tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165692592024-03-23T10:50:39.642-07:00Waiting for Lauren ElizabethDo not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west Isaiah 43:5Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.comBlogger575125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-42289967190186043902009-06-08T18:00:00.011-07:002011-09-21T20:14:58.676-07:00Goodbye dear friend...I'm referring to the end of a chapter of our lives and the start of a new one. I'm talking about saying goodbye to this blog that I've had since 2005. This blog that I've posted all my thoughts and feelings to during our adoption wait, in China, and then back at home. This blog that has been the catalyst to meeting so many wonderful friends over the years. It's funny how a tiny place in cyber-space can come to mean SO much to us, as this blog has to me. <br /><br />I now have a new place to call my home and that's where I'll be for now on. You can find me <a href="http://www.lifehappensbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/">HERE</a>. Please come on by and visit often!<br /><br />So now, with almost a quarter million visitors since the start, this is the end of this chapter.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-85746137084485555632009-06-01T19:30:00.004-07:002009-06-01T19:38:40.328-07:00Baby, your Elmo is showing...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHsl_JX6hodrPpHyz6h3LfA8tbojP0PhaHYrMyijOsKjc5k5-LtNAvLd4fQaxjAS3zBvPVDQZL6IVmWWfYJi7lyIvx_EkRwz-C58ljP8Cxq78BQjP-3S7Pv6V3084x2s_c6z_xg/s1600-h/IMG_2232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHsl_JX6hodrPpHyz6h3LfA8tbojP0PhaHYrMyijOsKjc5k5-LtNAvLd4fQaxjAS3zBvPVDQZL6IVmWWfYJi7lyIvx_EkRwz-C58ljP8Cxq78BQjP-3S7Pv6V3084x2s_c6z_xg/s400/IMG_2232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342552349473832050" /></a><br />Whoops, momma's busted!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pWmB15jab1uug9mk3lmjFMCuzYqVdAm1L6lD1VfZJRNhp9tfMRBszWduFD-zYG0bG6NFEFDR8sYq9stj__o1u5SoAYQjEu_6TbZhoy4ct_q1AJApcyQBhR2aqy6f7P4ztwfK4w/s1600-h/IMG_2234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pWmB15jab1uug9mk3lmjFMCuzYqVdAm1L6lD1VfZJRNhp9tfMRBszWduFD-zYG0bG6NFEFDR8sYq9stj__o1u5SoAYQjEu_6TbZhoy4ct_q1AJApcyQBhR2aqy6f7P4ztwfK4w/s400/IMG_2234.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342552341060775026" /></a><br />The rear view is much cuter at this age, don't ya think?Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-53832904393187670122009-05-31T21:01:00.006-07:002009-05-31T21:32:08.178-07:00Just time for a quick post tonight. Joe and I met a family from our China travel group for lunch on Saturday. They were in town for vacation and it was SO great to see them again and catch up a little bit. Here's Leslie and me with the girls... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj3JVLDotJ7Uhg87u0AL6kRUSI487RPTgpbw8KX6yyQ5Z_5Zdy0JpypcDZDHNZ-O53ZkoeDyLJD4TBx-b2oQNOFYtNn6chzi9tMkgTj8ZKJ_9qcN1SiQ5QbC8sKFBG_EPQsRzHg/s1600-h/IMG_2210.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj3JVLDotJ7Uhg87u0AL6kRUSI487RPTgpbw8KX6yyQ5Z_5Zdy0JpypcDZDHNZ-O53ZkoeDyLJD4TBx-b2oQNOFYtNn6chzi9tMkgTj8ZKJ_9qcN1SiQ5QbC8sKFBG_EPQsRzHg/s400/IMG_2210.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342207420219161426" /></a><br />Here's a few more pics from the weekend...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsj8yGAzp1T0arWnCOmMdCHWZkJ8KLErsIVKg_v27_lMrUQEgAdBXm4BJgcWnZegn3dUXYUwiSVoHw7fvnv7FhPzKj3-c6yh28v9CI9t7i3DjsDGZtBjmRxFoMFAXTCPULo80Gg/s1600-h/IMG_2223.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsj8yGAzp1T0arWnCOmMdCHWZkJ8KLErsIVKg_v27_lMrUQEgAdBXm4BJgcWnZegn3dUXYUwiSVoHw7fvnv7FhPzKj3-c6yh28v9CI9t7i3DjsDGZtBjmRxFoMFAXTCPULo80Gg/s400/IMG_2223.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342207427112847266" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODM3P9_a3-AMb68_NNpJHaV7qN807uKbG7cgUDLEQJFUSTWYXsMdC5H3Cd5-fvexuEf030xpHC-cwa0atd1N2HlFMN8f4UpYflkklADgcbGLD5CqostOnsG_nAAq2k2ght8rF1Q/s1600-h/IMG_2227.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODM3P9_a3-AMb68_NNpJHaV7qN807uKbG7cgUDLEQJFUSTWYXsMdC5H3Cd5-fvexuEf030xpHC-cwa0atd1N2HlFMN8f4UpYflkklADgcbGLD5CqostOnsG_nAAq2k2ght8rF1Q/s400/IMG_2227.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342207436218298562" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Np6P5sa_0hJT-XT6S9KiahKf3ECAzHFOGK6z55U9IkInhaSJJRzQpIH55Gp-k3D-XCU0WhxehdatvNgzr2YRoK9EhYAiZkfpgHX3X5WAK6F7gpkuUr3NnIpeJiHDQSW4e6CP0Q/s1600-h/IMG_2230.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Np6P5sa_0hJT-XT6S9KiahKf3ECAzHFOGK6z55U9IkInhaSJJRzQpIH55Gp-k3D-XCU0WhxehdatvNgzr2YRoK9EhYAiZkfpgHX3X5WAK6F7gpkuUr3NnIpeJiHDQSW4e6CP0Q/s400/IMG_2230.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342207440802595778" /></a><br /><br />Bento? Hell no! But I can manage a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cookie cutters...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbIp6uoGEPJlNdKEmdU9JXpoUNgmfH1DkTKlDLhBzpuT7cYkSFM80dyRhIpgB373DHlQqvxAV5GeWfpZodsCzF0SqY5XGgi93QkHpul9nfUvDORgXLadJ48HxZCzx3tlImfQW2A/s1600-h/IMG_2200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbIp6uoGEPJlNdKEmdU9JXpoUNgmfH1DkTKlDLhBzpuT7cYkSFM80dyRhIpgB373DHlQqvxAV5GeWfpZodsCzF0SqY5XGgi93QkHpul9nfUvDORgXLadJ48HxZCzx3tlImfQW2A/s400/IMG_2200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342207446672581794" /></a><br />Lauren liked it just the same...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKK20TeFg6_u3iV0DXpXQ9_xdsW2RJBYnzhLLXqDPoSCTzE8Iq3asllyRr9xhtSEKuyfCOuiay6McWUkL-3g1gP-d6RYsdaQC2UX3sJqk-vVQSm5CLuJfqXoTz3Jonf9TyGvQaQ/s1600-h/IMG_2201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKK20TeFg6_u3iV0DXpXQ9_xdsW2RJBYnzhLLXqDPoSCTzE8Iq3asllyRr9xhtSEKuyfCOuiay6McWUkL-3g1gP-d6RYsdaQC2UX3sJqk-vVQSm5CLuJfqXoTz3Jonf9TyGvQaQ/s400/IMG_2201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342208923252884178" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-43663912444172555382009-05-26T19:28:00.002-07:002009-05-29T22:05:51.867-07:00Elmo love...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlkiVIMXJRDDb8HU2fmryJuP-3wI67FyBhydYJHVcDAeOk9oLNHMR5NSc66QUEc2hSmzVQGVmywKUeKLBwvKExT5WKwnagHtsWdcI2PZpV0QjxZAnORZ8lf2zD0FKayWb58Rryw/s1600-h/Elmo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlkiVIMXJRDDb8HU2fmryJuP-3wI67FyBhydYJHVcDAeOk9oLNHMR5NSc66QUEc2hSmzVQGVmywKUeKLBwvKExT5WKwnagHtsWdcI2PZpV0QjxZAnORZ8lf2zD0FKayWb58Rryw/s400/Elmo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340325074481482242" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-63547475468817153552009-05-25T10:24:00.010-07:002009-05-25T11:20:23.753-07:00Update...We're still hanging in there, but Lauren is having some difficulty with the adjustment of me going back to work. It mostly shows when she gets up from her naps and someone she wasn't expecting is there to get her. When Joe is home with her she is looking for me and when I'm spending time with her on the weekends, she is looking for her Baba. She'll ask for the missing person and when she's told that they aren't here and will be back later she cries. Joe was with her all this past week and then spent the day out of town with friends on Saturday. Lauren had several crying fits after asking for Baba, including throwing herself on the floor crying and kicking. I just try to reassure her that I'm here for her and that Baba will be home soon. Once she snaps out of it, she's fine. <br /><br />I don't know for sure if this is normal 2 year old behavior or if it's because of all the change she's been through over the past 4 months. I just try to be as patient and understanding as I can because I can tell she's confused at times and needs to feel secure. This is easier said than done, because we're all human and I'm not going to say that it doesn't sting sometimes when I'm with her and she's throwing a tantrum for Baba. No one ever said parenthood would be easy!<br /><br />Well, let's get on to some pictures. Last weekend we went to a peach festival at a local farm. It was a nice event, but it was WAY TOO HOT to be out there. We only lasted a couple of hours in the heat, but Lauren got to ride a pony for the first time. Here's a couple of scrap pages for her 1st year book (click to enlarge)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuylVHg6zOGwpzjgeczjNqde1sLoucPSnLlK9h1_UAhc0i19YkJ6wJy4JhkhuWC0W9SNfQ3m2uVNjgKC9a1z2OyFW0566dphxAplefKGV-BAw55C8FnKKLq-CRJSeY1rE6BiwKw/s1600-h/Giddy+Up.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuylVHg6zOGwpzjgeczjNqde1sLoucPSnLlK9h1_UAhc0i19YkJ6wJy4JhkhuWC0W9SNfQ3m2uVNjgKC9a1z2OyFW0566dphxAplefKGV-BAw55C8FnKKLq-CRJSeY1rE6BiwKw/s400/Giddy+Up.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339814419083019074" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WY4eLzagaELg0LweP3kspv4nYPuRRVToRtPQg0PcKR14LUmGQV27I9c7jBFRfhQCeA1NQHFbblyGMtzBpRNglzpcPHijyX9N-aVreZ-TeBfsNhHkdbc8dwnPAkHrpvrswT9HNw/s1600-h/Giddy+Up+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WY4eLzagaELg0LweP3kspv4nYPuRRVToRtPQg0PcKR14LUmGQV27I9c7jBFRfhQCeA1NQHFbblyGMtzBpRNglzpcPHijyX9N-aVreZ-TeBfsNhHkdbc8dwnPAkHrpvrswT9HNw/s400/Giddy+Up+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339814425886099426" /></a><br />After the festival, we stopped for lunch. Look Dad, Lauren knows how to fold her pizza over now like a true New Yorker...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lusLT9mRNke7_H5OtgB62PNScwh3_8ANjuvASJ7nLn4ArlSo8fNfs2EJGKahJjdUk8JooGea7uuGZtSo9H-TFdQpr87SmAhS6mCSuPb8HWjiwricprwLSR0krw5zWhptY2tZRw/s1600-h/IMG_2180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lusLT9mRNke7_H5OtgB62PNScwh3_8ANjuvASJ7nLn4ArlSo8fNfs2EJGKahJjdUk8JooGea7uuGZtSo9H-TFdQpr87SmAhS6mCSuPb8HWjiwricprwLSR0krw5zWhptY2tZRw/s400/IMG_2180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339814202100856370" /></a><br />Here she is posing with her first refrigerator masterpiece...