tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41423916485608181702024-03-05T22:03:20.557-08:00One Healthy AppleMaintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle...one apple at a time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger433125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-86069788325241969252016-09-11T21:41:00.001-07:002016-09-11T21:41:35.211-07:00It's a Family Business Now- Link to Hub's BlogHey blog people! Long time no see. So long, in fact, that my husband has started blogging. Please check his new venture. <br />
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As a bonus- this post includes his relationship with our son and his passion for Jiu Jitsu:<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5525107338725157946#editor/target=post;postID=5495030027762799840;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname">Grappling Obsession</a><br />
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XOXOUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-63750039609334691052015-09-21T10:38:00.001-07:002015-09-21T10:38:38.079-07:00And Then There Were FourIt's been a long time blog people (or person and family members who read this). I've been working on a summer project, and she is here! Sweet Eva Jane joined our family at 2:01 p.m. on Monday, July 20. Since I'll want to remember this story in some way or another, I am sharing the day of Eva's birth. <br />
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I've heard from 'them' that each pregnancy and birth is different. However, being my stubborn self, I didn't believe them as most things I have found in parenting are different for each individual. When I went to 40 weeks without any sign of labor, I was starting to think that things would go the same route as they did with Levi- induction.<br />
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I don't have any kind of a problem with medically-necessary inductions. I praise modern medicine for saving mothers and babies, when in the past going overdue would have adverse outcomes. I decided to schedule an induction date for 10 days past due- if my body wasn't going to go into labor, then I would get the little one out by an means necessary. I still held out hope that I just gestate my humans a bit longer but really had to defend my decisions to family members and co-workers. Why did I think I should wait? Because I have all the cool components of being a woman- and women make babies, and birth them. It's science.<br />
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Oh, and while we're at it, let me tell you about how to induce labor...there is no correlation between twirling on your tippy toes, walking hills, spicy food, hanging upside down, dancing on a full moon, or anything else. How do I know? I tried several experiments and nothing worked to get the baby out until it was actually time. All those old wives were drunk.<br />
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I was in good spirits for the most part, but at 40 weeks and 5 days, I was finally agitated. The constant texts, check-ins, reminders, questions, and all the other interactions that truly came out of concern were like nails on a chalkboard to a very pregnant, grumpy, painful me. This pregnancy, just three years later than my first was much harder on me than the last one. I had been under chiropractic care for extreme hip and pelvic pain from 30 weeks on and just felt more tired. I remember one incident when Levi went running from our private street and I had to chase him at about 36 weeks, resulting in sitting on ice packs for the rest of the evening, because ouch. Also, first pregnancies are made of magic and rainbows and unicorns. You can rest when you want to, sleep when you need to, and you have no worldly idea of what is to come. <br />
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Anyways, that day I was pretty much done. I asked Mike to take Levi to the two family events that I was bowing out of that day and I stayed home, ate Popsicles, and worked on my business expenses. I even joked with my boss that now that my expenses were done, I could go into labor. That night I went to bed like I always did, with 12 pillows for my aching skeleton and belly and hopes of falling asleep long enough to catch a REM cycle before my bladder inevitably woke me up.<br />
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At 2:37 am, I was woken by a pain in my stomach, also known as a contraction. I thought nothing of it and went back to sleep. Exactly one hour later, I was hit with another slow cramp and went to the bathroom to do bathroom stuff, because that's just what it felt like. I decided that I would stay up and see if anything happened. I stayed in bed and over the next half hour the contractions were coming about 8-9 minutes apart. Each time one hit, I would get into child's pose and wait it out while breathing deeply like I had learned in my prenatal class and basically all the years of yoga that I took. Once the contraction was over, I would rest and close my eyes. From then on, I went downstairs and wanted to see if things picked up if I moved around a bit. And yes they did. They went to 4 minute and 5 minute apart each time I got around to walk. Honestly, it scared the crap out of me because while I was ready physically, I couldn't believe it mentally.<br />
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I was now about an hour into this game at 3:50 am and decided that if it was going to be a long day, I needed to rest. I stayed on the couch and basically slept as much as I could, and when I did this, my contractions slowed down to 10 minutes apart. At one point, I heard Levi crying and I went to his room and stayed in his bed with him, getting hit with the waves closer to 15 minutes apart and just resting and sleeping in between them until about 7:40 when I heard Mike wake up for the day. I calmly told him that something might be happening and that he should probably take Levi to my mom's daycare for the day. I also sent my boss a text message telling her that we were having some excitement and that I likely wouldn't be coming to work that day.<br />
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Since I got up again, contractions sped up to about 4 minutes apart once again and I decided I should take a shower, put some makeup on, and perhaps throw some toiletries into the bag I started packing 3 weeks ago. I also ate two plain waffles for energy. This is also the part I regret- I should have had like 10 waffles, a cupcake, and maybe a shot. When Mike came home from dropping off Levi, I decided to call my OB- actually, he made me call them. They told me to go ahead and come in when I was ready, so I did what anyone else would do- I labored while finishing the movie we started watching the night before (<i>Mud</i>- it's a good one if you are looking for a movie rec). We finally got in the car at a little before 11:00 and drove the 2 minutes it took to get to the hospital.<br />
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I walked out of the car and promptly had a contraction while we waited to get signed in at the security desk. The guard asked if I was OK and I nodded and smiled at him. They reminded us where to go and we went to the labor wing. I was greeted but the calmest, sweetest nurse who started checking me into my suite. I was a bit surprised that they were planning on keeping me without doing a full check, but since I was already almost a week late, I earned a one way ticket to labor and delivery. I signed a crap ton of paperwork and laid down for torture while I was monitored. This whole time, on a scale of one to someone-is-ripping-off-my-limbs, I was at maybe a 6 or 7, partially because I was still getting breaks between contractions and forcing myself to completely relax. This was nothing like the hell of my induction contractions brought on by Pitocin. I was also fine if I was moving or in child's pose, so I did not enjoy being monitored in the bed. After 20 minutes, she finally checked me and I was at 6 cm. I could not believe it, but was grateful that I made it this far, free of pain relief and all on my own without any interventions. <br />
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The plan now was to labor with a wireless monitor (there is another name for this, but I forgot some of my words) so that I could move around. Since it was around 11:20 am and we were staying, we let our parents know and the nurse anticipated it would be a few more hours, maybe around 5:00 or so. I walked around the room, listened to music (hip hop and then some calmer yoga music because I thought the hip hop swears were somewhat unsavory for welcoming a child into the world), and I zoned out. We had considered hiring a doula, even interviewed two lovely young ladies, but in the end I knew myself and I don't like listening to people. Mike was there of course, but I preferred to be on my own and zone out, rather than anything else.<br />
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During this whole time, by OB was still not there- I had the same on-call doctor as last time with Levi. She had some kind of a lunch meeting and was running late. After a couple of hours, I was really in pain. My contractions were coming quicker and I felt the most intense pain in my legs and hips and I was completely over it. I couldn't wait for her to get there because I was ready to ask for an epidural, or vodka shot- whichever was available sooner. I still didn't have any IV fluids and knew that I would need at least a half hour before I could get anything. I didn't really voice any of this and felt a little silly since my nurse kept saying how calmly and peacefully I was handling labor.<br />
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The doctor finally came in at about 1:30, and this is where things get a little fuzzy. They had me get back into the bed to be monitored so I had to take a break from pacing, sitting in a rocking chair, hanging out in the bathroom (so nobody would bother me), and folding myself over the bed and chair. I was D.O.N.E. done.<br />
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She checked me and I was ready to go- complete and ready to push. I was shocked. And I still didn't have an epidural or a vodka shot. She broke my water and there was a little bit of meconium in it- this means that the baby had pooped in utero- it is usually nothing, but they called in the NICU team to be present for the birth so that the baby could be checked just in case.<br />
