DSC05785.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad with son :)</td></tr>
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<br />Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-81232298919693688162012-06-19T13:48:00.000-05:002012-06-19T13:48:01.186-05:00Music City Bowl - December 2011Yes, I realize this post is a tad late :), I choose to blame it on spending my free time getting ready for a certain baby to make his arrival ANY DAY. Hint Hint, Samuel... We are ready to meet you! I digress, so let me return to the post at hand!<br />
In December, Ben's boss asked everyone on the management team to write down a few things that they would never buy themselves. The employees were told to be creative, and to think big. It is very hard for Ben to ask for anything for himself, so this was a difficult task for him. After a few days he turned in his list. One of the things on said list was tickets to the Music City Bowl in Nashville, TN to watch MSU (we are big Mississippi State fans) play Wake Forest. To our surprise, a few days before Christmas, Ben's boss handed him an envelope with two tickets to the game and money to cover a hotel for two nights!!! We were ecstatic, since this was something we never would have done for ourselves knowing that we have a baby on the way. I quickly made a reservation for a hotel just outside of downtown and we planned our little trip! We drove up the day before the game, getting to Nashville around 7 pm. We picked a restaurant just down from our hotel for dinner, and it was wonderful! The next day we got ready and drove into downtown Nashville around noon. We were prepared with jackets, hats, scarves, gloves, and most importantly, COWBELLS! Any self-respecting State fan never goes to a game without a cowbell (sorry Emmy :). The atmosphere downtown was incredible, and we were able to be a part of the pep rally before the game!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the MSU Pep Rally</td></tr>
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We grabbed a 'quick' lunch which ended up taking 2-1/2 hours, AFTER we sat down at our table. That doesn't include the 45 minutes we waited for said table... Let me just say that I will never again dine at BB King's restaurant in Nashville. End rant. After we finally got done with lunch, we had just enough time to make the trek across the river (via pedestrian bridge) to the stadium.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stadium</td></tr>
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I was right at 20 weeks pregnant so the walk wasn't too difficult since we took a couple of breaks along the way. We made our way into the stadium and found our seats. They were just to the side of the end zone and on the top row of the bottom section. I wished I could have hugged Ben's boss at that point - not only did we not have to navigate stairs, but I was within steps to a bathroom. Very important for pregnant ladies!! The game was so much fun!! The atmosphere was buzzing with the sound of cowbells, which is a sound unlike any other if you are a State fan. It got pretty cold with the wind blowing into the stadium off the river, but we were bundled up and managed to stay decently warm. After a few 'hold your breath' moments, the night was made with an MSU victory!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our seats!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben with his uncle Terry's cowbell :)</td></tr>
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We finally made it back to the hotel room and were so exhausted from a day of walking and ringing cowbells. My hands were actually sore for several days afterwards.. We drove home the next day (New Year's Eve), and made it home just in time to enjoy the evening playing Mario 3 on the old school Nintendo with our friend Brock. We toasted orange Fanta at midnight :P. My how times have changed!! Our trip to the Music City Bowl was an incredible experience, and we are so grateful to have been able to enjoy our little mini-vacation to Nashville!Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-65099482396927503722012-06-10T11:25:00.000-05:002012-06-10T11:25:42.562-05:00Welcome to the world, Samuel Fox!We went for what we figured would be our last checkup on 5/14, and Dr Cole talked with us about induction. She told us from the get-go that she wouldn't let us go past our due date since I was a hypertensive pregnancy. We decided that we would go in to be induced on 5/16, that Wednesday. So Ben and I spent the rest of the day on Monday and all day Tuesday soaking up our moments together. Don't get me wrong, we were so excited to meet our little man, but we didn't want to overlook the special time we had in the last couple days before our lives changed forever. The night before the induction we went to Bravo! for dinner. I was in full on waddle mode at 39 weeks 4 days pregnant, and I loved every minute of our special dinner together. We woke up super early the next morning and made our trek to the hospital. We checked in at 5:40 am and got settled into the labor and delivery room. Around 7 the nurse started me on pitocin, saline, and penicillin (since I am strep B positive). Dr. Cole came in at 7:30 to check me and break my water. I was 3 cm at that point. I decided I wanted to hold off as long as possible for the epidural, just to see if I could go all natural. I made it to just after noon. The nurse checked me and I was 5 cm with contractions back to back. I was miserable and gave in to the epidural. I'm not going to lie, the actual placing of the epidural was definitely not painless, but as soon as the meds were in and I started getting some relief I was a different lady :). I think Ben was happy to see me in no pain as well. I'm pretty sure I had squeezed his hand off during the couple hours of back to back contractions before the pain relief : / . I progressed rather quickly after that and by 3 pm I was at 10 cm and ready to push. At 4:11 we welcomed Samuel Fox into the world at 7 lbs 6 oz and 20-3/4 inches long! It was such an overwhelming experience, to watch my incredible husband coach me all day through pain, then no pain, then pushing (which btw was harder than I expected!). I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw Ben cut the umbilical cord as he met his son for the first time. Words can't really express how I felt laying there on that hospital bed at the culmination of a complication free pregnancy that I was not sure I would ever have. It has been almost a month since Samuel was born and we are still learning each other and learning how our little family unit works. Every time I look at him I am reminded of God's grace and provision! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last night out before baby :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding Samuel for the first time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud Daddy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel with Nana B</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi getting to meet Samuel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 generations of Redditt men! Pops, Ben, and Samuel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting kisses from a little froggy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel at 3-1/2 weeks! </td></tr>
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This sweet little boy we have prayed so hard for is finally here. Now to enjoy the rest of this crazy journey as a family of three!!<br />
