tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50956579252989698132024-03-13T05:29:17.526-04:00Growing RiceHaleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-59569921576628898202018-04-25T15:13:00.003-04:002018-04-25T19:18:26.677-04:00Seasons And GuiltFor a very long time I was under the mentality that "this" or "that" was my calling or destiny. Being a wife, mother, and homemaker were at the top of my list for about 7 years. And I was more than fine with that. I knew God was pleased with my "sacrifices" in their own right. I love being a mom. I really got a high from teaching Sophia to read and helping her learn the earliest math facts. I loved being the one who helped my kids learn to stand and walk and use the potty on their own, and be in their faces 24/7 teaching them their first words. That season of life was wonderful and hard.<br />
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HOWEVER....<br />
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Tim made a comment to me recently that awakened me a bit- "You're a full time graduate student now, you don't have time to take care of this house. That's not your life anymore." I mean, thanks for cutting me a ton of slack, babe, but it got me thinking. I became "WOKE" to a new mentality through the conversation I had with him. And while he didn't say any of the following to me, this is what I came away with:<br />
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You can change with the seasons of life. You do not have to keep yourself boxed into a role merely because you've held this role for years. Just because I have been a stay-at-home-mom (and manager of our rental properties) for seven years doesn't mean that's my ultimate destiny. I don't think we have an ultimate destiny. And I base that solely on the fact that life circumstances change, often out of our control, and we have to or get to change with them. <br />
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If you have other interests or talents, freaking go for it. If you want to go back to school, apply for financial aid. If you want to start your own business, take the first step. If you want to grow a garden, go buy some seeds. If you want to write a book, pull up a Word document. If you want to quit your job to spend more time with your kids, look into alternative ways to make money, or rearrange your budget. If you want to go back to work, buy an outfit and go apply for a job. IT'S OK TO CHANGE YOUR PLAN. It's ok to want something different than what you previously wanted. It says nothing about your character as a mother, father, wife, husband, or person. It DOES show courage and gumption. Bear down and go get what you want. You don't have to rearrange your entire life. You can simply add a new hobby, taking time for yourself. Tim and I have both focused on this recently. The guilt creeps in, but I squash it.<br />
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For us, our lives have drastically changed within the past year, and it would be very easy for me to feel guilty about some of the decisions we've made. Mom guilt is a bitch...and dad guilt, I suppose. It doesn't discriminate. However, I look around and realize that we are all four thriving. My children seem to be happier than ever, and we've not gone through any behavior problems throughout the changes. When mom and dad are happy, it trickles down.<br />
Our recent life changes:<br />
1. I went back to graduate school starting last summer. So, that takes up the majority of my time.<br />
2. We put Sophia into public school this past August for second grade. She freaking LOVES it. Hates missing school.<br />
3. We JUST put Gabriel in half day preschool 4 days a week. He is home by 1pm and home on Fridays, so we are slowly cutting the cord. (he's super attached, lol). But he loves it and is doing great.<br />
4. Tim and I have started side projects, because life is short.<br />
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We went from full time, year around homeschooling, to essentially both kids in "school" pretty quickly. So, one can see how I could wallow in guilt constantly. But, I choose to change with the seasons and be thankful that we are all doing things that enhance our lives in their own ways. My identity isn't a "homeschool mom" anymore, and it took my awhile to come to terms with that. It took me awhile to be ok with this new season. I truly loved it and cherish the invaluable time I had during those years. And if you are a lifetime homeschool mom, that's ok too. Many are ok with one particular path in life. And I say, "that's great!". It's personality dependent often times. Other times, some may feel that that are betraying their calling if they want to do something else; they feel like they can't.<br />
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We get one chance to live life to the fullest: What does that look like for you?<br />
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<b>Let's give ourselves permission to change our minds; change our interests, capitalize on newfound talents, create a new path. We are allowed to do that. Let's all cut ourselves some friggin slack. My way is not better than your way, and vice versa. MOST of us are doing our best. No guilt necessary! </b><br />
<b>And if you aren't doing you're best, I have other words for you. ;) </b><br />
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<b>-Hales</b><br />
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<b>p.s. Yes, I still do dishes and laundry and homemaking stuff, haha! </b>Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-51314196570999100572017-05-20T11:51:00.001-04:002017-05-20T15:09:09.349-04:00And another (temporary) move...<br />
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Always something new and nutty with us. I can barely keep up with my own life, at this point. But, I'm not complaining and very grateful for all of the opportunities. </div>
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Tim, my husband, was summoned to the headquarters of his company this summer in Silicon Valley; same place we lived and worked last year before making our big move to Austin. Since he will be gone all summer, we said, "what the heck, let's all go!". Tim actually left a few days ago, and the kids and I will fly out on May 28. We are leaving our car at home and will rent one when we arrive. I'll batten down the hatches here, and hopefully our house is still standing when we return mid August. 🙏. If any of you kind central Texas residents would like to drive by my house occasionally to ensure it's not on fire, I'll cook you big meal when we return. 🍛 <- and="" curry="" knew="" nbsp="" p="" rice.="" s="" that="" who=""></-></div>
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The only thing I'm NOT excited about? 👇</div>
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(been stuck on this interstate way too many times)</div>
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We will be in a furnished apartment, so I'm packing 3 big suitcases, my sanity (need to find it first), and lots of books on my Kindle. As far as activities go, I plan to HIKE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. When you're afforded the opportunity to hang out in NorCal for the summer, hiking is a requirement. I took the kids a few times last year, but now that Gabriel is 3, I have much higher hopes for our hiking trips. I've already ordered both kids a pair of hiking boots. (Tim, check the mail at your apartment!) 🌄</div>
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LAST YEAR 👇</div>
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Don't let this hiking pic fool you. I had to carry him outta there and back to the car.</div>
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He was nearly two, and she nearly 6.</div>
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SUMMER ACTIVITIES:</div>
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<b>Reading</b>: personal reads (my list is only getting longer), and continue Nancy Drew series w/Sophia</div>
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<b>Hiking</b>: to include nature studies by default, :) </div>
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<b>Bitsbox</b>: monthly subscription for Sophia. She'll learn to code and create her own apps</div>
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<b>Koala Crate</b>: monthly sub for Gabriel; crafts and games - You can get $10 off with this link- http://www.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=HaleighR</div>
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I'm shooting for a stress-free summer, as we all are, I'm sure. We'll still be traveling a bit; CA-TX for THE Stephanie Rice's hometown concert. And driving back and forth to Los Angeles for a few shows Steph is playing there. </div>
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Sleep when you're dead! amiright. </div>
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LET THE SUMMER BEGIN! (she shouts, as she listens to thunder and watches the rain fall in Austin). Heading for that sunshine state in 8 days, though. 💧-> 🌞 We welcome all visitors (that cook, 😂). </div>
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-Hales</div>
Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-36994959103184694062017-01-28T16:09:00.000-05:002017-01-28T16:09:04.639-05:00on the heels of the Women's March...<div style="text-align: center;">
Since I just got my eye sight back from being blinded by the images of the Women's March (es) around the world last week, I'd like to post a few images of my Women's Rights campaign: <span style="background-color: magenta;">The Right to Life.</span></div>
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I say, "respectfully march for what you believe in". I'm all for women's rights. Who isn't for "Equal pay for equal work" and "paid maternity leave", to name a couple? The biggest women's right issue SHOULD be the freaking right to life. How do feminists miss this? They skip to an adult woman when fighting for rights. At the Women's March I saw little girls holding up signs that read, " The next future president". And that's awesome...they certainly may be! But, during that one day of marching for women's rights, 2 babies were aborted in the United States, and one of those could of been the first woman president. Feminists say they want control over their bodies and the decisions pertaining to it, but what about the little baby girl or baby boy that didn't get a chance "to choose". WTF, man. </div>
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UNBORN BABIES ARE AN OPPRESSED GROUP THAT THE HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT COMPLETELY IGNORES. They pick and choose which groups to defend, while ignoring the absolute most defenseless group of all. </div>
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If those same people that marched last week for "women's rights" could also fight for the baby girls (and boys) rights in the womb, then we could be more united. We could move forward with reproductive healthcare and education, prenatal care, and allocate more resources towards family planning and adoption on a united front. I would have been more inclined to march with those women last week if they didn't disregard an entire population of people that never got a choice in any matter. Their futures were decided for them. Did anyone as a kid want their parents to choose their future for them? Go to this school, marry this person, choose this job. No. But the mothers of these unborn babies did just that. Except they said, "Your life will be cut short. You won't even get the chance to march in a Women's Rights parade". Or gay rights parade. Or a "black lives matter" march. Nobody wants their future chosen for them. </div>
