tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144862372024-03-23T14:23:41.111-04:00Addicted to Inkamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-84959025514608066562010-04-09T22:12:00.004-04:002010-04-10T00:14:55.550-04:00Simple...not easyAs many of you know, the last year has had a lot of ups and downs for me - (the short version follows:)<br />Up, up UP - the birth of another healthy, beautiful baby boy - the blessings of managing to keep our jobs in this awful economy, overall health, watching Dominic grow and learn and develop, and generally being really grateful for what we do have.<br />DOWN, down, down - my dad's death, a new baby who was really colicky and cried A LOT, some extremely difficult moments with my job, constantly fearing that Mike's job would be lost, Mike breaking his hip, juggling lots of changes and just adjusting to a household with two under 2... then more difficult moments with my job, and some frustrating personal stuff.<br /><br />These ups & downs have left me feeling stuck in a sort of roller coaster for some time now - just sort of going with the ups and downs and not really having a clue how to get off of the ride or out of the amusement park! The problem with being in a roller coaster is that you don't have control - you don't have brakes or an escape or anything.<br /><br />But last week, the most important person in my life did some things for me, because of me, that may seem small to others and small in the scheme of things, but helped me really "get it" that the toughest lesson to live is the simplest: truly treat others as you would have them treat you.<br /><br />I was trying to live the advice I'd read in an article ( http://kyria.com/topics/marriagefamily/marriage/helphealing/onewayturnaround.html ) lately - "Someone has to choose to be everything their spouse needs them to be rather than yearning for their spouse to be everything they need." - and making tiny steps in that direction, but he's the one who legitimately <span style="font-style: italic;">did </span>that and took the big steps.<br /><br />Treating others as you would have them treat you sounds so simple, right?<br /><br />And we've heard it so many times that it certainly shouldn't be earth shattering. But it kinda was for me, because if I'm going to be the kind of wife, mom, employee, colleague, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend, church member, citizen, that I want to be, I need to be more intentional about doing that very thing - loving others as I love myself. With full recognition, of course, that the first commandment is even more important - Loving God with all my heart, soul, and mind.<br /><br />Somehow, even though I know that I'll still have lots of ups and downs (that's just life), I feel like those kindnesses and that realization helped me get off the ride and even out of the park and back in control of my attitude - and to a position that allows me to be intentional.<br /><br />If I get nothing else right in life, these are the things I want to do correctly: love God and love the people in my life with everything that I am... no matter the circumstances.amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-33653466133328748552010-04-08T23:45:00.002-04:002010-04-08T23:54:08.654-04:00Loooooong Time...Okay, so it's been a REALLY.long.time since I've posted.<br />But I've kind of missed you, blog.<br /><br />Life has just been so busy... happening.<br /><br />My kids...they are just growing up so darn fast.<br /><br />Tonight, Zachary started singing the "hot dog" song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Hellooo - he hasn't said "mama" in a long time - and he's singing the hot dog song? I don't know whether to be proud (isn't it a little early to be singing?) or sad... does that mean we're not bonding well? (Nah - he really is a Mama's boy. I think his brother's just teaching him too many things!)<br /><br />(I posted just for you, Uncle Dean. I promise, I'll try to post more soon!)amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-25210086165785995442009-01-21T16:14:00.003-05:002009-01-21T16:33:18.154-05:00SadWhen I worked as a reporter for newspapers, I loved my job.<br />It was so great to always be meeting new people, to hear new stories, to learn new perspectives, to see the world in a slightly different way.<br />And these days, I'm thinking that maybe I missed my calling & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">should've</span> been a political reporter - I feel as though I am truly able to see things from many perspectives. The topic fascinates me greatly and sure, I have my own biases, but I feel as though I could be pretty darn objective.<br /><br />But my job right now can't get much better. Sure there are issues there (where aren't there?) but the benefits are too many to count. When working for a newspaper, I was doing all kinds of stories (news, feature, etc.) every day, which I loved. Working for a magazine, however, the pace is much slower. You have more time to dig deeper, to get to know people a little better, to get more of their story. And for this particular magazine - I share a common tapestry with all of them.<br /><br />In college, a friend told me that I always got too attached to my stories. I guess I still do. Which makes it that much harder when tragedy hits the "subjects." Today I learned that one of the liveliest women I've ever met - and one of my favorite interviews in how many years - has weeks to live, at best - her cancer has returned with a vengeance. Her children asked for extra magazine copies to display at her funeral.