tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72123222994370026712024-03-05T00:37:03.294-08:00Stokes FamilyThe adventures of life on the East Coast!Jaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125214836922454147noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-75793574919637754452015-01-19T20:26:00.001-08:002015-01-19T20:53:01.637-08:00Baby Paris<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*I truly believe there is powerful healing that can happen when a person is able put words to what they are feeling. For me, I struggle with voicing those words. I always have.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so I write...or I guess, I type. Who knows if I will ever hit the publish button, or just keep this to myself.*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here we go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About the time I started having those urges to have another baby, we learned that Jared's hard work had paid off, in the form of a paid trip to Paris. Whaaaaat??? So exciting!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our fertility has always been a mystery, with our fertility treatment Kerrigan and 2 surprise babies. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we decided to hold off on trying for #4 until that trip, to avoid a sicker than death Lindsey. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine our shock when <b>2 weeks after Paris we found out I was expecting</b>. I think the extra 6 months of waiting to try made those 2 pink lines even sweeter. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were all so, so excited. Kerrigan would tell me multiple times a day that the day the baby was born would be the best day of her life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As morbid as it sounds, I have always assumed I would lose a baby at some point. The miscarriage rate is high, and we want a big family. I am always anxious (as are most women) that first trimester, with every pregnancy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We waited the standard 12 weeks, breathed a sigh of relief, then shared our news with everyone.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjI6DmSBV6IRRmTyvr8MA-Om71bW4nwm-ipRKUu1WY6l7hd5F13qepzrRUBwDd2-OKAzTl3t26gWMhpXUGz38HnvfTVOCRRmmshjO7mXCfF6iRFf7YPA7gnDZDcipFLYJ7qg3wpObWVU/s1600/announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjI6DmSBV6IRRmTyvr8MA-Om71bW4nwm-ipRKUu1WY6l7hd5F13qepzrRUBwDd2-OKAzTl3t26gWMhpXUGz38HnvfTVOCRRmmshjO7mXCfF6iRFf7YPA7gnDZDcipFLYJ7qg3wpObWVU/s1600/announcement.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pregnancy was a little different.</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I wasn't AS sick during the day (read: only throwing up a few times during the day, not every minute of every day), but really sick in the evenings.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started feeling baby move way earlier than the others, around 13 weeks. I was able to continue *lightly* jogging/exercising and to lower my RA medication (which isn't necessary, I just wanted to play it safe). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My belly popped way earlier as well. Looking pregnant and feeling the baby move so early allowed me to bond with my little love much sooner than in the past. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would talk to the baby when I could feel kicks, think of names and picture what the baby would look like...it just all seemed more real earlier than usual.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Gzn6UZSDSoqEK8zNLv7KgJpzYxqPZYtMZsPD642vvDs7WZPhflz1jWWrRfDMHLEmTpfQ2FcdMbVbh5G7jHCjqe7hloJjrvomFjIXZGJEqKrzjzEBH6d0Xu_GrbGYrvh6OMlrrRfl7Gc/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Gzn6UZSDSoqEK8zNLv7KgJpzYxqPZYtMZsPD642vvDs7WZPhflz1jWWrRfDMHLEmTpfQ2FcdMbVbh5G7jHCjqe7hloJjrvomFjIXZGJEqKrzjzEBH6d0Xu_GrbGYrvh6OMlrrRfl7Gc/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>On October 21st I went in for my 16 week check up</b>. I mentioned that I hadn't felt the baby move for a few days, and that I had cramped a little after a run earlier that week. Neither seemed to worry my ob. He struggled to find the heartbeat. He said he wasn't concerned, the baby was small and my uterus was loud...but ordered an ultrasound for my benefit.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ultrasound machine was not the best resolution, but I could instantly see my baby perfectly. Little hands, little feet, sweet little legs tucked up. I am no expert, but I could tell something was wrong.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have never prayed for something so intensely in my life as I did as I stared at that tiny, motionless body. Please move. Please please please please move.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was the first in the room to find my voice. I whispered, "I don't see a heartbeat". </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surprisingly, I held it together pretty well as my ob comforted me, talked to me about my options and asked me not to blame myself. Then he asked if I had any questions. I asked, "How am I supposed to tell my 5 year old?" and lost it. The thought of facing Kerrigan and Tucker was heartbreaking.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Telling them was harder than anything I have ever done. Kerrigan was crushed, I don't think I will ever be able to erase from my mind the look on her face the second she realized what we were telling her.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I honestly don't remember much else about that day. I was numb.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The next day we had another ultrasound</b> to confirm death. They were able to tell us the baby was a girl. I will be forever grateful for that extra time we got to spend with her.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right after the technician told us she was a girl, she zoomed in on her profile. I could see so clearly that she looked like her siblings. My kids all share the same cute little nose, and this baby was no different.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before that moment, I had never really had a firm stance on miscarriage. I didn't know if those tiny spirits belonged to that family or if they would come back in a more perfect body later.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, in that second, I knew. This was my daughter. She would be mine forever. I will get the opportunity to mother her in heaven, but not in this life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I am not saying that is the case with every pregnancy loss. I still don't know the answer to that question. I only know that this was my experience with this baby.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7bxPRS7mmIXTwAzWbYB5UHuxpHXRPKHqd0JR2P-s9mRV-pAY5QhCtMNVYvjK4_Nq2pcmNCcUR41ELwICRO-5afnY-eSI1-EkReUwzP_euJYsnIYRVsYge_ONL6SC6NXtZORYx3GAFkw/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7bxPRS7mmIXTwAzWbYB5UHuxpHXRPKHqd0JR2P-s9mRV-pAY5QhCtMNVYvjK4_Nq2pcmNCcUR41ELwICRO-5afnY-eSI1-EkReUwzP_euJYsnIYRVsYge_ONL6SC6NXtZORYx3GAFkw/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kerrigan is currently obsessed with Paris. One night she came to me holding her mini Eiffel Tower we bought her, and said she wanted to name the baby Paris so she could think of her every time she looked at her Tower. I don't know how you argue with that logic. So she became Baby Paris.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7bxPRS7mmIXTwAzWbYB5UHuxpHXRPKHqd0JR2P-s9mRV-pAY5QhCtMNVYvjK4_Nq2pcmNCcUR41ELwICRO-5afnY-eSI1-EkReUwzP_euJYsnIYRVsYge_ONL6SC6NXtZORYx3GAFkw/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A week later her little body was removed from my body.</b> The decision of how to do so was the hardest decision I have ever made. Both my ob and the late term miscarriage specialist recommended a D& E (like a d& c, but a little more complicated because of her size), for the faster recovery and much lower complication rate.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My head understood all those reasons, but my heart ached. I wanted to hold her. Kiss her. Sing the song I sing to all my babies, the same song my mom used to sing to me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt I only got to make this one decision as her mother on this earth, and delivering her seemed like the more selfless decision.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the end, though, I had to do what was best for the whole family. My children needed me to recover, both emotionally and physically, as fast as possible. And 3 is not our number, so I needed to do whatever would be best to get the rest of our children here safely.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are some days I hate that I did the D& E. I think it was the better choice, but it still hurts that I will never see my child's face in this life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aTeoTG0hEbOwuJKYivOgbMNNeqElEGpJs5Vaj1XryWcTjglN_oG8DQvsldjx34fFH3nsVnQPxTJTP_95whwTNGfGJkvVS5wMEfCrwKzHn8aK9Mp4zlKs2AugKGiey1Kp0zSGlCvNXpQ/s1600/IMG_0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aTeoTG0hEbOwuJKYivOgbMNNeqElEGpJs5Vaj1XryWcTjglN_oG8DQvsldjx34fFH3nsVnQPxTJTP_95whwTNGfGJkvVS5wMEfCrwKzHn8aK9Mp4zlKs2AugKGiey1Kp0zSGlCvNXpQ/s1600/IMG_0845.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">THE RECOVERY AND HEALING</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The physical healing was quick. My body is still trying to figure out what happened, which is a little frustrating, but there was little physical pain involved. Except when my milk came in...that took a physical and emotional toll on me, but that's a whole other story.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emotionally, the healing has been interesting. I think of Paris every day. I pray for her, that she knows how much I miss and love her, every single day.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most days I am fine. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most days I am happy. Life has gone back to normal. I feel normal.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Some days I am not fine.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier I mentioned that moment when I knew Paris was my daughter. She will be mine forever, and I can't wait to meet her in heaven. In some ways it makes this trial so much easier to bear, to know that <b>one day</b> I will hold her. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In some ways it makes it hurt more. The little moments I have with my kids that make motherhood worth it...I don't ever get to have those with her. When I think of all the moments I won't have with her, it almost hurts to breath.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I won't get to hear her first cry. I won't get to rock her to sleep. I won't ever wrestle her flailing arms and arched back into her car seat. I won't get to wave to her as she rides the bus to school. I won't ever comfort her when she falls. Her eyes will never light up on Christmas morning. I will never get to watch her blow out the candles on her birthday cake.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never fully understood when women would talk about this intense mourning after a miscarriage. I understood that they were sad, life is precious. Losing that life is a terrible thing. I am beyond ashamed to say I sometimes felt they were possibly dramatic or in some way embellishing their pain. I was so, so wrong.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, I miss being pregnant, feeling her kick. Of course I am sad that I won't have my brand new baby to hold in a couple months. But I am grieving the loss of a lifetime of the little moments I treasure as a mom.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like people don't always understand that. I wonder if people think I am being dramatic or a downer if I talk about her. </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I usually don't talk about what I am feeling. I don't want to make people uncomfortable or to wonder what they are thinking about me. When really all I want to do is acknowledge that she is a part of me. Part of our family.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though I never met her in this life, I miss my Paris. I miss the experiences I will never have with her. I didn't understand that before. Now I do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kerrigan has been asking some tough questions, and sometimes I feel inadequate answering them. When she sees new babies, she tells me it makes her sad because her baby died. She has asked why other people get to keep their baby and we didn't. And I feel like I don't have the answers, so just cling to the fact that our family is forever and we will see her in heaven.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I struggle with the question <b>"How many kids do you have?"</b> I feel like saying 3 is a lie. It makes me feel like I am ignoring the precious soul who is waiting for us in heaven. Saying 4 just opens up questions. I don't know the right answer, and it makes me nervous to meet new people. I wonder if that is normal.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also have some fears when I think about being pregnant again. The thought of this happening again is terrifying. I won't be able to tell myself that I just have to make it through the first 12 weeks and then I can relax. I won't be able to boost my spirits when I am sick by telling myself it means the baby is healthy. I threw up until 3 days after my surgery. That scares me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that my faith will be strong enough to overcome the fear I know will be there. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ALL THAT BEING SAID, I feel blessed. I feel loved by those around me. I feel like I found a strength that I never knew I had. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The night I found out she was gone I prayed for a long time. Prayed for strength. Prayed for peace. Mostly I prayed that this experience would not change me. I didn't want to be angry. I didn't want to be jealous of women who get to keep their babies. I didn't want to become a sad person.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My prayers were answered. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, I feel a prick of sadness with each pregnancy announcement I see. I sometimes become more aware of the emptiness as I watch the growing bellies of the women I was pregnant with. Luckily those moments have been fleeting. Unusually frequent, but fleeting (seriously, is there anyone left out there who doesn't have a newborn or bun in the oven...anyone?).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not angry at God, or any one else. I do occasionally feel angry at my own body. I sometimes have to fight the feeling of betrayal...that my body failed and took away something I wanted so much. I am working on it, and slowly making progress.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I have learned how powerful service is.</b> Before we even made it home from that first appointment, my best friends were out mowing our lawn and writing love notes on our driveway with chalk. We had meals brought in. We had many prayers given in our behalf. We had beyond thoughtful gifts sent to us, some from people we haven't had much contact with recently. Every single kind word and act of service strengthened us more than I thought possible. I will always be grateful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnMKj7ofbOURlU57n-PT16374RR6VcYWJsp4IJft4O4Qt0hmSUBA30deF-TrkI0WqI8RKVTSUjdHynlhjt0hSmOVzamLsfOljxmdidEsSpMHm8fyFKaa_wIzVT00aamfn5ROfUkAOJP8/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnMKj7ofbOURlU57n-PT16374RR6VcYWJsp4IJft4O4Qt0hmSUBA30deF-TrkI0WqI8RKVTSUjdHynlhjt0hSmOVzamLsfOljxmdidEsSpMHm8fyFKaa_wIzVT00aamfn5ROfUkAOJP8/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have felt the love of my Savior so strongly through each person who served us.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My journey to heal is far from over, and I think a piece of my heart will always be missing. I love my baby and will always miss her, but I have learned so much through this experience. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a little too soon to say I am grateful for this trial, but I am grateful for what I have learned and the strength I have gained because of it.</span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-DwDjnIq5sbY%2FVIfa03SyBOI%2FAAAAAAAAK68%2FhuUfneOsIUQ%2Fs1600%2FIMG_0746.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7bxPRS7mmIXTwAzWbYB5UHuxpHXRPKHqd0JR2P-s9mRV-pAY5QhCtMNVYvjK4_Nq2pcmNCcUR41ELwICRO-5afnY-eSI1-EkReUwzP_euJYsnIYRVsYge_ONL6SC6NXtZORYx3GAFkw/s1600/IMG_0746.jpg" -->Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-40944441625236851892013-02-22T15:45:00.000-08:002013-02-22T21:25:32.590-08:00Top 12 of 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's be real for a minute. I was a crap blogger last year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I should feel really guilty, but I don't. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See, I was hanging over the toilet for the first half and spent the last half adjusting to life with 3 littles and coping with a<a href="http://www.jaredandlindseystokes.blogspot.com/2012/11/cha-cha-cha-cha-changes.html" target="_blank"> new diagnosis.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So instead of attempting the impossible task of catching up, I am going to do a little condensed version of the big stuff. Let's call it the Top 12 of 2012. Lots of pictures (mostly un-edited), few words...just the way I like it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