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The doctor specifically asked me if I needed to push and I told her that I would like to labor down for a few minutes. In my last rodeo, I pushed on and off for four hours and I was not going to do that. So she left the room to complete some paperwork from her last birth. As soon as she left, or a minute later, I felt my body pushing. This is kind of where I blacked out. I told the nurse that I needed to push NOW and she started calling the doctor back into the room. I'm usually a delicate flower and calm and collected, but with a giant baby emerging from my body, I was no longer quiet.<br />
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I don't know how long it took for her to get there- Mike told me it took a couple of minutes, but I could not control my body. The baby was coming now. The doctor finally ran in and started scrambling for her gloves. She got one on and I think got the second one on just as the baby came out on the second push. They told me to look down and I politely declined, but she was here! At some point, the NICU doctor yelled "Holy hell that was fast- get this girl a good push present!"<br />
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They checked Eva out quickly and made sure that she was OK- luckily she was fine and I got her for skin to skin just a few minutes later after the cleared her airways. She was perfect and I got to snuggle her while they worked on me. Ironically, I had to have fluids and two bags of Pitocin after labor to help my body stop bleeding, but I felt so much better this time. I got to nurse the baby and bond before family started coming in and this is just how we did it with Levi.<br />
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Eva is now 2 months old and we are all adjusting. She is such a sweet baby and the part of our family I never knew was missing. If I ever get to it, I'll do some more posts on pregnancy and some family updates but for now we are all bonding and getting used to each other. A belated (second baby) welcome to the world, Eva! <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-83303248436444764862015-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:002015-06-04T08:00:07.613-07:00Levi is 3!Here we go! It's June 4 again and that means my little man is 3. Rather than wondering at how quickly time passes (seriously, how?!), I want to write down some things that I'd like to remember about this stage in a little note, that nobody but the grandparents will read ;)<br />
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Dear Levi,<br />
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You are such an entertainer. You love to sing and do so basically all day long, and at the top of your lungs, usually holding the last note just a little too long, and a little too loudly. It's the very best. You sings in the car to your music class albums and we entertain your many song requests. My favorite parts are when you don't know the words and make them up or hum along until a line you know comes back on. Please don't ever stop singing and always have the confidence you do now. Although a little volume control would be just fine with me from time to time.<br />
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You are so loving. You tell us 'I love you' freely and openly and give the best hugs. The best times are when it's spontaneous and we don't force you. I usually try not to make you hug anyone you don't want to since it's your own personal space, but I love to see you hug your cousin and monkey, and your dog Chino. You just love coming up to Chino and giving him a good squeeze.<br />
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In addition to your singing, there is the talking. It never stops. At some point, I was moderately worried that you were behind. But you weren't- you were learning 2 languages at the same time and making double the brain connections. Right now you are favoring English a lot, and mostly carry on conversations with people, me, and your toys in English. You understand everything in Russian and save most of it for Grandma Tania but will speak when prompted. When you say the little nursery rhymes in Russian it's just the cutest thing ever. You are also quite polite and love striking up conversations with just about anyone you meet. You also know both alphabets, can count on your own, a ton of shapes, and colors and a little bit about everything. I'd say you are a mini Renaissance man.<br />
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You love cars, specifically the Disney Pixar Cars characters and have the hoarding tactics of someone who should be on a lifestyle reality show. You ask to go to Target to pick out new cars, and we sometimes humor you with those requests. We know all the character names and have extensive conversations about them. When we play pretend, your papa and I are usually Mack the Truck and you're always Lightening McQueen, of course.<br />
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You love running and playing outside, mostly on the playground in the park near our house, or on sand, or really, any patch of dirt. You race like a little crazy person and we try to catch up with you- your papa is much quicker than I am. You are also becoming increasingly more interested in jiu jitsu with papa and ask to wrestle with him all the day. Every time he's taking a class, you say you want to go too and get so excited to run around on the mats. You were moderately interested in yoga for a millisecond, but I think I know where your passion will be in sports.<br />
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You're still my little foodie. Not as healthy and chia-filled as I had hoped, but you are a great eater. You love grandma's soup, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, bread, plantain chips, and mocha yogurt just to name a few. You don't love typical 'kid' food and once looked at me like I grew an extra head when I accidentally gave you mac and cheese instead of chicken soup for lunch. You don't love pizza either but have had it, and much prefer coffee to any other beverage (we make you steamed milk and you call it your coffee).<br />
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You are never apart from your monkey, who is a boy, and you have named Masha. He has undergone several reconstructive surgeries and has traveled all over with us. I can imagine packing him up with you when you go to college, but for now it's pretty darn adorable. Most of the time you look like a big boy, but you snuggle up to Mr. Monkey and still use your fingers to suck on for comfort. That's just fine- I've never seen a college student suck their hands. Speaking of which- potty training is not your thing but we'll resolve that at some point.<br /> </div>
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You are such a strong spirit and so determined- just like you were when you were a little tiny person and didn't follow any of the 'rules' with eating, sleeping, or other general social conventions. That's because you're you and one size does not fit all. Thank you for making us laugh a million times in the last 3 years and for teaching me more than I could learn about flexibility, patience, and construction vehicles. <br />
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Happy birthday my big boy! I couldn't be any prouder of you and am so lucky to be your mama. <br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-87565128212119755442014-10-16T20:21:00.003-07:002014-10-17T08:25:58.046-07:00Health Hero<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: normal;">I<span style="font-size: small;">n honor of Health Literacy Month, I'm writing a post on my Health Hero. Health has a different meaning to almost every person. If you look at 100 Instagram accounts, healthy can be defined as thin, muscular, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, yogi, or Crossfitter. For me, the meaning of health has evolved from a not so healthy perspective in my late teens and early 20s (fat free crazes and being as skinny as possible), to a much different meaning these days. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">I would like to introduce you to my Health Hero. His name is Levi and he stands at about 36 inches tall and weighs in at about 30 pounds. This little man has taught me more </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">in his last two years </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">about health than I have learned in the last -ahem- 30 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are the things my health hero has taught me:</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Strength training is important- those muscles are about so much more than aesthetics- they get you where you want to be, help you pick up heavy objects, and can direct people to the beach, if needed. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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2. Food is nourishment and there is nothing like sitting down, relaxing, and enjoying a meal together. My little man has taught me that food literally sustains life- you need proper nutrition and calories to have energy and get the most out of your day. Of course treats are important too, but you feel your best when you eat well.</div>
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3. An important part of health is lowering stress levels. We all thrive when we are around friends, pets, and loved ones. For my health hero, we're still considered cool enough to be in his presence, so we spend as much time as we can going on adventures and enjoying each other's company.</div>
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4. Exercise is a huge part of my health hero's life. We run, jump, do yoga, and pushups together. For kids, exercise is play time, and not a chore like it is for a lot of adults, so we enjoy playing together. He's much better conditioned than I am (notice the vein on my forehead from doing pushups). </div>
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5. A healthy environment is so much more than just inside the home, and for my health hero, nature is a huge part of his health. He is always asking to go to the beach, to play in the dirt, and to go outside. He has taught me how fun it is to crunch in the leaves (if Fall ever gets here), play in the sand, and dig in the dirt (so much dirt)!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most importantly, my health hero has taught me that it is my responsibility to take care of my own health. I intend to be around for a very long time to watch my little health hero grow up and then run screaming to travel the world once my health hero can sustain himself. Well at least a girl can always dream!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I was contacted by Andrea of <a href="https://www.hioscar.com/">Oscar Health</a> to write this post and it was a great opportunity to get back into blogging. Please note I didn't get compensation or sponsorship for this post. At Oscar Health, they</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">provide health insurance to those living in New York and New Jersey<u> </u></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">and offer many features that help members be proactive about their
