tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4640155315466581012024-03-18T21:48:59.735-06:00Says ChelseaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-33220697051938390882014-01-30T11:29:00.000-07:002014-01-30T11:29:26.016-07:00Birthing Babies via the Knife<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJEKXdv84w_kIPNTCR3Y-27fZ7Bmto5iMCP0gJmcZq3hdzmgZoMBOImgo0LM-z8MEiwI88BwYcvDrLHyQX6uRuE_mJC78o3M5YW554b-HwhutYOB_lObQOtVngK03q5iVLNpEoGd1CXA/s1600/csectionpost1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I seem to be in the minority when it
comes to women who have experienced and preferred their cesareans
over vaginal birth. I know that most people would probably prefer to
have a 'normal' birth and to experience the labor, the pains and,
well, the experience itself of birthing a baby in that manner. I
understand that scheduled c-sections for convenience aren't too cool
and likewise, understand that 'baking baby' as long as possible is
best. There are occasions though that leave mothers without the
option to deliver naturally, like with my first c-section and if
you're in a location like I am, it will be hard to find a doctor
willing to deliver subsequent pregnancies vaginally. This shouldn't
take away any of the joys surrounding the coming of your child and
shouldn't devastate you like I've seen happen to others though.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have spoke with a number of other
ladies who have had nothing but great things to say about their own
c-sections which is awesome since I feel like more often than not,
it's looked at as the ultimate let down when that becomes a woman's
only option to safely deliver her baby. I feel like it's almost taboo
to speak up and tell others that “hey, it isn't really all that bad
at all!” I completely understand the risks of this kind of surgery
and am aware of the pros and cons to both methods of delivery, so I'm
not going to debate those facts here. I am, however, going to share a
little bit about why I personally loved my last two birthing
experiences and possibly give you a few reasons to embrace your own
situation if you too will be birthing your baby via the knife ;)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reasons I LOVED my C-Section
Experiences:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dA_O5znLRDZGA3DYgtl5A0JF8l34DBQcXkS-shu5SEUPrvoOKgdK3TuDapzW2WjyKu3f5E3b5WOuq35ZCcgGi4W8P9FgsMtuK1eSOyDp066NLJJ7PqUPQnvtmp3v3rMB1pvaeh7qLq0/s1600/csectionpost2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dA_O5znLRDZGA3DYgtl5A0JF8l34DBQcXkS-shu5SEUPrvoOKgdK3TuDapzW2WjyKu3f5E3b5WOuq35ZCcgGi4W8P9FgsMtuK1eSOyDp066NLJJ7PqUPQnvtmp3v3rMB1pvaeh7qLq0/s1600/csectionpost2.png" height="400" width="266" /></a>I didn't have to labor long and
didn't have to feel horrible contractions or the “ring of fire”
like I did my first labor and delivery.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I wasn't nearly as exhausted after
delivery since I didn't have to push at all.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My recoveries were extraordinarily
easy (which I know unfortunately isn't everyone's experience.)
Getting up, walking around and staying active helped me a ton!</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My spinal taps didn't last nearly
as long as the epidural, so I was able to get up and about a lot
more quickly.
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My vagina wasn't stretched a
grotesque length to allow for delivery. In addition to this, I
didn't have to worry about an episiotomy which freaks me out WAY
worse than the abdominal incisions I endured!
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was able to plan around the
“birth date” this last time around, which was a blessing when it
came to finding sitter arrangements for Olivia!</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For my scheduled section, I was
able to get ready beforehand so I was photo-ready, which may seem
vain, but it was nice not to look an incredibly hot mess in all my
post-delivery photos ;)
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I didn't poop on the table.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I didn't even have to worry about
pooping on the table.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I loved being able to immediately
get my tubes tied following my last c-section. It was nice not to
have to go back in and get it done at a different time!
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Things I TOTALLY Didn't Expect with my
C-Sections:</div>
<br />
</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With my first section, they
strapped me down to a cross-like table...kiiiinda freaky but I also
didn't realize how hard I was going to be shaking, so it was
obviously for a good reason. I didn't get strapped down this last
time, but did have heavy warm blankets on my arms that probably
worked about the same as the straps.
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I wasn't aware that I'd be able to
feel everything like I did with my vaginal birth, just without the
pain. I could feel them cut me which was absolutely painless, just
weird since I knew what was going on. I could feel 'stuff' being
laid on top of me and could feel every tug that brought my daughters
here. I could even feel Evelyn kicking still as she was pulled out!
It's pretty surreal and since I'm odd, pretty awesome too.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As ridiculous as it may sound, I
didn't realize that you'd still bleed so much after a cesarean. With
this second section, I haven't bled nearly as much since I am
breastfeeding, I'm told.
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I didn't know I would have such
horrible gas pains in my shoulders post-delivery. That was actually
the ONLY pain I felt at all associated with my first section. I was
a bit more tender in my midsection after my second, however the gas
pains were better so I'm not complaining.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I didn't expect showers to be so
relieving after surgery, which is actually a good thing. Wash off
and get to walking!
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I didn't realize I would have a
numb section of my stomach for years to follow my first c-section
and now know that it could and probably will be numb forever.
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I didn't realize how hard it would
be to find a doctor to allow VBACS in my area, even though I didn't
really care to consider a vaginal birth this last time around
anyway.
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lastly, I didn't realize how some
more 'crunchy' moms would treat me after having and even preferring
my first section (that was an emergency situation) and then choosing
to have a second. I don't feel like I'm any less of a woman for the
way I birthed my last two children and for anyone that does, well,
that is their own issue! Thankfully, being nonjudgmental and all, I
realize that different things work best for different people and
take their two cents with a smile :) Just don't let anyone make you
feel like you didn't experience an extremely magical moment of your
own and definitely don't let anyone try and make it sound like you
took some easy way out even if you too have a miraculous recovery.<br />
<br />
</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I know how scary it is to have a
cesarean become your only option at first, especially not knowing
what to expect before going in or having time to mentally prepare in
an emergency situation. It IS scary, but I think that most means of
getting a baby here are actually pretty damned frightening. It's not
an everyday event that most woman go in cool or calm to and it's
natural to feel like you're not ready once you realize that it's time
NOW. I feel like I'm rambling, I just wanted to send this message to
ALL soon-to-be-mommas: LIVE AND LET LIVE. Hate the thought of a
section? I hope you don't have to have one. Hate the thought of
pooping on the table? Well, I hope you don't have to deal with that
either haha. Just live, let live and revel in the fact that we've all
created little beings, regardless of how they got here, that are so
absolutely perfect that it makes me want to cry hormonal
post-pregnancy tears!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibijUGJAhGOiT9_j6Hxb1MEQOj5AWSmgEVWdwizwscb7O6nmgCa9EkIfTyZKDY78F-MgoR9mWuodb4kAP9CNMLKA5AsvfBsQwhGYheeg_UIEyJZ0fSc6D3RJJ4Xzlsv-8PVlUhWR6L7GY/s1600/csectionpost1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibijUGJAhGOiT9_j6Hxb1MEQOj5AWSmgEVWdwizwscb7O6nmgCa9EkIfTyZKDY78F-MgoR9mWuodb4kAP9CNMLKA5AsvfBsQwhGYheeg_UIEyJZ0fSc6D3RJJ4Xzlsv-8PVlUhWR6L7GY/s1600/csectionpost1.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So what was your c-section experience
like? Did you have a great recovery or was it less than stellar? What
were things you loved/hated about your child's birth? I would love to
hear from any of you mommas, whether you delivered vaginally or via
cesarean, medicated or naturally, at home or in a hospital, happily
or miserably... I want to hear about your experiences so that we can
all see that no matter how differently our children arrived here, we
ALL experienced a miracle. Thanks for letting me ramble out this post
of sorts, it's been swell.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Take care and happy birthing! ;)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-28840786880622549202014-01-26T10:28:00.000-07:002014-01-30T10:52:38.356-07:00She's here!! | Project Life 2014<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All of the anxiety, impatience,
worrying, planning and getting ready finally paid off this week when
Miss Evelyn James entered the world on January 21<sup>st</sup>, 2014
at 12:34pm. She weighed a wonderful 7lbs 8oz and was a tiny 19 inches
long, weighing more than her sisters but measuring a few inches
shorter than them as well haha. I have been absolutely smitten with
her since the moment I first laid eyes on her and she has definitely
captured my heart forever, sharing it only with her siblings and
father. My life seriously feels so much more complete with her here,
even though I will always be missing my Riley Bug. It just feels
right having Ev here and seeing Olivia with her makes my heart melt
like never before! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcwomgkDX2Q4KFrJCCGrXU-j9BUbkT4aMEcWM36RxIZc7Qgfd-_YQUHHkUZyrqKq36VTQIZJ3uKjag5UtXVI2Z4PmwU_mD9SkilI2J74gmhIDBFwZTLBipXmKdj0B5Cxs_quOnZsCAr0/s1600/Week+4+Recap+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcwomgkDX2Q4KFrJCCGrXU-j9BUbkT4aMEcWM36RxIZc7Qgfd-_YQUHHkUZyrqKq36VTQIZJ3uKjag5UtXVI2Z4PmwU_mD9SkilI2J74gmhIDBFwZTLBipXmKdj0B5Cxs_quOnZsCAr0/s1600/Week+4+Recap+2.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken by the fabulous Alisha! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jim and I, along with my amazing
aspiring photographer friend Alisha, arrived at the hospital a little
before 10 am to check in for my scheduled cesarean. We got back into
the pre-op room pretty quickly, dressed down, started getting hooked
up to the monitors and whats hopefully going to be my last set of
IV's for a looong time. I was poked three times before finding a
useable vein in my hand of all places. I hate hand IV's. After
getting all of that ready, we were set to wait till noon when I'd
have to drink this nasty shot of 'stomach settling shit' that made me
wanna throw up more than I had been that whole morning. I was extra
sick that day, I think from anxiety and nerves, and as bad as that
shot was it did seem to help for just a bit. It was about 12:05pm or
so when they came in and wheeled me back into the operation room
where I got a spinal tap that seemed to kick in immediately.
Thankfully, unlike my first section which was an emergency situation,
I was able to get the catheter AFTER the spinal which was honestly
one of my greatest fear going in to the surgery! Once the spinal
took, the catheter was inserted and I was comfortably sprawled out
onto the table, they let Jim come in and we began the surgery.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ3WrOLn_LTIVvwTxTGSbSuZttfeAJhhvPlW5ESij0JGTbRrI6XpKvnS8TrInFRA-h4fdJQexQpy6NyDqj5AxA8VSN8ZTFENAYSPUU0Emz2UeauRumejRd9R-XB8T8XWIlnsJJjZT9TU/s1600/Week+unkown+C+Section.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ3WrOLn_LTIVvwTxTGSbSuZttfeAJhhvPlW5ESij0JGTbRrI6XpKvnS8TrInFRA-h4fdJQexQpy6NyDqj5AxA8VSN8ZTFENAYSPUU0Emz2UeauRumejRd9R-XB8T8XWIlnsJJjZT9TU/s1600/Week+unkown+C+Section.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once Jim was with me, I got very
nervous and uneasy for some reason. I think it was just because
everything was really starting to happen when he was there,
everything was really coming to an end and I was going to be meeting
my beautiful little girl so soon. Jim calmed me down, though, rubbed
my head and talked me through my tears. It seemed like no time before
the doctor asked Jim if he'd like to watch his daughter be born! He
was able to stand up and see her being pulled from my stomach, I give
him props for not fainting haha. He's not as gross as I am, since I'd
have LOVED to see that going on, but said it was one of the craziest
things he's ever saw. I could feel Evelyn kicking and punching me the
whole time, could feel the doctor tugging and guts being placed on
top of me.. I've said it before but it's a very surreal feeling that
I doubt you could understand unless you've been through it too, much
like a vaginal birth where you just have to experience it to
understand the unexplainable. Shortly after Jim stood up, I could
hear a beautiful cry and my doctor announce that the time of birth
was 12:34...her little cry was raspy but strong enough to let me know
that my daughter had entered this world! A few seconds later I saw a
sticky looking baby with a head full of hair and a face to die for
being placed on a table next to me and her daddy. She had tubes being
shoved down her throat to clear out all that liquidy gunk and had
another nurse sucking it out with that little blue bulb thingy. It
was a bit scary to see all of this happening, but it was also SO
awesome to be witnessing it rather than having her whisked away for
all of the clearing and cleaning and such like with my first
cesarean.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jim was able to cut her cord down to
size which he wasn't able to with either of our other girls and then
brought her over to me so I could get a real good look at the little
girl that will forever hold such a special place in my heart. She
was, is, will always be just so damned perfect. There's nothing
sweeter than meeting your child for the first time and let me tell
you, after having such a difficult pregnancy it was a blessing to see
her doing so well. She had a great APGAR score of 9 and a big cry
that made me cry too, but such happy tears! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70nBlWF8hP3QwMnm9FK8XOMpbY1qmfICbzcSEdfx0_ZNjQhdDDHVeiRZdaG7K0pBXVNbTfHfMvLDNl7bm50Rcg90_z2jIpH0J9Uty-VKfhSxGadnixXuQ9k0Mf2oZaBup5K3Fj8L02Yg/s1600/Week+4+Recap+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70nBlWF8hP3QwMnm9FK8XOMpbY1qmfICbzcSEdfx0_ZNjQhdDDHVeiRZdaG7K0pBXVNbTfHfMvLDNl7bm50Rcg90_z2jIpH0J9Uty-VKfhSxGadnixXuQ9k0Mf2oZaBup5K3Fj8L02Yg/s1600/Week+4+Recap+1.png" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken by the fabulous Alisha! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They then took her back
to the table to weigh and measure her while my tubes were being tied
and my organs reinserted inside me. At that point, I started feeling
extremely nauseous and ended up puking all over my the side of my
face till the surgery was completed. It all happened so quickly, the
whole surgery lasted maybe 30 minutes, then I was able to head to
recovery to spend some alone time with my newest little love and Jim.
