tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67138926699370346122024-02-20T10:40:17.317-05:00Something BeautifulJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.comBlogger1088125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-31812924102344229502015-12-17T06:00:00.000-05:002015-12-17T06:00:15.581-05:00Throwback Thursday - Girls' Trip to PAI'm back for another "Throwback Thursday" post! Today I wanted to share a fun trip I took with Scarlett, my mom, and my sister this past summer at the end of July. We decided to plan a trip to Idlewild Park, a small amusement/water park in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, about a 2.5-hour drive from home. I went to Idlewild Park as a child, and I believe even my parents went when they were young. It's an amusement park geared toward very young children, perfect for Scarlett's age. On top of that, they recently revamped their "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" attraction and turned it into a "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" attraction. Being that my little peanut is pretty much the world's biggest Daniel Tiger fan, we knew this would be the perfect place to visit.<br />
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We spent an entire Saturday there, and it was absolutely perfect. <br />
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It was a beautiful day! And the setting of the park is just gorgeous.</div>
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Daniel Tiger!!!! Scarlett was freaking out!</div>
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She could not believe she got to see Daniel's house and knock on his door. (This is where there Daniel Tiger show is located in the afternoons).</div>
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The best part of the day: A trolley ride through Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Seeing her excitement and wonder was one of my favorite moments of the summer.</div>
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They have a cute "Storybook Forest" area too. Unfortunately, Scarlett was having a meltdown when we first arrived and we had planned to try again later. But by the time we got back, it had closed! We were bummed, but Luke and I actually ended up taking Scarlett back to Idlewild later in the summer, and were able to see it. But more on that in a future post! Anyway, it was a cute area. </div>
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And here's a flashback to 25 years ago in the exact same spot! (Although they have obviously repainted the big book). Here's little me with some family friends (I'm wearing the polka dots. And I'm pretty sure that's a mullet. it was 1990, after all.):</div>
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Anyway, back to 2015. Here are Mom, Julie, and Scarlett waiting for the Daniel Tiger show to start</div>
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Katerina showed up...Scarlett's favorite! She was beside herself.</div>
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...But she totally froze up for the meet and greet afterwards. Ha! I have to admit, Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat at that size were a bit creepy.</div>
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Later, we went to the waterpark, and Scarlett found her own personal puddle. This kept her busy for at least 20 minutes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-M-hKlS7BPwuAhWmIdbdISMH7TF3oadONXBXcZhoTk3NravWyb2iSfiP4qe3IUkZV93yr2xFXY_G9aTJto3sREgDO0p6boN6QbPSRwxo-oucLfrFrnCQHXaMxeY1rgHy_hC9-6Ru_Vkb/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-M-hKlS7BPwuAhWmIdbdISMH7TF3oadONXBXcZhoTk3NravWyb2iSfiP4qe3IUkZV93yr2xFXY_G9aTJto3sREgDO0p6boN6QbPSRwxo-oucLfrFrnCQHXaMxeY1rgHy_hC9-6Ru_Vkb/s640/DSC_0083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And then we rode the teacups a few times</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI-mN9aLCMRCGvxxGCrdjkAmONsp_mgJeigrAMw8mqaFKbC34fh5yZ-ZM0bq-DmWDRyHu2KthuVYz7qR9dxk16gr-kBHHUNf501dCrk1ojWKXevnmexU2b6uzjg_h7qJQo-HcUnlNox8K/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheI-mN9aLCMRCGvxxGCrdjkAmONsp_mgJeigrAMw8mqaFKbC34fh5yZ-ZM0bq-DmWDRyHu2KthuVYz7qR9dxk16gr-kBHHUNf501dCrk1ojWKXevnmexU2b6uzjg_h7qJQo-HcUnlNox8K/s640/DSC_0089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We topped off our day with some ice cream, dinner later at Panera, and swimming in the hotel pool. </div>
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The next day we went to a local animal park called "Living Treasures Animal Park." We purchased a bag of carrots there, and were able to feed most of the animals there by hand. A really fun experience, especially for my sister, the animal-lover. </div>
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The Wallabies were our favorites. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUpSR7_SDKYCJ5EXYH42AMNG2SDAW-o9PdweAnAddU3AbRNZq4cGtj3D8VspV05NA8zVPCydUM5U_dVST_uObIVB_mFrBlCZ-lA4vDbneAkVeTHYiiX-9Jd0fnfwno5IRHacFmhxy6fvu/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUpSR7_SDKYCJ5EXYH42AMNG2SDAW-o9PdweAnAddU3AbRNZq4cGtj3D8VspV05NA8zVPCydUM5U_dVST_uObIVB_mFrBlCZ-lA4vDbneAkVeTHYiiX-9Jd0fnfwno5IRHacFmhxy6fvu/s640/DSC_0110.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you look closely, you can see a little Joey in her pouch. So cool!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTRMPrUo8Y66ipYJfpthi01sjgvaikyI783E6caORrvREwN0-jsu5oCEqjS8f9ZfglXUr-zumeHywYF29k74MmUSnG2dx0W-vQRxwWW95UGnYdA1BGcbBOPD4bv1CQZOM9rphYLNSqPqT/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTRMPrUo8Y66ipYJfpthi01sjgvaikyI783E6caORrvREwN0-jsu5oCEqjS8f9ZfglXUr-zumeHywYF29k74MmUSnG2dx0W-vQRxwWW95UGnYdA1BGcbBOPD4bv1CQZOM9rphYLNSqPqT/s640/DSC_0112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had so much fun with my mom, sister, and Scarlett! I hope we can have more girls' trips in the future. </div>
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If you live in the area, I would highly recommend both Idlewild Park and Living Treasures Animal Park. They're both very unique and fun places to visit.</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-42511980788688808312015-12-17T00:01:00.002-05:002015-12-17T00:01:45.333-05:00Elf on the Shelf IdeasWe've had a little visitor in our house the last few weeks, and he has been causing quite a stir! Here are some pictures to show what he's been up to:<br />
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He first arrived by coming down the chimney. Trying to be like Santa, I guess. He left some treats for Scarlett along with a note.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhlEiRGAKPPOBE4bgqvC5P_IjoEtIc8JERCRWHaCj3e7a6qENMGNZQPhLFqnug3Z44JMLcKqxa7yNS8g-9cvqpxZGp-Blp27XZRn7_F9oSvJtfP8cCTxlSwOISK1VnJ0ItFrD5vUIXxx-/s1600/Day+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhlEiRGAKPPOBE4bgqvC5P_IjoEtIc8JERCRWHaCj3e7a6qENMGNZQPhLFqnug3Z44JMLcKqxa7yNS8g-9cvqpxZGp-Blp27XZRn7_F9oSvJtfP8cCTxlSwOISK1VnJ0ItFrD5vUIXxx-/s640/Day+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 2: Snacks with Elsa. And Elsa froze the milk!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsgaVFlw1no5vvuXCdI4uJhb_KXyU6DAC1wkYahKHPpvNRHa9rH-ToQhtVqaD3lqh22ckcQjSpP1oWEgLCKHf7l3O86XtxRrGcS3o5474SdpJLUUyRk_krCemvRTZ-DWR4fXho8pVkCxM/s1600/Day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsgaVFlw1no5vvuXCdI4uJhb_KXyU6DAC1wkYahKHPpvNRHa9rH-ToQhtVqaD3lqh22ckcQjSpP1oWEgLCKHf7l3O86XtxRrGcS3o5474SdpJLUUyRk_krCemvRTZ-DWR4fXho8pVkCxM/s640/Day+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 3: An impostor! Buzz and Woody were not happy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rzCvfu2diQMNovwISaIMVGdwKiEluQXCcYW9Cwdy986XDX7IhAL4zEpbJ-aJDCbmnzkp-2Y4izBfavGJ1dR6SV3Wk3nvICgeXeWrKql6KbnKktTQBnJeXOHzC_-vFmDWIrUu_ag23UNJ/s1600/Day+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rzCvfu2diQMNovwISaIMVGdwKiEluQXCcYW9Cwdy986XDX7IhAL4zEpbJ-aJDCbmnzkp-2Y4izBfavGJ1dR6SV3Wk3nvICgeXeWrKql6KbnKktTQBnJeXOHzC_-vFmDWIrUu_ag23UNJ/s640/Day+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 4: Making reindeer friends, just like the elf from Rudolph.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipg6VwEIbDfRF4JXjFRyH0PsRLddyP0aNMWBAV3FuPzsjtQQ4HiAwV7F0XHUOKc37nttY-pf-QQ_M1Shi4aaSwC7sjF1-rLkdRJw77NHKNFNAM2vDDAfOf1gJc_ADnmYa5zqHvDePJUIP/s1600/Day+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipg6VwEIbDfRF4JXjFRyH0PsRLddyP0aNMWBAV3FuPzsjtQQ4HiAwV7F0XHUOKc37nttY-pf-QQ_M1Shi4aaSwC7sjF1-rLkdRJw77NHKNFNAM2vDDAfOf1gJc_ADnmYa5zqHvDePJUIP/s640/Day+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 5: Making s'mores</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiYiPc1RArlm-c9xYMubXMdSTLzzyYGXpeL-ZOEXGjyPkK_Hs0KIqZAFqwH22_lWkGoQfdw_45t8wh2ic1RJmZiGp2FTgiWGw-1mKFNVReDr8cnNgcyCV8VPje5pZ3oj4VBtYrt9JLCZZ/s1600/Day+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiYiPc1RArlm-c9xYMubXMdSTLzzyYGXpeL-ZOEXGjyPkK_Hs0KIqZAFqwH22_lWkGoQfdw_45t8wh2ic1RJmZiGp2FTgiWGw-1mKFNVReDr8cnNgcyCV8VPje5pZ3oj4VBtYrt9JLCZZ/s640/Day+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 6: Elfie read "The Polar Express" and decided to take a train ride of his own.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCePKfWDGKVTu8OVEvg3NP-sFz0GMVqpxaXy9WiXb5MWvK92D7NKlAd4T8zVwb7W4SEOlyl27dCmpQZ8H-ibkje545sw-GSUigkXiwNBhwKV2z52MhnWcs94QUAR83QhPUuGNdC6N4E9JZ/s1600/Day+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCePKfWDGKVTu8OVEvg3NP-sFz0GMVqpxaXy9WiXb5MWvK92D7NKlAd4T8zVwb7W4SEOlyl27dCmpQZ8H-ibkje545sw-GSUigkXiwNBhwKV2z52MhnWcs94QUAR83QhPUuGNdC6N4E9JZ/s640/Day+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 7: bath time</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFBImKIc206l2Zx9yLwx_NVIYwTVKCdT3niQt9jdMXyWejzuYUGOvHTEqCoT3VKO4YcfeVkSK5qf6Rn7CRNHBOj1fChUkQ2JVgVyoIR8Gze57s_y3FrOfNaOIgUnkLrqGOfQFnWukpywJ/s1600/Day+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFBImKIc206l2Zx9yLwx_NVIYwTVKCdT3niQt9jdMXyWejzuYUGOvHTEqCoT3VKO4YcfeVkSK5qf6Rn7CRNHBOj1fChUkQ2JVgVyoIR8Gze57s_y3FrOfNaOIgUnkLrqGOfQFnWukpywJ/s640/Day+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 8: Picnic in the Hundred Acre Wood. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftrfOgXo0y9BoLLIP2dlKlAy9TrLMmnqYW14Y6UtmASAoJqakT36_zQnrm2F2sOVt30J6iASduT84DblDhhwXGgc97GMOd49r0USQl0XqlxG025ikNSlpMBfrUy0hDYRQYO2hC2QTmQcF/s1600/Day+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftrfOgXo0y9BoLLIP2dlKlAy9TrLMmnqYW14Y6UtmASAoJqakT36_zQnrm2F2sOVt30J6iASduT84DblDhhwXGgc97GMOd49r0USQl0XqlxG025ikNSlpMBfrUy0hDYRQYO2hC2QTmQcF/s640/Day+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Close-up:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyhqas6nHcb7g6FWc8t-HkuFFMdXk8TValNQksPmb5gKhvlWL81h0NorhkhEMjX7_rr93s7LBwoVtaatV3WJ8WnNn15HxC41Hd2a17aXQK7eV2jgAdyGuIESr8jsG1oyzqy-ByvFeeOGk/s1600/Day+8+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyhqas6nHcb7g6FWc8t-HkuFFMdXk8TValNQksPmb5gKhvlWL81h0NorhkhEMjX7_rr93s7LBwoVtaatV3WJ8WnNn15HxC41Hd2a17aXQK7eV2jgAdyGuIESr8jsG1oyzqy-ByvFeeOGk/s640/Day+8+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 9: Elf bowling</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-7dLPtsYc91X9BtE5S1KrAW21-19wQN07uHvuu3193fFa1xQzn1wEAyn_Ze97NdxJxYfOxZQCTCoJfLUN-zFb7xpRaSYSCGpXfgEE-B92XEyxATiB7l6Tdbu5VkhKTv6N23yQHTAWQNl/s1600/Day+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-7dLPtsYc91X9BtE5S1KrAW21-19wQN07uHvuu3193fFa1xQzn1wEAyn_Ze97NdxJxYfOxZQCTCoJfLUN-zFb7xpRaSYSCGpXfgEE-B92XEyxATiB7l6Tdbu5VkhKTv6N23yQHTAWQNl/s640/Day+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 10: Elfie drew on the tub with bath crayons that he left for Scarlett.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9a2oPouD6EXymZ17gXDw_7BDfp9Id7l8kEpn8aOF4QEZWx0wVnx5UXgrhzc6W7cQ9bpWQT88gZv7v7rSi_3lrk8eQHLqEBOJbr5nhqHuVe0btpyYuRluZcdgsBC4SRnR2TGRZ82i5Fxx/s1600/Day+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9a2oPouD6EXymZ17gXDw_7BDfp9Id7l8kEpn8aOF4QEZWx0wVnx5UXgrhzc6W7cQ9bpWQT88gZv7v7rSi_3lrk8eQHLqEBOJbr5nhqHuVe0btpyYuRluZcdgsBC4SRnR2TGRZ82i5Fxx/s640/Day+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 11: toilet-papering the Christmas tree, and trying to make a quick getaway</div>
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Day 12: Elfie made his own gingerbread house since Scarlett made one that morning as well.</div>
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Day 13: Sitting in Scarlett's tree (I think Elfie was tired and out of ideas that day).</div>
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Day 14: playing the part of a wiseman</div>
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Day 15: Reading a book to his friends from The Peanuts Gang.</div>
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Day 16: Elfie loves syrup! </div>
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Day 17: Elfie found our Dollar Tree sticker stash.</div>
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I've been loving every minute of having Elfie here. It's a weird, strange little creative outlet for me that gives Scarlett a blessing each day. One of my favorite things to do is create experiences which lead to memories, and I think Elf on the Shelf is a great way to do that. It doesn't hurt that it reinforces good behavior as well!</div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-37187538250340009402015-12-10T06:00:00.000-05:002015-12-10T06:00:10.670-05:00Scarlett's Winnie the Pooh 2nd Birthday PartyI'm going to try to do a "Throwback Thursday" post now and then, now that I'm back into this blogging game, and have so much to catch up on. Today I wanted to highlight Scarlett's second birthday party. <br />
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During the spring and summer time, Scarlett became pretty obsessed with "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." She picked that as the theme for her birthday party. I had so much fun planning the party! Fewer things in life are more fun for me than kid party planning! <br />
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Scarlett's birthday is July 11, so we had been moved into our house for a couple of months at that time, and were so excited to have her party here! Our back patio was the perfect place for the food setup. Our colors were yellow and red in honor of Winnie the Pooh and his red t-shirt.<br />
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We already had the many stuffed animals that served as party decor. The string of lights hanging around the table came from the Target Dollar Spot.</div>
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I printed out the map of the Hundred Acre Wood from somewhere free online. And the little beehive luminary came from Pat Catan's, I believe.</div>
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I got a bunch of terra cotta pots, stuck on these scrapbook bee stickers, used a permanent marker to write "hunny" on each, and painted the "honey" around the top. So simple and cheap!</div>
