tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86760803301413180032024-03-05T10:47:26.986-05:00Little SurprisesDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-41954496887713678382011-12-11T17:59:00.003-05:002011-12-11T18:16:09.221-05:00Back to Blogging (maybe...)Don't take my word on that as I am known to disappear from this space for long periods of time. But right now I feel the need to update this little corner of the internet.<br /><br />I have so much to say but not enough energy to put it all out there so I will share the Cliffnotes of my life with you...<br /><br />Ava and I have left my family, friends, and job and recently moved down South, Charleston, SC, to be exact. It wasn't an easy decision but after many e-mails with her dad discussing the realities of long distance co parenting we decided to just dive right in and embrace parenting to the full extent. Why did Ava and I have to relocate instead of the other way around? Well, her dad just started his career as a fire fighter down here and I couldn't say no to the warm weather.<br /><br />So here we are, a month in and I am not going to lie, things aren't easy. I guess I should explain the logistics. Her dad and I are not together and our goal is not to rekindle a romance. We simply want to be Ava's mom and dad. So at the moment we are living together in a 3 bedroom home, each with our own room. I am not working, but actively looking for a job. Ava's dad's schedule is 24 hours on, 48 off, which leaves plenty of "family" time. But because I am not working and there are bills to pay he picked up a second job. More often then not it is just Ava and I. Don't get me wrong, I love every second with my growing baby (toddler! but I don't want to admit it yet), but I am a little let down at the lack of CO parenting.<br /><br />Right before moving down here I envisioned what life would be like now that I would have a partner to share all of this with, but to be 100% percent honest, I had more "me" time when I was living at home with my parents. This is so complex and there is so much to consider that I honestly don't know how I feel about everything right now. There is a lot more to say about all of this, but I am going to be vague for now. <br /><br />Life would be so easy if we cared for each other enough to make it work as a couple, but that isn't where we are right now. And a good friend pointed out to me that I shouldn't settle for someone I didn't really love (a true reminder).<br /><br />So now what? I have no idea. I am beginning to think I may have bitten off more than I can chew....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju38GEKn4UKywEMvIaCSk58XmymBBivz3XDhxD3fe-TEI7FMWYc9dH7Eg3zBOChvpoXpL2plxFEP679Qb3fBlDZq7oaxs2eQHsY0u0z0cZ8iCmDEXlaKoXGAOecOYNSYTOkd49Aar2jVE/s1600/cheese1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju38GEKn4UKywEMvIaCSk58XmymBBivz3XDhxD3fe-TEI7FMWYc9dH7Eg3zBOChvpoXpL2plxFEP679Qb3fBlDZq7oaxs2eQHsY0u0z0cZ8iCmDEXlaKoXGAOecOYNSYTOkd49Aar2jVE/s400/cheese1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685012928550400562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But I do it all for this little face.Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-457413714850523712011-05-26T10:03:00.009-04:002011-05-26T10:47:38.617-04:00Our Little Family VacationA few weeks ago Ava and I flew down to Charleston, SC to enjoy a little vacation with her grandparents and her dad. It was so nice to get away from the gloomy Ohio weather and spend some time on the beach. We were only there a few days and to be honest I didn't want to leave the sunshine. It was a very short trip but totally worth it because now Ava can look back at the photos and see that her Dad and I worked together to give her a true family vacation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ava's first time in the ocean!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtagyxhrDlWdi8EslG4z3HcmfbzQVncAImuZACLnuMXRfv_GWKl8FF7AqviGPMXMGt1A6pwR5WM7EXC8NRS1hdOcBR_BDPGGo4xTZCSj9IcsuPVs-mP3-kR2z5BEY88ikmRBNNsjj-sQ/s1600/IMG_0164+%25281024x768%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtagyxhrDlWdi8EslG4z3HcmfbzQVncAImuZACLnuMXRfv_GWKl8FF7AqviGPMXMGt1A6pwR5WM7EXC8NRS1hdOcBR_BDPGGo4xTZCSj9IcsuPVs-mP3-kR2z5BEY88ikmRBNNsjj-sQ/s400/IMG_0164+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611027522922923890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D_hovzBQEJvELt1uO33QvuWnbuISP4clfbAa8RdmlEqlrllIXDfhB5nM5ALhJI-yrCHcaEdsTLrBjbc0AjesrESmXwv0PJBl0dL9hj34N2Pt03GT6vVTX_ehPOYtBUWDxtar1yLYNPA/s1600/IMG_0146+%25281024x768%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D_hovzBQEJvELt1uO33QvuWnbuISP4clfbAa8RdmlEqlrllIXDfhB5nM5ALhJI-yrCHcaEdsTLrBjbc0AjesrESmXwv0PJBl0dL9hj34N2Pt03GT6vVTX_ehPOYtBUWDxtar1yLYNPA/s400/IMG_0146+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611027516971065586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lqYvmm2ijmHqjDC8jHXvsWl2TxIXZbFiSRLEYylcQJP56M9hUFLcoon5YrpgeijocjtjOuq2dIUj0tPe73Az7zaiOYU0xT_EzHcphzlmoBH4dnW66EONdPDkHaZf65bXEsn8HO7c2l8/s1600/IMG_0135+%25281024x768%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lqYvmm2ijmHqjDC8jHXvsWl2TxIXZbFiSRLEYylcQJP56M9hUFLcoon5YrpgeijocjtjOuq2dIUj0tPe73Az7zaiOYU0xT_EzHcphzlmoBH4dnW66EONdPDkHaZf65bXEsn8HO7c2l8/s400/IMG_0135+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611027514841467570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NVG8Kp4kZy4Yuhc_imI10sWrsuP8DlZMPRp6vTZPeJXggxZ4UyG_rgSg7aglKy7x5Z2QneD7RYo0jBxP6T8lFRDLbEF5G_nd4knYDntMQj2ZW2iG-bAZqav5qTe6xKh5DsLDX-Z_zSA/s1600/IMG_0123+%25281024x768%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NVG8Kp4kZy4Yuhc_imI10sWrsuP8DlZMPRp6vTZPeJXggxZ4UyG_rgSg7aglKy7x5Z2QneD7RYo0jBxP6T8lFRDLbEF5G_nd4knYDntMQj2ZW2iG-bAZqav5qTe6xKh5DsLDX-Z_zSA/s400/IMG_0123+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611027508519145602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNP0XPDqm2PxYBt_1dCa1bS8uG59frDAeJTWYq5NqYGGvZsp_E_so9LGFOSIAtfyKuKZ77ghSMB-hp9okbQJP-hDU0WoZuUd9kgxY_Gcyryb_z9uuJLAEuu-0NdCRNPQWnRX0Ss323Zo/s1600/IMG_0122+%25281024x768%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNP0XPDqm2PxYBt_1dCa1bS8uG59frDAeJTWYq5NqYGGvZsp_E_so9LGFOSIAtfyKuKZ77ghSMB-hp9okbQJP-hDU0WoZuUd9kgxY_Gcyryb_z9uuJLAEuu-0NdCRNPQWnRX0Ss323Zo/s400/IMG_0122+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611027506190785058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I am completely in love with these photos of Ava and her Grandpa. How cute are they?? She definitely takes after that side of the family...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbz8pZfIMwAaq4mO-YuMKmfxuqwkuRz-pB6ZaH28kzF2hXphJHc188wMKh4j1er1sLMAFKCIAFLZprXy02x8R50g5QtCNzAE5uAwRYO8K85VyODd1GvPqU6m9MEXeyaEyU2BXLg36xVc/s1600/IMG_0073+%25282000x1500%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbz8pZfIMwAaq4mO-YuMKmfxuqwkuRz-pB6ZaH28kzF2hXphJHc188wMKh4j1er1sLMAFKCIAFLZprXy02x8R50g5QtCNzAE5uAwRYO8K85VyODd1GvPqU6m9MEXeyaEyU2BXLg36xVc/s400/IMG_0073+%25282000x1500%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611030731937474722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNu8nYK1DwHqeY7qVbcAb5OaLvqK6vgzgqDFmMKzx7M8RODuG9xN8zyqJzrdhxEp8efLWftA4lM8FtlhaQh5qDmjlmo9Q15zB5-AqNX72pR2n6Ugxmvq_gAfKwVDhaRWoP7Wkq38_7P8/s1600/IMG_0072+%25282000x1500%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNu8nYK1DwHqeY7qVbcAb5OaLvqK6vgzgqDFmMKzx7M8RODuG9xN8zyqJzrdhxEp8efLWftA4lM8FtlhaQh5qDmjlmo9Q15zB5-AqNX72pR2n6Ugxmvq_gAfKwVDhaRWoP7Wkq38_7P8/s400/IMG_0072+%25282000x1500%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611030720118504546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgwUb5jDgOZtuaQiBQiaFNvvb9ywOJTBw_afBX-dKyvMYmw1bJCW3ItAK3vJqJBuBNtVmgXHUXiyZQwBDZSh6MZDfq-9q2xJCVJ_zE8adLBXUE7K1iZJcSIBZhFkPXpURLMZ2HzffIAY/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgwUb5jDgOZtuaQiBQiaFNvvb9ywOJTBw_afBX-dKyvMYmw1bJCW3ItAK3vJqJBuBNtVmgXHUXiyZQwBDZSh6MZDfq-9q2xJCVJ_zE8adLBXUE7K1iZJcSIBZhFkPXpURLMZ2HzffIAY/s400/IMG_0071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611030715628664498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Uk3cT-qfW35rn97GzhJ358HAoNXJwiOeRyjiYAm-PsJKJJN1xVM34FSM5ru7cJxqOiRJtt0v-uf_pWh_DqogH06-bdOI4Pj6g9sjDOBAsmY4TDT6733Ps0uTA24Ngj_uAsHK78tsIEc/s1600/IMG_0052+%25282000x1500%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Uk3cT-qfW35rn97GzhJ358HAoNXJwiOeRyjiYAm-PsJKJJN1xVM34FSM5ru7cJxqOiRJtt0v-uf_pWh_DqogH06-bdOI4Pj6g9sjDOBAsmY4TDT6733Ps0uTA24Ngj_uAsHK78tsIEc/s400/IMG_0052+%25282000x1500%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611030708715783410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Playing with her dad...