It seemed like this part of the day lasted longest as were waiting to
be transferred into our post-partum room. We had a crap ton of family
in the waiting room, against my wishes, so I guess it was a good
thing everything took so long since that bonding time was essential
for the best start with breastfeeding, I believe. She took the boob
like a champ, seemed like she knew what she was doing right from the
get go and made all of the nurses who'd look in on us just coo with
delight at the sight of her little self and all her hair.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once we were transferred to our
post-partum room, the rush of visitors took over, Olivia got to meet
her little sister, we had some amazing pictures taken and then
finally silence as everyone drifted back to their own lives leaving
Jim and I to admire what a beautiful soul we created together. Evelyn
slept very well so long as she were in my arms. She had to be woke to
eat a few times but still nursed easily, only crying when the diaper
changes made her uncomfortable. Everything was as it should be with
her here, I have never been so happy in my entire life knowing that
my family is as complete as it can be with my two gorgeous girls
here, Jim by my side and our perfect little angel watching over us
all. The rest of my stay was pretty uneventful, with just a few
visitors here and there and all of it ending with a fabulous massage
by a silly and proud Japanese man. Evelyn was given a 'swag bag' full
of awesome little goodies for being one of the first 100 babies born
at the hospital and after her bilirubin levels were finally stable,
we were sent home to begin our lives as a family of five :)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Life at home has been a bit crazy since
Ev's arrival, Olive's been a bit more ridiculous than usual and she's
regressed in potty training a bit, but I know that's her adjusting to
the changes too and that we'll all be back on track soon enough. I'm
feeling absolutely wonderful honestly, my stomach has been a biiit
sore around the incision site but I guess that's to be expected after
having a baby cut outta ya ;) I didn't have nearly as bad of gas
pains in my shoulders this time around which was a blessing and
staying active has been really easy to do since I have to chase my
crazy toddler around all the time haha. I am so happy to feel so much
more complete, my family is the best thing that has ever happened to
me and I'm just so freaking thankful to be able to call them mine <3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-65009761705735869052014-01-19T12:54:00.001-07:002014-01-19T12:58:16.766-07:00Week Three Recap | Project Life 2014<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzhW22Pg8i9EfeNMNoHZVCZExTBxiNA4Jel8u-LGzq9m5xC4wUgGhQaF4pK7qaP25I6TfIY9AdroYsN590-Ob7qHEbuDljLX6vc2RwH1hPhbgRZv5mJNWLntACcx1oB6BhGC4m_gVy4g/s1600/week+3+recap+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzhW22Pg8i9EfeNMNoHZVCZExTBxiNA4Jel8u-LGzq9m5xC4wUgGhQaF4pK7qaP25I6TfIY9AdroYsN590-Ob7qHEbuDljLX6vc2RwH1hPhbgRZv5mJNWLntACcx1oB6BhGC4m_gVy4g/s1600/week+3+recap+1.png" height="212" width="320" /></a>I feel most anything I would have to
say here is pretty redundant or repetitive to my last billion
thoughts and posts... Just super sick, anxious and excited for Evelyn to get here
and to not be pregnant anymore!! My c-section date was changed yet
again to the 21<sup>st</sup>, so on Tuesday we will finally get to
meet her beautiful self! I am just thrilled to be so close to the
'finish line' after such a long time. Don't get me wrong, time has
FLOWN by so quickly, but looking back right now, I feel like I've
been pregnant fooorevvverr and I'm just so ready to have my body back
to myself. To get healthy and to be able to be the mom, wife and
friend that I want to be when I can kick this sickness.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had my last appointment this past
Friday, baby looks great as always and now we're just in that
'between' place where I'm so ready to have her and also dreading the
things I feel I have to clear up before she's here too, which is in
no time at all. I'm drowning in bills and know that when I start
working again that things will get a bit easier but till then I'm
just trying to hold my head above water. Olivia has been as wild as
ever but has made me laugh to no end recently too. She is just so
hilarious, she has the biggest imagination ever now and is constantly
going going going on whatever adventure life takes her on. She makes
me so happy, I just can't wait to see her with Evelyn. </div>
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I was lazy this week with my Project
Life, I ended up using a template I used before in my 2013 PL. I used
"Palestine" papers from <a href="http://pixelscrapper.com/">Pixelscrapper.com</a>.
Pixel Scrapper, as I've mentioned before, is an AWESOME website that
you're able to get tons of free stuff from every single day! Checkkk
that site out and enjoy the rest of your weekend, I know I'll be
nesting like crazy since my countdown is nearly finished...YAY FOR
ONLY TWO MORE DAYS!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-38105112263472545782014-01-15T11:20:00.000-07:002014-01-15T11:20:00.359-07:00Big Sister Bag | Awesome Crafts<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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The “Big Day” is coming quickly and
as excited as I am for it to be here, I'm also a bit scared. Not so
much for having two kids to raise, or for the added stress and yet
less sleep that's sure to follow, or even for the financial
responsibilities that adding a family member will cause. I'm scared
that I won't be as good of a mother to Olivia now. Maybe that sounds
stupid, but I just worry about giving her the love and attention she
deserves while going through “newbornhood” again. I feel like I
need to do so much more with just her and I before Evelyn gets here but that seems impossible with how sick and sore I've been lately.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rjK39KUjivRvXSLn7XsjVdhkuQJ628aC-_tqZX9DUJ28f54TFhum1hGLKiDnk_BJLjwYJAe9UGVWa3ExfCYV_3V5I9l0NfUe1EhW06IMf3uMxRtlTPl6wV-plAghVCJoTzJ3idGIqv0/s1600/Week+2+Wednesday+Big+Sister+Bag+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rjK39KUjivRvXSLn7XsjVdhkuQJ628aC-_tqZX9DUJ28f54TFhum1hGLKiDnk_BJLjwYJAe9UGVWa3ExfCYV_3V5I9l0NfUe1EhW06IMf3uMxRtlTPl6wV-plAghVCJoTzJ3idGIqv0/s1600/Week+2+Wednesday+Big+Sister+Bag+1.png" height="213" width="320" /></a>I've been thinking a lot about Olivia's
birth and how hectic it was and realize that I want it to go a lot
differently this time around. I don't want anyone but mine and Jim's
mothers there until after I get time to bond with the baby and I
definitely want to make O feel like a big part of the day by getting
to be there too. She'll hang out with the grandmas until I'm back
from surgery and will be one of the very first people to meet our
littlest love! Assuming Evelyn stays in until her scheduled c-section
date, the whole “birth” along with getting my tubes tied
shouldn't take more than a couple hours including check in time, prep and
all that jazz. Those will probably feel like a few very long hours for
the anxious grandmas and I'm sure Olivia will be going insane
wondering what the hell we're doing and where mom went. Soooo to help
the time pass a bit more smoothly and to make O feel special, I've
made her a “Big Sister Bag” for the hospital!
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What is in this Big Sister Bag, you
ask? Well most importantly, the kit includes a Big Sister t-shirt and a <a href="http://sayschelsea.blogspot.com/2013/12/big-sibling-certificates-freebie.html" target="_blank">certificate</a> to honor O as a new big sister! I think
she'll enjoy the attention the shirt will bring around the hospital,
she's such a ham and I'm sure will be showing everyone haha. There is
a bottle of hand sanitizer for when miss Dirts McGerts holds E, a set
of mini play doughs, some fruit snacks, other goodies and a coloring
book with crayons since, ya know, she doesn't already have enough
broken pieces of those at home... I've also included some other
random kid shit that's sure to entertain her at least for the little
bit of time that she'll be with mine and Jim's moms.<br />
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Making the bag and shirt themselves
were super easy. I found the tote at the Dollar Store and
actually got a premade "big sis" shirt from Gigi! For the bag's letters, I cut out pieces of scrap felt to
spell out “Big Sister.” I suggest pencil tracing the letters on
the fabric before cutting out or you'll probably end up with a free handed
mess like I did before starting back over lol. I then stitched an outline of
sorts to make the letters a bit nicer looking. I'm not a great needle
worker by any means, so I decided to hot glue the finished letters
onto the bag and then hot glued the crap outta some buttons and bling
to make it truly a bag a big sister would love. The shirt was even easier as I merely glued on some blingage too (I swear I don't use this word as often in real life haha) and used some extra fabric that matched that on the bag to finish it off perfectly. I
then filled the bag with all the fun above mentioned items (some
bedazzled to match the rest of the goodies) that will keep O busy and feeling super
special on what is going to be a big day for ALL of us. </div>
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It's my goal to spend as much quality
time with Olivia as possible, now before baby and definitely after,
since I want to maintain a great relationship with EACH of the girls
forever and ever. I hope that my anxiety about O resenting me or the
baby dissipates soon, since I'm sure the reality will be that they
will be the best of friends and bring all of us more joy (and
irritation haha) than we ever could have imagined. I can't believe
there's a little under a week till all of this becomes a reality, I
am so ready and excited and just ahh! I'm a ball of nerves and
emotions haha.
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So have you or do you plan on making
your own Big Sibling Bag? Do you have any other suggestions on what I
should stick in Olivia's? I'd love to hear about it in the comments
section, drop me a line and let's chat! Have a Happy Hump Day
everyone and keep counting with me... ONLY 5 MORE DAYS LEFT!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-91198952697223698582014-01-12T14:00:00.000-07:002014-01-12T16:46:50.579-07:00Week 2 Recap | Project Life 2014<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5Y3lkV63GrmiHnu7P5kIbAZi2pDV4O5Fws6J97_AOLtvS6GZelWGHWdQ0M-d3-Tm9KfiMKdl2a-LgmYwWECwRcplBev8g8WqYZPD_gy6QkGXAwPefTfOKPrQUkNyjqnFB-inMo5xGkM/s1600/Week+2+Recap+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5Y3lkV63GrmiHnu7P5kIbAZi2pDV4O5Fws6J97_AOLtvS6GZelWGHWdQ0M-d3-Tm9KfiMKdl2a-LgmYwWECwRcplBev8g8WqYZPD_gy6QkGXAwPefTfOKPrQUkNyjqnFB-inMo5xGkM/s1600/Week+2+Recap+1.png" width="400" /></a>Already two weeks of this year down
already and holy crap, that just seems too quick. I, of course, don't
have any complaints as I am still very anxiously awaiting miss
Evelyn...it just makes me realize that once she is here time is going
to continue to go probably even more quickly and both my little
babies will be growing too fast. Olivia is already growing like a
weed; it seems she's a bit taller, smarter and more funny each and
every day. She looked at me the other day with curiosity all over her
face. “Where's Riley?” She asked. I was kinda shocked at her
inquiry, we all talk about Riley all the time but it was just an odd
question for her to randomly ask. “She is in Heaven, baby.” I
said. “Where's Heaven?” She shot back. I told her that Heaven was
in the stars and the clouds and she pointed towards the sky. “Yep!”
I said, “Right up there! Riley is in the clouds and the stars and
she's always watching over you!” Olivia laughed, shook her head and
said “ohhhh Riley...” It just warmed my heart for her to be
talking about her big sister and broke my heart having to explain
Heaven to her too. I know she doesn't quite understand just yet, but
I'm thankful that by keeping Riley apart of our daily lives that
Olive will have a grasp on Heaven, God and the Angels watching over
her shortly enough.
