tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51808445450396552024-03-05T11:28:29.444-05:00Come What MayRachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-16510646113060909332012-06-26T18:33:00.000-04:002012-06-26T18:34:24.222-04:00GroopDealz Giveaway......GroopDealz is one of my favorite sites to get really great deals!!! Today they are having a giveaway....check it out, like them on FB, and GOOD LUCK!!!<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.groopdealz.com/index/giveaways" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">HERE</span></a> for your chance to enter!!<br />
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Nikon D3100 SLR is the prize :D</div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-11238008238429580002012-05-24T08:23:00.003-04:002012-05-24T08:23:40.683-04:0030 Day Photo ChallengeThe saying has been true about the 1st child gets TONS of pictures. 2nd child not so much and I have a feeling the 3rd child would never get in a picture HA (not preggers here just thinking)!! I have one amazing Nikon camera (that I really don't know how to use but have promised myself to learn the blasted thing) and dream of one amazing point and shoot camera. I tend to blame the lack of pictures of child #2 because it is kind of hard to capture photos with the big Nikon with a dog, 3 yr old, and a rolling around the room 5 month old.<br />
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Anywho, a great friend and Blogger over at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://cjmichaelsfamily.blogspot.com/2012/05/as-summer-is-approaching-ive-been.html?spref=fb"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">The Camouflage Flower</span></a> </span>posted that she is going to start a 30 Day 30 Photo challenge starting June 1st. I thought why not....may help get me to take more photos :)<br />
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Care to join us????<br />
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Challenge found at - </div>
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http://superbarbs.tumblr.com/post/4009940862</div>
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Happy Thursday!!!</div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-27937396280849106282012-05-21T11:03:00.000-04:002012-05-21T11:03:52.586-04:00SOSWell SOS is two things right now....SOS for my Blog. I haven't logged in since last time I blogged and today I see Blogger has upgraded, made changes, and I still can't get my lay out to fit correctly. I think I have decided to create a new Blog link and learn how to combine or transfer this blog into the new one. Feel it will be easier than trying to "fix" all the things I want to change about this Blog.<br />
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Another SOS was Old Man (my husband whom I have given this nickname a long time ago HA!) graduated from SOS. It is a 8 week long Officer leadership school in Alabama (I think it means Squadron Officer School...gold star for this Air Force wife!! HA). Part of our amazing military family watched the boys so I could fly down to AL for the graduation. Then Old Man and I drove back to NC with a pit stop in Augusta, GA. It was our first time in Augusta and we had a blast!! The area is full of history, beautiful homes, neat downtown area, and I think if it didn't get so blasted hot, I would consider living there. <br />
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Here are some pictures from our weekend at Old Man's SOS Graduation and our night stay in Augusta. Happy Monday!!!<br />
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My MIL, Old Man, and Me after the Graduation</div>
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Oh so very proud everything he has accomplished so far!</div>
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The fabulous Neon-Sign in Dreamland BBQ</div>
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(everyone truly should try Dreamland BBQ at least once)</div>
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View from our room in Augusta</div>
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Part of the river walk area</div>
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How I feel about my picture taken LO!!</div>
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Where we stayed - perfectly romantic after being </div>
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away from Old Man for 8 weeks</div>
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<br />Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-29607748706168281932012-03-27T14:06:00.000-04:002012-03-27T14:06:37.464-04:00**Life and Blog Under Construction**For months now I keep sitting down in front of this Blog of mine, trying to muster up a Post or two. Posts about our life's adventures, story about our newest addition, new recipes, etc. However every time I sit down, my heart just isn't into it. When I log in, my brain turns to mush, and I just sigh. Sigh because I didn't know where to start. Or like I said, my heart just was not into this Blog.<br />
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So I took a huge leap back and decided to do so much needed "looking into the mirror". I often find myself doing a quick check in the mirror to make sure that I am still on the path I want my life to going. When I looked in the mirror (many times I would just sit there and talk to myself...crazy I know, but try it....you just may realize it works!!!), I realized I was unhappy with myself for getting off track. Off track with exercising, not putting my marriage first, saying "yes" to things when I really wanted to politely decline, letting this Blog become something I really didn't want/support, and many other things. <br />
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With that realization, I made a plan. A plan to do some much needed maintenance on my life. I began first by writing down goals for myself, writing down what is and isn't important to me, and I read a few books (some for fun and one as a self-help form of book). The "self-help" book I read was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Place-Yes-Rules-Getting-Everything/dp/143918691X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332868913&sr=1-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">A Place Of Yes</span></a> by Bethenny Frankel. She lays out 10 rules you should live your life by. Majority of the rules make sense (for me) and I am giving them a shot. So far, they seem to be working. <br />
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Ten Rules<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(by the way, I honestly suggest to read this book. Even if your life's path is right on track and everything is wonderful, you may just realize there a one or even a few cracks. Trust me, read it...then come back and let me know what you think.)</span><br />
1-Break The Chain<br />
2-Find Your Truth<br />
3-Act On It<br />
4-Everything's Your Business<br />
5-All Roads Lead To Rome<br />
6-Go For Yours<br />
7-Separate From The Pack<br />
8-Own It<br />
9-Come Together<br />
10-Celebrate<br />
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With all this being said, I feel like I really have a direction for this Blog. Shoot a direction for my life!<br />
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When I first started Blogging I jumped on the band wagon of trying to Blog everyday, designing the Blog to be "commercial" like, and as the saying goes "keeping up with the Jones'". Which this case the Jones' are fellow Bloggers who are serious about Blogging, do it for money, their business, etc. That is awesome for them but it is just not what I want, at this time at least.<br />
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Sitting back and looking at my Blog I realized I truly don't care if I have 3, 68, or even a few thousands followers. I don't need a Blog outline of what to post each day of the week. One of the biggest realization was, I just want to Blog for myself. Blog about what I think is important.<br />
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Case in point, I know I said I would post about our newest bundle of joy's birth story, but I'm not. That is something I don't want to share to the Internet. I will tell friends, in person, if they ask, but that is a story I want to keep in his baby book for our family. <br />
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Within the next week this site will be undergoing a face life. Well, I'm hoping it will only take a week HA! I lost my notes on how to change and format things on this Blog so I am relearning how to design. I plan to post about only about things that I love, have interest in, or thoughts floating around in my head. I'm really happy to be back on the path I want to live and look forward Blogging. <br />
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Love,<br />
RM<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">**Bethenny does not know me. Nor did I get paid to mention her book. It has just made a impact on my life that I thought to share. Image taken from Google**</span></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-14732888912081309632012-01-25T13:38:00.000-05:002012-01-25T13:38:11.619-05:002012 - New Year....Wonder what it will bring!Our little man will be 6 weeks this coming Friday and I still haven't wrote about his birth or announced his name. I am trying to give myself some credit and realize that within the past 6 weeks we have went from a family of 3 to a family of 4, celebrated 2 birthdays, a fabulous Christmas, moved into a new home, and are just about out of boxes (well the house is but garage is another story). <br />
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As well as the many joys our family has been blessed with, there have been many heart aches as well. Some heart aches I am still trying to recover from, others I'm not ready to Blog about, and the major realization how we as humans truly take things for granted. <br />
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With all the huge changes, I have put my goal of being a better Blogger on hold for about another week or so. For one of my goals for this new year is to be better organized. I used to be AMAZING at being organized. But with the combination of quitting work, first born child, and laziness creeping its way into my life, my organization skills went on a major vacation (cough cough....3 years). However not any more thanks to a new home, feeling like my kids are ruling the house, and Pinterest. Yes Pinterest!!<br />
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I finally jumped on the band wagon of Pinterest and it has inspired me to get my crafty self back and get majorly organized again (and never let it go...never). <br />
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So until I finish one more house organizing project inspired from <a href="http://pinterest.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Pinterest</span></a>, I will be MIA for a little while longer. How I hope people are still sticking around this little Blog of mine and we reconnect shortly. Till then, hope you all had a FABULOUS Christmas, your New Year is off to an amazing start, and know that if you have already broken one or all of your Resolutions (I call them goals), its okay. Pick yourself up and get back on the horse with your Resolutions aka Goals!! <br />
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For it's not the fall that defines you....its how you get back up that does!Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-7239845597509418362011-12-30T20:02:00.003-05:002011-12-30T20:04:22.589-05:0037-39 WeeksPeanut,<br />
You are here!!! Actually you have been in our arms for two weeks now. However, before I get to your birth story and sharing your name, I am going to catch up on weeks 37-39 first. <br />
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37 weeks -<br />
~Thanksgiving was wonderful. Had a house full, amazing food, mini-bonfire, and felt very thankful to have amazing friends to spend Thanksgiving with. I didn't get to do any in-store Black Friday shopping, which I really love to do. I get in a lot of pain if I walk around too much so I decided it was best to shop online this year. <br />
~We did however get our Christmas Tree. We were going to go to a farm to cut down our tree but went with a tree stand that was closer to home. Your dad and I thought this year's tree was the most beautiful one to date. Your brother, at age 3, really got into picking out the tree and decorating it this year. We had to make sure to give him shatter-proof ornaments, for he really loves to rearrange the ornaments on the tree.<br />