health. If you're on the East Coast, check them out if you have any interest.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Hope you're all doing well and I'll check in soon!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-57760585558312483432014-07-28T12:41:00.000-07:002014-07-28T12:41:35.169-07:00Levi-ismsI have a beautiful baby book that was gifted to me and it's empty. I am probably an underachiever, but I can't catalog everything in written form, so here it is for me to refer to one day.<br />
Levi is growing and talking a lot more! We have a lovely mix of English, Russian, and Levi's own special blend of language going over here these days.<br />
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These are some things that I want to remember from these terrific twos:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Waffle is pronounced 'amful'.</li>
<li>Purple is pronounced 'pumfle'; we also like the color blue and call it 'byuuuu'.</li>
<li>There is a lot of talk about something called 'abadas'- we aren't sure what this means, but he can carry on conversations about it with the best of them.</li>
<li>Levi knows about 75% of his letters- like he knows the name and what the words start with. His favorite letter is naturally, 'W'. </li>
<li>Applesauce if 'appa-pow' and a favorite food.</li>
<li>We talk a lot of about eating- 'nama -nam' is yummy. This is mostly reserved for the soup made by his two talented chef grandmas.</li>
<li>Levi likes to drink a lot these days- water and milk are at the top, although he would much prefer my coffee. This weekend he ordered apple juice from the waiter as we had happy hour drinks. Can't argue with the kid. </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just milk here</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta stay hydrated</td></tr>
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We talk about trains ('choo-choo-tons'), and buses, and beep-beeps a lot. We think Levi might have a future in logistics and transportation one day.<br />
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<li>Flammable- when papa comes home, we let him sit in the car and pretend to drive. </li>
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<li>No children were harmed in taking this photo </li>
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<li>Also flammable- Levi loves walking Chino. We let him do it under close supervision in open parking lots<br /><br />
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That's all we've got for now! We're enjoying our summer so much these days and love the endless energy that comes with it :)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-71588841489969165822014-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:002014-06-04T00:00:13.613-07:00The Big T-W-OI've been absent from blogging for roughly a year, but since this has become my family journal, I wanted to post on sweet Levi's second birthday. So here goes!<br />
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Dear Levi,<br />
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You're two years old! Two! You throw up your fingers in what looks like a gang sign, but you know you are going to be two. You are so much fun these days- we get a kick out of you every single time you do something and then talk about you after you drift off to sleep. I often think about what we did the day before while I'm at work and I smile, because just the thought of you makes me happy.<br />
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Here are some of the things I want to remember about this time:<br />
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-You love to scare people. Your Papa taught you how to play 'boo' and you run into the room, yelling 'BOO!' and wait for the person to get scared.<br />
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-You are so outgoing- you will interact with just about anyone, particularly regarding the previously mentioned game of boo.<br />
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-You love your dog, Chino, so very much. You give him kisses and squeal when he reciprocates. When we drive home and I ask you who is waiting for us, you always say 'awa awa' and are delighted when you see Chino. You take a lot of ownership in taking him on walks and helping to feed him.<br />
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-You LOVE being outside. Pushing your own stroller, car, playing with the older neighbor kids, throwing rocks from the little bridge, all acceptable activities. Mama or Papa steering you into another direction or telling you to go outside, or waiting for us to take you outside? Unacceptable.<br />
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-You're a very consistent eater- you love grandma's chicken soup, our Trader Joe's European Style Mocha yogurt, cheese, berries, veggie sticks, tomatoes, and cucumbers. If you aren't hungry, you refuse to eat and have been known to throw your food from your throne. Still working on that. You still love drinking milk too. Also working on that.<br />
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-You love your family members and recite their names all the time, most recently, saying 'Sasha' and 'Chi Chi' (for Chino). You call out for all of us in the morning when you wake up. Your favorite family member is still Mr. Monkey, whom you play with, take care of, and rock to sleep. <br />
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-You love to play with anything with wheels- everything is a truck, and you roll around pushing anything you can on the ground. I hate to gender stereotype, but you are one messy boy- jumping into puddles, messing with dirt to get rocks, and trying to use any tool you can get your hands on.<br />
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-Your laugh- oh my goodness. Your laugh erupts from a sweet giggle squeal into a belly laugh and you often get the hiccups from laughing so hard. Your eyes water and you can barely take any more laughter, but continue laughing anyways.<br />
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-You want to talk so badly, and you are learning new words each week. You even know some words in English (ball, truck, up, poo poo). You are constantly babbling and use the words you know. I'm sure you are just soaking it up and we'll have an intellectual conversation any day now.<br />
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-You're a great traveler and have been on two vacations in the last year and we all have a blast together. Your favorite part is always the water and you usually charm the staff with your conversational skills.<br />
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Our sweet Levi, words can't begin to express how much joy you have brought into our lives. It's the most rewarding, challenging, and exhilarating journey being your Mama and Papa and we can't wait to see what else you have in store for us. We love you and welcome you to the Terrific Twos!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-50554677673464091652013-09-03T21:57:00.001-07:002013-09-03T21:57:19.865-07:00The Post I Haven't Written - Losing the Baby Weight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wrote this post and erased it a few times, both in my head and on the blog. Not that I really had time to write a lot (little people are needy), but I just couldn't find the words. I think I was just mostly disappointed. A little disappointed that it was taking too long, and disappointed that I wasn't able to put my full effort into taking care of myself. </div>
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Something happens when you have a baby- it's a bit consuming and for me, it was all consuming. When before, I could work out 7 days a week, I was now left with 3-4 days tops, if I could get out of the house with a little guy who needed to eat every 2 hours and I was his food source. Between a very stressful job, my commute, and adjusting to life as a new mom, weight loss was not my top priority. <br />
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Slowly but surely, Levi became a bit older and finally stopped eating in such short intervals and I was able to get away a bit more. I really hit my stride with workouts at about 8 months after the baby and really only did one yoga/pilates class a week, one Zumba class, and 2 sessions by myself combining cardio and strength training. I also walked the dog with the stroller at least 5 times a week, sometimes twice, and we always had family hikes.<br />
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Now looking back on the pictures, it's not a big deal and I know a lot of my feelings were influenced by a lot of outside pressure. My body grew and nourished a baby for 2 years and I'm really proud of myself. My next mini goal is getting to a healthier and stronger me by my 30th birthday (just a short 6 months away). As always, I'm open to any questions.<br />