<br />Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-46190008025517821292012-04-30T17:18:00.000-05:002012-04-30T17:18:15.631-05:00Almost time...It is almost time for baby Samuel's arrival!! I honestly sit in awe of the journey God has brought us on these past 9+ months. There have been so many emotions during this pregnancy (and not just because of my pregnancy hormones!). At first there was reservation, and fear of the pregnancy not sticking. Then joy and some relief when we reached the second trimester. We felt excitement and surprise at finding out that our little peanut is a boy, and even more excitement when we shared that news with our families. I felt uncertainty when we received that first bill for the OBGYN's services, and here we are almost at the end and I feel so much peace about it. God provided every penny we needed to pay the Doctor! When I say He is good, I mean it with all of my heart! I truly feel like God has grown my faith in leaps and bounds since last September. I also believe that He would not have been able to do so if He had not first allowed us to be on the other side, in a place of uncertainty. I had always been told of God's grace, mercy, and goodness, but now I can truly say I have felt it and seen it at work in my life! We prayed for a child, and in His time, He provided one. When that first bill came, we prayed for provision, and He has provided monetarily. Now as we are nearing the end, I can't help but wonder how my labor will go and when Samuel will make his sweet little arrival. One thing is for certain, I don't doubt God will be right there, providing His protection over us. I have no doubt that this time in our lives is a precious one. I hope to be able to share the hope and peace that I now have with someone else who may be in their own place of uncertainty! <br />Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-76272946596854178742012-04-22T22:45:00.001-05:002012-04-22T22:45:27.992-05:00Why Cloth?When we decided to cloth diaper, I knew we would encounter some resistance since our society generally revolves around the quick and convenient way of doing anything. Some of the comments we receive I am prepared for and some I'm not. Some of the most common responses we get when we tell people we have decided to cloth diaper Samuel are: 'Y'all are CRAZY!', and 'I give it 6 months, then you'll have him in disposables'. I can understand where those people are coming from, because it honestly never crossed my mind to cloth diaper until I read a blog post from a friend of mine. Then months later after I found out we were expecting I remembered that blog post and re-read it to refresh my memory. At first I got overwhelmed with all the info on cloth diapering and decided to forgo it. A couple months later, I talked with another friend who has two sons (1 in disposables and 1 in cloth) and she offered to show me her cloth diaper system. After seeing how easy it was - yes I used the word EASY to describe cloth diapering - I was hooked. I can imagine it is hard to understand why we would make a decision that seems so 'old fashioned', I mean why would anyone want to add to their laundry duties as well as dealing with {{gasp}} poop? I don't intend to try to persuade anyone to drop the disposables and run for cloth. Each is entitled to his own opinion, and I respect that. I just really want to give some insight into why we have chosen cloth, in hopes that it will quell some of those repetitive questions we keep getting :).<br />
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Reason #1: Cost. On average a family can spend upwards of $2,500 per child on disposables between birth and potty training. That is for regular ole disposables. If you want to get evironmentally conscious and use organic ones, you can easily add another $1,000 to that. That's a lot of cash! I don't know about you, but if I could save that amount of money in a couple years by doing something a different way I would certainly try it out. <br />
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Reason #2: Chemicals. In doing my research, I read about all the different chemicals that are used in disposables. At least one of them is a known carcinogen. Carcinogen! Cancer-causing agent. That word alone is enough to turn my stomach. Why would I put something that knowingly causes cancer that close to my brand new baby's skin for lengthy periods of time? One ingredient used in disposables was banned from use in tampons because of the risk of TSS (sodium polyacrylate). I know that is a different animal in and of itself, but seriously, if they don't want it in your body, why should it be that close to your skin 24-7? Most disposables, if they are bleached, also release dioxin (which is a byproduct of the bleaching process). From my research, the EPA says that dioxin is known to cause damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver. <br />
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Reason #3: Environmental impact. OK here comes the nature-freak in me. Experts 'think' that 1 disposable diaper takes 500 years or more to dissentegrate. 500 years! Add that to the fact that most people don't follow the instructions to dump any solid waste into the toilet before disposing of the diaper in the trash (I know it never occurred to me that I was supposed to do that) and you have tons and tons of poopy diapers just sitting in landfills. Sitting there not doing anything. That is just gross to me, and when I think of the fact that most babies use anywhere from 3,000-6,000 disposable diapers in their lifetime, I just get chills. I don't want to add to any environmentally compromising issue if I can help it. <br />
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So, with those three main reasons in mind, we decided that cloth was the way to go! I hope that we are able to stick with cloth diapering Samuel until potty training. I have already started to build a stash of cloth diapers! I have to use certain kinds of detergent on the diapers to keep from causing build-up (which in turn decreases their absorbency). I've actually started using this detergent on all of our clothes and they feel softer and I feel so much better knowing what the ingredients are in the powder I wash everything with.<br />
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Cloth diapering has come a LONG way from how our parents and grandparents remember it! You can still use the flat cloth diapers and pin them around your baby if you want, but there are other (in my opinion much easier) ways to cloth diaper. After doing much research, I am going to start out using a combination of covers with inserts, and pocket diapers. I know that once Samuel is here we may have to change our game plan if the diapers I have don't fit him quite right or if he is a heavier wetter. But I know going in to it that is a possibility. That's why I have several different brands of diapers on hand! I also know that what fits/works when he is a little fella may not work as he grows and vice versa. You may think I am strange, but the more I research about cloth diapering and the more diapers I get, the more excited I get about it!!! Call me crazy, hippie, or whatever. But my little guy will have the cutest cloth diapered booty in town! <br />
