tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47399065857979103822024-03-12T19:01:57.567-04:00from our back porch lookin' in...life...honestlythe workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.comBlogger253125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-66028877316334686722013-07-31T07:24:00.000-04:002013-07-31T07:24:00.130-04:001 year laterIt's hard to believe it's been a year since I published <a href="http://www.theworkaholicmomma.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-your-bad-dream-becomes-reality-and.html">this post</a>...one day after suffering a miscarriage. Everyone told me...and deep down I knew...that in time things would get easier. And it has...but I'd be lying if I said I don't still wonder why it happened and that it doesn't hurt. There are flashes of memories from those days that I remember...the dr putting his hands on my knees as I sat on the table in the ultrasound room telling me that I could ask any question I wanted except "why," because he didn't know...the hugs and support from my co-workers as I walked back into work after my appointment, eyes filled with tears and then my boss sending me home because (and he was right) burying myself in work wasn't going to make anything better...the relief and joy i felt when my very best friend called to tell me that she was pregnant with her first and was due in march (about a week before i would have been due) because we all know that if we have to be the 1 in 4 we'd love to be able to pick the other 3. But, having my sweet Kate and looking at her beautiful face every day reminds me that everything does happen for a reason and that there is a master plan. <i><span style="font-size: large;">"God doesn't close one door without opening another...but sometimes it's hell in the hallways."</span></i> For me...for us...getting pregnant again certainly made things easier and when my doctor gave me the go ahead at a follow-up appointment a few weeks after the miscarriage we started trying right away. Things happened pretty quickly and while the first trimester was anxiety-ridden, my focus on the pregnancy certainly helped dull the pain of our loss. I must admit though...the hubs and I...when we talk about whether or not we will try for baby #3...this is the first thing that comes up...S can't bear to think that we might go through this again...and honestly, I feel the same. I remember thinking when we found out we were pregnant with Kate that I simply could not bear losing another baby....I'd be done...perfectly content with just having Addie. Without a doubt, having a miscarriage proved to be one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with but thanks to the wonderful support of my family and friends I got through it...and a year later I sit here staring at my sweet baby girl knowing that without the miscarriage she wouldn't be here and I just can't imagine having anyone but her.<br />
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Thank you all for your wonderful support last year....I can't even begin to express how much all of the e-mails and comments meant and how much they helped. The stories and encouragement everyone offered helped me stop the self-pity and trust that everything happens for a reason and that in time things would get easier. the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-4496850209985608162013-07-30T08:36:00.001-04:002013-07-30T08:36:38.481-04:00My sweet Kate...2 months old<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/photo12_zpsc04fd59a.jpg.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo photo12_zpsc04fd59a.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/photo12_zpsc04fd59a.jpg" width="400" /></a>
Dearest Kate,<br />
My my my....time has literally escaped me and I can't believe another month has already gone by. I know I say it alot but you truly are the sweetest girl and I am so thankful that you have joined our little family. You still love nothing more than to be held and talked to. Your precious little face just lights up and you give us the biggest smiles when we talk to you. You are still an awesome sleeper and have even give us 10+ hours some nights but you aren't much of a napper during the day. You've finally started to like your bumbo...even falling asleep in it one morning!! I'm also so sad to report that you got your first cold this month (we are actually still dealing with it) and it makes me so sad to see your puffy and watery eyes and nose. I'm hoping we'll breeze by this quickly and you'll be feeling 100% in no time. You've also become quite attached to your wubbanub paci (the duck). We had tried several different brands and you just didn't really like any of those so when we tried the wubbanub out with you and you loved it from the start we knew we were in luck!! You start school August 1st and I have such mixed feelings about it all. It makes me sad to know that someone else will be cuddling you and soothing you while I'm at work but I know that it's best for you and I know you will learn SO SO much...plus, your sissy is thrilled that you will be at school with her!<br />
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OUR DAY:</div>
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Not much has changed from your first month. You eat about 4 ounces at each feeding and have no problem switching back and forth between nursing and bottle-feeding. You aren't napping nearly as much as you did last month but you are so content and loving sitting in your rock n' play and watching the fan or looking for your momma, daddy, or big sissy.</div>
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WHAT YOU WEAR:</div>
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I think we are on our last leg with the 0-3 month clothing and I've already started pulling out some of your 3-6 month clothing. You are wearing a size 2 in disposables but still snapped up in your cloth diapers. Your trumpette socks are finally starting to fit on your feet and not looking silly!!! We go for your 2 month check-up tomorrow and I can't wait to see how much you've grown from your last appointment.</div>
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SECOND MONTH THOUGHTS:</div>
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Kate, we are SO SO SO in love with you. Now that I've gone back to work I count the minutes until I get to see you and cuddle you again. You just have this way about you that is so sweet and calming and I feel so lucky to be your momma. Everyone that meets you always comments on your calm and sweet demeanor. You are so tolerant...and almost seem amused by the chaos that is constantly going on around you...we love you sweet girl!!</div>
the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-38882381882743608522013-07-23T09:26:00.000-04:002013-07-23T09:26:00.442-04:00On the tube....YAY for another day of Jenna's comment challenge. This is such a fun way to meet new bloggers and after a lengthy hiatus it's great to get back into things!! Today's prompt was "favorite TV shows" and I feel like I'm all over the map on this one but here are my top 3!!<br />
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1. <b><span style="font-size: large;">Grey's Anatomy</span></b> - I'm a loyal follower of this show...pretty sure I've never missed an episode (thank you, DVR) and I still get excited with the start of every new season. I love watching all of the medical stuff and with the drama layered on...its got about everything I could want in a show. Plus, who doesn't love McDreamy....I mean, seriously.<br />
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2. <b><span style="font-size: large;">Dateline </span></b>- I love watching news stories and current events stuff and this just happens to be my favorite of those types of shows. Again, thank you DVR for holding all of these so I can watch them after the girls go to sleep!<br />