~We also celebrated the 43d AES Children's Christmas Party. The theme this year was Polar Express. Everyone wore their PJs. Donuts, pastries, as well as Hot Chocolate and Coffee were served at the party. Then Santa surprised us all and took a break from the North Pole to make a visit at the party. Your brother didn't want to sit in Santa's lap though. He stayed in dad's arms and told Santa he wanted a Polar Express Train for Christmas. <br />
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38 weeks -<br />
~Your dad and I celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary. I did not want to do anything but just spend the day as a family. Dad was able to take the day off from work and we did nothing. It was fabulous!!<br />
~This week was also the 43d AES Adult Christmas Party. You decided not to come yet, so your dad and I dressed up and partied!! It was a lot of fun, great laughs, so-so food, but overall a wonderful date night. It is pretty awesome to be part of a Squadron that is able to and partakes in celebrating the holidays.<br />
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39 weeks -<br />
~This week ended up being our last Dr Appt for me being pregnant. We went in for a routine appt and ended up leaving knowing we were to be induced. My BP that week was sky high, lots of shooting pain down the right side of my hip and leg, and blood work showed signs of Preeclampsia. After much discussion with the Dr and your dad, we all agreed that being induced would be best. How I really wanted to let you come on your own, but even my BP really had me nervous. Wednesday came and off to the hospital we went!!<br />
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Up next is your birth story but till then here are some pictures from weeks of 37-39. <br />
Love,<br />
Mom<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNZS_l5ZMXMT6Fqj1u_xiEkwmD2sWjeP4q48lBLJ2m5osnS9evLh8fnp1PIQj_LCj4yuS7wNLiUpZiI3SYetdAyAZUgb1H9hwPPFqlJuY_5nMF9yIPyMNERnYDdP1szHOn8cT6TkRIiI/s1600/IMG_2041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNZS_l5ZMXMT6Fqj1u_xiEkwmD2sWjeP4q48lBLJ2m5osnS9evLh8fnp1PIQj_LCj4yuS7wNLiUpZiI3SYetdAyAZUgb1H9hwPPFqlJuY_5nMF9yIPyMNERnYDdP1szHOn8cT6TkRIiI/s320/IMG_2041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Your dad and brother listening to Santa reading a story</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDvLwaTF1UBaJXFjKizZoTcEbIO69FydnRCubkeXLrHcDRH6c7yTiKVB9-AM-HeTXe-bbeaSokdPny2FybrhIiIUMgadVGsLD1UVEWpN6MxObD3gc0NykCIYkwPAln90CAlV_xWgHoAc/s1600/IMG_2053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDvLwaTF1UBaJXFjKizZoTcEbIO69FydnRCubkeXLrHcDRH6c7yTiKVB9-AM-HeTXe-bbeaSokdPny2FybrhIiIUMgadVGsLD1UVEWpN6MxObD3gc0NykCIYkwPAln90CAlV_xWgHoAc/s320/IMG_2053.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">All dressed up for the Adult Christmas Party</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">38 week belly</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EifYGd3FgxBXEXVT7jl_yt6766Gpw9uNhlXvO7c93xBnYBjDY49UJZ2-ZEbJRBs8g-OhMmHhJHmIV15u4KGyQhrUrAhu55T9ENE_Cz4ZVuL9diecknrM21qXYAw1pp9wDKd6l_9FSXM/s1600/IMG_2075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EifYGd3FgxBXEXVT7jl_yt6766Gpw9uNhlXvO7c93xBnYBjDY49UJZ2-ZEbJRBs8g-OhMmHhJHmIV15u4KGyQhrUrAhu55T9ENE_Cz4ZVuL9diecknrM21qXYAw1pp9wDKd6l_9FSXM/s320/IMG_2075.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">End of the night....what a wonderful</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">night celebrating with your dad</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VaWEDHnUmS4/Tv5cJNUF-NI/AAAAAAAAAyo/qWAOmgNH0l4/s1600/IMG_2097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VaWEDHnUmS4/Tv5cJNUF-NI/AAAAAAAAAyo/qWAOmgNH0l4/s320/IMG_2097.JPG" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Morning of being induced - 39 week belly</span></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-53795485630902224772011-11-23T13:58:00.001-05:002011-12-30T15:13:56.053-05:0033-36 WeeksDear Peanut,<br />
The past three weeks have been fun, busy, and I hope to remember everything that has been going on to do a quick recap. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and we are having a house full....17 people at last count! So this letter to you may be short since I need to get back to cleaning and cooking. However, when I think that I am 36 weeks into this pregnancy, this indescribable joy bubbles inside me. To know that as soon as 4 weeks, you could be in my arms!!! Peanut we are ready, oh so very ready, to meet you little man!!<br />
<br />
33 weeks - <br />
~Your dad was given the OIC position in his office just few days after pinning on Captain. Things have been crazy busy with his schedule, coming home late, going in super early, etc. However he is trying to make some much needed and positive changes in the office. I am very proud of him and have no doubt he will succeed at this new position.<br />
~Celebrated Halloween for the first time ever as a family. Normally your dad has had to work or been on a TDY. I hung back to take pictures while your brother and dad walked, checked out all the costumes, and collected candy. It was a wonderful night and look forward to Halloween next year with you!!<br />
~I had fun and went to a Craft Fair. When we used to live in Louisiana and Mississippi, I would go to craft fairs all the time during the holiday season. However Ohio didn't seem to have the same love of craft fairs as the South did so I never went to any. It was great to go again and get some ideas to make my own crafts, especially for Christmas!!<br />
<br />
34 weeks<br />
~Nothing major happened this week. We did take our Maternity/Family Pictures. Your brother truly can not stand the camera and he was a challenge. We are staying waiting on the pictures from the photographer so I don't have any to share yet. I do hope she was able to get some great shots though!! I wonder if you will love the camera like I do, or be just like your brother and make me learn to breathe LOL!!<br />
~This week we also celebrated Veteran's Day. Your dad was flying and I reflected on our long family history of serving in the military. More stories to share with you and your brother when you are both old enough to understand!<br />
<br />
35 weeks<br />
~This week seemed to kick of the Thanksgiving/Christmas celebrations. We attended the unit's Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon and had the best time!! While we were at Ohio, your dad worked in the ICU unit and there were never any parties or luncheons. So being part of a squadron that is capable of doing parties and plans fabulous parties/luncheons at that, is really wonderful!! Your brother stayed home with "Miss-us Ash-wee" (Miss Ashley fabulous babysitter!!) so I could enjoy a lunch date with dad. <br />
<br />
36 weeks<br />
~Yesterday I had another OB Appt. It was a so-so Dr. Appt. You are healthy and right on "target". The Dr. just wants to do some tests to make sure I am not developing Pre-Clampsia. Your dad is not worried at all and thinks everything is just fine. However, me being the one carrying you, I am a little worried. Just want you as healthy as possible and come when you are ready.<br />
~Like I said earlier, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. None of the family is coming to visit us and we didn't feel comfortable making the trip all the way back home to Louisiana/Mississippi with me this far along. All the Root's are having a family reunion in Florida which we truly wish we could attend but we get down there next year. So the next best thing is celebrating the holidays with our military family. Often times, your military family truly become closer and feel like "real" family. As I type this we have about 17 people coming. Everyone is bringing food, drinks, and plan on watching some football, eating all day, and being thankful. It is going to be a lot of fun!!<br />
<br />
I love you little man! Here is to celebrating Thanksgiving with you next year as a Family of 4!!<br />
Love,<br />
Mom<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pregnancy Highlights</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Size of Baby</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You are is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. You may weigh almost 6 pounds</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and be about 18 1/2 inches long. The way you move I swear you are just a BIG baby - ha!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Weight Gain/Loss</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have added about another 5ish pounds. The Dr told me to watch how much I put on the next few weeks. Not something I liked hearing but your dad did remind me I lost 25 pounds in the beginning. So if I am hungry, eat.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Gender/Name</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Still our little Elvis. We did share your name with the photographer for some maternity shots. If felt weird sharing though :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Movement</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not sure if you are head down yet or not. You still try to flip and have dance parties so I am thinking you are not in "position" just yet. Your dad and I lay in bed at night and play the game of "guessing which body part this is" because you just move so much! Some days/nights you make me stop in my tracks but overall it is a great feeling knowing you are healthy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Sleep</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Peanut, yep you need to let me sleep!! I also need to start taking naps :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Cravings</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Was doing great with zero cravings lately. However I blame Thanksgiving and Christmas for me wanting Cheesecake. Cheesecakes have even entered my dreams...not good!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Symptoms</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">BP was high yesterday so we are going to monitor for awhile. Hopefully it was just high from walking the parking lot and the hospital to the appt. Other than that, heart burn is back with a vengeance. Still on Zantac but some nights take Tums as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Best Moments Of The Past Few Weeks</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Our Maternity Photos</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Celebrating Halloween</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Unit's Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: blue;">This Week's Activity</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-Thanksgiving</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Getting our Christmas Tree</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Decorating the house for Christmas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nfOwa_OPzGbn2UrI3Sdkvg9G-094E5ZPAljCn5VKEYmMxvsvWxJV7zFep29qehq9DAfJGZX1DKtNU5ecJhI2U48rPHpLQfQBoE7ptNxGaHeV2DhvpCTQd1BYOigbLWUnbWcHbFdwhGc/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nfOwa_OPzGbn2UrI3Sdkvg9G-094E5ZPAljCn5VKEYmMxvsvWxJV7zFep29qehq9DAfJGZX1DKtNU5ecJhI2U48rPHpLQfQBoE7ptNxGaHeV2DhvpCTQd1BYOigbLWUnbWcHbFdwhGc/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Halloween 2011</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Your brother didn't want pictures, he wanted to Trick-Or-Treat!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5H_9dumzY6H3ndrligBrioNW3TWHaEk1QFBxYLjtwYKYANh_Ukvsn7TIMn3oTR-eMn2UxDHLYjbX188XL7QtOOZLhXsXQdmkdfOOOsNyiHwPTJ66GBlRxv3fyEp22BClk2N0uIEjL8A/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="310px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5H_9dumzY6H3ndrligBrioNW3TWHaEk1QFBxYLjtwYKYANh_Ukvsn7TIMn3oTR-eMn2UxDHLYjbX188XL7QtOOZLhXsXQdmkdfOOOsNyiHwPTJ66GBlRxv3fyEp22BClk2N0uIEjL8A/s320/016.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">33 Week Belly</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cppPLbmMB8HrQr-UAIrYftPBDcas74R4vKBTKSifteAqNCUfgTiYTMs0qKbjWoTO3umrc1Y-Tio_m7EXxxWjrOYa9fNIzzHwAzHJ7k1MWMhE-pJK8twtPXKkSrhLHUeskGnkTOmBM3s/s1600/100_0154_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cppPLbmMB8HrQr-UAIrYftPBDcas74R4vKBTKSifteAqNCUfgTiYTMs0qKbjWoTO3umrc1Y-Tio_m7EXxxWjrOYa9fNIzzHwAzHJ7k1MWMhE-pJK8twtPXKkSrhLHUeskGnkTOmBM3s/s320/100_0154_0001.JPG" width="202px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In honor of Veteran's Day this year - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Picture of your Grandpa Bice's Retirement Ceremony</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">28 years of Service in the United States Air Force</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wKa4AmZP1pFClvbUMOgM_ulSd4y39MF_bjq9zFCkJxCOM5YWZ8spbOHfQE3vsJXJxkKYJUPY_R6yr1d3wOLDxIpnGQGkekEBPuKwr4lnWiRWqW_goEYnFz7nvZQv1wIwVtm9_TDYhbQ/s1600/36-crenshaw-melon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="227px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wKa4AmZP1pFClvbUMOgM_ulSd4y39MF_bjq9zFCkJxCOM5YWZ8spbOHfQE3vsJXJxkKYJUPY_R6yr1d3wOLDxIpnGQGkekEBPuKwr4lnWiRWqW_goEYnFz7nvZQv1wIwVtm9_TDYhbQ/s320/36-crenshaw-melon.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At 36 weeks, this would be the size of you....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a Crenshaw Melon :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-43442411384801079452011-11-15T11:43:00.000-05:002011-11-15T11:43:13.063-05:00Christmas WreathsYesterday a lot of emotional things hit me all at once and being 35 weeks pregnant, it was a very "blue" day. That being said, I woke this morning, needing some great cheer. What cheers me up better than chocolate......Christmas!!! <br />