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJr7s527QJZmP9tVEB56AQ_q4wsTGsOWXbYHOHkgxqT87304sWkb0We_pJ6qQOjl6AeSSVBpRRYjUtqe3l6HmZau6PBmcb6RpCL9fyQB3hb127AwqabIJATyqTQI_1LAVoDXMSX9axZc/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJr7s527QJZmP9tVEB56AQ_q4wsTGsOWXbYHOHkgxqT87304sWkb0We_pJ6qQOjl6AeSSVBpRRYjUtqe3l6HmZau6PBmcb6RpCL9fyQB3hb127AwqabIJATyqTQI_1LAVoDXMSX9axZc/s400/IMG_0097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611033721791649666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfdvW0yvYEPw8NY9Ed2bsomTK1JwmmN9XjN7yFAUVytaWDqix0m4qaQlRcbUx_UOfdRo9d5P61jfwnnkBlFd4OwJFoAZss7lYtOvImJxTRaVn_mSt0tW46a9I_w0lg9cNRlwZMT4afXc/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfdvW0yvYEPw8NY9Ed2bsomTK1JwmmN9XjN7yFAUVytaWDqix0m4qaQlRcbUx_UOfdRo9d5P61jfwnnkBlFd4OwJFoAZss7lYtOvImJxTRaVn_mSt0tW46a9I_w0lg9cNRlwZMT4afXc/s400/IMG_0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611033720425265842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJhDY7L-phf5VDO4HlCu1FIR7tfLjmDt5FKUGxoznCQH8GSJ_i8FsI_wIBMZazuZsa3dZeb0Q_O68pf76Bf-k-9Y5F30f1yL0eA6UIbrMt5kmUsPap4TGFoVet6_PiyNrD3CHr7BvIxs/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJhDY7L-phf5VDO4HlCu1FIR7tfLjmDt5FKUGxoznCQH8GSJ_i8FsI_wIBMZazuZsa3dZeb0Q_O68pf76Bf-k-9Y5F30f1yL0eA6UIbrMt5kmUsPap4TGFoVet6_PiyNrD3CHr7BvIxs/s400/IMG_0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611033715156470034" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is the only picture of the 3 of us together (very strange...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsao0sSnuvo66byYwrtuergDPxA6UrmrqQQOQe5fkUu7IdKy62O_O484jcVlh8bVvqx41LuzBdit8J_eeTwqk8xiurJ-U9gIGfnpx9hXOp3SIT8uo9tTTpxaDP26RkfrXhp-OtAkYpKQ/s1600/IMG957956.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsao0sSnuvo66byYwrtuergDPxA6UrmrqQQOQe5fkUu7IdKy62O_O484jcVlh8bVvqx41LuzBdit8J_eeTwqk8xiurJ-U9gIGfnpx9hXOp3SIT8uo9tTTpxaDP26RkfrXhp-OtAkYpKQ/s400/IMG957956.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611036093936311538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Overall the vacation was fun and I'm glad Ava got to see her Dad and his parents.<br /><br />This weekend we are headed to a very small town in Kentucky for the Cyrus Family Reunion (yes, as in Miley). I am excited to show off my little Ava and eat some fried chicken. And in ONE WEEK we will be in New York City!! Eeek! I am so excited. Oh, and I'll also be 24 in one week! This is a great start to the summer.<br /><br />xoxo<br /><br />P.S. Ava turned 9 months on Tuesday!! My baby girl is growing so fast. I'll do a post on that later. There is so much to share.Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-25882195217761031002011-05-09T09:14:00.003-04:002011-05-09T09:51:50.945-04:00Dear Blog,I am sorry for my lack of posts. Has it really been 2 months?? Where does the time go? I promise I think of you everyday. I am constantly making mental notes of all the things I should post (Ava updates, fashion inspiration, pretty pictures...) and yet when I am given the time to sit down and write I choose to read all my favorite blogs instead. And then before I know it, my short window of free time is gone.<br /><br />Forgive me as I am still trying to balance everything out as a single mom with a part time job. I can't even imagine how so many moms (single or married) go back to work or school full time so soon after having a baby. They are truly super moms. Let's not forget the stay at home moms who somehow manage to fight off boredom everyday by creating a fun routine with their little ones. I am stuck in an in between universe where I work 4 hours everyday but still must find little things for Ava and I to do so we don't get stuck in a boredom rut. I am still working on that. The weather has not been kind to us here in Ohio and we didn't see sunshine for days at a time. But May is here now and the sun is shining and the park is calling our names (but so is the shower and the grocery store and dirty dishes and the breakfast I have yet to eat...).<br /><br />ANYWAYS.... <br /><br />This was meant to just be a quick post to say hello and give you a few little updates...So here we go...<br /><br />Ava will be 9 months old later this month. Where did the time go?? You know all those moms who tell you to soak it all up because time flies?? Well, I have truly listened to their advice and I have a confession to make. Since I have started working back in January, Ava has only napped in my arms. I never lay her down. I know that might sound crazy because nap time is usually the time most moms use to get things done around the house. Not me. I use that time as an excuse to lay on the couch and relax with my little Ava and I wouldn't have it any other way. And later on in life I can truly say that I soaked up that time with my sweet baby girl.<br /><br />Ava LOVES daycare now. She used to hate it and it killed me. But now she is always so happy when I drop her off and pick her up. And I love the women who take care of Ava. They are all so sweet and patient with all the kiddos. And I can see that Ava is developing little social skills. I am so happy that she is embracing the world around her.<br /><br />We are headed to South Carolina on Thursday and I cannot wait to sit on the beach. I am so excited for Ava to dig her toes in the sand and woo everyone around her in her little green striped swimsuit. Her dad's parents have a time share down there and asked us to join them on their vacation. Her dad will be with us on the weekend and we will have a full on "family" vacation. I am excited to give Ava this experience. While her dad and I are not together romantically we are doing our best to be together as her mother and father and when she older she can look back at the photos of our first family vacation.<br /><br />Shortly after we return from the beach, Ava and I will be heading to New York City (!!!!!). Words cannot express how excited I am. While this visit will be drastically different then my past experiences in NYC (hello? I have a baby now) I know I will have more fun this time around. No more late night drunken taxi rides. No, no. Hello daytime picnics in the park with my bestest of friends and maybe a glass of champagne here and there. This trip is hands down the best birthday present (thanks Miss Katie!).<br /><br />OKOK. This post is soooo long now. I'm wrapping it up with some new photos of Ava...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfdEBI4awIrUQAFc9A8Lb9LkKTsUX314_OdJQxJZB77N0jOtBCnxMCI4BYmubU8ObAVy1xTSsk3eFYgJcu6eCC1TgyzbQGf1BoREp0-bZgWsq90gmv0vs1Bi_WAqHhY4KodWqXZEipio/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfdEBI4awIrUQAFc9A8Lb9LkKTsUX314_OdJQxJZB77N0jOtBCnxMCI4BYmubU8ObAVy1xTSsk3eFYgJcu6eCC1TgyzbQGf1BoREp0-bZgWsq90gmv0vs1Bi_WAqHhY4KodWqXZEipio/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604712696947809602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoSuWlpgcB1H-sKe9_0sbtcFQMTHru6pwnQ8SYfn4-QTmga5sr9VY5qI7kapCkxXOrl-L35VJ2tXQSabsnTTKcelbgJ7ERIHDN7drgzRGxC4MVLq9SBxbVlvNPmfHPfcmQKC8otaGNR4/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoSuWlpgcB1H-sKe9_0sbtcFQMTHru6pwnQ8SYfn4-QTmga5sr9VY5qI7kapCkxXOrl-L35VJ2tXQSabsnTTKcelbgJ7ERIHDN7drgzRGxC4MVLq9SBxbVlvNPmfHPfcmQKC8otaGNR4/s400/IMG_0016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604712689159410178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxV4JwKdUY0gMgR2sZAfuecj126JdBwr1mu6yL7Hi4bOakDx4bRlIj_lEisBZ5QVKIdUg8jCLJEM8katIWW1leQ6lnaK6iUoTFvoHjB0SON05TUzBTzT1s3O2-M7eRKtHVqj50Wzspz3E/s1600/ava1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxV4JwKdUY0gMgR2sZAfuecj126JdBwr1mu6yL7Hi4bOakDx4bRlIj_lEisBZ5QVKIdUg8jCLJEM8katIWW1leQ6lnaK6iUoTFvoHjB0SON05TUzBTzT1s3O2-M7eRKtHVqj50Wzspz3E/s400/ava1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604712684451258546" border="0" /></a><br />She is so cute it kills me sometimes.<br /><br />xoxoDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-28104442221577892172011-03-10T11:45:00.003-05:002011-03-10T12:00:34.573-05:00Dreaming of Warmer, Dryer DaysIt's cold and rainy here but it hasn't stopped me from daydreaming of warmer days and pedicures. A few days ago Melissa from <a href="http://dearbabyblog.com/">Dear Baby</a> tweeted a picture of her wearing the cutest pair of shoes. She highly recommended them for their comfort. The woman is my idol, she is 31 weeks pregnant, has a toddler, and manages to look great and wear 3 inch wedges while doing it all. Amazing. Well, now I am obsessed with those shoes and looking for a similar (cheaper) pair...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Melissa modeling the shoe:<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoj8sWF_xjpPelgJWiFThPG2T7jDBWYrVpHGIlYSldi_dnS3v1iI-8yKk2nWXT0omtPepvRnFqNTXegCQicA0tMsIQN5zhRfv_tWulzp66-PJhk1ULdoBX19C-4OA64Zbgu2DHCFwku4/s1600/shoe1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoj8sWF_xjpPelgJWiFThPG2T7jDBWYrVpHGIlYSldi_dnS3v1iI-8yKk2nWXT0omtPepvRnFqNTXegCQicA0tMsIQN5zhRfv_tWulzp66-PJhk1ULdoBX19C-4OA64Zbgu2DHCFwku4/s400/shoe1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582493842636334962" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=4016&cid=4016&vid=1&pid=862848&scid=862848012">shoe</a>...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9lUzcInuxP37Nb0rSN0D_jAUNfQyPv1BI3nuwUhkOkXevCTjJBiIqMlIzjheuPs-hdNuCOAaVcYOEy5ranolyTFC7L-r7Z_ofEHtxhr27Xry_1zX0rUQNVwiGk3WZo1RT4o-bb2I1lw/s1600/miashoe.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9lUzcInuxP37Nb0rSN0D_jAUNfQyPv1BI3nuwUhkOkXevCTjJBiIqMlIzjheuPs-hdNuCOAaVcYOEy5ranolyTFC7L-r7Z_ofEHtxhr27Xry_1zX0rUQNVwiGk3WZo1RT4o-bb2I1lw/s400/miashoe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582493834828749250" border="0" /></a>Here are 3 similar pairs (all under $30, from <a href="http://www.forever21.com/default.asp">Forever 21</a>)...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z9L4wfwrOQhU0mfA8p38JQqm46GmosoBweEdffzYrbh2iyqQVtKoEmrd-kzHh-yRfI_zJG-xMlhMgZivnum8hIOTHXoJ57przOicDvoH8abjopKS1O-h5mRLwbSDdImcaiYDIYFR7Q0/s1600/f213.