#12. Kerrigan entered Primary, and took her position as the youngest member of Primary very seriously. As in she spent the first few weeks, possibly months, either twirling around in the front or laying under her chair. It was awesome. Tucker also started nursery....such a beautiful moment in every lds parent's life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0co51ynhcOZiaEp3bXdDEFVC09blbU5HV5M2E1TCWaYczyoXCj6TDO-YQoWhnLUChIox7T5kbtDUUBclpAg4UP7qFawcjXo_2PJr7STzc36BONYx1ylYXBk9O-vKXIdVoJn1A65qLgc/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0co51ynhcOZiaEp3bXdDEFVC09blbU5HV5M2E1TCWaYczyoXCj6TDO-YQoWhnLUChIox7T5kbtDUUBclpAg4UP7qFawcjXo_2PJr7STzc36BONYx1ylYXBk9O-vKXIdVoJn1A65qLgc/s640/IMG_2060.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD1M1x6h6fE7lBw-y7aO-LasU_92cYmK6ajMQ7WvhpJkLC94s2_izNw1796fm-GK0T-7-haOjtXJ9QL8RxHVVN8V4Vrhki1KLytB1lohljKZpCGUWevYhdfdmODZCK83iwZJO5OYzp2k/s1600/IMG_2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD1M1x6h6fE7lBw-y7aO-LasU_92cYmK6ajMQ7WvhpJkLC94s2_izNw1796fm-GK0T-7-haOjtXJ9QL8RxHVVN8V4Vrhki1KLytB1lohljKZpCGUWevYhdfdmODZCK83iwZJO5OYzp2k/s640/IMG_2160.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#11 We learned the baby cooking in my belly was a girl, which Kerrigan had known since we told her I was pregnant @ 8 or 9 weeks. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfKfckqXD4Ic7KCgipX8ana3pibNNhxtZziQ3_NRDI2gu7R6iXuuGmBXQRk6MSvGRpboZiF5yn7Bis0flx99rR5zmYTdj9aMJUXotd_9lFyB_7h3K5T_1zj52Wrc-2R-XMrjM9Ng1HCI/s1600/IMG_2190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfKfckqXD4Ic7KCgipX8ana3pibNNhxtZziQ3_NRDI2gu7R6iXuuGmBXQRk6MSvGRpboZiF5yn7Bis0flx99rR5zmYTdj9aMJUXotd_9lFyB_7h3K5T_1zj52Wrc-2R-XMrjM9Ng1HCI/s640/IMG_2190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#10 Easter. They just looking freaking adorable. I don't remember much else...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib4ctJWr5Uf_rlAHNuLFyqmL-fzqzzVWe64Db65G4k0cb6NSB0ak9IDRF4ybNlo-22Tvx425n0AOOlUF2_-Dets9YLfTSeacdTWY7bPk3iuJr7NXkLWg2dK5XaI8l3sWYAkQIuZxkW5Q/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib4ctJWr5Uf_rlAHNuLFyqmL-fzqzzVWe64Db65G4k0cb6NSB0ak9IDRF4ybNlo-22Tvx425n0AOOlUF2_-Dets9YLfTSeacdTWY7bPk3iuJr7NXkLWg2dK5XaI8l3sWYAkQIuZxkW5Q/s640/Untitled-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
#9 We drove down to AZ for my baby sister's wedding. Mainly because I totally dig the Idaho-Arizona drive when I am great with child. Totes hard core, I know. I didn't take a whole lot of pictures for some reason, but check out my mom's sweet moves on the dance-floor!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_Jo-bFvuoNiNgDx8PK1wZmTwoO8SeTaneOHn3Robgz3btTtAVHSitw_rOOhYa7UZzuMMXy-N9pI0r-LiFvQTKlt7hl2yPQaTP2V5XqT8Yz58NoolCJ5hkf6YERXn-h0ggnLPHUlNfIY/s1600/jamboni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_Jo-bFvuoNiNgDx8PK1wZmTwoO8SeTaneOHn3Robgz3btTtAVHSitw_rOOhYa7UZzuMMXy-N9pI0r-LiFvQTKlt7hl2yPQaTP2V5XqT8Yz58NoolCJ5hkf6YERXn-h0ggnLPHUlNfIY/s640/jamboni.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not to be outdone by my mother, this also happened:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisA-tUF-XEpDow765ARQsKBCEttAi2ZVid73BtduFDeIFUmi_U2c7t3WP_AeL1d6GJwjZknijUXRtnCSUpMWoFItxfBsYs8P_NZsc2pD3uBwG9AbDo5WTUGqz4ZWGcbhuzdRilwl0TxpU/s1600/DANCING.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisA-tUF-XEpDow765ARQsKBCEttAi2ZVid73BtduFDeIFUmi_U2c7t3WP_AeL1d6GJwjZknijUXRtnCSUpMWoFItxfBsYs8P_NZsc2pD3uBwG9AbDo5WTUGqz4ZWGcbhuzdRilwl0TxpU/s400/DANCING.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this is the only picture I have at the actual wedding, I was really bringing classy back that day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgVrmqiMO8QHEKTeaYKepYS18XuJ3HO6UmgUMJr5ASkXt96BLQhtzTNuqY5XcKe9FjlThaCuiHup7qFzBbPjceViWANx_TNRk7Uvf322KpoXRsOHMJMjaBx88j9pWuzBgDkQpuYIM_qo/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgVrmqiMO8QHEKTeaYKepYS18XuJ3HO6UmgUMJr5ASkXt96BLQhtzTNuqY5XcKe9FjlThaCuiHup7qFzBbPjceViWANx_TNRk7Uvf322KpoXRsOHMJMjaBx88j9pWuzBgDkQpuYIM_qo/s640/IMG_4413.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We also were able to spend some time in Tucson before the wedding with Jared's parents.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN_CYxORPmjNIEM_GQ6yIHl7jM5AX6K954TiXPTjXJeF_vulZFFOxErVrE2T7u4XKPzad3jFM1Sfp-nzxesBXr-JkDc24mJ5lWx1dHF_Yg9yeTQuH7oK4c1pzBqZKq6rzOTvw8hXGVR4/s1600/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN_CYxORPmjNIEM_GQ6yIHl7jM5AX6K954TiXPTjXJeF_vulZFFOxErVrE2T7u4XKPzad3jFM1Sfp-nzxesBXr-JkDc24mJ5lWx1dHF_Yg9yeTQuH7oK4c1pzBqZKq6rzOTvw8hXGVR4/s640/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGpq58cjvzWC9SNWMZ6qxv6AF5z3jC7HaRI3vcAGynvpAf_sdrv70h7HlxQdLYOzkrgob-pwwVNnJZSRPVeUu8CCw3m7501L3d1sTYqMX-PYzxtpBNSuaGitybfX8OiUgDcE7gxyILx4/s1600/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGpq58cjvzWC9SNWMZ6qxv6AF5z3jC7HaRI3vcAGynvpAf_sdrv70h7HlxQdLYOzkrgob-pwwVNnJZSRPVeUu8CCw3m7501L3d1sTYqMX-PYzxtpBNSuaGitybfX8OiUgDcE7gxyILx4/s640/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing3.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#8 Fourth of July, and squeezing in as much summer fun as possible as a family of 4. The kids took swim lessons from a girl in the ward and gained some much needed confidence in the water. I hope she teaches again this next summer!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XLMpV0AH8I0S5QiVt10My4cYW-71-MCjRNUolBT6ueYmYAqOuXhYrdfkDuv1rfFlFSiG3lO9J-cDswRw_QnAxOY0r_zOq1-xfULCYbAHvCg3M0W3BH3HGkGjMV7521YUytURfP2m86o/s1600/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XLMpV0AH8I0S5QiVt10My4cYW-71-MCjRNUolBT6ueYmYAqOuXhYrdfkDuv1rfFlFSiG3lO9J-cDswRw_QnAxOY0r_zOq1-xfULCYbAHvCg3M0W3BH3HGkGjMV7521YUytURfP2m86o/s640/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing5.jpg" width="560" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_jiXYr3GK6DItjXyea2t9lJb5tROe732Ly5o_hqbbr1wJ2ccsooLz-1aCc61QdK7_uj_yCEO8090FpNAYuW8b9n9x2MyhxVyEC7FuAKKyYayn1fxiDvzfG7q-y27dfNDINcmJSBThjM/s1600/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_jiXYr3GK6DItjXyea2t9lJb5tROe732Ly5o_hqbbr1wJ2ccsooLz-1aCc61QdK7_uj_yCEO8090FpNAYuW8b9n9x2MyhxVyEC7FuAKKyYayn1fxiDvzfG7q-y27dfNDINcmJSBThjM/s640/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgH-roDj1A6tvE9NnowMdl6cOaLvyN3lSZXIRxOvou1DGUwFKsdqMlV7EGUInGIA0HywR9Hfzecg5qMZl46cR-f-YOQGfpk41LpLrV3RhLU4EmCmDAfVuTp_ihY7N88pNj_s9q2OupzI/s1600/tuck+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgH-roDj1A6tvE9NnowMdl6cOaLvyN3lSZXIRxOvou1DGUwFKsdqMlV7EGUInGIA0HywR9Hfzecg5qMZl46cR-f-YOQGfpk41LpLrV3RhLU4EmCmDAfVuTp_ihY7N88pNj_s9q2OupzI/s640/tuck+bath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#7 My belly got bigger and bigger, until...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsTQQyI9rmptJfcskq7IMDvB2WK5DdQTI96nBP57KMvTrqSwZI_Pz0Z3YgAixryhqhl2080T_RYal61JnNsx-BoWvFLqU7EAf97K48rdQPnmMAgl8r-Nmz8n7JwKeqwvc6Z2N2JGWqQ0/s1600/AZ+and+Fathers+Day2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsTQQyI9rmptJfcskq7IMDvB2WK5DdQTI96nBP57KMvTrqSwZI_Pz0Z3YgAixryhqhl2080T_RYal61JnNsx-BoWvFLqU7EAf97K48rdQPnmMAgl8r-Nmz8n7JwKeqwvc6Z2N2JGWqQ0/s640/AZ+and+Fathers+Day2012.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#6 WE HAD A BABY!!!! But I already did a long post on that, so we will just skip to the blessing. Which we did when she was exactly 7 days old. Since my parents were planning on leaving the Sunday after my induction date, we decided to have it that day. Our amazing families (both immediate and extended) came to support us, which meant so much to us! And, unlike my first go around with Kerrigan, I actually realized I was in charge of feeding everyone who came...so we didn't have to do the post blessing meal at a greasy diner. So 2 points for me- I am slooooooowly getting this whole responsible adult thing down.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chloe Lorraine, teeny tiny and drowning in the dress her grandma bought for her, looked absolutely darling and her dad gave her an amazing blessing. She is one lucky little girl!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf4eFCeQWG067FkO54mfGnQbJHWeq1TUxtRgR2tjpjDM4HRPMb5DA0RgUm39kee7fuTquOXVdy_61oEcY1N7_prG2P-7vgKN_-PWXmaof08ZnG83JvauO5oZCO55uhgRmPNXob4GnAgo/s1600/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSf4eFCeQWG067FkO54mfGnQbJHWeq1TUxtRgR2tjpjDM4HRPMb5DA0RgUm39kee7fuTquOXVdy_61oEcY1N7_prG2P-7vgKN_-PWXmaof08ZnG83JvauO5oZCO55uhgRmPNXob4GnAgo/s640/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing9.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMQXDrfodwwUWZFPMxsHyLlZQEpV-aTqAM_1qnx7MIkEZmcS7yjdns46djMZJ6ILns6dHazK1rmLQRE5GZuQ93ocqo_F2dXw1Sx_lfJNV2hmS5thcfvqyhEqHg0ufVUVW1hdEF1K-KHQ/s1600/IMG_4642+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMQXDrfodwwUWZFPMxsHyLlZQEpV-aTqAM_1qnx7MIkEZmcS7yjdns46djMZJ6ILns6dHazK1rmLQRE5GZuQ93ocqo_F2dXw1Sx_lfJNV2hmS5thcfvqyhEqHg0ufVUVW1hdEF1K-KHQ/s640/IMG_4642+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_0Kcy8BNXVyl-nYP7J0qUZqXN4pq6jd-L8ligwDQYlrdl1x16XqghQKBnnMnfbUHNVO8Wc3evWxIu4t_pVvWK6epHRS5nxo4DGhPq8S_lalq8Bgav-pV3rqKrKxLPqQt1uqvoqI6UeM/s1600/IMG_9577+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_0Kcy8BNXVyl-nYP7J0qUZqXN4pq6jd-L8ligwDQYlrdl1x16XqghQKBnnMnfbUHNVO8Wc3evWxIu4t_pVvWK6epHRS5nxo4DGhPq8S_lalq8Bgav-pV3rqKrKxLPqQt1uqvoqI6UeM/s640/IMG_9577+copy.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some other pictures from the weekend of family fun:</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIbfVvwUNnKYjQVSN-_uaQwGvOMvsDXjfwo_fdRIf7orJ22UEEnRrc_SSGSH5El6sPKNToIpV60L8X0f4nd2zxivjJUzbVS5npHlXL6vy8mlPh2yrjpiPAxYHXM4K6pyVrEJT5ye2n5I/s1600/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIbfVvwUNnKYjQVSN-_uaQwGvOMvsDXjfwo_fdRIf7orJ22UEEnRrc_SSGSH5El6sPKNToIpV60L8X0f4nd2zxivjJUzbVS5npHlXL6vy8mlPh2yrjpiPAxYHXM4K6pyVrEJT5ye2n5I/s640/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing8.jpg" width="640" /></a> #5 Tucker's 2nd birthday. I just love him. He is such a happy go lucky, easy to please kid. He is also a 2 year old, so that's always fun...but with those big blue eyes, the little charmer knows how to win over even the grumpiest person he meets. Again, I just love him!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs9p_MBgnTzmm1oJFcllixOEC6HFiVXY-qRmJCgJZiGe1KWk92HA-LsN8bX5ntXl01Ct__rt-nsMC0lSlhLkHQMukHEPThQpIbFYLQb2yuUZ2Q4xzzBUgu5maOWtJGZNtXweRQA_1nBY/s1600/9-6-20121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs9p_MBgnTzmm1oJFcllixOEC6HFiVXY-qRmJCgJZiGe1KWk92HA-LsN8bX5ntXl01Ct__rt-nsMC0lSlhLkHQMukHEPThQpIbFYLQb2yuUZ2Q4xzzBUgu5maOWtJGZNtXweRQA_1nBY/s640/9-6-20121.jpg" width="560" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EmbMiLoHi-jIjwT5Jm8-T6DNKnu_WrKAa_xs_4NgPPYPCGR33v7bhyphenhyphenES22D3Utac8s4qKC4CkZnWLKaB76xr9SEmTVBBMPFPoGUU11Gdnm0UxENSZKqjd_do0Wlrhuo3eb0pJye8tJ8/s1600/9-6-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EmbMiLoHi-jIjwT5Jm8-T6DNKnu_WrKAa_xs_4NgPPYPCGR33v7bhyphenhyphenES22D3Utac8s4qKC4CkZnWLKaB76xr9SEmTVBBMPFPoGUU11Gdnm0UxENSZKqjd_do0Wlrhuo3eb0pJye8tJ8/s640/9-6-2012.jpg" width="560" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#4 Chloe grew. And grew and grew and grew. By the end of 2012 she was a whopping 18lb 6 month old. And we love every pudgy ounce of our chunky baby. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TBYtGiIphL3XUFWKbjC2QlgsCi1D6CzFPdlCQrmir4b1yzukzMNHT_Wt8Ztk3_iid5Pw7OAVhhQZgD4GlFG8glyQo8-0cJhxW_krk1f6n0ALj3wzOvxDj3Y0bjeoTRw3CHrEeV1RZSQ/s1600/Chloe+Newborns+and+Blessing+Dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TBYtGiIphL3XUFWKbjC2QlgsCi1D6CzFPdlCQrmir4b1yzukzMNHT_Wt8Ztk3_iid5Pw7OAVhhQZgD4GlFG8glyQo8-0cJhxW_krk1f6n0ALj3wzOvxDj3Y0bjeoTRw3CHrEeV1RZSQ/s640/Chloe+Newborns+and+Blessing+Dress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took it pretty easy for a few months, adjusting to life with 3 kids. Some things I would like to point out: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1. First collage, bottom right picture, brother reading to baby...heart melted. 2. Second collage, top left. Tucker woke up early one Saturday. Jared wanted to let me sleep in with the girls but also needed to do some yard work. Solution: he put Tuck in the hiking backpack and they did man work together. The boy loved every second. Again, heart melted.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3l3t1UEYwEcxGggQRu4rr04E77r-xpg5hKdkqhwLbbwMR1bv9y7Di19kpCL-sO3godfAkHAxzttv4YhO2Aj9qxHYl-TgPE5khl07UezdPa5Y-IQRmlkAieTPVbcoMLgazb2mxkYZHtI8/s1600/9-6-20122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3l3t1UEYwEcxGggQRu4rr04E77r-xpg5hKdkqhwLbbwMR1bv9y7Di19kpCL-sO3godfAkHAxzttv4YhO2Aj9qxHYl-TgPE5khl07UezdPa5Y-IQRmlkAieTPVbcoMLgazb2mxkYZHtI8/s640/9-6-20122.jpg" width="560" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZWZmDzBeogv8ABh5IPwR9uBg0fOXMcH7x-_PJPoq8M8921ZVoGQQzVTFhrvP1SLj6mYRcAnh1aOPoAORTZcAnuL-jv8uooWBevVvdnJwP-7VDVAYGJqDLTlfwAaDgUrOAZmgn4mzmlQ/s1600/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZWZmDzBeogv8ABh5IPwR9uBg0fOXMcH7x-_PJPoq8M8921ZVoGQQzVTFhrvP1SLj6mYRcAnh1aOPoAORTZcAnuL-jv8uooWBevVvdnJwP-7VDVAYGJqDLTlfwAaDgUrOAZmgn4mzmlQ/s640/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
#3. Thanksgiving was spent in Arizona. Because we are crazy, we drove again. Turns out, traveling 7 or 8 months pregnant...way easier than traveling with a 3 1/2 month old who hates her car seat. Needless to say, the kids and I flew home- sorry Jared, our resident lone traveler.<br />
<br />
I don't have any pictures of actual Thanksgiving, but Kerrigan dressed up like an Indian for her Preschool Thanksgiving Feast, so that totally counts, right?<br />
<br />
Oh, and we also got to meet Miss Leah Moffitt. Sweetest, and holy cow STRONGEST, 3 day old EVER! Instant love!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8RJy-3Vi0yHKf7hOf_JaDlx7y5WC9LjES_yHg5O3CbpUt2YZK_0ShxDUx0n_Fpcm25vzM0NRhbjoI7LJIA7yU0VGWJIGXcu2Eh4xzZnAcYCwDITgeMO84r3aTDoQoFhTAKTwVXYH490/s1600/101CANON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8RJy-3Vi0yHKf7hOf_JaDlx7y5WC9LjES_yHg5O3CbpUt2YZK_0ShxDUx0n_Fpcm25vzM0NRhbjoI7LJIA7yU0VGWJIGXcu2Eh4xzZnAcYCwDITgeMO84r3aTDoQoFhTAKTwVXYH490/s640/101CANON.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
2. Brookie threw Kerrigan's birthday party at her house. There was a pinata. There were tents. There were presents. She was in heaven and still talks about it. Well done, Brookie...well done. <br />
<br />
