tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41708554493654673432024-03-13T09:10:49.969-04:00DIALED INLife in the Dial household!Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-60916328310365281952014-10-05T16:53:00.002-04:002014-10-05T16:53:26.958-04:00Catching Up with the Dial fam...School DaysOur summer vacation ended in August. Sad as it is to watch pool days dwindle down the Dial fam was ready. New school excitement had set in! Back to school haircuts were done, new shoes were purchased, and we had even practiced a new wakeup time once or twice. <br />
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For Jack the excitement of his big boy school and big boy backpack was undending. <br />
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He walked into that school and out of his summer life like he was King of St. Pats. He is, of course.<br />
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Mae, on the otherhand, had no clue what school was (other than Jack's new school). Our adventurous little girl was more concerned with her "pack pack" than school.<br />
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She smiled and we snuck out. It took 2 weeks, but we are tantrum and tear free at drop off. <br />
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Time has flown. I was just texting with a good friend today and mentioned that our babies were about to turn 2. I can almost *almost* remember anxiously awaiting Jack's arrival. Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-69263323154577516502014-10-04T13:02:00.002-04:002014-10-04T13:02:39.662-04:00My very FIRST Spotlight Saturday!I've been really really good about my bodily output. I run, chase children, wrestle said children, do workout classes, etc. But what I put in? That's a whole different story. One that I'm not really good at...so here goes.<br />
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You are what you eat...in that case I'm one really big carbohydrate. No seriously I can smell a carb a million miles away. A vegetable? Forget it. I only put green food on the table because my husband loves it.<br />
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So naturally when my friend, Ashley, first told me about "Greens" I was a skeptic. An almost 8 month skeptic. And today? I want to break down the powder that makes me no longer a skeptic and suddenly superwoman.<br />
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Truth #1: The American diet is full of fats and sugars<br />
Truth #2: These fats and sugars contribute to our blood being way too acidic.<br />
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Enter Greens. Greens are full of natural nutrients that help to bring our bodies from an acidic state to a more alkaline state. <br />
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How? 2 scoops of Greens (or 1 packet of Greens on the Go) are full of:<br />
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- 8+ servings of fruits and vegetables: I mean who doesn't want/need those? The best part? 8 ounces later you don't have to feel bad about pushing the broccoli around on your plate. And you won't have the bloat if you actually eat it.<br />
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- 38 herbs and nutrient rich superfoods: Giving a <b>HUGE </b>boost to your diet. How? With vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients (according to WebMD this is a natural substance found in certain plants that helps promote health and rpevent various diseases), and enzymes that are easily absorbed by your body. Greens are a supplement...not a replacement. But even if I skip the beans or asparagus I still feel like superwoman.<br />
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-Probiotics: Really crazy, but it is actually good for your digestive health to add a little healthy bacteria. Helps to keep your body regular (God knows how my husband could be anymore regular) and helps to remove toxins so your body can naturally absorb more healthy nutrients. Not to mention gets rid of killer diaper rash.<br />
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-Magnesium and Potassium: These help to alkalinize the body. Did you know an acidic body is low on potassium <b>AND </b>usually low on magnesium? Because magnesium helps to regulate your potassium levels. In a nutshell you can't absorb potassium without proper levels of magnesium. <b>FUN FACT</b>: When your body is OVERLY acidic it naturally releases calcium and magnesium from the bones to promote an alkaline pH...naturally leading to a magnesium deficency.<br />
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- Antioxidants: No come on, who doesn't want those?<br />
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ItWorks Greens are natural, organic, non-GMO, AND super affordable. I like the berry the best. My kids call it green juice. I call it my liquid drug of choice.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.laurensdial.myitworks.com">www.laurensdial.myitworks.com</a><br />
Click "SHOP"<br />
Cruise the products<br />
Sign up as a loyal customer (3 month commitment with the lower prices)<br />
Thank me later when your hangover is gone, your superman (or woman) cape starts growing, and suddenly you just drank a million berry salads in one tasty 8 ounce glass.<br />
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Hit me up with any questions! <br />
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Lauren<br />
laurenschuette@gmail.comDial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-38708463792454084592013-11-20T13:39:00.000-05:002013-11-20T13:47:16.863-05:00HiatusMerriam-Webster refers to it as a period of time when something (such as an activity or program) is stopped. I call it a "we got home, peed on a stick, had a baby (and a toddler), closed a store, started school full time, work full time" time. And no, I haven't missed this blog much. But let's be honest here...neither has anyone else. We've generally been living in a totally sleep deprived world. Blindly finding our way through parenthood. Learning little about ourselves and a lot about our kids. Plural. As in 2. We now have two kids. Last time I wrote I was amazing you with our exciting trip to Antigua. Or as I love to call it therapy with alcohol. Maybe our recent trip to Cali (sans kids) has sparked me to write again. Maybe it's guilt that Mae doesn't have a play by play to her first year of life. Who knows...but here I am. Blogging. And here you are...reading. About nothing. So here's something... Meet Mae... She's the reason we haven't slept in just about a year. Our little, round, walking at 9 months bundle of joy. <br />
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Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-4623108852970329222012-04-20T17:18:00.002-04:002012-04-20T17:19:35.739-04:00Lessons Learned...in Antigua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Do not pay for in-flight DirectTV unless you love The Hangover 2, Sherlock Holmes, or Yogi Bear on repeat. CDitty and I are suckers.</div>
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2. 5 days in a tropical paradise sans your child is better than any therapy session in the world.</div>
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3. You should go to tropical island therapy once in a while.</div>
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4. Europeans love Antigua.</div>
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5. Europeans love speedos.</div>
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6. SPF 30 is not strong enough for ghostly white bodies.</div>
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7. Bring Aloe.</div>
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8. Overweight Europeans wearing speedos tend to look naked.</div>
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9. Somehow mosquito nets, bungalows, and sea views are extremely romantic.</div>
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10. I am easily amused by speedos. CDitty is not. (Although photo credit below goes to him!)</div>
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11. This was the most relaxed I've been in 2 years, 2 months, and 8 days.</div>
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12. There is nothing better than the love and help of really good family.</div>
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13. Drink fruity drinks. Heavily.</div>
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14. Always travel with 1 of your child's toys. It was almost as entertaining as the Europeans.</div>
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15. Europeans wear shorts style speedos and briefs. It cracks me up.</div>
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16. My obsession with the speedo proves that I am too immature for Europe. Yet somehow I'm mature enough to be a mommy?</div>
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17. Coming home was awesome. "I love you mommy" and "I missed you" never sounded so sweet.</div>
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18. Vaca was awesome.</div>
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**I have so many more pictures of Antigua! I'll photo dump when I get them on my computer. Including like 20 of Mr. White Hat **</div>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-73871547223679307802012-04-11T17:18:00.003-04:002012-04-11T17:19:47.140-04:00Awareness...and tearsFrom one self-diagnosed, self-proclaimed blog addict to another:<br />
