tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22962718910827982502024-03-13T13:36:05.009-07:00Take Another Step....Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.comBlogger283125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-30032582686986210372015-04-29T11:41:00.000-07:002015-04-29T11:41:04.870-07:00Boston Marathon Recap<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For most of my life, I have heard about the Boston Marathon. Both of my parents were marathon runners and my mom found out she was pregnant with me after running the Boston marathon (she <i>lovingly</i> says she cried for weeks after finding out about me because she was in the best shape of her life. Ha! I took all her mojo. Sorry boucha!). Our local paper did a pretty cool story about it that you can read <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/running-for-mother-two-daughters-to-run-boston-marathon/article_d57bbfad-e03f-5a69-8ee1-56844b2c496e.html">here</a>. In 2012 a little a year after having my daughter, Isabelle, I decided to do it. I BQ'd in Nashville (3:19) and set my sights on Boston. I showed up to Boston ready to run. Boston had other ideas. It was a record setting 87 degrees and after 24 miles of fighting hard, I was pulled off the course due to heat exhaustion. <i>Super bummed</i>. I spend about 4 hours in the ER and then finally finished the course in a sad 7.5 hours. That was my first Boston. But I knew it wouldn't be my last. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the 2013 bombing, I knew I had to go back. So in 2014 I set my sights on qualifying again! This time I did it in my home town race, The Route 66 Marathon. I set a new P.R. (3:10) and won! Read more about it </span><a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportshomepage1/jason-cook-melissa-truitt-prevail-in-route-marathon/article_66b71c4b-beb2-5fa1-8876-8cb08ce0bae6.html" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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I promise Tulsa is beautiful. This is the ugliest part of it. It's also hilly. So don't listen to people when they call us flat. That's rude. </div>
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So, so sick while crossing this finish line. Thank goodness, the photographer is a friend so he photo shopped me and gave me a little color. I was grey. Grey skin is not a good look for me. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Winning a marathon was always on my "bucket list", but I wanted to break 3 hours much more. I was trained to break 3 for the Tulsa Marathon, but life happened and I got the stomach bug the night of the marathon. It was BY FAR one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I was so glad that I did it and happy with a 3:10. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After recovering for about a month. I started my Boston training. I will post about what sort of training I did to execute this, but it was my favorite way to train. #Lamecliffhanger</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister, Mom, and Myself. </span></div>
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Oh, Hopkinton. How I love thee</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before the race even started, I was feeling all sorts of Deja Vu. In 2012, all anyone could talk about was the weather. This year, I woke up in Boston and all anyone was talking about was the weather. The cold. The rain. The wind. How could we run up heartbreak hill with a headwind gust of 30 mph? That wouldn't be possible. Once again, I felt the sub 3 hours slipping from my fingers. Then I got pissed and said "Screw it. I am trained. I am not scared of failure. I am an Okie, so there is NO WAY I am scared of wind. Plus, I love running in the cold." So, I started the race with a calm confidence. I planned to take out slower than originally planned, but to pick it up when I got half way at the Wellesley girls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first mile was by far my slowest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are my splits: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 1: 7:25-</b> I wanted to take out conservative...but not that conservative. There was nothing I could do about it. I was stuck in the crowds. There was no way around it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 2: 6:57-</b> Better, but I still wanted to be at a 6:50 pace. Still fighting crowds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 3</b>: 6:45</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 4:</b> 6:48</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 5:</b> 6:50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 6:</b> 6:40</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 7</b>: 6:46</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 8</b>: 6:51</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 9:</b> 6:37</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 10</b>: 6:51</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 11</b>: 6:49</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 12:</b> 6:47</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 13:</b> 6:47</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 14:</b> 6:42</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 15:</b> 6:47</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 16:</b> 6:46</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 17:</b> 7:02 -Hey there Newton Hills </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 18:</b> 6:52</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 19</b>: 6:39</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 20:</b> 6:57</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 21</b>: 7:06. -Damn you Heartbreak hill</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 22</b>: 6:37</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 23:</b> 6:44</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 24:</b> 6:42</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 25:</b> 6:36 - I started to get a little nervous that I wasn't going to break it. I felt great. Better than I've ever felt in a marathon, but I could NOT get around people. I was fighting the good fight, but I was stuck. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 26</b>: 6:38</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The last .43</b>: 5:46</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">Over all time: 2:59:29. </b>I did it! I broke 3 hours. Not by much, but I wasn't complaining. Boston made me earn it that day and I was praising God that it had finally happened! </span></div>