I can't believe I have a 4 year old, as cliche as that sounds. She is still trying to shake off the tyrannical 3's, but she is also starting to get so unbelievably grown up. She is my best helper girl, and a silly, giggly, hilarious little lady.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIT2WErfnJ7XP23z06Prrgh_z7QO0urws0RPp2SJiF69d5jJE9dGoqNZgsKnfmyk8s40bwda6RMhVndRrS6iXX1CUyGiS2AvjrziAO-xagibJzG3qUs9FA5N95A8GQrXDGdvriM1IsoxU/s1600/101CANON1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIT2WErfnJ7XP23z06Prrgh_z7QO0urws0RPp2SJiF69d5jJE9dGoqNZgsKnfmyk8s40bwda6RMhVndRrS6iXX1CUyGiS2AvjrziAO-xagibJzG3qUs9FA5N95A8GQrXDGdvriM1IsoxU/s640/101CANON1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv6XrYXLhrpAhoZuKkYcWx_eskqu7jmLEv5TEbDgpkJbXKAN87dEoPUr9HJCve1fPS_sAsW8HEgPlkZPVBNRBmAdhBHsMrz7PjfzAy-jh59j4yA8tFkt35bj32kPj13W9eBKJyXgUS4k/s1600/101CANON2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv6XrYXLhrpAhoZuKkYcWx_eskqu7jmLEv5TEbDgpkJbXKAN87dEoPUr9HJCve1fPS_sAsW8HEgPlkZPVBNRBmAdhBHsMrz7PjfzAy-jh59j4yA8tFkt35bj32kPj13W9eBKJyXgUS4k/s640/101CANON2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. We had Christmas in Idaho Falls. Sledding, Broncos game, Santa, Nativity scene (yes, feel free to be terrified of the donkey mask...but notice that none of the kids are. That's because it makes an appearance at almost all Stokes family events. Because we are amazing), family, presents, hot tubbing, Christmas jammies and Big Judd's. Please note Chloe eyeing the Big Judd's burger that is as big as her entire body. Sorry, sister, your dinner is a little more to your left...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, and I made homemade rolls. Totally nailed them. They were amazing. Haven't been able to recreate them since. It appears I am missing the key ingredient...Grams's coaching. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPnjMsCE7f0-nXpAk-kWEc7Kr0248xKo_b81iwwkFKoUpVZIFNC48OEF-9jxTjelqHlRbA-0LlTgUQwsbf6yBSlHn_sT39LyT0x7yzzXDlRu88hgI5Es3BKUOpPYWQd2ePG5vIv-N0YA/s1600/2-13-20132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPnjMsCE7f0-nXpAk-kWEc7Kr0248xKo_b81iwwkFKoUpVZIFNC48OEF-9jxTjelqHlRbA-0LlTgUQwsbf6yBSlHn_sT39LyT0x7yzzXDlRu88hgI5Es3BKUOpPYWQd2ePG5vIv-N0YA/s640/2-13-20132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPRe6abdMClgd5BJ6slf4Li47JIDi3eIpItp3UY4NtSiSFTBhxkPPOKv1ahzIJzlzzBC0KA0dxRVLKLMrkWXZayxA_ow8aDFNWwrOn4XcDUzYBFE-nB16m2MoDqPT2T7K0GMgocWu0Ww/s1600/IMG_8927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPRe6abdMClgd5BJ6slf4Li47JIDi3eIpItp3UY4NtSiSFTBhxkPPOKv1ahzIJzlzzBC0KA0dxRVLKLMrkWXZayxA_ow8aDFNWwrOn4XcDUzYBFE-nB16m2MoDqPT2T7K0GMgocWu0Ww/s640/IMG_8927.JPG" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbmf-ad0clIdgXCiBJPZDgn9xUyRU5Sb_rA34S3CNJCRz60S_d1mVSOG1opPuqutuVoO5r6zNIo-NZoZv1V3Br3ZNF4dclA7cZXXM-SOKv0XSsHEvhgxnXMh74KSwQCcXZxSaJ70MC10/s1600/2-13-20131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbmf-ad0clIdgXCiBJPZDgn9xUyRU5Sb_rA34S3CNJCRz60S_d1mVSOG1opPuqutuVoO5r6zNIo-NZoZv1V3Br3ZNF4dclA7cZXXM-SOKv0XSsHEvhgxnXMh74KSwQCcXZxSaJ70MC10/s640/2-13-20131.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQW-ILRrzN04ky1dtvP30oAlXjzEYgadcVaSEd32RWH1fvOdl7HgYarJjp2FbG6Fyj43GzP885qAAeQYrOj30_-Y3ixA5x0OM5bUtJXdvaqxMdw4di_6Kh9GqDw6aM0b826i-ISzM8Sc/s1600/2-13-20133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQW-ILRrzN04ky1dtvP30oAlXjzEYgadcVaSEd32RWH1fvOdl7HgYarJjp2FbG6Fyj43GzP885qAAeQYrOj30_-Y3ixA5x0OM5bUtJXdvaqxMdw4di_6Kh9GqDw6aM0b826i-ISzM8Sc/s640/2-13-20133.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNu9gJ4YO27_XAePpfhxwu0SHzAHA8LHDGrWTKkkEWSmfK4Tj-hwcbDZYbAM1Zwdt-uWMfeKYrpnpdFOdWMxa6BcHt7cKmlvmFgwXyOw93rT14pTQwQ45T9FE3Devr4v84MGc-9voUgE/s1600/2-13-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNu9gJ4YO27_XAePpfhxwu0SHzAHA8LHDGrWTKkkEWSmfK4Tj-hwcbDZYbAM1Zwdt-uWMfeKYrpnpdFOdWMxa6BcHt7cKmlvmFgwXyOw93rT14pTQwQ45T9FE3Devr4v84MGc-9voUgE/s640/2-13-2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that, my friends, concludes the Stokes Family's Top 12 of 2012. I hope I will do a better job in 2013, because that took way more time than I should be spending on the computer. I guess I had better go clean up the disaster of a mess my kids made during their unchaperoned afternoon.</div>
Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-27728582924411283652012-11-06T16:39:00.001-08:002012-11-06T22:28:05.977-08:00Ch-ch-ch-changes<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is anyone out there still reading this poor, neglected blog?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am impressed if you are! The last time I even looked in the blog's direction was right after Chloe was born...and she just turned 3 months this past week. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know, crazy, right? It has gone by fast for me as well!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will *hopefully* do a massive update soon. For now, I kind of wanted to explain my absence. So get comfortable, maybe grab a snack and beverage, because you are about to read a lot about just me. Booooring. If you want to skip it, and just wait for the big update, I understand. We can still totally be friends!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So here we go. Remember how<a href="http://www.jaredandlindseystokes.blogspot.com/2012/08/chloe-lorraine.html" target="_blank"> I couldn't walk after I had Chloe</a>? I thought it was weird, but just wrote it off as a side effect of pushing a human out of my body and considered myself lucky that it went away after 3 days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, similar pains started occurring throughout the rest of my joints. I would wake up one day and not be able to move my arm, hip, etc. more than a few inches. Even the joints that weren't causing me tons of pain had a dull ache, and for some reason my feet were always so sore I incorporated an interesting hobble/shuffle into my strut.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I tried to tell myself it was postpartum hormones with a hint of old age, but was worried enough that I mentioned it to my doctor at my postpartum appointment. She ordered blood work to test for Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turns out, at the ripe age of 28, I have <a href="http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/rheumatoid-arthritis-basics" target="_blank">Rheumatoid Arthritis</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fun fact: I was officially diagnosed by the Rheumatologist EXACTLY one month after I publicly mocked my husband's old age on his 30th birthday on Facebook. That, my friends, is Karma at her best! I basically had it coming!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just a few facts: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is an auto immune disorder. My immune system is attacking my joints.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is something I will always have. It can be pushed into remission, but we are currently trying to find a Rheumatologist I love...because apparently he or she will be my new bestie who I will be spending a lot of time with.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For now, my case is pretty mild. I don't have swelling or very much damage to my joints. I am really sore and stiff every morning, but it usually improves within a few hours. The thing that affects me the most is when my fingers and wrists are acting up...it can make doing small and tedious tasks nearly impossible.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My doctor was able to prescribe some medications that I can take while nursing Chloe. THANK HEAVENS! I started trying to give her a bottle a day when I first found out I probably had RA, and it is not going so well. 6 weeks in and the kid still won't take a bottle. Stubborn little midget.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the most part I like to think I am handling it well. I have had a few meltdowns, usually related to me not being able to function as well as a mother to small kids (such as getting shoes on Tucker's FAT feet or buckling Chloe's seatbelt). It can be frustrating to have days where I feel like my body is not only failing me, but is affecting my ability to take care of the littles. But like I said, those moments have thankfully been few and far between.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jared has been a rock star. He has really stepped up to help out with the kids, house and sometimes even physically take care of me. He even had to drop everything at work one day to help me out of the shower. Long story short: I sat down in the shower...huge mistake. My fingers, wrists and shoulders were too sore to pull myself back up. Luckily my oh so helpful 3 year old finally responded to my calls, brought me my phone and I had to have this conversation:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me: Hey babe, how is work going?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J: It's ok. Kinda busy. How are you?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me: Ummm, I am ok. So tiny problem. I sat down in the shower and can't get up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J: What?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me: I mean, it's not a huge deal. I kinda feel like the kid on a Christmas Story.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J: Ok, I am coming home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me: Well, no rush. It's not like I am going anywhere.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
J: (probably some Life Alert "I have fallen and I can't get up" jokes)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was <b>obviously </b>a proud moment for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So that is it. All in all, we are doing fine. I am trying to learn how to listen to my body when it tells me to sit down and not worry about the dishes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am slower, but turns out Jared and I think arthritic Lindsey is a hoot. Poor old gal is the butt of many jokes in our home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those of us with hair sometimes look a little rough (curse you elastic hairbands), so it is actually a blessing that 3 of the 5 of us have little to no hair. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And fortunately, even on my most homeless looking days, I have a happy, chubby baby on my hip to distract people from how awful I look :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQyZrHV8iGlJlLbLEylyDl8MKMHh9fvy3kcx3RLV5nKJMkOX6JptZMhhqidp2avC6oqBSEX2ShDIsQzLPri5dcn-IWhAILVuyJbYC6IA0YW8-rry9DPcMR5cdcJD6dxwT9qIU4rRYcLo/s1600/IMG_7406+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQyZrHV8iGlJlLbLEylyDl8MKMHh9fvy3kcx3RLV5nKJMkOX6JptZMhhqidp2avC6oqBSEX2ShDIsQzLPri5dcn-IWhAILVuyJbYC6IA0YW8-rry9DPcMR5cdcJD6dxwT9qIU4rRYcLo/s640/IMG_7406+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go ahead...try to look at me instead of her. It didn't work, did it? Mission accomplished.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-15375071647353813912012-08-10T11:05:00.003-07:002012-08-10T11:05:43.215-07:00Chloe LorraineI happen to be a person that loves to read birth story. If that's not your thing, here is the version that is rated E for Everyone: Chloe Lorraine finally arrived on July 29th around 6:30am after my longest labor to date. She was 7lbs 1 oz and 20" long. Dark hair and a possible dimple has been spotted a few times. There you go...now if you don't want more details, feel free to skip the text and just look at pictures.<br />
<br />
Now for the more detailed story. First of all, when I was 28 weeks, my due date was pushed back. Me, being the genius I am, decided that I was going to keep telling my body that my due date was the end of July...ya know, mind over matter. Not so smart, my friends! In my mind I was almost 40 weeks- medically I went into labor at exactly 39 weeks as usual. I guess I better stick with the people with the medical degree next time. So this is all based on the actual timeline :)<br />
<br />
When I hit 37 weeks, I started trying to coax the baby out. Mainly so Jared and the other kids could go to a big family reunion- since my labor is USUALLY only a few hours long, we weren't comfortable with sending them and take the risk of Jared missing the birth. I had my membranes stripped that Monday, and had no doubt she would be here in the next few days. I walked a ton (pushing a double stroller or pulling a wagon), moved cinder block, mowed the lawn, bounced on a yoga ball, etc. Nothing happened, and my family missed the reunion...so lame!<br />
<br />
After the reunion ended, I took a few days rest until my mom came, then it was game on- again. She had to leave the 5th, so we had scheduled a baby blessing for the 5th, so I needed her to come asap. So I continued all the exercises, threw in some amazing Zumba (I seriously have no clue how she didn't fall out during that!), had the membranes re-stripped and tried not to sit down as much as possible. Again, nothing except a few contractions at night, that would disappear eventually.<br />
<br />
The night before I turned 39 weeks, the kids and I caught an amazing stomach bug. I spent the whole night praying that all my hurling would NOT send me into labor. The morning I turned 39 weeks, I could feel a ton of pressure so announced to everyone that today was the day. I moved around as much as I could, and that evening after putting the kids to bed I tried doing squats. FINALLY contractions started around 9:30pm.<br />
<br />
Since we had been swimming, I really wanted to fix my hair and makeup. After every delivery, I look at pictures and resolve that next time I will look better. Halfway through my makeup application/contraction timing I realized that wasn't going to happen, contractions were coming too quick. So Jared threw some last minute things in the hospital bag and we took off. <br />
<br />
We made pretty good time to the hospital, and it was a little after 11 when I got all checked in. I was a little surprised to learn I was only a 5, but asked them to start the epidural process. All of the nurses thought I would deliver within an hour, so it was all pretty rushed.<br />
<br />
Sometimes Jared likes to tease me and take pictures of me mid-contraction. Awesome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrz-6oaVKXsWWeFKPLHEd1oUrdGNIQUi-uo34FZ2DTHvisZ1xUHbp5CnZXUbvZ4zruMehJNx6bc8X5qqSsXtUxSRGodvPlsXjC8ShyphenhyphennH3EXc_7M4nKoW_uo7vhEqCmbm70xVu8J6Dx5Oc/s1600/IMG_4158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrz-6oaVKXsWWeFKPLHEd1oUrdGNIQUi-uo34FZ2DTHvisZ1xUHbp5CnZXUbvZ4zruMehJNx6bc8X5qqSsXtUxSRGodvPlsXjC8ShyphenhyphennH3EXc_7M4nKoW_uo7vhEqCmbm70xVu8J6Dx5Oc/s640/IMG_4158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My epidural kicked in about 12:30, they checked me again and I was dilated to........a 6? What the?!?! It was crazy to watch the monitor, see some crazy big contractions and not progress at all. At one point, the baby's heartbeat fell completely off the monitor, so I wasn't able to rest- I watched the monitor like a hawk. The next 5 HOURS dragged on...I was so restless and eager to meet her, and she just wasn't coming. They checked me a little after 5 and I was only to an 8. The Dr. came in and broke my water, expecting her to pop right out...but my contractions stopped completely. Again, awesome.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
At 6:10 they started me on pitocin. Then checked me. Hello baby's head. During my first push, the Dr. told me to not push hard, to push with little pushes. After a couple little pushes, she was out (6:21am) with the cord wrapped around her neck and foot. Fortunately, everyone was completely calm which helped Jared and I not to panic. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: yellow;">So </span>I realize being in the hospital for 7 hours is not that long, but compared to 3hrs with K and 1.5hrs with Tuck it seemed like an eternity. Seeing this face definitely made up for it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VUa9ZZ7QVCpqGBRWUgRPH0vBrF1wwioDkevh9ibBc1yN79UiEHnnTnE1_r1sZA1YcK2W_rx8qBLR7B4pzZQuOQAuuxbzhyi-YpDnEs8dQKEo1OETyQ83uIAP5TQclWAh0CPhhvApo6A/s1600/IMG_4164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VUa9ZZ7QVCpqGBRWUgRPH0vBrF1wwioDkevh9ibBc1yN79UiEHnnTnE1_r1sZA1YcK2W_rx8qBLR7B4pzZQuOQAuuxbzhyi-YpDnEs8dQKEo1OETyQ83uIAP5TQclWAh0CPhhvApo6A/s640/IMG_4164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGf4BhYhphrgsIAb2A4ewUkoTYozr-2e43cWfE_XQNFW3twcWBOVV1ZUk48dfPqvwTDVREBNMVUokgiTDNtyYbzy1CL0SF8o7KgEjNjnQs9SAciTaCjmwr4nDDbACHMOFDR0XCD1m2vw/s1600/IMG_4169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGf4BhYhphrgsIAb2A4ewUkoTYozr-2e43cWfE_XQNFW3twcWBOVV1ZUk48dfPqvwTDVREBNMVUokgiTDNtyYbzy1CL0SF8o7KgEjNjnQs9SAciTaCjmwr4nDDbACHMOFDR0XCD1m2vw/s640/IMG_4169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had about 6 hours alone with our little beauty before guests started showing up. We had 3 names picked out when we left for the hospital. During our alone time, we had kind of settled on one name. Then Kerrigan showed up, and was BEYOND excited to see that Baby Chloe (not the name we had picked) had finally come out of mommy's tummy. Seriously, how do you tell this face that her baby sister's name isn't Chloe? That's right, you can't. So baby Chloe it is :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOrOvqyFhDzrW0djy5wemjmVwG88vOxnlx4SipiYK9tQEiH0oF96V2ji16akgj6JsxxdsdkZmFx8OapPEwRqvhKFBYnhOphj8Mf9SiuE-jYXR-JurZ-iMJ8ELEvHclUV6uBQn-zEtVv8/s1600/IMG_4190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOrOvqyFhDzrW0djy5wemjmVwG88vOxnlx4SipiYK9tQEiH0oF96V2ji16akgj6JsxxdsdkZmFx8OapPEwRqvhKFBYnhOphj8Mf9SiuE-jYXR-JurZ-iMJ8ELEvHclUV6uBQn-zEtVv8/s640/IMG_4190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Tucker wasn't sure what to think, but he did give her a few good snuggles. Such a sweet big brother!