tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71088972116360167342024-03-13T14:13:20.124-06:00The WalkersThe Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-71197559153661106262014-06-13T10:34:00.001-06:002014-06-13T10:34:25.584-06:00Welcome to the world, ElleI want to take advantage of the extra down-time after having a baby and record her birth story! As some of you may know, this sweet little baby was a surprise. Because of my very difficult pregnancies, we had decided to wait a couple years before getting pregnant again. But the Lord had other things in store for us!<br />
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We were right in the middle of building our home, Lance was anticipating a possible career change, and Cambridge, our youngest, was still just a baby when we found out I was pregnant. The timing seemed impossible and I couldn't imagine how in the world we would be able to make it all work. But as do most things that seem too difficult to handle, everything worked itself out. Our incredible friends and family stepped in to help watch our children for the few months I was in bed, help abounded to finish work on the house and Lance, after leaving the company he'd been with for 4 1/2 years and that we had purchased equity in, found that he was happier and more fulfilled working for himself.<br />
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Now, in retrospect, Lance and I are both in complete awe that the timing for having our sweet Eleanor Elizabeth could not have been any more perfect!! The Lord truly does have a hand in our lives and He knows better than we ever could how to help us be the kind of people he needs us to be!<br />
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Anyways, I digress.... on to the birth story! I had been having contractions and braxton hicks for months before Elle arrived. 3 weeks before she was born I was already dilated to a 2 and 70% effaced. My midwife said she would be surprised if I made it to my due date. But then we kept waiting and waiting. Finally I just decided to quit being antsy and just relax a little!<br />
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Then came her due date... everything seemed just the same as before. I finished up almost all the laundry in the house, cleaned, went grocery shopping and to the bank. I was in the middle of making dinner when I felt my first strong contraction of the day. Then a few minutes later, another one. I had had so many false starts to labor that I really didn't think anything of it. We all sat down for dinner and by that time I had had another strong contraction. I told Lance and I thought this might be it, but then went another 30 minutes without another contraction. By 7:00 we headed outside as a family to let the kids ride their bikes and work on the sprinklers. That is when the contractions started coming more regularly. We called and text family to let them know I may be going into labor, then continued working in the yard. I would have to wait between contractions to lean down and turn sprinkler valves on for Lance.<br />
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With Cambridge, I had gone from a 3 to delivered in an hour, so my midwife said to come straight in if I thought I was in labor. She didn't want that baby delivered on the way to the hospital! So I figured we better go in just in case. My dad came over to put the kids down and by this time, the contractions were regular and strong enough I knew it was the real thing. We got to the hospital at 8:00 and both of our moms arrived shortly after. I was at a 4 and 85% effaced. 30 minutes later, a 6. At this point I got into the jacuzzi tub to help with the contractions. My experience with Cambridge's birth had been so incredible, I had decided right after having her that my next birth would be natural, so getting the epidural wasn't even an option in my mind. I had done a lot of research and studying to prepare myself for it.<br />
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The jacuzzi was amazing! It eased the contractions so much and made them completely doable! Lance was also an incredible support through all of this. He was perfect at reminding me to breath deeper and stay calm. His calming energy is a huge part of the reason I was able to get through the contractions. It felt like I was sharing all of it with him and he believed in me so perfectly that I also believed in myself 100%.<br />
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In no time I was feeling pressure and could tell it was time to deliver! I got out of the tub, and sure enough I was complete. It seemed like a dream! I couldn't believe how easy it was to get there and it didn't seem real that our baby was about to be born. "Two pushes and your baby will be here!" My midwife said and Lance and I just locked eyes and became so emotional. When I first started pushing I just could not believe it- I was feeling zero pain. Zero. It seemed too good to be true and little did I know the hardest part was about to come!<br />
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After about 10 minutes of no pain whatsoever, but also no progress, the midwife realized that our little baby was posterior, meaning instead of presenting with the top of her head, it was her face presenting. This makes it much, much harder for baby to get under the pelvic bone and out. At this point, the pain, pressure and back labor came so strong, I didn't know what to do with myself. I would push as hard as I possibly could, with every once of strength I had but we could not get that baby to turn. Finally, after 30 minutes of pushing and trying to turn her, she flipped all at once and was out 2 pushes later!<br />
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Everyone talks about the "ring of fire" when you deliver naturally. I honestly didn't feel that a single bit because the pressure on my back was so strong.<br />
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If you were a fly on the wall during my labor and delivery, you wouldn't even believe it was the same one. The first 3 hours were so incredibly calm and peaceful, with my birth team and I just chatting and laughing between contractions and the last 20 minutes were just like in the movies... screaming, heavy breathing, lots of pain. If she hadn't been posterior, it honestly would have been the easiest labor and delivery you could imagine!<br />
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But she was here! They pulled her up onto my belly and she was so calm and peaceful. She just lay there looking all around. At this point I was shaking uncontrollably all over from the immense pain and everything was a little blurry. I couldn't believe she was here and that I had gotten the natural birth I had wanted so badly. I had done it! It was so empowering and exhilerating to experience it all, as raw and real as it was!<br />
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Truly the best feeling in the world to snuggle that sweet babe and to have her here safe and sound.</div>
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I am in awe at the miracle of life. It's the 3rd time we've done this and it is just as humbling and incredible as it was the first time! I feel so lucky to be a small part of creating life and bringing another child into this world. Elle is truly the best surprise we could have ever imagined.<br />
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This picture absolutely melts me. I love this incredible man of mine. </div>
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We are so thrilled to have our little Eleanor Elizabeth here! She is named after two incredible ladies. Eleanor is Lance's grandma Pat's middle name and Elizabeth is his mom. At 6 lbs, 9 oz she is my smallest baby.<br />
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The next morning my parents brought Crew and Cambridge to meet their new little sister. This picture about sums up their visit:<br />
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Cambridge looked at baby a couple of times, but was more interested in the candy and toys Grandma Mary brought. Crew was so excited to meet Elle and wanted to give her (smothering) kisses and hugs forever.<br />
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We had lots of visitors and are so thankful for the support and love from all our loved ones! Now we are home and just taking things easy. The kids have been with their Grandma Liz and will be home later today. I am excited/nervous for the days and weeks to follow. I know it won't be easy with three children but I can't wait to start life as a family of 5!<br />
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<br />The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-79821492427879331682013-12-19T11:50:00.000-07:002013-12-19T11:50:56.497-07:00I'm pregnant!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD4WYbbJ0x0AvStonYtl4moz5ygVQJrPWpMGy_6e68Y4bml95AgjJueiC6JGCpnri88PECAtg0EfzLgt_nIafgn6RCL8MgdF6v0r5ZrhIa7XUcy8A40hqlN7BYYHh9ORCgsdlqNC3FG8/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD4WYbbJ0x0AvStonYtl4moz5ygVQJrPWpMGy_6e68Y4bml95AgjJueiC6JGCpnri88PECAtg0EfzLgt_nIafgn6RCL8MgdF6v0r5ZrhIa7XUcy8A40hqlN7BYYHh9ORCgsdlqNC3FG8/s400/photo-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My mantra for the last few months :)</div>
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After we had Cambridge, Lance and I both decided we would wait a good few years before welcoming baby #3 into our family. With how incredibly sick I get, my pregnancies are a huge disruption to our lives and have taken a very serious toll on my health. So waiting seemed like a wise decision and felt right for the happiness (and sanity!) of our little family, and essential to my health. I was delighted for the break and excited to have my body be <i>mine</i> for a couple of years.<br />
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Little did we know!<br />
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I honestly didn't even suspect I was pregnant. It was Lance who first noticed something may be going on. But I quickly hushed his fears. My good friend, Jessica, was actively trying to get pregnant and after we went running together she insisted I go home and take a pregnancy test.<br />
