tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66280215138267412262024-02-18T21:12:26.998-06:00Thirty Before 30Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-81047028802843185742012-05-02T23:08:00.001-05:002012-05-03T08:58:15.631-05:00Nursery Tour<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, two months <i>after</i></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> our baby is born, I'm finally giving you the tour of Elodie's nursery. Here it is...</span><br />
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/41471915" width="500" height="375" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-46507182496830179532012-04-23T22:08:00.000-05:002012-04-23T22:08:42.633-05:00Miller Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hello, remember me? So, I had a baby and now my life revolves around taking care of this little creature. She's kind of a big deal around here, so I finally threw together a blog because of her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you want your daily fill of baby photos, then <a href="http://millerliving.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">check out our new site.</a> It'll basically be where I dump my Instagram photos and upload things from my iPhone. </span><a href="http://millerliving.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="http://millerliving.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://millerliving.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/MillerLiving.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-87533736016325150742012-03-30T10:56:00.000-05:002012-03-30T10:56:58.258-05:00The best is yet to come<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Think the fun is over once you hit 30? It might actually be quite the opposite! A recent survey came out stating that 33 is the happiest age of your life. The survey was conducted by the British social networking site Friends Reunited and has been all over the news. I found it very interesting and was excited that my best years are likely still to come! <a href="http://press.friendsreunited.co.uk/33magicnumber" target="_blank">Click here to see the original press release.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Are you quickly approaching your 30th or 33rd birthday and need help planning your upcoming birthday? Here are a few party planning/entertaining websites for some inspiration. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thepartydress.net/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/PartyDresslogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hwtm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygBwIfBjCmY-_TyX556CQM_ggOpvRo7QCM5SY_WTuRivindVGgWY_LcalCf_g_sj7mXViX9MMvwXhizptDby9TfbMRwhghgqyr-_1SxHSvoxJ0CU9EZA_wNfb6kbdgphAbhoWYctBxtM/s400/45119-hi-HWTM-Logo-HiRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hiphiphoorayblog.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://todaysmama.com/files/2011/05/hip-hip-hooray.png" width="400" /></a></div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-38561726534094477392012-03-16T19:55:00.000-05:002012-04-23T21:52:05.625-05:00Meet Miss Elodie<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yesterday, you might have seen a preview of Elodie's photo session with my talented photographer friend Elyse of <a href="http://elyfairphotos.com/" target="_blank">Ely Fair Photography</a>. Last Friday, Elyse was kind enough to drop us a visit and shoot some precious shots of baby E despite a little meltdown by the little one. Baby does not like to be naked and will not stay asleep when I really want her to, so there was much more crying and screaming than sleeping like a peaceful newborn during the photo session. Another takeaway from this shoot: Do not feed a diaperless baby unless you don't mind being pooped and peed on...twice. Even with all these setbacks, Elyse was able to capture some priceless moments that we will cherish forever. <a href="http://elyfairphotos.com/blog/2012/03/16/welcome-sweet-elodie-ely-fair-oklahoma-city-newborn-photographer/" target="_blank">Check out a preview of the photos on Elyse's blog. </a></span><br />
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</div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-69645582268873088242012-03-15T17:49:00.001-05:002012-03-16T19:23:10.491-05:00Our New Arrival<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/EFphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/EFphoto.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby E about a week and half old. <i>Photo by <a href="http://elyfairphotos.com/" target="_blank">Ely Fair Photography</a></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The blog has been quiet recently, but our house sure isn't. I'm sure you probably all know or suspect that our baby girl has arrived already (or else I would be waaay overdue)! Our sweet, little bundle of joy was born on Tuesday, February 28, at 9:15 p.m. (a few hours shy of Leap Day), weighing in at 7 lbs 12 oz and measuring 19.5 inches long. She had a full head of beautiful black hair and chubby cheeks. Although we are currently operating in survival mode right now, we feel so blessed to have a healthy, beautiful baby. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have wanted to get back to the blog but have just been adjusting to this new life of diaper changes, nursing and trying to "sleep when the baby sleeps". Hopefully, I'll get around to blogging about my crazy, complicated birth story, give a tour of the nursery and get around to non-baby things. I've been thinking of starting another blog - all things baby and family related, so family and friends can keep up with us and I can document our new life with baby... but we'll see how motivated I am the next few months. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's a weekly photo I took of our baby at one week old. I don't have a two week photo because I sold my camera, but my new one should be coming tomorrow! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/BabyBow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/BabyBow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-79613196603045817442012-02-26T12:11:00.000-06:002012-02-26T12:11:09.723-06:00Preggo Update: 40 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DueDate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DueDate.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm beginning to detest due dates and wish they didn't exist. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>(I actually was supposed to post this yesterday but didn't have enough time) </i><b></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, here's my story this week. Tuesday was my regularly scheduled OB appointment. Baby's heartbeat was still healthy, but still hasn't dropped and no dilation or effacement. The bun is overcooked, just gaining weight by the day, but the oven door won't open! The doctor is worried that I won't have a chance for a vaginal delivery the longer I wait, so she scheduled me for induction Wednesday at 7 p.m.<b> </b>I was definitely nervous and worried about being induced from all the horror stories out there, but I trust my doctor to know what she's doing. So, Wednesday rolled around, and we were getting excited and anxious thinking that we'll meet our daughter soon! By about 8 p.m. or so, the nurses got my IV in, hooked me up to monitors and inserted the Cervidil, which is supposed to soften and open up the cervix. Our parents came by to visit and we just hung out for a little while before we went to bed. I started to get cramps and some contractions in the middle of the night, which made me have to pee about every hour and a half, so I didn't get the best of sleep. Also, my IV somehow got detached at some point in the middle of the night and bled all over my bed, so the nurse had to change my sheets, clean me off and redress my IV. Around 4:30 a.m., the nurse came in to take out the Cervidil, check my progress and prep me for Pitocin. I was dilated to a whopping...nothing still!!! What, how can that be? She said it was softer, but I think she was just trying to be nice and give me some hope. Now, time for the Pitocin, maybe that'll get this show on the road...Once I was on the Pitocin, I actually felt fewer contractions and could sleep for a while until my husband woke me up with all his shuffling about. That morning, the doctor came to check me out and see my progress with the Pitocin. Getting internal cervical checks were probably the most painful and uncomfortable part of it. My progress...unchanged, still the same, closed for business today! That's when she said that she would probably just send me home and try again another day if my cervix was still the same at noon. Status at noon...I was going home. We packed up our bags and left the hospital exhausted and deflated. It felt incredibly weird leaving the hospital with no baby in our arms and knowing we would have to go through this process again in a few days.The worst part was having to inform everyone waiting on this baby that there would be no baby and getting reactions like we were crazy people! </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>How far along?