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We sat these books in random places. I found some of them at Goodwill for $1 each, and my mother-in-law just happened to have some of the same books as well.</div>
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Luke made this adorable sign from scrap wood. It might have been my favorite thing, and we love it so much, it's still out in our yard.</div>
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I used Power Point to create this banner</div>
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I found these lanterns at Hobby Lobby for a few bucks apiece, and I believe we found the bees at Pat Catan's.</div>
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I decided to make homemade cupcakes instead of spending a ton of money on a cake. And I made the little tags in Power Point.</div>
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Here we are at party time! Scarlett picked out her dress, and to my delight it was on clearance at Target for $8! Score! </div>
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I tried to get creative with the food labels (which, again, were created in Power Point).</div>
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I love how these "Tigger Tails" turned out! Just pretzel sticks covered with orange candy melts, and drizzled with melted chocolate.</div>
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...And the next few are pictures of everyone at the party. It was a fun day! Thanks to all of our family and friends who celebrated with us!</div>
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The birthday girl!</div>
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<a href="http://jessica-becomingme.blogspot.com/2014/08/scarletts-pink-lemonade-first-birthday.html" target="_blank">Here is Scarlett's pink lemonade first birthday party</a></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-72468094499862576982015-12-05T11:17:00.000-05:002015-12-05T11:17:18.078-05:00Back in the GameHello, friends! I don't know how many of you are left, but I find myself needing my go-to creative outlet. I miss blogging. I feel like Instagram has somewhat filled that void for me, and that is partially the reason why I haven't blogged in such a terribly long time! Last time I vlogged, it was the beginning of summer, and I had promised lots of new posts. I guess we see how that ended! But I have so much to share, and I feel like these are the days that I'm going to really want to look back on someday, with Scarlett still so young.<br />
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So here's my plan: I'm going to <i>try</i> to get back into blogging. Things are finally slowing down at work after a very hectic fall, and with only two weeks until Christmas break (a glorious sixteen days off!), I thought now would be a good time. Plus, there are so many fun things happening right now, and so many fun Christmas memories to share. <br />
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So anyway, let's play a little catch up. We are still loving our new house! It is so quiet and peaceful, and we are little by little fixing things up and making it ours. Here is a sneak peak of a few details:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawa1e5mgWzgxsU_B1oxDqoFVzqoI-NfwDLp4s3vlDXINAiaU3ow-qHjtvQGV6GT39_mtefeMSH2-NpyITfpnqsHRkKyj-UMe59HsArjDNpxMTjgG2rTx8CXfhz51MaIKCvaJdcPOaRRqX/s1600/new+house.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawa1e5mgWzgxsU_B1oxDqoFVzqoI-NfwDLp4s3vlDXINAiaU3ow-qHjtvQGV6GT39_mtefeMSH2-NpyITfpnqsHRkKyj-UMe59HsArjDNpxMTjgG2rTx8CXfhz51MaIKCvaJdcPOaRRqX/s640/new+house.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Here it is the day we bought it in May. It's a simple ranch-style house that will be just big enough for our family for years to come. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8tP02-RyKPkjRjTyGKzuNDb5Bqx6KA4Pw5nCzvsAykE28DVtYl39H6RkVdoDvXpU8BId69jaHEQ3JMEu7AuWHH9xIXw1ZZfCBm7WfCS5jeZbzbmf7nmbSC6j3dveYtb4YB_5jqcKABqz/s1600/backyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8tP02-RyKPkjRjTyGKzuNDb5Bqx6KA4Pw5nCzvsAykE28DVtYl39H6RkVdoDvXpU8BId69jaHEQ3JMEu7AuWHH9xIXw1ZZfCBm7WfCS5jeZbzbmf7nmbSC6j3dveYtb4YB_5jqcKABqz/s640/backyard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our backyard (after Scarlett's birthday party...more on that later)</div>
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View from our front yard, which still has not lost it's luster. I can't wait to see it covered in snow!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI0Npy2NTFWCJea-h9QVTKHgDbjJBmcULmeZZCF2MxBChBRJHKk2lmv18yfQ10PmYIeomI4kQWq-m_ar05sSOg7B8FNi_n__ejjGxLJWgVCkKq7uyBmg0Ufvwryjr_Mj4zItdw_JYB58C/s1600/cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI0Npy2NTFWCJea-h9QVTKHgDbjJBmcULmeZZCF2MxBChBRJHKk2lmv18yfQ10PmYIeomI4kQWq-m_ar05sSOg7B8FNi_n__ejjGxLJWgVCkKq7uyBmg0Ufvwryjr_Mj4zItdw_JYB58C/s640/cows.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sometimes cows come to visit across the street, and it's always a highlight of our day! </div>
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Here is a sneak peak of our living room -- my favorite spot in the whole house. We recently painted this room and decorated for Christmas, and it feels so cozy!</div>
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I feel like Scarlett needs an update too. She is almost two-and-a-half now, and we love this age! She is talking so much, and getting really independent. We hear "No, I want to do it myself!" at least 10 times a day. But she is the sweetest thing, and I know how blessed I am to have her in my life! I try not to take any time with her for granted. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dXjMoK1RIEQaxqmjwxepz0puYxyAoOGLTLo0T3ACtmL2i81m1JE_A5qnwq7A5sfsZJBBnjYP0U-1lXtW9ReBJQ9cSNlGYQFKO-mBJxWAlFvQYqWvmHIBSbBW5vLT0S4zMJTCL4KgK3Cz/s1600/White+house.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dXjMoK1RIEQaxqmjwxepz0puYxyAoOGLTLo0T3ACtmL2i81m1JE_A5qnwq7A5sfsZJBBnjYP0U-1lXtW9ReBJQ9cSNlGYQFKO-mBJxWAlFvQYqWvmHIBSbBW5vLT0S4zMJTCL4KgK3Cz/s640/White+house.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And just a life update: the past few months have been pretty great. I enjoyed summer at home, and then went back to work in the same position I was in last year. As much as I miss Scarlett, it is really a job I love in a very "high needs" school district, so I feel like I am going to work and doing something rewarding. I love my students, and look forward to seeing them each day, and for that I feel so blessed. And even better than that, I get to look forward to coming home each day to see my beautiful family whom I love so much. There have been big struggles in the past few months as well, as there always seem to be. My family had a scary brush with cancer in the past 7 or 8 months, which luckily we are on the other side of now. And dealing with more fertility struggles as we are ready (and have been ready for quite some time) to grow our family. But that is life. </div>
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Hopefully you will be hearing from me sometime soon! I know better than to promise anything, because I have had such a hard time finding time to blog in the past couple of years! But I so miss it so much!</div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-85493852101649839392015-06-06T00:53:00.003-04:002015-06-11T23:13:57.674-04:00We Bought A House!So it's been awhile...<br />
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Let's just skip past the fact that I haven't written in months, and jump right in, shall we?<br />
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It's crazy to me to think that I've been blogging since I was still a newlywed, about 6.5 years ago. At that time, we had just bought a house. The house had 3 apartments in it. We lived in the one on the top floor and rented out the other 2. The situation was the perfect set-up for us as broke newlyweds. Ha! But in my mind, I was hoping we would only be living there for about 5 years.<br />
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3 years later, we got the opportunity to move into the first floor apartment. Back then we had been struggling with infertility, so even though the downstairs apartment was smaller, it was prettier and much more convenient. So we excitedly moved in, not thinking about how small it would seem once we had kids. <br />
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Then we had a baby. While I was in grad school. And things were fine for about a year after Scarlett was born. But then all of a sudden it was like the walls started closing in on us.<br />
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There were toys EVERYWHERE. Our living room was a glorified playroom. All of our closets were packed full and there was literally no room for anything else.<br />
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Somehow the smaller our apartment seemed, the louder it seemed, too. We lived next to a fire department, so there were sirens going off at all hours of the day and night. And I completely appreciate the service of the firemen and paramedics!! Don't get me wrong. It's just a very loud place to live, next to them.<br />
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Also, every Saturday at noon, they would test the tornado siren. I can't even describe how loud that is every week. You can hear it miles away, and yet we were yards away from it.<br />
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Also, living in the bottom apartment isn't the quietest place to be when there are hard wood floors above.<br />
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And we lived a few yards from a semi-busy road where many tractors, semi-trucks, and loud motorcycles ride.<br />
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All of that plus a toddler just did no mix.<br />
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We had begun our house-hunt in the spring of 2014. And the Reader's Digest version of the story is that in the next 12 or 13 months, and through a series of events/circumstances that could only have been ordained by the Lord himself, we bought and are now living in what I'm pretty sure must be the perfect house for our little family.<br />
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<img alt="Displaying IMG_3484.JPG" class="aLF-aPX-J1-J3 aLF-aPX-aLK-ayr-auR" height="479" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ui=2&ik=91166d499e&view=fimg&th=14dc71cc3d452489&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ9FDOMSrdmGYJRCzKixHJ2PRVXkc_WWzEcznVC22dvf9T7Rf8K8WShGVSxSDcB1tyWmj3dFWwZdNgvCkhWcKNWhHAW2tp5HTmIMY9TxKfEqW4hbxdKeIsy35OM&ats=1433564971566&rm=14dc71cc3d452489&zw&sz=w1332-h537" width="640" /> </div>
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It is on a quiet street. It is further away from the road than our old house. There are woods owned by the park on the north side, woods owned by our neighbor on the south and east sides, and one beautiful house surrounded by open fields across the road. We went form noise everywhere to feeling pretty secluded. It is so peaceful! And we have a yard! Small, but big enough for us. It is perfect.</div>
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Here is the view out of our big picture windows in the living room:</div>
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<img alt="Displaying IMG_3510.JPG" class="aLF-aPX-J1-J3 aLF-aPX-aLK-ayr-auR" height="479" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ui=2&ik=91166d499e&view=fimg&th=14dc71d3b2741e45&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ9R9nCijwv38XcSc5VqdyMGUUBYjBwz4ez_szcR6JT65cmKsIzOPcljaFVko3DKm4PrMPrT03XbJ0Zx6WtIBWk3LJwOoMH7lMrJ2zgTkecg_v59ntwH4Xdhj14&ats=1433564971547&rm=14dc71d3b2741e45&zw&sz=w1332-h537" width="640" />(That's Scarlett watching the birds one day before we moved in. Ha!)</div>
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And a view of our front yard on a rainy day last week:</div>
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<img alt="Displaying IMG_3807.JPG" class="aLF-aPX-J1-J3 aLF-aPX-aLK-ayr-auR" height="479" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ui=2&ik=91166d499e&view=fimg&th=14dc72060f5f5061&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ-VbWiibGcJWdtRmVfZmR5yHWKuZWKvbRed5PBvijNMrcc45xz63w1gEavJpeKAV9h-c0-cZMjDgAg0lo3IqGR8M8BIS50SM6qh_JbTrJpNzX55Dv3zYaU5WtA&ats=1433564971529&rm=14dc72060f5f5061&zw&sz=w1332-h537" width="640" /> </div>
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We are feeling SO BLESSED. I can't even tell you how much easier my life feels since this house is actually big enough for us, and so quiet and peaceful (have I mentioned that it's peaceful? Ha!)<br />
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This past year has been such an experience. It was so difficult getting into the swing of things at my new job, and I felt stressed and depressed a lot of the year, and took it out on my family at times. Things just seemed so hard! But now we have moved into the new house, and I had my last day of work for the school year on Wednesday. And I am able to spend my entire summer with my family in this new, wonderful house. It's just a reminder that God is here, and even when life feels so hard sometimes, there will be brighter days. I feel like as bad as some days were last winter, they're that good plus a whole lot better this summer. I feel like I've made it through that storm, and I fully intend to make the most of every moment now until the next one comes along!<br />
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Thanks for sticking with me if you're still reading this even after my rare postings lately. Now that I have some free time, I want to try to blog more often this summer. I've gotten really into You Tube lately, and might try to do a few videos this summer as well. I want to film a home tour sometime next week if I can get the guts to do it! Ha! </div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-90450184322313960002015-01-26T22:22:00.000-05:002015-01-26T22:22:16.819-05:00Snow Day PerfectionOne of the big, positive things about working as a school SLP is the possibility of snow days. We've used 4 already this year, and one of them was today! Nothing beats the thrill of getting that call and knowing I've been granted 9 extra hours with Scarlett. <br />
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We started the day by watching Frozen. I don't often let Scarlett just sit and watch a movie, but she woke up extra early and has been begging to watch it for days. So I thought a lazy morning was in order. <br />
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Later, after lunch, we went outside to play in the snow! It was her first time really playing in the snow, and she had a blast!<br />
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(She insisted on wearing the sunglasses. Or "eyes" as she calls them.)</div>