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3R5T89crA8wwlO1j-jsRU9zUdmcNFPZY4Gcad8iX4-nThxRbKHX_HfhwtmhKXqITeucjn6r9CQBSDmQL-yF48v5crmslUwjTHxESpzYXfjrjIGSIcM11gzBOXqG40j_N_LvMt4xA_Qc/s1600/IMG_4291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3R5T89crA8wwlO1j-jsRU9zUdmcNFPZY4Gcad8iX4-nThxRbKHX_HfhwtmhKXqITeucjn6r9CQBSDmQL-yF48v5crmslUwjTHxESpzYXfjrjIGSIcM11gzBOXqG40j_N_LvMt4xA_Qc/s640/IMG_4291.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First photo as a family of 5</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5j3eRNsu3D1si-l1c23V1Xn5k2cLIYMH9VOG0gPvapvfK2eukIGpvEmQftFgUvXY10EjBTL_EoN7JI6H8kJZ51IZ5XSL1KU79zg-6hIsibDqBWSw6BC_TBYX7ycEHUtBE2Wh7_WP7x8/s1600/IMG_4344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5j3eRNsu3D1si-l1c23V1Xn5k2cLIYMH9VOG0gPvapvfK2eukIGpvEmQftFgUvXY10EjBTL_EoN7JI6H8kJZ51IZ5XSL1KU79zg-6hIsibDqBWSw6BC_TBYX7ycEHUtBE2Wh7_WP7x8/s640/IMG_4344.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Grandmas loving on the newest grand baby. Not sure how the only picture I got of Susan is of her changing a diaper...oops!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYL0dAqu2g7fEiGkHqtpyW_hckagP7NFDhCUdhikarkzFPT9o13SIB8C4SAQcjqWMWxqFf88PWFUW5Up3W2yqNg-rZgwGkWEcDMavIo0KfiMAxn0SwycxJVL09ka-MOwPx4UlWf6zt9g/s640/grandmas.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chloe had lots of visitors come to see her- it is so fun to see how loved she already is!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8_k8oQMDluS11OlenanASQMST55M9PKQii6H2pBacEHzcYLjZG2nJXGQlAaduYGgZ5fa4wBm4CkPaEphjO9gkq1iqzLj5fAaVHJWwJKuGb18HnqYspuXR-F2Pj8a5DYxXiPpjQBf1MQ/s1600/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8_k8oQMDluS11OlenanASQMST55M9PKQii6H2pBacEHzcYLjZG2nJXGQlAaduYGgZ5fa4wBm4CkPaEphjO9gkq1iqzLj5fAaVHJWwJKuGb18HnqYspuXR-F2Pj8a5DYxXiPpjQBf1MQ/s640/8-5-2012+Chloe+and+blessing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now meet Great Grandpa Rulon. He is probably Jared's favorite person in the world. Lorraine is Rulon's wife who passed away soon after Jared and I were married. It was really special to have Chloe Lorraine meet her Great Grandpa.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXZ1lUF9_-jWXzfRCJwk9I0sXwn7jcDVbLwxvm1vFgk_3KJtkc9vwXyGOSHNulXoAPGRhZNfZN9hpsltOgWRxDSNKGHn_na14CBxuLmW536zq3g48uD0r0T6ODzfI1ZZPYefufHl0HfY/s1600/IMG_9359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXZ1lUF9_-jWXzfRCJwk9I0sXwn7jcDVbLwxvm1vFgk_3KJtkc9vwXyGOSHNulXoAPGRhZNfZN9hpsltOgWRxDSNKGHn_na14CBxuLmW536zq3g48uD0r0T6ODzfI1ZZPYefufHl0HfY/s640/IMG_9359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Ok, so I had a list of pictures I wanted to take in the hospital. My body had other plans. The night after Chloe arrived, I woke up with a lot of pain in my hip- I couldn't get comfortable and it was painful enough I couldn't sleep. At one point, I got up to use the restroom and discovered I couldn't put any pressure on it.<br />
<br />
The next morning it was worse. Jared had to half carry me any time I got out of bed. Just what a new mom needs, the inability to walk :) The only conclusion the Dr. could come to was I must have pulled my leg at a weird angle when it was time to push and couldn't feel it because of my epidural. Next time I think I will leave my legs in the hands of nurses...literally. An extra day at the hospital, 2 physical therapy sessions, painkiller/muscle relaxer prescriptions in hand and a walker (yes, like an old woman) later and I was sent on my way. I wonder if I am the first woman to leave the hospital with a newborn and a walker?<br />
<br />
Anyways, my handicapped state didn't leave much room for taking pictures. Here are the few that I did get.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxmp8mqaZarR_KUvL0VMpHn57gXKeBHbF2DZVQUBlG2t78oz7zNnmUBY1naN-jremev7ot8qUfrU1AoqQvcx2-6UtqCy0l-UUfnsCUiBHQ2niSWR0jxIL3zuXcJoxje9z0gWt258cvMk/s1600/IMG_4178+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxmp8mqaZarR_KUvL0VMpHn57gXKeBHbF2DZVQUBlG2t78oz7zNnmUBY1naN-jremev7ot8qUfrU1AoqQvcx2-6UtqCy0l-UUfnsCUiBHQ2niSWR0jxIL3zuXcJoxje9z0gWt258cvMk/s640/IMG_4178+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA9Xzol8USBFQ3sf8NoxPyLK7oh0ICQjaEiiaUcqREZBh8-t-lTO6_pnICtmgawbK6ZdKI3ACECt6v6-XjlSgnfCs0lBXcbLsx80C6pwKEyyj0nYqRUw_ov6gcmmT6TIbVSaJoxxZRwo/s1600/IMG_4388+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA9Xzol8USBFQ3sf8NoxPyLK7oh0ICQjaEiiaUcqREZBh8-t-lTO6_pnICtmgawbK6ZdKI3ACECt6v6-XjlSgnfCs0lBXcbLsx80C6pwKEyyj0nYqRUw_ov6gcmmT6TIbVSaJoxxZRwo/s640/IMG_4388+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heading home</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvhcdimoCLRCbMgG-rduFqMW6Wsy80TnwCxr8NBTI2kQ71lsM3a9OmvzCenSDQKD0iGvkcMAyUgsjuUY1KtOw-8vmRSARX3VJHjab6x6cdjQix7LMyXsBvGW-SiZSJLaI-2A4rau-5WI/s1600/IMG_4402+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvhcdimoCLRCbMgG-rduFqMW6Wsy80TnwCxr8NBTI2kQ71lsM3a9OmvzCenSDQKD0iGvkcMAyUgsjuUY1KtOw-8vmRSARX3VJHjab6x6cdjQix7LMyXsBvGW-SiZSJLaI-2A4rau-5WI/s640/IMG_4402+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9_7oeKrLfUQgqfafb5yfUa61WbjR1Vl9OgK837vl4EYcVSTNaeKwAoNQyzLHwCAW5sLYOB_Cux-2HTqS18VAIZgoS9nuE-PwlOnR9JQcBiUjlXqwtHe65qy02FimCtzsc5QoWmgpgGY/s1600/IMG_4407+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9_7oeKrLfUQgqfafb5yfUa61WbjR1Vl9OgK837vl4EYcVSTNaeKwAoNQyzLHwCAW5sLYOB_Cux-2HTqS18VAIZgoS9nuE-PwlOnR9JQcBiUjlXqwtHe65qy02FimCtzsc5QoWmgpgGY/s640/IMG_4407+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
There it is, folks. The arrival of Chloe. Now I have spent way too much time on the computer, I better take care of my 3 kids (still hard to believe I have more kids than hands...yikes)!<br />
</div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-64391350662444913292012-06-20T14:08:00.000-07:002012-06-20T14:08:43.147-07:005 1/2 weeks left...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Warning: this post is more on the personal side than most. Just a little warning before you dive in!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_3865copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_3865copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yikes!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sidenote: Yes, I am hiding my face. Between errands and swim lessons, not a stitch of makeup made it onto my face today. You are welcome!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now normally with the belly shot comes commentary about how much the baby is moving, how swollen my feet are, etc.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not so much this time. I will just say she is very active and we are getting more and more excited to meet her everyday. Then we will move on to a different (but related) topic, because this mama needs some advice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As one can tell from the rate of reproduction in the Stokes home, we are not really birth control savvy (yep, I am going there). My only experience with birth control <a href="http://www.jaredandlindseystokes.blogspot.com/2008/02/hmmmm.html" target="_blank">was this one time</a> during fertility treatments. It was Yaz, and it was not so great.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4 years ago, during all the fertility stuff, Jared and I decided we would never have me go on birth control (and that was solidified by the Terrible Yaz Incident of 2008). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But 3 kids in 3 years has changed our tune a tad. My body needs A BREAK!!!! This pregnancy has been much harder than the other 2. I am still sick, and way more uncomfortable and swollen way earlier than normal. (PLEASE do not take this as me complaining!!! I realize how blessed I am to be pregnant, and am beyond thrilled to add another baby to the mix. I just wanted to explain why I am posting on something so personal)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More importantly, my family needs a break from pregnant me. I want to be one of those super moms who keeps a super clean house and comes up with super fun activities for her kids and creative/healthy meals everyday. And I physically cannot even come close to being that mom while I am pregnant. SuperLindsey is just not in the cards for me while I am growing a human in me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Soooo, since we will be holding off for a few years, we are kind of leaning towards IUD. Which is where I need advice. The positive aspects of it sound awesome, but I am worried it might affect our fertility when we are ready to reopen the baby factory. Neither of us feel like 3 is our number...we definitely want more- eventually! The thought of having problems conceiving again terrifies me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So does anyone have experience (or know someone who has) with this particular means of birth control? Especially any experience with conceiving afterwards?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sorry, I totally realize the personal nature of this...I will be probably be deleting this post in a few weeks. Or if you have some advice but don't want it public feel free to email me @ <a href="mailto:lindseywstokes@gmail.com">lindseywstokes@gmail.com</a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now I will go to elevate my feet while the kiddos are napping- 3 cheers for cankles!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-23479301043299964662012-04-16T11:55:00.007-07:002012-04-16T13:12:41.086-07:003 Months Until 3 Kids...<div><div><div align="center">...holy CRAP! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">(Sorry mom if you read this-I tried really hard to eloquently describe my feelings, but came up blank!)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 665px; height: 665px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/Untitled-7.jpg" /></div></div><div align="center"><br />This picture was taken over a week ago, but since then I have reconnected with my chocolate addiction AND taken advantage of All You Can Eat <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Breadsticks</span> at Olive Garden. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> Therefore, the belly has grown- which means this picture is all you get.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Just some random facts for your pleasure:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-I am feeling better all the time. Evenings are still hit or miss, but during the day I actually feel like a human being. I've really missed that!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-I have some really strange food <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">aversions</span> that have stuck around. Mainly in the dairy department. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tillamook</span> cheese totally grosses me out. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tillamook</span> yogurt, however, is a staple in my diet. Finely shredded cheese (any brand) makes me gag. Just FINELY shredded, the other stuff is fine. I have no idea why, and fully admit how crazy I sound. (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span>, even just typing about it makes my eyes water a little. Wow.)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span> is a little confused these days. After 4 months of addressing my belly as Baby Chloe, she now thinks that Chloe is in her belly and a different baby is in mine. Is it bad parenting if I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> with it? I LOVE the name Chloe and may very well go with it, but would like the option of naming her something else. So as of now, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span> thinks we are both pregnant and I haven't set her straight. (I feel guilty just typing that. And again, wow!)<br /><br />-Tucker still has no clue what's going on, but he is totally intrigued by my protruding gut. He loves that his #1 raspberry blowing spot is getting expanding by the day.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-Jared...sweet Jared, he is struggling in the name department. Every day he comes up with a new name, and then decides against it the next. I have had my top 2 names for awhile...just waiting for the man to realize how amazingly perfect they are :)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> -As for the love child herself, she appears to be pretty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">feisty</span>. She isn't a constant mover, but holy cow can the kid kick! Yesterday in Relief Society, we were both enjoying her bout of hiccups when *<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">BAM</span>*, my innards took a beating (like so hard I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">visibly</span> jumped). It appears she wasn't enjoying the hiccups as much as I was, and I think my liver took the brunt of her frustration. Thankfully it wasn't my bladder, because a force like that would have had me in adult diapers for the next 3 months for sure!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">She loves music, her Dad's voice and Tucker's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">raspberries</span>. And sometimes she gets startled when <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span> starts to sing in her ultra high pitched voice, but then again, so do the rest of us humans...and probably any dogs in a 3 mile radius.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Oh, and she REALLY wants Daddy to let me decorate her room like this:</div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ5TFjIfAEr-mPKfU_JvXhBL5KYksGyE2Qk6Z1iob1eFs7bGlsnBfde5Hp0PZCPy7xAru8pzHL4u13T_YjGMfvMGUT7AficJtw1_hwfCeP0m6JyP1lGbzF8xL6O-WeOL4nyy2oRzr_Jk/s1600/babyroom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 297px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732092001365615026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ5TFjIfAEr-mPKfU_JvXhBL5KYksGyE2Qk6Z1iob1eFs7bGlsnBfde5Hp0PZCPy7xAru8pzHL4u13T_YjGMfvMGUT7AficJtw1_hwfCeP0m6JyP1lGbzF8xL6O-WeOL4nyy2oRzr_Jk/s400/babyroom.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">Image found <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/150448443772054892/">here</a></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-19526384389119728192012-04-13T16:56:00.005-07:002012-04-13T18:00:55.501-07:0018 months...<div align="center">My little bud turned 18 months on Feb. 28<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>. Naturally, I am just now getting around to documenting it.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I don't know about you, but I think 18 month Tucker is one handsome feller! (So when I first typed that out, I accidentally put feeler...little different than where I was trying to go with that sentence. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Baha</span>!)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The boy is still not talking much, but we have made HUGE leaps in his vocabulary recently. He is doing a ton better with repeating (or at least attempting to repeat) what we say, and is getting really good at singing along with songs.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">A month or two ago <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span> was at preschool and Tucker was wandering around whining something. Me, being the observant mother I am, didn't realize for almost a 1/2hr that he was looking for his sissy. We have since realized that "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Keeeeeeee</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ggggeeeee</span>" is how the kid says <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span>....holy melted heart!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxBEKc-4g7FGYEdBkhsDLwTn5j4OBR1Ku9CeehOMhzFeooheEg6ZrdPBIjQd6vaAXOYAJU4e0QMXwKGQakRxinQrLQe-grRaqsYL_lyGWMSMwwN-Vgp5_JBwDuoZ5rCWELbbzsz-MflY/s1600/IMG_2521+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 532px; height: 800px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731042636683341378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxBEKc-4g7FGYEdBkhsDLwTn5j4OBR1Ku9CeehOMhzFeooheEg6ZrdPBIjQd6vaAXOYAJU4e0QMXwKGQakRxinQrLQe-grRaqsYL_lyGWMSMwwN-Vgp5_JBwDuoZ5rCWELbbzsz-MflY/s800/IMG_2521+copy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Tuck may or may not have started nursery a few weeks earlier than he was supposed to. As in, I may or may not have shoved him through the door then ran. At first, he wasn't a huge fan. I don't know why my method would have caused any <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">separation</span> anxiety, right? </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Now that he is a legit member of nursery, I stick around for a few minutes and he is doing better. He is basically their star "student", in fact. The other day I peeked in, and all the other kids where sitting nicely at the table and coloring- <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">BAAAA</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">OOOOORING</span>! Where was my little genius? Sitting ON the table EATING the crayons. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">That will</span> teach those leaders to hold off on snack time. Advanced? You better believe it!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 532px; height: 800px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731042638594296946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3htuwNcQTTY4Z0RwZefDkYR-VMNxGi1UJutp1JqrYFrkqh5LR99kAs-lDLW5tMsptTFKsuSBkS3mf5dvu5_98hhEfUCXWZ_vYDlVd7xlRMcPjqw-uQD9F4V-3tt8uJk4pHN2HzDk-rzo/s800/IMG_2160.JPG" /></div><div align="center">He has amazing hair. I don't know how to control it at all. Seriously way out of my league here ,folks, with this whole boy hair thing. It grows so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">stinkin</span>' fast! And when it gets really bad I can't just put it in pigtails like I do with the girl.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Let's just hope I figure it out by the time he starts school, or I am gonna have some school picture day explaining to do later in life!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwufEAnoyB6Ne7XopbphPLwe_vM5egXiIf8Ii1ktI7N51Cqe-pHDQDiSaXhp9dMNv58WZYWUIsJvzhhMeys1K7Ve8wzDa5iTrwzIJD-056M6KDu30DXmN_whRbki13JK07ZYNqp51OyoA/s1600/IMG_2445.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 532px; height: 800px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731040202967655346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwufEAnoyB6Ne7XopbphPLwe_vM5egXiIf8Ii1ktI7N51Cqe-pHDQDiSaXhp9dMNv58WZYWUIsJvzhhMeys1K7Ve8wzDa5iTrwzIJD-056M6KDu30DXmN_whRbki13JK07ZYNqp51OyoA/s800/IMG_2445.JPG" /></a>Tucker puts EVERYTHING in his mouth. No really- EVERYTHING! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Right now his favorite <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">inedible</span> happens to be dirt and grass. Although it is great for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">firming up of </span>his bowel movements (the kid hasn't blown out at all since its been warm enough for him to be outside regularly), the grainy consistency leaves something to be desired. I am still weighing the pros and cons.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnvsnZEfsbYQrDvzCAjH2R7hd15pH968s0pLivcwq5yqrS6RcxDlAOEbNv6jQp10Gl2gsoU7bsw_c9i3APWeGQzbcCAZfJlhJ8Xt6g0vTvEiVTalXj0-B4VltEPEGERPKwJt7RLU1eSc/s1600/IMG_2410.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 532px; height: 800px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731040196343631122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnvsnZEfsbYQrDvzCAjH2R7hd15pH968s0pLivcwq5yqrS6RcxDlAOEbNv6jQp10Gl2gsoU7bsw_c9i3APWeGQzbcCAZfJlhJ8Xt6g0vTvEiVTalXj0-B4VltEPEGERPKwJt7RLU1eSc/s800/IMG_2410.JPG" /></a>Um, he just looks really big in this picture. That's all.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbPi2kcO6vL_TmWsep4TN5M2QfuV9wxBfpHXDQepL1w1MID703Iqmo21sd_rY36QKYSzn6oBLWoifh-UdubGjppWx-pf3PZo2yAzupJpLFBWXh_s4BYTG7iVO9DotJJN9nspf9q3_Nag/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 532px; height: 800px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731040179292582258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbPi2kcO6vL_TmWsep4TN5M2QfuV9wxBfpHXDQepL1w1MID703Iqmo21sd_rY36QKYSzn6oBLWoifh-UdubGjppWx-pf3PZo2yAzupJpLFBWXh_s4BYTG7iVO9DotJJN9nspf9q3_Nag/s800/IMG_2375.JPG" /></a>And this picture is the perfect representation of 18 month Tucker. Messy, bruised head (above his eyebrow), probably sporting a dirty diaper...but happy as a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">flippin</span>' clam!<br /><br />Love him!<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 532px; height: 800px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731040181100081490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUoz33tuwhYsB89Bm-EfcNLiBZDk8bhIhh8Xlii8qFIDLTxLarJBofyJuyNzBuPdv97maPPxnis7fYRj30ynM7ZN-LwnsWGwo4jod6S1BXGVny_6DtewqSZGC0LGrOCuwGIe8yNGLiZc/s800/IMG_2380.JPG" /><div> </div><br /></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-81528416536401882162012-03-30T19:20:00.002-07:002012-04-06T12:32:45.382-07:00Randoms...<div align="center">Just a few random pictures from my blogging hiatus:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Random fun with Grandma, Grandpa and cousins. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">And each other. And a diaper box.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/10-6-11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/10-6-11.jpg" /></a>Random <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span>:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Back in the day, before those 2 pink lines, I was a better mom. We dressed up. We did crafts. We made fun lunches. We picked our noses...some of us more than others, of course :)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I bet <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span> misses that mom. We all are hoping she will be back soon! Hang in there sis, I am working on it.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-0610-6-11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-0610-6-11.jpg" /></a>Random Tucker (aka The Grey Hair Maker)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Seriously, this kid keeps me on my toes. He is always up to something. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Climbing on furniture, making messes, digging in the trash, eating non-edibles. And my personal favorite, taking a relaxing soak in the freaking toilet.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Good heck, just looking at these pictures makes me <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">TIIIIIIIIRED</span>! I think I will go take a nap!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-0610-6-111.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-0610-6-111.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-25248718231492078492012-03-30T19:11:00.003-07:002012-04-06T12:23:30.728-07:00A Year of Firsts...<div align="center">This past year has been a big year for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span>...and for Jared and I as first time parents to a "big kid"</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> In August, she started going to Joy School and dance class. Not gonna lie, the kid thinks she is pretty hot stuff with all her big girl activities. I tend to agree.<br /></div><div align="center">In January she started going to Primary. We are still working on selling her on the idea that Primary is cooler than playing with toys in nursery. When we tell her it's time to get ready for church, she usually says, "I don't like church...it's too big". I think she means too long. To be honest there are some Sundays that I {again} tend to agree :)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I don't think it helps that we aren't in the same ward as her Joy School buddies anymore, but she is definitely warming up. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> In every ward there is "that kid" who wanders and twirls around in the front of the room during Sharing Time. I am proud to announce that this year, "that kid" belongs to me...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span>, maybe not proud, but it does make me giggle.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-0610-6-112.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-0610-6-112.jpg" /></a>In January she had her first dance recital. It was probably the best 90 seconds of my life. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span> is a bit of a free spirit- and let's just say it definitely showed on stage. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I wish I could get the video to load, but it's just not happening. I will just tell you the 2 highlights for me as a parent: at one point she started messing with her tutu...as in pulled it super high, and then started pulling it down, a little too far down. Jared and I were DYING, positive that our kid was about to take "Fly Away Little Butterfly" to a new level. At the last second, she decided to keep her costume on. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Then at the end, all the girls start exiting stage left. My child starts exiting stage...um, back? She got halfway to the back, and realized she was going the wrong way so ran back to her fellow butterflies with the cheesiest smile I have ever seen on her face.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">She is my child. I just don't know what else to say.<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/Danceandultrasound2.jpg" /></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-13901362656770678892012-03-30T18:51:00.003-07:002012-04-03T09:47:48.957-07:00Kerrigan's Birthday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilibuv3FrvB5E4_EStHe5WH_kV3WGwrZWbFoUFrs6ZM4_YVhmwBSs2nnhn3KQE_DsrGkQZ7V2j3f09jlPEBBwq9J8834zas0P-tGhUouPkqHxR4flXOrrGjSzhClt2VU_gvAMSZEn960w/s1600/kerriganinvite+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727213376167154770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilibuv3FrvB5E4_EStHe5WH_kV3WGwrZWbFoUFrs6ZM4_YVhmwBSs2nnhn3KQE_DsrGkQZ7V2j3f09jlPEBBwq9J8834zas0P-tGhUouPkqHxR4flXOrrGjSzhClt2VU_gvAMSZEn960w/s400/kerriganinvite+copy.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"> We decided to do a *slightly* bigger party for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span> for her 3rd birthday. It was tons of fun, and she helped a lot with the planning. She knew who she wanted to come, what she would wear and what the theme would be : FAIRIES!!!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">All her cute little friends came dressed as fairies, and we had little fairy wings for everyone. We danced to Tinkerbell music, painted nails and even made pixie dust. I wish I had been better at taking pictures, it was all so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">stinkin</span>' cute!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">One MAJOR perk to living a few miles from family is having cousins willing to come help out with crowd control. I think eight 2-4 yr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">olds</span> would have been a tad overwhelming for me (especially in Dec. when we had to stay indoors) and they were absolute LIFESAVERS!!!!!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/KerriganbdayandTucson20111.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/KerriganbdayandTucson20111.jpg" /></a>We were even lucky enough to have Grandma come for the party...and bring along a special guest: The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ToothFAIRY</span>!!!! She did a great job of teaching us how to do good brushing, and brought <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">goodie</span> bags for all the little fairies!<br /><div><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/KerriganbdayandTucson20112.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/KerriganbdayandTucson20112.jpg" /></a>I don't know what I did to deserve this adorable, crazy, loving, sweet, weird, loud, free spirited 3 year old...but I am sure glad she is mine!<br /><div><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_1679copy2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 650px; height: 975px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_1679copy2.jpg" /></a><div></div></div></div></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-69246000880595113302012-03-30T18:36:00.002-07:002012-04-03T09:24:38.618-07:00November AND December<div><div align="center">That's right folks, I am combining 2 major months...can you handle it?!?</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">For Turkey Day, we all flew out to Tucson to check out Jared's parents' new digs. Not going to lie, being able to go swimming at the end of November- <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">AHHHHmazing</span>!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We enjoyed lots of family time, pool time and rest time.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Also noteworthy is the 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> picture on the top row. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span> packed her suitcase the week before. She knows once we break out her <a href="http://www.target.com/p/Melissa-Doug-Trunki-Sunny-Orange/-/A-13450199?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=%7C13450199&CPNG=toys&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=13450199"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Trunki</span></a> (seriously BEST PURCHASE EVER!!!) it means we are going to the airport. We let her pack her snacks and toys for the airport, then she gets to hitch a ride on it as we are walking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">thru</span> the airport...such a lifesaver!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/KerriganbdayandTucson2011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/KerriganbdayandTucson2011.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div align="center"> December:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We headed to Arizona for Christmas. The kids and I went early and hung out with my sister's family for a week and a half. Sadly, I started feeling mysteriously sick and tired, so I didn't take any pictures! Oops!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Then we headed up to Flagstaff to my parents house, and Jared met up with us. We got our sugar cookies, sledding and yoga on. Always loads of random fun at Grandma and Grandpa's.</div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/Danceandultrasound.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Christmas morning:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Not sure why my kids look homeless in these pictures- we had already been to church, then came home for presents. Brooke's family couldn't come up, so my kiddos enjoyed the spotlight all morning. Santa left most of the bigger presents at our house, since we had to drive home a few days later.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/Danceandultrasound1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 510px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/Danceandultrasound1.jpg" /></a>2 random pregnancy stories:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">#1. While we were at my parents' ward, I suddenly felt "the urge" and had to make a ladylike dash to the restroom. Halfway down the hallway, someone behind me said hi to me and I think asked me how I was. I started to slow down...the threw up in my mouth... and returned to a more frantic dash. So to the kind unknown person who saw me that day- my apologies for not returning your greetings. I had more urgent matters to attend to!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">#2. 20 months ago, I drove down to Flagstaff from Idaho @ 36 weeks pregnant. Not going to lie, I thought it was awful. Turns out, compared to the drive at 9 weeks pregnant, it is a piece of cake. WORST DRIVE EVER KNOWN TO MAN!!!! I literally have never felt so sick in my life...never again will I make a long drive in the first trimester of pregnancy. Let's just say Jared deserves major points for getting us all home in one piece!</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"><br /><div></div></div></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-43352994876796024222012-03-30T18:25:00.003-07:002012-04-03T08:56:09.426-07:00October<div align="center">I have a lot of blogging to catch up on. Unfortunately, I also have a lot of life in general to catch up on now that I am starting to feel human again.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Which means <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">condensed</span> posts full of collages of unedited pictures. Not my favorite way to blog, but it will have to do for now.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">October:</div><br /><div align="center">Jared and I went on our first childless "vacation" to Vegas. It was really a State Farm Convention, but there was tons of free time and HELLO, did you catch the fact that we didn't have our kids?!? Totally qualifies as a vacation! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We saw shows, stayed at a fancy hotels, ate tons of food and cruised the strip. Oh yeah, and I got frisked at airport security. Note to self: don't wear a maxi dress to fly...they are a major security red flag!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-0610-6-113.