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"Today was a good day" - Ice Cube</div>
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I'm going to be honest....A large part of the reasons I do marathons is because beer tastes better after a long run. Plus, I can drink lots of beer and not get fat. #carboloading</div>
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For this trip, we kept my daughters at home. They don't appreciate watching people run for hours and hours. In the words of Isabelle, "Watching people workout is not fun." I agree. But I pray that I will one day run the marathon with both of my daughters. Because that's just bad ass. </div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-45707963281684713282013-05-21T12:10:00.001-07:002013-05-21T12:10:17.621-07:00ThankfulThank you for your concerns. We are safe and were fortunate enough to watch the storms pass over us. My heart breaks for the families who lost everything in the tornados. I can't imagine waiting to pick up my child from school and waiting all night. The thought alone is paralyzing. Like you, we huddled around the tv and hugged our girls a little tighter as we watched the devastation. <br />
Prayers are needed. Okies are strong, resilient and God fearing. I couldn't be more proud to call it Home. <br />
Text "Red Cross" to 90999 <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g-wDyWa6Kzk/UZvGl1FzocI/AAAAAAAADIw/yir5F1vObO4/s640/blogger-image-986768072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g-wDyWa6Kzk/UZvGl1FzocI/AAAAAAAADIw/yir5F1vObO4/s640/blogger-image-986768072.jpg" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-23884911734923961742013-05-13T05:57:00.000-07:002013-05-13T05:57:35.933-07:00Here we are!I missed this here ol' blog! Life has been speeding by and I am ready to sit back down at my computer and freeze time for just a bit while looking through my camera. <br />
We have been adjusting to the new life of a family of four. Life has been amazing, but good Lord I'm tired! Berkley is doing great and Isabelle is a perfect big sister, which has made this whole transition easier. Berkley is slowly coming off her medicine, which can make for a rough couple of days, but other than that she is such a happy, sweet baby! <br />
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I had such a great day celebrating Mother's Day and I was given the precious gift of sleep!! (Thank you again, Mr. T and Berkley. You guys are awesome.) As soon as I woke up, I was greeted by a naked toddler wearing a tiara and sparkly shoes....Motherhood is awesome. <br />
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We did go visit Berkley's birth mom, M, which was great. Mother's day is such a day of celebration around here, but after visiting M, I realized how painful of a day it can be for a lot of women. For M, it is a day of regrets, brokenness, and pain. The look on her face when she saw Berkley broke me. She knows that she made a great decision by giving Berkley a home that she couldn't provide, but it still hurts. She has done the most selfless, self sacrificing thing that I have ever witnessed and it breaks my heart. She loves Berkley in a different way than I could ever imagine and I am so glad she does. She will always be Berkley's first mom and we are so happy that she didn't take the easy way out. We will always love her for making that tough decision. <br />
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Me and my gals</div>
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Oh man, my heart just explodes for these two. </div>
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I left her alone for ONE minute and the princess fairy placed a crown on her head. That's what big sisters are for, right? </div>
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My little baby has become the best big sister that I could ever imagine. She makes me forget what it was like when it just three of us. She instantly fell in love and included her baby siter in EVERYTHING. </div>
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Our first family hike. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Stay a little more up to date with our family adventures and follow me on Instagram: anotherstepmel</span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-47125238722690765392013-04-18T06:27:00.003-07:002013-04-18T06:27:57.482-07:00Parental RightsWe have had quite the adjustment with a family of four. Berkley is doing a ton better (thank you for all your sweet words!) and we are loving the adjustment, but change is always a little tough for me. Do you know what makes a newborn adjustment awesome? A baby that only wakes up ONCE during the night. It's awesome. I think we are finally getting payback for her (literally) <em>screaming</em> for 2 weeks straight. She is now eating a ton during the day and sleeping it off at night. She is still tiny, but she is growing strong. We went for a 3 week checkup to go over her medicine routine and she weighed a whopping 6lbs 2oz. She's tiny but mighty. <br />
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Through all of this, we have been trying to keep Isabelle's schedule normal. She does swimming lessons on Saturday and that has become her second favorite thing to do. <br />
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Her first favorite thing to do....hold her sister. <br />
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Thank God for grandparents. Mr. T's parents came in town so we could enjoy a night out with country music (Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley) beer and a little alone time with my hot date. Perfect. <br />
