tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70833164755455161412024-03-13T08:11:15.960-07:00unusually unusualalexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-77600603583662636872015-10-05T21:59:00.000-07:002015-10-05T21:59:19.282-07:00Oaks' birth story<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ill apologize now to those who venture down this rabbit hole-its VERY detailed. i wanted to keep record of everything for me primarily. you have been warned! </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-865ac78e-3b7e-b752-1569-a36f9b99950f" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as my due date (9/15) neared, i started getting nervous. unlike with brecken, i didnt spend alot of time thinking about labor positions or doing any research on breastfeeding...i just didnt think about it much honestly. but as the days passed, i started to get nervous. not so much about labor, but about brecken and arrangements for her and cobalt and getting everything ready...ahhh! but this time around i felt more contractions and was more aware of my body and having a to do list distracted me. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">why wasnt i nervous about labor? well i was to some degree, but mostly i knew what i would have done differently and the same from the first time around: i wanted to go natural again, i knew i could do it just fine with brian there to help me, i wanted to avoid pitocin if possible, i knew my water probably wouldnt break spontaneously twice in a row, and the midwives were all aware of brecken’s mild shoulder dystocia and the resulting episiotomy. i had a plan! i was ready! </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ha. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HA. HA. HA. pretty much everything i planned/was ready for didnt happen. on thursday, i was feeling a little funky. i had decided to not worry about it, and spent the day just enjoying being brecken’s bff-she rode a horse, danced to native american songs, rode in a horse drawn wagon, had chocolate milk...basically we had an absolutely perfect day. i did feel tight, like one big but mild contraction, and had yet again been woken up the night before by a couple contractions. i thought that something might happen that night, but i was determined to not get too anxious or waste a day with b. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">aaaaaaand then it happened. my water broke. again. bascially, it was the EXACT SAME <a href="http://bumsnowboarda.blogspot.com/2013/09/breckens-birth-story.html">labor as brecken</a>, but this was the alternate ending where i chose not to get pitocin early. so here it goes: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Friday Sept 11, 2015, 2:30 am-im woken up with mild, crampy contractions. barely there, but still definitely there. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:50-sit up to time them. of course, they stop. go to the bathroom and since i already have my phone in my hand, surf fb for a minute. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:00-go to lay down but feel something...weird...in my pants. go back to the bathroom, and discover my entire mucus plug. THE ENTIRE THING. gross. vaguely think “huh, wonder if my water is more likely to break now…?” get back into bed and immediately feel the tell-tale trickle. lay down and refuse to believe my water has broken until it happens again.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:45-no more trickles! so maybe water didnt break! yay! move to get more comfortable and have another trickle. i finally am resigned to the fact that my water broke (which is good, dont get me wrong...i just dont want a repeat of the first time.) reach over and wake up brian, telling him that my water broke. as if i needed more confirmation, i have a little gush as i sit up. thank goodness i put a towel under my sheets when i went to bed! </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4:00-call the midwife. she says that as long as my water seems normal (it does), then i can stay at home if i want. i want! so i try to go back to sleep but keep having really mild contractions that are just irksome enough to keep my adrenaline up and prevent me from sleeping. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:45-chat with my mom, update her, and get up. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:30-drop brecken off with Theresa, who is going to keep b while Im in the hospital. her little girl Olivia and Brecken get along so well, this was a load off my mind. now im free to have a baby! </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10:30-take cobalt to the dog park to walk myself into labor. it doesnt work.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:30-go to the drs office to have a non-stress test to make sure the baby is still doing well and that i havent developed a fever. baby is fabulous, and im as cool as a cucumber. midwife checks me, and finds that my water broke up high, which is why im trickling instead of gushing. my fore-bag (the part of the water bag that is between the cervix and the baby’s head) is still intact. this means that if labor doesnt start, we have a few options. we decide to go home and keep walking and stuff and if things dont get moving, we will head to the hospital at 9 pm to get things going. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4:00-eat. this ends up being the last time i eat before heading to the hospital, which is a mistake. my contractions still arent progressing.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:00-cobalt is picked up. silly to include, but he is part of the fam :)</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:00-call the midwife-we are heading to the hospital to get things going. we decide that the options are pitocin, a pill to induce, or tearing the fore-bag. if i chose pitocin, id have the same situation as with brecken- a fast but augmented labor. i choose to tear the forebag and go from there. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:00-we are in our room, ready for things to pick up and get going. the midwife snags my bag and contractions immediately are stronger and more regular. yay, im laboring on my own, finally! im happy and excited that things are progressing without assistance, since that didnt happen the first time. i get the birthing ball and stool and i alternate between one of those and walking the halls. oh, and we put harry potter on, as is our tradition :)</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saturday, 4:00 am-my contractions are regular, about 3 mins apart, and strong. they are stronger than they were with brecken, and im starting to think that maybe im getting close to transition since the contractions are getting longer and closer together, and they just *feel* worse. i get checked, im only at a 5, 70% effaced...no transition yet. im a little frustrated because i really felt like i was further than that. brian at this point jokes that he thought we would have a baby by now judging by the last labor. me too, and im irritated enough that the next time my phone dings, i turn it off.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:00-pretty convinced i HAVE to be in transition now, the contractions are so sharp and stabby, and im starting to get little push feelings. they are still 2 mins apart, but are now 1 ½ mins long which my midwife says is pretty typical for second time transitions. get checked again, only a 7, but 90 effaced. now im really starting to get worried. these contractions are really really strong, and i am starting to get really really tired. ive been up for 28 hours already, and havent eaten in 14 hours, and i can feel my body getting fatigued. if its taken this long to get to a 7, how much longer am i gonna need to go? how much more painful are these contractions going to get? im not ready to give up, but i am getting angry. i know that i havent been in labor that long (really only like 7 hours) but i wasnt prepared for things to be moving so slowly either. its less about how much time has already passed, and getting worried about how much more time its going to take. brian sees my mood and jokingly asks me what we are going to do with the next kid. i joke back “epidural.” this is funny cuz ive never wanted one for a billion reasons, but its also a pretty poignant glimpse into my frame of mind. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7:00-i get a strong push feeling, but im not sure if i just legitimately need to poop or not so brian gets a nurse. she checks me again. still just a 7, but now only 80% effaced. she asks if im holding back on the contractions. i have no idea what she means, i am not trying to hold this baby in! maybe its from trying to hold in the poop…? im no longer mad, im just deflated. i dont know what to do anymore-im SO tired, im starting to get overly emotional. i can feel the feels welling up and i know its because im so tired and weak. the midwife comes in and checks again and wants to do an experiment: she wants to check me while i have a contraction. this is SO painful i actually cry. she says that my contractions are putting virtually no pressure on my cervix and that at this point im going to need pitocin. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">i feel so defeated. this is what i was trying to avoid and here i am having to do it anyway. i dont have anything against pitocin necessarily, i just wanted to have a natural, unaugmented labor if possible, but here i was struggling through just the first part of labor. because my contractions are already so intense, im really having a hard time wrapping my head around them being intensified by pitocin. add on top how exhausted physically i already am, and im really overwhelmed by the forecast of a long, arduous, indefinite span of time ahead of me. i ask brian what he thinks, and its a testament to him that he answers “i cant answer that. its up to you.” i know he thinks an epidural is a fantastic idea, but his answer was so respectful of my desire to have another natural birth. i was really grateful for that, even if it wasnt necessarily helpful :) in true Alex fashion, i am thinking not just of right now, but of the logical ramifications of my choices 5 steps ahead. i really dont want an epidural, but i *really* dont want to plug on, end up too fatigued to push, and need a c-section. that would be my worst nightmare (just the thought of a c-section puts me into a panic attack), so that is factoring into my decision as well.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">while we are talking about options (which are few: basically pitocin without an epidural, or with), i have another contractions that is incredibly painful. part of it was my position im sure (laying on the bed), but it also was just how my contractions were going. brian looks at me and asks if that contraction made up my mind. i nod as tears run down my face. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:30-by the time i make the decision to get the epidural, the anesthesiologist is with another lady, so i have to wait. THE WORST!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:00-the guy comes in right as im having a contractions as he says to the nurse “she is a great breather!” the nurse said “she has been doing a great job.” that made me feel a little better, like if he even knows im doing a good job then im not wussing out. but i still sob through the whole epidural. the guy did a good job, but i was terrified and it hurt. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10:00-i have about an hour of relief, and i get some rest. but suddenly i have a contraction that is really painful. i feel like my guts and the baby are going to fall out my butt. that sounds so bizarre but it was sooo different from cervical pressure. it was so intense i had the chatter/shakes afterwards, which kind of scares me but the nurse explains its just a combination of adrenaline and hormones. the nurse tells me to roll with the pressure, and to hit the button for more meds so it doesnt hurt. after 3 contractions, the pain still hasnt subsided so the anesthesiologist gives me an extra shot right into my line. the next hour i feel contractions and some pressure but its not painful. i roll with the pressure and let my body do its thing. the nurse also suspects the babys head is turned just slightly wrong and its putting weird pressure on my cervix so she puts me on my side with a peanut ball to help turn him just a smidge.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11:00-i have a stronger contraction and my body pushes. after the contraction my body keeps pushing and i can feel a pressure between my hips reminiscent of a bowling ball but without the pain, so brian gets the nurse. she checks me and im ready to push! finally. i cant feel my stomach or legs at all, and im light headed and nauseous. its really weird to push when i cant feel my legs. after the first push, i tell the nurse that im lightheaded and that i needed an oxygen mask last time so id probably need one now. so they give me one and that really helps. i wasnt sure how well i was pushing so i tried to gauge it from the midwifes reactions. even though i cant feel the progress of my pushes, i can feel pretty much everything else. like, i can feel the ring of fire, which i wasnt expecting at all. its just as fiery as with brecken! as i am resting, the midwife comments on how much hair he has. brian looks at me like its from my side, but i was bald until i was 2! once his head is born, he turns his head too soon and the midwife has to turn him back-that is incredibly painful too, but as soon as she gets him turned back he comes right out. silver lining: no tearing!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he was born at 11:36 am, a healthy 7 lbs, 15 oz, and 20 in long. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so, i have come to the conclusion that my body does not labor by itself well. it clearly wants to do things one of two ways-alone and REALLY SLOWLY or with help and really efficiently. and i must have pointy pelvic bones to break the water bag up high twice. i really struggled with feeling like i gave up and that i could have done it if i didnt have any expectations of what it should be like. but at the same time, there is no way i could have known how much time it would take, and i knew that my body had about reached its limit. im still struggling with it actually. i feel apologetic, ashamed, weak. im trying not to have expectations for next time, but i am trying to come to terms with the fact that pitocin is probably my normal. well, tha or else an epidural. and for now, im focusing on the fact that i have a happy healthy little boy, and thats what really matters. </span></div>
Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-61456187897300521772014-02-10T21:43:00.001-08:002014-02-10T21:43:47.637-08:00hello colorado: move part 3So after arriving in CO, we still had a couple days before we could move into our rental house. so while brian went to work, the sweetness and i drove around and killed time. <br />
<br />
which was really boring.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Yq1SBox4ZZ4aQl8UaJDHw4WNqSDpNzhvFyNZ9z5kncnGIMCRuIeP1_sBw6wRdjnzphECcgWkxd4bdPfiJ_lb4f0vieLxBJPXb0DaFGlKK5vze3N8PzoUQJzK_Vi1q1bxs1uXpXWH6q4/s1600/WP_20140103_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Yq1SBox4ZZ4aQl8UaJDHw4WNqSDpNzhvFyNZ9z5kncnGIMCRuIeP1_sBw6wRdjnzphECcgWkxd4bdPfiJ_lb4f0vieLxBJPXb0DaFGlKK5vze3N8PzoUQJzK_Vi1q1bxs1uXpXWH6q4/s1600/WP_20140103_010.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">selfies in the hotel. really boring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
i decided to drive down to the house and get familiar with the area. i immediately found that driving in co was not going to be like ca. for example, the speed limit on the freeway is less than 60 mph. wut? SO SLOW. also, people rarely go the speed limit. by that i mean, most people (in my experience) go at least one or two mphs UNDER the limit. sometimes as much as 5 under. boggles my mind.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKh33gaRGlGDG4kj8bi24236i-2WZ1uLyCqB7IGZaHa-bF5drlfpfQVr7oisbaRQw7oNc2xhjQfsxrYiPK7WA2jK-KfpgV-xqvVt2yyIS9yZ4LBGHXytp5PfUv7S9_FvZHLuzitfbjoc/s1600/6tag_030114-123220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKh33gaRGlGDG4kj8bi24236i-2WZ1uLyCqB7IGZaHa-bF5drlfpfQVr7oisbaRQw7oNc2xhjQfsxrYiPK7WA2jK-KfpgV-xqvVt2yyIS9yZ4LBGHXytp5PfUv7S9_FvZHLuzitfbjoc/s1600/6tag_030114-123220.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is on the major north-south freeway through denver. not kidding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
i took doggie to a dog park, figuring that he was dying being in the car for so long and he loved it. i found a cool one near our house and spent 2 hours there. i try to take him at least once a week now, but it is hard to do when its so cold.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo363_l00VT68BHWCt7-3D00XtLErOtnkTvizCicZbulHUhDB4TTVFu2Ruun4Ag_FBpd3Qlthqu62K4sl4mVAEWQKjFEZO7MGvqprYZ86SXovKR40jd7FyBPHkT57-EuvLbSbsP1Q8MA/s1600/WP_20140102_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo363_l00VT68BHWCt7-3D00XtLErOtnkTvizCicZbulHUhDB4TTVFu2Ruun4Ag_FBpd3Qlthqu62K4sl4mVAEWQKjFEZO7MGvqprYZ86SXovKR40jd7FyBPHkT57-EuvLbSbsP1Q8MA/s1600/WP_20140102_005.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loving being out of the truck of the car.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpIrTrlL4ubSDDTot3z7xfSkzclxV4BmmKvini1wptQCQ-DUuPyKZ-XoKE1MqmkYS45tnowfVURrmqMiKI3vu7gxaP6zMrdpndx3_32rpOrCGutNAWPBG11TNaL6MhH17JLOgVk4PEEM/s1600/WP_20140102_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpIrTrlL4ubSDDTot3z7xfSkzclxV4BmmKvini1wptQCQ-DUuPyKZ-XoKE1MqmkYS45tnowfVURrmqMiKI3vu7gxaP6zMrdpndx3_32rpOrCGutNAWPBG11TNaL6MhH17JLOgVk4PEEM/s1600/WP_20140102_010.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loving watching the dog from a different perspective than her car seat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
we live to the southwest of downtown denver, close to the mountains. we have a great view of them off our back deck, and it is nice to have a skyline to look at. ive also noticed that the air here is REALLY clear. unlike the inversion in slc, the air does not hover over denver here. in fact, from a little hilly roll in a street a few blocks away, i can clearly see downtown, which is 20 miles away. its really cool to come up over the hill and catch a glimpse of the city, especially at dusk when the setting sun catches the glass buildings. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQBwrqe6RVxG5ACoyioACd-INDQh58zOMIKQXOm7Vm6SJfBO6MN-NR7IwoRITJ2vVfhndsi4Nza9L-oAWLYS63BkjD2QUEoDgk1PoJIqsfkkyqgV5WrGSrTgOFw8xMFvGoMyBhXMb5hQ/s1600/6tag_020114-143935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQBwrqe6RVxG5ACoyioACd-INDQh58zOMIKQXOm7Vm6SJfBO6MN-NR7IwoRITJ2vVfhndsi4Nza9L-oAWLYS63BkjD2QUEoDgk1PoJIqsfkkyqgV5WrGSrTgOFw8xMFvGoMyBhXMb5hQ/s1600/6tag_020114-143935.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
when we moved in, we had already taken the mattress out because we slept there the night before, but the next day, we got it all out of the truck in under an hour, thanks to 10 guys from that ward that come over to help. all while dumping snow! there was about 6 inches by the end of the day, at least. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtBzOiDUR74_BCeRw4oGCIm3QC9W72OWZIXxwf3pFXHGhVq6zKaStwWdat1p78Pr-EeJ_WWjV73zeduwleCcDeeaRZQ5Tr77MemYNgdl4r9lq8iF2oLwp3jXCB5Tww6HRgdxYmZotK8I/s1600/WP_20140104_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtBzOiDUR74_BCeRw4oGCIm3QC9W72OWZIXxwf3pFXHGhVq6zKaStwWdat1p78Pr-EeJ_WWjV73zeduwleCcDeeaRZQ5Tr77MemYNgdl4r9lq8iF2oLwp3jXCB5Tww6HRgdxYmZotK8I/s1600/WP_20140104_012.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our welcome snow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
now, after more than a month here,we are almost completely unpacked, we got brian another car so i can stop driving him to the light rail at the crack of dawn/being stranded at home without a car. i have joined two local mom groups, gotten a library card and checked out 6 books, joined a recipe testing group with girls from church, bought kitchen chairs and had a couple over for dinner, and started working out every day. ive tried to throw myself into being here and dare myself to not find a way to like it here.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSfvRQyMd6ht8X3TF8Sql0ryIhhtBug0G-Jm9EdjTH3FQ_d2P_-ubJhNPOyseZIwtkaN4oauTmXmHTQdDrnqNy7tBd3EUTXq8NfkPPd4YdZUDXzeMLkkYl1_RENmrMG4bnPOGCApM82w/s1600/WP_20140104_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSfvRQyMd6ht8X3TF8Sql0ryIhhtBug0G-Jm9EdjTH3FQ_d2P_-ubJhNPOyseZIwtkaN4oauTmXmHTQdDrnqNy7tBd3EUTXq8NfkPPd4YdZUDXzeMLkkYl1_RENmrMG4bnPOGCApM82w/s1600/WP_20140104_011.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unpacking the kitchen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcZG1iJBbBt5-Nsxefsj_WC_pEKcLJ7li9O0KJshTRLXr4UOZPaNAL0NKuiHy2IMhZI0Zg267RdgrSFFQN9vQm9rWE9TlKP0DCOplDh9oJZXzoAHNbZvA9l_8PjCKnP5S2WN2sHtwgM8/s1600/WP_20140120_029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcZG1iJBbBt5-Nsxefsj_WC_pEKcLJ7li9O0KJshTRLXr4UOZPaNAL0NKuiHy2IMhZI0Zg267RdgrSFFQN9vQm9rWE9TlKP0DCOplDh9oJZXzoAHNbZvA9l_8PjCKnP5S2WN2sHtwgM8/s1600/WP_20140120_029.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR MARRIAGE, WE HAVE A REAL DINING AREA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
but when people ask if im loving it here, all i can muster is an apathetic "eh." <br />
<br />
and theres no real reason that i can articulate.<br />
<br />
i like the house. actually, i kind of love the house. its felt good and cozy from the first day. but the house could be on the moon for all it matters in many ways.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Vz5_FwfDEmq0Y_TPISrq86r0SeDWILaT_IOHLyLVRrxpAZGtfxvRA0Vt6i5TcMlz6GEZWeoi-1wvMLVuwd2V8uQw0cJzeBuzfwzGZFweiYbtGI7436F-ZN141fNiXLmbEJUrG3OucV4/s1600/WP_20140102_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Vz5_FwfDEmq0Y_TPISrq86r0SeDWILaT_IOHLyLVRrxpAZGtfxvRA0Vt6i5TcMlz6GEZWeoi-1wvMLVuwd2V8uQw0cJzeBuzfwzGZFweiYbtGI7436F-ZN141fNiXLmbEJUrG3OucV4/s1600/WP_20140102_004.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the cute house. taken while creeping on it before moving in </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
i leave the house every day, at least to go to the gym, but usually for some play date, or run errands, or to hit up the library. so its not for lack of getting out. ive met lots of people (and am having trouble remember so many peoples names), but i dont feel like im connecting with many. which is disappointing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8H7nOiq6QjYTUKDAVp-ZigY56SnIZITuPz6ReU1ZnouL-5G5kKe-yIQH1RutMzWcHB73KMgXNVhj65O4q8JW19phOTF8uYvUcloL4DU3AxQQv_xNWDcF8fn5VRj7U5bsY_M4x1bAm9gg/s1600/WP_20140111_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8H7nOiq6QjYTUKDAVp-ZigY56SnIZITuPz6ReU1ZnouL-5G5kKe-yIQH1RutMzWcHB73KMgXNVhj65O4q8JW19phOTF8uYvUcloL4DU3AxQQv_xNWDcF8fn5VRj7U5bsY_M4x1bAm9gg/s1600/WP_20140111_001.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we took brecken to the zoo, and she loved the monkeys and fish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgKi9-5NVa4JgSw1U-af6nFydXtcy505m_64Ash-tvIXU7_gwrP4Zx77joUI2FtavM_eeIxl6TKoMJVgdZxJP9fIWtIv-1Ck9qrNd1ar1KoFDULW6K8hPmZMalSeMqV0wxGn_20_gQvc/s1600/WP_20140118_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgKi9-5NVa4JgSw1U-af6nFydXtcy505m_64Ash-tvIXU7_gwrP4Zx77joUI2FtavM_eeIxl6TKoMJVgdZxJP9fIWtIv-1Ck9qrNd1ar1KoFDULW6K8hPmZMalSeMqV0wxGn_20_gQvc/s1600/WP_20140118_003.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">air force academy chapel, mlk weekend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
but maybe thats my fault. i know im keeping it close to the chest. im not trying to be cautious, but its happening. people are really nice-a good mix of the wa down-to-earth-ness and ca outgoing-ness. but i still feel...on the outside. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrql_Tf7bAOrVT7Y4opHQ4zpJLkEa3sPa1lxIbYB5K12jxRfibbSPE8LgArqm71SHjnCPtQtNY_rcrOJpZp4zsT2ALRJbrbb21-_gy-F7yhwI9gLl-Xp0lH5OuKx39QsfULNSkprUaoHE/s1600/WP_20140112_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrql_Tf7bAOrVT7Y4opHQ4zpJLkEa3sPa1lxIbYB5K12jxRfibbSPE8LgArqm71SHjnCPtQtNY_rcrOJpZp4zsT2ALRJbrbb21-_gy-F7yhwI9gLl-Xp0lH5OuKx39QsfULNSkprUaoHE/s1600/WP_20140112_003.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the cutest mitten-eater ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
in the sahm moms groups, im one of the youngest (even at 27!! even in the babies only group!!). the same with the church girls, though people keep telling me theres a hidden trove of girls my age with young babies. i dont mind being young, but at least with the mormon women, it puts up invisible walls that dont seem to be easily breached. it doesnt help that the mormon women all think im significantly younger than i am because of only having one baby. the other week someone made mention of having started a family late, at 27. i said, "oh im 27!" and she was like, "what?? i thought you were like 24."<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29ycok2p2vpN82CjJ4HVWcJNuOoC0WhuyxrKE9fQ1b40ReTAZlaUZ1FElIlkyh8KuVBGXDfCs-eW1t4rGLgMRZrNjW6NbhOm9oszS5UrlsztZWIL9HtsF_qicVWgfUnqu8cP5vG0gKvM/s1600/WP_20140126_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29ycok2p2vpN82CjJ4HVWcJNuOoC0WhuyxrKE9fQ1b40ReTAZlaUZ1FElIlkyh8KuVBGXDfCs-eW1t4rGLgMRZrNjW6NbhOm9oszS5UrlsztZWIL9HtsF_qicVWgfUnqu8cP5vG0gKvM/s1600/WP_20140126_002.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first time on the swing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh24R1PIrmR_QO9f0gk1kkzZB0BgpEk_E-jjc6JmnrcVTsTePYJOLe6XZg-JGps_XlEhyphenhyphen9nQ3G-jlauKRe-bSxOTvWlDbexidUmjhbg0YnD_LdvgcviQgQAdFWeWfm2wTJpbFmVtjaasE/s1600/WP_20140126_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh24R1PIrmR_QO9f0gk1kkzZB0BgpEk_E-jjc6JmnrcVTsTePYJOLe6XZg-JGps_XlEhyphenhyphen9nQ3G-jlauKRe-bSxOTvWlDbexidUmjhbg0YnD_LdvgcviQgQAdFWeWfm2wTJpbFmVtjaasE/s1600/WP_20140126_009.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loving it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
thats not helping me any.<br />
<br />
so, i dunno. im trying. i really am. i just cant quite eke out "yes" to the inevitable question. <br />
<br />
brian, on the other hand, is loving it and loving his job. which makes me really happy. and cobalt loves the snow, and goes crazy in it every day, and even got to have a play date with one of his brothers (which was awesome, they totally loved each other). and brecken is doing well, though she had pink eye the other week (not like it affected her any, the champ). <br />
<br />
its apparently just me thats playing hard to get.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-1950263896302186692014-01-27T13:51:00.000-08:002014-01-27T13:51:33.981-08:00in limbo: move part 2after driving all through the night (basically) and sleeping in a flea ridden motel (you never know, it allows pets after all), we arrived at brians moms house in alpine, ut. it was the 30th, and we couldnt be in our place in co until the 3rd, so we had some time to kill. brian hadnt seen his family in a year and it was a perfect time to catch up with his brothers and sister. <br />
<br />
since it was our anniversary, we decided to take his mom up on some babysitting time! i had been feeling pretty crappy about my post-baby body not fitting into my clothes and feeling like the clothes that did fit were completely unflattering, so brian decided to take me shopping! i dont shop for clothes often (like, maybe once a year) and he hates when i take him with me. but he was so supportive and encouraging and didnt whine once-he even gave me good feedback! now THATS an anniversary present haha.<br />
<br />