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Here is my story in pictures:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost 42 weeks pregnant (that means really, really late), and up 35 healthy pounds<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home from the hospital, down 23 lbs by the time I came home. The baby was 8 pounds of the weight I gained </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 3 months post-baby. Weight stood still with 12 more pounds to lose. I had to go to a wedding and felt pretty icky, but found a dress to hid the bump remnants, kinda.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlfEI4UhQBxz5jzDjkB-OLmHpqOzRnVxMLf-To22mHNr8tb3NEVIOoP6EoE4XCuXRXYtaqjZ27HYVj2uRX7qeiRr2jggXS_oIG_YRhF0LXQA1_QKJobNasVBRpqRvxDdQHacugPiFjd8/s1600/IMG_3071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlfEI4UhQBxz5jzDjkB-OLmHpqOzRnVxMLf-To22mHNr8tb3NEVIOoP6EoE4XCuXRXYtaqjZ27HYVj2uRX7qeiRr2jggXS_oIG_YRhF0LXQA1_QKJobNasVBRpqRvxDdQHacugPiFjd8/s400/IMG_3071.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 7 months post-baby. I was down 5 pounds and had 7 more to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98VMJgeFFh4/Uia3q4T-H7I/AAAAAAAAG30/zcLVY8uPkm4/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98VMJgeFFh4/Uia3q4T-H7I/AAAAAAAAG30/zcLVY8uPkm4/s400/photo-8.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 months after baby- down another 2 pounds, with 5 more to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yn78FQz6wkg/Uia3qFAnrnI/AAAAAAAAG3s/ZMmuaAam3II/s1600/photo-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yn78FQz6wkg/Uia3qFAnrnI/AAAAAAAAG3s/ZMmuaAam3II/s400/photo-7.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 10.5 months later, almost at goal weight, but a lot of toning to do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arxzO7CzwwQ/Uia3oZVrhSI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/MT4YAY0mMeo/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arxzO7CzwwQ/Uia3oZVrhSI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/MT4YAY0mMeo/s400/photo-5.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My last official belly shot, about 1 year after baby- back to starting weight.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-coaJgJNy2og/Uia3nTmLnEI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/6UMHmDl80N0/s1600/photo-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-coaJgJNy2og/Uia3nTmLnEI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/6UMHmDl80N0/s320/photo-13.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">13 months after baby on the left, and 15 months on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-83149204855542040342013-06-04T11:11:00.000-07:002013-06-04T11:11:30.694-07:00Levi is One!I think I'm supposed to begin this with the typical wonderment of how fast time goes by. It does, it really does! Our sweet boy is one today.<br />
<br />
365 days in captivity with us.<br />
<br />
There have been a few bumps in the road, some learning opportunities, and some tears from both of us, but we have made it!<br />
<br />
Dear Levi,<br />
<br />
You are one! You are such a big, big boy! You are crawling like a pirate, cruising on furniture, pulling up on everything, and getting ready to walk any day now! Please learn to walk on a weekend or evening so that mama and papa can see you walk!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYkePJ1luG4/Uaz58XdY2aI/AAAAAAAAGu8/8IxCi56rbu4/s1600/photo(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYkePJ1luG4/Uaz58XdY2aI/AAAAAAAAGu8/8IxCi56rbu4/s400/photo(1).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
You are an awesome little soul- assertive, happy, giggly, boisterous, and silly!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3hOHndgQMM/Uaz59YviGKI/AAAAAAAAGvM/ZbA-8ahMyJg/s1600/photo(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3hOHndgQMM/Uaz59YviGKI/AAAAAAAAGvM/ZbA-8ahMyJg/s400/photo(2).JPG" width="300" /> </a></div>
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You are still working on your foodie status and want to eat foods by yourself a lot. We let you try most of the time and realize that most of it will be found on the floor, but you love exploring new textures. We have made it to a year of nursing and I'm so proud of myself since I can lack follow through in a lot of areas of life, but I was determined to get here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzYyBZuRh5qqjLhhTWmTZnyaxtb4v45eYkL-YnkhJzSTn-YqOvoDAnaC28hGXp4fMLXpMChMNJa9Nk8r07e-vkQBMqnFdX52x-MxypuSHKgD4tQvMvuqVgcCFizy9J3Xbm5nZV5cKT6E/s1600/photo(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzYyBZuRh5qqjLhhTWmTZnyaxtb4v45eYkL-YnkhJzSTn-YqOvoDAnaC28hGXp4fMLXpMChMNJa9Nk8r07e-vkQBMqnFdX52x-MxypuSHKgD4tQvMvuqVgcCFizy9J3Xbm5nZV5cKT6E/s400/photo(3).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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We have been venturing out to do more activities with you. You are a big fan of slides, anything with doors that can be opened and shut, and recently, the indoor playground.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sd5wdSw9RzY/Uaz59LBjo7I/AAAAAAAAGvE/kz-N4G9Wimc/s1600/photo(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sd5wdSw9RzY/Uaz59LBjo7I/AAAAAAAAGvE/kz-N4G9Wimc/s400/photo(4).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
You are easy to please. Sunglasses are a new passion of yours. You use any means necessary to take them off of papa's face and put them on your own. Obviously you rock them.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDl0zX6irw0/Uaz59VE-hUI/AAAAAAAAGvQ/rCGfT_Tduzs/s1600/photo(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDl0zX6irw0/Uaz59VE-hUI/AAAAAAAAGvQ/rCGfT_Tduzs/s400/photo(5).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
You are wearing 12 month and 12 - 18 month clothing. We won't know your exact height and weight, but you are around 23 lbs and 29 inches tall. You also have 7 big teeth! And those cheeks! Amazing cheeks! <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b8ZPjybC114/Uaz59xrIndI/AAAAAAAAGvY/PyqYwjUzIhA/s1600/photo(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b8ZPjybC114/Uaz59xrIndI/AAAAAAAAGvY/PyqYwjUzIhA/s400/photo(6).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
You have formed an amazing bond with your papa. You guys have so much fun together playing, reading, or spinning in circles. He helps you explore the house and taught you how to crawl up and down the stairs. He still loves to carry you in the Ergo and you love snuggling up to him. He is such a good father to you.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr01Q6QClFo/Uaz5-0bAPNI/AAAAAAAAGv0/6cyM1CSPXSA/s1600/photo(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr01Q6QClFo/Uaz5-0bAPNI/AAAAAAAAGv0/6cyM1CSPXSA/s400/photo(7).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The two of us? Well, I like to think we have formed a great bond. I wasn't so sure about how this motherhood thing would work out. I wasn't sure if I would succeed and if I could handle it. Thank you for being so flexible with me, for letting me learn with you, and for being extra bendy and durable the first year. We made it!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OH3oUZZcbE0/Uaz5-QDXZMI/AAAAAAAAGvk/l0sgDoiPM44/s1600/photo(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OH3oUZZcbE0/Uaz5-QDXZMI/AAAAAAAAGvk/l0sgDoiPM44/s400/photo(8).JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
You are my single greatest accomplishment. I know it's very non-feminist of me to say so, but there is nothing more fulfilling than being your mama. You light up the world and I think I can now see the world in color. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gSZ90aVDhhI/Uaz-GxtJwOI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/qjk94W9H9QE/s1600/photo(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gSZ90aVDhhI/Uaz-GxtJwOI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/qjk94W9H9QE/s400/photo(10).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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We are all so proud of you- we love you to pieces! I'm so excited for you to discover the world, baby boy!<br />
<br />
Love you with all my heart,<br />
Mama<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>"On the night you were born, <br />the moon shone with such wonder<br />
that the stars peeked in<br />
to see you<br />
and the night wind whispered,<br />
'Life will never be the same.'</i></span></b>
</div>
<div class="quote" style="letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Because there had never been<br /> anyone like you...<br />
ever in the world."</i></span></b></div>
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<img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cbZq7KFACEk/T-dN9VPwGaI/AAAAAAAAGG8/Jt7kYyKWFP4/s400/IMG_2885.JPG" width="400" /> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-36692389830271872352013-04-23T12:10:00.003-07:002013-04-23T12:10:55.350-07:009 and 10 Month Letter to Levi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnzsSir1by4/UWeN5A_0rEI/AAAAAAAAGrw/fnYNloaQCAA/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
Dear Levi,<br />
<br />
Mama is a slacker and couldn't get her act together, but here is your 9 and 10 month letter. You, my friend, are an awesome little guy. I've been around a lot of babies and kids and you just top the list. <br />
<br />
We took you on vacation with grandma Elena and grandpa Stan in March and you were such a good little boy! You loved splashing in the pool, eating the local food (lots of yogurt, fruit, bread and cheese), and made lots of friends with the restaurant staff my yelling 'mamaaaa' with your little baby Spanish accent.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnzsSir1by4/UWeN5A_0rEI/AAAAAAAAGrw/fnYNloaQCAA/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CnzsSir1by4/UWeN5A_0rEI/AAAAAAAAGrw/fnYNloaQCAA/s400/IMG_0591.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
You even started crawling for the first time in the big king size bed we shared on the trip! You are moving more and more now and started pulling yourself up last week and love to stand and bang on the coffee table with papa, or look out at us from your baby jail. You do baby situps whenever we try to change your diaper and you are a man on a mission. You want to go, go, go and don't sit still very much these days. <br />
<br />
You love your toys- you have a stuffed monkey and you love your puppy. Their tails are your favorite part and you usually give them a hug as soon as you see them and them proceed to bite their nose and tails for good measure. You also love taking baths, walks, and seeing all your friends and big cousin at Baba and Deda's house. <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-meO16nbZcwY/UWeN8Z1KSxI/AAAAAAAAGr4/rpjljsimBUI/s1600/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-meO16nbZcwY/UWeN8Z1KSxI/AAAAAAAAGr4/rpjljsimBUI/s400/IMG_0698.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
You and your papa are great friends! Papa loves walking with you in the carrier and reads to you in Russian all the time. He also hangs out with you while I hit the gym and you boys have your man time without me being in the way. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWxNlkRkR9o/UWeOFsF4uNI/AAAAAAAAGsA/f3UziYoUl8o/s1600/IMG_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWxNlkRkR9o/UWeOFsF4uNI/AAAAAAAAGsA/f3UziYoUl8o/s400/IMG_0747.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Food has now become one of your favorite things. I keep trying to expand your menu with more greens and fruits and you seem to take after your big brother Chino and love carbs and cheese. Some of your favorite foods are yogurt, cheese, banana, waffles, pancakes, grandma's chicken soup and cottage cheese, applesauce, pears, cucumbers. You will try almost anything, but will often spit it out as soon as it hits your lips. It's a good thing you have your brother Chino to help clean up. I am still providing your milk for you, and while it's a struggle, we are still going strong with nursing and I'm pumping as much as I can. <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nStXWuG2hQs/UWeOLrA_1CI/AAAAAAAAGsI/bMJjVeoM43Q/s1600/IMG_0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nStXWuG2hQs/UWeOLrA_1CI/AAAAAAAAGsI/bMJjVeoM43Q/s400/IMG_0515.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div>