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<a href="http://averycan.blogspot.com/">http://averycan.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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A high school friend posted this blog on her facebook page. I clicked (as any blog addict would do), grabbed a box of tissues, and added the link to my favorites. Talk about a wonderful family, faced with unimaginable heartbreak. When I think I have problems, remind me of Avery's family. Please.<br />
<br />Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-5697213850921187572012-03-08T15:59:00.003-05:002012-03-08T16:00:01.941-05:00twoTwo is tough. Temper tantrum tough. Forgot how to sleep through the night tough. "I can do it myself" tough. <br />
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But moments like these make me remember that two <strong><u>is</u></strong> fun.<br />
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The "Mommy come play" kind of fun.</div>
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And "I eat like daddy" fun.</div>
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"Look at somping cool" fun.</div>
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Pretend and puddles fun.</div>
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You get it...<strong><span style="font-size: large;">fun</span></strong>.<br />
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<br />Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-21739115334784523152012-03-04T16:09:00.002-05:002012-03-04T16:09:49.899-05:00Jack is 2 + Pinterest = Train Party!Jack has discovered his love for trains and I discovered my love to Pinterest. A super fab birthday party emerged! I'll let my picture do the talking. BUT if anyone has the following pictures please PLEASE get them to me:<br />
1) Pic of the diesel fuel (vodka punch)<br />
2) Pic of the Water Tower (water pitcher)<br />
3) Carriage Treats car (Popcorn with white chocolate and rice krispies treats)<br />
4) Pic of Jack, CDitty, and myself (I will never ever throw a party without a photographer again)<br />
5) A Picture of us singing Happy Birthday to Jack<br />
6) A Picture of the "train tracks". CDitty braved the rain and put black duct tape down in the shape of a train track up the sidewalk! Total hit.<br />
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**This is a sampling of pictures! I know there are thousands everywhere!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bwfDu6zOr8/T1PW511ifzI/AAAAAAAAASo/2Nq_FXxUiCo/s1600/FOOD+TRAIN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bwfDu6zOr8/T1PW511ifzI/AAAAAAAAASo/2Nq_FXxUiCo/s320/FOOD+TRAIN.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Pinterest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2ftLnMiDiA/T1PWn2IQhgI/AAAAAAAAAR4/0GXpp56vYeA/s1600/CARS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2ftLnMiDiA/T1PWn2IQhgI/AAAAAAAAAR4/0GXpp56vYeA/s320/CARS.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandwich Station was PB& J's cut into trains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RelJpOzQmxI/T1PWrDlQEWI/AAAAAAAAASA/6uBrxZP0yR4/s1600/COAL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RelJpOzQmxI/T1PWrDlQEWI/AAAAAAAAASA/6uBrxZP0yR4/s320/COAL.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blueberries and grapes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1c6nExUD-w/T1PWwF78T1I/AAAAAAAAASQ/LAARrD05ZUQ/s1600/PRODUCE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1c6nExUD-w/T1PWwF78T1I/AAAAAAAAASQ/LAARrD05ZUQ/s320/PRODUCE.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1ctCP1v-pM/T1PW3tQOY2I/AAAAAAAAASg/Rb-OpLjInBM/s1600/WRAPS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1ctCP1v-pM/T1PW3tQOY2I/AAAAAAAAASg/Rb-OpLjInBM/s320/WRAPS.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delish! Big THANK YOU to Mere for helping me with EVERYTHING!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2KzySna6uI/T1PXTdEiVgI/AAAAAAAAATo/-gaY1BNzUds/s1600/PARTY+FAVORS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2KzySna6uI/T1PXTdEiVgI/AAAAAAAAATo/-gaY1BNzUds/s320/PARTY+FAVORS.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trains Whistles, Bandanas, and Name Tags</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9p5UKeuoLo/T1PWt8v1f2I/AAAAAAAAASI/bL1MfaVugi8/s1600/CUPCAKES.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9p5UKeuoLo/T1PWt8v1f2I/AAAAAAAAASI/bL1MfaVugi8/s320/CUPCAKES.JPG" uda="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies & Cream (Coal Dusted Cupcakes)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZMOiWvtPc8/T1PXD-fwqGI/AAAAAAAAATA/IKWETVwMJqQ/s1600/ICING.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZMOiWvtPc8/T1PXD-fwqGI/AAAAAAAAATA/IKWETVwMJqQ/s320/ICING.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We iced sugar cooked cut out into Train Shapes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbZdAYGDrEQ/T1PW8t4zjzI/AAAAAAAAASw/2VW9MKHM7Y0/s1600/FRIENDS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbZdAYGDrEQ/T1PW8t4zjzI/AAAAAAAAASw/2VW9MKHM7Y0/s320/FRIENDS.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay for friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SrHOoOTOEoE/T1PXNOa_MCI/AAAAAAAAATY/PftfD8AiCsc/s1600/LUCY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SrHOoOTOEoE/T1PXNOa_MCI/AAAAAAAAATY/PftfD8AiCsc/s320/LUCY.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Birthday Boy wore his conductor suit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsfPVHl9SCU/T1PXRHH9aNI/AAAAAAAAATg/lqGLAH-n49Q/s1600/MASEMENT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsfPVHl9SCU/T1PXRHH9aNI/AAAAAAAAATg/lqGLAH-n49Q/s320/MASEMENT.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank god for the "masement"</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g4zqWzrTCc4/T1PW0e47PII/AAAAAAAAASY/rI2MIubmQOQ/s1600/TRAINTRACK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g4zqWzrTCc4/T1PW0e47PII/AAAAAAAAASY/rI2MIubmQOQ/s320/TRAINTRACK.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQsH2ANB03o/T1PXKeZ53uI/AAAAAAAAATQ/UX1lqAaPw6Q/s1600/LIAM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQsH2ANB03o/T1PXKeZ53uI/AAAAAAAAATQ/UX1lqAaPw6Q/s320/LIAM.JPG" uda="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone Had fun...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC-zvIJyRp4/T1PXAWC3I7I/AAAAAAAAAS4/nyDNx0qh5HA/s1600/GRAMPS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC-zvIJyRp4/T1PXAWC3I7I/AAAAAAAAAS4/nyDNx0qh5HA/s320/GRAMPS.JPG" uda="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Even the grown ups</td></tr>
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</div>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-41428815552575363752012-02-04T14:26:00.003-05:002012-02-04T15:01:34.680-05:00I'm begging you...Some of you may know that I've recently been bitten by the running bug and now have a bad case of total addiction. My friend, Stefanie, and I run every other morning at 5:30AM (YAWN)! We have decided to runt he Anthem 1/2 Marathon in March! This 1/2 is part of the Shamrock weekend of events here in Virginia Beach. <br />
<br />
I've decided to run the 1/2 for charity. The Shamrock has selected 2 charities to donate to. The first one, Operation Smile, is an international charity located right here in Hampton Roads. OpSmile (as it is called locally) has provided over 200,000 free surgeries repairing cleft palates, cleft lips, and facial deformities on children and young adults around the world (60 countries to be exact). OpSmile believes that a 45 minute surgery can change the life of a child forever...so do I. Check out the website, <a href="http://www.operationsmile.org/">www.operationsmile.org</a>. Grab your tissues, the pictures are heartbreaking.<br />
<br />
The second charity, Preston's March for Energy, is one I had never heard of. After looking into it I am convinced the Shamrock Race Coordinators really know how to pick 'em. Preston, 12, has Mitochondrial Disease. Leaving him completely exhausted and off balance 100% of the time. He's not able to participate in PE, recess, or any physical activity. Although mentally healthy, he is at a huge risk for childhood obesity because of his physical inabilities. he was give a bike to adapt to his physical limitations. This bike, a cool $2,200, allows him to play with his older brother, exercise, and be "normal" without the physical setbacks. Preston's parents started his non-profit to raise money for other kids just like Preston. Because with this disease the biggest roadblock is the cost of SAFE exercise.<br />
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Are you still reading? I hope so because this is where I need you. Please, click the link below, donate a few bucks. Any amount will do. I cannot tell you how grateful I am, Preston will be, and any number of children in underprivileged countries will be. Thanks to us we can give a little (or a lot) and make a difference...<br />
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<a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=E4JAQAK292BQ6&lc=US&item_name=Anthem%20Half%20Fundraising&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted">https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=E4JAQAK292BQ6&lc=US&item_name=Anthem%20Half%20Fundraising&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted</a><br />