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z9L4wfwrOQhU0mfA8p38JQqm46GmosoBweEdffzYrbh2iyqQVtKoEmrd-kzHh-yRfI_zJG-xMlhMgZivnum8hIOTHXoJ57przOicDvoH8abjopKS1O-h5mRLwbSDdImcaiYDIYFR7Q0/s400/f213.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582496348451244690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYjM-QC6zr7nfbKyMyTZUbfu3MCCGbYKsgFqntayC_B9l2KQrTfu4SxIb28l6ZbGmN207roWIHWmmQ65-AsPMZwPNi-k3pQtQu3khnCoU47-idAPKyNem_USWKE8GlNPKol69tcjZqAU/s1600/f212.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYjM-QC6zr7nfbKyMyTZUbfu3MCCGbYKsgFqntayC_B9l2KQrTfu4SxIb28l6ZbGmN207roWIHWmmQ65-AsPMZwPNi-k3pQtQu3khnCoU47-idAPKyNem_USWKE8GlNPKol69tcjZqAU/s400/f212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582496345477347986" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1CtNe4NlNb6UEsxNkStvQwE0mmtRsrQBEQlfinPuKZ4CyQKkWUgimKAs8fJLK4EpqTcR2hhx0IU6C_-eKg3Ea0ML0O9ndApO1RQE7uTnGOSHwrWaTSDTwEtCVzyja1eQoDJMtzwaegM/s1600/f21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1CtNe4NlNb6UEsxNkStvQwE0mmtRsrQBEQlfinPuKZ4CyQKkWUgimKAs8fJLK4EpqTcR2hhx0IU6C_-eKg3Ea0ML0O9ndApO1RQE7uTnGOSHwrWaTSDTwEtCVzyja1eQoDJMtzwaegM/s400/f21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582493669428736706" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuDyiQzBa9kD5fOlhLS6kVMHzFeLWyvjDFTDhNuT-BzxVXEBZgM6n7OISH4CZ0NrbOBwN4TRzXq02V38orqY2egjkpafKakBVEIAa9oWvBiplyoecoVs2fX9rd_5P4TpB_gvkTABbvNQ/s1600/payless.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br />These are shoes I would usually overlook, but part of me is ready to get out of my comfort zone of simple flats and sandals. I think this style is the way to go. What do you think??Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-28005442613789614652011-03-09T11:40:00.005-05:002011-03-09T12:08:47.745-05:00Girlfriends and Bad Pop SongsI've been missing my close girlfriends like crazy lately. Most of them live on the East Coast and our doing amazing things. We talk almost everyday and I wish we lived closer so we could see each other regularly. I am reminded of them and all the fun times we had on a daily basis. Usually the memories hit me when I am flipping through the local radio stations on my way to work and a really bad pop song comes on. Apparently my friends and I (sometimes) listen to really bad music. Think Kelly Clarkson's <span style="font-style: italic;">Since You've Been Gone</span> and any Kanye song.<br /><br />I remember when I was living in Brooklyn my friend Cadi and I would BLAST <span style="font-style: italic;">Since You've Been Gone</span> and scream and jump around our tiny apartment that we shared with 3 guys. It was ridiculous and so much fun. We looked like fools and we loved it. Here is a picture of Cadi (the blond), myself (the tan one), and a few of our other lady friends. We were a tattooed, wing eating, pink champagne drinking group of ladies. I miss that summer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Gslmyd5DHME2lshZermNly5R7XMKCI6CahmbFhtQ0w-xnM4IZ5iSeBDOZsSErrLHKcbcg426ok8XqeC4xo6zgNQE8VMw_bG3Of4f3JRqjOjUNFh-SpAtrlHSlMLEKAKtW7rUR3_rZH0/s1600/fun3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Gslmyd5DHME2lshZermNly5R7XMKCI6CahmbFhtQ0w-xnM4IZ5iSeBDOZsSErrLHKcbcg426ok8XqeC4xo6zgNQE8VMw_bG3Of4f3JRqjOjUNFh-SpAtrlHSlMLEKAKtW7rUR3_rZH0/s400/fun3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582123568028294530" border="0" /></a><br />My best friend, another Katie (different spelling) loved to make fun playlists for our weekend nights. We were roommates for 2 years so there are a lot of songs that remind me of her. One that always makes me laugh is a ridiculous song by the Gym Class Hero's called <span style="font-style: italic;">Cookie Jar. </span>Katie would always do this silly dance but she somehow made it look cool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd639gfsxpTbHG5oLdpaLlWPVib656Afpq6xMAqzAdijdnQ_YiWbvC0oDK478DlvgcFRAgV2taRT28-bmA-oRuL0hLGcSu1CgKYvSsgko3EOytk3vCBCvzg_HlYJsoOyCtCnxeYy6KPo/s1600/fun2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd639gfsxpTbHG5oLdpaLlWPVib656Afpq6xMAqzAdijdnQ_YiWbvC0oDK478DlvgcFRAgV2taRT28-bmA-oRuL0hLGcSu1CgKYvSsgko3EOytk3vCBCvzg_HlYJsoOyCtCnxeYy6KPo/s400/fun2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582125941234070754" border="0" /></a><br />Another best friend I miss everyday is Alyse. Alyse is CRAZY and that's why I love her. My favorite memory of Alyse was from New Years 2006. She came home with me for break that year and we partied here in Columbus. We drove around blasting a band named Adult and then went to a party on OSU campus. It was a riot. We walked around taking Polaroids of everything because we were <span style="font-style: italic;">sooooo coool. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcvSBaIcziJEMMF0AaXogudEMUscRBxghRerlnN14Apoy-GAmyAgDr6GcAao2rdBLTdr67CmqweO-8n8kg0wzFb67oV8U-nnMa_D4R9bXDinH2nrQs8ZAzIof56fG-QZFsYD_OyF7cEQ/s1600/fun1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcvSBaIcziJEMMF0AaXogudEMUscRBxghRerlnN14Apoy-GAmyAgDr6GcAao2rdBLTdr67CmqweO-8n8kg0wzFb67oV8U-nnMa_D4R9bXDinH2nrQs8ZAzIof56fG-QZFsYD_OyF7cEQ/s400/fun1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582126892569008786" border="0" /></a>(look at her shoes!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">These ladies (and others) have so much to do with who I am today. I can't wait until I see them again so we can drink cheap champagne and eat greasy pizza.<br /><br />xoxo<br /></div></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-37433920668665420892011-03-07T11:28:00.003-05:002011-03-07T11:43:46.247-05:00A Quick VisitAva's Papa came for a very short visit this weekend. He is hoping to make it up here at least once a month to see little Ava. We were able to take a few photos while he was here...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8bz-TvR5OMdm9NqkW335lrnT2PiqCkzM3Ie7ODKZrfcOoh4bNCvXnQFa9iZZrR8Sa8YMZ0h1QC0l5MKX3NDfNiE4pLrH1riq7dpyXhGV6L5xcviyHRSkXgCg1I8jQvOrEj-x_X6Awok/s1600/cute5.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8bz-TvR5OMdm9NqkW335lrnT2PiqCkzM3Ie7ODKZrfcOoh4bNCvXnQFa9iZZrR8Sa8YMZ0h1QC0l5MKX3NDfNiE4pLrH1riq7dpyXhGV6L5xcviyHRSkXgCg1I8jQvOrEj-x_X6Awok/s400/cute5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581377260299144482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kzu8Ufmhl19CwbK8ymfnpB-OtuMxye7EcZWXTtJK7pEguyinMEYwXCntn3Gzry_fENat_xOiiES0J_5tikY6TfWUsts-E1hYxQPqGdxp1GdKqohwSLCzbI4fW3NY5vxwm4Mqh9aNbCo/s1600/cute3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kzu8Ufmhl19CwbK8ymfnpB-OtuMxye7EcZWXTtJK7pEguyinMEYwXCntn3Gzry_fENat_xOiiES0J_5tikY6TfWUsts-E1hYxQPqGdxp1GdKqohwSLCzbI4fW3NY5vxwm4Mqh9aNbCo/s400/cute3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581377255072407794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1GLTwf65NclsuuDSmFSIQVCgQnvUYLeGRv1XaoxP9Q2o7-ww8LxFs18SJePxK0nQKLcb4cvQHiHsWmolBz7FE2XHm5By8X9m-VKMLrZbaDIM8hjp1Fkk0B8upoW86dU3Y697DQi8wzg/s1600/cute1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1GLTwf65NclsuuDSmFSIQVCgQnvUYLeGRv1XaoxP9Q2o7-ww8LxFs18SJePxK0nQKLcb4cvQHiHsWmolBz7FE2XHm5By8X9m-VKMLrZbaDIM8hjp1Fkk0B8upoW86dU3Y697DQi8wzg/s400/cute1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581377251535912322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjHYzhpMrRb295wuBCnoTd3jk7Lo4yU4FVjm1QqFePXNnB5CH3M3ROUGsJ3Sxy1y3gHzonSxKw9_8YOL-vn6K4AB4WQ2F0fqZ3jFIhJH3WXoZ_l6EzYCU2ZbsbIy2XB4_ZlVcubQqQqQ/s1600/cute8.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjHYzhpMrRb295wuBCnoTd3jk7Lo4yU4FVjm1QqFePXNnB5CH3M3ROUGsJ3Sxy1y3gHzonSxKw9_8YOL-vn6K4AB4WQ2F0fqZ3jFIhJH3WXoZ_l6EzYCU2ZbsbIy2XB4_ZlVcubQqQqQ/s400/cute8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581377234263781378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Smushed nose kisses....<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwfNcsPbaWrZL0uppq26P2_PfDBcEbIze7QattB7dE9QzZ_dnUUXqXG7jNwhF_c-E8nG19B0p28pim2fYNAaB-OrUlj-FAQ_c2bwQ2MU_KjlXaD7HyVPBOj8rwxFk3j__xlAcyM6TUVA/s1600/cute9.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwfNcsPbaWrZL0uppq26P2_PfDBcEbIze7QattB7dE9QzZ_dnUUXqXG7jNwhF_c-E8nG19B0p28pim2fYNAaB-OrUlj-FAQ_c2bwQ2MU_KjlXaD7HyVPBOj8rwxFk3j__xlAcyM6TUVA/s400/cute9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581377227274304978" border="0" /></a>The little photo shoot didn't last too long. Ava was ready for a nap and Papa was sad he had to leave.<br /><br />I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and I am seriously considering moving to Charleston, SC once Ava's dad finishes the Fire Fighting Academy. While I want Ava to be around her grandparents and her aunts I know that it is more important for her to be around her Dad. Plus it would help to have a partner in all of this. I realize that when he is around I get a little more "me" time. I was able to do little things like paint my nails, sip my coffee, flip through magazines, style my hair....<br /><br />We have no intention of exploring our relationship romantically (been there, done that, didn't work out...) but we know that we have to do what is best for Ava and being in the same city and working together as her Mother and Father is definitely the best scenario.