tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55993465565992439882024-03-19T14:22:07.887-07:00Figuring It OutAllison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-67396503911371939492011-12-08T22:02:00.000-08:002011-12-08T22:02:22.416-08:00Right Now...(Stole this idea because I thought it sounded fun.)<br />
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Right now I am:<br />
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watching: America's Next Top Model (should I even be admitting this? probably not.) <br />
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eating: nothing right now but contemplating some chocolate chip ice cream.<br />
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drinking: should be drinking more water.<br />
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wearing: blue plaid pajama pants, short sleeve v-neck w/ a pink sweater over.<br />
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avoiding: cleaning. house is a mess, but when is it not? lots of dirty dishes that need to be washed. but i just want to sit and veg.<br />
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feeling: a little anxious about all the things that need to get done in the next few weeks: Christmas pics need to be taken and designed and most of all, all our gifts still need to be made. oh, did i mention Tim and I made a decision to hand make all our gifts this year. for everyone. crazy. we were supposed to start in March but just started in November. still a long way to go and not very much time left.<br />
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missing: my husband, who fell asleep with the kids while putting them to bed. but he does this most every night. unfortunately he's not a night person and i am. <br />
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thankful: for many things but right now for my sister who has done so much for my family, watching the kids whenever I need her and loving them and caring for them like they were her own.<br />
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weather: google says it's 41 right now but that there will be a low of 34. brrrr.<br />
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praying: for lots of things. but need to be doing more of it consistently for specific things.<br />
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needing: a break from having to chase clara around stuffing food in her mouth everyday. I spend literally hours in a day trying to get her to eat. frustrating and stressful.<br />
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thinking: about how to try to style my hair for Tim's work Christmas party tomorrow night. it's always a pretty fancy affair and I always feel under dressed. i think i'll go to pinterest for some inspiration.<br />
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loving: the christmas season. love the smells, the traditions, the music, the time with family and everything that christmas is about.Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-78755777385977914652011-11-28T23:43:00.000-08:002011-11-28T23:58:22.458-08:00It's that time of year...for writing and sending Christmas cards! This year I am vowing to actually get the cards out before Christmas. So next weekend our family is going to head over to The Gibson House in Woodland (an historical mansion turned museum) to take some cute pictures of the kids and maybe some of mom and dad too. And this year Tim and I are going to use the sewing machine he bought me last year for Christmas to make the kids some matching Christmas outfits so they will be extra cute. <br />
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We are going to use <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/picture-christmas-cards.htm" target="_blank">Tiny Prints</a> for our Christmas cards this year. I have used them several times in the past for things like party invitations, birthday and Mother's Day cards, etc. and have always loved their designs, their quality and their service. They are reasonably priced as well so they can be an affordable option for cute cards even if you don't have a lot of money to spend.<br />
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They have a lot of neat features on their website and one of the things that I love is their "favorites" feature. They allow you to check the cards that you like so that you can easily remember and acess them later. It saves so much time and all you have to do is click on the favorites bar at the bottom of the page and it will bring up all of your stored favorites lined up in a row so that you can easily compare. <br />
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Tiny Prints also has an easy to use guide that allows you to narrow your search (because they have lots of pretty designs to choose from). And you can choose from eight different design styles, including contemporary, vintage, whimsy, classic and more to help you search and find just the right card for you.<br />
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Here are some of my favorites:<br />
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<a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/product/28539/christmas_cards_simply_merry.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Christmas Cards Simply Merry - Front : Tomato" id="productImage" src="http://tp-images-cdn.tp-global.net/product/28539/panel/1/color/01/paper/2/trim/1/width/420/height/420/1.jpg" title="Christmas Cards Simply Merry - Front : Tomato" /></a> I love the simple design and rounded corners of this one.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/product/28251/christmas_cards_blessings_be_yours.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Christmas Cards Blessings Be Yours - Front : Moss" id="productImage" src="http://tp-images-cdn.tp-global.net/product/28251/panel/1/color/01/paper/2/width/420/height/420/1.jpg" title="Christmas Cards Blessings Be Yours - Front : Moss" /></a>It's always nice to be able to include the real reason for the season.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/product/27423/christmas_cards_family_of_trees.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Christmas Cards Family of Trees - Front : Bright Red" id="productImage" src="http://tp-images-cdn.tp-global.net/product/27423/panel/1/color/01/paper/2/width/420/height/420/1.jpg" title="Christmas Cards Family of Trees - Front : Bright Red" /></a>This one is a little more playful.<br />
<a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/product/28454/trifold_holiday_cards_swirly_plates.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Tri-Fold Holiday Cards Swirly Plates - Front : Winterberry" id="productImage" src="http://tp-images-cdn.tp-global.net/product/28454/panel/1/color/01/paper/2/width/420/height/420/1.jpg" title="Tri-Fold Holiday Cards Swirly Plates - Front : Winterberry" /></a>And this one is kind of unique because it's a trifold and I like that I can add more pictures that way.<br />
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Tiny Prints also has a few DIY cards that you can design yourself. You can easily personalize any of their cards as well by changing text, format, etc. to get a customizable card. <br />
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I'm excited about taking our Christmas pictures and just hope the kids cooperate so that we can get some good ones. And all we have to do is finish sewing the outfits, find more fabric since we didn't buy enough, wait until Saturday after all of the kids are rested and fed, and hope for some nice pictures! And then we just have to pick out one card from all of the hundreds available from Tiny Prints, upload our pictures, order them and wait for them to arrive. Piece of cake!Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-88748514909451465582011-11-13T19:50:00.000-08:002011-11-13T19:50:37.944-08:00DIY reupholstered small target storage ottomanHere is a not-so-quick (but really is just not w/ three kids) DIY project that Tim and I finally completed not too long ago. I've slowly been trying to update and pretty up our family room and thought that putting some new fabric on our small ottoman would be a nice change and something that wouldn't be too hard to do. I picked out some pretty Amy Butler fabric that has colors that will coordinate with the room eventually.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I forgot to take a before picture so here is one from the world wide web:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdwDsrsA3M1joFJaar3M4EL6wqxhpr37R4EnrBUCgWnxZmLp7RoyoAz6Iaj_A1Vu9ubWl5IcRFsDAeKp58SaoTQKxdTZPIShQUZsNf8WbZAFtpAv-iDu26mc7qBOZa3JTTtrZCMnfOAi3/s1600/IMG_7355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdwDsrsA3M1joFJaar3M4EL6wqxhpr37R4EnrBUCgWnxZmLp7RoyoAz6Iaj_A1Vu9ubWl5IcRFsDAeKp58SaoTQKxdTZPIShQUZsNf8WbZAFtpAv-iDu26mc7qBOZa3JTTtrZCMnfOAi3/s320/IMG_7355.JPG" width="213" /></a>Ours was dirty and stained so it definitely needed an update!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is the after:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi10MJXXyRCazAFp3FsSAXdbgtk8sw24ue8whCp-0LUDJvZRAmGoHWZQMcZhAcmhO8PgNv0hRAqmf2xqUB-npy_QeBW1dEvUXnjD1hRjmieOklUHYvfbb-nJQqcTFvDKe9dYEs0sj82ip/s1600/October+2011+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi10MJXXyRCazAFp3FsSAXdbgtk8sw24ue8whCp-0LUDJvZRAmGoHWZQMcZhAcmhO8PgNv0hRAqmf2xqUB-npy_QeBW1dEvUXnjD1hRjmieOklUHYvfbb-nJQqcTFvDKe9dYEs0sj82ip/s320/October+2011+168.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tim did most of the hard work, like the stapling and I think it turned out pretty nice: a small change for a big impact.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-17726573361559060902011-11-13T14:21:00.000-08:002011-11-13T14:21:17.189-08:00Family Vacation 2011 (to SLO) part One<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">We drove down to San Luis Obispo for the first part of family vacation since it'd been so long since we've been there. Nearly two years I think. We were going to be going down to Disneyland for a few days so we decided to add on a few days and stop in SLO to break up the trip a little. We got to visit with old friends and go to the beach and just bum around in my old home town. It was certainly nice to be there again but we were both a bit surprised at the number of college kids around because Poly hadn't even started yet. We agreed that there were just too many young kids running around for our taste. I think we must be getting old!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y48vWnFanQ7ncIjY8TKsE_Go1I4WjCdJL4joIVqg26YCfYB3c0vbZniDpwGfdUDul5JSqLg6tVHFc7O_i0b5_AeQutosszMk8Zgb6hVl9KhwvhaHK6oYINtkXSCgAdX2SeUvwmeBFXph/s1600/August+September+2011+034.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y48vWnFanQ7ncIjY8TKsE_Go1I4WjCdJL4joIVqg26YCfYB3c0vbZniDpwGfdUDul5JSqLg6tVHFc7O_i0b5_AeQutosszMk8Zgb6hVl9KhwvhaHK6oYINtkXSCgAdX2SeUvwmeBFXph/s320/August+September+2011+034.JPG" /></a> Exploring downtown. Showing the kids Bubblegum Alley and trying to explain why they shouldn't touch the walls of gum (it actually took a bit of convincing!).