</b> 40 weeks and baby won't come out! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Total weight gain?</b> Around 35 pounds</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b> I would just like to wear a sack now. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Stretch marks? </b>I think I might be home free with no stretch marks! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Sleep</b>: Pretty restless these days - I think it's more mental and not physical though. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Best moment this week:</b> Best moment turned worst moment - finding out that I had an induction date set and would finally meet my precious child, and then having to go home from my induction with no baby. Also, very glad that the induction thing wasn't even that painful, I would just describe it as kind of uncomfortable. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Miss anything: </b>Not having to worry about every little thing I put into my body and being able to work out as much as I want. However, I did actually go to a Zumba class today in hopes of dancing this little baby out of me! :)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Movement</b>: Still nice and cozy in there, squirming about every day. Surely, there can't be that much room left. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Food cravings: </b>I made my hubby take me to get frozen yogurt and gummy bears on Friday. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Anything make you queasy or sick:</b> Thinking about the whole labor and delivery thing. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Gender</b>: A little drama queen who's on her own schedule. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Labor signs</b>: If only I were so lucky! Weirdest thing I've ever wanted - please just let me dilate already! Still getting contractions everyday, but apparently they are doing jack squat. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Symptoms</b>: Heartburn has returned, swollen extremities </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Belly button in or out?</b> Out when standing or sitting, in when lying down</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> On when I feel like it, but they've mostly been off </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Feelings:</b> Definite anxiety and frustration about the whole induction thing, but also hopeful and relieved that there will be an end and a baby! I had a fairly easy pregnancy and felt great the whole time, but not so much the delivery and getting the baby out part though. </div><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Looking forward to: </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">This delivery thing being over, so that I can just be a mommy already. </span>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-68565740311988540412012-02-20T12:16:00.000-06:002012-02-20T12:16:10.746-06:00Preggo Update: 39 weeks<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/39weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/39weeks.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">39 weeks and about to pop! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>How far along?</b> 39 weeks (+ 2 days) and still pregnant</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Total weight gain?</b> Probably around 30-35 pounds - I find out tomorrow; baby could weigh about 9 pounds now - yikes! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>Yeah, even my maternity clothes are tight now. What do you wear when you outgrow those with only a week left? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Stretch marks? </b>I may have made it the whole time without one stretch mark...oh, glorious day! Come on, skin! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Sleep</b>: I could sleep all day if I really wanted to. More tossing and turning from side to side and peeing about every 2 hours in the middle of the night, but I feel pretty well-rested these days. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Best moment this week:</b> My husband asking me "Is it time?" every few hours or so! :) I'm glad he finally decided to pack a hospital bag this week. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Miss anything: </b>I think I will actually miss being pregnant whenever the little one come out. I really didn't have it too bad and liked the feeling of growing a little person inside. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Movement</b>: She's a little boxer this week. I keep feeling a foot or arm jabbing out on my right side. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Food cravings: </b>I'm trying to eat more spicy foods and other labor-inducing foods. None have worked so far. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Anything make you queasy or sick:</b> Can't really think of anything this week.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Gender</b>: Oh, girl...come on out, please! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Labor signs</b>: Contractions every so often, but she may be wanting to stay in there forever. I find out tomorrow if my body's made any progress at all. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Symptoms</b>: Puffy and swollen sausage hands, feet and face. Preggo brain - why can't I speak and remember things like a normal human being? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Belly button in or out?</b> Out when standing, in when sitting or lying down</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> Still the same - on when I leave the house, off at home. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Feelings:</b> Anxious, nervous and concerned that I'll need to be induced or have a c-section. But I know that she will come out one way or another...I'm just praying that she does it on her own. </div><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Looking forward to: </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Holding little baby girl and knowing that she's healthy and happy. Becoming a family of three (plus a little pup). </span>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-69733640037855319852012-02-13T14:33:00.000-06:002012-02-13T14:33:47.123-06:00Preggo Update: 38 weeks<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>How far along?</b> 38 weeks (+ 2 days)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Total weight gain?</b> Still about 30 pounds </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> Anything loose and baggy. Leggings, pajamas or yoga pants just about everyday. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Stretch marks? </b>Still none...yay! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Sleep</b>: Getting to be a little more uncomfortable, but at least I'm getting sleep and can sleep in if I want to. It would be nice if I could sleep on my back and not wake up in the middle of the night though. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Best moment this week:</b> Realizing that I am so close to meeting our baby girl! Enjoying the last few times I will be able to feel her move around in my belly. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Miss anything: </b>Hugs without a belly in the way. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Movement</b>: It doesn't feel so much like jabs and punches anymore...more so like a tickle here and there. Sometimes she'll fall asleep and freak me out, because I don't think she's moved for a while. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Food cravings: </b>Food doesn't really appeal too much to me these days. But I still do want sweets more than usual. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Anything make you queasy or sick:</b> My pup's stinky dog breath</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Gender</b>: It's a girl! Do they actually announce that when you deliver the baby? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Labor signs</b>: Still the occasional Braxton Hicks contractions, but no dilation or effacement. The doctor was planning on inducing me a week early for fear that baby was going to be jumbo-sized, but I just found out today that my body isn't ready, so I'm back to waiting. Come on, baby...come out. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Symptoms</b>: Glad the heartburn isn't so bad anymore, but I have to pee more often. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Belly button in or out?