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Speaking of Heaven and the Angels, we
said our final goodbyes to a very special Angel this past Friday. As
mentioned in my previous post, my grandma passed away the first week
of January very suddenly and unexpectedly. It broke my heart to see
my mom and her sisters mourning for their mother, to see my grandpa
grieving for the love of his life and to see the rest of the crowd
dealing with their own feelings surrounding this loss. It was nice,
though, to see the family and friends that meant so much to my gramma
there to support each other and to honor her should-have-been-longer
life and it was amazing to see the smiles and hear the laughs that
came with each silly memory shared. The service itself was as
beautiful as it was emotional. It seemed the whole family had come
together to do something to contribute; whether it be heartfelt
letters that brought us all to tears, a fantastic video montage of
her life that definitely made everyone smile, memorial cards or just
the mere presences of those who loved her. It was definitely an
appropriate goodbye for a woman who meant so much to so many people.
We love you gramma <3</div>
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Other happenings in the life of
Chelsea... well... I'm still pregnant obviously haha. My back has
been hurting, my face, legs and ankles are pretty swollen and my
hyperemesis has come back with a vengeance. I haven't slept in months
it seems, I wake up constantly for one reason or another so any sleep
I DO get is so interrupted that it doesn't feel like I even got a
wink. I'm not ignorant, being a mother already, to think that I'm
going to be getting better sleep after the baby is born. I do,
however, look forward to whatever sleep I'm able to get post-baby to
be a BIT more comfortable since it surly can't get more uncomfortable
than it is now! And yes, I did knock on wood after writing that. My
doctor wasn't able to attend my latest appointment as he was
delivering another child (luckkkky woman) so I saw another doctor and
my nurse who is just wonderful. The NST was a great as ever, but
after discussing everything else realized that our c-section date has
definitely been changed. Sooo as of now, the new date is January
20<sup>th</sup>! I'm sure I can make it another week, everyone just
keep your fingers crossed and sharp objects outta my grasp ;) </div>
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Even though I was feeling incredibly
shitty this whole week, I was able to get out with my friend Alisha
who also has a great eye and huge passion for photography. She
grabbed some photos of me and le belly that I just adore! I really
wanted maternity photos as this is unquestionably my last pregnancy,
so I decided not to wait for a “good day” that may never come
this close to the end! They turned out awesome though and make me
smile... I'm really having the full pregnancy experience this time
around with a big ole belly, finally feeling real contractions,
waiting these long ass 40 weeks... It's nice and hectic at the same
time as the discomforts I was able to avoid my first two pregnancies
have found their way home this time around. Like my Project Life
spread says, though, I've decided to really embrace this last little
bit of time knowing that it's never going to happen again. I'm going
to treasure each and every little kick, movement and stabbing pain
knowing that my little girl is in there just thriving away. It is
rather hard for me to trust my body, my womb, that I feel let me down
so greatly before but I know that Evelyn is doing well and know that
Riley, Grandma and all our other beautiful angels up there are doing
their best to ensure she arrives as happy and healthy as I know she
will.
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This weeks PL spread was made with
cards I found at <a href="http://beetreestudios.com/?p=1630" target="_blank">Bee Tree Studios</a>. I loved the colors and the 'vibe' these cards
have so you will most definitely see something like this again in the
future. My posting may be a bit hit and miss for a little longer, as
it has been these past few weeks, but after miss Evelyn is here I
promise that my posting consistency will become a little bit more...
consistent ;) Thanks for letting me beetch to y'all about my
pregnancy woes as well as letting me share a bit about my
grandmother. Here's to hoping for the rest of January to be a little
bit more easy going and for the rest of the year to just be fantastic
for us all.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-22054361866347998832014-01-05T15:56:00.000-07:002014-01-11T16:54:41.306-07:00Week 1 Recap | Project Life 2014<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRsosW56UjzZmGoNnKnsLT_zJAG_JQYtitHBSZ7k8lmrl29NDGEH7un6upDjkHaRwh_wBEfSBciTUDh2X1hYpkozAH3Q4Eh5DHgwR8kfJqVi_g5z0iKid-UsZlLhd2SN1_AhbtL6eWN8/s1600/Week+1+Recap+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRsosW56UjzZmGoNnKnsLT_zJAG_JQYtitHBSZ7k8lmrl29NDGEH7un6upDjkHaRwh_wBEfSBciTUDh2X1hYpkozAH3Q4Eh5DHgwR8kfJqVi_g5z0iKid-UsZlLhd2SN1_AhbtL6eWN8/s1600/Week+1+Recap+1.png" height="400" width="266" /></a>I haven't had a week like this in a
while. It's been one of much heartache, bellyache and headache. Ache
ache ache. The week started off with the loss of a beautiful woman,
person and soul... My grandma Mona went with the Lord too soon and
left all of us family missing her 'more than all the gobbles in the
world,' as she would say. That is a lot, since if you didn't know, a
gobble is a molecule times ten. It's been quite shocking, to say the
least, to lose someone without any warning whatsoever. Without having
spent the time I should have with her. Without being able to tell her
what she meant to me growing up and what she means to me now. Without
her ever being able to meet her fourth great grandchild, and
selfishly, that's what hurts me the most. I just hate that I was so
absent in the last few months of her life and hate that it took a
loss to realize I should have been doing so much more. Lord knows my
heart is with her though and I hope she knows that too. Grandma Mona
will always be such a huge part of mine, the other grand kids and of
course her childrens lives and I know we're all treasuring the
memories she helped us make throughout the years. I love you gramma
and will miss you till we can meet again. Please watch over this
crazy family of yours <3<br />
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The rest of the week seems to be just
as much of a blur as losing gramma, so much less important in the
grand scheme of things though. It seems silly to complain or to write
about it knowing there are much more pressing matters than our broken
car or my aches and pains. But, this is a weekly update so I will
just touch on what else happened this week! I went in to Labor &
Delivery again with contractions that are off the charts, but not
progressing anything at all. It's frustrating to be in pain for 'no
reason' it feels, but I know it's all helping to prepare for little
miss Evelyn's arrival. I have actually heard it's good for me to be
contracting and such even though I'm having a section, as it helps
the baby with breathing or getting the extra fluid out of them or
something along those lines. I'm such a ditz right now, I wouldn't be
able to tell ya, I just heard that I shouldn't be too upset to be
having these pains since they're all for a reason, even if that
reason isn't to help dilate or anything. I AM upset that I may be
having to wait until the 20<sup>th</sup> rather than the 13<sup>th</sup>
of this month to deliver though... I'm not getting too mad till I
speak with my actual doctor this next Thursday but if I have to wait
a whole 'nother week, I may just burst lol. I'm definitely in that
uncomfortable, almost intolerable point of pregnancy so take my
bitching with a grain of salt would ya?</div>
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Our car is officially fucked; we had it
taken in and apparently the cost to fix it is going to be more than
it would be to buy a cheaper car come tax time so that is the new
plan. It's really stressful to be car-less and so close to birth, but
thankfully we're able to borrow the in-laws cars for the most part
which has been extremely helpful. It just seems that when it rains it
REALLY pours, doesn't it?! Aside from the above, there really isn't
too much I can complain about. In fact, this week has also brought
some good through the crappiness and I cannot complain about that at
all. I am thankful to have rekindled some relationships that had
slipped away and that my family is just always there for me in time
of need. I am thankful to see that Evelyn is still doing so well and
am excited to begin my newest journey in the “photography world.”
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I love every aspect of photography, but
I know that I'm not as strong in some areas as I am in others so I've
decided to focus on children and family portraiture. I love getting
real, adorable expressions from children and adore the look on a
mother's face when she sees that I was able to capture a moment that
will forever touch her (and my!) heart. I am now going to charge a
lot less than I'd originally planned to accommodate families on
tighter budgets, as I know how hard it can be to afford professional
photography even if it is truly valued and appreciated. I've also
planned to only take on a select number of sessions while offering
stylized 'monthly minis' for children to partake in at an even more
discounted price! Some of the minis planned for this year will be a
Valentine's Kissing Booth when I open in February, a Lemonade Stand
in the summer, a special Halloween set-up in the fall and so much
more throughout the year! It's going to be nice to get back out there
and to start creating again, it's cheesy to say, but it is a huge
passion of mine!</div>
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There isn't much new in the Life of
Livia... she's still a hyper little brat going a million miles an
hour and is still the light of my life giving me reasons to smile
every day! She's standing in her doorway as I finish this post,
telling me that it's not nighttime and she can't sleep. Well babe,
it's NAP time and you NEED to sleep haha. She has been very into
babies with all my friends and family popping em out before I'm able
to! Haha She adores her new baby doll she'd got for Christmas and has
been playing “big sister” since. It warms my heart to think of
how she's going to be with her real little sister. I truly cannot
wait for the moment that I get to see both of them together! Well, I
guess I should go manage that little brat of mine, or at least save
my soon-to-be-demolished can of pringles from her clutches! Haha so
without further ado here's my first week of Project 2014!</div>
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I was originally going to be using the
2014 Cards I'd made for my own week one, however after the gloominess
this past week has held, I figured the cards I found at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/D%C3%BAnia-Designs/158175860873343?id=158175860873343&sk=app_161128210587174" target="_blank">Dunia Designs</a> were more
appropriate. I also made a few cards of my own that I felt were
equally as appropriate, they include some photos I grabbed this past
December when it frosted over real nice. <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nalbecnwvybbat6/FxDpo6oS_l" target="_blank">Check em out here!</a> I would LOVE
LOVE LOVE to see any project life pages made with the cards I created
for 2014 though, so if you made your own, shoot me over a comment
with a link to your own blog or email me a photo at
<a href="mailto:chelsea.mailbox@yahoo.com">chelsea.mailbox@yahoo.com</a>
so I can see what you've all been up to! Take care everyone and
forgive me for my crappy posting lately, I will make it up soonish ;) </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-37093699803133053612014-01-01T13:56:00.000-07:002014-01-02T20:02:41.022-07:00My New Years Resolutions<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoK8HQoL6S2BUXrlkLTGBrUBGGSVKOpcEqdo6xl-Kk9IcOBIBGlN_G2EmIdSnWV1yHRd4yOuvIEwPi2uRQ9zhgTfqLePw5_oyPTPB4ouJj5sd2mKGd6w4r5ttjdM0uFXFVubPzM3wFIY/s1600/metoday.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoK8HQoL6S2BUXrlkLTGBrUBGGSVKOpcEqdo6xl-Kk9IcOBIBGlN_G2EmIdSnWV1yHRd4yOuvIEwPi2uRQ9zhgTfqLePw5_oyPTPB4ouJj5sd2mKGd6w4r5ttjdM0uFXFVubPzM3wFIY/s320/metoday.png" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe I should resolve to quit with the duck face...</td></tr>
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I have thought a lot about Twenty Fourteen with great anticipation and I'm not gonna lie, with great impatience too. I just cannot wait to finally hold my precious Evelyn.. To see the look on Olivia's face meeting her little sister for the first time.. To get healthy again and back on my gluten free lifestyle.. To have my tubes tied and never have to worry about another hyperemesis filled pregnancy again! I am just so excited for all that is to come and all that next year holds for me and my family.<br />
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Of course this is the time when people start planning to lose weight, to save money and to be more organized. Obviously those are on my list too, since they will be every year for the rest of ever, but they'll be lower priority now that I know what I truly want to accomplish. My most important goal for next year and beyond is to be a better mother, wife and friend. It almost pains me to write that, as I feel like I'm insinuating I'm shitty at all of that currently, but maybe that is because I feel like I could be doing so much better than I am and should be. I make excuses being so sick all the time, that that is the only reason I "can't" go above and beyond like I want to but I'm not going to let that stop me anymore.<br />
<br />
I want to be a better mother; this is my number one goal. I want to be more present in my kids' lives and enjoy the little things that entertain them so much. I want to make more time to interactively play with Olivia, since she's just such a hilariously busy little thing. I want to make sure that I have the one-on-one time with each child that they deserve. I want to give Evie the best first year I can. I want to go ALL OUT for each of the holidays and establish traditions our family will share together in the years to come. I really just want to be someone that my kids are proud to call their mom and I WILL do what I can to make that happen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Alisha for an adorable photo of me and my baby Livia!</td></tr>
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I want to be a better wife. I want to give Jim the love and attention that he deserves. I want to make sure that we too have the one-on-one time that can get pushed to the back burner after kids. I want to surprise him with little things more often, to show him how much I care. I want to try to find a love of football to enjoy his hobbies with him. I want to teach him how to use my camera better so that he can share in mine as well. I want to work out and get fit together so that he's as attracted to me as I always am to him and so that we're both healthy for our children. I want to encourage him to pursue his dreams as he always has mine and I want him to know just how much I love him...He is my everything, has given me everything and I owe him the world for being my rock for so long. <br />
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I want to be a better friend. I want to keep up with old friends better and make new ones more frequently. I want to get out and do stuff with people more, be it the park or a trip to the grocery store. I want to be there for them when they need someone to confide in. I want to be someone they know they can trust with anything at all. I want to do more random, thoughtful stuff for all the people that have done so much for me throughout the years... I'm sure this will be the easiest of my goals to complete but I will be working hard at this and my other goals from here on out.<br />
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Surly, all the cheesy resolutions I've made and broke in the past are doubting that I'll be able to accomplish these more serious promises to myself...however knowing what's at stake if I don't make these changes is going to push me to be a better mother, wife and friend. To just be a better person. It shouldn't have taken me wondering about what I want to have as my New Years resolutions to make these goals, these promises, but it is what it is and I will, <b>WILL</b>, at least be well on my way to a better me by the time I need to think up some more for another new year! <br />
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So, do you make resolutions for the new year? What do YOU want to accomplish in 2014? Tell me all about it in the comments section, you know I love hearing from y'all ;) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-60163372487897916922013-12-29T09:00:00.000-07:002014-01-11T18:19:47.241-07:00Week 52 Recap | Project Life 2013<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI291w8Fk-zuoI3DZKxys5SBPonbhju3_QRo_YwqYl3r2K_O2GZUFT1bfvCGQ39EVPRrPYbgqqD2rWYm4csskrDFQSeDOZahz5l7phIEeAfaA0VQEYQTTeyRGweRjzHPyGEl8E6wQ7fto/s1600/week+52+christmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI291w8Fk-zuoI3DZKxys5SBPonbhju3_QRo_YwqYl3r2K_O2GZUFT1bfvCGQ39EVPRrPYbgqqD2rWYm4csskrDFQSeDOZahz5l7phIEeAfaA0VQEYQTTeyRGweRjzHPyGEl8E6wQ7fto/s1600/week+52+christmas.png" height="266" width="400" /></a>What. A. Week. I am so exhausted in
every possible way. The week started with our car crapping out while
Jim was working overnight, without a phone, and RIGHT before the
holidays so we were kinda stuck till waiting on help from
mechanically inclined family members who obviously and understandably
had Christmas plans to take care of over dealing with our car. They
took a quick look when they towed it though and said it's either a
starter issue or something wrong with a rod in the engine, I don't
know shit about cars except that it's going to cost money either way,
so that's shitty. Family dinner plans were stressing me out a bit
too. Our families usually split Christmas Eve and Day pretty well but
this year everyone decided to do it all on the Eve and pretty much at
the same times which I'm sure was due to lack of communication on my
part. We're the only ones really running around from place to place
so next year, I'll definitely have to plan better and make sure the
families are on the same page too!