</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSUTOUAVz5nPPcu1LTvAVwFTmM-Dv_lAv34-HVwn4TsT7ib_wR1mBW7n5rH3QOjoPqCStOrcZ28pmNjTFdbtR2R-ytFGeu_CwBBpD7navB9HR-ClDYxVzqCmoTEX-YNL9wS0a_MwvJ2mM/s1600/August+September+2011+047.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSUTOUAVz5nPPcu1LTvAVwFTmM-Dv_lAv34-HVwn4TsT7ib_wR1mBW7n5rH3QOjoPqCStOrcZ28pmNjTFdbtR2R-ytFGeu_CwBBpD7navB9HR-ClDYxVzqCmoTEX-YNL9wS0a_MwvJ2mM/s320/August+September+2011+047.JPG" /></a> At Morro Bay</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVud3Xo0eKvR27M5fG8eDsfqOo4PMJlkejCL5u3_YvEK8s7HTnx4_bZInAEYjaeOIozbGcidPpUfIqp0K5JkW9REV09m-ZDklx6Gjuve4d9HPU7etLhqFOI1hK63c3rnaEZ1k2otuaLzwj/s1600/August+September+2011+063.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVud3Xo0eKvR27M5fG8eDsfqOo4PMJlkejCL5u3_YvEK8s7HTnx4_bZInAEYjaeOIozbGcidPpUfIqp0K5JkW9REV09m-ZDklx6Gjuve4d9HPU7etLhqFOI1hK63c3rnaEZ1k2otuaLzwj/s320/August+September+2011+063.JPG" /></a> Enjoying some ice cream</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbgKee3u96JppHN8gRlqp5G-UoORg-X92G-ZjZRbiKEnl0X0OAbocTTCydEYylzUQzAHq51IveWSAWYpib9xWByBZ8IeIeRi-Yd4P_w_Shtbtdk6oRofiX-WxmdOC96f_LXbwshjIW-kN/s1600/August+September+2011+065.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbgKee3u96JppHN8gRlqp5G-UoORg-X92G-ZjZRbiKEnl0X0OAbocTTCydEYylzUQzAHq51IveWSAWYpib9xWByBZ8IeIeRi-Yd4P_w_Shtbtdk6oRofiX-WxmdOC96f_LXbwshjIW-kN/s320/August+September+2011+065.JPG" /></a> Not liking the life vest on the tour boat ride in Morro Bay</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OLCXthGysC9ks5gce0rGmcIZ-6ol_wrxvMOIQXE5RVNJbIeUN-4YpQeHjW11ophAudFmcBFqBGAFT9WsfZSHYZqb5Dz_UUgRpD5YWLFmQlh37t8Pr-Wolqi7_JjC_18VEWwGGadNBrZ9/s1600/August+September+2011+069.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OLCXthGysC9ks5gce0rGmcIZ-6ol_wrxvMOIQXE5RVNJbIeUN-4YpQeHjW11ophAudFmcBFqBGAFT9WsfZSHYZqb5Dz_UUgRpD5YWLFmQlh37t8Pr-Wolqi7_JjC_18VEWwGGadNBrZ9/s320/August+September+2011+069.JPG" /></a> This is the first time we've done this tour since we both had spent so much time here in the past. But the kids loved it (well not Clara) and it was fun to get out into the water and explore a bit.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4cDOpIPvKbdduBjYM5W5oDqmpwd04gg7byMajU7A47H3QiV1AMLHsZ-39GeISGgqy6-7zCiXwfZH21ioZaaR626RoFhKAalV5FR84mqqyJ5G6RD-aFq91SqB_2Bju9RoK0wWRxGwLfEQ/s1600/August+September+2011+271.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4cDOpIPvKbdduBjYM5W5oDqmpwd04gg7byMajU7A47H3QiV1AMLHsZ-39GeISGgqy6-7zCiXwfZH21ioZaaR626RoFhKAalV5FR84mqqyJ5G6RD-aFq91SqB_2Bju9RoK0wWRxGwLfEQ/s320/August+September+2011+271.JPG" /></a> At Avila Valley Barn</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwomzKgIfo09rX0BEFAH5xl0oksoDvQ-NhUVChxFnT6nCNklycfzY3XdVdIhbs7OGlsoAATnk2xr-IgbrUmudO2x9NPr5wMuf8iA0ZyPgyoKc3Y1VmsWBM72psHylLewiObVRVpSn9GG6/s1600/August+September+2011+284.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwomzKgIfo09rX0BEFAH5xl0oksoDvQ-NhUVChxFnT6nCNklycfzY3XdVdIhbs7OGlsoAATnk2xr-IgbrUmudO2x9NPr5wMuf8iA0ZyPgyoKc3Y1VmsWBM72psHylLewiObVRVpSn9GG6/s320/August+September+2011+284.JPG" /></a> Feeding the animals</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy3Fm4zNWZZbySuHEf62BC4UWSXBhiX9KvaAiScG5B-ae4RR9OSQLQZyYhe3-23e6bFLTs1wHO2i4NX7D9nRrauGjcruXCO57cRpScXxiIZPC_HhrvTDdkzGsBjioWfZrnFCGheAB0G5C/s1600/August+September+2011+330.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy3Fm4zNWZZbySuHEf62BC4UWSXBhiX9KvaAiScG5B-ae4RR9OSQLQZyYhe3-23e6bFLTs1wHO2i4NX7D9nRrauGjcruXCO57cRpScXxiIZPC_HhrvTDdkzGsBjioWfZrnFCGheAB0G5C/s320/August+September+2011+330.JPG" /></a> Apple picking</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8SwldjUJe1m4JH5C5vU3H62AqJnDwtARP8bgqqopFTYPuhLfMFWDn0DQxcyy9AlHb7S0M7uW9qzgjKNYdnGzacNR6SSyGXimdeh66SgsTxVclGYgLkmR6etXWFGd78BlR59-qy04ILrz/s1600/August+September+2011+368.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8SwldjUJe1m4JH5C5vU3H62AqJnDwtARP8bgqqopFTYPuhLfMFWDn0DQxcyy9AlHb7S0M7uW9qzgjKNYdnGzacNR6SSyGXimdeh66SgsTxVclGYgLkmR6etXWFGd78BlR59-qy04ILrz/s320/August+September+2011+368.JPG" /></a> Avila Beach. Clara's first trip to the beach.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfecydrpkrTKzvzHHEY8K3B7CC-khTJedVM7I6WyaRgAl0mAM2XSjDCtgJYgLaWe7nPmPB-9bWYbY7PveVaQa0JkhQCmncNM-PLP3ZMZa7xUh8t8LTWZ9zkszIL7VcwAILgBuF2eiJCCj/s1600/August+September+2011+371.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfecydrpkrTKzvzHHEY8K3B7CC-khTJedVM7I6WyaRgAl0mAM2XSjDCtgJYgLaWe7nPmPB-9bWYbY7PveVaQa0JkhQCmncNM-PLP3ZMZa7xUh8t8LTWZ9zkszIL7VcwAILgBuF2eiJCCj/s320/August+September+2011+371.JPG" /></a> I think she liked it!</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPVQf-X5QDnVMmhEgWge917V9XZyPOSpqYNwfONwtvci8zmZUDleJucNghEwzm2JocbvbO-mKmJGvcq_dLmwC98I2OBhyGdbHyW5qX0ZUEWXc5rXAdF-JWrclm-zOqfdtVvFq1LdjMNxC/s1600/August+September+2011+400.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPVQf-X5QDnVMmhEgWge917V9XZyPOSpqYNwfONwtvci8zmZUDleJucNghEwzm2JocbvbO-mKmJGvcq_dLmwC98I2OBhyGdbHyW5qX0ZUEWXc5rXAdF-JWrclm-zOqfdtVvFq1LdjMNxC/s320/August+September+2011+400.JPG" /></a> Playing in the waves.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqtbFQZ6BVc4d3nwbgbQUK8hWAhIKuBBVLtOlZdDpV4eeu4TZhsHYIeOJY-3pXovUMDG8RBtiq3k58jsztxIRTh_N3k04GzqSUNu88hkz3FCYbXoD-voxHZa_NpLxiEdGrGb-NH4q8f5a/s1600/August+September+2011+481.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqtbFQZ6BVc4d3nwbgbQUK8hWAhIKuBBVLtOlZdDpV4eeu4TZhsHYIeOJY-3pXovUMDG8RBtiq3k58jsztxIRTh_N3k04GzqSUNu88hkz3FCYbXoD-voxHZa_NpLxiEdGrGb-NH4q8f5a/s320/August+September+2011+481.JPG" /></a> Family shot.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuakNcLyaxelglMqaSxTjljUjt_t3X4lDKx-uksOiVRy5FUZ1ontJvhSbDWsfkwb6xf74AAA4hUACzyZtnjpSseCfaXznXPps_kuA_vWYOOFJV8ldhXAF5Tu2RkYUMyrDYncq2AonPU0S/s1600/August+September+2011+495.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuakNcLyaxelglMqaSxTjljUjt_t3X4lDKx-uksOiVRy5FUZ1ontJvhSbDWsfkwb6xf74AAA4hUACzyZtnjpSseCfaXznXPps_kuA_vWYOOFJV8ldhXAF5Tu2RkYUMyrDYncq2AonPU0S/s320/August+September+2011+495.JPG" /></a> A visit with my good friend, Julie.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-32079205502720454422011-11-05T23:44:00.000-07:002011-11-05T23:44:25.803-07:00Dylan turns 3!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">My boy turned three about two weeks ago and again I am behind on posting about it. Oops. Another year ending and beginning with my little man. I hope the third year has a few less meltdowns from my emotional boy than his second year had. But he's got me wrapped around his little finger no matter what and I love him to pieces. He makes me laugh and is pretty compliant when he wants to be. He really just goes with the flow most of the time. I can tell he is excited about growing up so that he can do all the things that his big sister does. But please, not too fast, Dylan.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4xc-4bVG2UQ0pG6xXD7vWbbitO_6x9uLazUJHVfhcT8K7TP3JkRSXHGGc9HfLHE_ALzErlecOptQ3KMW73e-0VT31NerKv7yir2czg-9qieO3PisFioSl-LpR7m5N5UMHbblZAuu14pF/s1600/October+2011+200.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4xc-4bVG2UQ0pG6xXD7vWbbitO_6x9uLazUJHVfhcT8K7TP3JkRSXHGGc9HfLHE_ALzErlecOptQ3KMW73e-0VT31NerKv7yir2czg-9qieO3PisFioSl-LpR7m5N5UMHbblZAuu14pF/s320/October+2011+200.JPG" /></a> Showing me how old he is the day he tuned three.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCI6j9zFzEh1qPrpQqbhTeEkFLC7b8pbCcm9Rp4bnrEvdPtv4ZTvpX036OF9FtlAwXAfBDyR5K6B1mh95dnYc17fE0FR8jRjSpThZ_-WfWZPNY5O1JTvrTjxeUyTD72Q6Rd9-CAetOHTj/s1600/October+2011+226.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCI6j9zFzEh1qPrpQqbhTeEkFLC7b8pbCcm9Rp4bnrEvdPtv4ZTvpX036OF9FtlAwXAfBDyR5K6B1mh95dnYc17fE0FR8jRjSpThZ_-WfWZPNY5O1JTvrTjxeUyTD72Q6Rd9-CAetOHTj/s320/October+2011+226.JPG" /></a> We took the birthday boy to his version of heaven: the tractor museum.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCHyl8wjCjJe4cy6ihao_AM50rrl52gE6P6sl582pznm230-Fbd0Aj0DuiD_NBJQz1bEHP2J-tkAf1xsJIybEoajJOGjeVrJ9fSz1RqWDIh0wOiC9qUMuMVCNkhTlPcAZ776svZ2xFeNS/s1600/October+2011+299.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCHyl8wjCjJe4cy6ihao_AM50rrl52gE6P6sl582pznm230-Fbd0Aj0DuiD_NBJQz1bEHP2J-tkAf1xsJIybEoajJOGjeVrJ9fSz1RqWDIh0wOiC9qUMuMVCNkhTlPcAZ776svZ2xFeNS/s320/October+2011+299.JPG" /></a> Blowing out three candles in his cupcake</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OS3kQYTTtkbAI0nuANAUTw4P2mmgjFcqEhn5UaqRNUsmWHOS73p6Q12CfEhCJpSfmIyCY6x5lh9LeIMoomVvsLntk-uIqywSBgsPTzANjX_ZAqc9zKULZ4UA_fpTJr7UdvufVcln83ta/s1600/October+2011+344.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OS3kQYTTtkbAI0nuANAUTw4P2mmgjFcqEhn5UaqRNUsmWHOS73p6Q12CfEhCJpSfmIyCY6x5lh9LeIMoomVvsLntk-uIqywSBgsPTzANjX_ZAqc9zKULZ4UA_fpTJr7UdvufVcln83ta/s320/October+2011+344.JPG" /></a> Hiding behind his very large present from his Grammi and Grandpa at his party at the park. (It was a ride on tractor!)</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_jjhKA3Qz84myX71D-W3IZHP4hUbJC0MOLiV9e2I1J1dg7xpv1T54Fp4oOsly3NtQRp_UPpmGeSBr-bqIJUeYtcR2R7dtqziI_5jpE16GMuykIVx-tjkSgAApZTTinSu6xNCgqTJD_cJ/s1600/October+2011+381.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_jjhKA3Qz84myX71D-W3IZHP4hUbJC0MOLiV9e2I1J1dg7xpv1T54Fp4oOsly3NtQRp_UPpmGeSBr-bqIJUeYtcR2R7dtqziI_5jpE16GMuykIVx-tjkSgAApZTTinSu6xNCgqTJD_cJ/s320/October+2011+381.JPG" /></a> Enjoying some cake off of the candle</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDY_IOEPI26jhb40rdmzM0mMVs1DFId0GoiRRPa_d8Bgz6ePS6XmLOH4V8MVyFRN27BYIFxW1B-XISqSjopSF5QBYTJafxToOdD5SqfbXfUcVX-xV3hOt22i0ljiR4SQ4AmgVfTYouxrU/s1600/October+2011+433.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDY_IOEPI26jhb40rdmzM0mMVs1DFId0GoiRRPa_d8Bgz6ePS6XmLOH4V8MVyFRN27BYIFxW1B-XISqSjopSF5QBYTJafxToOdD5SqfbXfUcVX-xV3hOt22i0ljiR4SQ4AmgVfTYouxrU/s320/October+2011+433.JPG" /></a> Thomas the Train pinata! The end of his second year has ushered in the new obsession with Thomas. </div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE0GmHPyM8sUSusZx2rHXtIWa0WNqPFjqQz6-9YPlGXiUK1BH1NgNpF9dcgreKaGJFz0hSMBx1JvA6VVIKY-41YfVaBZzj1MyhxqnbzzZi1wBsn63IEd64_E-5H39X976EWjAfCgkJ7Ii/s1600/October+2011+328.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE0GmHPyM8sUSusZx2rHXtIWa0WNqPFjqQz6-9YPlGXiUK1BH1NgNpF9dcgreKaGJFz0hSMBx1JvA6VVIKY-41YfVaBZzj1MyhxqnbzzZi1wBsn63IEd64_E-5H39X976EWjAfCgkJ7Ii/s320/October+2011+328.JPG" /></a> Thomas the Train cake</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fNJjOjIR9tWlvSUbDSZH05rSbn49CCKcl4BPQ1j11lBeZV6urgsLmA6CsxHIMtnFA0SD5SOalJfxT9RoxG9K12OXfisYj1Pmk5n66oO1DPSb-miKmpMxtCANgRDg_TNofpCwJThOB8CK/s1600/October+2011+396.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fNJjOjIR9tWlvSUbDSZH05rSbn49CCKcl4BPQ1j11lBeZV6urgsLmA6CsxHIMtnFA0SD5SOalJfxT9RoxG9K12OXfisYj1Pmk5n66oO1DPSb-miKmpMxtCANgRDg_TNofpCwJThOB8CK/s320/October+2011+396.JPG" /></a> Opening more gifts and wearing his party hat that I made him.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy third birthday Dylan! I love you!</div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-90444445195888716162011-11-02T20:50:00.000-07:002011-11-02T20:50:06.999-07:00One Year Already!Happy first birthday to my littlest little one! So I know this is really late but I still wanted to write a post commemorating Clara's first year. <br />