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5srDcA6xgPmu_pT266gWcBPMJH6jTAI739yKzeC6ZtdA9jK8VQaM2TbEhB-b1i_09nY_wRf03dUN-ohdSxGdPhfT4Kh3Ia-HwYhFswLu2gwoF84SCgvN2TVa_QS7qko-YNiZVrA/s1600-h/IMG_2185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5srDcA6xgPmu_pT266gWcBPMJH6jTAI739yKzeC6ZtdA9jK8VQaM2TbEhB-b1i_09nY_wRf03dUN-ohdSxGdPhfT4Kh3Ia-HwYhFswLu2gwoF84SCgvN2TVa_QS7qko-YNiZVrA/s400/IMG_2185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339814206959366066" /></a><br />This pic was taken on Saturday morning. We were on the way out and she had just given Lucy (our furbaby) her treat. She loves to do this...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnevJlQNGnOCWZ2apdV0zEM2VcoSG7YNzFC429yI2IpeVLMiv8nbhXENfovUwypoo66kXzPSbljFDWavPzGllNwoJ9N9eqYhWZTkySPywm5p_iR8QOBsv8F875uESlG9IxlMPOag/s1600-h/IMG_2192.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnevJlQNGnOCWZ2apdV0zEM2VcoSG7YNzFC429yI2IpeVLMiv8nbhXENfovUwypoo66kXzPSbljFDWavPzGllNwoJ9N9eqYhWZTkySPywm5p_iR8QOBsv8F875uESlG9IxlMPOag/s400/IMG_2192.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339814190746202370" /></a><br />Yesterday we spent the day hanging out with some friends at the pool. Lauren got a hold of her sunglasses and wore them all the way over there...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LShiH2ZRk9c8NmODBnjbw05GwOinngcLGjilOTBIKWnYxOlk1WM-k2iiUDD5X6mVwrr9AxgExEKMR3XQPwL8tGa2QenW8mKqZFrbnAVlRk5-tRtOYNkhpB886ceIs27znEC4UA/s1600-h/IMG_2198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LShiH2ZRk9c8NmODBnjbw05GwOinngcLGjilOTBIKWnYxOlk1WM-k2iiUDD5X6mVwrr9AxgExEKMR3XQPwL8tGa2QenW8mKqZFrbnAVlRk5-tRtOYNkhpB886ceIs27znEC4UA/s400/IMG_2198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339814213205331170" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-63760689539886557662009-05-13T14:07:00.006-07:002009-05-13T14:51:36.565-07:00I'm hanging in there...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvfejprE1Qp0tncGusco_uZHje6t0cjh8JUlf4bP7R2AkmMn9pSjOE8J6gpgyWl7PNr7PfsALhGtlJWmonqoB3-tdxvxWEtGpaf963PwqCEcNjY9rtITtS0C_Ql6RsWorDbpp5w/s1600-h/hang+2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335418474738104482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvfejprE1Qp0tncGusco_uZHje6t0cjh8JUlf4bP7R2AkmMn9pSjOE8J6gpgyWl7PNr7PfsALhGtlJWmonqoB3-tdxvxWEtGpaf963PwqCEcNjY9rtITtS0C_Ql6RsWorDbpp5w/s320/hang+2.bmp" border="0" /></a>but it sure is HARD going back to work!<br /><br />On Monday morning Lauren woke up before I left at 6:15am, so I was able to hold her for a few minutes before I left. I told her that Baba was going to watch Elmo and have breakfast with her and that I was going to work and would be back after she gets up from "nite-nite". Then I gave her a kiss good-bye along with a quick hug. She said the sweetest "good-bye" while I was walking down the hall to the garage. I didn't loose it until I got in the car and I managed to gain my composure pretty quickly. I had arranged to pick up my friend, Christine, on the way in...I figured if I was distracted with chit chat, I wouldn't be tearing up.<br /><br />The work day flew by and before I knew it, it was 5pm and time to go. I only called Joe once that morning and I got through the day without any tears until I called Joe on the way home. He said that Lauren was crying and calling for me when she got up from her nap. With that, the water works started and I had a little cry on the way home.<br /><br />The very BEST part of the day was coming home and seeing her smiling face waiting to give me a big hug! Joe has been great and he's had dinner ready when I got home for the past two days so I can maximize my time with Little Miss. The three hours we have before she goes to bed flies by and it's just not nearly enough! Monday night as she feel asleep in my arms, I couldn't help but tear up again wondering how I was going to get up and do it all over again the next day.<br /><br />I knew this wasn't going to be easy and it isn't, that's for sure! But, I can say with all honesty that it hasn't been as hard as I had worked up in my mind over the past few years while waiting and wondering how I'm going to go back to work. I am lucky that Joe will be home until he starts working again. The lose of his salary is hard on the pocket, but works well for Lauren right now. By the time he gets work, she will be ready to go into daycare and spend the day with other children. I think that will actually be very good for her and will go a long way in continuing to pick up the language and learning.<br /><br />Thank you all so much for your well wishes!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-11744861839576948722009-05-10T18:29:00.004-07:002009-05-10T18:51:22.354-07:00Mother's Day...I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day, especially those celebrating their very first one! For me there were some tears, but they were happy tears. As I was holding Lauren this morning I thought about the many years we had hoped and prayed for a child and finally she is here! It felt amazing!<br /><br />Lauren has had a runny nose and a cough since Friday, but today she seemed a little better when she woke up. Now Joe and I both have sore throats and runny noses. I guess whatever Lauren gets will probably always run it's course through the house! <br /><br />Today we took my Mom to an early lunch at Macaroni Grill (yum!) and then just had a quite day at home...just what I wanted. Also, I woke up to very sweet cards and a Brighton ID bracelet that says "Mother". I love it. <br /><br />Here's a pic of Lauren showing Grandma ("ma") her gift...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs88V9E3U0N_7o1UmgLAxanJlnN2z_em2RAsqML4vQWCqmw9ajNfztJI7-QgY2G4eLE0igFsCMZ2haQnmbCwMlwrVMnAwyotF6BCQRcOA7hhUYTET-v3vUZCycfDBDGJYa1FYmg/s1600-h/IMG_2119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs88V9E3U0N_7o1UmgLAxanJlnN2z_em2RAsqML4vQWCqmw9ajNfztJI7-QgY2G4eLE0igFsCMZ2haQnmbCwMlwrVMnAwyotF6BCQRcOA7hhUYTET-v3vUZCycfDBDGJYa1FYmg/s400/IMG_2119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334372956916973314" /></a><br />The best part of any gift is playing with the tissue paper. Where's Lauren?? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dkWovzLgo7kam91o_2rYUCIbkKyzOG76sRGZt6yJSv0I5HZL_5Nm04rijBVO8VW3Ur1LmaH7Jo2Uta5tarNfpOAYjctQw7hGbJ7LYsCiv-4lwfah2rTeD439BHVgA17wc35izA/s1600-h/IMG_2122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dkWovzLgo7kam91o_2rYUCIbkKyzOG76sRGZt6yJSv0I5HZL_5Nm04rijBVO8VW3Ur1LmaH7Jo2Uta5tarNfpOAYjctQw7hGbJ7LYsCiv-4lwfah2rTeD439BHVgA17wc35izA/s400/IMG_2122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334372962987649842" /></a><br />Oh, THERE she is!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR4-jCyxim13L-T_Cj4MtEFFYPLZ157UF5IfGPHQuXN1MdCt2rZX-Hh4uyYKCCJhU6LNTvhaLcWVLHqjyLZgwjiViRPsHnm8KqSi0u2TEBhyphenhyphenSziW9GiJyYwYRHW3lMfqfxH51Kg/s1600-h/IMG_2123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR4-jCyxim13L-T_Cj4MtEFFYPLZ157UF5IfGPHQuXN1MdCt2rZX-Hh4uyYKCCJhU6LNTvhaLcWVLHqjyLZgwjiViRPsHnm8KqSi0u2TEBhyphenhyphenSziW9GiJyYwYRHW3lMfqfxH51Kg/s400/IMG_2123.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334372967569708034" /></a><br />This is fun "ma"!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12wHNsJJ2pSlBvN94llQjtGHEVRCIbhqfuzuNmlAlLh-cNxmtzrm9vi4fZVkrVBPF8747xOjfTkBV0xPQZUy_ZEERjAY15FJlQ6Z4R_Uf22dqyGyUtAgnuUQL4TTMCdzNsO_W_g/s1600-h/IMG_2124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12wHNsJJ2pSlBvN94llQjtGHEVRCIbhqfuzuNmlAlLh-cNxmtzrm9vi4fZVkrVBPF8747xOjfTkBV0xPQZUy_ZEERjAY15FJlQ6Z4R_Uf22dqyGyUtAgnuUQL4TTMCdzNsO_W_g/s400/IMG_2124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334372974256956690" /></a><br />Here we are before we headed out for lunch...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa20EBMyGZXpsicHGl68ca5BKgethEe4zrcuP4SpgVH0fijayfmjDI_1lgSIIToS4njmWryaxYG5lKYsy4v3gvpMx0IZFrnWlmPSkTtrNC6tZj74Ll3d0g3xJ_hgKZG55eLe-Ag/s1600-h/IMG_2127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa20EBMyGZXpsicHGl68ca5BKgethEe4zrcuP4SpgVH0fijayfmjDI_1lgSIIToS4njmWryaxYG5lKYsy4v3gvpMx0IZFrnWlmPSkTtrNC6tZj74Ll3d0g3xJ_hgKZG55eLe-Ag/s400/IMG_2127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334373119404240450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoOrsRJYfSYEAye9sOVqkrZ-QCANwn9WE-cP0Q6IAV55isSkA7qsytiIZUT1wlyc0o1u2mYR_htveE62ZAS5zlfiCH0URi1YsxMkHTYCUqnQIHQmhZkfA3j8ZvhOs0rsZvdz9AA/s1600-h/IMG_2117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoOrsRJYfSYEAye9sOVqkrZ-QCANwn9WE-cP0Q6IAV55isSkA7qsytiIZUT1wlyc0o1u2mYR_htveE62ZAS5zlfiCH0URi1YsxMkHTYCUqnQIHQmhZkfA3j8ZvhOs0rsZvdz9AA/s400/IMG_2117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334372979648656898" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-37924487585581601942009-05-07T16:11:00.027-07:002009-05-07T21:28:34.308-07:00This week, blog makeovers, and Blogville...Thank you all for your well wishes and encouragement about heading back to work next week. We've been taking it really slow and savoring every minute of this week, and it's been very nice. <br /><br />As we get closer to Monday, I'm getting more and more anxious about leaving her. I know she's in good hands with Joe and that does help with my anxiety. For those of you still waiting to bring your children home...be sure to enjoy every moment of being home because it goes SO very fast. I feel like the time I had with Lauren over these past four months was just priceless and I am so thankful for the close bond we were able to form. <br /><br />Also this week, during Lauren's naps and at night, I was able to finish up the four blog makeovers for the winners I drew, plus I did a makeover for a friend and China travel mate. Here's the headers I did and you can see the complete blog makeovers at the links below... <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PzscXp77sAds_CcS5LHq4NLFxdoMS1VgJlVDHPei0rZ-aVt6XHLpF_KUgaHr2ZEAzufBAlnUkR8x1iFKacBBpZRxhtTnY20KvM3dikthGGKr6r6MUe24AjJffr0rO3rmhM80Ag/s1600-h/Header.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PzscXp77sAds_CcS5LHq4NLFxdoMS1VgJlVDHPei0rZ-aVt6XHLpF_KUgaHr2ZEAzufBAlnUkR8x1iFKacBBpZRxhtTnY20KvM3dikthGGKr6r6MUe24AjJffr0rO3rmhM80Ag/s400/Header.