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Here are some pics of our stash so far:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWntDTKUo37eSnFUJza07UqBdNME_EKmghOjfpJDkkmG88P1gsAJ6WqL1vNgO7EW4R4EFt7Kp9cz5BtcFpJhawadLfD_g5Z_2MY96f2R7hyjYS6Lqz9tWkTLk03vW_z298xLBVUOkOMw8/s1600/p+covers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWntDTKUo37eSnFUJza07UqBdNME_EKmghOjfpJDkkmG88P1gsAJ6WqL1vNgO7EW4R4EFt7Kp9cz5BtcFpJhawadLfD_g5Z_2MY96f2R7hyjYS6Lqz9tWkTLk03vW_z298xLBVUOkOMw8/s320/p+covers.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diaper covers. These are made from a waterproof material and can be<br />used over old-fashioned cloth diapers or with an absorbent insert.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbwg1P5nDMJ_3X3XO2D7UKY-ALrOGP8Aj6gWoMkMEj59FD3aI8phGxjMdScGfUB62IQ-TcukIVGR1Qo207os1Mub-w2tatI1XXz04bUPwymnUZvNXuQPvMEisXeswF_upx2ZfUu9Vh0Rw/s1600/p+flip+diaper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbwg1P5nDMJ_3X3XO2D7UKY-ALrOGP8Aj6gWoMkMEj59FD3aI8phGxjMdScGfUB62IQ-TcukIVGR1Qo207os1Mub-w2tatI1XXz04bUPwymnUZvNXuQPvMEisXeswF_upx2ZfUu9Vh0Rw/s320/p+flip+diaper.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Flip brand cover with its absorbent insert. Once the insert is used, you<br />toss it in the diaper pail and as long as the cover isn't dirty, you can re-use <br />it with a new insert.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nrWWbvq4SxpthSfXfSqWcYOMkd4EjqLhwOdQ2FC4KHpdy2yqEPUWFKI60kEm71WSGdWAo-6B8JSvVrw98o-0CHB2wbA9FpwDLLon5Seg3Fj0H3R-MvVVKCD7dN1kCDfAob7f8Sl9wrJS/s1600/p+pocket+diapers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nrWWbvq4SxpthSfXfSqWcYOMkd4EjqLhwOdQ2FC4KHpdy2yqEPUWFKI60kEm71WSGdWAo-6B8JSvVrw98o-0CHB2wbA9FpwDLLon5Seg3Fj0H3R-MvVVKCD7dN1kCDfAob7f8Sl9wrJS/s320/p+pocket+diapers.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three different brands of pocket diapers. These are lined with a soft fleece material<br />and you stuff an insert into a pocket in the lining. One use only on these guys, <br />then into the diaper pail for laundry :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rrAqV7Um9kbzGazdbk2qkoESHJggrxVRNnSsVC-bV9uZU2yuc6Z6-0RhRnUpXBbb1SX0ODkAokbWsDt-HDU_H-bvc1DFh1mC6m1kqULyWdtcLP_2mOprw-e4s8e26nhqee-0jS7R3_jb/s1600/pocket+diaper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rrAqV7Um9kbzGazdbk2qkoESHJggrxVRNnSsVC-bV9uZU2yuc6Z6-0RhRnUpXBbb1SX0ODkAokbWsDt-HDU_H-bvc1DFh1mC6m1kqULyWdtcLP_2mOprw-e4s8e26nhqee-0jS7R3_jb/s320/pocket+diaper.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BumGenius pocket diaper. The fleece lining is so soft!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQhfJGwVefePSJKq9U6QUhdperK-rZCoPLpRy6sS1GPh5llJetGD89J6SVTUMrX5PgVPo2tWn95F4WO3Y7EV7C4zfthWcZfbxP7NtKPWMDxuAUBBSsS-MSZeY5OhLCHc8PExmA0h5t5ru/s1600/p+drying+diapers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQhfJGwVefePSJKq9U6QUhdperK-rZCoPLpRy6sS1GPh5llJetGD89J6SVTUMrX5PgVPo2tWn95F4WO3Y7EV7C4zfthWcZfbxP7NtKPWMDxuAUBBSsS-MSZeY5OhLCHc8PExmA0h5t5ru/s320/p+drying+diapers.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the covers and pocket diapers I have right now. The inserts<br />were in the dryer :). Everything is prepped and ready for Samuel!</td></tr>
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Here are a couple links to websites that I found helpful in my cloth diapering research, just in case you wanna take a peak (DISCLAIMER - cloth diapering can be addictive). Also, feel free to message me if you have any questions, I will be glad to share my limited knowledge and where I have bought the various diapers in our stash!<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/basics.htm">http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/basics.htm</a><br />
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<a href="http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/">http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/</a><br />
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- LessaBen and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-74004145834380668542012-04-08T17:06:00.000-05:002012-04-08T17:06:32.103-05:00Easter 2012The Redditt clan usually gets together on Easter Sunday for lunch. There is never a shortage of fun, or time with family. This year was no different (well except that I couldn't hang with the picture-taking crew and had to head inside to rest my 8-1/2 month pregnant self on the sofa). Here are some pictures from our annual 'Easter photo session'. The only thing I hate is that I didn't get a picture of me and mom :(. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF6za1M1-UA4MJQhwDjajpJoOG_GTI3aNycka64n0zFhSrGJSeExhD85DIbqePX1ZuPVCRTsy8ctcwXed8uldmKryekepp_Vlvx8baDO_1HxXb_cs7i3ThPCCs2YNZTEsJpbjIcSnYrbP/s1600/DSC05608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF6za1M1-UA4MJQhwDjajpJoOG_GTI3aNycka64n0zFhSrGJSeExhD85DIbqePX1ZuPVCRTsy8ctcwXed8uldmKryekepp_Vlvx8baDO_1HxXb_cs7i3ThPCCs2YNZTEsJpbjIcSnYrbP/s320/DSC05608.JPG" width="214px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Easter! 34 weeks 2 days :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXIE5yOnJes1IBo_f9rCVYoGHHD22yRz-gyBl-WeFAM1YAWFfuwnzBKDoGpPIEAriC-OfI8ROOzetJF94nnKGgJC1xfRw5XAbosDtjnXuWU0VVJ_flsY3_E_99o3a51MGmI8dd5tbd8Tt/s1600/DSC05611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXIE5yOnJes1IBo_f9rCVYoGHHD22yRz-gyBl-WeFAM1YAWFfuwnzBKDoGpPIEAriC-OfI8ROOzetJF94nnKGgJC1xfRw5XAbosDtjnXuWU0VVJ_flsY3_E_99o3a51MGmI8dd5tbd8Tt/s320/DSC05611.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and his sisters can NEVER take a 'normal' picture right off the bat. <br />
They have to joke and play around first :). EVERY time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSfHcZlEC3-bEz0BEEszp2CueSFxR-e1FisF31oFlqXflTYqk1L2XSbyxyL9Ru9eF-o5sk6nRqOVj0Ec7o6asELkkea0lgUhp52eg2H_ECNhmi5lAia2gCfORW1B3EkdoywrBWJeGiLfi/s1600/DSC05613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSfHcZlEC3-bEz0BEEszp2CueSFxR-e1FisF31oFlqXflTYqk1L2XSbyxyL9Ru9eF-o5sk6nRqOVj0Ec7o6asELkkea0lgUhp52eg2H_ECNhmi5lAia2gCfORW1B3EkdoywrBWJeGiLfi/s320/DSC05613.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See what I mean? Silly kids!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajAA0eUbynjf6Rr3rHgvPtrAhLPme5_9hAkYzEskkZIMJokQGHRF-WbFObsU1MPKYR7PmAPEfQDD0eZ8UMGJJQQ7pAqYfIyNAz44zYZJk2Eu-s8lFbWuAAJLErXrgV44Uoh2j5xCIjYeF/s1600/DSC05614-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajAA0eUbynjf6Rr3rHgvPtrAhLPme5_9hAkYzEskkZIMJokQGHRF-WbFObsU1MPKYR7PmAPEfQDD0eZ8UMGJJQQ7pAqYfIyNAz44zYZJk2Eu-s8lFbWuAAJLErXrgV44Uoh2j5xCIjYeF/s320/DSC05614-2.jpg" width="318px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's the good one! Such a good looking crew!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXDAQRNsatT6h26g-rAUVGseuuqTrx6Q77uTIKA3maN1cMCLGgOxauF_iyhk0zCWeshj_1gmzNwwrFTDDLlV-V8UgSwKajsW3ZYLWiHHzHvD80ch8osKOFdHA3lM8KFQlSvn5Z0ECXrWA/s1600/DSC05616-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXDAQRNsatT6h26g-rAUVGseuuqTrx6Q77uTIKA3maN1cMCLGgOxauF_iyhk0zCWeshj_1gmzNwwrFTDDLlV-V8UgSwKajsW3ZYLWiHHzHvD80ch8osKOFdHA3lM8KFQlSvn5Z0ECXrWA/s320/DSC05616-1.JPG" width="285px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger, Karen, Ben, and Melinda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPcuRPrONsOVV0SvaYaY9X8S4cHhtULs2xFk2bMHo3YyN79yl2XZJEgtSkCVrsZCEucU1S9RoyEGYcuEYhvHZl0jb-H8DvjGOlT0vY_HOmwAZ-6eIzmeAPWSNlw_U1zIBy6yjxZVT12aV/s1600/DSC05610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPcuRPrONsOVV0SvaYaY9X8S4cHhtULs2xFk2bMHo3YyN79yl2XZJEgtSkCVrsZCEucU1S9RoyEGYcuEYhvHZl0jb-H8DvjGOlT0vY_HOmwAZ-6eIzmeAPWSNlw_U1zIBy6yjxZVT12aV/s320/DSC05610.JPG" width="214px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi with all the grand kids</td></tr>