<br />
You are wearing some 9 month and mostly 12 month clothing. At your 9 month appointment, you weighed 22 lb 10 oz (80th percentile) and were 28.25 in tall (50%). Your head circumference is in the 70th percentile (18.5 in). You are now sporting almost 5 teeth, 3 of which started sprouting once you turned 10 months and have been working their way through your gums for a couple of weeks now. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1qbj8JmYnM/UWeNw-Qz8qI/AAAAAAAAGrg/Mr8r24tDafk/s1600/IMG_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1qbj8JmYnM/UWeNw-Qz8qI/AAAAAAAAGrg/Mr8r24tDafk/s400/IMG_3496.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 month and 10 month comparison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My favorite thing about you is your smile! We joke around and say that you have a little elephant or dolphin smile because it is so wide and genuine. You will giggle more often now and it is the cutest sound, next to your babbling. You are quite vocal and say 'mama, baba, dada, papa' and other babbling sounds. You are a very happy baby and I get stopped while we are out in public with you so people can look at you and tell me how cute you are :)<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwxKDi0FGew/UWeOdLckF3I/AAAAAAAAGsQ/Cq6eXguMVMU/s1600/IMG_3481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwxKDi0FGew/UWeOdLckF3I/AAAAAAAAGsQ/Cq6eXguMVMU/s400/IMG_3481.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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You are getting so close to your first birthday, my sweet little bear! I just can't believe it! You are my little sidekick when I am home and I love spending time with you. Sometimes I can't believe you are all mine (OK, I share you with your papa) and that we have this beautiful little family. I cherish every moment with you and nothing makes me happier than seeing you grow and discover things, even though I get a little sad that you are getting so big. </div>
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I love you more than I can describe in words and then some more on top of that.</div>
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Love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mama</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-1948595960956755642013-04-04T09:27:00.001-07:002013-04-04T09:27:15.093-07:00Baby's First VacationI have a lot of catching up to do! Here are a few snapshots from our first vacation with Levi. He was a perfect little angel and mama and papa got to go dancing one night. Win-win.<br />
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More to come! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PKh3dBsJKMo/UV2p0z4wUJI/AAAAAAAAGqw/YDQ4Y4hOvd4/s640/blogger-image-704174533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PKh3dBsJKMo/UV2p0z4wUJI/AAAAAAAAGqw/YDQ4Y4hOvd4/s640/blogger-image-704174533.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7tNDg7oCmZQ/UV2p16t9C9I/AAAAAAAAGq4/LTvRWxYrSHE/s640/blogger-image-1117737723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7tNDg7oCmZQ/UV2p16t9C9I/AAAAAAAAGq4/LTvRWxYrSHE/s640/blogger-image-1117737723.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o5LcCdAN1HE/UV2p235vzcI/AAAAAAAAGrA/KlMZN2rCi4I/s640/blogger-image--863221781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o5LcCdAN1HE/UV2p235vzcI/AAAAAAAAGrA/KlMZN2rCi4I/s640/blogger-image--863221781.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U505shASMAk/UV2p3kd4UsI/AAAAAAAAGrI/B5xdPXlt-7M/s640/blogger-image--489927475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U505shASMAk/UV2p3kd4UsI/AAAAAAAAGrI/B5xdPXlt-7M/s640/blogger-image--489927475.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rZ-mdhdHd6c/UV2p4caDImI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/D1BbpZFqBPo/s640/blogger-image--1023533844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rZ-mdhdHd6c/UV2p4caDImI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/D1BbpZFqBPo/s640/blogger-image--1023533844.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-69605477696570096072013-02-19T17:58:00.001-08:002013-02-19T17:58:14.692-08:00Perfect WeekendWeekends used to include fancy dinners, nights out with friends, long workouts, and adventures. We still have them with our little man along for the ride.<br />
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This long weekend we saw a movie, went out to two dinners, had some playdates, and enjoyed the sunshine. Nothing can beat that! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P-Dfvufkr74/USQrOG1vw1I/AAAAAAAAGZY/TgHaVvhxvic/s640/blogger-image--1557979465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P-Dfvufkr74/USQrOG1vw1I/AAAAAAAAGZY/TgHaVvhxvic/s640/blogger-image--1557979465.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CCNMIYXJrNg/USQtr9GyNaI/AAAAAAAAGaE/ZuaGFwXRveE/s640/blogger-image-320934381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CCNMIYXJrNg/USQtr9GyNaI/AAAAAAAAGaE/ZuaGFwXRveE/s640/blogger-image-320934381.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lfo3utiNXG0/USQtsS5EooI/AAAAAAAAGaM/lQD0sF9f55w/s640/blogger-image--1289870041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lfo3utiNXG0/USQtsS5EooI/AAAAAAAAGaM/lQD0sF9f55w/s640/blogger-image--1289870041.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7PxSUVbUkiY/USQttKIJSrI/AAAAAAAAGaU/6DfQ3GogF74/s640/blogger-image-1558105852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7PxSUVbUkiY/USQttKIJSrI/AAAAAAAAGaU/6DfQ3GogF74/s640/blogger-image-1558105852.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-37347884851476040822013-02-08T16:59:00.002-08:002013-02-08T16:59:39.721-08:00A Letter to Levi- 8 MonthsDear Levi,<br />
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You are now 8 months old! You are such a cool little man! You are killing us with your beautiful smile adorned with two bottom teeth and dimples. Your hair is getting longer and you even have some super messy hairdos these days. I still can't believe I have a blonde haired, blue eyed baby. <br />
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You are wearing 9 month and 12 month clothing and weighed 21.5 lbs about 3 weeks ago. You are also about Chino's height these days- however tall that may be :) Everywhere we go people say you are a big kid, and you are! I love that you are such a big boy.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhEMkZESNIY/URWY6ePK8xI/AAAAAAAAGX8/uZzgLLeZhYw/s1600/IMG_3263%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhEMkZESNIY/URWY6ePK8xI/AAAAAAAAGX8/uZzgLLeZhYw/s400/IMG_3263%255B1%255D.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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You gave us a big scare last month when you got really sick for the first time. You have such a wonderful attitude and you tried your best to still play and smile although you weren't feeling well.<br />
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You are learning more and more tricks. You know who we are and started reaching your arms out for us to pick you up- it melts our hearts. You also learned how to clap and break into spontaneous applause throughout the day- while playing, on a walk, or even while having your diaper changed. And why not? Life is pretty amazing, right? You love playing with your toys and get excited when you see your favorites.<br />
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You are getting to be so strong! You sit like a champ, roll over whenever you have a chance, and can pull yourself to standing with barely any support from us but our fingers for you to hold. Crawling isn't really your thing yet, but you have plenty of time for that.<br />
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Just like mama, you are a fan of food. We had a rough start with purees at first and you much preferred finger foods, but we found a few purees that you enjoy and you are now eating two of them at daycare with Baba Tania. You sometimes cry when they are gone. You are still drinking milk at school and at home and have had formula supplemented 3 times in the last 8 months with the rest being mama's milk. Your favorite foods are yogurt, the different kinds of fancy puffs, any fruit you can get your hands on, french toast or pancakes, and your sweet potato and cranberry butternut squash purees. You also steal any food that mama or papa are eating, but that's a given. You are very good at feeding yourself and will sit in the high chair in the evenings eating your snack while we eat. Your brother Chino loves that you eat now because he hangs out by the high chair waiting for his snacks to drop!<br />
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You babble, squeal, and spit all the time. You blow raspberries and say 'mama', 'baba', 'dada', and a few other sounds. You sing yourself to sleep and seem to really enjoy music. You love going to daycare and seeing your friends and especially love seeing your baba and deda every day.<br />
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You are such a sweet, happy little boy! You have really bonded with your papa over the last month and you boys really enjoy each other's company. He reads you books, picks you up and swings you really high, and practices wrestling with you. It makes me so happy to see you play together!<br />
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You're my little sweetie pie and we have so much fun together, or at least I like to think we do. I make you laugh (more than anyone else. neener neener neener) and you have the sweetest laugh I have ever heard! You grab my face and snuggle against me when you are falling asleep and I wish I could bottle that up and take it with me everywhere I go. I refuse to believe you are growing up, but you are and you get better each day.<br />
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On your 8 month birthday I did this comparison- crazy, right? You are so much cuter on the outside, although equally heavy. And mama sure had more time to do her hair before you got here but it's worth every moment spent with you. </div>