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Anyhow, Christmas Eve arrived and miss
Olivia was just too excited, waking up muuuch to early. Payback for
doing the same to my parents I'm sure. Jim hadn't slept since the
22<sup>nd</sup> with work literally back to back at times. He was
extremely sick that day, probably from a combination of not sleeping,
eating crappy and doing hard labor on top of all that, but I could
tell he was just feeling awful and it made me feel really bad. I wish
I could take some of the load off of him, he works so hard for us. He
had to work that night too but we ended up not having a vehicle to
borrow like the night before which was incredibly stressful in
itself, but also understandable. His supervisor was aware of our car
issues and Jim kept in contact letting them know the situation that
evening until they decided it wasn't going to be possible for him to
make it that night even though he'd said if it were going to be an
issue, he WOULD find a way there. He had only ever called in maybe
once before, so I was actually relieved that he was able to take that
night to recover since he honestly was doing just horribly. They had
to come by to pick up a pressure washer, though, and when they left
Jim came in with news that just ruined Christmas for both of us...</div>
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They decided to let Jim go. My heart
just dropped into my stomach; we JUST got into our own house... I'm
TWO & A HALF WEEKS from giving birth... He NEVER ONCE has been
anything but on time, hard working and just fucking THERE for them
and this happens? I'm just sick writing it again. I feel like he got
the shit end of a stick that he shouldn't have had to have been
grabbing for in the first place. It's not fair. Thankfully, he has
started another job that is right up his alley and the side jobs he's
been working for an elderly man will help us coast until he's pulling
in money from the new “regular” job. I'm just so pissed and hurt
for him and our family. So angry that they'd do that to him on
Christmas Eve of all nights. I'm just happy that he's going to do
nothing but excel at his new job and will probably be running the
place in no time with his experience.
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That news really killed our spirit this
year, but didn't hinder Olivia's Christmas Eve & Day from being
absolutely amazing! She was soooo freaking spoiled, got so many
adorable clothes and fun toys that I have to just take a moment to
thank my family and friends for all that they do. Seriously,
Christmas wouldn't have been nearly as amazing for O or for us
without each and every one of you who made her feel so special! She
was so excited to open that mountain of presents and loved each and
every thing she got. I was even more excited to watch her beautiful
face grin with joy every time she'd get another gift. I was feeling
pretty crappy about my own contributions to her pile, but you all
(especially you Gigi, you MADE Christmas!) pulled together a
fantastic holiday for all of us and I'm so so so thankful for you
guys. I wish I had more photos of her opening gifts and such, but it
was nice to be “present” to enjoy Christmas with her. I love that
little girl so much!
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Friday, I had another doctors
appointment. I gained another couple pounds bringin my total weight
gain to 10lbs over my prepregnancy weight. I also had the Group B
Strep test which, for anyone who's been there and done that knows is
just THE most awkward thing in the world lol. I'm just happy I'll be
done having babies after this kid, I mean, you don't want much of a
continuing relationship with anyone who has swabbed your b-hole. I do
really enjoy the NST's though, I love seeing the heartbeat rise and
fall perfectly and adore the rhythmic beating that is very much my
favorite lullaby. There is only fifteen more days until she makes her
grand entrance into the world and that seems like no time at all. We
have everything ready for her arrival and will be going down to check
out the new maternity ward this coming weekend! I'm excited to see
what the fuss is about with this place and to see how they've
perfected the c-section experiences for us having to go that route. I
am just so damned excited and anxious and READY to have her here...
It's so close yet so far away!<br />
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For this weeks project life spread, I used a few Christmas Cheer Advent calendar cards from <a href="http://lostbumblebee.blogspot.com/">LostBumbleBee.blogspot.com</a>. I removed the numbers since I wasn't going for an “advent” themed thanng, but other than that, here it is! I feel like I've lost everything I was going to finish with... So, just take care everyone and I hope you've had a wonderful holiday! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-33449708057669816342013-12-22T07:00:00.000-07:002013-12-22T07:00:07.690-07:00Week 51 Recap | Project Life 2013<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZbi423jkcEK3uF_OKqrhrVr0ysck1j0_jSibuYijL0akXnYQi9sH0w_pjWh-cp_g0Wgp-gbVq666kJiWB0Mv0IE0A5Yogi3sTjizEyytA2BjdQ78bM9it9_t59wPfZpJXPU46mTNkyE/s1600/frostyfrost.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZbi423jkcEK3uF_OKqrhrVr0ysck1j0_jSibuYijL0akXnYQi9sH0w_pjWh-cp_g0Wgp-gbVq666kJiWB0Mv0IE0A5Yogi3sTjizEyytA2BjdQ78bM9it9_t59wPfZpJXPU46mTNkyE/s320/frostyfrost.png" width="320" /></a>Whooop, another week down and closer to
what we're alllll counting down to right? THE BIG DAY!? Ok maybe you
all have your own lives but I'll pretend there's someone out there
who is as excited as I am for my pregnancy to be over and my baby to
be here with me!!! This week, we were sent to a ultrasound clinic for
more in depth measurements and we were told again that Miss Evelyn is
a big baby! She was measuring a few weeks further along than I am at
a healthy six pounds and we FINALLY got to see her beautiful face!! I
got a 4D ultrasound that showed all of her features so wonderfully,
it was amazing to watch live and see her yawning and stretching and
just being a real live baby... I know that sounds silly but it just
amazes me what she's already doing in there! I'm just so damned
excited and ready to meet her.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable photo I had to steal from Alisha! ;) </td></tr>
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Olivia and I went over to a friends
house for another “Christmas Decorating Cone” sesh and we all
enjoyed pigging out on candy and watching the kids play together.
Seeing the girls play fight like boys was seriously the most
hilarious thing ever! They totally have huge personalities that I can
tell are going to get them in trouble when they're older ;) O and I
also made some Christmas cards for the family and put up a tree,
thanks to another friend who lent us one this year! I was thinking
this might be the first year EVER that I didn't have a tree, so it
was really special for them to do that for us so that we can all have
a proper holiday season. Olivia was suuuuper excited to be the one to
put the star on top of the tree too, she literally talked about it
for days! Haha I'll have lots of photos of the tree goodness next
week ;) Jim and I finished up stocking stuffer shopping this week and
I can officially say that we are ready for Christmas to be here and
over with! That's the Grinch in me talking, but holy hell are the
holidays more stressful when you have kids to buy for.
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I'm ready for winter to be over with
too, since I'm not a huge fan of the snow! Sure, the frost and white
world make everything so beautiful, but I'm DAMNED cold and sick and
tired of wet shoes and floors!! The roads haven't seemed too entirely
bad this year, but I haven't drove much either, so maybe that's
ignorance talking. Jim is the driver for now and I'm not complaining
one bit, I feel very safe with him behind the wheel and am happy he's
the one taking the brunt of the winter weather driving. I'm
definitely not minding the temperature though, as strange as that
would normally be for me to say. I have a new appreciation for
seasons, particularly cooler ones, now that I've experienced the most
extreme heat I could have imagined while in Arizona. It feels nice to
be able to step outside for fresh and frozen air when I'm feeling
uber sick, which I also have been all damned week again. I'm not
expecting any kind of REAL break till after Evie's born though :/</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAy_0eoZVd0zR_VbRocpW9o5QdkGbBmxe3Jl90FIdc_9I0B94Kr5H-j1ueeaOtoP1vnKF_QXFE1UcQMU39OqeCLy_z-n5iq-qxOCE-zaQXue51PN2eA0oS6BpsjfcFqhmBxE3mEZzOlWA/s1600/511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAy_0eoZVd0zR_VbRocpW9o5QdkGbBmxe3Jl90FIdc_9I0B94Kr5H-j1ueeaOtoP1vnKF_QXFE1UcQMU39OqeCLy_z-n5iq-qxOCE-zaQXue51PN2eA0oS6BpsjfcFqhmBxE3mEZzOlWA/s1600/511.jpg" /></a>Well, I think that is probably about it
for Week 51's Recap. I know this next week is going to be thrown off
with Christmas festivities and such, so don't expect much activity
even though I will try and swing a freebie on Friday for y'all to
enjoy ;) Take care errrone and have a fabulous week!</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-68838416566823979622013-12-20T08:30:00.000-07:002013-12-21T13:40:23.718-07:00Big Sibling Certificates | Freebie
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihutkZUBz3gpiUh3eU-mgyp_FVHPBEGd5ey7-XkP2miI6RM6cvOCUp2BD586Qo8U6E-9-F17mIXxGNoFXosfPL0Q1cgzRb5l3If8AWgeIMIUFY-7AehTuIS14EyyU8-M-cOElk1pilxO8/s1600/ggrrrolivia.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihutkZUBz3gpiUh3eU-mgyp_FVHPBEGd5ey7-XkP2miI6RM6cvOCUp2BD586Qo8U6E-9-F17mIXxGNoFXosfPL0Q1cgzRb5l3If8AWgeIMIUFY-7AehTuIS14EyyU8-M-cOElk1pilxO8/s320/ggrrrolivia.png" width="320" /></a>Freaking Friday. I'm honestly not
feeling today at all, so this is gonna be super short! I just didn't
wanna forget yet another promised post so here it is folks... This
freebie is for all of you expecting mothers with older kiddos who
you'd like to make feel a little extra special on “the big day!”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I made this for Olivia's “Big Sister
Bag” that I'm creating for our own big day that is quickly
approaching. I'll be posting all about that bag in the next week or
so when I have it all completed, so stay tuned for way less lame
posts than this in the near future ;)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ie5p0zv989a8m3n/Fnxgt7cUw3" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ie5p0zv989a8m3n/Fnxgt7cUw3" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qyTaHtq2db5wI6NwoSl7IM4Ga_O_olramPq14miriB_p12iz-t7p1hE7WaEyfo3doRLmLIdL5QCEEuKJSS3clFqlCMGc__wFnTCXZm8bvg-U5We_0uzC34KPSm14kRPF_oaGVzWjFuY/s400/Big+Bro-Sis+Certificates.png" width="397" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-32352237163627028262013-12-18T08:00:00.000-07:002013-12-23T16:17:17.954-07:00Peanut Butter Bird Feeders | Awesome Crafts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXMoGNY51c2XxITU-gdX93ScRCwDABJGD2lNMPv7amWQSUHVOIYRCIXqocvHqdIRgPArlc31fQNzZJrNOBnPnpfIvwGJMJ0h7OBcBlkOYd067JFmDyeNZm6ppGmr8UPhYTk6wd55L6yI/s1600/birdfeed2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXMoGNY51c2XxITU-gdX93ScRCwDABJGD2lNMPv7amWQSUHVOIYRCIXqocvHqdIRgPArlc31fQNzZJrNOBnPnpfIvwGJMJ0h7OBcBlkOYd067JFmDyeNZm6ppGmr8UPhYTk6wd55L6yI/s320/birdfeed2.png" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">This is probably one of
the most simple crafts you could find but it's still a fun,
entertaining and 'green' project for you and your children... Paper towel/toilet paper roll bird feeders! Lord knows we needed a
reason to save all those paper towel/toilet paper rolls, so now that
we do, let's get started haha.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What you will need:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-Paper Towel/Toilet
Paper Rolls</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-Peanut Butter</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-Bird Seed</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-Wax Paper</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">-String</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">First things first, you'll
need to acquire help from an adorable little “helper.” Here,
helper is a term that loosely means “someone that will make you do
more work than necessary” lol. I think that's basically the same
definition as child, but you get the idea.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After you have a large,
clean area that you don't mind having to reclean peanut butter and bird seed off of
if need be, pour bird seed into a shallow dish in a nice
layer. You can have yourself or your
little helper “frost” the outside of the roll with peanut butter.