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Positive!<br />
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I have never been so shocked in my entire life. It's incredible how in control of your life you believe you are until something like this happens. We were smacked ab in the middle of building our new house, things have been absolutely crazy at work for Lance, not to mention I still hadn't figured out how to manage the two children we already have. This baby and Cambridge will be less than 2 years apart.<br />
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Remember my <i>very last</i> post about life's trials and how thankful I am for them because they make me a better person? Yeah. I wrote that before I knew I pregnant. If you really want a good laugh, go read it again :). But on a serious note, fear kind of overtook my life once I found out I was pregnant. The fear was almost as debilitating as the sickness (panic attacks, anyone?). Its the most insufficient I have ever felt compared to life's challenges. I also felt a lot of guilt for all the things I wouldn't be able to do, and the amount of help we would need from friends and family.<br />
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After 3 months of indescribable 24/7 nausea, losing 10 pounds, body aches, crazy amounts of throw-ups, lots and lots of meds, loads of tears, and incredible amounts of help from our amazing family, I am finally starting to pull out of the misery and I am so very thankful for this sweet little baby growing inside me. I really do know now, more than ever, that my Heavenly Father knows me personally and has a master plan for my life that my finite mind cannot comprehend.<br />
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Coming out of the sickness is like coming out of a dark cave and getting a second lease on life- I have never been so sure of my mission, my ability to affect change and have a positive impact in the world, and the importance of staying close to the Spirit and serving others. I feel immeasurable gratitude for my incredible husband, who has been my absolute rock through it all, and for our wonderful family and friends who rushed to our aid and gave without question and without end, expecting nothing in return.<br />
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Seriously folks, I am a very lucky gal- and I surely don't deserve it.<br />
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13 weeks</div>
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This has been my look for a few months: no makeup, spandex, bun.</div>
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These two have been incredibly resilient through mommy being sick! </div>
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My heart already feels like it will simply burst with love for them! I cannot</div>
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wait for another little bundle.</div>
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As way of an update, the house is so SO close to being done! It's been a long 8 months of construction,</div>
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and we definitely didn't do it the easy route, but it's coming together beautifully. We were hoping to be</div>
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in by Christmas, but we will just miss it and will be in before the New Year. Here are a few progress photos.</div>
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The outside is all finished now, we really just need to finish painting, get carpet installed, countertops</div>
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and hardware/plumbing fixtures installed.</div>
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The wood floors that were cut and milled from a 150 year old tree on my grandpa's farm.</div>
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Laundry room tile.</div>
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Master bathroom cabinets being installed.</div>
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Faux brick chimney. My dad and brother Austin </div>
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made the stucco look like brick.</div>
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Can you even believe how real it looks?</div>
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They are so incredibly talented at everything they do.</div>
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We finished the basement apartment a month or so ago and our good friends Josh and Jessica Halls moved in! It's the same Jessica that told me to take a pregnancy test and now we are due within a week of each other! We feel really blessed to have such great friends and renters living downstairs.</div>
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Well, I think that about covers it!</div>
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I'm hoping I just get feeling better and better over the next few weeks. What I have now is what (I think) is normal morning sickness- I throw up first thing every single morning, but feel better after I eat and take my meds. I still feel really nauseous every evening for a few hours, but this is totally doable compared to 24/7 nausea. Thank goodness for Zofran and Unisom because I would still be a puking machine without them! </div>
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Merry Christmas! I'll update again in a few weeks after we've settled into the new house :)</div>
<br />The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-3405746648503036842013-09-21T13:32:00.000-06:002013-12-19T11:52:50.296-07:00On Life<div>
I'm not really sure how many of you are still reading my little blog, but if you're here I'm sure happy you are! :) I have a million things I could blog about, but would like to take a moment and share some of my thoughts as of late.</div>
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I don't think Lance and I could have timed things any better with starting our little family. We both graduated from college in 2010, and me with an 8 1/2-month-prego belly. I would be remiss to leave out that I had just gone through the darkest, most discouraging and painful 5 months of my entire life, but, that aside, the timing was great! :)<br />
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I had roughly a month after we graduated to sleep in, move us fully into our new apartment, and nest to my heart's content. After Crew arrived we transitioned straight into Lance working full-time and me being a full-time stay-at-home mommy. I delved right into taking care of my new babe, doing the laundry, ironing, making dinner every day, and everything else entailed in running a home. </div>
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(On a side note, this is the only photo from the hospital where I look even half-decent. </div>
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My 6-month-pregnant-looking belly is still there, promise, it's just hidden by all that black.)</div>
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What I think when I look at these pictures (after admiring how young and fit we are, and thinking of how much I love my little family) is, "How naive you are, you two! You think parenthood and adulthood are going to be all roses and kittens." Oh sure, if you would have asked me then I could regurgitate that things would be hard, but I really didn't understand how difficult being a parent/adult would be. I didn't understand that having a child meant the end to being care-free and only worrying about yourself and what fun adventure you'd have next. That growing up meant taking care of everyone else's needs before your own every single day.</div>
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I vividly remember a conversation I had with my dad after I had just started college. I was complaining about something or another and he said, "Don't worry, it only gets worse." With a big grin on his face. After a worried, "Really?" from me we both had a good chuckle and moved on. I have returned to that conversation countless times in my mind. While I realize he was half-teasing, I've also come to understand how much truth there is to that statement. Every time I start to feel comfortable, like I've really got this "life" thing down pat, something else is added to the mix and I'm thrown all out of whack again. Isn't that true for all of us? I sure hope so.</div>
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The bottom line for me, and what I've come to understand in a new way this last year, is this: <i>It is by divine design that life is so difficult, that every time we feel we're enough, we suddenly aren't enough again. </i>And I'll tell you what folks! How grateful I am that a loving Heavenly Father sees fit to send more responsibility and trials my way just when I start to get comfortable. Because it's in those uncomfortable times, the squirmy "I have no idea what I'm doing" times or the "I cannot see past the pain and discouragement I'm feeling every moment of every day" times that we learn and grow the very most. </div>
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It's in those most difficult times in my life that I've gained hope, or humility, or patience, or perspective. And it's in the day-to-day repetition of things that I've learned how to work hard, be content with here and now, and look outside myself to serve others. Heaven knows I need way more of all of those qualities, along with innumerable others that I couldn't even begin to name. </div>
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I know this topic might seem a bit odd. I've had more people than I can count say things like, "You live a charmed life" or "You have so much help!" and it's true; I have an incredible support system in my life. I have an extraordinary, supportive family, I've never really had to worry about money, I have been blessed with amazing friends who are the embodiment of selflessness and love, I have a college education, I have two beautiful children and an insanely supportive husband who are my everything! </div>