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333289775418311874" /></a><a href="http://allaboutelizabeth-anne.blogspot.com/">All About Elizabeth (Anne)</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-YNwRBbft63AiGEXMXfc90eU-GF9ch1c4s66aaC6QZWC0UGVsfhJp1YK51yzoAjwfvYpCMv7pEgKdnx1xoxIDzCSnr9rfUEwBd7wRKoXZHpcC8sinzTMbsrzOW9euYjwG40ZUA/s1600-h/Header.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-YNwRBbft63AiGEXMXfc90eU-GF9ch1c4s66aaC6QZWC0UGVsfhJp1YK51yzoAjwfvYpCMv7pEgKdnx1xoxIDzCSnr9rfUEwBd7wRKoXZHpcC8sinzTMbsrzOW9euYjwG40ZUA/s400/Header.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333289792654575410" /></a><a href="http://miasdays.blogspot.com/">Simply Mia (Susan, Matt & Mia)</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2Z6iT-KwfSaITZDN9kR88J_LUhm3boZ5B2-d5Trtkai0JksmMP3hc-B9sD1sLygyBNjfQ1L7yco_M24FudRCByMYV7uNZSJFsvOCUSqGyWyiAZPXqr1X63Y6uhqVyoH_eUM12Q/s1600-h/Header.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2Z6iT-KwfSaITZDN9kR88J_LUhm3boZ5B2-d5Trtkai0JksmMP3hc-B9sD1sLygyBNjfQ1L7yco_M24FudRCByMYV7uNZSJFsvOCUSqGyWyiAZPXqr1X63Y6uhqVyoH_eUM12Q/s400/Header.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333289788376586450" /></a><a href="http://momentswithmiya.blogspot.com/">Moments with Miya Mei (Sara)</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaqiQESkM_ocQluSuh8PIf9nBFDzgcUVkDjhDyx_mHFBDkOL0GQPFcGZ41yaJgEXzJxwSI2n0JebLSw2WLcs4egT1V3CFemCpSK6sY2IwXQzgLroJtf2H-weG-vE9xGo5M-N4aQ/s1600-h/Header+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaqiQESkM_ocQluSuh8PIf9nBFDzgcUVkDjhDyx_mHFBDkOL0GQPFcGZ41yaJgEXzJxwSI2n0JebLSw2WLcs4egT1V3CFemCpSK6sY2IwXQzgLroJtf2H-weG-vE9xGo5M-N4aQ/s400/Header+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333289781632712882" /></a><a href="http://4boys2love.blogspot.com/?zx=f6057b31ec568629">From Dawn til Dusk (Dawn & Dale)</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXfXq_mHk1ryhjbiGZp4HD1sYpB5WtZ4nS1AT6O7LjBJD0YnoblkupvPNURu8u3i5DJgRT-r_LfSKARy-bWo7172q1Sxiq1O5A2FVpskJrkaO-yNzoL063Z4JIpCGzi8WYRwpKg/s1600-h/Julia+Header+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXfXq_mHk1ryhjbiGZp4HD1sYpB5WtZ4nS1AT6O7LjBJD0YnoblkupvPNURu8u3i5DJgRT-r_LfSKARy-bWo7172q1Sxiq1O5A2FVpskJrkaO-yNzoL063Z4JIpCGzi8WYRwpKg/s400/Julia+Header+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333289780176116146" /></a><a href="http://juliashome4ever.blogspot.com/">Our Sweet Julia (Diane & John)</a><br /><br />I've been thinking a lot about what to do with my blog at this point. During the wait, I had always thought I would close it down once I went back to work. I figured I wouldn't have the time to keep it up anymore. I'm finding now that it's harder than I thought to just shut it down and close out this chapter of our lives. I've been blogging now since September 2005, right after we submitted our adoption application. When you're a resident of Blogville for three and a half years, it kind of becomes part of your life and it's hard to let go. Does this sound strange or do other Blogville residents get this? For now, I've decided to keep the blog up and try to update at least once a week. We'll see how it goes and how I feel once I get settled back in at work.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-6447591443059624842009-05-03T22:43:00.005-07:002009-05-03T23:26:29.464-07:00Last week at home...When I wake up in the morning I start the week I've been dreading since we brought Lauren home. It's my last week of maternity leave and I have so many mixed emotions about it. <br /><br />After being with Lauren pretty much 24/7 for the past four months, I can't imagine not being with her during the day. I'm going back to work full-time and with my schedule I leave the house by 6:15am and don't get home until 5:45pm. That's a LONG time away from her! Joe will be at home playing Mr. Mom until he finds a new job, which makes me feel much better about going back. We already have a daycare picked out, so when the time comes we can enroll her. I may even check into having her go there one day a week to see how she does. <br /><br />Part of me is looking forward to getting back to work. I've really missed the people there and the social aspect of going into the office every day. I've worked for the same employer (a local government) for 22 years so it feels like home to me. The other part of me wants to be here in the morning when Little Miss wakes up and cries out, I want to be here when she's ready to snuggle in for her nap, and I want to laugh and play with her during the day. She is constantly learning and picking up things everyday and I don't want to miss a minute of it! <br /><br />I also worry about Lauren's adjustment to not having me around. She's already been through a major change in her life and I keep worrying that she'll think I left her. Even with Joe here, I worry that she will need me and I won't be here. <br /><br />That first day driving into work is going to be HARD and I'm sure the tears will be flowing, just as they are now even thinking about it. I know there are many of you out there who have had to take this first drive back to work. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. <br /><br />Here's a few pics from over the past few days...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSkH71ZlLNOnEhLBn01PtTKEpwNEuha0UoxNwgO2qa6MrLXh2SizLL7uimyKKfpouxYpkGJCRcblARV4tnbXvxVBWCUcJUFSDtWQAbqR0vJ3VcCATI0CDwiXpPqGZoVIXPHtdPw/s1600-h/IMG_2100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSkH71ZlLNOnEhLBn01PtTKEpwNEuha0UoxNwgO2qa6MrLXh2SizLL7uimyKKfpouxYpkGJCRcblARV4tnbXvxVBWCUcJUFSDtWQAbqR0vJ3VcCATI0CDwiXpPqGZoVIXPHtdPw/s320/IMG_2100.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331842286657813266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkJ_bn_exuU6s2v-nnl_3w4x4ZIaHBsjhVp1VdDKm7j5yrfycSposPPcmyHr49os674kl6ijMYfRekCpRS_RrNzdVu-hW9HoEMbX4PxwMFB-e1e3iAKSJoZhu8i82kJaQhOsnig/s1600-h/IMG_2096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkJ_bn_exuU6s2v-nnl_3w4x4ZIaHBsjhVp1VdDKm7j5yrfycSposPPcmyHr49os674kl6ijMYfRekCpRS_RrNzdVu-hW9HoEMbX4PxwMFB-e1e3iAKSJoZhu8i82kJaQhOsnig/s320/IMG_2096.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331842277765649570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvxj2_ec1nHXVanURhVK1ix__9m0DM9d8ElVafIVbQ8b2K8TmqY3IrwVkBiOHdcdCIgX9C9cZBWuV__omd3pFuSykp_bvDgkjenek1WDdbVDZvTzbv3UVGyJdyZPoXiZdahOqCQ/s1600-h/IMG_2104.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvxj2_ec1nHXVanURhVK1ix__9m0DM9d8ElVafIVbQ8b2K8TmqY3IrwVkBiOHdcdCIgX9C9cZBWuV__omd3pFuSykp_bvDgkjenek1WDdbVDZvTzbv3UVGyJdyZPoXiZdahOqCQ/s320/IMG_2104.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331842402206374386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHHtyyEr78jSMAJCDU_gxP9jb1Nqsd4oF64LUgQvwvLp-9GTsB6P-e_9KMs5Xk9Oe4r1KoJosNorYzBg2OQ23oSVVzPv6jpwe8xVGTOJuC9jvHZeagNG7R5OXRvKPzcRdyewrmQ/s1600-h/IMG_2102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHHtyyEr78jSMAJCDU_gxP9jb1Nqsd4oF64LUgQvwvLp-9GTsB6P-e_9KMs5Xk9Oe4r1KoJosNorYzBg2OQ23oSVVzPv6jpwe8xVGTOJuC9jvHZeagNG7R5OXRvKPzcRdyewrmQ/s320/IMG_2102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331842299419642962" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nByEGwz8z7GUkcbN95nVhd777gpGI7dSrPGMRO2nyuAtDnKLTi9m98XI_6yYv8Kr0oDrbQjdTxDqZOa1pfO5trvt5LztAshKpWd3ut9dw-LKBaJgPT1MTHIdnTng0VNTVMceQQ/s1600-h/IMG_2103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nByEGwz8z7GUkcbN95nVhd777gpGI7dSrPGMRO2nyuAtDnKLTi9m98XI_6yYv8Kr0oDrbQjdTxDqZOa1pfO5trvt5LztAshKpWd3ut9dw-LKBaJgPT1MTHIdnTng0VNTVMceQQ/s320/IMG_2103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331842295027329058" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Wez1aohDUr9PbYGqLI-6fk1p4yuYYNHus0U9zUB-GtW1_ZHdKxCiP6Ck3pEy8SgEh27K0IeOcauD4I8QfFNhPMRkyT3UAoLaGzDg3WIh7yfojw527oeJu-78dRBFR8Ztq3Lkg/s1600-h/IMG_2109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Wez1aohDUr9PbYGqLI-6fk1p4yuYYNHus0U9zUB-GtW1_ZHdKxCiP6Ck3pEy8SgEh27K0IeOcauD4I8QfFNhPMRkyT3UAoLaGzDg3WIh7yfojw527oeJu-78dRBFR8Ztq3Lkg/s320/IMG_2109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331842290760891314" /></a><br />Also, I'm just wrapping up my first blog makeover for Dawn, who won a new header. Her blog is for invited readers only, but if you have access you can see it <a href="http://4boys2love.blogspot.com/?zx=c8af46a0ae64cf2a">here</a>.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-21259348331309656372009-05-01T13:19:00.008-07:002009-05-01T13:36:52.549-07:00Drumroll, please....<p>I had Joe draw the names since Little Miss is napping...<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tMY_B9w6qtOY_CpQYOd2Xwp6QzIsnidTw_B8lgpxgGVFCgt85adGQ2ACDqWfVtvTxUgaizJlQRSMKzmmMq5Vx1nzCu2Jpq1o-vhFuFct_B8m4TxqHqdokqezHUofD0vpoGIceQ/s1600-h/IMG_2089.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330953370345903682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tMY_B9w6qtOY_CpQYOd2Xwp6QzIsnidTw_B8lgpxgGVFCgt85adGQ2ACDqWfVtvTxUgaizJlQRSMKzmmMq5Vx1nzCu2Jpq1o-vhFuFct_B8m4TxqHqdokqezHUofD0vpoGIceQ/s320/IMG_2089.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After I took this pic, I thought of "Thing" from The Adams Family (wasn't that the hand from the show?)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoQGMvWwCp4bKCMpZNDJX7VMlrxYxHoJ2WQahna3Aqh7uD-PHBPt9u81tyeYvnZHnrBhC5m0BAMJFagf7qipqkEvK5Wn3vTWfZVT6qyXvxzOFbU_Oa5Lzxdpg-Oa4LWfXgH1n9A/s1600-h/IMG_2090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330953377399636082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoQGMvWwCp4bKCMpZNDJX7VMlrxYxHoJ2WQahna3Aqh7uD-PHBPt9u81tyeYvnZHnrBhC5m0BAMJFagf7qipqkEvK5Wn3vTWfZVT6qyXvxzOFbU_Oa5Lzxdpg-Oa4LWfXgH1n9A/s320/IMG_2090.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and the winners of a new blog header created just for you are...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2GrX1ZY0fzrxGVwkAJLLIu3AgbV3gT0miQn4JMhtm1DPKr_F889nUsNwwk9WvucPZvcjmLBaeGknCb6U0SVaSfJPjKRdQzWyIK4n0NIeSPFGma6sEhdPXwjIAZ_SNqBmP88j3A/s1600-h/IMG_2092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330953376205402834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2GrX1ZY0fzrxGVwkAJLLIu3AgbV3gT0miQn4JMhtm1DPKr_F889nUsNwwk9WvucPZvcjmLBaeGknCb6U0SVaSfJPjKRdQzWyIK4n0NIeSPFGma6sEhdPXwjIAZ_SNqBmP88j3A/s320/IMG_2092.JPG" border="0" /> </a><br />If you are a winner, please e-mail me <a href="mailto:suzieq1@cox.net">here</a> and let me know the following:<br /><br />What colors would you like?