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It's so crazy to me that the next time we have a family get together Ben and I will most likely have a tag-along! I love having Samuel in my belly, and I know I will miss it when he is here. I am so ready to meet him and hold him, I just can't believe it is all happening this soon!<br />
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I pray that you all spend some time this Easter remembering what we are celebrating. We celebrate today a RISEN Savior, who conquered death and the grave, giving us all the opportunity to know Him personally!<br />
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God Bless - LessaBen and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-42394321862522929282012-03-29T17:00:00.001-05:002012-03-30T13:29:22.592-05:00Update on Samuel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had an appointment last week for our 32 week checkup. I was 31 weeks 5 days on the day of the appointment. We were scheduled for an ultrasound so that Dr. Cole could check Samuel's growth. Since I have mild hypertension (and have for about 3 years - controlled on medication) she wanted to be sure his growth wasn't being restricted. I was very pleased to find out that he is head down! I could have sworn he wasn't, but apparently that is his little booty pressing into my ribcage, not his head.. The tech looked around and measured his head, abdomen, and length of his femur. He was measuring a week ahead, and an estimated 4 lbs 4 oz!! She then took some pictures of his little profile. Such a handsome guy I think :).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGWRLmfd50B6sfrJd-14vaCJKI6XXPPqEbV-DBfSyxvA8fswvdfmQqP9YzvK3ppBI_QQKbEfcUWK29PO06YRpQAxpPhguZfPUyRYK-LhfaIznH9T1jOjBwFLJKXvE1f7Pg18bm8Y9MKCn/s1600/ultrasound+-+profile+3.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGWRLmfd50B6sfrJd-14vaCJKI6XXPPqEbV-DBfSyxvA8fswvdfmQqP9YzvK3ppBI_QQKbEfcUWK29PO06YRpQAxpPhguZfPUyRYK-LhfaIznH9T1jOjBwFLJKXvE1f7Pg18bm8Y9MKCn/s320/ultrasound+-+profile+3.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Profile shot at 31 weeks 5 days</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a minute, she began to check his umbilical cord. She stayed in the same spot for a while, and then she asked if she could go bring in another tech to take a look at something. That was enough to get my heart racing. I wanted to know if everything was alright with our baby boy. The other tech came in and they both looked for a minute before saying anything. It felt like forever!! Then our tech assured us that the blood flow through his cord was great, so that wasn't their concern. Apparently they saw what appeared to be excess Wharton's Jelly in his cord. I wasn't sure what that was until I got home and googled it, but apparently it is the lubrication that keeps everything in the cord from crimping or rubbing together. So it's a necessary part of the 'stuff' inside the cord, they just saw an area that had a little too much. The rest of our appointment went wonderfully, and Dr. Cole scheduled us for another ultrasound this past Wednesday (a week later) to check Samuel's cord. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went in this week for our ultrasound, and the tech immediately checked to make sure he was still head down. Then she took lots of pictures and measurements of the cord. Great news - excess Wharton's Jelly was gone!! She took a few shots of his profile for us, and even got this sweet one of his nose and top lip :). You have to use your imagination, his leg is in front of his face. His nose is the triangle looking thing above the leg (you can see his two little nostrils in it). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvde2cqQzJRNSRu5jK3DuxMcrenrlRNDw0GTeD6JIY0F0Y_ViEYiB7VbFj0ypeJ9ok-P5p90mKQS-z_BPESufazCmS7i8WdH2VVu6m7DGeNt8e9sTYMt1OBevys2oZBo1L_-EGfw0ZrAo/s1600/ultrasound+-+nose+3.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvde2cqQzJRNSRu5jK3DuxMcrenrlRNDw0GTeD6JIY0F0Y_ViEYiB7VbFj0ypeJ9ok-P5p90mKQS-z_BPESufazCmS7i8WdH2VVu6m7DGeNt8e9sTYMt1OBevys2oZBo1L_-EGfw0ZrAo/s320/ultrasound+-+nose+3.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view shot of nose and lip (covered by his leg) at 32 weeks 5 days</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dr. Cole said that everything looks great with me as well! My blood pressure is still doing good, still no signs of pre-eclampsia or other complications. From the beginning of this pregnancy, I have had pre-eclampsia or some other blood pressure related issue in the back of my mind. I've tried not to worry about it and to give it over to God (and for the most part I have succeeded). I watched my best friend have some terrible complications and eventually develop HELLP Syndrome with her first pregnancy so I have been pretty aware of the possibility of that the past 8 months. I really think that after this week's appointment I finally felt some relief from that worry. God is blessing us with a healthy pregnancy, and we both look forward to holding our precious baby boy in our arms!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Lessa</div>Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-3460130279298385012012-03-17T21:23:00.000-05:002012-03-17T21:23:44.675-05:00Baby Showers!We have been very blessed to have been offered a total of 4 showers for our little guy! You read that right, FOUR! The first was given by Ben's work (Julep Restaurant), so it was hosted by the Julep Catering crew. It was on Sunday, March 4. This was a fun shower, and since Ben was able to be there I wanted to be sure that we invited some other dudes too :). It ended up being a cool mix of folks and I think that Daddy-to-be had a good time. At least, I hope he did! They had the room decorated in blues and yellows, with rubber duckies floating in bowls of water for the centerpieces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbxy5L7V0OeTXH-CLmCAVUaIV4_xsJq8Cxjgs6OIy5QFzXNMT4UmfRJnW2P6dFZbEV2xnEKJ0pyBTMPrbqJgQMaB_z2FIeEWKIewxnGMEef6UxQ-ct7hVaH9fHcEAg7B_7kKWd3mfk7lN/s1600/DSC05458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbxy5L7V0OeTXH-CLmCAVUaIV4_xsJq8Cxjgs6OIy5QFzXNMT4UmfRJnW2P6dFZbEV2xnEKJ0pyBTMPrbqJgQMaB_z2FIeEWKIewxnGMEef6UxQ-ct7hVaH9fHcEAg7B_7kKWd3mfk7lN/s320/DSC05458.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julep's Catering Room all decked out for Samuel's first shower!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjgyt8-RMYcctXJzLrCsGzraVp0v7XMGSN4UYn-Ko2gn6huvGtydOY1_dycWjwbOxesDfFmnqlaG_GS5483Aj2EhxHiZql86Hw_n2kNcPLfUzTNrbl1IQxENhHpSRzKQvcOo0jBUabKNJ/s1600/DSC05456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjgyt8-RMYcctXJzLrCsGzraVp0v7XMGSN4UYn-Ko2gn6huvGtydOY1_dycWjwbOxesDfFmnqlaG_GS5483Aj2EhxHiZql86Hw_n2kNcPLfUzTNrbl1IQxENhHpSRzKQvcOo0jBUabKNJ/s320/DSC05456.JPG" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute duckies floating in their 'pools'</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3AXSYaHAtVRvw4OgSLoP3euuhhj4EbUoGnxjK17ZFJ5BbUz512kBfcoPFnaFxEX0BOFZTd8V4axXc1_L7EYIsfUjF1sycUyyDMTE7DA4KWhPNwslYf_ihAhtVyLyzn_Pa3-Ur4ef2Rm9/s1600/DSC05462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3AXSYaHAtVRvw4OgSLoP3euuhhj4EbUoGnxjK17ZFJ5BbUz512kBfcoPFnaFxEX0BOFZTd8V4axXc1_L7EYIsfUjF1sycUyyDMTE7DA4KWhPNwslYf_ihAhtVyLyzn_Pa3-Ur4ef2Rm9/s320/DSC05462.