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But that's not the point.</div>
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The point is not what we have or don't have, because our lives are so different from one another that it's just not even worth comparing. The point is that we each face hardships that are new and difficult <i>to us</i>. Not compared to Sally who just lost her son, or compared to Ashley who has an incurable disease. The beauty of this thing called life is that our trials and hardships are totally and completely catered to us, to help us become the kind of people we need to be. </div>
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And you want to know what? Since I've started looking at things this way a beautiful thing has happened. At a time when I would have thought, "I can't do this." or "When will this be over?", instead I'm able to think, "This is teaching me patience." or "I will be a better woman because of this." And while I still have my fair share of grumbling and complaining, this small shift in my thinking has made all the difference. </div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-14742606640080298912013-09-18T09:35:00.000-06:002013-12-19T11:52:32.702-07:00All about TileChoosing tile has been the single most difficult decision for me in the entire house-building process! I have known for a long time I've wanted a white kitchen with marble countertops, brown wood floors throughout the main and light gray walls. I knew I wanted a fireplace in our living room with built in bookshelves flanking each side. There are so many details I've had figured out from the very beginning but when it comes to tile, I have flip flopped too many times to count!<br />
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When it really came down to it the pictures I was constantly drawn to were white marble tile, but marble is a hard choice for a few reasons. One, it can be a lot of upkeep, two, it costs a lot of money, especially once you start getting into Calcutta gold (my favorite!) and the fun different patterns, and three, I worried that white throughout the entire house would be too boring.<br />
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Well, I'm happy to say I've finally committed to tile for the entire house and I couldn't be happier with my decisions! I worked hard to source the marble I bought and found it for an incredible deal on ebay, so I was able to stay mostly in budget while still getting what I want. And I am really excited to add punches of color to each bathroom through painting the vanities different colors and with textiles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhSh0MctaIdPgSKo-w7jVATWoge7PfY7q0wzI0va88zHr9kMgQwMzQP3qyChkZ2bq-j0dV-cck8BNOj0QkEi1E8q1bw5pefdoiUtxA2D66VoGELE0goONhlO0MrtFni6VnPlEtFxlI5c/s1600/111fe1a1-736e-4ffa-8e93-86c8597ff34f_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhSh0MctaIdPgSKo-w7jVATWoge7PfY7q0wzI0va88zHr9kMgQwMzQP3qyChkZ2bq-j0dV-cck8BNOj0QkEi1E8q1bw5pefdoiUtxA2D66VoGELE0goONhlO0MrtFni6VnPlEtFxlI5c/s200/111fe1a1-736e-4ffa-8e93-86c8597ff34f_300.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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White ceramic hexagon tile</div>
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<a href="http://www.wayfair.com/EliteTile-Retro-10-1-4-x-11-3-4-Glazed-Porcelain-Hex-Mosaic-in-Matte-White-XGGEYNINX-OVS1086.html">Wayfair.com</a></div>
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$4.95 per sq ft.</div>
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This will go in the kid's bathroom, </div>
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the apartment bathroom & </div>
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the apartment laundry room</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjWf0zSAP4nWAuGfgqgeBAtZmgDzTGoymeNn2U_KOa9lb4nTboHsdnCY-N7VUIGF0IoN1ky7i1pmMwphEWt7VViCI2w4And4ib4itJrx8wnXnw5gjWoSYHPbVAItIDfClINZXK4i2wpc/s1600/AAAADL7Fv6MAAAAAAVpU9A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjWf0zSAP4nWAuGfgqgeBAtZmgDzTGoymeNn2U_KOa9lb4nTboHsdnCY-N7VUIGF0IoN1ky7i1pmMwphEWt7VViCI2w4And4ib4itJrx8wnXnw5gjWoSYHPbVAItIDfClINZXK4i2wpc/s200/AAAADL7Fv6MAAAAAAVpU9A.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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White Carrera marble basketweave</div>
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with Gray accent</div>
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<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/221143871520?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649">Stone Center (ebay)</a></div>
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$9.99 per sq ft</div>
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Main floor laundry room </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFtnOnMrfWaL74SOCmQ9Pr0TMC-fC649o6zOguOQOOo0JQi_RHxI8grZ1HQ9vH37lE-6D5BXwtH6APQVkWYn1tO0nU-q6J4OOuQZAkrEC_mYKLbEJWVVJo4ia4UEqJwyNY69dLOpwYAs/s1600/contemporary-bathroom-tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFtnOnMrfWaL74SOCmQ9Pr0TMC-fC649o6zOguOQOOo0JQi_RHxI8grZ1HQ9vH37lE-6D5BXwtH6APQVkWYn1tO0nU-q6J4OOuQZAkrEC_mYKLbEJWVVJo4ia4UEqJwyNY69dLOpwYAs/s200/contemporary-bathroom-tile.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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1" White Carrera marble hexagon</div>
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<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/221261016038?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649">Stone Center (ebay)</a></div>
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$8.59 per sq ft</div>
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Main floor 1/2 bath</div>
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These last two marble tiles can easily run $16.99 a square foot, </div>
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so these are incredible prices!</div>
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/946469/West-Isles-Kid-s-Bath-traditional-bathroom-minneapolis"><img border="0" height="626" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/a41183a10fb556c2_8-2170/traditional-bathroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/bathroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">This bathroom is exactly the look I'm going for. Totally classic white subway up the walls and a white hexagon penny tile on the floor. This will be the tile for kid's bathroom upstairs and for the apartment bathroom and laundry room. </a></small></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/bathroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">This is my inspiration picture for our master bathroom, except we'll have white subway tile in the shower and the white marble everywhere else.</a></small></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/bathroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">We will have a claw foot tub in our master bathroom and I couldn't be more excited about it! </a></small></div>
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/740269/Bathroom-contemporary-bathroom-new-york"><img border="0" height="658" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/0701ad2e0f748aff_8-2622/contemporary-bathroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary/bathroom" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">It's incredible what just adding white subway tile can do to make a bathroom feel professional and custom. I am also a big fan of using a contrasting grout color.</a></small></div>
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I realized with tile, just like I did with the exterior of our home, that going with what I really want is a gutsy move but I would regret it if I did anything else. I also try to err on the side of classic and simple and I don't think you can get any more classic than subway, penny tile and marble.<br />
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And for an update, we are almost finished with exterior siding and tile has already begun. Next will be wood floors, finish work, cabinets and painting! We are about 6 weeks from completion.<br />
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**Let me also just say that I feel a little silly having an entire post about tile for our new house. I know there are so many other, more important issues going on in our country which is why it's so nice to just think about something that doesn't <i>really</i> matter. Thanks for indulging me for a bit while I plan our future home!The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-91923518535317141712013-08-28T10:23:00.000-06:002013-08-28T10:23:06.193-06:00InsaneLife has been insane these last few months, to say the least. We knew it was going to be crazy building a house (as if summers aren't already crazy) but it is so much busier than we even anticipated. We have still managed to have fun, though! We went to Yellowstone and Bear Lake with Lance's family which were two separate trips and we also celebrated both kid's birthdays! This post is a little random, but still an update on our lives :)<br />
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Crew turned 3 on the summer solstice. We had a little treasure party with a few of his friends in our neighborhood and he was in heaven.<br />
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The cupcakes were his favorite :)</div>
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Quick update on Crew: he is as big and independent as ever. He is 76th percentile in height and 30th percentile in weight- starting to get tall and skinny like his daddy. He is starting to ask "why" about everything and is very headstrong and energetic. Sometimes it's exhausting. On the flip side, though, he is so sweet and loving. He will regularly tell me I'm beautiful or just give me a big hug and kiss and tell me he loves me. He is starting to be really great with entertaining Cambridge which is so helpful! He has an incredible thirst for knowledge and does extremely well when we are doing activities one-on-one. He starts preschool this coming Tuesday and I just know he will do so well!</div>