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 677px; height: 523px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-0610-6-113.jpg" /></a>Halloween:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Lucky kiddos got to go to 2 Trunk or Treats, one for our ward and one with the cousins. Have I mentioned how much we love living by family- because WE DO!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We went with a Tangled theme this year. <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">The girl</span> was Rapunzel and the boy was Pascal. I totally went super Mormon Momma and made <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan's</span> costume...I know, I know- I am amazing :)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.jaredandlindseystokes.blogspot.com/2011/10/princess-dress-tutu-orial.html">Princess Dress Tutorial here<br /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-3110-31-2011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 675px; height: 521px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011-10-3110-31-2011.jpg" /></a>Do you love the bottom left picture? Yep, that was the only one I could get of both of them looking at me. Begging for candy is hard work, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">fo</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">sho</span>!<br /><br /></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-86361288138206937412012-01-26T10:48:00.000-08:002012-01-26T12:02:24.957-08:00Belly Facts...<div align="center">Here are some of the details about this pregnancy:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">- I am 13 weeks, baby's ETA is end of July</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-I am beyond sick. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zofran</span> has helped, but I am still visiting the loo at least 8 times a day (although once last week I only threw up 5 times...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">yay</span>!)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-Because of that high frequency ^, I am TERRIFIED to leave the house alone with the kids. In fact, in the past 4 weeks, I have left my house 3 times. Pathetic, I know.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-Is it bad to say I am really, really, really hoping for a girl? Boys are fun, but I am craving all things pink!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-2 weeks ago, I had a cramping/spotting scare. Turned out to be nothing, but it REALLY helped me put the whole sick thing into perspective. I realized how much I want this baby (I am embarrassed to admit how easily I lose sight of that fact when I am so sick)!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-I am not really craving anything. I craved spicy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">cheetos</span> for a few days, but you only have to throw those up a few times before that craving disappears...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">YEOWZA</span>!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-Did I mention I want a girl? I kinda think it's a boy. Jared wants a boy. Kerrigan wants a sister. Tucker just wants a haircut so he doesn't look homeless anymore.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-My kids watch a lot of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">tv</span>, and eat a lot of PP&J <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sandwiches</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">corndogs</span>. We also have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">pj</span> days about 4 days a week. Because we are awesome like that. I have to constantly remind myself K has been through this before, and she turned out ok. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-I have been amazed by the support we have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">received</span>. My visiting teachers have been AMAZING, and the RS has been bringing us dinner 3 times a week. It's been a humbling experience to accept that much help, and we are incredibly grateful!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">-Depending on the how the day goes, the baby bump fluctuates. Some days it seems huge. Then I have a really bad day and it disappears.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/Untitled-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 660px; height: 660px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/Untitled-3.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">*I know you kinda want to, but please don't judge how dirty the mirror is. Clean mirrors...pretty low on the survival list of priorities.*</span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-12252527407116048412012-01-19T12:04:00.000-08:002012-01-19T12:20:52.901-08:00Adios 2011<div align="center">See ya later, 2011. We had a good time with you, but are really looking forward to what 2012 will bring us!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Enjoy our Collage O' 2011!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">HINT: If you look very closely, you will see the *BIG* reason I am posting this 19 days into the new year.</div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 680px; height: 680px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/2011collageb.jpg" />Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-39098548849576510232011-12-29T08:37:00.000-08:002011-12-29T08:49:28.042-08:00Holiday Card<div align="center">I pulled a classic Lindsey move. No really, it's becoming an annual tradition. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> I spend a ridiculous amount of time making a Christmas card (seriously, a long time-this year I even created the chevron background), only to never put the dang things in the mail!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">At least this year I realized this was going to be the case AGAIN, before printing them out and having a stack of cards laying around, mocking my procrastination skills.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Oh well, maybe next year...until then- HAPPY HOLIDAYS!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 450px; height: 630px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/christmascard2011copy2.jpg" /></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-88686234314335483382011-10-25T10:19:00.000-07:002011-10-26T19:27:22.390-07:001 Year Old Tuck in a TruckPhew! I am posting Tucker's one year old pictures BEFORE he is 14 months old! That's not considered late, right. I mean, 2 months late would have been totally embarrassing. So glad I missed that deadline by a whopping 3 days : )<br /><br />Whatever. I have been a horrible blogger. I would say I will do better, but that may not be true. Again, whatever.<br /><br />When I found out we were going to be in Twin Falls close to Tuck's big day, I set my heart on taking his 1 year old pictures on my brother in law's old truck. Unfortunately, the only time we could do it was around noon, so the lighting was really harsh. But a girl wants what a girl wants, and we did them anyways. I think they turned out pretty sweet regardless of the intense sun!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9360.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 655px; height: 436px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9360.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9291b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 498px; height: 748px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9291b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9366.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 661px; height: 440px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9366.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9346copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 440px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9346copy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9260copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 440px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9260copy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9340copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 440px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9340copy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9382copyb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 440px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_9382copyb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/Newfolder.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-32837382543125630062011-10-22T16:04:00.000-07:002011-10-22T16:38:06.402-07:00Conflicted<div>3 years and 7 months ago, I was 2 weeks post my 3rd <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">IUI</span>. It was pregnancy test day. I waited nervously, excitedly, anxiously and hopefully. When only 1 pink line showed up, I was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">devastated</span>...crushed. I stumbled back into our room, laid next to Jared and just sobbed. I was only allowed to weep for a few minutes, before returning to the bathroom to finish getting ready for work.</div><div> </div><div><br />I snatched up the test, ready to throw that awful thing in the garbage- and somehow through my tears saw the faintest 2nd pink line. So faint I still wasn't sure it was there even after holding it to the light, close to my eyes. I charged back into the room, threw on the light, chucked Jared's contacts at him and DEMANDED he take a look. He confirmed that it wasn't my imagination...there were 2 of the most beautiful pink lines either of us had ever seen.</div><div> </div><div><br />For the past week, I have been exhibiting some signs that hinted towards pregnancy. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Every time</span> I would think of the possibility, I would have mixed emotions.</div><div> </div><div><br />My mind would think about how we are not trying to have another baby right now. It would stress about finances, MORNING SICKNESS, 3 kids 3 yrs old and under, etc.</div><div> </div><div><br />But my heart would flutter in excitement. It would focus on the newborn smell, the newborn snuggles, the newborn sounds. My heart craves a newborn!</div><div> </div><div><br />So this morning, I took a test. I was almost certain it would be positive. And I was (mostly) ecstatic.</div><div> </div><div><br />3 minutes later, I was staring at only 1 pink line.</div><div> </div><div><br />My mind was immediate overflowing with relief. My baby is BARELY one. He still can't walk. He still doesn't say mama. He still needs me so, so much...not the incapacitated woman I become the first 6 months of pregnancy. Jared is still in the first year of owning a business. Taking care of it, our home, a sick me and 2 kids is more than any guy should have to deal with. This is a good thing.</div><div> </div><div><br />Then there was my heart. It was broken. It wonders if baby #3 will take a long time to get here, like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span>. It is terrified of having to go through what it went through 4 years ago. In my heart, I wanted to crumble into a ball and cry on the bathroom floor.</div><div> </div><div><br />Luckily, in this case, my head has been in control most of the day. I know we are going to be fine. We are going to live by the motto "Come What May, and Love it".</div><div> </div><div><br />However, for a few minutes this morning, I let my heart win, and I cried over that stupid, single pink line.</div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-53195223597164629232011-10-21T10:19:00.001-07:002011-10-26T20:52:38.641-07:00Birthday partaaaaaaySSSS!<div style="text-align: center;">Lucky boy had 2 party's this year.<br /></div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br />So I thought it would only be fitting that I posted about them 2 days before his 14 month-day....right?<br /></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br />And in order to make sure I got them posted before the 2 month late deadline (because, remember, in my book that is totally embarrassing : ), I didn't do anything fancy to the pictures.<br /><br />There is some pretty wonky coloring going on in most of the pictures. </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">Consider yourself warned.<br /><br />Fiesta <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Numero</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Uno</span>: BBQ at our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">casa</span>, with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Clarks</span> (my aunt and her family who live about a mile from us. A gift from heaven for our family. Methinks YES!) and Aunt "Cat" as K calls her. We will never again have a party without Cat ever again-she is that great!<br /></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br />Nothing too fancy, but I LOVED the banner I made with my Silhouette and the cake. We had a near disaster involving red frosting. Word to the wise: NEVER write Happy birthday in red gel frosting- looks a tad horror movie-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">esk</span>.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/BalletandBirthday8-2011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 510px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/BalletandBirthday8-2011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/BalletandBirthday8-20111.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 510px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/BalletandBirthday8-20111.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Soooo</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ummmmm</span>, about this next picture. My proudest momma picture, probably not. She is proud enough of herself (for helping blow out the candles) for the both of us.<br /><br />Does it make me pee my pants every time I look at it? Yes, it most definitely does. The look on her face is absolutely hysterical. I will probably be showing this to future suitors.<br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> </div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_23-1.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_8788copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 440px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_8788copy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">So not to steal Tuck's thunder, but check out my nose. I always thought of my nose as a German looking one. So where does it get off lookin' all long and pointy in this picture? And how did it take me almost 28 years to see this natural wonder? <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">Just something to think about.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_23-1.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_8788copy.jpg"><span><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></a><span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_8855copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 440px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_8855copy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">How did I get Tucker to go to town with his cake, you ask? Well, do you remember Kerrigan's first birthday? She was a bit of a cake snob- way disappointing. This year I did my research, and I will let you in on a little secret, my friends. Behold the power of the Twinkie:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 510px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_22.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />(as in I gave him a Twinkie a day for 2 weeks straight, except for the 2 days before his birthday. Lemme tell ya, the kid was jonesin' for some chocolate! 4 out of 5 dentists probably wouldn't recommend this method, but it works people!)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">FIESTA NUMERO DOS: With the Stokes clan. Recycled decor. Pizza. Pop. Cupcakes.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 510px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_21.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 510px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_23-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 510px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/sept11_23-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />My 2 favorite things about my 1 year old Tucker are:<br /><br />1. He is ALL boy. He grunts. He farts. He is messy. He is stubbornly refusing to walk or talk. He is busy, busy, busy- and usually busy doing stuff he shouldn't be doing. His favorite "toy" these days: the toilet. Gross. 100% boy...and I love it!