<br /><br />He doesn't finish school until July so I have plenty of time to think this over and figure it all out. There is definitely a lot to think about....<br /><br />Happy Monday!Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-7428517654304897042011-03-02T12:02:00.002-05:002011-03-02T12:15:57.811-05:00No Offense.......but these shoes are just a little too <span style="font-style: italic;">loud</span>...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPFaAA5dku6FsyLqImwk2o1FLQ4Xu6bYOzC-t-htzE55IZaFQT_VZ293BB04E3a_WwYEsyjoRZp8k5UPeEAuFx-Q1IpdiQa3_Iyo2YDdRR9OrzxtOKfMlQNADl9G5cKDvvwW8eUlJj8k/s1600/shhow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPFaAA5dku6FsyLqImwk2o1FLQ4Xu6bYOzC-t-htzE55IZaFQT_VZ293BB04E3a_WwYEsyjoRZp8k5UPeEAuFx-Q1IpdiQa3_Iyo2YDdRR9OrzxtOKfMlQNADl9G5cKDvvwW8eUlJj8k/s400/shhow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579531730375655010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCZVC_qVAHtg15Y8Sxjfbd19xiA7-pUy7OF1bCoy95DBNQsD_g5t8B_MZBWjO8LJEy1K_r3SvT-UFIiUnzuCkCT9MeUb6nEVku6L2FzRw4Bb6fTw_QQjcO22kcinIwv3lFYtyqmcvrco/s1600/show.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCZVC_qVAHtg15Y8Sxjfbd19xiA7-pUy7OF1bCoy95DBNQsD_g5t8B_MZBWjO8LJEy1K_r3SvT-UFIiUnzuCkCT9MeUb6nEVku6L2FzRw4Bb6fTw_QQjcO22kcinIwv3lFYtyqmcvrco/s400/show.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579531729676513538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/?utm_source=affiliateprogram_cj&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=affiliate">ModCloth<br /></a></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-44153554950101195832011-02-28T09:31:00.000-05:002011-02-28T09:31:34.442-05:006 Months!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwoike_gkdVNNwukBtZaZn9R8T-LvDX5PN6X9zXun1kUjlhe6VCU0lRkjB4o-j_cVhKRzklIzZZULbgG83ISngBggytGmrulHdTqptJ-KlXcX-aWfJGnYeui4oGKNTa4U56V09aooX3E/s1600/ava1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwoike_gkdVNNwukBtZaZn9R8T-LvDX5PN6X9zXun1kUjlhe6VCU0lRkjB4o-j_cVhKRzklIzZZULbgG83ISngBggytGmrulHdTqptJ-KlXcX-aWfJGnYeui4oGKNTa4U56V09aooX3E/s400/ava1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578416684769844402" border="0" /></a><br />I honestly cannot believe that my Little Ava is 6 months old!! Time flies. She is such a happy little baby these days and I love it. I used to be afraid to go out and about for long periods of time with her because she would often become overwhelmed and it was hard to calm her down. But lately we can go out and she'll just spend the time taking in all the sights and sounds.<br /><br />I am so glad Spring is just around the corner so our outings can be outdoors and she can see the changing of the season. I am looking forward to walks around the park with this little one.<br /><br />Now for some 6 Month Updates....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ava weighs 15 pounds, 3 ounces.<br />She is 26 inches long and has big feet.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KWspraC4dTQEofSr9nA6RHAEcz0GSUx00J-NMkd1gRWAHA6Y-Nc1nQ5-TCMh_A_80Qtk6SOPXkZG6L9RUK1fEEUURE1cIsa8AegnHxUKZqzoEiZ14fnO6MDQ1VyFtfRI9KjOIySmqpQ/s1600/sophie1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KWspraC4dTQEofSr9nA6RHAEcz0GSUx00J-NMkd1gRWAHA6Y-Nc1nQ5-TCMh_A_80Qtk6SOPXkZG6L9RUK1fEEUURE1cIsa8AegnHxUKZqzoEiZ14fnO6MDQ1VyFtfRI9KjOIySmqpQ/s400/sophie1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578416703857328610" border="0" /></a><br />Ava loves to chew on her Sophie Giraffe,<br />but no teeth seem to be poking through those little gums of hers.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKeRyl9yIUYLx4NQp-KDMV24iWE5NGBS4r0kKV_v1S9Xgjm54bh9rgR0J83ZSAfmQyqtDhfCYCHirvovW9mnDMuPvsNLckMcp4a3vAr0xrLNazHWI6Lrao8KWBxAPNXMfyGVhXjeTh1g/s1600/sophie.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKeRyl9yIUYLx4NQp-KDMV24iWE5NGBS4r0kKV_v1S9Xgjm54bh9rgR0J83ZSAfmQyqtDhfCYCHirvovW9mnDMuPvsNLckMcp4a3vAr0xrLNazHWI6Lrao8KWBxAPNXMfyGVhXjeTh1g/s400/sophie.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578416701751079186" border="0" /></a><br />She LOVES taking a bath.<br />She makes the funniest faces when trying new foods.<br />She still loves to be naked.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBUaSeQ8nKyNSFPSdcfFaDHjEu-BitdTeZaYap-9MyAeHR0_tVaHnci1kLkbsKpwWii1UGGhyphenhyphen3N_VQdEUQxAE9-RZpf82pEUJ9jDLIfLQgYrE-SdkhfXelcaRKi30xcimr2CQLps0o4U/s1600/monkey2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBUaSeQ8nKyNSFPSdcfFaDHjEu-BitdTeZaYap-9MyAeHR0_tVaHnci1kLkbsKpwWii1UGGhyphenhyphen3N_VQdEUQxAE9-RZpf82pEUJ9jDLIfLQgYrE-SdkhfXelcaRKi30xcimr2CQLps0o4U/s400/monkey2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578416693765053762" border="0" /></a><br />She loves to kick her chubby little legs.<br />She squeals like a professional.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdc-CcCcLn-9kF5djiSZvbceAo3Jys78Kxsd1BsxBSSxzNjyGXXadBYqsbTsoJGmr8pv14fhp_kl682d80jg0YzgdaMJUuMH0pMtduCPOamOXiA9-n28yhWYkKoDJe05AR4XGuF50MLZs/s1600/monkey1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdc-CcCcLn-9kF5djiSZvbceAo3Jys78Kxsd1BsxBSSxzNjyGXXadBYqsbTsoJGmr8pv14fhp_kl682d80jg0YzgdaMJUuMH0pMtduCPOamOXiA9-n28yhWYkKoDJe05AR4XGuF50MLZs/s400/monkey1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578416689598546562" border="0" /></a><br />She still has bluish eyes (it's a mystery).<br />She adores her Grandma and she loves her Grandpa's guitar playing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We have plans to go to Rhode Island to see her other NaNa and PaPa at the end of March. I cannot wait for them to see how much she's grown. Last time they saw her she was a grumpy little 3 month old.<br /><br />Happy Monday!<br /></div><br /><br /></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-86935541802349081062011-02-16T11:57:00.001-05:002011-02-16T11:59:17.925-05:00I Wish....<div style="text-align: center;">...I could pull this look off...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_CHh1v-m8SQ4JgHK_0iNjCOwkQxKWWT1uHCtrt9wJd-GuHr1Cp5Ya9YX8jPaWIgonHmzZzUTloGIMv6Ad-QfPMaTbn9o4GgEeVqloAJ17wmbYQmzA3nJMgBmgoIYIRq0V-YyNS4W5AA/s1600/yes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_CHh1v-m8SQ4JgHK_0iNjCOwkQxKWWT1uHCtrt9wJd-GuHr1Cp5Ya9YX8jPaWIgonHmzZzUTloGIMv6Ad-QfPMaTbn9o4GgEeVqloAJ17wmbYQmzA3nJMgBmgoIYIRq0V-YyNS4W5AA/s400/yes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574332911559351602" border="0" /></a>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-71761441316139095782011-02-14T08:49:00.000-05:002011-02-14T08:49:15.399-05:00Happy Valetine's Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6OJZ4IrzMMyPx-ToKJxK2axovRl4khxxJs1TgUaroDk62qggFlbJtf1uMxzXl1_vGbH6JqFRgLYugi4chYhPJbPQHI630v2qERtpUOie8DXd6-mTDpQtyxFR3ihaqXZXc23PTtpQvKE/s1600/heart.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6OJZ4IrzMMyPx-ToKJxK2axovRl4khxxJs1TgUaroDk62qggFlbJtf1uMxzXl1_vGbH6JqFRgLYugi4chYhPJbPQHI630v2qERtpUOie8DXd6-mTDpQtyxFR3ihaqXZXc23PTtpQvKE/s400/heart.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573188738819960226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo<br /></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-17682701955148082142011-02-13T08:56:00.003-05:002011-02-13T09:37:39.166-05:00Sunny SaturdayForgive me for my absence this week. I always get a small case of the winter blues around this time of the year. Nothing to be concerned about, just a little lack of motivation. Luckily Spring is right around the corner and the sun has been making more appearances lately.<br /><br />Yesterday Ava and I took full advantage of the sunshine and spent the day with my sister at her VERY sunny apartment. I was excited to get out of the house but I didn't want to really go out and about, so my sister's apartment was the perfect place to spend the day. We lounged, played with Ava, and watched Eat, Pray, Love. It was a perfect February Saturday.<br /><br />At one point in the middle of the(long) movie I could see the sun shining on my sister's bed. It looked so warm and welcoming. That kind of sun doesn't shine on my bed, unfortunately. So we paused the movie and Ava and I soaked up some much needed vitamin D. And of course I took some photos (I am still getting used to my new camera and trying to get my photo mojo back )....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDrClVq8J5_PfIWJV1xKQ2_A63wYJoS6jGVXuPHcYnWNAJp0kSR0wa738tmMaspCgBEqNG6hoZiqgLDKbfbjd8Ek61vCJVSMQOnz-ynsStAN4dPbpdfo0ZnA922Ecw7gdG75FQa_FGKE/s1600/sunshine.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDrClVq8J5_PfIWJV1xKQ2_A63wYJoS6jGVXuPHcYnWNAJp0kSR0wa738tmMaspCgBEqNG6hoZiqgLDKbfbjd8Ek61vCJVSMQOnz-ynsStAN4dPbpdfo0ZnA922Ecw7gdG75FQa_FGKE/s400/sunshine.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573179867404232642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhUYmH_Z9A8eGVDI5PTv7zRHwn9WS-x9UHVaOOHF_fwebyaS06azgVWM6a063Plt5kPxSPqEI6oDsQ0eXCUvkwcXMVXbwqr4G1wCdYel9XjUzE7hEj2Lr-SAOE0CD0ZCrKQoTRuh-yr4/s1600/smilessun.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhUYmH_Z9A8eGVDI5PTv7zRHwn9WS-x9UHVaOOHF_fwebyaS06azgVWM6a063Plt5kPxSPqEI6oDsQ0eXCUvkwcXMVXbwqr4G1wCdYel9XjUzE7hEj2Lr-SAOE0CD0ZCrKQoTRuh-yr4/s400/smilessun.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573179856953577538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0epYuInaHV-SsyA-N0cvlBZA4BK6I_VpZcajAyYpoEXRqVkBB1oBzaYXvvXPOG6oR4Vd4rzj_6KBuzrg-ZHUa143HbEicYRY9CwHAlgIS1L7tsG74vvYQfE5rfXWzP3ZrCI_FzamnRs/s1600/handsun.