<br /><br />Karen, thanks for welcoming so many to the Table of Plenty.<br /><a href="http://www.malonemagazine.com/fall-2008/come-to-the-table-of-plenty">http://www.malonemagazine.com/fall-2008/come-to-the-table-of-plenty </a>amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-4193106038420387472009-01-06T10:03:00.002-05:002009-01-06T10:11:15.712-05:00The tour of "No"Yesterday, Dominic's grandma came over for dinner.<br />After dinner, Mike & I went upstairs to pay bills (oh, the exciting life of newish parents!) while Little D kept Grandma entertained.<br />He decided to take her on the tour of "No." He led her over to the bookshelf by the mantle, climbed up onto the bottom shelf, and shook his head "No."<br />Then he led her over to the French door with a register behind it. He picked up the register cover, shook his head "No" and put the register back down.<br />Then he took her to an electrical outlet, touched a cord, and shook his head "No."<br />Then he went to the tv, pretended to push the button, and shook his head, "No."<br />Finally he led her into the kitchen, persuaded her to give him sippy cup of milk (which she happily obliged), marched back to the living room, sat down, took a big gulp of milk, and gave her an ornery grin. He was done!amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-88142968776566032232008-12-29T13:35:00.003-05:002008-12-29T13:41:42.158-05:00Just in case...Just in case anyone finds me on here rather than Facebook and you don't know yet... Michael & I are having another boy.<br />We're still working on a name, and think we've found one, but we're still mulling it over for a while.<br />Meanings of names are very important to me - Dominic Michael means "Belonging to God" and "Who is Like God?"<br /><br />Here's a hint: the name that we're considering means "God has Remembered" and "Beloved" (We're pretty sure this will be the middle name regardless). Another choice we're considering means "Watchful one" and would be significant to both Mike and me for multiple reasons. Email me if you think you know what they are (hee, hee!).<br /><br />Hope you all are well!<br /><br />amberamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-15096577603334034672008-11-18T09:27:00.002-05:002008-11-18T09:29:44.091-05:00THREE days in a row?Advice, please.<br /><br />So when you have a very ornery, very curious one-year-old boy who is into EVERYTHING - especially things that plug in and glow and have cords and that he's not supposed to touch... what do you do about a Christmas tree?<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />- amberamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-49437967013442379532008-11-17T13:28:00.002-05:002008-11-17T13:29:34.697-05:00How 'bout this - two days in a row!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4PffKlMqYuuacTdVF9yTkv9BZKidyqYTwPBYK4yejKIbwQbW2JV-2KPdJ944q6h6xcio4EA7bAznhSVyar_I1VYv0junkaRmv1EZv9Fi2CNub3YPpQGqGG_j2xSAU5GAYRg0lw/s1600-h/d+4+web+2"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4PffKlMqYuuacTdVF9yTkv9BZKidyqYTwPBYK4yejKIbwQbW2JV-2KPdJ944q6h6xcio4EA7bAznhSVyar_I1VYv0junkaRmv1EZv9Fi2CNub3YPpQGqGG_j2xSAU5GAYRg0lw/s400/d+4+web+2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269695351673683042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWloCkXMKj8T-da9HTT-jit8MsvGkzHV1nDh2nn6v8IF5DGc2iQImQW0bEXdrwx-_WBMCKsXMDEeHuDyvxXfVynqxIOvhM4kUEnb0c36sRoJssOQ1NdYeUtEWzchIRd1HeXZw_A/s1600-h/d+4+web"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWloCkXMKj8T-da9HTT-jit8MsvGkzHV1nDh2nn6v8IF5DGc2iQImQW0bEXdrwx-_WBMCKsXMDEeHuDyvxXfVynqxIOvhM4kUEnb0c36sRoJssOQ1NdYeUtEWzchIRd1HeXZw_A/s400/d+4+web" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269695235373692082" border="0" /></a>amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-7469426984590843952008-11-16T23:28:00.002-05:002008-11-16T23:41:03.044-05:00snowflakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhimtDgRGQln36vow3OqFj6YwT7GOSRrwNFPLNn5l6L94WNdY-M2_S1mRyJP0245vbRMBZwc8TK9L3gxcvUeU4JfzW1EenM4INe8eZIc_joPCtM2M6Bh6NGQuTLdgBC8XuU8ODiw/s1600-h/closeupcake1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhimtDgRGQln36vow3OqFj6YwT7GOSRrwNFPLNn5l6L94WNdY-M2_S1mRyJP0245vbRMBZwc8TK9L3gxcvUeU4JfzW1EenM4INe8eZIc_joPCtM2M6Bh6NGQuTLdgBC8XuU8ODiw/s400/closeupcake1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269481654795802690" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, so sorry fam, for those of you who check this blog every day (?) to see that the last time I posted was October 2. Sorry!<br /><br />Life has been a little - okay a lot - nuts lately - especially these past few weeks - and this upcoming week, I think there is something happening every single night. That would be why I'm updating this blog at 11:31, I guess.<br /><br />As a fun note, Dominic enjoyed snowflakes today as we rushed from the car to church (I was late, of course, so I had to park at the library down the street... he got to experience quite a lot of them!). The last time it was snowing, he was, of course, being toted around in his little cocoon carrier, snuggled beneath lots of layers. So he was very curious about them, and tasted a few. He was behaved himself for most of the service, but decided he'd had enough in the last few minutes. So he wriggled out of my arms and crawled underneath the pew (I sit in the back row) and off he went! Of course, I was right behind him, and he was off to play with the other toddlers.