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We also celebrated Cambridge's 1st birthday!</div>
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I'm all about sweet and simple- we celebrated with our families on the patio, ate dinner and had dessert.</div>
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"Where's my baby?" I said to try and get her to look and instead she decided to hide.</div>
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It was fun to see how different Cambridge was with her cake than Crew. Crew was a complete ham and went after his cake full force. He would shove a huge fistful in his mouth, then smile a huge toothy grin. He had cake spread from his head to his toes when he was done. Cambridge was much more shy about it. She loved the cake, but was much more tentative and kept trying to share with everyone. She loved the attention too, but couldn't figure out why she was the only one with cake. It was really cute.</div>
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An update on Cambridge: she took her first steps this week but is still determined not to walk. She gets pretty upset when we try and get her to. All in good time! She isn't quite as advanced as Crew was in her language but still communicates pretty well. She can sign "more", "all done" and "milk" which is so helpful. She just started saying Mama and she jabbers a lot. </div>
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I noticed a few weeks ago that she was not responding to my voice the way she normally did so I took her in for a hearing screening which she failed in both ears. Doc found out she had double ear infections! I felt horrible and think she's had them for awhile- maybe even a couple months. She is just such a happy and easy going baby in general that when she was slightly fussy, I chalked it up to teething. Now that she's on antibiotics she is a complete angel! We lucked out with her for sure.</div>
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Cambridge is an incredible eater and sleeper. I have yet to find a single thing she won't eat! She has been regularly sleeping through the night and taking two naps during the day since she was 6 months old. She is a little thing, 33rd percentile for both height and weight. She is just the sweetest little thing ever!</div>
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I sure love my bugs! </div>
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Mother's Day photos.</div>
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The house is coming along very well! We are still ahead of schedule and will be finished in November sometime. Right now they are insulating, then tomorrow the drywallers are coming. After that my Dad and Austin will be working on hardiboard siding, outside concrete, then inside finish work! Lance and I are going to attempt to do all the tile work ourselves which should be interesting :) </div>
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We have been spending a ton of time over at the house working. Lance ran all of our low-voltage wires- speakers, internet, TV's, etc. It's definitely been a learning experience for us both! I have learned so much about our home, the different choices along the way, etc. Really, if you ever have questions about home improvement (insulation, electrical, framing, roofing, etc) feel free to ask me! I LOVE the process and would do it again in a heartbeat. I especially love working alongside Lance on our future home.</div>
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Well, that's all for now folks. I know I skipped over months with just one post but it's about all I can manage at the moment. I'm hoping to get back to regular blogging after we are all moved in!</div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-41343412963066054912013-06-03T08:40:00.001-06:002013-06-03T08:40:35.335-06:00Growing, growingOur little ones are growing too fast to keep up with! Cambridge is getting into everything now and learned her first sign (more), and Crew is starting to get that little boy look to him. Sometimes when I look at him it freaks me out to think I have a child that old! It is so fun to see them both progress and learn. They bring an incredible amount of joy into mine and Lance's life.<br />
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For Mother's day we had Alice Griffith take pictures of all my mom's grandkids together. My mom died for these pictures and I'd say the gift was a complete success! They are pretty darn cute.<br />
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This little one is about the happiest little girl you'll ever meet! Her smile melts me.</div>
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Almost 3 years old!</div>
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All 5 of my mom's cute grandbabies :) </div>
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I love these sweet kiddos. </div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-13322225723159038532013-05-18T11:39:00.001-06:002013-05-18T11:55:52.329-06:00Great finds!I have been spending a lot of time researching different finishes and fixtures for the home. I usually choose a specific something, then read articles, forums and reviews to try and get the best product for the smallest price. Usually that just means cruising KSL till I find the deal I'm after, or comparing prices online. And can I just tell you? It is <i>so</i> very satisfying to get an incredible product for an incredible price! I'm kind of addicted.<br />
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My recent finds have been:<br />
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<li>A 9 foot vanity with white Corian countertops, 2 under-mount sinks and faucets for only $100. The white Corain countertop alone would have been $900 new. This will go in our master bathroom.</li>
<li>50 sq ft of new white Carrara marble for $1.75 a sq ft- normally at least $10 a sq ft.</li>
<li>A vintage claw foot tub that looks almost brand new for $150 - worth $600-$1200. Again, for our master bathroom.</li>
<li>Full overlay kitchen cabinets for the basement apartment for $600- we will refinish them which will be a ton of work but will save us over $3,000. </li>
<li>FREE black quartz countertops that were from a rich family in Alpine. They were going to throw them away, then thought someone might want them. These are worth at least $2000! I haven't decided for sure where I'll use them but they will be fabulous :)</li>
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And my latest find is this:</div>
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It's the Grohe Bridgeford kitchen faucet. Retail is $550 and I snagged two of them,</div>
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brand new, for $95 and $120. This is a very nice faucet, even more high-end than Moen and I can't</div>
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tell you how excited I am about doing dishes with this bad boy! </div>
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See how beautiful bridgeford faucets are in the kitchen?</div>
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Ha! I am a complete dork, you guys. But at least I'll be a dork with a beautiful kitchen faucet :)</div>
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The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-28678287246291124602013-05-03T08:42:00.000-06:002013-05-03T08:42:01.205-06:00Shut the front door!As I mentioned earlier, the more I delve into house-building stuff, the more I realize how difficult it's going to be to stay on budget. Don't get me wrong, our budget is plenty big to get everything we have ever dreamed of in our house, but when you start shopping around, you realize that you could easily blow your entire door budget, for example, on a single door! Front doors, specifically, can easily run you $4,000+. Who knew doors could be that expensive?! Or anything for that matter; tile, light fixtures, ranges... the list goes on. Our budget for doors on the entire house is $2,800, so you can see how it would create problems if we decided to get an expensive front door.<br />
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If you know anything about me, you know I love to get a good deal. I shop our local KSL classifieds religiously and 90% of the furnishings in our home are bought there. I have been doing the same shopping for our new house! There are certain items that, when used, lose almost none of their original integrity, but go down considerably in cost- doors are one of those :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu5WPUuWwy4rsD_eLOFNcTAhFETi59_GcimVONyzwKph9F3DOVAWrjKnXJy96eZjBjwes0WWnTE7aEiZQBkLTBcoO23Jmf5wrqn0XdfpEe7Y-tFM-zqbrZ5rnxIc96d9NClJH8jhyphenhyphenQOg/s1600/photo-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu5WPUuWwy4rsD_eLOFNcTAhFETi59_GcimVONyzwKph9F3DOVAWrjKnXJy96eZjBjwes0WWnTE7aEiZQBkLTBcoO23Jmf5wrqn0XdfpEe7Y-tFM-zqbrZ5rnxIc96d9NClJH8jhyphenhyphenQOg/s640/photo-22.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Say hello to our new front door! Don't let the picture fool you, this beauty is 42" wide and a full 8' tall. It's <i>huge</i>! This door was likely over $1,000 new and after a finish coat, it will look brand new again. Can you believe we purchased it for only $50?<br />
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I'm still trying to decide if I want to keep the wood grain or paint it. Our home is going to be gray or white hardiboard- similar to one of these two pics:<br />
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And I think it would be so fun to do a pop of color on the door. I'm thinking either mint </div>
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green, kelly green or a dusty blue. </div>
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I need your help! What do you think?</div>
<br />The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-22419207823703888102013-05-03T08:08:00.000-06:002013-05-03T08:08:03.230-06:00breaking ground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We broke ground on the new house yesterday! It's been a few months coming and we couldn't be</div>