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0epYuInaHV-SsyA-N0cvlBZA4BK6I_VpZcajAyYpoEXRqVkBB1oBzaYXvvXPOG6oR4Vd4rzj_6KBuzrg-ZHUa143HbEicYRY9CwHAlgIS1L7tsG74vvYQfE5rfXWzP3ZrCI_FzamnRs/s400/handsun.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573179854001351266" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">What did you do this weekend? Any big Valentine plans?<br /><br />Happy Sunday!<br /></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-79862434030927287242011-02-05T17:57:00.004-05:002011-02-05T18:54:11.533-05:00Pretty FantasticThings have been going my way lately. Nothing too amazing has happened but there have been some pretty fantastic things warming my heart and making my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Let's start with the biggest and best news of all. <span style="font-size:130%;">I BOUGHT A NEW CAMERA! </span>A really, really nice camera for a really, really reasonable price. I have been searching Craigslist and Ebay regularly looking for a nice DSLR for under $300. Kinda a stretch, right?? Well, I saw an ad on Craigslist for a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powershot-SX10IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B001G5ZTZO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296946642&sr=8-1">Canon Powershot SX10 IS</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqezNeHrcdPvnizSgu8Mu-O-MSnI20bWBs8T1WWx5swxr2RTs4wTbuYpX16OSl9DJMVn0D6zF4bOW57vLCD7GaB9B6wtsHOSN83uAnfdy3PE5kc-aPDo61WlKGpdcEo0pmJqVw23aUhGE/s1600/camera.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqezNeHrcdPvnizSgu8Mu-O-MSnI20bWBs8T1WWx5swxr2RTs4wTbuYpX16OSl9DJMVn0D6zF4bOW57vLCD7GaB9B6wtsHOSN83uAnfdy3PE5kc-aPDo61WlKGpdcEo0pmJqVw23aUhGE/s400/camera.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570344885799839890" border="0" /></a>This is an amazing camera and is everything I wanted. The best part?? I only paid $225 for this beauty, almost new in box. The guy I bought it from bought it as a back up to his much nicer DSLR and hardly ever used it. I couldn't believe his asking price. Spending that much is a stretch for me right now but I know this is a great investment and I can't wait to shoot with it. I kinda feel like my love for photography is coming back (it's been gone for awhile).<br /><br />Following that buy I spent some much needed quality time with my good friend Caitlin. We went to a few thrift shops looking for some bargains. I only purchased a few items (boots, jean jacket, knit skirt) as I am now on a spending freeze because of my camera purchase. But it was nice to have some girl talk time while my mom babysat Ava.<br /><br />Another great thing?? I was awarded the Stylish Blogger award from Nikki at<a href="http://lostinthisworldwithyou.blogspot.com/"> Life of A Single Mommy. </a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsJaYXCBm_S0aYTwW9Z0eyDuATw_7NYRgh0NlcYP-bfm9HqN7ANpTtgynzvluCFBF2Luiut_eSmV8yzR-kGxJTx4MINzY4Al3Buvfuy0C6m1eue4IvRoyeza_FLGWqOs3RW0xV48uHNk/s1600/Stylish-Blogger.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsJaYXCBm_S0aYTwW9Z0eyDuATw_7NYRgh0NlcYP-bfm9HqN7ANpTtgynzvluCFBF2Luiut_eSmV8yzR-kGxJTx4MINzY4Al3Buvfuy0C6m1eue4IvRoyeza_FLGWqOs3RW0xV48uHNk/s320/Stylish-Blogger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570347327409990786" border="0" /></a><br />I am going to treat the rules of this award a little differently. I know I should follow the rules and pass is on but well instead I am just going to highlight some new to me ladies I have recently started following.<br /><br />First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH NIKKI. I am truly flattered. You have become one of my favorite ladies to follow because I can relate so much to what you are going through. I hope you keep sharing and I cannot wait to read more about your journey.<br /><br />Another lady I really enjoy following is Drea from <a href="http://ohdeardrea.blogspot.com/">ohdeardrea</a>. I adore her blog and reading about her journey with her baby girl, Marlowe. I am envious of her Floridian lifestyle.<br /><br />Through Drea I found Chelsea from <a href="http://chellybean-chels.blogspot.com/">too many cookies</a>. She is another young mama with lots to share. Do you see a trend here? I am excited to find young ladies like me who are sharing their parenting journeys.<br /><br />Then through commenting on all these blogs I've gotten a few new readers including Kathleen from <a href="http://babybergen.blogspot.com/">too many shades of violet</a>. She seems like the sweetest lady and her daughter is so adorable.<br /><br />And last but not least I've really enjoyed reading Cassie's journey over at <a href="http://www.babymakestwo.org/">Baby Makes Two</a>. She is so witty and honest, it's super refreshing.<br /><br />I never thought I would find so many like minded mama's to share this amazing journey with. Thanks ladies. You are all pretty fantastic.Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-62828505148024571612011-02-04T10:50:00.005-05:002011-02-04T11:13:43.910-05:00Why Mornings Are My Favorite Time of Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSXdZLLJyn0i6E2u-Rr_rUoPhp4Sc3nOShVUKpPSgmAmNMVMKYSXXeqmDxQFPuy-dqc20JrP1v1St_eGMnkAslgxPb8_Ul7ah6Yxin04USJSCmnWG-ILZyRnXGXDww4Yp6SDbSyY03z0/s1600/morning.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSXdZLLJyn0i6E2u-Rr_rUoPhp4Sc3nOShVUKpPSgmAmNMVMKYSXXeqmDxQFPuy-dqc20JrP1v1St_eGMnkAslgxPb8_Ul7ah6Yxin04USJSCmnWG-ILZyRnXGXDww4Yp6SDbSyY03z0/s400/morning.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569867475519224194" border="0" /></a>(image via <a href="http://weheartit.com/">We Heart It</a>)<br /><br /></div>I have always been a morning person. I love to wake up early (or late), lay in bed for a little while, make some coffee, start breakfast, turn on some music, and enjoy the morning sun. Ava has only made the mornings more special for me. My mornings with are her are hands down my favorite part of being a mother. Everyday we wake up together (we co-sleep) around 8:30 or 9 AM, Ava spends a long time stretching (and growing!), I open my bedroom curtain, and we lay in bed "chatting" and snuggling. She has started to maneuver her body in a way where she is able to scoot around and not long after we wake up she is right next to me, nose to nose and wide eyed. I absolutely love it. It is truly the best way to wake up.<br /><br />On a different note....here are two amazing links I wanted to share...<br /><br />If you read <a href="http://www.tazaandhusband.com/">RockStar Diaries</a> then you know she and her hubby had a beautiful baby girl a few days ago. While she is gone she has some guest momma's sharing their motherly advice and it is definitely worth checking out.<br /><br />Through that post I discovered <a href="http://princesslasertron.com/">Princess Lasertron </a>and was pleased to stumbled upon a post on her blog about <a href="http://princesslasertron.com/2011/02/nursingstyle/comment-page-1/#comment-23392">Breastfeeding in Style</a>. It is a must read for any momma or momma to be who is or plans on breastfeeding.<br /><br />Happy Friday!Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-37467061533308060002011-02-02T14:18:00.004-05:002011-02-02T14:44:33.353-05:00Snow Day!Due to the nasty weather hitting most of the country I've had 2 official snow days in a row. It is one of the many benefits of working for a large school system. These last two days have also made up for my lack of a weekend due to my nasty stomach bug. So here I am lounging in my PJs and snuggling with Ava. While I miss warm weather and sunshine I wouldn't trade in these moments for a thing.<br /><br />I decided to take a few photos of Ava today to pass the time. I usually dress her up but today I decided to leave her in her colorful onesie and throw down a very patterned blanket for the background.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV27_yok0xcEWFqKoxAjYlVtzRuRcdp36JYsDGoROYaKAuImAXAKPc6KvLyYMqYlYgtwWfqj7A3_J_X-s10gEXXGjqUkhXsT_71lF4QltmipcjuGnTiEKV9_pYuRUdSWx3YEUWmkQh4ts/s1600/monkey+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV27_yok0xcEWFqKoxAjYlVtzRuRcdp36JYsDGoROYaKAuImAXAKPc6KvLyYMqYlYgtwWfqj7A3_J_X-s10gEXXGjqUkhXsT_71lF4QltmipcjuGnTiEKV9_pYuRUdSWx3YEUWmkQh4ts/s400/monkey+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569179360789867954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdvxzovb_EpH3rmzSOC_NeqYlV4pr6uyOeudAc53t0gk_WlznAGk5nG6dkHyelZ7kuUnKrSNaR1zCl_rZjaYFXmui0kmYctZsEiG9UYX8zL9qPaH1y2gmEK9iT0yc4Tjm7MhgNqWpHrU/s1600/happy2+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdvxzovb_EpH3rmzSOC_NeqYlV4pr6uyOeudAc53t0gk_WlznAGk5nG6dkHyelZ7kuUnKrSNaR1zCl_rZjaYFXmui0kmYctZsEiG9UYX8zL9qPaH1y2gmEK9iT0yc4Tjm7MhgNqWpHrU/s400/happy2+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569179347799009826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfIuHpHVRXt4KzBypKYfMIJhrwL5ruvuaCJ_sbZD9AvHJWHDPnEFiXZ1u68Ol0a6lvuhxAhhkIZVtnGH5AB6zzQQXAU3cchS7MbUtsup-FwWruhTmAB7ovsFFuwSjYoQmlBDcBLTQjJI/s1600/book+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfIuHpHVRXt4KzBypKYfMIJhrwL5ruvuaCJ_sbZD9AvHJWHDPnEFiXZ1u68Ol0a6lvuhxAhhkIZVtnGH5AB6zzQQXAU3cchS7MbUtsup-FwWruhTmAB7ovsFFuwSjYoQmlBDcBLTQjJI/s400/book+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569179341346452722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've been thinking a lot about buying a new, nicer camera. While I love my little camera I can see that it is on its last limb. I've had it for almost 4 years and it has definitely seen better days. Plus I want to upgrade to something nicer that will allow me to do more. However, I don't really have the funds to go out and splurge. All the cameras I am looking at are in the $300-400 range (USED) and well, I just can't justify spending that much at this point in my life. Maybe I can spend $200-250....maybe.... If you know of any reasonably priced cameras (preferably a digital DSLR), let me know!