</b> Ever so slightly out</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> Still the same - on when I leave the house, off at home </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Feelings:</b> More anxious...just wondering when I'll go into labor. I'm really hoping that I make some progress toward labor within the next week or so. </div><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Looking forward to: </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Delivery day. I just want this day to come on it's own...hopefully before the due date. </span>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-45786501587741260122012-02-10T14:26:00.000-06:002012-02-10T14:26:24.866-06:00Baby Photography Workshop<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.creativelive.com/" target="_blank">creativeLIVE</a> is at it again! If you've read any of my previous posts, then you probably know that I'm a huge CL fan. This workshop is perfectly timed and suited to what's going on in my life. They are offering a <a href="http://www.creativelive.com/courses/newborn-baby-photography-sandy-puc" target="_blank">FREE, live, three-day workshop teaching newborn & baby photography</a> February 24-26 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (PST). <a href="http://www.sandypuc.com/" target="_blank">Sandy Puc</a> will be the instructor for the class. Below is a video with more details. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g6aVRUj-ogk" width="500"></iframe>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-73571612629327657112012-02-09T13:00:00.011-06:002012-02-10T15:58:08.374-06:00Gadgets, Gizmos and Apps<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are pretty much prepared for this little bambino as far as baby gear goes...except for the baby monitor. It's been tough for us to find the right one and justify spending so much money on one of those things. The new ones with video can cost anywhere from $150-$300, so we've been taking our time doing research before shelling out the dough. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.dropcam.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/ScreenShot2012-02-08at45239PM.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just this week, we finally found the one! It's not your typical baby monitor that you'd find at Babies R Us. It's the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.dropcam.com/" target="_blank">dropcam</a>, which is</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> only available online, and right now they're taking preorders and shipping in late March. Baby will already be here by the time we get it, but I figure I probably won't let her out of my sight in the first month anyways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's a spiffy video giving an overview of the features:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iZiUlaQdfLg" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some of the <a href="https://www.dropcam.com/about/baby_monitoring" target="_blank">cool features</a> of this camera:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's only $149, much cheaper than some of the other video baby monitors we considered</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can watch baby anywhere in the world at any time. So Daddy can check on baby whenever he misses her at work.</span></li>
<li> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Watch baby from any Apple Mac, Windows PC, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Android phone or tablet. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It has two-way audio and night vision.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you leave it plugged in, it's always on and will give you alerts when it detects sound or motion.</span></li>
</ul><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Itzbeen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Itzbeen.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another gadgety gizmo thing that we got in preparation for baby is an <a href="http://www.itzbeen.com/" target="_blank">ITZBEEN</a> baby care timer that helps keep track of how long its been between feeding, diaper changes and naps. It also keeps track of which side you nursed from last and has a handy night light and is backlit so you can see the screen at night. It has a clip on the back, so you can attach it to your diaper bag or purse. It comes in three colors: blue, green and pink. You can buy one of these things at baby stores for around $25, but <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Itzbeen-Baby-Care-Timer-Blue/dp/B000MEB3GE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328745035&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> has them for around $17 if you can wait for shipping and order it online.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/GrowWithMeApp.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/GrowWithMeApp.png" width="195" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, a couple really cool iPhone apps...the first is one that I just recently came across and is baby-related. It's called the <a href="http://www.growwithmeapp.com/" target="_blank">Grow With Me app,</a> and I downloaded it a couple weeks ago for FREE. It keeps track of all your baby's feedings, diapers, sleep, vaccinations, growth, doctor's appointments and so much more. All this information can even be exported and sent directly to your e-mail. You can also send a customized birth announcement straight from the app. After searching for something like this, I thought this was the most comprehensive, user-friendly and sleek-looking app for this type of tracking. Here's a video demo of the app at work...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="369" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9DfR8eKEp0s" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/cozi-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/cozi-logo.png" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And finally, an app that I've been raving about for a while now. It's a family organization tool that we've been using in our household called <a href="http://www.cozi.com/" target="_blank">Cozi</a>. It features a shared family calendar, to do lists, shopping lists, a journal...and now meal planning. The tool our family uses the most is the shopping list feature. My husband can add what he needs to the list, even while I'm at the store. The best part is that it's free if you just sign up for the basic account with ads. </span>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-90505171453301289672012-02-08T15:59:00.000-06:002012-02-08T15:59:38.279-06:00In the bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ever wonder what moms pack in their diaper bags? What are essentials that you can't live without when you're out with baby? I got the idea to do my own diaper bag reveal from the super cute baby site <a href="http://www.ontobaby.com/" target="_blank">On To Baby</a> and will show the items I have stashed away in my bag. I'm sure these items will change over time, but here's basically what I have right now. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DiaperBag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DiaperBag.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Bag // </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.petunia.com/" target="_blank">Petunia Pickle Bottom</a> <a href="http://www.petunia.com/bags/touring-totes" target="_blank">Touring Tote</a> in <a href="http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/491-touring-tote-moroccan-mint-chenille.html" target="_blank">Moroccan Mint</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's kind of pricey, but I bought this a while ago when I saw it on sale on <a href="http://babysteals.com/" target="_blank">BabySteals.com.</a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> If you haven't heard of Baby Steals, it's a site similar to Groupon where they feature two pretty good sales each day. I liked that this particular bag comes with the stroller clips and it matches my stroller/travel system. It's not a large bag, but can hold the essentials and isn't too heavy like the other bigger bags I looked at. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What's Inside //</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1} <a href="http://www.huggies.com/en-US/products/diapers/pureandnatural" target="_blank">Huggies Pure & Natural Diapers</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2} <a href="http://www.earthsbest.com/products/product/76956201956" target="_blank">Earth's Best Chlorine Free Baby Wipes - Travel Size</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3} <a href="http://www.bebeaulait.com/products/bebe-au-lait-nursing-covers/chateau-silver" target="_blank">Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover - Chateau Silver</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4} <a href="http://www.bebeaulait.com/products/burp-cloths/chateau-silver-burp-cloths" target="_blank">Bebe Au Lait Burp Cloth - Chateau Silver</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">5} <a href="http://www.adenandanais.