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PALM TO FOREHEAD. It's not a Christianity thing. It's shouldn't be a right-wing thing. It should be a humanity issue; The right to live and then to make your own decisions, thereafter. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In 2014, Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King Jr., addressed abortion and racism. </span><u style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2014/07/04/alveda-king-while-we-marched-in-the-sixties-planned-parenthood-was-preparing-us-a-place/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">King said,</a></u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> “Right now in America almost half of our babies are being killed in the womb, and in certain parts of America more of our babies are being aborted than being born. While we were marching in the sixties, a place was being prepared for us at Planned Parenthood. We were trying to get off the back of the bus, and they were going to have a space for us in the front of the abortion mill.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">WE SHOULD PROTECT ALL HUMAN LIFE:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">the UNBORN</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> the IMPRISONED</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> the IMMIGRANT</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> the REFUGEE</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> the DISABLED</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">It's way too simple. Choose life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: freight-text-pro, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">(there are so many more arguments, facts, and statistics that </span>I don't have time to get into on a blog)</span></div>
Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-16362228324683559252017-01-19T13:23:00.004-05:002017-01-19T13:23:53.859-05:00The year of the book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've resolved to read two books per month in 2017. I'm very original in my resolutions.</div>
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One fun, pleasurable book. One history book.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">January picks:</span></div>
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<b>1. The first book of the brand new series, "Harry Potter". </b></div>
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Heard of it? ;) (have I mentioned I'm ALWAYS late to every game...except the hat game; always early). I read through book 4 several centuries ago. But I've forgotten most, and my husband bought me all 7 for Christmas....que "I believe I can fly", because that's a TALL order! But, I'm chipping away and feeling like I can fly since I'm reading two books simultaneously and on track to finish both by January's end. Chest bump! </div>
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<b>2. The Greatest Generation, by Tom Brokaw</b></div>
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An INCREDIBLE read for history lovers and haters, alike. Brokaw profiles men and women of World War 2; He interviewed these people in their hometowns and on the beaches of Normandy, detailing their heroism, bravery, and immeasurable impact they made on their communities and on future generations. Truly, the greatest generation. I can't get through one profile without crying. We owe them so much. It's beyond inspiring. A MUST READ. :). </div>
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February picks on deck....<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>And the goings-on of last week:</b></span></div>
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Painting boxes. Don't tell me you're bored, or you'll paint a dang box! ;)</div>
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Actually, it was Sophia's idea. </div>
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Playing charades: Octopus on point</div>
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Reading while listening to music..I don't get it. Distracting! </div>
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And the rad headband my MIL crotched me for Christmas needed to make an appearance.</div>
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<br />Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-36031864326211264352016-12-22T14:20:00.001-05:002016-12-22T16:27:19.552-05:00ANOTHER MOVE. WHAT'S NEW?It is well with my soul. Being in Texas, that is! <br />
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WE ARE OFFICIALLY TEXANS, AGAIN; Austinites? Though my southern accent has never left me, we've not been Texans in nearly 12 years. We lived in several different states, our longest stint being Maryland (go Ravens) for almost 7 years. Both of our children were born in Baltimore, so it will always hold a piece of my heart. However, we most recently lived in the SF Bay Area for about 7 months. We were able to orchestrate a move to Austin, thanks to Tim's amazing job! Facebook has a small office in Austin, and although Tim's team isn't primarily at the Austin office, they let him move because he's THAT awesome at his job. That's what I believe, anyway, :).<br />
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As we've gotten a bit older, our priorities have changed. While living in Baltimore, happily planning to settle there long-term, we started saying in passing, "Well, maybe we'll move back to Texas one day. And if so, let's definitely move to Austin". This, of course, was well before Tim's current job was even thought of. To finally be in Austin living out our long-term plan so soon, is VERY surreal. We never really thought we'd move back. Hopping a plane or train once or twice a year to see family became the norm, and we were completely fine with that. However, while living in SF, our desire shifted from "maybe one day, but probably not" to "we'd be so much closer to family...it's so much cheaper there..let's go now!". haha. The kids LOVE their grandparents, and my own grandfather is 85 and my favorite person in the world. So, without stating the obvious, it became a mission to get us back to Texas ASAP. I want the kids to grow up near their grandparents. Those relationships are typically so special. So, I kept nudging Tim to broach the topic of moving to the Austin office, instead of back to Baltimore and working out of the DC office as was planned all along. <br />
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To make a long very emotional story short, we were given the green light to move to Austin, within 30 days bought a house sight-unseen, and flew in at the end of June to sign our papers. The kids and I moved ahead of Tim for 5 months, but Tim stayed for the first 2 weeks of July to help us get "settled". We didn't bring ANYTHING with us aside from 8 suitcases, two carseats and a couple of boxes we shipped with valuables. And we actually survived all of this. haha! Tim just moved to Austin for good the week of Thanksgiving. He lived in an apartment in SF with a roommate and visited us here in Austin once a month for a week at each time. WE DID IT! And we're still furnishing our house, btw. Dude, you MAY think that's cool. IT AIN'T! It takes MONEY. And PATIENCE. My personality is to get everything done immediately...whatever I'm doing. I get an idea, and it has to be fully completed that day. So, imagine me trying to furnish an entire house. I've had to color my hair twice as often, ;)<br />
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The summary of the past 6 months through pictures:<br />
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Moving again....</div>
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NEVER AGAIN</div>
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Our flight from Oakland to Austin...bye SF BAY!</div>
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Our first night in our new house. Our second day in Austin. (air mattress strong)</div>
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The final playdate with our CA friends. (out of order here)</div>
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Our 1st week in our house was also July 4th weekend, so some of Tim's family visited!</div>
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The kids LOVE their Aunts. </div>
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We ain't go no couch to sit on, brah. (first few weeks)</div>
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Our first visit to our hometown from Austin. We DROVE (6 hrs)! Miracles do happen.</div>
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I met up with Tim in Los Angeles (note the palm) for a week in October to visit his brother and family. Tim flew down from San Francisco, I flew over from Austin. We can do things like this now. Grammy is so much closer!! Thank you GRAMMY!</div>
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At his brother and sis-in-laws house, acting a fool per the usual. </div>
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Paw (my grandfather) and Gramps, the kids grandfather. </div>
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My mom came down for Halloween! We're taking advantage of every free weekend by seeing family one way or another. </div>
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Babes</div>
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Sophia's homeschool group get-together; roasting smores. </div>
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Crazies</div>
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Kid-free drive from Austin to Texarkana. It's the little things that are the big things, for me. </div>
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Thanksgiving</div>
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Weekend in Dallas</div>
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The kids and Grammy rode the train from Dallas to Texarkana while Tim and I visited his parents in Sherman. We're a train family, if you haven't gathered from our previous travels, :)</div>
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Before we went to Sherman that weekend, we caught his sisters show in Dallas. EPIC! Check our her band, Colonial Blue. TRUE TALENT AND INCREDIBLE MUSIC. She writes it ALL. </div>
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Unprofessional family Christmas photo</div>
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The temperatures dropped, and so did our sanity. </div>
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Our first time decorating our yard for Christmas</div>
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And this picture is one of the top reasons we moved back to Texas. </div>
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We absolutely adore our new life here. And we are beyond thankful for the many blessings God has given us. None of it will ever be lost on me. I also have to thank my wonderful husband for my amazing life. Thank you Tim for all of your hard work!</div>
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(In case anyone goes back to look at previous posts on here, I did write an entry about our move, but I did not share it with anyone. So some of the info is redundant. :). )Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-79353210997671675372016-07-14T15:22:00.000-04:002016-07-14T15:22:01.824-04:00The great migration continued....<br />
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Remember when we moved to California 6 months ago? Well, we just made another unexpected big move. But, not back to my beloved Baltimore as originally planned. I've stopped making plans at this point, because our big plan to go back to Maryland was flipped on it's head. And might I add that I was 2 days away from making an offer on a new home in Maryland, when the powers at be informed us that Austin, TX would be Tim's new jobsite. (Facebook has an Austin office, so it's just a location transfer). I'll spare you all of the details of how I had my amazing friend Keri go view a house for me in Maryland to purchase. It was THAT close. Thank you, Keri! I love and miss you! <br />
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After many debates, conversations, tears, wine, questioning, and many more tears (from me), we are back in our home state of TEXAS. And it feels goooooood....on the inside. It feels TERRIBLE outside. From 50 degree nights in San Francisco to 100 degree highs in Austin. I'm dying. <br />
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THE PLANNING, TRAVEL, AND TRANSITION (as if anyone actually cares... hey mom, I know you do at least)<br />
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PLANNING:<br />