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Thank you so much for your generosity. I cannot wait to run and to know I'm doing it for such a great cause really makes it that much better. I'll keep ya'll posted...The big day is March 18th!<br />
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PS I did the paypal link on my own. I stink at technology. Please let me know if it doesn't work. I'm so clueless.<br />
<br />Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-15787943803375841902012-01-12T14:27:00.001-05:002012-01-12T14:27:38.558-05:0023 Months<ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RObV6kfqf0c/Tw8zxJwpaSI/AAAAAAAAARc/0jxc2Tq0a-E/s1600/Soccer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RObV6kfqf0c/Tw8zxJwpaSI/AAAAAAAAARc/0jxc2Tq0a-E/s320/Soccer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You talk in complete sentences.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I understand 90% of them.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Your teachers at school are Mrs. Linda and Mrs. Susan. You call them "Sue Sue and Inda". They love you <strong><u>almost</u></strong> as much as I do.</li>
<li>According to you Santa (who lives at the mall) visited Deebus (Jesus) at the First Christmas.</li>
<li>You have become a "master staller"</li>
<li>Especially at bedtime. You always say "I'm missing something" and frantically search through your 9 stuffed animals and 3 blankets that you insist on keeping in your crib.</li>
<li>I think you got the hoarding gene from your father.</li>
<li>You love your bapi, wear size 5 diapers, and tell everyone that you pee pee on the potty. You don't even try.</li>
<li>The only time our house is quiet is at naptime and bedtime. We wouldn't have it any other way.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You love to sing. Jingle Bells, Twinkle Twinkle, and ABC's are your current top hits.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Your version of the ABC's is "a, c, k, m, n, p Yay!!"</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You are stubborn; so am I.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We butt heads.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You bite, hit, and punch when we butt heads.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Time out, hugs, kisses, and sorrys always follow.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Obsessed with trains doesn't even begin to do your love for the toy justice.</li>
<li>In turn, we know just about every name to every Thomas character.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Your love for sports doesn't surprise me. You scream "Touchdown Tebow", "GO TIGERS", "2 Points", and "FORE!" when playing football, basketball, and golf.</li>
<li>You think you are hilarious.</li>
<li>I think you are a genius.</li>
<li>Since cleaning up our basement you want to spend all of your time in the"masement".</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Suddenly you don't want to eat anything but Popsicles. I blame it on your Grumps.</li>
<li>Your daddy and I love you more than you can ever dream. I cannot wait to see what the next year has in store for you!</li>
</ol>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-52583923777503983492011-09-19T14:32:00.000-04:002011-09-19T19:53:25.966-04:00Quitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iw_Q5pLmMHo/TneKX_uKrDI/AAAAAAAAAQw/l-XXXzvMWz8/s1600/bapi+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iw_Q5pLmMHo/TneKX_uKrDI/AAAAAAAAAQw/l-XXXzvMWz8/s1600/bapi+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
I've been doing a lot of internal debating, quite a bit of internet reading, and listening to friends' stories about quitting the paci. Or as it's known in our house, the bapi. Jack seems to be growing more and more addicted as the days go on.. I've been wondering when is the time? How do we do it? I can't wait for the bapi free days. The ease of not wondering where they are. Knowing you have about 30 in the house, but cannot find a single one. I look forward to not "cleaning" them off after falling on the ground in the mall, the parking lot, the yard. I also dream about the future when we are bapi free and don't have to do a bapi hand off similar to a play action fake. <br />
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Today I was putting Jack in the car around his nap time and he was frantically requesting a bapi. I obliged, pulled it out of my back pocket, sucked the lint off, and placed it into my little boy's mouth. He promptly took it out and dropped it. Somewhere in the back of my car. Now if you have seen the floorboards in the backseat of my car (or any mother's car) you would understand the panic that ensued. Where the hell did it go? Jack is <strike>asking</strike> <strike>yelling</strike> screaming "BAPI", I'm sweating and frantically moving the diaper bag, Brobee, the cart cover, 5 books, 2 toys, baby hiking boots (more on that later), and resort to getting in the backseat, cllimbing over jack, and hanging out of the car. All in front of school. Jack's school. His new school. Yup, I'm sure they flagged our file as questionable parenting. The 2 years <blockquote></blockquote>ago me totally would have too. 5 minutes, 1 pinched kid, and what feels like a small workout later I found the bapi. Thank god.<br />
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Lesson learned: Pack 2 bapis at all times. And no, we are not quitting this month. <u><b>I'm</b></u> not ready yet.<br />
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<br />Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-15567489098123992112011-09-09T15:15:00.001-04:002011-09-09T15:15:21.564-04:0018 MonthsI'm going to attempt to unpack my bacgs here and stay awhile.<br />
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Now that you are officially 19 months here I thought we should post about the past 18 months.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>18 About 18 Months</b></span><br />
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1. You re 32" tall and 25 lbs of pure fun.<br />
2. Excitement and energy run through every ounce of you.<br />
3. With the excitement comes exhaustion. Mine. Again, I don't know how people with 2 kids do it.<br />
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4. You have 16 teeth. You know how to use them. On us. It hurts.</div>
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5. B/c of your new found love for biting, you have learned about "me time". TIME OUT. Generally you handle me time ok and we end with a hug, kiss, and a "sahrry' (sorry).<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sltLLB9G5Vg/TmplEzdZ8yI/AAAAAAAAAQs/37-HoG7CwLI/s1600/tractor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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6. Sahrry (sorry), doggie, mommy, daddy, shoot, guys, gosh, peease, sank sue, yesssss, and bubbles are just a tiny sampling of your ever growing vocabulary. And short sentences are your newest skill!</div>
7. Speaking of skills you have mad baseball, basketball, and golf skills. Keep it up! Mommy and daddy want to cash in your college fund for a really really fun trip in a few years! Any kind of scholarship works for us!<br />
8. "Side" is your favorite place. Unfortunately for you the mosquitoes love having you "side" too! They see you as an all you can eat buffet. After a few hours on your swingset, a lady asked me if you were healing from a bad case of the measles! Nope! Just mosquitoes, and a lesson learned, only go "side" with a can of OFF<br />
9. After all your sleep issues you have turned into a wonderful sleeper. 3.5-4 hour naps in the afternoon and 11 hours at night time. I really cannot complain.<br />
10. You cough on command.<br />
11. You sneeze on command too.<br />
12. In true boy form, burping makes you laugh hysterically. Thankfully, Grandma taught you "scues me"<br />
13. Yo Gabba Gabba and WonderPets are your favorite tv shows.<br />
14. According to you, DJ Lance Rock is "AWESOME"<br />
15. After another trip to MO, you are quite the traveling pro! 16 different planes, 8 connections, and countless flight attendants all crammed into 18 months. (I think that's more trips than dad took in his first 18 years of life)<br />
16. You are obsessed with trucks, trains, buses, and planes.<br />
17. We are decking out your new room with all of the above items. But not quite yet. You still love your crib.<br />
18. Your newest trick is telling us about your poop, boogers, and pee pee. YOU.ARE.ALL.BOY.<br />
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Thank you, Jack, for making the past 18 months the very best months of our lives. Without you what exactly would we be doing with our time?<br />
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Love,<br />
Mom and Dad<br />