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Happy 8 months, my sweet boy!<br />
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Love,<br />
MamaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-84515855165365573532013-01-13T14:33:00.001-08:002013-01-13T14:33:39.188-08:00A RecipeAs with everything else, I am surprised by our little guy's eating preferences and tastes. We did not start solids until 6 months and by then he had only really had a taste or two of banana and sweet potato. He was pretty enthusiastic with eating from the spoon and seemed to like puréed foods.<br />
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Fast forward to a few weeks later and we have a picky little bear on our hands. It seems that he is way too cool for baby mush now that he grew 1.5 new teeth. He tries to steal our food and goes to town mashing things up with his teeth and gums. <br />
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Since he seemed to like my homemade waffles, I tried out a veggie version.<br />
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Zucchini Waffles:<br />
5-6 grated zucchinis<br />
1/2 cup whole wheat flour or baking mix <br />
1 egg<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
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- mix all ingredients and make in waffle maker. <br />
-also works in pancake form<br />
-feed to dog, husband, and picky babe <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d7aV2-kFg_w/UPM2QfkvtQI/AAAAAAAAGW0/LuxQdpfCmcg/s640/blogger-image--562470928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d7aV2-kFg_w/UPM2QfkvtQI/AAAAAAAAGW0/LuxQdpfCmcg/s640/blogger-image--562470928.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-15501249138772510812013-01-07T11:04:00.001-08:002013-01-07T11:04:39.342-08:00A Whole YearI must be getting sentimental in my old age. All I could think about was January 7 in my head all this weekend. This will forever be my favorite date. First, it is our sweet nephew's birthday (love you, Benny)! Second, this day is when we met our lovely boy last year.<br />
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As we counted fingers, toes, and vital organs my heart just about popped out of my chest. 10 healthy fingers and toes, a beautiful heart with all chambers, a cute button nose, and a perfectly shaped head made up our sweet healthy baby. The tech asked us if we wanted to know the sex and we found out our Levi was a boy! I was overwhelmed and so excited and I knew he would be a boy from very early on.<br />
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A year later I still marvel at that beautiful little boy and am grateful for each of his fingers, toes, and the beat of his heart when I hold him. What a difference a year makes.<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aup6ase284I/UOscNwLmVlI/AAAAAAAAGWA/YN8HMvVRgyE/s640/blogger-image-1321142587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aup6ase284I/UOscNwLmVlI/AAAAAAAAGWA/YN8HMvVRgyE/s640/blogger-image-1321142587.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G2-CxcLLckY/UOscOlMreBI/AAAAAAAAGWI/Et-0URuj1pA/s640/blogger-image--1518061011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G2-CxcLLckY/UOscOlMreBI/AAAAAAAAGWI/Et-0URuj1pA/s640/blogger-image--1518061011.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SHne9a6mV68/UOscQJe5sOI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/gbf5qxCsfjQ/s640/blogger-image--1213896285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SHne9a6mV68/UOscQJe5sOI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/gbf5qxCsfjQ/s640/blogger-image--1213896285.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-24664170752609861842013-01-02T11:49:00.002-08:002013-01-02T11:49:29.108-08:006 Months!So, it's almost time for a 7 month update, but here is Levi's 6 month stats and update:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Stats:</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Levi was 19.75 lbs and 26.5 inches tall at his 6 month appointment. He is still holding strong at 90th percentile for weight and around 75th percentile for height. He has reached all his 6 month milestones and mama and papa are just so proud and thankful for our healthy boy.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhf4QxWiP6s/UONLDATJElI/AAAAAAAAGPQ/D0VwFhGTjfs/s1600/IMG_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhf4QxWiP6s/UONLDATJElI/AAAAAAAAGPQ/D0VwFhGTjfs/s400/IMG_0247.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Favorite Things to Do:</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Levi is such a happy little boy! He loves playing peek-a-boo, jumping in his jumperoo, grabbing our faces, playing with all his grandparents, and squealing. He has a delightful high pitched squeal!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5sxt3fFpGo/UONLSYNIedI/AAAAAAAAGPg/8f3NeTt3uPU/s1600/IMG_0203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5sxt3fFpGo/UONLSYNIedI/AAAAAAAAGPg/8f3NeTt3uPU/s400/IMG_0203.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Highlights:</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Levi rolled over on December 1 and did it again a few days after! He gets the most excited look on his face when it happens! Levi also celebrated his first holiday season with us!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki5oh8PQPuw/UONLPO5iQmI/AAAAAAAAGPY/TXk517BQ_3E/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki5oh8PQPuw/UONLPO5iQmI/AAAAAAAAGPY/TXk517BQ_3E/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Eating and Sleeping:</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Levi started solids after his 6 month appointment! He is a fan of real food more than baby mush. We keep trying, but so far he has hated carrot puree and yelled at me when I gave him oatmeal. Levi prefers my bread, small pieces of boiled baked potato, veggie soup, and even rice. He is still drinking lots of milk and lets me know when he is hungry! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I have been doing some more research on feeding the little man and found these sites very interesting (family members- feel free to read these):</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/here/solidsmonths6-8_800.pdf">http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/here/solidsmonths6-8_800.pdf</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.babycenter.com/0_baby-food-revolution-new-rules-for-feeding-your-baby_10320504.bc">http://www.babycenter.com/0_baby-food-revolution-new-rules-for-feeding-your-baby_10320504.bc</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Nicknames:</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Little bear, Levchik, dino baby</span></span></div>
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<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Every month I say it is my favorite month. It's because life gets better and better with our sweet little boy by our side.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-55075158326170273222012-11-24T23:34:00.001-08:002012-11-24T23:34:26.425-08:00Little Baby on a HorseOh yes. This just happened. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rVkPJIUvwAA/ULHKAL312YI/AAAAAAAAGOY/s3eZg7FnNYE/s640/blogger-image--1973229921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rVkPJIUvwAA/ULHKAL312YI/AAAAAAAAGOY/s3eZg7FnNYE/s640/blogger-image--1973229921.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-41120535686709103742012-11-22T11:41:00.002-08:002012-11-22T11:41:33.858-08:005 Months- A Letter to LeviDear Little Man,<br />
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You are already 5 months old! You are doing so much at 5 months and you have become your own little person. You have the best smile and giggles and you light up the room wherever you go...(OK, so you only go visit your very biased family or the grocery store, but still). <br />
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You are not quite eating big kid food yet, but over the last couple of weeks you tried banana, sweet potato, and squash and you loved all of them. We are going to officially start food at 6 months. You are still drinking mama's milk like it's going out of style and you are growing so big! You still eat every 2 hours during the day and have made it so far without any formula supplements.<br />
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You are wearing 6-9 month clothes, although you should probably be wearing 9-12 month clothes. You have a very strong body and big thighs like mama and daddy had when they were little (and one of us has now post-baby). You probably weigh over 20 lbs now, but we won't know for sure until you are weighed at your next appointment. You wear size 3 diapers and your shoes are 6-12 months.<br />
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Daycare is one of your favorite places to go. Your Baba and Deda take such good care of you and you love your little friends. You love sitting outside and watching all the big kids play. The other day you saw the leaves flying and you were trying to catch them with your tongue, silly boy. You are starting to get a little bit of separation anxiety and are drawn to your parents if we go somewhere with unfamiliar people.<br />
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Sleeping is going well. You like to party until 10 or 11 at night and then fall asleep until your tummy wakes you up to eat any time between 2:00 and 3:30 and then eat every 2-3 hours again until the morning. You like to sleep in and Papa wake you up for daycare at 7:30. You give a sweet little smile to start the day and I'm pretty sure it melts Papa's heart.<br />
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You love your playmat, Sophie, and anything you can put in your mouth. Mama and Papa just set up your jumperoo and high chair and those are the jam right now too. You also just discovered your big brother Chino and you love watching him and even petted him for the first time the other day.<br />
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Baby Bear- we love you so very much! You are a happy, happy boy and have brought so much joy to our lives. We can't imagine life without your smiles, dinosaur shrieks, and blowout poops.<br />
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Love,<br />
Mama<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-58626144446564130472012-10-07T21:27:00.001-07:002012-10-07T21:27:29.611-07:00Four Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had our 4 month appointment a week early and little man is growing and growing! Life is crazy as usual and we are still working on getting the hang of things! Here is our 4 month update:</div>