I suggest taking on the roll of the peanut butter-er if you use something like pine
cones though, as a completely frosted pine cone isnt as attractive
haha. Stick peanut butter in the little groves till full of the gooey
goodness. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Once buttered, you can
have your helper roll the frosted tp roll into the bird seed.
Help them push seed as far into the peanut butter as you can so that
it weathers well. After you've seeded your feeders, take your string
and tie it through the middle of the tp
roll so that you can hang and enjoy your finished project! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5ZkXLP1DWvJg5FLYCg7lbYe1__n5Wn_cQYXXKmJHF7DQTEQB846aXZ-llqDcLKd41qLr3fvvFyBQNeE2qDKHgsmYVo2zti3DOGm7LUmYF9poTs7QyA9qEzkPIb7Ga-JqVEP1dDERycM/s1600/birdfeeder.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5ZkXLP1DWvJg5FLYCg7lbYe1__n5Wn_cQYXXKmJHF7DQTEQB846aXZ-llqDcLKd41qLr3fvvFyBQNeE2qDKHgsmYVo2zti3DOGm7LUmYF9poTs7QyA9qEzkPIb7Ga-JqVEP1dDERycM/s1600/birdfeeder.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Birds, squirrels and other
little animals will love you for their special edible arrangement.
I'd love to hear how you or your children enjoyed making these and
would love even more to see pictures of your own finished projects!
Send yours to <a href="mailto:chelsea.mailbox@yahoo.com">chelsea.mailbox@yahoo.com</a>
to see it featured here alongside mine and Olivia's :)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh4d0zaGtPUJ8LTd_Dm1-Pj4MrNvz3nSJxlcrM_2UkwwM0T_CYpUF2hzIQjERhJhLPck9moxX0j_CfGOlz3X7_w6zPQop-A9J0o1yGddwekVDoyJuqXYvN01n1e-Qd1MXwaF4QG-PfeA/s1600/birdfeed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh4d0zaGtPUJ8LTd_Dm1-Pj4MrNvz3nSJxlcrM_2UkwwM0T_CYpUF2hzIQjERhJhLPck9moxX0j_CfGOlz3X7_w6zPQop-A9J0o1yGddwekVDoyJuqXYvN01n1e-Qd1MXwaF4QG-PfeA/s1600/birdfeed.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-28635320411842751382013-12-15T11:42:00.000-07:002013-12-15T11:42:04.438-07:00Week 50 Recap | Project Life 2013<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ErVpSbEgBXML-R82oxQDoHeqzVHXD2CsgYTWL8zUMnnjhCvnVrrMtrQE7xSzWPAo84xOVxQY08aYovrx4ZcLff1RQVl2H4xEkycu4uzyUX0O0QGIvHVfC9zO8VzbYzx_4uC1mmyxgPU/s1600/MAKINGTREES2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ErVpSbEgBXML-R82oxQDoHeqzVHXD2CsgYTWL8zUMnnjhCvnVrrMtrQE7xSzWPAo84xOVxQY08aYovrx4ZcLff1RQVl2H4xEkycu4uzyUX0O0QGIvHVfC9zO8VzbYzx_4uC1mmyxgPU/s320/MAKINGTREES2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Yesterday, Olivia and I knocked off
another <a href="http://sayschelsea.blogspot.com/p/my-bucket-list.html" target="_blank">Holiday Bucket List</a> item when we hosted a Christmas Cone
Decorating Party! I'd saw this activity of sorts on<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/107664247315567359/" target="_blank"> Pinterest</a> and
knew the kids would just love it, so we invited over some friends,
accumulated a bunch of delicious candies and created our own waffle
cone Christmas trees that were as good to eat as they were fun to
make. My mother and sister in law both helped everything come
together and lent me their home to destroy, er, create stuff in,
which was a huge weight lifted seeing as my house would fit all of
nobody lol. Ok, I'm still exaggerating on the size of our house, but
I really couldn't have fit everyone as comfortably here as at their
house. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w4eq5SD02Qrm1bbxXybOq-J8Wwo3DAp55DOby9xEjg9odCmr_UFpGN0z-0ZHBPNJYSJLG5Jrdsw-ChPm9ws1pgNQGgwuPS4mBFdtCEOUkBsb3vTkDzXDEzMeZploFBgggfM2_yHFce0/s1600/conetrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w4eq5SD02Qrm1bbxXybOq-J8Wwo3DAp55DOby9xEjg9odCmr_UFpGN0z-0ZHBPNJYSJLG5Jrdsw-ChPm9ws1pgNQGgwuPS4mBFdtCEOUkBsb3vTkDzXDEzMeZploFBgggfM2_yHFce0/s1600/conetrees.jpg" /></a></div>
Unfortunately while we were in the
middle of decorating our cones, Jen, my sister in law, had a massive
seizure that had her and everyone else very frightened. I'd never had
to call 911 for an emergency like that before so I was kinda
freaking, but the ambulance showed up almost immediately and took her
to the hospital to get checked out. So far I've been told she's doing
alright, in for a CAT scan now and all those other 'fun' tests that
keep healthy people farrrrr from the doctors office when they can
help it. My heart really goes out to Jen and all the health issues
she's had these past years... I wish I could take it all away from
her so that she could live the life she deserves to too. Please, if
you're the praying type, send them her way for a quick recovery from
this and all the other ailments that plague her young self. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The kids seemed to really enjoy making
their Christmas trees minus that incident though, and they were all
proud to show off their awesome work! It was messy, loud and still a
bit crowded but we all had a great time and I really appreciate all
those who came and helped us pull off an item off our Bucket List :)
I've already updated y'all on my pregnancy recently, so I'll just
shut up and show ya the Project Life 2013 Recap goodness we all love.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YC5910sHBt39T_x3mW1hiTtLOSEUnkx8CAmf3qNjFb8ZkjmGSs31ry9ZObRPXRwepFJ7pEO9WIx-r5K9q3N-qqhwbZWyrmjRRgvGKKsazjTv1EgnQ-3y-1lyBm_VJ60I_Z4M1QdIx2w/s1600/501-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YC5910sHBt39T_x3mW1hiTtLOSEUnkx8CAmf3qNjFb8ZkjmGSs31ry9ZObRPXRwepFJ7pEO9WIx-r5K9q3N-qqhwbZWyrmjRRgvGKKsazjTv1EgnQ-3y-1lyBm_VJ60I_Z4M1QdIx2w/s1600/501-.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I used papers and cards from a few
different kits I found on <a href="http://pixelscrapper.com/">pixelscrapper.com</a>. I know I've said it
before, but if you haven't gotten around to checking that site out
yet you MUST for awesome daily freebies that will help you beautify
your PL so easily. I love all the colors so much and can't wait to
actually put all of the 2014 spreads together at the end of next year
into a beautiful book thanks to the generous designers from that site
and more. Thanks so much for reading...I may skip my mindless Monday
tomorrow if I get carried away with house crap, but will definitely
have an AWESOME craft tutorial all ready to go for Wednesday and more
awesome freebies for the following Friday. So, until next time!!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1353102640"></span><span id="goog_1353102641"></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-47980847030211855302013-12-13T14:00:00.000-07:002013-12-14T19:37:46.407-07:00Update, I Suck & FREE Stuff! | Freebie Friday<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKDAOyC9dRpJw5xw9L_6KAeSZrXcyKRepczaxiW41HOzLnSMjLxdVvZe0kw92KyWdanNchZayVebwCsGMDlA3JJQC-ZHH5D713sIGBYikG2hlWLs2yTXLxoxUWx8WOMobXd1-gh1BSls/s1600/34+weeks.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKDAOyC9dRpJw5xw9L_6KAeSZrXcyKRepczaxiW41HOzLnSMjLxdVvZe0kw92KyWdanNchZayVebwCsGMDlA3JJQC-ZHH5D713sIGBYikG2hlWLs2yTXLxoxUWx8WOMobXd1-gh1BSls/s320/34+weeks.png" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this not just so 'Chelsea?'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I knnnoooow, I blow at keeping up even
when setting deadlines for myself! I am going to use my new found
knowledge that there is a huge child inside of me as an excuse
though. “Little Sisser” is an estimated 5lbs 13oz already! HOLY
COW. During our appointment/ultrasound on Tuesday, she was measuring
large which is pretty damned amazing when you wouldn't think so
looking at me. I know that U/S's can be off, but it was cool to see
her and to see how much she's grown already.
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had a NST and her heart rate kept
shooting back up to the 170-180's because she was just FREAKING out.
I must have a little acrobat inside me because there wasn't an inch
of my belly, back or ribs not feeling kicks like crazy. I got Jim to
get a '34 week' photo of us for my project life this weekend and that
was an interesting process to say the least lol. He did manage to get
a good one that actually just screams “Chelsea” with my
expression and everything, so I will take it! Plus, as of today,
there is officially only ONE MONTH LEFT!!! Can I get a hooray?!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Obviously I missed this last Wednesday
post which sucks since I actually do have a tutorial all ready to go,
I just want some photos of the process that I wasn't able to get on
my own while doing it... aarrg. Buuuut I did tell you I'd make up my
last whooops with a huge Freebie Friday bundle and I sure think I
delivered! I had looked around a bit for free “baby” filler cards
and wasn't able to find much. Being that little miss is so close to
being here and I'll be “project life-ing” her soon, I decided to
make and share some of my own! I am in love with the colors and think
they'll be a perfect addition to your own PL's too.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8tuy9ty8y3ot0tx/ocpjp5x_gc" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8tuy9ty8y3ot0tx/ocpjp5x_gc" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfoq1N7SvFpX71a0T38l_OrNTMCAPhD33COIv98txvn5IoVySm_0OHoc88DMhAJ9rs1xPz5n9FB-v-MFGFcV_UOknmtaR0HwAG53pBgCNT-AFPFKRntei_5slg2AhGqTCwsufuqyTI6E/s640/Oh+Baby+Freebie.png" width="636" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I also put together a premade drop-in
spread with the templates I made for you all <a href="http://sayschelsea.blogspot.com/p/freebies.html" target="_blank">>here!<</a> I also
used the<a href="http://sayschelsea.blogspot.com/p/freebies.html" target="_blank"> 2014 Filler/Journal cards</a> I created to make up this totally
ready to go first week of 2014 for you all! You seriously have no
reason not to start your own digital PL now, I mean, I'm doing all
the work for you.. ;) I'm thinking I will make more premade templates
like this for special holidays and such but I'm not going to plan for
it since Lord knows it wont happen if I do haha.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ay3uy9a6vpld924/y1Ug_Fs8oD" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ay3uy9a6vpld924/y1Ug_Fs8oD" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LrWLYE5XcnoAuV0NEEmfWBiAOpqlYIy01myLT0BlPFy4NeLlo4w0uQd2ITfV7QjA6npTCIQN_pisfBKe3jxCbiuvD1YJj7LPCSjut-Jf83LHOBB9JxbqQnookCKMj3jvUrQQ7FronuE/s640/2014+Drop+In+Template.png" width="636" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope you all enjoy this weeks
freebie, I proooomise to do better next week and have an awesome
craft tutorial for you all to recreate super soon! Have a fantastic
Friday the 13<sup>th,</sup> watch out for those ladders and black
cats.