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Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-53571273586332589192011-07-09T17:16:00.000-04:002011-07-09T17:16:01.580-04:00LA--The Land of Actors, Producers, Kobe Bryant, and The Esarey's<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The last day in April I left the house at o'dark thirty (THANKS GMA) to board a flight straight to LA. With a quick pit stop in Cincinnati.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I left Norfolk I could hardly contain my excitement! 5 days of no poopy diapers, no middle of the night missing paci hunts, and 5 solid days with one of my best friends. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">POLL QUESTION: I almost used bestie in that last sentence. Who likes/uses the word bestie? Besides you, Waddie.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIY0QAI_ts0/ThjBqcPnjKI/AAAAAAAAAOY/wFbiaGhDECI/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIY0QAI_ts0/ThjBqcPnjKI/AAAAAAAAAOY/wFbiaGhDECI/s320/book.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The moment we touched down I was stoked beyond belief (See I even sound like I belong in LA)! In 5 short travelling hours I had read a book (not of the cardboard variety), took a nap, and told everyone within earshot that I already missed my boys. </div><br />
On the ground in LAX I was immediately on the hunt for celebrities. I've been so unlucky in my life that I have never, NEVER, seen a celebrity in real life. Except Whitney Port pre <em>The City</em> and Jarrell from <em>Project Runway</em>, but do they really count? Celebrity spotting in LAX. Not one. Not a single solitary celebrity...that I could tell anyway. I mean, really every single person in LAX was beautiful...or wearing a tourist t-shirt and a fanny pack...Plus, I realized I don't really know who any celebs are unless they are painfully obvious. ie Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, etc...but do they really fly commercially anyway?<br />
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Ah! Seriously more than 3 paragraphs in and I'm still at LAX? BORING! If you are still reading...<br />
I'm now in the car with Mere and her hubby of almost 2 years, Bear. Mere is my soul sister, sister from another mister, 5'5" clone with brown hair that likes numbers. <a href="http://thedialsva.blogspot.com/2010/07/friendship-of-lifetime.html">Remember</a>? <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In true Mere fashion she had a color coded schedule for me starting with... Malibu Wines! The girl really knows the way to my heart! So no celebrity spottings YET, but on to tackle another first. Wine tastings. And let me tell you...this.was.awesome.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7iZW1fiwoA/ThjBxFTSdoI/AAAAAAAAAO8/w7wtCqli9_Q/s1600/winery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7iZW1fiwoA/ThjBxFTSdoI/AAAAAAAAAO8/w7wtCqli9_Q/s320/winery.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The people watching in LA is much like window shopping. I found myself thinking, oh I'll take that top and I want that dress, and oh gosh those shoes are fab! Think about watching the reveal of What Not to Wear 99% of the time.<br />
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We were 2 bottles in and feeling no pain when we decided to drink rooftop and watch the sunset. It was beautiful. From what I remember (I'm kidding...sort of). Oh! and my drink was smoking. Literally. Here's proof.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0Z5LyP1nVw/ThjBuNXGvqI/AAAAAAAAAOs/_su8q5wRwZI/s1600/smoking+drink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0Z5LyP1nVw/ThjBuNXGvqI/AAAAAAAAAOs/_su8q5wRwZI/s320/smoking+drink.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was delish. It was devoured. It was $1,000. Best $1000. spent. ever. That's the other thing about LA. EXPENSIVE!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-DwbiPrOQY/ThjBv5AeyJI/AAAAAAAAAO0/H5HZDW31d_k/s1600/sushi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-DwbiPrOQY/ThjBv5AeyJI/AAAAAAAAAO0/H5HZDW31d_k/s320/sushi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sushi for dinner. Drinks afterward. And I <strike>passed out</strike> fell asleep in the car.<br />
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The next AM we took our <strike>hungover</strike> groggy selves to church. Now this church was beautifully placed in Beverly Hills (I think), up on a mountain, with breathtaking views. Lunch with mimosas and shopping on Rodeo Drive was next! What better way to cure a hangover right? Sadly, no celebrities.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ok I won't play by play the entire 5 day trip, but it was awesome. Well actually...I just might play by play for you...just a little.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Monday. Day 3. My birthday. Mere and Bear surprised me with a massage in the morning (amazing), my boys surprised me with flowers and a love letter (special), and Mere + me decided a fab lunch in dresses and shopping was on the agenda (stellar). We shoved gourmet pizza in our mouths, valeted for $8 and went shopping at a BCBG outlet...my idea of greatness! We took pictures with the stars and got thisclose to seeing the premiere of Thor. If only we didn't have reservations (amazing reservations). That night we ate at <a href="http://www.redorestaurant.com/">Red O</a> . It was every bit of fabulous. And...celebrity spotting #1!!! David Spade was in the back corner laughing and carrying on with a gorgeous blonde about 5 feet taller than him (who isn't taller than him?) and some other guy (I'm going to say his agent). My first celebrity spotting. in LA. at dinner. my birthday dinner. This was deserving of a bathroom break! Just like in college, Mere and I grabbed our purses and casually walked past him so I could get a better look. AWESOME! Wish I could have gotten a pic...I mean it was my birthday! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mK3D5qT_7d8/ThjBwtwDbqI/AAAAAAAAAO4/Dp092oy4YBY/s1600/THOR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mK3D5qT_7d8/ThjBwtwDbqI/AAAAAAAAAO4/Dp092oy4YBY/s320/THOR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ItQQp0xyC0/ThjBrMIPe2I/AAAAAAAAAOc/dGbDh4h4qgI/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ItQQp0xyC0/ThjBrMIPe2I/AAAAAAAAAOc/dGbDh4h4qgI/s320/flowers.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGpgws3Uqp0/ThjBtWmLOJI/AAAAAAAAAOo/L7_a7AvtWUA/s1600/REDO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGpgws3Uqp0/ThjBtWmLOJI/AAAAAAAAAOo/L7_a7AvtWUA/s320/REDO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJjblMmWJSw/ThjBp0lxedI/AAAAAAAAAOU/GMTYH4wPzFU/s1600/bday+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJjblMmWJSw/ThjBp0lxedI/AAAAAAAAAOU/GMTYH4wPzFU/s320/bday+dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tuesday. If you ever go to visit Mere and Bear, diet for approximately a month beforehand. The food in LA is fabulous, the restaurants are beautiful, and the company isn't too bad either. We decided to do lunch at Fig + Olive (incredible). EVERYTHING had olive oil in it. I think this restaurant was built just for me. I totally felt like "ladies that lunch" Then off to The Getty! Fab day! Food trucks for dinner...when hold the phone, we had a spotting! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Phelps">The Ladies Man</a>. Enough said.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZaQY0CYQmw/ThjDz1pNQ1I/AAAAAAAAAPA/jk2hZR-ootI/s1600/getty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZaQY0CYQmw/ThjDz1pNQ1I/AAAAAAAAAPA/jk2hZR-ootI/s320/getty2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We totally look the part of "ladies that lunch"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJWs3Ev0ZxA/ThjBsrjJklI/AAAAAAAAAOk/1vCXBQTetfI/s1600/Getty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJWs3Ev0ZxA/ThjBsrjJklI/AAAAAAAAAOk/1vCXBQTetfI/s320/Getty.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Getty<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht3B0ZB623Y/ThjBr3S69xI/AAAAAAAAAOg/gFl1_bcT8J0/s1600/Foodtrucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht3B0ZB623Y/ThjBr3S69xI/AAAAAAAAAOg/gFl1_bcT8J0/s320/Foodtrucks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Foodtrucks</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Wednesday. LA is just beautiful. I think I said it 100,000 times, but I would have seriously packed up the UHaul if I had been discovered. I continuously called Chris to tell him to grab Jack and let's move! So needless to say, I was sad to leave MereBear! But super excited to get home to my boys! I knew they were falling apart behind the scenes! I was always scared to ask Chris what he had made for dinner (pizza, mac & cheese, hot dogs) and was totally worried we had run Grandma into the ground (She was a saint and watched Jack EVERY DAY while I was away...many thanks and more GMA). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qnDWsXVUenM/ThjBvKfgJoI/AAAAAAAAAOw/8S26ugGgfpY/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qnDWsXVUenM/ThjBvKfgJoI/AAAAAAAAAOw/8S26ugGgfpY/s320/sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Until Next time LA! And I promise you...there will be a next time!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">DISCLAIMER: The drink wasn't really $1000, but you get my drift. Expensive.</div>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-17355817037711304732011-06-10T13:17:00.000-04:002011-06-10T13:17:19.348-04:00Back in the Saddle AgainIt's really happening. I'm officially trying to jump back on the blogging bandwagon. I'm sure my ridiculously awesome posts have been missed so much and by so many <dripping sarcasm="" with="">. So for the 3 of you that keep asking me why I quit blogging...I'm back. For real.<br />