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Tomorrow at 10:30 Berkley's birth mom will stand in front of a judge and sign away any rights she has for Berkley. I am terrified. Not that she won't sign them, but I am scared for the emotions she is going to have during that time. I can't imagine doing a more selfless thing in my life. Her strength amazes me. She has been seeking professional help for her addictions and she is doing awesome, but she is also tons of support. We hope to be that support for her and we hope that she lets us. Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-50587073946776199662013-04-10T05:59:00.001-07:002013-04-10T05:59:43.591-07:00So What! <center>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This week I am saying So What!:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">-That I haven't slept in a little over 2 weeks. My eyes are officially blood shot, but we get to take our little lady home from the hospital TODAY so that makes it all worth it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">-I need to buy Visine for my bloodshot eyes, but I have a weird thing with visine and I think that only pot heads buy it and I don't want to be judged when I go get it. I am no pot head, although my eyes would tell you something different. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">-Mr. T and I have tickets to see Miranda Lambert on Saturday and we are so excited about it! Hopefully a night away is just what the doctor ordered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">-I am still trying to get on the whole "Downton Abbey" bandwagon. I am getting better with it, but still not seeing the hype. However, I do want an english accent and a giant castle. With electricity please. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">-That I am all out of SO what's! My brain is working at about 50%, but hopefully I will be back in full force soon! </span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-25379916435587422842013-04-09T05:22:00.000-07:002013-04-09T05:22:06.931-07:00Day 6Sunday started out perfectly! Mr T. And I left the hospital after a night with Berkley and went to pick up Isabelle at my moms house for some church. It's a really weird feeling being at church with one of your daughters while the other daughter is stuck in a hospital bed. We needed to keep our lives sort of normal for Isabelle and Sunday means donuts and church to her, so we tried to focus on the positive and do our Sunday thing. <br />
Church always feels like such a "safe place" and this Sunday was no different. After a great service, we headed out for a nice run. Throughout this entire stressful process running has become my meditation and peaceful time. I will definitely blog about that all later, but I will say that I have had some awesome experiences on my runs lately.<br />
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Anyway....after a great Sunday afternoon we headed back up to the hospital to check on our gal. We were immediately brought back to reality when the nurse said that Berkley didn't have a great morning and her score was a 12. (They score her a few times a day for withdrawal signs. The lower the score the better. We walked into the hospital at a 12-14, but lately we had been at 2's and 4's. So to get a 12 again, after 5 days, was devastating.) <br />
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They decided to put her back on a medication that might make her sleepy, but then she wouldn't be uncomfortable. Thankfully, that has worked! Last night her highest score was a 6 and today she has been around 1! She is more alert and eating great and slowly gaining weight. She is a fighter and has reached EVERY goal that the doctor has set for her. <br />
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The doctor said that he wants to watch her a few more nights, but that we should be able to go home by Wednesday! Such great news! <br />
We are not out of the clear quite yet, and once she comes home she will continue a detox plan until she is completely off of all medication, but we are just ready to have her home again! <br />
Thank you for your prayers and support! I cannot thank you enough!! <br />
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We have been doing a lot of this lately. Holding/ipad-ing. Mr. T is watching every Shark Tank that's ever been made and I just started Season 1 of Downton Abbey. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I have only watched 2 episodes and I'm not hooked yet. Don't you worry though... I will give it a little more time!) </span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-87619674514947341842013-04-06T11:17:00.001-07:002013-04-06T11:17:11.888-07:00Day 4We are still in the hospital. She is not doing so hot when the methadone wears off and so they are giving her some medication to help her sleep so she's not awake and in pain. They will wean her off the sleep medication before she can go home. <br />
Mr. T and I took a break last night and went home to sleep while my mom stayed with Berkley at the hospital. It was a nice break, but we were ready to get back with her! <br />
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Isabelle keeps asking when Berkley is coming home because she can't come visit her while she is in the NICU and I have a feeling Berkley is ready to be home as well! We are praying for a speedy recovery, but we definitely don't want to leave the hospital if she's not ready. Thank you all for your sweet words and support! For more pics, follow me on Instagram at: anotherstepmel <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mC1vfiYfVSA/UWBmoYySf4I/AAAAAAAADCo/DkjLjDP7RRQ/s640/blogger-image-354983323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mC1vfiYfVSA/UWBmoYySf4I/AAAAAAAADCo/DkjLjDP7RRQ/s640/blogger-image-354983323.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nd11GiAxJoI/UWBmphWAmlI/AAAAAAAADCw/T6JbXHE3ILs/s640/blogger-image-984237212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nd11GiAxJoI/UWBmphWAmlI/AAAAAAAADCw/T6JbXHE3ILs/s640/blogger-image-984237212.jpg" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-76474138896113951762013-04-05T10:29:00.002-07:002013-04-05T10:29:56.881-07:00We're a family of 4! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Berkley Nichole </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Born March 23, 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">She is beautiful and perfect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm so sorry if you follow me on Instagram and you got a glimpse of our newest member and then heard nothing more. Life with Berkley has been a whole new adventure and much more than we could have planned for. We are so excited that we were chosen to be her parents and our hearts have grown twice in size since we met her. She is such a blessing to our lives! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Let me start out by saying that Berkley's birth mother is an amazing, strong, courageous young woman. She has had a tough life and is fighting some addictions, but we know that she is strong enough to win. That being said, <span style="font-size: large;">Berkley was born addicted to Methadone</span>. We were aware that her Birth mom was taking Methadone to fight her long addiction to pain killers. Because she was pregnant, she could not quit her addictions cold turkey without the possibility of a miscarriage. Doctors told her that methadone was the best alternative. It would not cause any serious side effects, but they did warn that the baby would withdrawal when she was born and that it wouldn't be pretty. Methadone is not the same as Methanthetamine. I can't tell you all of the specifics about it, but google can. It is taken daily which makes the withdrawals that much tougher. We were warned that Methadone is the "best" drug to be on for babies if you are choosing, but that the withdrawals are the worst to watch because it was taken regularly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">We prepared ourselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We knew that 90% of babies born to mothers on methadone go through some sort of withdrawal, but we prayed to be in the 10%. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Then we prayed. And we prayed hard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I didn't talk about the entire adoption process on here, because it was too hard and I didn't know what to expect. I also didn't want to hear judgement about Berkley's birth mom because we have gotten really close with her and we love her like a sister now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"> I regret that I didn't write about it now, because I know that this blog is a great source of therapy for me and can help others, but at that time I just couldn't bring myself to accept the fact that my daughter would be born <span style="font-size: large;">addicted to drugs. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">When she was born, everything was perfect. We spent three days in the hospital waiting for signs of withdrawal, but we saw none. She was doing great. We thought we had made it out of the "zone" and we were now safe. That our baby had beat the odds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">We were wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The night we brought her home, she didn't sleep at all. We told ourselves that this is just what newborns do, but I think Mr. T and I both knew that something wasn't right. She was crying and she wasn't consolable. Her cry was different then other cries (high pitched) and she seemed really uncomfortable. Then morning would come and she would seem okay. She would sleep most of the day and so we just thought maybe she had her days and nights messed up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">We were in denial. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">This went on for a few days and then things took a turn for the worse. The crying became an almost all day thing and we were exhausted and felt helpless. Our doctor prescribed medication that might help her, but it didn't. She was getting no relief and was clearly in pain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So on Wednesday night, <span style="font-size: large;">We checked back into the hospital. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We are here now and the doctors have her back on Methadone and will wean her slowly off. She is doing much better, but every day is a new struggle. We are fully relying on the Lord at this point and know that <span style="font-size: large;">He loves her more than we can imagine and we are resting in His peace. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">It's hard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">There are a lot of tears. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I want my family of four to be able to just do life together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Isabelle misses her sister. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I miss my baby not looking "sick" in a hospital bed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We're exhausted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">But we are filled with Joy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We know that this is the war that the Lord has us fighting and we know that this is exactly where we are supposed to be. We are glad to know that we can be here for her during this time, but our hearts are broken for the MILLIONS of other kids that are fighting battles, like Berkleys, alone. We know that she will be fine, we just pray that it will be soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Please, rejoice with us in this awesome new blessing that we have been given and please pray with us that she is healed quickly and comfortably. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I promise to update you now daily. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-size: large;">She needs your prayers. Please.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Philippians 4:6- "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-70329158790839636672013-03-20T05:28:00.000-07:002013-03-20T05:31:01.110-07:00So What! <center>
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This week I am saying, So What!:</center>
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-That I am breaking out like a 15 year old because my hormones/stress levels are going crazy. This adoption stuff is a lot harder than I thought. </center>
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-That I get really <strike>pissed</strike> annoyed when a woman says, "Oh, you're adopting? That's awesome, because you don't have to do all the hard stuff with a pregnancy." Okay, I've been pregnant and it is hard. And now, I've gone through the adoption process and for me it is so.much.harder. Holy loss of control batman! We have 2 weeks to go and time seems to be creeping by. </center>
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-That I have also heard a lot lately, "God won't give you more than you can handle". Which I believe is total baloney. I don't know if you have read the bible or not, but that's not the case at all...The bible DOES say that when we are broken down and can take NO MORE that the strength of God will be seen and I am standing on that promise. So let's go on ahead and quit saying that little phrase. Or at least to me...when I'm sensitive, hormonal and exhausted. </center>
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-On a less Debbie Downer note... So what that Isabelle is getting crazy competitive like her mama. She makes me race the cars when we are driving and when she was racing her older cousin and he was winning (he's 7!) she laid in the middle of the street and screamed and cried. It made me laugh (on the inside) because I <strike>am</strike> was the same way. </center>
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- That I am already getting nervous about March Madness. With Kentucky stinking it up and us getting a #1 seed, I am feeling like the Jayhawks are getting all their MoJo together. </center>