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The year has gone by rapidly, as do most now with three little ones to care for. And now my youngest is a baby no more and is on the cusp of toddler hood and walking and talking and everything else that is non-baby. Clara is such a sweet little (emphasis on little) thing, curious and bright, active and smiley. She loves to dance to any beat (even if it's not music, such as the breast pump) and is learning to wave goodbye (and sometimes even say it). She loves looking at books, particularly the ones with babies or animals. She loves dollies and babies and loves to poke and prod at her younger cousin, Noah. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ceBVq8z387GhVXqRgJAJ-aYSmX3BYYOeLxWSF9d586E_qoWs-VgTr5wOgn704jk9h6k4C2iyEtWm-cgRdmOPxRW3ktiHiRD98-c34nE7an781UX72EqPs76WJxigCYx4DdZO5ER8E_Zz/s1600/Welcome+Baby+170.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ceBVq8z387GhVXqRgJAJ-aYSmX3BYYOeLxWSF9d586E_qoWs-VgTr5wOgn704jk9h6k4C2iyEtWm-cgRdmOPxRW3ktiHiRD98-c34nE7an781UX72EqPs76WJxigCYx4DdZO5ER8E_Zz/s320/Welcome+Baby+170.JPG" /></a> <em>Clara right after she was born.</em><br />
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I love seeing her laugh with her big brother and sister as she is learning to play with them. I will remember putting her into clothes that were much too big for her or how she had to wear clothes for a 6 month old at a year.<br />
I remember her first smiles and laughter. How she took so long to roll over that I got worried. How she spit up so much that we had to change her three or four times a day when she was really little. I remember how she cried during her first bath and how proud I was of her when she sat up by herself for the first time. I remember singing patty cake to her to get her to lie still enough so that I could change her diaper. How Kaylin and Dylan could make her giggle by making faces at her. I remember how she hated baby food (so different from her brother and sister in that way.) And I will remember how she always had to hold something in her hands, especially while nursing.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1BCrjhFm5IheL7RFhiEqRvEvdiNV8lXTqI8hAY_XTELHdV7FvufvePZ2EV1b27_S0r8nnJjUirN35v4ezi7YGYHhYWqoDrWmOB9nD_3MFQCFRFLZAMQm04bZ1xxEBcoBwr2S5xeVLyLX/s1600/December+2010+075.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1BCrjhFm5IheL7RFhiEqRvEvdiNV8lXTqI8hAY_XTELHdV7FvufvePZ2EV1b27_S0r8nnJjUirN35v4ezi7YGYHhYWqoDrWmOB9nD_3MFQCFRFLZAMQm04bZ1xxEBcoBwr2S5xeVLyLX/s320/December+2010+075.JPG" /></a> <em>3 months</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TXvd_7kwJf0xNmaytjQwr2iT3Zkvt1CwIzGZqFmdoFcOa3rF0AweAHhFvMlY7dxPUNUKuBM4mh-YpprJlkZI3jv9NHIUNHNQCD_JvaXZKkCQLGuNccM5NgJBNrtQCWBBIff56iCJQYS5/s1600/April+2011+218.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TXvd_7kwJf0xNmaytjQwr2iT3Zkvt1CwIzGZqFmdoFcOa3rF0AweAHhFvMlY7dxPUNUKuBM4mh-YpprJlkZI3jv9NHIUNHNQCD_JvaXZKkCQLGuNccM5NgJBNrtQCWBBIff56iCJQYS5/s320/April+2011+218.JPG" /></a><em>6 months</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I will always remember how we spent her first birthday (first at the splash park because she loves water so much, but later out in our backyard for two hours because the carbon monoxide alarm went off.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamrEydxP1pYXkA6ByAKFP9vdA973mguqM88B9SOwOsgRIVFd_qztoUT1qzclrrwrZbK_k0UKnV_PnzEU_uxR9fxzZqU6EyytOJTUQLvwICngWtt0oMu47gTeUBzOAysxbetFdT1eZ0DNM/s1600/June+2011+166.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamrEydxP1pYXkA6ByAKFP9vdA973mguqM88B9SOwOsgRIVFd_qztoUT1qzclrrwrZbK_k0UKnV_PnzEU_uxR9fxzZqU6EyytOJTUQLvwICngWtt0oMu47gTeUBzOAysxbetFdT1eZ0DNM/s320/June+2011+166.JPG" /></a><em>9 months</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love to hear her constant babbling as she talks to herself or to us. I love how she crawls over and sits herself down right smack in your lap and leans back to get comfy. I love her pretty green eyes (the only one of us without brown.) and how her ears curl. I love how every time we go to the doctors office she screams in excitement and almost leaps out of my arms to look at all the fishies in the big fish tank. I love how she points and points and points at everything. And how she kicks and kicks her legs every time she is excited. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I know there are a million little things that I am forgetting to put in here but I hope that I will always be able to remember my sweet baby's first year with fondness and recall all the things she learned to do and all of her ways and the things that made her who she is.</div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujUEzitHxtTI-tov1CLT6PJoMrWhbCRkEDB0gRWdEHwfOzHG78aCoWB5dOPW6em6CUg1UKi3N0fncJinsJRsQOBz40UlMsXBlHzVG0kV8-hq2dK_-7IVet2NccwY_2wfiqCsitYzAx5E1/s1600/July+2011+059.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujUEzitHxtTI-tov1CLT6PJoMrWhbCRkEDB0gRWdEHwfOzHG78aCoWB5dOPW6em6CUg1UKi3N0fncJinsJRsQOBz40UlMsXBlHzVG0kV8-hq2dK_-7IVet2NccwY_2wfiqCsitYzAx5E1/s320/July+2011+059.JPG" /></a> <em>10 months~learning to pull up</em></div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrRhRTgPdWW5wRy82Dy95UQDAsSFX2IjmibU8HxsOG_rOYt2hoW5cGWYd_5-BXhZIUXqltnGpVSLKXxqQNdu-za4e8Lc4Pa5sWDlD86sZabr3IRpluO3QAoMsCKBXf5vdAy4KsgctJ-p1/s1600/October+2011+097.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrRhRTgPdWW5wRy82Dy95UQDAsSFX2IjmibU8HxsOG_rOYt2hoW5cGWYd_5-BXhZIUXqltnGpVSLKXxqQNdu-za4e8Lc4Pa5sWDlD86sZabr3IRpluO3QAoMsCKBXf5vdAy4KsgctJ-p1/s320/October+2011+097.JPG" /></a> <em>One year party</em></div><em><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6l_kX7waGArzLIB8eZp7M1fhOxssMBjw5HD0qYtCbw-YJKqYwtgiS8Ai3UxccVf3rO-AZC0Qau6gdQxdslvbsvSPVFAJcXaCleGfe799HQhPeJj0vjKqEazuYVN3hlZzsnCELdRTNY44Z/s1600/september+2011+273.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6l_kX7waGArzLIB8eZp7M1fhOxssMBjw5HD0qYtCbw-YJKqYwtgiS8Ai3UxccVf3rO-AZC0Qau6gdQxdslvbsvSPVFAJcXaCleGfe799HQhPeJj0vjKqEazuYVN3hlZzsnCELdRTNY44Z/s320/september+2011+273.JPG" /></a> <em>Her first birthday (outside, because of the carbon monoxide detector)</em></div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBvgf6XOwtsoUE1bTHDjI_MSvXoTpWiElQ0QgFbTARlBDjVjz2-K3y5xWOyak1Xp7UXmCy0Y-0v0vuyJKuL01DIyTZxlfTTCU72Rsu0f3BfL318o2mynRdDj7nqedbcqIWiB6XVp1wCZC/s1600/October+2011+474.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBvgf6XOwtsoUE1bTHDjI_MSvXoTpWiElQ0QgFbTARlBDjVjz2-K3y5xWOyak1Xp7UXmCy0Y-0v0vuyJKuL01DIyTZxlfTTCU72Rsu0f3BfL318o2mynRdDj7nqedbcqIWiB6XVp1wCZC/s320/October+2011+474.JPG" /></a> <em>Just being cute</em></div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNx6CE7l1vGN3zTCCJkbQJOESobse8EDL9KhOup7seln8yPCRXsreBFNGO8h2OYV4oGgZBDYL5bSZQPVeAZLBFaKXnd2ZPYIlmZBeK8mVLreQUIUfye2tFnNLX8tgnjl8NzTAPAlIaqDi/s1600/October+2011+792.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNx6CE7l1vGN3zTCCJkbQJOESobse8EDL9KhOup7seln8yPCRXsreBFNGO8h2OYV4oGgZBDYL5bSZQPVeAZLBFaKXnd2ZPYIlmZBeK8mVLreQUIUfye2tFnNLX8tgnjl8NzTAPAlIaqDi/s320/October+2011+792.JPG" /></a> <em>I love you Clara Lou and happy birthday!</em></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-64120252756203694092011-08-25T22:58:00.000-07:002011-08-25T23:04:51.575-07:00Progress: 30 before ThirtyHere is an update to my 30 things to do before turning thirty. The big day is approaching fast with two weeks to go. I feel like I have done an adequate job on the list but many of these things will have to be done during my thirtieth year, mostly because I still have a full-time nursing little one. (More about her to come.)<br />
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But here is my progress so far:<br />
<ol><li>Lose twenty pounds: <span style="color: red;">I can't cross this off completely yet, but I am happy to say that I've lost almost ten pounds since I posted this. And that is without going to the gym (guess that answers #9). So another reason why nursing is a wonderful thing!</span></li>
<li><strike>Dye my hair myself with hair dye from the store (maybe brown?)</strike><span style="color: red;"><strike> </strike>I bought a hair dye online, from esalon.com because of a daily deal, and died my hair as close to blond as I could get. I didn't take pictures, I guess I should have, but it turned out kind of golden. Not great but not bad either. I will probably continue to do this for a little while to save money. Although the process was quite a bit of work, I must say.</span></li>
<li>Cancel cable: <span style="color: red;">Okay, I can't totally cross this one off either because I ended up downgrading instead of canceling. I just love the DVR too much to get rid of it completely right now. But because I called (initially) to cancel, they offered a package that is less than what we were paying before, but with better (and I think more) channels, like HGTV. (Oh how I love HGTV!) </span></li>
<li><strike>Learn to sew and/or complete one sewing project</strike> <span style="color: red;">So I can't call myself an expert by any means, but I did complete a small project and have been practicing more with sewing. </span></li>
<li>Teach Kaylin to read: <span style="color: red;">Another half cross off. She is definitely not reading even that much yet, but we did get about half way through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Child-Read-Lessons/dp/0671631985">this book</a> and she can read a little bit, when she tries.</span></li>
<li>Run in a race (this still hasn't happened yet): <span style="color: red;">And it remains "unhappened."</span></li>
<li>Get Clara to sleep in her crib: <span style="color: red;">We're getting slightly closer and plan to really work on it after we get back from our vacation.</span></li>
<li>Get up at 6:30 on a regular basis: <span style="color: red;">Nope</span></li>
<li>Go to the gym at least three times a week (on a regular basis):<span style="color: red;"> Again, nope (although I have a legitimate reason right now that involves my youngest daughter who doesn't seem to want to gain weight).</span></li>
<li><strike>Put up pictures on the walls in the house (I'm so afraid to put any nails/holes in the walls--it's so final!) </strike><span style="color: red;">Only a few so far, but making progress.</span></li>
<li><strike>Paint a picture on my large canvas that I bought years ago and put up in the kitchen:</strike><span style="color: red;"> I'm going to cross this off even though i'm not quite done yet. But I'm close. So i'm going to count it, especially since I haven't been able to cross off that much on here.</span></li>
<li>Potty train Dylan: <span style="color: red;">Almost. (I'm beginning to see a pattern here.) (Also, I seem to like parenthesis.) He's definitely close but again, I want to wait until we get back from our vacation to really finish it.</span></li>