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The food was amazing, and Ben did a great job of handing me gifts to open (as well as making sure they didn't fall off of my lap in the process). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippvLCK5Fnu1Qi9dPuVr-2zw5nzB-dqfs0rHIpdhmU0QVwwSME9xfy3vOIeXHE0F7XMFTBP8AWMOrZSeLI3sUrHQuMPfBskL5ScO2LXdTotVDeHjn55oSTQ0LJzMTT0xBqR4EA6DNy6uiP/s1600/DSC05484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippvLCK5Fnu1Qi9dPuVr-2zw5nzB-dqfs0rHIpdhmU0QVwwSME9xfy3vOIeXHE0F7XMFTBP8AWMOrZSeLI3sUrHQuMPfBskL5ScO2LXdTotVDeHjn55oSTQ0LJzMTT0xBqR4EA6DNy6uiP/s320/DSC05484.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samuel's first MSU apparel!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQyW862lNWSgzUcd5Gmvw_ompTkQx-Pdz8wqnE7WMsadOKJms77ApS5GBvzNNx9hxBGhT2G4SRYuwCFeIDz4U9AFq4TOGWW4muWlRONHuuABdfhNvH164OuZm_NzKS81E7822ST-hNwvF/s1600/DSC05472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQyW862lNWSgzUcd5Gmvw_ompTkQx-Pdz8wqnE7WMsadOKJms77ApS5GBvzNNx9hxBGhT2G4SRYuwCFeIDz4U9AFq4TOGWW4muWlRONHuuABdfhNvH164OuZm_NzKS81E7822ST-hNwvF/s320/DSC05472.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy and Mommy to be!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were so blessed by everyone who attended, and we're so glad we got to see everyone! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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That following Tuesday, my Bunko group held a shower for us on our monthly Bunko night. Beverly hosted March at her house, and she had a big spread of food and yummy cupcakes! These ladies were so kind and giving that they pooled their resources and got us the bedding for Samuel's room!!! Beverly also made some 'cupcakes' and 'lollipops' out of onesies, receiving blankets, and washcloths. Super cute idea and very useful! I just can't seem to bring myself to take everything apart just yet :). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc7dfrWIdKsy8ZsjTCoNNrUAIJfuV1OUSL942g6ksrVCAXzFJjfNFRgZg_5zoZ0T-HNhH4fk-iqtF7z1Ih3XFo-tIAmF5ceSx5oasdLG0BTSkTcfcB3gZf4VPt_POh3PgFWKsV8N9Dq_g/s1600/DSC05503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc7dfrWIdKsy8ZsjTCoNNrUAIJfuV1OUSL942g6ksrVCAXzFJjfNFRgZg_5zoZ0T-HNhH4fk-iqtF7z1Ih3XFo-tIAmF5ceSx5oasdLG0BTSkTcfcB3gZf4VPt_POh3PgFWKsV8N9Dq_g/s320/DSC05503.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Precious 'lollipops' and 'cupcakes' along with Samuel's super awesome bedding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The next shower was the following Saturday, March 10. My very first best friend, Melissa, offered to give this shower for me as soon as I told her I was pregnant. I am very honored to call her my friend still after all these years! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76PPSurpDhAvLRyb3lrG-ENujquOghREDN2XB1S_KFjIg90SpgfFz7PaNxaYfXjl510nWOALSjeLbWaYzYysAWmZvUWBFK6Vh0zf1sBi0poTMxIj2azXh0EOq5QUw8bkkCSrEytsF0_XV/s1600/DSC05537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76PPSurpDhAvLRyb3lrG-ENujquOghREDN2XB1S_KFjIg90SpgfFz7PaNxaYfXjl510nWOALSjeLbWaYzYysAWmZvUWBFK6Vh0zf1sBi0poTMxIj2azXh0EOq5QUw8bkkCSrEytsF0_XV/s320/DSC05537.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melessa and Melissa :)</td></tr>
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She had some help from several other ladies (Amanda, Audie, Ms. Celeste, Janine, Mrs. Judy, K'Anna, Laura, and Maxie) and they hosted a wonderful shower for me! I didn't have to move from my chair and they catered to me the whole time. I truly felt loved by these ladies as they sacrificed their time and energy on mine and Samuel's behalf!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYfW4jNt625MLGNe5XAxs9t3XZpkliRcAgABhUoDZ1qQfWRZAoQGeHj1gTC6b33aWnD-c8azYMY2DGLlQnNp0FMMuXGSFF3z8xdMoTut-QoSraRnsH-mosMhsANg17h1kQzIN45jFPePx/s1600/DSC05535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYfW4jNt625MLGNe5XAxs9t3XZpkliRcAgABhUoDZ1qQfWRZAoQGeHj1gTC6b33aWnD-c8azYMY2DGLlQnNp0FMMuXGSFF3z8xdMoTut-QoSraRnsH-mosMhsANg17h1kQzIN45jFPePx/s320/DSC05535.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wonderful hostesses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was a great shower, and again we were so overwhelmed with the love shown to us by all who attended! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusFP0Bne2g3n9U5ZVDqRtxu1ry1YvL1zeYxdAuToWIbESZsOGyQBQPptofUQ3tkLWSiEa-ywPEHxUJwMNJqsaqtDjpJdHAf5G3ZIR_dyO-Yx12vmKxWLZgjjuJLIZMPS92EGIa1puLgu0/s1600/DSC05516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusFP0Bne2g3n9U5ZVDqRtxu1ry1YvL1zeYxdAuToWIbESZsOGyQBQPptofUQ3tkLWSiEa-ywPEHxUJwMNJqsaqtDjpJdHAf5G3ZIR_dyO-Yx12vmKxWLZgjjuJLIZMPS92EGIa1puLgu0/s320/DSC05516.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnvEwHSpgSpcOHqf6fRAEcxjC3FLG0eC_K2N-N-B3_5ynwDAnC7qJ4i0sYGOK2lxnmMnq5x0hr80vpnIp2SF3n9MxemVZ3P05y8_OOTfF-LssadBDcgACOZ7rbsjnfUqRx4piki7QcDap/s1600/DSC05519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnvEwHSpgSpcOHqf6fRAEcxjC3FLG0eC_K2N-N-B3_5ynwDAnC7qJ4i0sYGOK2lxnmMnq5x0hr80vpnIp2SF3n9MxemVZ3P05y8_OOTfF-LssadBDcgACOZ7rbsjnfUqRx4piki7QcDap/s320/DSC05519.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening Samuel's gift from Auntie Em, who couldn't be there bc she had<br />
baby Garrett the day before!! Well, that and they are stationed in Hawaii...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizckbgHuzUElNZQKW1HxtNOb8V6uwjbXm1nPUXVE6n3JFxgrLV0sV29EKfOjjSgvPWc138JeQnyZJKqsVvQ3IhL4giSRZ5FW_FLpGSgJJTdeBsc3LRERd6pmypNfW5SuAvS_GLPXAa5G-p/s1600/DSC05529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizckbgHuzUElNZQKW1HxtNOb8V6uwjbXm1nPUXVE6n3JFxgrLV0sV29EKfOjjSgvPWc138JeQnyZJKqsVvQ3IhL4giSRZ5FW_FLpGSgJJTdeBsc3LRERd6pmypNfW5SuAvS_GLPXAa5G-p/s320/DSC05529.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't need a giant elephant? So fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d4m8aum_NMYo2XE6f-34ho6W_10J1jvc4Hjtgqo0oSx9Q1pitHh2l1mmgvfJm_Az2ByiaGci-jnJ6hDjHzZRBtz7rJeSnd9notIB7WuYM8JL_4yRDkiAZVGHDJA5RPqZvLIPEfse8aJ0/s1600/DSC05532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d4m8aum_NMYo2XE6f-34ho6W_10J1jvc4Hjtgqo0oSx9Q1pitHh2l1mmgvfJm_Az2ByiaGci-jnJ6hDjHzZRBtz7rJeSnd9notIB7WuYM8JL_4yRDkiAZVGHDJA5RPqZvLIPEfse8aJ0/s320/DSC05532.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi, Mommy, and Nana B</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNJmTG-T460CZPs6YkfidhP19MO6tDEzd-fs_qp0yDK4hT6B_WMPw4ZPFxkx9q6e9zmLvi4y1nTaDG5i2FmYswLUru_f1unibLp01lFZQMezBV5q8jZLl4HEqcqVoy3rP6JjiyVxRpI61/s1600/DSC05533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNJmTG-T460CZPs6YkfidhP19MO6tDEzd-fs_qp0yDK4hT6B_WMPw4ZPFxkx9q6e9zmLvi4y1nTaDG5i2FmYswLUru_f1unibLp01lFZQMezBV5q8jZLl4HEqcqVoy3rP6JjiyVxRpI61/s320/DSC05533.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Emma, Me, and Aunt Nell. They will be Samuel's Great-Great-Aunts!</td></tr>
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When I got home with all of the wonderful gifts, Ben and I went through everything again so that he could see it. It was really sweet watching him 'open' everything again! <br />