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more thrilled. You hear over and over again that building a house always takes longer than expected</div>
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and always costs more than expected. We have already experienced both of these things and we</div>
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haven't even dug the hole yet :)</div>
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It is definitely going to be tricky to stay on budget. The thing about buying a house is there is one price</div>
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and you know it beforehand. With building, and especially when you are going the more DIY route,</div>
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there are a MILLION ways to go over-budget. You have to be much more disciplined and decide what</div>
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things are really important to spend a little more money on and what things are ok to save on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC3utL99fyrKW5TjYwk2I3neXAURAkJwpZkELavvFncxGNHlrOSN6Wjo6YyLziX9uy7P0OrUhjFVKNkpgAYGIjHAiZWcM8fkKor-tJJmJN5xoSIJzZpB-GCjK0eU6LrqZSkbwmStbOb0/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC3utL99fyrKW5TjYwk2I3neXAURAkJwpZkELavvFncxGNHlrOSN6Wjo6YyLziX9uy7P0OrUhjFVKNkpgAYGIjHAiZWcM8fkKor-tJJmJN5xoSIJzZpB-GCjK0eU6LrqZSkbwmStbOb0/s640/IMG_0793.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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About to start digging the first hole! Who needs a shovel when you have a track hoe?! </div>
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So fun to think of the memories we will make here and how our little family will grow :)</div>
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Our lot! For those of you who don't know, it's in the Sleepy Ridge golf course, right by the lake in Orem/Vineyard. Our back yard is Vineyard and our lot's in Orem.</div>
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Crew LOVED running the track hoe with grandpa and was so sad when it was time to go.</div>
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Cambridge loved all of the excitement too! </div>
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While we were digging, one of the neighbors came out with her 5 children! Four boys ages 6 </div>
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and down, then a little girl that's the same age as Cambridge! One of her little boys was Crew's age, </div>
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too and Crew and the boys got right to boy business; throwing dirt clods. I'm so excited to </div>
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know there will be playmates for my little ones.</div>
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Since my Dad and my brother Austin are doing 90% of the work, it will likely take 6 months</div>
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to complete the home- but we're in no rush :) For now I've been spending a lot of time </div>
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scouring our local KSL classifieds and Lance and I have some projects to start working on-</div>
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more on that in a later post! </div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-54923184990426754022013-04-29T13:17:00.001-06:002013-04-29T13:17:08.406-06:00Finding a lotIf you are like a few of our friends, you will put one offer in on the house of your dreams and get it. End of story. If you are like Lance and I, your search for a home or a lot will take several months and be quite the roller coaster of emotions. Finding a lot wasn't easy and there were certainly some tears along the way (from me, not Lance) but now that we own our lot I would say it was entirely worth it!<br />
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The market for homes and especially lots is really odd right now. Because of the bad economy, developers stopped developing for the most part. Which means improved lots were few and far between. When we initially started looking and found nothing desirable in our price range, we started exploring other avenues and tried to think outside the box. Here are a few of things we did and that you might consider if you are looking for land as well:<br />
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<li><b>Purchasing a couple acres of undeveloped land and developing it.</b> This option is a lot easier if you know someone who can develop, but if not just look around! Talk to friends and family and see if anyone knows of a developer that might be willing to partner with you. You can save A LOT of money going this route- to the tune of 50-100k. It may seem intimidating at first, but don't limit yourself to what is "normal".</li>
<li><b>Hitting the ground. </b>Lance and I spent a lot of time driving around the neighborhoods we liked. There were a surprising amount of lots that were for sale, but weren't listed on the MLS. </li>
<li><b>Search the classifieds</b>. We spent a lot of time searching KSL, our local classified website. The lots and homes listed there were typically a few thousand dollars cheaper because the seller wasn't having to pay a commission to a real estate agent. </li>
<li><b>Search land records. </b>Most cities and counties have all of their land records available to the public online. Our county even had an ipad app that was easy to navigate and would show parcel numbers and the owner's name real time. We browsed the areas we loved and sent out letters, asking if anyone would be interested in selling their land. </li>
<li><b>Spread the word. </b>You'd be surprised how helpful friends and family are when they find out you are looking for a home or land. You never know who might come across the lot of your dreams! This is how we ultimately found our lot; a good friend in our neighborhood was in contact with a few investors that were willing to sell their lots off-market. </li>
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Again, this journey of building a home was entirely foreign to me in the beginning and my hope is that someone else can learn from our experience.</div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-68010277042858734802013-04-24T09:42:00.001-06:002013-04-24T09:45:05.236-06:00Free CupcakesOn Saturday, Lance and I decided on a whim to make a video for this little contest. The winner receives free cupcakes for a year! Crew is at the perfect age where he will repeat anything you say and he is so animated about it- so we figured it would be a fun little family activity for us.<br />
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Our video really is the best one, but then we found out the winner is decided by the amount of views, comments and likes- I really hate to promote things like this, but the video really is a fun watch and it's only 45 seconds. Please help us win :)<br />
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Make sure to leave a comment or a "like".<br />
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Thanks a million!<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/ZuP5JZ3wX7Y"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">{Click here}</span></a></div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-7145854204559087852013-04-12T14:47:00.003-06:002013-04-12T14:54:03.893-06:00A lotA couple months ago my cousin came into the kitchen while my Dad and I were talking. Here's how the conversation went from there:<br />
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Me: "We were just talking about our new house and the offer we put in."<br />
Spence: "Oh! Nice. How many square feet is it?"<br />
Me: "It's a lot"<br />
Spence: (awkwardly) "Oh... ok."<br />
Me: "No, no! It's a lot, as in a piece of land."<br />
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Haha. Maybe it's one of those things you have to be there for, but I cannot get over how hilarious this exchange was. Mostly because asking how many square feet someone's house is is usually an awkward question in and of itself; asking it implies you are close enough with the person that they wouldn't mind answering honestly, or that you are socially uninhibited and just ask what you want (which I actually love in a person, btw :). So then, to get a vague answer in reply would take the awkwardness to a whole new level, which it did, until I clarified and we had a great laugh about it.<br />
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Anyways, this entire explanation is for a reason and that reason is to say that we bought a lot! Yessiree, after 6 or so months of vigilant looking, 5 offers, countless counter offers and lots of time spent cruising online and in person, we are now the proud owners of a lot right by the Sleepy Ridge golf course in Orem, Utah! We've owned the lot for a couple of months now and have been busy with all the preparations to begin building, but I have felt torn about wether or not I wanted to share with the world at large (aka this blog).<br />
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After talking to a few friends about it, I've decided there are a few different schools of thought on the subject: one is that blogs tend to show the shiny, perfect side of life and posting about building a brand new house may be construed as bragging, or may make others feel sad/frustrated that they are not in that stage of life yet. The other school of thought is that the experience of building a home is one many of you may undertake in the future, and the knowledge and experience we are gaining through the process can help other people along the way.<br />
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I'm still feeling a bit torn, but have decided to share our journey building a house here on the blog. Please know that my intent would never be to make anyone feel badly- instead, I hope you can gain something from our experience! The blogs I follow that have shared the process are invaluable to me! And because my dad, who is a retired contractor, will be building the house for us, we will have an exceptional amount of control over what goes into the home and an incredible amount of work to make it all happen.<br />