<br />
Here is a link for some really unique, colorful, and easy to make {<a href="http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/11/10/25-diy-christmas-wreaths-holiday-home-decor/"><span style="color: red;">Christmas Wreaths</span></a>}. Yes I know we haven't even gotten to Thanksgiving yet but I need the love, warmth, spirit, and joy of Christmas at this moment.<br />
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The next two wreaths are wreaths I created this past weekend. They still need some tweaking but I used what I had around the house. By the way, I got the idea off Pinterest. One is to hold past family Christmas Pictures and the other is to hold Christmas cards we are hoping to receive in the mail (hint hint to family and friends). Right now the Christmas Cards are from my Shutterfly Party Holiday Card Party that I won. <br />
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**Funny story - last night the hubster was looking at the wreath and in a dead-serious voice, asked me if we knew these people. Yeah I busted out laughing...poor guy!!**<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmG18y8HjlHDthPsbSXbIx0qZ9_scJFg-s0LjhVcR1AinHU3IQ96e98EzrKX65rH5XWMO1iiJYtiSEypwt9vWvpuBdurjzO9ftif_2sUR59v0RsAY48b_vmSS1GXzznSm3wBs5BGS5kQ/s1600/170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmG18y8HjlHDthPsbSXbIx0qZ9_scJFg-s0LjhVcR1AinHU3IQ96e98EzrKX65rH5XWMO1iiJYtiSEypwt9vWvpuBdurjzO9ftif_2sUR59v0RsAY48b_vmSS1GXzznSm3wBs5BGS5kQ/s320/170.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I painted the hoop and clothes pins gold (on both wreaths).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">However, I think since this one is smaller, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am going to cover the clothes pins with Christmas Scrapbook paper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Give it a little something extra!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgbwv86PIn61VdSera0FuS_jR_tcsGCJUMQpySsQwHn3eI3X7t4EoU_4y3OHzS2RqUth9AQFEY-8bEDOyV2cCeDFvQvltSKhgP4Y_UYDXZaFUYDdhdCyd944-a7CDClbmqA5O_TZmLfw/s1600/175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgbwv86PIn61VdSera0FuS_jR_tcsGCJUMQpySsQwHn3eI3X7t4EoU_4y3OHzS2RqUth9AQFEY-8bEDOyV2cCeDFvQvltSKhgP4Y_UYDXZaFUYDdhdCyd944-a7CDClbmqA5O_TZmLfw/s320/175.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hoop and Clothes Pins are Gold. Ran out of clothes pins but think </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I will glue on the mini-clothes pins so the wreath is not over powered by</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">clothes pins. Still needs some tweaking.</span></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-28579311788953796612011-11-04T11:36:00.000-04:002011-11-04T11:36:09.279-04:00Halloween Weekend - Part 2What a fabulous Halloween our family had this year. Friday was the Unit's Children's Halloween Party. Saturday we were to attend a Halloween adult party but plans feel through. I was really bummed so Mr. May took us out for a drive, sight-seeing, and we registered at Target for Peanut. Then a date-night at home. Totally made up for not being able to attend the party. Sunday was a day of cleaning (broke my rule of cleaning on Sundays but the house needed it) and had friends over for dinner. <br />
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Best part of course was Monday, Halloween Day!!! Mr. May was supposed to fly but he was taken off the schedule. This was a huge blessing because he was finally able to trick-or-treat for the first time ever, with us. It really is the little things in life that make life worth living. Few pictures of us trick-or-treating....enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYt1vuhLJssSWU3eaoV4sXyDoS8LnzB5L11gYf485gcayi1OW6xNRbmqllmsE32kFk_PUZojcEk9D_sX1nfVLY2yJVhDz7sGJotKMEewyB5ict70XeS7adXL5lsclfok7KpYbTWIjrH4/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYt1vuhLJssSWU3eaoV4sXyDoS8LnzB5L11gYf485gcayi1OW6xNRbmqllmsE32kFk_PUZojcEk9D_sX1nfVLY2yJVhDz7sGJotKMEewyB5ict70XeS7adXL5lsclfok7KpYbTWIjrH4/s320/003.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mad Scientist, "Ghost Baby" Gabriel kept touching my belly and saying "hi ghost baby", </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and Gabriel as Frankenstein.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">...who wanted no part of picture taking. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He had been practicing all day of "Happy Halloween" and "Trick-Or-Treat"</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eiXRPMvhuEpshVevm1aeCKAp1HbaVr7Y5qhyphenhyphenyAF6CuScNPSfdybQ9n7u9EJRuOdwzlHu63ZYDx2TAO1GWuZMR2sii4pvyIpktZwDvuqMEQigKXPSBrbZF2jaHg9EqRQxRoihuE3xM0c/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eiXRPMvhuEpshVevm1aeCKAp1HbaVr7Y5qhyphenhyphenyAF6CuScNPSfdybQ9n7u9EJRuOdwzlHu63ZYDx2TAO1GWuZMR2sii4pvyIpktZwDvuqMEQigKXPSBrbZF2jaHg9EqRQxRoihuE3xM0c/s320/004.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That is one sexy looking Mad Scientist if I say so myself</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzQNkoynqvxCwraUmLRYyfRohAjWi7ZiA_4U6e4xC9b5RZbYog0pByQ1KexwVjiKMQiy48KllkyMLOGdOUKBFYRTA_Uj9ydOM5EOHg4bMOWbYUUuFJ14fcL9qOpfWO2GTdxCgxIyyBDE/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzQNkoynqvxCwraUmLRYyfRohAjWi7ZiA_4U6e4xC9b5RZbYog0pByQ1KexwVjiKMQiy48KllkyMLOGdOUKBFYRTA_Uj9ydOM5EOHg4bMOWbYUUuFJ14fcL9qOpfWO2GTdxCgxIyyBDE/s320/010.JPG" width="203px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Was just so happy to have dad taking him Trick-Or-Treating!!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwjfIqd9Zm03BoWNxsh9MZLgsX_zxtdV4gsabE4C58I4xTvU5kpt7-ab95JzoPl-1xSxgziBmLb1cTFZnn32bwqmEULkWtIJCu_pxhSIx9WZhlAkdZURIl9OiLQ8-xmhDEZxavTDX7bc/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwjfIqd9Zm03BoWNxsh9MZLgsX_zxtdV4gsabE4C58I4xTvU5kpt7-ab95JzoPl-1xSxgziBmLb1cTFZnn32bwqmEULkWtIJCu_pxhSIx9WZhlAkdZURIl9OiLQ8-xmhDEZxavTDX7bc/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hey Gabriel look at the camera, please!!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KZCS5By1e4iDh9RgRHLQJfrtn8HmB-pnEor0CkzoEx8O9sVxflD5EyEQvKkbSC3PKJt_CEwI6ZqLqHUrn0skeQqNtZnUU00PMTUh3XhI-QXOnQgziESIPpciFDBBitUM2hcVwhReBmA/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KZCS5By1e4iDh9RgRHLQJfrtn8HmB-pnEor0CkzoEx8O9sVxflD5EyEQvKkbSC3PKJt_CEwI6ZqLqHUrn0skeQqNtZnUU00PMTUh3XhI-QXOnQgziESIPpciFDBBitUM2hcVwhReBmA/s320/016.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Halloween 2011</div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-87979531746377624532011-10-30T15:36:00.000-04:002011-10-30T15:36:59.493-04:00Halloween Weekend - Part 1It's Sunday and I am taking a break from cleaning and cooking to post some pictures of a already fun-filled weekend. We haven't even got to the main attraction....Trick-Or-Treating tomorrow. Enjoy!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlASixDeFwSBfB5uq1ZiU8kUTk8jtsm64qRlFrIv6NyD9t2WD6z7oyzX5YOZz3qkalItIoe_0MIS0frJyjSjdAWg_d_CvetdjRrNZhCJ25t6AE06oH-3_cX9rr3cQGqTzlqOqyohuj0q0/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlASixDeFwSBfB5uq1ZiU8kUTk8jtsm64qRlFrIv6NyD9t2WD6z7oyzX5YOZz3qkalItIoe_0MIS0frJyjSjdAWg_d_CvetdjRrNZhCJ25t6AE06oH-3_cX9rr3cQGqTzlqOqyohuj0q0/s320/006.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Painting his pumpkin</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz-W7qQV38Gfow4J9_o9Fkt2O3BnCAWTSvoO-4ujkpZlvy_eX1yg6vS8tRxp4zuo6E277g4HUbDLuShvjgRfvKoGKSjHfNRZC7AEsTMPxVQxfOikKsHzLStZFvot6eqH-RlA63bNb9Dk/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz-W7qQV38Gfow4J9_o9Fkt2O3BnCAWTSvoO-4ujkpZlvy_eX1yg6vS8tRxp4zuo6E277g4HUbDLuShvjgRfvKoGKSjHfNRZC7AEsTMPxVQxfOikKsHzLStZFvot6eqH-RlA63bNb9Dk/s320/012.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pumpkin didn't last long for he wanted to paint </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"art work" and then himself</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxEGHlnGxacUXbA6P5GfM1X5L0HtWJmzvsVn5pgel8MfxeTBTvWSmVwGLMqejpHn1eoh5Ize_Zgm37zFqA3t7plm5kiMLtTBDziY3h4XO-mxW_X8yRDiBcjJo2t3S3ZftO8HejKBLDbI/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxEGHlnGxacUXbA6P5GfM1X5L0HtWJmzvsVn5pgel8MfxeTBTvWSmVwGLMqejpHn1eoh5Ize_Zgm37zFqA3t7plm5kiMLtTBDziY3h4XO-mxW_X8yRDiBcjJo2t3S3ZftO8HejKBLDbI/s320/025.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having fun mixing colors</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLfTejD6yxDo4GMN2kN0_NCIp7tCy5dwTkNdodhrZgZM8zTh_LVK1sulaU7U9KwqTjjt_4nkeXTiLubizhbYGjo4Hyvb4yhN4kdMT0XAHgMqY4fCO8Qd5LTlf3vQo50FFCXoSmzOO3ZQ/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLfTejD6yxDo4GMN2kN0_NCIp7tCy5dwTkNdodhrZgZM8zTh_LVK1sulaU7U9KwqTjjt_4nkeXTiLubizhbYGjo4Hyvb4yhN4kdMT0XAHgMqY4fCO8Qd5LTlf3vQo50FFCXoSmzOO3ZQ/s320/045.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Treats I made for the kid's Halloween Party - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rat Eyeballs, Spider Legs, and Ghost Poop</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeUjaxyhW5Yv5w2o_8RUx2OfdzhHfMs6mj3104PWf0ngtBf6VRWez4SoSQWaF0VFbAZf9GKI9YrKJXZJ7_vIi5Sx2hdrNnG1nVNGZ11Qhge4CSyoi-0F-f_gWay8KwRPijyuHxNM-_aI/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeUjaxyhW5Yv5w2o_8RUx2OfdzhHfMs6mj3104PWf0ngtBf6VRWez4SoSQWaF0VFbAZf9GKI9YrKJXZJ7_vIi5Sx2hdrNnG1nVNGZ11Qhge4CSyoi-0F-f_gWay8KwRPijyuHxNM-_aI/s320/053.JPG" width="161px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peanut Elvis May aka Pumpkin </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gabriel as Frankenstein....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">end of the night, had a fantastic time at </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the party, but boy were we tired!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay back to cleaning and cooking I go.....</div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-42811452040542419912011-10-26T13:13:00.000-04:002011-10-26T13:13:05.733-04:0032.5 WeeksDear Peanut, <br />
<br />
What a wonderful week our family has had!! Your dad pinned on Captain and we couldn't be more proud of him. He didn't want to do a ceremony or have any one make a big deal out of it though. However, I truly believe in celebrating life and every joyful thing you can, so I pulled a mini surprise for your dad. I made his favorite, Red Velvet Cupcakes, and brought them to work. Along with a beautiful coin rack for his desk (when you are old enough to understand, your dad will explain the history of the Air Force Coins). <br />
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I would not have been able to pull off the surprise without the help of a coworker (cleared the schedule so I could come up to the office) and your Bice Grandparents (they helped in getting the coin rack). *Side note, I have become really bad lately about taking pictures lately. So bad that I do not have a photo of your dad in his uniform and new rank. As well as a 32 week belly picture. Must do better!! <br />
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We didn't make it to a Pumpkin Patch this year which disappointed me a little but we did manage to get a Pumpkin for your brother. After I write to you, we are going outside to decorate his Pumpkin. Watching your brother get so excited about Trick-Or-Treating and Pumpkins, makes your dad and I giddy with anticipation in having two boys to celebrate the Holidays with!<br />