<br />What style do you like?<br />Do you have photos you would like to incorporate?<br />Is your header going to "float" on a white background (like mine above)?<br />What text would you like on the header (your blog name plus any other text)?<br />Is your blog set-up in the new Blogger format (elements style)?<br /><br />I'm looking forward to hearing from you all!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-8739106859506744292009-04-28T14:00:00.007-07:002009-04-28T14:25:27.832-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAfedxVyH35KrdbRPvDSIo4Y2PDoI-gHODFHofThuQG3dGfDZv7xiNq_fLkAgyjg8d_VuY_Ifar6rXoUW3mmHgo1egqcwUJKp_DUXjlRcBL-GXySfniYF8af9PiaAm_4WOC88fw/s1600-h/blog+header.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAfedxVyH35KrdbRPvDSIo4Y2PDoI-gHODFHofThuQG3dGfDZv7xiNq_fLkAgyjg8d_VuY_Ifar6rXoUW3mmHgo1egqcwUJKp_DUXjlRcBL-GXySfniYF8af9PiaAm_4WOC88fw/s400/blog+header.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329856124059607266" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I've always wanted to do one of those bloggy give-aways...you know, one of those drawings for a prize. The only problem is that I could never think of a good prize. I've been thinking that since I love to mess around with digital scrapbooking and not everyone in Blogville has a blog header they love, why not create a blog header as a prize. <br /><br />If you're interested in having a new header created just for you, leave a comment on this post and I'll draw a name or two on Friday morning. Oh, also leave an e-mail address I can reach you at if you have a "non-reply" blogger profile.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-34389640997917938892009-04-23T23:45:00.017-07:002009-04-26T17:53:41.100-07:00More Disney stuff...While Lauren was napping today, I put together some pages for her 1st year scrapbook (click to enlarge). I swear if Lauren didn't nap, I'd never get anything done!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi16zzeoAg9ty2sjbPX3g2D7VJA4KjCN0DGNEU_fPqRczqRdyYrAc-BjVp_OyUIXq44asB6kEY_m6C7C9ZLFXY5OJtcgmm4GbkQiWq-xt0hwHocD3s47YW531-eo-skK_dI5pmZA/s1600-h/Disney+Tigger+and+Pooh.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi16zzeoAg9ty2sjbPX3g2D7VJA4KjCN0DGNEU_fPqRczqRdyYrAc-BjVp_OyUIXq44asB6kEY_m6C7C9ZLFXY5OJtcgmm4GbkQiWq-xt0hwHocD3s47YW531-eo-skK_dI5pmZA/s400/Disney+Tigger+and+Pooh.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329160737836857010" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdmUSWlJ15TWNV1Y1EmhRkJSdtKzpJxtkIRdDD2QR5ZjRMWPmT8fKnBQNz1mYhMUuCv6bTWa5jpPs2X8A9F12BYnzQkE-BxPdMRgyz9Asn0CGJJpBOL8_NOoiYKcSK8s9ZQ76Zw/s1600-h/Disney+Mouse+Encounter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdmUSWlJ15TWNV1Y1EmhRkJSdtKzpJxtkIRdDD2QR5ZjRMWPmT8fKnBQNz1mYhMUuCv6bTWa5jpPs2X8A9F12BYnzQkE-BxPdMRgyz9Asn0CGJJpBOL8_NOoiYKcSK8s9ZQ76Zw/s400/Disney+Mouse+Encounter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329160600886218386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqGs4jasbnJLPaSBjn8SILyJ00XEO7u6H4OATptQjbS6_7soNQ6ubu1bLNJC-42pS1vmwpJKY3F8OpxnFHmOI6wJtFok8OlZbNurBfPMLc4BpufSWZXy-V8Yr6rkeXokbRTwLmA/s1600-h/Disney+Dumbo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqGs4jasbnJLPaSBjn8SILyJ00XEO7u6H4OATptQjbS6_7soNQ6ubu1bLNJC-42pS1vmwpJKY3F8OpxnFHmOI6wJtFok8OlZbNurBfPMLc4BpufSWZXy-V8Yr6rkeXokbRTwLmA/s400/Disney+Dumbo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328145636043790002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6arMNvUI3Haq5Zk0HZReABL8_cXQ5RxRyfAdaTipqcU1Mkk0VfaTx0MHgPeGmV6FoonPfcf0_sQV7ipLcajVWwh0ggVwYKnVlmYOXBY5uX4c9kVJ6YcR6CbKFkyQUpq_iku20w/s1600-h/Disney+Rides.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6arMNvUI3Haq5Zk0HZReABL8_cXQ5RxRyfAdaTipqcU1Mkk0VfaTx0MHgPeGmV6FoonPfcf0_sQV7ipLcajVWwh0ggVwYKnVlmYOXBY5uX4c9kVJ6YcR6CbKFkyQUpq_iku20w/s400/Disney+Rides.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328145630549728242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e_5vcFcBT7jgB_1ckWZoDVzJOKUZH6J2WjWcXRroY6gPCsn7KY-d4ySXnezEtTzjEmO4y9R8TVA0yzx9C52IxCgDEG1HXzcJTPyQMfUzJCOhneQNcYzJ9dX2mifv0PUTw7me7g/s1600-h/Disney+Misc.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e_5vcFcBT7jgB_1ckWZoDVzJOKUZH6J2WjWcXRroY6gPCsn7KY-d4ySXnezEtTzjEmO4y9R8TVA0yzx9C52IxCgDEG1HXzcJTPyQMfUzJCOhneQNcYzJ9dX2mifv0PUTw7me7g/s400/Disney+Misc.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329160593653650434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOU7dtigAZ_57-a_hMpi85XN9a2hgsTq4_IUpd1KCXn23B4I4RgHXv800bZqzs1wZolFLad6q7VmDg0j_xguVmGjEQTg3IF5tUvucwaLFQPjO3IIedJjhh5Yg6rc8QEi6r9WrVA/s1600-h/Disney+Misc+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOU7dtigAZ_57-a_hMpi85XN9a2hgsTq4_IUpd1KCXn23B4I4RgHXv800bZqzs1wZolFLad6q7VmDg0j_xguVmGjEQTg3IF5tUvucwaLFQPjO3IIedJjhh5Yg6rc8QEi6r9WrVA/s400/Disney+Misc+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329160591043621234" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UfcP6Fodv_bkEhrbuA8AHqX3ZNJgJPIPZZew0Vch4OIOi6RYCDKfOyI1Vs5SMFN3eURuICtLeXruGP5JY_x1lLqCWiwXm3E_lC6SdprVkiocPwh5BmFR9Mg1o8I_zMoQ1S1ngA/s1600-h/Disney+Splish+Spalsh+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UfcP6Fodv_bkEhrbuA8AHqX3ZNJgJPIPZZew0Vch4OIOi6RYCDKfOyI1Vs5SMFN3eURuICtLeXruGP5JY_x1lLqCWiwXm3E_lC6SdprVkiocPwh5BmFR9Mg1o8I_zMoQ1S1ngA/s400/Disney+Splish+Spalsh+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329161075287741410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllOGnGNiaeWdDhCnOUQ-J4KYBCTCdPF1mAm3SEHYf9eT-vkFYY273M9c_10YOlrc76vj5Moi2Rr7hKtx7AoipWaYSSxjnYOgeVnvA3yjtUkr9tsLCc7PxGyVmbtiziBB4U8SKMQ/s1600-h/Disney+Splish+Splash.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllOGnGNiaeWdDhCnOUQ-J4KYBCTCdPF1mAm3SEHYf9eT-vkFYY273M9c_10YOlrc76vj5Moi2Rr7hKtx7AoipWaYSSxjnYOgeVnvA3yjtUkr9tsLCc7PxGyVmbtiziBB4U8SKMQ/s400/Disney+Splish+Splash.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329160601155022050" /></a><br />For those of you who follow what goes on at Disneyland, you know that the Small World ride has been closed for renovations for quite some time. Now that it's re-opened there are some Disney purists who don't like the fact that Disney has incorporated characters into the attraction. For those of you interested in how they did it, I snapped some pics of the ones that I noticed...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3GJ9bxvP5AjgmxbQjF5c05_skxJgoQ14zEgmMZ4U503QJeItYZOYyZuJnm1cNffr9cxm4cxPVa2FFFjWxdACfEoMYaoH8mfG6jRBNOkWQv8_P10X5LRXQlX2DrgSaWRTbnOLXg/s1600-h/IMG_1891.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3GJ9bxvP5AjgmxbQjF5c05_skxJgoQ14zEgmMZ4U503QJeItYZOYyZuJnm1cNffr9cxm4cxPVa2FFFjWxdACfEoMYaoH8mfG6jRBNOkWQv8_P10X5LRXQlX2DrgSaWRTbnOLXg/s320/IMG_1891.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329163438155787922" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2gjj2Etgkkua4uDIERtElIh-Pz19Q7EokLrYdd0S9dmNcosFTSaR33LOQS2x7zNK_hU2Xyt4TnwQhc9XwFPYqp7o8F0V-ZEqfLJbKGSm1cbRjO0oeDJWB8FAKiO8_GHisVz3mw/s1600-h/IMG_1890.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2gjj2Etgkkua4uDIERtElIh-Pz19Q7EokLrYdd0S9dmNcosFTSaR33LOQS2x7zNK_hU2Xyt4TnwQhc9XwFPYqp7o8F0V-ZEqfLJbKGSm1cbRjO0oeDJWB8FAKiO8_GHisVz3mw/s320/IMG_1890.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329163435035027426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnq3vGvtZcto51KZpdMHgU7mHcV2l-riwSd1UK-hN264ZMEppCpMZ5BzugtGxjcvz3qm0w26NfQXR_sfoaQ239KPBGxQ_Z1sEkDcrtOcvDFHGm5qtHTWe9dFiUj1ykcWiPogdvTQ/s1600-h/IMG_1889.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnq3vGvtZcto51KZpdMHgU7mHcV2l-riwSd1UK-hN264ZMEppCpMZ5BzugtGxjcvz3qm0w26NfQXR_sfoaQ239KPBGxQ_Z1sEkDcrtOcvDFHGm5qtHTWe9dFiUj1ykcWiPogdvTQ/s320/IMG_1889.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329163427732575986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pEqBPOVx_cLTsdWwKc38SVYGYl3NTpA235Z1-EXo2W430OyJlcsIHEnQA8U8eyhb2H3JrGAcwGKVxYppu1isATnFfb6zZjgGOY255wOfit5CE1qo5F5AcQQtlJqUhjIcrm3meg/s1600-h/IMG_1888.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pEqBPOVx_cLTsdWwKc38SVYGYl3NTpA235Z1-EXo2W430OyJlcsIHEnQA8U8eyhb2H3JrGAcwGKVxYppu1isATnFfb6zZjgGOY255wOfit5CE1qo5F5AcQQtlJqUhjIcrm3meg/s320/IMG_1888.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329163189393821826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w3GlzkYujsqQAuFJOHZze1OKqnu5liUdZTGu-ne_PeX2UcIYZIBeVGtR3EW8YSSm0j3FybNdEU56uJ9sm2dzwZ6A_KEYU93_iu6m8lbOrBtH19rY-4rbKommQIXwq-FiO3vFUg/s1600-h/IMG_1887.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w3GlzkYujsqQAuFJOHZze1OKqnu5liUdZTGu-ne_PeX2UcIYZIBeVGtR3EW8YSSm0j3FybNdEU56uJ9sm2dzwZ6A_KEYU93_iu6m8lbOrBtH19rY-4rbKommQIXwq-FiO3vFUg/s320/IMG_1887.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329163183569626162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50f4QXJdZcYaukUTbv16wloLIz8Vh7Qg12Q1nC0N-z0gzkmNJvzbsCWGr6ekyU-kZ4q1fY2XYsd9qUucjDClFkzUIDgrBL82bb0Y5lXiWAY7kWrr4E8vvwoy7_P73grGPv8iz0Q/s1600-h/IMG_1886.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50f4QXJdZcYaukUTbv16wloLIz8Vh7Qg12Q1nC0N-z0gzkmNJvzbsCWGr6ekyU-kZ4q1fY2XYsd9qUucjDClFkzUIDgrBL82bb0Y5lXiWAY7kWrr4E8vvwoy7_P73grGPv8iz0Q/s320/IMG_1886.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329163182410949826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZhZIKX_f4Xem_F-OE4WNGNPX5RBUEw96wm7kdEKqWhyphenhyphenBIjjF1Gj4yo3rSdBuDfrD1-9RnkpwOxzXr17MUn8q0Wd2jCgC7iBUVvHWkyuulB-r0chCA6alw3gK7raTgRBbKPNRDg/s1600-h/IMG_1885.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZhZIKX_f4Xem_F-OE4WNGNPX5RBUEw96wm7kdEKqWhyphenhyphenBIjjF1Gj4yo3rSdBuDfrD1-9RnkpwOxzXr17MUn8q0Wd2jCgC7iBUVvHWkyuulB-r0chCA6alw3gK7raTgRBbKPNRDg/s320/IMG_1885.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329163177992703202" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQL7pR7JUD3hyphenhyphenBTbIETJpAOT4qkZvpBAE1YusQ8dYSw3fQ3QNmVotKO3qDAafRE4tl5ZMZscPODEgCZ9iDOTbP2iQT2qT81og7aO3nCP6Rpys9mOKbdA3dR6wmgenOJtb5-lbgg/s1600-h/IMG_1882.