other than that, we hung out with his family. new years eve was spent with everyone over, playing games until the kids pooped out. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10ySjxPIQ9wj9rG3OrYqGW5h_dXFbhj8FX0T7fPOj_a1KPthYSV-TZ05JSVj-a35QQKPhqT2DM4Bk3AJh99X2widhZdCZqcxwULVAvyRU81lsmPpdftWiqHHWZlekLmRdwsy3Ha4XzvQ/s1600/WP_20131231_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10ySjxPIQ9wj9rG3OrYqGW5h_dXFbhj8FX0T7fPOj_a1KPthYSV-TZ05JSVj-a35QQKPhqT2DM4Bk3AJh99X2widhZdCZqcxwULVAvyRU81lsmPpdftWiqHHWZlekLmRdwsy3Ha4XzvQ/s1600/WP_20131231_005.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gratuitous naked baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
i love his chaotic family. there are 6 hulme babies-more people than my whole family-and half are married. i love the feeling of having so many people close by. its cozy and warm and loud and obnoxious and awesome. we had a lively debate, beat the pants off each other in games, we hung out and talked and caught up, and stuffed our faces while we did it. its fun to see them all together, this big group of ADD-infused adults who are more alike than they know. its like a secret we spouses carry, seeing reflections of our partners in their siblings. and we love them all, whether because of or in spite of their similarities. <br />
<br />
so after a couple days, it was time for us to hit the road again. <br />
<br />
i dont remember taking the 80 eastbound past park city, but i know i must have as a kid to visit family friends who living in wyoming and colorado. it was...what i expected haha. pretty empty, and boring, and alot like northern nevada. except there were more hills i guess.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mKdjzo4RnUyPAMRP50NRqyxNF7ARZSIda1FZsMXnAvf2onJx0TXt4IQfzMs0GlyrOKYXn4oNK405IujGbf-l0-8sy35f5UEKqqhhJWwsg4khR6iM992jGtlMM0VWeRTYS_p_qBoNxzk/s1600/WP_20140101_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mKdjzo4RnUyPAMRP50NRqyxNF7ARZSIda1FZsMXnAvf2onJx0TXt4IQfzMs0GlyrOKYXn4oNK405IujGbf-l0-8sy35f5UEKqqhhJWwsg4khR6iM992jGtlMM0VWeRTYS_p_qBoNxzk/s1600/WP_20140101_001.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the only exciting thing about wyoming was brian </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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as the sun set, we neared Laramie. thats when trouble started.<br />
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the temperature dropped, and it got really windy. i had started to take a little nap, thinking i could drive from cheyenne to denver and give brian a break. but i was only asleep for about 20 minutes before i couldnt handle the tension anymore.<br />
<br />
the signs kept saying "slick road--slow down" but it was hard to tell where it might be slick. there was some blowing snow, but not much and it wasnt sticking to anything. but soon we could see the wet-looking patches of black ice and they were constant.<br />
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and then the car in front of us slid a bit. and i just about died. <br />
<br />
you see, my car has summer tires on it. there was no need for anything other than those in ca, and while my car was heavy enough with two adults, a baby, a dog, and stuff, it still is front wheel drive with basically grip-less tires. <br />
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the car slid a bit several times, and i could see the stress starting to build up in brian-he talks alot when he is stressed (is this funny to anyone else?). and the snow was coming down harder and sticking, forcing us to drive in slick, snowy ruts. we tried to keep another cars taillights ahead of us, but everyone was flying compared to us.<br />
<br />
after a while, we lost the taillights we had been following, and between that and a one particularly bad skidding episode, i really lost it. we pulled off at the next exit and tried to figure out how far we had to go til cheyenne and what the road conditions were like further on. <br />
<br />
they were bad. and there was still 30 miles left. <br />
<br />
suddenly, we understood what the road-block arms were for on the side of the freeway.<br />
<br />
for the second time in less than a week, i sob-prayed. but this time, i wasnt scared or sad for me. i was terrified about getting in an accident with the baby in the car. yeahyeahiknow, paranoid much? way to look on the bright side, eh alex? but ive driven through lots of bad snowstorms, and you are never invincible, no matter how prepared you are. <br />
<br />
it doesnt help that the last bad storm we drove through, which was through parleys canyon late at night with a foot of standing snow and my little brother asleep in the back seat, was recently revealed to me as the scariest moment of brians life. <br />
<br />
GREAT.<br />
<br />
so after i got my shiz together, we hit the road again, determined to go as slow as we needed no matter how fast anyone else went/how long it took us. and unlike that last storm-where i attempted to boost brians confidence/stifle my own fear by telling him over and over how confident i was in him and his driving abilities, but in reality drove him crazy-i kept my panicky compliment-blather to myself. <br />
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1.5 hours later, we hit cheyenne. and the difference was as sudden as night and day. the roads were instantly clear and the rest of the drive was a breeze. but by then i was so wrung out emotionally that i happily hunkered down in the passengers seat with my french fries and diet coke and never offered my driving services. <br />
<br />
so sweet of me.<br />
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brian was set to go back to work the next day, so we found another hotel that would accommodate the dogalog that was close enough to brians work for him to walk, and we fell into bed. and we swore we would never. ever. make the drive from laramie to cheyenne in the winter or at night or in a storm ever. again.Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-67609337800575432014-01-24T23:09:00.001-08:002014-01-24T23:09:03.554-08:00who i am.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i am an attorney. a wife. a sister, a daughter, a friend. a woman with great accomplishments and great potential.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i am also a mother. i dont really <i>feel</i> like a mother; i dont know what its supposed to feel like, but i guess i always assumed id feel old, absorbed, boring. not that my friends who are moms are, but thats just what i was afraid of becoming.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISSb_NzKszg5vBnLVNiHDZPLnpCwEv86r0OkqDSs_C1byqb9OQWHTeZAU2p3o3-MCJ2zlkeJKUHAL24R2VbFC8NC1TUZ6uoI2AN_ILA5C2yYN-KBxP0aYRJ6ZDm5IviJ9ai30p1f9Ahs/s1600/WP_20140124_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISSb_NzKszg5vBnLVNiHDZPLnpCwEv86r0OkqDSs_C1byqb9OQWHTeZAU2p3o3-MCJ2zlkeJKUHAL24R2VbFC8NC1TUZ6uoI2AN_ILA5C2yYN-KBxP0aYRJ6ZDm5IviJ9ai30p1f9Ahs/s1600/WP_20140124_002.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but then, out of the blue, im suddenly struck by her. her cuteness, her sweetness, her adorable smile, and unending wiggles. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpYjnspKr60_tPYhqerFN9kSa9maOSiUdjLEBgGB2hQCMQq1Wl1RbN5vvPOYjcYOMtwJ8RjQS9RuIfl9y_uHYxIf6Kxxo2LXN9_FQDZEfmKCS0mBTfTG2X0dpb0HBUhzq37Ad70KKvHQ/s1600/WP_20140124_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpYjnspKr60_tPYhqerFN9kSa9maOSiUdjLEBgGB2hQCMQq1Wl1RbN5vvPOYjcYOMtwJ8RjQS9RuIfl9y_uHYxIf6Kxxo2LXN9_FQDZEfmKCS0mBTfTG2X0dpb0HBUhzq37Ad70KKvHQ/s1600/WP_20140124_010.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and im shocked by my momness. i love her unconditionally, intensely, adoringly. so much so that i worry ill never love another kid like i love her. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TpB-LQNZqJSuoi4gjm5LtyoFfMaY4GyUQDoEoQk4zzxpbdKgshh0NoT3aKiiR5tK_G53n99G69tRb3iBhuNazaWcGhEVWtl5-ANMYKuIYdp68fUGgEvaaTbDenLxbq_EFSULd7QPVqs/s1600/WP_20140124_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TpB-LQNZqJSuoi4gjm5LtyoFfMaY4GyUQDoEoQk4zzxpbdKgshh0NoT3aKiiR5tK_G53n99G69tRb3iBhuNazaWcGhEVWtl5-ANMYKuIYdp68fUGgEvaaTbDenLxbq_EFSULd7QPVqs/s1600/WP_20140124_012.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then im all watery-eyed and sentimental and pathetic. and i look at brian and he knows. he knows and he laughs at me. and then we look at our baby girl, and i know he is feeling the exact. same. way. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQYybpJaIeo3xO0EzeCITg4k1kx4059oBS_rUcV8aRYZWReSXTgbrTPBPKPFW94cSCjxYVTxWI9V3intszRxVBxHBRp9UkhVje8CaboC3qfU0SPL-WPyL53OT9mL2IMtoORuDA_I6C4c/s1600/WP_20140124_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQYybpJaIeo3xO0EzeCITg4k1kx4059oBS_rUcV8aRYZWReSXTgbrTPBPKPFW94cSCjxYVTxWI9V3intszRxVBxHBRp9UkhVje8CaboC3qfU0SPL-WPyL53OT9mL2IMtoORuDA_I6C4c/s1600/WP_20140124_006.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></span></a></div>
<br />Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-13340140548708756122014-01-21T22:01:00.002-08:002014-01-21T22:01:51.537-08:00goodbye, california: move part 1<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">my last post of 2013 expanded on the crushing heartbreak i felt about moving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">my first post of 2014 is an apathetic hello from our new home. but ill save the apathy for later. for now, this is the in-between-the-old-and-the-new-home post. or, one of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">during december, brian worked from denver while i stayed home in ca, doing my thing and trying to pack. that didnt really happen, to be honest [and i felt lots of bad-wife guilt for that but whatever]. mostly i palled around with my friends and ate dinner at my parents every night and tried to not think past christmas. and for the most part i was successful.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjmmbP0NjHQ7aQkZkyByKFII5r46dRX3kchKXbVF4rECzmv1iaedU9kcjJholE5XdZnEUvxFPfr5PEwO9NbyAuI3i9K5sq9bXpm_l56hRZg7-u8gPzCJK7q2VbDKqmncwUcK97X3fGKA/s1600/WP_20131225_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjmmbP0NjHQ7aQkZkyByKFII5r46dRX3kchKXbVF4rECzmv1iaedU9kcjJholE5XdZnEUvxFPfr5PEwO9NbyAuI3i9K5sq9bXpm_l56hRZg7-u8gPzCJK7q2VbDKqmncwUcK97X3fGKA/s1600/WP_20131225_005.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">christmas baby! a recreation of a picture of me at my first christmas</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">christmas was lovely, with my brother and his wife coming in from utah, getting to talk to my other brother via skype on christmas day from his mission in ga, and an adopted brother on his mission in pa. we gifted, and caroled, and ate, and skyped, and played, and it was quite merry. just the way christmas should be.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHYjYy4T1ojXo0-Aqep29CakT1F4vzAOWHxp0e__Sod0Xbbq2pWDPk0TDLxkTq4IwwxzeP2R8utckbhqM2wHGT2zmuyzUpasnZMwi4fWq9mWCapoJjeJA_PR4a_ni40pKe98Jfa6WrW0/s1600/WP_20131225_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHYjYy4T1ojXo0-Aqep29CakT1F4vzAOWHxp0e__Sod0Xbbq2pWDPk0TDLxkTq4IwwxzeP2R8utckbhqM2wHGT2zmuyzUpasnZMwi4fWq9mWCapoJjeJA_PR4a_ni40pKe98Jfa6WrW0/s1600/WP_20131225_012.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Rudolph. im a horrible person.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">but the day after, it was back to the grind stone and packingpackingpacking. our truck was dropped off on friday, and we had some guys from church come help with the loading of the truck with my dad acting as supreme-truck-tetris-player on saturday morning while my grandpa enjoyed baby time, and some girl friends came and helped me clean in the afternoon while mommasita (my mom) and granny (her mom) wisked off the baby. it was a very very long day, but made so much more bearable by all the help we got from friends and family. we camped out in the empty house that night with sleeping bags and a packnplay, went to church on sunday, stopped at my parents house for goodbyes and dinner, and we hit the road. we planned to drive to slc and stay a day with brians mom-we would leave in the evening so that baby would sleep and we would go as far as we could go before stopping for the night.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBvVDd7KZJYtJLTTmaGn-m4iVBe1-H_IGRsavaisWzMwgFbzwzI-otmz2Cz2zPQ_0X1VhjkwwTOkl959PdoBJnSSwaKDkIjKsFFSCseMc7Sh_8yXBudCSWK_a-vYeEzWV8rRAiPTF7kE/s1600/6tag_291213-185401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBvVDd7KZJYtJLTTmaGn-m4iVBe1-H_IGRsavaisWzMwgFbzwzI-otmz2Cz2zPQ_0X1VhjkwwTOkl959PdoBJnSSwaKDkIjKsFFSCseMc7Sh_8yXBudCSWK_a-vYeEzWV8rRAiPTF7kE/s1600/6tag_291213-185401.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">bye bye, little house. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">it wasnt so bad, saying goodbye to my friends, but only because i didnt have to do the tearful hugs [mostly-one friend left a few days before and after a last breakfast together, i sobbed]. i mostly saw them at church and because we were so busy with herding kids/husbands or being herded by kids/husbands, it was more of a "see you later" kind of thing. which at first i was disappointed by, but then i was thankful for. as youll read about in a moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">however, saying goodbye to my family was much harder than any time before. ive always walked out the door with a hug and a wave and "see ya" when the time came to move to the next place. as we picked up the sweetness and our stuff, my mom reached for her for one last hug and kiss. my eyes welled up watching her love a little girl that i know reminded her so much of me as a baby. instead of watching them, i turned to hug my dad. which was a bad idea. as he told me everything would be good, his voice caught, and i struggled to hold back tears. and by struggled i mean i failed. but i held it together for the most part with just a couple errant tears leaking down my cheeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">by the time we got into the car, i was totally fine. no scratchy voice, leaky nose, or anything. but as we got onto the freeway, brian asked me to say a quick prayer that we would be safe as we drove. that was a bad idea. here we are, brian is driving down the freeway in the dark, the baby blowing bubbles in the backseat, the dog scrunched in the trunk with some luggage walking around in circles trying to get comfortable, and i have my eyes closed, my head bowed, and im blubbering through sudden tears. quite amusing, and im sure what brian was thinking as he reached over to grab my hand with a little smile on his face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">i asked for peace, that i would be able to let go of the sadness of leaving my friends and family, and that id be able to make new friends. and at the moment, i was SO glad i didnt have a chance to spend too much time saying goodbye. cuz then this ridiculousness would have happened multiple times. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">so we drove. sweetness fell asleep before we had even crossed the bridge to benicia, so we just drove more. and drove and drove. we found a hotel that would take a dog, and we tried to sleep on the craptastic, tiny bed they called a double but was really pretty much a twin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">did i mention that the next day was our anniversary? 5 years of matrimony. that day dawned to a bed shared with a dog who wouldnt stop whining at 2 am and had his dreams come true when brian let him on the bed. the three of us, squished into a tiny bed, were quite a sight. i had somehow become the third wheel during the night and was barely clinging to the side while brian and the dog were cozily cuddled together. brian laughed as i got out of the bed to cuddle with the baby, asking "did you ever think when we got married that in 5 years youd wake up to a baby buzzing her lips to herself and your husband cuddling with the dog in the bed of a gross hotel?" <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TlEeI7nSWUr9z39fAvPMTlbVI-b7-mIjG9bECGsacg3OUxg1FVDIFicjOY_WGdPkqFmF2IfieAIkZSvEeOpqzH4OnPIokRANgDf8FYu5HLlVjptodj-fZcZMzQ1IfsOZa1cLp7ix5qg/s1600/WP_20131230_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TlEeI7nSWUr9z39fAvPMTlbVI-b7-mIjG9bECGsacg3OUxg1FVDIFicjOY_WGdPkqFmF2IfieAIkZSvEeOpqzH4OnPIokRANgDf8FYu5HLlVjptodj-fZcZMzQ1IfsOZa1cLp7ix5qg/s1600/WP_20131230_003.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happiest dog in the world. </td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">nope, cant say i imagined that. i also didnt imagine id be moving across the country on that day either. but im so glad thats how that day started-i needed this new adventure to start with something i could laugh about. i needed to feel hope and happiness with the people [erm, dog] i already have. if i couldnt laugh and be happy with them, i was going to be awfully lonely in colorado. that morning i was able to look around and say "its going to be ok," and believe it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/11541_700609989979_235093_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/11541_700609989979_235093_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">5 years. whew. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">as we piled into the car and got drive-thru hashbrowns and egg-foodstuffs and got on the freeway, brian in an uncharacteristically giggly voice pronounced, "we have the cutest dog, and cutest baby. how did we get so lucky? i have the best family." and all i could do was smile and nod because my voice had suddenly decided to get all scratchy again and my eyes were in danger of leaking. this time not because i was sad. this time because i was thankful that i was taking this cute and awesome family of mine with me on this adventure; thankful that the peace i so desperately needed was coming; thankful that the next five years were starting with even more love than the first five years did.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEckI-FnBJ8saw8BKr3j4-1A7pQGWJict8jnEKhiv7eyUJj43wTGDKwuMI8SvwJB5GlUtXhCO3VVt2twv4HK7tAXZSYv0ApwDH9axqmQlNEpUAA-kyNrXUWeAslti9nW-LVfrSg4KGy6E/s1600/6tag_301213-132209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEckI-FnBJ8saw8BKr3j4-1A7pQGWJict8jnEKhiv7eyUJj43wTGDKwuMI8SvwJB5GlUtXhCO3VVt2twv4HK7tAXZSYv0ApwDH9axqmQlNEpUAA-kyNrXUWeAslti9nW-LVfrSg4KGy6E/s1600/6tag_301213-132209.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">batdog, the sweetness, and us.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and just like that, we were halfway to our new home.</span><br />
<br />Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-22430032135841546822013-11-07T21:52:00.001-08:002013-11-07T21:52:31.884-08:00heartache defined<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so, the previous post talked about why we are moving and the difference between me and brian.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">what it didnt talk about is how hard this decision was, and how emotional ive been. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as i mentioned, there are alot of things that i dont want to leave-my friends, my mommy network, my career. but above all, my parents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i am the oldest of 3 children, and the only girl. i have always been a daddys girl, even when we butt heads because we are so similar. my friendship with my mom came later, once i was in college, and we have been best friends since. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 months ago, my parents moved to concord from salt lake for a job for my dad. this was not intentionally to be near us, but it was seriously fortuitous. my dad had worked for the county as an outside consultant years prior, and his contacts had helped me land a job there as a temp during the last presidential election. my relationship with the staff opened the doors to my dad applying for a position that became available last spring. when he got the job, i cried. my first thought was "he's employed!" my second was "they will be here for the baby!" and so they were.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and now, when the baby is not even 3 months old, we are leaving them behind in a place they barely know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the range of emotions i feel just about leaving them is mind boggling:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">confusion: i never cared before about living close to my parents. during college i lived 9 hours away, and growing up my grandparents were almost never within driving distance. leaving my parents was normal and expected. but here i am now, 27 and distraught at moving far away from them. ive never felt that way before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">frustration: why did we feel so strongly that we were supposed to move here, and they feel the same way, only for us to leave them so soon? it doesnt seem fair, or logical, and surely there must be a reason, but i cant see it yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">guilt: i have given them their first grandchild, and they have loved seeing her as often as possible. my dad loves to steal her away from me at church, and seeing them dote on her has been like looking into the past at how they loved me as a baby. they love her so much, and here i am, about to whisk her away to places that leave them to rely on pictures and memories.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sadness: having my parents so close has been wonderful-family dinners are so fun, my dad has become a father to brian, brian has become a big brother to my brothers. i have been blessed to see them at church, and watch people admire what good people they are. i have had the opportunity to proudly introduce them to my friends and neighbors, and brag about how great they are to their new acquaintances. and i wont get to do that anymore. i wont get to celebrate the small things that warrant a special dinner. i wont get to do nails with my mom or watch football with my dad while eating his signature ribs. sure, i can do that when i visit, but these are aspects of our relationship that have developed after i became an adult, after i got married. having them close has fostered such a strong relationship, and ill be losing that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">justification: i too am the oldest grandchild to my mother's parents. when i was born, we lived close to them in New Jersey. but when i was 6 months old, my dad was stationed in AZ, and they moved. if they can do it without killing themselves with guilt, so can i. the only difference is my grandparents knew the risk with an army son in law.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">anxiety: my parents have been really supportive of us and want us to do what is best for our family. but ive struggled with the knowledge of their hurt, and ive worried and stressed and cried over what they arent saying-that they are crushed. i worry we've disappointed them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">divided: i want to tell them how i feel, but to do so would be to admit to brian just how difficult this is for me. granted, he already knows. but this is difficult for him too, and i dont want to ruin his excitement by dwelling on my hurt. but to keep it in makes them feel like i dont care. so i do a poor job of straddling the line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when i think about leaving them, i sob. sure, i can skim over it in passing, talk about the logistics of moving away from my parents, without really feeling it. but when i really think about it, im a wreck. writing this post has been so difficult, both to articulate and to see the screen through salt water. i used to scoff at those people who couldnt stomach moving away from their parents. actually, i still do under normal circumstances. but this isnt normal. for once i didnt think we would be ships passing in the night- for the first time in my life, my parents are planning on staying in one place, probably until at least my dad retirement in 10 years. i thought i would watch my parents be grandparents as my baby girl grew, that they might be here for her first steps, her first word; that i could run away on a mom date when i needed a break and catch a movie and popcorn with my madre; that id be here when my little brother got home from his mission; that i would be cleaning up the remains of my dogs destruction after they watched him for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i guess its not meant to be. and that hurts. more than i ever thought it would, and more than id ever prepared for. i put on a good show, saying its difficult but we will all get over it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but im not over it yet.</span>Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-57732430897586693212013-11-07T09:53:00.000-08:002013-11-07T09:53:42.894-08:00d is for...<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as many of you know, we moved to concord about a year and a half ago, right out of school. i studied for and took the CA bar and brian worked in the city. we got a dog and had a baby, and settled in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our 5th wedding anniversary is fast approaching, and in that time, we have moved 5 times (not including our first apt together or our brief stint living at brians grandmas). but before we hit 5 years, that number will yet again increase.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because d is for denver. or doomsday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">brian has been offered a great job in Denver, and through all our conversations and contemplation, one thing has been clear-this opportunity will be better for our family in both the short and long term.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and for the first time in a long time, im having a hard time moving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">growing up i moved alot-the side effect of military moves/a dad with itchy feet-but only after living in a place for several years. in some ways, that was really hard; everyone had made friends, was involved in the community and church, had solid jobs and networks, ect. our moves as a couple have been very different-1.5 years is the longest we have lived in any one place (though sometimes in similar areas), and in some ways thats what makes this move even harder; we thought we would stay for a while, so we put down roots and got settled, only to suddenly be uprooted again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">brian is very excited. this is a great opportunity for him career-wise, and he is excited to be in a better environment, venturing into a new area of design, and feeling more financially secure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i am less excited. im licensed here in CA (after spending a year of my life devoted to the bar), i have alot of great friends here, and my parents recently relocated nearby. with a new baby, the network i have has been a life saver and im (surprisingly) loving being a stay at home mom. coming to grips with leaving all of that behind has been really difficult. im terrified of being in a new city, stuck at home with a dog and a baby, with no friends and no career. really, this is my friends' faults; if they werent so great, i wouldnt care so much. kidding. my friends here are irreplaceable and fantastic, and i dont expect to find people just like them, but ive been so blessed to have them in my life so far, and i hope to keep those friendships strong even with distance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ultimately, ive seen how excited brian is about the job, and how badly they want him. ive always said that i would follow his career since i had no intention of being the main breadwinner (by choice...i dont handle that kind of pressure and stress very well), and this is my chance to really live up to my word. that doesnt mean i wont mourn my losses-the close vicinity to friends and family, the cute nursery i spent so much time on, the perfect weather, the time i spent studying for the ca bar. but im trying hard not to wallow in them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and that doesnt mean ill wear as much fleece as the locals. no way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">soon ill be able to add colorado to new jersey, arizona, germany, utah, washington, southern ca, and the bay area.