tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63503507027648883402024-03-16T03:08:18.996-04:00KaleidoscopeHeidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-3137235589816503042014-09-23T18:47:00.000-04:002014-09-23T18:47:05.106-04:00Chasing the Light on Mamalode.com (Recipe included)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a long time since I last wrote, but I finally did and I wanted to share it. You can find it <a href="http://mamalode.com/story/detail/chasing-the-light" target="_blank">here</a>. Hoping to do it more often. I've missed this little spot and the connections that have been made. Excited to share thoughts and a recipe at Mamalode.com this week. </div>
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xo, heidi. </div>
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Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com139tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-26917790628027856072013-04-30T02:15:00.003-04:002013-04-30T02:35:13.452-04:00A disclaimer and a Recipe. {Curried White Bean Soup & Grilled Garlic and Sage Toast}<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2013%20FOOD%20photos/CurriedWhiteBeanSoup.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo CurriedWhiteBeanSoup.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2013%20FOOD%20photos/CurriedWhiteBeanSoup.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know I was supposed to post some recipes weeks ago. hell, a year ago. i have been behind. really really behind. i am posting a few tonight and I am sorry for not getting these posted before now. I realize that you are not able to print or save these recipes and that is not the most convenient way to reference these recipes. i took a little time today researching easier ways for you to print or gain access to these recipes and I couldn't find anything for blogger. If any of you know of an easier and more efficient way, please let me know.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">I will continue working on this for you. It is looking like I may need to switch over to a Wordpress blog because there are, supposedly, many easy ways to customize it...we all know this will take me some time, so for now, i will post here!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I would really like to make a <b>disclaimer</b> here:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">this blog has been a way for me to document my life with my babies. when i began writing here a few years ago, i thought it would serve as a digital diary of sorts. through the years, i have posted hundreds of photos and several recipes. i love it here. although, i haven't posted enough this past year, i am happy to have these memories here for my kids to read one day. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">when i decided to post recipes, it was because i wanted my children to know my favorite recipes and foods to cook. you see...i love my mom's cooking, i think most people do. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">whenever my mom would ask me what i wanted as a gift, my answer has almost always been, "i want you to write down your fave recipes and copy them for me in a book!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">i haven't received a book of recipes from my mom yet, but i can say that i have called her enough times before, during, and after asking question after question, so in essence, i have what i have always wanted. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">while making friends via social media, i feel blessed to have and be a part of a strong support system of other creative, giving, and strong minded women. i learn from all of you every single day and in some small way, i am sure you pick something up from me. i have been asked several times and by many different people to post more recipes and meal ideas. i have been apprehensive to do this for many reasons. one being the amount of time this may take. i have little ones and they take up most of my time and i really do love it that way.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">another reason i have been dragging my heels~~ i am not a professional cook. i am simply a girl that loves food and loves to cook. i love it. i cook off the cuff. i don't always have a plan or even an idea, but i have mastered the use-what-you-have-on-hand philosophy and this is when new recipes are born. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">i am happy to share meal ideas and recipes here and on <a href="http://instagram.com/heidiwish" target="_blank">instagram</a> but i have to make sure that you know, I HAVE NO REAL IDEA WHAT THE HECK I AM TALKING ABOUT. i just do it if it feels right. and i do have one <b>very strong belief</b> about cooking...i'm downright passionate about this</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">I believe ANYONE CAN COOK. and i think everyone should (if they really want to).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">i hear over and over, "i can't cook. how do you do it? and with three kids." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">yes, you can. i'm not trying to put on a dinner at the White House for the heads of state and the president. i'm cooking for the ones i love...in my favorite place in the whole world...my kitchen. i'm inviting you in and i hope you will let go of all self-doubt, grab a bowl and whip something up. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">another tidbit: i burn stuff all the time. it's a running joke here, but i don't let that stop me from confidently walking into the kitchen to try try again. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">so, there may be a better way, a better recipe, a better technique...but i'm happy to share what i'm doing in my kitchen when i can. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Curried White Bean Soup with Grilled Garlic & Sage Toast</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">I made this soup one night when I hadn't gone shopping and this is about all i had on hand. i love cooking this way...opening the fridge and using whatever is in there. i didn't have much, but this was done in less than an hour and it was amazing with the toasted bread. I hope you try this one. basically, you throw all of the ingreds into a pot and simmer. feel free to add or subtract as you go. this is a NO RULES kitchen. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ingredients</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 cans white beans, rinsed off</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 cup chopped onion</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">4 garlic cloves</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1/8 cup olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 tablespoons butter</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">fresh thyme, 2 branches</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2 teaspoons yellow curry powder</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">couple shakes of cayenne pepper</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 box chicken stock</span><br />
1/2 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese plus more to sprinkle on top</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 bay leaf</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">salt & pepper to taste</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Directions</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Medium heat. In soup pot, I added half the oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. Add your onions, whole Thyme branches, and curry powder. Stir often and cook until onions soft, 3-4 mins. Then add, chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute. DO NOT overcook garlic or it will become bitter. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Add chicken stock, homemade is best best, but a low-sodium will do. Add bay leaf, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, beans, cheddar, and rest of olive oil.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cover and turn it down and let it simmer for 40 minutes and up to an hour over low heat. I think the key to a rich, homemade flavor is simmer, simmer, simmer. Let the flavors meld. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">garnish with a handful of white cheddar cheese.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">***</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Garlic Sage Toast</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ingredients</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">French bread (or your favorite bread)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Butter</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1 clove of garlic</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">3-5 Sage leaves chopped</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Directions</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Melt some butter in a pan, add sage. Lay bread down in butter and brown on both sides. When toasted, rub/scrape raw garlic on both sides of bread. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Serve with that soup and you are in for a treat!</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">next blog post: some much needed catch up on life and pics. xo</span></div>
Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-34552592823851761062013-04-30T02:15:00.002-04:002013-04-30T02:21:12.445-04:00Tom Kha Soup Adventures<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2013%20FOOD%20photos/IMG_8205.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8205.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2013%20FOOD%20photos/IMG_8205.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">instagram photo: heidiwish</span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2013%20FOOD%20photos/IMG_8208.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8208.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2013%20FOOD%20photos/IMG_8208.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">instagram photo: heidiwish</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, I was driving down Pine Ridge Road a few weeks ago, or a few months ago, i have no sense of time these days, when i remembered that i promised myself a trip to the Asian Market. I knew i was very close, but i couldn't find it. this went on for...months. i guess i was too lazy to really LOOK for it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've heard of friends going to the Asian Market for years and each time it came up in conversation, I was all, "oh, yeah. i've been meaning to go there!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">so, like i was readying for a field trip into an unknown land, i dropped the kids at the bus stop, buckled my baby in her seat and grabbed my Tom Kha soup recipe i had pieced together off various sites on the web the day prior. i was excited to finally make my way into this place. this mysterious, elusive place.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i finally found it, but if you are not careful, you will miss it's red letters and asian lanterns hanging in front beckoning you in. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2013%20FOOD%20photos/IMG_8201.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8201.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2013%20FOOD%20photos/IMG_8201.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">this market is an authentic gem, nestled away in a naples plaza. i felt like i was in another country and i quickly learned that i may as well could have been. my senses were in overload with the colors and smells that welcomed Ivy and I. i couldn't find a single thing i needed. luckily, a young woman was there stocking her basket with only green veggies to make a stir-fry. i instantly wondered if adding red and yellow peppers to a stir-fry dish was an "americanized" version of the recipe. she helped me find all the items on my list. of course, i wanted to beg her to take me with her to her house to teach me everything she knew on thai cuisine, but i refrained. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the recipe i am sharing tonight, is one that i pieced together from about five different recipes i found on the web. i have to say that i really liked this version. it was <i><b>easy</b></i> and the flavor satisfying. there is probably a better recipe out there, as i am not an expert, but if you do try it, please let me know you did!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">there are a lot of ingredients, but don't be put off by that. this is a super simple soup to make and you can find most items at the grocery store if you don't have an asian market nearby. not having the perfect ingredient list on hand, forces you to be creative. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tom Kha Soup</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ingredients </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 1/4 can Coconut Milk</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 cups chicken broth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5 green onions, chop both white and half green stem into small pcs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 cup thai basil leaves, chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 garlic cloves, minced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">{2 stalk lemongrass, washed well chopped into 3-inch pieces}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">{1 chili pepper, cut in half long way. scrape seeds out unless you like heat}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">{chuck fresh ginger, cut into three pieces}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">{chunk fresh galangal, cut into three pieces} </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">{2 kaffir lime leaves that pinch with my fingers to release flavor}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">juice of 1 lime</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup button mushrooms</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 chicken breast, cut into small cubes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 tablespoons (or more to taste) Ground fresh chili paste (the brand i used Sambal Oelek)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped plus more for garnish</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spiced chili oil, optional garnish</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 tablespoon veggie oil</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*{these items are cut into larger pieces as they are used to flavor the soup and are then removed before eating. please keep this in mind when chopping these ingreds.}</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*in case you're looking, i didn't use fish sauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*galangal is also called kha and is optional. if you don't have it, no biggie. move on.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Directions</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Using my dutch oven (large stock pot would work), i added veggie oil and cooked over medium heat to soften: lemongrass, galangal, ginger, garlic, and chili pepper. about 2 minutes. please do not burn garlic.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Add chicken broth, kaffir lime leaves, mushrooms and bring to a boil and add your chopped chicken, turn heat down just a bit and let simmer. stir often.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">now you are ready to add the coconut milk, chili paste, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves, and lime juice.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cover and simmer. i love to let things simmer...it gets everything tasting like it belongs together. it could be done in 20 minutes, but i would let simmer over med-low heat for 40 minutes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">remove {these items} and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">serve in a beautiful bowl and garnish with cilantro leaves and drizzle with a little spiced chili oil. looks great, tastes beautiful. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i hope i didn't forget anything and i hope you enjoy it. feel free to google a hundred different recipes and coming up with your own variation and technique. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">NO RULES here!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">for more meal ideas and recipes: i post more on Instagram. My username is: <a href="http://instagram.com/heidiwish" target="_blank">heidiwish</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-46125111117905575502013-04-30T02:15:00.001-04:002013-04-30T02:15:32.738-04:00Egg Cups: Onions, Peppers, Speck, Cheddar, Asparagus <a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2013%20FOOD%20photos/asaparaguseggcups.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo asaparaguseggcups.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2013%20FOOD%20photos/asaparaguseggcups.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">instagram photo</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My sister, Heather, is the polar opposite of me when it comes to food...in a good way. when she decides that she is eating too much salt, she makes a public declaration to the family that she has given it up...and she sticks with it. i'm so jealous.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when she feels like her favorite jeans are a tad snug, she calls to tell me which foods she is cutting out of her diet. most of these are my favorite things of course: salt, sugar, chocolate, pasta...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">she says it...she does it. well, i'm not like that. i want to be a bit more like that, but it's a struggle for me. i have been obsessing over how big my ass is for years, so instead of subtracting things from my diet, i try to cook healthier options for a quick grab and go out of the fridge. when she called to tell me of her new Egg Cup obsession i was excited to hop back on the Egg Cup bandwagon. i used to make these quite often when i was living alone in an apartment back in my college days. i remember those days fondly. i was flat broke, always trying to be skinny, and always running out of the house to either school or work. i miss those days.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Egg Cups: Onions, Peppers, Speck, and Cheddar</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ingredients</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">9 eggs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 small onion, chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 red pepper (or any color), chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup chopped: prosciutto, ham, OR bacon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pepper</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">olive oil (can use a little butter or cooking spray)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cooking spray</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Directions</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Preheat oven 375 degrees</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In a pan, heat a tablespoon of oil, add onions, peppers, and prosciutto and saute until soft, about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, crack each egg into the bowl and mix with a fork until well mixed. add cheddar to eggs and mix. add cooked veggies and ham to egg mixure, salt and pepper and stir. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spray the inside of each cup of a cupcake tin. place cupcake tin on a baking sheet. Using a 1/3 cup measure, fill each cup of the cupcake tin. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bake these egg cups for 20 minutes. take out, let cool.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i put the rest in a ziploc bag and pull out as an easy, inexpensive, healthier alternative to fast food. FYI: my kids love these. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">add whatever you want to your Egg Cup. My sister's fave cup is made with roasted salmon, fresh dill, broccoli, and parm. cheese. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">no rules. add whatever you have in your fridge. </span><br />
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Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-89306474468507909632013-03-13T19:17:00.001-04:002013-03-13T19:47:11.228-04:00I Was A Bad Mama Today. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">as i sit here at my overly large; therefore overly cluttered kitchen island, i know i should be doing something else. something more efficient. something that will make my week run smoother. perhaps getting something done that i won't need to rush through at the eleventh hour on saturday; the day of my baby's birthday and blessing celebration. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">perhaps,</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i should be stringing butterflies on fishing line or preparing my artichoke dip, blowing up balloons. instead i sit here. my eyes are tired and stinging from the tears that flowed there a couple of hours ago. i sit propelled here by sadness and maybe a bit of desperation too. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it's 4:50 pm. i look like death on a saltine cracker. i really do. lord knows that i promised myself pre-kid that i would never look like those moms that looked tired and only did their hair when they had special plans to go out but you know what, it happens that sometime the only thing i can manage to do with myself is shower and brush my teeth. with a wish and prayer, i head out the door hoping i run into nobody i know.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">let me prove it to you with a picture because us photographers like to post pictures and i just happen to be in front of my computer which had been opened to Mac's Photobooth by one of the monkeys. i'll do a selfie when i figure out how to do it. one minute...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">this is how i feel. please don't feel sorry for me. this is just motherhood on a bad day and i know you've been there. i would post more, but i don't want to scare anyone. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i feel the urgency to inform you that i did indeed have makeup on earlier, but </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">like magic...it's disappeared. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">friends, today was a really hard day and i'm posting here because i haven't shared enough lately and sometimes i need to. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">one of my littles whom i adore so, so much. whom i love with all of my heart...well, this little one challenges me. every single day. every. single. day. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">every.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">single. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">over and over again. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mamas, i'm so tired.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">one of my littles had some emotional outbursts today that left me feeling helpless and in tears and standing in the middle of the room looking around for someone to come and save me. i stood there a while and waited. nope. i was on my own and desperately needing some help. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SuperNanny never appeared and i felt hopeless at getting things calmed down, so </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i called my hubby, he was at a meeting and couldn't help. you know it's bad when i make the call to daddy for backup. he did suggest i take his parents up on their offer of taking the kids for the day. lord knows i LOVE my in-laws. like, love. BUT nothing would make me feel more like a failure than having to hand off my crazed kids to somebody else when i should be able to do this...with flair. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it didn't help that when the shit was hitting the fan, i made it worse by adding fuel to the fire. oh, it was horrible. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">today, ivy wanted a string of plush birds that peyton had hanging in her room. ivy was playing with them when i entered the room. big sister no longer wanted to share the birds for no particular reason and that pissed ivy off to no end. after pleading that she please let ivy play with the birds all i heard was a loud, "NO!" </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">sharing is hard for this one, so i grabbed the birds and informed her that she would get them back after her room was clean. i even said we could rearrange her room and set up an art desk near her window. incentive as i had been pleading with her to clean her floor since after breakfast yesterday.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">she started yelling at me about the birds. ivy jumped because she was scared and i'm sorry folks, this is where it gets ugly. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i grabbed the string of birds pulled them into two parts and gave them back to her. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"here, have your birds." and i walked out of the room. the truest sense of the phrase <i>walk of shame </i>played over in my head.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i don't know why i did it. i think the stress of the midmorning defiance was more than i could take and that was it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">not a stellar parenting moment. i was so ashamed. i am so ashamed. what happened to me? i lost my mind. i couldn't believe i did that. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"YOU MURDERED MY BIRDS! MOMMY, YOU MURDERED MY BIRDS. THEY WERE SO SPECIAL TO ME."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i had one kid screaming and throwing clean laundry around the house to get back at me, one kid wearing a sad face because it was too noisy and was sad that i was so angry at the other one and vice versa, and the baby was following me around the house crying because she wanted those damn birds on a string. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">today started as a great day. we walked around the neighborhood and looked for singing birds in trees. we discovered a new path in our new hood. i promised homemade chocolate chip cookies after lunch. today was good. today was a spring break 2013 memory in the making.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">how did it evolve into this? i needed my super mommy flag to fly today. i needed to see it sailing behind me...high and proud. i needed to know that what i was doing was the right way, or better yet, the perfect teachable moment that she would remember forever. i live in fairytale land like that. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">today, my little one defied me over and over again and then with one sentence, a few words that probably meant pennies to the one speaking them, my confidence was shattered after i begged for an answer. "why are you behaving this way? what is going on inside of you that is making you act so mean towards mommy?" as i heard the words coming out of my mouth, i knew i worded the question wrong. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>shit. i'm messing her up. my words are hurting her. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">well, the damage was done. i waited for an answer:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">with tears in both of our eyes, the response was clear.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"it's you. i don't like the part of you that is in me!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that small sentence couldn't have hurt me more than if a lion had suddenly appeared in my daughters pink, messy room and tore both of my arms off with its teeth. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my own heartbreak heaved in my chest and i couldn't look away from my little. i tried to read the brown eyes in front of me and sure enough what i feared i would see, i did. she meant it. in her way and in that moment...she meant it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mentally, i quickly tallied up how many i love you's i deliberately say to each of my kids each day. i quickly assessed my true feelings for each of them. i want more for them than for myself. i would walk across coals for them. give my life for them. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i really do love them more than anything else in the world, right?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">why am i questioning myself what i already know the answers to? do all moms doubt themselves like this? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">after i assured myself that i was doing the best i could do, i held my shaky ground and asked my child to clean up her floor and i said that she wasn't leaving the room until her floor was clean. when her floor was clean, we would go back to World Market and get another sting of birds to hang in her room. i reasoned that now she had crafting birds to use in her art projects. i said i was very, very sorry that i had made that mistake, but that she needed to pull herself together and get her room in order and speak in a respectful way. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my phone had been ringing off and on for over an hour and when i got up to leave the room, i decided i would take the call so i could pretend my mom strength hadn't been broken. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">however, when i heard <a href="http://www.kellehampton.com/" target="_blank">kell's</a> cheerful voice on the other end, i immediately broke down into a hundred tears. i ran to my room, shut the door and let the tears flow. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"my day was so good earlier and now it's turning to shit!" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">she heard peyton yelling some things in the background and she asked me what was going on. i needed advice so i told her an edited version of the story. she listened. and when i cried louder she did what any amazing friend would do, she said i was doing a good job and that sometimes kids can be difficult. it's okay. it was just a bad afternoon. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i debated on telling her the whole truth. i was so ashamed that i had 'murdered' peyton's birds-on-a-string. but i needed to get it out. let it free. it was eating me up. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i interrupted something she said because i needed to quickly say what i needed to say before i lost my nerve,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"kelle! i murdered peyton's birds-on-a-string! i did. she pissed me off and i guess i decided to break the sting in half and then all the beads dramatically fell to the floor as i handed them back to her and said, 'here, take your birds!'"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">silence. lots of it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">still silence.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">finally, i heard sounds. not words, but sounds...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and then, in tandem and out of love and understanding for this thing called motherhood and perhaps for the obvious revelation of my bad mommy behavior, we started laughing. we began laughing so hard we couldn't speak for a full minute or two.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when my crying was replaced with fits of loud laughter, i knew what i had done wasn't so bad. i mean, i wouldn't do it again, but i knew my truth was out there and it felt good to share. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when we were able to compose ourselves, we started sharing bad mama moments with each other. mostly, they were stories that we already knew about each other but it felt good say them again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">remember when, the kids were screaming and we couldn't figure out why and then we remembered that we skipped dinner; remember when i pushed becks off of the bed when he was 7 days old; remember... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it was funny. it helped. it felt good. i think all mommies should do it more. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"you...oh my, you...killed her string of birds?!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"well, yes i did. i was a bad mommy today."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my girl just finished cleaning her room. it took about 48 hours to complete the task, but you know what...the pride on her face when she called me in brought happy tears to my eyes. and when she hugged me and said she loved me...well, i already knew that but i'm happy to hear it a million more times. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my poor use of time hasn't been that at all. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thanks for listening to me, xoxo</span><br />