<br /><br />I think most of you have seen Dom's birthday photos - but if not, here's a link: <span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017696&l=6cfb9&id=160801690">http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2017696&l=6cfb9&id=160801690</a></span>, and of course, there's one on this post.amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-80218686071802372482008-10-02T12:08:00.004-04:002008-10-02T12:12:35.905-04:00Another Playdate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmy-xxhH6rAJyWouyDNTj3XPwxdNhSOjQoe7z9GzUnde5qQHqTAt0Rxc4ZESMKKojDqssRfpT7a2O4VCpTWgsGHQMIMpxDEhrlg8kDEVi_assx8QGCqIGURq6d-9ecbAyyXDigg/s1600-h/mad+dom+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmy-xxhH6rAJyWouyDNTj3XPwxdNhSOjQoe7z9GzUnde5qQHqTAt0Rxc4ZESMKKojDqssRfpT7a2O4VCpTWgsGHQMIMpxDEhrlg8kDEVi_assx8QGCqIGURq6d-9ecbAyyXDigg/s400/mad+dom+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252589436843685266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituvoqSAI0rHsOFl_V64f2pPdicjj6amrUAsy2prJ95TIn2xJDjr1ve3gBT-TUalnzYjnIeBLcW5lBXe_3__b2CcYImBM54e_Owy7ElmzfU1UJO5GMZzmOE8Hx_AIGu20ZQQFJGA/s1600-h/dom+mad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituvoqSAI0rHsOFl_V64f2pPdicjj6amrUAsy2prJ95TIn2xJDjr1ve3gBT-TUalnzYjnIeBLcW5lBXe_3__b2CcYImBM54e_Owy7ElmzfU1UJO5GMZzmOE8Hx_AIGu20ZQQFJGA/s400/dom+mad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252589261071582514" border="0" /></a><br />My friend Madeleine & I were playing in the "forest."<br />My favorite things to play with were the outlet plugs, but Mommy wouldn't let me.<br />So this log was my second favorite.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I liked this dragon in the forest, too. So did Madeleine.<br /><br />We had fun together.amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-74722138597771497602008-09-25T09:25:00.002-04:002008-09-25T09:43:57.948-04:00Yes, yes, bad blogger!Hi, all. Sorry for being a bad blogger lately - and as it's a very busy fall (is there any other kind?) I can't promise to get much better lately!<br /><br />These days I'm involved in far too many things, one of the most exciting of which is being one of four leaders for a new org at Malone called "Be:justice" in which we teach students and learn about important social justice issues. Since learning about Nhu's story (see 'Remember Nhu' link on right), I have been made aware of the despicable issue of human trafficking, and feel that God is allowing me more and more opportunities to raise awareness about it. This morning there was an inspiring op-ed in the New York Times about trafficking by Nicholas Kristof about a survivor who is now a crusader. You can read the article here: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/opinion/25kristof.html?th&emc=th">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/opinion/25kristof.html?th&emc=th </a><br /><br />And you can write to Senators Brownback and Biden to ask them to STOP blocking legislation against traffickers here:<br />Brownback: <a href="http://brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm">http://brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm</a><br />Biden: <a href="http://biden.senate.gov/services/contact/">http://biden.senate.gov/services/contact/</a><br /><br />Thanks :)<br /><br />And now, for Dominic pics... I would never disappoint!<br />The boy is growing, growing, growing and learning, learning, learning. He's also in a lot of pain lately, as he's getting FOUR TOP TEETH AT ONCE! Poor boy!<br />He's cracking us up by saying "No" in the proper context ("Say Dada" "Can you please take a drink of your milk?" "Come here, please") even though we don't think he necessarily knows what he's saying. He's also shaking his head, just for fun, waving on command, and I'm dragging him away from the television (he wants to play with the characters) about 30 times a day!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBmhNoZi_SqYCo7vZrzXxkbKXLWbYRVpiK3KBztAZx6Y9j5eqhVyWUa0RhgDE5NsaMkJ4CJDZlvhmAM3cCrgNe-eeHZGCt8xsF8wlxBbuzFSFa5X9SOTa7cUbAhmB9MpcoMPJZg/s1600-h/Dom+looking+away.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBmhNoZi_SqYCo7vZrzXxkbKXLWbYRVpiK3KBztAZx6Y9j5eqhVyWUa0RhgDE5NsaMkJ4CJDZlvhmAM3cCrgNe-eeHZGCt8xsF8wlxBbuzFSFa5X9SOTa7cUbAhmB9MpcoMPJZg/s400/Dom+looking+away.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249954162827767490" border="0" /></a>amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-48706692243476909202008-09-17T23:04:00.005-04:002008-09-17T23:12:31.535-04:00Okay, Liss - here you go!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjqxDPEjdwpjK3eWc6QbhFC_S4iyEomZfmkuMv73DjAqq-qfdIGeOlKCWLRF04o4Qv8hqc4C9mE-NudJ6hIFruIt0GABGr-H7k9DztyU2gb_81JRdzflEUVVRuBUof30haMBFrw/s1600-h/babies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjqxDPEjdwpjK3eWc6QbhFC_S4iyEomZfmkuMv73DjAqq-qfdIGeOlKCWLRF04o4Qv8hqc4C9mE-NudJ6hIFruIt0GABGr-H7k9DztyU2gb_81JRdzflEUVVRuBUof30haMBFrw/s400/babies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247191998331589250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Okay, so I can pretend this picture is artsy, but who are we kidding? It was taken with my cell phone of two darling babies trying to decide whether to look out the window or steal each other's binkies.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74TCY1xxcDi0j-JcRASvpu0XYRMffc7X4ZNIOGLaH-ej99Wd8YKq5zTZ-c-3iu_8Wojm5yrdsZF5DOQQK80EGs_ZHqAHiBheWOUWEOC-nlQ8F0ADszWnberp0H_sQwYrzHVcSJw/s1600-h/domzan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74TCY1xxcDi0j-JcRASvpu0XYRMffc7X4ZNIOGLaH-ej99Wd8YKq5zTZ-c-3iu_8Wojm5yrdsZF5DOQQK80EGs_ZHqAHiBheWOUWEOC-nlQ8F0ADszWnberp0H_sQwYrzHVcSJw/s400/domzan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247192139380236786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a better picture (not taken by me, of course) of two darling boys putting down their sippy cups for two minutes, one to play with a pretend camera, the other to stare directly into the camera like the photographer's child that he is.