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQL7pR7JUD3hyphenhyphenBTbIETJpAOT4qkZvpBAE1YusQ8dYSw3fQ3QNmVotKO3qDAafRE4tl5ZMZscPODEgCZ9iDOTbP2iQT2qT81og7aO3nCP6Rpys9mOKbdA3dR6wmgenOJtb5-lbgg/s320/IMG_1882.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329163171914609250" /></a><br />I'm kind of torn on if I like them incorporated or not. Some of them blend into the attraction and fit in better than others. I do think that kids will like trying to pick out their favorite characters. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5AKk2MbnXsNeKaewTv8CjM10fEXLq5nJWy-Nwa3apQpiMJgDlNO_bTjcUGF9B9UQqS905Z0j9UnSOrLOi22tHvlfV4QkMRLruek9S2LtrbIkJoDTjxG-OFcSPObpoGpXGImj6w/s1600-h/1st+Visit+5x7.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5AKk2MbnXsNeKaewTv8CjM10fEXLq5nJWy-Nwa3apQpiMJgDlNO_bTjcUGF9B9UQqS905Z0j9UnSOrLOi22tHvlfV4QkMRLruek9S2LtrbIkJoDTjxG-OFcSPObpoGpXGImj6w/s400/1st+Visit+5x7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329167050621891554" /></a>TIP: If you're heading to Disney soon with your little ones and it's their first time at the park, the shops have cute little "1st Visit" buttons they will give you. <br /><br />Lauren ripped it off in two seconds, like her hair clips, but it makes a nice souvenir.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-70672241350589185962009-04-22T16:59:00.008-07:002009-04-22T23:10:27.183-07:00It was a great trip...We got back from Disney yesterday evening and we had a GREAT time! I would say the biggest struggle was the car ride there and back. Little Miss doesn't like to be cooped up in the car seat for longer than an hour or so at a time. After that, she starts whining and then goes into full throttle crying. We actually got lucky and she fell asleep shortly after we left and got a good two hour nap in. After a quick rest stop, we put Elmo on the DVD player and she was good for another hour or so and didn't start whining until right before we stopped for lunch. After lunch was another story though...she whined and cried every half hour or so and we ended up making quite a few stops. A ride that should have taken about 6.5 or 7 hours took us 8 hours. <br /><br />Once there we checked into our hotel, the <a href="http://www.candycaneinn.net/">Candy Cane Inn</a>,(we love this place) and headed to Downtown Disney for some dinner and to pick up our park tickets. On Sunday morning we actually got up, had breakfast, took the hotel shuttle and were at the main gates to Disneyland by 8am. I thought that was pretty darn good for new parents on our first trip! We made a beeline to Fantasyland and rode Dumbo, the carousel, the teacups, Alice in Wonderland, the storybook boats, and Small World. Lauren seemed to like them all, especially Dumbo (she called it "Bo"). We really expected her to fuss and cry on the rides, since she doesn't like the carousel at the zoo or train ride at the park. I'm chalking it up to that Disney magic! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdb7lJWZAtB_ms-HHRz_WFqi4DChjYRicyYn0O3CL4kayflxpve7uI1oSVT0lsM7uaqjIIJi9a_52xsJ1wRnD0GoSKIlYZAJs_fBs2b_l71SUONborkCYQ-fx5thzmDZvcJrvm5Q/s1600-h/IMG_1898.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdb7lJWZAtB_ms-HHRz_WFqi4DChjYRicyYn0O3CL4kayflxpve7uI1oSVT0lsM7uaqjIIJi9a_52xsJ1wRnD0GoSKIlYZAJs_fBs2b_l71SUONborkCYQ-fx5thzmDZvcJrvm5Q/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327754054559544418" /></a>After that we met up with <a href="http://www.scrappermg.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a>. It was really nice to see her again. We met almost <a href="http://waitingforlaurenelizabeth.blogspot.com/2007/04/having-fun.html">two years ago</a> to the day on a bloggy friends trip to Disneyland. It's so hard to believe that two years has passed! We all had lunch together, visited with Pooh and Tigger, and rode the Winnie the Pooh ride. Michelle, thanks again for meeting up with us and for the adorable little bracelet you made for Lauren. I put it away until she's old enough to wear it without ripping it off her arm! ;)<br /><br />As we were saying our good-byes to Michelle, Little Miss decided to catch some sleep in her stroller and gave us a nice break. We took advantage of it and took a nice rest while sipping on some Hagen-Dazs malts (yum) in the air conditioning of the Grand Californian Hotel lobby. After that, we headed back into Disneyland and did all the attractions in Toontown. <br /><br />We ended our day with the new fireworks show, which was AMAZING. <a href="http://www.isabellabison.blogspot.com/">Kim</a>, do not miss this show on your trip. Also, make sure you watch it from a spot where you can see the castle (center is best). The show is a medley of the music and sounds from the major Disney attractions. The images they reflect on the castle and the fireworks they display are totally in sync with the music. It was a 9:30 show and we noticed people already starting to sit for it at 7pm! We got into the circle area in the front of the castle at about 8:45 and still had a great spot. I was holding Lauren up to see everything during the show and the cutest part was when she pointed up to Tinkerbell, who was flying over the castle, and said "bird?" <br /><br />On Sunday, we went to California Adventure. It was record breaking heat that day, which did put a little damper on things. I actually broke down and bought one of those stupid squirt bottles with the fan on it...that thing was my saving grace! Also, we kind of made a little vow to try to schedule future Disney trips in the fall. <br /><br />Oh, about the pink, puppy dog harness...there were TONS of kids with these stuffed animal harnesses on at Disney. We saw the monkeys and bears mostly, but no other pink puppies. No one gave us a second look. We used it every time Lauren was out of the stroller in a crowded place. She loved it and wanted to wear it. Also, when she had it on, she insisted that the "tail" be held. It worked out great and gave us peace of mind. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9l9zTvmK3ccfqbjvHwNoF0Xx_twCYTxE9ubOZeQBZn9u0MAdnINg8s7wJ0vxb6hOvXSo7X6m5UkuUu1EQC5EzgwIsGShn8LegrkNWuV6kigr7oC3CrZCAP5vQjetQj-j84gvtA/s1600-h/IMG_2021.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9l9zTvmK3ccfqbjvHwNoF0Xx_twCYTxE9ubOZeQBZn9u0MAdnINg8s7wJ0vxb6hOvXSo7X6m5UkuUu1EQC5EzgwIsGShn8LegrkNWuV6kigr7oC3CrZCAP5vQjetQj-j84gvtA/s320/IMG_2021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327762489770218978" /></a>The <a href="http://www.safetytat.com/">Safety Tat</a> also worked out great, but this is what it looked like after the wear and tear of 1.5 days at Disney. Next time, I will remove it each night and apply a new one each morning. We got several comments on it while in lines...all positive. <br /><br />It was so great watching Lauren experience Disney for the first time! It was awesome seeing the look on her face when she saw the characters...especially during the parade. Besides the car rides, she was a real trooper and hung right in there all day thanks to her stroller power naps. <br /><br />Here's a compilation of our photos. You parents will definitely recognize the music from Playhouse Disney (gotta love Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and My Friends Tigger and Pooh)... <br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="545" height="405" id="viddler_3fca9ab0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/player/3fca9ab0/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/player/3fca9ab0/" width="545" height="405" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_3fca9ab0"></embed></object>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-38886952104341801632009-04-16T21:05:00.003-07:002009-04-16T21:17:13.831-07:00Mickey, here we come...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQt1yDg1toozygkzhvE3g5hKa6lzH2IJoVSKdLadPJpb-jEd2hRHsfib_ejwX6rNMNMVB9LYMxakm0w6rh596twFhYlaVOadDjEr2x48fUp1aLJkDT0j9In3wmqhrVrp2V909Ew/s1600-h/Disneyland.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQt1yDg1toozygkzhvE3g5hKa6lzH2IJoVSKdLadPJpb-jEd2hRHsfib_ejwX6rNMNMVB9LYMxakm0w6rh596twFhYlaVOadDjEr2x48fUp1aLJkDT0j9In3wmqhrVrp2V909Ew/s400/Disneyland.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325506650403354706" /></a><br /><br />We take off for Disneyland on Saturday. I'm getting a little worried about having Little Miss in the carseat for that long (about 7 hours). We are planning on leaving in the afternoon and stopping about 3 hours in for dinner. After dinner, I'm hoping that she will crash out for most of the rest of the drive. I'm planning on bringing some kind of neck pillow to prop up her head a little bit while she's sleeping, since she always looks so uncomfortable. I'm also going to bring along a few inexpensive new toys that she hasn't seen yet. <br /><br />We'll be doing Disneyland on Sunday and California Adventure on Monday. Joe gets in free on Monday for his birthday. If you haven't registered yet for your free day, head over <a href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=FreeOnYourBirthdayPage">here</a> to register. It's great if your birthday falls during a nice weather time of the year. Mine is in July and you would have to pay me to go then!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-23126615249336028582009-04-14T17:55:00.006-07:002009-04-14T19:27:39.257-07:00More stuff from the weekend and drop-ins anyone?Here's Little Miss on Saturday all ready to go to <a href="http://www.mybabyava.blogspot.com/">Ava's</a> 3rd birthday party...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfpG9q-mJp62tgd0eLjB4V3owCT_PNIXQApoLNt0QlxR-EPXkPTmlLAkVD6JCFqZfZKMfjtLv9p5t7zOU72Wy0xm8ZtYa47o5A2LalnaZcCGM29s1YzToKt2fiejI82I8Xxo4_A/s1600-h/IMG_1725.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfpG9q-mJp62tgd0eLjB4V3owCT_PNIXQApoLNt0QlxR-EPXkPTmlLAkVD6JCFqZfZKMfjtLv9p5t7zOU72Wy0xm8ZtYa47o5A2LalnaZcCGM29s1YzToKt2fiejI82I8Xxo4_A/s400/IMG_1725.