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3. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Bachelor/Bachelorette</b></span> - I know...I know...trust me, I've heard it all when I tell people what a fan I am of this show (apparently there must be quite a few of us...these shows have been on forever)...but I love a good story and some of the stuff that goes on in these shows is just too good to pass up. Does anyone remember the "weather man"...I can't remember what season he was on but the hubs and I still joke about him to this day...haha!<br />
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Outside of these, I really don't watch too much TV...I love a good documentary...I'm a dork, I know. <br />
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If you're here from Jenna's link-up, thank you so much for stopping by!!!the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-86942851641121588652013-07-22T22:13:00.000-04:002013-07-22T22:13:32.022-04:00Week in ReviewI just love this "week in review" post. I find myself stopping to take pictures that I otherwise may not have captured so that I can document our week!! So...here's to another week:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Firsts of the week:</b></span><br />
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from left to right and top to bottom:<br />
1. <b>I hosted Bunco</b>!! I've been playing for the past year with a group of girls that meets once a month at one of our homes for food, drinks, a little bunco, and most importantly girl talk. I know...seems like an old lady game...but it's fun and mindless and I enjoy the company. I had hoped to take pictures of the food and drinks but only managed to get one of the tray of chips #hostfail<br />
2. <b>My wedding rings fit again</b>! I took them off at around 32 weeks with Kate and just finally managed to get them back on. Yippee...happy day.<br />
3. <b>First glass of wine in a year</b>. It was amazing...delicious....better than I remembered.<br />
4. <b>Addie's first manicure</b>...or rather, just nail painting!!! No worries...we used Piggy Paint, which is nontoxic...she loved it. I did her toes too...in a fun green color and she was so excited.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Addie's week:</b></span><br />
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1. "I got my own golf cubs, daddy." Pretty sure those words just sealed her fate as a golfer..all S can talk about is taking her out on the course with him so she can hit a few around.<br />
2. That's Mumble...getting a first row seat to his own movie "Happy Feet." Addie insisted on putting him there...it was certainly good for a laugh.<br />
3. Someone found grandma's lipstick....at least she applied it to the appropriate area of her face and managed to <b>not </b>get it all over the walls or anyone else.<br />
4. On Sunday morning I asked Addie to help me by getting a new bib for Kate. Out of the gazillion bibs we have (reflux is no joke) this is the one Addie picked. Clearly she can't read and didn't know what she was picking but it made my momma heart smile.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kate's week:</b></span><br />
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1. Big smiles on "meet and greet" day at Kate's school for the newborn room. I took Kate in and she slept the entire time but I at least got to meet her teachers and get all sorts of information on how her day will go and what she will need....phew, it's alot to remember!<br />
2. Cheers to this girl for finally warming up to her bumbo chair....so much so, she fell asleep in it..ha!<br />
3. My sweet girl snuggled in my arms napping. I'm trying to soak up as much of this as possible...love this sweet girl.<br />
4. Her feet are at the end of her 0-3 month clothing...how is that possible?!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Highlights of the week:</b></span><br />
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1. Maybe not a "highlight" but definitely a high....holy, weather. It was insanely hot last week...I felt zapped as soon as I stepped outside.<br />
2. A <a href="http://www.beachbumandbaby.blogspot.com/">very special girl</a> celebrated her birthday!!!<br />
3. Yum...we found an awesome new recipe from <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew">the chew</a> thanks to my daytime TV watching. They were amazing and I plan to share the recipe soon...but if you can't wait and want to try these out the recipe is on the chew's <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew">website</a> (<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Hawaiian-Pork-Tenderloin-Sliders-Roble-Ali">hawaiian pork tenderloin sliders</a>).<br />
4. This picture may seem pretty simple...but that little doll in Kate's hand just so happens to be Addie's world. That's Prudence and Addie has to know where she is at all times. She LOVES Prudence...so that fact that she gave her to Kate to hold...was monumental. Watching Addie's love for Kate grow is one of the best gifts motherhood has given me.<br />
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So...if you made it all the way to the end...thanks for reading...phew, that was alot!!! the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-36954586612973218802013-07-22T09:15:00.000-04:002013-07-22T09:15:00.104-04:00Jenna's 4th Annual Comment Challenge<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/4thCommentChallenge_zps3062b5b6.jpg.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 4thCommentChallenge_zps3062b5b6.jpg" border="0" height="318" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/4thCommentChallenge_zps3062b5b6.jpg" width="320" /></a>
Good Monday morning (is that even possible?!)....I'm so excited that <a href="http://www.jennablogs.com/">Jenna's</a> 4th annual comment challenge starts this week!!! I joined in two years ago and found some wonderful new blogs to read along with and I'm really looking forward to doing that again this year. It's really easy...link up and try to comment on 10 new blogs a day...but no worries if you can't do 10...no one will throw you off the island! Jenna will also post topics for each day that you can use to get started or blog about whatever...just remember to try and reach out to some fellow bloggers!!!<br />
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Today's suggested topic is an "About Me" post or if you already have a page on your blog about that, than link there. I've actually just updated mine...so if you are stopping by from the comment challenge you can click that "<a href="http://www.theworkaholicmomma.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html">About Me</a>" title up above. Thanks for stopping by!!!the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-81503269287589070892013-07-17T08:01:00.000-04:002013-07-17T08:01:57.890-04:00WW...Kate's newborn pictures...just her<div style="text-align: center;">
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A huge thanks to the wonderful Stacey of <a href="http://littlebabybluephoto.com/#">Little Baby Blue Photography</a> that made all of these beautiful pictures possible!!!the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-77886468854997310172013-07-15T16:15:00.000-04:002013-07-15T16:15:08.804-04:00week in review...I had SO much fun snapping pictures of the silly little goings-on in our life this past week...amen to the iphone...what in the world did we do before we had phones with cameras!! I'm linking up again with Kat at "<a href="http://livinglikethekings.com/">Living Like the Kings</a>" to share our <a href="http://livinglikethekings.com/2013/07/week-by-iphone-2852-also-i-turn-30-this-week/">week in review</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>what we did:</b></span><br />