<br /><br /><br /><br />And, yes, Allissa, life is more than a bit insane lately... just trying to juggle it all and a half-catch away from dropping a plate ;) But it's all good. Love ya!<br /><br />p.s. thanks, everyone, for the advice about the sweater vest... he's worn it once since, but that's it :)amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-86861675005527397802008-09-02T01:24:00.003-04:002008-09-02T01:30:54.023-04:00You decide...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2q_jnDZ-DlHUj9P55awJRxj8cU2xgeZRrAG9TlPvUprVGAwNKNNRrV1PkF-w45dfmjW2XO4pXvTiKWyZbRlAgMOZe3VJXnZ8eG-M40KzuIf3Q3DRgoTTX40KGZ2SE1FLEhDV0A/s1600-h/vest.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2q_jnDZ-DlHUj9P55awJRxj8cU2xgeZRrAG9TlPvUprVGAwNKNNRrV1PkF-w45dfmjW2XO4pXvTiKWyZbRlAgMOZe3VJXnZ8eG-M40KzuIf3Q3DRgoTTX40KGZ2SE1FLEhDV0A/s400/vest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241290706525523506" border="0" /></a>So Friday night Mommy bought me this green sweater vest.<br />I wore it to church on Sunday - along with khaki shorts that matched the stripes in my shirt. But at Aunt Carrie's, I got bananas all over my shorts, so Mommy was only able to snap this picture with her cell phone before she had to change my clothes.<br /><br />But when Daddy got home and saw my vest, he said it would be perfect - for a baby sister - and he didn't want his son wearing that color of green!<br /><br />So, Gram, Aunties, and friends... Mommy wants to know what you think? Does the "lettuce" green stay or go to my cousin Abbi?amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-89219064918524842622008-08-25T22:27:00.002-04:002008-08-25T22:29:27.201-04:00Hmmm...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTUWsIhrkGoWMFF2SDwAg0TIr2TfyXEhkYtcyHwWN9yQ_2RRSrGH315PML1eldVbH14v80KHJqh26HMjz7YtV4JER0x5B5azS3Pee7IRUkaayc_po6v6ieheybwWjODZbFCcRlw/s1600-h/IMG_2508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238647806390839858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTUWsIhrkGoWMFF2SDwAg0TIr2TfyXEhkYtcyHwWN9yQ_2RRSrGH315PML1eldVbH14v80KHJqh26HMjz7YtV4JER0x5B5azS3Pee7IRUkaayc_po6v6ieheybwWjODZbFCcRlw/s400/IMG_2508.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Which do I like better, carrots or pasta? </div>amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-46365189300857302102008-08-23T08:58:00.009-04:002008-08-23T09:07:33.708-04:00My "Angel" Boy<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FDsy-m2Zq_aOXlWr7T8gSAbRG_1Bf9M2Qfrtk0bv5_ajaCCnEIMWBhH5cS75GBABq8UuzoUCro7OdyD9iOb3Ko7x_uFDjM0cGMxawsuMV0NA49SfRIw6ar7dtpdtBpDKYhwSYQ/s1600-h/d1.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL-BuSL1WQXXErLAV4b6A3glS4Dm1uE0-Nm7mO_W6NrRO5XnS8U7263NQgUPcRuE19qYR5laYrHmWToxoZEKazwBgQZgj16prQhlXwLu3fiP0rTwMSVlrfq9URFTP8DptyigmGA/s1600-h/d6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL-BuSL1WQXXErLAV4b6A3glS4Dm1uE0-Nm7mO_W6NrRO5XnS8U7263NQgUPcRuE19qYR5laYrHmWToxoZEKazwBgQZgj16prQhlXwLu3fiP0rTwMSVlrfq9URFTP8DptyigmGA/s200/d6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697892151113986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FDsy-m2Zq_aOXlWr7T8gSAbRG_1Bf9M2Qfrtk0bv5_ajaCCnEIMWBhH5cS75GBABq8UuzoUCro7OdyD9iOb3Ko7x_uFDjM0cGMxawsuMV0NA49SfRIw6ar7dtpdtBpDKYhwSYQ/s1600-h/d1.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjNc2dFAFnesfgcUNC240kDa5hyXdaKRL-OihgwHZW1NSPMGQfhj8yTrRXRbVP8bNFGio_Ug2U5qQ2ie8yA9lNn81SFZ9F47Ff0SANBQxn7h-IIqEn3AfK36qduh9bgNLS96Ykw/s1600-h/d5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjNc2dFAFnesfgcUNC240kDa5hyXdaKRL-OihgwHZW1NSPMGQfhj8yTrRXRbVP8bNFGio_Ug2U5qQ2ie8yA9lNn81SFZ9F47Ff0SANBQxn7h-IIqEn3AfK36qduh9bgNLS96Ykw/s200/d5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697820262462834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CDWlN4GbyNqxb2vBGAgmOf9WWwY7o2oXbYTXJjhyphenhyphenqnDSAtVbseDmMEnLVfp0Pkh0nbf_rCYz_xbRk08kiQ5-GsX7fHfCEpExhhgZzxP2Y768Ybmg6KCdAnm_F4DOIth08PC5HQ/s1600-h/d4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CDWlN4GbyNqxb2vBGAgmOf9WWwY7o2oXbYTXJjhyphenhyphenqnDSAtVbseDmMEnLVfp0Pkh0nbf_rCYz_xbRk08kiQ5-GsX7fHfCEpExhhgZzxP2Y768Ybmg6KCdAnm_F4DOIth08PC5HQ/s200/d4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697745132160354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOVWh1s8PUGIQqmcMZgk96q9iBIImUqhGN2pqD77TDlpghPEkDC7RifasM8PoihQ8JBN0W6w-R-KAlV7hZiLPBX3ufxL3ojoRRqw9QI91N0sF8sE2Ap-uWWngf3f7VmmUjQF64w/s1600-h/d2.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGli68_lAHZdQxKkS-R0Vg1qoGW8Z4mt5n8dzBdXWyXLghWc8VlNrj-LrjK0OvACU0-EdXPOsXwCV_-e_87BfrxFmdU6cXbvd51tDJNz_gCfQd0hBwoqWlz7kACNujPYf65JBTw/s1600-h/d3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGli68_lAHZdQxKkS-R0Vg1qoGW8Z4mt5n8dzBdXWyXLghWc8VlNrj-LrjK0OvACU0-EdXPOsXwCV_-e_87BfrxFmdU6cXbvd51tDJNz_gCfQd0hBwoqWlz7kACNujPYf65JBTw/s200/d3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697671921607762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FDsy-m2Zq_aOXlWr7T8gSAbRG_1Bf9M2Qfrtk0bv5_ajaCCnEIMWBhH5cS75GBABq8UuzoUCro7OdyD9iOb3Ko7x_uFDjM0cGMxawsuMV0NA49SfRIw6ar7dtpdtBpDKYhwSYQ/s1600-h/d1.