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324736226993808434" /></a><br />Can you believe that Michele made this beautiful Dora cake herself? We were all quite impressed. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrngQ61eO_14X41VgM3QLlPG-UTMiNLmlE4HaWQ_olcs-zUDkKeUgCDT1UMpaE3qjsXgo7w0iR3H4iFPx1FVja3Y645UtXgB7cmUhCEXxWSmetOrOfPA2wnTEzv0-ilPs7noPTuA/s1600-h/IMG_1731.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrngQ61eO_14X41VgM3QLlPG-UTMiNLmlE4HaWQ_olcs-zUDkKeUgCDT1UMpaE3qjsXgo7w0iR3H4iFPx1FVja3Y645UtXgB7cmUhCEXxWSmetOrOfPA2wnTEzv0-ilPs7noPTuA/s400/IMG_1731.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324736234495390738" /></a><br />It was a really nice party and the kids had a great time. On the way home, Lauren finally decided she would hold hands with her friend <a href="http://www.ourdesertlily.blogspot.com/">Lily</a>, which is a major milestone for Lauren. Lily is always trying to hold hands or sneak in a hug and Lauren just won't have it. They got a big kick out of me spying on them from the passenger seat mirror, so I had them say "cheeseburger" and took a pic. They thought it was pretty funny. Here's a scrapbook page of the pics (click to enlarge)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPU9deiuaQxY4PZHqOjtjUSEKIJWgVayv2NESKaIFahNcnJyX5OhaRH-wq2lH5zzpmk_6WfX3CzegY67Q_RL8P5BiaSkyQWlY_yaMICCLN0Jbzb0Ffy0qjgMfPKn0Nm8B2Km1OBg/s1600-h/Friends.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPU9deiuaQxY4PZHqOjtjUSEKIJWgVayv2NESKaIFahNcnJyX5OhaRH-wq2lH5zzpmk_6WfX3CzegY67Q_RL8P5BiaSkyQWlY_yaMICCLN0Jbzb0Ffy0qjgMfPKn0Nm8B2Km1OBg/s400/Friends.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324734766193190034" /></a><br />Completely off topic...are there any local friends out there who use (or will use) Playtex drop-ins? I have two 8oz bottles and one 4oz bottle plus about 150 8oz drop-ins and some 4oz drop-ins. We only used bottles in China and gave them up for sippys when we got home. If you can use them let me know and you're welcome to them!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-82173419382930516722009-04-12T21:12:00.005-07:002009-04-12T21:16:58.353-07:00Easter fun...I hope everyone had a great Easter Sunday! We spent the day with my mom and my brother and his family. Lauren had a great time playing with her cousins. <br /><br />Here's a couple of pages for Lauren's scrapbook (click to enlarge)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmlemaa3KNNkIzv2ncXFaTpCUcAg0GKGIG-kv9pg2Lyv1nL_ITjuJsJ6yQgfkh9cJe87Cv-pMgKLZwxlQphAVcxjE8NL8Hba93Uo5IyJMcuu5iNyfCv7wGWh5Y1bfST7N7aIJtQ/s1600-h/Easter+2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmlemaa3KNNkIzv2ncXFaTpCUcAg0GKGIG-kv9pg2Lyv1nL_ITjuJsJ6yQgfkh9cJe87Cv-pMgKLZwxlQphAVcxjE8NL8Hba93Uo5IyJMcuu5iNyfCv7wGWh5Y1bfST7N7aIJtQ/s400/Easter+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324024280747658658" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkID1CzMvJcza4otCYO33DX6m1iJUHMo6xg0B8IolimDWEOQ6ciAV6NUxaPXZKTo2l9QK634vsavnyPTF6ePoOJAu671QqZOAF8pWTCnpJ6J_mxtneTNF5wYBgpCZ7SBNMEQazw/s1600-h/Easter+2009+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkID1CzMvJcza4otCYO33DX6m1iJUHMo6xg0B8IolimDWEOQ6ciAV6NUxaPXZKTo2l9QK634vsavnyPTF6ePoOJAu671QqZOAF8pWTCnpJ6J_mxtneTNF5wYBgpCZ7SBNMEQazw/s400/Easter+2009+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324024284580354722" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-35287491755783293522009-04-10T09:41:00.005-07:002009-04-10T10:03:08.398-07:00Picture book...Here's a little video of Lauren "reading" her picture book with Baba. She can't really identify the pictures yet, but she loves to repeat the words as we read them. Some of the words like "apple", "juice", "shoes", and "milk" she's been saying a lot lately, but others she is learning from her book... <br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="545" height="405" id="viddler_c0c3a226"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/player/c0c3a226/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/player/c0c3a226/" width="545" height="405" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_c0c3a226"></embed></object>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-74308944017551998322009-04-08T16:02:00.004-07:002009-04-08T16:13:48.564-07:00Spring has sprung...Today we had a great day at the park. Lauren's friend Lily and her mom and dad, Ann and Mark, hosted a <em>Spring has Sprung</em> party complete with Easter crafts, an egg hunt, cupcakes, and the bunny hop. Little Miss had a ball gathering up her eggs and checking out the surprises inside.<br /><br />Here's a couple of pages I did for Lauren's scrapbook (click to enlarge)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdiSk-go1oJiBnBqku63ZV-NS9gsmgilhyL-MZnwV7Wk8qK-lickc5lKrc4a8nPFlPBBA135f5VO2jeepD7wOfZCimZFTcrZq3tu-t9yIsYNsRavwSlr-Ku-u3oIRlOxrqKcIuQ/s1600-h/Spring+has+Sprung.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdiSk-go1oJiBnBqku63ZV-NS9gsmgilhyL-MZnwV7Wk8qK-lickc5lKrc4a8nPFlPBBA135f5VO2jeepD7wOfZCimZFTcrZq3tu-t9yIsYNsRavwSlr-Ku-u3oIRlOxrqKcIuQ/s400/Spring+has+Sprung.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322460024681485026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqJJnTFTv_htSY28AR9B-FmdMmkVHCjwPbQ60IFdKjvjgLcB-bsiFkhdBw3vlp_V970J0F3QKQHa7hkIjEcuZOHES90FsHSWXjQ-Wv_olkKCPId3gTd6Al0JnrF3X6vw6zloiIw/s1600-h/Spring+has+Sprung+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqJJnTFTv_htSY28AR9B-FmdMmkVHCjwPbQ60IFdKjvjgLcB-bsiFkhdBw3vlp_V970J0F3QKQHa7hkIjEcuZOHES90FsHSWXjQ-Wv_olkKCPId3gTd6Al0JnrF3X6vw6zloiIw/s400/Spring+has+Sprung+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322460029407788018" /></a><br />Ann, thank you SO much for hosting this adorable party. You were the hostess with the mostest and had every detail covered right down to the bunny ears! We all had a great time and memories that will last a lifetime!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-82002672319220621262009-04-07T20:56:00.010-07:002009-04-07T21:50:13.916-07:00Harness part II and tattoos too...After all your advice on using a harness and a call from my bloggy friend, Shannon (mom to twin boys), I decided to open up both harnesses and try them out. Shannon said her boys loved their monkey backpacks, so I decided to open the pink doggy first. As you can see it was a hit with Little Miss...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOENhgKUiN_eSoj3UZgziDYi_6DXywXE2e15YTUkGM5HqunAJdizw9i73Qnay4rYDSuUwtQF-ZfYnzfHx6jYT1u6IyplXK-OnrT-FQ_RcLS2DLQ3kkYRxqa6qqAAP7HXgC2ZBMw/s1600-h/IMG_1670.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOENhgKUiN_eSoj3UZgziDYi_6DXywXE2e15YTUkGM5HqunAJdizw9i73Qnay4rYDSuUwtQF-ZfYnzfHx6jYT1u6IyplXK-OnrT-FQ_RcLS2DLQ3kkYRxqa6qqAAP7HXgC2ZBMw/s400/IMG_1670.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322165304278792322" /></a><br />She loved having the doggie strapped on and when I tried to take it off to try the other harness it just wasn't happening. I guess we'll give the other one a try tomorrow. <br /><br />Shannon also told me about temporary tattoos you can order so your child has ID on their body. I know I'm a crazed new momma, but I found <em><a href="http://www.safetytat.com/">SafetyTat</a></em> and had to order some for Disney. They are really cute, as you can see here...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGYr7foPRZgHGrB4c06-NKERTaBKHDK1OTCnNIWRRGhbaKQbg_VxKI-0Bud5NncyVFje8kQ5UFunOLJHFSxCn7vz5PgQwCukqSl88iH4a1iUd03Xr3SHiUA3bq0c2HVFdsV67Uw/s1600-h/tat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 356px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGYr7foPRZgHGrB4c06-NKERTaBKHDK1OTCnNIWRRGhbaKQbg_VxKI-0Bud5NncyVFje8kQ5UFunOLJHFSxCn7vz5PgQwCukqSl88iH4a1iUd03Xr3SHiUA3bq0c2HVFdsV67Uw/s400/tat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322175766518380434" /></a><br />and if Lauren happens to get separated from us somehow our cell phone number will be printed on it. I know I'm being an over protective momma bear, but I just can't help it.<br /><br />Oh, and I had to post a couple of pics today since I think she looks so cute in these colors (hey, I just noticed that I ordered the tattoos in the same colors)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgyjdv1HfKAELR_oJeC2G1K4XLv3pBS5qQWY7LvtgCEy9Bs4VCfc4-qmJahaMDkLNhYqejbYeCjVOei0Zx5ZMGu3IA_HeI16OmvkYi10BHTN4r3cWDI6gI5wSUkduFVNHQ7ADdQ/s1600-h/IMG_1656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgyjdv1HfKAELR_oJeC2G1K4XLv3pBS5qQWY7LvtgCEy9Bs4VCfc4-qmJahaMDkLNhYqejbYeCjVOei0Zx5ZMGu3IA_HeI16OmvkYi10BHTN4r3cWDI6gI5wSUkduFVNHQ7ADdQ/s400/IMG_1656.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322176898924777890" /></a><br />Momma, I can't take even one more picture...ok, here comes the whining...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLruvzMCx8b7YPlT-d-F9se3CfF8kKmK7zcZKDGMF_X8Z6WI2AW7W-ba6P9LgWnXnObv6VwTrqaB7g3Q4E5TvGxxr6Q350hEXpiIE3y_VbaafVCVPoxINVEDkbgh9tZ2Rq5ALjQ/s1600-h/IMG_1660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLruvzMCx8b7YPlT-d-F9se3CfF8kKmK7zcZKDGMF_X8Z6WI2AW7W-ba6P9LgWnXnObv6VwTrqaB7g3Q4E5TvGxxr6Q350hEXpiIE3y_VbaafVCVPoxINVEDkbgh9tZ2Rq5ALjQ/s400/IMG_1660.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322176904115740866" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-83843107821524559082009-04-06T21:07:00.006-07:002009-04-06T21:42:52.468-07:00To harness or not to harness...that is the question of the day. We have been thinking of our Disney trip and how much Lauren likes to be out of the stroller. The idea of Little Miss walking around among Disney sized crowds makes me cringe. You moms know that even if you glance away for a second at a mall play center, they disappear behind play equipment and out of your sight. <br /><br />I used to tease my mom relentlessly about putting me on a "leash" as a child and how I'll be forever scarred from it. In reality I only know she used a harness from photos...I don't even remember it. Mom, the truth is out now and I guess the teasing is over!