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from left to right and top to bottom:<br />
1. i made it through another "couch to 5K" workout and broke the 2 mile mark...with the help of a new pair of running shoes. I bought my last pair before Steve and I started dating which makes them at least 7 years old...eeekk! Kate spent lots of time on her tummy....well, kind of. The little girl rolls from her tummy to her back these days...so tummy time is kind of a joke in our house.<br />
2. we took a family tour of the neighborhood...always fun to see what the neighbors are up to.<br />
3. i did some crafting...made my first bunting banner...thanks to a tutorial from my dear friend <a href="http://www.beachbumandbaby.blogspot.com/">Lis</a>. I must admit though..she glued it all together for me last time and this time I was alone and definitely glued it all together backwards and didn't realize until I went to hang it...cue the panic. Luckily, I was able to reassemble very quickly and all was not lost. All in honor of celebrating my mom's sixtieth...we had a surprise party at my house (i got no pictures because I was running around like a mad woman trying to do last minute things...like reassemble this banner..haha)<br />
4. we had the pleasure of cleaning "Lake Dunkin" out of our coffee cup holder in our truck thanks to a hole in the bottom of the hubs iced coffee. fun times.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">what we ate:</span></b><br />
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1. chocolate chip pancakes - I'm such a fan - it totally makes me feel like a kid again.<br />
2. steak fajitas - we used some delicious flat iron steak...marinated with lime, cilantro, salt, pepper, garlic, and olive oil...and then added all of our favorite toppings<br />
3. strawberry champagne jam toast - My favorite jam that we pick up at our local farmers market...it's amazing.<br />
4. grilled caprese - I've got fresh tomatoes from my mom's garden but totally didn't feel like cooking bacon to make a BLT (my favorite summer lunch)...so I grabbed some of the basil I had in my window box...some mozarella and havarti cheese we had in the fridge and through it together for a fun twist on a grilled cheese...i highly recommend it!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>my girls:</b></span><br />
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1. addie LOVE LOVE LOVES her baby sister...she is always asking about her and talking to her....I got lucky and was able to capture this picture of the girls this weekend from my parent's house...Addie was so sweet trying to entertain Kate while she got her diap changed.<br />
2. a rare moment in our house...both girls napping at the same time.<br />
3. we went out on a family fro-yo date...Addie and Barbie decided to dine together at the "Little Dippers" table. <br />
4. another rare moment of Kate actually taking her paci...I've been on the verge of picking up another brand to see if she just doesn't like the type I've got for her but she really does just fine without it most of the time...so maybe not.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>kate's week:</b></span><br />
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1. SMILES...we got smiles this week!!!! Something that just never gets old.<br />
2. it was cuteness overload...I was working on some party crafting and I looked over to see this going on in my living room...can we say "daddy's girl"<br />
3. bath time - one of kate's favorite things to do...she just loves to kick her little feet around!<br />
4. bumbo time - one of kate's LEAST favorite things to do - yep, that would be her angry face.<br />
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So that was it...our week in review...fun times.the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-26935762700869634782013-07-12T08:15:00.000-04:002013-07-12T08:15:27.057-04:00Five on FridayI wanted to blog today....but had a little bit of bloggers block until I came across this <a href="http://www.the-good-life-blog.com/search/label/FIVE%20on%20Friday">fun link-up</a> which seemed to be just what I needed...you just pick 5 things that are rolling around in your head and blog em. Perfect for my little mind that is having difficulty putting anything together...so here goes it:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ONE:</b></span><br />
Has anyone seen what I'll call the "moms section" at Hallmark. Funny..lighthearted cards for moms...I know everyone thought I was crazy as I snapped away with my phone at some of these cute cards that would be so fun to send to another momma to lighten her day. Here are some of my faves:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo photo3_zps28ec024b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/photo3_zps28ec024b.jpg" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or...when your toddler says something and you totally know what they are saying but everyone else looks at you and says "what did she say?"</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo photo5_zps81609c46.jpg" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/photo5_zps81609c46.jpg" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAHA...sometimes you just need some time out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo da6aafdd-0d17-44c4-a534-866b7862a4eb_zpsd178b1b4.jpg" border="0" height="584" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/da6aafdd-0d17-44c4-a534-866b7862a4eb_zpsd178b1b4.jpg" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can totally relate.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>TWO:</b></span><br />
I have an admission to make...I don't always change my clothes after getting puked on by my 6 week old...matter of fact, i rarely do. Kate has reflux...meaning I spend a good bit of my time getting puked on...she likes a squirt toy...any change in position or attempt to lift her up and it just flows. I'm in that weird stage where my normal clothes don't fit and maternity clothes don't either so my selection is limited and sometimes I just have to wipe it off and roll with it. Now the baby...she gets changed everytime she soaks her clothes...in case that was your next question.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THREE:</b></span><br />
I'm on the two week countdown to returning to work....eeeppp...it hurts just to write that. I'm SO glad I chose to take an extra two weeks this time around but its still going to be hard...I'll be playing the lottery more often.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">FOUR:</span></b><br />
I got new running shoes last week...I've only used them once but gosh, I really needed those. What a difference a new pair of shoes makes....maybe now I can actually stick to my little workout plan.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">FIVE:</span></b><br />
You know you have a slight obsession with Toms shoes when you get this text from your bestie after Toms make another cameo on Zulily....<br />
<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/c1959b73-ea09-4757-ba4f-a697113e4a86_zps59b40024.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo c1959b73-ea09-4757-ba4f-a697113e4a86_zps59b40024.jpg" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/c1959b73-ea09-4757-ba4f-a697113e4a86_zps59b40024.jpg" /></a>
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<br />
If you want to join in the fun or just read what everyone else is sharing...head over to "<a href="http://www.the-good-life-blog.com/">The Good Life</a>" and link-up!<br />