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Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-77955137554351234862013-03-05T01:02:00.001-05:002013-03-05T01:04:18.802-05:00a year ago tonight... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">tonight, i am scurrying around the house looking for my bag of ribbon, the box of glue...wrapping paper. balloons. i'm scrubbing the dried banana off the tray of ivy's highchair. i'm tired from running around after my wobbly new bambi walking baby. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my baby that despises having her diaper changed but loves when you ask her where her eyes are. my floor is scattered with blocks, babies, and cheerios.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">what i am doing tonight is so very different to what i was doing exactly a year ago on this very night. the night before this baby was born. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">what is it about knowing what you were doing at an exact moment that makes you kinda want to remember each moment...it's a weird feeling that i can not explain but one that i keep visiting. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i've been absent from blog world...and i have missed it. okay...let me make a disclaimer...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i am having a hard time getting into the groove of writing here. i am struggling as i often do when i am so emotional about something. my brain has a hard time forming sentences and complete thoughts, so if you are reading my little ol' blog, i'll get there. just need a little practice. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you see, sometimes i forget that people read what i share here at heididarwish.com. and although i write this blog as a way to document memories for our family, the friendships, support and love i have received here has been overwhelming, so for that...thank you, friends. i love the love. end disclaimer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a year ago tonight, i was scurrying around the house a little slower. i remember feeling exhausted and excited but extremely sad to say bye to the huge baby bump. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i was searching for extra camera batteries, and bagging up little butter mint hospital room favors. i read the kids a book and kissed them goodnight twenty times and reminded them that after school the next day, they would have a baby brother or sister. i told them that they would always be my babies... we made more gender guesses before we sent them to their grandparents house for the night. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> with a black sharpie and in my prettiest writing, i labeled champagne glasses with, "#3."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">jeff kept telling me to go to sleep, "you need to be rested for tomorrow morning." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">rested to have a baby. i played the words over in my mind over and over again and thought, "i'm the luckiest person in the world right now!" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i'm havin' a baby tomorrow. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when the house was quiet and long after jeff went to bed, right about now...i ran a bath and talked to my belly. with only hours left, i wanted to soak in those last hours with the baby i could feel moving in my belly. i remember i pushed on a little bulge in my belly...guessing what body part it was and then loving that part so much it hurt. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">yes, tonight it very different and as much as i want to go back and relive those moments again...push my baby into the world and into my arms, i know i can not.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a year ago i was preparing to do the thing i love to do most in this world...deliver my baby. it's not just having a baby... it's the whole thing. it's the whole process. it's the registering, it's watching the epidural video...again, it's laying out little clothes, doctors visits, birth plan talks with the doc...it's the ceremony, the job of having a baby. i love it all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and as i get further away from ivy's birth, it is so bittersweet, so tonight i shall bask in the warmth of nostalgia. it feel good here. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i feel closer to those moments right now than i have in a year. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.beta.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo blog1-8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-8.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.beta.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-86.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo print-86.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-86.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in between not having her and having...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.beta.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo blog2-8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-8.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we have done a lot of living and loving and getting to know our ivy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.beta.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-14-4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo print-14-4.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-14-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and i will play some catch up here in posting some photos of our past year, tonight i will leave it as it is. i will forever remember the night before her birth as a special time of just the two of us...getting ready to take on this big and beautiful world...together. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.beta.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-59-2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo print-59-2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-59-2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.beta.photobucket.com/user/peytonbecks/media/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-12-5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo print-12-5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-12-5.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">this year has flown by and as sad as i am to have this year be over, it was a good year. a really good year. it's gone to quickly...much to quickly but we all love our girl and getting to celebrate her first birthday tomorrow is just another little dream that is coming true. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">our baby girl is growing up. happy birthday, ivy. we love you so, so much.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(i wanted to add more photos but i am having uploading issues. pics too big. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> i will post bday pics tomorrow.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">xo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com89tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-82873617816964560692012-09-20T01:22:00.002-04:002012-09-20T08:55:40.834-04:00maternity jeans. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i will apologize in advance for the tone of this post. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't know why i just wrote that sentence. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">why, as women, do we feel the need to apologize for our feelings? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">why can't we just <i>feel</i> and feel free to do so?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">guilt. what is that about? it's almost a constant state of being for me since becoming a mother. well, i'm going to write free tonight and not think about i'm writing and i'll let panick rush over me in the morning as i run to my computer and read through too tired eyes at what i decided to share with the blog world when i wasn't in the best, shall i say, state of mind. yes. i said it. i'm going a little bit crazeballs over here.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">do i sound nuts? yeah, maybe. i'm cool with it though. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">let me tell you what's going on...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we are moving. just down the street. it's not far and the kids will remain at their current school (thank goodness for that) and it<i> will be</i> a beautiful home when we finally get the floors down and the rats, yes, rats out of the attic. palm rats. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">does that sound better than rats? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">no, not to me either, but my husband tried to sell it to me that way. didn't work.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">they live in palm trees. who knew. so now, i am not only afraid to walk into the new house; i now fear walking beneath a palm tree (a tree i used to admire for it sunny simplicity) for fear that a <i>palm</i> rat will fall on top of me or my kids. the image plays over and over in my mind. i'm sure that this occurrence is rare as i have never heard of such an incidence actually happening. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i'm sad. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">bummed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">blue. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a tad heartsick.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i can't shake the feelings i am having but at the same time i'm kind of sick of hearing myself. it's like, move on woman! get it together. what's the big deal?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it is a big deal. for some it may not be, but for me, it is all i think about.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i think the move will be for the best, but i can't see it yet. rather, i'm not allowing myself to see it. i'm like a kicking and screaming three year old child whose lollipop you've just taken away because you didn't want me to ruin my dinner.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">logically, i know we will be happy there. i know i will make a home out of the little yellow house on the left. i will rock out cool paint colors and add sweet touches from this home into the new one so my kids will feel more comfortable until they settle in... but i need to cry for a bit first and i think that's okay and deserved and important.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">this is the home we just brought our little tagalong baby home to. it's where peyton and beckham have grown from babies to big kids, a kinder and 2nd grader. nearly grown. so many memories. so much growing. we have deep roots here. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ivy's nursery has barely been used and now we are leaving. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the cold hard truth of it all is, we won't be here for christmas. that kills me. kiiiilss me.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and it's not just the new house that needs a full reno job that's got me climbing the walls and almost defiantly overwhelmed, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">bringing a baby home is amazing and nothing but good, but it's work adding a new human to a family of other young people. young people who need as much, if not more love, than before the new addition. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">simply: i don't want to work as hard as i will need to to get us into that house in two months. i feel like i was already working hard taking care of and nurturing three kids. cleaning house, preparing meals, homework, my work, cooking ... you all know what we do...it's a freaking lot. a lot. and it's great. a privilege. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and i'm living a dream. a wonderful blessed dream of three healthy kids, food on the table and a roof over our heads. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a million people could call me, among other things, selfish and ungrateful for my attitude but i assure you, this has nothing to do with gratitude. because gratitude, i have in spades. and i thank god each and everyday for what i have been given, because i have so much. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">no, this is not about gratitude. this is about change...and how i suck at it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i will win no awards for attacking change in an elegant and poised manner.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">if there was such an award, i'm pretty sure i'd face plant. hard. and it would hurt. even so, i would learn from sucking at it. it's a learning experience. it's life. this is the beauty of good funk. of this, i am perfectly sure.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and i may let my sadness out and have a solid cry when the kids go to school. i think i like a good cry. it's like my mourning of choice. that and eating chocolate and i don't intend that to be funny. it just is what it is. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my friend calls it flailing. like when a newborn baby starts throwing her arms around and slaps herself in the face. that baby cries because something is hurting her and since she doesn't know that she is hurting herself, she keeps hitting herself in the face. her mama needs to swaddle that baby and i, i need to give myself a nice big kick in the ass. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">oh, and maybe i'm a bit pissed that i am still wearing my maternity jeans.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i !@#$% hate these things. what was once a symbol of my need for an expanded waistline to comfortably accommodate my growing baby, is now the bane of my existence. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my weight has always been a struggle for me. i'm up. i'm down. up. down. up. up. up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you know those people who eat when they are sad or eat when they are happy or eat when the sky turns orangey-red...that's me. i have always have a reason to snag a piece of chocolate. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">so, i knew it was getting out of control when i grabbed some edy's chocolate, nothing fancy, ice-cream, grabbed and spoon and walked to my room. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">jeff, trying to encourage me (because i made him promise to me that he would) called out, "just say no!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i barely turned around as i hastily snapped back, "i'm sad. i'm having some chocolate ice cream. let me be." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">poor guy. sorry jeff. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it's a freaking roller coaster ride i'm willing to throw myself from once and forever. i am choosing to be healthy for myself and for my kids. besides that, i want to buy some cute things without worrying about how it will look. there is SO much freedom in that. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my friend, wylie introduced me to an app called <a href="http://www.mynetdiary.com/" target="_blank">my net diary </a>. i was doing really well and putting in calorie values in for each meal. i'm not a great calorie counter, so i would loosely try to look up and input the correct amount of calories. i am not a attached to this counter, rather, i use it as a reference and to keep me reminded of what (and how much) i am eating. i often forget about the few m&m's that i shared with beckham or the yogurt i finished because peyton left it on the counter.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hoping that i can make some more progress so i can very quickly, have a Maternity Jeans BURNING ceremony! i will invite you all!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">whew. i feel better. thanks for listening;) i need to make it point to keep this house tidier. i don't know why i feel like i am constantly in motion, cleaning, working, doing,... and i still can't keep the crap, the toys, the books off of the dang floor. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i need a magic wand and five more hours of sleep a day. that's all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">xo</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and, because i am so behind in blogging, here are a few photos!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog4-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog4-10.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">first bus ride. they were both ecstatic to ride the bus this year. i don't want them to do it, but who am i to stand in their way of growing up. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-13.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">as i waited with them on the corner, i couldn't help but take in the scene. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">they are so BIG. the familiar tug at my heart presented itself again. i know the sensation well and i knew i needed to keep my emotions in check and let this be about them and there big day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-16-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-16-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">they looked so confident and proud waiting for the bus. all morning they had been worried they would miss the bus. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">beckham, in particular, would call out from anywhere in the house.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"mama, we're going to miss the bus." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"no, sweetheart. we still have an hour before the bus!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">this went on about every 5 minutes. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">kids from the surrounding houses in our neighborhood started making their way to the bus stop. moms and dads of kinders came with cameras and proud as well as nervous and brave smiles.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">soon, we heard the bus riding alumni screaming, the bus is coming. the bus is coming!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-17-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-17-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">as the bus rounded the corner and onto our street, my little guy, ran up to me and didn't say a word as he grabbed my hand and smiled at me.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">he was scared. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">finally, he said "mommy, i'm nervous to go on the bus." his little brown eyes boring holes into mine. i quickly said that it was okay and that i would drive him. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">inside i was hoping he would chicken out and want a ride with me, but as soon as the bus parked in front of us, he let go of my hand and ran to grab his sister's hand and they both waved goodbye.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-18-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-18-5.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it was over. they were gone. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i walked into the house feeling that feeling one feels when emotion is as it's highest and then it comes crashing down. i'm never sure if i should use that energy to clean or let myself collapse onto the couch and watch HGTV. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">instead i saw this, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-19-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-19-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i'm here, mama. it's just you and me for 8 hours. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-24-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-24-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-22-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-22-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">so, we played and waited for big brother and sister to come home. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-13.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">wanted to post more pics but photobucket is freaking frozen. more later. between the hard times, i see so much happy. the black eyes above is from running makeup, but i posted it because i still like the picture. all smeary and smudgy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">grateful.</span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com112tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-80271199530283897802012-08-31T13:01:00.002-04:002012-08-31T13:22:01.907-04:00Hurricane Eats: Couple of Cozy Food Recipes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i've been promising a few recipes for about 6 months and since i haven't posted any, that makes me a big, fat liar, but now that the kiddies, well, at least 2/3 of them are spending many daylight hours in the care of their teachers, i can happily share what we ate during <i>Nonicane</i> Issac. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />what is it about dark skies and wind that makes ya want to hunker down and feed your family?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i am sharing two recipes in this post, because ivy is rocking in her swing taking a snooze, but if i were a betting woman, girlfriend will be up within the next thirty minutes. i'll be lucky to get these written in that time. however, if you have a question about anything here, you can email me or leave a comment and i will try to answer it there. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">this made me laugh... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=issac.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/issac.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">so, one of my favorite things to do is to look in my fridge and pantry and piece together a meal. actually, it is one of my favorite ways to 'plan' my meals. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mind you, i have staples on hand and i will share those in depth in another food related post.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> call this Cape Cod Pasta, i'm not sure why other than </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY" target="_blank">Somebody that i uuuussssed to knooooww</a> </i>made a pasta similar to this one and called it Cape Cod Pasta. no worries, no fish was used in the making of this pasta dish.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it's DIVINE. it's easy. just do it. you can't screw it up unless you make mushy noodles. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mushy noodles are gross. don't do it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cape Cod Pasta</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you can substitute ingredients as you like, but i used</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 package center cut bacon, chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">14 ounces of veggie pasta</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">half yellow onion, chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 cloves of garlic, chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8 ounces heavy cream</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">bay leaf (if you have it)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a bunch of chopped basil, at least two tablespoons for cooking and some for garnish</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*you could add peas, corn, brocc...anything you like.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*you can sub pancetta for the bacon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Put some salted water on the stove.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While you are waiting for the water to boil...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">throw your bacon in a non-stick pan over med-high heat and crisp it up. don't overcook.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">take a paper towel and some tongs and sop up some of the bacon grease and throw away. you will need about two tablespoons of fat/grease in the bottom of the pan. throw in your onions, salt and pepper and cook until they are getting a soft, about 10 minutes. Then, add your garlic and let cook for about two minutes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">add noodles to your boiling water. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">add the cream and two tablespoons basil. let the cream reduce by half. taste it. do you like what you taste? if not, add something else that may flavor your sauce. <i>no rules here</i>. add broth to lighten it up again. let simmer until it thicken a bit. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">at this point your, sauce is done. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you can easily drain your noodles and pour the sauce over them, add some grated parm and some basil and you have yourself a fine meal. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">but, i happened to find a half eaten chicken in my fridge. i didn't want to waste it and i didn't want to make chicken soup...boring! so, i threw it in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes (a trick i use making it easier to get the meat off of it)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i added the chicken to my sauce and let simmer for another minute and i was done. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i am going to apologize now for the quality of these photos. i was cooking in the dark.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-3-12.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-3-12.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-4-12.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-4-12.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-5-12.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-5-12.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">enjoy this. it's easy and fast and inexpensive. remember not to stress out over making any recipe. enjoy the process. if a glass of wine helps, so be it;)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Issac's White Bean Soup</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when i want my family to feel warm and safe (from hurricanes;), i make soup. i'm not a soup master, like my mom, but i have to say this was some good soup with a hit of heat. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I used:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 cans of white beans, drained and rinsed (any kind will work- i used cannelini)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 quart/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup chopped yellow onion</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">tablespoon butter</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">evoo</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">two sage leaves</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">head of garlic for roasting</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 celery stalks, chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">parmesan cheese RIND</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a cup or two, raw kale leaves </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 package of bacon, crisped up. yes, i'm on a bacon kick this week.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">okay, add the butter and two tablespoons of evoo. heat up in your fave pot or my <a href="http://www.cutleryandmore.com/le-creuset-signature-cast-iron/oval-dutch-oven-p125125" target="_blank">fave kitchen item evah</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">add onion and celery, salt and pepper and let soften up a bit.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-6-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-6-10.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in the meantime, put your oven on to 375 degrees. take a whole head of garlic and slice the top off, about an 1/8th of an inch. i'm guessing. i should have taken a photo. we are going to roast the garlic and we want to be able to squeeze the garlic out when the roasting renders in soft enough to do so. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">add some evoo, about a tablespoon and wrap in foil. not to tight that it won't allow for the hot air to circulate. i'm making up my own rules, but it works for me. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">roast for 45 minutes. when done, let cool and then squeeze garlic cloves out and mash with a fork. don't be tempted to smear this golden, sweetened goodness onto a loaf of crusty french bread unless you thought ahead and roasted two heads of garlic. set aside.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-7-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-7-8.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-8-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-8-9.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">add chicken broth to pot, two cans of beans, bay leaf, crushed red pepper. bring to boil. then, low heat to medium and add roasted garlic and cheese rind (i just cut mine off a block of cheese i had). if you don't have one, add a 1/4 cup freshly grated cheese. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cover lightly and let simmer for an hour at low heat. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">taste your soup. what does it need, if anything? i always taste my food. it's a good practice to get into. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ladle two cups of soup, mostly beans into a blender (be safe when working with hot liquids) and blend until smooth. this will thicken your soup. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">add back to pot.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">throw in your kale and cover again for about 15 minutes or longer. no rules here either. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you just want to let your flavors meld together. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you can sub the kale for any number of fresh ingreds: spinach, escarole.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you can add other herbs: rosemary is a fave. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">now is the time to break out that crusty bread and enjoy! i added bits of crispy bacon to the top because my kids are more likely to eat anything if bacon is involved!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-9-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-9-9.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">enjoy!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">remember to enjoy the cooking process. i go into the kitchen with the mindset that if i make something and it doesn't work out, it's okay. it's only food. cooking is like anything else, the more you cook, the more comfortable and better you will become. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">no rules. or make up your own rules. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">if you don't try it, you will never know what you can create in that kitchen of yours. you don't need any fancy cookware or utensils. yes, there are some items out there that make like a bit easier. a dutch oven (you can find them at costco and marshalls), a good set of knives, and a couple of cutting boards. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*congrats to: Lisa. a commenter from the last post. you've won a nest egg necklace!!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">***if i named you a winner for one of the three necklaces, i will contact you this week so you can get your necklace ordered!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">oh, Tagalong wanted to say hi! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-14.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">xo</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">happy long weekend! oh, if you make one of these, let me know how it turns out or leave a link of a pic!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">xo</span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-3473831783184181252012-08-24T11:50:00.001-04:002012-08-24T11:52:22.546-04:00Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, and a sweet baby girl! {giveaway}<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"i was the perfect parent before i was a parent." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>i was.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i read this somewhere recently and it totally resonated with me. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">before i was an actual parent with an actual child of my own, i could solve any tantrum or crisis <i>perfect-ly.</i> i could rest easily at any gathering involving babies, kids, teens and think that i had it all figured out. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-7-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-7-6.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-8-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-8-7.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i would KNOW what to do in given situations. if i saw a parent scolding or parenting in a way that i felt could have been done in a more efficient or loving manner...i would totally (to myself) play out how i would have done it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-16.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-16.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and it would of been better. not from experience, of course. i was just ignorant. or innocent if you will, in the ways of the parenting world.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i feel differently now, of course. i bow to any good parent just trying his or her best. we are in this together. half the time, i haven't a clue so i just go back to love. just love them and they will be just fine. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">holla. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">so, my baby boy started kindergarten this week. <i>tears. sigh. where has the time gone?</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it feels like i just sent my baby girl to<i> <a href="http://www.heididarwish.com/2010/08/kindergarten.html" target="_blank">kindergarten</a>. please see meltdown <a href="http://www.heididarwish.com/2010/08/getting-to-day-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">like the beginning of any school year, it all started with the perfect backpack and carefully chosen outfit, and an extra special packed lunch. it's like trying to pack that peanut butter and jelly next to a ziploc bag full of confidence, bravery, and love from home. enough love to make them feel secure and happy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-19-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-19-2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-18-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-18-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the night before the first day is a bit weird. it's exciting, scary, and sad all at the same time. </span><br />