When we packed up our Baltimore city life and traipsed across the county via train as if we had the mental stability to do so (what were we thinking), we downsized significantly to fit into a 2 bedroom apartment. Now we're upsizing in order to stay true to "everything is bigger in Texas". Here's the problem with that: We didn't bring ANYTHING with us, excluding 8 checked bags and 2 carseats that we flew with. YES WE DID. We gave all of our furniture and kitchenware to our babysitters family. I now have/get to furnish an entire house and need to win the lottery. It's so fun and so daunting. Non-shady Craigslist ads here I come! (I already had to drive right past a house that I was suppose to pick up a desk from...SKETCH). #needmase #oracarrylicense TEXAS!<br />
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Did I mention I put in an offer on a house from California, scheduled a 30 day closing, and signed our settlement papers the day after we flew in. People actually buy houses site-unseen! We aren't in our right minds. But, we LOVE the house..thankfully. Glad I didn't have to turn right back around and sell this joker. I'm getting out of order here. It's kind of a talent....<br />
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TRAVEL:<br />
This one is short and simple. I wrangled the honey badger on our 3.5 flight as he cried and cried until he fell out for the last hour. Sophia went to sleep beside us. And tim was nowhere to be seen until we deplaned. I give myself the MVP of this flight... and a bottle of wine every night thereafter. Not going into more details to relive that horrible 2.5 hours of my life. Just know that I greyed a little more....<br />
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TRANSITION:<br />
As I mentioned, we flew in on a Monday evening, stayed in a hotel, and signed our house papers on Tuesday. So that we could stay in our house the first night and not have to hold up in a hotel while tracking down furniture, I bought and shipped all of our beds which met us on our front porch in adorable "assembly required you idiots" boxes. YAAAAY. But, we had them! <br />
It took Sophia 12 seconds to pick out her own bedroom and settle in with her gigantic stuffed dog that we flew with. (which parent approved that!?). I was pre-occupied, ok. Gabriel went right to sleep in his new bed that Tim uncomplainingly suffered through "building". These kids ADJUST. They're awesome... and just use to their parents crazy ideas, I suppose. "here we go again, bro". "yeah sis, they're nuts..but we have to follow them". I can hear them now... I always overly prepare Sophia for the change, so I feel like we just slide right into our new lives. I've kinda mastered that I think. It helps that I enjoy change... thank you Army life (and Tim). <br />
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Our very first purchase. Bought on amazon, shipped to our door and assembled by a very nice man that I was willing to pay to do it. #priorities</div>
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They love their new life!</div>
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THE BIGGEST CHANGES:<br />
My sweat glands have enlarged, and my hair has gotten bigger #southernhair #teasethatsh*t<br />
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More to come on settling in and finishing first grade (Sophia not me, although I NEEDED that refresher year). For now, I'm off to watch Friday Night Lights (the show) on Netflix. Makes sense.<br />
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-Hales<br />
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P.s. it's soooooooooooooooooo hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <br />
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<br />Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-3753729634764434512016-06-11T03:22:00.000-04:002016-06-11T03:52:48.855-04:0011 on 11<div style="text-align: center;">
We typically don't do the public mushy, romantic crap..but, it's time. :)</div>
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Happy ELEVEN year wedding anniversary, Tim! June 11, 2005 we committed our lives to each other at the ripe old age of 19. It seems like another lifetime. We've come oh so far, and I'm pretty proud of those 2 kids. I love you. </div>
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First of all, thank you for loving me when I don't deserve it (which is rare, let's be honest, ;) )<br />
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I'd like to take us back to the beginning. In the beginning things were idealistic. I pictured our love story playing out like one I saw on TV. And then you're hit with real life (that's annoying); The Army, an Iraq deployment, a baby in the NICU for a month, navigating uncharted waters of life after the military, law school, infants, death by insane schedules, the stress and crazy that goes along with real estate investments, a move across the country for your dream job, and I could go on....<br />
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Love gets hazy at times. But, we made it and are making it. And, I constantly remind myself of the following:<br />
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OUR LIFE HAS BEEN A ROLLERCOASTER. (yes, I just yelled that) However, it has never been boring. It has been full of adventure, challenges that have made me a better mom and wife ( I like to think), and accomplishments that I never imagined. I've lived in paradise and the opposite. I've had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people and gaining friends from all walks of life. I fully appreciate it all. I am LUCKY to have the life I live, and I have you to thank for that. My life is chaotic, trying, adventurous and fun. As testing as our journey has been at times, I truly believe that I have the coolest life! I'm beyond thankful every day that you swept that 19 yo clueless small-town girl off her feet and whisked her away to Monterey, California. Thank you, Tim, for all of the wonderful memories we've made so far.<br />
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The first 10 years were nuts! This past year we've found our way to a clearer path, and I'm ready for the next years we are given together.<br />
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My commitment will always remain the same. I love you. <br />
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-Hales<br />
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We were able to slip away for a few days to the very first place we ever lived as a married couple: Monterey, CA. I can't describe the overwhelming emotions I felt going back to where we began navigating the world together away from the comfort of our small Texas town. It gave me "all the feels"! Not a second was unappreciated nor wasted. We were able to stay at the Monterey Plaza Hotel, right on the water at Cannery Row; a place we only dreamt of stepping foot in years ago. It was so special. <br />
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We hiked, rode bikes along the coast and through downtown, ate awesome food, visited our old neighborhood and apartment, used the bathroom at my old College, and soaked in the perfection of Monterey. I spent my first two years of college at Monterey Peninsula College, and I cried when I rode my bike up to it. No clue why...my emotions were in overdrive! <br />
OH, and I knocked on apartment #3 at our old complex to see if the woman and her son still lived there from 10 years ago. It was worth a try! I thought Tim was going to have a heart attack (from embarrassment). <br />
#nostalgia<br />
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Tim carving our initials on the tree</div>
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hiking at Point Lobos., Carmel, CA. and we all know pictures never do beauty the proper justice</div>
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Do we look cold? Freaking freezing</div>
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Our beloved. Apartment #6</div>
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Riding/ bawling through downtown Monterey, wishing we still lived there</div>
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Side note: Why Monterey? Tim went into the Army as an Arabic Linguist, and the Defense Language Institute is in Monterey. This is where all military linguists study the specific language they were given. Therefore he was sent there for 2 years to not just learn, but master, Arabic (top of his class and linguist of the year...duh. haha). And since we were married, I was able to join him...We totally scored with Monterey! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">11 YEARS ON JUNE 11, 2016</span></div>
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"Nobody said it was easy......Take me back to the start". </div>
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-Coldplay</div>
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P.S. Although our love story hasn't exactly played out as I saw on TV those many years ago ( I can't reference a specific romantic comedy that I'm sure gave me the idealistic view of marriage, ha), but I feel like my life is often times a sitcom without the cameras and with the occasional romance and tons of comedy. So, there's that! :) #winningHaleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-48668476892233303152016-02-04T19:48:00.000-05:002016-02-04T19:48:05.248-05:00Show off!When we decided that Tim would accept the job offer and move to the sunshine state, I repeated in my head "do not succumb to anything it has to offer. do not do it. Baltimore is your home and you will be back". WHICH IS TRUE. Our hope is that we will move back after a year on the job here. <br />
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unsuccessfully packing in Baltimore</div>
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HOWEVER: Good ole Cali is a complete and utter SHOW-OFF! I mean, I already knew that when the mountains meet the ocean it becomes a place of paradise. But, day-um. It's gorgeous. And, I suppose I purposely forgot about it's beauty, because I didn't want to give myself any reason to like it. If you don't fall in love with it, you won't have a reason to stay, right?! I'm a sensible person (don't ask Tim to comment on that).<br />
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From Day 1 here she showed off and made me like her. Her is Cali. KINDA RUDE IF YOU ASK ME, ;)<br />
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heading to the Golden Gate Bridge</div>
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how can you hate this view...can't.</div>
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Going back to my sensible personality (typically that lack there of).....</div>
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I dug my heels in, gritted my teeth, and told myself to thank God we have this opportunity to explore a new place. I am lucky! I totally get that. I changed my attitude by week 3 and have been trying my hardest to make the most of our time here...even if we did have to downsize to a tiny ass 2 bedroom apartment. ADVENTURE! </div>
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DANG YOU CALIFORNIA. DANG YOU AND YOUR AMAZING LANDSCAPE.</div>
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Fact: I could eat Chow Mein for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.</div>
Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-13227623083895784492016-01-31T21:51:00.001-05:002016-02-01T11:49:01.051-05:00Planes, Trains, and AutomobilesFashionably late.... always. But not fashionably. <br />
<br />
This should have been written 2 months ago. It finally dawned on me.... "bribe the kid with veggie bacon.... duh". So here I am pounding out our "move story" while Honey Badger chomps away on veggie bacon, Little Bear is playing (probably buying more) games on the iPad in her room and Tim is working. BTW, it's Sunday... but FB didn't hire him for nuttin. However, we are going out soon... speaking of...that babysitter better get here asap! <br />
Anyway, I'm trying to piece it all back together, because well, I've traveled a lot since our big move, gotten little sleep, drank too much wine, and just completely forgotten many details; probably for the best. It was baaaaaaad.<br />