<li><strike>Plant a vegetable garden: </strike><span style="color: red;">Tim did most of the work though. But we have sweet peppers, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, watermelon and strawberry. We didn't do too much because it was getting too late in the season. But we've still had lots of growth and right now have lots of tomatoes and several bell peppers that are almost ready to be picked and the watermelon plant is growing like crazy! So fun! In a few more weeks we'll start planting the cool season crops. </span></li>
<li>Read through the Bible: <span style="color: red;">To be honest, not even close. Really need to work on this area.</span></li>
<li><strike>Refinish/repaint a piece of furniture:</strike><span style="color: red;"><strike> </strike>Spray painted a plant stand and a side table. So easy. Love spray paint!</span></li>
<li>Build something, with Tim's help: <span style="color: red;">not yet.</span></li>
<li><strike>Cook a gourmet meal from start to finish, without Tim's help: </strike><span style="color: red;">Honestly, I probably couldn't call any of it "gourmet" but I have been cooking more and trying a lot more recipes and I have to say, most of them have turned out pretty well. And Tim's only helped most of the time. He's just so much faster than I am and we're usually rushing to feed our starving, cranky children so he swoops in and finishes up. A few times I did do it all myself though.</span></li>
<li>Go on a trip with just Tim: <span style="color: red;">Won't be able to do this until I'm done nursing. </span></li>
<li>Get my nails done with Kaylin: <span style="color: red;">I've been meaning to do this the last few weekends. Hopefully soon though.</span></li>
<li>Write our will: <span style="color: red;">Completely forgot about this one. </span></li>
<li>Spend a whole day playing with my kids without cleaning/using the computer/interruptions (and start doing this more): <span style="color: red;">Sadly, not yet.</span></li>
<li>Complete the set up of my craft room/office: <span style="color: red;">Nope.</span></li>
<li>Start redecorating my bedroom: <span style="color: red;">This changed to redocarate the family room. We've done some, but still a work in progress. </span></li>
<li>Redecorate the kid's room: <span style="color: red;">Just don't have the money/energy/time right now.</span></li>
<li><strike>Start serving at church: </strike><span style="color: red;">Tim's been doing well at this and I'm just starting, but again, i'll be able to do a lot more once Clara's not nursing.</span></li>
<li>Figure out a way to serve our community as a family and then start doing it: <span style="color: red;">No; ideas anyone?</span></li>
<li>Go on a hike as a family: <span style="color: red;">No</span></li>
<li>Take a family portrait: <span style="color: red;">I think this may be in the works, but I would like to lose a bit more weight first. Call me vain, but professional portraits can be expensive and I want to be happy with the way I look after spending a good amount of money and not be afraid to hang it on the wall.</span></li>
<li>Get portraits of Clara:<span style="color: red;"> Does it count if I do them? No? Okay, we still need to do this.</span></li>
<li><strike>Visit SLO: </strike><span style="color: red;">I crossed this off because we'll be in slo before my birthday, even though it hasn't happened yet.</span></li>
</ol><br />
I'll have to do another update post in a few more months and see if I can cross off more of these. I blame my kids though. Can't get anything done with them around! ;)Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-47652752082792787562011-08-22T19:54:00.000-07:002011-08-22T19:54:55.521-07:00Clara's milestonesClara clapped today and learned to wave about a week ago! She's growing up too fast! I'll have to try to get some pictures soon. I also need to do an update on her weight. Just wanted to remember these little steps and growth. Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-38623588105318703292011-08-18T17:43:00.000-07:002011-08-18T17:45:05.882-07:00Kindergarten here we come!I posted some of these pictures on Facebook already, so sorry if some of this is a repeat, but as I've said before this is a record for me too. And I know I've said this before also, but I can't believe we're already at this stage. It's hard to believe that I have a school aged child. Thankfully she's so easygoing that she did not have a problem with this transition. Dylan actually had a harder time the first day than she did. And I missed her as well. The house is much more quiet and I miss her personality and voice throughout my day. <br />
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Although now that we're two weeks into school starting I have noticed that each day seems to go by quicker and it's been helping me get up and get dressed everyday (I was one of those moms who like to spend all day in her pjs.) So I know the school year will probably fly by. <br />
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I also have to start looking into homeschooling next year because I wanted to try one of each, public school and school at home.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTOgXz14KJdIxaAOGp2i_HP7CFtydXKORkWTyyRqm5dyq2mXB-SVvQZm22MrYpNo8mV8_SJFhOLfxrBqJgFZWMQHUdOL1oigInVFwRagElvBATccX7oIQdWZaz3L_dCPqqB04dbnSbVQN/s1600/August+2011+012.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTOgXz14KJdIxaAOGp2i_HP7CFtydXKORkWTyyRqm5dyq2mXB-SVvQZm22MrYpNo8mV8_SJFhOLfxrBqJgFZWMQHUdOL1oigInVFwRagElvBATccX7oIQdWZaz3L_dCPqqB04dbnSbVQN/s320/August+2011+012.JPG" /></a> Kaylin on her way out the door on the very first day of school! <br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJcWqUCdsx0vf1ljjL-_Gb4Q5Lo3uRtqzdMebe0ev7m-NItqmQi9wKvRscK2YGWTEvfoIvfw98Q6kKOQEEpTCxDfoXi9hXN3OlFlObeO3wYwTrTAh88Dsm9iXVsKPkXt5rZ3wxCNduEsr/s1600/August+2011+017.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJcWqUCdsx0vf1ljjL-_Gb4Q5Lo3uRtqzdMebe0ev7m-NItqmQi9wKvRscK2YGWTEvfoIvfw98Q6kKOQEEpTCxDfoXi9hXN3OlFlObeO3wYwTrTAh88Dsm9iXVsKPkXt5rZ3wxCNduEsr/s320/August+2011+017.JPG" /></a> Walking to school (from the car).</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc314hXJ8xnN34vR58FQkojnIiXR1baGp4w8n64C3gyOhOOCIai9FHxu9Ljv8pR_3dFCQRMjz9aawgWnsTR3FLycml4IcyaWDL7RGa5rYkiR9kOvd6ec-I-_HAqptAEFrUyq_pLZLFMWc/s1600/August+2011+024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc314hXJ8xnN34vR58FQkojnIiXR1baGp4w8n64C3gyOhOOCIai9FHxu9Ljv8pR_3dFCQRMjz9aawgWnsTR3FLycml4IcyaWDL7RGa5rYkiR9kOvd6ec-I-_HAqptAEFrUyq_pLZLFMWc/s320/August+2011+024.JPG" /></a> She's excited!</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn2kLSP-q_zsrfj-Np8HXwwbK8uXB6HQT8l8ydSRwqO8VXhV6Quq9sKFXlPpAZigoQmkwkvYpB0BQu4SF0tcoXNjsmDjsWr9rr5huY6PGfh9Lfm-mt_YJXM3KsGt-R8_ojPSd_eI-naYt/s1600/August+2011+039.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn2kLSP-q_zsrfj-Np8HXwwbK8uXB6HQT8l8ydSRwqO8VXhV6Quq9sKFXlPpAZigoQmkwkvYpB0BQu4SF0tcoXNjsmDjsWr9rr5huY6PGfh9Lfm-mt_YJXM3KsGt-R8_ojPSd_eI-naYt/s320/August+2011+039.JPG" /></a> Waiting in line to go into her classroom.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gTLRT8Eaw-hSPxd2GcChvb4CudTb_j4znXGtFQnbw-c1-S09MxoiP2dY3w29nL9qkvqmvFSv4oPwHEsh4wqazAo2UCgs-2w9j_AnFHclajDtW_JI9WI-LuA3rdjzwUNlhBF_XrxNp3Hn/s1600/August+2011+040.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gTLRT8Eaw-hSPxd2GcChvb4CudTb_j4znXGtFQnbw-c1-S09MxoiP2dY3w29nL9qkvqmvFSv4oPwHEsh4wqazAo2UCgs-2w9j_AnFHclajDtW_JI9WI-LuA3rdjzwUNlhBF_XrxNp3Hn/s320/August+2011+040.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04jHKOE50r3ngrTUqi8kRlxb3j0YPfsjPXd2LaeY1qXHRQWXkasIP0ucEK5tNNoE8-2C7NBDw7zuoO_BzXM1WAFl-tL9uq75VTfSquV1AzlH_kzCdZvqWdg3QV-UxAUr7tUuQOjdbKB1D/s1600/August+2011+049.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04jHKOE50r3ngrTUqi8kRlxb3j0YPfsjPXd2LaeY1qXHRQWXkasIP0ucEK5tNNoE8-2C7NBDw7zuoO_BzXM1WAFl-tL9uq75VTfSquV1AzlH_kzCdZvqWdg3QV-UxAUr7tUuQOjdbKB1D/s320/August+2011+049.JPG" /></a> I tried to make her first day special. We picked her up and brought her a balloon and had flowers waiting on her seat in the car. I drew her a little picture that said, "welcome home Kaylin!" I think she felt special. </div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-86894033742417134832011-08-17T23:28:00.000-07:002011-08-17T23:28:22.186-07:00Some updates in picturesI don't feel like doing a long post on what we've been up to these last few months, especially since I haven't posted in a while and only have about three readers anyway, so here is a look at our lives in snapshot (the pictures are out of order, so the most recent are at the top): <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6onshcUbBHglxG5Bi6RYWaQiQBbVmKh6NHQ3-wiF4M4Slfvbox1IFSgSgBuNyM8Xj4K-fkSkg8gBbo2Wjc_kfvLDw21xwdMo1aygGLXAaJPbOwQLPpNkVCZF5oQ8kKE9b8eNRC5yonOwG/s1600/July+2011+006.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6onshcUbBHglxG5Bi6RYWaQiQBbVmKh6NHQ3-wiF4M4Slfvbox1IFSgSgBuNyM8Xj4K-fkSkg8gBbo2Wjc_kfvLDw21xwdMo1aygGLXAaJPbOwQLPpNkVCZF5oQ8kKE9b8eNRC5yonOwG/s320/July+2011+006.JPG" /></a> My handsome nephew Noah</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4CK3yc7lWgq0EzxCrRiFMOQkufSoG2sqzf6etQ-YRySXs0AnoCheMA4ak7atHKfDts3zdrTqev7CG_b6zz76IGeNaEIAWPGFH9XkUL8pGbNBmuh79Vp9BApMFKXkJIdeobJa_N7V9h6m/s1600/July+2011+019.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4CK3yc7lWgq0EzxCrRiFMOQkufSoG2sqzf6etQ-YRySXs0AnoCheMA4ak7atHKfDts3zdrTqev7CG_b6zz76IGeNaEIAWPGFH9XkUL8pGbNBmuh79Vp9BApMFKXkJIdeobJa_N7V9h6m/s320/July+2011+019.JPG" /></a> Clara LOVES her cousin. She seems so taken with babies in general.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwigedIL0maPvVAgkcO6rfaUlupbS2TY_PlJa6ODM37k8UgXDi5UYoyxat3jauZbUfQnF2jL0Q5voIgFLvCmQfVt_dhBbsbS4epNVwVG09U1ptmSoGW4Zw_xNcVp7KLfd2Y2NhQ40SiXa7/s1600/July+2011+035.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwigedIL0maPvVAgkcO6rfaUlupbS2TY_PlJa6ODM37k8UgXDi5UYoyxat3jauZbUfQnF2jL0Q5voIgFLvCmQfVt_dhBbsbS4epNVwVG09U1ptmSoGW4Zw_xNcVp7KLfd2Y2NhQ40SiXa7/s320/July+2011+035.JPG" /></a> Of course he's almost the same size as her, even though she's nine months older.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSgfrYEaa2iSkeJS_gAXD6ge-r3JdEDvqQ6L0m7mHW7I6LF8iKVknbozpx7hUqxejxsERTKu3tM4UFhaQ4-bM5X-26Y6qIUEn5EeZm4l3h_NM_MnRg932dLrJTqAuQdjzDvuPqF6Tl91i/s1600/July+2011+046.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSgfrYEaa2iSkeJS_gAXD6ge-r3JdEDvqQ6L0m7mHW7I6LF8iKVknbozpx7hUqxejxsERTKu3tM4UFhaQ4-bM5X-26Y6qIUEn5EeZm4l3h_NM_MnRg932dLrJTqAuQdjzDvuPqF6Tl91i/s320/July+2011+046.JPG" /></a> Dylan seems to like him and pays attention to him every once in a while. We're hoping they'll be close even with the age difference.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlempuuN50KIyKVTDgJrKd2Zid8gt3c6i00t0srnYXG76yHJzMBvNPe3kr6Qm4SX6-8JAJlWRaU3GCIw8EIfUgNwMoYp1xzpzU7vLNmGEF9Lfb8b2iqsUwm3UlQpZEADmHY1uyq-dEMuL/s1600/July+2011+059.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlempuuN50KIyKVTDgJrKd2Zid8gt3c6i00t0srnYXG76yHJzMBvNPe3kr6Qm4SX6-8JAJlWRaU3GCIw8EIfUgNwMoYp1xzpzU7vLNmGEF9Lfb8b2iqsUwm3UlQpZEADmHY1uyq-dEMuL/s320/July+2011+059.JPG" /></a> Clara began pulling up last month. </div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGMZfK6cvniWaI0SKbA409yttRHlkuUkMEWEfOTOF2BN6doVhhXbbBbfjhdtzOfAPz_zXasvzNf06N66-5pC6dwa5ltrszQYdKIiZKbYxTSOzFBcINQv_wC52HigEmF82rtB37FYp0ZPZ/s1600/July+2011+084.