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So, with no further adieu, here is the sketch of our new house:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP7oEKJ-gKdCoiUxBhnx0A7Qn37YFq4J0xi4OaKxFumE0yxIetRNecSlM0AP_8PjQ5NTslQNsebMzY5HjOa4lQgHBqmSdfObVgbpbD2LP5npCaYaLvj1OShydFi7QF2Pj5YaBh9NN8Wk/s1600/Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP7oEKJ-gKdCoiUxBhnx0A7Qn37YFq4J0xi4OaKxFumE0yxIetRNecSlM0AP_8PjQ5NTslQNsebMzY5HjOa4lQgHBqmSdfObVgbpbD2LP5npCaYaLvj1OShydFi7QF2Pj5YaBh9NN8Wk/s640/Front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We are set to break ground sometime in the next 10 days and we couldn't be more thrilled! It has been so much work already and I will be sharing separate posts on some of those details.<br />
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If you have any thoughts on sharing vs oversharing on blogs, please leave a comment! I would love to hear your thoughts on it.The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-68371515180256321422013-02-04T13:56:00.001-07:002013-02-04T13:56:29.443-07:00Life as I know itWe have been so busy keeping up with our day-to-day happenings that I haven't posted an update on here in a while! Basically, our lives have been revolving around work (for Lance), our cute kiddos, keeping our house together, graphic design work (for me), and the beginning of building a home!<br />
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We had a wonderful Christmas this year! So wonderful that I was too busy having a good time to take even a single picture with the real camera. Those of you who follow me on instagram got lots of Iphone pics, though :) We also celebrated Lance's 28th birthday, which was fun! Still hard to believe we are getting that old.<br />
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Life has been totally crazy and stressful and oh-so-good! Two children are definitely a lot more work and challenging than I ever thought they would be. Being a mom is so not glamorous. Between cleaning up food and poop and wiping boogy noses, sometimes I ask myself, "Am I really making a difference is this big wide world?" And my answer to myself is invariably this:<br />
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Yes! You are the world to your sweet children and your husband- and to them, your work is immeasurably important.<br />
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And so, I empty the dishwasher for the umpteenth time, and fold and put away the clothes I folded and put away last week, and explain to Crew (for the thousandth time) that he needs to be soft with his sister. I try not to think about the fact that I will be doing these same things every day for the next 25 years....(actually, I just daydream that someday we will hire someone to do all of these things for me. A girl can dream, right?! lol.)<br />
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And really, even though it's very repetitive and difficult I absolutely <i>love</i> being a mom. I feel so very lucky to have my children and my loving husband. And I feel so very lucky that my role as mother and wife is constantly pushing me to my limits and forcing me to improve and expand my capacities. I have never felt more love and happiness than I have as a mother.<br />
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Does anyone else have similar thoughts or feelings?The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-58856157525945678222012-12-21T11:06:00.001-07:002012-12-21T11:06:19.940-07:00New Girlie Quiet BookBecause of all the interest and activity with my Quiet Book (30,000 hits!), I decided to design a girlie Quiet Book as well. You can read the details and download the book <a href="http://whimsyplaceblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/printable-quiet-book.html" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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<a href="http://whimsyplaceblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/printable-quiet-book.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCVLzqtn0mmPh5zs9gpvsMgnyGomYOFM9qifdGvY-2MGG8Mtd7gRqI9Ew0DulAIb3yq0YvjEnsaMq1z-kiST9fcJpi8RiFnEWMlp5mW2knNrJD-O7j6UJSfouGk1z9P6MJ8Nb6tTqO8U/s640/Cover2Girl.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://whimsyplaceblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/printable-quiet-book.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoE9GNnZbdhI73e3AOKMpa9VW_GxN2z23euMDqfhWQxEl7GpHEyeSZAciVTJypWG0GcnnBvRBeIKcRfXiBjDepEANbtaYrZUsknYrXabQRkU9dB-Cyk5MLnd4jiuQzr4Wk_m5rw014eM/s640/Preview2.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-30920181318526990592012-12-07T10:24:00.001-07:002012-12-07T10:24:32.477-07:00Free Christmas Card DesignAlice Griffith {the awesome photographer who did Cambridge's newborn photos and our family photos} is doing a giveaway of a Christmas card design from yours truly :) Head on over to enter now!<div>
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P.S. If you already have your Christmas cards this year, it is good for a custom design of anything- birthday party invite, birth announcement, etc.</div>
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<a href="http://www.alicegriffith.com/" target="_blank">Enter here.</a></div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-43368184056837381072012-12-02T14:57:00.001-07:002012-12-02T14:57:49.939-07:00Thanksgiving 2012Thanksgiving was such a wonderful day! We spent it with my family, and will be spending Christmas with Lance's family. It's interesting how sometimes the most tender and memorable times as a family are those that are the most ordinary. Preparing food, setting the table, cleaning up the meal; these are really the moments that our dearest relationships are formed and strengthened.<br />
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We had a full house this year, just how we like it! My favorite part of the day was when we each told what we were most thankful for. My dad started off the mood by saying he was thankful for the Santa Maria (I think?) apartments because that is where he met our mother - and that none of us would be there if it hadn't been for that. Way to go Dad!<br />
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It was really such a wonderful day. I love this time of year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ9wZGz7mNotRF0LURq0nCsRhD1AyvvZIRas6fxVycv-Uhh4OYeA6ylhKhrlDR-k57cBJzePDMm9xA-8pJqhIg580Tw3rYztOOB_kfDakpLU8ZgqZ6wcw25XwyVphkYe-R_wF4RVZxtE/s1600/IMG_3682+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ9wZGz7mNotRF0LURq0nCsRhD1AyvvZIRas6fxVycv-Uhh4OYeA6ylhKhrlDR-k57cBJzePDMm9xA-8pJqhIg580Tw3rYztOOB_kfDakpLU8ZgqZ6wcw25XwyVphkYe-R_wF4RVZxtE/s640/IMG_3682+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Growing larger every year :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg3UFQxc23RuoDB3qm0iJi0StclwLwtrZu2MexvL5BI2xfLCY5EHLMh7AqwEeN0Y1qxQ4LI2Pw1xNjrvVRCYzXsnuQuHqF5npA61MqywuKH-rbVsuqBQkt6Hghyp1NZeI0r-Hmaqznok/s1600/IMG_3686a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg3UFQxc23RuoDB3qm0iJi0StclwLwtrZu2MexvL5BI2xfLCY5EHLMh7AqwEeN0Y1qxQ4LI2Pw1xNjrvVRCYzXsnuQuHqF5npA61MqywuKH-rbVsuqBQkt6Hghyp1NZeI0r-Hmaqznok/s640/IMG_3686a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These sweet girls are only 11 weeks apart.</div>
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Now we're just counting down the days till Christmas :)</div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-65287490955155284242012-11-21T17:39:00.003-07:002012-11-21T17:39:44.455-07:00Turkey killing and a freebieYou can read my turkey tale <a href="http://whimsyplaceblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/turkey-killing-and-freebie.html" target="_blank">here</a>, on the Whimsy Place blog and download a Thanksgiving freebie!<br />
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And because I hate blog posts without pictures, here are a couple of my cute kiddos :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIrZ2d-s8d1biyffALhpalvRUM0EawSH9AcdZZFaU1OYjnC9uUECQOWnbCZh64RJLP_CGo2wT1XgdgGEgu4MvAjVIrcU81bbYvWAozpcCRKHaAAqWb078wHIen-agEYskUISc4HeNrlA/s1600/photo-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIrZ2d-s8d1biyffALhpalvRUM0EawSH9AcdZZFaU1OYjnC9uUECQOWnbCZh64RJLP_CGo2wT1XgdgGEgu4MvAjVIrcU81bbYvWAozpcCRKHaAAqWb078wHIen-agEYskUISc4HeNrlA/s640/photo-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Playing in the fall leaves</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZcK0KJSH8QsKJewz2zf_L1l8VtgHbJn9j9Epgb9D0JH9lLfj-VQCi_ijPRke1cxghVwBHYVsWZYWQAe4GPR9eqzI9PGoQS6YVMwx0dAjJhjvKbnQwD9ItOYnpFYTt_dxSV9goPKqhhU/s1600/photo-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZcK0KJSH8QsKJewz2zf_L1l8VtgHbJn9j9Epgb9D0JH9lLfj-VQCi_ijPRke1cxghVwBHYVsWZYWQAe4GPR9eqzI9PGoQS6YVMwx0dAjJhjvKbnQwD9ItOYnpFYTt_dxSV9goPKqhhU/s640/photo-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Snuggle time</div>
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I got the new Iphone 5 so I've been taking a lot more pictures lately and I love how convenient it is! If you have instagram, you can follow me at chrissymwalker.<br />
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We also got family pictures taken this last weekend. I am SO excited to see them... and to update the photos on here- they are very outdated if you haven't noticed!<br />
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Anyways, have a Happy Thanksgiving!The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-85320108713781004782012-11-02T14:12:00.000-06:002012-11-02T14:12:42.868-06:00Halloween<div style="text-align: center;">
This Halloween completely snuck up on me! I cannot believe Summer is </div>
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officially over and now we are already into fall. </div>
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We had a great time going to our friend's Halloween party. The </div>