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She was so disappointed when we had to go inside she cried big, crocodile tears. It just about broke my heart! But she doesn't have the proper snow equipment/clothing to stay out for more than 20 minutes or so, so I had to deal with the heart-wrenching sobs. She just kept saying, "snow?! snow?! more snow!" over and over again. <br />
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She eventually got over it, because I made her some hot cocoa, which she immediately fell in love with (obviously). Then my mom came to visit, so her day was made.<br />
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The Lord is teaching me on these special days that it is not always about quantity of time, but quality of time when it comes to Scarlett. I still struggle with nagging guilt and sadness about leaving her daily to go to my job. But then God reminds me that if I was with her all day every day, I might not see how special a day like today is. I might not seize every moment the way I do now. I'm going to make the most of the time I have with her. Finding the peace in this situation is a daily battle, but one that I'm getting better at fighting. <br />
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And when times are really tough, I just remind myself of another perk or working at a school. Or should I say 3 perks: June, July and August! I'm pretty much going to be in heaven when that time rolls around!<br />
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And just for fun, a comparison of the first time she ever experienced the snow, vs. a year later the first time she actually played in the snow. Because we all know how much I love comparison pics. </div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-59472155628107268402015-01-15T22:30:00.000-05:002015-01-15T22:31:35.952-05:00Halloween 2014 RecapI'm going to attempt to recap some of the things I've missed in the past 6 months, since I haven't been blogging regularly. <br />
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I want to start by recapping our Halloween. Scarlett had been in a serious Minnie phase for a few months. (She still is, but not to the same degree). We decided Minnie would be a perfect Halloween costume idea for her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy88Ar7jmrZK9UE_EufgN-Lf1ViWLhihNvH92N_0oSnPWIFBra588VmzHZhInbl53e3ZzQEc3WFQrD6mVWEHmsnWVDylU1erQYJiwTB0PJORDRTcLH5jxzM6Hlg7Q8SJS8ICkPz4uQ3W0/s1600/October.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy88Ar7jmrZK9UE_EufgN-Lf1ViWLhihNvH92N_0oSnPWIFBra588VmzHZhInbl53e3ZzQEc3WFQrD6mVWEHmsnWVDylU1erQYJiwTB0PJORDRTcLH5jxzM6Hlg7Q8SJS8ICkPz4uQ3W0/s1600/October.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a> </div>
There is just something about a non-mass produced/ homemade costume that I just love. I wanted Scarlett's costume to look unique, and somehow all the pieces of her costume just sort of fell into my lap. My mom found the red dress at a thrift store. It originally had wings and black netting and was a lady bug costume, but I fixed it up a bit to look more like Minnie. Luke's aunt had made the ears when his cousin was a baby, so we borrowed those from her. I drew three little lines on a pair of mittens, and they became perfect Minnie hands. I just put a black onesie and a pair of black tights on under everything, and voila: Minnie costume! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe2cd6msYSO6PySTiAtq60We5o9h4-2aceYKnp4ln6PdCzIH3-ongzXNLX_tsBAqxuE7y2wDmeE4miuE55m7Q_0uPfLUujaC7x7257zRpDwU3JH1CFolFsrCv1eHeiFjgB_I403RSCDay/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe2cd6msYSO6PySTiAtq60We5o9h4-2aceYKnp4ln6PdCzIH3-ongzXNLX_tsBAqxuE7y2wDmeE4miuE55m7Q_0uPfLUujaC7x7257zRpDwU3JH1CFolFsrCv1eHeiFjgB_I403RSCDay/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" height="640" width="426" /> </a></div>
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Oh wait...I almost forgot my favorite part: the tail! My mom made it. There was wire inside, so it could be bent and shaped. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_BA5CGzW2IXZH8pYoVFge73s0OY21ybHaGr_jDTiz3t2JtIv6sZTGSAFbQxrVaMbVi41qewwKdx2K2r-5DO3ycKyK2GPeKDS5pXAMnJkgR-Im-Gbw5NgwDOlfUwuFSJeGtT5vvoKzBKx/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_BA5CGzW2IXZH8pYoVFge73s0OY21ybHaGr_jDTiz3t2JtIv6sZTGSAFbQxrVaMbVi41qewwKdx2K2r-5DO3ycKyK2GPeKDS5pXAMnJkgR-Im-Gbw5NgwDOlfUwuFSJeGtT5vvoKzBKx/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKPFLail51ridNsKqVJPk9IYrzDSnEHzg2OnuAE9ECL6WcbkgMp5kkyE2q9o-TWogtgsUf9eiGbDjshsG04u96n5UAqFkVUap4pvuGQsJsBG9EQLJaUZD3SWZIWNjXL_lrdQFQEA3UJHi/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>The first time we put the costume on Scarlett, you should have seen the look on her face when she looked in the mirror and realized that she was dressed as Minnie! She could not have been more excited.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg557S9aCzN8yJTMoLFBxHhPyrHqpDpDH5SKM4BpouQZGSxe9pyN2vs-MK_ZwpIg25m7KoasH4KnOESK1fIQOa2S7odWMNnZR9kafvoNIMOV5iwAKrQ-i25BLtLaDfYltdXW6nGwhTZWouK/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg557S9aCzN8yJTMoLFBxHhPyrHqpDpDH5SKM4BpouQZGSxe9pyN2vs-MK_ZwpIg25m7KoasH4KnOESK1fIQOa2S7odWMNnZR9kafvoNIMOV5iwAKrQ-i25BLtLaDfYltdXW6nGwhTZWouK/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
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Cutest little Minnie Mouse you ever did see!</div>
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We spent the evening making donuts at our church's big trunk or treat night. It was FREEZING (I'm pretty sure it snowed the next day) but we had so much fun!</div>
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...And just for fun, here's last year's costume:</div>
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Little Princess Leia! </div>
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So fun! I can't wait to see what next Halloween will have in store, especially since Scarlett will be old enough to have a say in her costume! (Which makes me think we will probably end up with a little Elsa, Anna, or Olaf next year, but we shall see!) </div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-52375189043023249172015-01-13T19:03:00.000-05:002015-01-13T19:03:26.801-05:0018 Months Old!Dear Scarlett,<br />
You are now 18 months old! Can you believe it? I thought the first year of your life flew by, but it was nothing compared to the past 6 months. <br />
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Somehow, right before our eyes, you have changed from a baby to a toddler. You finally started walking at around 16 months, and you've been your own little person ever since. You seem much happier now that you're fully mobile! Now you love to run and dance and "jump" (which is really you just bending your knees and standing back up quickly, but we won't break that little secret to you).</div>
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You are still our little peanut, and weighed 17 lbs, 11 oz at your 18-month appointment. You are also 2', 6" tall. You still fit into 12-month clothing, although we are starting to experience a dilemma with your pants: when they fit around your waste, they are like capris, and when they're long enough, they fall down. Life is going to be really rough when you are potty trained and we don't have the extra padding of your diaper to keep your pants up! Ha! <br />
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You are a bit of a picky eater, and it's hard to predict what you will eat. One day you will love something and gobble it down, and the next you turn your nose up at the same thing. You're very inconsistent. Pizza is the one food we can always count on! Whenever I ask you want you want to eat, the answer is usually "pizza, pizza, pizza!" And occasionally you'll say "cookies," which you actually pronounce as "coo-coo!" <br />
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You've been talking a lot lately. In the past week or so, you've seemed like a sponge just absorbing everything you hear, and repeating it. Earlier tonight, I told Daddy that I have a cold and feel terrible. Just like a parrot, your little voice exclaimed, "taa-ble!" Daddy and I burst out laughing. We are definitely going to have to have to be good examples and watch what we say around you now! You repeat so much!</div>
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You've also recently started to put two or three simple words together. You say things like, "no no, kitty!" (you love to yell at them), "Hi, mama! [or whoever you are talking to]", "bye bye dada", "oh no!" "oh boy," and sometimes you'll just ramble off a bunch of random words, like you're trying to show us how smart you are: "hi mama dada bye bye kitty nana pappa gapa [what you call grandpa and grandma]..." Yesterday you had me laughing out loud when you put your sock on your hand and made it speak gibberish in a silly voice. You must have seen someone else do that!</div>
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Your personality is coming out more and more each day, too. You are one silly girl! You love to laugh, and you love to make everyone around you laugh. You can also be a little ham. However, only when you are very comfortable. When you are around anyone that you don't know, you freeze up and won't say a word. I'm afraid you are going to be shy like Mommy! <br />
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You are also a sweetheart, and you love to help out around the house. You're starting to follow directions pretty well, so it's fun to let you help with things. We're trying to teach you to pick up after yourself, and you're doing pretty well.<br />
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However, there are times when you just don't want to do something, and that's when your stubbornness comes out. You definitely know what you want, and give us a little attitude when you don't get it. We are teaching you that you don't always get your way. I am hoping that we can teach you to obey, but still keep that little bit of fire in you. <br />
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I always loved the name Scarlett because it sounds feminine, but it's not a "sissy" name. Although you were not named after Scarlett O'Hara, the name always makes me think of her a little bit, and she was definitely a strong lady with a mind of her own. And it's funny, because you, little Scarlett, are the same way. You are dainty and feminine in your mannerisms and even your interests (for example, you are still completely obsessed with Elsa and Frozen). However, you are also a strong little girl. Like I said, you know what you want, and you will put up a fight for it. And you're not just into girly things, but you also love to play ball, play with cars, and you've recently developed a serious fascination with fire trucks. I think your name matches your personality so well, and I just love getting to know you more and more each day. God has certainly blessed us through you more than we could have ever imagined! </div>
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We love you so much!<br />
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Love,<br />
Mommy and Daddy<br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-91992078997077789982014-10-03T17:29:00.000-04:002014-10-03T17:29:02.342-04:00Anybody Still There?I can't believe I haven't blogged since August. Many times, I have tried to start a blog post, and just haven't been able to finish it. Life has just been so busy, and to be honest, Instagram is just easier. If you would like to keep in touch more regularly, follow me there...jessicaw1106. <br />
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But anyway, I was sitting her on my day off and just got the urge to write.<br />
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Speaking of my "day off," I got a job! I am officially a speech language pathologist, and I got a job in an elementary school. Pretty much a dream come true. And now that it's happened, I feel like I'm drowning and I'm so overwhelmed! But I think once the dust settles, I'm going to really like it. <br />
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I'm jumping the gun a bit. Let's rewind back to the middle of August when I graduated. That's right...that insane experience known as "grad school" is now over. I didn't think I'd survive it, but here I am on the other side of it, and it feels like just another blip on the radar in life. What's that they say? "It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small." Oh, right. Elsa says that. (The <a href="http://jessica-becomingme.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-frozen-phenomenon-and-being-girl-mom.html" target="_blank">Frozen phenomenon</a> has not yet ended in our house). <br />
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Anyway, I survived the most intense externship over the summer and the hardest 8 weeks of my life, and graduated on August 16. I walked in my ceremony, and then my family had a party for me and my brother-in-law who happened to graduate on the same day, from the same (large) university, in the same ceremony. (Small world!) It was a day that felt like such a milestone. One of those days I know I'll remember for the rest of my life. I decided to go back to school because I couldn't get pregnant and wanted to take my life in a different direction. And then I ended up holding my one-year-old daughter in graduation pictures. Funny how things work out! God's timing is phenomenal.<br />
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I had a magical 8 weeks after my externship ended and before I started my job that I got to spend as a stay-at-home mom. 8 weeks is the longest amount of time I've had at home since Scarlett was born, and having that time with my family was amazing. Here are some pictures that convey the awesomeness of our summer!</div>
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The good thing about working at a school means that I get to spend every summer like this! Yes, 9 months of the year are going to be CRAZY. But the other 3 are going to make up for it! </div>
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Hopefully this post means I'll be back to blogging. Unfortunately, I have no idea if I'll blog again tomorrow, or in 3 months. We'll just have to see how it goes. But I sure do miss it, and each one of my blog friends! </div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-89712118709022382142014-08-08T23:16:00.000-04:002014-08-08T23:36:42.132-04:00Scarlett's Pink Lemonade First Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you have stuck with me throughout my unplanned hiatus the past couple of months, I am very thankful! I have missed blogging, but just haven't had time for it. But I'm completely DONE with school, and I graduate a week from tomorrow! So I hope to be posting more regularly as well as catching up on all of your blogs (again). Hopefully I don't fall off the face of the blogosphere again! </div>