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGMZfK6cvniWaI0SKbA409yttRHlkuUkMEWEfOTOF2BN6doVhhXbbBbfjhdtzOfAPz_zXasvzNf06N66-5pC6dwa5ltrszQYdKIiZKbYxTSOzFBcINQv_wC52HigEmF82rtB37FYp0ZPZ/s320/July+2011+084.JPG" /></a> We took a trip to Ocean Beach in San Fran a few weekends ago and despite the dreary weather we had a nice time being together and exploring new places.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV-xL9MaGouOxZHd9G_wcXdRTomrtOG-IbV8rcCnCMz2igecf-pEtIb-_R_bRV5kDF9TNjKsvyjdQ3IvwCGl0nXg2YqpvAdQkSqsAo3VaJ9U7grAbrJ0makS-Yojiqwk8ZIIe5NYJznfV/s1600/July+2011+102.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV-xL9MaGouOxZHd9G_wcXdRTomrtOG-IbV8rcCnCMz2igecf-pEtIb-_R_bRV5kDF9TNjKsvyjdQ3IvwCGl0nXg2YqpvAdQkSqsAo3VaJ9U7grAbrJ0makS-Yojiqwk8ZIIe5NYJznfV/s320/July+2011+102.JPG" /></a> Water babies!</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMQKqJXhOk3Y9zmoX2Bi9v0ZVcAWryYXJxfgrFhRtsdoYiFF-BnlCdhR5afhE3vuOCVLkBUIqQDQmprFIsDc-VnSa6AgqdqC5ia4tJyzolGSf5RA6qpCfK78-n4DV0uuG4dUh88vakXw2/s1600/July+2011+157.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMQKqJXhOk3Y9zmoX2Bi9v0ZVcAWryYXJxfgrFhRtsdoYiFF-BnlCdhR5afhE3vuOCVLkBUIqQDQmprFIsDc-VnSa6AgqdqC5ia4tJyzolGSf5RA6qpCfK78-n4DV0uuG4dUh88vakXw2/s320/July+2011+157.JPG" /></a> Best buds!</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TMmljqpX_GtIsC0D0ZLLymKmSrliKEB1rznxkypoYOvuX6_H3xdwNRV7aHO-4UXRvruwF4_EdQYzYhGbKw7A6T4nt0u49qDx3cPy-icEdO9yUkGdaAaoAf9f_pgKhQ4KabKFSFe7kqTC/s1600/July+2011+184.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TMmljqpX_GtIsC0D0ZLLymKmSrliKEB1rznxkypoYOvuX6_H3xdwNRV7aHO-4UXRvruwF4_EdQYzYhGbKw7A6T4nt0u49qDx3cPy-icEdO9yUkGdaAaoAf9f_pgKhQ4KabKFSFe7kqTC/s320/July+2011+184.JPG" /></a> Family shot</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvlkJ9H3eE_y9bVMlSe8S9PI_Zt8oYobCw7G6-7vlJt7vaTYP5le9JeZbQkJHE5vC1mq7a46vx4Xjr_ZgbJgrZ4_evzT7q_52v1LWtioRx6VEpaee0q3eEyL4krl0rbAJ-Jfa6gJtE2Ym/s1600/July+2011+186.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvlkJ9H3eE_y9bVMlSe8S9PI_Zt8oYobCw7G6-7vlJt7vaTYP5le9JeZbQkJHE5vC1mq7a46vx4Xjr_ZgbJgrZ4_evzT7q_52v1LWtioRx6VEpaee0q3eEyL4krl0rbAJ-Jfa6gJtE2Ym/s320/July+2011+186.JPG" /></a> It was cold as we walked on the Embarcadero and we weren't as prepared as we should've been (it's August, you'd think it would be warm!). So we made a makeshift beanie for Clara to combat the cold winds. She kind of looked like a little old lady. But in a good way.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CME4uZyEsbJdo8YKBzyPWJN-AmNym7_QGMmZs63ffoPoSsPb_JIjvK85z4ZIIznhlvDdh3gGfdyXrFoJtVMQ2qgqJPbcJLIn6MWA-x6ERAu9qE-PoplOA7R4l9yuMPaxJGbubQ5PsLjd/s1600/June+and+July+2011+027.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CME4uZyEsbJdo8YKBzyPWJN-AmNym7_QGMmZs63ffoPoSsPb_JIjvK85z4ZIIznhlvDdh3gGfdyXrFoJtVMQ2qgqJPbcJLIn6MWA-x6ERAu9qE-PoplOA7R4l9yuMPaxJGbubQ5PsLjd/s320/June+and+July+2011+027.JPG" /></a> Just hanging out...being cute.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0Qy-V53Pi7Vr0lAC57J0vwZSL2jJjVz1Ls3nhGNpvgixbH-UU_De5EupAF-RMCYVVXBDrjqt4ohmN7Po80YSNJqUzMdi9rCiDrLUdJYOk22CnZBjgRK-dPV-APfOQ4YTby1w0Mjiu_rY/s1600/June+and+July+2011+078.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0Qy-V53Pi7Vr0lAC57J0vwZSL2jJjVz1Ls3nhGNpvgixbH-UU_De5EupAF-RMCYVVXBDrjqt4ohmN7Po80YSNJqUzMdi9rCiDrLUdJYOk22CnZBjgRK-dPV-APfOQ4YTby1w0Mjiu_rY/s320/June+and+July+2011+078.JPG" /></a> Helping mom make pizza. This is right before Dylan dumped the whole bag of cheese on the floor. Not sure if I'm going to ask if they want to help next time! Plus they were eating more than they were actually putting on the pizza.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG_R4BKrBxaQJu8lIRL5bE0KFw_9p7F-GBvuztaaviDB4Vr3lmx3vZXOixSwh-eIyY43YHBC3SZeetJEnb5Ib-X5Njh03hH-lRub6u7bfkoHHkSfiMLYsOJqTCdBxZw8VXjH4hfWjuXVy/s1600/June+and+July+2011+090.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG_R4BKrBxaQJu8lIRL5bE0KFw_9p7F-GBvuztaaviDB4Vr3lmx3vZXOixSwh-eIyY43YHBC3SZeetJEnb5Ib-X5Njh03hH-lRub6u7bfkoHHkSfiMLYsOJqTCdBxZw8VXjH4hfWjuXVy/s320/June+and+July+2011+090.JPG" /></a> Playing with the neighborhood kitties. </div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0sBq_To9K7ZFepeWN9fCEKMQyVJ1STF_nOnl7yrpalkQcwrex6gNj2VMzg5s1n15EvPs_ahtPMoCX6BF6cqmsy4M-PxF39OQcSkZESQn_l7dNxbXLwiWvLjK7vRyRq8z4duGm3DE6C2W/s1600/June+and+July+2011+189.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0sBq_To9K7ZFepeWN9fCEKMQyVJ1STF_nOnl7yrpalkQcwrex6gNj2VMzg5s1n15EvPs_ahtPMoCX6BF6cqmsy4M-PxF39OQcSkZESQn_l7dNxbXLwiWvLjK7vRyRq8z4duGm3DE6C2W/s320/June+and+July+2011+189.JPG" /></a> Slip-n-Slide on the 4th of July</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTcd8K3-6bLA1BtooM3KRtufCJzOmFGRitgfcb4cbeMk9N28cOK6SvpRm8FCrjlU5DbbXkzlDfa-NObANR_RHEf9UqmX_3tXKhUXZEQF75TaiYR4daxHTx-b5W8DtF2A-WdxWKcwZ_rC5/s1600/June+and+July+2011+191.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTcd8K3-6bLA1BtooM3KRtufCJzOmFGRitgfcb4cbeMk9N28cOK6SvpRm8FCrjlU5DbbXkzlDfa-NObANR_RHEf9UqmX_3tXKhUXZEQF75TaiYR4daxHTx-b5W8DtF2A-WdxWKcwZ_rC5/s320/June+and+July+2011+191.JPG" /></a> Action shot</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjjnEHgM_K-YuUvrp92fQXZieQX6ExZOqTcvhg3ihcFmhq0pCRCGAbqZE0cXKfkWYY-a_Fv0UTLL459J0uPTawQ2vzcc4QOku_CudekDXms6OpPV4nIRMjUqxI01Man3dr3r7reGtSmvA/s1600/June+and+July+2011+231.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjjnEHgM_K-YuUvrp92fQXZieQX6ExZOqTcvhg3ihcFmhq0pCRCGAbqZE0cXKfkWYY-a_Fv0UTLL459J0uPTawQ2vzcc4QOku_CudekDXms6OpPV4nIRMjUqxI01Man3dr3r7reGtSmvA/s320/June+and+July+2011+231.JPG" /></a> This is the best group shot of the kids; before fireworks.</div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0Buo3CgnfK4r9ItbLkdecWQGS5DdemSUIvFd889jMBtRbI3JiW8pdnhWFhQ75nMcKJl7HA57J1x6iMaQYWQz1vME3kReZjoyny4tLDWjgMwNUZRPfGp9WlzOP_eUqLWYUZiA-7IWxZVA/s1600/June+and+July+2011+245.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0Buo3CgnfK4r9ItbLkdecWQGS5DdemSUIvFd889jMBtRbI3JiW8pdnhWFhQ75nMcKJl7HA57J1x6iMaQYWQz1vME3kReZjoyny4tLDWjgMwNUZRPfGp9WlzOP_eUqLWYUZiA-7IWxZVA/s320/June+and+July+2011+245.JPG" /></a> Clara's first 4th of July! She loved watching the fireworks and wasn't scared by the loud noises. </div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-21240808948603817642011-06-28T21:58:00.000-07:002011-06-28T21:58:41.396-07:00She rolls!Clara <em>finally </em>rolled from back to stomach tonight...i've been waiting about 5 months for this...but she did it! <br />
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And she will be 9 months tomorrow! My how time flies.Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-122983849874004992011-06-23T23:32:00.000-07:002011-06-23T23:44:30.125-07:00Confessions<div>These are my confessions...of what mommyhood [to three] is really like:</div><ol><li>I only see the inside of the shower <em>at the most </em>twice a week.</li>
<li>Clara's lucky if she gets bathed once in two weeks (is that horrible or what!?) </li>
<li>Laundry gets washed but rarely gets put away. </li>
<li>The internet is my best friend.</li>
<li>I have been nursing for 5 years now, in a row, without any break.</li>
<li>I have gained 115 pounds with 3 pregnancies (I've lost 88).</li>
<li>I weigh more than my husband.</li>
<li>I really miss my old body.</li>
<li>But my breasts are way better now (until I stop nursing and they deflate like balloons).</li>
<li>I don't really like taking the kids to the park.</li>
<li>I don't wash my face before bed anymore and I really have to push myself to brush my teeth--many times I don't. Don't bother asking if I floss. I don't.</li>
<li>I have no original thoughts anymore. They're all borrowed. And they are definitely not deep. I'm too tired for that. </li>
<li>I don't usually enjoy making meals for my family.</li>
<li>I think I will always look 3 or 4 months pregnant.</li>
<li>Sometimes I miss my life before kids.</li>
<li>I look forward to my kids being grown but then I feel like they are growing up way too fast.</li>
<li>I fear everyday that something bad will happen to one or all of them.</li>
<li>My children are not allowed to eat things with too much sugar, but I am, and I do. A lot.</li>
<li>What is effective discipline? I don't really know.</li>
<li>I'm kinda making things up as I go with this whole parenting thing.</li>
<li>I don't finish books anymore.</li>
<li>I don't know how single parents do it. Tim does so much to help and I'm so thankful for everything he does.</li>
<li>I have a zillion unfinished projects (and even more unstarted projects).</li>
<li>I got really upset when my kids decided to give up naps.</li>
<li>Sometimes I don't like my kids. And sometimes I play favorites. </li>
<li>Even if I sometimes desperately want to run away, I will always love my kids way too much and so much more than they will ever know.</li>
<li>My house always looks like a hurricane blew through.</li>
<li>I spend 6 out of 7 days a week in my "lounge wear." I don't put on makeup anymore and I definitely don't do my hair. Or at least that's how it feels. Sorry, Tim. </li>
</ol><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">Okay</span>,</span> so I know this sounds all doom and gloom and someone without kids may read it and think, man, I never want to have kids! But I'm just trying to keep it real. Being a mom is hard. But it's worth it and I love it. And I love my kids.Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-24081883618000882022011-06-20T20:18:00.000-07:002011-06-20T20:19:28.989-07:00Mama<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCFpBcvrEzm-g-AaJdFb_YaiWDpKnUtNq01FbFKfJWiKPFHrid16_dMKehMucTysenoXI495GeSonT8AqjQrhGLHveddD0LqRigGw6ZFfDvbSpsXZfAlEzixLJKUypIa8rxEHQlmbqfaK/s1600/June+2011+319.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCFpBcvrEzm-g-AaJdFb_YaiWDpKnUtNq01FbFKfJWiKPFHrid16_dMKehMucTysenoXI495GeSonT8AqjQrhGLHveddD0LqRigGw6ZFfDvbSpsXZfAlEzixLJKUypIa8rxEHQlmbqfaK/s320/June+2011+319.JPG" /></a> Isn't she so precious?</div><br />Clara said "mama" yesterday, right on time for Father's Day! Hee hee.<br /><br />She's been saying "mmm" for a while now, but never did fully say mama. Except yesterday, and it's been coming out a lot today! It's so much sweeter when it comes from her! I love it!Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-47726441397771369102011-06-19T11:22:00.000-07:002011-06-20T15:11:27.850-07:00Happy Father's Day!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Happy Father's Day to my father!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz521bmN9tsuhZh1sULzAsI-N30gKFGji_Qua6NTM8PCyOaGe2g1-m8H5mi6V7CEFiUrqKF5LscRk-Hw9QR2ahyyGANpdcMISRaZHB1dPV_bzS8ab_QXBQhqnCHBv4x-uMBDbYeNdrzHZ_/s1600/DSCF7731.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz521bmN9tsuhZh1sULzAsI-N30gKFGji_Qua6NTM8PCyOaGe2g1-m8H5mi6V7CEFiUrqKF5LscRk-Hw9QR2ahyyGANpdcMISRaZHB1dPV_bzS8ab_QXBQhqnCHBv4x-uMBDbYeNdrzHZ_/s320/DSCF7731.JPG" /></a> </div>I am so blessed to have such a great father and grandfather to my children. You have taught me much throughout the years, giving me support and guidance when I need it most. You make me laugh and I enjoy just sitting and talking with you. Thanks Dad, for your love and for teaching me about the love of our Heavenly Father, one of the best gifts you have given me! And thanks for all the times you get down on your knees and play with your grandchildren. They love coming over to see granddaddy because you are so fun and pay them such special attention!