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whole family was invited so we coordinated :)</div>
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Thor, Black Widow, Captain America and the Hulk.</div>
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Yes, we dressed our baby girl in a boy costume! But don't worry, </div>
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we made up for it by dressing her as a Care Bear on Halloween day.</div>
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It was so fun to have Crew old enough to understand what was going on!</div>
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He was delighted to go around the neighborhood collecting candy. </div>
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At each home he would say, "I'm gonna say it loud this time!", then</div>
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he would yell Trick or Treat. :)</div>
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It's incredible to think how Crew was just a year ago, at Halloween.</div>
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He was still advanced for his age in language, but he hardly spoke compared</div>
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to now. Now he is a complete chatter box and I can't get peace and quiet</div>
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unless he is watching a movie. I will often be found begging him for</div>
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a little bit of quiet.... oh the joys of being a mother!</div>
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Anyways, hope you had a great Halloween too :)</div>
<br />The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-59707310699938531552012-10-18T10:37:00.000-06:002012-10-18T11:55:33.280-06:00SkinnyAnyone who has had two children (or even one) knows how difficult it can be to see how your body changes during pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy and childbirth are miracles: miracles that leave your body less than perfect when you're all finished.<br />
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With my first pregnancy I lost 15 pounds in the beginning from being so sick which helped the weight come off really fast after I had Crew. I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight just 10 days after having him! But the composition of my body was very different than it had been before.<br />
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Now, after pregnancy and childbirth #2 the story is the same plus an extra 5 pounds. 5 pounds may not seem like much, but even 5 pounds can mean a lot when it's the difference between fitting in all of your jeans or not! We can all relate to that, right?<br />
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So! This is where I am-- with a body that seems foreign to me. I'm ready for a change, and I'm ready to fit into all of my designer jeans again :) Here's my plan:<br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4Ux8XkB4adxYlNGRzdFSURtY1U" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtoeNblxRHOrgjLsf8mK7Xf-UuSNbBRCEhXpr-joS5LRkE6_y-2Nb7wIjT0LmPescoQ2TOL1mWigllzOxlCeoQr05x134CAC98oSYMOSyGY-8JGSlkozn7JPLyu1cms-1fENOmbo6a7M/s640/get+skinny.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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Click <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4Ux8XkB4adxYlNGRzdFSURtY1U" target="_blank">here</a> to download the PDF.</div>
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The goal section is empty on the PDF so that you can set your own goal.</div>
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Who's with me?!</div>
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<br />The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-38657027784849538302012-10-17T08:32:00.001-06:002012-10-17T08:32:13.191-06:00China & Thailand<div style="text-align: center;">
Lance is currently in Thailand! He made his first stop in Hong Kong for 3 days, then will be in Thailand until next Sunday. He and another co-worker earned the trip after they hit certain goals last year. The two of them are there with Jared, one of the partners in the business.</div>
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It's been interesting being at home alone with the kids, but we are surviving! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyu2XrMPPu3qiGXxtG8sAV5TA6U14hhysMV8LmmzZqxfPchCar635BCf-qnp1T3hfOK4rxmopN6tH7mgmUM9N_tcPNOrH_EGDrJGBIgb57pTsXHKIXqY2FCN98Ylx341XONds_-0XHHA/s1600/photo-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyu2XrMPPu3qiGXxtG8sAV5TA6U14hhysMV8LmmzZqxfPchCar635BCf-qnp1T3hfOK4rxmopN6tH7mgmUM9N_tcPNOrH_EGDrJGBIgb57pTsXHKIXqY2FCN98Ylx341XONds_-0XHHA/s640/photo-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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His view from where they eat breakfast.</div>
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Lance has been sending us pictures and videos galore- playing with a monkey, a king cobra snake... I am super jealous he is there without me but his promise to take me back in the next few years makes me feel better :)</div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-58341957705419529242012-10-04T12:55:00.000-06:002012-10-04T12:55:50.489-06:00Cambridge's Blessing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mdJEufVYOOI-X91i0sf_RvERb_V_xid4G7wbKSv_yLmoi607b3h5SC0ednlBia0ZclE8FHLJB2HPm3fTJsaL9e15ZL_1-tfidIP2NwLN0O2phQTpgINL4lNgB2QoxgQ90erUm1QSLYM/s1600/IMG_9804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mdJEufVYOOI-X91i0sf_RvERb_V_xid4G7wbKSv_yLmoi607b3h5SC0ednlBia0ZclE8FHLJB2HPm3fTJsaL9e15ZL_1-tfidIP2NwLN0O2phQTpgINL4lNgB2QoxgQ90erUm1QSLYM/s640/IMG_9804.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Cambridge's blessing day was perfect. We had the blessing in the morning,</div>
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then had close friends and family over afterward for a brunch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATtgYpWIBDc6FUJL_AGcf6bHvRUk5DNd0erRA1ivKRDcGeL0DJwmCrn4BHkcq-yTkPxfvwnRx5L35PxbyKnzK83bQZp-Nu0LKPqFsS7z0VWzzqMzH5g_080jyv7O2rSRHgUfYDXHFN4c/s1600/IMG_9812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATtgYpWIBDc6FUJL_AGcf6bHvRUk5DNd0erRA1ivKRDcGeL0DJwmCrn4BHkcq-yTkPxfvwnRx5L35PxbyKnzK83bQZp-Nu0LKPqFsS7z0VWzzqMzH5g_080jyv7O2rSRHgUfYDXHFN4c/s640/IMG_9812.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I love this sweet baby girl more than words!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjtHKUgzlJndmPQb_yE1m8ivANnxzywqhtWHEyVt13fhxXo-pbpcVFCUx7vW3lQnxLswbR1kFf_7ee5Vhyphenhyphenzep0qRmtT6axe2jc1TSusBN159IZkoIU7jEHoQv2fUGHeG5SiprqB_Hb2o/s1600/IMG_9699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjtHKUgzlJndmPQb_yE1m8ivANnxzywqhtWHEyVt13fhxXo-pbpcVFCUx7vW3lQnxLswbR1kFf_7ee5Vhyphenhyphenzep0qRmtT6axe2jc1TSusBN159IZkoIU7jEHoQv2fUGHeG5SiprqB_Hb2o/s640/IMG_9699.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And this handsome guy too. </div>
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I hope Cambridge has red hair like her big brother :)</div>
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Thanks to all who came to celebrate with us!</div>
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<br />The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-30342708352186871752012-09-20T10:28:00.001-06:002012-09-21T14:25:49.899-06:00Crew's 1st Prayer<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Heavenly Father,</i></div>
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<i>We're thankful for this day</i></div>
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<i>We're thankful for Mommy</i></div>
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<i>We're thankful for Daddy</i></div>
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<i>We're thankful for Crew guy</i></div>
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<i>We're thankful for Cambridge</i></div>
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<i>Bless Crew guy be </i></div>
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<i>obedient to Daddy</i></div>
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<i>Bless us sleep well</i></div>
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<i>Bless us wake up</i></div>
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<i>Name Jesus Christ,</i></div>
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<i>Amen.</i></div>
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<i>Age: 26 months</i><br />
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It didn't even occur to me that Crew was ready to start saying prayers on his own. Luckily my sweet husband decided Crew was ready. Imagine our surprise when this is the prayer he pulls out! Lance only had to cue with "We're thankful" and, "Bless" once and Crew was off with the rest! What a sweetheart. </div>
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My favorite is where he blesses himself in 3rd person to be obedient :)</div>
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The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-64236952397320365732012-09-16T13:52:00.000-06:002012-09-16T13:52:35.705-06:00A few more newborn pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I got the CD of images in the mail from our newborn photo shoot with </div>