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_8865copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 440px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_8865copy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />#2. He is such a curious little guy. He is always getting into stuff and always on the go, but it is hard to get mad. He has this sense of wonder about him that I cannot get enough of. I hope he always possesses that quality. I hope he continues to explore the world around him with the same enthusiasm he has now- the world is his toilet...I mean, his oyster!<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_8776copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 660px; height: 440px;" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_8776copy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-34263067219043173232011-10-19T09:00:00.000-07:002011-10-20T11:48:35.774-07:00Princess Dress Tutu-orialIt might be kinda lame that my first post in 1 1/2 months is a tutorial. However, I couldn't find any tutorials for the costume I wanted to make for K- so I decided to make my own.<br /><br />That's right folks, you read that correctly. I, Lindsey Stokes, stepped into the realm of super Mormon mama-hood and MADE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kerrigan's</span> costume for Halloween. Never thought I would ever say that sentence.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span>, so my costume was a lot of trial and error. I am hoping to help YOU (if you choose to make one) avoid the error part. I also learned a few tricks that saved me a ton of time/frustration.<br /><br />Also, I think you can tweak it to work for any princess dress. Considering it cost about $10 to make, we may or may not have already bought the supplies to make a few more princesses.<br /><br />Materials:<br />Scissors<br />Elastic (I used 3/4")<br />9 yards of tulle (I did 4.5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">yrds</span> white, 3.5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">yrds</span> dark purple and 1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">yrd</span> light purple) I know you can buy tulle on a spool- but I don't know how much you would need, and I think it is more $<br />Coordinating ribbon<br />Hot glue gun<br />Yardstick/measuring tape<br />Needle and thread or sewing machine<br /><br />Step 1: Lay your tulle out flat on the ground but still folded in half length-wise, like how it is on the bolt when you bought it. Measure the length from the child's armpit to however long you want the dress to hang. I had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kerrigan's</span> hit her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">midcalf</span>, so I had to cut a couple inches off the bottom (open end) of the tulle (NOT ON THE FOLDED SIDE).<br /><br />Step 2: (Which I didn't take a picture, but HOLY TIME SAVER) Starting with the top (folded side) of the tulle, roll the tulle into a long tube. Make sure you are rolling evenly, and the sides of it stay lined up as best as they can. Obviously, the edges aren't perfect, but you want them to be as close as possible. So when I did this with the white, I had a 4.5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">yrd</span> long roll of tulle.<br /><br />Then, line the roll up with a yardstick, and cut every 3 inches. You will have little mini rolls that look like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4Q2LH-b4ILI5Zn97C3UIgVcSF-SJV1RZy9xs8Nz8jsNHWEzeJDoBD9GQW6rS8GOFch8ET9mGbUEDl3tvfLDsT1IpZs2ZWnG5L9pRX2h1PBrewUHfZJ-niWmUP0Bvjnw2poQrJgcckzA/s1600/10-6-11+283.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4Q2LH-b4ILI5Zn97C3UIgVcSF-SJV1RZy9xs8Nz8jsNHWEzeJDoBD9GQW6rS8GOFch8ET9mGbUEDl3tvfLDsT1IpZs2ZWnG5L9pRX2h1PBrewUHfZJ-niWmUP0Bvjnw2poQrJgcckzA/s400/10-6-11+283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665243908420915266" border="0" /></a>Seriously, this saved so much <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">stinkin</span>' time, and made my strip edges <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">soooo</span> much straighter than trying to cut it while it is laying flat.<br /><br />Step 3: Cut the ends of the rolls so they are rounded at the bottom. Again, make sure you are never cutting on the folded side of the tulle.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cjYelo_9Kddncdb8Xt6ulyR1USVvsqgrFtG2iQVEo7D9ZSnJ2qCeO1PTa5Ko8eBIAkRmRbsuvG5d8jQfRPtGKKEad4UNfZzmqde8SfkHayoE3wAKFBeseFDyhaHDxaWPBw4vqvU2-vU/s1600/10-6-11+285.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cjYelo_9Kddncdb8Xt6ulyR1USVvsqgrFtG2iQVEo7D9ZSnJ2qCeO1PTa5Ko8eBIAkRmRbsuvG5d8jQfRPtGKKEad4UNfZzmqde8SfkHayoE3wAKFBeseFDyhaHDxaWPBw4vqvU2-vU/s400/10-6-11+285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665243905188306386" border="0" /></a>Step 4: Measure around your child's chest close to their armpits. Then subtract AT LEAST an inch for the length of the elastic. I only <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">subtracted</span> a little less than an inch, thinking I didn't want it to be too tight, but these dresses are a little heavier than just a skirt, so the elastic needs to be a little tighter to hold it up.<br /><br />Sew the ends of the elastic together and find something round to hold it in place. In my case, it was my leg. I would like to apologize that you have to look at my gross sweat pants for the next few pictures...but that is my go to craft apparel, so what can ya do?!?!<br /><br />Step 5: Holding the folded end of the tulle, put a strip of white tulle either in or behind a strip of purple. I did mine inside so they kind of blended together, but either will work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdO96I7Vl6v8Dq78ruMwz8ReZIietne85ufGPlRnB6m5XgcwENMsk57mf1uDCHfPvIuTTafef2IK1ykehd9Alg7ce8cImKtFezuVbDCuOQ8o4WPbCLuS6P42z-kr3nFDphNbwlLdefhNU/s1600/10-6-11+302.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdO96I7Vl6v8Dq78ruMwz8ReZIietne85ufGPlRnB6m5XgcwENMsk57mf1uDCHfPvIuTTafef2IK1ykehd9Alg7ce8cImKtFezuVbDCuOQ8o4WPbCLuS6P42z-kr3nFDphNbwlLdefhNU/s400/10-6-11+302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665241983136826530" border="0" /></a>Step 6: Pull the 2 strips together under the elastic, so a few inches of the folded side are above the elastic. Use 2 fingers to go through the opening...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8k9FESiO8PADsTV8gbmQn73b08P-ib0zImQOKpkA3z5wnN81ydTNnAiFfepvRsi-rm-27B7faHxYgFfS4Bxt_SwyJUE97rssY_OwCksR1CPYzI4PnMBZ_Etgox1wF64NSVt9H_oM20c/s1600/10-6-11+293.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8k9FESiO8PADsTV8gbmQn73b08P-ib0zImQOKpkA3z5wnN81ydTNnAiFfepvRsi-rm-27B7faHxYgFfS4Bxt_SwyJUE97rssY_OwCksR1CPYzI4PnMBZ_Etgox1wF64NSVt9H_oM20c/s400/10-6-11+293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665243900325762226" border="0" /></a>...grab the other end of the tulle....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVZVVfEo0Zy5TJru0sNEeS3yIJ85sVUS8kZ9aanSAy0Ms0eC80XUIyiXNjtgD9alSJvT66tfgRWvK-nwXCCcpBqt1nv8kWo24s7qXcM2ZLwOV56E4kuvEQuStYA2DRJLaSq0CISbNfFA/s1600/10-6-11+295.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVZVVfEo0Zy5TJru0sNEeS3yIJ85sVUS8kZ9aanSAy0Ms0eC80XUIyiXNjtgD9alSJvT66tfgRWvK-nwXCCcpBqt1nv8kWo24s7qXcM2ZLwOV56E4kuvEQuStYA2DRJLaSq0CISbNfFA/s400/10-6-11+295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665638771201747586" border="0" /></a><br />...and pull it all the way through.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Kkv2X4RfqEnbS4NsZr-yMCCjvaKl0uYZjvERH0LUtMJ4wmulfOyCjUYOPzUTGwTnjR3E6NDJzv25P1Pip-LF_ubwuEzo-yjZp3dzMu-939mEwIsrSkX0pLLJT18f8cUJ7D6Nfgo49MA/s1600/10-6-11+296.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Kkv2X4RfqEnbS4NsZr-yMCCjvaKl0uYZjvERH0LUtMJ4wmulfOyCjUYOPzUTGwTnjR3E6NDJzv25P1Pip-LF_ubwuEzo-yjZp3dzMu-939mEwIsrSkX0pLLJT18f8cUJ7D6Nfgo49MA/s400/10-6-11+296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665638761073032418" border="0" /></a><br />Step 7: Pull the loose end down to tighten the knot. One trick I figured out was stick one finger in the knot as you are tightening it to keep the elastic from bunching up. When the knot is tight on your finger, pull it out and give it an extra tug to make sure it is nice and snug.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil85s89rfgCoIAkNZyYDugdWGQZa4D3OWiizEOZ38rqY2wjYnkxVWBMRu3zrxxVGr3JR7NOuX1KN1-lJAY1pdsQbkyQ2JVFMBA9AW9VzPdHWGdPZi09zj-8zgSWu0-B4mDTm8v4nQSU60/s1600/10-6-11+297.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil85s89rfgCoIAkNZyYDugdWGQZa4D3OWiizEOZ38rqY2wjYnkxVWBMRu3zrxxVGr3JR7NOuX1KN1-lJAY1pdsQbkyQ2JVFMBA9AW9VzPdHWGdPZi09zj-8zgSWu0-B4mDTm8v4nQSU60/s400/10-6-11+297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665638757913741570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nI0p0ooxVqy9GnsJfqMAI3WFJyInUGLwIUYC1SRo6txykfmSJjhAOz09rCOMvE5nmjXw73YnlhaOiB-fPHGqzGHe1yBD541C6iAc3JCmIo_V7izd85rTL5rEPBzZuPrADjOv8cV5nxA/s1600/10-6-11+317+copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nI0p0ooxVqy9GnsJfqMAI3WFJyInUGLwIUYC1SRo6txykfmSJjhAOz09rCOMvE5nmjXw73YnlhaOiB-fPHGqzGHe1yBD541C6iAc3JCmIo_V7izd85rTL5rEPBzZuPrADjOv8cV5nxA/s400/10-6-11+317+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665240336533012978" border="0" /></a>Step 8: Continue all the way around the elastic. For the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Rapunzel</span> dress, I used the darker tulle around the back and sides, and the lighter purple for about 4-5 inches in the front. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrzDW3JelwQNnbiFBOnOaf0-QJ4EkU17DsL8FWwyqWgSfKp_NI0_-_qGJ4JuLB2JqAd4dPeVf02g8aTjJnvOD-1hAKVT6AkfXdKrfCmcN8NjsCpraJb2AW0PzqmbZymCSO5Nx_vCoYjg/s1600/10-6-11+313.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrzDW3JelwQNnbiFBOnOaf0-QJ4EkU17DsL8FWwyqWgSfKp_NI0_-_qGJ4JuLB2JqAd4dPeVf02g8aTjJnvOD-1hAKVT6AkfXdKrfCmcN8NjsCpraJb2AW0PzqmbZymCSO5Nx_vCoYjg/s400/10-6-11+313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665241978053974434" border="0" /></a>Step 9: Not totally necessary- but tulle is ITCHY. I wrapped ribbon around the elastic and tulle to make it more comfy and I think it gives the dress a more finished look. For mine, I used a ribbon that had a little velvety detail in the middle. Don't. Next time I will just use plain 1'' silk ribbon. It will look better, promise!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF1FWOOJqIumhyphenhyphen8KAoNIa_WsEJOgqCez61OdxUMBRWCgGuF82SdpQNXEsFnphDzcWoG17cg3lBNzQLUUxNJ8laKoiMa0jXKbAHwhDROEyDMsUzGnwtpUrN-gHmEu_cBmkC46nLDfQ57c/s1600/10-6-11+322+copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHF1FWOOJqIumhyphenhyphen8KAoNIa_WsEJOgqCez61OdxUMBRWCgGuF82SdpQNXEsFnphDzcWoG17cg3lBNzQLUUxNJ8laKoiMa0jXKbAHwhDROEyDMsUzGnwtpUrN-gHmEu_cBmkC46nLDfQ57c/s400/10-6-11+322+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665240333822097074" border="0" /></a>10: Try it on your little model. Really really puffy, and a little low <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ridin</span>'.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF4Vie2ZsSUmDAA_wfTuJFxVwWFlfOk_8zd5SLLfPbqiiNd0NF7R71Qftlpg7u6QPC8fKeby2h_WgzvgVlialxfOCE2xFlMCmJ9AGU7HqfkDG0P_XlU-1SiHf2DSwIDJsJqIioTWEkg0/s1600/10-6-11+339.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF4Vie2ZsSUmDAA_wfTuJFxVwWFlfOk_8zd5SLLfPbqiiNd0NF7R71Qftlpg7u6QPC8fKeby2h_WgzvgVlialxfOCE2xFlMCmJ9AGU7HqfkDG0P_XlU-1SiHf2DSwIDJsJqIioTWEkg0/s400/10-6-11+339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665239865281663762" border="0" /></a>While she is trying it on, tie a ribbon around the waist. Not too tight that you can't get it on and off, but snug enough to keep the dress on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrX2b1PmcsOfGtwpSwBZu8_HEwIAH_hD-FEIfPc98g3REHs9fMieim_-Cy9pEiyLyx2hnA3RTPRlV1Emz6r7PTJZ7hiMu3tvdLLcu6WUryvXqO6nZjxExWHfp5dDLqOhgsHDeoPbmq8JE/s1600/10-6-11+344.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrX2b1PmcsOfGtwpSwBZu8_HEwIAH_hD-FEIfPc98g3REHs9fMieim_-Cy9pEiyLyx2hnA3RTPRlV1Emz6r7PTJZ7hiMu3tvdLLcu6WUryvXqO6nZjxExWHfp5dDLqOhgsHDeoPbmq8JE/s400/10-6-11+344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665239859657920610" border="0" /></a>11: Add sleeves and embellishments (I used hot glue on the x, and thread and needle for sleeves). This is what the original dress looked like. Cute, right? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">BUUUUUT</span>, I had 2 problems. #1 I felt like there was too much pink going on up top. #2 I couldn't figure out how to get the ribbon sleeve to be loose enough to easily get the dress on, but tight enough not to fall off her shoulders. So I did a little tweaking. If you like the ribbon sleeves, and can figure out how to do it- go for it : )<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIK2fkly8WSnBkf2lsk36JxjThb-CR8AnPO6hYl8v_kQlBlkLKmGX5lGffSiXmvVmDgOkCb66zZo7VaD8QbIZ8hN8bLBCAduK1jPO0QToJFkYvzDFTN0BEQ9fI7j60e613kCqfIESaUA/s1600/10-6-11+353.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIK2fkly8WSnBkf2lsk36JxjThb-CR8AnPO6hYl8v_kQlBlkLKmGX5lGffSiXmvVmDgOkCb66zZo7VaD8QbIZ8hN8bLBCAduK1jPO0QToJFkYvzDFTN0BEQ9fI7j60e613kCqfIESaUA/s400/10-6-11+353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665238669402711762" border="0" /></a>For the new sleeves, I used tulle, because it is stretchy. I may switch it out for (or add) some stretchy lace or ribbon, but for now it works. <br />I attached one side the same way I attached the skirt to the elastic, and then tied a regular knot on the other side, then covered them both up with the ribbon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepWwsAepEqh_5fa3HWNXVi0wHKvaKQPqRf5aUhbrLCy7l9U8Xzp-snoFm-zhDB2F7Rz0Vmw4ISZxhlUjrWQwn0m5knsuOqmofISrKehsZIi5GGgMx9jc4-KfLFHiTcrNzypFwzfkYq60/s1600/10-6-11+356.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepWwsAepEqh_5fa3HWNXVi0wHKvaKQPqRf5aUhbrLCy7l9U8Xzp-snoFm-zhDB2F7Rz0Vmw4ISZxhlUjrWQwn0m5knsuOqmofISrKehsZIi5GGgMx9jc4-KfLFHiTcrNzypFwzfkYq60/s400/10-6-11+356.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665238662577361506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sISstxGmkfMDrRMccCykjx5m6UVoPX2ucLJr_wy2txVbQ_2PYn2-p3mMqWnWHZPkqhW8tHRAE_fK5znwhOz8bw8I_Ss26HLUyvdGacaes4jiHGw90lzPvHx1nIZgHI7r6PCa8yi3-Nc/s1600/10-6-11+359.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sISstxGmkfMDrRMccCykjx5m6UVoPX2ucLJr_wy2txVbQ_2PYn2-p3mMqWnWHZPkqhW8tHRAE_fK5znwhOz8bw8I_Ss26HLUyvdGacaes4jiHGw90lzPvHx1nIZgHI7r6PCa8yi3-Nc/s400/10-6-11+359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665238657702365426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UUvnj0_L6blq75Ceq7jLny8jLwrILV2zCHcZrv3c-9_wZL_mKZ94b6zDgVQT0XXk-b2yxEnsCEPP1MTMCSThyphenhyphenk_iWJMoNzZG3rlXguSOEbPpabIWKsTdimrxvPnNyLWu61ttI7r885w/s1600/10-6-11+293.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZbbzc-8ZjuynbXt-OsKuoa5aScdLs8ZrwcgsHHImS7YNfhUQ-1yqx22Y03rcchvxtb3q3aKkcPbAEefCQy28ynbB986nVAL_vEM0NCMBrEngCp7BfYMqBAt4oZU7Bwlx_Z0k3lV7d8Q/s1600/IMG_0320+copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZbbzc-8ZjuynbXt-OsKuoa5aScdLs8ZrwcgsHHImS7YNfhUQ-1yqx22Y03rcchvxtb3q3aKkcPbAEefCQy28ynbB986nVAL_vEM0NCMBrEngCp7BfYMqBAt4oZU7Bwlx_Z0k3lV7d8Q/s400/IMG_0320+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665234361998030706" border="0" /></a>Then hot glued on some smaller/less obvious pink ribbon for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">x's</span>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMTHL0vtH33mnNKERgTpuKhZJBb90HuYrZkPk3KvKtQdnksD4p-20REyJ8Y999vSdaGSRCxUr1mE8LIOd0rtdY-L9Gv0Ke4kh7EkrVoQS6Enb82JpDRkR4pPvV5wc9sx347sBxJFmui8/s1600/IMG_0321+copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMTHL0vtH33mnNKERgTpuKhZJBb90HuYrZkPk3KvKtQdnksD4p-20REyJ8Y999vSdaGSRCxUr1mE8LIOd0rtdY-L9Gv0Ke4kh7EkrVoQS6Enb82JpDRkR4pPvV5wc9sx347sBxJFmui8/s400/IMG_0321+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665234348189383378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">TAAADAAAAA</span>!!!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_U_eoxNMSzSO-mwYWECVl9EoO1BgZTtLNfIDzEUpIuiqSUMnXsUFCK0Odas5DlIpjqUcgeqfRKqUyXKKh7azpypwU4Xi5L1f_B021yoW2HXOZoluw3affGHb2M08OXQgphtyAGiBEjM/s1600/IMG_0323+copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_U_eoxNMSzSO-mwYWECVl9EoO1BgZTtLNfIDzEUpIuiqSUMnXsUFCK0Odas5DlIpjqUcgeqfRKqUyXKKh7azpypwU4Xi5L1f_B021yoW2HXOZoluw3affGHb2M08OXQgphtyAGiBEjM/s400/IMG_0323+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665234342696172402" border="0" /></a><br />I think it turned out pretty darn cute- especially for having no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">freakin</span>' idea what I was doing!<br /><br />The only thing I would change (dang hindsight) is the colors of tulle. They had a much darker purple I wish I would have gone with. In person you can see the contrast a little better, but it isn't as obvious as I wanted. Other than that, I love it. So does <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Kerrigan</span>.