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-That I worked on the "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" chant with Isabelle for TWO days, yet she still told her babysitter "GO AGGIES!" (Dang Mr. T.) </center>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-20574333745584500002013-03-18T05:34:00.000-07:002013-03-18T05:35:58.117-07:00S*$t that Isabelle says...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Can you tell that her smile is fake? Mr. T told her to smile or she would have to sit on the Easter Bunny's lap...this is the smile we got. Parenting is all about threats, right? </div>
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<strong>While I was putting away her laundry and bending down, apparently I had a little plumber crack going on:</strong> <br />
Isabelle: "Ha! Daddy, look at that bum hangin' out!" <br />
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<strong>Immediately after going down the slide and she let a huge toot out:</strong><br />
Me: "Isabelle, do you need to potty?"<br />
Isabelle: "No, I'm just tooting. No big deal."<br />
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<strong>Me trying to kiss her after a run:</strong><br />
"NO MOMMY! No kisses, until you get that sweat off!"<br />
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<strong>While racing her friend at the park:</strong><br />
Isabelle: "See ya sucka!"<br />
Me: "Where did you learn that?"<br />
Isabelle: "Bubba (her cousin), he's a funny little guy."<br />
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<strong>While walking through the stores and seeing manequins:</strong><br />
Isabelle: "Oh no! What happened to their heads?! They fell off!"Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-55894251738756720452013-03-11T06:27:00.002-07:002013-03-11T06:27:37.264-07:00The worst Monday...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I hate the spring forward time change. Sure, it's exciting to be in "spring time", but I hate losing a precious hour of sleep. Plus, it's still cold outside. <em>Barf. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">My spin class still starts at 5:15 a.m., even though my body feels like it's 4:15. <em>Double barf. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The good part about the time change? It hasn't hit Isabelle yet. She is still fast asleep which means I can watch country music videos (a favorite past time of mine) while drinking my coffee in silence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">These guys don't make too much noise during my shows. And yes, that is how my dog ALWAYS sleeps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I just realized I drank an entire pot of coffee by myself so hopefully I make it through the afternoon without a major crash. We shall see. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Happy Monday!</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-33853670009961362322013-03-08T06:07:00.000-08:002013-03-08T06:07:32.083-08:00Life in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We have been busy lately enjoying the spring like weather and getting outside as often as possible...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRD-umX4F70/UTlQunfEyiI/AAAAAAAAC_0/_qBpMzAVqW0/s1600/Turkey+Mountain4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRD-umX4F70/UTlQunfEyiI/AAAAAAAAC_0/_qBpMzAVqW0/s640/Turkey+Mountain4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I love the way she mimics her cousin. She looks up to him in every way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I love the way that he looks after his baby cousin. He will make sure she is never in danger...but always keeps her on her toes. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3I_-HcWIpMg/UTlTEhBAiMI/AAAAAAAADA0/uxIa6zXfuIw/s1600/2013-03-03+17.35.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3I_-HcWIpMg/UTlTEhBAiMI/AAAAAAAADA0/uxIa6zXfuIw/s640/2013-03-03+17.35.57.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Just a little calm before the storm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">And I'm so ready to dance in the rain.</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-38275376718984926982013-02-27T06:09:00.001-08:002013-02-27T09:43:09.537-08:00So What Wednesday<center>
<a href="http://www.lifeafteridew.com/search/label/So%20What" target="_blank"><img alt="So What Wednesday" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m504/diamonddolldesign/sowhatidew_zps90902df1.png" /></a></center>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This week I am saying, So What!:</span></center>
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-<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">That I am DYING for a new blog design (thanks <a href="http://www.lifeafteridew.com/">Shannon</a> for the heads up with <a href="http://www.diamonddolldesigns.com/">Jess' Blog designs.</a> I am so going to use her) but I don't want to get it started until I have pictures of our NEW baby to add to my little treasures. 5 more weeks! </span></center>
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-<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">That 5 weeks sounds like an eternity. This whole adoption thing is a LOT tougher than my pregnancy with Isabelle. </span></center>
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-<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">That</span> w<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">e are going to an adoption conference this weekend at our church and Jen Hatmaker will be speaking. Her book,"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Interrupted-Adventure-Relearning-Essentials-Navigators/dp/1600062172">Interrupted</a>" is amazing and she is hilarious. I am ready to pick up and move to Austin so that we can be besties.</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">- That </span><a href="http://www.melissatruitt.noondaycollection.com/"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Noonday's New Spring Line</span></a> <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">is beautiful and the stories behind each and every one of the new items is even more beautiful. I am going to be broke very soon (Sorry about that Mr. T). </span></center>
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-<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">That I'm the only human that didn't watch the Oscars or even care a little about who won. Lately, I have only been watching kid movies and so I don't even know most of the people or movie titles to stay relevant. I DO know that I loved Jennifer Lawrence before people found out that she was funny. Hello, she can shoot a bow and arrow like a boss. </span></center>