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This past week we also had our 32 week Dr. Appointment. First time we were able to go as a family. Your brother could have cared less until we listened to your heartbeat. Peanut, you have one of the strongest heart beats ever!!! Your dad's head popped up and he just instantly started smiling. But the funniest was when your brother's eyes widen and he replied "whoa whats that?!?!" After we explained what it was, we got a "oh cool" out of him and back to his ABC game on the iPad he went. <br />
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We have started noticing a change in him since the appointment though. He will climb on the couch to snuggle with me/us and will lay his hand on my belly. Or out of no where, he will run up to me, wrap his arms around my legs, and kiss my belly. Then he smiles and takes off running again. I believe he is very ready for you to be here!<br />
<br />
Like I said earlier, I don't have any new pictures for this week but promise to do better. Especially of my ever growing belly. We have a fun filled, packed weekend ahead of us for Halloween. As fun as this weekend will be, I have a feeling next year's Halloween is going to be the best....YOU will be here to celebrate with us!<br />
Love,<br />
Your Mom<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pregnancy Highlights</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Size of Baby</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">By now, you weigh around 3.75 pounds </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and are about 16.7 inches long. Peanut, you should gain a third to half of your birth weight during the next 7 weeks as you fatten up for survival outside the womb. Coolest thing is, you now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz. Which when your brother was born, he had a full head of jet black hair). I love that your skin is becoming soft and smooth as you plump up in preparation for birth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Weight Gain/Loss</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have gained 4 lbs. I had this weird feeling of feeling like a cow, but I had to remind myself my body is playing catching. Especially since I have lost 25lbs since pregnant with you. Weight gain is good!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Maternity Clothes</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am loving the maternity clothes I bought! I can still wear my regular jeans, which I do most days, but I have to leave the button undone. Otherwise you like to kick and let me know you need more room. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Gender/Name</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well Elvis George May, I have slipped your name a few times while in conversation. The people in the conversation with were either not paying attention OR being super nice and acting like they didn't hear your name. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Movement</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dr has told me to purchase a belly girdle type of band because you are so low and active, that you are now causing pain. Often my lower belly and right leg will either go numb or have sever stretching/ripping sensation. I am beyond thankful you are so active (positive signs you are healthy) but little man, your mom still has 8ish weeks left to carry you. My goal this week is to find this girdle band and hope it helps. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Sleep</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Between where you are positioned, your level of nighttime activity, and I can't seem to get comfortable, sleep hasn't happened a lot this week. I still like to grab your dad's hand while he is sleeping so he can feel what you are doing inside my belly. He just giggles!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Cravings</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This week has been a normal week for cravings. Well, I guess if you call wanting green olives all the time "normal". However your brother loves it because he would eat olives all day if we allowed him to!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Symptoms</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No swelling or heartburn. Just battling the pain that is mentioned above. New one is crying. I find myself so teary eyed at seeing babies, newborn clothes, or looking through your brother's baby pictures. I just laugh at the big sap I have become!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Best Moments Of The Past Week</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Your dad is now a Captain of the USAF</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-As a family listening to your heartbeat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Booking a photographer for maternity/newborn photos</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">This Week's Activity</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-All things Halloween and Trick-Or-Treating</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Purchasing some cute outfits for you (newborn photos and coming home outfit)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwluT9XlYxxe9fYhsji8GKr0RXGEPrjw1IkQL4vENbHg8UwvE4-8c7hKDZz4mC_-_fl9CKHK3Y_bGRKkZsXVV4DqLV1q96XkjNtLfGAx1FKqBmFsp5vx4KTdwsAuB6eHxk84U7TId2kNc/s1600/32-jicama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwluT9XlYxxe9fYhsji8GKr0RXGEPrjw1IkQL4vENbHg8UwvE4-8c7hKDZz4mC_-_fl9CKHK3Y_bGRKkZsXVV4DqLV1q96XkjNtLfGAx1FKqBmFsp5vx4KTdwsAuB6eHxk84U7TId2kNc/s320/32-jicama.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you were a fruit, this is the size you would be, in my belly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">However, I like to envision you as a baby, not as a food item.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Peanut you are already one adorable baby!</span></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-41120622879046149562011-10-17T17:16:00.000-04:002011-10-17T17:16:51.469-04:0028-31 WeeksDear Peanut, <br />
Oh boy I am ever late writing to you. I really wanted to do better about Blogging my pregnancy with you on the Blog. I will say, as each day passes your dad and I are over the moon excited to meet you. We keep talking about you to your brother but he just doesn't seem to get that you are in my belly. He laughs and says no baby brother for me! However, he will see babies in stores or friend's babies and gets super excited. <br />
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As for what we have been doing since I last wrote you, well a lot. We have slowly but surely organized and cleaned the house (more like rearranging rooms, decluttering, and working on the garage), have been on several trips - Charleston, SC, Gatlinburg, TN, Charlotte, NC, had a "Sprinkle in a Box", and celebrated my 30th Birthday.<br />
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The "Sprinkle in a Box" was thrown for us by the wonderful Shelly. Think I will keep that for another post because there are some amazing gifts for you and your room that I can't show until you are born. I will just say that my "Ohio Girls" (we all became friends in Ohio but are now spread across 8 different states) are some of the best women in this world!! The Sprinkle in the box came at a time when I needed their love and support the most. Can't wait to share the gifts, cards, well wishes, and one day for you to meet them all!<br />
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I decided to pick up a journal for you and a journal for your brother to also help record new words, milestones, funny stories, etc. Lately my drive to Blog isn't what it used to be. I do promise to do better about recording your life and your brother's life. As a gift to pass onto you, your kids, and your kids kids one day.<br />
Love,<br />
Your Mom<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pregnancy Highlights</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Size of Baby</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You measure over 16 inches long. You weigh about 3.3 pounds (about </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">four navel oranges)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Weight Gain/Loss</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No weight gain but no weight lose either. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Maternity Clothes</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Took a "Me" Day and went shopping this past Saturday. Bought some really cute outfits at Old Navy and even a cute pair of skinny jeans. I thought they help offset my big belly HA!</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Gender</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wonderful boy whom we still haven't shared the name with family/friends. However you have a few nicknames with of course Peanut being one and then Elvis George May.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Movement</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I read the following "He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy." This is so very true about you Peanut. I think you move more than your brother did. So much I have this feeling you just might be longer in length than your brother. Guess we will see come December.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Sleep</span> - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sleep has actually gotten a lot better! Reason being is I finally have started taking anti-heartburn medicine the Dr. gave. Still get up to move, pee, or lay there feeling you move but sleep has gotten better. Hope it stay!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Cravings</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anything and everything sweet. I truly could eat cake, cupcakes, and M&Ms for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Your dad just laughs watching me fight the horrible sweet tooth cravings. They are bad!</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Symptoms</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Heartburn is totally gone for the most part. Some days it will flair up but nothing like before. Everyone once in awhile I think I am having Braxton-Hicks but you are so low and always moving that I don't know for sure. Either way nothing major and no swelling so far!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Best Momenst Of The Past Few Weeks</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Family vacations to Charleston, Gatlinburg, and Charlotte</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-The Sprinkle in a Box</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Finding your bedding</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">This Week's Activity</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Well still slowly but surely buying things for your room and your brother's room. Biggest catch is that his bedroom furniture hasn't come in yet. Once it does then we can really work </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">on both of your rooms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Celebrating your dad pinning on Captain tomorrow!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Registering at Target and maybe Babies R Us or Amazon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K_SAEO11lywp9mUjJzHgDgCCiZj4DTBIWfbIBRqF4NeoZ_JV3c9ssaVfmHzKmasJYyZrKsBhGnevTnz465JDapICi_FOxpsDqJihaaQn18SJrReIix6BoF6ioJAcRdYJRbh_XBCZ0O4/s1600/124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K_SAEO11lywp9mUjJzHgDgCCiZj4DTBIWfbIBRqF4NeoZ_JV3c9ssaVfmHzKmasJYyZrKsBhGnevTnz465JDapICi_FOxpsDqJihaaQn18SJrReIix6BoF6ioJAcRdYJRbh_XBCZ0O4/s320/124.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">There you are!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">30 Week Belly</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">The very last picture taken by your dad, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">on our way home, from Gatlinburg, TN.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJASdjEcuVZ6pwMs-GOVL_BFi1XxOgD2XZRNhxzhEOez4YKzlIsj96ZnTedkQOK8JlJw5gmXV3uvnSYR-Um8viRnP4E-XyFvwC6SsX_3M3UYnFmQhzOe6IyEe4PLKNo5OQc3_eb12Z7w/s1600/124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJASdjEcuVZ6pwMs-GOVL_BFi1XxOgD2XZRNhxzhEOez4YKzlIsj96ZnTedkQOK8JlJw5gmXV3uvnSYR-Um8viRnP4E-XyFvwC6SsX_3M3UYnFmQhzOe6IyEe4PLKNo5OQc3_eb12Z7w/s320/124.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Inspiration for your brother's room</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x5G5Ka5tTjlj-qhEffKbJppdLnKtp1eatx4coBKnQFl6yzl08NNBAa02x0jlvGP6-vB5_kQfu6syolysg0Yt_newhHsFbIgEY7BXleVX5OvLR0DeJwa3A65fjm_6U7ybQAIkuGgwEU0/s1600/126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x5G5Ka5tTjlj-qhEffKbJppdLnKtp1eatx4coBKnQFl6yzl08NNBAa02x0jlvGP6-vB5_kQfu6syolysg0Yt_newhHsFbIgEY7BXleVX5OvLR0DeJwa3A65fjm_6U7ybQAIkuGgwEU0/s320/126.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Two inspirations for your room - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">the canvas was painted by Shelly</span></div></div></div></div></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-41307843491969783952011-10-16T11:43:00.000-04:002011-10-16T11:43:10.716-04:00Dirty 3-0!!!First who came up with the saying "Dirty 30"? Why do we have to be Dirty? Can't we be "Fantabulous 30" or.........whatever I suck a creating new words. So I guess I will say I am now officially in the "Dirty 30" Club. Yep, I have been 30 for two days now and it has been great so far. <br />