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Aden + Anais</a> Muslin Swaddle Blanket - Oh Girl</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">6} <a href="http://jjcolecollections.com/pacifier-pod" target="_blank">JJ Cole Collection Pacifier Pod - Strawberry Burst </a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">7} <a href="http://www.itzyritzy.com/zippered-wet-bag/avocado-damask/" target="_blank">Itzy Ritzy Wet Happened Wet Bag - Avocado Damask</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">8} <a href="http://www.babylegs.com/" target="_blank">Baby Legs</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">9} 2 Onesies </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">10} <a href="http://www.tommeetippee.us/ctn/533031_pink.html" target="_blank">Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Pacifier</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">11} <a href="http://www.carters.com/carters/3-Pack-Mitten-Set/V_22346,default,pd.html?cgid=carters-baby-girl-sleep-and-accessories-accessories-socks" target="_blank">Carter's Mittens</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">12} <a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=10965949" target="_blank">Bath & Body Works PocketBac Sanitizing Hand Gel</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-18394660332198148302012-02-05T19:59:00.000-06:002012-02-05T19:59:22.852-06:00Preggo Update: 37 weeks<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Yay! We've made it..37 weeks! I'm officially full-term and can safely go into labor any day now. Come on baby, start making your way out so I can meet you! We have our car seat installed, all the clothes washed, bags are packed, nursery is pretty much done...we are ready for baby!<b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Week36Ultrasound2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Week36Ultrasound2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smashed baby face on the 3D ultrasound. Look at those chubby cheeks! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>How far along?</b> 37 weeks (+ 1 day)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Total weight gain?</b> Right around 30 pounds (I actually lost 3 pounds since my last appointment). But baby has gained a crazy amount...3 pounds in the past 4 weeks! The doctor said she weighed 7 pounds at her last ultrasound! I'm hoping she doesn't get too much bigger or I'll have trouble squeezing her out.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> I'm wearing whatever fits at this point. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Stretch marks? </b>Not one...yippee! I'll be sad if I suddenly get them in the next few weeks. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Sleep</b>: Still waking up around 5 a.m. and can't sleep for an hour. I also get heartburn when I lie down on my side. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Best moment this week:</b> Seeing the baby at possibly our last ultrasound before we meet her in person! She is practicing breathing in there and already has hair! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Miss anything:</b> Lying on my stomach. Hot tubs.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Movement</b>: It's a party in there. I can sometimes see whole limbs sweep across my belly. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Food cravings: </b>Unfortunately, junk food...chips and gummy candies this week. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Anything make you queasy or sick:</b> The smell of rubber tires, strong chemical smells, the laundry aisle at the supermarket. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Gender</b>: Girly girl! Not sure why I answer this every week; it's not like this is likely to change. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Labor signs</b>: Braxton Hicks contractions, they are now stronger up under my stomach. But the doctor said that she still hasn't dropped! She's still clinging to my ribs and finds it quite cozy in there. A little bit of the nesting instinct kicked in last week...I organized our master closet. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Symptoms</b>: Heartburn, achy joints</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Belly button in or out?</b> It can't decide whether to stay in or pop out. I guess I would say that it's mostly out-ish now.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> On when I leave the house, but they immediately get taken off when I get home. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><b>Feelings:</b> Excited that I'm now in the month I'll be delivering (hopefully, if she doesn't come too late). Relieved that we're all set for the baby's arrival. Getting a little more anxious now...wondering when the big day will come. </div><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Looking forward to: </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Seeing the baby in person...I wonder what/who she'll look like! </span>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-79226822600190208622012-02-01T19:20:00.001-06:002012-02-01T23:19:49.944-06:00The Hunger Games<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Woo-hoo! I'm done with The Hunger Games trilogy, now I'm ready for the <a href="http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/">movie</a>...coming March 23. This will most likely be baby's first movie in a theater. </span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4S9a5V9ODuY" width="500"></iframe>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-23217303884918178782012-01-30T17:04:00.000-06:002012-01-30T17:04:34.250-06:00Preggo Update: 36 weeks<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another week has quickly flown by, and I have a feeling the baby will be here before I know it. I've been keeping busy with all my projects and still have plenty of things to accomplish before baby decides to make an appearance.<br />
<b><br />
How far along?</b> 36 weeks (+ 2 days)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Total weight gain?</b> 30+ pounds so far</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> Since I'm mostly at home now, it's been pajamas, t-shirts and stretchy pants most of the time. Leggings are still my best friend though. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Stretch marks? </b>Still holding out hope for a stretch mark free pregnancy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Sleep</b>: Sleeping pretty well most nights, except for the two or three potty breaks I have to make. Also, I'll sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep for an hour or so. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Best moment this week:</b> Hearing the baby's heartbeat at my OB appointment this week and getting reassurance that she's healthy and happy in there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Miss anything:</b> Sushi, cold cut deli meat sandwiches, my pre-pregnancy waistline</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Movement</b>: Usually around meal times and before bed she tends to perk up.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Food cravings: </b>Sweets, especially doughnuts lately...mmm, cake doughnuts or powdered doughnuts would be great right now. I may have to pick some up at the store. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Anything make you queasy or sick:</b> Really strong perfume or cologne. Even my husband's deodorant gave me a headache the other day. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Gender</b>: Team Pink! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Labor signs</b>: Still getting Braxton Hicks contractions every so often. But I have a feeling this baby may be a little late. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Symptoms</b>: Achy back and sore hips sometimes </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Belly button in or out?</b> Still on the verge of popping out. Sometimes it sticks out a little bit, other times it's just flat-ish.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> Off when I'm at home. On when I leave the house.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Feelings?</b> Content and relaxed right now. It feels great to have freetime at home before our lives change forever.</div><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Looking forward to: </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My ultrasound appointment on Wednesday.</span>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-88254035967907709522012-01-26T21:06:00.001-06:002012-01-26T21:16:32.134-06:00Diaper Days<style>