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Cambridge and here are a few more of my favorites.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_vZyuqilA-OWVL9X82-4LUrK0ndD-8CI2edockv3Vob_Qvksa94gh4z1GMAY7M2hKMqMyLgtD5o1_RWMGd6f6E0zpF7MeGO8R8kQPOmrErLCvTKtDcjijLTu1VOk2zmh2z1aJvQv8nA/s1600/(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_vZyuqilA-OWVL9X82-4LUrK0ndD-8CI2edockv3Vob_Qvksa94gh4z1GMAY7M2hKMqMyLgtD5o1_RWMGd6f6E0zpF7MeGO8R8kQPOmrErLCvTKtDcjijLTu1VOk2zmh2z1aJvQv8nA/s640/(11).jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXC5plNwIpemvHycRVD1SevzgeZ3qANjVFJaQD3yZxgFmps7w3IPE-5taibcvio76f9FatlJzAHCB-Eeq-Zp8gBKcVwCHSBC0lkvZuInXiKPZX-A9PLRgYjX338TfgxS8BNTSJxuTo3s/s1600/(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXC5plNwIpemvHycRVD1SevzgeZ3qANjVFJaQD3yZxgFmps7w3IPE-5taibcvio76f9FatlJzAHCB-Eeq-Zp8gBKcVwCHSBC0lkvZuInXiKPZX-A9PLRgYjX338TfgxS8BNTSJxuTo3s/s640/(12).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I absolutely love these two photos! They are just so perfectly her- my little angel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AUD9GY4Bq4nDRqj-wA1Qf2mzC-RXjgp77NuU0miHDzfYzGbswWjvxJzxYsdSQhx8UB-9dYh29STTOAlyrfigD8eEW3gp939QKc-1KHJ4QBAPmEg7775xIMCNSWpPXeJshWTA1wVBOJU/s1600/(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AUD9GY4Bq4nDRqj-wA1Qf2mzC-RXjgp77NuU0miHDzfYzGbswWjvxJzxYsdSQhx8UB-9dYh29STTOAlyrfigD8eEW3gp939QKc-1KHJ4QBAPmEg7775xIMCNSWpPXeJshWTA1wVBOJU/s640/(13).jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRidVSVx1iS8dHyNbTKDFTThaFT3wOva-YeRqlFsz1jntukyUTDqWvCKovSC1dFvjVjyaQhnqhyfMEDXKTWjs0GqJOJ9M8NFbhKzi9c6q7SUwVuMZKH5PM6Q4-X66bq_hT8bCz93v35U/s1600/(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRidVSVx1iS8dHyNbTKDFTThaFT3wOva-YeRqlFsz1jntukyUTDqWvCKovSC1dFvjVjyaQhnqhyfMEDXKTWjs0GqJOJ9M8NFbhKzi9c6q7SUwVuMZKH5PM6Q4-X66bq_hT8bCz93v35U/s640/(9).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another smiling one! She is starting to smile at me everyday when we are</div>
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cooing and talking and it melts my heart every time.</div>
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Love my little Cambri!</div>
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If any of you are looking for a great newborn photographer, you</div>
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should definitely go see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alice-Griffith-Photography/203275429725" target="_blank">Alice</a>. She is so talented and great to work with!</div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-11060104210801026552012-09-14T14:16:00.000-06:002012-09-14T14:16:58.163-06:00Getting the hang of things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It has been a little tricky balancing a newborn and a two-year </div>
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old but I think I am finally getting the hang of it! I ventured out </div>
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to go grocery shopping earlier this week and was completely </div>
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exhausted by the time we got home, but still!</div>
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Crew has been a very proud older brother and asks to hold </div>
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Cambridge several times a day. He also loves to give her her </div>
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binky and sing songs to her. Today his song went something </div>
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like this, </div>
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(Think Will Ferrell in Elf when he's singing in the store)</div>
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<i>Lullaby</i></div>
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<i>don't you cry</i></div>
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<i>baby girl</i></div>
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<i>baby Cambridge</i></div>
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<i>don't you cry</i></div>
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<i>Mommy's holding you</i></div>
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<i>Lullaby</i></div>
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It's so sweet!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5LKZd8UglKxXKlngrjhELwUKiG0qx9tl_IBTn23YlZ501K-5WHxVn0VHjmF1HuZenJeyHSXvTWBJ1WMq6AN3YlRsiOnVS4CIhB6n9h53njnF1-FYWqQTXrNWfif1oGGUquufCSMP2Tg/s1600/IMG_9593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5LKZd8UglKxXKlngrjhELwUKiG0qx9tl_IBTn23YlZ501K-5WHxVn0VHjmF1HuZenJeyHSXvTWBJ1WMq6AN3YlRsiOnVS4CIhB6n9h53njnF1-FYWqQTXrNWfif1oGGUquufCSMP2Tg/s640/IMG_9593.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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These were the gifts Crew and Cambridge "gave" to each other</div>
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the first time they met. Lance came up with the idea and bought</div>
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them a few days before I delivered. What a sweet daddy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO55YeJ_DrLBwpoJrOkrh-KxB7Aiha8x3jShkrM2R5P6uGOUK5Yf9Y7Od3RB0HFrHhwP_T7QkjqO7rbWEx3-GCf9rsdq65L5lI8aarskqcEnASt3zzIhYsN4buYrA9IgTHLSLO8NC5ZaI/s1600/IMG_9599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO55YeJ_DrLBwpoJrOkrh-KxB7Aiha8x3jShkrM2R5P6uGOUK5Yf9Y7Od3RB0HFrHhwP_T7QkjqO7rbWEx3-GCf9rsdq65L5lI8aarskqcEnASt3zzIhYsN4buYrA9IgTHLSLO8NC5ZaI/s640/IMG_9599.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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So sweet and little. I love how she pulls her legs up like that. </div>
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It helps me see how she was able to fit in my tummy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17dQNfzPO8LCfbPcEigone6bBj0leDcbkY3S_ftJMVMlUo4L_1PW7VGfgs6IOh_m9u2dTF-MZ4VTZUkPemZUDLtHG7Uecduif-H8Y1HTf4F0eojcpx7YW7zyhl4AWOZ4wTQsCaGozYBg/s1600/IMG_9605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17dQNfzPO8LCfbPcEigone6bBj0leDcbkY3S_ftJMVMlUo4L_1PW7VGfgs6IOh_m9u2dTF-MZ4VTZUkPemZUDLtHG7Uecduif-H8Y1HTf4F0eojcpx7YW7zyhl4AWOZ4wTQsCaGozYBg/s640/IMG_9605.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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These two have been spending lots of time together while I</div>
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cuddle with and feed Cambridge. They are the best of buds!</div>
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They especially love playing on the ipad together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYCbyDC7YqhGej7ySXJUam4vRKedXeqT9X2eXbWt6VOAPuEp3TgI8chuHoCvtruvruevnsEBsBphppmkj8RtQhf_Wt1t3U3ZVjJJg4wet1oh18PpLlF5AFR63vsZI2KdLTnUtNDVQpe0/s1600/IMG_9608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYCbyDC7YqhGej7ySXJUam4vRKedXeqT9X2eXbWt6VOAPuEp3TgI8chuHoCvtruvruevnsEBsBphppmkj8RtQhf_Wt1t3U3ZVjJJg4wet1oh18PpLlF5AFR63vsZI2KdLTnUtNDVQpe0/s640/IMG_9608.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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She doesn't have much hair but it looks like it's </div>
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going to be red just like her big brother!</div>
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She is honestly a little angel- so even-tempered</div>
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and patient. She gave me two <i>huge </i>smiles</div>
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yesterday while I was cooing and talking with</div>
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her and they about melted my heart.</div>
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It is incredible how, even after just a couple</div>
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weeks, we can't imagine life or our family</div>
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without her.</div>
The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108897211636016734.post-70650627074135500792012-09-05T12:51:00.001-06:002012-09-07T19:03:36.885-06:002 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last 2 weeks have seemed to fly by! </div>
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Cambridge is an absolute joy to have in our home. </div>
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She is so even-tempered and patient- even when</div>
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she hasn't eaten in 5 + hours, she will just fuss a tiny </div>
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bit and as soon as I pick her up she stops altogether.</div>
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Crew has done incredibly well with the transition.</div>
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He has needed more attention, and has acted up a</div>
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little more but is so sweet to baby girl! </div>
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He wants to hold her all the time and will sit and</div>
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sing or talk to her. He refers to her as "baby girl"</div>
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all the time which I love!</div>
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We had a 2 week check-up for Cambridge yesterday</div>
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and she has gained exactly a pound since she was born.</div>
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The doc says that is very unusual to have gained that </div>
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much so we must be doing something right!</div>
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I was hoping that would be the case, because she </div>
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has been going for 5 and 6 hour stretches at night and</div>
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I want to be able to enjoy it, not be worrying that she's</div>
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getting enough to eat. With her weight gain, I can</div>
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rest assured she's getting enough :)</div>
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We are loving every minute of the newborn stage!</div>
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Ok, maybe not the interrupted sleep at night-</div>
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but even then, I love the quiet time alone with</div>
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my little girl. It feels like having a little piece</div>
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of heaven in your home to have a newborn around.</div>
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Now I'm off to take a nap!</div>
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The Walkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16976585150463721631noreply@blogger.com3