<br /><br /><br /><br />and happy father's day to the father of my children!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXFI_dQ5T9dBlw2S2PvnpFfbwprGR8xU3NfpCaBlA9SG0bVwXihA4_sifvW0XPJwJ76wgv8EiPWOL50MS3Ki8TdT4w321S4_XnAtyrJdakN_k15WD3-hvyP-ocX6PSLH_ctYjIJSW9jUS/s1600/Welcome+Baby+180.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXFI_dQ5T9dBlw2S2PvnpFfbwprGR8xU3NfpCaBlA9SG0bVwXihA4_sifvW0XPJwJ76wgv8EiPWOL50MS3Ki8TdT4w321S4_XnAtyrJdakN_k15WD3-hvyP-ocX6PSLH_ctYjIJSW9jUS/s320/Welcome+Baby+180.JPG" /></a><br />I am also blessed to have a wonderful husband who is such a great father to our children. Thanks for all the diapers you have changed, owies you have kissed, piggyback rides you've given. Our kids adore you and so do I! You give so much of yourself and I am continually amazed at your selflessness. You serve your family and we are so blessed by all you do. Not to mention how well the kids eat with you around! :) I couldn't have hoped for a better person to raise our children!<br /><br />I love you both!</div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-40853627291635781772011-06-03T10:18:00.000-07:002011-06-03T10:20:41.943-07:00Five!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-7w3Cvx_9JLEcqjXT4HYCI2tPBlL4JRukDQX9iLTLJZJHGo385PAtNGZhBs3ZmoaFgfPpWU1TKhfl9dHX8Jdy5U3VqoJZ5cJG3IG3luC-5hD8lr4SbVX-V-wY5z_Pmy5qRsm8ugqI2FX/s1600/May+2011+054.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-7w3Cvx_9JLEcqjXT4HYCI2tPBlL4JRukDQX9iLTLJZJHGo385PAtNGZhBs3ZmoaFgfPpWU1TKhfl9dHX8Jdy5U3VqoJZ5cJG3IG3luC-5hD8lr4SbVX-V-wY5z_Pmy5qRsm8ugqI2FX/s320/May+2011+054.JPG" /></a> </div><br />Happy Birthday today to my beautiful girl! I can't believe how fast you are growing up; please slow down a bit! At times you already seem like such a young lady and I have to remind myself that you are still just a little girl and to enjoy this time with you. You are sweet and smart and such a great big sis! You make me proud to be your mommy. I hope you feel how special you are today (and everyday)! I love you!Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-50993562454189574422011-05-31T20:21:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:37:15.996-07:00MilestonesI just wanted to make a note to myself on here, because I never remember to write down the dates, that Clara went from her tummy to sitting all by herself today! I know that's probably not too big a deal but I honestly wasn't sure she if she would be able to do it for a long time. She seems to be a little slower with the gross motor skills (she still isn't rolling from her back to her tummy) so I wasn't expecting this for awhile. She does scoot around a bit on her bottom, but no crawling yet. Which I shouldn't complain about because that means I don't have to chase her around or worry that she'll get into everything.Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-7161421036444963162011-05-28T22:07:00.000-07:002011-05-29T09:37:45.448-07:0030 Before ThirtyOkay, I'm probably starting this late, but I want to make a list of thirty things to do before I turn 30. And I want to be bold and say that I will be able to do all of them, but I also need to be realistic because I know myself and the stage of life I'm in and I cannot even keep my house clean or shower more than twice a week so am I really going to accomplish 30 things in three months? I will have to see how things go and I may change this to 30 while still thirty, so that I have a whole year.<br /><br />So here goes, 30 before thirty: (in no particular order)<br /><br /><br /><ol><br /><br /><li>Lose twenty pounds</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Dye my hair myself with hair dye from the store (maybe brown?)</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Cancel cable</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Learn to sew and/or complete one sewing project</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Teach Kaylin to read</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Run in a race (this still hasn't happened yet)</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Get Clara to sleep in her crib</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Get up at 6:30 on a regular basis</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Go to the gym at least three times a week (on a regular basis)</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Put up pictures on the walls in the house (I'm so afraid to put any nails/holes in the walls--it's so final!)</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Paint a picture on my large canvas that I bought years ago and put up in the kitchen</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Potty train Dylan</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Plant a vegetable garden</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Read through the Bible</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Refinish/repaint a piece of furniture</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Build something, with Tim's help</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Cook a gourmet meal from start to finish, without Tim's help</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Go on a trip with just Tim</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Get my nails done with Kaylin</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Write our will</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Spend a whole day playing with my kids without cleaning/using the computer/interruptions (and start doing this more)</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Complete the set up of my craft room/office</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Start redecorating Tim and I's bedroom</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Redecorate the kid's room</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Start serving at church</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Figure out a way to serve our community as a family and then start doing it</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Go on a hike as a family</li><br /><br /><br /><li>Take a family portrait</li><br /><li>Get portraits of Clara</li><br /><li>Visit SLO</li></ol><br /><p>Disclaimer: I have the right to change some of these items if I deem them too hard or very unlikely to happen. But I will try hard and cross things off as I go, as well as update on here. Wish me luck! </p>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-65725796432855486772011-05-16T15:17:00.000-07:002011-05-25T23:10:15.820-07:00Our first trip to the ER...<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">On Mother's Day!</div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I meant to post this right after Mother's Day, but didn't. Here's the story: </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">After a quiet morning at home we went to spend the rest of the day over at Tim's parents. We arrived, started making a (very) late lunch while the kids ran around and as I headed into the living room where the kids were playing to nurse Clara I watched as Dylan, who was chasing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kaylin</span>, tripped and banged his face into the corner of the coffee table. Of course I gasped and ran over to him to assess the damage and check if he was alright/comfort him. He was bleeding from his bottom lip and of course crying pretty hard and while trying to console him, too many of us, all at the same time tried to see how big a gash he had in his lip. Everyone was yelling what to do; there was lots of chaos and it was determined that he had bitten through his lower lip and that because there was a hole that we needed to take him to the ER.</div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Now it is ironic that this happened (and of course on Mother's Day) because just earlier in the week I had commented to Tim one morning that I was surprised that we had never had to take any kids into the emergency room yet and that we were pretty lucky that nothing major had happened. </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">So of course now we find ourselves at the ER (on Mother's Day!) and long story short (sort of) Dylan had actually not bitten through his lip--it was two <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">separate</span> cuts so there was no hole, he didn't need <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stitches</span> and we were out of there after about 15 minutes (and $180!). </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">So then Tim declared that we had ruined our record for nothing. But we were glad that it wasn't serious and that no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stitches</span> were needed because who wants to have their child go through that. </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6KdI8OH0T5OB5O2ozsc8ZgEAPTvRwhc373BG_F0_dlu5YfMt-ioeNFk26e7iTAbqCK-TalV2LY5jWqLA_FGnTg0GZQWPgHp1d_vbpVy3guZDk9RnpuGsKjMkOvvPOLDOQMANLP8-lJlp/s1600/May+2011+039.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6KdI8OH0T5OB5O2ozsc8ZgEAPTvRwhc373BG_F0_dlu5YfMt-ioeNFk26e7iTAbqCK-TalV2LY5jWqLA_FGnTg0GZQWPgHp1d_vbpVy3guZDk9RnpuGsKjMkOvvPOLDOQMANLP8-lJlp/s320/May+2011+039.JPG" /></a> Here he is after being cleaned up and back from the hospital. He really was quite a trooper.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4G0EWyPiuBEs_fidfRCAmDXGWMtW1jtzvpEZ5C-KpsQuPk1FqAVlBaOLQTGUKjFEnjy9M7agG41JsCMlqCRgFHP4CPkmjcaf4qLVP-IJ9Qe86ou0acuRtqvwzMqqt4fIwDGsje-r8oLPV/s1600/May+2011+092.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4G0EWyPiuBEs_fidfRCAmDXGWMtW1jtzvpEZ5C-KpsQuPk1FqAVlBaOLQTGUKjFEnjy9M7agG41JsCMlqCRgFHP4CPkmjcaf4qLVP-IJ9Qe86ou0acuRtqvwzMqqt4fIwDGsje-r8oLPV/s320/May+2011+092.JPG" /></a> Me with all my kiddos </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="left"></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="left">Lessons learned:</div><br /><ul><br /><li><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">remove all coffee tables or all crazy energetic children from small rooms<br /></div></li><br /><li><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Don't rush to the ER if it's not an emergency; take a moment, breath and really assess the situation before deciding on course of action</div></li></ul><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Definetly one of my most memorable of Mother's Days!</div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-73887806750565404442011-05-08T12:12:00.000-07:002011-05-08T12:13:27.549-07:00Happy Mother's Day!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9AADh8LgsGdS8P-7aDJoABf0phMVtrMNwANwGtY8q6AVvkrjEEZzOhGuYBeRhOWNNPudIsB7WQeKf5hEgpGS9_kDYxls-RsTLGdjMS626RfOVO6EkrbBAN4_-4syszxCMcNQxuAoRq01/s1600/April+2011+196.