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</style> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">If you were to ask me a couple years ago if I would even consider cloth diapering, I would probably say "heck to the no"! Ewww, who wants to deal with that mess? However, over the last couple years, I began hearing such great things about cloth diapering all over the Internet, blogs, friends, local stores, etc. This <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/08/the-much-requested-cloth-diaper-post/">blog post</a> by <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a> really helped me cross over to the cloth diapering side. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Is cloth diapering making a comeback? I would say yes! Cloth diapers these days are much different from the ones in our parents' days. They are actually easier to handle than I had previously thought. The main selling point in our house is the cost savings. I learned early on in my pregnancy that newborn babies are likely to go through 12 diapers a day...craziness! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Our plan for our little baby's bum is to start with newborn disposable diapers and wipes and then transition to the cloth diapers and wipes once the little one grows up and mommy and daddy get better adjusted to baby's schedule. We have our small stock of <a href="http://www.huggies.com/en-US/products/diapers/pureandnatural?WT.mc_id=HGG&WT.srch=1">Huggies Pure & Natural Newborn diapers</a> that we still need to add to, and we also still need to get a supply of <a href="http://www.huggies.com/en-US/products/wipes/naturalcare">Huggies Natural Care wipes</a>. <a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/Diapers">Seventh Generation Free & Clear</a> newborn diapers and <a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/Baby-Wipes">wipes</a> are another option we may try out during her disposable days. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Once her disposable days are over (for the most part...We still plan on using disposables for vacations, overnight trips, etc.), we have decided on <a href="http://www.bumgenius.com/">bumGenius</a> as our cloth diaper of choice. Earlier this week, a lovely package arrived on our front porch...which contained nine colorful cloth diapers from <a href="http://www.cottonbabies.com/">Cotton Babies</a>. We ordered six of the <a href="http://www.bumgenius.com/organic.php">bumGenius Elemental Organic All-In-Ones</a> and three of the <a href="http://www.bumgenius.com/bg4-artist.php">bumGenius 4.0 One Size Artist Series</a> (which are being discontinued, so I got a buy 2 get 1 free deal). We plan on buying six more of the new <a href="http://www.bumgenius.com/freetime.php">bumGenius Freetime All-In-Ones</a> to round out our collection of bumGenius cloth diapers. I've been eyeing all the fun new vibrant colors. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/diapers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/diapers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">To hold all the dirty and wet cloth diapers, we ordered a <a href="https://www.planetwiseinc.com/Planet_Wise_Wet_Bag_-_Large_83_cat.html">large Planet Wise wet bag</a> from <a href="http://www.sweetbottomsbaby.com/">Sweetbottoms Baby</a> in the <a href="http://www.sweetbottomsbaby.com/Planet-Wise-Wet-Bags_p_120.html">Pink Daisy Stripe fabric</a>. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/wetbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/wetbag.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Here are some other items that we intend to use throughout our cloth diapering adventure.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/clothdiapering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/clothdiapering.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1) <a href="http://www.itzyritzy.com/zippered-wet-bag/avocado-damask/">Itzy Ritzy Wet Happened? Medium Wet Bag in Avocado Damask</a> for on-the-go changes to keep in the diaper bag.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2) <a href="http://www.bumgenius.com/diaper-sprayer.php">bumGenius Diaper Sprayer</a> attaches to the toilet and is used for when we switch to solid foods. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3) <a href="http://www.charliesoap.com/laundry_powder.html">Charlie's Soap</a><a href="http://www.charliesoap.com/laundry_powder.html"> Powder</a> doesn't leave a residue when washing and prolongs the life of the diapers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4) <a href="https://www.gro-via.com/accessories/grovia-magic-stick.html">GroVia Magic Stick </a>is a diaper ointment that is natural and cloth diaper compatible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5) <a href="http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/products/cloth-diaper-accessories/booty-luster/">Thirsties Booty Luster</a> is a spray-on baby wipe solution. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6) <a href="http://www.princelionheart.com/site/n_bc_9001.html">Prince Lionhart Cloth Wipes Warmer</a> to keep cloth wipes warm and toasty.</span>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-9874929608938339792012-01-23T21:23:00.000-06:002012-01-23T21:23:08.797-06:00Maternity Leave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/EF2_5621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/EF2_5621.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Going on maternity leave was something that I had looked forward to for months, and now it's actually here! As the date quickly approached, the more and more nervous I got that I would be bored for the five weeks before my due date. I have been gainfully employed full-time since college (almost a decade ago) and even though this is a welcome change, change can also be a little unsettling. I am now adjusting to a new norm that doesn't involve an office, coworkers, projects and deadlines. To ease into this transition and make the most of my precious time these next five weeks, I have assigned myself projects that I hope to complete before the little one arrives. And...guess how many things are on my list...yes, 30. </span></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"></div><ol><li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wash and hang baby clothes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pack hospital bags</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Install car seat & get checked</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Write up a birth plan</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Purchase any last items off registry that baby needs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Make growth chart for baby’s room</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Make clothes size organizers for baby’s closet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Print photos for frames in nursery</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finish decorating/organizing nursery</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Make freezer meals to last one month</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Clean/Organize master closet & donate clothes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Deep clean/organize & stock fridge/pantry</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Clean/organize the garage</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Clean the entryway/patio</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Organize hallway closets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Order envelopes and paper for announcements</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Design/Address baby birth announcements</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Check out and read parenting/childcare books at library</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finish reading 3 classic books</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finish reading all of the Lineage of Grace</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Read The Hunger Games trilogy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Read Mark of the Lion trilogy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Go on walks with dog/do prenatal exercises</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Plan our last Valentine’s Day without a baby</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Make a list of date night ideas for the upcoming year</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finish media room/buy furniture</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Update contacts/mailing list and set up e-mail list for baby announcement</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Create Pinterest projects</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Catch up with friends/plan lunches & dinners</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Weekly preggo updates on the blog</span></li>