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I did enjoy my 20s but I didn't live them to the fullest. I am thankful to say good-bye to 29 though. 29 was a very hard year for my family and I. I am welcoming my 30s with open-arms and ready to really start living life. I feel like my 20s were so busy with college, growing up, getting married, being a wife, becoming a mother, and so on, that I let some of my dreams slip away and often watched life just fly right by. <br />
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I have always heard your 30s are great because you truly start to feel comfortable in your own skin and you have a better understanding of who you are and what you want in this ONE life we are given. I am thankful for my 20s since they brought me my husband, our first child, my college degree, great friends, and much more. However I truly can't wait to see what the "Dirty 30s" have to offer. <br />
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Here are a few things I am determined to cross off my "Goals, Dreams, and Adventures List" aka Bucket List........<br />
1-Get my degree in Photography.<br />
2-Take cooking classes in baking, sushi, basic skills of cutting, etc. <br />
3-RUN a 5K. I have done two 5Ks in my life but I walked/jogged them. I want to RUN<br />
4-Renew our Wedding Vows on 10th Anniv. (two years to go)<br />
5-Find the following - Church Home, MOPS, and Women's Bible Study.<br />
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Above are just a few on what looks like a mile long list of mine. Right now the 5 above are feeling the most important to me. Hope you all have a FABULOUS Sunday and whether you are in your 20s, 30s, or even in your 50s......I pray you are enjoying your life. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAFyMgGs1rjkXXjTBd2QOTukJfKkF8lI0WxzesfnRGNmZEm8rA0qjhTqP1NMDVtAE1LsgcsnNeSADDFXyxtIZE2MJ8dZVaQj1Xd8MOSK9ug2DWJVEHMWPRcMNVSUwqae5Ecn6QkWr9-M/s1600/30th-Birthday-Invitations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAFyMgGs1rjkXXjTBd2QOTukJfKkF8lI0WxzesfnRGNmZEm8rA0qjhTqP1NMDVtAE1LsgcsnNeSADDFXyxtIZE2MJ8dZVaQj1Xd8MOSK9ug2DWJVEHMWPRcMNVSUwqae5Ecn6QkWr9-M/s320/30th-Birthday-Invitations.jpg" width="254px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Taken from Google Images</span></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-7223969733815572802011-09-19T12:54:00.000-04:002011-09-19T12:54:23.077-04:0026 and 27 WeeksDear Peanut,<br />
My sweet love, sorry I am writing to you two weeks late. However I due have a wonderful excuse...your daddy is HOME!!!!!! After getting out of the hospital, he called to say his replacement showed up early and he would be home a week early. I did really well not getting overly excited but it was truly the best news ever. Daddy arrived home on the 7th. Since his arrival we have bought your brother his new bedroom furniture, bought a new SUV (our wonderful Sorento just wasn't going to be big enough once you arrive), slowly but surely rearranging the rooms and playroom, and best of all just being a family again. All we need is you but please wait till December!<br />
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As for my recovery from the UTI and Kidney Infection, I am all healed. The day after daddy came home I had my follow appointment with the Dr. Best part, besides being cleared, was your daddy finally able to see you!! The Dr. did the ultrasound which resulted in a very in depth ultra sound. We were educated on all your heart valves, brain stem, spinal fluid, spinal cord, my kidneys, etc. By all medical purposes you have been given a clean bill of health with a small warning. You might end up being a big baby!! Your brother was born at 8lbs 6oz and the Dr. predicted you will at least meet that. Of course this is just a prediction but your dad and I just giggled. <br />
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You are already making your daddy laugh. He can't get over how fast I run to the bathroom to pee because of the wonderful gymnastic moves you practice on my bladder. Nor can he get over how strong your gymnastics moves are. Whether it is the Dr feeling my tummy or daddy you really like to let us know you are in there and doing just fine. But oh sweet boy, my bladder could use a break....just saying! <br />
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I probably won't be able to write you this coming Sunday for we are going to go explore Charleston, SC. Which means I will hopefully get to eat some yummy crab cakes I have been craving lately. I do promise not to be two weeks in writing to you either though!!<br />
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With All My Love,<br />
Mom<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>Pregnancy Highlights</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Size of Baby</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This week, you should weigh almost 2 pounds (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">like a head of cauliflower....food references make me giggle and have a better idea on how big/small you are</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">). You are also about 14 1/2 inches long with legs extended.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Weight Gain/Loss</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Being sick did not help for I have lost another 5lbs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Maternity Clothes</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We had a tease of Fall weather temps this past weekend and made me realize I need to go shopping. A fabulous friend mailed me maternity clothes which have been a huge help!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Gender</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our fabulous boy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: blue;">Nursery</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Your room is being done in Vintage Airplane Theme. Super excited to decorate and even have a few items already for your room. Will share when room is complete.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Your brother is also getting a new room. We are doing his room in Vintage feel as well. However it will be decorated with Vintage Trains.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Movement</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You can't make up your mind if you want to dance like Elvis or have future plans to win a Gold metal in gymnastics. As much as my bladder would love a break, it is amazing to feel you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Sleep</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I get about 2-3 solid hours of sleep when I first go to bed but then after that it is hit and miss. Your dad says I have developed hyper sensitive hearing because I wake up at the smallest sounds. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Cravings</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chocolate Cake, still Crab Cakes, and Steak.....did go out to eat for the steak and it was fabulous!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Symptoms</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thankful nothing serious. Just frequent heartburn again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Best Moment this week</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Your daddy's return!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Your daddy finally able to attend a Dr appt and seeing you for the 1st time!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">This Week's Activity</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finish rearranging the Playroom, your room, and your brother's room. Then mini vacation to Charleston, SC.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iw3yTlQKRq7XHVyT_xfqC8VbFXXtEIKkr_K1OykHz4J70xwswlprqg-yrLbhF7-zGo0Rdx00sM-Mce_E3GSAMzdQvO4KuOMARabSmFKxK9Lg-yN-qS3KokzD9JBUb7-vmHjhEtUYTdg/s1600/106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iw3yTlQKRq7XHVyT_xfqC8VbFXXtEIKkr_K1OykHz4J70xwswlprqg-yrLbhF7-zGo0Rdx00sM-Mce_E3GSAMzdQvO4KuOMARabSmFKxK9Lg-yN-qS3KokzD9JBUb7-vmHjhEtUYTdg/s320/106.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Love the look on your brother's face just watching daddy talk.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-EgiouVZpvxLkAfEZNfS77lkTt8dcYkQzTmV9z_lGMlD9gwymGGWaa2Q5BjcJ09fqfDeheNTO7MEvKvaWUa4H0ioh0hOCd6MSd91QqOlC791UPIzbrwR6kEcLexTW1wHfpFwVlMHi_I/s1600/108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-EgiouVZpvxLkAfEZNfS77lkTt8dcYkQzTmV9z_lGMlD9gwymGGWaa2Q5BjcJ09fqfDeheNTO7MEvKvaWUa4H0ioh0hOCd6MSd91QqOlC791UPIzbrwR6kEcLexTW1wHfpFwVlMHi_I/s320/108.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAILkRh6GhJpXSEyzU2-JxRIrqw0f7B_QZZ3nKX0yjDc3dzm1L3wyf5uOMKLNbLc2SWXWeVxnbstN4GyUuM1cHtl4_iznGZjQ7Qi15aqXe9QVEOYpao3KkkvvqtS9yoILRGLmJDPMIWc4/s1600/110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAILkRh6GhJpXSEyzU2-JxRIrqw0f7B_QZZ3nKX0yjDc3dzm1L3wyf5uOMKLNbLc2SWXWeVxnbstN4GyUuM1cHtl4_iznGZjQ7Qi15aqXe9QVEOYpao3KkkvvqtS9yoILRGLmJDPMIWc4/s320/110.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">True unedited picture of your mom....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">happy tears washed away all make up!</div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-44305626559981726572011-09-06T18:21:00.000-04:002011-09-06T18:21:17.588-04:00My FaceIt is no secret that I have some of the oiliest skin on the planet!! It is hereditary. Along with the oily skin I also deal with acne. Not the Proactive photo enhanced (IMO they are enhanced) red bump acne but just normal acne. I really hate it and wish I had clear skin or clear enough, even tone skin, that I could go without make up. <br />
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I have tried every over the counter face wash, lotion, etc and nothing seems to work. One morning I woke up and decided that I had enough. I know I will always battle acne and oily skin. However I don't want to spend my money on products that are not or do not work. I went to the mall with my aunt and grandma, sat my butt down at the Estee Lauder counter, and asked for help. Looking back I must have looked ragged because the lady did a full on make-over treatment and I left with a bag full of goodies. <br />
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Here are some of the things I am currently using to help fight the acne, oil, pores, and reddness. I have been using these products for about 3ish weeks now. With the face wand, about three days. Products listed with ** are next on my list to buy.<br />
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Treatment for Oil, Acne, Pores, Reddness, and Tired Eyes - <br />
#1 - <a href="http://www.esteelauder.com/product/693/3298/Product-Catalog/Skincare/By-Category/Problem-Solvers/Idealist/Pore-Minimizing-Skin-Refinisher/index.tmpl"><span style="color: red;">Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher</span></a><br />
#2 - <a href="http://www.esteelauder.com/product/693/14025/Product-Catalog/Skincare/By-Category/Problem-Solvers/Idealist/Even-Skintone-Illuminator/index.tmpl"><span style="color: red;">Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator</span></a><br />