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-<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">That I am a 28 year old, married, mom in the suburbs and I just said, "Like a Boss". Please still be my friend. </span></center>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-79404868488280959732013-02-25T05:10:00.000-08:002013-02-25T05:10:37.677-08:00To my old man:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Happy 30th birthday old geez. Thank you for robbing the cradle and agreeing to marry me...I'm so glad you're not into trophy wives but more into grumpy moms who wear yoga pants (sorry 'bout that). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> You always take care of me, think of sweet gestures (HELLO! Coffee each morning!) and you keep me and my smart/inappropriate mouth out of many fights and jail time. I owe you <strong>everything.</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Sure, you may be old and fall asleep at 8:30 but I think it's cute that you pretend like you never were asleep. The random laughs that you throw out <em>totally</em> throw me off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Sure, you may be old and not want a raging 30th birthday party, but that's what I love about you. You deserve a low key, intimate, birthday. (<em>Also, your 40th birthday is just around the corner so we can always party it up then...here's to breaking hips!)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Sure, you may be old but you can still look hot wearing 3D glasses to watch a little Top Gun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sure, you may be old but I appreciate that you made that teenager on his skateboard go pick up the trash that he threw down in the neighborhood. My mother earth loving hippy ways are rubbing off on you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sure, you may be old and CHOOSE to do a half marathon for your birthday, but you killed that half marathon. Prime age baby!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sure, you may be old but you're still a bad ass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I love you. To the moon and back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-50712241331516093042013-02-20T17:42:00.000-08:002013-02-21T05:44:25.975-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I don't hate the snow. I don't love the cold, but I don't hate the snow. When I lived in Kansas, I did get sick of it but since I have moved back to Oklahoma...I kinda miss it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">It makes everything so quiet and beautiful. It MAKES you slow down. It turns adults into children again by begging for an impromptu snowball fight. </span></div>
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Yes, that's grapes for eyes and a carrot for a nose. Who really has a coal, a corncob pipe and a button just laying around? Not I. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have been hoping for some snow to come around because Isabelle has yet to see any (that she can remember). I was right, she had a blast splashing around (it was wet snow, since it was 60 degrees yesterday) running in the slush and throwing snow balls into the air. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I am so thankful for days like this. </span></div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-90737927356024460922013-02-20T05:43:00.002-08:002013-02-20T05:43:33.099-08:00So What! <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Come on over and <a href="http://www.lifeafteridew.com/">Link Up.</a> It'll be a blast. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This week I am saying, SO What!: </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">-That I am getting a little bit sad about selling my car. It's just too small for this growing little family and it's time to step up to get a mama bear car. I feel so responsible. </span></center>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Also, if you're in the market for an Infiniti G35, let me know. </span></center>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">-That Isabelle's "toddler music" station on Pandora plays A LOT of Bob Marley. Seriously, Bob Marley as kids music? And Isabelle loves it. Seriously. </span></center>
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-<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have not gotten on board with this whole Downton Abbey thing. I have no idea what it is and up until this week I thought it was called DOWNTOWN Abbey. For now, I'll stick with my "Real Housewives", they have more than enough drama for me. </span></center>
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-<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It makes me laugh inside every time I tell someone that "we are expecting" and they ask when I'm due and I say April. They always look at my unpregnant belly and get a weird look. It's really confusing to them and really hilarious to me. Read more about us <a href="http://takeanotherstepmelissa.blogspot.com/2013/01/adoption-update.html">HERE</a></span></center>
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-<span style="font-family: Courier New;">That I am officially (FINALLY) getting baby fever. It took me a while to really want a tiny baby and not just a toddler. Now I am really, really ready for a tiny little baby and everything that comes with that. </span></center>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-65229558504517007262013-02-18T06:00:00.000-08:002013-02-18T06:00:05.483-08:00Weekend in Pictures<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It's a Monday and we got little to no sleep last night due to Isabelle's coughing (Thanks Mr. T for cowboying up and being the best Dad ever and taking care of her), which means I don't want to talk a whole lot so let's just check out the awesome weekend without a ton of words. Deal? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A friendly game of Bingo with my nephew and Isabelle. (Don't worry, those aren't their wine glasses).</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Spot the golden doodle. He's the best, right? Oh yeah, follow me on instagram (anotherstepmel) if you want to see some of these pics before they make it on the ol' blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We attended Isabelle's friends' birthday party. It was a blast and made Isabelle <em>exhausted...win, win. </em></span> (<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">That blur is us. We were super fast.