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The fourth and final shower was our church shower. It was given by Mrs. Patti Hauser, our pastor's wife. Mrs. Patti is our pastor's wife, but I also am grateful to call her my friend! She is one of those people who I think God placed in my life with a specific purpose. I am so grateful that He chose to do so! She hosted this month's ladies lunch/my shower at her house on Saturday, March 17. I had no idea what the theme would be, so when I walked in and saw Dr. Seuss everywhere I was so happy! We love Dr. Seuss at the Redditt house :). The decor was just perfect, and like always, Mrs. Patti thought of every little detail. She had some help from a couple ladies from the church, and also from Heather Ross, who was my maid of honor back in the day (which was almost 9 years ago..) when Ben and I got married! Again I was overwhelmed that these sweet ladies would work so hard to make this shower absolutely perfect! I had the best time, and didn't want it to be over! Here are a few pictures from the shower. I took so many pictures of the cute decor that it was hard to narrow them down!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN-3mzK_4jCCV78JCQdhp4K6WBmavcHRFBJsnjf4yOXR9u4s76xEYmyCpDSO_7yXq51EYcsmQc_pL1wIqumQMydEC55Yc4_7hJS31vwkdJ5l-Ek9f8c6f174pWgBFjOKegIizyyG8kVU8/s1600/DSC05540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN-3mzK_4jCCV78JCQdhp4K6WBmavcHRFBJsnjf4yOXR9u4s76xEYmyCpDSO_7yXq51EYcsmQc_pL1wIqumQMydEC55Yc4_7hJS31vwkdJ5l-Ek9f8c6f174pWgBFjOKegIizyyG8kVU8/s320/DSC05540.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super wonderful cake, made by one of Heather's friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE this table setup! So creative and fun, it just makes me smile!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VAdFD82SGdp1v12-DRe-kYcDtORaLEUzsk5xscfdgCAyCJL7dtoHJDU4i3OQAkvknfySjn8tkkGuUKZY_ttQnMr1wrntRjQ74GgV1jualVdr4Er3yXjt4wSy7ix_bYLc9DEFL80MLg7D/s1600/DSC05548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VAdFD82SGdp1v12-DRe-kYcDtORaLEUzsk5xscfdgCAyCJL7dtoHJDU4i3OQAkvknfySjn8tkkGuUKZY_ttQnMr1wrntRjQ74GgV1jualVdr4Er3yXjt4wSy7ix_bYLc9DEFL80MLg7D/s320/DSC05548.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cake pops! Yum :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjYXdJwxxIFLQnAzcDp7SZS24RG7fj1U1NGcqyudUFcCtNOtfRFM6S3fKALcS-ooIWyanncYEUOmdJ4u3xFOc5YZeBx0vpqmTlKie5hN82Sw8O34k06KdnjjxGsFirE4ydJOQALHbPrLv/s1600/DSC05551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjYXdJwxxIFLQnAzcDp7SZS24RG7fj1U1NGcqyudUFcCtNOtfRFM6S3fKALcS-ooIWyanncYEUOmdJ4u3xFOc5YZeBx0vpqmTlKie5hN82Sw8O34k06KdnjjxGsFirE4ydJOQALHbPrLv/s320/DSC05551.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side of the card you can't see says 'Pretty soon you'll be a mother!'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the transformer in the bottom right.. That was a contribution<br />
from Brock, who is Ben's best friend and happens to be Mrs. Patti's son :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgckm_4E3mQPxsM_6-vg4YaM4mwWwhgezDGakpK6g_fhaDX_TSvGhTu_mdq17LW2flKAbS68EIIv429iHBKaFnhxTkbjWzG2904Krz8o-Kfm5yxKVSJOU6DJq21g3nHXB_-UABD63qNjF/s1600/DSC05555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgckm_4E3mQPxsM_6-vg4YaM4mwWwhgezDGakpK6g_fhaDX_TSvGhTu_mdq17LW2flKAbS68EIIv429iHBKaFnhxTkbjWzG2904Krz8o-Kfm5yxKVSJOU6DJq21g3nHXB_-UABD63qNjF/s320/DSC05555.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since our nickname for Samuel is peanut, there were buckets of roasted <br />
peanuts on the patio tables where we ate! So cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Patti loves to talk to Samuel :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy to be and Nana</td></tr>
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Now that our showers are over, we have a huge task ahead of getting all of Samuel's new things washed/organized/put away. We are still getting his room ready, and I feel time is ticking! Or maybe that is just my nesting instinct kicking in :). Whatever it is, I know that we have about 2 months until he should be here, and I can't wait to get his room ready for him! I am sure there will be a blog post when it is all done. <br />
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Thank you again to everyone who hosted and attended our showers! We love and appreciate you all and can't wait for Samuel to meet each of you!<br />
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- LessaBen and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-70534270726518066712012-03-03T10:58:00.000-06:002012-03-03T10:58:31.121-06:00How Baby Redditt got his nameWe had been going back and forth between three names since we found out we were having a boy. Had Baby Redditt been a girl, we had a name locked and loaded ready to go. But alas, God decided that our first child would be a bouncing baby boy! We wanted a name that would not be too crazy, but also one that wouldn't limit him in life. Choosing a name for another human being is really hard!! So much pressure to pick a name that sounds good now and also when he's older, and also a name that people can pronounce without much difficulty. He's already going to have to spell his last name, so we didn't want him to have to spell both. We also wanted at least one of his names to be a family name, but I think giving him a first name that was unique to him was also top of our list. We narrowed the list of three down to two - Josiah Fox or Samuel Fox. We love Fox, and since it is a family name from Ben's side we decided to use it as the middle name. Then we were left with the connundrum of what Baby Redditt's first name should be! We really liked both names because of their meaning: Josiah means 'God has healed', and Samuel means 'asked of God, heard by God'. Both of these meanings have tremendous weight in our lives, so it was hard to choose! Ben kept leaning more toward Josiah, but for some reason I kept thinking of this baby inside my body as little Samuel. We prayed and prayed for God's will in whether or not we would be able to have a child, and I just felt (and still feel) like the meaning of Samuel speaks to what God has chosen to do for us. We prayed to God, and He heard us. Ultimately, here is how we decided: I was at home for day 2 of a nasty stomach virus. I was around 25 weeks pregnant at the time and that silly virus just hit me out of NOWHERE. I guess I should feel blessed that it was the first time this whole pregnancy that I lost my dinner, but that was kind of hard to think about during the middle of the sickness. It was BAD. Ben was checking on me and texting me while he was at work. We somehow got on the subject of the baby's name (we have called him Peanut since the very beginning, and decided that we probably should actually call him by a name instead of Peanut at this point). In his texts, Ben pretty much told me he thought I should get final say on Peanut's first name since I am carrying him and all. I thought that was a good compromise :) but was almost afraid to make the decision to name him. What if Ben really wished I had chosen the other name? I decided to go with my heart and so Peanut got named via text message: Samuel Fox Redditt! I can't wait to meet our little Samuel and watch him live out the path that God has for his life.Ben and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-86340954547183646712012-03-02T19:50:00.000-06:002012-03-02T19:50:37.966-06:00Baby Redditt gender revealWe decided to keep baby Redditt's gender a secret for a few days after we found out - ya know, make all the family squirm for a bit before they found out. It was much harder than I thought it would be to not let it slip! I mean, once you've waited almost 18 weeks to find out if the human growing inside you is boy or girl, it's hard not to shout it to the rooftops once you finally know. But, we successfully held it in for a total of 5 days! We found out on a Tuesday, December 13 and planned a reveal at the restaurant Ben manages that following Sunday the 18th. Our youngest niece, Elizabeth, had a part in a ballet that day and so the whole family was together. After the ballet we went to Julep and got ready for the reveal! The catering staff at Julep put together a wonderful spread for us and we had chicken bites, mashed potatoes, and butter beans for our meal.<br />