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOVWh1s8PUGIQqmcMZgk96q9iBIImUqhGN2pqD77TDlpghPEkDC7RifasM8PoihQ8JBN0W6w-R-KAlV7hZiLPBX3ufxL3ojoRRqw9QI91N0sF8sE2Ap-uWWngf3f7VmmUjQF64w/s1600-h/d2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOVWh1s8PUGIQqmcMZgk96q9iBIImUqhGN2pqD77TDlpghPEkDC7RifasM8PoihQ8JBN0W6w-R-KAlV7hZiLPBX3ufxL3ojoRRqw9QI91N0sF8sE2Ap-uWWngf3f7VmmUjQF64w/s200/d2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697600623544450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FDsy-m2Zq_aOXlWr7T8gSAbRG_1Bf9M2Qfrtk0bv5_ajaCCnEIMWBhH5cS75GBABq8UuzoUCro7OdyD9iOb3Ko7x_uFDjM0cGMxawsuMV0NA49SfRIw6ar7dtpdtBpDKYhwSYQ/s1600-h/d1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FDsy-m2Zq_aOXlWr7T8gSAbRG_1Bf9M2Qfrtk0bv5_ajaCCnEIMWBhH5cS75GBABq8UuzoUCro7OdyD9iOb3Ko7x_uFDjM0cGMxawsuMV0NA49SfRIw6ar7dtpdtBpDKYhwSYQ/s200/d1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237697522842160722" border="0" /></a><br />Last night, D had a new food added to his repertoire. Daddy was at work, so these pictures don't even begin to do it justice. However, you still may enjoy them...amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-78384638430525038482008-08-17T19:24:00.004-04:002008-08-17T19:44:26.320-04:00Allissa inspiredYesterday I was on my way to the store, but out of ideas of what to make for our church potluck today. So I called my sisters - one of which wasn't home (but always has wonderful ideas), and the other of which was home and thankfully, gave me several great ideas. She makes a dip that has chicken, ranch dressing, cheese, bacon, and onions. Yum. I varied that a little to make it into a casserole (what's a potluck without a casserole, right?) And despite the fact that I could never compare to some of the amazing cooks at our Mennonite church, not a single grain of rice was left when I went to collect my dish! Um, this is not AT ALL a healthy dish, by the way!<br /><br />So here's the Allissa-inspired-dish-recipe:<br /><br />2 cups cooked, cubed chicken (or 3 cans - either way!)<br />2 cups cooked rice<br />1 package of cream cheese<br />1/4 of a chopped onion<br />1/2 bottle ranch dressing<br />1 can of mushrooms, drained<br />1 package of Oscar-Meyer bacon bits (real, ready to serve bacon that you can find in the "salad accessories" aisle. I know it's cheating, but I hate the smell of bacon cooking!)<br />1 bag shredded colby jack (or your choice of cheese)<br /><br />Mix ingredients together, saving some cheese for the top of the casserole. Bake for an hour at 350. Watch it disappear! Um, Megs, if you still eat cheese, you could even make it (not vegan) but vegetarian - and a bit healthier - by replacing the chicken & bacon with red peppers & yellow squash. Mmm - maybe I'll try it that way next!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OCMdLXPDWDArKWKHRUZ8o4LwpKm0QGuWElAp2bn__V99E8ywAYiUGvsafTS7r6gyHohyn1QvjQ3q4WzO-6JT2qgqsT1fU1JB3Z5hkvQweASpkMconASFXABt5_BNrBTSCKWM0g/s1600-h/download.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OCMdLXPDWDArKWKHRUZ8o4LwpKm0QGuWElAp2bn__V99E8ywAYiUGvsafTS7r6gyHohyn1QvjQ3q4WzO-6JT2qgqsT1fU1JB3Z5hkvQweASpkMconASFXABt5_BNrBTSCKWM0g/s320/download.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235636544662436994" border="0" /></a>Because we had a big lunch, I'm now feeding D fresh blueberries & rice cereal for dinner. Weird, but oh, well. He's a happy camper.<br /><br />I also did children's time at church today, and we were talking about "chores" so I found it the perfect excuse to read them the poem of Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who would not take the garbage out. Does anyone remember that?<br /><br /><br />Just for fun, here it is :)<br /><br /><br />SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT<br />WOULD NOT TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT<br />Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout<br />Would not take the garbage out!<br />She'd scour the pots and scrape the pans,<br />Candy the yams and spice the hams,<br />And though her daddy would scream and shout,<br />She simply would not take the garbage out.<br />And so it piled up to the ceilings:<br />Coffee grounds, potato peelings,<br />Brown bananas, rotten peas,<br />Chunks of sour cottage cheese.<br />It filled the can, it covered the floor,<br />It cracked the window and blocked the door<br />With bacon rinds and chicken bones,<br />Drippy ends of ice cream cones,<br />Prune pits, peach pits, orange peel,<br />Gloppy glumps of cold oatmeal,<br />Pizza crusts and withered greens,<br />Soggy beans and tangerines,<br />Crusts of black burned buttered toast,<br />Gristly bits of beefy roasts. . .<br />The garbage rolled on down the hall,<br />It raised the roof, it broke the wall. . .<br />Greasy napkins, cookie crumbs,<br />Globs of gooey bubble gum,<br />Cellophane from green baloney,<br />Rubbery blubbery macaroni,<br />Peanut butter, caked and dry,<br />Curdled milk and crusts of pie,<br />Moldy melons, dried-up mustard,<br />Eggshells mixed with lemon custard,<br />Cold french fried and rancid meat,<br />Yellow lumps of Cream of Wheat.<br />At last the garbage reached so high<br />That it finally touched the sky.<br />And all the neighbors moved away,<br />And none of her friends would come to play.<br />And finally Sarah Cynthia Stout said,<br />"OK, I'll take the garbage out!"<br />But then, of course, it was too late. . .<br />The garbage reached across the state,<br />From New York to the Golden Gate.<br />And there, in the garbage she did hate,<br />Poor Sarah met an awful fate,<br />That I cannot now relate<br />Because the hour is much too late.<br />But children, remember Sarah Stout<br />And always take the garbage out!<br /><br />Shel Silverstein, 1974<br /><br /><br />Have a great week, everyone!amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-29222645109600313722008-08-13T11:46:00.002-04:002008-08-13T11:49:08.007-04:00Happy Birthday, Grandma!