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<b><u>Stats:</u></b> Levi is 17 lb 1 oz (80%) , 24.75 inchess tall (50%), and his head is also in the 50th percentile. What can I say, my son is built like a Greek god. He is wearing 6-9 month clothing and 9 month clothing and has the chunkiest thighs ever. </div>
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<b><u>Favorite Things to Do:</u></b> Levi is a happy little guy and loves smiling at us. He thinks mama and papa are pretty funny and smiles any time we smile back at him. He has a grunt of a laugh when we pretend to scare him by saying 'boo' and will sometimes chuckle. He is still a big fan of his skip hop playmat and loves his girlfriend Sophia the Giraffe. He still loves taking walks with us and loves looking around at the world. Now that he is at daycare with grandma Tania, he loves looking around and playing with the older kids.<br />
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<b><u>Highlights: </u></b>Levi started daycare at Grandma's house (my mom). He is adjusting beautifully and seems to love it there. Mama is getting used to being away from Levi and I may or may not have had a meltdown. For now, I need to be working and I'm glad he has a safe place to stay all day.<br />
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<b><u>Eating and Sleeping: </u></b>Levi has made big strides in the eating and sleeping department. He takes a bottle at daycare with no problem. This was my greatest worry and fear going into daycare and I'm so glad he eats like a champ. I now have the great joy of pumping at work, which I hate with a passion, but I'm determined to continue to breastfeed for as long as I can. Levi also moved to his bed about 2 weeks before he turned 4 months and has done well. I am a little jumpy with the baby monitor, but he does a great job. I will not mess with the sleeping gods, but sleep has been going fairly well for us.<br />
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<b><u>Nicknames: </u></b>Boo boo, honey, Levchik, Mishka<br />
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Our sweet, sweet boy- we love you so much! Every month I say 'this is my favorite age' and I think it's because you make life better and better. Thank you for making me stop and enjoy each moment with you and for providing laughs every single day.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-28632120093221094592012-09-18T23:40:00.001-07:002012-09-18T23:40:00.494-07:00Hey Baby Hey!I am seriously lacking in posts. I totally blew Levi's 3 month post, but I am back with some pictures ;) I really need to get back to real blogging but for now here is some biased cuteness ;)<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X4YdxPuh1lc/UFlotYzgxoI/AAAAAAAAGKc/hjSwykFLBKE/s640/blogger-image-1305620087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X4YdxPuh1lc/UFlotYzgxoI/AAAAAAAAGKc/hjSwykFLBKE/s640/blogger-image-1305620087.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kXujysaaRs0/UFlot5p47nI/AAAAAAAAGKk/H0kS_cBOhoA/s640/blogger-image-2033244613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kXujysaaRs0/UFlot5p47nI/AAAAAAAAGKk/H0kS_cBOhoA/s640/blogger-image-2033244613.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JCTS4aviZzQ/UFlouTOxkSI/AAAAAAAAGKs/fWAzU-L1Uy8/s640/blogger-image-985734903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JCTS4aviZzQ/UFlouTOxkSI/AAAAAAAAGKs/fWAzU-L1Uy8/s640/blogger-image-985734903.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sD8cPyMKR10/UFlou9pMqDI/AAAAAAAAGK0/SaXLV1aMkYg/s640/blogger-image--805119684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sD8cPyMKR10/UFlou9pMqDI/AAAAAAAAGK0/SaXLV1aMkYg/s640/blogger-image--805119684.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eDV_8WdUcLI/UFlov7RSkBI/AAAAAAAAGK8/Ov_GE6oZUfU/s640/blogger-image-1891817891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eDV_8WdUcLI/UFlov7RSkBI/AAAAAAAAGK8/Ov_GE6oZUfU/s640/blogger-image-1891817891.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-15353615051157742922012-08-21T22:20:00.001-07:002012-08-21T22:21:11.635-07:00A day in the lifeIt's hard to believe I only have a few more weeks of maternity leave left. I would almost rather rip my fingernails out one by one than leave my sweet Levi. Too dramatic? Thought so. I am going to treasure these days we had together.<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mhRyrc3oXX8/UDRsEWX-XGI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/IGc5YF74Vdo/s640/blogger-image-1700568570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mhRyrc3oXX8/UDRsEWX-XGI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/IGc5YF74Vdo/s640/blogger-image-1700568570.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6_gaK3fKgbBOUu4ck5bmzybO894w6wukP-XQ-y-L-Afb3B2GQdLpuikl58rJJiW58qnn0cGjfTdfzNfjg6dltIoI2OtgECHJ55DX4unAdvEFHkre2jjuEB1qlLBAjEIozodfzJBjt1A/s640/blogger-image-492621734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6_gaK3fKgbBOUu4ck5bmzybO894w6wukP-XQ-y-L-Afb3B2GQdLpuikl58rJJiW58qnn0cGjfTdfzNfjg6dltIoI2OtgECHJ55DX4unAdvEFHkre2jjuEB1qlLBAjEIozodfzJBjt1A/s640/blogger-image-492621734.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FhCQfQlzfn4/UDRsFhVxArI/AAAAAAAAGKE/JmVJi88Llgo/s640/blogger-image-1037261772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FhCQfQlzfn4/UDRsFhVxArI/AAAAAAAAGKE/JmVJi88Llgo/s640/blogger-image-1037261772.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-49432988206548993952012-07-14T15:30:00.002-07:002012-07-14T15:30:29.273-07:00One MonthOne of the parenting cliches I always heard besides 'sleep now, you'll never sleep again' is how fast time goes by. The first month was a blur, but absolutely amazing. I still can't believe I'm somebody's mom, but I'm loving it. We have learned so much about being parents and while I have had my cranky, sleep deprived moments, I am loving every bit of this little guy.<br />
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Of course I'm late, but that's nothing new!<br />
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Levi is one month!<br />
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<b>Stats:</b><br />
He had his appointment and he is a chunker- 11 lb 5 oz and 21 3/4 inches tall. This puts him at the 65th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for height.<br />
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<b>Favorite Things to Do:</b><br />
Going on walks with the family, being carried in the Ergo, snuggling with mama and papa, kicking his legs like crazy, and eating!<br />
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<b>Highlights:</b><br />
Levi had his bris ceremony and it was a very important day for him and us. I cried the whole time but I'm glad we were able to do this for our little man.<br />
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His grandma came to stay with us for a week and we all got to bond together.<br />
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Levi's other grandparents came over to visit and play with him.<br />
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Levi met his great grandpa and grandpa in Russia via Skype.<br />
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We started our mama and baby group and he's been out on several play dates so far.<br />
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<b>Eating and Sleeping:</b><br />
Levi is a champion eater and is on breast milk exclusively. I was so worried about not being able to feed him, but I can, and he's packing on the pounds. In his first month, Levi was waking up to eat every 2 hours or less but in week 5 gave us a couple of nights of 4 and even 5 hours! We are going to start transitioning to the crib soon and that should be interesting.<br />
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<b>Nicknames:</b><br />
The Dictator, Buddha, and a word in Russian that means little chubby man ;)<br />
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Little man, we love you so much! even though you party all night, mama's hair looks crazy, and a shower is a luxury, you make life so sweet.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-66062791711112823082012-06-24T10:31:00.003-07:002012-06-24T10:31:42.581-07:00Levi's Birth Story- Part 2If you missed Part 1- go check it out <a href="http://onehealthyapple.blogspot.com/2012/06/levis-birth-story-part-1.html">here</a>. When I left off, I had just been check at 8:00 PM and was ready to push. The doctor came in and decided that I would labor him down for another hour and then begin pushing.<br />
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At this time, a new nurse was in and she was generally nothing to write home about- mostly impersonal but got the job done. At 9:00 PM, I started pushing with the help of the nurse and another nurse who we had requested. My husband and I had discussed the experience we wanted, and it was important for us to have hubby right along me rather than up front and in the action. The nurse who came in also worked as a doula and she had such a calming presence. At this point my contractions were coming very spaced out and I was getting a lot of breaks in between pushing. Each push I would get coached by both nurses and this went on for an hour until 10:00 PM without much progress. I know I was trying really hard but the little guy was not having it. <br />
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They gave me some oxygen to breathe into in between contractions since the baby's heart rate kept speeding up and we decided to let me rest again and then try again an hour later at 11:00 PM. At 11:00 PM I did some more pushing for 35 minutes with the nurses again and the doctor showed up. It took her about 2 minutes to realize that the little guy had somehow turned sunny side up...not the way he was supposed to be facing for an easy delivery. I had been feeling mostly back labor and later realized this was the cause.<br />
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We were given the option to either rest some more and see if I could push him out- which was highly unlikely given his position and the distress that labor was starting to cause. The other option was to use a vacuum to assist in the delivery. While I thought I would be a wreck, we asked to speak alone to make a decision and calmly reviewed the options together- we wanted a safe baby and we did not want a c-section. The next safest thing was to proceed with the vacuum.<br />