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-71552194968988172942013-12-09T14:53:00.000-07:002013-12-09T14:53:16.976-07:00Another Monday in My Life
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDKYIGZZwQed5d2DwsHNbh50pyW1w9lf9YJI6voSiR6p2zJx0TUVFWSkrFtb5x-16xSx3GlZWBRl-k5Sc3IAmU4FZ66y3DbUKsvcSmJMwN-A6yLAAItKRGxyoEBIcT__oGjS63co2XUs/s1600/tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDKYIGZZwQed5d2DwsHNbh50pyW1w9lf9YJI6voSiR6p2zJx0TUVFWSkrFtb5x-16xSx3GlZWBRl-k5Sc3IAmU4FZ66y3DbUKsvcSmJMwN-A6yLAAItKRGxyoEBIcT__oGjS63co2XUs/s320/tree.png" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "Blair Witch" Project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am having one hell of a moody Monday
and I wish I could just snap out of it now! It's not fair to Olivia
who's just wanting some attention and it's not fair to Jim who only
does EVERYTHING for us to deal with my attitude too. I just suck. I
won't be stuck on this pity party for the entire post though, so
don't worry! I have actually just finished a huge filler card bundle
for this weeks freebie Friday and I'm just too excited to release it
to you all. I am half tempted to post it today but then what the hell
would we do for THIS coming Friday? ;) I actually have been working
on a few more templates and fun stuff for you all too, so that does
make the temptation that much worse haha. I will have a few craft
tutorials up soon too (finally!!) including a cute Christmas wall
hanging that I think is adorable, however my husband says looks like
a Blair Witch Project lol. Asshole.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jim did just take Olivia to my brothers
to hang out for a bit, so I'll drop the asshole comment. She loves
going to her “Rah-Rah's!” He has a few dogs over at his house
that she just adores, she talks about them for hours after she gets
home from playing over there. Olivia just loves all animals though
and even after being bit, scratched and hissed at has still not found
a fear of any particular one just yet a bit to my dismay. I wish
she'd just realize when the cats/dogs are done playing. She has been
making me laugh a lot lately, her new favorite phrase is baby sister.
She points to Riley's photo and says “that my baby sisser!” Rubs
my belly and exclaims “my baby sisser in there” and it just warms
my heart! I can't wait for her to really get to see her little
sisser, I know that she is going to be the greatest big sister to her
ever!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have an appointment tomorrow with a
non-stress test and ultrasound on the agenda. I'm thrilled to be
getting another ultrasound, more so to check on the placenta and to
see that everything in there is going alright. I constantly worry
about how she's doing, what's going on, whats going to go on... I
just hate the unknown and to me pregnancy is very much the unknown.
You can prepare anyway you want, be as healthy as can be, have
everything going according to plan and still lose it all. That scares
the shit out of me and totally makes me feel moody again so maybe
I'll shy away from that conversation right now too. I just have to
put my faith and trust into God and Riley knowing they'll take care
of everything. They'll take care of us and this little baby that we
all love so so so much already.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My belly has been so hard and tight
lately. I never felt this way with Riley or Olivia, so I'm chalking
it up to third pregnancy woes and possibly braxton hicks. I don't
feel like I ever really felt contractions in my previous pregnancies
either, so I don't have those memories to compare them to. I was
induced with Riley but had so many other drugs to keep me calm/out of
it that that birth will always feel surreal. With O, I had a
scheduled C-Section due to her breech position, however she decided
she was going to come earlier than that (still breech) so we had an
emergency section before I ever went into actual labor. I had a GREAT
recovery after my section and am very ready to do it all over again
in January. I'm super ready for those damned tubes to be tied too, I
love my children but could never survive another pregnancy!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I should be taking advantage of Jim and
Olivia's time out by getting some work done around the house and
mayyyybe I will in a bit, but I think I'm going to crash out on the
couch for a while before that. I'm so freaking tired, stressed and
(if it's not obvious) a bit air-headed today so a nap sounds
fantastic! I hope you are having a better Monday than this, and if
not, that you too can sneak in a nap to shut it all off for a little
bit. Adios.
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-45066147606595653712013-12-08T12:24:00.002-07:002013-12-15T12:38:01.460-07:00Week 49 Recap | Project Life 2013<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7pZoVcg5GhZxuwRaKmtOsZkOAfggqWMILcdK3kpByzFtijXkX8hiFsPZh3u_0ALiCKfTmB16yvQe9Vc5l5JDCD8z61ypjVteftJVV8FpJKRqN1inpSwQmXIg4WqQj_niCK7-J-CGZgI/s1600/letitsnow.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7pZoVcg5GhZxuwRaKmtOsZkOAfggqWMILcdK3kpByzFtijXkX8hiFsPZh3u_0ALiCKfTmB16yvQe9Vc5l5JDCD8z61ypjVteftJVV8FpJKRqN1inpSwQmXIg4WqQj_niCK7-J-CGZgI/s320/letitsnow.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Week Forty Nine flew by, but was an
absolutely amazing week full of fun and exciting things! We moved
into our little house which really was deceiving as far as size goes.
It looks a lot smaller than it is and I was pleasantly surprised to
see how much room we have after getting all our <strike>crap</strike> stuff inside. We
met our neighbors who seem very cool, I had a kid-free sleepover with
my sister in law Jen and we made gingerbread houses (whoo another
<a href="http://sayschelsea.blogspot.com/p/my-bucket-list.html" target="_blank">bucket list</a> item checked off!), I got my hair done for the first time
in everrr, we got the first snow of the year that completely whited
out the city and we are thhaaatt much closer to meeting our little
missy! I have finally accumulated more warm clothes too which was
much needed, I feel like I'm slacking on the baby supplies this time
around. I think that is about all that happened, but it was all good
stuff nonetheless.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I apologize to anyone looking forward
to Freebie Friday, I know I spaced it this last week and will work
hard at making it up this coming Friday with a big freebie bundle,
maybe a premade template with cards in use so all you have to do is
add your own photos and journals! I think that would be a nice way to
start you all off on your own Project Life journeys, the new year is
right around the corner so you better be ready! ;) This is a pretty
short update for the day, but it is what it is people. I have stuff
to hang on my walls, clothes to forever fold and floors that are
desperately needing cleaned... The motherly thing to do would be to
take care of that too, I'm sure ;)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxoZE2p5AXZ2p9MIRieRiGcMiuLWF4RLQMiyNIyjRWg1GbCviR2Y4IrBdxznzV-nmDEwv70dA_xQcfGemhAu281CIj2_ixBT2-Bh411hEgg5GaPzQLrMWE461evqq1zrH-VlfN2n-uuc/s1600/491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxoZE2p5AXZ2p9MIRieRiGcMiuLWF4RLQMiyNIyjRWg1GbCviR2Y4IrBdxznzV-nmDEwv70dA_xQcfGemhAu281CIj2_ixBT2-Bh411hEgg5GaPzQLrMWE461evqq1zrH-VlfN2n-uuc/s1600/491.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ugh. Don't mind my ridiculous face in my photos hahah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For this weeks PL, I used free filler
cards from <a href="http://onevelvetmorning.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/free-winter-filler-cards-for-project-life/" target="_blank">OneVelvetMorning.wordpress.com</a>. I customized one of the
cards to match my theme a bit better but I loved the cards and think
you'll enjoy them too! I hope any of you experiencing crappy weather
like us are being safe and if you're in the Nampa Idaho area, QUIT
DRIVING LIKE IDIOTS OR STAY OFF THE ROAD! That is all, thank you ;)
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-81517727203048444102013-12-04T12:57:00.000-07:002013-12-04T18:25:11.671-07:00BBQ Chicken Lettuce Wraps | Delicious Recipes <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Maybe this will be a recipe to blame on
my ever-changing pregnant palate, as it's definitely not BBQ weather
anymore but I HAD to have a delicious (and healthy!) wrap to satisfy
my craving! These wraps are extremely easy to make, takes very few
ingredients and just tastes wonderful. Did I mention they're also
GLUTEN FREE?! Yes indeed; a delicious, easy, relatively cheap meal
AND it's safe for us trying to maintain a GF lifestyle! The only
problem is I don't have anymore and writing this is making me hungry
again. AWESOME.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ingredients:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-2 chicken breasts cut into strips</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-A bit of shredded cheese</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-A head of washed lettuce<br />
-Salt & Pepper </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The following steps are so easy, there
was just no reason to take pictures of anything but the finished
product. After slicing the chicken length wise into strips and dip
them in a nice coat of BBQ sauce. Grill the chicken till completely
done in the middle, we don't want any pink chicken here people, and
apply more bbq sauce to your liking.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Right after taking the strips off the
grill, salt & pepper to meet your tastes, sprinkle some shredded cheese over top and let melt juust a
bit. Take a large leaf off of the head of lettuce and wrap that yummy
chicken up and ENJOY! It really is that simple. If you're not into super simplicity, or maybe just not a Plain Jane like myself, add some sliced peppers, tomatoes, onions or whatever else you may be into. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiverI7pbb4jrMfUWDbbS42XgMXdscNzmMxFN1AAerNIA3lKrBROMYc39fVGH0P7qF8tBzRG1o9mer6JAP8n0gWWVWvZRbf2Cn084kFv4ML1lz1OmTswm7tAauw4BKHzSvZEt5xaE7_H_c/s1600/chickenwrap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiverI7pbb4jrMfUWDbbS42XgMXdscNzmMxFN1AAerNIA3lKrBROMYc39fVGH0P7qF8tBzRG1o9mer6JAP8n0gWWVWvZRbf2Cn084kFv4ML1lz1OmTswm7tAauw4BKHzSvZEt5xaE7_H_c/s1600/chickenwrap.png" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you've made this or a similar wrap,
I'd love to hear about it so I can try it out too! Bonus points for
GF wraps, as this new year I will be completely GF and needing some
new dinner ideas ;)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
DISCLAIMER: I am not a dietician or a
health professional, obviously, and have certain things I can
personally eat that may upset other celiac/gluten free tummies more.
This recipe may contain soy and definitely contains dairy so if
either of those aren't for you then I apologize for making your mouth
water anyways ;)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-4467626886673200652013-12-02T17:00:00.000-07:002013-12-04T00:05:00.837-07:00Busy, Busy, BUSY!<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So yeah, I've already wrote a post
today but I have much to update y'all on already! Unfortunately a lot
of it has to do with being in the doctors, since poor Olivia had to
go in today for her first ear infection this afternoon. She was
pretty rotten over the last few days, so it kinda makes sense now
that I know she's been in pain, the poor baby :( Her doctor was
booked full today, so we were able to see another one in his same
practice and we absolutely loved her. Even through her pain, Olivia
was so cooperative for this new lady, didn't mind any of the poking
or prodding and was just so damned polite that I couldn't help but
beam with pride that she was mine. She got prescribed an antibiotic
and should be better very soon thankfully, I'm ready to have my happy
baby back! We ran into Aaron and Theresa, O's godparents, while we
were there and they waited with us before she went back which I was
very thankful for, Aaron has a way with Olivia and kept her more calm
than I could at the time which was much appreciated.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After her appointment, Jim had yet
another interview at a place closer to home which would be another
huge blessing for our family. He really wants to add a day job rather
than trading off the one he has now, but being that they're both
over-nighters, he'd have to pick and choose and this opportunity
would definitely be more beneficial if all works out. This new job
would only be about 5 minutes from our new house and would be less
strenuous than the custodial work he does currently so fingers
crossed! He looked so handsome heading down for his interview, those
dimples of his still give me butterflies and I'm not ashamed to say
that I blush every time he flashes me that smile I feel in love with
so long ago!!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaEHrW9xux4SMdwv03K0iRW9kDMC_aDwINisAmtd4RSBaQ2ZhNgd-zGs7MiJcCfpOuL-izJL_0N6VVQRnhi7OJNl7x_7YbsRvWAAWw_Git3Hb1gr6q4N3tp2s4gRKTBbyXmC-0MqDeQc/s1600/pregnancy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaEHrW9xux4SMdwv03K0iRW9kDMC_aDwINisAmtd4RSBaQ2ZhNgd-zGs7MiJcCfpOuL-izJL_0N6VVQRnhi7OJNl7x_7YbsRvWAAWw_Git3Hb1gr6q4N3tp2s4gRKTBbyXmC-0MqDeQc/s320/pregnancy.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was about 24 weeks here & Olivia was trying to eat my belly!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
His interview just barely gave us time
to make it back to my own doctors appointment to check out little
miss 'elephant.' My doctor finally got on my about my weight gain,
saying that if the baby wasn't measuring as big as she was that he'd
be upset with me only being up five pounds. We scheduled an in depth
ultrasound for next week to go over everything from the placenta, to
her growth and all that fun stuff and if for any reason she isn't
measuring properly, we will take the necessary steps to make sure
she's got the best start possible. I'm super excited since I wasn't
thinking I was going to be getting another U/S, but my doctor is just
wonderful and wants to help my anxiety so he set it up without a
problem. He wants me to gain 10-15 more pounds before the baby is
born, that seems insane to me since I'm so close to her being here
but who knows, I'm always hungry so maybe these last few weeks I'll
balloon out to a point he's happy with. I am hoping to keep all the ballooning in the belly region though as I'd reallllly like my maternity pictures to not have my usual fatty face smiling like a fool haha. I got so swollen with O near the end, so I'd better do it soon to avoid that from happening. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We also reconfirmed the c-section date
for January 13<sup>th</sup> and talked about the maternity center
that I will be delivering at. This is going to be a brand new
facility, I'll literally be one of the first women to have a child
there and they're trying to make it a top of the line ward that
people will be just as excited to visit as the hospital downtown in
Boise that is and will probably always be “the” place to go. This
new facility is supposed to have massage therapists to help with the
after surgery gas pains that often come with c-sections, they'll have
fabulous meals (and WINE?!) for your “after baby” meal and are
going above and beyond with the actual birthing process, especially
when it comes to delivering via Cesarian. The only part I didn't
enjoy about my last section was being kept away from little Livia
while I was being sewn up and till I could wiggle my toes in
recovery. Here, I'll be able to stay with the baby (assuming there
are zero issues she'd need to be taken away for) and be wheeled up to
recover together. That alone has made this hospital choice a
no-brainer, I want and neeeeed that initial bonding time with my
littlest love :)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Soooo with no smooth transition
whatsoever, I think that will just be all for my little update today!