<br />
I will spare as many details as possible, because nobody actually cares. But, I need to document. <br />
<br />
<strong>TRAIN</strong><br />
1. We stayed in a hotel our last 2 nights in Baltimore, since the movers came and took all of our junk.<br />
2. We then took a commuter train from Baltimore to DC where we then loaded onto Amtrak... thank God for sleeper cars. If you plan to be on a train for longer than 8 hours, do first class... there is no other option!<br />
3. We spent one night on that train and were dropped off in Chicago. We spent half the day at Navy Pier where I got frost bite and left my newest hat in a taxi cab. COOLIO. <br />
4. After we walked up and down Navy Pier (on the inside), we hopped a cab back to Penn Station where we loaded onto a different sleeper car to finish the second and last left of the train trip to Texarkana. Yes, Texarkana has a tiny train station (on the Arkansas side, ewwww. KIDDING!). But, it is small and gross. <br />
5. All is fair in love and train trips: and why wouldn't Gabriel and I both puke on the train? I mean, it only makes sense for an already stressful move/trip to become even worse, right? Only for the Rice's.<br />
In all we spent 2 days and 2 nights on the train.<br />
We made it to our hometown in what felt like millions of tiny pieces. But, wait, we're not even to our final destination...uggghhhhh. Everyone ended up getting sick over the course of that week we were in Texarkana; Tim, Sophia, and my mom. <br />
<br />
<strong>AUTOMOBILE</strong><br />
We then rented a car and drove 3 hours to visit Tim's parents. We brought the stomach bug to them too! We felt real awesome about that....<br />
On our final day in Texas, we said goodbye to Tim's family and drove another hour to the airport in Dallas to FINALLY board for San Francisco.<br />
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<strong>PLANE</strong><br />
My mom went with us, because NOBDOY wants to fly with Honey Badger. Adults MUST outnumber the children. It's my only rule when traveling. Nobody saw Tim the entire flight... that Joker sat about 10 aisles away from us. I don't blame him..but i was pissed, haha! We're obviously dumb for putting Gabriel on a 4 hour flight his very first time flying. They did great considering they hate me, their ears popped for 4 hours straight, they were starving the entire time, and were never comfortable... at least that's what it seemed like. In reality, they both slept for an hour (seemed like 15 minutes) and were overall happy. It's so much easier traveling with Grammy..thanks mom!<br />
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LESSONS:<br />
<br />
I learned two extremely important things during this move. <br />
<br />
1. I hate traveling. (although I will be doing it much more now... awesome)<br />
2. Lollipops solve nearly everything. Let me explain this one a bit: <br />
<br />
A kid barfs on a train? Lollipop= he's happy<br />
Siblings fight in the car over a movie? Lollipop= I get to listen to music instead<br />
Your kids scream during the descent on a plane? Lollipop=it's suddenly a peaceful landing<br />
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You're welcome. <br />
<br />
Pictures coming soon, because well..i ran out of veggie bacon. GOTTA JET!<br />
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<br />Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-2660682310984447642015-11-09T17:14:00.002-05:002015-11-11T14:12:47.646-05:00From COAST to shining COAST....<div style="text-align: center;">
OHHHHH EEEEEEEEEEEMMMMM GEEEEEEEEEEE, is this really happening?</div>
<br />
<br />
Timeline:<br />
<br />
2 months ago a long-time Army friend of Tim's said, "hey, I heard about this job opening. I think it would be perfect for you. Send me your resume, and I'll get it to their HR department.". So, Tim did, and then we forgot about it.<br />
<br />
3 weeks ago: The company contacted him for a phone screening. They apologized for the resume being sent to the wrong department (hence the delayed contact from them). Phone screening went well, and there was another phone screening a few days later with a director. Mr. Director said, "we'll get back to you next week".<br />
<br />
2 weeks ago: And they did. "We'd like to fly you to our headquarters in CA for a round of all-day interviews". So, that happened. <br />
<br />
1 week ago: " We'd love to have you, so would you be willing to move to our headquarters?"<br />
<br />
SAY WHAT, SAY WHO, SAY WHEN? <br />
<br />
1 week ago: negotiations, anxiety attacks, discussions, negotiations, negotiations, sleepless night...<br />
<br />
Sparing all the crazy, exciting, boring details, and many curse words, WE ARE MOVING TO THE SAN FRANSCISCO BAY AREA IN <strong>TWO WEEKS</strong>. He starts his new job November 30. Who are we?<br />
<br />
Why would we give up the perfect life we have in here Baltimore? Our friends, careers, our company, Sophia's sports, activities, and her friends, our house that we're in love with, our neighborhood that we love even more, our friends, the city we love and claim as our own..... We are settled, comfortable, gotta a great thing going! So, why? <br />
<br />
The short answer: When FACEBOOK knocks, you answer. This little company in Silicon Valley known as Facebook has just hired Tim, and it's kind of a career dream come true for him. All I know about his new job is that he'll work in FB's security department. We're looking forward to the impact he can have there!<br />
<br />
MY LIFE IS CRAZY! But, we make ourselves feel better by calling it adventurous.<br />
<br />
Two more things:<br />
<br />
1. Who wants to rent or buy my house? I prefer a renter so that I can move right back in after a year.<br />
2 Condensing 2300 sqft down to about 1000 is an art. To achieve this art, you must get rid of half of your belongings. ACHIEVED. <br />
Ok 3. Did I mention that this area of CA has the highest cost of living in the country? It beat out NYC. YAAAAAAAAAAAY. :/. Hence the downsizing we must do. We'll need to fit into a 2 bedroom/2bth apartment for the first year. ADVENTURE. And even that will cost $3500 a month in rent. #kill me<br />
It's actually really fun for me to get rid of stuff. Even our couch and bedroom suit! I love it. My house feels so fresh. Or empty, others might say. #intheeye<br />
<br />
I thought I was going to make a long story short.... sorry. And there is a lot more to be said, just no time to say it. And really, nobody cares except for my mom, and she knows most of the deets. So, I shall leave you with some recent pictures of Little Bear and Honey Badger.<br />
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I suppose I should re-activate my Facebook account? That's awkward! <br />
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I have a break down at least once a day, but I need to take my own advice. I've been telling Sophia, "it doesn't matter where we live, as long as we're together'. CHEESEBALL. But, it should be true. It's nice to change things up a bit, or a lot. We'll experience new things, grow together, and maybe the bay area fog will help my kids sleep in!<br />
<br />
There are LOTS AND LOTS of loose ends to tie up before we leave, so my next post will probably be from our humble abode in NorCal.<br />
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<br />
<br />
-Hales, a Texan turned Baltimorean, pretending to be all Californian soon. LIKE, TOTALLY. <br />
<br />
#help<br />
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p.s. Tim and I lived in Monterey, California for two years way back in the day, so it won't be completely new to us. <br />
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<br />Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-36628044299817381312015-04-10T15:30:00.001-04:002015-04-10T15:31:36.693-04:00Ode to Honey Badger <div> Our most recent rice grain is thriving and hit a year old on April 8th! Tim worked a half day Wednesday, and we had a family afternoon at the Maryland Science Center. I spent that entire day in and out of tears. Time gets away these days. How can my little baby honey badger be one already? Although Gabriel was the most beautiful baby boy I've ever seen, Tim and I are actually overjoyed that he isn't a bitty baby anymore. They're tough! And we've had the TOUGHEST babies. They don't sleep, hate their bottles, cry, have colic, spit up, have to visit GI Dr's, etc. But, I can 100 percent say that it was and is worth it. The accomplishment I feel as a mother is beyond words. The adorable personality that Gabriel has developed is worth all of the sleepless nights..seriously, he's adorable and makes me laugh so much already. Although, I would prefer to be well-rested as I laugh at his funny personally, ;). </div><div><br></div><div>Honey badger has tested my limits, no doubt. Which is why we call him honey badger. Honey badgers are nocturnal menaces, and if anyone gets a change to watch the Netflix documentary about the Honey Badger, you'll think "Gabriel Timothy Rice..that's him!", haha. </div><div><br></div><div>Every mother can remember being sleep deprived. It's an exacerbated situation when he's screaming from tummy pains at dark:30, and you had just fallen into a deep sleep 20 minutes prior. I don't know about other mums, but I become kind of psycho when I'm exhausted and pacing the room with a screaming baby. I'm not saying that dent in my bedroom wall is from a bottle being thrown at 2am... but it's a possibility, ;). When Gabriel was 3 months old we said, "omg, it'll be so much better when he's 6 months. He'll be over the colicky stage and hopefully not feeding through the night anymore". Then when he hit 6 months we said the same thing."When he's 8 months, he certainly won't be eating through the night anymore, should be full from all the table food he's now eating, and we'll all sleep better". 8 months rolled around, and you get the picture. Now, at a year old our pediatrician is finally referring us to a pediatric GI specialist, because this guy is in pain. It's really sad :(. </div><div><br></div><div>We survived Sophia, so we'll definitely survive this guy! </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Gabriel's favorite things:</strong> </div><div>His sister</div><div>Pasta</div><div>Being held all day by his mom</div><div>Pasta </div><div>Goldfish crackers</div><div>Rolling a ball with Sophia</div><div>Screaming</div><div>Pasta</div><div>Not wearing shoes</div><div>Blueberries </div><div>Being outside</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Gabriel's' least favorite things:</strong></div><div>Being put down</div><div>Milk</div><div>Wearing shoes</div><div>Being strapped in carseat</div><div>Being strapped in a highchair</div><div>Mom leaving his sight</div><div>Sleeping in his own bed</div><div><br></div><div><strong>A FEW of my favorite things about Gabriel:</strong></div><div>He loves me more than I deserve... it's unconditional. </div><div>How he immediately lays his head on my shoulder when I pick him up; even if IT IS a nano second, lol</div><div>His hilarious facial expressions and personality</div><div>The fact that he LOVES being chased and giggles when I go after him</div><div>How we can make him laugh at the drop of a hat, even if he has just been screaming</div><div>How frustrated he gets if I take something out of his hand (like a pen that he could poke his eye out with... doesn't he get it? :) ). It's quite cute to see his frustration. I just laugh. </div><div>His scrunchy face he makes when smiling.</div><div>And of course I could go on, but I'm at work....shhh</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Both of my kids are miracles... we all know Sophia's hard start to life. But, it was a very tough year before having Gabriel, and I couldn't be more thankful that he was given to us. He is my rainbow baby. </div><div><br></div><div>Parenthood doesn't work for everyone. We can all think of a deadbeat that we know. But my children have made me a better person. I will love them unconditionally and hope that they will forgive me when I fail them as a mom. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Gabriel, if you ever read this: You are the perfect addition that I didn't realize I needed. When we found out your gender, I couldn't wrap my head around having a boy..I was a girl mom! I played dress up for 4 years. But you are so perfect, and I know that I was meant to be a boy mom as well... we click. I get excited when I see boy toys that you may enjoy playing with. I love the balance our family now has. We're stuck together... mainly because you won't let me put you down, :) You and your sister are my greatest successes in life. I love you, honey badger.</strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!</strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><img width="1315" height="1253" style="width: 445px; height: 440px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/cgBILQw.jpg"></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><img width="1315" height="1255" style="width: 568px; height: 847px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/lvRC8ok.jpg"></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><img width="1315" height="1256" style="width: 582px; height: 695px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/zk7lKvL.jpg"></strong></div><div><br></div><div align="center"><img width="1315" height="1257" style="width: 376px; height: 470px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/jqNgLaL.jpg"><div align="left"></div></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="1315" height="1251" style="width: 471px; height: 579px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/wLm7SXU.jpg"></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="1315" height="1249" style="width: 416px; height: 584px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/6xxQV02.jpg"></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="1315" height="1248" style="width: 413px; height: 535px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/CqdGQfH.jpg"></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="1315" height="1251" style="width: 445px; height: 521px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/HW0QZf7.jpg"></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="1315" height="702" style="width: 764px; height: 574px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/GvZg1wT.jpg"></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="1315" height="935" style="width: 808px; height: 833px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/esAZjM2.jpg"></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="640" height="454" style="width: 407px; height: 399px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/GvJLevu.jpg"></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="792" height="561" style="width: 348px; height: 298px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/ODrG1NT.jpg"></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="888" height="630" style="width: 572px; height: 588px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/TY1LuoH.jpg"></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><br><br></div><div><br></div>Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-35048159082788952392014-12-11T12:39:00.001-05:002014-12-11T12:39:58.357-05:00Traintastic <div> </div><div><br></div><div>THE RICE'S TOOK THE TRAIN.....</div><div><br></div><div><img width="1315" height="938" style="width: 234px; height: 240px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/5QKzzbJ.jpg"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>TO A TRAIN SHOW......</div><div><br></div><div><img width="1315" height="938" style="width: 274px; height: 311px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/jQtRv4i.jpg"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>AND BOUGHT THEIR FIRST FAMILY TRAIN SET....</div><div><br></div><div><img width="1315" height="937" style="width: 343px; height: 332px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/yFpBKoG.jpg"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>THEN WENT HOME AND PUT IT TOGETHER WHILE WATCHING "THE POLAR EXPRESS' (obviously)</div><div><br></div><div><img width="1315" height="939" style="width: 343px; height: 384px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/BEiagkP.jpg"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Gabriel didn't make a peep the whole day we were out, and I didn't throw up on the light rail. It was a SUCCESS! </div><div><br></div><div>Our Rice grains are growing beautifully in smalltimore. And now we're addicted to trains (thanks to Tim's awesome idea). We had a blast! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-74786747914555814282014-12-05T15:47:00.001-05:002014-12-05T16:08:57.312-05:00Perspective from a "seasoned" mom...<div>
Lately, I've been losing my mind. No, no, I've lost it. You know why.... it's when they teethe, have tummy issues, and a cold with fever all at the same time. Why would they not, right? Sometimes Gabriel will take a 15 minute nap AND go to bed at 11pm the same day. Winning! Not. </div>
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My real estate work is actually saving me. I almost said "work is saving me", but all stay at home mothers know that they are working hard for zero dollars..group hug to those who aren't getting paid! ;) Anyway, I've been working outside the home more lately, and it's keeping me sane; relatively. I was in my office two days ago talking to a friend who is a mother of 5 kids. But not just a mother of five; an awesome mother of five. That's TOUGH! I mean, one kid was hard! I mentioned the goings on of my sleep deprivation and the reasons why; complaining basically. And in her sweetest voice she says to me, "I know it's hard. But you know, little people, little problems. Big people, big problems". Hello. </div>
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What I actually heard was this: You think right now that your 4 year old talks too much and at an extremely high volume. But one day, when she's 16, she may not want to talk to you at all. Be thankful for her sweet little loud voice. You think right now it's tough getting little to no sleep at night, tending to a crying baby in the crib next to you. But one day you will not sleep at night because you may not know where he is..he hasn't come home yet from hanging out with his friends. At least right now, you know he's home safe next to you. Be thankful for this time. </div>
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In the midst of the craze, I feel like my problems are big. I'm stressed, sleep deprived, and haven't had a normal meal in a few days. I'm living off of coffee and cough drops. But, PERSPECTIVE IS KEY. "little people, little problems". WOW, so true to be reminded of this. See, this mother of 5 has kids from 11-25 years old. She's experienced all the problems at each age. She knows! So, for right now, I'm going to be thankful and happy that Sophia LOVES talking to me and that I know Gabriel is safe and sound at home with me, even if he's not sleeping, ;). </div>
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THANK YOU, KAREN! You had no idea that your words came at the perfect time. </div>
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Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-5175975263936819422014-11-13T11:26:00.001-05:002014-11-13T11:27:40.789-05:00One more year in the books <div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Some moms may think, "my perfect birthday would be a day surrounded by my family... hanging out with my kids". And I thought that at first, but quickly realized, I do that nearly every day, ha. So, I decided I would like one night to myself (in a hotel, obvi). OF COURSE I FELT GUILTY. Mom guilt is a B. Which is exactly why I waited until the day before to book it and ended up bringing Sophia along, lol. At least she sleeps through the night. Sort of. And a special shout out to my awesome friend Nathalie for taking my call at 7pm the day before my birthday and getting me all set up at the Hyatt. Mrs Director, you're awesome!</div><div><br></div><div>It ended up being PERFECT; A night with my girl, giggling, watching movies (she had headphones and I watched an adult movie, obviously..no kids movies aloud on MY birthday), eating cake, and snuggling in a hotel! Tim gladly (hopefully) went on baby duty around 6 last night, and Sophia and I jetted before I got too sad leaving Gabriel. Once I curled up in the king size bed, I wasn't so sad anymore. I WAS ABOUT TO SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT! Let me add that I did get the day to myself thanks to the sitter, picking out my new Microsoft Surface (thank you Tim!) and slipping in a movie and cinnamon roll in the hotel, before I picked Sophia up... let's be real. </div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><br></div><div align="center"><img width="1315" height="938" style="width: 418px; height: 438px;" src="http://i.imgur.com/YxW2Rtn.jpg"><div align="left"></div></div><div><br></div><div>Thank you, Timothy Rice, for a wonderful birthday! Now I shall pack up and head back to the real world, which is darn cute and fun! Sophia has already said she misses Gabriel. And I'm about to die without him, but it was a much needed night with my girl. I'm so thankful I was able to do it with our busy schedules. #forever21</div>Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-64550065801538580852014-08-27T08:25:00.001-04:002014-08-27T08:37:06.849-04:00A is for Applesauce<p dir="ltr">Yesterday Soph and I made homemade applesauce, and it was so! #y and delicious! I'll never buy the ready made stuff again. Unless of course I pass it in the grocery store while I'm starving, in a bad mood, or in a hurry. So, I'll probably buy it during next week's grocery outing. It's a great thought though, to think I'll do this on a weekly basis. "But it'll be organic!", I'll tell myself. And then I'll remember how I peeled the apples with Gabriel strapped to my chest, whining for milk or because his gums hurt. So then as I got the apples on the stove, I figured I would feed him real quick (but I forgot that it's never quick). I ended up forgetting about our precious simmering apples, but luckily got to them just before the charring set in. Threw it in a blender, and had fresh homemade.cinnamon applesauce within hours,.haha.<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Seriously though, it was super easy. I like to add in the dramatics to make myself laugh later at my experiences. What would have made the biggest difference is obvious: planning. I did in on a whim, on a day when Gabriel was the crankiest. However, I DID start this endeavor right after I laid him down for nap, but as luck would have it, he slept a whole 15 minutes! Isn't that amazing? </p>
<p dir="ltr">We accomplished it, and Sophia had fun and was so proud. She wanted to wait for Tim to get home so that we could all taste it together...but it just looked too delicious ;)</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce</p><p dir="ltr">5 medium apples (peeled and quartered, ugh)</p><p dir="ltr">1/2 cup water </p><p dir="ltr">1 Tbsp sugar</p><p dir="ltr">1 tsp cinnamon</p><p dir="ltr">Simmer on medium/low until soft, throw in blender or mixer, and add water to get it down to preferred consistency. It didn't make a ton, so I'll be doubling the recipe next time (unless I buy pre made, ;)). </p><p dir="ltr"><br></p>
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Before I forget: You know the dust balls that collect on your broom when you're sweeping? Wait, I mean, you know the dust balls that collect of other people's broom when they are sweeping? Because I would never have that much dust in my house, obviously. Anyway, Sophia usually sweeps for me (because she's AWESOME!) and she calls the dust bunnies "FUZZ BUNNIES". I LOVE it. I realize this is only funny to me, because I'm her mom, I get that...but I needed to share it it so that I can be reminded in the future of all the adorable things she said. Documented and moving on.<br />
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Since my last post Gabriel has started eating rice cereal, Sophia has started to learn how to read (i'm crying), and Tim and I made an adult trip to Puerto Rico. Many other things have happened, but I'm too old to remember. Grammy and Gramps flew up to keep the kiddos so that Tim and I could get away for a few days to swim in the Caribbean a bit , go to bed early, and work...haha. It was GREAT, but who wouldn't miss their babies?!<br />