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<div class="THE-GOOD-LIFE-BLOG-FIVE-ON-FRIDAY-button" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 275px;">
<a href="http://www.the-good-life-blog.com/search/label/FIVE%20on%20Friday" rel="nofollow"> <img alt="THE GOOD LIFE BLOG" height="275" src="http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p782/thegoodlifeblog/5onFridayLogo-Final-forblogsidemenu_edited-1_zps7fcf6068.jpg" width="275" /> </a> </div>
the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-58887950248099497112013-07-11T07:42:00.000-04:002013-07-11T07:42:00.066-04:00Kate's birth story...part IIOk, so where I left off...begging the doctor to induce me. I mean..I didn't beg - but I was fully prepared to. If you missed part I, you can read it <a href="http://theworkaholicmomma.blogspot.com/2013/06/kates-birth-story-part-1.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
After finding out Tuesday morning that I would be induced on Thursday but would need to arrive Wednesday night for cervical ripening (I was 2cm dilated but only about 50% effaced) anxiety was building. Leaving the doctors office was a bit of a blur...they handed me a slip with some directions for when to arrive and what was involved with an induction....and explained that Cytotec would be used for my cervical ripening...not Cervidil and then they would break my water in the morning and Pitocin would follow. Normally, I would have researched the living you know what out of this...but I hadn't....I was totally unprepared. I just figured they would bring me in Thursday morning and break my water and give me some pitocin and we would have a baby by dinner...cervical ripening was not something I thought they would need to do. So, I had about 36 hours to figure out what Cytotec was and if I was ok with it...dr. google to the rescue...or not. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>HORROR STORIES</b></span>....seriously, y'all....bad stuff on the internet about Cytotec. Words like uterine rupture, hemorrhaging, placental abruption...even death...just horrible awful things. I was terrified...but I read and read and read...determined to get to the bottom of what the truth was. I don't know if I got there...but I got comfortable enough not to call off the induction...which I was fully prepared to do. I'm no doctor...but if you're wondering how I got comfortable...here it is: almost all of the horror stories I read involved doses of 50-100+mcg being given to women to induce labor. My doctor would only be administering a 25mcg dose..with full monitoring...and from what I could find - this seemed to do a nice job of preparing women for labor to begin.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to Wednesday morning...I was feeling a ton of anxiety...as evidenced by my inability to think about anything other than cleaning out my bathroom closet and refrigerator (literally the only 2 places I hadn't deep cleaned in the past 2 months thanks to my nesting instinct)...so I went to work and asked my boss if I could take a half day off to go home and get those things done before going to the hospital...call me crazy - its ok - i'm fully aware! He obliged...I got all of my "out of office" stuff set and said my good-byes and walked out feeling a little weird knowing I was "going to have a baby." I got my cleaning done...got Addie all packed to stay with my parents and anxiously awaited "go-time."<br />
<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/photo2_zpse2be094a.jpg.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo photo2_zpse2be094a.jpg" border="0" height="400" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/photo2_zpse2be094a.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
We dropped Addie at my parents...and that's when the anxiety and fear really started to take over...child birth is no walk in the park and I know there are risks. I was scared...scared if something happened Addie would suffer. I put it all to the back of my mind...kissed her and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>told her I loved her no less than a 1,000 times</b></span> and told my parents we'd be in touch in the morning with news on how things were progressing...but not to worry, nothing would be happening tonight...it was just to get me ready for the morning.<br />
<br />
We arrived at the hospital a little before our scheduled time and lugged our stuff up to labor and delivery. It was so surreal to go into the hospital knowing we wouldn't be sent home...we were simply arriving for our "its time to have your baby" time slot. We checked in and got sent down the hall to meet our l&d nurse and get settled in our room. I spied my doc as we were walking to meet our nurse and we waved....and a sense of calmness washed over me. Nurse Betsey was our l&d nurse and she showed us to our room...handed me a gown and asked me to get changed. Still a little nervous about the Cytotec induction...I figured Betsey would know best so I asked her her opinion. She said she'd seen it done a million times and actually had a Cytotec induction with one of her children and had no issues. This settled my nerves even more. She hooked me up to all of the monitors as asked if I had been having any contractions. Well...I had been feeling awfully crampy all afternoon and had felt some more substantial cramps in the car but chalked it up to being on my feet all afternoon frantically cleaning up those last minute things and not contractions. <b><span style="font-size: large;">Contractions they were....4 minutes apart to be exact</span></b>. YES!!! Maybe this meant we wouldn't need the induction after all and I could just labor on my own. Womp...womp...womp...after a cervical check...there was no change from my last doctor's appointment so she checked with my doc and he decided he still wanted to proceed with the cytotec. The nurse warned that the cytotec might increase the intensity and frequency of the contractions...but no dice...I felt no change. And after about 15 minutes of being on one side I really wanted out of the bed. I was so uncomfortable...but I knew I had to stay put for 2 hours for the Cytotec to do what it needed to do. The nurse came in an offered up some Ambien to help me get some sleep...I politely declined...but as soon as the 2 hours was up I was eager to get out of bed. She let me but only to go to the bathroom....insert a really angry face here. "Only to go to the bathroom"??? You mean...I can't walk around and take the pressure off my hips (since laying flat on my back was out)...<b><span style="font-size: large;">oh dear god, I'll never make it</span></b>. I figured my best bet was to just try and get some sleep...it was almost 1am and while the anxiety and excitement of Kate's arrival and painful pressure on my hips was making it hard to sleep...I figured I'd better try. We turned the TV off and the lights down and settled in...until about 5 minutes later when <span style="font-size: large;"><b>I felt a pop and then a trickle.... </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>**I understand that inductions are controversial...as is the use of Cytotec. I am simply documenting my story for my own memories and firmly believe that every woman needs to make her own decisions based on what she believes to be best for her. I am not a doctor or a medical professional and what I have documented above is not meant to encourage or discourage anyone to make the decisions I have**</i></span><b> </b></span>the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-88394507959902013292013-07-10T07:03:00.000-04:002013-07-10T07:03:01.134-04:00WW...our 4th...the outtakesbecause this is just a smattering of the pictures we usually get when trying to "capture the moment"...but that one picture that's perfect...makes all of these funnies worth it!