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<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-14-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-14-6.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-17-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-17-3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">yes, i know i look exhausted in these. it's because i am. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-15-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-15-7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-13-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-13-6.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-16-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-16-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-17-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-17-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and i can never say enough...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"i'll be there to pick you up right after school. i can't wait!" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it's the only thing i can control after i drop my babies off at the school doors. <i>i'll be here for you. don't worry.</i> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">there was some anxiety. a little heartbreak. i miss him terribly but he loves it! he loves his teacher, his friends, and his new life a real 'big boy!'</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when i said goodbye to him that first morning. he kissed me and walked away and just when i thought he was too excited to give me more face time, he turned around and turned into my little baby again. he jumped into my arms and said in a small and sweet voice, "i love you, mama. i'll miss you." he cupped my face and smiled longer than usual and he turned back and blew me a kiss. "mama, did you get it?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"i got it, buddy. it's right here in my pocket. did you get mine?" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"in my pocket!" he patted his backside and i struggled with the tears and a few fell as he walked away.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">then, i cried all morning. i called my mom and she laughed at me and told me to get a grip and then just like that...my normal changed. two kids in school. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and our girl. well, she's a second grader. we are so proud of her. i just wish for her an amazing year with new friends and a fun teacher. i know this will be a big growing year for her and we know she will be great. <i>we adore your sweet heart, peyton.</i> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-17.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-17.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i wasn't able to get the three hundred photos i wanted. having three kids is quite a bit more challenging, but we are getting in our groove, i think!</span><br />
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<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-5-11.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-5-11.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-6-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-6-9.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-7-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-7-7.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-10-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-10-8.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-9-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-9-8.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we are lucky to be in a school with so many friends that love our kids.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-8-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-8-8.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*my computer keeps freezing up, so i have to stop here and take it in but not before i post the winnerS of the nest necklaces that you can find <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/melodyjoy1983" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">melody's nest egg necklaces are beautiful and such a convo piece. when she sent me mine, i wore it for months while i was pregnant. even in the delivery room. it was a way to have peyton and becks with me even when they couldn't be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print2-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print2-1.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-21-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-21-3.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">yes, i'm huge and i would do anything to be that huge again;)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print11.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print11.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">because i took so long to choose a winner, i am giving away TWO necklaces today instead of one as well as another Nest Egg Giveaway which i will choose on next post. Please leave a comment to enter. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">for now, the winners were (generated by random.org)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Eva Marie</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Vicki</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Congrats!! ladies, please send me your email addresses!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">happy weekend and happy school year. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">look who's 24 weeks!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-19-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-19-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com115tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-57336918527230859572012-07-25T01:24:00.004-04:002012-07-25T10:24:34.683-04:00Getting to know our Ivy, I'm sorry, and a Giveaway!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">okay, i haven't blogged in a while. also, i haven't showered or brushed my teeth much either. life's been busy with the new arrival of our new little one, ivy. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i've missed sharing our life here and i feel badly for not posting more often especially to those who have checked back for updates and for this i have feel badly and i want to say, i'm sorry. this is a place where i share our life in words and in photos and i am behind and i don't like that feeling but i promised myself i wouldn't beat myself up and perpetuate the emotion i find myself swimming in these days: overwhelmed. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i am in the same boat as any new mom must find themselves at times...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my eyes have stung with exhaustion; my emotions behave like a pack of wild coyotes; my laundry is never done and is always at least five loads deep; i feel guilty toward my other babies and the amount of time i can't spend with them right now; nothing fits and my body isn't going back to 'normal' as quickly as i think it should be and my appetite is still on pregnancy time; and i look like death on a saltine cracker most of the time and none of this compares to the overwhelming feeling of gratitude i have for getting the chance to do this all over again. i love every minute of this even when i think i don't. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i am overwhelmed with nothing but love for my new family of five. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the healthy mini-human i am blessed to call my own. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i am happy and lucky and spending most of my time getting to know my little girl. when i'm not doing that, i'm witnessing my two older kids figure out their new roles as big brother and sister to a baby they both adore and can't get enough of. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ivy, our little surprise baby. our tagalong: she is perfect. she is everything good in this world. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">she has brought us closer and taught me to learn to relax a bit more and relish each moment in the present. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the first few months of a babies life is sacred ground and i didn't want to miss a moment and so i haven't. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i've spent hours inhaling her sweetness and tracing her little bow shaped lips with my finger. i've stared deep into her eyes and analyzed every part and square inch of her perfect little body. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">like a good detective, i have scanned photos and family members faces for glimpses into her physical makeup. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>daddy's eyes, my nose, beckham's sweet baby face, and peyton's mouth. my mom's arms, my grandmas fingers, jeff's mom's skin color...the analysis never ends.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we are completely in love with this little lady and i am sincerely thinking that i may be the luckiest girl in the world. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i will let the photos speak as i am behind and i want to get them up here...these are from her first few weeks at home when the emotions were raw, tears of gratitude ran freely and mama's heart was moved to capacity. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we brought our surprise home after naming her only minutes before they forced us out of the hospital and into big sister's arms...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">who was ready and waiting to greet us home:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-10.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1-8.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-5-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-5-6.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we all just kinda stared at her.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-8.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-3-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-3-7.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-4-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-4-7.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">beckham wanted a brother and made that known to anyone who would listen, but his disappointment was soon forgotten...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-9-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-9-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-8-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-8-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-13-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-13-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-14-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-14-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">peyton though, surprised us all. no jealousy. just happiness and one rule:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the rule states that peyton gets to hold the baby over all visitors and friends if she asks because she is the big sister. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the first days of a babies life are magical. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-76-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-76-2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i was tired but the little body that weighted my arms a bit kept me excited and invigorated. her cries called for me and i was ready to breathe her in all over again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-78-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-78-2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-77-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-77-1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-75-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-75-1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and i never wanted to be away from her. ever. not even for one second.</span><br />
<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-72-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-72-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-74-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-74-1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the first week was barely over and we visited dr. foley for ivy's first appt. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-11.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-11.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-10-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-10-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-11-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-11-5.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">dr. foley said she was perfect, but mama needed to go home and go right to bed! i love her for calling my house ten minutes later to see if i followed orders! i did. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1-10.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-10.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">auntie hi-o rushed to florida to meet ivy and lavish peyton and beckham with extra love. she helped me so much and i hope she knows how amazing i think she is. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-15-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-15-5.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog5-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog5-5.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">she cooked and played fireman with beckham too.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog4-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog4-9.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-12.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-12.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-71.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-71.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">then, <a href="http://www.kellehampton.com/">ivy's godmother</a> and my best friend took the most beautiful photos of our little one and i will forever cherish them. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1-9.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print3-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print3-1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-13-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-13-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-11-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-11-6.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-25-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-25-2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thank you, auntie kelle. i love you. </span><br />
<a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2-11.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-11.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-36-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-36-2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-3-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-3-9.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-4-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-4-9.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">first bath</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-5-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-5-8.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-7-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-7-5.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ivy's 'oh' face.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-10-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-10-6.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-30-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-30-2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-31-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-31-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-35-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-35-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-36-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-36-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-38-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-38-1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-39-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-39-2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">auntie jenn.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-40-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-40-1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-41-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-41-1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-44-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-44-1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-49-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-49-1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">she's been the sun and the moon these days and watching peyton and beckham with her is the cherry on top. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*okay, i have about 1000 more photos to post, but i will stop here tonight and post more in a couple of days as i am trying to catch up!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">**for those of you asking for recipes, i will begin posting as soon as i catch up with photos, hopefully within the month!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">***on this post and next, there will be a giveaway!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">TWO lucky readers will receive a nest necklace as pictured below:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=nest1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/nest1.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-13.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i have worn mine since melody sent me mine. it even went into the delivery room with me. it was a great way to have peyton and beckham with me when they couldn't be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> mine has three eggs inside the nest, one for each little in my life! i LOVE it and i receive so many compliments on it. i have started giving these away as gifts and even gave my one. hers has six eggs though...holla. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">please leave a comment and i will pull a winner from them in a couple of days. AND if you don't win that one, i will be giving another one away on my next post this week.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the winner will receive one necklace with as many eggs as you need. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">if you would like to see more of melody's items, please visit her etsy store <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/melodyjoy1983">here</a>. she has some really cool stuff but her nest ring and necklaces are my fave.</span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com241tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-60821478695868620212012-05-15T01:46:00.001-04:002012-05-15T02:06:08.838-04:00mama's day. my favorite.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a quick post for mother's day because disclaimer: i'm not used to having three kids and i am about to lose my ever loving mind, but more on that in a few days when i post a lot of pics of my new little family!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when i hear my mommy friends or my sisters ask, "so, what are you going to do for mother's day?" it always startles me. i am a mother and for that reason alone, i get to be {officially} </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">celebrated</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> one day a year.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when i hear 'mother's day', i think about my own mom and how we kids used to piece together a breakfast made of burnt eggs, toast, and pancakes. proudly we would surround her, eagerly waiting to hear how much she enjoyed her blackened breakfast. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">now, i am the mother and i realize that it is me that will be the honoree of the day and it feels...good and i feel special. and the kids feel special too. for days daddy has been explaining what mother's day is and the kids know that they each have unique jobs to do in order to make the day a proper success. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i can only imagine that they feel like they are a part of something really important and for that reason alone, i love mother's day. that and the fact that i get to sleep in that morning. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i have only celebrated 7 of these days, but one thing i remember from each and every one of them...it all starts with early morning cuddles. bed head and all, i get extra hugs and kisses and this year was no different except that i had an extra body in bed with me this year...our little ivy joined her brother and sister and gave extra mama lovins.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i can't resist: i know i am a mess here, but i wanted to remember this exactly as it happened. me...a real mess when they hopped into bed with me before jeff grabbed the cam for our photo shoot!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1-6.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-6.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-3-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-3-5.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">every year (except maybe last year when mama had a little too much fun the night before mom's day) we go to isle of capri to celebrate mother's day...it's one of my favorite places to be and this year especially, i couldn't wait to pack up our crew and head on over to the familiar beach speckled with friends and other kids i love. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1-7.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">beckham came down with a fever, so jeff stayed with him so i could go to IOC for sunset. so peyton, ivy and i made the drive to the beach and made it in time to dig in the sand a bit before the sky began darkening with lightening filled clouds.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it was epic as it was ivy's first time on the isle. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-9-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-9-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-7.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-6-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-6-4.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my girls and i were hangin' and it felt good. it was good to be back on this beloved beach. it was good to feel the wind and see the palms swaying in the sky. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">kids were digging and carrying pals. peyton was collecting shells and looking for crabs. i was craving a piece of fried grouper and a cold beer and one of my kids was almost always needing me for something. it. was. perfect. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i can say that all the work of packing up the car and making the trip to the beach is <i><b>always</b></i> worth the effort. always. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">on the way home, the baby was crying, we were tired, bug bitten, sweaty, and full of sand when peyton asked me, "did we have a girls mothers' day, mama?"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i smile as tears sting my tired eyes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"we sure did, sweetheart. we sure did."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and in that moment, a wave of gratitude washes over me. gratitude for these little beings that i call my own. i feel proud to be the mother to three kids that may one day take their own littles to a darkened beach at the end of a day to dance in the sand, chase lost rainbows, and eat fried fish. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-10.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-4-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-4-6.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">this was my first time making a trip to the beach with a newbie and it was a little harder than i thought, so friends took turns loving on the little lady. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-5-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-5-5.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-10-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-10-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-12-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-12-3.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-13-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-13-2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">aside from being tired. completely whipped of energy and badly needing a makeover and a live in healthy cooking chef...i am so happy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mother's day 2012 was the best mother's day to date. not because of where i was but because of who i have at home, in my bed each and every morning. three monkeys that love their mama. my babies. my life. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">peyton, beckham, and little ivy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">happy mother's day to all of you wonderful mamas out there. we are doing it ladies. we are doing it. making memories and building people. there is not a more important job than this. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">feels good to be back</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">xo</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">next post, a nest egg necklace giveaway from a very talented jewlery maker. </span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-80161648836210195892012-04-14T17:00:00.002-04:002012-04-14T18:07:24.601-04:00ivy lynn, her birth story.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">four beautiful weeks ago... i pushed ivy into the world.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it was magic.<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it was all things good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it was...the most amazing experience of my life. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i want to go back to march 5th and do it again. i want to feel every emotion, to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">shed each tear, and to hear her soft newborn cry for the first time...again</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i want meet our newest daughter for the first time...all over again. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it was...sublime. the closest way to relive it is to write it down, so here it is ...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">the early morning hours of saturday, march 5th, four weeks ago, my bags were just barely packed. my suitcase lay open on our bed as a scribbled checklist i had created days earlier lay next to it:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>batteries</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>camera</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>flip video camera</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>music</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>pillow with a colored pillow case</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>candles</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>snacks</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>fave lip gloss </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>baby name book</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>pc</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>extra memory cards... </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">brushes, headbands, and toiletry bags sat upon my messy bathroom counter.<i> </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>what to take? what to take?</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">a few days earlier than that, i had carefully washed three outfits for the new baby and placed them in large ziploc bags in my suitcase. each was made of the softest organic cotton i have ever felt and all three were white or soft white. i was happy with my choices...all gifts from my baby shower celebration. i carefully folded a crisp, white nightgown with tiny embroidered purplish grey flowers adorning the top...<i>i will wear this at the hospital the night the baby is born. </i>that was my plan, anyway.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">lavendar and peppermint oils, battery operated candles and sweet favors were thrown in a duffle with my favorite quilt at the last minute.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">i burned the birth music i had chosen to CD and decided i was tired and needed to rest, so at around 1 am-only 7 hours before we were due to be at the hospital, i ran the water for a bath. the kids had gone to stay at grandma and grandpas and jeff was fast asleep. the house quiet and dark, absurdly really quiet and dark. the most quiet it had ever been it seemed. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">i poured two capfulls of ________ into the running water and i touched my pregnant and very big belly and was suddenly very aware that it would be gone in a matter of hours.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">i felt the baby move and i closed my eyes, begging my brain to remember it exactly as it was at that moment. i felt the hard bump that often presented itself above my bellybutton. "it's the baby's bum," i had proudly shared with family and friends for the last 20 weeks or so. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">i was acutely aware that i wouldn't be saying that ever again. as i soaked in the tub, my eyes stinging with exhaustion and my mind racing with excitement, i touched my stomach and softly whispered to the baby how much i loved him or her. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">"i can't wait to meet you, sweetheart."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">tears started flowing. how i loved this belly and all the life that it held for 40 weeks and 3 days. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">i got out of the tub, and afraid i hadn't documented this little miracle enough, i began snapping photos with my iphone desperate to memorize the last hours of what will soon be gone. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">although, i knew things were only going to get sweeter, earlier in the day, i had been struggling with the fact that this beloved pregnancy was just about over. i would never again feel a baby kick and dance within my belly. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">i was grateful and blessed for the times i grew healthy babies, but i wasn't quite ready for it to be over and taking those last few moments to myself felt ceremonious and just what i needed to do to move on to the next step.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_1955.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_1955.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><i>i miss it.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">when the alarm went off, it felt like chrismas morning times 100. the excitement grew as i called friends, kelle and jenn... <b>wake-up...it's time to have a baby!</b> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">jeff was up and packing the car for the ten minute ride down the street. i applied my make-up and did my hair. jeff laughed at me each time he walked into the bathroom. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"jeff, i looked like marge simpson when i had beckham. i want to look better this time...even if i'm screaming in pain!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we picked up kelle on the way and it was starting to feel real. each of us carrying something, we checked in and took seats in the waiting room. my mind went to the last time i was sitting in this room...in this exact seat. i was pregnant with peyton. i had never done it before and i was scared. i tried to compare the two different experiences, but i was too excited to think through it all. all i knew...i was so happy. i was in the happiest place i could be. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">joan, the nurse that delivered peyton 7 years earlier, called us into triage. i cried as i changed into my hospital gown...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">this was it. the moments i had waited for and i was enjoying each and every second of it...even the open backed butt ugly hospital gown didn't bother, i was honored to be there wearing it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">they walked us into our room and kelle and i started crying at the bed where soon, my baby would lay and that adorable hat would be on my precious baby's head soon.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">the iv was in, they broke my water, jeff played it cool in the corner reading the name book, the candles were 'lit' and my girls were by my side</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-6-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-6-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-4-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-4-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-3-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-3-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we laughed and we cried a lot of happy tears. it was a good day. the best day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-14-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-14-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we talked about baby names and couldn't agree on much, which kept things interesting.