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Now that my announcement is out of the way I'm overwhelmed. Where do I start? Where did I leave off? According to my blog Jack is still 11 months...it is February...there is snow on the ground. WOWZA, why did I ever <strike>take a break</strike> forget about blogging? Oh, that's right I have THE BUSIEST 16 month old ever. No exaggeration here...he is busy. I am exhausted. How do people have multiple children? Nannies?...ok gotcha.<br />
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So, back to filling you in. I spent April and most of May at home with Jack. Although stressful on the pocketbook I was over the moon thrilled with the opportunity. 9 1/2 long weeks of screaming and crying; coupled with my postpartum, out of whack, crazy hormones I never completely enjoyed my maternity leave. In fact, I couldn't wait to get back into the office. This go-round was completely different. Jack and I played, he napped, we enjoyed every moment together. I 100% enjoyed it. Almost so much that I was tempted to play the lottery the night before I went back to work, but didn't want to be disappointed when I didn't win.<br />
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Catch up is tough work in a blog. How can I possibly fill you in on months and months of activities? Nevermind be creative. I do much better with a single topic. Let's stick to pictures for now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWQwznf0rKs/TfJPplb8yXI/AAAAAAAAAN4/EP6Mibrd5YM/s1600/J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWQwznf0rKs/TfJPplb8yXI/AAAAAAAAAN4/EP6Mibrd5YM/s320/J.jpg" t8="true" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I call this Sir Elton Jack</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuLS3BGuSXI/TfJPqtuhuvI/AAAAAAAAAN8/ByvYTUrHvx8/s1600/J2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuLS3BGuSXI/TfJPqtuhuvI/AAAAAAAAAN8/ByvYTUrHvx8/s320/J2.jpg" t8="true" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So independent. It is ridiculous...and messy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUNhJBajdsk/TfJPrbz-aZI/AAAAAAAAAOA/4AKXoITKvKc/s1600/J3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUNhJBajdsk/TfJPrbz-aZI/AAAAAAAAAOA/4AKXoITKvKc/s320/J3.jpg" t8="true" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry festival!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWuTRUW73fA/TfJPstgVgfI/AAAAAAAAAOE/ljecWDWMvkc/s1600/J4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWuTRUW73fA/TfJPstgVgfI/AAAAAAAAAOE/ljecWDWMvkc/s320/J4.jpg" t8="true" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 2 favorite boys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9fjWMVp2cg/TfJPtQpwDJI/AAAAAAAAAOI/KOd2HvGIIUg/s1600/J5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9fjWMVp2cg/TfJPtQpwDJI/AAAAAAAAAOI/KOd2HvGIIUg/s320/J5.jpg" t8="true" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He colors...and eats the crayons</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpg9U4ULzec/TfJPuj9l-YI/AAAAAAAAAOM/s5ZUjZA3dpc/s1600/J6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpg9U4ULzec/TfJPuj9l-YI/AAAAAAAAAOM/s5ZUjZA3dpc/s320/J6.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys will be boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Next up, my trip to LA! Loads of fun, pounds of food, lots of drinks, and 2 celebrities! Not to mention my incredibly awesome hosts! I wish I had been discovered...I was so ready to move there.Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-86131154032731605252011-05-16T16:49:00.002-04:002011-05-16T16:49:55.154-04:00I'M BAAAACCKKK!Watch out world...tomorrow I'm back. I just know it. I am going to be creative. I am going to be witty. I am going to be funny. And I am going to blog. I swear.<br />
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LDial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-8650425119293297002011-03-06T15:36:00.000-05:002011-03-06T15:36:28.630-05:00A Christmas Story...not for the weak<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I don't have to tell you that Christmas Season is way over...but I'm going to. Christmas is over. WAY OVER. Christmas 2011 is 294 days away. And although we are in the middle of St. Patty's Day celebrating, shamrock buying, green beer chugging, and parade watching, I'm going to tell you a Christmas story. Our Christmas Story. One that would only happen to us.</div><br />
Every year at the beginning of December the hunt for "the perfect tree" is on. CDitty and I scour Hampton Roads in search of an 8 foot, VERY fat, very beautiful, totally awesome Frasier Fir. <br />
SIDE NOTE: Christmas 2009 was a total exception. We got a Frasier Fir off the SALE RACK! $15 for a "fat" tree, completely dead on one side. But that's a whole different Christmas story. One that happened WAY before I was blogging.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Back to Christmas 2010. Having virtually no days off together, CDitty and I bundle Jack up one cold December morning and head out to find "the one", the decorative centerpiece to Jack's first Christmas. The pressure was on because my family would be celebrating Jesus' birth at our crib (pun 100% intended). We were in luck...at our first destination there stood "the one". Although it hadn't settled and it's branches were still up we knew this was it. The tree. Jack's first tree. Excitement set in as we merrily hauled our purchase home and placed it out back in a water bucket. A few nights later CDitty and I spent the evening stringing lights and strategically placing ornaments out of the reach of our precious 2 legged creation. We marvelled at its beauty, high fived, and went to bed.</div><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;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DtsZSa2BVS0/TXPvwWeRpRI/AAAAAAAAAN0/JrGvYw7pqIE/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DtsZSa2BVS0/TXPvwWeRpRI/AAAAAAAAAN0/JrGvYw7pqIE/s320/untitled.bmp" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Jack bundled up and ready to find "the one"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">**DECEMBER 20, 2010**</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">CDitty and Jack were playing in the Living Room. I come down and am immediately "attacked" by CDitty and Jack. I fall to the floor while they "get me". While down on the hardwoods I notice a ring of dirt around "the one". Hopping up I put on my detective cap, run to the kitchen, and grab a wet paper towel. This dirt...baby spiders. Not 1 or 2, but <strong>hundreds</strong> upon <strong>hundreds</strong> of <strong><u><em>BABY SPIDERS</em></u></strong>. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Go ahead and read that last paragraph again. Now let me back up. Our perfect tree is up, decorated, and in our house for almost 3 weeks before <strong>POOF</strong> hundreds of spiders. We spun (pun intended again) ourselves into total panic mode, then frantic clean up mode, followed by pest control mode. I'm sure after the shop vac, swiffer, wet paper towels,and pest spray if any spiders were alive they were wishing they weren't.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Like straight out of a comedy Chris and I frantically all but poured pest spray over our tree. Seriously, spraying in each hole, up the trunk, through the branches, around the stand, even the majority of the beautiful needles were covered in pest spray. We were shocked the tree survived. Heck, we were surprised we survived.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Why didn't I take the tree down? Because it was Baby Jack's first Christmas. His first tree. It was beautiful. It was decorated. We spent FOREVER decorating it. My family from Missouri was coming in town. All selfish reasons, but despite the spiders I REALLY REALLY loved our tree.</div><br />
Spider removal took 3 days. Although I'm sure we killed them all on Day 1 <strike>WE</strike> I forced us to spray for 2 more days "just in case". Day 3 we put the skirt back on the tree, put the presents back under, and pretended we were never invaded by baby spiders.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In true detective fashion I researched the daylights out of spiders and spider babies (thank god for google). Chances are mommy spider laid her egg of approximately 500-1,000 (I repeat 500-1,000) spiders. The tree was most likely sprayed with pesticide on a farm, cut down, hauled to Norfolk VA, purchased by us, decorated, and placed in our comfy house for 3 weeks. According to google the baby spiders, not intended to hatch until the spring (warm weather), were tricked by our cozy house and surprised us December 20th. Merry Christmas right?</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I called and got our tree purchase refunded, but this Christmas story was definitely one to remember. Going fake next year? Not a chance. I mean, seriously, what are the odds?<br />
<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;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mA0cZ7WxiMs/TXPvu6N50rI/AAAAAAAAANw/Xqm85BmDjqE/s1600/tree.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mA0cZ7WxiMs/TXPvu6N50rI/AAAAAAAAANw/Xqm85BmDjqE/s320/tree.bmp" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post spiders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-78835181928229091322011-02-20T12:08:00.000-05:002011-02-20T12:08:32.493-05:00Too quickly...I looked at my dayplanner (iPhone) today and realized OHMYGOSH February is more than halfway over! Soon it will be March, April, my trip to LA, and May... I will probably blink and 2011 will be 2012 and then next thing I know Jack will be driving or worse, married and I'll be a grandma! Classic me; total overreaction. Back up..real life...Jack is 1. And I am in my 20s. But seriously, February is really flying by. I think when I'm actually a grandma I want to be "Nonie" or "Nona", maybe "Oma". Mainly I want to be awesome. Just like Jack's Nana and GMA.<br />