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<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/4thouttakes_zps4bd1960a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 4thouttakes_zps4bd1960a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/4thouttakes_zps4bd1960a.jpg" /></a>the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-80293915981236152432013-07-09T09:01:00.000-04:002013-07-09T09:01:22.787-04:00Our 4th<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo treyandaddie4th_zps54d7e674.jpg" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/treyandaddie4th_zps54d7e674.jpg" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beachbumandbaby.blogspot.com/">Trey</a> and Addie living it up on the 4th</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The 4th of July has long been one of my favorite holiday...fireworks...summer...celebrating our freedom and everything good about our country. This year further validated my love of the 4th...we spent the afternoon with close friends and family eating all sorts of amazing things (basically an appetizer dinner...my fave) and then we walked down to watch the fireworks with the rest of virginia beach...i tell no lies when i tell you there were thousands of people at our local park to watch the city fireworks...it was insane and a true test of one's patience but only one day a year so we celebrate the insanity. I had some concerns about Addie...she doesn't like loud noises..they terrify her (i.e. the vacuum, lawn mower, blower..you get the picture) and we all know fireworks are noisy! But that kid...she LOVED them...ate em up...wanted more...and more...and more. We watched the NYC fireworks on TV when we got home and she's still asking daily for more fireworks...sorry, kid...its just once a year. There sure is something magical about the good 'ole red, white, and blue and celebrating that is something special....
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo addieandkate4th_zpsbeee746d.jpg" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/addieandkate4th_zpsbeee746d.jpg" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my girls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-8195106097480476682013-07-08T13:24:00.000-04:002013-07-08T13:24:10.311-04:00week in review...Pictures...I love them. Looking through photo albums and old pictures...I could spend days doing this. But lately...I've been bad about taking them...which means I won't have them to look back on if I don't get better about this. SO, I've been making an effort to take pictures...of the little moments...even when a camera seems silly. And I'm super excited to be linking up with Kat over at <a href="http://livinglikethekings.com/">Living Like the Kings</a> for her weekly, <a href="http://livinglikethekings.com/2013/07/week-by-iphone-2752-2/">"week by iphone" linkup</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo picstitch1_zpsc93c6967.jpg" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/picstitch1_zpsc93c6967.jpg" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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All the details (from left to right and top to bottom):<br />
<br />
1. Found this delicious dairy free treat and was oh, so excited to be able to drink iced coffee again. Kate has had some reflux/gassiness issues so the doc asked me to eliminate dairy from my diet for 2 weeks to see if it was the culprit...its been killing me. I LOVE dairy...but have found some really tasty dairy free substitutes...including this one!<br />
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2. I completed workout #2 of the couch to 5K plan...it definitely felt better than the first. I'm determined to take this baby weight off quicker than I did with Addie!<br />
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3. My sweet girl on the 4th of July...bright eyed!<br />
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4. 20 perfect toes...I could not be more thankful. I can't wait to see these girls grow together and become the best of friends.<br />
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<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/picstitch_zps07b7c2e3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo picstitch_zps07b7c2e3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/picstitch_zps07b7c2e3.jpg" /></a><br />
1. I'm just loving how much more alert and awake Kate is becoming these days!! She is starting to stay awake more during the day and is so calm and patient. She just loves watching the chaos unfold around her (courtesy of her big sissy addie)!!<br />
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2. Need I say more...I couldn't resist. And this is why I will probably gain weight this week despite my goal to get this baby weight off me ASAP.<br />
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3. Ummm...YUM! Might possibly be my favorite meal ever. In celebration of July 6th...just because.<br />
<br />the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-85201934724529161402013-07-03T18:13:00.000-04:002013-07-03T18:13:42.516-04:00Wordless Wednesday...my girls<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/KateGray-Newborn-web08_zpsc5845bbd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo KateGray-Newborn-web08_zpsc5845bbd.jpg" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/KateGray-Newborn-web08_zpsc5845bbd.jpg" /></a>the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-17450766266455815922013-07-02T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-02T07:00:05.828-04:00First month favorites - baby products<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/95814199-7a92-44a1-be0e-3ba54ce31ff0_zpsfe784c9c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 95814199-7a92-44a1-be0e-3ba54ce31ff0_zpsfe784c9c.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/95814199-7a92-44a1-be0e-3ba54ce31ff0_zpsfe784c9c.jpg" width="640" /> </a><br />
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I just thought I'd throw together a quick post with some of my favorite baby items from the first month!! <br />
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1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Itzbeen-Pocket-Nanny-Baby-Timer/dp/B000MEB3GE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372728650&sr=8-1&keywords=itzbeen+timer">Itzbeen pocket nanny</a> - After the first two weeks of writing every waking moment down (feedings, diaper changes, naps, etc.) I was so happy to switch to this little timer. It has four different timers on it (feedings, diaper changes, naps, and an extra - which I use for her zantac) as well as slide bar at the bottom which lets you know which side of your chest they started on during the last feeding. You simply push the button to restart the timer each time you complete the "task." It completely takes those panic moments of "have I not fed her in 5 hours..." "wait, did i change her diaper 2 hours ago or was it longer than that" and eliminates the need to really clock watch. I even take it with me when we go places...its tiny so it fits easily in the side pockets of my diaper bag. I used this with Addie and was so excited to pull it back out for Kate.<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.adenandanais.com/shop/itemdisplay.aspx?ID=261&SKU=2035">Aden and Anais swaddle blankets</a> - These are my "go-to blankets"...especially given that Kate is a summer baby. These lightweight blankets are perfect for covering her up when we are out and about or just a small blanket to lay over her legs while she is in her swing. I've also found it really handy as a burp cloth or a nursing cover when I'm in a bind. While they are labeled swaddle blankets...I can't attest to how well they do in that arena as we are tied to the swaddle blankets that have the velcro closures on them...but these little blankets are a "must have". They also fold up very compactly so they are perfect for keeping in your diaper bag too!<br />
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3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Newborn-Rock-Sleeper-Yellow/dp/B00A4B36ME/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372729421&sr=8-2&keywords=rock+n+play">Fisher Price Rock 'N Play Sleeper</a> - This has been a lifesaver for us...and I often wonder how we survived Addie's first months without it!! Kate loves to sleep on me or the hubs (which is fine except when laundry begins to pile up around me) but we can usually get her to take a decent nap here as well. It folds up very easily and the insert is really easy to wash...I also LOVE that it isn't a huge consumer of space in my home.<br />