Just keep on counting down with me, we're only FORTY ONE DAYS AWAY!!
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-44327336821154708692013-12-02T08:00:00.000-07:002013-12-04T13:12:09.239-07:00Tis the Season | Bucket ListIt's December, and to celebrate the season, I have decided to partake in a little extension to my “<a href="http://sayschelsea.blogspot.com/p/my-bucket-list.html" target="_blank">Bucket List</a>” by creating a Holiday version! If you know me at all, you know that I love lists. This list contains a mixture of traditions from both mine and Jim's childhoods as well as a few new ones we wanted to create for our own family. I am super excited to get started on our Bucket List and am even more excited to watch Olivia participating in the memory making now that she is old enough to do most of this! So without further ado, here is the Shinkle Family Holiday Bucket List :D <br />
<br />
Visit Santa Claus<br />
Drink Hot Cocoa<br />
Watch Elf<br />
Make Christmas Ornaments<br />
See Christmas Lights<br />
Buy First Real Christmas Tree <br />
Bake Holiday Treat<br />
Read a Holiday Book<br />
Donate a Toy to Tots<br />
Go Sledding<br />
Host a Holiday Get Together<br />
Volunteer<br />
Make Christmas Cards<br />
Participate in a Gift Exchange<br />
Start Christmas Eve “PJ Box” Tradition<br />
Leave Cookies for Santa<br />
<br />
And because I'm just such a mufkin over achiever, I have already decided to complete one of our tasks TODAY! For the last few weeks I've been hunting down the movie Elf and finally found it! Whooo! So after we run around to a few appointments, the rest of today is laze around and watch movies day... surly you can see the rough life we live ;) Do you have your own Holiday Bucket List, or a few traditions your family has decided to adopt? I'd love to hear them in the comments section below and if they're super awesome, add them to my own list! <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-57293313607020355342013-12-01T22:45:00.000-07:002013-12-03T22:54:04.136-07:00Week 48 Recap | Project Life 2013<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXwxmdpn6ZCkfmuzSgIk7Vif39PmpoThr56PIIE8RriokBR13Ue2p065Z0OMtLzBTTi9mibovwHbV0fu_5_Mj-ecYQn3Y8SO5U0D4X87L-oubSDiDqdQDuUxHg-Ve3KUKvdI5JjS-bHg/s1600/outtait.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXwxmdpn6ZCkfmuzSgIk7Vif39PmpoThr56PIIE8RriokBR13Ue2p065Z0OMtLzBTTi9mibovwHbV0fu_5_Mj-ecYQn3Y8SO5U0D4X87L-oubSDiDqdQDuUxHg-Ve3KUKvdI5JjS-bHg/s320/outtait.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how O does Thanksgiving.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This week went by just as quickly as I wanted it to! I'm shocked to be in December already, shocked to be so close to delivering and shocked that I'm still...shockable.. at this point haha. It was great to celebrate the holidays with family and getting to see a few from out of town was a great treat too. Jim's sister, her boyfriend and brother all came up from Nevada and we all had a good time catching up since it's always too long between visits! Olivia was immediately smitten with Bre, Jim's sister, which was awesome since she can be quite picky with her friends sometimes ;) <br />
<br />
I really don't have much to say for once, I think I'm still stuffed off turkey and 90 lbs of olives I ate over the week. I think I single handedly kept the olive business alive this year in the last few days alone! This next week is just super duper busy as well, but I have lots planned and will be excited to share that with you as it comes. For anyone still not in the know, and wanting to be, I just may be releasing the final baby name in the next week or so as well! I'd like to get photos taken with a banner of her name, so we'll see how that works out ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU0pqC7TNm1uZ6awmJx1KtN8qGgOS36ccsd551LHlf0canyMoKxWXvTaY79fwtvdJyjF2upCkTpdVDit5d3zHpNp3Q2ln1EqQT_iCwSYIZvXhw5NXj0fASbhyphenhyphenu8qt5Ggh3rKRRrkMtEI/s1600/481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU0pqC7TNm1uZ6awmJx1KtN8qGgOS36ccsd551LHlf0canyMoKxWXvTaY79fwtvdJyjF2upCkTpdVDit5d3zHpNp3Q2ln1EqQT_iCwSYIZvXhw5NXj0fASbhyphenhyphenu8qt5Ggh3rKRRrkMtEI/s1600/481.jpg" /></a></div>
All of the filler cards, banners and papers were FREE in a Thanksgiving kit from <a href="http://www.pixelscrapper.com/marisa-lerin/kits/thanksgiving-elements-kit-dinner-flowers-green-teal-blue-pink-peach-cream-gray" target="_blank">Pixelscrappers</a>! If you haven't checked out and signed up for that site yet, you're seriously missing out on some amazing an freeeeee things from some awesome designers. I will be working on my own freebies for this friday, so keep an eye on the blog and I promise to deliver something fun :D Have a happy week everyone! <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-52750321229483359682013-11-28T01:29:00.000-07:002013-12-04T13:17:04.941-07:00Happy Thanksgiving! <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's Thanksgiving! Even if only just
barely, it's here and I'm ready to chow down. I'm also ready for Jim
to get home... I'm waiting for him to get off work right now, he
should be home about 4-4:30am and I think I'll wait up to let him
know just how thankful I am for him and all he does for us. I
couldn't imagine my life without him, couldn't imagine not having my
family here living this crazy life with me. Jim has been there
through thick and thin, through every single life altering moment
that has shaped who I am today and I just don't know what I did to
get so lucky to have him for my own.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm also so very thankful for my
beautiful girls, all three of them! Just like I couldn't imagine a
life without Jim, I couldn't and wouldn't want to imagine my life
without them either. Riley and Olivia have really molded me into an
adult and I know that when this newest little miss arrives that
she'll be shaping me evermore. These girls have given me reasons to
live, to mature and to become a better person and mother, since that
is all I ever aim to do now that I have them. I can't wait to spend
my life doing the best I can, definitely doing better than I am right
now, and being best of friends with my girls like my mom is with me.
I am just so thankful for them and that makes me even more thankful
for Jim, yet again, for giving me these miracles.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is so much more that I am
thankful for... SO much... I am thankful for my mom and the
relationship we had the entire time I was growing up. I am thankful for my
brother and dad being able to be here and 'free.' I'm proud of
them for the changes they've made in themselves and thankful they
realized they were necessary ones. I am thankful to be moving into
our new (verrry little) home soon. I am thankful to be feeling this
child inside of me kicking and rolling around like a madwoman! ;) I
am thankful for the life I live, even with the shit that often comes
in droves, because I honestly wouldn't wanna live another life if
given the chance. Having my family means I have it all, so THANK YOU
Lord, for giving me that. Thank you Lord for choosing me, even though
I know I can be ungrateful at times, to be me.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So what are you thankful for? Do you too
have children who are your entire life? Do you have an amazing
husband you can always count on? Maybe you've just landed a dream job
or are thankful to be taking a vacation soon? Whatever it may be, I'd
love to hear from you in the comments what you are most thankful for! I will probably be skipping tomorrow's "Freebie Friday," but
I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and a VERY SAFE Black Friday
if you're one of the nuts heading out to take on the world at the
crack of dawn... I'd be thankful for an iPad if you're so inclined ;)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-79300682194993496622013-11-26T23:53:00.000-07:002013-11-26T23:53:09.065-07:00No Fear, I'm Still Here<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Look at me, trying to be all scheduled
and shit and I miss my first mindless Monday haha. I guess that's
because I was kinda going out of my mind! We didn't hear back till
today (which really wasn't long at all, I was just anxious) on the
house and we got it! WHOO! I am just so freaking excited to have our
own space again, however little of a space that is going to be. We
move in in about a week, so I'll have some fun photos to post soon
and maybe some tips on how to decorate small spaces! I will probably
be posting a bit more randomly with moving and all, but no fear, Says
Chelsea isn't going anywhere... you can't get rid of me that easy.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am also totally ready for
Thanksgiving. I mean, I really really REALLY cannot wait for foooood.
I love ham and turkey, love mashed taters (I don't know why I wrote
taters, I don't say taters...) and love love love chocolate pie.
Someone had better make a damned chocolate pie. I think we'll be
spending most the day here at the current home with Jim's whole famn
damily, then we'll head over to my brothers and dad's that evening to
top off whatever room I have left inside me. Hopefully the baby
enjoys the food and lets me do so too or I'm just going to cry. I
haven't had and kept down a decent full meal in a while so cummon
kid, let's work together and do this.