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I was so excited about Scarlett's birthday party! As in, I started pinning things and decided on a theme back in December. Seriously. I knew I would have a busy few months due to finishing school, so I thought I better plan ahead! I decided on a pink lemonade theme, because I thought it was cute and girly, and perfect for the middle of summer. We decided to have Scarlett's party at our church cafe. It turned out to be such a nice day! </div>
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I was in the middle of probably the most hectic, intense 8 weeks of my life with my last externship for grad school. So needless to say, I pretty much needed a vacation after this party in the middle of it all. But thankfully I had so much help from family! I would have never been able to put everything together without them, and I am so thankful. </div>
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So here's my picture-heavy recap of Scarlett's first birthday party: </div>
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I made this banner in Microsoft Power Point, and it was so easy! Who would have ever though Power Point would be the easiest program for crafty things like this, but it really is! I used it a lot for Scarlett's party. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt2TpJzt9bmJKpdstO2Pc3W84560k3cCcygyK5OUEpk6Hi_ifefbLOwFvAAKCXBvponHJU8R67tEgXiSY1xBUfqg_0hfaEE2pJOi0NxIjc4aoPk-Pnl_eAGmGo3yGalr25TFrd5vpxwyj/s1600/DSC_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt2TpJzt9bmJKpdstO2Pc3W84560k3cCcygyK5OUEpk6Hi_ifefbLOwFvAAKCXBvponHJU8R67tEgXiSY1xBUfqg_0hfaEE2pJOi0NxIjc4aoPk-Pnl_eAGmGo3yGalr25TFrd5vpxwyj/s1600/DSC_0138.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here is a picture of the cake table. The outer wall of our church cafe is pretty much solid windows from floor to ceiling, which makes for a beautiful setting! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZeeIOYD5MddFogJgYElL9u2eFNCvyKMw7McmvmFmtBhXKX4szPkoLegLfQ1PblBRITaT33euluEZzhn7XF9J-yfMz7lhg0kBfBWxQzJMSvxixCirC8VnJhOeFXxsRaoEB-nZC8jtmUAA/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZeeIOYD5MddFogJgYElL9u2eFNCvyKMw7McmvmFmtBhXKX4szPkoLegLfQ1PblBRITaT33euluEZzhn7XF9J-yfMz7lhg0kBfBWxQzJMSvxixCirC8VnJhOeFXxsRaoEB-nZC8jtmUAA/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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My mom got Scarlett's cake for her from a nearby bakery where one of her friends works (The bakery at Hartville Kitchen). I thought it was perfect!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6UZq486QjH2A74fT_a5cuSe1AhxxwBqd4mTT3OzJrR60lsX4X_aP9Zs1N4o6h6DAWURwBN0KdFT88MpCak6au5m3cY-PEYC9F6ezByZuiJv2lOR6nqoPWUpjh8gBy5cnKlvOJIqVS7G1/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6UZq486QjH2A74fT_a5cuSe1AhxxwBqd4mTT3OzJrR60lsX4X_aP9Zs1N4o6h6DAWURwBN0KdFT88MpCak6au5m3cY-PEYC9F6ezByZuiJv2lOR6nqoPWUpjh8gBy5cnKlvOJIqVS7G1/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a> </div>
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The smash cake was adorable as well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgtE6nEGrhVOYPkAKWHvCJViDldcHIuEarOdQAR_u9JP8DIBS9nODSjhU9YjYzLsliWNIjv4SRvQhmXx6jgSlxwojdMJQaA6Ypj8Aw6sAUPQqYdbrKFrkaLAWFbvnz4qAFNCxiRplKCPO/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgtE6nEGrhVOYPkAKWHvCJViDldcHIuEarOdQAR_u9JP8DIBS9nODSjhU9YjYzLsliWNIjv4SRvQhmXx6jgSlxwojdMJQaA6Ypj8Aw6sAUPQqYdbrKFrkaLAWFbvnz4qAFNCxiRplKCPO/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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And my mom made some really cute cupcakes with lemon candies on top. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3tjgVqAE7KnOxsYdnqVxgSR11bSM_yIn_7XYXhr9ReCIIWl_ejryo6-BSiH8w0xhj8SBC9lpossC_bccc1CBL4LDhNH6dR2Frsu7EZ5eT55HfmVk2Tuy1yJ5bd-sIQ7dR_Z3sz4iGF5v/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3tjgVqAE7KnOxsYdnqVxgSR11bSM_yIn_7XYXhr9ReCIIWl_ejryo6-BSiH8w0xhj8SBC9lpossC_bccc1CBL4LDhNH6dR2Frsu7EZ5eT55HfmVk2Tuy1yJ5bd-sIQ7dR_Z3sz4iGF5v/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAyFqQEDpeQu-eKsr98A0Z7JsDIscwtLzeIT2sJ30z5C1NO6bWYewOAapFj3FqdZTWrgYduGzaeAqlNdLaTAxjHWaiYfoacahgRMYqEBg07BPFmksI48qSIeA4_48d1oy86QpJKEC5J8H/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAyFqQEDpeQu-eKsr98A0Z7JsDIscwtLzeIT2sJ30z5C1NO6bWYewOAapFj3FqdZTWrgYduGzaeAqlNdLaTAxjHWaiYfoacahgRMYqEBg07BPFmksI48qSIeA4_48d1oy86QpJKEC5J8H/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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My sister-in-law Maria created this adorable fruit display. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzWYku2cVN64-HG5E8pwB3G8Sg3nhKTDjehsCU1GNprSz0HZzkTsIATP2KCVpFkEXw-xyvgdhJ92CENGSmZQUM7Cu4UEjUd-TSd2940g8KSiec34lmhlrYV1TS7L6SfNmhFo52fPyvgnr/s1600/File0617.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzWYku2cVN64-HG5E8pwB3G8Sg3nhKTDjehsCU1GNprSz0HZzkTsIATP2KCVpFkEXw-xyvgdhJ92CENGSmZQUM7Cu4UEjUd-TSd2940g8KSiec34lmhlrYV1TS7L6SfNmhFo52fPyvgnr/s1600/File0617.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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And of course we had to have a lemonade table. We decorated it with paper straws, lemons, <a href="http://jessica-becomingme.blogspot.com/2011/06/chalkboard-project.html" target="_blank">the chalkboard I made a few years ago</a>, and Lemon Head Boxes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX-zEMOjAT3D2Ol1p3CqABLpmENMuuosPCwysv09BjTjTi1a3h46w5-bCRYuCASe2ehOWNQkbShos8__7bpgnqWbxloZoebgu04QYddttASthJFBnlLekLPNj-H6e2u5eAwf5FMgKEeec/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX-zEMOjAT3D2Ol1p3CqABLpmENMuuosPCwysv09BjTjTi1a3h46w5-bCRYuCASe2ehOWNQkbShos8__7bpgnqWbxloZoebgu04QYddttASthJFBnlLekLPNj-H6e2u5eAwf5FMgKEeec/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfk4nkRGakPVP3FJYYDYTwcoxkOdeLvrKOxy0UEx9xlDaKlwRTgP8H1ZC7tgU7b8xPWSn5EnsuZTENuWOKAr_Ey1QuQYoAU1yePFP0OVOgrxYjMWmxiIhPUyTBi8UTW1IoUvGT-Z6zfeq/s1600/File0610.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfk4nkRGakPVP3FJYYDYTwcoxkOdeLvrKOxy0UEx9xlDaKlwRTgP8H1ZC7tgU7b8xPWSn5EnsuZTENuWOKAr_Ey1QuQYoAU1yePFP0OVOgrxYjMWmxiIhPUyTBi8UTW1IoUvGT-Z6zfeq/s1600/File0610.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1YO72MjZ6_lkJHSnQNE_7i0UZLi5pkbFeBj7yZjkysUEAHx98mH3zfwV-_62d86XwoeTEJ6KtfDEM8G-sxADlg4BZoCrZ1kTGae5Npj9e0yNP11B1wBw_7m-kVSLMXE08pq_XRwhfo_q/s1600/File0561.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1YO72MjZ6_lkJHSnQNE_7i0UZLi5pkbFeBj7yZjkysUEAHx98mH3zfwV-_62d86XwoeTEJ6KtfDEM8G-sxADlg4BZoCrZ1kTGae5Npj9e0yNP11B1wBw_7m-kVSLMXE08pq_XRwhfo_q/s1600/File0561.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a> </div>
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The centerpieces were flowers from my grandpa's garden that my mom arranged into pretty bouquets in mason jars.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3RkPjy_uuFZzP05jyAm6SlY2t2qFQoTaTa5n2D7fgaNc3WQahHsqM4Wl4ulgqRAJ3v_aSrWLMSTFxqQnv_0Dty9_sccORxfSNkVXbGmwqIcHYTjMgV0xHHqnZ3VaKIoHy2j35iAbndQM/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3RkPjy_uuFZzP05jyAm6SlY2t2qFQoTaTa5n2D7fgaNc3WQahHsqM4Wl4ulgqRAJ3v_aSrWLMSTFxqQnv_0Dty9_sccORxfSNkVXbGmwqIcHYTjMgV0xHHqnZ3VaKIoHy2j35iAbndQM/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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My family members all pitched in to help with the food, and I really didn't even make anything! Luke and I really do have the best families! On the menu was veggie pizza, chicken salad on croissants, tortilla chips and 2 different types of dip (buffalo chicken and jalapeno popper), and mixed fruit. </div>
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I made food labels in Power Point and taped them to toothpicks that I stuck into lemons. I found the idea on Pinterest, and thought it was so cute! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XEpgIMVdG-1BPpgo8IxsFakoyNYjDuGjPIbxONmDqNw0QvTu13QXZVbyaOhJSbs8GdPJiC4FKUXCRvVPfeIUMKI230cjH5HiC_y349Duj-9wF63QDLdSGv-Ytab4AhwN_6Pv4xIIMSTQ/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XEpgIMVdG-1BPpgo8IxsFakoyNYjDuGjPIbxONmDqNw0QvTu13QXZVbyaOhJSbs8GdPJiC4FKUXCRvVPfeIUMKI230cjH5HiC_y349Duj-9wF63QDLdSGv-Ytab4AhwN_6Pv4xIIMSTQ/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the mantle we put some more lemons, Lemon Heads and tulle in my mother-in-law's apothecary jars, a "Keep Calm and Drink Lemonade" sign that I made, and another lemonade sign (I can't remember where that one came from!) The pictures in the banner are Scarlett's monthly pictures (notice the colors of her onesies in her monthly pictures match the colors of the party. One perk of knowing the theme way ahead of time! ...And of having OCD. Ha!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOTxlxndf58QP5wYqyMBaOp1ZXOl-Ay1bwHgIcp4hXdvUg11_P4EeGY526gMGhK0_KArJjoeVW22CPEIKD9MGwb84suRvyrxcmACxRF4REwJrLTreh6NLogKpa7zp_y3NrZ-W3Ti_F2LZ/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOTxlxndf58QP5wYqyMBaOp1ZXOl-Ay1bwHgIcp4hXdvUg11_P4EeGY526gMGhK0_KArJjoeVW22CPEIKD9MGwb84suRvyrxcmACxRF4REwJrLTreh6NLogKpa7zp_y3NrZ-W3Ti_F2LZ/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMzJsoqnIugIdvpbDj2aQRA_VLJJeXn4KfGvxapB_-xsmgBB2RWMfqsMdQ3a07k8_kDFpMQ3OjyPFM85jorD1x2aR1-_ZNFje8rh37WGIit2_QEQt4Zx7ku_g9_oPizVchmQUadLeSRye/s1600/File0571.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMzJsoqnIugIdvpbDj2aQRA_VLJJeXn4KfGvxapB_-xsmgBB2RWMfqsMdQ3a07k8_kDFpMQ3OjyPFM85jorD1x2aR1-_ZNFje8rh37WGIit2_QEQt4Zx7ku_g9_oPizVchmQUadLeSRye/s1600/File0571.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had to put a room divider up, so my mom and sister decorated it with streamers and lots of pictures of Scarlett mounted on scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3Dlp6D_qBcu9gjtyLoHTeN4DHBdPHY405jSMHIPtUavXr7Tv_-nM1G1E5N-Lj-GcxQn0T-WXaCY-jOubfxdgZJrmjgvtcXnumiRV3BqKQB37OefWHgUGNTyUY0rj7tu2S1nZ0Hkf5IFQ/s1600/File0583.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3Dlp6D_qBcu9gjtyLoHTeN4DHBdPHY405jSMHIPtUavXr7Tv_-nM1G1E5N-Lj-GcxQn0T-WXaCY-jOubfxdgZJrmjgvtcXnumiRV3BqKQB37OefWHgUGNTyUY0rj7tu2S1nZ0Hkf5IFQ/s1600/File0583.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now, onto some pictures of the party itself! </div>
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She was definitely a fan of her frosting! </div>
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The birthday girl, looking a little dazed and sleepy! (unfortunately she did not nap well that morning). I love her dress. I just wanted something pink and sweet. I found it on Zulilly. I tried to get her to wear a yellow headband, but she is sadly beyond the point of wearing headbands. She wouldn't keep it in for anything! </div>
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This is her infamous "o" face. She does it whenever she is excited by anything. And this is my current favorite picture of her: </div>
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Here it is again:</div>
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Me and my girl:</div>
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Here she is with Great Grandma Lorie </div>
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And Papa (Luke's dad) </div>
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This picture makes me so excited for all these kids to grow up together. Future bffs! </div>
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With Aunt Moey (or Moe Moe as Scarlett calls her) </div>
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And with the grandmas. This was toward the end of the day and she was in desperate need of a nap! </div>
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What a special day! I still can't believe she's over a year old already! Time flies when you're having fun! But as always, I wish it would slow down!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-85692631925607477012014-08-05T19:11:00.001-04:002014-08-05T19:11:29.005-04:001 year old!Dear Scarlett,<br />
I am writing this almost a month late, but you are 1 year old now! We can hardly believe it!<br />
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You have grown and changed so much in the past month (and year!) You are less like a baby now, and more like a toddler. We're so proud of the little girl you're becoming, and we love you so much!</div>
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You now have 8 teeth (4 on top, 4 on the bottom). You are eating more and more real food each day. However, you are still just a tiny little peanut! At your 1 year well check you were in the 2nd percentile for weight, weighing in at 15 lbs, 6 ounces. You are in the 12th percentile for height, at 28 inches. Everyone continues to comment on how little you are, but you're healthy as can be!</div>
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In fact, you really haven't been sick at all in your first year of life. There were a few times when you had a runny nose or a slight fever, but we think that was mostly due to teething. I just want to say a big "I told you so!" to the people who were so worried about you being so small, because obviously you're one of the healthiest babies around!</div>
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On your birthday, you pulled yourself up in your crib for the first time! You also had begun saying a few new words, including mama, dada, baby, bubble, no (which sounds like "nie") pah for pacifier, and bah for blanket. And since your birthday, your language has started to explode, and you say new words (or your version of words) practically every day. It's so fun to watch you learn to talk! </div>
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You got so many new toys for your birthday! You love them all, but your absolute favorites are your little doll houses, your baby doll (which is the same size as you!) your elephant that plays music and spews out balls from its trunk, and your singing giraffe. You also got a baby Bible, and you love it! You always turn to the page that shows baby Jesus in the manger, and you love to point to the animals and to baby Jesus. I tell you that we will be celebrating that special day in a few months at Christmastime! </div>
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On top of all of those toys, you are also obsessed with Elmo. It's funny, because you don't really watch a whole lot of TV, so you don't see him on there very often. But you have some Elmo toys and books and you love him so much! We were walking through Target today and you spotted a big Elmo stuffed animal. You gasped and shouted "Momo!" (that's how you say Elmo, and it's adorable!) It makes my day to see you discovering the world and getting excited about little things like that all the time. </div>