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The pastry coordinator made us a special 'reveal' cake that was white on the outside and colored either blue or pink on the inside. We tortured everyone more, making them wait for dessert until after dinner :). Before we cut the cake, we gave out plates to everyone, letting them choose between 'It's a Girl' and 'It's a Boy' plates.<br />
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I wanted to see what they guessed, just because I was curious. The suspense finally ended when we cut the cake to reveal - BLUE! Baby Redditt is a BOY :)).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And no, we did not intentionally wear blue!!</td></tr>
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It was a really good day, and we were so grateful to be able to have our close family with us to celebrate this new beginning in our lives! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew, minus Mom and Uncle Doug. Somehow they missed this picture..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYs2idRoQdsSdXt1k4wxN-QQG0b-in7Biztynsk2Fr_LXBIFsPlG9jNEnOma5Y6uSXK7CZLx9Lp58D4cXrZySzcvRIjwK0l8S5f3vcx4-GXu7XgiZOsybhsa5NG0Zw6PWoM3vAfR0zqON/s1600/mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYs2idRoQdsSdXt1k4wxN-QQG0b-in7Biztynsk2Fr_LXBIFsPlG9jNEnOma5Y6uSXK7CZLx9Lp58D4cXrZySzcvRIjwK0l8S5f3vcx4-GXu7XgiZOsybhsa5NG0Zw6PWoM3vAfR0zqON/s320/mom.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my sweet Mama :)</td></tr>
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- LessaBen and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-17460643131810032522012-03-01T18:12:00.000-06:002012-03-01T18:12:47.596-06:00PCOS - a diagnosis, not a dream crusherDisclaimer: If you are embarrassed by normal functions of the female body, just go right ahead and skip over this one..<br />
This is probably the first time I have really discussed some of these things publicly and it while it may be difficult for me to bring old feelings back, I feel like I need to share this part of my history. I think it will help shine some light on just how truly amazed I am at the miracle baby I am carrying. I want anyone who reads this to know that even if your situation is different from mine, GOD HAS A PLAN. Sometimes it unfolds quickly, sometimes it takes years. If it does take time, BE PATIENT. I promise it is worth it.<br />
Here is my story:<br />
After 4 years of marriage, in 2007 I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and told that when we wanted to start a family it would probably be a long road in which fertility meds would be necessary. I was also told my PCOS was most likely caused by being on the depo provera birth control shot. I was devastated and very discouraged as I researched what that diagnosis could mean. I hadn't learned at that point just how far faith in God and in His plan could take me. We didn't think we were ready for a family at that point, so we just went on with the day to day and my diagnosis sort of lingered in the back of my mind. In my mind, PCOS was who I was. I didn't see myself as truly a woman, since I didn't have monthly cycles like all my friends. They complained of PMS symptoms, while I longed to have a reason to buy feminine products at the store. I would go 6 or 9 months without a period. After a while it became normal for me, but still a painful thought. I began to doubt that I would ever hold my own child in my arms. For someone in their early 20s, that is a crushing blow. In late 2010, after a short round of birth control to try and regulate cycles, I had a couple of normal 28 day cycles. It was right after I went to a chiropractor and had my back aligned. I got thrown from a horse in 1999 and apparently the part of my spine that was affected was the part that contains nerves that control my reproductive system. Who knew? I thought that maybe the adjustments had 'fixed' me since the first period was exactly a month after I started my chiropractic treatment. But after the second period came and went, there was not another period that year. At the beginning of 2011 I decided to make some changes to my health. One of the causes of PCOS is being overweight, but PCOS also makes it difficult to lose weight since it makes your blood sugar all out of whack. I had gained 40 lbs on the depo shot (in 9 months of using it) and almost 5 years later at the beginning of 2011 that weight was still hanging on. I also had some prompting by my hypertension specialist that she thought my elevated blood pressure was more lifestyle related than genetic. I assumed that just because my dad was on BP meds at 21, I was destined to a life of medication to keep my blood pressure in a normal range. After an appointment with the hypertension specialist in late January 2011 I began to make changes. I started going to Zumba, and then began Weight Watchers. Women with PCOS are usually told that any decrease in weight even if just 5 lbs, will most likely kick start cycles again. Well for me that seemed to be true. I was amazed when in February of 2011 I had my first period in 4 months! Then another in March! When April came around, I waited and waited and never started a period even though by that point I had lost about 15 lbs. Then came the familiar devastation and fear. What if I was destined for a life of never knowing when or if I would start? I was amazed when I had another period in May. That was 3 in 4 months without the help of any kind of medication, which hadn't happened since high school! I decided in June to start charting using a basal body thermometer. Because I had never had normal cycles, there was no reason to try and chart. But since it seemed like I might just keep having them I wanted to chart. Mostly I think I wanted to do it so I could learn more about how my body functioned over the course of a cycle from start to finish. I also felt in my heart that God's plan was not for us to have to use fertility meds, and I figured charting would be a good place to start in terms of starting our family. By charting, I could pinpoint if and when I ovulated which was something that most people with PCOS aren't able to do. I had another cycle in June, another in July and one in August! By August of 2011 I had almost reached my goal of losing 40 lbs. I was at the 34 lb mark and smaller than I had been in almost 4 years! By the end of my August cycle I had been able to chart for three consecutive months. I can honestly say I was, and still am, amazed by being able to pinpoint ovulation just by reading the temps on my chart over the course of the month. By this point, since I had experienced 6 cycles in 8 months, I was considered to not have PCOS. It's still a mind blowing thing to me. I truly feel like God has a plan, and I feel like it was His time for me to get healthy and lose the weight, therefore helping me overcome the PCOS. At the beginning of September I knew that I should be starting my period any day so I decided to take a pregnancy test. I have taken many over the years, always with the same result. The morning of September 9, 2011 is one I will forever remember. I glanced at the test, expecting to see the usual result. Since it was digital, there was no mistaking the word PREGNANT. I lost it, and ran to tell Ben. He says I actually woke him up because I was shaking so hard I couldn't get my words out.<br />