<br /><br />I never really liked the idea of using a harness, but that's before I was a parent. Now that I see first hand how quickly Little Miss can disappear, it may be more of a necessity and less of a choice. <br /><br />Here's the two harnesses I found. This one is from WallyWorld and can be used as a standard harness or on the wrist... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh3speg_WYEFwHKoKP0muNilc7BY6P68AKOdQMUPccXkVZXxctJVaDRyHBdx_sJdK5kf-6V8L3Ng99VhDD5pAe2MZuAbw-sIyYEKiVIZRbs2flbjlqg7DrQ3X0o76Jv8tAokdxg/s1600-h/IMG_1652.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh3speg_WYEFwHKoKP0muNilc7BY6P68AKOdQMUPccXkVZXxctJVaDRyHBdx_sJdK5kf-6V8L3Ng99VhDD5pAe2MZuAbw-sIyYEKiVIZRbs2flbjlqg7DrQ3X0o76Jv8tAokdxg/s400/IMG_1652.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321797231510183762" /></a><br />This one is from Tarjay and is disguised as a cute puppy dog backpack... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauD0yhoyWIf2Y-9Y5_IMhYgUjMDZ-EI9FBcodL8Af6zJgqqa9mKS5W9ZBa_TKmnCMywBcmjXoiRe6OPUjyk9Tz-CUNkZCxD6RyBy8JSbPsNowS5ISJ-w3KnXMBjE3EzrevTUNTQ/s1600-h/IMG_1654.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauD0yhoyWIf2Y-9Y5_IMhYgUjMDZ-EI9FBcodL8Af6zJgqqa9mKS5W9ZBa_TKmnCMywBcmjXoiRe6OPUjyk9Tz-CUNkZCxD6RyBy8JSbPsNowS5ISJ-w3KnXMBjE3EzrevTUNTQ/s400/IMG_1654.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321797329319788066" /></a><br />I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these and how they worked out for you. I bought both and I think I'll try them on her and see which one fits better. Based on that and any advice I get here, one of these will be going to Disney with us. <br /><br />I'll leave you all with a few pics from last week. Lauren and I joined a friend for a tour and lunch at a local olive mill. They harvest olives and bottle their own extra virgin olive oil. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfndMruI9CZ6fBcrH-_3PS4nwxdyhZTle9gABujj5W9ay0_iDPxST47fQCb_v6AYcWBDn78sEnXaV1e8EtvmmGfenC074kdI0mwdO6NHNtYVUCZ3sFtZKJj7q0qAJOcyu2LQIog/s1600-h/IMG_1631.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfndMruI9CZ6fBcrH-_3PS4nwxdyhZTle9gABujj5W9ay0_iDPxST47fQCb_v6AYcWBDn78sEnXaV1e8EtvmmGfenC074kdI0mwdO6NHNtYVUCZ3sFtZKJj7q0qAJOcyu2LQIog/s400/IMG_1631.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321803960677693682" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLquf927EW-BWQJZzTL_VQ_2trqhrMe1m6f8wzUIfua4j_AQYplpRPFybM0IyOzAnLd_nKWtxD6EFvWL14S8AqURyiOlzerNcLKgVk7oyprGAZoKmm8XQnVqZ7qGbeJ_yAZolnQ/s1600-h/IMG_1633.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLquf927EW-BWQJZzTL_VQ_2trqhrMe1m6f8wzUIfua4j_AQYplpRPFybM0IyOzAnLd_nKWtxD6EFvWL14S8AqURyiOlzerNcLKgVk7oyprGAZoKmm8XQnVqZ7qGbeJ_yAZolnQ/s400/IMG_1633.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321803965330324066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9MhE6BV64Eqc45U6gMz9Hp9KD3Vea0j4xI2GdgVPgG8vNaBpfbKmbwvGnyXnsUxqpPgoVHSpsjIMIHItid3aAPVlhpY8o1sHSh-q2KZbSTxog8kp6x0CqWL2jkkrRg-1DCEX-Q/s1600-h/IMG_1634.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9MhE6BV64Eqc45U6gMz9Hp9KD3Vea0j4xI2GdgVPgG8vNaBpfbKmbwvGnyXnsUxqpPgoVHSpsjIMIHItid3aAPVlhpY8o1sHSh-q2KZbSTxog8kp6x0CqWL2jkkrRg-1DCEX-Q/s400/IMG_1634.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321803956213356754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DggEblvYxP131UQBOgHsuSDOL2YRAByKkvkYbe0Gbjm03n-R7Zwyqz79bUm70LTrtBgYnSGpt7-NwTMX0Ow5IDJQiwGNjQJV8ifTVINob_CeEJ0nyMPYu1hIpRBD4UaXu6j0Jw/s1600-h/IMG_1647.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DggEblvYxP131UQBOgHsuSDOL2YRAByKkvkYbe0Gbjm03n-R7Zwyqz79bUm70LTrtBgYnSGpt7-NwTMX0Ow5IDJQiwGNjQJV8ifTVINob_CeEJ0nyMPYu1hIpRBD4UaXu6j0Jw/s400/IMG_1647.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321803950989105090" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-4279400147585919282009-04-03T14:14:00.006-07:002009-04-04T14:59:17.044-07:00Look at me...I can slide all by myself now! I think watching my friend, <a href="http://www.ourdesertlily.blogspot.com/">Lily</a>, slide gave me the courage to try it without holding momma's hand... <br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="437" height="370" id="viddler_Donnary_3"><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/player/d0b6074/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/player/d0b6074/" wmode="transparent" width="437" height="370" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_Donnary_3" /></embed></object>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-735413561879001142009-03-30T20:03:00.009-07:002009-03-30T21:19:24.459-07:00Gosh, I don't know where the time goes anymore! Since I've been home on leave I hardly know what day of the week it is or what date it is on the calendar. The days have a way of all running together and the weeks are just flying by. <br /><br />We've been busy with fun stuff like Gymboree play classes, story time at the book store, play dates, the park, mornings at the zoo, the mall play centers, shopping, etc. This fun, carefree life all goes away on May 11th when I go back to work full-time. At that point I will definitely know what day of the week it is, because I'll be counting the days until the weekend! <br /><br />I'm just now starting my quest for daycare, since Joe just got a temporary job through June. All along the plan was to have him stay home with Lauren until he found a permanent job, so I feel like I'm getting a late start on this. Today I checked out a Chinese daycare we have close by and I have an appointment with Tutor Time on Thursday. I'm going to check out Kindercare next week and we also have a few locally owned centers I'd like to check into. <br /><br />For the month of April, my focus will be on getting Lauren ready to be separated from us during the day. Up until now, she has always been with one of us (mostly me) so this is going to be a challenge. I'm going to start by leaving her with family for very short periods of time and building up the time slowly. Also, the center we select needs to work with us by letting me leave her for short periods of time several times before she's there for the whole day. I'm not sure who this will be harder on...her or me. I'm betting me!<br /><br />Well, here's some pics from the past week...<br /><br />Momma, stickers are fun...do you want one?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipA1kA9Mzmgzd78yaL7b5kkbsk6a8W540xoJE_Hj6BA-OAon5va1w-Jc5PpEMZAjoc90v3iegstXhNQky1xNU_WoQzpynepbijoGm5iOwZaO2LWU8eFRuHINNNm02CGgRt4X9Pw/s1600-h/IMG_1560.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipA1kA9Mzmgzd78yaL7b5kkbsk6a8W540xoJE_Hj6BA-OAon5va1w-Jc5PpEMZAjoc90v3iegstXhNQky1xNU_WoQzpynepbijoGm5iOwZaO2LWU8eFRuHINNNm02CGgRt4X9Pw/s400/IMG_1560.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319197204345889570" /></a><br />They have fun stuff to play with at Gymboree...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAxAhzB60SNqhDhAuRcXpovoXYfZyWS9YqC5Y3Lqw_PyYJ_SZmvD4fyFhOjmfyBKe9A7boEjDqfFpgWXg_K0BGVAkhf6yhvAFe5mezCi13UDWovSNRTpS3JzRlArbYpQPjYNv2w/s1600-h/IMG_1564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAxAhzB60SNqhDhAuRcXpovoXYfZyWS9YqC5Y3Lqw_PyYJ_SZmvD4fyFhOjmfyBKe9A7boEjDqfFpgWXg_K0BGVAkhf6yhvAFe5mezCi13UDWovSNRTpS3JzRlArbYpQPjYNv2w/s400/IMG_1564.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319197205648058594" /></a><br />Warm chocolate chip cookies are yummy...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zcUrR-KHZVXb3AFw8FkukocG_70oHoKxrSZp0l6pqZfSa3gFX9MalEmGwL91K11k2Qqy_tF9dFuBD5eBDqWCOylAqDYgrtCShkEqvdIKHOiu0lJVXyLLP0Nuu81eKQysn9WNBQ/s1600-h/IMG_1578.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zcUrR-KHZVXb3AFw8FkukocG_70oHoKxrSZp0l6pqZfSa3gFX9MalEmGwL91K11k2Qqy_tF9dFuBD5eBDqWCOylAqDYgrtCShkEqvdIKHOiu0lJVXyLLP0Nuu81eKQysn9WNBQ/s400/IMG_1578.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319197210382979154" /></a> <br />I had fun holding hands with Aunt Stephanie and Emily at the Arts Festival...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QmO36KoUOssdzevzkHKZkmzqNwAFvHBt6h_XfIq8C1-DHKntmMCSGa_uAKIo6Jc9NyarXMo5G9rGVrykU8aK-P90wNGqlrUqf_lsE6ldyfR4aBQoFit1Pwnx3zr0BAQ0HSb4lg/s1600-h/IMG_1581.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QmO36KoUOssdzevzkHKZkmzqNwAFvHBt6h_XfIq8C1-DHKntmMCSGa_uAKIo6Jc9NyarXMo5G9rGVrykU8aK-P90wNGqlrUqf_lsE6ldyfR4aBQoFit1Pwnx3zr0BAQ0HSb4lg/s400/IMG_1581.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319197210453857346" /></a><br />Josh gave me a horsey-back ride...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwr5czDpzB5nZZn2t5adR4866ev1wqBFmKSk6NlhNkVc5WWqK41z2EtUqTbwP1llffEWwmxlDrHqV6st0KB7QOvrlG3-lew-oorBHWzK8zr_CHV1uPoyzLkyxBYPmkO1Y2iX1ug/s1600-h/IMG_1590.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwr5czDpzB5nZZn2t5adR4866ev1wqBFmKSk6NlhNkVc5WWqK41z2EtUqTbwP1llffEWwmxlDrHqV6st0KB7QOvrlG3-lew-oorBHWzK8zr_CHV1uPoyzLkyxBYPmkO1Y2iX1ug/s400/IMG_1590.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319197217275018466" /></a><br />and he likes to pick me up and carry me...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlobIzs5f_3rfExHZhhPnk6H36IGh5ImMaTUHDsuIN8jvFF0EHt_z0FcLdUEQdVvhsUnbUFOQDUe8CV-wHeIcmpZgaAHpO0IWJ-N2b7sUKH1a-hR3gkPJaLwjmAp0z8Lfe3xzXiQ/s1600-h/IMG_1584.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlobIzs5f_3rfExHZhhPnk6H36IGh5ImMaTUHDsuIN8jvFF0EHt_z0FcLdUEQdVvhsUnbUFOQDUe8CV-wHeIcmpZgaAHpO0IWJ-N2b7sUKH1a-hR3gkPJaLwjmAp0z8Lfe3xzXiQ/s400/IMG_1584.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319198787448451570" /></a><br />he takes good care of me...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlQ66AHWPjgdaGKb7Yh5PwXWiPEv4KoOz2fDeMh66MNY3SjDQB0Wx01jZz2wm5QBK4_aQ2rUOQ_VxsnBkXBBJMc2DMMAyGPB4Kh716KLGHwHYI-QyVtBl4ykKbF_7mGEUWzhi4g/s1600-h/IMG_1585.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlQ66AHWPjgdaGKb7Yh5PwXWiPEv4KoOz2fDeMh66MNY3SjDQB0Wx01jZz2wm5QBK4_aQ2rUOQ_VxsnBkXBBJMc2DMMAyGPB4Kh716KLGHwHYI-QyVtBl4ykKbF_7mGEUWzhi4g/s400/IMG_1585.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319198794207361042" /></a><br /><br />Also, I tried my hand at making some fun hair clippies. They aren't perfect or fancy, but I think they turned out kinda cute. Look, <a href="http://giorgiadanette.blogspot.com/">Stephe</a>, they actually have a little bit of bling...are you proud?