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In the month before your birthday you did a lot of fun things! Mommy was busy with my last externship for school, but we found time for some fun things! We went to lots of parties for the 4th of July, went shopping on the weekends, and went swimming a few times. You also spent a lot of time with Nana and Papa, Aunt Di, and Grandma and Grandpa that month since Mommy and Daddy were so busy! </div>
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Here's what you looked like in your 12th month: </div>
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We celebrated your birthday with a big, pink-lemonade themed party with a lot of family and friends. You had so much fun, even though you hadn't napped well that day, and were exhausted!! You loved digging into your cake, and got frosting all over yourself!</div>
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Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. Your first year of life has been the best year of our lives! You bring so much joy, and also teach us things about life each day. This year went by so quickly, but I can't help but be unbelievably excited about the many, many years to come with you. We love you more than words can say!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mommy and Daddy </div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-16072912913764243332014-06-14T15:10:00.003-04:002014-06-14T15:16:52.035-04:0011 Months Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Scarlett,<br />
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You turned 11 months old on Wednesday! Look how much you've grown: <br />
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I can't believe we only have one month until you're a year old! Time has flown by, and I'd do just about anything to slow it down. But every day you learn something new, and this is a really fun age!<br />
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You continue to be one of the most curious babies I've ever seen. You are constantly watching everything, and you don't seem to miss a thing. This makes it hard for us to stay a step ahead of you! When we go out to eat, you love to sit in a high chair and people-watch. I tell you it's rude to stare, but that doesn't stop you at all!<br />
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The craziest thing is that you still don't crawl. You have mastered the "Scarlett scoot" and you get around so fast that way, I just don't think you'll ever crawl like a normal baby. In fact, you are starting to pull yourself up on things, and can toddle around pretty well if someone holds your hands, so I think you'll go straight to walking. In any case, you are totally mobile, and just not interested at all in crawling on your hands and knees.<br />
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I say this every month, but you constantly make us laugh. You dance around, make silly faces, silly noises, and just love to make everyone smile with you. You love to sing! I've been singing The Raindrops Song to you a lot, and as soon as I get to the part that says, "standing outside with my mouth open wide" you start yelling "ah! ah! ah!" Sometimes you just randomly yell it when you want me to sing the song. It is adorable! I've started singing Happy Birthday to you sometimes too, and I pretend to blow out a candle when I'm done. I want you to be ready to blow out your candle on your first birthday! And you already have the hang of it. As soon as you hear me the first line of the song, your whole face scrunches up in a huge smile, and you break into adorable giggles. <br />
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You are so friendly, too! When we go shopping, you love to smile and wave as we pass people. It takes me forever to get my grocery shopping done, because almost everybody stops me so they can look at you, tell me how cute you are, and talk to you for a few moments. You LOVE the attention!<br />
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You've gotten 2 new teeth this month. These were the hardest ones yet. There was a whole week where you woke up just about every half hour, every night. Mommy and Daddy almost lost our minds! But then all of a sudden, the first one poked through, and ever since then, I haven't had to get up with you once in the night. (Knock on wood!) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPL3TItRPp-MMdFTTI1f07KgyWKO7-_Zt3RM2uflXKIYV_5iatZbNFtsCA7r9QPHZ2_qMmsYo9eVLE-FWwMKdVnRWIvgfBkdWWdgpOGlLciSobidBg39jzuynrzNY_CqK3lTLQ0cjir4i/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPL3TItRPp-MMdFTTI1f07KgyWKO7-_Zt3RM2uflXKIYV_5iatZbNFtsCA7r9QPHZ2_qMmsYo9eVLE-FWwMKdVnRWIvgfBkdWWdgpOGlLciSobidBg39jzuynrzNY_CqK3lTLQ0cjir4i/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a> </div>
Your favorite toys right now are your Peter Rabbit stuffed animal, your Elmo stuffed animal at Nana's house, empty water bottles, your little bouncy ball (you love to roll it back and forth), spatulas, and Nana's chip clips. Yep, that's right. You love to play with her chip clips. It's funny the things you get attached to!<br />
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You also love your blanket and pacifier. When you're starting to get tired, I put your blanket across myself, and you just bury your face in me. We always say, "snuggle!" when you do this, and I think you think your blanket is actually called your "snuggle" now, which I think is pretty cute!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJlNJLjH8LXFfjOOfx7p46Eo8qRRHHiqc5Z8GYKCPse7189_5_mnbSlDYRsuRlggk_dkJ86xc247HLvzO7aYIuwkypbOtuQaFMcDLA4oF23oJ3FLCkQdS5Nu7GR8hjzyTvgcSKzfZwkeo/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" height="640" width="426" /> </div>
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You've gotten even cuter this month, if that's even possible. You love to blow kisses, do the motions to "Pat-a-cake," do "so big!", dance, give high fives, wave (you wave with your whole arm now, and it's so cute), give hugs (which are just you touching your head to things. We also say "noggin" to you, and touch our heads together. I think Aunt Di started that!) Like I said...you learn new things ever day! <br />
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You're such a sweet little girl, but very sassy, too. When we picked the name Scarlett, it sounded like a very feminine name, but also strong and not too prissy. I think it fits you perfectly, because that's exactly how your personality is. You are so sweet, but you are strong too. We hope you never change, and that you go through life as a strong woman who stands up and advocates for herself, but who also has so much sweetness, femininity, and love for others.<br />
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This is what you looked like this month:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfIEXaZwao8aTLtTSDX89GkkofkkASyn1BLcMWJZrkeKjmxyafTt1myH6uoItE-glgWaO_t8NCnMxNlnbo73ioXMw3giFtWY3GDF5S43brzDmXIo0FMnG7ILtQ5puAQFQpHAn8Fvd4SPb/s1600/June+Collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfIEXaZwao8aTLtTSDX89GkkofkkASyn1BLcMWJZrkeKjmxyafTt1myH6uoItE-glgWaO_t8NCnMxNlnbo73ioXMw3giFtWY3GDF5S43brzDmXIo0FMnG7ILtQ5puAQFQpHAn8Fvd4SPb/s1600/June+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a> <br />
I can't believe that your birthday party is being planned, and your invitations are all ready to be sent out. Time has gone too fast. But I am so excited for your future! It's definitely bittersweet to see you growing and changing every day! <br />
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We love you so much!!<br />
Love,<br />
Mommy and DaddyJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-34387454382513428522014-06-04T22:23:00.002-04:002014-06-04T22:30:44.157-04:00How to Survive as a Working MomI have begun several posts recently detailing fun things we've been up to, like my first Mother's Day, Scarlett's dedication, Luke's birthday, and a recent day trip to visit with my sister. But life has been crazy, and I haven't had time to complete any of them. I hope to soon, because these are special memories I don't want to forget! But tonight something completely different is on my mind. <br />
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I recently started my medical externship. It is my final externship before I graduate in August. I've been placed in a facility that's part rehab center and part skilled nursing facility. I know I want to work in the schools, so spending my summer in what is basically a nursing home felt a little like a waste of time at first, to be honest. Not only that, but since I went and had a baby in the middle of grad school and became an "off-sequence" student, I have to complete my medical externship in 8 weeks instead of 15. This means that I am at my extern site 5 days and somewhere between 40 and 50 hours a week. Factor in 2 classes I'm taking during said externship, and a 40 minute drive one way, and that leaves very little time for my family. On week nights I have between 2-4 hours with Scarlett.<br />
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To say I've been depressed would be an understatement. I hold on to Scarlett every morning and just bawl before I have to leave. I hate it more than I can tell you, and for the last 2 weeks I've been wondering why God is making me go through this because I don't feel like I can handle it. I waited so long to become a mom, and I didn't think I'd have to basically let someone else raise my child once I finally had one. Luke tells me that's melodramatic, but it's how I feel.<br />
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Today I was at my externship site and needed to return something to a patient's room. I walked in and the patient was just moaning and visibly upset. I reached out to her and she grabbed me and pulled me close. She was holding my hand and pulling me to her as if she were clinging to me for life. I just sat there and hugged her for a good long while, and then I rubbed her shoulders for a moment, and pulled her blankets up tightly around her so she'd be warm and comfortable. I told her that my supervisor and I would check on her throughout the day and make sure she was okay. After all of that, she visibly calmed down and stopped panicking. She had just needed someone to hug her and comfort her. And in that moment, my attitude changed. I believe God was telling me that he has placed me at this site for a purpose.<br />
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Scarlett is so lucky to have many relatives who can watch her each day. Honestly, leaving her each morning is a billion times harder on me than it is her. She probably doesn't even notice I'm gone during the day. Unlike Scarlett, those patients don't always have someone to love on them and advocate for them 100% of the time. So if I can't be with Scarlett all the time this summer, I'm going to put all of my energy into loving and helping those patients. I am so lucky to have a supervisor who does just that every single day, and she's been a great example for me. <br />
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I was watching "The Little Couple" the other day. (I love that show...I think Bill and Jen are such a wonderful couple!) If you don't watch the show, Jen is a neonatologist who works in a NICU at one of the largest children's hospitals in the country. Obviously she has a very wonderful, rewarding job, but she has to work crazy hours sometimes. She and her husband have adopted two children in the past couple of years, and I imagine it is very hard for her to be away from them. But she said something in a recent episode that hit home for me: it's not about quantity of time; it's about quality of time. This is such a true statement, and my mom even alluded to this when I was confiding in her the other day and telling her how hard of a time I'm having. She talked about how I'd probably take my time with Scarlett for granted if I were a stay-at-home mom and got to be with her 24/7. But since I'm only able to see her for a few hours a day (for this short period of 8 weeks, anyway) every minute is probably filled with quality time. I think this is totally true, because during my few hours with her, you better believe my total attention is on her. I don't do homework, dishes, cleaning, laundry, etc until she's tucked into bed at night. those few hours in the evening are our special time together. I like to think that I spend the same amount of quality time with her as I would if I were a stay-at-home mom, even though the quantity of time is much lower.<br />
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<b>So in a nutshell, if you are going through the same type of situation as me, I have two words of advice: 1. If you can't pour all your love into your child each day since you are not physically with them, pour all your love into those you were sent to serve or work with at your job each day. God placed you where you are for a reason. And 2. Don't dwell on the quantity of time you are missing out on. Think instead about all the quality time you have together. </b><br />
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I know these next 6.5 weeks are going to be hard. But with this attitude, I can cope a little better, and I'm sure I'll learn a lot more along the way, too. I fully intend to seek a job as a school speech therapist, where I will have holidays, nights, and summers off to spend with my family. Once my kids are school-aged, it will be the absolute perfect set up. But until that time, I might as well make the most of the situation I'm in instead of dwelling in depression like I have been.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-22474097414331354922014-05-11T06:00:00.000-04:002014-05-11T06:00:00.287-04:0010 Months Old!Dear Scarlett, <br />
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You are 10 months old today!</div>
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At your last doctor's appointment, you weighed 14 lbs, 3 ounces. You are still so tiny, but much bigger than that 4lb, 12 oz baby we brought home from the hospital! Your appetite has grown and you seem to eat a lot! But you must have a very high metabolism, because you're just not gaining very much weight! You will love this "problem" when you're older!<br />
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The biggest change in the past month is that you've become mobile! The funny thing is, you're still not totally crawling on your hands and knees. You can army crawl like a champ, using just your arms. But the way you mostly get around is by sitting up and scooting around on your behind. You've gotten really good at it, and you're really fast! And it's kind of hilarious to watch you. It definitely makes taking your monthly pictures a little difficult! You didn't want to sit still! That's why most of the pictures in this post are so blurry.<br />