<br /><br />If you know me, you know I went to school for photography and have a Bachelor's of Fine Arts, so you might think I'm crazy for not already having a fancy DSLR, but I was taught that it isn't the camera that takes the beautiful photo, it's the photographer. I still very much believe that, I just miss taking photos in the Manual setting. And to be honest I REALLY REALLY miss classic film photography, unfortunately it is way too expensive these days to process film. Plus I like being able to capture a moment and immediately share it with everyone.<br /><br />On that note.....I was playing with colors and what not while editing my photos today and I am debating which photos I like best. I usually prefer to edit as little as possible, usually just slightly changing the contrast or color. So what do you think?? Obviously the original is on the left...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ325oStCW9bDum6ia67fpK8tlz_7bLjMKE6QDxzJIkaRlh-BqQwSJKTsQ4KiKPAJjT1nOrPm4hmpzFrPP3JiTy3jfCX-zZjGyR6_apS1oI105Qw6-tbnw2fG3Tq5aNcD-BX1dju4guXg/s1600/three.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ325oStCW9bDum6ia67fpK8tlz_7bLjMKE6QDxzJIkaRlh-BqQwSJKTsQ4KiKPAJjT1nOrPm4hmpzFrPP3JiTy3jfCX-zZjGyR6_apS1oI105Qw6-tbnw2fG3Tq5aNcD-BX1dju4guXg/s400/three.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569178607500257986" border="0" /></a>I love her rolls,<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiG1sE97S0SCUUGGXEflPiCRwXTARdGkw7RgsHcC_5Dsy0zFIevNxgK0-rEOSC6bCSjcmzwJmrnM9DU7nD1uK87OtnH498FSZmvKdt2tk3jVYmHdup21o0HmFDAC4zaXGs-Qb9LJAY6c/s1600/two.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiG1sE97S0SCUUGGXEflPiCRwXTARdGkw7RgsHcC_5Dsy0zFIevNxgK0-rEOSC6bCSjcmzwJmrnM9DU7nD1uK87OtnH498FSZmvKdt2tk3jVYmHdup21o0HmFDAC4zaXGs-Qb9LJAY6c/s400/two.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569178380841573010" border="0" /></a>and those toes,<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNc9FaagO9CdzXMox_7tu_loinVk3ttgrLcDBEkZyqRFJxJoHI6Da8hyphenhyphenC58asRVuN3eeuU6XGyreH6ii9L3WGdvCMe6SO8einm-nU5aOkSYEKfyKvC1e_LrKdXutbTvEl3PCIIqnQm60/s1600/three.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1hzD6S487XhNt0ibsEmHvBOK21cnDSGyqK-W3htiwYct0ahCA1-ttNWa88Uv4DXwgnf-quPQSDI1HS-WHE5R_I-UisS8pinwxBsuLtIp-2vl3P4hNCXVsUkoBng5eR-UY8ndAkv3iJA/s1600/one.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1hzD6S487XhNt0ibsEmHvBOK21cnDSGyqK-W3htiwYct0ahCA1-ttNWa88Uv4DXwgnf-quPQSDI1HS-WHE5R_I-UisS8pinwxBsuLtIp-2vl3P4hNCXVsUkoBng5eR-UY8ndAkv3iJA/s400/one.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569178366973515026" border="0" /></a>and her little strawberry nose.<br /><br />I would love your advice!<br /></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-40094249443608418772011-02-01T19:04:00.003-05:002011-02-01T19:11:06.816-05:00One Born Every Minute<object id="flashObj" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" width="400" height="348"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=755185753001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mylifetime.com%2Fshows%2Fone-born-every-minute&playerID=34284451001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAF4Psdo~,VHRSAKDeoHkslgOFpvEewbCdoNHqT8LI&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true"><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com"><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=755185753001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mylifetime.com%2Fshows%2Fone-born-every-minute&playerID=34284451001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAF4Psdo~,VHRSAKDeoHkslgOFpvEewbCdoNHqT8LI&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" swliveconnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" width="400" height="348"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Have you seen the previews for this show yet?? I see them all the time because the show was recorded here at a hospital in Columbus. It was actually the hospital where I had my sweet little Ava. And they actually started recording the show not long after I had Ava. I kinda wish I was on the show but to be honest I don't think my birth would have gotten high ratings for reality TV. I asked for the room to be mostly empty and VERY QUIET. When my sisters arrived my mom had to whisper to them to not say a word, especially to me. I was concentrating on getting through each contraction naturally. Luckily I did and I was only in the labor for a few hours. So yeah, it really would not have been interesting to watch.<br /><br />Anyways....<br /><br />Are you going to watch the show?? I sure will be.Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-10259383651318010132011-01-31T10:59:00.004-05:002011-01-31T11:16:40.501-05:00Living with my ParentsI believe that I have discussed my current living situation here on my blog. I currently live with my parents in a cozy 2 bedroom home. Lucky for us we all get along great and they absolutely adore little Ava. I never realized how close my family was until I got older and would share stories with friends. We are just very comfortable and casual with each other and I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, naturally I sometimes wish I had my own apartment (which will be happening soon enough) but other times I am so SO grateful that I live with my parents. This weekend was a perfect example. I had a nasty case of food poisoning this weekend and was sick as a dog. I couldn't keep anything down and I was so dehydrated. I was so weak I could hardly make it through a shower. Thank goodness for my mother. She swooped right in and canceled her Sunday plans to take care of Ava while also taking care of me. It really made me realize how hard (almost impossible) it would have been if I had to go through that alone. I'm pretty sure there would have been a lot of crying from both Ava and I. So <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >THANKS MOM</span> for being the best grandma and mom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pu92iiorW765qc8zccAdl74lNsAYGU8RCJpCVqBvoLfk-9jiEGazpNP1Sw5q8syB7OkERNxB26zKP3LwBc_5Lq5idWKLPr6ECSUssniLd0az4lG-sfOE0VZeP43bIYjRM7TWSa7oNh8/s1600/IMG00374-20100824-1220.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pu92iiorW765qc8zccAdl74lNsAYGU8RCJpCVqBvoLfk-9jiEGazpNP1Sw5q8syB7OkERNxB26zKP3LwBc_5Lq5idWKLPr6ECSUssniLd0az4lG-sfOE0VZeP43bIYjRM7TWSa7oNh8/s400/IMG00374-20100824-1220.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568384358243203922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqUJWYjhyphenhyphenfG7X9Emr-nYZzaW9bk9QtDQPrWAzQ0jeRiUJGJ_9UFegaYpLo6nG22zCBeE5tyedVLRAqOwl1w99NBWZ_FCbO-0xaZpCFDKVUnEbH6UBRaEHqVhapXBgOb4SkED_OHLmHhw/s1600/IMG00378-20100824-1220.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInEMhV_ZZTV8pPPN0jtjswVRxpyISSEuHoSV0e0NXyQOKIm9wDdHP2wFjOmJPJrauLLW6GszXNdLVsyj2ao4XkICYTc2vlo7UaKrDVAZn2EXRyOyIl-Is9hv_atOj9z3K5XbctPDYsno/s1600/IMG00377-20100824-1220.jpg"><br /></a>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-18114312139959040022011-01-27T11:32:00.004-05:002011-01-27T11:38:35.554-05:00Matchbook Magazine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeLsRbzKCy1dr9ouDaPkOUjHQTMSGDnyxKP2NHtOzUehBbbfWl-LONHRhcn5BkUkcChQoqixegfxMnPMc8UJiOV7qmsNBWhIQInIc0KQpmrsezWAhBLDUBoNEX0VPi_aWTNfUeNAp9z0/s1600/matchbook.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeLsRbzKCy1dr9ouDaPkOUjHQTMSGDnyxKP2NHtOzUehBbbfWl-LONHRhcn5BkUkcChQoqixegfxMnPMc8UJiOV7qmsNBWhIQInIc0KQpmrsezWAhBLDUBoNEX0VPi_aWTNfUeNAp9z0/s400/matchbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566905394851999858" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://matchbookmag.com/">This</a> amazing online mag is a huge hit and it only just launched a few days ago. I am absolutely obsessed with it and can't wait for future issues. The very best part?? My best friend is the illustrator for the magazine. She is taking the design world my storm and I couldn't be happier for her. She is such a cute lady who knows exactly what she wants. I miss her everyday and I can't wait to see her again so we can drink mimosas and bake cookies.<br /><br />Here's to you <a href="http://hellohellodesign.tumblr.com/">Miss Katie Evans</a>!Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-10366985580313402042011-01-24T11:41:00.005-05:002011-01-24T11:56:26.698-05:00Ava, Ma, & PaI haven't spoken much about Ava's dad here on this blog for various reasons, mostly because up until recently I wasn't his biggest fan. But in the end he is a good guy and wants to be a great father to Ava. For a while I didn't want to accept that and in all honesty I wanted it to be just Ava and I. I was being greedy. I know it is best for her to have a relationship with both of her parents so I have never kept him from seeing her and I never will. Unfortunately due to distance he doesn't see her nearly as much as he would like to. We have talked a lot about the future and have agreed that in a few years once we both feel more stable in our lifestyles we will move to the same city to make everything easier in our goal of shared parenting.<br /><br />He was visiting the past weekend before he starts a fire fighting academy in Charleston, SC. I snapped a few pictures of him and Ava together since he won't be seeing her much until he is done with the academy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwyZr31o-Hq5puX6y83zmVc9aAYXPAaUQ2I24sYCaI6SIfikjwieO9Hgzlem2BpvlXGEqh8mN25rdcp29FjYx7ST83IqNNYd19Ii0r1AJPUkHjKohr5Zgpkcgv7qQO5sYJYOeQvfD23s/s1600/yay%2521.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwyZr31o-Hq5puX6y83zmVc9aAYXPAaUQ2I24sYCaI6SIfikjwieO9Hgzlem2BpvlXGEqh8mN25rdcp29FjYx7ST83IqNNYd19Ii0r1AJPUkHjKohr5Zgpkcgv7qQO5sYJYOeQvfD23s/s400/yay%2521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565796163051748626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UP6p_TjOAhYRc8zxUEdWI2lZegiLz5qPkF0NJ7WdKdoZ9SVCtzOSlaLNpQ9XIzEGnM6xsX3xrcJu3Wh8AUZ4FbHaqaCBF4k9FVYY2QSYyuDhyphenhyphengxxZhFLn9wCRHCL5t2xKOyze79nQFg/s1600/rawr.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UP6p_TjOAhYRc8zxUEdWI2lZegiLz5qPkF0NJ7WdKdoZ9SVCtzOSlaLNpQ9XIzEGnM6xsX3xrcJu3Wh8AUZ4FbHaqaCBF4k9FVYY2QSYyuDhyphenhyphengxxZhFLn9wCRHCL5t2xKOyze79nQFg/s400/rawr.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565796159282277650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCRxayoyJHLsoSK01L_GboBQXRsJXzpGTCmOHisQxbj1Pxo9PcZE7YVfDW4tI9rWxK5m-BONvWKH3He4HC3JXP1djAlUidWsBTB-FKAWWjn01zUm2KfTsNRgROb4OrnMZpEgRS0tiPg0/s1600/bri1+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCRxayoyJHLsoSK01L_GboBQXRsJXzpGTCmOHisQxbj1Pxo9PcZE7YVfDW4tI9rWxK5m-BONvWKH3He4HC3JXP1djAlUidWsBTB-FKAWWjn01zUm2KfTsNRgROb4OrnMZpEgRS0tiPg0/s400/bri1+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565796151095175602" border="0" /></a><br />I don't know if you can tell from the photos but Ava looks just like her dad.<br /><br />And of course I had him snap a few of Ava and I...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAHNwS25M-JHWLE0a4o9zWkfAJWTMQWmEwdxR-6uTUdo8b7bFZ2_hw4JYR8PFe7aWLR3r1CrXCWuOV77pgwrPnxvbTE0QXyQx4NgDuYnRCtS8P3zBXAvgVvabk9_QUtSVqn0-4ACYa24/s1600/mama3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAHNwS25M-JHWLE0a4o9zWkfAJWTMQWmEwdxR-6uTUdo8b7bFZ2_hw4JYR8PFe7aWLR3r1CrXCWuOV77pgwrPnxvbTE0QXyQx4NgDuYnRCtS8P3zBXAvgVvabk9_QUtSVqn0-4ACYa24/s400/mama3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565796800402821090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhIOWITYiKTgMdAMLcCE0zyucf5IOMdx8AtDR-CG9uuYqKnDhh8EgbycEjEyAvduqDvWx6CsMg9FqabAlVTJyfFPqzppOIGx37iBabinSL9SKWJZuBJgY3RYQa_rnw79_dXmvKdoW5JY/s1600/mama2+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhIOWITYiKTgMdAMLcCE0zyucf5IOMdx8AtDR-CG9uuYqKnDhh8EgbycEjEyAvduqDvWx6CsMg9FqabAlVTJyfFPqzppOIGx37iBabinSL9SKWJZuBJgY3RYQa_rnw79_dXmvKdoW5JY/s400/mama2+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565796797567989682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4vQ8mT3YibdA8xH3xHBUwJdM3-NHUkH9KMpYjhY0ekkwgtprqVpONYp3YiQ5Kk4diGvn-WSWku-1QoLmVsth8OE-fvEx5SKF-a779aAAaqO3nOmZvDyIYasSxGPChhR3hy3yXSce-B8/s1600/mama+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4vQ8mT3YibdA8xH3xHBUwJdM3-NHUkH9KMpYjhY0ekkwgtprqVpONYp3YiQ5Kk4diGvn-WSWku-1QoLmVsth8OE-fvEx5SKF-a779aAAaqO3nOmZvDyIYasSxGPChhR3hy3yXSce-B8/s400/mama+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565796786363382290" border="0" /></a><br />Can you tell I am a little camera shy?? Plus whenever I see a photo of myself I think that I look soooo tired.<br /><br />Happy Monday!Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-51406574773108430852011-01-23T08:05:00.003-05:002011-01-23T08:13:01.565-05:00Baby BookMy best friend Katie recently asked me if I am keeping a baby book for little Ava. The truth is, I haven't really put anything in it yet. I have two that were gifted to me and I constantly think about how I need to fill it up with dates and pictures but I have yet to take action.<br /><br />Do you have a baby book for your little one? Or better yet, did you parents keep a baby book for you? If you are a blogging mama is that your version of a baby book?<br /><br />On a different note...here is a little video of my mom being a "bad grandma!"<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxtO35WYXXCWaEN3X2uVki3iRA4GVQ4zxBn6hHDBGTuXAo5djjjJGvOTqor-M0WvKgCP5POWMdHp3yMsXMDKw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-40131415290974828002011-01-21T16:09:00.004-05:002011-01-21T16:30:53.297-05:005 Months!!Seriously?? 5 months already? Before I know it my little Ava will be 6 months old, which is HUGE in baby land.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZmrDJOX_CrlXDLEsrdKwzeVa753kHXem3UFZSCpqyIi83sew0BNrvxYYZFr71OJel1lqQRrGEITqZh8bGONLzqLm-CnoCKBSePD53dAnbVMNtmupN6w-6t6fQu1cGazqs5aaCGLFU50/s1600/avadream.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZmrDJOX_CrlXDLEsrdKwzeVa753kHXem3UFZSCpqyIi83sew0BNrvxYYZFr71OJel1lqQRrGEITqZh8bGONLzqLm-CnoCKBSePD53dAnbVMNtmupN6w-6t6fQu1cGazqs5aaCGLFU50/s400/avadream.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564753032730691538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Lately...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Ava has been full on giggling A LOT. I've caught it on camera a few times but she seems to always tone it down as soon as I start recording.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5XV8OUtaFvPndCNfRGkZ-sE6m3BJQZ_rcGRR_CZNNfrIx2oWlHNTb3aYlqG4IF0_XkEI9BqPckDqNEvJIh9h9uMoV6lCQW0ilH6DAKU6cfPIKeZzRqd04cLG7gxpSicXn3xr1DG8D2A/s1600/belly2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5XV8OUtaFvPndCNfRGkZ-sE6m3BJQZ_rcGRR_CZNNfrIx2oWlHNTb3aYlqG4IF0_XkEI9BqPckDqNEvJIh9h9uMoV6lCQW0ilH6DAKU6cfPIKeZzRqd04cLG7gxpSicXn3xr1DG8D2A/s400/belly2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564753028102537298" border="0" /></a><br />She has started tasting "real" food. This is grandma's doing. She likes to break a lot of rules and she gave Ava a taste of mashed potatoes, apple sauce, ice cream, a marshmallow (!!), she even let her suck on a chicken bone. Yes, it's true...I know, it's terrible...But it was pretty entertaining and harmless.<br /><br />Little Ava LOVES to grab and play with her feet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIV-P23VnneU6u7_TCbm-W6Nt1n9nqNx1txMiROmKuPVu9jE5AoUYKUxWSCgWrb9jQ5iCEOhY1631qV3w6cV9hmWd5iHIxzm6b7by6nd5o5Eyn_u2voP-w5WnZfAB3WoTEpcbcNxu6tA/s1600/feet1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIV-P23VnneU6u7_TCbm-W6Nt1n9nqNx1txMiROmKuPVu9jE5AoUYKUxWSCgWrb9jQ5iCEOhY1631qV3w6cV9hmWd5iHIxzm6b7by6nd5o5Eyn_u2voP-w5WnZfAB3WoTEpcbcNxu6tA/s400/feet1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564752996040185938" border="0" /></a><br />She is the happiest baby I've ever seen when she is naked. Honestly, if she is fussy sometimes I'll just take off her diaper and let her hang out in her pack and play and she will be a happy camper. It's funny because I will walk away to do something and I can hear her cooing and laughing to herself.<br /><br />She doesn't sit up on her own yet but she is able to sit up with very little assistance. It's cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR6ndKwgZa4ODTxU25VLcIODzmPMoarVGNqm41PrnJsaGYhqkV1mDMGvdzR3ZrpBGLpl1ncVqRgI-igZpqn6tVn-dhQTC9mZWASdfJce01LEgfB-Db4a2esTf0m7y_6SdatfOu7OaW1M/s1600/belly3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR6ndKwgZa4ODTxU25VLcIODzmPMoarVGNqm41PrnJsaGYhqkV1mDMGvdzR3ZrpBGLpl1ncVqRgI-igZpqn6tVn-dhQTC9mZWASdfJce01LEgfB-Db4a2esTf0m7y_6SdatfOu7OaW1M/s400/belly3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564752976933498210" border="0" /></a><br />Sometimes when she is being held chest to chest she will get excited about something and dive into your neck. It sounds weird but it's super charming.<br /><br />OH! And she FINALLY enjoys tummy time...(sometimes)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL7xLry3gEVlWUVDaJG9Bq2ZEk4_rl4WRwr_ZY_-3Xftr9wOx12_CxfQhILkGfXTb6PGGHIaqhKk7EiIi8SlhjSyjOl2UZ-eLNTOxRxeEy-mLYoAbNSp-3QmiK3dH_QZ-8qfrT-GcR9E/s1600/ones.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL7xLry3gEVlWUVDaJG9Bq2ZEk4_rl4WRwr_ZY_-3Xftr9wOx12_CxfQhILkGfXTb6PGGHIaqhKk7EiIi8SlhjSyjOl2UZ-eLNTOxRxeEy-mLYoAbNSp-3QmiK3dH_QZ-8qfrT-GcR9E/s400/ones.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564752999868698210" border="0" /></a><br />xoxo<br /><br />P.S. Thanks so much for the pumping advice! I'm definitely going to try the funugreek and some other pointers.