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-11-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-11-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-10-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-10-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">if a hair was out of place...kelle and jenn knew to fix it immediately. we laughed later, as i telling a story, these two both jumped up at the same to time to smooth a flyaway hair from my face.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">in between being poked and prodded,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-17.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-17.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we laughed and cried as we anticipated the arrival of this little surprise baby.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-18-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-18-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><i>i can't believe the day is here!!! we are having a baby.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-9-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-9-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-16-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-16-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-19.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-19.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">i wish i could have bottled up the love, joy and happiness that was in the room that monday.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i had been waiting patiently, but i just wanted to hold him or her. i just wanted them to hand a warm, little body to me so i could breathe in the new sweetness and kiss the sweet lips i had been dreaming about. i wanted to be the one, the lucky one, the one whose baby the nurses would fuss over...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">wiping her off and shouting out apgar scores to one another. i wanted to look over to the right from my hospital bed and try to catch glimpses of the little human that jeff and i created. today, i was that girl. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">our third miracle would be joining our family of four very soon.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">i was feeling a range of emotions when my nurse joan said, "you are ten. you can push! do you want to push or do you want us to top you off first (epidural)?"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"what?! i'm ready to push. already?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i looked over to jeff, kelle and jenn, heart pounding and taken with a mixture of excitement and nerves. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"oh my gosh. it's time to push!" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">they all rushed to my side.</span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-22.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-22.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">but hey, mama's no fool...they topped me off first!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-21.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-21.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"> heard a medley of sentiments while waiting to push.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>you can do it, baby. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>heidi, you're going to meet your baby! </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">tears and hugs were shared. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">this was it. the moment i had dreamt of. the pure magical experience of counting and pushing and delivering a child. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">the lights were turned up, people in scrubs started filing in and the doctor slowly prepared himself, tugging at gloves and offering warm and encouraging smiles my way.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">kelle grabbed my hand. jeff kissed me. jenn giggled. we were giddy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">this was it. it was my turn to dance. to accept my reward. i was ready. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">like any woman and regardless of pushing a baby out into the world or meeting a specially chosen child that was born in your heart, it's what you feel before you meet your child for the first time. it's the kind of emotion reserved solely for occasions like, meeting your child for the first time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><div><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">like an unexpected tidal wave, the emotion washed over me relentlessly and while my carefully selected music played in the background...i began my work. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><i>push, heidi. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. good. you're doing great! we can see the head. black hair.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">i tried to taper the tears while pushing, but i couldn't. feeling fully present and realizing that magic was happening...i couldn't stop the salty water from falling. fyi: crying and pushing at the same time...not easy to do. also, it does not make for the effective use of a contraction. but she came fast and easily anyway. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i>omg, heidi. one more time, heidi... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. one more push and you will have your baby. you are doing awesome. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">"omg, really? you can? you can see the head? Turn up the song, number 1, number 1!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">feeling no pain, i felt her little body slide out of me. it was the most exhilarating release of emotion i have ever experienced...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">dr. gauta proudly lifted her up...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-23-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-23-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i heard her beautiful and tiny newborn cries and lost in the moment i said, "is that her crying?" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it was the most beautiful music. her cries were softer than i remembered with the others and i was overcome with joy. so much so, i forgot to look for the gender.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">kelle kept saying, "jeff and heidi, look. look what you have!" finally it dawned on me to check it out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i announced, "it's a girl!" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the doctor echoed me a second later.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">kelle ran over to me, her tear streaked face tattooed with love and happiness, "she's perfect, heidi. she's beautiful! sobbing, she said, "i'll go get more pictures and come back to show you."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-26.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-26.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-25-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-25-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-27.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-27.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">jenn clutched my hand and cried with me. "she's perfect, heidi! another little girl! oh, heidi! she's beautiful."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-28-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-28-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">jeff had been next to the warmer, next to his newest little girl...i could see the tears and just like that...this little surprise-holy-crapola-what-have-we-done-baby had captured her daddy's heart. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-30.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-30.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">finally, they brought her to me...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-33blur.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-33blur.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-31-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-31-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">and i looked into the eyes of my new baby girl for the first time...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-34-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-34-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">and she took my breath away. her beauty, her health. the color of her face, the chubby little arms, the thick blanket of dark hair that covered her perfectly round head. the cleft in her chin, a trademark of being siblings to peyton and beckham, i guess. she was amazing. she stopped crying when i held her for the first time. she stared at me. right at me. she was alert and her eyes wide open before she finally latched on to nurse. her skin next to mine was surreal. i was looking at this baby, but it was almost to good to be true. but she was. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">i finally had her in my arms. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-29-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-29-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we counted fingers and toes. compared our older babies to this new one. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"she looks like, beckham!" i said. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"peyton!' he said. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-37-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-37-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-36-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-36-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-35-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-35-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div>yes, the best was yet to come.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">peyton and beckham just left school and were on their way to meet their new baby. whenever i thought about peyton and beckham meeting their new baby always brought me to tears. i knew how happy they would be to finally meet this baby we had been talking about for so long.</span><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-39-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-39-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-40.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-40.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-41.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-41.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-42.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-42.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-43.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-43.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i can't find the adequate words to describe the amount of happiness and pride i felt at introducing peyton and beckham to their new baby.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"what kind a baby is it, mama?" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a baby girl.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">his face fell for just a moment as he really wanted a little brother to teach how to play hockey. he quickly recovered and ran over to shower her in delicate kisses.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-51.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-51.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-44.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-44.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-45.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-45.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">peyton's excitement over having a girl shone on her sweet face. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">they couldn't keep their hands off of her and for the first time, i realized what i had just given them. another person linked to them genetically, but more importantly, ivy was an extra person for them to love and learn from and ivy would offer them love back. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">they followed her around the room. she never left her sight. </span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-46.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-46.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">she will adore her big brother and sister. she will look up to them . want to be them. ivy will share things with them that she may not want to share with me one day. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">opportunity is what we gained that. the opportunity to love and be loved back from one more person...that kinda has to. we are a family. a new family of five. we are together united in the big beautiful world of so much good and so much bad too. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we have each other forever. and so we celebrated and toasted to our new girl and our new family.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-57.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-57.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-61.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-61.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-62.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-62.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-63.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-63.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-66.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-66.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-68.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-68.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-94.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-94.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-93.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-93.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-92.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-92.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>hello there, daughters of mine. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-89.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-89.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">such tender and sweet moments were shared this day. i'll never forget this day and i'll always be grateful that i was able to really share it with peyton and beckham. it's been just us for so long, but they were there when it all changed. they were a part of it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">our first family photos.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-87.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-87.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-86.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-86.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-80.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-80.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-79.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-79.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">and right about now, it hits me...this is our new crew. a family of five. feeling so in love and completely blessed</span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-83.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-83.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-82.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-82.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">happiness. that's all that is.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">peyton made me promise that she could hold the baby as much as she wanted.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we obliged her.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-118.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-118.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">she stuck to me like glue. bless her sweet, sweet heart.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-115.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-115.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-74.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-74.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-72.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-72.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-50.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-50.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-49.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-49.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>this picture slays me. i love this girl. she is so proud her baby. i love you, peyton mae.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-48.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-48.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">beckham is so tender with her. his away around her is natural and beautiful. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-117.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-117.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">we partied with our girl and our family and friends. it was epic.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-113.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-113.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the kids decorated her immediately. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-112.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-112.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">daddy looked proud and deeply in love and i couldn't help but remember that at one time in his life he had said, "i only want boys. i don't want to have to hurt a teenager going after my girls. i never want a girl." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i've seen this face before, seven years ago when we welcomed our, peyton mae. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-122.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-122.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">my dear jenn, clutched my hand and cried with me at the birth of our girl. someone who celebrates you or children like that, you hold onto them. tight. <i>xo</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_1919.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_1919.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-120.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-120.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">sito finally had the baby she had been wanting, i think she'll stop asking for another one now...for a minute at least.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-119.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-119.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">cousins loved on her.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-102.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-102.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and i watched my best friend welcome and love on my girl moments after she was born just as i had done to hers two years earlier. we were back in sacred space and we knew it. tears of pain and happiness were shed as we remembered where we were two years earlier and knowing how far we had come in so many ways in such a short time. we were blessed and things happened just as they were supposed to happen. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-99.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-99.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i watched my babies transform into protective big brother and sister within seconds of meeting her.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-116.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-116.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i saw friends rejoice in the magic of a new human, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-121.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-121.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-96.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-96.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and i heard mothers reminded of how tiny their own little one must of been once upon a time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-76.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-76.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we marveled at things that are normally taken for granted...hair and lots of it, ten healthy toes, a button nose. eyelashes, and tiny ears. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-70.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-70.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it was a party celebrating the little things.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_1978.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_1978.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog5-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog5-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog6-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog6-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog7-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog7-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">finally, it was time for me to make my victory walk. the olympic torch relays got nuttin' on being rolled out of your delivery room, with a tightly swaddled newbie in your lap that's all yours. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-106.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-107.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-107.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"> and to make it sweeter, my big girl was with me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-108.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-108.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">yup, you can look, but she's MINE! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-111.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-111.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and even though we had a minor glitch...we kinda named her two different names over the course of 24 hours...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">first we celebrated Josie Lynn (PB&J), we danced, we called people, i wrote it in her baby book and recorded it on video...the next day, it didn't feel right even though i loved the name. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the next day before the hospital all but sent in nurses to beat a name out of me, we decided on francesca, frankie for short. i started crying a minute later. it wasn't right. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">finally, daddy pulled a name from one our cast-off names...and Ivy Lynn it was. and it's perfect.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog4-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog4-7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-61-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-61-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-62-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-62-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=sb10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/sb10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-76-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-76-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-78-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-78-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">we finally, made it home. it was the best adventure. an amazing journey that started with a surprise positive sign on a pregnancy stick to the most beautiful and lucky little girl named ivy. and she is magic. every breath she takes...she's like sugar.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we are so lucky. truly, she is my little miracle.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">how did i get so lucky to have these three beings? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'm not sure, but i hit the jackpot, i think. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">xoxoxo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">i tried to post a video but it won't play at this time, i'll try again on the next post.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">**delivery music</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=birthcdcover.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/birthcdcover.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-63219053329277547132012-04-08T22:31:00.008-04:002012-04-09T12:15:40.577-04:00saying goodbye to an angel, my grandma.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i just wrote a tribute about my grandma...i knew it would bring up a lot of emotion and so it was hard to do. i spent hours writing it and i hit publish and...</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">nothing. all of my words lost. the screen stared it's white face at me. i wanted to punch it. hard.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i began to cry. the song playing now, in the garden, a fave of gram's is looping over and over and self-pity starts to take over my tired body and i feel my shoulders fall. defeat was settling in. then, something happened. i thought of her. what would i do if she were in the room with me right now?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, i began again except now, instead of sobbing... i began to laugh. the good, cleansing kind. she would want me to. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">if my gram were with me in this room right now, she would look at me and say something like, "oh, shit!" and then burst into hysterics. she would. and i would laugh right along with her and then start over again but not before eating a tomato sandwich on toasted bread with a dash of salt. she would insist on extra butter and a scoop of ice cream for dessert. she would feed her dog something from her plate and just laugh at something on tv. if the Love Connection were still being aired, it would be that she would be laughing at. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print3.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the last few weeks, in between little stretches of sleep, i have been writing about the day i pushed new life into this world and celebrating our new baby girl, ivy. i was forced to switch gears and observe a different kind of life event. just as important as birth, but not as happy or fun an occasion. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">two nights ago, my dear, dear beautiful <a href="http://www.heididarwish.com/2011/07/i-suck-but-giveaway-helps-right.html">grandmother died</a>. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we knew it was coming, but i still wasn't prepared. she lived months longer than expected and i kept thinking that maybe they were wrong. maybe she would live longer. maybe she was an exception. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she's gone. i am so sad. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i am feeling desperate to talk to her just one more time...to tell her i love her. to hold her hand just one more time. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>do you want me to bring you over some plums? where do you want to today? anywhere you want. the casino? mars? venus? you name it. i'll take you there. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it's not fair and yet it is because losing grandparents is a normal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">occurrence</span>, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">i'm</span> missing her so much. i want her here with me or a phone call away. i don't want to fly into detroit knowing that i won't be seeing her the next day. i. want. her. back. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">only a month ago, i sat on my hospital bed as i dialed her number, "it's a girl, grandma! it's a girl." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she cooed over the line in her most sweet and soft voice, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">awwwww</span>. it is. it's a girl! what's her name?" i could hear the smile in her voice and i was so grateful for the moment. "promise me that you will bring her here to see me. promise."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"I promise, grandma. I'll be there for sure."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we celebrated the little girl that surprised us with her life...surely, ivy will meet her great-grandmother. everything was perfect. i knew that when ivy was a month old, i would take a solo trip to see my gram. maybe ivy's youth and love could heal her in some way. irrational? maybe but i was holding onto that. why not hope? i love to hope.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the night before she died, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">jeff</span> reserved me a ticket. <i>one night</i>. we were so close and my heart is broken. she wanted to meet ivy and she never will and the finality of that is...sad. so sad. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_0600-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_0600-1.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">my uncle called me two mornings ago, all i heard was sobbing. "she's gone, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">heidi</span>. she's gone."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it took my breath away. i would never get to speak to her again. hear her say, "hi, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">heidi</span>" when i called her. it was over. everything seemed quieter to me after that or maybe the grief grew louder. it's as if things were moving in slow motion. death is bizarre like that, i think. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">he asked me to make calls for him. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, i made myself snap out of the fog long enough to listen to direction. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">that morning, i slowly called my mom to tell her that her mother was gone. i could tell that my phone call had woken her, but i was crying and i knew that i had to tell her quickly. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">after i said the words, i listened as my mom tried to process what i just said. i <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">heartbreakingly</span> listened to her ask me question after question. questions, i couldn't answer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">sadness swept over me as i heard her try to accept that i was speaking of her mother. i had to repeat myself four times before she grew completely silent. my mom shares my gram's heart. she is unassuming and sweet and her soft early morning voice sounded desperate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i knew that she would then have to call her own siblings and share with them the news. i wanted to take her pain away.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">in a weird way, that phone call was sacred. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">i'll</span> never forget it and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">i'll</span> always be proud of my mom for that day. torn between grieving for her mother and protecting her own me. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">death is so weird </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">but the value of it is in the perspective one gains from it, i guess.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">life is precious and the death of a loved one reminds us of that. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it should remind us to ignore the small stuff and focus on the big, important things like love, happiness, and laughter. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it reminds me that life, each and everyday is a gift...a gift to be respected and cared for. it's worth it to make an effort to live each day doing something we love to be doing. something small or something big, but something.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we should tell the people we love...we love them. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">why do so many wait? call someone you love and say it...I LOVE YOU.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we should call our parents, grandparents, friends and offer to be there for when they need us even if they already know that we are there. remind the people that we love and care about<i>, i'm here for you. i care about you. i think about you. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">colleen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">mae</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">irvine</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">an amazing and unassuming woman. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_2779.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_2779.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she had four kids and a bunch of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">grand kids</span> that loved her dearly. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_2774.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_2774.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the woman who helped me develop, at an early age, a love for soup in a coffee cup and mustard and cheese sandwiches.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i grew out of those things, but ill never forget the effort she put into making sleepovers at her house special.