<br />
Back to the point of this post. Wait, is there a point to this post? Not yet? The point is to thank CDitty. For what? Being awesome. That's what. (Side note: awesome is my current favorite word. In a thank you note I wrote this week I used awesome no less than 5 times. IN 5 SENTENCES!)<br />
<br />
Life is funny. The twists and turns, ups and downs. Each event is the sometimes direct, sometimes indirect result of another event. There are endless amounts of scenarios and countless people to thank (Annie Fannie) for leading me to CDitty. Because of him life's ups are really up and the downs don't seem to be half as bad as they would be alone. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So here is a toast to CDitty. Thank you for being my 100% complete opposite. You are my dark haired, handsome, calm, and spontaneous hubby. Thank you for being my goofy, studious (ha), hardworking partner. Thank you for picking me and loving me. Bust most of all, thank you for being an awesome dad, an incredibly generous father, and a total role model for Jack. There is not a person in this world I would rather share life's twists and turns with. Because of you life's ups and downs seem like a fun roller coaster and sometimes (I repeat sometimes) aren't all that stressful.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6pwJtHvtXEE/TWAhA0zr0hI/AAAAAAAAANs/82d9Qty3etw/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6pwJtHvtXEE/TWAhA0zr0hI/AAAAAAAAANs/82d9Qty3etw/s320/wedding.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-46291246221780014772011-02-13T12:49:00.000-05:002011-02-13T12:49:30.348-05:00Here is a...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">...a sneak peek into Jack's BIG BASH!</div><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;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaFzy3xQ0ew/TVgZLlop6_I/AAAAAAAAANo/PdlFE_xqUDY/s1600/Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XaFzy3xQ0ew/TVgZLlop6_I/AAAAAAAAANo/PdlFE_xqUDY/s320/Cake.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does it get any cuter?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-17584373089972480112011-02-03T16:35:00.001-05:002011-02-03T16:41:25.566-05:0011 MonthsJack,<br />
<br />
In just 6 short days you will be turning 1. A whole year has flown by. I'm scared to blink, I don't want to miss even just one second. Scared when you are 16 I'm going to forget the scrunchy face you make when you think you're funny. Or any other thing you do for that matter. I'm not ready to let go of my baby, not ready for a toddler. Good thing I have 6 more days.<br />
<br />
January 9th you turned 11 months old. This past month has been definitely one for the record books. <br />
<br />
Your first Christmas happened. And let me tell you it was quite the event. 4 days of present opening and endless days of clean up! Although I've never doubted it, Christmas reassured us that you are definitely loved. NO. DOUBT. ABOUT. IT.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsbSrhLqJI/AAAAAAAAANI/gYVUhF0J4H8/s1600/present.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsbSrhLqJI/AAAAAAAAANI/gYVUhF0J4H8/s320/present.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<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;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsbVsp6XoI/AAAAAAAAANM/EClrRpJaJiA/s1600/3cousins.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsbVsp6XoI/AAAAAAAAANM/EClrRpJaJiA/s320/3cousins.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Day with my cousins</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Christmas Day you point at Gage and say, "Dog". Although it sounded a lot like "GOG" I'll give it to you, your first word.<br />
<br />
Christmas night ended with snow. Lots of snow. 14" total when the storm was over. We took you sledding. Your hat was a little big and the snow was bright so I'm not so sure you thought it was nearly as awesome as we did. <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;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsb0Dc6LDI/AAAAAAAAANQ/lVRbY2OuA9w/s1600/familysnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsb0Dc6LDI/AAAAAAAAANQ/lVRbY2OuA9w/s320/familysnow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sled Day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsb3YCqvQI/AAAAAAAAANU/j0L3okO_bVQ/s1600/snowday.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsb3YCqvQI/AAAAAAAAANU/j0L3okO_bVQ/s320/snowday.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>December 29th you decided this crawling thing was totally overrated. You had been "accidentally" walking for weeks, but today you took steps. All by yourself. Just like that crawling became a thing of the past and you became a mobile machine.<br />
<br />
NYE 2011: So fun. We got dressed up (a little) and went to Summer and Fresh's house. 2 words: KID CENTRAL. 8 adults and 6 kids, wine, champagne, and food galore! It was so fun! You stayed up past your bedtime (until 9PM, crazy right?!?) And the fireworks and midnight didn't even wake you up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsc0PuZSgI/AAAAAAAAANY/7APrFyf9OSI/s1600/NYE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsc0PuZSgI/AAAAAAAAANY/7APrFyf9OSI/s320/NYE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010 Babies and their Moms! (Mia too!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Grandma got sick on January 5th. She was in ICU for quite a few days and the hospital for nearly 2 weeks. Your dad took you to visit, but only stayed in the lobby. No need to catch H1N1. Luckily, GMA got to walk down to see you. I know you missed her and she missed you too.<br />
<br />
Stats:<br />
<ul><li>You had a serious growth spurt. 9 month pants are way too short. 9 month onesies fit fine in the body, but the arms are a tad short.</li>
<li>Still a size 3 diaper.</li>
<li>You still LOVE to eat. We are getting more courageous with food and in torn you are getting more variety.</li>
<li>Making sounds and "talking" are 2 of your favorite past times. You make an elephant sound and roar like a tiger (we are training you well and plan on sending you to MIZZOU).</li>
<li>If we could bottle and sell your energy I know we would be billionaires. Once you learned how to walk you haven't looked back. We. Are. Exhausted.</li>
<li>8 teeth. We are teaching you how to bite into food. Because again, you love to eat.</li>
</ul>Six days until you are 1. Six days until we have known you for 365 days. For now I'm celebrating 11 months!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUseZs9e8HI/AAAAAAAAANc/1NPz0vBY9EA/s1600/climbing.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUseZs9e8HI/AAAAAAAAANc/1NPz0vBY9EA/s320/climbing.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsebyB4j6I/AAAAAAAAANg/sxDOVgJhUjw/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUsebyB4j6I/AAAAAAAAANg/sxDOVgJhUjw/s320/untitled.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUseeWb4YUI/AAAAAAAAANk/-VKjEA9Ygwk/s1600/jackdonkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TUseeWb4YUI/AAAAAAAAANk/-VKjEA9Ygwk/s320/jackdonkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Love always and forever,<br />
<br />
Mom and DadDial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-73805228822143903782011-01-28T10:56:00.000-05:002011-01-28T10:56:02.847-05:00Today......is going to be a good one. We've had plenty of bad ones already in 2011. Today?? Not one of those bad ones. 3 signs of a great Friday:<br />
1. Jack slept in until 6:45 (He must have known dad and mom are going to be out late tonight)<br />
2. I have gone to Sonic 3 days in a row for a Diet Dr. Pepper with crushed ice. Each day they have been out and I've left empty-handed. Don't get me wrong, the cheddar peppers were tempting as were the onion rings. I just wanted the ice...AND the Diet Dr. Pepper. Not only did I score DDP this morning at Sonic, but the manager gave it to me for free. She apologized for being out the past 2 days and applauded me for my persistence. Awesome.<br />
3. CDitty and I are going on a real live date tonight. We are headed out to dinner and then to a concert with friends. CANNOT wait! (Thanks Grumps for monitor sitting tonight!)<br />
<br />
I have lots to blog...I'll do more later. For now I'm going to celebrate this Friday!Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-157204837464470132010-12-17T16:36:00.002-05:002010-12-18T10:51:32.410-05:0010 MonthsJack,<br />
<br />
A few things about your 10th month...<br />
<div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><ul><li style="border: medium none;">I gave birth to a weed. Seriously you are growing WAY too fast! We look at pictures from a few months back and WOAH! That's not even the same kid is it? Then we recognize your baby blues and very natural combover...</li>
<li>You are still wearing a size 3 diaper (and will be for a long time). Clothes, however, vary in size. You are currently wearing anything from 9 months to 12 months. Very few pants fit. OshGosh has the adjustable tab waist and is the only brand that fits around your skinny belly. At your 9 month check up you weighed 18lbs 7 oz (20th percentile).</li>