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You've also learned a lot of other new things this month. You love to sing and dance as always. You've learned to do pat-a-cake, and you can do all of the motions at the right time! Your receptive language is also growing each day by leaps and bounds. In other words, even though you aren't saying any real words yet, you know what a lot of words mean. Here are some of the words you understand: bottle, puffs, paci, blankie, "snuggle," (we tell you to snuggle and you think that means to bury yourself in your blanket), kiss, hug (you give us hugs and kisses on cue now, and sometimes spontaneously, too!), bath, hi, bye, kitties, ball, duck, keys, bubbles, bouncer, clap, sing, dance, no (although you don't always listen to that one!), etc. </div>
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You are the friendliest baby, and have yet to meet a stranger. You love to go shopping because you love to point, wave, smile, and STARE at everyone we pass. This is kind of opposite of both mommy and daddy, because we are both somewhat reserved. It is fun to see such a tiny little girl with such a big personality! </div>
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You are also just so goofy! You are constantly dancing around, making funny noises, funny faces, and just cracking up at random things. You certainly keep us all laughing! </div>
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Your favorite toys right now are your Sophie giraffe, your Peter Rabbit stuffed animal from Aunt Viv, a Frozen coloring book (you just like to look at Anna and Elsa on the cover), bubbles (Mommy blows them, and you like to pop them in my face),and all of your bath toys. Bathtime is probably your favorite part of the day. You splash so much, you drench anyone who is in the bathroom with you. You also love to scream in the bathtub because of the way it echoes.<br />
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Speaking of screaming, you do that a lot! Luckily, you never do it when you're mad. You only do it when you're overly happy or excited. It's like you become overtaken with emotion, and the only thing you know to do with all that excited energy is scream at the top of your lungs!<br />
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Lately it's been harder to put you to sleep at night. You also don't always take the longest naps. We think it's because you don't want to miss anything. Lately, Mommy has resorted to singing you to sleep, and it usually works. You seem to respond powerfully to music in many different situations (not all that different than Mommy and Daddy, as we are huge music-lovers as well). Lately I have been singing "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac every time I put you down for a nap or for the night. I'm not sure how that even started, except that something about the melody seems to calm you. And now I think you're just conditioned to fall asleep when you hear that song. <br />
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This month has been very busy for you! You had your first sleepover at Nana and Papa's house while Mommy and Daddy were in Columbus for the weekend, You celebrated your first Easter, Daddy's 30th birthday cookout, lots of shopping trips with Grandma and Mommy, a trip to the farmer's market, a trip to White House Fruit Farms, many walks through the neighborhood, and today, your 10-month birthday, is Mother's Day. You've been awfully busy!</div>
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Here is what you looked like this month:<br />
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We love you so much, and cannot wait to see what next month brings!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mommy and Daddy</div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-90532599884942746742014-04-20T21:57:00.000-04:002014-04-20T21:57:08.254-04:00Easter 14This Easter was a pretty great one. It was Scarlett's first, and we had so much fun celebrating with her and our families!<br />
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The entire Easter weekend was wonderful. Luke had off work Friday and the weather was beautiful! We went shopping all morning, took a walk in the afternoon, and relaxed in the evening. It was nice to have so much time together as a family. <br />
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Saturday we colored eggs with Luke's family, and then I dressed Scarlett up in her Easter outfit to do a little photo shoot since I didn't think we'd have time on Sunday. Here are a couple of my favorites (P.S. I got her dress at Crazy 8, and I love it!) : <br />
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Easter morning we went to church and then gave Scarlett her first little Easter basket. She was definitely most excited about the puffs.</div>
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The bunny on the right was from Luke's parents. It dances just like Scarlett does, and it's pretty hilarious to watch them both dance together. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZD6N4WYvswk3jmGDVvoLqo09dZ0HiUCwqHklHoMQG9axofgRy_jdndUj_UbQBrZx3lKoRRW1SiZwDzrgFVSp9h5QjoqF9405CQf8fMn7dpabhq1pT0SVTFlLNMiSeiA9Q6gwvwef4Ebh/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
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Before we left to spend the day with our families, Scarlett took a long nap. And I couldn't resist taking a picture. She looked so sweet! Nothing's sweeter than a sleeping baby. </div>
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After naptime we headed to Luke's grandparents' house. Here is our family picture:</div>
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Here is a picture of Scarlett with her Great Aunt Judy: </div>
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With Nana</div>
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And standing with Daddy's help </div>
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Our last stop of the day was my parents' house. I was so tired at this point that I didn't take many pictures. Which really bums me out. I will have to do better next time! But here's a cute one of my dad playing with Scarlett and some of the new toys she got for Easter. </div>
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Honestly, holidays are stressful when you have multiple places to go with a baby. Since Luke is in the worship band at church, I had to get everything ready by myself (Luke had to play in all 3 services and was gone for about 5 hours this morning). I worry about naps and mealtimes for Scarlett when we are away for the entire day. We have a million things we have to lug everywhere with us. And I get a little stressed and grumpy. Halfway through the day today I had to remind myself the reason we celebrate Easter. Jesus died for my sins and rose again! My petty little problems seem tiny in comparison. It is very humbling to remember the price that was paid for my salvation. <br />
<br />I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, and remembered the reason for the holiday!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-76580441763478828062014-04-11T06:00:00.000-04:002014-04-11T06:00:01.710-04:009 Months Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Scarlett, </div>
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You're 9 months old today! Look how much you've grown:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2it75Mq2iTKKSvkwXRlifgjOkAmXdhmKYsX42n45Tm7IVYNobRXc9-LLq1ZhvAWC75x4TZSJ612hT5M5mxMaAz-OxQWmRTGPHTX5KpfSlWnse4RPbrl4AMgjTPVyqajpefAkYjqwclp6b/s1600/3+month+age+progression+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2it75Mq2iTKKSvkwXRlifgjOkAmXdhmKYsX42n45Tm7IVYNobRXc9-LLq1ZhvAWC75x4TZSJ612hT5M5mxMaAz-OxQWmRTGPHTX5KpfSlWnse4RPbrl4AMgjTPVyqajpefAkYjqwclp6b/s1600/3+month+age+progression+.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUpkuz4bx_pYr3GfSQrUWC-Kkon4aZFdHh-ITI2h1xsNtTBY4KgoN0i4CiHKTsETnzQ3UqY5ruZnQ1ft_wqVAwo-Sx49o9iatlZ6gmCZOmSNmVoTktK1OmXzSLaIOqtkKCJnr7Pa5vi2N/s1600/6+month+collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUpkuz4bx_pYr3GfSQrUWC-Kkon4aZFdHh-ITI2h1xsNtTBY4KgoN0i4CiHKTsETnzQ3UqY5ruZnQ1ft_wqVAwo-Sx49o9iatlZ6gmCZOmSNmVoTktK1OmXzSLaIOqtkKCJnr7Pa5vi2N/s1600/6+month+collage.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz9x7k8s76fRh6xoF8JtovgGc5wm0XqY1FMI0FklgI2OLojQxmkHky_5YFPflOc-uZjgAjqA8QvupA3GrlQ9omEHzBEloVgadsUbTGhxzyQfO50biDdgyX2fFZ0J0z-jvvijxQvu9qSQk/s1600/9+month+collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz9x7k8s76fRh6xoF8JtovgGc5wm0XqY1FMI0FklgI2OLojQxmkHky_5YFPflOc-uZjgAjqA8QvupA3GrlQ9omEHzBEloVgadsUbTGhxzyQfO50biDdgyX2fFZ0J0z-jvvijxQvu9qSQk/s1600/9+month+collage.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each month I keep thinking it will be impossible for you to get cuter since you're already so cute, but each month you do it! The first few months of your life, all we heard when people saw you was "she's so tiny!" While we still hear that occasionally, that comment has mostly been replaced with, "she has such big, blue eyes!" We can almost count on it every time you meet someone new or see someone who hasn't seen you in a long time. I have to agree with everyone...they are big, blue, and beautiful! </div>
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Also, your hair is finally starting to really grow in! It is light brown and very straight right now. You're starting to look less like a baby and more like a little girl each day. I hate it and love it at the same time I love watching you become independent, but I also hate the thought of you growing up!</div>
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You weigh about 14 pounds, and you're 26.5 inches long. It is crazy to think that you've grown 7.5 inches since you were born. I can't even remember what it was like when you were that small! </div>
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You have learned a lot of new things this month. You are really into imitating actions. You wave back at people (with both hands, facing the wrong way, but it's adorable). You have finally perfected clapping and you do it every time you hear the word "clap" or "patty-cake." You're babbling up a storm, and sometimes you get so excited you just scream! And I mean, you REALLY scream. A lady at Giant Eagle told me you were going to break the glass in the freezer aisle -- that's how loud you are. It's pretty funny, and unexpected coming from such a small baby. Luckily you only do it when you're overly happy or excited, and not when you're upset. You still like to dance, although the novelty is wearing off a bit. You also sing in the sweetest little voice. Sometimes you sing yourself to sleep.<br />
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You're still giving the rare spontaneous kiss to us, and have started to give hugs. My heart basically explodes when I'm holding you and you randomly tilt your head, pull yourself close to me, and rest it on my shoulder while you hold on for a few seconds. Those hugs alone are worth all the time we spent waiting for you.<br />
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You still haven't started crawling forward, but that doesn't seem to stop you from getting around. You can crawl backwards and around in circles, and it cracks us up how you spin yourself around until you get to where you want to go. You can also scoot pretty well when you're sitting on the floor. We kind of think you might walk before you full-on crawl! You just don't seem interested in crawling.</div>
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Your favorite toys right now are any toys that play music. It's so fun that you already have a passion for music, just like Mommy and Daddy! You especially like you're stuffed dog that sings to you, and your Fisher Price vintage clock music box. <br />
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Speaking of music, this update would not be complete if I didn't mention your favorite song. I'm not sure how it became your favorite, but you are absolutely obsessed with the song "Let it Go" from the movie Frozen! As soon as you hear those first few notes of the song, your head flips around to wherever the sound's coming from, and you're completely entranced for the next 3.5 minutes. We even use it in the car to calm you down sometimes, and it works every time. I call it the magic song. <br />
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Speaking of chewing, your top front teeth sure are giving you trouble! They've been trying to poke through for at least a month, and they've changed your appetite, made you lose sleep, and just made you all around miserable some days. I can't wait until they totally come in! Although I hate to tell you, but you've got a LOT more teeth coming in, so this is not the last of the misery! At least it's a chance for extra snuggles!<br />
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This month has been pretty laid back around here. The weather hasn't been nice enough to get out too much, so we've hung out around home a lot. Mommy was on spring break for a week, and we had so much fun together! We also did the usual fun family outings and visits.<br />
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Next month we'll be able to go outside, swing, take walks, and go visit daddy at the park at work! We can't wait to spend as much time with you as possible! <br />
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Here's what you looked like this month:</div>
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We love you so much! </div>
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Love,</div>
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Mommy and Daddy </div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-88636618640199356992014-03-24T13:12:00.000-04:002014-03-24T13:12:03.483-04:00The Frozen Phenomenon and Being a Girl MomI've been hearing about Frozen for months from my friends who have kids and from the students I work with. Apparently it's a huge deal, but I don't exactly fit the demographic of people who watch that type of movie (Ha! Who am I kidding? Half of our blu-ray collection are Disney movies). Anyway, I wasn't in a rush to see the movie.<br />
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Then last Wednesday, Scarlett was napping and I clicked on a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjbPszSt5Pc" target="_blank">video </a>someone had posted on Facebook. It was a man singing a cover of the song "Let it Go" (from Frozen) in a bunch of different Disney voices. I was getting a kick out of it when I heard Scarlett stirring in her crib. So I paused the video, went to scoop her up out of her crib, and then let her watch the rest of the video with me. I usually don't like her to watch anything on a screen, but made an exception for a short, cute video.<br />
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She seemed to be really into it, so after that video was over, I clicked on another one -- the version of the song from the movie. She was absolutely mesmerized. <br />