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4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hooter-Hiders-Nursing-Cover-Nest/dp/B002MB4YYI/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1372731129&sr=1-1&keywords=hooter+hider">Hooter Hider</a> - I'd say this is pretty much a must for breastfeeding mommas...I have two - one in the diaper bag for when we are out and about and another next to our coffee table...for those moments where you are in the middle of nursing and someone decides to drop by. They totally give me the privacy I need amidst a nosy toddler or a crowd and I feel completely covered!<br />
<br />the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-28322449243044631232013-07-01T11:01:00.000-04:002013-07-01T11:01:50.079-04:00My sweet Kate...1 month old!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/photo2_zpsc29138bb.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Kate 1 month - monthly photo photo2_zpsc29138bb.jpg" border="0" height="640" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/photo2_zpsc29138bb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dearest Kate,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I simply cannot believe that you are already a month old. Being your momma for a month has been nothing but the best...you are the sweetest little girl - your daddy and I talk about that ALL of the time. You are SO cuddly and just love to be held...you only cry when your belly is bothering you, you're hungry or need a change. You grunt alot...which tickles everyone and you're a great sleeper...only getting momma up once a night after going down between 8 and 9pm. Your big sissy absolutely adores you...you are the first thing she looks for in the morning and the last person she wants to kiss goodnight. She is so proud to show you off and loves to hold you (with momma or daddy's help of course) and give you kisses. You are starting to react to people and changes in light...and while you love your rock n'play...momma's chest is still your favorite place to nap (as I type this you are currently sound asleep on my chest and I couldn't be happier).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
OUR DAY:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are doing on-demand nursing so you are currently telling us when you want to eat, sleep, and play. The only "real schedule" we have is that we typically swaddle and put you to bed in your crib at around 8 or 9pm and you generally sleep through the night with one middle of the night feeding (which momma really thanks you for). You typically get up for the day between 6 and 7am. You go about 3 hours between feedings during the day...sometimes nursing a little closer together in the evenings and then give us a good 6 or 7 hour stretch during the night. As for playing...tummy time is still something you don't completely love but we're hoping you warm up to it soon. You love being talked to and cuddled.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
WHAT YOU WEAR:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are solidly in 0-3 month clothing and it is starting to get tight. Partly due to the bulkiness of the cloth diapers and partly do to the fact that you are a growing girl. You weighed 9lbs 1 ounce at your first doctors visit (06.03.13) and by your two week check up you were just an ounce shy of 10 lbs (06.17.13) an had grown a quarter of an inch. You are totally snapped up on your cloth diapers and we use size 1 disposables if we are planning to be out and about for an extended period of time or if all of the cloth diaps are in the wash...but I think the next batch of disposables I buy will be size 2.</div>
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FIRST THOUGHTS:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a wonderful first month it has been....you have fit into this little family of 4 so seamlessly...God really knew what he was doing when he decided you would be the perfect fit. You are completely tolerant of the chaos that goes on around you and you are just the sweetest little girl. I can't wait to see you and your sissy's bond grow...I just know that you two girls are going to be the best of friends. Your personality is completely opposite of hers (or at least thus far you have been a totally different baby) and while I think you guys look somewhat similar...you definitely have your own look that is different from that of your sissy. </div>
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Kate, words cannot even begin to express how happy your daddy and I are to have you here and we just love and adore you. You have brought so much joy and happiness to our home and we are so excited about what the future holds for you and for our family....welcome little one - we LOVE you!</div>
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the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-81837667013101547722013-06-20T07:46:00.000-04:002013-06-20T07:46:00.285-04:00Kate's birth story - part 1<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo photo1_zpsee0161b5.jpg" border="0" height="320" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/photo1_zpsee0161b5.jpg" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my 35.5 week belly profile</td></tr>
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As I was totally MIA here on the blog during my pregnancy...I figured I should at least start by writing down some of the details prior to Kate's arrival...and do to my inability to ever provide the "readers digest" version...beware of the long post ahead.<br />
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Aside from the subchorionic hematoma, my pregnancy was rather uneventful. I had alot of friends ask me if this was one was different from my pregnancy with Addie...and it really was in a lot of ways...most notably was the feeling I got this time around at right about 30 weeks..."I don't think I can make it another 10 weeks..." I, along with alot of my friends and family, convinced ourselves that there was absolutely no way this baby was going to term...bets were made...most with Miss Kate arriving at least 2 weeks in advance of her due date. I was feeling so much....uumm, should we just say "pressure" that there were days I thought she might just drop out of me. From about 35 weeks on, I had all sorts of labor symptoms...something I never really had with Addie (who was a week and a half early)...and by the time I went in for my first appointment that involved "the check"...I was sure the doc would be preparing me for imminent delivery.<br />
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So, I say all of that to say this....I WAS WRONG....really wrong. My gut failed me this time...that first "check" revealed that I was dilated but Miss Kate...no interest in engaging...was so far up the doc wanted to do an ultrasound to determine if her head was in fact down (which it was). With each passing week, I hoped for something...anything...progress. But with each passing week there wasn't much change to discuss. I was also informed about half-way through my pregnancy that my doctors were not on call every weekend...meaning if I went into labor over the weekend there was a decent chance I might not know the doctor delivering me...cue the mild panic attack on my end. I understand that many believe they are just there to "play catch" but after some minor complications with Addie's birth...I wanted one of my doctors to deliver me...no thanks to the stranger option. So...with the Memorial Day weekend approaching and "a stranger on-call"...I was leary and had convinced myself that this would be when miss kate would decide to arrive. I knew I could probably convince the doctor to induce me prior to the weekend but I really wanted to wait it out and with "the stranger's" name in hand...I did some research and read his patient's reviews and decided I would chance it through the weekend. Much to my surprise, the weekend came and went...no baby. As relieved as I was we had survived another weekend without one of my docs on call...I was also at a loss as to when kate would arrive. I know...I know...I hadn't even reached my due date yet and I should totally have been at ease knowing that we hadn't missed anything but remember...I, along with almost everyone else I knew were convinced that this baby would be early. So, my appointment that week was on Tuesday and when the doc asked "So, when are we having this baby..." as he breezed through the door of the exam room...I could hardly get out "whenever you are ready to induce me" fast enough. Yep, I said it..."induce me"....I know....some of you are shaking your finger at me right now...it's not a choice I ever thought I would make...but after 10 weeks of hardly sleeping through the night...pressure....oh, the pressure....and more comments that I can count concerning "when will she be here"....i was ready. After a quick call by the nurse over to the hospital...my induction was set for the next evening...and then the real panic set in....the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-13794074246663930182013-06-12T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-12T07:00:13.373-04:00Introducing...