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Happy Presidents Day! Now get out there and enjoy all those discounts in celebration of George Washington's birthday....what's more American than that?! </span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-24807323468648393992013-02-14T05:36:00.000-08:002013-02-14T05:36:39.278-08:00Well I change my mind. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Valentines is kinda awesome. I mean, I can <strike>eat</strike> make as many sweets as I want because calories don't count when you just eat the batter and not the batch right? Yeah, I thought so too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I put that theory to the test with Isabelle as we copied a recipe from <a href="http://childersfamilyof5.blogspot.com/">Ashley's</a> Instagram and I was so pleased with it. #1. It was easy. #2. My toddler could do most of it and #3. There was ONE thing to clean. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Boom. Amazing recipe. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8h4ZJFZfUk/URxLlxrgZ8I/AAAAAAAAC20/rHnhSoa3mAE/s1600/IsabelleValentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8h4ZJFZfUk/URxLlxrgZ8I/AAAAAAAAC20/rHnhSoa3mAE/s640/IsabelleValentine.jpg" width="598" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNS7EmgZ9XU/URxL2IIh50I/AAAAAAAAC3U/j806atrkDjo/s1600/IsabelleValentine3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNS7EmgZ9XU/URxL2IIh50I/AAAAAAAAC3U/j806atrkDjo/s640/IsabelleValentine3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LUu6wF9Bc_M/URxMRrKGZjI/AAAAAAAAC3k/q8lBvPCP2xk/s1600/IsabelleValentine4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LUu6wF9Bc_M/URxMRrKGZjI/AAAAAAAAC3k/q8lBvPCP2xk/s640/IsabelleValentine4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaSxLVNiLJ8/URxMWr-JKfI/AAAAAAAAC3s/Ieq13IeFSdc/s1600/IsabelleValentine5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaSxLVNiLJ8/URxMWr-JKfI/AAAAAAAAC3s/Ieq13IeFSdc/s640/IsabelleValentine5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Don't judge my pan. It's not dirty. Plus I only use it for projects like this, not to cook with (Or if I cook with it, I don't let anyone see it before hand...ha!). </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drFlOVXvSnA/URxRMDaWFrI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/fhg9Av9_gZY/s1600/2013-02-13+23.20.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drFlOVXvSnA/URxRMDaWFrI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/fhg9Av9_gZY/s640/2013-02-13+23.20.16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The sprinkles are the best part. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">They are much prettier when they are off that ugly pan. They taste so good and they are so cute and festive. <span style="font-size: x-small;">I told you Cupid got me! </span> </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CAJQh2WfTlA/URxLq8VeO0I/AAAAAAAAC3M/72TZEl30A30/s1600/IsabelleValentine1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CAJQh2WfTlA/URxLq8VeO0I/AAAAAAAAC3M/72TZEl30A30/s640/IsabelleValentine1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We also enjoyed a good little walk to the duck pond. Isabelle also has realized that you have to go after what you want. If you want to put your arm around your man, you put your arm around your man! Before I know it, she'll be burning her Dora undies. Lord.Help.Me. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYQsmdyDFZg/URxLnU-4gmI/AAAAAAAAC28/FHTqVtMJMs8/s1600/IsabelleValentine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYQsmdyDFZg/URxLnU-4gmI/AAAAAAAAC28/FHTqVtMJMs8/s640/IsabelleValentine.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">FYI. She is really into choosing her own outfits. She has tons of cute clothes. They are a waste. I should of just stocked up on $7 "princess" dresses like this one. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxFQa4G3CEU/URxMHqD_pQI/AAAAAAAAC3c/6hdupEu2BNg/s1600/Isabellevalentine2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxFQa4G3CEU/URxMHqD_pQI/AAAAAAAAC3c/6hdupEu2BNg/s640/Isabellevalentine2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Just when I think I am the best parent ever and she loves me the most....Mr. T shows up with a giant blue sucker (blue is her favorite color and a sucker is heaven on earth to her). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He's such a chump.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Happy Day of Love, Lovies! </span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-41309144497323571052013-02-13T06:04:00.002-08:002013-02-13T06:04:24.027-08:00Cupids little workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ9kn4zYpBA/URuZcpQlViI/AAAAAAAAC2I/5eMnpC28e-A/s1600/2013-02-11+16.36.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ9kn4zYpBA/URuZcpQlViI/AAAAAAAAC2I/5eMnpC28e-A/s640/2013-02-11+16.36.41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cy4auMFI85w/URuZDb1RCsI/AAAAAAAAC1g/eswhMG2GG9s/s1600/2013-02-12+14.03.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cy4auMFI85w/URuZDb1RCsI/AAAAAAAAC1g/eswhMG2GG9s/s640/2013-02-12+14.03.42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Free printables <a href="http://www.tammymitchelldesigns.com/">HERE</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, I've never been a fan of Valentines Day. I think it's weird and made up and expensive. The flowers are 100% markup, the restaurants raise the prices, drop the service and their menu's are always bland. So call me a love-hater but I don't like the day. I feel like Christmas is the time to show love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">All that being said....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I think having a kid is slowly converting me to liking the "holiday". It's fun to make the cute little gifts and I DO love pink and red and now we are making the holiday laid back and fun with no fluff. Plus, hearing Isabelle say, "HAPPY BALENTINES DAY!" is adorable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cupid got me. </span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-73984229084757914072013-02-12T06:00:00.005-08:002013-02-12T06:00:57.388-08:00Love Fest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Isabelle and her best buddy (who she thinks is HER baby..even though she is just a few months older than him) are like a little old married couple. They fight, make up, hug and prefer to be together even if they aren't speaking to one another. It's adorable and SO in the spirit of Valentines.