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwQmByVZtQ9AZyfWCIJqYLThREO5QY7XE378i_Yu6uNqQp-IwsiHu57Iwv6hg6fbi4Ipf0rQUfdLroDr0aXumd-Q4Fk14AP8HMZgYIjLwd6KGUZpqZ5OFxEZrQfaU8La-uetnLA/s1600-h/IMG_1606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwQmByVZtQ9AZyfWCIJqYLThREO5QY7XE378i_Yu6uNqQp-IwsiHu57Iwv6hg6fbi4Ipf0rQUfdLroDr0aXumd-Q4Fk14AP8HMZgYIjLwd6KGUZpqZ5OFxEZrQfaU8La-uetnLA/s400/IMG_1606.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319198795067677378" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRxJ20ZjRcHDE_FQmjU9bYJtnOiJBCjEFUf4opZeksW4GBOpKc8DCrABe5jetn633TZ4-zrKPF7qX76rmQ6nxCpTFuQvuviOb17ufEo0rZ_HDQ6Ys-H-Qp-BkBwI146LPQik9fw/s1600-h/IMG_1607.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRxJ20ZjRcHDE_FQmjU9bYJtnOiJBCjEFUf4opZeksW4GBOpKc8DCrABe5jetn633TZ4-zrKPF7qX76rmQ6nxCpTFuQvuviOb17ufEo0rZ_HDQ6Ys-H-Qp-BkBwI146LPQik9fw/s400/IMG_1607.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319198802787985026" /></a><br />In April we are taking Lauren to Disneyland as our last hurrah before I go back to work. Before you say it...I know she's too young, but the trip is honestly more for us than for her anyway. I've been waiting a gazillion years to take a Disney trip with our own child and I'm not waiting any longer! ;) I made these hair clippies with our trip in mind...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxuC8EDQz8hPyMzTeTN0zphcr0VOvbIbPs15AhK1XeZpcoCrhfA3Be573oGic53ITckBXYECa0lTn2oLtRjHjwYdXAogRA3_ic6x58ea4ZUloCYCMBldtwtUb3m86NXQ_Nj_w_A/s1600-h/IMG_1604.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxuC8EDQz8hPyMzTeTN0zphcr0VOvbIbPs15AhK1XeZpcoCrhfA3Be573oGic53ITckBXYECa0lTn2oLtRjHjwYdXAogRA3_ic6x58ea4ZUloCYCMBldtwtUb3m86NXQ_Nj_w_A/s400/IMG_1604.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319198793030079394" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-48125560576275395472009-03-25T00:00:00.002-07:002009-03-25T00:00:00.951-07:00Happy Birthday, baby!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pXOijr6v5aSBLCNNqQTXNPWK0sntw0tgaJELnLvry2v_Cg1xG3rwXFFoyOb1osfRMszT2LU611H227IcXLkvpkC6sGniCmQr5d68EjUOl9tfNLbdhVlTIdvklXGaJ6_F-KpgFg/s1600-h/Lauren.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pXOijr6v5aSBLCNNqQTXNPWK0sntw0tgaJELnLvry2v_Cg1xG3rwXFFoyOb1osfRMszT2LU611H227IcXLkvpkC6sGniCmQr5d68EjUOl9tfNLbdhVlTIdvklXGaJ6_F-KpgFg/s400/Lauren.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316986408443980162" /></a><br />You have brought us more joy than we ever imagined and we are so grateful to have you in our lives.<br /><br />We had a little get together over the weekend for Little Missy's birthday (click images to enlarge)... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMNctVqurX0cNmtsoTsqba7nuXPg3fMcsHVrxdFOqXM-qVeMCs-1dM5LD_ZcQT9y95Wtpiwzvwu-_GSkale8FNYKBGq7OcHdUXXX1CnqrIz-rNhq0Zcaf9atFeJ8tiaitsFKwyA/s1600-h/2nd+Birthday.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMNctVqurX0cNmtsoTsqba7nuXPg3fMcsHVrxdFOqXM-qVeMCs-1dM5LD_ZcQT9y95Wtpiwzvwu-_GSkale8FNYKBGq7OcHdUXXX1CnqrIz-rNhq0Zcaf9atFeJ8tiaitsFKwyA/s400/2nd+Birthday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316984196244520562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sWnebaqhpZjXEVWzNp4B4xhbCDHni4CD9VGfgy4fO9IErLxYM21Gq3xkCPi0FWImwfvpH3Ud4NmJxwmQ30dl_IIEiJUukohMd9PCYBANwwXFY7I7BZWyAnBB85ETNL3E8lrLjQ/s1600-h/2nd+Birthday+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sWnebaqhpZjXEVWzNp4B4xhbCDHni4CD9VGfgy4fO9IErLxYM21Gq3xkCPi0FWImwfvpH3Ud4NmJxwmQ30dl_IIEiJUukohMd9PCYBANwwXFY7I7BZWyAnBB85ETNL3E8lrLjQ/s400/2nd+Birthday+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316984190224328674" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-70885151503938459842009-03-23T17:44:00.008-07:002009-03-23T19:56:10.098-07:00Hmmm...what's that momma?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZKqS3EhuoJkDq1FXJ5JyAoEUlAH-_LRJygBvg7Yw7oS1G8twmevGFcXl3Q5Tskg8sATm6Dw0lUxYWNysh-hPlF1hOLmkR4-z5Z2Zini_gJVSIlRh3b0GQX-CmKx-iW37UmLbUQ/s1600-h/IMG_1540.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316549526613224994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZKqS3EhuoJkDq1FXJ5JyAoEUlAH-_LRJygBvg7Yw7oS1G8twmevGFcXl3Q5Tskg8sATm6Dw0lUxYWNysh-hPlF1hOLmkR4-z5Z2Zini_gJVSIlRh3b0GQX-CmKx-iW37UmLbUQ/s320/IMG_1540.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Oh goodie, it's the Target ad. Let's see what's on sale this week...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8B5ZIR5c86SzWs0KdlBIR4U7yH0PMxHQ2Kbf2I4A71B4-xxZtgxB-qRWilWnKLsfOZ3c3tiFegjGiPGnGAliCicov_DotQ54BmNxIXu3iAjK7SGCQetKzl8n4LZvh2IWiYo0Fw/s1600-h/IMG_1539.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316549542173453394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8B5ZIR5c86SzWs0KdlBIR4U7yH0PMxHQ2Kbf2I4A71B4-xxZtgxB-qRWilWnKLsfOZ3c3tiFegjGiPGnGAliCicov_DotQ54BmNxIXu3iAjK7SGCQetKzl8n4LZvh2IWiYo0Fw/s320/IMG_1539.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />You said we can go, momma? Yay!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJeb_yVJYzqGtwVVKHiMB7_GFNons5h0mHseGjBWYo-XD2Al24NbDBmRLxu4ebsIze1_eY1HIDMbWEWVDXp-fXKzlkQky0Pte1Pr_lcDitYSbmGAZTOuUXb-CPw5g3-FsRDcrqA/s1600-h/IMG_1541.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316549547493011634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJeb_yVJYzqGtwVVKHiMB7_GFNons5h0mHseGjBWYo-XD2Al24NbDBmRLxu4ebsIze1_eY1HIDMbWEWVDXp-fXKzlkQky0Pte1Pr_lcDitYSbmGAZTOuUXb-CPw5g3-FsRDcrqA/s320/IMG_1541.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Momma and I picked out these two swimsuit ensembles, each on sale for $9.99. Will it be the bright patterned bodysuit...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q1zqiYmVGu3MITqMQb1ehaMDyOl2pDn6RmT6OYIb7xAVwCVlGG1aXhP4qGY0hSkDahiT-SSxG_2FzW1VKzVU1ohFl0zFT3GF-a3oa6L6dMGIRJ-LFYvAe_iGPirMCkoSqsEmrw/s1600-h/IMG_1548.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316552581978816898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q1zqiYmVGu3MITqMQb1ehaMDyOl2pDn6RmT6OYIb7xAVwCVlGG1aXhP4qGY0hSkDahiT-SSxG_2FzW1VKzVU1ohFl0zFT3GF-a3oa6L6dMGIRJ-LFYvAe_iGPirMCkoSqsEmrw/s320/IMG_1548.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />or the three piece one with the board shorts?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMUyvd-gJdOL9mGYxDOgnKJUJMg6yv3TADfrnbdQoqFSoMNpHBT7RIiTPMLRA_sXa1j6yfnmi83kNmWR872KY2F7WJaLd56auqEqAfyAtR7rmVjrEWBs3oLZ0FVcsCk5nL_Ju3A/s1600-h/IMG_1549.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316552572748813954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMUyvd-gJdOL9mGYxDOgnKJUJMg6yv3TADfrnbdQoqFSoMNpHBT7RIiTPMLRA_sXa1j6yfnmi83kNmWR872KY2F7WJaLd56auqEqAfyAtR7rmVjrEWBs3oLZ0FVcsCk5nL_Ju3A/s320/IMG_1549.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Or maybe keep both?<br /><br />After an exhausting morning of shopping, it's a hotdog, macaroni and cottage cheese for me...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1-ax8NtCYmdS2cOuSOx5b_lNArv1eoR7KujZkQchADHceIZBHt4SOlU3Cxb74QXPboFFNPqi-lfaxmt5kVz0vN7jVZAc-PGhNuxwF0hWYs7_6BcIlq_Bw09nlpy2E3RWsMTlvA/s1600-h/IMG_1545.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316549552773155634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1-ax8NtCYmdS2cOuSOx5b_lNArv1eoR7KujZkQchADHceIZBHt4SOlU3Cxb74QXPboFFNPqi-lfaxmt5kVz0vN7jVZAc-PGhNuxwF0hWYs7_6BcIlq_Bw09nlpy2E3RWsMTlvA/s320/IMG_1545.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Look momma...all done!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56BMz-W-g3MxNNYU9O3Gpv08vtQNXHWJXzNyl8WX_ylrp6a_MyHzDCWOL7kPg8s2nJHI8DTlSqYFzeoNZknPS7mGEWcwDftWqEwVcwk0mvP_NwzbYSqB8riw9yScABfUxLGJx5Q/s1600-h/IMG_1546.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316549558131573826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56BMz-W-g3MxNNYU9O3Gpv08vtQNXHWJXzNyl8WX_ylrp6a_MyHzDCWOL7kPg8s2nJHI8DTlSqYFzeoNZknPS7mGEWcwDftWqEwVcwk0mvP_NwzbYSqB8riw9yScABfUxLGJx5Q/s320/IMG_1546.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Update:</span> Here's Little Missy modeling the suits. The body suit is a keeper...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVS5J4IsKQLBs4wYtdbE_no-nptm62X9zpyyRmywBOffu_rK9PSgKIi1Fuam7QjexcoJiIJI4RZZdmgZA_xdFiTLiGPFMZCOw4NEm0AojGUUQly6OvqfKMZsexSLYFmcXCNx9vg/s1600-h/IMG_1553.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVS5J4IsKQLBs4wYtdbE_no-nptm62X9zpyyRmywBOffu_rK9PSgKIi1Fuam7QjexcoJiIJI4RZZdmgZA_xdFiTLiGPFMZCOw4NEm0AojGUUQly6OvqfKMZsexSLYFmcXCNx9vg/s320/IMG_1553.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316581551569986050" /></a><br />The other suit is darn cute too, but the pants are a little big and the top rides up a bit. For a skinny minnie she is getting quite the tummy. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIlt2VcwDYO9upM4S2cYgmJ2UwJ8jtE0VZdQvS0-quFktipTYfHWo9Bc_MPuO3yEDYAwxtAfaipBPGk8fO5-yLgBgElSlQK5armgN1cIikDxuITjJ-aZ17gPRR0gWyVBD3rDzwg/s1600-h/IMG_1555.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIlt2VcwDYO9upM4S2cYgmJ2UwJ8jtE0VZdQvS0-quFktipTYfHWo9Bc_MPuO3yEDYAwxtAfaipBPGk8fO5-yLgBgElSlQK5armgN1cIikDxuITjJ-aZ17gPRR0gWyVBD3rDzwg/s320/IMG_1555.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316581543927871474" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16569259.post-55126025890733286452009-03-23T00:26:00.004-07:002009-03-23T00:33:24.339-07:00Practice makes perfect...Here's a video of Little Miss practicing some names and words with Grandma yesterday. You'll have to excuse the noise in the background, as I'm cooking and using the salt and pepper grinders. I think her cousins will be happy that she is starting to say their names now! <br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="545" height="405" id="viddler_554ccad2"><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/player/554ccad2/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/player/554ccad2/" width="545" height="405" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_554ccad2" wmode="transparent"></embed></object>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959431323672023236noreply@blogger.com16