</ol><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-7192600778546857442012-01-21T00:01:00.002-06:002012-01-21T00:10:48.609-06:00Preggo Update: 35 weeks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/EF2_5518_bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/EF2_5518_bw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This photo was taken at 28 weeks by my friend Elyse of Ely Fair Photography.<br />
I am much larger now at 35 weeks! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, I've been quite absent from this blog and have neglected it for a while now. However, hopefully that will change since I am officially on maternity leave now...starting today at 5 p.m.! I will try to post weekly updates on how the pregnancy is progressing and post any other developments in my new life as a stay-at-home housewife for the next few weeks until the little one arrives. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had seen this pregnancy survey on other blogs (like <a href="http://littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com/">Little Baby Garvin</a> - who's due Feb. 22) and thought I would do the same so I can look back and remember my final weeks as a preggo. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>How far along?</b> 35 weeks </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Total weight gain?</b> 30-ish pounds so far</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> Target Liz Lange collection, Target juniors clearance rack of “dresses” that are more like tunics on me, Old Navy & Gap – leggings are my staple these days</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Stretch marks? </b>None yet. My fingers are crossed though because my mom had them.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Sleep</b>: Depends on the night. Sleeping on my left side is growing tiresome, and I’ve had a couple killer leg cramps in the middle of the night where I woke up screaming and scaring both husband and dog. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Best moment this week:</b> Officially starting my maternity leave from work today! Now I have time to do all the things I need to do before baby arrives! I'm hoping this nesting instinct really kicks in so the house gets cleaned and organized. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Miss anything:</b> Bending over. Fitting into “real” clothes. Working out. Sleeping on my back.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Movement</b>: Pretty regular - sometimes it’s just hiccups.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Food cravings: </b>Tonight was pizza - had Marco's pizza for the first time.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Anything make you queasy or sick:</b> Car exhaust, gasoline fumes and cigarette smoke – yuck! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Gender</b>: All girl! We’re hoping all the ultrasounds are correct because it’s all pink around here. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Labor signs</b>: Braxton Hicks contractions since about 28 weeks.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Symptoms</b>: Swollen feet and cankles at the end of the day. Heartburn when I lie down a certain way. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Belly button in or out?</b> I would describe it more as flat, no belly button, just flat.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> On, for the most part. Although, I will take them off now at night for fear of having to amputate a finger or having to cut my rings to get them off.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Happy or moody most of the time?</b> Mostly happy and excited! I may have only cried about three times the whole pregnancy.</div><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looking forward to: </b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Seeing my baby girl for the first time and holding her!</span>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-14645442964627957712011-12-20T22:13:00.000-06:002011-12-20T22:13:25.644-06:00We Wish You A Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/ChristmasCard2011v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/ChristmasCard2011v2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-77644892412939051352011-12-13T18:20:00.001-06:002011-12-13T18:22:58.822-06:00Gobble, gobble<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’m sure you’ve all been anxiously awaiting the status of the Thanksgiving turkey and how that turned out…okay, maybe not. Hopefully, you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are looking forward to Christmas in a couple weeks! Can you believe it’s almost here? I have finally downloaded the photos from Thanksgiving and can now give you the full report on my first Thanksgiving turkey from scratch, in case you want to try your hand at the Christmas turkey this year. The final report…I was actually pretty surprised that it was fairly easy and tasted pretty moist and delicious. I will definitely be making more in the future, I’m sure. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, how did I prepare the bird? I sought the advice of many seasoned turkey cooks and informed people that this would be the year of the great turkey experiment for me. My coworkers were especially helpful and forthcoming in providing advice, clipping articles for me and giving me general direction. I also looked online for any helpful tips and tricks to preparing the perfect turkey. I realized that everyone has their “secret” (or not so secret) recipe and technique for baking the bird, so I just kind of winged it (yes, pun intended). </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Basic instructions: Thoroughly defrost | Cut up onions, celery, carrots & lemon to line bottom of pan and stuff inside bird | Butter and season the bird | Cover with foil | Toss in oven for specified time depending on weight of bird | Uncover foil for last hour of roasting | Tada…Done! (So easy, a pregnant woman can do it!)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My only advice would be to use a meat thermometer. I mistakenly thought that there would be one included with the turkey I bought…but no, no meat thermometer so I just cooked it a little bit longer than suggested to avoid any unwanted pinkness.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/TurkeyBefore_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/TurkeyBefore_small.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before cooking</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/TurkeyAfter_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/TurkeyAfter_small.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done, straight from the oven</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/TurkeyDone_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/TurkeyDone_small.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off my masterpiece</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/TurkeyBaby_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/TurkeyBaby_small.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with bird and baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-21702581360778876842011-11-22T20:54:00.000-06:002011-11-22T20:54:57.868-06:00Give thanks<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyone else wonder whatever happened to Thanksgiving? After Halloween, it's all about Christmas...I'm pretty sure I saw Christmas decorations for sale even in the middle of summer. I have to admit that we do already have our Christmas tree up, however I also wanted to take time to celebrate and reflect on the Thanksgiving holiday and what I am so thankful, grateful and blessed with this year. So, here's my list... </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