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Once we made our decision, it seemed like an army of people flooded the room, including the pediatrician and NICU staff. The vacuum delivery involved some risks to the little guy and they wanted to be prepared. The doctor also suited up in a ridiculous amount of tarps, gloves, booties, and goggles...yep, googles. <br />
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At this point, things started to become a blur, but I knew we had to get the baby out right away. I asked how many contractions I got to get this thing done and the doctor told me they give up to 4 contractions before the give up. My contractions were still running about 10 minutes apart at this time, so the anticipation for the first one was crazy. My epidural had been turned down so that I could feel the urge to push and I started feeling everything- and everything is no joke.<br />
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Once they had everything set up, we waited for my first contraction. The doctor told me I would do 90% of the work and she would assist with the other 10%. Between the pain and the fear, I completely zoned out and once I had the first contraction, I pushed like hell. The first contraction got the head out! I was starting to feel a little more optimistic, but also about to pass out because now I had to wait the 5 minutes until I could push again. I had more oxygen and was trying to remain calm and save my energy.<br />
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On the next contraction, I was instructed to once again push with everything I had. I had no recollection of the actual pushing or what was going on around me, but I tried again, and as I was leaning forward, I saw this tiny little baby in the hands of the doctor, already whimpering and starting to cry. I later asked my husband what happened and he told me I growled like a lion and got the baby out. I still maintain I was a lady through the process, but I honestly couldn't remember those moments.<br />
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The baby was instantly brought over to the warmer to get checked and had great apgar scored of 8 and 9. Hubby ran over to take pictures and I looked over to the side as our perfectly healthy little baby was squirming and kicking, just like he kicked me. His vacuum delivery gave him a little horn, but he was otherwise unharmed.<br />
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We got to hold him fairly quickly and it was a completely surreal feeling. We just stared at him and couldn't believe he was ours.<br />
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And that's how we became a family ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-13619360641646024892012-06-22T09:56:00.001-07:002012-06-22T09:56:41.430-07:00Adjusting to Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank you guys for all the kind words! Hubby and I have been working together to take care of Levi and Chino and we really started enjoying ourselves. I'll be sad when he has to go back to work next week since I won't get to hang with my best friend every day. </div>
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For now, I wanted to share a glimpse of life these days:</div>
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Mama and my two boys ;)</div>
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I cooked for a lunch guest on Thursday:<br />
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Happy to be back in my kitchen:<br />
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I'll be back with the rest of the birth story and my new fitness goals soon!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-40633027071664748822012-06-18T12:19:00.002-07:002012-06-18T12:19:29.972-07:00Levi's Birth Story- Part 1Even before I was pregnant, I liked reading about birth stories. I thought it was pretty interesting to hear how little people came into this world and because each birth is so different, it was good to get a wide perspective of how things can go and the various factors that play into each birth. If you are one of my (male) family members or are generally squeamish, you can skip this post. I don't go into too many details, but I do give measurements, so you have been warned in advance.<br />
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As I mentioned earlier, I was at 41 weeks and Levi was quite comfy in his waterbed. I felt freaking fantastic until the day I delivered. I must have made a deal with the pregnancy gods because I honestly had very little discomfort, almost no swelling, and was walking at least 2-3 miles daily up until the day I delivered. I know this sounds smug, but I had heard how uncomfortable pregnancy was and I was thankful to have had such an amazing experience. I better not tempt fate and do this again ;)<br />
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Despite my comfort, my doctors decided that I needed to be induced because it looked like he would stay in his home until it was time for college graduation, and I begrudgingly agreed. I did not have a set birth plan- I just wanted a healthy baby and a healthy mama. However, I had really hoped to go into labor on my own and try to keep interventions to a minimum- well that wasn't in my plans. I was honestly upset for a couple of days, but we weighed the risks and benefits, and on Sunday, June 3 we went to the hospital at 7:30 AM to begin the induction.<br />
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When we got to the hospital, we met with my doctor and discussed the options and plan for the day. I have to say that my doctor was amazing. She was one of the rotating doctors in my practice and I really liked her straight forward and professional attitude. Earlier in the week we talked about breaking my water first since I had progressed quite a bit, but when I got to the hospital, the doctor did an initial exam and I was only at 2.5 cm and 65% effaced. <br />
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Our first nurse was a cranky pants and tried to play messenger with the doctor, but we asked to speak to her personally and I was glad we did. Breaking my water this early would bring a risk of infection and start me on the clock, so we opted for the pitocin. I got my first of many IV bags first and then the pit drip started at 10:00 AM. The hubby and I pretty much hung out and watched TV and played on our phones for the first few hours. I could see that I was contracting and starting to feel them, but it was not much more intense than menstrual cramps. I got up after an hour or so and started bouncing on my yoga ball, walking around the room (dragging my IV pole), and trying to get moving to help things along.<br />
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I got checked again at 4:00 PM and was at 3 cm and 100% effaced and the doctor decided it was time to break my water. OMG- this was so nasty. I had no idea how much 'water' there would be and this was probably the least comfortable part of labor. I had a new nurse, who was really attentive and awesome. She kept checking on me and readjusting my monitor since I was moving all around the room and the little guy's heartbeat would fade from the doppler. At this point, things were starting to get uncomfortable, but breaking the water was what really got the action started. <br />
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I found that sitting on my ball, leaning against a chair with my head on the back of it applying pressure to my forehead, or swaying my hips was most helpful. I wasn't ready for the epidural yet and was breathing through the contractions. My husband was the only person in the room as we had agreed upon, and he was with me every step of the way trying to find more comfortable positions. As is always the case, I was a bit stubborn and had a hard time listening, but I was in my own world, breathing through the contractions. Each time the nurse would come in, she would turn up the pitocin to continue to advance things. My contractions were coming right on top of each other for a while and they had to come in and turn down the pitocin a couple of times but kept going.<br />
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At about 6:00 or so, my mom came in to see me. I'm generally a calm person, but for whatever reason, having different people in the room put me on edge. I had a really hard time breathing and concentrating and I had to try and bring myself back into my zone. I'm not sure if it was the pitocin, or how fast I was progressing, but the pain was starting to get intense. In addition, I was having predominately back labor, something that I was not prepared for. I stayed drug-free(ya know, minus the pitocin and IV) until 7:00 and then when my husband came back into the room, I decided I was ready for the epidural. We had talked about doing an epi IF I was doing pitocin and I had no idea how much longer this would last. I had heard of how people got too exhausted to even push and I knew I needed some energy to get through the evening, especially if I was only at 3 cm at this point.<br />
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The anesthesiologist who came in looked about 17 years old, but I swear he had a halo over his head and did a great job with the epidural. I was told to tell him to stop when I was contracting, but I was concentrating so hard that I just breathed through the contractions and didn't flinch. The epidural was not at all painful, just a small sting from the initial local anesthetic. I had full movement in my right leg and a little less in my left leg. I got the epi at 7:00 and was feeling extreme pressure in my lower back and well...behind- I felt like the back labor stuff was not going to go away. When the doctor came in to check me at 8:00 I was 100% complete and ready to push!<br />
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To be continued...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4142391648560818170.post-66363615130379670122012-06-17T09:13:00.000-07:002012-06-17T09:13:23.621-07:00Happy Father's DayHappy First Father's Day to my amazing husband. <br />
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He has become the diapering and swaddling champion over a short period of time.<br />
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He makes sure our older son is well taken care of.<br />
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He is someone to look up to.<br />
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Happy Father's day and dirty thirty to my amazing hubby!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0