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Throughout the day, I would play the song and we would dance around, and she seemed to be having the time of her life. There was just something about that song. <br />
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By the time Saturday rolled around, we had listened to the song approximately 850 times. So I decided I might as well purchase the blu-ray, since it will probably be one of Scarlett's future favorites. And let's be honest, probably mine too. So during naptime on Saturday, I took part in this wonderfulness while Scarlett snoozed:<br />
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And oh my goodness, it was so cute! I loved it, and I'm almost 30 years old. I know Scarlett is going to love it even more when she's old enough to really watch it. </div>
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And now when Scarlett gets fussy, I see her looking at the TV, just waiting for me to play her favorite song. And I willingly oblige. Her eyes get big and she gasps and dances and even tries to sing along. And I kind of see into our future for a minute. I see all things princesses, pink, dancing, sing-alongs, girly movies, and all the fun things about being a little girl. And sometimes I'm so overwhelmed with happiness that God has blessed me with a baby girl that I almost cry. You can tell me I'm perpetuating gender norms all you want, but I happen to love being a woman, and I'm glad my daughter gets to experience all of those fun, girly things too. </div>
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I will also teach her to be tough and independent and to stand up for herself. But that's the beauty of being a girl: she can be all of those things, and still be a beautiful, feminine, princess at the same time. </div>
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I know I would have loved a little boy so much, and I hope I have one someday. But I feel so blessed that God picked me to be a girl mom, too. </div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-38015730007562200842014-03-21T10:15:00.002-04:002014-03-21T10:15:30.414-04:00Lit Picks: The Napping House (+ Freebie!)I am checking in for 1 measly post this week to share one of my very favorite books to use in therapy: The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood.<br />
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This book is amazing. The illustrations are beautiful, it is a predictable text, there is rich vocabulary, and children think it's hilarious! I did some activities with this book in therapy a couple of weeks ago, and there were some serious belly laughs coming from the speech room as the students saw what happened to all the crazy people and animals sleeping in the napping house! <br />
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How to use it: <br />
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<li>Predictable text: Once you have read a few pages, you can leave off words, and children can fill them in for you. You can also have students predict what's going to happen next.</li>
<li>Rich Vocabulary: there are many synonyms for "sleep" in the book. Have children make a list of all the words they can find that mean "sleep."</li>
<li>Prepositions: Have students answer "where?" questions on each page, using prepositions. For example, ask them, "Where is the mouse on this page?" Instead of just having the child point, have them tell you, "ON the mirror."</li>
<li>Story recall: Have children draw a picture of everyone on the bed in the napping house, and then have them tell you what happened after they were all asleep.</li>
<li>Sequencing: Use pictures to have students retell the story in the correct sequence. I actually just opened my own Teachers Pay Teachers store, and I uploaded free sequencing pictures <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Napping-House-Comprehension-Companion-1159944" target="_blank">HERE</a>, so hop on over there and download them! Your children will love it. The download also includes a page where students can write all the synonyms for "sleep" from the story. </li>
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Happy Reading! Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-17424079629245190352014-03-11T06:00:00.000-04:002014-03-11T06:00:02.511-04:008 Months Old!Dear Scarlett,<br />
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You are 8 months old today! 2/3 of a year old!<br />
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I say this every month, but you are at such a fun age! You are learning so many new things each day. You are getting to the point where you notice that you get attention when you do certain things, so you do them over and over to make everyone laugh. I guess you're a little ham!</div>
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For example, you have recently learned how to "dance." Whenever you hear music, you bob your head and rock back and forth. It's to the point now where we just say, "Scarlett, dance!" and you do it. You've done it a million times, but it makes everyone laugh every time! </div>
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You seem to understand what a few other words mean, too. You know who to look at when we say "Mommy," "Daddy," or "Ellie." And you look at us when we say your name, too. When we say "Hi," you wave your hand. And you try to clap your hands when we tell you to clap.<br />
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You babble constantly, too. Lately you've been saying, "mamamama," "dadadada," "nanananana" (which kind of sounds like "no" and you mostly do it when you're whining), "babababa" and a few other sounds. You like to kind of whisper your "s" and "sh" sounds too, which always cracks us up. We're not sure what you're trying to say, but it seems like you're telling us a secret!<br />
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You've also recently started to give "kisses." basically, you just open
your mouth wide and press it into our faces. You do it rarely and only
when you're in the right mood, but it basically makes our day when you
do it! <br />
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You aren't super interested in crawling, but you recently learned to get up on your knees when you're on your stomach and crawl backwards. You also roll over more often now, with a little support and encouragement. <br />
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You are such a curious baby! You want to know what's going on all the time. If we are in a new place or a busy situation, you refuse to nap. And when I am trying to feed you at home, Daddy and the cats have to be completely still, because if anyone moves, you lose all interest in the bottle and want to know what's going on! I joke and say you're just nosy.</div>
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Speaking of eating, you seem much more interested in solids than your bottle lately. You have yet to try a food that you don't like, but squash and sweet potatoes are definitely your favorites! I guess you take after Mommy, because Daddy hates those foods! You are such a good little eater, even though you still weigh a little under 14 lbs! </div>
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This month your favorite toys are your sock monkey, your little Alice in Wonderland toys, your plastic farm animals, and your little ball that makes a rattling noise. Anything we let you get your hands on that is not a toy, is also your favorite toy (e.g. cups, spoons, lids, an old remote control with the batteries removed, etc). You love to look at books, listen to music, play peek-a-boo, and dance.</div>
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This month was one of the snowiest I can remember! Mommy had lots of snow days, which were all spent with you! I loved every minute. We also did some fun things like visit Aunt Julie for a day trip in Columbus, celebrate Great Grandma's 90th birthday, play in the snow, and had a girl's weekend with Mommy while Daddy was in Houston. This month, Daddy also had surgery on his knee. The same week, Mommy was sick, and you got sick for the first time! It was no fun, but we all got through it. </div>
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These months keep flying by! As always, we wish we could somehow make time slow down!</div>
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Here's what you looked like this month: </div>
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We love you so much!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Mommy and Daddy</div>
<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-11980182787118425522014-03-03T11:28:00.000-05:002014-03-03T11:28:00.013-05:00Lit Picks - Dr. Seuss<div style="text-align: left;">
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Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Technically, it was yesterday. But I thought today would be a good day to talk about some of his wonderful books!<br />
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<a href="http://www.seussdude.com/list-books.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> is a website that lists every single Dr. Seuss book. I could probably write a blog post about every one of them, but I picked just 2 to talk about today:<br />
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The Foot Book:</div>
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I love this book! It teaches the concept of opposites using feet:</div>
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How to use it with babies and toddlers: This book, along with every other Dr. Seuss book, is good because of the rhyming. It is good for babies and toddlers to hear rhyming and rhythm as they acquire langauge. When I read this book to Scarlett, she rocks back and forth almost like I'm singing to her. It's also good for print awareness, which is an important early literacy skill. Since there are few words on a page, it is easy to point to each word as you read, and show the 1:1 word: text ratio. Pointing to the words shows that we read left-to-right. And if you read often (any book, not just this one), it teaches where we begin books (the front) and end books (the back), and which way we turn the pages. I like this book for print awareness because it's so simple, there are only a few words on a page, and the text is embedded in the pictures. I also like this book for counting. When I read it to Scarlett, we count all the feet on each page.<br />
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For older children: synonyms and antonyms are another important language skill, and this is the perfect book to use to introduce antonyms (opposites). You could read through the book once and then try to have the child fill in the opposites on a second reading. You could also have them make up their own opposite using feet in addition to the ones in the book.<br />
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Another one of my favorite books to read to Scarlett is Dr. Seuss's ABC</div>
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Again, it rhymes and there is rhythm. The text is big and colorful, so it's good, again, for print awareness. And it promotes letter-sound recognition. <br />
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How to use it: For babies and toddlers, it would be good to read this book a lot to get them familiar with what letters look and sound like. I like how the book shows both the capital and lower-case versions of each letter.The inside cover (front and back) has the entire alphabet printed on it, so after I read it to Scarlett, I sing her the ABC song while I point to all the letters.<br />
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For older children, You could have them try to write each letter as you read the book to them. You could also have them tell you more words that begin with each letter.<br />
<br />
Dr. Seuss books are just all-around amazing for teaching all kinds of wonderful literacy skills. A quick <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Dr.%20Seuss%20Activities" target="_blank">Pinterest Search of "Dr. Seuss Activities"</a> leads to pages upon pages of pins and boards with ideas for literacy activities, crafts, costumes, snacks, etc. I plan to use these books and activities a lot with Scarlett and in speech therapy if I get a job in the schools.<br />
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*** </div>
<a href="http://jessica-becomingme.blogspot.com/2014/02/lit-picks-vocabulary-development.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> are my lit picks for vocabulary development.<br />
<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-36351058332659668512014-02-28T08:52:00.000-05:002014-02-28T08:52:26.448-05:00Friday Randoms- My sweet husband ordered some flowers to be delivered to me on Valentines Day. He wanted to surprise me since he was leaving for Houston that weekend. The only problem with that is that I decided to go out on a <a href="http://jessica-becomingme.blogspot.com/2014/02/galentines-day.html" target="_blank">last-minute day-trip to Columbus</a> to visit my sister, so they sat in the freezing cold all day.<br />
<br />
I got home at about 9 that night and my flowers were frozen and droopy. I was so bummed! Luke emailed Pro Flowers and told them what had happened, and they re-sent the order. Now there is a huge bunch of lilies in my living room making me smile every time I walk in. I took this picture last weekend, and they are even prettier now because they're all open and beautiful.<br />
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- Have you been watching Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show? Luke and I have been enjoying it so much! We DVR it every night, and then watch it the next afternoon or evening when we both get home. We're obviously too old to stay up late enough to watch it live. Anyway, we pretty much laugh through the entire show. </div>