<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">Katherine Margaret "Kate"</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/281ff38b-421e-49a9-a018-fcefda24548a_1_zpsc2a7eef1.jpg.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 281ff38b-421e-49a9-a018-fcefda24548a_1_zpsc2a7eef1.jpg" border="0" height="456" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/281ff38b-421e-49a9-a018-fcefda24548a_1_zpsc2a7eef1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of mom365</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">May 30, 2013</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">6:04AM</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">9lbs 5oz</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">21 inches</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">birth story to come... </span></span></div>
the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-22815830242558693112013-06-11T15:33:00.000-04:002013-06-11T15:33:07.093-04:00Late to the party...and a name changeAfter quite a long hiatus from blogging...I'm back and have quite a bit to share and catch up on!! I've decided to start fresh..new blog name...working on having a new design installed...and making it all official by joining bloglovin'.<br />
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After two years of blogging and very few posts about balancing a full-time job and being a full-time mom, I decided that my blog title wasn't really what this blog was about. Rather, it's a smattering of stories, funnies, recipes, product reviews, and random thoughts...just what you might expect to see "from my back porch looking in." So, with some inspiration from the Lonestar song "my front porch looking in" and the fact that the back porch on my house is one on my favorite spots, the new blog name was born. <br />
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If anyone out there is still reading and wants to follow along you can do so here: <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2619078/?claim=zu93qvmr2za">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-36236123344342204022012-12-18T06:56:00.000-05:002012-12-18T06:56:00.431-05:00the details and a confession<i>Thank you ALL so much for your sweet comments....I feel so relieved to finally be able to put it out there!!! I've been MIA partly because I was at a lost for what to blog about with everything going through my mind being pregnancy related (not to mention my usual blogging hours have been consumed by my need to go to sleep no later than 8:30pm) and the other part is just how busy life has been.</i><br />
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I'm a self admitted type-a personality..."go with the flow" doesn't really fit my personality (not that i don't wish it did)...so as you can imagine all of the unknowns of pregnancy turn this girl into a complete stress ball. Oh, and confession - I'm also an admitted POS addict...thank goodness for the dollar store tests...otherwise I'm pretty sure we'd be broke from my excessive pregnancy test purchasing. So suffice it to say....the minute we could know....i knew. From 3.5 weeks on I've known this baby was in the making but after the miscarriage this summer we decided that mum was the word and even announcing at 15 weeks (via instagram and our christmas card shown here) left me feeling pretty vulnerable. <br />
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But here we are....16 weeks along and while this pregnancy has not been without its issues (saving this for another post but I have a subchorionic hematoma that's kept us on edge) we feel so lucky and blessed to be this far along and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of this precious bundle of joy in May!!!<br />
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If you're wondering how I broke the news to my hubs...I let Addie do all of the work. I had a big sister shirt that I let her brag about to her daddy (complete with "hey dadda, look at my shirt!"). His reaction was surprise but guarded...as expected! <br />
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I've been feeling pretty good...this pregnancy pretty much resembles that of my first...no morning sickness, lots of tiredness, and extreme hunger and food cravings (hot foods and salty foods have been my weakness this go round). I'm still barely fitting into some of my larger size work clothes but everything else is all maternity!! I sleep pretty well at night...other than getting up to pee at least once and thankfully the hot flashes that seemed to plague me the first 14 weeks have subsided (totally scared of menopause now). I'm trying to take it all in and enjoy this pregnancy as much as I can...I'm starting to feel some small little flutters down there and now that some second trimester energy is showing up I'm starting to make nursery plans.<br />
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In case you're wondering...Addie has taken the news in stride. She can point to where the baby is in my belly but really isn't interested in talking much else about this "baby" thats in momma's belly. I know that will all change once the baby is here:)<br />
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Ok...so I know, this is a random post with some details scattered in...I just feel like I don't even know where to start with 16 weeks to catch up on....but in short - we are beyond thrilled that baby #2 is on the way...another miracle in the making:) the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-75818507095212936382012-12-14T07:23:00.000-05:002012-12-14T07:23:00.505-05:00from our home to yours....and a little surprise<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s44.beta.photobucket.com/user/vbjax14/media/christmas12_zpsb4481bc6.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/christmas12_zpsb4481bc6.png" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!!!</span></b> and yes, <b><span style="font-size: large;">we are pregnant</span></b>!!! 16 weeks along and I'm hoping to catch up with some posts with all of the details soon. this little one is<b><span style="font-size: large;"> due may 30, 2013 </span></b>and i cannot thank all of you enough for all of your support and encouraging words this summer!!</div>
the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-6567452903492287882012-09-18T07:28:00.000-04:002012-09-18T07:28:49.793-04:00put me in coach...<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my favorite memories of our recent trip to Iowa was watching Addie interact with her second cousins....whom she had never met before. <b><span style="font-size: large;">Cautious at first</span></b>...she most certainly was but <b><span style="font-size: large;">by the end she couldn't get enough</span></b> of my cousin's 3 boys. And watching them with her...just made my heart melt...they were <span style="font-size: large;">so sweet</span>..<span style="font-size: large;">so kind</span>..<span style="font-size: large;">so patient</span>..<span style="font-size: large;">so understanding</span>. Even when she had to have e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. they touched. While I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I wanted...I managed to snap a few of them enjoying some time kicking a soccer ball around. Addie didn't quite get it...but these boys...<span style="font-size: large;"><b>they tried to teach her</b></span>...<span style="font-size: large;"><b>tried to show her how to play the game</b></span>. And while she wasn't their best student...even the blades of grass distracted her...she had fun!!!