<li style="border: medium none;">Despite your slender figure you eat anything and everything. Your dad and I are convinced you have a tapeworm (and honestly would love for you to share). We feed you table food now, practicing picking up as much as possible. Jack, you have mastered the pick up, just not the rationing it out. Daddy and I have to remind you that 20 Cheerios in the mouth probably won't have the result you are looking for! "Slow and steady"...definitely not your motto.</li>
<li>You are a parrot. Mimicking everything we do or say. Consequently, we say and do some really funny stuff. It's not uncommon to hear us ask you "How big is Jack", throw our hands up in the air and respond, "SO BIG" as you reach for the sky. In your head I'm sure you are saying Santa says HOHOHO, a dog goes woof, a horn says HONK so lay off me people! Can't you see I'm trying to shovel Cheerios in my mouth, not do tricks!! </li>
<li style="border: medium none;">Walking is in our VERY near future. You've mastered pulling up, walking around objects, and pushing your car. Every once in a while you take a "shuffle step" to get from the coffee table to my leg, or the couch, or so on. I'm not calling it walking yet, but you sure are close. We definitely need baby gates...and get them up.</li>
<li>Crawling is one of your favorite modes of transportation. Second only to being carried. You. love. contact. Snuggling, being held, carried, you name it you like it. for months now you let us know when you want up. Throw your arms in the air and stare at us with those baby blues. And man you can work it. Those eyes are going to melt hearts someday...right now they melt ours.</li>
<li>Napping. Awful. I hate thinking about it and you hate taking them...unless you can do it on me or dad, or Grandma. Again, back to the whole snuggling thing. The doctor says you are smart and playing us like a fiddle. I agree, but it still breaks my heart to hear you scream in your crib. Nights are a different story (FINALLY)!! You sleep from 8PM-6:30AM, like clockwork. HOORAY! I think you are the world's EASIEST baby to put to bed too.</li>
<li style="border: medium none;">5 teeth and you know how to use them. You bite. Everything. We are trying to remind you, no biting. Like everything you do, it is so stinking cute though. Good thing you don't go to preschool, I don't think I could handle getting kicked out. (I think you are just testing the waters and it feels good on those sore little gums)</li>
<li style="border: medium none;">Speaking of testing the waters...you definitely know right from wrong. In fact I believe you are going to think your name is Jack NO! Lately before you do something you know is wrong you take a look over your shoulder to see if we are watching or not. We are. Trust me. Remember that.</li>
</ul>We love everything about you Baby Jack. You never cease to amaze us. Where in the world would we be without your smiling clapping, "SO BIG", chunky legged self?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TQvWUUGH_hI/AAAAAAAAAM4/Bvg2yBhDyUA/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TQvWUUGH_hI/AAAAAAAAAM4/Bvg2yBhDyUA/s320/10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to give you a distraction...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TQvWVwQmrYI/AAAAAAAAAM8/8JtrTU2R910/s1600/10b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TQvWVwQmrYI/AAAAAAAAAM8/8JtrTU2R910/s320/10b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...because you wouldn't stay still<br />
MUST.LOOK.OUT.WINDOW.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-81633180428014164562010-11-22T14:28:00.000-05:002010-11-22T14:28:47.309-05:00LOVE HIM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Who you might ask? Well if you think I'm talking about either one of these two then..well...guilty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOq9V0sO9hI/AAAAAAAAAMw/cNJoGpgWXLE/s1600/Ahhh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOq9V0sO9hI/AAAAAAAAAMw/cNJoGpgWXLE/s320/Ahhh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But on Sunday (and sometimes Monday) afternoons my heart is taken by none other than...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOrAKVnZ_sI/AAAAAAAAAM0/V-9X4NKbS8A/s1600/tom-brady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOrAKVnZ_sI/AAAAAAAAAM0/V-9X4NKbS8A/s320/tom-brady.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>Tom Brady. It's ok Chris loves him too. We agreed to share. Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-86765230405379892122010-11-20T15:14:00.000-05:002010-11-20T15:14:35.329-05:00I WON I WON!I'm not much of a contest "enterer". I don't win, so I just don't play. Can only win if you play right? One the flip side you can't lose if you don't play! I've always subscribed to that theory.<br />
<br />
Last Friday Jack and I were having an impromptu playdate with Baby Dean (who by the way is EXACTLY 5 months younger than Jack). Jack loves him some Baby Dean. I totally see future football games and playing war in the backyard, or maybe fishing at Baby Dean's house. Look how much Jack likes Dean. He just wanted to touch his face, chew on his feet, and take his paci.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOgpt2ULwBI/AAAAAAAAAMk/cj7RljnyLOc/s1600/dean1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOgpt2ULwBI/AAAAAAAAAMk/cj7RljnyLOc/s320/dean1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOgpuVJQ_9I/AAAAAAAAAMo/zF30MvdD5dA/s1600/dean2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOgpuVJQ_9I/AAAAAAAAAMo/zF30MvdD5dA/s320/dean2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOgpv_2RYoI/AAAAAAAAAMs/wq-DfBbMRw0/s1600/dean3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TOgpv_2RYoI/AAAAAAAAAMs/wq-DfBbMRw0/s320/dean3.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Phone rings and the following conversation ensues:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dan: " Hi, this is Dan from ODU Athletic Department. Congrats on your win!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: "Won what?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dan: "You obviously didn't get me email."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me: "No, won what? I never win anything."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dan: "You've won the dinner and a game contest."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At this point I have absolutely no idea what he's talking about and I don't even try to play it cool. Dan keeps explaining the contest. I finally vaguely remember signing up. He probably thinks I'm blonde. I then squeal and squirm and tell Dan he's made my day. I keep going on about how I have a 9 month old that doesn't sleep, Chris and I don't go on dates, and my husband used to work for 456FISH (the dinner part of the contest). Wait?!?! That doesn't disqualify me from the contest does it? No. OK! Great! WE WON!!! He most definitely thinks I'm blonde. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went to the game. They played High Point. Nobody was there, but we did get to sit 10 rows back It was a total blowout. We saw a kid that obviously never plays play. And he dunked it. The players went wild. I bet it was his best basketball moment to date. I may or may not have teared up. We got ice cream. And headed home. Grandma babysat while we were gone (THANKS A MILLION x infinity for that).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're saving out gift card for a special night. I'm going to order the crab cake...and the fried green tomatoes...and a bottle of wine...and the bread pudding. It's going to be fabulous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that I've won I'm a contest playing fool. What's a little junk mail in the inbox? YAHOO has a SPAM filter anyway!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll keep you posted...I'm definitely ready to win again.</div>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-88150564107668240592010-11-09T21:08:00.000-05:002010-11-09T21:08:55.924-05:009 MonthsDear Jack,<br />
<br />
This letter is for you, but this month it isn't about you. It's an introduction to a man you will never meet on this earth. About a man you probably met up there before you were born. It's about a man I want you to know, even if it is only through words, stories, and pictures.<br />
<br />
To most he was Charles. To some GaDoc, The Bank, and Doc. To 3 people he was Dad, and to one, best friend and husband. To me, he was perfect. A perfect mix of loving, caring, hardworking, and smart. He was interesting, passionate, talented, and stubborn. Funny and witty. Gentle, yet stern. He was the love of G.G.'s life, the father to your Nana, and my Grandpa Doc.<br />
<br />
A million stories and tales run through my head when I think of him. Where do I start? How do I summarize, and what if I forget something?<br />
<br />
55 years ago he met your G.G. On their first date he asked her to marry him. He sent her love birds, wrote her letters, and 6 short months later they were married. He worked hard. Pursued a career in medicine. Spent countless hours at work, all to put food on the table, horses in stalls, and smiles on the faces of his kids at home. From him, you can learn a lesson or two about hard work.<br />
<br />