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_2769.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_2769.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_2767.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_2767.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">her sometimes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">inappropriate</span> and blunt sense of humor made her one of the funniest people i have ever known. seriously, the woman was witty. she didn't know how funny she was or how FUN she was to be around. there was not one moment that i spent with her that i did not enjoy. i mean that so genuinely. not one moment lost. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she was sensitive and passed down her talent for crying at movies and commercials at the drop of a dime to the rest of the girls in the family. and the movie, Imitation of Life...her fave. she always told us about how the end of that movie made her sob like a baby...and i can attest to that. we've watched it together several times just to torture ourselves. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-15-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-15-4.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-59-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-59-1.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_0800.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_0800.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_1352.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_1352.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she adored animals and she liked chocolate and all fruit and could often be found skipping meals to indulge in those things. she never left the house without her lipstick and she always smelled like estee lauder perfume and ponds cold cream. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she's always been there for us...for me. from first love to first heartache. new babies and getting old. there has never been one moment in my life that i havent felt that i couldn't talk to her about sanyting. it didn't matter. i could say what i wanted and her gift to me several times has been making me feel like everything is going to be okay. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">there is not much more valuable than that, peace of mind, to a scared teenage or new wife, or new mom. she was there for all of it. if i came to her with an issue, she had a knack for saying something simple, but true and then throwing in a joke and a laugh for good measure. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">that was all she would do, and i would feel better. she made anything less of a big deal. after speaking to her, i knew all would be okay. i just knew. if gram was laughing about it or blowing it off...it was okay. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she was unconditional. unconditional. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">my last baby will never meet one of the most important women in my life, but she will know that grandma loved her so much anyway. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-4.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">gram felt the baby mover here. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i will tell her that grandma and i celebrated her and that gram really wanted me to have a girl;) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-8-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-8-3.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_2738.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_2738.png" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">ill show her this photo, that a week before she died, gram did get to 'meet' her. (via <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">instagram</span>)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i will never let my babies forget their great-grandma's loving heart.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-24-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-24-1.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print5.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print4.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_0810.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_0810.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">they will learn unconditional love because of the way she loved me...all of us. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-11-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-11-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-3-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-3-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">as i sit here writing these words and digging up photos, i'm overwhelmed by both sadness and gratitude. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i am so grateful that i had this woman in my life for as long as i did. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i hope she knows how much i adored her. that is my one hope. i think she did.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_2778.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_2778.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she's been here for a very long time. we are all going to miss her so much. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">my mom, aunt and uncles are hurting so deeply right now. i hope they know how much gram loved them and how i know that gram will live on in them and we are all so lucky to have them in our lives. it's a time for grieving and healing. things will be good again. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=IMG_2776.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/IMG_2776.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>gram, i miss you. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i> i miss your face. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>i miss your jokes, your laughter and your kindness but you will always live in my heart. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">thank you for being your lovely self. thank you for always laughing even when things weren't fun...oh and gram, thank you for always drinking a beer for heather and i due to our pressuring you. you did it to make us laugh and we knew you really wanted the beer;)<i> </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>bottom's up, gram. we love you so so much. i love you, gram. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid296.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm178%2Fpeytonbecks%2F2012%2520JANUARY%2520New%2FVID00024-20110622-1911.mp4"></embed></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">xoxoxoxxo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-20189757089703295082012-03-12T23:43:00.002-04:002012-03-13T00:20:53.009-04:00our little, ivy lynn...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">oh, i have so much to write, to share, and remember. i can't wait to write about her birth and how perfect it was. from driving up to the hospital that monday morning with butterflies in my stomach to the moment i pushed her out into this world...the experience from beginning to end was simply magical. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a dream. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">a dream i wish i could dream every single day of my life. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we are soaking her in. her littleness. her sweetness. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we are getting to know our little, ivy lynn. in a few days i will write all about the moment we met our newest girl, but for now, here are a few photos of our new family of 5. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we are happy and healthy and everything just seems right. the only hard part, is putting her down. i stare at her all day long. i can't stop breathing her in. watching peyton and beckham love her or thanking God for the family he has given us. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-15-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-15-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-4-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-4-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-3-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-3-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-7-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-7-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-5-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-5-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-6-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-6-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i want to say thank you for all of the prayers, well wishes and love sent our way the last year, but more importantly the last week. i have read every comment. and each one i can feel the love from each of you. i have cried while reading most of them because i can feel the support and it feels good to know so many have read our story and celebrated along with us. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">wish i could have you all over for a big lasagna dinner. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">thank you. XOXO </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">**i realized tonight, that i didn't update my blog with her name last wednesday when we named her. i had been updating my facebook and instagram regularly but not my blog. i'm sorry about that. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">*if you would like to see photos more regularly, i post them on the iphone app called Instagram. my name there is @heidiwish if you'd like to take a look. </span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-91827773272083232882012-03-05T21:38:00.002-05:002012-03-05T21:45:00.545-05:00A Very Special DayToday, we welcomed ...<br /><br />Another daughter.<br /><br /><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=print67.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/print67.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Yes, it's a girl. She doesn't have a name yet, but she is beautiful and she is ours.<br /><br />We are over the moon in love. More to come.<br /><br /><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=print69.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/print69.jpg" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com133tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-39979900761822805362012-02-24T12:12:00.009-05:002012-02-26T22:37:48.806-05:00at the end of the day, it's all about gratitude.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the last few weeks have been filled with survival mode tactics in order to keep myself moving forward and doing the things i want to do, have to do, and need to do. being pregnant was exciting for the first months of my pregnancy, but doing what we women do everyday... run a household, a family, and my own business took top billing. still, when i go to sleep at night, i feel grateful for every little bit of the day. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i told myself that after christmas i would relax and bask in the glow of a new baby coming. i would wash and fold miniture blankets, booties, and onesies. i would conceptualize design plans for the new nursery and then attack and have everything done and ready for the arrival no later than two weeks prior to due date. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i had grand dreams of spending every spare moment i had to my little ones. peyton and beckham have been the two loves of my life for so long, that i wanted to show them, prove to them...<i>you both will always be my babies. i'll love you forever and ever and nobody will ever take away the special memories or bonds we have made together</i>. i thought we'd take weekly picnics to the beach, host a lemonade stand, go on an overnight trip to a hotel just for the fun of it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#333333;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">i've just wanted to soak in every little moment of alone time that i can with them. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">cover their little faces with kisses. possibly award myself with a 'medal' for the most times somebody can say<i> i like you, i love you, you make me happy, i'm so lucky to be your mommy! </i></span></span></p><div style=" ;font-size:small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-13.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">we've doing the cuddle and kisses part of that grand plan, but the truth is we haven't done a whole lot of outtings or special trips. i wanted to, but it just didn't happen. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">mamas been out of commission. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">life happened and feeling exhausted has kind of taken over my life at the moment. i'm like the happiest tired person i know. floating on cloud and dreaming of our new family while laying down every twenty minutes for a few before getting up to do something that needs to be done before sitting down again to rest. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">and while we have done some baby preparations...washing and folding clothes, decorating a nursery as much as i can without knowing the gender of this one, and taking little game and walk breaks with peyton and becks...we've done less than i wanted to and now the time has just about come to welcome a new one to the darwish clan! </span></span></p><p style="font-size: small; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><br /></span></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">feeling a bit badly about not doing as much has given me the much needed push to do more the last week or so...that or a surge of energy has finally come my way...i'll take it thank you very much!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and although we squeeze in games of chutes and ladders or a game of memory only some of the time, this mama does not fall short in the giving love department. i hope these kids have felt how much especially these last 9 months...because quite frankly in so many other arenas i've plain sucked. i admit it. i'm holding up my flag. but in loving these babies...not so much. loving...well loving is easy and well, i think i'll let all the other stuff go!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#333333;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#333333;">photos taken at naples botanical gardens last month with my point and shoot)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we have crammed so much celebration, work and love into the last few months and while i have failed at sharing most of it, however; my friend has not...so i'll poach from her stash of photos...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=blog6-27.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/blog6-27.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=blog4-26.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/blog4-26.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">there were hanging flowers, twinkling candles, and sweet friends everywhere i looked. it was a magical evening, one i will never forget...ever. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=blog10-25.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/blog10-25.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Oh, and homemade pizza by the fabulous wylie! thank you, wylie xoxo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=blog8-26.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/blog8-26.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=blog9-25.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/blog9-25.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=blog13-24.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/blog13-24.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=blog15-25.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/blog15-25.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/?action=view&current=blog16-23.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh296/kascryder/Holiday%202011/blog16-23.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a long overdue thank you to my best friend, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/kellehampton.com">kelle</a> for putting your creative mind in overdrive and generous spirit to work to throw me perhaps the most beautiful and touching baby celebration i could never even have hoped for. it was full of love, cheer, good noshes, clinking wine glasses, and messages to baby on quilted baby bunting...thank you, bells. i love you so much. i can't wait to return the favor one of these days!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">feeling grateful for the friends i have that have celebrated this baby like nobody's business. the calls, the- how are you feeling texts?, the cards, the emails...it's like everyday somebody is telling me how happy they are for us and i feel overwhelmed with the amount of love and support we have had around us. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'm feeling the most toward my peyton and beckham. they are like air to me. i simply adore these two little people and like any decent parent, i want them to grow up to be the best and happiest they can be and trying to model the this way of life feels like a full-time job sometimes, one that i am not the best at every single day...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog4-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog4-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-5-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-5-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">...i hope all they really need is our love...and the best that we can do for them, teaching them and modeling what we think are the really important parts of life that they need to know...kindness, generosity, contentment, friendship, gratiude for the smallest little things. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-10-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-10-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-11-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-11-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog5-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog5-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we spent an evening together, just the three of us. we were full of sand in places that shouldn't have sand in them, but it was worth every granule. it had been a super hot day but as the sun set, the temperature went down and the wind spiked up a bit...just enough to cool us off from a long hot day!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the next day we met peyton at school for lunch. she always requests micky d's on these days and sometimes i say no, but this day i said. yes! i felt like i was feeding my kid some kind of poisonous substance, but hey...all is moderation, right? thats my story. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-37.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-37.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-36.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-36.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">beckham cries each time we leave, "I want to be in KINDEEEERRRRRRGARTEN too!!!!" so this photos was obviously was taken prior to the, "we need to leave in ten minute speech!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so we went home and made cookies</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-33.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-33.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">not these, rather chocolate chip oatmeal with flaxseed. i subbed the raisins for ghiradelli semi sweets and i used old-fashioned oat...the best kind!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-34.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-34.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-35.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-35.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">then, we jammied up for an early night and ate cookies and watched funniest home videos...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-32.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-32.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">sometimes, i worry about how our lives will be changing will effect these two little ones. it's just been the two of them for so long.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-39.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-39.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-38.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-38.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">they do so much together...this includes a lot of fighting, but mostly they have formed this bond together. one that comes from living together...depending upon one another to do certain things. they each have their own roles. the boss and the subordinate. the boy and the girl. the sweet and thoughtful to the selfish and irritable. they each take turns sharing these roles and regardless of how the apples on any given day...these two love each other. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">they feel safe together. innately, they are protective of one another and so when push comes to shove..."BE NICE TO MY SISTER!" (often told to the little neighbor boy who tackles our little guy a tad too roughly while playing football)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"Mama, can we buy a treat for beckham too?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog5-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog5-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i love that it's always been just...peyton and beckham and i wonder how Tagalong will fit in. i worry about it sometimes knowing that this baby will bring so much joy and wonder into our lives, but on the flip side i know there will be challenges. it's normal and i fully expect it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-18.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-18.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;">peyton making her valentine box. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=familypic.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/familypic.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it's been the four of us for so long...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=dwishfam.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/dwishfam.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we know how to do this</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog18.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog18.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we are a foursome and turning into a family of five is surreal, somewhat scary, and... amazing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog11.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog11.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and i'm feeling grateful for all of the time we've been able to spend together. making memories and sharing space. it feels amazing to be able to let another little body into our world, our space, our lives!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we've been preparing as a family for our new arrival. there is a buzz in the house, not always spoken, but we know something big is about to happen.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">'cause their ain't nothin' more life changing than adding a person to one's family. nuttin' honey. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we're nesting together....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog4-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog4-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">cleaning.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">restoring.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog4-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog4-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">old dresser bought for a hundred bucks. jeff painted like three base coats, i then waxed the corners where i wanted it look distressed, and then sanded it down in other areas to give it the 'old' effect. i had to paint the panels twice bc the first coat i HATED the color of. after pic shows mismatched knobs i splurged on from anthro. if i have a boy, i'll have to return the flower knobs, but i couldn't resist buying them when i was in the store.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">creating.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">took a piece of pegboard, painted a beautiful shade of blue and then added molding that i, yes, i faux painted myself. i'm pretty proud of it! most of all, it gave me a full cabinet worth of extra space in my kitchen which i needed so badly.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"> jeff, you rock for making so many things that tickle my fancy. you have done so much. xo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the nursery doesn't look like much here, but it's a work in progress...it looks beautiful right now. more photos to come. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-15-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-15-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">jenn and i went antiquing, so we have lots of goodies to work on now</span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-23.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-23.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-24.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-24.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-25.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-25.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-28.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-28.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog4-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog4-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-29.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-29.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">we had so much fun in arcadia, florida...it was an amazing day of rummaging through old and forgotten treasures. of course, we laughed non-stop and we finished it off with a well-deserved rustic dinner. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-31.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-31.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">jenn is like a source of never ending inspiration...and she crazy like me! xo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-6-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-6-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-14-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-14-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">kelle, rebecca and i found some golden light in a place that probs looks a lot like heaven. kelle found this orange grove last year and it delivered for my first trip. it smells like an array of citrus freshness. rows and rows of trees and perfect orbs of orange love. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-12-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-12-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-4-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-4-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we grabbed our buckets and went to work at filling them up.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-15-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-15-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we explored...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-9-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-9-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-7-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-7-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-2-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-5-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-5-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-18-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-18-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-8-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-8-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">we made out like bandits...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, i made chicken stir fry with the oranges and i will include a recipe with the next post, because sister is having a heat stroke right now while typing these words so i need to power down asap;)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog6-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog6-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, i am thinking that i may be having a baby this week! yes, i think i am! i LOVE saying that. so, i will be posting again before i deliver our little bundle of love...or so i hope so because i want to savor every last moment of this pregnancy and this bump. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">being and feeling grateful is a gift that i try not to take for granted. for even when things feel like they are falling apart at. the. seams. there is always something to be grateful for. health of my kids always tops the list. so even when i'm thinking life sucks today...i get into bed and begin to have my little convo with God and by word one...i'm feeling good. grateful. lucky.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, goodnight for now. enjoy the oscars! for i am attending a pajamma glamma party and i have to say, emma stones's dress... ahhhhhhmaaaaaaaaazzzzingly stunning!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">xoxoxoxo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">my favorite december iphone photos</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-28937808592660194642012-01-24T07:19:00.004-05:002012-01-27T12:11:34.645-05:00what's in my bag today!; a recipe; and an explanation of ignorance.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, i promised to explain why a photographer should never leave home to shoot an event without a backup camera. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and while this may seem like common sense to just about everyone and their brother, so is no texting while driving... we all need a reminder from time to time. every once in a awhile, somebody else's misfortunes will help another. so please, allow me to take one for the team and remind you... It Can Happen To You. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">allow me to break down {my near breakdown} how One Very Smart and Somewhat Paranoid</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"> [her equipment will break down</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">] Photographer, we will call her...heidi, found herself <i>oooooohhhhhhh nooooooooooooing </i>it with maybe a few more choice words after her camera's. SHUTTER. stopped. working.in. the. middle. of. a...WEDDING!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">!@#$%</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">!@#$%</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">!@#$%</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">okay, let me take you back a bit...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it's four days after christmas. it was a lovely christmas, which i haven't blogged about yet! however, about two after the big day and the holiday season of photography sessions almost to an end, i crashed so hard that if my water were to have broken right there on the couch, quite possibly i would labored and given birth to healthy 20 pound baby all while sleeping through the whole thing. i. was. out. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i had been excited about shooting this wedding as i knew it was going to be an intimate affair, which are by the the way, my favorite kind of weddings to shoot! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a few days before and in between sleeping and eating...i charged all batteries, checked flashes, cleaned and packed extra memory cards, dusted lenses, packed my new <a href="http://shootsac.com/thebasicshootsac.aspx">AWESOME bag</a>, and yes, it is as great as everybody says it it. i packed my second bag with additional lenses, cloth to wipe down lens faces, a bottle of water to stave off dehydration and a small ziploc bag of raw almonds. i included a list of creative ideas i had been inspired to come up with throughout the the last few months and...i felt pretty good except for one thing. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i didn't have a backup camera. i usually do have one when i need one, but this time i didn't because it had stopped working some time earlier. the original plan was that my best friend and amazing <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.kellehampton.com">photog</a> was going to be with me to shoot the wedding. it was a long ride and i wanted the company, so we thought we would make a day of it. a few hours of shooting and a few hours of playing around the fishing village we were going to be located. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">well, i guess this is where i can blame everything on her, LOL!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"> totally kidding</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">. because, she went away on a surprise birthday trip to michigan that weekend and there went my backup camera. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the night before the wedding i had this horrible feeling that something bad was going to happen the next day. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>would i get into a car accident?</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>would my camera break during the wedding?</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">these were the two thoughts that kept looping through my head all night and day of the wedding. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">when i talked to jeff about it...he blew me off. "heidi, you've had a hundred shoots in the last two months and nothings gone wrong. why would it now?" so, maybe i can blame it all on him?! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">nah, can't pin it to anybody but me. it was all me. i take it!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">his logic did seem to put me at ease. i had had 13 photography sessions in december and even more in november. hadn't had one problem. <i>why would something happen now? at a wedding? smack in the middle of two people's most important day? </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, i carried on with the shoot with the thinking that yes, i should have a backup camera but since i don't, there is no reason to believe that anything will happen today of all days. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i drove an hour to the wedding clutching my wheel as if the tires were going to blow at any moment. when i finally made it to the wedding location, i realized i had been so nervous on the drive up, that my breathing was weird . i finally, let out a long and relieved breath and i said out loud...to myself because i guess i'm crazy like this, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>you made it. you are here. you will rock out this wedding. you know what you are doing, now do it!</i> and right after that a simple prayer, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">"dear god, thank you for getting me here safely. please, if something bad happens to me today, please see my kids through it and if something bad happens at the wedding today, please see me though it. i love you. amen."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">then, i called jeff and kelle and said..."something doesn't feel right."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">kelle said, "you will be awesome. you are never like this. promise you will be fine." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">i didn't believe her but i carried on and started doing and enjoying my job. the light was beautiful, the bride and groom were in love, and i heard some birds singing in the background. it was a good day. i was in my groove and i FINALLY relaxed. nothing bad was going to happen! i was a freak. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">after i completed the first look photos and the ceremony, thank goodness for that, i was smack dab in the middle of taking the family formals. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the handsome groom and his beautiful mother were standing arm in arm, soaking in the moment when...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">ERROR 30</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">ERROR 30</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">all i could hear was the horrible sound of a shutter that wouldn't budge. people around me seemed unaware of my near nervous breakdown as i tried several times to revive my lifeless camera. i dropped to the lawn and began CPR on my beloved canon 50d. i tried powering off my unit, changing batteries, memory cards. i think i even kissed it and promised it french fries after the wedding. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">dead. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">when i knew i had to look up and face the confused groom and his mother, i was overcome with fear and guilt. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i started kicking my own butt. it was my fault. i knew better than to not have a working backup. now, i would have to tell them everything was going to be okay, but i didn't know how it was going to be. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i felt the soft, and suddenly cold, damp grass on my knees and realized that all i wanted to do was cry and run away. i quickly recovered. this was their wedding. i had to do something. fix it. make it better. i was heidi darwish photography...memory catcher. it was up to me because they were depending on me. i hoisted my big self off of the ground and calmly walked over to the bride. i explained what was going and i ended it with, "everything is going to be okay. i'm going to figure this out." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she should have slapped me right there, scolded me for being so irresponsible, started crying and told me i ruined her day. the most important day of her life so far. but she didn't...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"oh, it's okay. you know what i'm thinking...thank goodness you got jon and mine's pictures earlier. that's all i care about!" then she flashed me a huge smile and said it was okay. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">was she an angel bride? god sent her to me that was all i knew. her understanding and excepting manner only made my mission to save the moment all that stronger. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">suddenly, my adrenaline was pumping throughout my body and i could hear my own heartbeat. i saw someone i knew across the lawn...she was a guest at the wedding and also a friend and client of mine...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>she just bought an slr camera for christmas, don't know what kind, but i'll ask if she has it.</i> if she doesn't have one, i'll move on to other tactics. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">i ran across the lawn...picture hugely pregnant person racing across a field in the florida heat. it couldn't have been a pretty sight. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">"leah, do you have your camera with you?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><b>"yes, but i forgot my battery! why?"</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">i wilted. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">"my camera just stopped working. please, can you grab your camera and let me see if my battery will work in it."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">i knew it was not going to work, but i wasn't sure what else to say or do. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">she pretty much RAN back to the hotel, grabbed her camera and ran back to me. while i was waiting with her husband, he said it would be okay while he was stirring what looked like to a <a href="http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink582.html">mojito</a>. it was icy green and i, in my bewildered and desperate state of mind, pregnant too, thought it would be a normal thing to grab the drink out of his hand and begin gulping it down my throat. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">no, i didn't do that, but it crossed my mind and that was bad enough. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">leah comes back and hands me her camera. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">GET THIS...YOU will NEVER believe this....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">IT WAS THE SAME CAMERA. it was my camera. a canon 50D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what were the odds of this?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">my battery fit, my cards, it was a perfect match. i made out with leah, promised her my next child, and a free photo shoot and ran away with her camera to pick up where i left off with the bride and groom. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i had an hour left of shooting and it went off without a hitch. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">can you believe it? my story ended well, but it could have been so. much. worse. i get chills whenever i retell this story and i think it's good to tell it. to remind people, myself what can happen. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">also, intuition. listen to yourself. if i had really listened to myself, things may have been different. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we lost about ten minutes of shoot time, but it could have been worse. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'm pretty sure HE did see me through this. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so... in a nutshell...get a backup camera. if you are shooting any kind of event...it's worth the investment!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i have to leave, so i will quickly let you all know <b><i>what it is in my bag</i></b> at the moment:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">I have a Canon 50 D which will soon be my backup camera as i will be ordering the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583953-REG/Canon_2764B003_EOS_5D_Mark_II.html">Canon 5D mark ii</a> or whatever canon decides to come up with in (crossing fingers) march. yes, there are rumors out there that canon is bringing out another camera to replace the 5d mark ii. these are rumors, so if they do not...the Canon 5d it will be because that camera rocks my world. i have shot with it before and it's ahhhhhh maaaaaaa ZING!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">my favorite lens evah:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">Canon 50mm 1.2 L </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">(used to have the 1.4 and i LOOOOOVED it)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12182-USA/Canon_2519A003_85mm_f_1_8_USM_Autofocus.html">Canon 85 mm 1.8</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">LOVE. super buttery bokeh.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">up until yesterday, i had the Canon 24-70 L 2.8.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">loved it's wide angles but was not happy with the sharpness, so i am shopping now for either the </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">16mm prime lens</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">or the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486708-USA/Canon_1910B002AA_EF_16_35mm_f_2_8L_II.html">16-35mm</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'll let you know which one i go with. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">last lens:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680103-USA/Canon_2751B002_EF_70_200mm_f_2_8L_IS.html">Canon 70-200mm 2.8</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, let me just conclude that i didn't start out with l series lenses. i worked my way up. when i started making money, consistent money, i would save to buy for a lens that i wanted. i have sold lenses that i no longer use and made up some of the money that way too. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i started with a 50mm 1.8 and worked up to a 50mm 1.4. if i had a little money to spend and wanted to practice shooting and yield good results, then the 50mm 1.4 is like the best bang for your buck! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i have to run, but if you have any questions, email me at heididarwish@gmail.com and if i can help out...i will!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and because i am wanting to post some photos of my babies and i don't have time because i have a baby appointment, here is one...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">shot with my little point and shoot camera!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and here is one of Tagalong:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">at 31 weeks!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">xoxoxoxoxxo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">happy shooting!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">oh and the recipe for my citrus rolls that i have been asked for, i posted last year. here is the <a href="http://www.heididarwish.com/2011/01/christmas-new-years-and-resolution-or.html">link</a>...enjoy!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">xoxoxox</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-19104011357591136232012-01-20T20:28:00.003-05:002012-01-20T23:38:45.042-05:00a photographers, OH NO!; a big ass; and feeling blessed<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'm just going to keep it extremely real here...i have no excuse for not posting a single syllable or megapixel of a photo in nearly three weeks, but i can tell you...i've probably been eating...or sleeping...or making some random excuse as to why, "i just can't. I just can't get off of this couch unless the house in burning down."</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i am so tired. i have been so tired. blessed with a slew of amazing people who wanted me to take their photos for the holiday season, i have finally granted the fatigue to wash over this hugely pregnant body like a wave might slap you in the face, when you didn't know it was coming and it leaves you breathless and unable to save yourself. gasping...for...air...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">yes, i let the proverbial handsome *lifeguard, carry me to shore and take care of the rest. my *husband has been amazing...he's taken over many things that i have stopped doing and has basically just walked on by the big hump of a {beautiful} belly-lounging in bed with not much more than a cock of his head to one side and a chuckle. a chuckle that i am assuming can only LOVINGLY mean, 'could you be more useless?' </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">but he doesn't say those words...instead he usually</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "> offers me a skinny cow ice cream sandwich with a chaser of orange juice, shaken-not stirred poured over crushed ice. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">yes, sleep, oj, and ice cream sandwiches may as well be a free trip to paris in the spring. at this moment in time, i can't imagine loving anything more than these three luxuries. well, maybe a chocolate filled croissant.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, after trying to catch up on just about everything this these last few days...i started feeling a tad overwhelmed. i felt the cold and unmistakable feeling of sadness start to creep into my mind. with only 6 more weeks left to prepare, i started to feel like maybe i hadn't been organizing my time wisely and had possibly taken on more than i could chew. i stopped sleeping well; i hopped around the house like a bunny looking at all of the piles of crap i had to deal with...clean out this closet and that one; paint that, distress the other; spend quality time with the kids; cook A meal, get those photos out; answer those emails; call back...my list is growing and i'm about to put out an all call to my sisters and mom to please get out here asap to help me not lose my mind.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i was in the process of losing my mind and my delightful personality-until i woke this morning and started laughing at how RIDICULOUS i had been allowing myself to feel. i have absolutely nothing to be upset about. it's laundry and cluttered closets...how bad could it really be?!?!?! i decided...not that bad. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i reminded myself that i couldn't be happier about what is about to happen to us in such a short time and i don't want to spend my last few weeks of life-as-we-know-it feeling all overwhelmed and stressed. besides...boooo hooooo- i've got nothing to complain about...really...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">LIFE</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">IS</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">GOOD.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">our bean is growing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-13-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-13-1.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the doc said the baby is a tad on the small side, but i'm not worried. both of my babies were on the small side and my lower half will be happy about that when the time comes to, 'bear down!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i haven't seen my feet in a long while</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-6.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and i'm loving every single second of this little miracle.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-5.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-4-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-4-1.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i don't want this pregnancy to end...i know it has to but i just love feeling this little body move around in the tight space that it has left. it is even more magical this time, but only because it is tangible right now. soon, i will almost forget what it's like. time will dull the memory, so i will savor each and every last nano second of this baby belly as i know it is my last. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a few weeks ago, i went to michigan to see {and say goodbye} to my sweet, sweet gram. i am told that she will not likely make it through january, so i flew there last month while i could still safely fly. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i went home with one goal in mind: to enjoy my grandma and to spoil her rotten, like she used to my sister and i when we were little. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the plan:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a sleepover and all that goes with it short of spin the bottle and new kids on the block tapes playing over and over again. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i had big plans... to do her hair and make-up, paint her nails, watch a girl movie and eat like there was no tomorrow. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we didn't get to all of that, but we did laugh</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-8.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we did eat</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-15.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we dug up old photos of old boyfriends</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-16.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-16.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" /></a></span></div><div></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and maybe an ex-husband (and our gramps) too! she ripped him to pieces in the most loving and hysterical way...the way someone might if they've known someone forever and when their words have no consequences or any real mallice...it's just plain funny! she is one funny lady!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-9.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">she felt my baby move.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-1.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">don't let the above photo move you to tears...she was super annoyed at me for trying to get her to feel the baby move when it was moving... it would stop each time she placed her cold hand on my tummy. however, i was determined to get her to 'touch' that baby. to connect with him or her just once. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"um heidi, i think you are a crazy person. the baby is NOT moving!!!" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i looked over at my sister and declared defeat with my eyes and then we started laughing like we were in the audience of america's funniest home videos. gram didn't know what was going on, so she just started laughing too. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">my story will always be that she felt the baby move that day. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">life is constantly changing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-11.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-11.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">babies turn into toddlers and then school age children</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-10.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">young and vibrant matures to experience and wisdom</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;">(mom, gram, and i)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-3-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-3-1.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and in some ways...more beautiful. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i said my goodbyes to my grandma over at our favorite mexican food restaurant. i didn't actually say goodbye, but i know it will be the last time i see her. i ran to the bathroom that day about every ten minutes to have a good cry in the bathroom stall that i feel i have a relationship with now. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">each time i returned, my gram looked at me and said something hysterical...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"heidi, why you sure are getting fat! ha, your butt is getting big!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and when i would start singing christmas music at the table to keep the mood light, she would look at me with one of her, what the hell is wrong with you faces and say something like, "heidi, i think you need to stick with your day job!" and my personal fave of the afternoon was, "you are ruining my lunch!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">this new sense of humor comes from the place she is in now. i think it lets her be a little more free with her thoughts and words and i couldn't have been more honored to be there and to let her tear into my sister and i and then, the next breath...laughter. laughter that didn't seem to stop the entire lunch. it was a unique and special way to end our physical time together. over beef enchiladas, extra brown gravy and double rice, no beans. we laughed and loved and my heart said a sweet goodbye to the woman who has shaped a lot of who i am today. i'm not ready to say goodbye, but i will when i have to. until then, i know she's always good for a real laugh.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i call my gram throughout the weeks now, and she sounds amazing. she sounds like herself most days and i find myself praying for a miracle, but if i don't get to ever hold her hand again, or breath in her smell...pond's cold cream and estee lauder eau de toilette...i know i'll always have the times we have spent together. and in talking about gram; i know that will call her first thing in the morning because i miss her so much. i'll probably tell her that peyton asked, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"mommy, when there is a baby growing in your belly and your belly gets big, does that mean your butt grows too?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i think she'll like that one;) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">and to end tonight's post even though i could go on forever, let me tell you a little story in a nutshell</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">{i will give you all of the gory details in the next post which i PROMISE will be on monday}</span></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">especially if you fancy yourself a photog, like myself...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>NEVER EVER SHOOT A WEDDING OR MAJOR EVENT WITHOUT A BACKUP CAMERA</i>...ever!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">for now, i will share with you the BEAUTIFUL bride and groom, Jon & Lesa. i had the pleasure of capturing their big day a few days after christmas. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">can i just say, this bride is as amazingly beautiful inside as she is on the outside. i have never met a more thoughtful and kind person on their wedding day. a day that should be all about the bride, she constantly thought of others, including me. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">lesa and jon, thank you for making my job, if you can call it that, so enjoyable and fun!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">here is your sneak peek of your First Look:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog4-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog4-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">lesa and jon opted to see one another before the ceremony and i'm so glad they did. the bride and i found a hiding spot in the woods and waited for jon to spy his girl in the white dress...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog2-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog3-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog3-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and my favorite...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=blog8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/blog8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">because you can see how much she loves her man.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">XOXO</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">on monday, what's in my bag...because i've been getting asked that lately and my photography horror story and my recipe for my citrus cream cheese rolls!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/?action=view&current=print-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2012%20JANUARY%20New/print-7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-24261076435093307732011-12-24T16:15:00.002-05:002011-12-24T17:50:32.340-05:00Twas' the NIght Before Christmas...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">not a creature was stirring...except for mommy looking for a midnight snack and a bottle of tums. the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that daddy wouldn't fall asleep before filling them with little gifts and fruit!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. and me in my maternity sized christmas plaid pajamas and daddy now under the covers, are supposed to be settled down for our long winters nap...about 3 hours sleep if we are lucky...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=2011xmascardfront.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/2011xmascardfront.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;">our 2011 christmas mailer. i wish i could send one to each and everyone of you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=inside.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/inside.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=cardinsidebottom.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/cardinsidebottom.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=cardback.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/cardback.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'm sitting here basking in all that will be tonight. rudolph is sure to do a fly by after we lay out our reindeer food; daddy will read the Night Before Christmas and peyton and beckham will leave out their christmas list and freshly made and decorated with love cookies for santa, and carrots for the reindeer. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'll make weird smiley and excited faces at my kids while my husband ushers them quickly to their room to change into their christmas pj's, brush their teeth and tuck them into bed. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we will wait all of 10.3 minutes before puttiing on our fave tunes and turning the darwish home into santas workshop! i can't wait for tonight! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'll bake and prepare for our annual christmas breakfast...citrus cream cheese rolls and frittata and the 5 other things we think we need, but don't. sito, gido, umo joe, and auntie heather will arrive bright and early and we will watch my little ones excited faces. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">beckham will jump up and down at the smallest and most simple of gifts! he'll run and hug us like he's never seen a hot wheels car before. his spirit and appreciation always makes me happy and grateful for the little life jeff and i were blessed to create.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">peyton, will be a bit more reserved, as i was as a child. she will smile, but she'll take it all in and wait for her brother's enthusiasm to stick to her before running around. she'll help pass out gifts to everyone in between opening her own. she'll be honest about what she thinks, which will have me cringing and giving her a lecture, but in the end she will hug and kiss each family member and take her gifts upstairs and start playing with them. i love that she knows what she wants. i learn from her in that way and her sensitive spirit reminds me to be the same. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-1-19.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-1-19.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-2-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-2-13.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'll get sappy and look around at the small family jeff and i have created and a pang of thankfulness will cover me like the warmest blanket ever made. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">our tunes will be playing softly in the background, the house will smell of cinnamon rolls , and i'll hear the oohs, ahhhs and laughter and think to myself, 'this is love! this is my family. we are doing it! we are so lucky.'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and i know how it will all happen because it happens the same way every year and it's perfect. a little stress, but hard work and a huge helping of family tradition and love and it's just the way it should be.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>and this year is extra special...</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-3-15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-3-15.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://kellehampton.com">kells</a>, thank you for these beautiful memories. love you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">because this baby is already making me so happy. with every kick, hiccup, or butterfly move...i fall more deeply in love with the little one growing inside of me. it won't be long now and i can't wait to breathe in this little baby and tell him or her to it's face how long i've been waiting to meet him/her. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i dream of the moment 100 times a day which is like giving myself a 100 gifts a day. i'm stuck between not wanting it to end because i love being pregnant. even the hard days are good because it's like living in a magical world for ten months and i really don't want it to be over. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-5-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-5-13.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we are all excited and maybe a bit nervous too, but i know 2012 is going to be an amazing year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">feeling the love right now and loving all of my family and friends and blog friends too... you all have a special place in my heart. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"...Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">oh, and one more thing...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">walking to my box each day is more like a waddling sprint to the box...i practically rip the mailman's arm off before i flash a smile and mumble<i> good day </i>before i bust a sprint into the house and tear open each envelope and gaze at all of the families in front me. thank you for the greetings...they make my holiday so much more exciting! i have lines of mailers and one wreath full and if you don't see your holiday photo giving my home a a little bit more holiday cheer...it's because you didn't send one...and i'm not happy about it;) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">have a happy christmas or any other holiday you may celebrate. going to enjoy cooking and my family and a visit from santa...in our home...tonight!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">xoxo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-83302000921687876442011-12-07T18:13:00.011-05:002011-12-08T10:52:54.706-05:00the blues. the jolly. bring it all. {i'm ready} it's christmas!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">okay. i haven't posted in over a week. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">i'm</span> going to just throw it right out there...things have moving like a runaway train these days. i am more behind this year than i have ever been before and if your a reader of this blog, you probably know that this can be a regular occurrence. with the holidays quickly approaching and clients wanting memories captured and me wanting to stay atop our family holiday traditions, it feels as if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">i've</span> been run over by a herd of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">santa's</span> reindeer and left for dead. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">i'm</span> thinking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">i'll</span> be fully recovered, along with every other parent, around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">february</span> or march of next year!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">with the disclaimer behind me, i love how wonderful it feels to be sitting at my desk in the living room. my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">macbook</span> is blindingly illuminating the space and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">peyton</span>, who has been running an average of a 103 fever all day has finally cooled off, after my calm and collected call to the pediatrician. the polar express is on and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">beckham</span> is outside with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">jeff</span> playing what they are calling football. i call it scary. i about tackled the neighbor boy he was playing with after he pushed my little guy to the ground, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">jeff</span> saw my reaction and quickly explained, "it's touch football." my reply, "i don't like football!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i guess <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">i'll</span> have to learn to like a lot of things as these babies grow up. it's part of the deal!