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I share this journey openly with you for two reasons. 1. I want anyone who may be experiencing a similar situation to know that you are not alone. Even though the fear of never having children can be overwhelming, and the disappointment of negative test after negative test can feel crushing, know that there is a reason for what you are going through. It may not be made clear to you until much later, but it will. Nothing much helps the pain inside, especially when everyone around you seems to be able to procreate at the drop of a hat. However, try to remember when that happens that it is their time, and to be happy for them. Your time will come, and it will be so amazing and so much more special than you could have ever dreamed. You will also be able to cherish it more because of the time you have waited! 2. I want to give credit to God for the miracle that is happening in my body as I type this. You see, I believe He was waiting for us to turn our fertility struggle over completely to Him. We had a hard time doing that. We held on to our fear and uncertainty. Until one night in July when Ben prayed over us. It was one of the most genuine prayers I have ever heard, and we just cried and cried. After that moment I didn't worry again about the fate of our family. I just knew that God was in control. He provided for us, and continues to provide every day. For that, there are no words of gratitude grand enough. <br />
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Thank you for letting me share my story with you.<br />
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- LessaBen and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4698974897751059251.post-88447002220632727792012-03-01T12:04:00.011-06:002012-03-01T18:10:00.424-06:00A little history on us..I figure it's only proper to start out a blog with a little background, especially since we are over 8-1/2 years into our marriage at this point! I know I won't be able to go back and recap all the wonderful memories we've made over the past 8-1/2 years (although from time to time I am sure you'll get to read a 'throw back' post), so I figure I can give you as condensed version of the history of Ben and Lessa as I can. Disclaimer: THIS COULD GET A LITTLE LENGTHY! :o)<br />
Ben and I first met the summer of 1996. I walked down the hill to my cousin Luke's house to go swimming. He had a friend over and they were already in the pool. I don't remember much about that first meeting except that I wore a tweety bird one piece swimsuit. Cut me some slack, I was 12. Ben can tell you all about the second time we met. It was the next summer, 1997, at our church's Junior High summer camp. He still tells me to this day how the first thing he noticed on my was my legs. I guess I didn't get the memo to wear longer shorts to church camp. Oops. We became 'boyfriend and girlfriend' that summer via phone, with Luke as the moderator. It was pretty cute, looking back on it. We were a summer couple and broke up before school started back. The next 3 years we remained close friends, and dated some. Ben even took me out my first official date (insert 'awww' here). The summer of 2000, we began to date again. On July 30 of that year we were sitting in my driveway listening to the sounds of a summer night, and Creed's With Arms Wide Open, when Ben asked me to be his girlfriend. That was right before my junior year and his senior year. We have been together since! He asked me to marry him on July 6, 2002. His proposal still takes the cake for originality in my book (he had a slide of pictures of us displayed on the big screen at our local theater before a movie was supposed to start - took me totally by surprise, and was the sweetest thing EVER!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXQR43CgdifVzfbkI04ZNlMdGHNX-RFBBgA2owoXH4HKFPFHv2NNnvZPRzeEaqPTB2996LtDkAT954SWaj-IsuLon1VCs1pt8BWHrMAPA8R6berwp1IXW47vLUON3U-EYtM_vcuwwJlNN/s1600/proposal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXQR43CgdifVzfbkI04ZNlMdGHNX-RFBBgA2owoXH4HKFPFHv2NNnvZPRzeEaqPTB2996LtDkAT954SWaj-IsuLon1VCs1pt8BWHrMAPA8R6berwp1IXW47vLUON3U-EYtM_vcuwwJlNN/s320/proposal.JPG" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of the slide that was on the big screen :)<br />
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</tbody></table> We got married on June 14, 2003 in the back courtyard of an antebellum home in downtown Jackson. Our ceremony was short and sweet since it decided to rain that afternoon, but it was everything I could have dreamed of (complete with a ceremony under a live oak-under a black and white golf umbrella to keep the rain off of us, and a horse drawn carriage ride). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-j1MbYMSz_3gAp471j1UXNJyKDMiDQ2AN40dO_RJxTF1iVhSWaHW4geI16dqjMMrfbd4pBOl4CGsTVspBMnuxETHz0rWmg4JtBZBivLEbiymr-UlqakscRQlALgpTl4EpvdfAoi7-qLX/s1600/wedding+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-j1MbYMSz_3gAp471j1UXNJyKDMiDQ2AN40dO_RJxTF1iVhSWaHW4geI16dqjMMrfbd4pBOl4CGsTVspBMnuxETHz0rWmg4JtBZBivLEbiymr-UlqakscRQlALgpTl4EpvdfAoi7-qLX/s320/wedding+pic.jpg" width="257px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wedding day - June 14, 2003</td></tr>
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Since our wedding, we have lived in a townhouse apartment, a duplex close to where I attended college, and finally our first little house in a quiet lake community. I finished college with a degree in Interior Design (minor in German). Ben graduated XRay school as a registered Radiologic Technologist, then went on to get certified in CT scans. We both no longer work in those fields, but are very happy with our current careers. <br />
After being married this long, one would think that things sort of settle into a routine and I think to an extent they do. But the past two years, I truly believe that God has begun to work diligently on us, working to show us His path and plan for our family and our future. I feel that every day. I am grateful that He chose us to be together, and that He chose us to walk a path that hasn't always been easy. We are on a new path now. And while the first part of our marriage was a starting point of our journey, I marvel and how incredible it is to have the opportunity to create a new path from here. This is the beginning of our journey as a family of 3!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaZoUesIUxtqLoGHni_Rs9V2XYk8whMI6_88nDi-A87ajEdfuLcODEXtWYi-EoG1lXGvLCFRDADVUGpc9AjVgj5SZe39tdb0OiBrk11OEk6ZID_xLcmafVgz72CTTaey7WlzNgEzGS1rM/s1600/DSC04995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaZoUesIUxtqLoGHni_Rs9V2XYk8whMI6_88nDi-A87ajEdfuLcODEXtWYi-EoG1lXGvLCFRDADVUGpc9AjVgj5SZe39tdb0OiBrk11OEk6ZID_xLcmafVgz72CTTaey7WlzNgEzGS1rM/s320/DSC04995.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cades Cove, TN - October 2011 (I was just over 10 weeks pregnant)</td></tr>
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- LessaBen and Lessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410857452600958700noreply@blogger.com0