Grandpa doc was interesting. He had hobbies and tools galore. Whether it be canning or creating model airplanes his passion for these hobbies never wavered. I hope you are as passionate as he was. <br />
<br />
Although I truly believe you two met before you were born I wish, Jack, that you could have met him on this earth. I can almost picture his hands holding your little body and I can imagine you tapping his belly or pulling on his suspenders. I know each development you make would blow his mind. He was fascinated by things like that. Jack, he would have adored you, you would have worshiped him. I'm certain of it.<br />
<br />
Your dad and I promise to tell you stories, show you pictures, and remind you of who your Great Grandpa Doc was.<br />
<br />
Today you turn 9 months old. Today your Great Grandpa Doc would have been 80. Happy Birthday Jack.. Happy Birthday Grandpa Doc.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Mom and Dad<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNin4AvrUBI/AAAAAAAAAMg/jD6oSLY3u5U/s1600/205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNin4AvrUBI/AAAAAAAAAMg/jD6oSLY3u5U/s320/205.JPG" width="320" /></a>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-62576436573197782322010-11-02T15:13:00.000-04:002010-11-02T15:13:17.918-04:00My Little Rooster<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Back in February I gave birth to a little baby <strike>rooster</strike> boy. We named him Jack and love him to pieces....even at 5AM (if we are lucky). Sunday we dressed our (almost nine month old) baby boy up as a rooster. He loved it. I loved it. Each and every time I looked at him I smiled, no more than smiled, I laughed. He was the cutest darn <strike>boy</strike> rooster I've ever seen.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><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;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhNObEqyI/AAAAAAAAAMU/n6RoN2Z93fs/s1600/Rooster2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhNObEqyI/AAAAAAAAAMU/n6RoN2Z93fs/s320/Rooster2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite sure about this getup...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhMoVLm3I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/KGLamdDeiO8/s1600/Rooster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhMoVLm3I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/KGLamdDeiO8/s320/Rooster.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My GG loves it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhJ3DRqYI/AAAAAAAAAMM/uWcmnYhnrdU/s1600/Ahhh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhJ3DRqYI/AAAAAAAAAMM/uWcmnYhnrdU/s320/Ahhh.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boo!! Ahh!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhGCt_5oI/AAAAAAAAAMA/g79sw51r-fw/s1600/halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhGCt_5oI/AAAAAAAAAMA/g79sw51r-fw/s320/halloween.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My girlfriend, Stella, was a duck</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhH_EdhQI/AAAAAAAAAME/_Cnkue4YJII/s1600/halloween2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhH_EdhQI/AAAAAAAAAME/_Cnkue4YJII/s320/halloween2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think she's funny</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhImIa2BI/AAAAAAAAAMI/ZCMCmXLyjwA/s1600/Lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhImIa2BI/AAAAAAAAAMI/ZCMCmXLyjwA/s320/Lucy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We jammed with the "Bat Ballerina"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhN1nSG0I/AAAAAAAAAMY/sGGdklxm50s/s1600/tired.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TNBhN1nSG0I/AAAAAAAAAMY/sGGdklxm50s/s320/tired.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All this partying really wore me out</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Happy Halloween 2010!! </div>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4170855449365467343.post-31236850295012476892010-10-28T13:55:00.003-04:002010-10-28T13:57:08.695-04:00I have total blogging anxietySo I am going to break the ice with diarrhea of the mouth (or fingers in my case)... <br />
<br />
For months before I even met Lindsey I <strike>stalked</strike> read her fabulous <a href="http://www.lifeisfullofperks.com/">blog</a>. I raved about her funny posts, called my husband at work to read snippets of her stuff, and let myself get so lost in her blog I was totally convinced we were friends. Her hilarious random stream of consciousness inspired today's post. Also, I'm convinced the best way to get back into the swing of blogging, is to dive right in. So here goes...<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We picked my car up from the impound lot the other day. It had been there since last Friday. Apparently whoever stole the car was SHORT and preferred driving while leaning back so far I'm not quite sure how he (or she) could see over the steering wheel. Backtrack, our car was stolen a couple weeks ago. FROM OUR DRIVEWAY. Who does that? And the kicker? Chris' car was parked behind it. Awesome. Not only did they steal our car, but they drove through the grass to get it out. Who steals cars anyway? Anyway, they still have a key to it, so we can't bring it home. There is tons of body damage, a window is busted out, and the worst part? They sat on one of Jack's baby blankets. The sight of this poor swaddle blanket all crunched up on the drivers seat instantly brought tears to my eyes. Perk? Somehow we managed to get a PS3 in the backseat. The cops said it's ours, now only if it works.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I need new shoes. Unfortunately, I have a closet full of shoes, but none seem to be perfect. I need a few of the basics. FLATS. TONS OF FLATS. I only have a pair, and they are yellow. Not very practical huh? Boots. I love boots. Especially flat boots. I need a new pair. Black ones. I have 3 pairs of brown, tons of winter black clothes, and nothing to pair them with! Ugh. The options are endless...unfortunately for me (and the bank account) my favorite pair cost $1,000. Won't. be. buying. them. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Speaking of boots. What is wrong with our weather? Who wears a tank top the last week of October? Oh this girl. And not to mention Jack has been in short sleeved onesies all week long. 90 degrees the other day? 80 today? I'm starting to believe in global warming and starting to be depressed that it might be too warm for Jack to dress up on Sunday. Total. Depression.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">He's going to be a rooster. Total cute. Well it will be if I can dress him up in it. Or if he will keep the hood on (total doubter). He won't let us keep anything on his head. Not even the hooded towel when he gets out of the bathtub He yanks at it and grabs it; frustrated as they come. What am I supposed to do when it is freezing outside? Let the poor child's ears freeze? We like to run in the mornings (like might be a stretch..need to is more like it) and without a hood/hat on Jack's ears may fall off come January. Any suggestions?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Yes, I run. Sometimes. I love it, hate it, and everything in between. The part I love most is watching Jack grin and chat with himself while in the jogger. He loves to run too. The part I hate most is...the running. I'm not a natural runner. I struggle to breathe, my legs itch, my feet get achy, the list goes on. But a workout is a workout right? Why can't weight just fall off of you? Why can't we all burn calories just sitting around? That would be lucky. Currently I'm the luckiest gal around. I breastfeed. I pump. I nourish my child with my own body. And I burn calories while doing it. Tons of calories. I read somewhere (probably wikipedia or some yahoo forum) that for every 1 oz of breast milk you burn 20 calories. Hooray! Every morning at 5AM I wake up with my boobs in my chin, hard as rocks, and throbbing to let loose (sorry dad, Steve, and any other male figure that didn't know that happens), I hook myself up to a machine, put my head in my hands 1/2 asleep, and burn calories. Approximately 160 to be exact. It's awesome. I've done a full workout without ever leaving my room. Not to mention just 1 short hour later Jack is up and wanting breakfast..woohoo another 80 calories or so!!!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have so much more to share, but hopefully this got me in the swing of things! I'm not so nervous any more! And I feel the creative juices STARTING to come back. My cousin said once I start sleeping through the night my creativity will go away...I didn't believe her, but I think she was right. I'm working on it, I promise.</div><br />
I'll be writing again soon. Again, I promise.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Love,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">LDial</div><br />
PS This picture is totally unrelated, but totally adorable. I mean I think he's cuter than the Gerber babies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TMm4owXIItI/AAAAAAAAAL8/ZLb3KJwjATA/s1600/Serious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCkcsCf3jcU/TMm4owXIItI/AAAAAAAAAL8/ZLb3KJwjATA/s320/Serious.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>Dial Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242294118164936657noreply@blogger.com2