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7vBL9qRt4WRnuxZ6fRI1TfgA-ERx5Y3shDafFvABDPYxVUAmcsCEexKv_fttYhegtrTuOGzeG_gYPW2cOhesTZ8LP68cn7DpKri3FLkGVgfeI1uD2-R9Ip42iviXkTuctnoVmZpaAn0/s1600/ew.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7vBL9qRt4WRnuxZ6fRI1TfgA-ERx5Y3shDafFvABDPYxVUAmcsCEexKv_fttYhegtrTuOGzeG_gYPW2cOhesTZ8LP68cn7DpKri3FLkGVgfeI1uD2-R9Ip42iviXkTuctnoVmZpaAn0/s400/ew.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well I guess that is all for now. It's
been quite the day and I'm ready to shut down and go to bed at a
respectable hour for once haha, buuuuut I couldn't leave you without
a photo, because no post is complete without one if you ask me ;)
This photo is of Olivia and I last year when we made gingerbread
houses with a friend and her kids! I was shocked to come across this
and to see how much I've changed in just a year... I was very very
heavy and unhappy with that, being gluten free changed things so
quickly and I can't wait to get back on that “healthy Chelsea”
kick that will come after baby! My Waffle Cone Christmas Tree
decorating party will be held right around the same time as we did
these houses last year, so I'm excited to get a new picture of O and
I together to show y'all how far we've came! Thanks for reading my
blabbering, mindless should-have-posted-on-Monday post :D</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-18880547291471072162013-11-24T16:48:00.000-07:002013-11-24T16:48:37.133-07:00Week 47 Recap | Project Life 2013<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvJ2eOcV9gXyqGea_pYNx6crmxHBTbSeZgJt7ZI1Vw4JVLlxAecmzqZ9Fg1DaYgxaXGvm1OOGDM8jonql8VkBv_-v895sYilZsb9idYMX8uWfbhSVlIorrBG_PapY77HknyeArIvUwco/s1600/smallllllhouse.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvJ2eOcV9gXyqGea_pYNx6crmxHBTbSeZgJt7ZI1Vw4JVLlxAecmzqZ9Fg1DaYgxaXGvm1OOGDM8jonql8VkBv_-v895sYilZsb9idYMX8uWfbhSVlIorrBG_PapY77HknyeArIvUwco/s320/smallllllhouse.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dinky little "hopefully" home :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My mind is going crazy with
possibilities right now. Possibilities of having our own home again
soon now that we are looking and ready to go. Possibilities in the
workforce, since Jim keeps getting calls from everywhere for
interviews and he has a very promising opportunity in a large store
that is GREAT to their employees. Possibilities the new year holds,
since my mind is forever a month or two away.. I am just stressed and
excited for these next few months and the anxiety is driving me
insane. I've always been a biiit insane though so what's new?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We went and looked at a tiny little
house yesterday and fell in love with it (mostly for the inside & the price) and
decided to try and make it ours! We are waiting to hear back now, so
as you can imagine, I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to hear how it
goes. I can't see anything on our credit being too detrimental, and
our background checks and rental history are great, so please Lord
just let this happen for us! I would love, love, LOVE to be out on
our own before the baby gets here!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today marks the end of “Week 47”
for my mini Project Life 2013 and whaddayaknow, I'm doing a-ok at
staying on top of things so far! Haha, okay, maybe I can't brag
fourteen days in, but I'm excited to see how easy it is for me to
keep up with since I know after miss “elephant,” as Olivia calls
her, gets here it will be more difficult. Sooo, here's this last weeks
spread :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzysxlXfMLghW5L8_DEMSm65wBCK52dbRpvg13dPZdFD8TJrOTWJC5jeX0gB1VPJChspaEXgVAgrEfZ5AzXwSDcokIR7lOzfkLbzvLo7xCTdEzft_wxUe1QQHOeJfzWVPkxoYr_X1Lgr0/s1600/471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzysxlXfMLghW5L8_DEMSm65wBCK52dbRpvg13dPZdFD8TJrOTWJC5jeX0gB1VPJChspaEXgVAgrEfZ5AzXwSDcokIR7lOzfkLbzvLo7xCTdEzft_wxUe1QQHOeJfzWVPkxoYr_X1Lgr0/s1600/471.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I used a few free papers from
<a href="http://www.pixelscrapper.com/marisa-lerin/kits/khaki-scouts-bundle-fall-camping-outdoors-orange-red-blue-brown-yello" target="_blank">Pixelscrapper.com</a> to fill some slots in a more “almost
Thanksgivingish” theme. I also used some digital washi tape from
<a href="http://www.thecottagemarket.com/2013/09/free-fall-digital-washi-tape-collection.html" target="_blank">thecottagemarket.com</a> and one of my favorite cards (the one with the
arrow pointing to my beaming self ;) is from the fabulous
<a href="http://www.septemberblue.net/2013/11/freebie-alert-so-you-had-a-bad-day-filler-cards.html" target="_blank">Septemberblue.net</a>, all of whom I definitely recommend visiting for
some awesome freebies! Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving
week and are excited for the face stuffing madness to ensue as I am
:D
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-45317081133590036772013-11-22T21:01:00.000-07:002013-11-22T22:35:00.078-07:00Lame Adult, Cool Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-GH5trbpZtJ-XduqE66XKA0E50bjsnmwUiPYIU6QTZrR141_aiGfZAB8qHY4PTY0iJnAm_DtQjBCaujkE-hU4dsoqLnZW1y422OKCHtnOr3XTD7ON40sZFszYZTObR34gONrMQ9LvgQ/s1600/chocolatemilk.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-GH5trbpZtJ-XduqE66XKA0E50bjsnmwUiPYIU6QTZrR141_aiGfZAB8qHY4PTY0iJnAm_DtQjBCaujkE-hU4dsoqLnZW1y422OKCHtnOr3XTD7ON40sZFszYZTObR34gONrMQ9LvgQ/s400/chocolatemilk.png" width="400" /></a>So there I was, hiding in the kitchen
eating my chocolate milk with a spoon. I'm pretty sure it's the only
way to consume chocolate milk. Any who Olivia, who is two and a half
or so, comes around the corner and sees me and says, “Coooo mom! I
wan some!” and it hit me... there are things about me that make me
a super lame adult. I say nummy. I know all the words to every Bubble
Guppies song out there. I find joy in creating a good mud castle.
And, of course, I eat chocolate milk with a spoon.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All those things aren't very cool at
all, but they do make me a pretty awesome mom. Olivia and I dance to
the TV together singing “Bu bu bubble Gu gu guppies!” We make and
eat the nummiest of deserts out there and as of yet, she hasn't
complained about me being the only one able to lick the spoon. She's
allowed to get so dirty playing in the dirt and mud you'd think she
was a homeless child, but I just know she finds that same joy in
destroying, er, creating, things from nothing. I also get the
quality, uninterrupted-by-toddler-bitching time with her while we
share spoonfuls of chocolate milk hiding away from the world in the
kitchen and I wouldn't give those moments up for the anything in this
world.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thank you Olivia for showing me that
even though I might feel and actually BE super lame for the most part, it doesn't
matter when I have you who, at least for the time being, thinks I'm
pretty damned cooo. I love you Olive Juice. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQs4xN1lDTFLiFBFeb9Gp11DpRRnD8K9a4ht-WMq0nBfFS-j7Kc2DphzHlzVDs9-hPsqsFdZ6Gmn89oD5QbwxrP5tEQBOmSFVb51eTQmn7xHcgufMMF5h4R_gtSWrsomzHyO1RiEpjPt4/s1600/sleeping0.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQs4xN1lDTFLiFBFeb9Gp11DpRRnD8K9a4ht-WMq0nBfFS-j7Kc2DphzHlzVDs9-hPsqsFdZ6Gmn89oD5QbwxrP5tEQBOmSFVb51eTQmn7xHcgufMMF5h4R_gtSWrsomzHyO1RiEpjPt4/s1600/sleeping0.png" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-17049285877475541932013-11-22T11:27:00.003-07:002013-12-04T13:25:27.326-07:00Christmas Card | Freebie<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxI6iDB9fptjTsTgQXUifPBWXmIKP0iWMKPsREZUpvkXUD0aef2RLG84Qm3InM2hYZWi-0DrH1R0njcmx1DxJJLLjlJg1m7EP1q7n0L5PCaxABmlj13sAi8uYL6iWe9eMldKE5qbZRq4/s1600/libby.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxI6iDB9fptjTsTgQXUifPBWXmIKP0iWMKPsREZUpvkXUD0aef2RLG84Qm3InM2hYZWi-0DrH1R0njcmx1DxJJLLjlJg1m7EP1q7n0L5PCaxABmlj13sAi8uYL6iWe9eMldKE5qbZRq4/s320/libby.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She needs to cooperate for Christmas photos!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Like I mentioned in my last post, to keep from posting too frequently/so irregularly and
to help all my readers to be able to follow along with Says Chelsea
better, I have created a bit of a schedule I plan to keep and carry
on into the next year! From now on, I will be dedicating Fridays to
FREEBIES! These freebies will include everything from printables, to
fully finished digital templates and filler cards, to links to my
favorite freebies from around the web and more! Basically, Friday
will be all about giving back to YOU awesome people.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This will be the first official
“Freebie Friday” and since I know there are so many people like
myself out there who haven't sent out Christmas cards in foooreverrr,
I've decided to create one you can customize to fit yourself in
Photoshop. I am a lover of glitz and glitter and I felt like the soft
pink just went so well with everything else. I will be using this
card for our own family photos actually, though I wish I could use
the one already inside the template since it's another old favorite haha.
Hopefully we can look just as cute this year ;)
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hmMP-3TqlQvgU3seiObQ7W0OaUgxmRYy-f2HnfokpnVeUyEbrxlVfMH3jWn-FcxRkTFKyjvX8wKcf3vqzF7-kHkfiBIc0cj67bRfJHPpaK20kcIn7sICdGXMZJXvsymBacwAF0QSv3g/s1600/card.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hmMP-3TqlQvgU3seiObQ7W0OaUgxmRYy-f2HnfokpnVeUyEbrxlVfMH3jWn-FcxRkTFKyjvX8wKcf3vqzF7-kHkfiBIc0cj67bRfJHPpaK20kcIn7sICdGXMZJXvsymBacwAF0QSv3g/s640/card.png" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/glt0jzri4u6c0z6/Christmas%20Card%20psd.psd" target="_blank">Click Here to Download</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Click on the photo to be directed to
the download area and start creating your long awaited Christmas
Cards today! Check back every Friday for a new freebie and feel free
to make any suggestions about what you'd like to see here in the
future, I'd love to hear from you! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464015531546658101.post-13831344160366868782013-11-21T16:47:00.001-07:002013-11-24T16:58:16.966-07:00I Have a Secret!Wow-wee time is flying. How many times can I say that before becoming the definition of redundant? I am just so ready to move on to this new stage of my life, a mother of three and a parent to two.. I'm sure it will be an entirely different experience than I can imagine and I truly just cannot wait. There have been some new developments since posting last and to be only a bit vague, I don't think we'll be naming the baby what we thought we were going to. We have a name we both really like but I don't want to ruin it with any opinions like what happened with "Macy." I know that I shouldn't let other people's opinions bother me, but when they have good points I'd be a fool not to at least take it to heart. Might be my child to name, but it's my child who is going to have to "pay" for whatever name I stick to them.<br />
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The new name we've chose has a beautiful meaning. It rings true for so many reasons but most of all for how much I love this baby before she's even here. The middle name is equally as classy and after someone who is always going to be near and dear to mine and Jim's heart. The flow it has with Riley Virginia and Olivia Mae is fantastic and since I'm a nickname fan, this name will appease me on both happy go lucky days and at times I need to shout her full name in anger to get my point across. I'm happy to finally feel set on a name, as I've been wavering for quite a while now. The few family members I've told have all fell in love with it too which is awesome since they were big "Macy" fans and I thought for sure they'd be giving me more room to doubt my own likes and dislikes. I will reveal the name soon enough, I'm sure, but for now, it's my little secret to keep :)<br />
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Another very recent development is that we have chose Godparents for our children, which is pretty random I know, but after one of my famous uber-lifelike dreams, I figured it was not only necessary but a responsibility I should have already taken care of. We want nothing but the best
for our children even after we are gone. What parent wouldn't? We don't have much of
anything to our name, but we do have them and want to ensure that if
we are to die prematurely that they are well taken care of by people
we know love them and that share the same morals and convictions as
we do. That is why we have chosen my wonderful brother Aaron and his equally wonderful lady as guardians of our girls if we are to leave this earth too soon. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SzyDlFCq5Hacv0Lq3eIjP0iJpCHyojEpE5NxMcRjz2wi3sdztmbi6eRENn_ToZrdHRf4E7Cvh8dCn8XLcQz7KKfW77oHp-t8nUZZ-9vrX6ewFtB-UFo25K8T_xl2fdreVook7jcznEI/s1600/aaronando.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SzyDlFCq5Hacv0Lq3eIjP0iJpCHyojEpE5NxMcRjz2wi3sdztmbi6eRENn_ToZrdHRf4E7Cvh8dCn8XLcQz7KKfW77oHp-t8nUZZ-9vrX6ewFtB-UFo25K8T_xl2fdreVook7jcznEI/s400/aaronando.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A suuuuper old (but a forever fav!) photo of O & Aaron!</td></tr>
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We took em out to lunch where we started that almost-depressing conversation and I could see the pride and honor in Aaron's eyes to know that we love, care and trust in him enough to leave the most precious things we've ever created to him. The only thing we ask of them is to exercise patience, shower the girls with love,
to give them the attention that they deserve and to remind them all the
time how much we love and adore every single thing about them. We
chose Aaron & Theresa knowing their hearts and trusting their judgment and knowing they will step up and do as
well as we ever could at giving them a happy life should we not be
here to do so ourselves. Wow, tears are flowing again! </div>
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In other news, with Thanksgiving so close and the rest of the holidays getting closer themselves, I've decided to start posting more in a more regular pattern so that I don't get overwhelmed with finding new mindless conversations to have with myself and you all will have consistent content to enjoy! Sundays will now be dedicated to updating my Project Life weeks on time as well as for any personal updates. Mondays will be a bit random, with personal/pregnancy updates, mindless chatter, links to other great blog posts and all that jazz! Mindless Mondays, if you will. Wednesdays, for the time being, will have some delicious recipes and awesome craft tutorials. I'd like to eventually turn that into "Weight Loss Wednesday" after the baby is born to keep me on track and to possibly inspire you all too! Last but not least, Friday will be all about FREE swag like PL filler cards, templates and more. And yes, I said swag like a cool kid, so don't be square and check back on those days for updates at Says Chelsea! <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08118890036637740041noreply@blogger.com0