30 Things For Which I'm Thankful This Year</div><ol start="1" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Jesus Christ, for His saving grace & gift of eternal life</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">God's Word, which teaches, admonishes, inspires and encourages me</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">My husband, who loves me despite all my flaws and for working hard to support our family </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our precious baby girl growing in my belly, who I am blessed and humbled to be her mom</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our families, who display unconditional support and love</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our church, which constantly seeks to do God's will </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our friends, who we can always turn to for laughter and fun </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our little pup, who brings me much joy and happiness</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our home, which provides us shelter and comfort</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Holidays, for the time off work and fellowship with family</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our new car, that God provided us the resources to pay for it in full</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our jobs, that we are both able to work and can afford a comfortable living</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">God's creation, which I am constantly amazed and in awe</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our health, that we are blessed with good health and no major diseases</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Music, which soothes my soul & lifts my mood</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Good design & beautiful aesthetics</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Delicious food</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Free time, rest & relaxation</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Vacations </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Blogs, magazines & Pinterest</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Sales & finding great deals</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Fun & challenging workout classes</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Freedom</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">The Internet and easy access to information</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Photography & the ability to capture moments</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Warm weather & sunshine</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Our community & city</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Safety and comfort</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Interesting and entertaining books & movies</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Naps</li>
</ol><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also, if you're looking for some fun, free printables for your own Thanksgiving get-together, then you need to check out the awesome collection from <a href="http://www.kindovermatter.com/" target="_blank">Kind Over Matter!</a> <strong><a href="http://www.kindovermatter.com/2010/11/collection-of-free-thanksgiving.html" target="_blank"></a></strong> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kindovermatter.com/2010/11/collection-of-free-thanksgiving.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ECrq_ZvxjaE8T6vMksy9gTE4RZQDYHkkdzGpORX80iz7DylJWHbWbwYajZTCwnlccAIuEphQUtYHP8FdA4V4qoYbhsOi0KNlge1-6LhCRAbnnY1XB7fw_zuIyks5s1xm0fQvmRg6NlU/s1600/thanksgiving" />Thanksgiving Printables </a></div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-74763042597746868762011-11-05T16:39:00.000-05:002011-11-05T16:39:00.658-05:00A new set of wheels<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A couple weeks ago, my husband and I (and baby) set out on a car buying journey. Since all the vehicles we own are of the two-door variety, we needed one that had four doors to accommodate our growing family. Crawling in and out of a two-door car to mess with a car seat is not exactly my idea of a fun time. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ideally, I had my mind set on a crossover/small SUV-type vehicle for toting around a little one, a stroller, other random baby gear and groceries. Thus began my Internet search, I looked online at Autotrader.com, Cars.com and other car websites to find the right car for the right price. There were a couple in Texas I liked and a couple at our local dealership in town. We deemed Saturday car shopping day and were planning to head down to the Dallas area to look at a few dealerships, but we just ended up staying in town and looking at our local dealership in case we found something we might want here. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I printed off information on the three cars I was interested in and we were on our way to the local Infiniti dealership in town. One was a 2010 Infiniti EX35, another was a new 2011 Infiniti EX35 and there was also a used 2010 Lexus RX350. Once we pulled into the parking lot, a salesman was there waiting for us. I pulled out my papers and inquired about the used 2010 Infiniti EX35 since it was the most affordable one. “It just sold yesterday,” the car salesman said. Well, I guess that one was not for us…really though, it didn’t have the navigation system I was wanting so I wasn’t too upset. On to the next, the Lexus RX350…“oh, the manager is driving that one around, I’ll have to go find it since it’s not actually here.” Okay, onto the new 2011 Infiniti EX35…it had everything we wanted in it, except it was a little more than we had wanted to spend. Well, there was still one in Texas that we were pretty interested in, let’s just go with that one. But wait, “we actually just had another 2010 come in yesterday with 9,000 miles, one owner lease and almost exactly the same as the new one you just looked at.” What? Why didn’t he just tell us that to begin with? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, long story short, we settled on a price for the last car we looked at, were harassed about extended warranties and other junk to add-on, signed over the check and bought my first car with cash. The car that we didn’t know anything about before we got there, but had everything we were looking for – navigation system, back-up cameras, low miles, still under warranty for three more years and it even already had the windows tinted (extra plus). Now, I just need to sell my old car...any takers? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are some photos of the baby's new ride/the mommy mobile... </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/car1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/car1.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06737.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A big selling point was the all around view cameras</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/car2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/car2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm also pretty excited to have a navigation system now</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-63196166612216271362011-10-19T21:21:00.003-05:002011-10-19T21:31:08.880-05:00Life Lately<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It’s been a while since I’ve been on here and posts have been very few and far between. With such a huge impending change in my immediate future (the baby), I’ve been busy with life…preparing for our new addition (which involves reading lots of books and frequenting baby sites and stores), holidays and birthdays around every corner and trying to enjoy the last few months of life without hourly diaper changes and feedings. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’ll just give the brief highlights of the major goings-ons lately:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We found out the sex/gender of our child and had a “gender reveal party” to announce to family and friends. Hubby wanted to refer to it as a “sex party,” but I didn’t want people getting the wrong impression…so "gender reveal" it was. Our announcement via cake ball resulted in…a team pink win! Yes, we’re adding another girl to our family, which I am extremely excited about! Let the pink ruffles and bows abound. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Girl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">More on the baby front…we attended our first prenatal class at the hospital the last couple of Saturdays and learned all the ins-and-outs of caring for this little human who is growing more and more active in my belly. We swaddled and bathed plastic dolls, learned how to ease the adjustment of our four-legged baby to our new two-legged baby, and witnessed horrific photographs of what “normal” baby poop is supposed to look like. The nursery is slowly coming together…my hubby/baby daddy hung the curtains and chandelier (which almost didn’t happen-don’t ask), and the crib my parents bought the baby is now fully assembled and ready for a mattress and bedding. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Chandelier.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Daddy for hanging my beautiful chandelier, which <br />