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9AADh8LgsGdS8P-7aDJoABf0phMVtrMNwANwGtY8q6AVvkrjEEZzOhGuYBeRhOWNNPudIsB7WQeKf5hEgpGS9_kDYxls-RsTLGdjMS626RfOVO6EkrbBAN4_-4syszxCMcNQxuAoRq01/s320/April+2011+196.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><p><br />I'm blessed to call these three my kiddos and to be their mommy. I hope I can be a great momma to each of them and not mess them up too much. :) </p><br /><p>I love you Dylan, Kaylin, and Clara! </p><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-78065472700083848322011-04-26T15:18:00.000-07:002011-04-26T21:34:22.438-07:00Easter 2011<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Easter this year seemed a bit rushed and hectic partly because I have three kids 5 and under but mainly because on Saturday (the 23rd) my mom, Kaylin, Clara and I went down to Orange County for my sister's baby shower. We flew down early Friday and came back Saturday evening. So a quick trip there and back (and unfortunately I did not take my camera so I don't have any pictures. I will have to get some from my mom or sister to share. It was a fun time of seeing friends and family.) Because I was going to be gone right up until Easter, I put Tim in charge of Easter plans, baskets, eggs, etc. (He did awesome--as usual.) Here are some pictures of our day:</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTIoetl6zPL0Yc3u9UObsqAAhDuoVFNrLhwHTEq816KbT5pF8gXJ08uOeURZIJgSWOsL6hn-M1Nd4gvpyTiiJxtInz2Xy9dvlMLLL2WTR74NRfwvleMlt6gnwwPg2ZyMpwt6Y-OdNbgr_/s1600/April+2011+042.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTIoetl6zPL0Yc3u9UObsqAAhDuoVFNrLhwHTEq816KbT5pF8gXJ08uOeURZIJgSWOsL6hn-M1Nd4gvpyTiiJxtInz2Xy9dvlMLLL2WTR74NRfwvleMlt6gnwwPg2ZyMpwt6Y-OdNbgr_/s320/April+2011+042.JPG" /></a> Checking out the Easter goodies.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4YzNlsc5A_mf-EkkVunM0-owH11lNAvnJOVaDOH0Z997z5BXE29fGmBoAyBBbqD-pV4BfMuAC-Pv5yqixIp_qK1sogCJxiNXKJPnPiU3gJDcqjS1A_3Ru6xn-knNkxmaNz4TWFBemjt6/s1600/April+2011+028.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4YzNlsc5A_mf-EkkVunM0-owH11lNAvnJOVaDOH0Z997z5BXE29fGmBoAyBBbqD-pV4BfMuAC-Pv5yqixIp_qK1sogCJxiNXKJPnPiU3gJDcqjS1A_3Ru6xn-knNkxmaNz4TWFBemjt6/s320/April+2011+028.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqNRgvVPi4AG5FOooK3MxO0Jg3j-rNL2rwjqlnaNVNA-zdDCdFd1Kzf69kJlrjw5qM-kB9toxGHwboMWuwcLVGlZbK7U9Sm-6pvgdEv9UvFe5llKUqVrXaN04NYnXAE5piQ35KtQ3DHDr/s1600/April+2011+046.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqNRgvVPi4AG5FOooK3MxO0Jg3j-rNL2rwjqlnaNVNA-zdDCdFd1Kzf69kJlrjw5qM-kB9toxGHwboMWuwcLVGlZbK7U9Sm-6pvgdEv9UvFe5llKUqVrXaN04NYnXAE5piQ35KtQ3DHDr/s320/April+2011+046.JPG" /></a> Clara with her gift in her mouth (of course).</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZfxhmzeDAEZGhSPC5qVrJbjumNFX6-BoJZHJl3pOvA5D_hS62lMt-ncU9tZBR0831S6RwHVwwpt0LbM19WMBFLyn9TtKgoKi8YHE2DEOHX83KmPLHUQWtRvSDc1nlE7Jp0WhfoTGrINg/s1600/April+2011+098.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZfxhmzeDAEZGhSPC5qVrJbjumNFX6-BoJZHJl3pOvA5D_hS62lMt-ncU9tZBR0831S6RwHVwwpt0LbM19WMBFLyn9TtKgoKi8YHE2DEOHX83KmPLHUQWtRvSDc1nlE7Jp0WhfoTGrINg/s320/April+2011+098.JPG" /></a> Victory over the egg hunt.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bdRp4ZLqY-g0NPSPm6biMZ50ZwdZBS-kdoA53fvs7QGLyRjC-dbS6ZjH84y1FmPsOg2gVvngaHWF9ubtGhFw6lzDfNRT72WDxVrw3B3NpWoWe7xknep00MRlI065-HQfN9MAsPF3EqBw/s1600/April+2011+112.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bdRp4ZLqY-g0NPSPm6biMZ50ZwdZBS-kdoA53fvs7QGLyRjC-dbS6ZjH84y1FmPsOg2gVvngaHWF9ubtGhFw6lzDfNRT72WDxVrw3B3NpWoWe7xknep00MRlI065-HQfN9MAsPF3EqBw/s320/April+2011+112.JPG" /></a> The girls (notice the matching sweaters).</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTZ5StyMqmJesIKAMo8PXT5Ze5pfx0E2MIlVnu8Spdk5qiy5P7G3tbF6F5ht2ncB1tI1gjKvQzky6f4fJMQ5mKZ5hAwW_SN8xBPcMAx0hSA3QEmLiAcofOqrElHjfKCE3Bzup11-C3bsY/s1600/April+2011+196.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTZ5StyMqmJesIKAMo8PXT5Ze5pfx0E2MIlVnu8Spdk5qiy5P7G3tbF6F5ht2ncB1tI1gjKvQzky6f4fJMQ5mKZ5hAwW_SN8xBPcMAx0hSA3QEmLiAcofOqrElHjfKCE3Bzup11-C3bsY/s320/April+2011+196.JPG" /></a> Aren't they just too cute? Even with Dylan's tongue hanging out.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3R8RZW1Di-tKPkPwudzgh2yeui1-XDQRcxzSQdaXZ0TzIfp_9k5Wqi0S4RRjgQYOxVoK7k4MsLcZz7lhlRQOXICJ7l-y0uILAygtS80DQFZ9Vx11zXf5BRGTU8hGQuEGqj58BUyZ7Ni3/s1600/April+2011+211.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3R8RZW1Di-tKPkPwudzgh2yeui1-XDQRcxzSQdaXZ0TzIfp_9k5Wqi0S4RRjgQYOxVoK7k4MsLcZz7lhlRQOXICJ7l-y0uILAygtS80DQFZ9Vx11zXf5BRGTU8hGQuEGqj58BUyZ7Ni3/s320/April+2011+211.JPG" /></a> I'm sorry if i'm bragging, but my girls are beautiful. (And their dresses matched but we didn't get any clear shots because our battery died, which means we did not get any family shots. Boo.)</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Hope everyone had a blessed Easter!</div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-77264366284003098922011-04-18T20:32:00.000-07:002011-04-21T20:09:33.139-07:00first kisses<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriumBD_IH77B2_LjcUKjyzHay6ARWY04NocQ8FsnmS-4qLd1kXc1-iyiauRIYnigeRzy8s_j-VhsFWy-BgVFTzfrIa9rXCFAYVzMcXl9fnDq8p36D6CbBnHsgfPG_ydb126LcZo4RltMe/s1600/spring+2011+864.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriumBD_IH77B2_LjcUKjyzHay6ARWY04NocQ8FsnmS-4qLd1kXc1-iyiauRIYnigeRzy8s_j-VhsFWy-BgVFTzfrIa9rXCFAYVzMcXl9fnDq8p36D6CbBnHsgfPG_ydb126LcZo4RltMe/s320/spring+2011+864.JPG" /></a> Just a cute sisters pic that I had to add.</div>Clara loves to put everything into her mouth, including us! I like to think that she's giving us kisses.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffiwhoNy7BRyXMNjZ1adH44x47lNBjq4qJVAEUDtIWf5czK586_Wza0zFkKBtgjlHIudDaX3Ybz91sy6IWeqEzJyciH_fU3irmuI3MnCDr1Ec-D7M4RcMZdEH6pmprOpkj52CtGAgoOg6/s1600/spring+2011+931.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffiwhoNy7BRyXMNjZ1adH44x47lNBjq4qJVAEUDtIWf5czK586_Wza0zFkKBtgjlHIudDaX3Ybz91sy6IWeqEzJyciH_fU3irmuI3MnCDr1Ec-D7M4RcMZdEH6pmprOpkj52CtGAgoOg6/s320/spring+2011+931.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq_ralX5iuNrzxspG2xd92tfHhSNAu9rey6PKtvjQtgGhJ4HDd47xRs-ZKC453fSUDvo-EUJ-2jFruG8clbLgs_r7DTJO_gYprMrlLrmcZORU2uniaJuD6h0OVrqYMQv1AwwXFSwJQfmm/s1600/spring+2011+925.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq_ralX5iuNrzxspG2xd92tfHhSNAu9rey6PKtvjQtgGhJ4HDd47xRs-ZKC453fSUDvo-EUJ-2jFruG8clbLgs_r7DTJO_gYprMrlLrmcZORU2uniaJuD6h0OVrqYMQv1AwwXFSwJQfmm/s320/spring+2011+925.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDpQicdi9OH-S9KgVpL8eF3boIUurRY9AoHCZux_tkUhxr-Jca9PvZ-jdhhEPOAqZj4B7p-2Kv-gndleBNQ73QayHxeIGMO-wWpDTABrAj2SPfBFs3vDS2icJ_iPYSp5_fbwu9rsct78W/s1600/spring+2011+930.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDpQicdi9OH-S9KgVpL8eF3boIUurRY9AoHCZux_tkUhxr-Jca9PvZ-jdhhEPOAqZj4B7p-2Kv-gndleBNQ73QayHxeIGMO-wWpDTABrAj2SPfBFs3vDS2icJ_iPYSp5_fbwu9rsct78W/s320/spring+2011+930.JPG" /></a> Kaylin wanted one too!</div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-56959958152966588562011-04-18T20:23:00.000-07:002011-04-30T13:22:02.000-07:00She's so tiny!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">6 months old!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQinl1BbUqWOVkJnNzyz9sMqt54hXcgPjdNbuoNmcqaqSfpEFNXtBvvj_4ygPvrx13vhXYLNV5R2y3hRC-VCwmpdARDyglm_uHzl2xmHVDz2kZ-TKaaMRnzJFjHCk6mTsbjyRChYTVARQ/s1600/spring+2011+755.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQinl1BbUqWOVkJnNzyz9sMqt54hXcgPjdNbuoNmcqaqSfpEFNXtBvvj_4ygPvrx13vhXYLNV5R2y3hRC-VCwmpdARDyglm_uHzl2xmHVDz2kZ-TKaaMRnzJFjHCk6mTsbjyRChYTVARQ/s320/spring+2011+755.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>I wanted to give some stats to remember my youngest at six months old. (There's a lot of detail here that some may not care to read through; it's mostly for me to remember all the little things). </p><br /><br /><br /><p>She's by far the smallest of the three and every time we are out and about I always get the comment, "She's so tiny!" And she is. But also, so cute.<br /><br />See:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVLTaT5GmCORJ84ok4lHOJVjiqJP9NENawne2Ha6_1GuXpTf9yuzVAtNUgyb2WM8nV0oktaptUGrczRpLp8ytH0dGFl8wKAezkm_LWXF2TTAZgFJnCHjI2i5reQ8vvDF6kBqqHXvw6LOx/s1600/spring+2011+841.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVLTaT5GmCORJ84ok4lHOJVjiqJP9NENawne2Ha6_1GuXpTf9yuzVAtNUgyb2WM8nV0oktaptUGrczRpLp8ytH0dGFl8wKAezkm_LWXF2TTAZgFJnCHjI2i5reQ8vvDF6kBqqHXvw6LOx/s320/spring+2011+841.JPG" /></a></p>At six months Clara weighs just 11 1/2 pounds and measures 24 1/2 inches long. about the size of an average 3 month old. (In comparison, Kaylin was around 17 pounds at six months.) She fell off the weight chart a couple months back probably in part because she continues to spit up in copious amounts. She hasn't started solid foods yet (she did try a taste of bananna but was tired so she reacted by refusing the spoon and crying). I'm not going to start her on any solids until I first talk with a lactation consultant because she will get more calories by staying on a breastmilk only diet.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1SO60o4pI63m1wx2_bDODSqfPompTCq4OjVGmT7oGhB-EdKYBc3svi9youeHJnfM6ZAUhp77TyweF-lpTdgn5P-eBJ3iv9l7NjXzpbkxDzxVV22vvfafRQdbJ6yJKOlF52Dfrc_R5kLH/s1600/spring+2011+882.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1SO60o4pI63m1wx2_bDODSqfPompTCq4OjVGmT7oGhB-EdKYBc3svi9youeHJnfM6ZAUhp77TyweF-lpTdgn5P-eBJ3iv9l7NjXzpbkxDzxVV22vvfafRQdbJ6yJKOlF52Dfrc_R5kLH/s320/spring+2011+882.JPG" /></a> </div>She is still not rolling over, although it's probably not her fault and more due to lack of floor time. She has started sitting well and enjoys it (thankfully) but still needs to be surrounded by cushions for protection. She loves reaching for anything and everything she can get her cute tiny fingers on, and if successful in grabbing, the object goes promptly into her mouth. (She is by far our most oral baby. Kaylin never put anything in her mouth and Dylan did for some things. But with Clara, it's EVERYTHING.) She started saying dada back when she was 5 months and has now mastered lala and baba and other similar sounds but i'm still waiting for mama. I think we're close. Compared with her brother and sister at the same age, she is ahead with language but not quite as verbal as Dylan. Kaylin was a fairly quiet baby. And giggles are mostly reserved for her big sis. Although she will laugh when I blow raspberries on her tummy or sometimes when we play peek-a-boo. She smiles a lot though, and it's beautiful and it lights up her whole face.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK15CxGvfCYpvn8EGW495di7zWJxWCQTkZImdy8qwU0Afhc9HAlteYLcctKTQJkWzpgn7-dK99HtOt3YGu6l9WvliEE6JeSPkJ6dx95JN4-bwOqIMn6nlCmukDwdJMGTqoY40drKTWzgz7/s1600/spring+2011+819.