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBpZBmb2uy-ITTZokQilgOIjU7fgK0uGm3erhYPTA2AZsSt-lqeaZ38FbOzI9zW5F7VVSyURCWtUNktJy_g6yHRgLrCcFLszJ2NNOKd-342xhDkeM3DexwI4V0JXL5JcKb7ui8w/s1600-h/dgrandma.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBpZBmb2uy-ITTZokQilgOIjU7fgK0uGm3erhYPTA2AZsSt-lqeaZ38FbOzI9zW5F7VVSyURCWtUNktJy_g6yHRgLrCcFLszJ2NNOKd-342xhDkeM3DexwI4V0JXL5JcKb7ui8w/s320/dgrandma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234029422219333810" border="0" /></a>Dear Grandma,<br />Mommy says it's your birthday. I hope you have a great day and I wish I could be with you. So instead, you'll just have to look at this picture that Daddy took of us.<br />Have a good day!<br />Love,<br />Dominicamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-59993647912922724202008-07-31T23:52:00.004-04:002008-12-09T00:43:20.595-05:00This is a concept called self-feeding...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbNkcHUMDsHtglled8BoCk6MsM9QwfEVLb1E7OcX1NejPuSPGA-gInYBCxz4E4zHWw_xvTNKg4QUq-ID0MMZtl6ljHIn5mbcSXjosh3U5UtoP4TXSS56JZJgzLh-ltspTHS4wRg/s1600-h/dominicmess4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbNkcHUMDsHtglled8BoCk6MsM9QwfEVLb1E7OcX1NejPuSPGA-gInYBCxz4E4zHWw_xvTNKg4QUq-ID0MMZtl6ljHIn5mbcSXjosh3U5UtoP4TXSS56JZJgzLh-ltspTHS4wRg/s320/dominicmess4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229392766937380562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCIigjaaqUHCp9oOgjR7W_MM5R452fEFQr6tov0NLi75gXftQm3DcShj_swqzwnrJ5KfiquTNbetQ4LurHuCPrgDbTrJ5F8oRslqZxkPDnPw0KUWngV6pczDCdHTZeWcDGC3JSQ/s1600-h/dominicmess3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCIigjaaqUHCp9oOgjR7W_MM5R452fEFQr6tov0NLi75gXftQm3DcShj_swqzwnrJ5KfiquTNbetQ4LurHuCPrgDbTrJ5F8oRslqZxkPDnPw0KUWngV6pczDCdHTZeWcDGC3JSQ/s320/dominicmess3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229392676341160466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr-aSMcNYV09vTlLc7YolpIwKx8acmhT_K4rBtHtkneSpJ3zXTS0mgZjuwla5xYVU32oFgoENT_g0biDDoG7uP4DdPsl7wIRuVWXFpN9KvtXe8Ehf808CpV2YuRDkth-DmEk9BA/s1600-h/dominicmess2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr-aSMcNYV09vTlLc7YolpIwKx8acmhT_K4rBtHtkneSpJ3zXTS0mgZjuwla5xYVU32oFgoENT_g0biDDoG7uP4DdPsl7wIRuVWXFpN9KvtXe8Ehf808CpV2YuRDkth-DmEk9BA/s320/dominicmess2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229392585529338626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h93gRXVcq4gdcXTH2q2H-jKcFxp2XiebSvY9rCkFN8btuvNifDF71XodHnKpNnIB2GjryNc9lf0aODznGuNwkynqR-rwGYB-NlV61BqP5TEG15Z_G2oeqB7M2a3IwaaZ0lGR2w/s1600-h/dominicmess1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9h93gRXVcq4gdcXTH2q2H-jKcFxp2XiebSvY9rCkFN8btuvNifDF71XodHnKpNnIB2GjryNc9lf0aODznGuNwkynqR-rwGYB-NlV61BqP5TEG15Z_G2oeqB7M2a3IwaaZ0lGR2w/s320/dominicmess1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229392471091027474" border="0" /></a>amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-14595107473736873132008-07-27T22:10:00.007-04:002008-12-09T00:43:21.537-05:00D on the go!So everything is different once you have a baby... that's a given, right? But traveling is ESPECIALLY different with a baby.<br />After one week + one day on the road... I'm exhausted!<br />Well, first of all, preparing for a trip with baby takes hours & hours longer - there's so much more to pack. Thankfully, we didn't need to pack a bed for him, because everywhere we were staying had either a crib or a pack & play.<br />Or, at nap time, he just crashed on our bed.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPFHLJXZiR8OU5Iq43xBistuhK723oHq0lMjsRiXiKePiMGhiPtU36XFwonsJGO5EvMvdr2ZYwi4n2XB5tk-I_y-GyPUKTMioWL4U2VzVrD8-pG00UirwMlQC6oiUuDTxDdVV7A/s1600-h/hotel2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPFHLJXZiR8OU5Iq43xBistuhK723oHq0lMjsRiXiKePiMGhiPtU36XFwonsJGO5EvMvdr2ZYwi4n2XB5tk-I_y-GyPUKTMioWL4U2VzVrD8-pG00UirwMlQC6oiUuDTxDdVV7A/s320/hotel2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227882740452238178" border="0" /></a>This was during one of the days while I was at my conference and Daddy flew solo. I don't think I've ever gotten so many frantic text messages from Mike, most of them referring to temper tantrums or poopy diapers. Though somehow I think the temper tantrums could have been avoided if D would have received his second bottle!<br /><br />I also packed lots of books, but mostly just the sturdy ones. This, as it turned out, was a good idea.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHLzXYB1bKa3jeal6HSiSVKfaH49Eaw9181BQhcwVZT3RccZ3mchMbtxGJ0uc9gs_UL8aFjv1DtpOH9tkRVwKP0QRRmGXaQRUszWPRSiFYvM7z9-OJE6VxvGx10mihnhZZIel9w/s1600-h/hotel1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHLzXYB1bKa3jeal6HSiSVKfaH49Eaw9181BQhcwVZT3RccZ3mchMbtxGJ0uc9gs_UL8aFjv1DtpOH9tkRVwKP0QRRmGXaQRUszWPRSiFYvM7z9-OJE6VxvGx10mihnhZZIel9w/s320/hotel1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227883787138869874" border="0" /></a>Upside down Brown Bear? Oh, well!<br /><br />And the beach. My mom warned me that Dominic might try to eat sand, but I figured that once he downed one handful, he'd realize that sand tastes disgusting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPNZI6noicgPT6jvyeglgx0UUG3W-AIjQC-qPLGohO0puqmevRuvxaRWNisMA7S4OLPUqI9HCgAeB4gP_oxByh0sWezua5VvT2EYIO1wHfq4uKYgWu2zu-LZGV9fRwJo0ieQPpg/s1600-h/sand+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPNZI6noicgPT6jvyeglgx0UUG3W-AIjQC-qPLGohO0puqmevRuvxaRWNisMA7S4OLPUqI9HCgAeB4gP_oxByh0sWezua5VvT2EYIO1wHfq4uKYgWu2zu-LZGV9fRwJo0ieQPpg/s320/sand+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227884822685527650" border="0" /></a>Nope. He loved it, and refused to stop eating it (ew!), and it made me nervous, so eventually I moved him to the boardwalk. We tried the ocean once, but the waves made<span style="font-style: italic;"> him </span>nervous.