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I finally feel like I'm on my "mom game". We have a decent routine down. And by routine I mean, my kids eat, play and nap, but the times pretty much vary daily. Life is a ROLLERCOASTER...ups and downs experienced all in the same hour, sometimes. One minute we're all 3 happy and playing and the next minute we're all three crying. Usually because Gabriel's teeth start randomly causing excruciating pain, stressing me out due to no relief, causing me to snap at Sophia...cue the tears from all 3! During these fleeting moments (which see like will never end), I feel like a failing mom. But after they both nap, eat a snack, and we're on our way to the park, I feel like an awesome mom doing a great job of taking care of her kids, and I'm back on top emotionally. Whew. </div>
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One thing that gets me through my days is realizing that I'm never going to be like the other mom or moms I occasionally come across. I've never been one to feel like I need to "keep of with the Joneses", but I have had the moments when I think, "man she's an awesome mom, and I'll never compare to that'. And usually they're moms on pinterest who pin things but probably never actually do the activities with their kids...or so I tell myself, haha. I have also stopped comparing Sophia, and now Gabriel, to other children their age. This has completely altered my expectations, which I feel helps her to grow naturally, at her own pace. Researching homeschooling, education, and learning styles has changed my perspective a myriad of things! </div>
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Most of us are trying to do our very best at this parenting gig. My decisions for my family are based upon my convictions, lifestyle, and certain desires and goals. And those things are different for all families, and that's ok! So, I've stopped judging (unless you're a deadbeat, lol). It's very freeing to not compare myself and my kids to our peers anymore. </div>
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Another thing that usually gets me through the day is the 5 Hail Mary's I have to say to myself when we're all 3 crying. </div>
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And the last, most important thing that gets me through my day is this song/video: Coldplays' "Fix You". Their live concert in Paris is the best version. Youtube it right now. If you don't jump around your living room and cry when Chris Martin starts running down the runway as the tempo picks up, you aren't human. :)</div>
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Our Rice grains are surviving and thriving in the city...Who knew?! </div>
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P.S. Tim is starting his 4th and final year of law school on Monday. Peace be with us! :)</div>
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Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-84917058826864524222014-06-20T17:20:00.000-04:002014-06-20T17:20:22.829-04:00What they don't tell you....It's about time I update this thing. Since my last post Sophia turned 4 (i'm still crying over that), she had her first ballet recital (i'm still BAWLING over that), Tim started his summer courses 4 nights a week (lame), enjoyed a visit from some of Tim's family, we took a quick trip to Ohio, Gabriel starting teething, I've gotten 15 hours of sleep total (ok, i'm exaggerating) and I've tackled like ONE load of laundry (i don't think i'm exaggerating). It's been a crazy whirlwind of events! I love my life. <br />
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What they don't tell you before you have your second baby is that one minute you'll be brushing your teeth, and the next minute you'll be holding a crying baby, while making breakfast and opening a box a raisins for your other child all at the same time. And I ate my lunch yesterday (which was chips and salsa) while holding Gabriel facing outward on my forearm because it's the only position that will calm him down during a crying fit; but at least Sophia was napping at the time. <br />
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What they don't tell you is that the kids never nap at the same time. <br />
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What they don't tell you is that at some time or another you'll feel like a failure for not having it all together. For not having cooked a meal in a week, or for the loads of laundry piled on the floor (at least it's clean), or for going to bed right when your husband gets home and not having any time for him. <br />
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But what else they don't tell you is that most moms feel that way at some point or another (because i've talked to many moms who have admitted to those feelings) but just don't talk about it. It's easy to show off a "picture perfect" life on instagram or facebook, but I could definitely post many pics of all of us crying, lol. Motherhood is HARD work. And although I have mentioned the hard times, they'll never outweigh the happy smiles that connect you to your infant when he wakes up first thing in the morning. Or the 10 minute craft you fit into your day with your preschooler. I choose to focus on the things that went RIGHT during the day. I also choose to say a "Hail Mary" when Gabriel is screaming his head off, haha. Whatever keeps you from losing it, right? lol And right when you're at your breaking point and you don't think you'll last another 10 minutes without bawling, something will surely give, and your baby will miraculously take a 3 hour nap AT THE SAME TIME AS YOUR OTHER KID! They must have gotten together and planned to give mom a break. <br />
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I have made a conscious effort recently not to get discouraged or too stressed out, because the tough times are so short in the grand scheme of life. There was a time when Tim and I thought Sophia would never be older than 6 months old (her infant stage was TOUGH). But she's 4 now and it FLEW by! I have realized that I don't need to have it all together, whatever that even means. I focus on keeping my kids happy and taking short moments during the day to drink a cup of coffee (even if it's cold because i made it 2 hours ago with no time to drink it then, ha), or read a few pages in a book. It really helps to take short "me times". And today I actually got to sit on my butt for an hour and a half and watch one of my "guilty pleasure, don't have to think about anything, probably makes me dumber" shows. I won't say what it is because I'd surely lose some friends, haha.<br />
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This is what I want to tell myself: My point to this post is to encourage myself to chill out with trying to be pinterest perfect. You know the term. My point is that some days are just plain bad, but it's so worth it. And most days are wonderful and happy. Focus on the positive things, Haleigh. Remember that Gabriel won't be teething forever, and they'll both be 16 one day and not want to hang out with you (yeah, right. Sophia and I will be roomies when she goes off to college. I'll swear to do her laundry and cook for her, and she won't be able to resist). Enjoy them! Be happy through the difficult times. They can sense your stress. It's ok if your laundry isn't done or if you haven't mopped in 2 weeks or 2 months (ok 2 months is waaaay too long, people). Are your kids happy and healthy? Are you and your husband happy? If so, then you're winning! You can do it, Haleigh. And all the other moms out there that are stressed. We're all in it together. <br />
I'M NO JUNE CLEAVER<br />
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BUT, I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER<br />
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(I wrote this super fast and don't have time to edit or make spelling corrections. Who knows if it even flows, ha. What do you want from me? I have a 10 week old! :) )<br />
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WE LOVE OUR RICE GRAINS!</div>
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<br />Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-8483106915075692212014-05-13T17:47:00.001-04:002014-05-13T17:48:20.063-04:00She's 4 years old! Four years ago today my beautiful blue-eyed baby girl was born- Sophia Hayden Rice; our precious fighter. She is everything I had hoped for and more, obviously. She has an over-the-top personality, and her wit surpasses mine, for sure..she's absolutely hilarious. She loves to collect things such as rocks and leaves when we're out on "nature walks", and is currently talking about the planets non-stop. She loves to learn new things and look things up on the internet. She'll ask, "mom, where does snow come from" or "where does electricity come from?". So I will google a youtube video about the process of snow being formed or about electricity. She has been asking tough questions lately; questions I'm never prepared for (but i can't think of one at the moment). You can tell her something once, and she seems to remember it for a lifetime. Except when you tell to clean her room or brush her teeth...she never remembers that. She uses mature words constantly that she has heard us say ("oh, that's very unique"), and her spanish has really developed over the past year. She probably understands more spanish than I do at this point. She can spell and read small words and can write her name perfectly. I feel like she is developed beyond four, but I'm sure every parent feels that way, right? lol We're quite proud of her, :)<br />
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As I reflect over the past four years, I can't help but think about her entrance into this world; The happiest and scariest day of my life. A day that we weren't 100% sure our first baby would survive. Let's not recount all the sad and scary details because this is a happy post, and our amazing four year old is healthy, happy, and hilarious! But, I do thank God for bringing us through that scary time and for giving us the privilege of being her parents and raising her for as long as we have her. It's been four wonderful years of loving, laughing, and learning. She's so caring, gentle, compassionate, and sensitive and also loud and outgoing. I love everything about her! <br />
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A few through the years starting around 8 mo.</div>
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Waiting to hold baby brother for the first time</div>
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O's game for the birthday girl! First baseball game..she was crazy excited!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY, SOPHIA HAYDEN RICE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tu eres mi cielo</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*written yesterday*</span></div>
Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-38476651064487717492014-04-29T18:42:00.001-04:002014-04-29T18:42:48.888-04:00So I thought....When it was just Sophia, I was so busy; taking her here, doing this project, going there...or so I THOUGHT. Just throw a new baby into the mix! I think I finally got ready for the day around noon. This is a whole new level of multi-tasking. A whole new level of busy. I had forgotten how sleep-deprivation can make you caaa-razy (in the Olaf voice). I had forgotten that sometimes babies won't let you put them down, (even though he's a great baby, he gets the occasional tummy ache and must be held for 2 hrs straight, lol). And I certainly wasn't prepared for the guilt! You know the thoughts....Am I giving Sophia enough attention? Does she think I don't love her as much anymore? Is she mad or upset that we didn't fit in a craft today? Is she jealous, does she hate me? haha... Dang you, emotions! It's obviously irrational, but we really need to find our "new normal" quick..a good routine fast. It will come, I know. Probably when I'm able to get a bit more sleep and have more energy to put towards a working routine. I'm only 3 weeks in to this 2 kid gig..it's still so new and fresh. We'll get there! I hear a lot of moms say you must give it a good 6 weeks for everyone to settle into their new roles. Overall, we're doing great! I love my mom life. It helps that Gabriel is an amazing baby, and Sophia is an easy almost 4yo. It feels like such an accomplishment to have the kids fed and happy at the end of the day..and the past couple of days Soph and I have worked on spelling and fit in a few crafts. Honestly, if nobody is on fire by bedtime, the day was a success in my book...and if I fixed my hair.<br />