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK15CxGvfCYpvn8EGW495di7zWJxWCQTkZImdy8qwU0Afhc9HAlteYLcctKTQJkWzpgn7-dK99HtOt3YGu6l9WvliEE6JeSPkJ6dx95JN4-bwOqIMn6nlCmukDwdJMGTqoY40drKTWzgz7/s320/spring+2011+819.JPG" /></a> Her hair has finally started to lay flat (around the same time Kaylin's did) although when she hasn't had a bath in awhile, and i'll be totally honest and admit I usually only bathe her about once a week, if not longer, her hair starts sticking up again. And along with all the comments we get about how tiny she is, we always get a comment about her hair. And how it sticks straight up. Well, not so much anymore, now it's just, "Wow, she has so much hair! How old is she?" </div><br /><br /><br /><p>I think I see two little slits in her mouth and if that means teeth then she will be the youngest to get teeth out of the three. Kaylin was a whopping 13 months before she got ANY teeth and that was a major pain. Dylan was 9 months. I'm just worried that the little bites that she takes now when nursing will really start to hurt when the teeth come in. I'm not looking forward to that. </p><br /><br /><p>Some other things about our sweet Clara:</p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">She loves to be held (of course) and is not afraid of strangers yet.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">If someone smiles at her, even a stranger, she smiles right back.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">She's been doing sit ups since she was 3-4 months old. Well she comes really close anyway.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">She's mellow and observant.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">She's the only one with blue eyes in our immediate family.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">She has four [strawberry] birthmarks: one right under her belly button, one on her back, one on her scalp, and one under her left knee, which has faded.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">She seems to look like both Kaylin and Dylan but we get more comments that she looks more like her brother.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Can I just say that I love my sweet little Clara Lou and that I just want to eat her up? Cause I do!</div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"></div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-35264305032244843492011-04-14T14:47:00.000-07:002011-04-14T14:55:03.472-07:00Cuteness X 3<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I had posted some of these on Facebook a while back but thought I'd add them here too because they're just so darn cute. I mean just look at those faces! They are from a quick trip to the park about a month ago. </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/cbf4ee255f4b74e9.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/cbf4ee255f4b74e9.jpg?size=320" /></a> Sisters</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/57c045097153f345.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/57c045097153f345.jpg?size=320" /></a> Clara's first time in the swing. I think she enjoyed it.</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/63c354fda94022ff.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/63c354fda94022ff.jpg?size=320" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/a81554c3cd72435b.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/a81554c3cd72435b.jpg?size=320" /></a> Swingin away</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/eaaed6f10a22e2d5.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/eaaed6f10a22e2d5.jpg?size=320" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/d81036cd30ecb64.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:53202/7d4131808fc858547d99b8d6773fa376/image/d81036cd30ecb64.jpg?size=320" /></a> I love this picture of Kaylin! Such a big smile and a happy girl!</div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-14545468408460278522011-02-14T15:17:00.000-08:002011-04-14T14:40:10.789-07:00Our year so far...<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Okay, it has been way long since I've posted. I started this post back in February and am just now getting around to finishing it. (It'll post saying February but really, we all know it's April.) I really must be the worst blogger ever. Anyway, I had originally meant to do a little update on how I am doing with my New Years resolutions so I'll get to that first. I think I've only had marginal success, to be honest. (And really, who ever actually accomplishes their resolutions anyway? At least that's what I'll tell myself.) And as the days quickly pass, my effort slowly lapses. </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I did really well with reading for a bit and read probably five books, but it's been a bit since i've last picked one up.</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">I was going to the gym pretty regularly, but then had like a three week break and just this week resolved to get back and get this weight off! (And speaking of weight loss, any of you with three kids have a really hard time losing the weight the third time around? Since the initial weight loss after the delivery i've probably only lost three pounds with three months of exercise. Frustrating!) As for the half-marathon, yeah, not so much. I am still trying to plan for a 10k but nothing has been set in stone yet. Some days are better for time management and of course, some days are lousy. The kids are watching less tv, for the most part, but I'm watching about the same. Reminder: cancel cable! And darn you Biggest Loser and Parenthood and the Office...I was doing a bit better for awhile getting up early but haven't in a while so I need to continue to work on that, and for that to happen I need to go to bed earlier. And the worst one is that I still am not reading the Bible/doing daily devotions because, again, I'm not getting up early enough. I really need to work on this one.</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Here are some random pictures: </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJhJN1YsS4e2ZqLLgQtT66c6V_KUbZNO6LiBcawdvjXZmWXoEFnRX2fyCzOICZmbe10fF-4rYdzeUxG0wVvaps1Bz4svQ58_dTfA7GizrzfHWXU5jNoc-Zmp7yr-GfaGTFBcxEiXrr9be/s1600/January%252C+February+2011+024.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJhJN1YsS4e2ZqLLgQtT66c6V_KUbZNO6LiBcawdvjXZmWXoEFnRX2fyCzOICZmbe10fF-4rYdzeUxG0wVvaps1Bz4svQ58_dTfA7GizrzfHWXU5jNoc-Zmp7yr-GfaGTFBcxEiXrr9be/s320/January%252C+February+2011+024.JPG" /></a> making silly faces</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmly7tWE_gTV5BRbyWFIJDPGmn1oCP5e5KeY2pHEHN0M92bBL6jC7561I8DDAZzbO_klyMHwUfA83NPOEoTGFFkD8UmbSPNXEt6DdgkavF_uBV4fqaiBJ6b3df1C1p-oBF8ifJb92w9ie/s1600/January%252C+February+2011+059.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmly7tWE_gTV5BRbyWFIJDPGmn1oCP5e5KeY2pHEHN0M92bBL6jC7561I8DDAZzbO_klyMHwUfA83NPOEoTGFFkD8UmbSPNXEt6DdgkavF_uBV4fqaiBJ6b3df1C1p-oBF8ifJb92w9ie/s320/January%252C+February+2011+059.JPG" /></a> Trip up to the snow to go sledding</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireYZK4NglbMA6_G3-5roCUcakj6-wxEU91FSjwRtED_5MCONxQMQLavcoWO2NgVsLzfbEPSUyc2xWmFeRp4TtmzPiSTKpS0OcFFCohgV7wXjxLw6312ZA6hx-pnl-TvpY2_DCHIn3aDRi/s1600/January%252C+February+2011+065.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireYZK4NglbMA6_G3-5roCUcakj6-wxEU91FSjwRtED_5MCONxQMQLavcoWO2NgVsLzfbEPSUyc2xWmFeRp4TtmzPiSTKpS0OcFFCohgV7wXjxLw6312ZA6hx-pnl-TvpY2_DCHIn3aDRi/s320/January%252C+February+2011+065.JPG" /></a> Auntie Karen and Uncle Aaron were able to join us!</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKJ0aaoWl3jVbXpQ78GHVc1udXA7bK3tHI7k_nf6IDroOMMjtUqX1EmDSKpDMVXgxi7a-B4yGGsANjH9ufAYd7cWCIXMr3_981MUpVNm_C_i77fsj-udvm-F3ZI7EMowgw1He8J_cD8kc/s1600/January%252C+February+2011+081.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKJ0aaoWl3jVbXpQ78GHVc1udXA7bK3tHI7k_nf6IDroOMMjtUqX1EmDSKpDMVXgxi7a-B4yGGsANjH9ufAYd7cWCIXMr3_981MUpVNm_C_i77fsj-udvm-F3ZI7EMowgw1He8J_cD8kc/s320/January%252C+February+2011+081.JPG" /></a> Clara being cute and laughing at Kaylin</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAQAlv-7Ly-RBc63UVzzZ_qKgJhOqIgSOiLtq2binbCDXcXGlLD-HZBpNgRpddU4wz5fha1s66PMDAPw-Nw6CBufGaecgV1S1hM2sl7SK2AISlXIuPUuLLFjMU33jJuaKQcTodY3leV5j/s1600/January%252C+February+2011+104.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAQAlv-7Ly-RBc63UVzzZ_qKgJhOqIgSOiLtq2binbCDXcXGlLD-HZBpNgRpddU4wz5fha1s66PMDAPw-Nw6CBufGaecgV1S1hM2sl7SK2AISlXIuPUuLLFjMU33jJuaKQcTodY3leV5j/s320/January%252C+February+2011+104.JPG" /></a> Tim and I going out for our anniversary dinner (which we had to rush through because Clara cried the entire time!)</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxr9RrEWaNp90LnW4TVWbWNi26S0omFPV9FMOWF-1AzABSjsidk3lQbuE0gTvfhq9o5ED8VrweXMFBB7HydQtyaRAu5Mjl8JELUQ5v1LX6ZRCdKpE2ZBzDr8jHMAnsWJncQA4lsgfLZsb/s1600/January%252C+February+2011+117.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxr9RrEWaNp90LnW4TVWbWNi26S0omFPV9FMOWF-1AzABSjsidk3lQbuE0gTvfhq9o5ED8VrweXMFBB7HydQtyaRAu5Mjl8JELUQ5v1LX6ZRCdKpE2ZBzDr8jHMAnsWJncQA4lsgfLZsb/s320/January%252C+February+2011+117.JPG" /></a> Dylan helping daddy mow</div><br /><p>Okay, I think my new resolution should be to blog more... </p><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"></div>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5599346556599243988.post-50272285727319658152011-01-01T17:11:00.000-08:002011-01-01T18:05:50.048-08:002011Happy New Year! Sorry no pictures, just some goals and, of course, resolutions for the upcoming year, in bullet format:<br /><ul><li>Be more intentional with my time</li><li>Learn how to sew</li><li>Read for at least 30 minutes everyday</li><li>Watch less <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">TV</span> and have my children watch less as well</li><li>Play with my kids more</li><li><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Exercise</span> three times a week (to prepare for a half marathon)</li><li>Go to bed earlier</li><li>Get up earlier</li><li>Spend time in the Word everyday</li><li>Pray intentionally</li><li>Spend less time online</li><li>Be more creative with food and meals</li><li>Keep in better touch with old friends</li><li>Make new friends</li><li>Write letters</li><li>Stick to a budget</li><li>Handmake 90% of our gifts this year </li></ul><p>An ambitious list, I know, but one that I hope I can begin to accomplish this year. How I organize and spend my time will really predict how successful I am and that is why using my time better is first on the list because it really trickles down and influences most of my other goals. (Although there's really no order to the list.) If I get even a few of these I will be happy and I'm sure i'll add more and refine it as the year progresses.</p><p>Some of the things we're looking forward to in 2011: </p><ul><li>Kaylin turns 5 and will start Kindergarden</li><li>Dylan will start preschool</li><li>Tim and I will celebrate 5 years of marriage</li><li>Clara turns one</li><li>I turn 30 (gasp!)</li><li>I plan to run a half marathon with my mom</li><li>My sister and her husband will move into the area and have their first baby</li><li>A family trip to Disneyland</li></ul><p>Happy 2011!</p>Allison Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13264002271511958691noreply@blogger.com1