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New Year's Resolutions
I don’t make a resolution every year but some years find me teetering on the edge of growth, looking for that extra push. That conscious decision to grow. Perhaps this year it’s motherhood, my daughter’s own teetering serving as a visual reminder of my own. Whatever the case, I have decided to make several resolutions…
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Meijer Runs and Grass Grown Green
I was in Meijer this week. I’ve had several days off over the holidays so after several illnesses ravaged our house and left the place ransacked, I decided to finally make the most out of being at home with Emma. I bundled her up for some grocery shopping and made the decision to slow down.…
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Happy 8 Month, Emma Josephine!
Emma, dear, you are well over 8 months old! Your month marker came and went without our typical photos this time around because in the battle between documenting and living, real life wins. Because sick babies need comfort, not camera flashes and catch phrases. Your smiles were cut short this month with coughing fits that scared us so…
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Losing at Natural Parenting, Why Sometimes that’s Winning, and Stay at Home Mom Envy
If raising a child without store-bought food or formula in the first year was a game, I’d be losing. In fact, it feels even more like losing because it’s not a game; it’s Emma’s well being, of course. After weeks of making homemade baby food (sooooo maaannyyyy sweet potatoes), we finally broke down and bought some…
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Happy 7 month, Emma Josephine!
Emma, dear, you are over 7 months old! You have spent this past month conquering the crawl and you are constantly on the move. Rumor has it, you’ve developed a nasty habit, stealing your friend’s bottles when they’re not looking! Your teachers are on to you though, catching you in the act and causing you…
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Christmas before Thanksgiving
What a wonderful evening at Frederik Meijer Gardens! I’ve heard that children help bring the magic back to the holidays and if today was any indication, I’ll be up waiting for reindeer hooves on my roof come Christmas Eve! We headed out for a night of Ho Ho Hos and Christmas carols, Christmas trees and and…
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Happy 6 Month, Emma Josephine!
Emma dear, you are over 6 months old today! Over the past several weeks, you visited our favorite apple orchard where you begged for donuts and cider and you welcomed Fall. You went on walks and met distant friends. Visited the neighbors and celebrated new homes. You like meeting new people from afar but cry…
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Happy 5 Month, Emma Josephine!
Emma, dear, you are over 5 months old today! Over the past few weeks you’ve been growing like a weed, turning pants into capris after one trip through the wash. You’re active. You roll across the room and scoot backwards across the floor, but not quite at a crawl. You push and pull and spin and…
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New Moms, Blog Posts, Social Media, and the Need to Impress
While preparing to be a first-time mom, I devoured articles and blog posts on childcare, child health, child learning, child do’s and don’ts, parent do’s and don’ts, breast-feeding, pumping at work, etc. I learned some amazing things from what I read but I also read through a lot of personal opinions presented as fact. I…
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Happy 4 Month, Emma Josephine!
Emma, dear, you are over 4 months old now! You have quickly staked your claim as our adventuresome child. You went blueberry picking for daddy’s birthday under the hot, summer sun for 24 lbs worth of blue. You dipped your toes in Torch Lake and exchanged big-eyed grins with your newest cousin, Alexis. You even…
megdanielle 