#3 - <a href="http://www.esteelauder.com/product/685/14026/Product-Catalog/Skincare/By-Category/Eye-Care/Idealist/Cooling-Eye-Illuminator/index.tmpl"><span style="color: red;">Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator</span></a> **When I was getting my make over at the counter, my dark circles lessened with this treatment. However they were sold out so it is next on my list to buy. Have three friends who swear by this!!<br />
#4 - <a href="http://www.esteelauder.com/product/684/2649/Product-Catalog/Skincare/By-Category/Cleansers-Toners/Sparkling-Clean/Mattifying-Oil-Control-Lotion/index.tmpl"><span style="color: red;">Sparkling Clean Mattifying Oil-Control Lotion</span></a><br />
#5 - <a href="http://www.esteelauder.com/product/684/2643/Product-Catalog/Skincare/By-Category/Cleansers-Toners/Sparkling-Clean/Purifying-Mud-Foam-Cleanser/index.tmpl"><span style="color: red;">Sparkling Clean Purifying Mud Foam Cleanser</span></a><br />
#6 - <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2056959&productId=44559&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=3130offwk2310pal&categoryId=cat80039"><span style="color: red;">Oil Absorbing Rice Paper Tissues with Rice Powder</span></a> By far the best oil blotters I have ever used!!<br />
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Face Wand - <br />
#1 - <a href="http://www.olay.com/skin-care-products/OlayPro-X/advanced-cleansing-system?pid=075609037047?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Olay+FI+Device+NonBrand&utm_term=facial+brush&gclid=CILfo4rNiasCFR9y5QodhBiG0g"><span style="color: red;">Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System</span></a> When I was at the Estee Lauder counter, the Rep used another machine on my face. I saw immediate results using the wand to wash my face vs. hand/wash cloth. However the wand she used was almost 200 dollars and I knew could not afford it at the time. Past few weeks reading my magazines, I have seen articles and reviews for the Oil of Olay Face Wand. Well for $30 I decided to give it a try.....I am very pleased with it as well. It has two speeds and comes with a replaceable head. It is water proof for the shower. As of now it does not have special heads to use like the $200 face wand does but for $30 it works great!!<br />
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Yes I know some of you or maybe all of you are seeing the $$ for some of these products. I felt that way to when I went to swipe my Debit Card. Not everyone can afford this. But I am turning 30 in 2ish months and just tired of seeing my face looking like a hormonal 13 year old. So I budget to afford these products. One thing I can say about the products listed above, it only takes a pump or squeeze to lather or cover my whole face and neck. It is has been 3ish weeks and all of the bottles look like they have barely been touched. This is fabulous because I know I won't be buying these products monthly!<br />
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My next mission is to find a nice foundation. Please comment if you use products that you swear by and would like to share with me and fellow readers. <br />
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</div> <span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;">**I am NOT getting paid to share these products with you nor do these companies have the slightest idea who I am.**</span>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-56741998874039633112011-09-04T20:55:00.000-04:002011-09-04T20:55:20.022-04:0025 WeeksDear Peanut, <br />
Well this has been one emotional week. To make a very long and painful story short, I will say this - I had my very furst UTI and Kidney Infection. These two issues took me to the ER twice and then landed me in the hospital. First time ever being admitted (hospital visit delivering your brother doesn't count) and I was scared. After 9 bags of IV Fluids and Antibiotics, I am home now. I am on a week's worth of oral antibiotics and Tylenol 3 for pain. I go back this coming week for more blood work, another ultrasound of kidneys, and hopfully be given a clean bill of health. <br />
<br />
The time spent in the hospital had me wishing we were closer to family because I really could have used my mom. Wishing your dad was not deployed but understood this sometimes happens. Even with the wanting of my mom and your dad, I also found myself thankful for my military family. Thankful that I can call them up at 2am to take me to the ER or 3am the very next morning and ask them to watch your brother because I am being admitted. So as scary as this week has been (how I pray you and I never go through this again) I am thankful. I was shown this week that not only do you have two parents and a brother who love you dearly , but you also have a military family that love you like you are on of their own. Life in the military may not always be easy son, but I promise you will never be alone! That was made very clear to your momma this week. 107ish days to go till we get to meet you!!<br />
<br />
With All My Love, <br />
Mom<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>Pregnancy Highlights</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Size of Baby</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Head to heels, you should measure about 13 1/2 inches. Weight, about a pound and a half.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Weight Gain/Loss</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think maybe a few pounds in belly area. Jeans are still loose in legs but getting tight in belly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Maternity Clothes</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think my regular jeans are about to be put on the shelf. Unless I remember to buy a belly band!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Gender</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our fabulous boy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Movement</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You have dance moves that Elvis would be jealous of! You are still most active at night and love to have dance parties on my bladder. Love feeling you move but maybe we could move off my bladder ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Sleep</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This week has been really bad for sleep. However I am trying to nap more.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Cravings</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This week nothing bad or crazy. Just steak and crab cakes! HA!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Symptoms</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My very first UTI and Kidney Infection. The pain that comes with a UTI and Kidney Infection are truly indescribable. My heart goes out to women who experience UTIs and Kidney issues often!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Best Moment this week</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-1st was watching the Nurses and Dr's laugh over how powerful you already are. Your kicks, punches, etc are so strong that they had to sit in the room and hold down the stress test paddles onto my stomach. For even the straps were not holding them in place. One Dr. was surprised when he laid his hand on my belly to check for pain and you kicked his hand off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-2nd is getting the message from your dad that he will be home soon. Can't say the date but Peanut "soon" is amazing!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">This Week's Activity</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All online shopping and bedroom furniture has stopped in order to get the house ready for daddy's arrival!!! Your brother and I thought we still had about 2 weeks left till daddy returned home. However "soon" has us scrambling to clean, stock fridge, and few "Welcome Home" decorations.</span></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-51359885141800379432011-08-28T15:59:00.000-04:002011-08-28T15:59:32.422-04:0024 Weeks<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dear Peanut,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This has been one exciting week. You have experienced your first Earthquake and Hurricane. Well as much as you could feel it being in my belly. You have shown us signs to always trust in God and believe in his mircales. This due to the fabulous ultrasound I had earlier this week. You have also decided to finally allow me to stand the smell of raw meat and giving me the want to eat. I didn't realize how much I missed being in the kitchen till the past two days of cooking. Making Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with your brother this morning brought me such joy! We have around 112 Days Left till we get to meet you. As each day passes I become more and more excited.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">With All My Love, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mom</span><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u>Pregnancy Highlights</u></strong></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Size of Baby</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You are growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. You should be about/almost a foot long aka length of a ear of corn.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Weight Gain/Loss</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Havent't gained any weight yet. I am not to worried though. I know I have plenty of time to gain some weight..... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Maternity Clothes</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Still in my regular pants/capris. In maternity tops and a fabulous friend sent me some of her old maternity clothes. I do need to but maternity PJs because the ones I have are not comfortable on the belly. You kick to let me know you need room.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Gender</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Boy!!! Had a great laugh this week when the ultrasound tech, Ms. Victoria, pointed out your "Pickles and Penis". The saying of "Pickles" was a new one to your dad and I!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Movement</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You are crazy active. As in take my breath away, stop me in my tracks, because of all the kicks and punches. I love feeling you though!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Sleep</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sleep has become hit and miss. However last night was very rough night of no sleep. You were on a nerve that sent shooting pain and/or numbess down my right leg. Around 6ish you moved and it was wonderful to have no weird sensation down my leg.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Cravings</span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh goodness what a difference a week makes! This week has been dill pickles (round hamburger style) and Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. I have a special cup size bowl for the ice cream. Other wise I want to eat right out of the cartoon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Symptoms</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Still ice cold water for I always feel thirsty. The sensation of having to pee about every 10 minutes. Then the nerve pain last night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Best Moment this week</span> -</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Your Anatomy Ultra Sound</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This Week's Activity</span> - </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finalizing the theme for your brother's big boy room. As well as finalize the theme of your nursery. We were going to reuse the nursery for you but your dad and I changed our minds. Decided it would be nice for your to have something of "your own".</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1krI0Kz5Opdt30I_N8S3wb6Pnc0Gv965fMgaXNbFyP9-05hxHgbS4Ss15BNkk_RgJ_r_DxXdXPoDT8qSvocX9AH7MeRHfzZFR1XgBx9DzuymTZSXAksjpjALDg6kSPmfmZIes_KX2tU/s1600/yhst-83532116742892_2172_5464822282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1krI0Kz5Opdt30I_N8S3wb6Pnc0Gv965fMgaXNbFyP9-05hxHgbS4Ss15BNkk_RgJ_r_DxXdXPoDT8qSvocX9AH7MeRHfzZFR1XgBx9DzuymTZSXAksjpjALDg6kSPmfmZIes_KX2tU/s320/yhst-83532116742892_2172_5464822282.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sneak Peak of your room....well one of the ideas HA!</span></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-32129544243285019492011-08-27T19:45:00.002-04:002011-08-27T19:48:17.336-04:00HH6 - June, July, and August ChallengeI am still part of the HH6 Cooking Club. However, I just haven't participated since May. Thanks to the fabulous morning sickness I haven't found myself in the kitchen to actually cook real meals. There have been some amazing challenges each month and even more amazing results from fellow HH6 Members. Below is August's challenge. Hope you click on the HH6 Button and see what fellow members have created.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">HouseHold6 Cooking Club's August</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">theme which is: </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"With the mercury continuing to rise this month, let's once again give ourselves a break from the stove. Create an original 5 ingredient slow cooker recipe. Salt and/or pepper do not count as one of the 5 ingredients." <br />