<br />His favorite part of vacation seemed to be the hotel pool.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBhJEHPYLHr81IuZtxvTEm30ksjT5MJvwIEdZjV17VJZBFb0ZwRGxcBpEmuCHHWdfOCrgW024InZmLBGcOX1guHlI2utYQs7rBnwDYM7QaAzIfcbKSN60ebaPg9zl347iPfCgnQ/s1600-h/pool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBhJEHPYLHr81IuZtxvTEm30ksjT5MJvwIEdZjV17VJZBFb0ZwRGxcBpEmuCHHWdfOCrgW024InZmLBGcOX1guHlI2utYQs7rBnwDYM7QaAzIfcbKSN60ebaPg9zl347iPfCgnQ/s320/pool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227885371840711938" border="0" /></a><br />That, of course, and lots of quality time with Daddy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJp03rtf0XsY6c6W79Z4-w4TcJsipdmi8TvRXyd-4d9AClVDnZNFJ-XLkd02gHT5eNEpiTv-hLd_LEtsrqhPuBVDI6wKTOSBkLNq1w_9zgZnj0cT1jGLWC6_bpAIAR9z1V-WG1rA/s1600-h/dm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJp03rtf0XsY6c6W79Z4-w4TcJsipdmi8TvRXyd-4d9AClVDnZNFJ-XLkd02gHT5eNEpiTv-hLd_LEtsrqhPuBVDI6wKTOSBkLNq1w_9zgZnj0cT1jGLWC6_bpAIAR9z1V-WG1rA/s320/dm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227885858087946610" border="0" /></a>amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-27542250966900330272008-07-23T16:34:00.002-04:002008-12-09T00:43:21.828-05:00lovely weather we're having<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQw1rTZdWH86BUqSA3yohkHt9Ndy0M4beJ63H_0SAunEuTx03FdPCBLK0LjnSzTycTN6MwQKEimFt5jFjHXb1d6_a5p2iqtsQ-59WcNwaYwExtX_nm16WQIxAMdljV-H5qMuFVNw/s1600-h/beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQw1rTZdWH86BUqSA3yohkHt9Ndy0M4beJ63H_0SAunEuTx03FdPCBLK0LjnSzTycTN6MwQKEimFt5jFjHXb1d6_a5p2iqtsQ-59WcNwaYwExtX_nm16WQIxAMdljV-H5qMuFVNw/s320/beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226310721000890114" border="0" /></a>amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-28953442693961367972008-07-14T17:50:00.002-04:002008-07-14T17:53:20.031-04:00I need to figure out the video camera...And as soon as I do (first I have to find it!), I'll put a clip up of Dominic "reading."<br /><br />Yesterday, he crawled over to a book, picked it up, and began babbling (complete with pauses) as he flipped from page to page.amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-85281655127293903522008-07-09T22:54:00.007-04:002008-12-09T00:43:22.395-05:00D's Big AdventureWell, I had a big today. Mommy had to go to someplace called "Michigan" for a story for her work, so my Auntie & Uncle picked me up e-a-r-l-y in the morning (I was awake, though, because I heard Mommy get up) and I got to spend the day with them.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh7SEGNs78dD4aAfHRljCKC5EQEsGCW_W_e8DbVyhhDVzE4ALk_pywV_XsfziSzP9h5kZ_T1rmKN5eMr88dyqTjixGzT1r4_YqcB8tJuvxyA9yBeyurzSpY39QjJpGgTx08jNQA/s1600-h/awud1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh7SEGNs78dD4aAfHRljCKC5EQEsGCW_W_e8DbVyhhDVzE4ALk_pywV_XsfziSzP9h5kZ_T1rmKN5eMr88dyqTjixGzT1r4_YqcB8tJuvxyA9yBeyurzSpY39QjJpGgTx08jNQA/s320/awud1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221215733990868546" border="0" /></a><br />I had fun shopping, meeting new people, hanging out with my cousin, and exploring... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBdj3j3w759AB1ehpJZLPPwk8NpXruu1-2ZOozAf2WUv-vw2ZYAHkYyE4GBuGp_YlL7zRvbxP_k0MSoTsbP_4ICyPvtbUlFPgqDDSF0Qlw0qjEWUTjgamyehh2YR_Zk9OCCFmRw/s1600-h/awud33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBdj3j3w759AB1ehpJZLPPwk8NpXruu1-2ZOozAf2WUv-vw2ZYAHkYyE4GBuGp_YlL7zRvbxP_k0MSoTsbP_4ICyPvtbUlFPgqDDSF0Qlw0qjEWUTjgamyehh2YR_Zk9OCCFmRw/s320/awud33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221213944866338754" border="0" /></a><br />There were lots of places to explore: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tldl2iPShbrj3d1USrEgqhxO4lTMNli7sq-4bMR-TdbyYF95YgVvejz-VfLCRkO8UpE-WAyVwzktGOmZQSjDK1b8OFRHu_4szUmixvRpuGQy27Oh2pc7aoR3zoQass14SQVyOQ/s1600-h/awud3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tldl2iPShbrj3d1USrEgqhxO4lTMNli7sq-4bMR-TdbyYF95YgVvejz-VfLCRkO8UpE-WAyVwzktGOmZQSjDK1b8OFRHu_4szUmixvRpuGQy27Oh2pc7aoR3zoQass14SQVyOQ/s320/awud3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221214017186076210" border="0" /></a>I'm not sure who is more exhausted now - them or me! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh439guS50MVLqKaCQjFOZ4rcXPksrHghikbSsE7t_DqppHqNcAvpMatUNsyLRPO6yw2p8HUEk6SenlFWavRU1T-_gPf3WyqAPJXC7G4bSAR0cyUzFyL1D4ynBMFpFTWw9A-THXCw/s1600-h/awud4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh439guS50MVLqKaCQjFOZ4rcXPksrHghikbSsE7t_DqppHqNcAvpMatUNsyLRPO6yw2p8HUEk6SenlFWavRU1T-_gPf3WyqAPJXC7G4bSAR0cyUzFyL1D4ynBMFpFTWw9A-THXCw/s320/awud4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221214085009402962" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks for taking such good care of me... sleep well!<br /><br />- Dominicamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-70340152937204102642008-07-08T08:58:00.006-04:002008-12-09T00:43:22.797-05:00big shoes to fill<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP5WHZggo4Kw0Be_LrQotS_cJR2iRbrxvTn3DPKhNRAtEWZTFoXE9xyxUgqRBMx2wxB8nNuf2BZiV3_sBtOG4jHQZH9bAbh58lA342noGpopJXmmhA7O0XE2A0CiAQNoXKO22PQ/s1600-h/shoe+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP5WHZggo4Kw0Be_LrQotS_cJR2iRbrxvTn3DPKhNRAtEWZTFoXE9xyxUgqRBMx2wxB8nNuf2BZiV3_sBtOG4jHQZH9bAbh58lA342noGpopJXmmhA7O0XE2A0CiAQNoXKO22PQ/s320/shoe+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220627121264509074" border="0" /></a>I've found a new toy. They're kinda stinky, but I like them. They're big, but they're light.