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcllE3UCs2o/URpHwT7kc1I/AAAAAAAAC0o/-1nDGUJfSLI/s1600/Izzyvalentine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcllE3UCs2o/URpHwT7kc1I/AAAAAAAAC0o/-1nDGUJfSLI/s640/Izzyvalentine.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Her daddy wasn't so thrilled with this cuddling action. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seriously? We have tons of toys and of course they play with the 2 month old birthday balloon.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-34229275190837171012013-02-08T05:33:00.000-08:002013-02-08T05:33:01.706-08:00Quiet Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lately, my "quiet time" hasn't been so quiet. I have a new guest that also wants to sit and read quietly with me and she brings along her little flash cards to work on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">FYI. The picture above was taken by Isabelle and she captured out "quiet time" together. My bible on top of her play-dough crafts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have no doubt that I am going to miss this one day. </span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-17239764453277290092013-02-07T05:55:00.000-08:002013-02-07T05:55:13.745-08:00Making Valentines<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week we are making Valentines for all our relatives that don't live so close by. We are trying to teach Isabelle that special holidays aren't JUST for her, but that she needs to give out love as well....plus projects are fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The craft is simple: get some puffy pipe cleaners and put some cute beads on them. I tried to get Isabelle to stick with the whole red and white Valentines day colors, but in true Isabelle fashion, she made sure she made some that were blue (sister LOOOOVES blue, or as she likes to call it BAHLUE). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Toddler world is an interesting world. One week, I am ready to turn in my mom card and just quit and then the following week I can't imagine spending more than a few hours away from my girl. I believe that kids have a "parent detector" so that they know exactly how far they can push their parents to the limits before they need to do something super cute to reel them back in. Right now she is in the super cute, talkative, sweet phase which is awesome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Her vocab is exploding which makes things even more fun, but at the same time it can make things more challenging because she is vocalizing EVERYTHING. Yesterday, she fell down and said, "Owww I hurt my feelings!" (girls are uber sensitive at EVERY age). She also told me while we were eating lunch together to "slow down and take little bites mommy. It's not going anywhere" which made me feel like Jillian Michaels was joining me for lunch. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Toddlerhood is awesome, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-69375924983059569182013-02-06T06:01:00.001-08:002013-02-06T06:01:54.108-08:00SO What! <center>
<a href="http://www.lifeafteridew.com/search/label/So%20What" target="_blank"><img alt="So What Wednesday" src="http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac293/munchkin_land_designs/BlogDesigns2/LifeAfterIDew/SoWhatButton.png" /></a></center>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This week I am saying So What:</span> </center>
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-That I started spin class last week and I have been peeing sideways ever since. That ol' bike seat is made for neither man nor woman. No one told me that this class would strengthen my legs AND my lady bits (<span style="font-size: x-small;">gross!). </span></center>
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-Mr. T said, "Look at those little grimy little fingerprints all over the iPad that Izzy left. It's so cute!" I agreed, but in reality I know it was my grimy fingerprints all over the iPad. </center>
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-I am loving the Bachelor, but I am loving it so much because of Miss Crazy pants Tierra and I know she won't last much longer so I'm getting a little sad. She's the drama and I have a feeling after she leaves everything will be a snoozefest. </center>
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-I am becoming obsessed with Instagram. Come follow me @anotherstepmel. </center>
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-I haven't bought ONE single thing for our new baby that's due in 8 weeks. <a href="http://www.takeanotherstepmelissa.blogspot.com/2013/01/adoption-update.html">Our Story</a> is a little different so there's a lot of nerves and clothes and "stuff" is getting a backseat. </center>
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What are you saying <strong>So What!</strong> to? Come on over and link up! </center>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-91130091872479359462013-02-05T17:13:00.001-08:002013-02-08T05:35:02.197-08:00Lovie Dovie<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So are you celebrating the whole Love Month thing? I always think Valentines Day is so stupid, but I am a sucker for themes and I do happen to love, love so I am jumping on this bandwagon of gooshiness. I am doing my part and watching The Bachelor look for love in all the wrong places and make cute crafts with my little lady and her little valentine buddy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They had a great time making toilet paper hearts (via <a href="http://www.theviewfromfiveten.com/2013/02/heart-stamps-valentines-day-toddler.html">Erin</a></span><a href="http://www.inlieuofpreschool.com/2012/02/toilet-paper-heart-stamping.html"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in the awesome weather we have been having.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it's the California-like weather we have been having, or maybe it's the "Love Month", but either way I am loving February. </span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296271891082798250.post-50949482218484968692013-02-01T05:40:00.000-08:002013-02-01T05:40:51.915-08:00Dancing in the rain<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're doing a lot of that lately. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Embracing all of life's little surprises. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking it all in and leaving nothing behind.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>"The days are long, but the years are short"-Gretchen Rubin</strong></span> Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541393194583814128noreply@blogger.com1