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<a href="http://www.sarapliciouskitchen.com/p/hh6-cooking-club_14.html"><span style="color: red;">http://www.sarapliciouskitchen.com/p/hh6-cooking-club_14.html</span></a><br />
(my button is not working at this time)</div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-49882209586293500322011-08-26T13:42:00.000-04:002011-08-26T13:42:24.739-04:00Earthquakes, Ultra Sounds, and now Hurricane!!!I have a feeling either Mother Nature forgot to take her happy pills or August is mad because we all are ready for Fall! Either way what a week this has been. Week started off with a Shake, Rattle, and Holy Crap this is an Earthquake here in NC. Move on to a truly wonderful Ultra Sound. Then to conclude with getting ready for Hurricane Irene. <br />
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In the midst of the crazy hormones of Mother Nature, I have been cleaning one room a day. I mean on hands and knees scrubbing, cleaning base boards, throwing out junk or making donation bags, etc. I wouldn't call it nesting but more of Mr. May will be home soon and I don't want him to think I have sat on my butt eating donuts this whole deployment ;) HA! While scrubbing the living room floor (a 2.5 yr old and 9 yr old Boxer really can make a mess of hard wood floors), it gave me the chance to brainstorm........<br />
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Here are some of things I need or want to finish within the next few months - <br />
1-Get Gabriel's big boy room set up and decorated.......this means to actually go shopping which I truly truly do not like to do!<br />
2-Get out baby items from storage to wash, check batteries, bottles, etc. That would be nesting since I really have time but really would like to get his room ready.<br />
3-Make a few Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving Wreaths/Decorations. I have been googling nonstop and have some really cute wreaths I want to make. I really love when people share their ideas because I am not the person to come up with creative ideas on my own. Thank goodness for Blogs, FB, and Google.<br />
4-Bake and freeze some meals for Mr. May's return and arrival of baby in 4ish months.<br />
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Those are the main ideas on my brain right now. Of course the list does go on and on but starting with 4 and going from there. Hope the rest of you all have had a fabulous week!!! Just can't express how excited I am that Fall is around the corner. My pregnancy hormones and the Summer heat have not been nice to me. Besides with Fall comes decorations, apple cider, pumpkin patches, and lots of baking. Oh yes time to go craft some wreaths!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDrKZdlNiID2W2Kc17tTJ7RHfK09iTfkikDOnJ3CMdCT7mX3LDH3Dl5ukIc4k4dPjbHAo4ACvlgkYJvRAmay-pZqTIOw2px-kRQhJvBDZu6PqLywcdUHLvWD7g07Leas6ZG4ELJp7zvk/s1600/colada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDrKZdlNiID2W2Kc17tTJ7RHfK09iTfkikDOnJ3CMdCT7mX3LDH3Dl5ukIc4k4dPjbHAo4ACvlgkYJvRAmay-pZqTIOw2px-kRQhJvBDZu6PqLywcdUHLvWD7g07Leas6ZG4ELJp7zvk/s320/colada.jpg" width="276px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well #5 on my mind...wish I could have one of these </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">right now to go along with Hurricane Irene</div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-41125879644904143772011-08-23T21:37:00.000-04:002011-08-23T21:37:41.229-04:00Pickles.....Dear Peanut,<br />
Tonight I had your Anatomy Ultrasound. It was a late appointment, 6pm, which the nurse at Womack Hospital explained they deliver over 300 babies a month so they offer late u/s appt. Being that the appt was at 6pm, I was the last appointment of the day. Boy did this turn into a wonderful thing. What normally would have been about 30ish minute u/s appt, turned into an hour long appt.<br />
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Victoria is the lady who administered the u/s and man was she fabulous. She explained all the pictures she took of you for your charts (over 40 pictures). I explained how daddy is deployed right now and how you are also due around your brother's birthday. Victoria was just as sweet and caring as she could be! <br />
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40 something pictures later, it came time to make sure you are in fact a boy. Right away she pointed out your "Pickles" and "Penis". Wait...what?!?! Pickles??? Yep, she explained to me that you indeed were a boy because here were your "pickles and penis". Oh, how I started laughing. "Pickles" was a new one for me I tell you. By the way, I tell you this story now because I know when you became a man and have "man humor", you will find it very funny that you manhood was called "Pickles" at one time.<br />
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After we both stopped laughing a miracle happened. Well Victoria and I are calling it a miracle so a miracle it is. With the 40 something pictures she took of you she just could not get a clear view of your face. She then proceeded to talk to you in this very, very, high pitch voice and BAM!! You moved your arms away from you face, moved your head, and started blinking your eyes. <br />
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I gasped because it was unreal to see your eyes blink already. Then you stopped and proceeded to wink with your right eye. Victoria was pretty shocked as well on how clear your blink and then winks were. So for the next 5 minutes she left the wand on my belly and she continued to talk in her very high pitch excited voice. Victoria and I watched you, this miracle of a child, wink and smile for the camera. Yes I typed that correctly...smiled!! Two times in fact and with a picture to prove it.<br />
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See I have been so sick this pregnancy. As well as this tiny feeling the past 23 weeks that there was something wrong with you. Maybe it was left over fear from the miscarriage or your dad not home to share my emotions/feelings with, but I have had this nagging feeling that there was something wrong with you. <br />
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Well tonight, you and God showed me that you are perfectly fine. Between the blink, winks of right eye, and the two smiles you gave, this complete calm feeling came over me. It truly felt like you were giving me a message of "Relax mom! I'm okay!" While I was lying on that table, you somehow managed to make me feel even more thankful and blessed that I get to be your mom!!! <br />
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In about 4 months, I will finally be able to hold you in my arms. Tell you face to face just how much your father and I love you. I truly look forward to watching you grow, forming a brotherly bond with Gabriel, and seeing what type of man you become. If tonight is any indication, son you are going to accomplish/do amazing things in this world!<br />
I love you dearly and can't wait to hold you!!<br />
Mom<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P_cgvHlixVGmYo9KqGlNxH4DwdvOrhm-ejjzshGdrtFpe0nnW1adaAxYoK20H5q6aJnnRNnJV5bltX7W6P9SzHb3eklgPs-ZoBgpNjya_cxkJ8x47gYLcOUl9KB02BawKWdWdZaY4IE/s1600/Peanut%2527s+Smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P_cgvHlixVGmYo9KqGlNxH4DwdvOrhm-ejjzshGdrtFpe0nnW1adaAxYoK20H5q6aJnnRNnJV5bltX7W6P9SzHb3eklgPs-ZoBgpNjya_cxkJ8x47gYLcOUl9KB02BawKWdWdZaY4IE/s400/Peanut%2527s+Smile.jpg" width="328px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your 1st smile....to me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(By the way, not sure why this chin is coming from HA!)</span></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-60570382006341749462011-08-21T14:10:00.000-04:002011-08-21T14:10:27.358-04:0023 WeeksDear Peanut,<br />
Today I am 23 weeks along with you and the joy continues to grow. I know I am very late in writing letters to you but better late then never. The past 23 weeks have been very emotional for me due to your dad deploying, being so very sick with <a href="http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hyperemesis+gravidarum"><span style="color: red;">Hyperemesis</span></a>, trying to keep a normal routine with your older brother, and just feeling blah. However, do not mistake how very excited and happy your dad and I are that we are pregnant with you!! You truly are a blessing and can not wait till you enter this world to be part of our family.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>Pregnancy Highlights</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Size of baby</span> - </div><div style="text-align: center;">You are more than 11 inches long and weigh just over a pound (about as much as a large mango)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Weight Gain/Loss</span> - </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have lost 19 pounds with you (25 with your brother so you have been a little bit nicer to mom HA!). I have finally stopped throwing everything I eat/drink (happened around 19/20ish weeks). Nausea is still hanging around but at least it is more manageable now. Best part is each week the want to eat is coming back. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Maternity Clothes</span> - </div><div style="text-align: center;">Due to weight loss I can still wear my regular pants/shorts. Which is a good thing because all the stores have been sold out of Capri/shorts for awhile now. I am slowly getting into maternity tops which is a good thing for the extra room on top HA!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gender</span>: -</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are a boy...however this was told to us at 15weeks. We have the "official" u/s coming up soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Movement </span>-</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are very active. I truly don't remember feeling your brother this strongly, this early on. During the day you are much more relaxed but at night you love to party!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sleep</span> - </div><div style="text-align: center;">Only one crazy dream but lots of tossing and turning so far. You are very low in my belly and sometimes while you are partying you hit a nerve that wakes me up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cravings</span> - </div><div style="text-align: center;">No cravings yet. This go around I do want Mexican food but I have to be careful because already suffering from heartburn. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Symptoms</span> -</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have had a few Charlie Horses, want ice cold drinks all the time, and did have 24/7 morning sickness but that is just about completely out the door.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Best Moment this week</span> -</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Last night actually felt you move with my hand. </div><div style="text-align: center;">-Funny story around 16ish weeks. I was loading your brother into his car seat and told him to be careful of my belly because his baby brother was in there. Gabriel got this very serious and confused look on his face and shouted "What?!?!?!?!" Oh man it was so funny to see him then scratch his head and sit back so I could buckle him in.</div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-62652801178133219852011-08-19T11:46:00.000-04:002011-08-19T11:46:59.626-04:001st was our "Butter-Bean" and now it's our "Peanut"Sheesh!!! May 26th was last update from me. I am back and have some good reasons why I have been gone for almost 3 months......Deployment, Possessed House, Terrible 3's, 7 state visit in 2ish months, and.....we are expecting our "Peanut" come December!!!! <br />