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NrJ6jk-E8yCyFv5-k5_luV79TvMYDj0lHTBhcVidET4Je57ReiHsMlfITugNZG0GLyIbySPpa_14LG-4QZqDS9FbnX3Z48EsQObZSHCLEdvVEG1eQGT6pzdm9gX1p8qY-ZGNfQ/s1600-h/shoe+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NrJ6jk-E8yCyFv5-k5_luV79TvMYDj0lHTBhcVidET4Je57ReiHsMlfITugNZG0GLyIbySPpa_14LG-4QZqDS9FbnX3Z48EsQObZSHCLEdvVEG1eQGT6pzdm9gX1p8qY-ZGNfQ/s320/shoe+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220627028865861618" border="0" /></a>My favorite thing to do is untie them. Especially when Daddy is wearing them. He sure is surprised when I do that. But then he laughs at me and tickles me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRMc7WZ6G1ThoDExWR8CWUMN4KMofyuSqUd84vco4JLWjtPdgAQjfCaHCHvM1ib7EXWp17UFUlg8jr_PB71hCKKkm0zc-QhxEEMqthdsR5ecoWAhFEc27TEeY0wRc6ioZrjwoOQ/s1600-h/shoe+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRMc7WZ6G1ThoDExWR8CWUMN4KMofyuSqUd84vco4JLWjtPdgAQjfCaHCHvM1ib7EXWp17UFUlg8jr_PB71hCKKkm0zc-QhxEEMqthdsR5ecoWAhFEc27TEeY0wRc6ioZrjwoOQ/s320/shoe+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220626941178893218" border="0" /></a>Mommy says that before she blinks, I'll be wearing shoes even bigger than these. When she tells me that, she gets some kind of weird water in her eyes. She has a little while, for Pete's sake. These shoes are only half as tall as me for now!<br /><br />-Dominicamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-79851293298892370902008-07-07T12:09:00.006-04:002008-12-09T00:43:23.219-05:00No-Nap Sunday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8kDIKKx0Otfv-7YQVGznQkwhvCn9kRmtTXygryMBS6EUtVhsAa9Bg2ujCRwcOZEEk8EZ8x-G9ePbHSi-oeDKMadcqiR1ynD6EWHim9Xd3VuQrOYFMQ8uW_o-Bt_X1wBjWJ43Zg/s1600-h/d1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8kDIKKx0Otfv-7YQVGznQkwhvCn9kRmtTXygryMBS6EUtVhsAa9Bg2ujCRwcOZEEk8EZ8x-G9ePbHSi-oeDKMadcqiR1ynD6EWHim9Xd3VuQrOYFMQ8uW_o-Bt_X1wBjWJ43Zg/s400/d1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220305111002506466" border="0" /></a>Really? A hat for our walk? I don't think so, Mommy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iuYfbyww6dHscOgT8zj_pze-PGgpw5Y4aVKxfUm-e3rR6WEiI65FtrDQJSbRceTsFzQUCmQC0TWyXEcqQYfkTAXR_1zhbteYHMSyYZGDY3BcN9ZyNWx6E7q4hid42BWZZzR5ew/s1600-h/d2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iuYfbyww6dHscOgT8zj_pze-PGgpw5Y4aVKxfUm-e3rR6WEiI65FtrDQJSbRceTsFzQUCmQC0TWyXEcqQYfkTAXR_1zhbteYHMSyYZGDY3BcN9ZyNWx6E7q4hid42BWZZzR5ew/s400/d2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220305037724940466" border="0" /></a><br />I'll go on a walk, but if I have to wear this hat... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XB5Ssw5xEn2cHTC1VVXSIcusNg0TVfRUwvHVNH41KCJi3hnaiZfzfhae_t1HOj8nTvopCxHK6ZRozSi-YpEJ4p4uQO0nLWTamTfre3CjgfKsu9S-_dtsK3z8I0l425bJ61mWVw/s1600-h/d3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XB5Ssw5xEn2cHTC1VVXSIcusNg0TVfRUwvHVNH41KCJi3hnaiZfzfhae_t1HOj8nTvopCxHK6ZRozSi-YpEJ4p4uQO0nLWTamTfre3CjgfKsu9S-_dtsK3z8I0l425bJ61mWVw/s400/d3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220305179317443298" border="0" /></a>I'll crawl under my bed and get stuck!<br /><br />-Little Damberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-14128994532205124042008-07-05T13:39:00.001-04:002008-12-09T00:43:23.485-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMknMb4AfuqVPv26AYmnjFg7likg2It4jUWCXC6K_UrtCSqZHqdP8zJv9sDOW4KcZZaUaAKJbcOdeAGq3i6cyDaBdW7ljQjGmyien8m7X57PvMaQ2G6XqgaLSL_l8wepwoSWjdFA/s1600-h/IMG_1998.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219586714215865778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMknMb4AfuqVPv26AYmnjFg7likg2It4jUWCXC6K_UrtCSqZHqdP8zJv9sDOW4KcZZaUaAKJbcOdeAGq3i6cyDaBdW7ljQjGmyien8m7X57PvMaQ2G6XqgaLSL_l8wepwoSWjdFA/s400/IMG_1998.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14486237.post-60166125091046975932008-06-28T23:48:00.003-04:002008-12-09T00:43:24.174-05:00little ladies man...Dominic on a "hot date" in an older woman's ride...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4hvz8NPVKb134r-5jSDPHJq2JgcTs02171v1eNYL3XvJyQiPbCd4nvb_-nEqi0iOq6ZsoIRWcgmW_JomX0SbrYY9yIRXjsTI6eGOPmSRYYcxwho3uxwTNbuRKRUfx7p1ywpETQ/s1600-h/dal3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4hvz8NPVKb134r-5jSDPHJq2JgcTs02171v1eNYL3XvJyQiPbCd4nvb_-nEqi0iOq6ZsoIRWcgmW_JomX0SbrYY9yIRXjsTI6eGOPmSRYYcxwho3uxwTNbuRKRUfx7p1ywpETQ/s400/dal3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217145773688084946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuQw4UV71C3gNCdOZcwc_dfNEjNMGGl163agYsshRF6Mgo5ynsBFC7YAdmlooHR_m-rwc8LobN_cvPeIicSPXcN9g3_u07JIlgV3XzNr5INja5Y6CUWKb8uGiWGkGr_MQNlXjCg/s1600-h/dal2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuQw4UV71C3gNCdOZcwc_dfNEjNMGGl163agYsshRF6Mgo5ynsBFC7YAdmlooHR_m-rwc8LobN_cvPeIicSPXcN9g3_u07JIlgV3XzNr5INja5Y6CUWKb8uGiWGkGr_MQNlXjCg/s400/dal2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217145678523476098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SThP1uN5ySrq3zuuDbeVoSTmRK3KXzrwvJXAohZpFVU-dyKVsiSs7MIidwzbkkaJS44eg7LBoGlCmsZA15N9H2XQxeSmUefM_R5ROihED3mAcYy0XAVZ4q1KL_-t_cjyKEXEXA/s1600-h/dal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SThP1uN5ySrq3zuuDbeVoSTmRK3KXzrwvJXAohZpFVU-dyKVsiSs7MIidwzbkkaJS44eg7LBoGlCmsZA15N9H2XQxeSmUefM_R5ROihED3mAcYy0XAVZ4q1KL_-t_cjyKEXEXA/s400/dal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217145578552329282" border="0" /></a>amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11119227265649786089noreply@blogger.com5