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- I've finally gotten brave, and I've been using my camera in manual mode lately. It is really fun to experiment, and not nearly as complicated as I would have thought. I wish I had more time to experiment, and I can't wait until it's warm enough to take more pictures outside, but for now it's fun to experiment during free time on the weekends. I have been trying to take comparisons between automatic and manual modes. There's a big difference, and I think I should have figured out what this thing could do earlier!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vPbPzCI0_aMfzw3G-LM7VLT8m38YkWtPvjXy9buy_HwZ4AP8baox_5kt8v-z6FOfmOiklLThfF6mhkOiBXQYgOMqmoW5ebiFsSh2jVVJGh02YRQCxuwuWHKoZekrJtRiJqj04jvRAhz0/s1600/automatic+vs+manual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vPbPzCI0_aMfzw3G-LM7VLT8m38YkWtPvjXy9buy_HwZ4AP8baox_5kt8v-z6FOfmOiklLThfF6mhkOiBXQYgOMqmoW5ebiFsSh2jVVJGh02YRQCxuwuWHKoZekrJtRiJqj04jvRAhz0/s1600/automatic+vs+manual.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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- Luke and I are having a date night tonight! Having a baby changes a marriage so much. It is awesome to see your spouse become a parent, and you basically fall in love with them all over again. But then real life and major stress sets in, and things become difficult. At least for me, it is hard not to take my frustration out on Luke and snap at him. I will probably write a whole post on this at some point, but the nutshell version is: it is so important to give each other the benefit of the doubt, be patient with one another, and forgive each other. One of my favorite quotes is, "A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers." It's also important to take time out together. I am excited spend some quality time with Luke tonight. </div>
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- I have to say, I think 7 months is my favorite age so far. Scarlett just keeps us constantly laughing. She loves to sing and dance! It's so funny. She rocks back and forth while she yells "ahhh." She also just has so much more of a personality now. And we seem to be coming more and more out of her whiny stage. And to be completely honest, I'm trying to enjoy the fact that she's not mobile yet! Ha! I know our days are limited, because the past few days she's been trying to push herself up on her knees when she's on her stomach, and I know she's going to be creeping and then crawling before too long! She also can push herself backwards on her stomach. I guess we better do some baby-proofing!</div>
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Happy Friday! </div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-12860998659348405412014-02-26T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-26T06:00:11.604-05:00PerfectionismI am the oldest child in my family, and I have all the classic traits: high-strung personality, very hard on myself, and an extreme perfectionist. <br />
<br />
I never really thought of my perfectionism as a bad thing. I always thought it was the reason I've been successful in school, and hopefully in my future career. <br />
<br />
However, God is showing me that it has become an obsession and a source of extremely prideful and selfish behavior. <br />
<br />
The problem with being a perfectionist is that I'm obviously very far from perfect. But for some reason, I have this need to appear like I have it all together. This is where the pride and selfishness come in. I am too focused on myself and making sure everything appears to be perfect about my life, while on the inside, I'm one stressful situation away from having a mental breakdown. <br />
<br />
I keep telling myself that I don't care if I don't get all As in school. But the truth is, I do care. I can't give half of my best on a project, paper, or at my externship. Even though if I did, it would probably mean more time spent with Scarlett and Luke and less stress for me. What would happen if I got a B? Would the world stop turning? Because somehow in my mind, that's what would happen. It's ridiculous, and I'm glad I'm realizing what a huge problem this has become.<br />
<br />
Another problem area is my home. You guys, I have to be honest. I am just not good at keeping it clean. Luke always rolls his eyes and tells me our house is just fine, and it's clean enough. But I want it to be perfect. Our house is such a source of frustration for me because I want it to be clean, and that is just not a priority for Luke (or most men, I guess). I get mad and snap at him when I start to feel like the house is getting out of control (which it is most of the time). I don't know why I can't just let it go, realize it's not going to be perfectly clean until our kids are graduated and out of the house (or never), and relax a bit. <br />
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The thing that scares me is that I'm afraid of projecting my perfectionism onto Scarlett. She's already an oldest child (assuming we have more children) with 2 oldest children as parents. I am constantly picking at her and making sure she looks and acts "perfect" all the time. This week I realized that this is really a habit I need to break so she doesn't end up just like me!<br />
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I guess it all comes down to motives. If I was trying to make my house perfect for my family, that would be okay. But I try to make it look perfect for appearances; so that people think I have it all together when they come visit, or (heaven forbid!) stop over unexpectedly. In my case, perfectionism = pride! <br />
<br />
I can't believe it took me almost 30 years to realize how silly it is to be so wrapped up in appearances, and things that just don't matter! I would be under so much less stress if I just said, "I don't care what people think!" I would have more time to spend doing things for others if I wasn't so wrapped up in making my life look as "put together" as possible. <br />
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If God wanted us to be perfect, He would have created us that way. But he wants us to rely on Him for perfection. It's not my job to be perfect. The more I realize that, the more I can let go and be used for His purposes instead of my own. <br />
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I'm glad I finally realized this, but the hard part is going to be changing! I'll just have to take it one day at a time. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-11953303905645816852014-02-25T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-25T06:53:19.619-05:00DIY "Shellac" Nails<br />
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I love the look of shellac nails, but I don't have money just
laying around to get a manicure every couple of weeks. I also don't
have the time to do that! So I did some experimenting, and created my
own "shellac" effect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1bPRKplVZrJjGrHZh_x6GNFGdm7oOMhFKy3c9mGArjBws-tlc5cRouTKbxC15DBiYdTXcYrc83kJrHDDisY4rzENcOel-UjX-v1aGAGGHmGCqybIVYNNtM4W_eR_WNLkMeTGE3w3S2S7/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1bPRKplVZrJjGrHZh_x6GNFGdm7oOMhFKy3c9mGArjBws-tlc5cRouTKbxC15DBiYdTXcYrc83kJrHDDisY4rzENcOel-UjX-v1aGAGGHmGCqybIVYNNtM4W_eR_WNLkMeTGE3w3S2S7/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let me just tell
you, it is hard to take a good picture of nails! But trust me when I
say it looks thicker and shinier and more professional than my nails
usually do.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are the products I used:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRqe4kBs9Pms9HtASgKplIlHGEHRTO11EP2l02eHqlNoWj9ypsWbCp2eqj7rTewYApbNnq1zm2d90zt1e4F-7_DYuX9lUDmHPfKLl9akg_TY7zvspYhQQkr-LHAbx6f05QM03ogGviQ2E/s1600/DSC_0008+edit+mw.jpg"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRqe4kBs9Pms9HtASgKplIlHGEHRTO11EP2l02eHqlNoWj9ypsWbCp2eqj7rTewYApbNnq1zm2d90zt1e4F-7_DYuX9lUDmHPfKLl9akg_TY7zvspYhQQkr-LHAbx6f05QM03ogGviQ2E/s1600/DSC_0008+edit+mw.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRqe4kBs9Pms9HtASgKplIlHGEHRTO11EP2l02eHqlNoWj9ypsWbCp2eqj7rTewYApbNnq1zm2d90zt1e4F-7_DYuX9lUDmHPfKLl9akg_TY7zvspYhQQkr-LHAbx6f05QM03ogGviQ2E/s1600/DSC_0008+edit+mw.jpg"></a><br />
<ul>
<li>1 coat Sally Hansen "Hard as Wraps" hardener (purchased at Walmart for under $5) </li>
<li>2
coats of whatever color polish you'd like -- I chose Sable Collar from
Essie's winter collection (A Christmas gift from my mom from Ulta) </li>
<li>1 coat Sally Hansen "Advanced Hard as Nails - Strengthening Top Coat" (purchased at Walmart...I can't remember the price).</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9v0cByrgkQSHiskRIlMU8EfOvAIETupOSDuMF0QRdLayMZoyv2FSUnBEHpTlNzIujW-wdKjFET9-F8bfid_KMrukvTTRN-K5QXhZxvz-_-sxWKuc5MpAaBvmNJZ5bVXg4piMc3hm8pjX/s1600/DSC_0011+%282%29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9v0cByrgkQSHiskRIlMU8EfOvAIETupOSDuMF0QRdLayMZoyv2FSUnBEHpTlNzIujW-wdKjFET9-F8bfid_KMrukvTTRN-K5QXhZxvz-_-sxWKuc5MpAaBvmNJZ5bVXg4piMc3hm8pjX/s1600/DSC_0011+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
A couple of tips: <br />
<ul>
<li>Make sure each layer completely dries before you add the next. </li>
<li>I
highly recommend this Sally Hansen top coat. I've had more success
with it than my Essie top coat to minimize chipping and make the polish
last longer. </li>
<li>Kind of unrelated, but I've been buying my Essie polish
in gift sets from Ulta. You can buy 4 out of the 6 colors in a
collection in smaller bottles for about $17 + tax. I never use an
entire bottle of polish anyway before it dries out and gets gross. So
buying the smaller bottle at a lower price works out perfectly for me. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Have you tried a "shellac hack?" What has worked for you?<br />
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*** </div>
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P.S. Don't forget to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/somethingbeautiful2014" target="_blank">Like my blog on Facebook</a> if you missed it yesterday! <br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-87038673707349226802014-02-24T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-24T06:38:43.153-05:00Facebook pageThis weekend I caved and decided to set up a facebook page for my blog. I think it will be a good way to connect with more of you, because let's face it: I'm not the best at keeping up with email! I can also now keep my blog and my personal Facebook separate for those friends of mine who are not interested in seeing links to blog posts every few days.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/somethingbeautiful2014" target="_blank">HERE</a> is the link! Come "like" me! (It feels like the first day of middle school, writing that.)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Scarlett says, "Thanks for keeping up with our little family!" </div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6713892669937034612.post-87876276240773634212014-02-19T15:29:00.000-05:002014-02-19T15:29:08.340-05:00Lit Picks - Vocabulary Development<br />
I am very passionate about reducing "screen time" for kids, and promoting real life experiences! I know there are some very amazing and educational apps, TV shows, and movies out there, and I use a lot of apps in speech or language therapy with my students or clients. I am not opposed to screen time at all! But I think it should be more like dessert: a special treat every once in awhile (unless a child is under 2, and then I say they should very rarely be exposed to any screen time, if at all).<br />
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I'm not writing all of this because I think I'm some huge expert because I have a 7-month-old baby. I really am still a total newb at this whole parenting thing. However, I am 6 months from graduating with my master's in speech-language pathology, and I already have my bachelor's in early childhood education. Therefore, I do feel like I have some valuable information to share.<br />
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One of the best ways to promote language is through literature! So I'm going to be sharing some of my (and Scarlett's) favorite books, and how to use them to promote language. This will be sort of a casual series that I'll post whenever I feel like I have some good books to share.<br />
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Today I'm going to share a couple of Scarlett's favorite books that I think are great at promoting vocabulary acquisition. A major cause of language delays is simple lack of exposure to language. You would be surprised at the preschoolers I've worked with who can't name simple household objects or animals, simply because they haven't been interacted with enough as babies/toddlers. If they've never heard the vocabulary, how can they learn it?<br />
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I have a couple of books today that are great for babies or toddlers. They are both lift-a-flap books. Interactive books of any kind are great for babies or young children. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first book is "Toes, Ears, and Nose" illustrated by Karen Katz. </span></div>
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We love this book! I have used it in therapy, as well as daily around this house. Each page shows a clothing item that you lift to reveal a body part:<br />
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How to use it: The book targets clothing and body part vocabulary. When I've used it with clients in the past, I would have them point to whatever body part was on the page. Then at the end of the story, I would review the body parts again and tell him: "Show me your teeth," "show me your elbow," etc. Same with clothing items. Obviously this would only work with older kids who have the receptive language skills to do that. But the book itself is good for babies, toddlers, or preschoolers.<br />
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I love Karen Katz's books. They are bright and colorful, so Scarlett is content to sit and look at them over and over again. Karen Katz has a bunch of other books like this, too. <a href="http://www.karenkatz.com/boardnovelty1.html">HERE</a> is a link to her website, where she has 4 or 5 pages of other books like this! She has a lot of seasonal stuff, which I of course love. Scarlett has the "Where is Baby's Pumpkin?" book too, and we read it every day leading up to Halloween. <br />
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Another book that's really big with Scarlett right now is <span style="font-size: large;">"100 First Animals."</span> It is another lift-a-flap book.</div>
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One of the reasons I love this book so much is that each page is a different category of animals. Like farm, sea, rivers and lakes, etc.<br />
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How to use it: With Scarlett, I go through and read all the animals on a page. Then I let her lift the flaps, and just name the animal every time she lifts a flap. I also like to make the animal noises and sometimes say what color it is. <br />
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For older children, this book would be good for categorizing, which is a really important language skill. When Scarlett is preschool age, I may just scan and copy the pages and cut out the animals. then I'll have her sort them. I could also show her a group of 3 animals cards and have her tell me how they are alike. Or have her tell me which one doesn't belong in a group. As a side note, this is a good activity to do with stuffed animals or other toys.<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539589195254206189noreply@blogger.com1