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Sophia has been amazing. She loves to help out a lot, and other times I think she forgets he's even here, lol. I haven't noticed much jealousy. I really try to involve her in most things. She holds him, helps with diaper changes, and I always try to prompt her to sing or talk to him. It's so cute when she does!<br />
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Did I mention my precious baby boy is 3 weeks old today! And I can officially drive and take baths again, too. Big day!<br />
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I felt complete when we had Sophia, so I don't want to say my heart had a hole in it. I think God just made my heart bigger when we decided to have another baby. My heart certainly expanded and made room for my sweet Gabriel Timothy. It's amazing how you can spontaneously have unconditional love for someone else the moment they enter your world! I prayed for him..he's a perfect gift to our family.<br />
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"I'm 3 weeks old today!"</div>
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Let's all swoon together over this sleep grin.... </div>
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She's so gentle and sweet with him. </div>
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And nap time isn't going as planned here.. </div>
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Pucker up!</div>
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Gabriel has olive skin like dad, and Soph is pale like mom. Sorry Soph! </div>
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And when a baby comes along, mom moves to the backseat. </div>
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Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-38251710075920958522014-04-21T13:32:00.004-04:002014-04-21T13:35:01.818-04:00This could get mushy....<div style="text-align: center;">
But, I'll keep it short with just a quick picture of the greatest dad ever. Sophia and Gabriel will one day realize how lucky they are to have Tim has their dad. I love that man. </div>
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WE BE TIIIIRED</div>
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And, unfortunately we still cannot take Gabriel out to enclosed places, because his little 13 day old body isn't ready for this world of germs; Dr advises to wait until he is 4 weeks old. Therefore, he and I stayed home yesterday while Tim and Sophia went to church. </div>
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HAPPY EASTER FROM THE FOUR RICE'S!</div>
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And just for good measure; Our two little grains growing beautifully in the city, :)</div>
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*Written (in about 3.5 minutes) right after feeding Sophia lunch, with Gabriel's bottle on deck. Second kid's lunch coming right up! When do I eat, again? TIM, HURRY HOME!! :)Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-35911409198718873692014-04-19T22:03:00.000-04:002014-04-19T22:03:07.775-04:00The last 11 days...I had Gabriel on Tuesday, April 8 and we made it home Friday, April 11. We were welcomed home by a super excited big sis Sophia and Grammy (my mom). Since arriving home we've gone through 2 grandmas (my mom first, then Tim's mom just left today), tons of feedings and diaper changes, showering Sophia with extra special attention with a "Daddy, Mommy, Sophia date night" at a cafe for dinner and dominoes, and constant swooning over our 2 beautiful kids. We're still in the adjustment period, but Sophia is doing great and loves her baby brother. <br />
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How is Gabriel adjusting to the world? WONDERFULLY! Neena (Tim's mom) actually said Gabriel should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for the best baby...and she's had 5 kids! So, I think we've been super blessed with an easy, great baby, :) Gabriel eats well, sleeps great, rarely spit ups, and is all around content the majority of the time. Thank God! This type of baby is very new to us. We already had a live-in nanny on stand-by if his infant stage proved to be anything like Sophia's, ;) Ok, not really, but we were NERVOUS! My poor sweet baby girl had a rough first year of life. But no nanny needed here. <br />
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And I'm recovering well and fast. Much faster than the 1st c-section. I already feel like I'm about 70% recovered, and I'm only taking prescription Motrin at the point. Is it because I HAVE to recover quicker since I have another child to tend to? Maybe. But this delivery experience is world's apart from Sophia's, so I attribute my easier recovery to the great experience this go-around (besides a few minor things like a bad reaction to the morphine...ugh, talk about itchy and constant nausea!). <br />
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Pictures over the last 11 days of Gabriel's life. From the hospital to home...<br />
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P.S. How is my baby boy already 11 days old? And Sophia is almost 4... Time slow the heck down!Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-25855270146017884812014-04-09T18:45:00.001-04:002014-04-09T18:45:16.560-04:00Welcome, Gabriel!! You're a gift from God.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">We welcomed Gabriel Timothy Rice into the world on April 8, 2014 at
12:48 pm, with joyful hearts and elated spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither Tim nor I can believe
the wonder of it all, as this experience stands diabolically opposite to
Sophia’s birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I continue, I
should start with a photo of our little tyke!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizlgl0KhkZBRbd_AfCQlecKdCe3RrLWYOOqJ3Tikd0RN2Bfst86_ZUwYXPH8zTBwFDLaJD5ZWDEjWF12b5jRTMUsSZXruYL_Rk0o2pPU6Uz1RZzYEyKWom_LX-on5_ep4DxYY_Z-L1xXI/s1600/Close+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizlgl0KhkZBRbd_AfCQlecKdCe3RrLWYOOqJ3Tikd0RN2Bfst86_ZUwYXPH8zTBwFDLaJD5ZWDEjWF12b5jRTMUsSZXruYL_Rk0o2pPU6Uz1RZzYEyKWom_LX-on5_ep4DxYY_Z-L1xXI/s1600/Close+Up.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gabriel Timothy Rice</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I apologize for the delay of online photos, but one way to
celebrate everything going well this time around was to capture these precious
first moments in an extra special way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we got a professional photographer..! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We had so much excitement about Sophia's first glimpse of her much anticipated brother, so we had to make it just right. </span>Thank you all for your
patience, and continued patience since we’re still waiting on most of the photos.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<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: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d12xmHTA-Q37QL8hn3kDygnKHGuFUDH98o-LLl-mfaU1XrNlW2fWx4WmbqP8zWhI8U1X8CoW8d2qxDrUyDMHBBcygR6iVFaZJhlghOhmLV-8A4hWyFTWC8ZG04P9nT6BCSY00IVVVx0y/s1600/Soph+balloon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d12xmHTA-Q37QL8hn3kDygnKHGuFUDH98o-LLl-mfaU1XrNlW2fWx4WmbqP8zWhI8U1X8CoW8d2qxDrUyDMHBBcygR6iVFaZJhlghOhmLV-8A4hWyFTWC8ZG04P9nT6BCSY00IVVVx0y/s1600/Soph+balloon.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Sophia arrives to the hospital, with congratulatory balloon in hand. No sister has ever been so eager to meet their little brother!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsqHGhpaou_ijd3gFSjDONGfS0kEWmkNV0Lg8vyUiNXMMI2H1bXrNvh_W_1lLeMI_JNYVbVY-8dzGEaFjAUwD4R_4N_4HaLsaUwSw6P5sIjEXWxAjjoRO8kBXpP_i_wJ8UCUbTB6b40d2/s1600/Soph+first+glimpse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsqHGhpaou_ijd3gFSjDONGfS0kEWmkNV0Lg8vyUiNXMMI2H1bXrNvh_W_1lLeMI_JNYVbVY-8dzGEaFjAUwD4R_4N_4HaLsaUwSw6P5sIjEXWxAjjoRO8kBXpP_i_wJ8UCUbTB6b40d2/s1600/Soph+first+glimpse.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Here is Sophia's first glimpse of Gabriel. She was curious and also relieved to learn he was real. :)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Sophia’s birth almost four years ago, I had an emergency
c-section to a slightly premature baby who was immediately intubated before I
could hold her, and had to stay in three different hospitals over the course of
30 days, recovering from pneumonia, persistent pulmonary hypertension, pneumo-paracadiam
and an early-developed addiction to morphine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Given this experience, suffice it to say Tim and I are in complete
shock and overcome with joy that we just had a full-term baby by a planned and
normal c-section, and there is no need for the NICU, much less three of
them!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, for the past three weeks,
Tim and I had unspoken anxiety that Gabriel would come early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as God would have it, Gabriel waited
patiently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I hope Sophia forgives me for
referencing these unhappy memories; obviously she’s perfect today so the past is
behind us..!)</span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80Z96JQ6MXigrudDN6K2snXrCoXXU08zQdez4q90UllnWFZVPymAkYS5tL8kqqHlctcztR-JH1FhyphenhyphenFWnooVALHX1maSXlzsOv1yrS9ZUWn40qk-y_w8kC6vPceiJA2rD85ixmC4BWpdIF/s1600/Soph+second+glimpse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80Z96JQ6MXigrudDN6K2snXrCoXXU08zQdez4q90UllnWFZVPymAkYS5tL8kqqHlctcztR-JH1FhyphenhyphenFWnooVALHX1maSXlzsOv1yrS9ZUWn40qk-y_w8kC6vPceiJA2rD85ixmC4BWpdIF/s1600/Soph+second+glimpse.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Soph continues to gaze in astonishment. </span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAplGnge8q0AX-i7aUOt__q4Xc9Bmoc5Rce_0IyoYQqkFM2zxzCrySh-jxYKPI23ljhoR_apXuf14n1zJrx-Bquforewyv2o8ogYpxfe-sw4dFlsPMS7Q0qCTcEZERwpGTqEindPJmPiJ/s1600/Grammy+and+Gabe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAplGnge8q0AX-i7aUOt__q4Xc9Bmoc5Rce_0IyoYQqkFM2zxzCrySh-jxYKPI23ljhoR_apXuf14n1zJrx-Bquforewyv2o8ogYpxfe-sw4dFlsPMS7Q0qCTcEZERwpGTqEindPJmPiJ/s1600/Grammy+and+Gabe.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Grammy gets some quality time with an already-spoiled Gabriel. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> Yesterday, I woke up at a decent hour, knowing ahead of time that
my 39-week full-term baby would arrive by c-section around noon that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a shower, washed my hair, put on my
make up, and Tim and I bid our farewells to Sophia and Grammy for the afternoon,
one last time as single-child-parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead
of driving in pain to a hospital 20 miles from home, as happened with Soph, we
took a leisurely 3-mile-drive from our new house in Baltimore to a city
hospital called Mercy Medical Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHpKqaVye-jpsrm912cDTHfRSVdIihF-73DL9PU266bllF4msd92no9TpW1gR1x9lXTjLOZqVcVIJ-Ef54XvOHOOW5rOKAmfqGY1Ca_HBc8HkVB3ndwHVXKRm5RN2Driw7u3WtQW0bihg/s1600/20140408_110452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHpKqaVye-jpsrm912cDTHfRSVdIihF-73DL9PU266bllF4msd92no9TpW1gR1x9lXTjLOZqVcVIJ-Ef54XvOHOOW5rOKAmfqGY1Ca_HBc8HkVB3ndwHVXKRm5RN2Driw7u3WtQW0bihg/s1600/20140408_110452.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3Yf6kfWAwfl1RymxeD5t_92KgatTTERaC6dtw_pw0lpEFliIQGbsoy1ga_Y28YNjpdTaY6hKMBVJOTL14v9peKqFMZU1mzL1c_Gv2NZ7ZvPZ6UwxYGwjp_ucWaW5zbRonr4AMLd2cUX2/s1600/waiting+room+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3Yf6kfWAwfl1RymxeD5t_92KgatTTERaC6dtw_pw0lpEFliIQGbsoy1ga_Y28YNjpdTaY6hKMBVJOTL14v9peKqFMZU1mzL1c_Gv2NZ7ZvPZ6UwxYGwjp_ucWaW5zbRonr4AMLd2cUX2/s1600/waiting+room+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFEGSOG5ooew62P7AipdRxPwgMQKeifBLHOvpvjZj226BrfI4M3O5UoGx9VPgeifS4K1iK0w0ZJuKiDc306IZ_bnIK91nKitXJUkrXWoj-FUb_iYxIFs6jzJqaiqRaD1f26NwdQmL_n9w/s1600/waiting+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFEGSOG5ooew62P7AipdRxPwgMQKeifBLHOvpvjZj226BrfI4M3O5UoGx9VPgeifS4K1iK0w0ZJuKiDc306IZ_bnIK91nKitXJUkrXWoj-FUb_iYxIFs6jzJqaiqRaD1f26NwdQmL_n9w/s1600/waiting+room.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">We used valet parking upon arrival at Mercy, as if we were going to