<br /><br />Now we just have to figure out how to make her yarn wig, get Tucker to love (or at least tolerate) his Pascal costume and we are good to go!<br /><br />Sorry if any of this was confusing...I am going to totally play the 'this is my first tutorial' card : ) Feel free to ask questions!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKij7BjF20KerCQeEH__7ntylaSBHaCZ148wCxNV_ZZL0nfJO3f0v3ZW5jk2BdiEIgjKE_oheBtDsNWz1HwXDhnd3l5CqZJqEIvjcNiPEv-TlH3sof3E043CODuoc18h5ENvMEk_wB0k/s1600/10-6-11+283.JPG"><br /></a>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-68411499640740090832011-09-11T21:24:00.000-07:002011-10-18T20:49:10.061-07:00Ten Years Later<div><div>I started this post with talking about where I was September 11, 2001, feelings I experienced and the reactions around me. After I finished, I realized not only was it long, but it was also probably not a whole lot different than <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">others'</span> experiences- so I started over.</div><div><div><div> </div><div align="center"><strong><br />“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”<br />- Confucius</strong></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br />10 years ago, America collectively "fell"- physically, emotionally and spiritually. Many of us caught our first glimpse at real evil in our world!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br />Thankfully, in the same terrible event, we were able to see the good in mankind as well. We saw heroes risk everything to save people they never knew. I think their unbelievable acts of kindness started the healing process almost immediately.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br />As a country, we are now more resilient. We are more patriotic. We are more grateful for the freedoms that we have. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="center"><br />We fell hard, but <strong>we rose so much stronger!<br /><br /><br /></strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 680px; height: 525px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/September11.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><br />"After all that has just passed, all the lives taken and all the possibilities and hopes that died with them, it is natural to wonder if America's future is one of fear.<br /><br />... I know there are struggles ahead and dangers to face. But this country will define our times, not be defined by them.<br /><br />As long as the United States of America is determined and strong, this will not be an age of terror. This will be an age of liberty here and across the world.<br /><br />... We have suffered great loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment.<br /><br />...Our nation, this generation, will lift the dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter and we will not fail.<br />Each of us will remember what happened that day and to whom it happened. We will remember the moment the news came, where we were and what we were doing.<br /><br />...I will not forget the wound to our country and those who inflicted it. I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people. The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> George W. Bush<br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 680px; height: 483px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/connecticuttrip036.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">*photos taken in April 2007 at Ground Zero*</span></div></div></div></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-53453481279791283422011-07-28T10:46:00.000-07:002011-07-28T11:22:42.675-07:00Rock Star, Skater or Goth?<div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/7-24-20111.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 670px; height: 372px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/7-24-20111.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">*please note Tucker sending the vibe in the middle picture*</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I am starting realize how hard it is to dress boys. I feel like I am constantly needing to buy pants for the poor kid, and they are still always short (heaven help me when puberty hits!). Especially in the church pants department. As much as I hate to admit it, the boy has basically been sporting khaki <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">capris</span> for the past month. So when I spotted these black corduroys, I grabbed them without much examination.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Fast forward to the next Sunday. We are at the in-laws' house, doing our normal Sunday morning scramble. Jared is getting the kiddos dressed while I am running around shoving treats and books into my purse. As they come upstairs, I notice Jared is perspiring slightly. In response to my curious look, he demands to know the reason I bought <strong>HIS SON</strong> skinny jeans. Not only did he break a sweat trying to wrestle our chunky, ever moving kid into them, he thinks they make him look like a teenage skateboarding punk. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whhhhaaaaaa</span>???</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">My sister in law later admitted she thought Tucker had taken a turn in the Gothic direction.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Upon first look, I will admit they did look silly. I didn't notice how tapered they were when I bought them. Since then, however, I have decided I love them. They are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">stinkin</span>' hilarious! I prefer to call them his rock star pants. Not only do I like the way they look now, they restrict his leg movement. Anything that helps me catch him easier gets a gold star in my book!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Every time</span> I put them on him, Jared objects. I innocently explain they are his only church pants that fit right now. I tend to leave out the fact that the desperate search for church pants has dramatically slowed...if not stopped for the time being : )<br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/7-24-20112.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 670px; height: 518px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/7-24-20112.jpg" border="0" /></a>In other news, in exactly one month I will have a 1 year old. Cue baby hunger.......<div></div></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-47670547993842107772011-07-19T12:10:00.000-07:002011-07-19T16:56:06.493-07:00Life Reset...<div><div>So you know that feeling you get when you walk through the door of your own home after being gone for any extended period of time. I LOVE that feeling- the familiar sights, sounds, smells...just knowing I am in my own space gives me the warm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">fuzzies</span>.</div><div> </div><div>The kids and I have basically been gone for a month now, with the exception of a few days we spent at home in between trips. We just got home, opened the door (kids and luggage in tow) and took a (what should have been) deep, cleansing, relaxing breath of my home...only to be overwhelmed by an incredible stench- which appeared to be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">emanating</span> from my pantry.</div><div> </div><div>I feared something had literally crawled in there and died. Turns out I was half right. Something had indeed "died", but it was something I had put in there and forgotten about. A sack of potatoes to be exact.</div><div> </div><div>I kind of feel like those nasty, juicy potatoes represent what I have allowed life to become for me. I need to take back control. </div><div> </div><div>I need to organize. The wreck that destroyed so much happened over a year ago. No longer a valid excuse to have a hoarder's garage. We need to throw away broken belongings once and for all!</div><div> </div><div>I need to exercise. My baby is almost a year old, those last 6-8 lbs have to go. The slight postpartum "issues" I have had need to be replaced with positive, esteem building thoughts.</div><div> </div><div>I need to make my house a home. We have been in this beautiful house for 10 months...put some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">stinkin</span>' pictures on the wall already, Lindsey!</div><div> </div><div>I need to clean...no excuses!</div><div> </div><div>And possibly most importantly, I need to make friends. I have used all of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">aforementioned</span> excuses as reasons for my complete lack of a social life. I need me time. Not a ton, but enough to keep me sane.</div><div> </div><div>I am officially pushing the reset button on my life. Possibly pounding it. I am completely done with sitting on my rear waiting for things to change...when I am the one that needs to change them. I had a month to collect myself, regain perspective and now I am ready to give myself a life makeover.</div><div> </div><div>And I am going to starting by scrubbing off the bottom shelf of my pantry- thank you juicy potatoes!</div></div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-56653640625959872132011-05-11T12:06:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:38:43.502-07:00Mother's Day 2011<div align="center">Mother's Day was perfection this year!</div><br /><br /><div align="center">I got to celebrate the fact that I have these two cuties that call me mommy (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span>, one calls me mommy, the other one is a work in progress)</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/SalmonandMOthersday2011348copy.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I got to spend Mother's Day in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been (Salmon, ID),</div><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/SalmonandMOthersday2011244copy.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/SalmonandMOthersday2011301copy.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 598px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 899px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/SalmonandMOthersday2011364copy.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/SalmonandMOthersday2011496copy.jpg" /></p><br /><p align="center">with the people I love most!</p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 598px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 899px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/SalmonandMOthersday2011410copy.jpg" /><br />We even experienced the delightfulness of this view for many, many miles. Like I said- PERFECTION!</p><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/SalmonandMOthersday2011242copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/SalmonandMOthersday2011242copy.jpg" /></a>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-62349864329506472942011-05-03T13:11:00.000-07:002011-05-03T13:39:45.611-07:00Easter Ensembles...<div align="center">I am currently on strike, I refuse to take anymore indoor pictures. Take that, frigid, stubborn winter! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Sunday was finally warm enough (BARELY) to try to take pictures of the kiddos in their Easter attire, so we ventured out.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_4492copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 570px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 380px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_4492copy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_4464copy2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 570px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 380px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_4464copy2.jpg" /></a> So this picture isn't the best of Tucker (he is kinda out of focus), but I found my new fave bench angle! Now I need to work on getting my camera to focus on the actual person : )<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 558px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 783px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_4544copycopy.jpg" /><br />I was so kinda bummed when I noticed the placement of my boy on the bench resulted in him looking like he had ears sprouting out of the top of his head. Then I remembered they were Easter pictures, so decided to go with it : )<br /><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_4535copy3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 558px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 839px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_4535copy3.jpg" /></a><br /></div></div><br /><p align="center">Hope everyone had a fabulous Easter!</p><br /><p align="center"></p>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212322299437002671.post-28581304637546171972011-04-28T15:20:00.000-07:002011-04-28T16:49:22.716-07:008 months<div align="center">Our buddy boy is 8 months old today, and getting so big I am starting to get newborn cravings. Haha, just kidding...kind of...</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_4032copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 598px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 899px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_4032copy.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p align="center">Tucker is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">soooo</span> close to crawling. He is at the point where he gets up on all 4's and then LUNGES into a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">face plant</span>. It kinda resembles a belly flop- without water or actually leaving the ground. </p><br /><p align="center">Immobility is getting frustrating for him, but he doesn't want anything handed to him. If he wants an object, and can't get to it his go-to rolling/sliding action, we have to place him on the floor at the precise right location. Really, it's become an art to get him just close enough that he can reach, but far enough that he has to stretch for it. I guess we should be grateful he doesn't want stuff just handed to him...it will really take him far in life.</p><br /><p align="center">He is still a squishy little guy. He is wearing size 4 diapers (compliments of the cursed Wilkins high bum crack).</p><br /><p align="center">The kid weighs 20 lbs (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerrigan</span> barely weighed that at a year!) and loves him some food. He will eat ANYTHING! He knows how to make his momma feel good about her cooking as he greets each bite with an enthusiastic, "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">MMMMMmmmmmmhhhhhh</span>"- followed by wailing if the next bite is not readily available. Similar behaviors are exhibited while nursing, but lest there be men reading this, we won't go into that!</p><br /><p align="center">Speaking of food, his need to gum all of his food thoroughly will soon come to an end. The boy just sprouted his first tooth yesterday. The dang thing took its sweet (yet painful for all of us) time coming. 1 down, how many more to go?!?!?!<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_3800copy.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Tucker is the grabbiest child I have ever met. I don't know if grabbiest is a word, but let's go with it. How he reaches some stuff I will never know! If Inspector Gadget and Stretch Armstrong had a kid...well, that would just be weird, but I think you know where I was going with that. And if there is nothing around him to grab, he sits there and does this strange air grabby thing.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">We are still trying to figure out his disposition. He is a sweet little guy who usually is cool with just hanging out. He generally has a 'whatever, dude, I'm just chilaxin' look on his face. He also has a smile and laugh that are contagious. But when the kid is mad, he is MAD!!! He knows what he wants, and will not be distracted by anything!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Luckily for us, this is what his face usually looks like (oh, sweet dimples- as Whitney Houston would say, "I will always <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">loooooooove</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">yoooooouuuuuuuu</span>!)</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_3880copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 598px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 899px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww317/lindseywstokes/IMG_3880copy.jpg" /></a><br />Happy 8 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">monthday</span>, Tuck!</div>Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04075979822327682361noreply@blogger.com4