<br /></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-8465044953607464842011-01-17T20:00:00.003-05:002011-01-17T20:21:14.447-05:00Get me outta this (style) rut!So now that I am working I am required to wear more than leggings, nursing tanks, and cardigans everyday and I am super excited about it. But if you saw me last week (my first week of work) you would have never guessed that I had any style. I wore a different variation of the same outfit everyday (jeans, gray sweater, and boots). Of course it didn't help that it was freezing and snowing last week. I realize that I am in a style rut. I have gotten too comfortable with the "lazy" attire. I even said to my sister recently, "Can we go shopping at Old Navy soon? They always have good deals on lounge wear." Thank goodness she told me NO. I mean, seriously, I was looking for a sale to buy what? Sweats?? Hoodies?? If you know me well you know this is totally out of character for me. Luckily this job may have just saved my (style) personality. Whew!<br /><br />So starting tomorrow I will begin to dive back into dressing for my personality. Here are some images to help inspire me...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmFudCAgKfSOw-SpgsL7qMZI-n7E-CtJfF-AxfbcxZDurIpRsI0LpHF3oByI80qzy7JX7gS79ltLa9_oG9n7NDByMtFU9j0WPoZfbMGqMTQ7ZxDb5MZRUDhHdjza4zWwjoSbRUvbjCJU/s1600/5323515519_38095492a4_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmFudCAgKfSOw-SpgsL7qMZI-n7E-CtJfF-AxfbcxZDurIpRsI0LpHF3oByI80qzy7JX7gS79ltLa9_oG9n7NDByMtFU9j0WPoZfbMGqMTQ7ZxDb5MZRUDhHdjza4zWwjoSbRUvbjCJU/s400/5323515519_38095492a4_z.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563328653494780898" border="0" /></a><a href="http://http://kendieveryday.blogspot.com/">****</a><br />(I plan on copying this outfit tomorrow)<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsgdmHgXUJ0Kz6A1u-6hZVVn_00OAMoKM2-p3tZPJNqgXANd1n0qemaYP7bSHCpnkUA0PipAOBxhpajFkd__N5fEsr5ChN-2laf8oviJSfWRM_fQ0opBy6cc4Ngzc5ApqObx0vvZaIyw/s1600/street_style.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsgdmHgXUJ0Kz6A1u-6hZVVn_00OAMoKM2-p3tZPJNqgXANd1n0qemaYP7bSHCpnkUA0PipAOBxhpajFkd__N5fEsr5ChN-2laf8oviJSfWRM_fQ0opBy6cc4Ngzc5ApqObx0vvZaIyw/s400/street_style.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563328648423006898" border="0" /></a><a href="http://urbanweeds.blogspot.com/2010/11/june-in-park-blocks.html">****</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz2R05O68BVBXM3eKJ61Wn4D3V1TrBAtO4rpaj_8nODTaJMt04QMa3AhFA_a7-AGN2_VCi6RUUsSM1GIxKt5NbQiixfAv9NakkYYJ-Pyg8CqXzp-dHdbIjODmh52-9BdUj2S351uKnhk/s1600/silkjacket1f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz2R05O68BVBXM3eKJ61Wn4D3V1TrBAtO4rpaj_8nODTaJMt04QMa3AhFA_a7-AGN2_VCi6RUUsSM1GIxKt5NbQiixfAv9NakkYYJ-Pyg8CqXzp-dHdbIjODmh52-9BdUj2S351uKnhk/s400/silkjacket1f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563328643986489922" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.lucylaucht.com/">****</a><br />(I love everything this lady wears)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Can you tell I am craving dress and skirts and tights?<br /></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-43832563327904638662011-01-16T16:24:00.001-05:002011-01-16T16:25:09.071-05:00Blog Changes....I figured it was time to make a few little changes....it's still a work in progress...Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-3336813008770411592011-01-16T15:26:00.004-05:002011-01-16T15:37:12.763-05:00Baby's First Cold<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7x9WKL6v6an1Ibdi6e5qAo5xLNbumD_r5Q8TVlgbgJ4pK5JnNCROrYpKBTsKX-llwVFBb1v9xhNZ8eYI9Gfpm2K0otrllMnsKKqFn9wc3eB2F1J0-8mWKsyZc2HSa3JciU06xraBmXo/s1600/sickbear.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7x9WKL6v6an1Ibdi6e5qAo5xLNbumD_r5Q8TVlgbgJ4pK5JnNCROrYpKBTsKX-llwVFBb1v9xhNZ8eYI9Gfpm2K0otrllMnsKKqFn9wc3eB2F1J0-8mWKsyZc2HSa3JciU06xraBmXo/s400/sickbear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562883157124142002" border="0" /></a><br />My poor little Ava has her first cold.<br /><br />We are spending the holiday weekend resting together. I have a warm steam humidifier going on high all day and night and I am using Baby Vicks Rub to help soothe her. She is definitely being a trooper considering she is completely congested and probably has a soar throat. Luckily she does not have a fever and she has been eating plenty so I know she isn't dehydrated. But it is so sad when she has a coughing fit. Her face turns red and her eyes water up and she hacks and hacks like an old man. The worst part? When I hear her swallow all the phlegm. I just wish she could blow her nose or spit it all out.<br /><br />Despite all of that I can see that she is slowly getting better, however my throat feels a little scratchy and my mom's nose has started running. Ah, the cycle of a cold.Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-51922847453697099912011-01-15T14:41:00.000-05:002011-01-15T14:42:08.144-05:00<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2262423/adamedina?claim=4mu4n32aj22">Follow my blog with bloglovin</a>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676080330141318003.post-78611652193986147762011-01-15T13:33:00.002-05:002011-01-15T14:20:31.879-05:00DaycareAva is now a Daycare baby.<br /><br />Let me just say how jealous I am of all the stay at home moms who may never have to face the dreaded first day of dropping your little one off at daycare. It is absolutely heartbreaking. Every worst case scenario went through my head. So here is how it all went down...<br /><br />I had limited options on childcare facilities because I get the benefit from the state. They gave me a short list of places that are close to my home. I had the option of sending Ava to a large facility run out of a church that has a golden rating, an in home facility that is much smaller, and another large facility that has one of the best ratings in the city. Naturally I did my homework and checked the adult to child ratios, the state ratings, and the employee turnover (this info was all on the web). I decided I felt most comfortable with the large facility with the best rating in the city. I call to set everything up and they inform me that I must work a minimum of 25 hours a week to be able to apply. I only work 20 hours a week. WOMP. So I call the other larger facility. They inform me that they have no openings until March. WOMP WOMP. So I am left with the in home childcare facility which I am skeptical about. I call. I talk to the woman who runs the place and she says she has room for my little Ava but she insists we come visit before we make any other arrangements. My mother, Ava, and I check it out a few days later. My nerves are put at ease after meeting everyone and checking the place out. It is definitely not top of the line and perfect but it is homey and the kids are well behaved and the women who work there are so sweet and welcoming. There is no TV and they really encourage reading and singing. The older kids have to learn the basics of other languages (hello, goodbye, thank you, etc.). Ava is the youngest one there followed by a 6 month old boy.<br /><br />I could list all the facts, but let's get to the important stuff: How does Ava do at daycare?? Honestly?? She isn't a big fan right now, but it's only been a little over a week. And up until that first day she had never been away from me for longer than an hour or two. Luckily the women at her daycare are VERY patient and used to this from such young babies. But from what they tell me she is a crier. And the first few days they had a really hard time getting her to sleep. Sometimes when I would come to pick her up I could hear her screaming from outside the door. Those days were hard. My heart would instantly sink and I would start plotting ways to work from home again. But I remember that this is necessary and she will be just fine. It is good for her to be around other adults and children. Plus some days I would come to pick her up and she would happily be sitting on the lap of one of the ladies watching the older children play. They tell me stories of her laughing and "talking" to one of the toddlers. They always read and sing to her and she has tummy time everyday. They log everything she does through the day and I give me the log when I pick her up. It's great to see when she ate, how much, when she slept, how long, when they changed her diaper, if she pooed and all that other good stuff. I know that this is going to be a long transition for her (and I) but I think in the long run it will be good for her.<br /><br />A hard part for me (besides leaving her, of course) is pumping. I am really doing my best at keeping Ava breastfed. I gave the daycare formula just in case they run out of my breast milk and she has had to have formula once because I was having trouble pumping. It seemed to put her into a coma and I think it made her a little sick so I am trying to keep up with the pumping but it is HARD. I mean, nothing will make you feel more like a machine than attaching a pump to your breast. I hate it. And it is even more frustrating when I can only pump an ounce or two. I mean, SERIOUSLY?? I know I am going to make it to the six month mark with breastfeeding Ava but I was really hoping to do a full year. I don't think I'll make it that long, but I am going to try. Any pointers? I would love some.<br /><br />On a totally different note...Ava found her feet...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyT4BOT3Nzwh1FByroRH8KKj1JqGWVUIxeXzIUev10tY6UWz0THrNwvsoD1p0aYyefgvmS2V1zb9Cqm_9gyxQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978879791279920487noreply@blogger.com2