see a movie on date night, and were quickly checked in to make preparations in
the PACU which lasted about 2 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim
was perturbed with our nurse at first because he asked her what “PACU” stood
for, and she skirted the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
turns out she was actually quite nice, and perhaps she was merely trying to
save face because she forgot the words “Post Anesthesia Care Unit”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Thanks to Eric Pope for clarifying via text
message).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After walking into the
operating room (again, distinguish this from having to be wheeled in under
emergency circumstances), I was happy to see my regular doctor in a cheerful
mood, making me laugh with stories about her own childbirth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My anesthesiologist had great bedside manner as
well, and he reacted quickly when I felt nauseous after he administered the
spinal block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim was allowed to enter
the room soon after as he took a seat by my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably because of nerves, I peculiarly
asked him to massage my hand “really hard”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I later learned that Tim’s hands started cramping after five minutes,
but he courageously powered through, thankful that he wasn’t having a c-section
himself. What a sacrifice! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hmVxYCWjLyKmKbCd1nrP7prZo9ymUsz5ov0HCQxjtOwF-IX_shUkNhLfRfh1MK4UeTtz6zaueD3Y0Uvx6Y5axlPlcpreF-lsjeqBhBBcFC8GUcsw-7mfxeUJmEdiCUx-7uTtQejjURd_/s1600/IMG_20140409_150413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hmVxYCWjLyKmKbCd1nrP7prZo9ymUsz5ov0HCQxjtOwF-IX_shUkNhLfRfh1MK4UeTtz6zaueD3Y0Uvx6Y5axlPlcpreF-lsjeqBhBBcFC8GUcsw-7mfxeUJmEdiCUx-7uTtQejjURd_/s1600/IMG_20140409_150413.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Thirty minutes later, after a nerve-racking but otherwise smooth
operation, there arrived a healthy 7 pound, 2 ounce and 20-inch-long Gabriel
Timothy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was only happiness to
follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nurses didn’t turn their
backs to us like last time, slapping the baby’s back in efforts to spur
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gabriel was showing off his lung power all by
himself, just like it’s supposed to work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The nurses placed him in Tim’s hands within five minutes as the doctor
completed the operation, and I got to watch my little son start acclimating to
his new environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautiful skin, shy
hair, curious eyes and a vocal yet modest cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Heaven on earth.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCB-QOWoR1dUIv8f_Yge9hBfqffgid28LtGengIdesghvigYGCRVxXS-IyYXIgPOZvN6VyZULXnyQkft4BdVzEkg9nK9geymxWBy-8GX9vBf3LG0v0h38hx2Fb4nugYEfZRK8_m9-0KIL/s1600/20140409_094942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Thanks to all of your for your thoughts and prayers. We will do our best to stay in touch, but let's be real... We'll see you all in about six months! </span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span>Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-6384492977321813842014-03-29T07:21:00.001-04:002014-03-29T07:21:46.184-04:00If you give me a lemon.....I have been TIRED. SLEEPY. Have had very little energy. It's to be expected at 9.5 months pregnant. But, I needed a boost...something other than a caffeine boost, because I've chosen to only drink about 1 regular cup of coffee a day while pregnant (ok sometimes 3, but who is judging?). I'm certainly not judging the pregnant mom who is sitting in Dunkin Donuts sipping her blueberry coffee looking like she hasn't slept in days, with her toddler talking her ear off at a super high volume.<br />
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So, I decided to branch out. The problem is that I don't like hot tea...hate it, actually. I wish I did, because people rave about all of the different flavors and health benefits. But, nope..I've been strictly a plain black, no cream or sugar, coffee addict for at least 10 years now. If you know me well, then you would obviously think, "Haleigh drinking something other than plain black coffee? It would be a miracle". <br />
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So, I bought some lemons....<br />
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We've all seen the pinterest pictures of a lemon with the caption: Warm Lemon Water to Start Your Day (or something similar) Who the heck wants to drink warm lemon water? I can understand ice cold water with half of a lemon thrown in, but what's the big deal with warm water if it doesn't taste like coffee? So, I started researching a bit and found these SUPPOSED health benefits. I'm a bit skeptical of trends (probably because of my husbands cynicism towards many things, lol).<br />
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A few benefits that this morning ritual claims:<br />
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-aids digestion <br />
-helps maximize enzyme function, which stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification<br />
-clears skin<br />
-energizes you and enhances mood<br />
-boosts immune system <br />
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Why warm?: it takes more energy for your body to process ice cold water, rather than warm water. Warm water is more sensitive on your system first thing in the morning.<br />
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Taste test: I sliced half a lemon, squeezed the juice into a coffee mug, filled with water, nuked it for a minute, and then threw in the lemon half. I was scared it would taste like hot tea...but no, it tastes more like warm water with lemon, actually. haha. I actually LOVE it. I had 3 cups yesterday, and not 1 cup of coffee I'm pretty sure Tim thinks i'm going crazy. <br />
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LOVE THE TASTE</div>
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Now, there are ALWAYS opposing views and research. BUT since I'm pregnant, don't like the coffee crash, and am always looking for ways to boost my mood and energy levels, I figured I'd give it a whirl and trust these purported health benefits of drinking warm lemon water to start my day. And even if these benefits don't ring true, it could become a mind over matter thing. I feel more energized already, and I haven't even taken my first sip this morning! haha<br />
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I'm definitely not giving up my coffee, but I will continue to drink a
cup of warm lemon water every morning before I guzzle my 16 oz of cold
water (that's something I've been doing for months now right when I wake
up).<br />
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Sidenote: I also made homemade blueberry muffins with streusal topping (thanks pinterest). Perfect combo at 8pm. <br />
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FYI: I wrote this at 6am on this Saturday morning. Who am I? I love sleep! #pregnancyinsomnia <br />
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<br />Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-18494684227722012522014-03-26T20:32:00.000-04:002014-03-26T20:32:32.106-04:00Remember that time....Remember that time you told someone about how you are planning to home educate your kids and they DIDN'T express their concern regarding socialization? Yeah, ME EITHER. <br />
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Oh, would it be nice to not have to explain, "my daughter is already more outgoing (at almost 4) than I ever was in all of my 13 years in public school", or "she takes dance, does this, does that, etc". It would be so nice to not have to try and convince people..."i promise my kids won't be weird, I know what I'm doing!". Am I weird and socially inept or something? lol I really want to go all Katniss from The Hunger Games on people, but I never seem to have my bow and arrow at those times. <br />
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Ok, back to mature Haleigh. I realize that I didn't understand what home education was all about at a time. I understand that people express concern because they have seen a weird, socially awkward kid who was homeschooled. I also realize that there is a wrong way to go about it. But, for the sake of my sanity, can we all assume that my kids will be just fine because of that fact that I've done hundreds of hours of research, read many books on the subject, and talked with other homeschooling families? awesome! :) <br />
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I an more than happy to discuss my reasons for choosing to home educate, when people inquire. I love talking about it! (maybe that will be a future blog entry) It's the dreaded socialization concern that causes me to become a bit cross. I suppose by now I should expect it and not get offended; take it as a sort of opportunity to enlighten those that don't fully understand it (because I certainly didn't either). Ok, I choose to not be offended anymore. I will no longer be shocked by people's unsolicited thoughts and opinions; I welcome them...to an extent, lol. My inner Katniss is now suppressed. Whew, glad I got that out. <br />
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This article sums up this debate for me: <br />
<a href="http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/human-relations/56224.html" target="_blank">Socialization Debate</a><br />
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I "ain't got no" socially awkward child. But she is my little hilarious nut. :)<br />
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<br />Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095657925298969813.post-53438436874016261142014-03-25T17:06:00.001-04:002014-03-25T17:06:52.290-04:00Numero Uno<br />
Should there be pressure in starting a blog? For some weird reason, I feel pressure to make these entries interesting and cool. But, honestly, I'm creating this for me. And maybe somewhere along the way other moms or non moms will comment and say, "YES, I CAN IDENTIFY, WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER!". <br />
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My life is about to drastically change, again. It obviously changed when I got married and again when I had Sophia, but going from one kid to two is a whole new level of intimidation. Therefore, I'm creating this blog as a sort of outlet; A place to reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly. And by ugly, I mean night feedings when I'm ugly and cranky, haha. But mostly the good. :) Things will get chaotic. Life will become a different kind of interesting. We'll have to find a new normal. But it will be fun! It will be awesome to look back at blog entries in the future and realize, "it's all worth it!". <br />
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I'll be sharing fun adventures I take with the kids (omg, kids, plural!), frustrations with life, homeschooling insights as I navigate through that new territory, books I've read, funny things Sophia says, baby stories, and random life happenings. Not that anyone cares, but like I said, it's more for me to look back on, :) <br />
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and of course a picture to kick off my first blog....I love being a mom (has anyone really said otherwise, though?)<br />
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<br />Haleigh Ricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13835556456329161828noreply@blogger.com1