I will appreciate and love for years and years...Love, Baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/crib3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/crib3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/crib1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/crib1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie helped Daddy put together the crib</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/crib2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/crib2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse1jm-QvadkGuqhh8umkOKlaTatLeFOcE0NEUdLborrYq27bQ3RyV0cY1fDFJUZ4zav-UDIaVda4Vd88U6Eqkw_aNwbNOL7gAEoRZYClLQnN0FgXwb19cjR7m5u0TRwzVq0jpcsQ8CgqQ/s320/postcardfront.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/AVvXsEhse1jm-QvadkGuqhh8umkOKlaTatLeFOcE0NEUdLborrYq27bQ3RyV0cY1fDFJUZ4zav-UDIaVda4Vd88U6Eqkw_aNwbNOL7gAEoRZYClLQnN0FgXwb19cjR7m5u0TRwzVq0jpcsQ8CgqQ/s320/postcardfront.jpg" /></a></div>Non-baby stuff…I’m doing two different Bible studies this fall. One is the “Called to be a Keeper” study at our church, which I’m finding to be quite helpful as I plan to adjust to my new role in the coming months. It’s been a huge blessing to learn and hear experiences from women who are older and have much more life wisdom, while I’m just beginning my journey as a wife and mother. I would definitely recommend it to women in all stages of life, especially those in similar seasons of life as my own. Check out their website at <a href="http://www.keepersministry.com/" target="_blank">www.keepersministry.com</a>. The other study I’m doing with my Sunday school class is going through the new book “The Resolution for Women” by Priscilla Shirer, which is supposedly the woman counterpart somewhat linked to the new movie geared toward men called “Courageous”. This book proposes and outlines 13 resolutions for Christian women to lead a purposeful and directed life. It has also been very applicable to my current season in life and is an interesting read. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So there you have it…the major highlights. This year is flying by and now my life is passing in weeks as we countdown (or up) to the fateful 40-week mark. Currently, I’m at the 21 ½ week mark (more than halfway done baking the bun). </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/21weeks-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/21weeks-1.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-63851738110077362662011-08-31T22:13:00.000-05:002011-08-31T22:13:43.050-05:00Spilling the beans…<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">...about our little bean, who is not so much a bean now but more like the size of a navel orange! Yes, we will be expecting the grand arrival of our first little one at the end of February, and we’re ecstatic about the newest addition to our family. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Announcement_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/Announcement_blog.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My hubs is hoping for a leap day baby, but I’m a little confused about the whole thing and how it would work with legal documents and birthdays and such so I would rather avoid all that. Anyways, I've been extremely blessed and have actually been feeling great so far (the first question people ask me), no morning sickness or nausea! I'm now ready to move from the "oh, she's putting on some weight" phase to the "aww, what a cute little baby bump" phase...but not quite ready yet for the "man, are you having twins?" phase.</div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-44925747184489465992011-08-17T20:12:00.002-05:002011-08-31T21:50:46.745-05:00Let's Make a Deal<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’m sure that if you've paid any attention to the economy or your depression-inducing 401k, then you know that the financial forecast for our nation looks a little bleak right now. With downgraded credit scores, bloated national debt, the spreading housing crisis, and unemployment on the rise, most everyone is looking to catch a break or snag a good deal these days. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On a positive note, one of the good things to come out of this economic downturn is those private, limited-time, members-only sales and Groupon-esque flash deal sites that have been popping up like wildfires. So many of these have turned up that I’m having a hard time keeping track of all of them. I haven't actually bought anything off these sites yet, but I like to browse and see what good deals could be had. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are some of my most recent discoveries that caught my attention.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Are there any cool ones that you've found?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.beyondtherack.com/member/invite/B63A2B98"><img border="0" height="72" src="http://www.discoveringstartups.com/wp-content/plugins/cforms/attachments/693-btrlogo.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ruelala.com/invite/frbbzras"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://couponconnections.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Ruelala.png" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sign up for <a href="http://www.ruelala.com/invite/frbbzras">Rue La La</a> by August 23 through the link above, and you'll automatically get a $10 credit! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.hautelook.com/invite/TMiller1600"><img border="0" height="85" src="http://www.cararuns.org/%7E/media/Images/Sponsor%20Logos/Hautelook%20Logo.ashx" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.jossandmain.com/store/myinvite/xbF"><img border="0" src="http://gourmandeinthekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/joss-and-main-logo.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.sniqueaway.com/invite/TeresaMil2"><img border="0" height="73" src="http://www.pitchengine.com/brands2/sniqueaway/logos/sniqueidtm.png" width="400" /></a></div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6628021513826741226.post-70064638859260081052011-08-04T21:01:00.001-05:002011-08-04T21:08:26.236-05:00Another year older<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While I’ve been away from the blog last month, I’ve entered into the final year of my twenties. So far, I’m about a month into the year leading up to the big one, and I have a feeling that this is going to be a really wonderful year. I’m hoping to try new things, make new friends (and grow deeper in my current friendships and relationships), explore new places, learn, grow, take chances and just live life and enjoy everything that God blesses me with or teaches me along the way. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To kick start this new year for me, the day after my actual b-day, my husband and I, along with two other couples from our Sunday School class (the “Johnsonses” – both with the same last name “Johnson” but not related), took a day trip south to Big D…Dallas, Texas. It’s where I’ve lived the third longest, first being Edmond, Oklahoma (my hometown); second is Waco, Texas (college); and then Dallas, Texas (internship)…so, I have a little bit of Texan in me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What did we do while we were in the Lone Star state? All the things we can’t do in Oklahoma and I never did while I lived in Dallas, like…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Waiting in line 25 minutes in the big daddy of all drive-thru lines to get a cheeseburger at In-N-Out Burger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then, heading over to the cupcake place that started the whole cupcake craze…Sprinkles! The red velvet was fab, but I needed someone to roll me out of there after stuffing myself to the gills. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06614.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, we had to work off all the calories and sugar by going ice skating in the Galleria.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06624.jpg" width="266" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To finish off the evening, what else than Medieval Times! An interesting experience, but unfortunately our knight was the first to be defeated..boo, yellow knight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06633.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/teresahmiller/DSC06652.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Overall, it was a fun birthday experience with many “firsts” checked off the list! In-N-Out Burger…check, Sprinkles…check, Ice Skating at the Galleria…check, and Medieval Times…check! What next? I have a feeling we may be headed to San Antonio sometime in the next year, since one set of Johnsons is moving to San Antonio against our will.</span></div>Teresa H. Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443559957195467308noreply@blogger.com0