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i think <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">i've</span> been fighting a small case of the blues. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">i've</span> heard of the holiday blues and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">i'm</span> sure it's a very real thing, but it's not that. this season has kept me afloat of all that is has and will offer in the coming weeks. the magic of it all is very real to my babies and i love to see a little bit of the belief in their faces each day!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my grandma is getting sicker. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">i've</span> been hearing that she may not make it past <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">january</span>. it's been a week since i received that call so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">i've</span> been trying to adjust to that news. i knew<a href="http://www.heididarwish.com/2011/07/i-suck-but-giveaway-helps-right.html"> it was coming</a>. i was trying to prepare. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">i'm</span> not sure if it's possible to do so. i was in a dark place for a few days. not outwardly depressed and crying. i go about my normal day. the kids and i have been doing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">christmas</span> crafts and just...living. and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">i'm</span> happy. but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">i'm</span> angry. angry in a way <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">i've</span> never been before. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">i'm</span> pretty sure it's a step in the grieving process, but it's been tough. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">i'm</span> sure if one more person tells me to be positive about the time i have with her...i may snowball them to frozen-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">ess</span> ...with that said, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">i'm</span> trying to be. not being able to be there has been the toughest part of all of this so, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">jeff</span> booked me a ticket to go and see her next week!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">three whole days of cooking and laughing. playing cards (she'll win because she's just good at cards), watching movies and a sleepover spa night complete with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">mani's</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">pedi's</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">i'm</span> so excited i can't stand it! so, with a little more bounce in my elf shoes than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">i've</span> had, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">i'm</span> ready to count my blessings in regards to my sweet gram and get to having fun and enjoy the time i will have with her next week. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">until then, we will bask in all of the craziness that is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">christmas</span>. we will start slowing down to do the things that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">i've</span> putting on the back burner. on my to do list for this week:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">1. make <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">christmas</span> cookies with the kids. a practice session before the real thing on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">christmas</span> eve...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">santa's</span> cookies! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">2. frame this years <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">christmas</span> photo and hang it on the tree. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">dwish</span> family tradition! if you do it, remember to include the year of the photo with puffy paint or sharpie pen.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">3. write our letter to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">santa</span>!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog8-20.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog8-20.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">(oatmeal with brown sugar, pecans, and dried cranberries!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we've been trying to infuse little bits of northern love into the house. we don't get the snow or crisp cool weather, but we try to make up for it with little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">deets</span> here and there. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my favorite thing to use this year so far...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-57.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-57.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this twine. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">i'm</span> going to do big things with it...i just need to figure out what. so far, it is what i am using to display our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">christmas</span> mailers. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-54.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-54.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-51.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-51.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-3-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-3-1.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">twine and cranberries. inexpensive and beautiful! for what seems plain during the day, at night turns into soft and simple things that make me so happy. i just light the candles. these candles i love and i just found them at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">walmart</span> for about $2 a piece. hurricane vases were $7.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-56.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-56.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">that and a page taken out of the Elf movie...paper chains, white lights, and snowflakes!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-2-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and for good measure, a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">christmas</span> tree made out of veggies. add some dip voila, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">insta</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">christmas</span> cheer. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">speaking of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">christmas</span> cheer...<a href="http://kellehampton.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">someone's</span></a> got it in spades...look what <a href="http://kellehampton.com/">she</a> did:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog11-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog11-14.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-12.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-12.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">...she brought the north pole to us and our kids. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">kelle</span> rocked out a party like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">i've</span> never seen before. it was like being at our own private <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">disney</span> world...on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">christmas</span> steroids. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">it. was. magic. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-15.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-16.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-16.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">this face: belief. belief in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">santa</span> and his elves and everything magic that goes with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">christmas</span> and what a young girl should feel at this time in her life. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-14.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">they made reindeer food...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-18.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-18.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and searched for an elves lost treasures...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-17.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-17.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">yes, one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">santa's</span> elves were there. and the kids went nuts!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-20.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-20.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">afterward we went into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">santa's</span> workshop and had snow chilled milk and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73">snickerdoodles</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-19.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-19.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_74" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-21.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-21.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_75" /></a></span></div><div><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-25.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-25.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-23.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-23.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_76" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and then it was a "The Night Before Christmas" reading before we hauled our sleepy ones home for their own 'long winter's nap.'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog10-16.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog10-16.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_77" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog9-20.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog9-20.jpg" border="0" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_78" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_79">peyton</span> fell right asleep , cradling Bunny. she loves that guinea pig...sadly, three days after this picture was taken, Bunny went to sleep and never woke up.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-50.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-50.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#666666;">(i'm sorry you died. the guinea pig and peyton.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the fallen expression on peyton's face when i had to tell her, i will never forget. there were lots of tears and prayers. begging and pleading for the guinea to wake up. it was plain sad. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies to try and make things a bit better. i guess i reward my kids with food. it was very evident this day when i could think of nothing else but, "honey, want mommy to make you some cookies? then we can sit on the couch and watch Elf!" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-55.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-55.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-56.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-56.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">she obliged, but first she wrote Bunny a note and then we buried him next to our house.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">she cried off and on that night, and when jeff walked out late that night to get a drink, he found her like this</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-31.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-31.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-32.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-32.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-33.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-33.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;">she walked down stairs and without saying a word, fell asleep...with her santa hat on. bless her sweet little heart. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">the santa hat? oh, how i love that she put the santa hat before she fell asleep. i wonder what she was doing in her room before she decided to sneak down the stairs. was she playing an elf? just in a festive mood. i love her and her sweet and sensitive heart. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">a chance encounter with a farm here in town... never thought i would say that, but who knew there was a real farm with animals and all about 10 minutes from the house. kelle found it and and called right away...dropped what we were doing to visit the the Winter Wonderland at the farm down the road! it was beautiful and such a treat. it was a school night!</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-41.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-41.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-40.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-40.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-49.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-49.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog3-47.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog3-47.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog4-35.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog4-35.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog5-30.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog5-30.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog6-27.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog6-27.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">lately in my grief and anger, i can forget to appreciate about how wonderful life really is. life does end and a good way to honor that truth is to enjoy the small, sometimes mundane and routine small and good things. it feels better that way. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><b>things that make us extremely happy lately:</b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog7-22.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog7-22.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>beckham's love for hockey and anything sport related</i>. i'm not an athlete, but i love seeing him take after his daddy!</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">couple times a week i hear, "mommy, will you go outside and play hockey with me?" inside i grown a bit, but i go and every time we have so much fun. i hear the leader in him when he ecstatically jumps when i 'score' a goal or when he tells me softly that i have earned myself a penalty. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>peyton learning and loving playing volleyball!</i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">bonus: daddy is coach!</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=sherwoodprint-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/sherwoodprint-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>taking lots of video!</i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog12-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog12-14.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>listening to christmas tunes, lighting candles, and watching peyton and beckham play near the tree, look for new ornaments that earlier had escaped their attention.</i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1314.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1314.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">my favorite christmas find this year<i> you can find </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Very-She-Him-Christmas/dp/B005KJZDXK">here</a><i>! k told me about this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Christmas-Sufjan-Stevens/dp/tags-on-product/B000HLDF0O">guy </a>and i'm in love and i can't forget the familiar songs and tunes of these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Collection-Carpenters/dp/B000007XUQ">siblings</a>! </i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">and maybe my favorite thing to do these days,</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>dream about meeting this little one...</i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/?action=view&current=tagalong25weeks.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/tagalong25weeks.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i>hi, baby! we love you so much.</i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">at only 25 weeks here, we are smitten with Tagalong and all i want to do is to slow down and prepare for the arrival of baby boy or girl. i have big ideas for the nursery and i am finally starting to put to paper in preparation. for now, we go back and forth about what to name the baby. jeff's has some doozie ideas. more on that later, but between you and me i think he's lost his mind;)</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">we can't wait!</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">i know we hit the christmas gift jackpot with this baby and i don't ever want to forget how it feels to be me here, and now. sadness will come and it will go, but the happies in my life just don't stop. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">happy holidays!</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#666666;">love to you. </span></p></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-46767766288460479072011-11-21T22:47:00.008-05:002011-11-22T00:21:17.718-05:00until tomorrow...{pondering}<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">i have a list...a long to do list. it seems to grow faster than i can draw a colored line of my choice through it. i know i am no different than anyone else, but i want to enjoy this season with my two little ones even more this year. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">jeff and i stumbled upon our old videos of the kids recently. we watched a couple and as much as i enjoyed and hung on every single second of each video, my heart rejoiced in having the memories tucked safely away in a black cd case, but was heavy at the same time. it hurts a little to hear those little voices and little faces knowing you can never go back.<br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">we can never get these moments back. it hit me hard long after jeff had gone to bed. i couldn't sleep. the next day i called <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.kellehampton.com">kelle</a> and tears ran down my face as i told her of the emotional night it had been to relive moments of the past. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">she told me she understood and said that it can be hard for her as well but that it is supposed to feel that way. she made me feel better while being honest at the same time. "you can't go back, but watching them can remind you of what you want to do better with today!" it was good advice.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">i was happy to hear that it wasn't just some pregnancy hormone pulsing through my body causing me to over analyze each thought, idea and emotion. it's normal to feel a bit of a loss when looking at those videos. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">the next night, peyton asked me if we could see another video of when she was a baby and i made up some excuse as to why another night would be better. i lied. an innocent lie. the truth was, it was hard for me to enjoy the movies without thinking, 'did i do enough with them? did i spend enough time with them? did i lose my temper on those babies when i was exhausted and unshowered? did play with them enough, tell them i love them enough times so it stuck? praise them enough or too much, smile enough,...????</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">i was turning such beautiful keepsake memories into this doom and gloom crap and it sucked. i never wanted to watch another video again.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">but i did, because peyton asked. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">again, i looked for signs of good parenting but this time i cried happy tears at the baby voice i swore years ago, i would never forget. time and new happy memories softly fade cherished memories from the past. it's supposed to happen like that. it's like your brain making room for better things to come. it's also a reminder to take more video and snap more photos!!!<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">looking back at your children at any age less than what they are presently, must feel similar to anyone. i realize this little pang of wanting to go back will always be. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">however, i've learned that watching these home movies of a time that seemed so innocent...two newbie parents just trying to do it right. learning together as a threesome, then a family four. a time when taking video was second nature because neither of us wanted to miss a thing. we were younger, had less grey hair and cooing over babies was all that was on the agenda. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">watching these videos have now become a learning experience for me. to remind me that we all do the best we can. at any given time, we are all doing what we think is right. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">now when i watch the videos, and we have been each night, we all laugh as a family at the baby talk of beckham and the dancing big sister. it's a chance to take a break from a life that seems to get busier as each child gets older. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">no more heavy heart. now when i watch, i remind myself to be a little more like that younger mama in the movie. i'm proud of that mama. the me that used to spend most of my days down on the floor playing and loving and changing diapers. the girl who started off not sweating the small stuff. the little things i and i'm sure other parents eventually worry about when their kids are old enough to participate in other social acitivities. i've learned, it's just a phase and it will pass. i used to stress out that peyton wouldn't stay in her dancing class. all of the other ballerinas would sweetly mimic what the dance teacher would ask, but peyton would run out at any given moment to find me and cry that she wanted to go home. what's so wrong with that? she was three. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">at the time, it seemed like such a failure on my part of instilling good independent skills and self confidence. i remember crying and googling ways to learn how to make her want to be a part of something other than me. the same thing happened with soccer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">none of it mattered then. she just didn't want to go. so what. i'm a little ashamed at the way i obsessed over it. now i wish she would hesitate before she ran off with a friend to play. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">she's a normal little girl. beckham is a typical little boy. they all learn on their own time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#666666;">it's amazing what a little seasoned parenting can have on one's perspective. and when a heavy heart over takes a happy moment while taking a cruise down memory lane, it will quickly pass when you look at your children right along side of you...smiling at their younger selves</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. laughing and smiling. it's a reminder to enjoy. they are! i will too. learning from them...again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;" >until tomorrow tonight when i write a full post- this was just a little ponder.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#666666;">please go take some video. your future self will love you for it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-47.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-47.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog2-47.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog2-47.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-2-12.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-2-12.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-84108515699664132272011-11-11T00:37:00.002-05:002011-11-12T01:52:04.250-05:00life.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the alarm goes off and i begin to mentally pry my eyes open to another day. they sting with revolt and my brain begins to play tricks on me. i think i'm awake and dressed, with hair and make-up neatly applied- a good day for me as i normally throw my hair in a pony and spend my morning primping my girl, assisting my little guy in brushing his molars correctly before i barely have a chance to get a decent breakfast in their mouths before we peel out of the driveway to make it to school before the second bells rings. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">in reality, i'm still in bed and i've not done thing one yet. i stay in bed as long as i can and when finally my toes begin to tingle with the anticipation of leaving the safety and warmth of my bed to the cold, hard floor...i have to get up!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i can only imagine that most busy moms feel the same way. the joys of motherhood. the monotony of it all. the normalcy of it. the joy of it. it's comforting.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">lately though, i have been popping out of bed. and even though my eyes still sting when the alarm goes off...my heart seems to beat a bit quicker and the urgency to get things going kicks in and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"> i do it with more vigor and pep in my step than i have in years. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">because, mornings are SO NOT my thing...this is a big deal for me. i'm sure it won't last past one day after Tagalong comes along, but i'll enjoy it while i have it. getting up early is like joining a new club of winners. people i have always admired. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">it's the club that welcomes the dedicated employees who rush off to work each morning with coffee in hand and smile on face; the club that welcomes the running goddesses who wake up early to run before the baby wakes up for it's morning feeding; the same club that must be responsible for the good hair and perfectly styled outfit that is so effortlessly demonstrated by the parents who are walking by me in the morning from dropping their children off at school (on time)! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">i've always wanted to be a real part of that club and i don't even like clubs. but the 'early morning' club is a group of motivated folks who gets the job done. i love them.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">so, for me, i love this part of pregnancy. i am freaking out. i'm not going to lie. i. am. freaking. out. about so much about this little one i love so much already, but the side effects of a good freak-out are usually worth it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i love is all the extra time we are cramming into ten months into spending with our two little ones. we love them so much and subconsciously and without even talking to each another about it...we are loving up these kids like their is no tomorrow. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">in some ways we are probably doing something that any health care professional may say is damaging to our children, but i've said it once before and i'll say it again...we are doing what we think is best because what else can anyone do, right?!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">my sister's family and my parents are in florida right now! they are almost never in florida, the cost of airfare sees to that, but they are here now and we are in disney world for a couple of days.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and i have so much to share, like my baby's 5th year birthday, but that will have to wait until i get home on sunday because i need to take some time and it feels like my eyes are going on strike if i don't shut them soon. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">but i wanted to say hi. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">normalcy makes me happy these days. i wanted to share. what 'normal' thing makes you happy or content?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a few photos:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">family of 4 and beckham's first time experiencing magic kingdom. my FAVORITE thing he said all day:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">after riding the Peter Pan ride on a 'flying' pirate ship,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"daddy, there really is magic here! there really is magic. it's soooooooo magic here. i knew it we were flying. we were really flying on a ship!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">his innocent and believing face is what stung my eyes that time, not exhaustion. bless his sweet little heart. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-53.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-53.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog2-53.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog2-53.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog3-45.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog3-45.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and my favorite peytonism of the day:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog5-29.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog5-29.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">after she spotted the eiffel tower at epcot, she about leapt out of her seat and exclaimed...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"the eiffel tower, mommy! the eiffel tower. take me there, take me there!" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'm not sure how she knows what the eiffel tower is or even where it is, but after we arrived in disney world, france she kept saying, "ooh la la, we've arrived in france!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the kid makes me laugh.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog4-34.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog4-34.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">23 week bump.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i have been extremely lucky to be so busy working and photographing babies and families. i find myself so blessed with a business that has grown over the last couple of years, and aside from this passion of mine that has allowed me to grow on many levels as a professional and creative woman...it is the friendships and bonds that have come from this work that i do that i find the most rewarding. so thank you to those who trust me with their memories. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i appreciate you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i have been slacking on posting sneak peeks, so i am trying hard to post a sneak peek of all of my upcoming shoots providing the client doesn't want their photos kept under wraps for the holidays. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">this family made an early saturday morning one of the most enjoyable ones i've had. they were kind and fun and this little face says it all...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-55.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-55.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">nina, you are lovely little girl. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and mommy and daddy...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog3-46.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog3-46.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">you two are gorge!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">***</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">next post:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-54.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-54.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a little birthday love.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">xoxoxo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">happy 11.11.11</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-27448007546947305812011-11-03T23:44:00.008-04:002011-11-04T00:50:33.784-04:00so...i'm happy.<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">lately, you can find me weeping. full on weeping at the most random times.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">driving my car home from a milk, egg, and cheese run; on the way to pick my kids up from school; sitting on the couch...alone; while talking on the phone, i could easily break into cry as easily and quickly as christina aguilera can jump to her 4th octave while changing into her whistle register (i googled that;). </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">i've been crying...but it's because i'm so happy! i'm not happy 100% of the time, but in general i just feel like a lucky girl. i guess i want to talk about it.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">the other day my neighbor came to the door and after i opened it he said, "wow, are you as happy as you look?" surprised by his hello, i gave myself a little mental prop for appearing so happy and refreshed and when i really stopped to think about it, i looked happy because i was. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">i'm not bragging my happiness around...i promise, i'm just happy that someone noticed and that my crying has not superseded the perception of my mental well-being. because sometimes, most times, i think i really could be losing my mind a bit. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">i look to other moms in the hopes that, no i don't want anything bad to happen to them, but that yes, i would love to see a little teeny tiny breakdown of some sort. not the kind of breakdown that requires a psychologist, two neurologists, 5 xanax and a month of bed rest. no, i'm not evil. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">you know the kind of freak-out i'm talkin' about. the exhausted, my-kid-pooped-in-his-pants-three-times-this morning-and-my-coffee-machine-broke-and-i'm-late-for-work-and-i look fat-in this-outfit kinda meltdown.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">just a little something that reminds me that yes, i am normal...still. see, other good moms and wives crack-up for a minute or two...it's perfectly normal. we've all heard the old saying, misery loves company...which I HATE by the way because actually when i'm miserable, the last thing i want is miserable company, rather i will go looking for the nearest friend with a rainbow growing out of her bottom and tell her we need to go bake a pie or something.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">my body is {growing} this tiny little human being that i can. not. wait. to. meet. what will he or she be like/look like/laugh like? where will i be when i hear he or she says, 'love you, mama!' for the first time. okay, gonna cry. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">so growing out of my clothes...even my larger ones is all worth it, but those tears come to. that's not as pretty, but it's all part of life and learning and loving...blah, blah, blah!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">what i'm really loving is this season and soon thanksgiving will be here and nothing excites me more than hanging with family in group settings. the kids will be bonding, telling secrets now because they are at that stage. we will eat and catch up and talk about the past and the future. yum. i can't wait.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">i know my northern family members may differ on this thought, but i am missing the michigan fall and it's weather which warrants scarves, mittens, and layers of long johns over jeans!</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-6-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-6-10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-30-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-30-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog4-31.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog4-31.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog2-51.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog2-51.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">i begged her to ignore the cold for one minute while i snapped one photo of them together...the next photo: after the promise of hot cocoa and cinnamon sugar donut. it works. no guilt on my part came with practice and consistency!</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-22-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-22-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-31-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-31-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-33-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-33-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">where happiness abounds according to b's face at least.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-9-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-9-10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog8-18.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog8-18.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog9-18.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog9-18.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog3-43.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog3-43.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog7-20.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog7-20.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">we soaked in the plethora of orange colored orbs that were waiting to be the 'chosen one!' and what is it about choosing a pumpkin that is perfect, in our own minds. of the four of us, we will shoot down ten pumpkins before selecting thee one. honestly, it's a fricking pumpkin. they're all beautiful in their own way. i need to relax! this advice will be heeded in regards to the choosing of the perfect christmas tree as well. CHRISTMAS TREE!!!! </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog6-24.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog6-24.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">we huddled together with mom and dad and then i ran as fast as i could to order my first cup of warm apple cider. nothing better.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog5-26.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog5-26.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-51.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-51.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">***</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">birthday bowling with our michigan pals:</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-3-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-3-14.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog2-49.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog2-49.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-49.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-49.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">***</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-34-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-34-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">after the orchard...it was a hockey game. tickets courtesy of uncle gil...thank you, uncle gil!</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">and even though here in florida, we don't relish in the same kind of autumn environment, we do our best to have fun with it...</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">so we broke out the tools,</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-1-18.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-1-18.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">and set out to find the treasure within the pumpkin...</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-8-11.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-8-11.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-52.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-52.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-4-16.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-4-16.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog2-52.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog2-52.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog3-44.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog3-44.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-13-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-13-14.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-14-15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-14-15.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-15-15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-15-15.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">peyton wanted to use the timer on my camera to capture this moment of our family of four. it was a good idea.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog4-32.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog4-32.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">the next day i visited peyton at school for her hat parade and when she spotted me in the crowd, she reached out to me...i suppressed an urge to cry (i think i may have a mental imbalance:) and grabbed her hand, happy that she still needs me to hold her hand when things get loud and crazy...i'm the one who can make her feel better, i won't always be the one, but on tuesday i was enough. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-19-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-19-8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">***</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">what's not to love about halloween. we get to dress up and walk around the neighborhood checking out the other kids and parents. it's good to be reminded that we are a part of a large community and every year i vow to be a better neighbor because i want to be the 'lady down the street,' that brings muffins and freshly cut flowers (out of my own garden) to new people, under the weather people,...but i'm not. i'm going to try harder...</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog4-33.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog4-33.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">we held our annual chili/hot dog feast before trick or treating. friends come over every year and i love the tradition!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">the pumpkin was lit, the music was playing and the food was done...friends were coming</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog5-27.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog5-27.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">and when i heard one of the hubby's in the group say something softly but still loud enough for me to hear, i smiled and said, "what did you say?" and even though i already heard it once, it was exactly what was going through my mind at the time. he said, " oh, this is great. this is a great memory!" it was after he had greeted all of us with a hug and watched his wife hold their new son while smiling at his daughter. he was happy to be here. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">:) felix.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">my heart swelled, i may have teared up even. it made me so happy to see all of us together sharing some time together while our kids played star wars in the driveway and took the guinea pig for a mustang ride. that poor guinea.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-31-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-31-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">friends, magic tricks...divine. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog7-21.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog7-21.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog9-19.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog9-19.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-26-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-26-5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-29-4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-29-4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog8-19.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog8-19.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">i think they ran the whole neighborhood this year. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">afterward, the kids waited anxiously to hand out candy-</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog6-25.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog6-25.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">***</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">we had a safe night, but the next day it was back to work and while i am so blessed to be working and doing something that i love, it's been hard to juggle it all, but when shooting on a location at 7 am looks like this...</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog5-28.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog5-28.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">it rejuvenated me like nothing else has in a long time.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">thanks, jenn for the pic!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">and speaking of work... i have been so blessed with work this whole year. i haven't been posting sneak peeks on the blog for the last 6 months and instead have been posting them to facebook, but i want to get better at it and here is a shoot i did a few days ago. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">megan, your sneak peek! it was such a fun morning with you and your handsome family!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-50.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-50.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">these boys are ADORABLE...</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog2-50.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog2-50.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">and another sneak of my sister and her new husband, bobby!</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print2-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print2-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print1-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print1-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">and other photos that made me happy this week and captured with my iphone:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog6-26.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog6-26.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">this girl and her budding style and attitude. i walked in on her sitting like this while eating her honey nut cheerios before school. she kept looking at her feet, crossed on the table. i played it cool but it's sweet to watch her grow up and care about what she looks like before she goes to school.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">finding happiness, maybe contentment is a better word, has been easier these days...as it always is when their are so many things to look forward to. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">feeling lucky lately. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">i hope you find your lucky!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;color:#333333;">xoxoxoxoxo</span></span></p>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-21351114279398908892011-10-26T15:43:00.003-04:002011-10-26T17:23:57.098-04:00a little slice of fall and letting go.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><div>what is it about a michigan fall that makes me think that anything is possible. when walking through the leaves, i can hear them crunching against the chilled the cement. that crunching makes me happy.</div><div><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog2-48.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog2-48.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><div> </div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">looking down and glimpsing the fall foliage, different colored leaves and their colors popping against the landscape. it reminds me how beautiful mother nature can be! these colors make me happy and the kids too. merely judging by the 'leaf angels' being made and the twirling going on by my daughter, i'm pretty sure the kids are enjoying the change in weather and environment as much as i am!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#333333;"><div style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-15-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-15-14.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;">*baby bump toes. i can hardly see them without falling over and i still have 18 weeks to go!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">the kids couldn't wait to get outside and make a pile of leaves and jump into them. unfortunately, it had rained for a few days before we got there, so we couldn't do that right away, but we did explore the grounds. well, the kids did most of that, i mostly breathed in every breath of cold, clean air that i could fill my lungs with at a time. it was so cleansing. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog5-25.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog5-25.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog4-30.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog4-30.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">last year, we celebrated <a href="http://www.heididarwish.com/2010/10/down-on-farmin-florida.html">florida style</a>, but this year we were lucky enough to be in michigan again this past week. my sister celebrated her marriage to the guy she loves, in the most beautiful of all times of year, fall. ahhhh, we love us some fall over here! more of my sister's celebration later!</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-14-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-14-14.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog3-42.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog3-42.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the kids enjoyed cup after cup of hot cocoa (or coffee as they call it)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog6-23.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog6-23.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">they collected leaves looking for the perfect one! sito monitored and told the kids how special each leave was.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">letting go is hard to do. there are so many things that, as a parent, involve letting go. if you are a reader of this blog, you probably know i have a problem with it. especially when it has to do with the little ones in my life. these precious beings that i just love so much. </span></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">well, this time it's not about the kids, it's about the fact that i don't have my camera this week or last week for that matter and the one i used in the meantime, well, it wasn't mine. so i am letting go of the 'perfect' pictures. i put perfect in quotes because i am not saying by any stretch of the imagination that my photos are perfect. not even close, and i'm glad for that. not prefect means i will keep trying to become better at my craft! </span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">however, i was ashamed at myself fro considering not posting the photos i took from the last couple of weeks because i thought they were not my best. well, i told myself to shut it and enjoy each moment this camera captured for me and my family. who cares how sharp or well composed a shot is? yes, those things serve there purpose during paid photo sessions when somebody is trusting you with their memories, but for home life...who cares. what matters is the memory!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it's not to say i don't enjoy doing and presenting the best i can, it's my passion, but the photo certainly does not take away one bit of joy from the moment. it adds, no matter how grainy or blurry. sometimes, i have to scold myself, but it usually works...a little. {wink}</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">one day, i'll look back at this post and wished i had posted more, however; the reason for a smaller post is i have lots of catching up to do and the kids want to make a pumpkin pie! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">that is what we are going to do, but i will be posting again in a few days. i'm trying to enjoy more and stress out less about work and obligations. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "> wish me luck on that! i want to spend more</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> time with these little ones that i have all to myself for the next few months. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-48.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-48.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">warm or cool weather...enjoy the season</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog7-19.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog7-19.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and of course, if you want to up the ante, turn the thermostat down waaaay low, make a saucepan of hot cocoa, cover up with a blanket and watch an old movie on the Classic Movie Channel. works like a charm.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog8-17.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog8-17.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">XOXOXO</span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6350350702764888340.post-74074809708480363152011-10-18T20:00:00.003-04:002011-10-18T22:40:09.360-04:00{seven}<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div>our weekend was full of all of the fun stuff a weekend should entail...in my opinion! a weekend is a two day vacation that comes each and every week and even though, in the photography business, my weekends are often scheduled with a shoot or two...it's still a vacation. two days that mean my babies can sleep in and lounge around in their pj's.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">hubby will get up before me and i'll pretend not to hear him stir out of bed and softly close the door behind him. i'll hear him gently inform the kids, "mamas still sleeping, shhhh! let mama sleep."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">most of the time i'll wait for the plea of my littlest one, becks, "but i want MAAAAAAAMA!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i'll try to ignore it and roll over on my freshly fluffed pillow, smile plastered to my face as i remind myself how lucky i am to get to stay in bed for these few extra moments. i think the 'not expected' aspect of the extra snoozes make these moments golden. special. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">soon after the door closes, i'll hear pots and pans being shuffled and water running. orders being shouted...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"i want mine with only salt, no pepper, daddy!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"i'll have pancakes, daddy!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">soon, a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;">trickle</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> of guilt will start to display itself to my wanna-be-slumbering brain and i'll get up. i'll get up to a generous showering of goodmorning hugs and kisses. it never gets old and i remember how blessed i am in that moment and i hope that that realization will last throughout the entire day. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">peyton has started to divvy her kisses out like a toddler would 'happily' hand out his m&m candy. it's getting annoying. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">this weekend however, was different because we celebrated peyton's 7th birthday (a week early) but special and fun just like that girl of ours!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog5-24.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog5-24.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;">kell, these photos are beautiful! thanks for running around and taking so many! xo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-45.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-45.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">unlike other weekends, i did what any mother does the night before a party, i cleaned, baked, and made miracles happen in record time. i didn't sleep much, but i kept thinking about what would make her smile and that kept me going long after my pregnant body practically begged for a pillow and bed!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">but...it was worth the excited voice i heard bright and early the next morning...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"goooooodMORNing everybody!" she sang it and i think my heart skipped a beat. it's no different on christmas morning. it's the not the material gifts, it's the other gifts. the promise of a day that's different from any other day. a day you know will be special no matter what because of the extra people around us. people who love us. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a birthday is concentrated on one person, but we all benefit from it's excitement.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog20-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog20-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we set the tables with painters cloth that i had from last years party (bought at home depot) and my babysitter and i decided to paint on them in order to save money on buying new themed decor... i love how they turned out and better yet...i can throw them in the wash and they will be a blank canvas all over again! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-4-15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-4-15.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:78%;color:#333333;">sarah, thank you for your help sweet girl! you are such an artist.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog2-45.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog2-45.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and all the happiness really begins for the birthday girl when the balloons make their</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"> debut!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog4-29.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog4-29.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the little details were not many this year, but they were colorful and made me happy!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog3-41.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog3-41.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-8-10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-8-10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">we rented a waterslide this year because even though the calendar says it's the middle of october, it feels like the middle of june during the day but saturday was perfect. it was the perfect blend of breeze and sun...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-23-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-23-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and the friends showed up to help celebrate!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-19-7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-19-7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog17-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog17-8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-21-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-21-8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">they splashed, waded, and slid.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog6-22.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog6-22.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-29-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-29-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog14-12.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog14-12.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog7-18.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog7-18.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog15-12.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog15-12.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog18-8.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog18-8.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-7-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-7-9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">we watched closely, laughed, and ate! to keep costs down, i came up with a super simple menu of noshes. for the adults i made </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/recipes/ina-garten-pumpkin-cupcakes-1010">ina's pumpkin cupcakes</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;"> because apparently i can't get enough, and neither can peyton and for the kids, i made strawberry cupcakes with pink cream cheese frosting.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">the kids ate pizza that i ordered out and the parents ate a fall inspired salad that i pieced together from several different recipes i was looking at for inspiration! the recipe is here and it is SOOOO good! we've been eating it for days now!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><b>fall salad</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i used a bunch of romaine and one head of iceberg lettuce. not two of my faves, but it's what i had on hand because i forgot, yup, forgot to purchase items for this salad before the birthday. i call it a pregnancy related accident.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i washed, dried and chopped the salad! i then added to the top, a cup of dried cherries ( cranberries would be perfect),</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">a cup of toasted and chopped walnuts (throw them in a pan and toast. watch that they do not burn bc they are pricey. i would hate to lose any and i speak from experience;)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">and three diced up pears...the pears are the best part!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i served this salad with a side of blue cheese crumbles and dressing on the side! soooo good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><b>for the dressing</b>:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">6 tablespoons of apple-cider vinegar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">6 tablespoons of orange juice</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">2 tablespoons of dijon mustard</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">3-4 tablespoons grade b pure maple syrup</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">salt and pepper</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">2/3 cup olive oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">whisk all ingredients together. dressing. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">i had a little trouble with the dressing, so i just started adding an extra bit of this and that. i'm going by memory, so just be sure to try this as you go. i think salad dressing is one of the easiest things to 'fix!'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog8-16.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog8-16.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog19-6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog19-6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog13-12.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog13-12.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">scurrying around was fun, but loving on the birthday girl, when she would stop long enough to let me, took the cake!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-17-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-17-9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-16-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-16-13.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-13-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-13-13.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog9-17.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog9-17.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog10-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog10-14.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">when it was time for everyone to leave, peyton wasn't ready, but she opened her goodies and the excitement began again, but my favorite moment was this because they are not always this nice to one another, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">it went something like this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"peyton, peyton open this one. it's from me. you are gonna be so so surprised. so surprised. i got it for you. i bought it at target! you are going to love it. it's from me. i picked it for you!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog12-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog12-13.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">period. the pride on his face and the happiness on hers!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"how did you know i wanted that, beckham?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">"i just did!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog11-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog11-13.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>happy birthday to our sweet girl! you have such a beautiful sensitivity about you. you are caring and loving, smart and analytical. we love everything about you and enjoy learning about the person you are and the woman you will one day be. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>we feel so lucky to be your mommy and daddy and know that the coming years will be more special because that 'peyton' flair you bring! we love you. we like you. we are always here for you. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>xoxoxo</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=print-40-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/print-40-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog16-9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog16-9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>***</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i>and my other baby is kicking me and since i want to put my feet up and relish every flutter, i am off...</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=blog1-46.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/blog1-46.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><i><a href="http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/?action=view&current=babyD320wks.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm178/peytonbecks/2011%20january%20first%20album/babyD320wks.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">to enjoy this little 20 week bundle of love. no, we don't know what we are having because we want to be surprised!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">what we do know is that it's healthy and that's all that i needed to hear!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">happy fall evenings. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;color:#333333;">xoxoxo</span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15401002070698335217noreply@blogger.com35