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<strong>1st - Deployment</strong> <br />
This is our 1st deployment and man has it been an adjustment. I am used to Mr. May always working shift 12-14 hour days, weekends, holidays, and many TDYs but this deployment has been a true learning experience. Throw in me being pregnant with Peanut and the glorious (read with a snort) Hyperemesis I get when pregnant.......yeah I am glad to say we are in the home stretch of the deployment being over. I really wanted to blog about life as a wife and mother during deployment but I just didn't have the mind or strength to do so. Maybe I could do a recap but we will see. <br />
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<strong>2nd - Possessed House</strong><br />
Yeah this is a long story and results in us making the decision that when our lease is up come January we are out of this house. Another move and just after having a baby, but I will offer pizza, beer, and yummy goodies...thinking positive we will get help to move :D<br />
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<strong>3rd - Terrible 2/3's</strong><br />
So Gabriel is little over 2.5 years old and man he thinks he is going on 13!!! He can have me bending over with laughter, true amazement with his letters, numbers, coloring, singing, then a switch is flipped and he turns into the incredible hulk....minus the green. We have had it "easy" since he was born so I guess our time was due to experience headaches LOL!!!<br />
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<strong>4th - 7 States in 2ish Months</strong><br />
Gabriel, Peanut, and I have become little state travelers the past 2ish month (almost 3). Due to a funeral, mini vacation to Atlanta Aquarium, and being so sick, going home to stay with family and friends. We are back home now and plan to stay awhile. Once pictures are uploaded plain to do a quick recap of or 7 State Adventure.....what an adventure it was!<br />
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<strong>5th - Peanut</strong><br />
Yes this one brings me the most joy!!! Mr. May named Gabriel "Butter-Bean" when we found out we were pregnant because the u/s picture really looked like a tiny Butter-Bean. 2nd pregnancy we never got a chance to create nickname due to the miscarriage. This pregnancy Nathan had the honor again of picking out another nickname and he came up with "Peanut". Not sure why but it has stuck. <br />
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We know we are having a boy, his ETA is December 17th, and we do have a name picked out but keeping that to ourselves until Peanut has arrived. I toyed with the idea of not finding out the sex but my curiosity won out. I am almost 23 weeks and feeling like a million bucks.....now. I truly wanted to do weekly Blog updates about Peanut and I's journey but when you are sick with Hyperemesis, so many things are thrown out the window. However I am past that and will start this Sunday when we are 23 weeks. <br />
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I want to say thank you for the many emails I have received asking if I was okay or wishing me to come back. I enjoy Blogging. Many things have happened in the world, friendships, or just life in general that I wanted to Blog about, but just truly lost my "Blogging Mojo". While gone I have been doing a lot of thinking (which sometimes is never good with me HA!). Think some changes are due with the Blog so hope you come back, read, and share your thoughts!! I know I have missed many of the Blogs I follow and look forward to catching up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BRbzSHeMUJATkbk6Aia_0bU71oT2-auj4d9jBn4hHzlVGcjLQ9r1SBcXp1u4ibV1JNVveDUKUuQ1lqIIyzDJQlTf6E6QK55yuaZDtmWBVW4dsrvWeD5eAqW_CWNarZudTMGYDx0AzJI/s1600/Little+Brother+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BRbzSHeMUJATkbk6Aia_0bU71oT2-auj4d9jBn4hHzlVGcjLQ9r1SBcXp1u4ibV1JNVveDUKUuQ1lqIIyzDJQlTf6E6QK55yuaZDtmWBVW4dsrvWeD5eAqW_CWNarZudTMGYDx0AzJI/s320/Little+Brother+2.jpg" width="299px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Taken when I was almost 15 weeks</span></div><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">All My Blogging Love,</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Come What May!!</span>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-2312086550440854682011-05-26T12:42:00.000-04:002011-05-26T12:42:08.753-04:00HH6 - May Challenge<div align="center"><u><strong>May's Challenge</strong></u></div><div align="center">Create a pizza without using Red Sauce</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't participate in this month's food challenge due to the deployment. Honestly I haven't really been in the kitchen since it has started. It is really hard to cook for one person (me) who is working on portion control and a 2.5 year old who isn't a meat eater. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">However, my fellow HH6 Bloggers have created some amazing pizza's!!! Several pizzas I look forward to testing out myself once Mr. May returns home. Pizza is one our of our favorite meals. Maybe then I will create a pizza of our own. I'm thinking a Buffalo Chicken style pizza or one with lots of fresh garlic and basil. Especially since I'm not a fan of red sauce on my pizza anyway.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Click on our new button below to check out the rest of the Bloggers for HH6. If you have a favorite recipe for pizza, don't hesitate to comment and share!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://saraplicious.blogspot.com/p/hh6-cooking-club_14.html"><img src="http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/silem79/saraplicious/HH6Button.jpg" /></a></div>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-10865509192047568692011-05-25T21:19:00.000-04:002011-05-25T21:19:42.427-04:00Wordless {Wordful} WednesdayChanging it up this Wednesday in honor of Oprah. Since finally getting DVR, I have be able to watch Oprah. When I was working I never made it home in time to catch her show. Then had Gabriel and when he naps I try to nap, clean, or have me time, and Oprah never fit in there. I have seen some shows through out the years but it really hasn't been since the "Count Down" that I really paid attention.<br />
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Yes I know there are fans, FANS, and haters of Oprah. I don't know where I fall but I do know I give her serious respect for the thousands of people she has touched and made a positive impact on their lives. The last few of hers show have made me bawl, want to be a better mother, and more importantly, applaud her for the wonderful things she has done. Yes I know some say she is not a believer in God or that she is just "too" popular. Majority of the negative comments have no matter to me because I don't know her to judge her. I only know the Oprah you see on TV and the thousands upon thousand of women, men, children, students, mothers, and fathers she has reached. By the way, today was her last show. She even address the "God" question...her response...I believe in the God you believe in. The G-O-D God. <br />
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So in honor of Oprah here is what she has taught me........<br />
1 - Know that you ARE enough just the way you are. No one has the right to tell you you are not worthy. Raise your daughters and sons to know their worth. Know that they are enough just the way they are. If they want more in life GREAT. Go after it. But never let any one put you down, beat you down, verbally put you down. Because you are worthy. **Darn well better believe I will raise Gabriel and whatever future children we have to know they are worthy. Oh so dang worthy!<br />
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2 - Take responsibility for your self, actions, and what you give in their world. If you are not happy no one is to blame for that but yourself. Change it. But own up to your faults and take responsibility for your actions. **This hit home because I have been in a huge funk. No one to blame but for myself. Besides I don't like living in a funk and try very hard to hardly ever be in a funk. I have friends who live in funks. They complain but yet honestly do nothing to change it. They don't take responsibility. Blame others and live in their self-pity. I have been living in a form of self-pity past few weeks and man it SUCKS! So no more. Things are changing and the funk is out there door.<br />
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3 - Find your purpose in life, accept it, and be the best at it! **I know before I had Gabriel I had HUGE dreams of getting my Masters, getting Nationally Certified, and wanting to travel and even live over seas to teach. Well things change and some of the dreams have been put on hold or even let go. Some times I struggle with being a "Stay At Home Mother". But right now this is my purpose. I truly love staying home, teaching Gabriel, cooking for my family, being a wife, and who cares if people don't get it. This is MY purpose at this time of my life and I LOVE it!!! Well, maybe I don't love the cleaning part we will deal with that later.<br />
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Now as I am writing this, many of the things I wanted to write about are slipping my mind. Should have taken notes HA! So I will end with the one that has stuck with me the past week. It is a huge one. One I believe more humans need to do. Whether you are a parent, teacher, doctor, lawyer, or person cleaning toilets...........<br />
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4 - Have love and warmth in your eyes when you see people. <br />
**I am taking this to heart with Gabriel at the moment. I miss his dad. I miss that man so much I truly didn't think it was possible to miss someone this much. That loneliness has creeped into my heart and has made me bitter. Not very bitter but some days I feel it more than others. So every morning before I go into Gabriel's room, I let out all the bitterness, pray to God, and when I open his door I walk into his room singing, dancing, and have nothing but pure joy and love in my eyes for this amazing child. <br />
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You know what, I have seen the difference. I FEEL the difference. Yes there are times where it is harder to do than others, but every time I see his face I make sure to pure every ounce of love I have for him in my eyes. Why???? I want him to know he is worthy. The saying is true "the eyes are the windows of our soul". Children know this more than adults. Maybe because they are so young and innocent. But my child needs to know that I love him. I will practice this on friends, strangers, and in several months my husband. You just never know when the person you look at just might need to feel loved and know they are worthy!<br />
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Thank you Oprah for the few months you were in my home. More importantly, thank you for 25 years of inspiring, encouraging, loving, fun, laughter, and making people's lives better. I know things change and this is a change you need in your life but man I do wish at 4pm my DVR will turn on to record your show. May God continue to Bless you! Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180844545039655.post-75284347693593314652011-05-24T19:44:00.000-04:002011-08-19T11:50:58.061-04:00Tip Me Tuesday - Blog HoppinI haven't done any crafts lately. Did some Easter crafts but well that was a month ago. Will save those for next year I suppose. Since I haven't done any crafts lately, thought I would share one of my favorite Blogs. That Blog is - <a href="http://designdazzle.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: magenta;">Design Dazzle</span></a> I often come to this Blog to get ideas about room decor, birthday parties, and so much more. I have a lot of time on my hands lately so my main brainstorming has been birthday party ideas. Found a few on Design Dazzle that I would love to use as inspiration!!<br />
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Hope you check out Design Dazzle's Blog. Feel free to comment below any of your favorite Blogs.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.designdazzle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Design Dazzle" border="0" src="http://www.designdazzle.com/images/125x125.jpg" /></a></center>Rachel Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17647338804150050055noreply@blogger.com1