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">its not an all-out sprint unless your tongue hangs out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"mom, i just scored the big one!!!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">future david beckham</td></tr>
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the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-11185569938784643752012-09-14T07:10:00.000-04:002012-09-14T07:10:00.313-04:00friday funnies...<div style="text-align: center;">
happy friday!!!</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.ontobaby.com/gallery/sweet-outdoor-family-maternity-photos/?pid=18340" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">ontobaby.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/workaholicmomma/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">the workaholic momma</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://pin2fun4.blogspot.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">pin2fun4.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/workaholicmomma/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">the workaholic momma</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/284641638919585840/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/206391595394000083_tOxIOrCJ_c.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.lolsotrue.com/rule/1450" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">lolsotrue.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/workaholicmomma/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">the workaholic momma</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/284641638919771052/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/104356916336280898_5i8vnXih_c.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/MjAxMi1iZGE5YTkzY2E1NjA4NWVj" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">someecards.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/workaholicmomma/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">the workaholic momma</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-54288536443931993082012-09-12T06:51:00.000-04:002012-09-12T06:51:00.134-04:00wordless wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/?action=view&current=IMG_8761.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="452" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/vbjax14/IMG_8761.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-16268592154161551522012-09-11T07:07:00.000-04:002012-09-11T07:07:00.913-04:00we will never forget<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll never forget the day...the place...the voices...the emotions...the fear. Those memories are etched in my mind forever...but today, 11 years later...serves as a reminder of all of the sacrifice that so many Americans made and continue to make to support this county and preserve our freedom...and that should <b><span style="font-size: large;">never be forgotten</span></b>.
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Source: <a href="http://honestlywtf.com//" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">honestlywtf.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/workaholicmomma/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">the workaholic momma</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739906585797910382.post-84009003838677656592012-09-10T07:16:00.000-04:002012-09-10T07:16:39.079-04:00Show & Tell...oohhh, baby!!<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm linking up for another wonderful week with Becky over at "<a href="http://www.frommrstomama.com/">From Mrs. to Mama</a>" for Show & Tell Monday...and this week we are <b><span style="font-size: large;">talking all things baby</span></b>...yay!! So...I'll list the questions and share my responses....and if you haven't already - head on over and link-up and share in the fun!!</div>
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<a border="0" href="http://www.frommrstomama.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXADSYeW9EYsw0si_l8MtW3sJNQpzuwri-bkRtZezUwxErAdFcw47cEkv6Y6yn0oiN3VNPKaCU4TRCTnc2eHYBx74ReLcFvZmC1X1ssaEakRUcQbSY8LV-lrS1ctt5cSkbmQuJRgZfcPE/s280/Untitled+23.png" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Tell us your favorite baby names.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-large;">Girls:</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Olivia</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Avery</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Clara</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Sloane</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Cora</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;">Boys:</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Landon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Jack</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Cam</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Carter</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Peyton</span></div>
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<i>Side Note: Don't expect any of these to make the final list when it comes to the hubs and I choosing a name in the future - we couldn't be more different in what we like...so it will take quite a bit of convincing for any of these to make the cut...</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Show me your dream nursery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Girls:
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/284641638919756668/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/284641638919756668_9NtZl4Je_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/rooms/shopByStyle.jsp?cm_sp=global_top_nav_store-_-dynamic_menu_item-_-NA&categoryId=rhbc_cat115024" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">rhbabyandchild.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/workaholicmomma/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">the workaholic momma</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Boys:
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/284641638919756685/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/284641638919756685_RUDNNv6K_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/rooms/shopByStyle.jsp?cm_sp=global_top_nav_store-_-dynamic_menu_item-_-NA&categoryId=rhbc_cat115024" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">rhbabyandchild.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/workaholicmomma/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">the workaholic momma</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. How many children would you like to have? How far apart?</span></div>
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uumm...how to answer this?! ok, so if you'd asked me before we actually had Addie I would have told you the number was 3...no exceptions, no questions asked. Now...I really don't know - the hubs and I have agreed to <b><span style="font-size: large;">take it one at a time</span></b> and know that we'll know when were done. No, <b><span style="font-size: large;">not like Duggar style</span></b> or anything like that...I'm not sure we'll even make it to 3.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Tell us what you think the importance of parenting is.</span></div>
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Not to sound cliche...but parenting is <b><span style="font-size: large;">giving your child roots</span></b>...so deep that they know right from wrong, have a desire to leave this world a little better than they found it, treat others with respect and compassion, and always say "i love you." And then <b><span style="font-size: large;">giving them wings</span></b>...so strong that they can build their own lives on the foundation of everything you taught them.</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/284641638919002242/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="840" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/62628251038299339_WtpcIWtr_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKh1ysmKZdHmpgoI5-8c7kBIR4a16IyUwnkg_prUVPyJnaNb1VIRVqZOLWorXb5_JBLOmaHkSlYFPuT6etFYS-U-ajeH7SNs7RytctXSJ_mOYLIeKPz__j5qokjqxs5j45CeslJUcyaeo/s1600/Listen.jpg" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">3.bp.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/workaholicmomma/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">the workaholic momma</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Show us your favorite newborn photo.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Seriously...next time I'm totally doing this</span></b>...I die at the cuteness of this pic:</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/284641638919756592/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="880" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/29484572531626203_V3KksJ80_c.jpg" width="581" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1zfcpw&s=6" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">tinypic.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/workaholicmomma/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">the workaholic momma</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Tell us some things you promise never to do as a parent (and if you are a parent, did you stick to it).</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">No video games...none.</span></b> <i>Will they play them at their friends houses? Yep. Will they beg me and grovel at my feet? I'm sure. Will I give in? No.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">I won't get on my soap box about what I think video games have done to society</span>...I could write a whole post on that...and they are here to stay... but <b><span style="font-size: large;">not in my house</span></b>.</div>
the workaholic mommahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576073045308775735noreply@blogger.com11