</span>Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-32089262152564541912013-10-30T12:33:00.000-07:002013-10-30T12:33:21.909-07:00armpits from heaven<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if you know me in real life, or you have read my blog enough, you know there is no risk of me oversharing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">its a guarantee. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lets be real. we all struggle with the same things, so why color it rose-tinted when we can all feel a little less alone if we are all just honest about it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so today we can all feel a little less alone in having dark armpits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if you know what im talking about, yay you arent alone! if not, thank me for not taking a picture of my own pits for your viewing pleasure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a few months ago, during lovely swimsuit season, i realized my armpits were quite unsightly. with my olive skin, i scar darkly, and i wasnt sure if this was just how my skin was pigmented or if it was a scarring of some sort or what. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so i decided i was going to try to find a way to lighten them up. off to trusty pinterest we go! but everything i found included making weird concoctions of lemon juice and baking soda, and not shaving or deodorizing. and it was freaking hot. and i was holy pregnant. and there was no way i was going to smell funky with the mass amounts of sweat hot pregnant ladies are bound to create.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then i had a baby. and i lost interest in my armpits. go figure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND THEN THE MAGIC HAPPENED.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">somehow i stumbled onto a magical armpit-lightening agent right in my shower. and i didnt smell weird or have to use less deodorant or anything.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.allure.com/images/beauty-products/skin/2010/cetaphil-gentle-skin-cleanser-en.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.allure.com/images/beauty-products/skin/2010/cetaphil-gentle-skin-cleanser-en.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cetaphil is the antidote to dark pits. i just have the cleanser and in the shower i was noticing that when i used it on my pits, it was reacting to something and changing consistency. i figured it was my deodorant and thought nothing of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">until last week. and my armpits are no longer dark and scary looking. yay!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">now go, and use this fabulous and gentle stuff and banish those dark armpits. its perfect time too, cuz you got like 8 months til the next swimsuit season.</span><br />
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<br />Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-2644549401982855292013-10-17T14:15:00.001-07:002013-10-17T14:15:57.541-07:002 months of love<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">baby girl is 2 months old. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TWO MONTHS.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo32VWP19kDJ3JeinnM9ilZfGhMhFuIjuC_QZoM_bUAe6J1FqR7UhHvBUZVVXVJfAtRwUryxdO4WBRX6UjV-21ftLvKj89QqLkFvVM9z_sNXlNAK4Khee_n1MZgOOQMwHpYVLfEdNvTdQ/s1600/_BRI2311_EDITED_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo32VWP19kDJ3JeinnM9ilZfGhMhFuIjuC_QZoM_bUAe6J1FqR7UhHvBUZVVXVJfAtRwUryxdO4WBRX6UjV-21ftLvKj89QqLkFvVM9z_sNXlNAK4Khee_n1MZgOOQMwHpYVLfEdNvTdQ/s320/_BRI2311_EDITED_1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she has totally consumed my life for 2 months, and i dont even know where all the time has gone. i had no idea id like being a mom so much, but i do. she is way fun to hang out with, and she is my buddy-going with me everywhere. it helps that i have a ton of friends around, and now i can go to the park with a kid, instead of being that creeper without a child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">brecken had her 2 month appointment yesterday; she is 10 lbs 12 oz, and 23 inches long...a long skinny girl! and so stinking cute. she loves being naked, listening to brian sing, standing up and looking around, and......SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT. its amazing. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LGFfUOfnrBaTfX9j_HXGzPkpo-PYsB1PtiFl4oEwwuK1raMgD53Iv89k35MO2oiclG_eF9vOzJbmgGp1FZEJ8etcYA2Oe7fbhhrLhvLPxNrDB_tXhBglqhfXsYzsCOl3LWgpElsH4RE/s1600/_BRI2284_EDITED_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LGFfUOfnrBaTfX9j_HXGzPkpo-PYsB1PtiFl4oEwwuK1raMgD53Iv89k35MO2oiclG_eF9vOzJbmgGp1FZEJ8etcYA2Oe7fbhhrLhvLPxNrDB_tXhBglqhfXsYzsCOl3LWgpElsH4RE/s320/_BRI2284_EDITED_1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">aaaaaand ive officially become that woman that pretty much only posts about her child. im sure something more interesting will come along at some point, and ill write about that, but since my life is all baby and dog, its hard to talk about anything else at the moment. mostly just because there isnt much else to talk about...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">instead of talking about the sweetness, let me tell you about the most awesome invention ever: the snotsucker. exactly what it sounds like.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.fridababy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/nf-main-prod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.fridababy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/nf-main-prod.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">instead of using those stupid bulb syringes to get boogers out of a babys nose, you just stick this handy little ditty to the babys nostril, put the tube in your mouth, and suck all the grossness out. yes, there is a filter between boogers and mouth piece, so no, you wont be eating their snot. but holy cow, does it work wonders for a stuffy nose. love is sucking the snot out of your childs face, amiright?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in other news, i have discovered dirty diet coke. diet coke with coconut syrup and lime. and besides making sure my child stays alive, this is the other thing i do-plot when and where i can get my daily dose. just one though (usually), i keep this addiction under control (kind of). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">helps me get through all the snot sucking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more gratuitous baby pictures :)</span><br />
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<br />Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-42522402772259716672013-09-25T16:45:00.000-07:002013-09-25T16:45:08.962-07:00first month of parenthood<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">if you read my last post, life cycle of a whale, you know that i was kind of freaking out about having a kid. like, a real life baby human. i really was. not in a “i regret this” kind of way, but in a “i have no idea what im doing and im sort of terrified im going to screw it up” kind of way. im still terrified im going to screw it up, and i still have no idea what im doing. but holy cow, she is the cutest and sweetest thing to ever happen to us.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ6aqepzuuy5XdvXzPUOdP9lfqj0m4E-uPy2zcltpG-nNFeNsrCzi0r2lwkw73FUAOWQvmQchaysSQ0EWMY6HFnTJl8zV13HkPJpDgEzWMIfD6r3ZrJFY76VZwxsmiUlkYohOCZ0hMhE/s1600/IMG_6188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ6aqepzuuy5XdvXzPUOdP9lfqj0m4E-uPy2zcltpG-nNFeNsrCzi0r2lwkw73FUAOWQvmQchaysSQ0EWMY6HFnTJl8zV13HkPJpDgEzWMIfD6r3ZrJFY76VZwxsmiUlkYohOCZ0hMhE/s320/IMG_6188.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tummy time</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">this post is not going to start at the beginning, but if you are a brave soul, and want to hear all about the birth, then you can read the </span><a href="http://bumsnowboarda.blogspot.com/2013/09/breckens-birth-story.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">birth story here</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the sweetness is now a month old. WHERE DID THAT MONTH GO?! the first few nights getting barely more than a couple hours of sleep seem like a lifetime ago, and yet just yesterday. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8wnCD2N1meZSKlbmny90X9hZDtNNhHtidZdGgweKsm6dJbYs2gEtO_ne6A5ypLSqfS3C2VRKRTPQWKLHiPSLLIQp5QD7a7gJq8qPm5yrRRPda9P1_3fKlAmjgMbj9tE5ZRan3tErqTw/s1600/IMG_6163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8wnCD2N1meZSKlbmny90X9hZDtNNhHtidZdGgweKsm6dJbYs2gEtO_ne6A5ypLSqfS3C2VRKRTPQWKLHiPSLLIQp5QD7a7gJq8qPm5yrRRPda9P1_3fKlAmjgMbj9tE5ZRan3tErqTw/s320/IMG_6163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i want her to stay tiny. FOR.EV.ER.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and no one told me that breastfeeding is seriously something dreamt up in S&M circles. because, pain.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ok folks, im about to get seriously sappy here: </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">she has brought so much love into our lives. you hear (at least i did) that having a kid doesnt take love away from others, but instead it just makes more room in your heart for more love. its true. i dont even have to think about it-i love her. its not like the kind of love i have for my husband or anyone else. it just is. like you cant help but love this little person because its not logical to do anything else. this isnt a new concept to me, but the truth of it is still poignant.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfETKIZ_8_mwdoj72WJCRlMcS__XKHXsKw5YiGSIHb3l8MrWCGBNGfJAhW5JUzzovXYQgL_yTnz2jiyQO5ksqJcHtUtstArXQv4GGXMWkE4ReB6eHeNCGxanXAqpDuOyitOakqys3uFfQ/s1600/IMG_6141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfETKIZ_8_mwdoj72WJCRlMcS__XKHXsKw5YiGSIHb3l8MrWCGBNGfJAhW5JUzzovXYQgL_yTnz2jiyQO5ksqJcHtUtstArXQv4GGXMWkE4ReB6eHeNCGxanXAqpDuOyitOakqys3uFfQ/s320/IMG_6141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">velociraptor baby!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">but something is missing from that saying that i always heard. they leave out how that extra room in your heart also increases your love for those you already love. the most obvious example is my husband. i was amazed at the overflow of love i felt for him after having our baby. (i make it sound like its weird to love him. har har) it was incredible to feel so close to him while we supported and encouraged each other, and i appreciated so much the care he gave to both me and his daughter. it was overwhelming at times, and i cried many tears of joy in those first few days as i saw my little family growing before my eyes. </span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">of course, i also cried many tears of frustration too. and stress. and fear. and exhaustion. having a kid is scary and hard. my whole life is dedicated to keeping this tiny human alive and happy and sometimes that seems next to impossible. or at least like the more happy they are, the more exhausted you become. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">in the midst of all of this new life thing happening, the circle of life is continuing in our family. brians grandmother was diagnosed with cancer in april and just a few days before breckens birth, we learned that she had only a few months left to live. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">at the beginning of september, i was able to take brecken to meet her great grandmother, and let grandma meet her first great granddaughter. it was a bittersweet moment, seeing grandma’s eyes well up with tears as she held brecken for what she knew would be the last time. it was incredible to give her that gift, to see the love she had for this sweet little baby and how it lifted her spirits. brecken will never remember feeling those frail arms hold her tight, but i hope she will someday treasure knowing how much joy she brought her great grandmother in her last days. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLMm8UHbZpH14oIPM-Z7AVOj2iz8nhK1NoXbtCWmkTHyVWAOvwWr0ubaZcgyuNWqqbjjatJrjk2LnS93KoXWM6SfUds2RjbGGg9BRfrV_zH65krDIJjp3-UK62Fshj2zZQJIKBuzSU9I/s1600/IMG_6154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLMm8UHbZpH14oIPM-Z7AVOj2iz8nhK1NoXbtCWmkTHyVWAOvwWr0ubaZcgyuNWqqbjjatJrjk2LnS93KoXWM6SfUds2RjbGGg9BRfrV_zH65krDIJjp3-UK62Fshj2zZQJIKBuzSU9I/s320/IMG_6154.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">great grandma boyer</td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">as it turns out, our timing could not have been better-the day we left, grandma went into a coma, and she died 5 days later. its almost like she was holding out to meet this sweet little girl.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">this last month has been full of firsts. some good, like first meetings and first grandchild, and some bad, like first projectile poop on my pants and first cracked nipple. but its been so mindblowingly good. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i just wish i could keep her so adorably small. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82VryW79JWeMLU1l7ebsw4HPp3zfNL7nFjnNBbO4sb3yIXf6OXFPhbr66Jo7FRclWsJlo_UQYB_XFLHJeHOKkOrZYQKc3lKwxgSiIQNkyWy3n1j1UNsBSVOw2VfKZYZOboBl4pZDB5Gs/s1600/IMG_6175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82VryW79JWeMLU1l7ebsw4HPp3zfNL7nFjnNBbO4sb3yIXf6OXFPhbr66Jo7FRclWsJlo_UQYB_XFLHJeHOKkOrZYQKc3lKwxgSiIQNkyWy3n1j1UNsBSVOw2VfKZYZOboBl4pZDB5Gs/s320/IMG_6175.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even cobalt likes her</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-2816739294966817402013-09-25T16:28:00.001-07:002013-09-25T16:28:47.152-07:00Brecken's birth story<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">so you want to hear the nitty gritty on how this whole birth thing went down huh? </span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid--a006621-5772-ea3f-7a08-58f758bf6569" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i dont blame you, im kind of morbidly nosey like that too.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">now, i am kind of writing this more for me than for you, so if its REALLY detailed on mundane things, sorry, and skip ahead for the more graphic things :)</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thursday, August 8th, 2013</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6:00 PM. ive been with my grandparents who are visiting from NJ via VA all day. we went to the jelly belly factory and took a tour and bought jelly beans and chocolate afterwards. grandpa was grumpy because the tour line was so long and he wanted to go to the john muir house tour instead. granny and i overruled him. brian was still at work and i decided to stay for dinner at my parents house to eat with the family. they were having spaghetti, but i ordered the prego pizza (basically a supreme pizza with insane amounts of garlic, onion, and meat. the perfect pizza) from the local pizza place. its supposedly guaranteed to put you into labor. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6:30 PM. we sat down to eat. my dog was whining so i got up. i felt a little trickle when i stood but ignored it. it was weird, but so are womens bodies. a few minutes later, i got up again, and it happened again. then i started to wonder whats going on.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6:45 PM. i was uncomfortable in my maternity shorts and asked my little brother for a pair of basketball shorts to wear. i was anticipating an evening of football (49ers first preseason game-im not a fan of the niners, but i like football so ill watch anyways) and would rather be comfortable. seth made a sarcastic comment about “you better take these off if you go into labor.” i stood up to go change. unmistakable trickle. slight panic. ran to the bathroom. inspected shorts. shorts wet. maybe its butt sweat? it WAS hot today... peed while i thought. cracked door open and called for my mom, cuz that what every girl does when she panics, right? i was suddenly having flashbacks to when i started my period and i also called my mom to come rescue me while sitting on the porcelain throne. while waiting for her, another trickle. confer with madre and confirmed suspicions-water must have broken. only she doesnt really know either cuz the one time her water broke, it was a flood not a trickle. CRAP. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7:00 PM. i rushed home to meet up with brian and get the hospital phone number i was supposed to have pinned to my shirt long ago. luckily, our bags were mostly packed (im type A, remember?), so at least i wasnt worrying about that. the hospital confirmed that it sounds like my water has broken and i should come in to double check. we decided to take our time and not rush since they would admit me. collected the dog, packed brians things, made sure we have everything. we dropped the dog off at my parents house and headed to the hospital.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9:00 PM. we got to labor and delivery. the hospital is only 20 mins from our house, but like i said, we really took our time. in triage, i changed into a gown and peed into a cup and waited for a nurse. the nurse tested for the presence of amniotic fluid, which requires the use of a microscope (and took forever because it would trickle every time the little litmus paper wasnt around to trickle on), and brian and the nurse had a fabulous time looking at the specimen and chatting about how it looks until the midwife caught brian staring at the slide unattended. <br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />10:00 PM. Confirmed: my water broke. now im admitted. and i leak water from triage to the room. awkward. then its sit and wait. i wasnt really having contractions-i have to look at the monitor to see if i am, and i only feel one out of 5, but barely. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Friday, August 9th</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">12 AM. they finally stopped hooking me up to junk and testing me and blah blah blah. as far as we know, i was dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced, as evidenced by the last drs appointment, but they wont check me again because my water broke. i was still not “in labor.” the midwife put me on some drug that helps with effacement, but can also trigger contractions. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 AM. we tried to get some sleep. which is crap cuz they come in every 5 minutes, but we tried anyway. he succeeds mostly. i dont.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4 AM. i was having more contractions, but still only barely. they were a little uncomfortable but thats it, and 5-7 mins apart. so, not really labor. they suspected the contractions are more a result of the drug than my body actually doing the work, so we waited some more.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8 AM. contractions basically stopped, so it was definitely the drug causing them. this gave rise to a heated dispute between the midwife and nurse about whether to give me more of it. midwife says yes, nurse says no. midwife wins, and i was given the drug again. i was just in favor of whatever would get this party started, cuz i was feeling like a guest who showed up only to be told i got the time wrong and now i have to help setup, and i was starting to not be so excited about the awesome food and music and people who will show up later.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">throughout the day: i walked the halls. alot. i got monitored alot. we brought the harry potter movie series because of the sheer number of hours it contains, and its a good thing we did, cuz the tv offered little distraction that we can both agree on. so we watched alot of harry potter. eventually my mom showed up and hung out with us. my contractions were all over and stop and start, but were still just slightly uncomfortable. i was starting to hope im one of “those women” who has virtually painless labor. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 PM. i was getting tired of hearing that im not in labor. thanks, thats helpful. the cool nurse that admitted me was back on shift again and he told me the next step is pitocin. i was concerned about that because i wanted to go natural and i had heard horror stories about how pitocin makes labor hell and you usually need an epidural if you get pitocin. he told me how the hospital does it compared to others and assured me that i could do natural with it, but i could always come off it if i didnt like it. i decided id see if i went into labor on my own between then and 8 pm. and id reconsider at 8.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8 PM. still no progress. its been 24 hours now of basically nothing. so the options were: wait around until my body did its thing (meanwhile racking up the hospital bill and going delirious with boredom), or start pitocin and do the thing already. im sold-pitocin it is.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9 PM. started the pitocin. nurse said the aim was to have contractions 2-3 mins apart and not be able to talk through them. sweet, i had a goal to work towards instead of this amorphous “active labor.”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday, August 10th (these times are much more approximate, as i was only kind of conscious of anything other than the bowling ball between my hip bones.)</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">12 AM. i think im at the goal. 2-3 mins apart and i was not talking through the contractions- i was mostly just grunting at brian when he wasnt close enough to me for me to lean on. at this point, i was hooked up to IVs (pitocin and other fluids) and the monitors (both contractions and baby heart beat) and my only options of positions were standing and sitting/laying down. sitting was killing my back/butt and laying down was like the worst position for the contractions. so i was standing. my feet were starting to hurt and i really needed to pee so they unhooked me so i could go to the bathroom. while i was in the bathroom, my mom talked to the new nurse on duty about my progress. this new nurse told my mom while i was in the bathroom that she thought i was still not in labor and that it was going to be at least 10 hours until i had a baby. when i emerged from the bathroom, i was pissed: a. yes, NOW im in labor. maybe chemically induced, and maybe not in transition yet, but this is def labor, thankyouverymuch. b. you are a new nurse, who has barely come on, and you have never met me, so dont presume to know everything about the sitch the second you walk in here. c. you could have had the balls to say that to MY face, instead of while you think im out of earshot. needless to say, i kind of freaked out. i was mad at the nurse, and frustrated because this was not going the way i was hoping it would. because i was being monitored constantly, i had very little room to move in general, but the baby was so far down that the monitor barely stayed in place even when i was standing, and any movement caused them to lose the signal. i felt trapped standing but i really wanted to kneel down like we had practiced. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">12:30 AM. my mom decided to leave and get a few hours of sleep. i decided that i was going to do whatever the hell i wanted and the nurse could come hold the monitor in place if she really wanted the heartbeat that badly. i climbed up on the bed on my knees and brought the head of the bed up to nearly vertical (labor beds are crap for sleep, but awesome for this) so i could rest my elbows on the top. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">12:45 AM. out of nowhere, i had a seriously intense, sudden, and sharp pain from my pelvis area. it felt like the baby kicked really hard right where the monitor rested and there was a seemingly audible thump. it was so sudden and painful that it almost knocked the wind out of me. i was still dealing with it when i had another contraction and i got nauseous. i figured it was from kneeling on the bed and was probably cutting off circulation in my knees so i got off the bed and instead bent over the side of it. a few contractions later, which were now more painful than before, i say to brian, “i feel like i need to push.” he wanted to get the nurse, but i was still irritated at her. im convinced she will think im an idiot because as far as we knew i was still at a 3. who wants to push at a 3? she came in and brian asked her what kind of things he should tell her. she said any sudden changes in pain levels or a need to push or poop. brian kind of glared at me cuz both of those things have just happened but i shook him off. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 AM. I had the push feeling again and i told brian to go ahead and get the nurse this time. she kind of dragged her feet but admitted i “looked a little different” than i did a few minutes ago, whatever that meant. i started shaking and my teeth were chattering, and i realized that i read somewhere about that being a body response to the immediate effects of labor. she checked me and low and behold, i was now an 8 and still only 80% effaced. brian was immediately on the phone with my mom telling her to get down here. the nurse surmised that the thing i thought was a kick was actually the baby dropping into the birth canal. drop? you mean freaking crashed through my pelvis. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1:15 AM. transition sucks. brian was such a great coach and was helping me remember to breathe and focus on that instead of the push feeling. i couldnt push yet because i wasnt totally effaced but right then i was not thinking about pushing, just finding a good position. laying down was incredibly painful, so i was back standing at the side of bed, bent over it. less painful, but now i was throwing up. lovely. all those labor videos your watch dont mention vomit.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1:40 AM. i needed to push. BAD. i could barely control it. brian was phenomenal at helping me breathe and focus, but thats just not enough to control that push feeling. its not just a feeling-its what my body was doing, and i had to try to distract myself and stop it as much as possible. like trying to not barf halfway through-impossible. at one point, i couldnt avoid pushing, and suddenly a flood of amniotic fluid with the force and rage of a river tore through my body. ugh, that was one of the worst feelings ever. i was suddenly standing in a puddle. i remember apologizing, mostly for pushing when i wasnt supposed to, but also for the new lake on the floor. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 AM. i have to push. I HAVE TO PUSH. i cant stop it any more. they got me back on the bed to make sure i was fully effaced before they gave me the go ahead. now im cleared for take off. at this point, i wish i had changed position, but i was just thinking about how relieved i was that i didnt have to fight the push anymore. the plan was that i push three times with every contraction, taking huge breaths and holding them while i push. brian and my mom helped hold my legs cuz i just couldnt do all those things at one time and do them all well-i can multitask, but come on. after a few contractions, i started to feel light headed, and in between contractions i was lying lifeless trying to clear my head of the fog and get enough air. my lack of oxygen was affecting the baby’s heartrate, which had started dropping, so they gave brian an oxygen mask to put on my face. he says my mouth was starting to turn blue between pushes before they gave me the mask. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2:20ish AM. my midwife told me she is going to tell me to stop at some point to help me avoid ripping. i was relieved cuz i really didnt want to rip or be cut. she told me to stop and i did-that was so much easier than not pushing when in transition. i could feel stretching and she predicted good things. a couple pushes later, and i could feel the head crowning, which was both incredible and painful. they talk call it the ring of fire-such an accurate description! the burning stretch! after three pushes, the midwife told me i could push one more time and the babys head will probably come out. i was wiped so i say no, lets wait. she seemed to like this idea because she starts applauding the stretch that is inevitably happening and says i wont tear at all-yay! hearing that the baby is almost here, brian, who was holding my hand and brushing my hair back, started giggling which quickly turned to tears streaming down his face. he told me he was proud of me and loves me, which was so sweet. especially since all i was thinking was “dont you dare look down there!” so sweet and romantic of me.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2:25 AM. the next push, the babys head it out! but three pushes later the shoulders still hadnt come out. i had a perfect view of the midwife, and i could see her focusing on getting the baby out. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2:30 AM. after a few minutes of more pushing and no baby, all of a sudden a team of 4 or 5 other people descended on me. they pushed mom and brian out of the way and moved my legs to other positions, some even pushing on my stomach while i pushed. it was kind of scary because i knew something wasnt right. then the midwife whipped out some scissors and cut me. i couldnt feel it but i could hear it, and i looked at brian and said “she cut me!” mostly i was shocked-after trying so hard to make sure i didnt tear, i knew her cutting me had to be a sign of something wrong. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2:35 AM. as soon as the snips were made, the midwife pulled the baby out! </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">once again, i could tell something was wrong. her face was so dark, almost black in the dim lights of the room, but her hand by her face was so white. seconds later they cut the cord and whisked her away. between getting stuck and the dropped heart rate and the color of her face, they were concerned she wasnt breathing. thankfully she was fine, just extremely bruised and swollen, probably from crashing through my pelvis. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">despite being stitched up, one of the sweetest moments was when they brought her back to me-she was screaming but the moment she heard my voice, she stopped. what was even sweeter was that she had the same reaction when she heard brians voice. she clearly knew us, and was comforted by our voices. that was the moment i fell in love.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">because id had pitocin and fluids, her weight was artificially bolstered, coming in at 8 lbs 5 oz. but by the time we left the hospital, she was only 7 lbs. thats a big weight difference, even for hospital weight loss, and the drs were concerned for a while, but after coming to the conclusion that the weight was wrong, they cleared her. she is a tall and skinny girl, starting at 20 ¾ in long. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i know this was full of details and was super long, but if you made it all the way through, good job and i hope you enjoyed it!</span></span></div>
Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-61143735704372566792013-08-01T13:08:00.001-07:002013-08-01T13:08:11.850-07:00the life cycle of a whale.<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">guys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">im huge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">its a good thing d-day is almost here, cuz ive been getting "you are due any day now, huh?" for the last month. ive decided that being told im tiny is much preferable to being told i look like a beached whale. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">also, ive been asked multiple times if i can drive. whats up with that? IM PREGNANT, NOT PARALYZED. of course i can drive. just dont ask me to bend over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">im 38 weeks now. behold, the fatness in all her glory!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhIBASEqRbU_K7z1Yl6Nst4yuHF6Otz3MPvyKzqwQ02N4ivBGmloEDh_t3kG_BHiKgURBkCqJWy1Ib9szsm83cZZ6y3Vdprj4sAuAIrnvg3HDT0P7rTaoxCq_hNG-UT6cOU8HUhpj21Y/s1600/WP_20130801_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhIBASEqRbU_K7z1Yl6Nst4yuHF6Otz3MPvyKzqwQ02N4ivBGmloEDh_t3kG_BHiKgURBkCqJWy1Ib9szsm83cZZ6y3Vdprj4sAuAIrnvg3HDT0P7rTaoxCq_hNG-UT6cOU8HUhpj21Y/s400/WP_20130801_006.jpg" width="223" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">who needs a maternity photographer when youve got a phone and a mirror?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the other night, i told brian, in complete terror, "we could have a baby any time now. like, in two weeks, we might already be dealing with a screaming infant. holy crap." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">he apparently missed the drama of the scenario, because his only reply was a mildy-amused-at-my-crazy-wife, "yep." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the nursery is almost done (just need the changing table/dresser my dad is making and to hang a few things), the bags are mostly packed, we have clothes and diapers and baby books, i am as prepared as im gonna get for a natural labor. what else is there?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">OH YEAH, THE BABY. who the hell thought it was a good idea to trust me with one of those?? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">with about 2 weeks left, i guess its a little late now...</span>Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-54566706399387535222013-05-25T23:15:00.001-07:002013-05-25T23:15:33.784-07:00all of de mayo (otherwise known as the may update)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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so much for my "im going to post more often" idea. <div>
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my parents moved into town and ive been really busy helping them move in and get settled. i even rode BART at 730 am to Berkeley one day with my mom just so she could get a feel for it when she took it to an interview. </div>
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i know, im the worlds best daughter. </div>
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in the mean time, im being harassed for baby news. not like there is anything new to tell, besides im getting really fat. and the baby LOVES to kick. alot. i make brian put his hand on my tummy about once a week, and every time he is unimpressed. he thinks i make him feel it every time she moves. he doesnt understand-he feels one:1000 kicks i feel. </div>
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one time, i told him to talk to her so she would know his voice. cuz, you know, he is such a big talker and all. so he sticks his face close to my belly button and says, in a voice that sounds about in the 30-40 IQ range (and with a facial expression to match) "hellloooooo babyyyyyy. this is your daddyyyyy speaking."</div>
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that was a mistake.</div>
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generally, when people ask me how im feeling, i dont have anything to say except "fine." but today? holy crap. i ache. my ribs ache. my back aches. my legs ache. everything feels uncomfortable and painful. i feel and look huge. and i still have 3 months left. i hope this is just the trade off for actually sleeping well last night (which is unusual) and ill go back to feeling fine and sleeping horribly tomorrow. </div>
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i guess im ok with feeling grumpy and sore though because at least i dont have to STUDY FOR THE BAR EVER AGAIN!! well, at least not in CA. after 6 months of studying, 6 days of testing, 6 months of waiting, 1 day of self-loathing, and a billion hours of stressing, i passed the CA bar exam. i get sworn in as an atty in CA on june 4th, and it still feels really surreal.</div>
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but oh. so. good.</div>
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so if anyone wants to find me a part time job in the bay area, that would be stellar.</div>
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and now for some gratuitous tummy pictures, which i refuse to post on facebook, and for which people for some reason keep asking to see (why?! its a ginormous abdomen, nothing that exciting, i promise):</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZppjIVsQ6u3Y8MOPaGw7eQm4rNf76z1ETzo0_5Jok1LhCjZwgSVtU4C1vKzQvYseCiSZPC_vOwlGEPRWrzFTvpOicO_vGovWiRi0hah8pBoGLvYIRAwNDaZkh5IdhNH4OLY-xx8qUng/s1600/IMG_6039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZppjIVsQ6u3Y8MOPaGw7eQm4rNf76z1ETzo0_5Jok1LhCjZwgSVtU4C1vKzQvYseCiSZPC_vOwlGEPRWrzFTvpOicO_vGovWiRi0hah8pBoGLvYIRAwNDaZkh5IdhNH4OLY-xx8qUng/s320/IMG_6039.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">26 weeks. cobalt likes to photobomb.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvSgw5bLus0G8kB8veNw-E42Y4rCE6ZmE_vEhw46HJV8hVegmGxTVMM3J_HjwnmCp8I-w5DG7vC5R5_IeNYfnW5q4uz5U0fBpOZ6GS94yfgLbnH1cv9lU0gRkiIMlvjynJXtijZh5h50/s1600/IMG_6040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvSgw5bLus0G8kB8veNw-E42Y4rCE6ZmE_vEhw46HJV8hVegmGxTVMM3J_HjwnmCp8I-w5DG7vC5R5_IeNYfnW5q4uz5U0fBpOZ6GS94yfgLbnH1cv9lU0gRkiIMlvjynJXtijZh5h50/s320/IMG_6040.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">laughing at the photobombing dog. brian likes this one.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43rO68nuKDpkZCfP-MXWCiQ3uklIDLOKjsm4Wuw4e-8f8vxwsFSVP4PxcXNRHXdxOzYAugiaV_JplS2kiqe4JT1y4voyV1lij42t9HfeO-TQvAsGuV6yVnBhhl6kJWrKYbknyfaQaEss/s1600/IMG911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43rO68nuKDpkZCfP-MXWCiQ3uklIDLOKjsm4Wuw4e-8f8vxwsFSVP4PxcXNRHXdxOzYAugiaV_JplS2kiqe4JT1y4voyV1lij42t9HfeO-TQvAsGuV6yVnBhhl6kJWrKYbknyfaQaEss/s320/IMG911.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">28 weeks. distracted by my dog again. im starting to see a theme here.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i2z0jA-2Ht52-JRxeXIsLMgXJe1FRFUfpZ9_4flKxNJgBKw1F8YeXFqCjRtByiqlnxlrjMXt5I_ex7wVDh7K3e98cEqEyGNpcD9A75YlITIxa11NoWkgqYiuXk5_BaQVSEbNNQKidWQ/s1600/IMG894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i2z0jA-2Ht52-JRxeXIsLMgXJe1FRFUfpZ9_4flKxNJgBKw1F8YeXFqCjRtByiqlnxlrjMXt5I_ex7wVDh7K3e98cEqEyGNpcD9A75YlITIxa11NoWkgqYiuXk5_BaQVSEbNNQKidWQ/s320/IMG894.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the babydog. just because. he is cute.</td></tr>
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people keep telling me im small. i keep thinking they are crazy. </div>
Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-16426264798413588032013-04-12T11:03:00.000-07:002013-04-12T11:07:22.819-07:00Gluten Free Asiago Pasta with a side of best friends<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">it has been a CRAZY couple of weeks. crazy, i tell you.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOtjU98MHU925cjRWti5BW0ks76GKkTZTXw0_4xWt-9Rkpm-ynTOHMcU_lt-wAbslP7RXF2lPn51fJ_HBCyl5F2jgswFVl41-LT322nn3Uvp3eAkjXNrA6FiMr6oeQ6_Nekb6uxbv6cI/s1600/IMG847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOtjU98MHU925cjRWti5BW0ks76GKkTZTXw0_4xWt-9Rkpm-ynTOHMcU_lt-wAbslP7RXF2lPn51fJ_HBCyl5F2jgswFVl41-LT322nn3Uvp3eAkjXNrA6FiMr6oeQ6_Nekb6uxbv6cI/s320/IMG847.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ugly action with the dog.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">my best friend lisa came to town and boy, we made an ugly of it. because both of us are poor, we didnt do alot of things that cost money, though i did alot of driving. we drove around the city, drove around oakland, drove to reno...drive drive drive. ok, maybe it wasnt THAT crazy. but it was so fun, and chill, and relaxing. and just....nice. its so nice to have a friend who knows your history without having to relive your high water pants, brace face, and hair disasters just to get the point across. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8imMAcLTajI7CFolJilYlPNaSU2XKuV2h8SW5o14PISlhkt4V7yslXlCw7L6dbr97f2mDTGxP3CtQ2MrtT7to3zLqWeDp62OdkEXmowEwIx8WRP4L240jKjcJ65RdyOhwNfMncyrIsEY/s1600/483628_10101942422461718_2139383388_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8imMAcLTajI7CFolJilYlPNaSU2XKuV2h8SW5o14PISlhkt4V7yslXlCw7L6dbr97f2mDTGxP3CtQ2MrtT7to3zLqWeDp62OdkEXmowEwIx8WRP4L240jKjcJ65RdyOhwNfMncyrIsEY/s320/483628_10101942422461718_2139383388_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">because my family moved alot, i dont have a place that i "grew up" but i do have childhood friends-lisa is one of the girl i met and befriended in 6th grade. 16 years later, we are still best friends. and thats the only bit of having a "childhood place" that i have. and i am grateful for friends like her, cuz i seem to have gotten the best part of the deal. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWQdWn3yHxB9C7quuXwFOjo96CGIVB3ceCkYZGUuw0Ub6gm3TU662xasLqUuqpMe8bWNpo3tgv0rRLdqVqitpFd1quoLWfDydNQsRuaTLfgQ5po-8opxMaLcBJaWodOeBWz6UK3V2zU8/s1600/543139_10102848313653525_239116490_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWQdWn3yHxB9C7quuXwFOjo96CGIVB3ceCkYZGUuw0Ub6gm3TU662xasLqUuqpMe8bWNpo3tgv0rRLdqVqitpFd1quoLWfDydNQsRuaTLfgQ5po-8opxMaLcBJaWodOeBWz6UK3V2zU8/s320/543139_10102848313653525_239116490_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the three musketeers, reunited!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">in reno, we hung out with eileen, another childhood friend-and while we all have seen each other over the years, the three of us have never been together-until now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">but now lisa has left, and its back to every day life. one of the things i have tried to do more often recently (now that, you know, i have time to do something other than stuff sugar into my mouth while i study for the bar) is cook dinner. ambitious, i tell ya. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i heart cooking. i dunno when this happened. i remember getting a childs cookbook when i was about 8 and my parents had me help them cook dinner one night. i hated every second of it. in between stirring the spaghetti sauce, i screamed at my parents about how stupid it was that i had to cook. i could survive on wheat bread and bologna and oreos for the rest of my life, thankyouverymuch. no cooking required. the next 10 years didnt change anything; my mom told me, as she dropped me off at my dorm my first year of college (complete with a meal plan at the dorm cafeteria) , that if i had to cook for myself, id starve. thanks for the vote of confidence, mom. i ended up avoiding the cafeteria most days, and lived almost entirely on cheddar cheese, rolls with nutella, and dry lucky charms. and i was happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">so happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and then life blew up on me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">or, at least, my body decided it hated the food pyramid and would rather live a life confined to a food trapezoid instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i was diagnosed with celiac disease. a difficult diagnosis for the average gluten consumer, but devastating for a girl with a pure italian great grandmother, raised on pasta, and who was known among her family as "the Bread Queen."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BUT I WILL HAVE MY PASTA!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and i do! some good gluten free pasta works wonders, and my favorite brand is Tinkyada. almost imperceptibly different. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">now that spring/summer is definitely upon us, i wanted to make a lighter pasta dish. this recipe was inspired by a good friend of mine who frequents farmers markets-lots of fresh veggies tossed with the pasta and sprinkled with asiago cheese. MMMMMMM! and between my high maintenance eating and me and lisa's minimal budgets, this dinner was amazing. nomnomnomnom....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRJPhU1tmBU/UTf5UDZzczI/AAAAAAAAE3o/CQ9y5fMu-Mk/s603/IMG828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRJPhU1tmBU/UTf5UDZzczI/AAAAAAAAE3o/CQ9y5fMu-Mk/s400/IMG828.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">horrible picture, i know. but soooo good.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Asiago Pasta </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(forgive the lack of pictures...i was busy stuffing my face)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8 oz pasta (i recommend penne or spirals [gluten free of otherwise])</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 zucchini, sliced and quartered</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 yellow squash, sliced and quartered</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 bell pepper, sliced and halved</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 carton sliced mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 onion, sliced and halved</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">grape tomatoes, halved</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">fresh basil, chopped (optional)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup grated asiago cheese (you can use any hard cheese like parmesan if you prefer)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">cook the pasta in a pot of salted water. drain and set aside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">slice up the veggies. in a large pan (i mean LARGE, you are gonna have to dump the pasta into here too later), heat over medium high heat and drizzle with olive oil. add the bell pepper onion and mushrooms to the pan. let saute for a few minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">add the tomatoes, zucchini and squash to the pan. saute about 10-15 minutes. this part is really up to you though: the longer, the softer the veggies. if you like them crunchier, then cut down the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">season veggies with salt, pepper, and garlic while cooking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">add the pasta to the pan and toss together. sprinkle the basil and cheese over the pasta, tossing as you go. toss over heat until the cheese is melted, or continue until the cheese gets crunchy in spots. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ENJOY!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">disclaimer: i do no pretend to be a food blogger. i did not facetiously take pictures while i was cooking to make it appear as such. i just love food. alot. alotalotalot. </span><br />
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Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-23574999353734208462013-03-23T15:37:00.001-07:002013-03-23T16:14:02.751-07:00good news week<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">youve heard the saying "bad news comes in threes." i would like to invent a new saying: "sometimes life goes super awesome and its like an avalanche of rad things just keep happening." or the short version: "good news comes in threes."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">at least, i like to think thats true. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and this week, it has been.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. my best friend/bad influence/fellow ugly/shes-known-me-for-too-long-for-me-to-let-her-get-very-far-away-with-my-secrets has spontaneously decided to come visit me next week! she is a teacher so during spring break she is coming to hang out. ive almost got her convinced that she should leave washington is come to california instead. this is the first time in forever that she has come to me, and im really excited because:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">a. i havent seen her since august</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">b. she is our first house guest since we moved to ca</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">c. im long overdo for some ugly pictures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">now, before you get upset that im calling my best friend ugly, you must understand-there are some faces only a mother and a best friend could love. and a mother is iffy. see?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx6y6SSC2N1xkmTwOJL03MJgywZ-Kts-a3koRU4hOmRx-9QLMZopLuoGwGWaD5Yu8NE7VjN9U6Bs6lS8mtl0BfjT8X0N5GXMrODuw4gnC22Z8Foch9Rm-IRg9UlB6Qjd4KxF6LbmsStM/s1600/DSC05632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx6y6SSC2N1xkmTwOJL03MJgywZ-Kts-a3koRU4hOmRx-9QLMZopLuoGwGWaD5Yu8NE7VjN9U6Bs6lS8mtl0BfjT8X0N5GXMrODuw4gnC22Z8Foch9Rm-IRg9UlB6Qjd4KxF6LbmsStM/s320/DSC05632.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">this is an ugly. no doubt.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. i also got to see my dad on a last minute business trip this week! he was only here for a few hours, but i got to talk to him and show him the new car (which i am supremely and probably unreasonably proud of, but hey can you blame me for being excited about the very first car thats every been bought just for me?! see? its overboard) and he reminisced about the area from his past business trips up this way. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6KFYw2PTDLzCCnwB-ZKLMAy3pdCM2eTsBtag9fNEudGABm0aE2wDwUfnvgvATB-TR0ly4YDxYzCDhcaGOPXToUxt8M5GJUT5LfdaJx074cxlZXYX6GmGlCaIQRNEHKTz-qLP5C4P9_s/s1600/IMG836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6KFYw2PTDLzCCnwB-ZKLMAy3pdCM2eTsBtag9fNEudGABm0aE2wDwUfnvgvATB-TR0ly4YDxYzCDhcaGOPXToUxt8M5GJUT5LfdaJx074cxlZXYX6GmGlCaIQRNEHKTz-qLP5C4P9_s/s320/IMG836.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we were both concentrating on whether my finger was flexible enough to hit the camera button.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">as a daddy's girl, im always excited to spend time with my dad. we have alot in common-the same interests, passions, opinions, and world view. sometimes, this leads to arguments and short tempers, but its all because we love each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">my teenage years were rough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. and the one thing you all have been waiting for, and the one thing ive cruelly made you wait for, we found out the baby's gender! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-vO8ntTp29_lGHE7A6LjA7_NBrRk5GrKUe7raD2dFDkPNxlT0xyDcmZP7iual4q8OUs_nbOsQmyy0JdemJuYnVedNRW7l_kMfJ7sQJa7vqQCowxn-HqaQfhO-1PITo1mp78JyPXLea4/s1600/IMG_5976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-vO8ntTp29_lGHE7A6LjA7_NBrRk5GrKUe7raD2dFDkPNxlT0xyDcmZP7iual4q8OUs_nbOsQmyy0JdemJuYnVedNRW7l_kMfJ7sQJa7vqQCowxn-HqaQfhO-1PITo1mp78JyPXLea4/s320/IMG_5976.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">its a girl!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">backstory: on wednesday, we went to the dr and had the ultrasound. we took an envelope for the tech to put the picture in so we could give it to my friends, who were making us a cake with either blue or pink filling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">it was cool, watching the baby wiggle around, especially after a while it didnt seem to be super keen on the pressure around its head. at one point the baby had hiccups, and at another, it started kicking its legs and bouncing its butt up in the air, which had all three of us laughing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i think the best part was watching brian though-he hadnt seen the baby yet, and it was sweet to watch him glued to the screen, and the side smile that crept onto his face when the baby had its arms around its head in the exact same position brian often falls asleep in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">so two of my friends took on the task of making a cake and we had a bunch of friends over last night for the party. we called it a gender reveal party; we wanted to call it a "gentitalia unveiling," but thought some people might get offended. but now you know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i did some decorating.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt0ejLRqP7fiIVaguAqu-YZhPsZpkZ5tn0cqsv42cgdfieCH4sFHGB7cLYAMguQrNXTQ_ogI-Kuwl8038dlpbta0Ffzwh2aMpyOnVAcnel2mmH5o5Z-rycm9Ygie8hITdM36VPGwB2zg/s1600/IMG_5963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt0ejLRqP7fiIVaguAqu-YZhPsZpkZ5tn0cqsv42cgdfieCH4sFHGB7cLYAMguQrNXTQ_ogI-Kuwl8038dlpbta0Ffzwh2aMpyOnVAcnel2mmH5o5Z-rycm9Ygie8hITdM36VPGwB2zg/s320/IMG_5963.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we had people guess what it would be</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMVTEdq-SkGr14xQFLlOuLPIyoP5hRQiI7YknMew0qHZdNUDGD8S__8FknlEfwXJK01jYWbHdJdLHjNmzFrVkcrsWleHbW4yNMgM22Jt8YyoiKtSDFU8j9wMknuEPIsHOe-siJ_IDzCQ/s1600/IMG_5965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMVTEdq-SkGr14xQFLlOuLPIyoP5hRQiI7YknMew0qHZdNUDGD8S__8FknlEfwXJK01jYWbHdJdLHjNmzFrVkcrsWleHbW4yNMgM22Jt8YyoiKtSDFU8j9wMknuEPIsHOe-siJ_IDzCQ/s320/IMG_5965.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">wives tales and what it would be based on how they applied to me</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r9jME8gDLmeS0z8zT7xsFn7k4ihnPNekLgEfxvyDSdHObG1rcFHiYUIrOFvUAmuCS0_tbAGbaKvXn-nE_qz-qa-McLkRsmhKlSGiGhsQvEIfriBOfbfQR6-BkOOpV77jYJEBN9VAiPs/s1600/IMG_5966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r9jME8gDLmeS0z8zT7xsFn7k4ihnPNekLgEfxvyDSdHObG1rcFHiYUIrOFvUAmuCS0_tbAGbaKvXn-nE_qz-qa-McLkRsmhKlSGiGhsQvEIfriBOfbfQR6-BkOOpV77jYJEBN9VAiPs/s320/IMG_5966.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">yellow foods, the banner i made, and a buttload of streamers</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1xVNT96_LDYXNFnwDolg6Rz8MnzScgTLeD1PMxM5NkSOWDPUE7a_J6VgDXQft5O7FOyWalGQ9L7vk0r_vkh6sW6EcmXnBOq04WsmH3h7azaiBOhYa0_gD27fHfg14bcuJvpSAXb-UeM/s1600/IMG_5967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1xVNT96_LDYXNFnwDolg6Rz8MnzScgTLeD1PMxM5NkSOWDPUE7a_J6VgDXQft5O7FOyWalGQ9L7vk0r_vkh6sW6EcmXnBOq04WsmH3h7azaiBOhYa0_gD27fHfg14bcuJvpSAXb-UeM/s320/IMG_5967.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">mmm chocolate. the he's have nuts. HAHA.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUk0d87k_dVx5xQYrBm3t-8BFBkdOxHJZAIty_hVczTiXIAnPj2kMnmeAygoRlD4bFiNUpxGDQZEix-BKo6yRAo3CjJ72Fqqb2VUlo5MMX_gwAOPte6S_R0ihkV9NIDayS7tKfvqx_r8/s1600/IMG_5969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUk0d87k_dVx5xQYrBm3t-8BFBkdOxHJZAIty_hVczTiXIAnPj2kMnmeAygoRlD4bFiNUpxGDQZEix-BKo6yRAo3CjJ72Fqqb2VUlo5MMX_gwAOPte6S_R0ihkV9NIDayS7tKfvqx_r8/s320/IMG_5969.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the GORGEOUS cake (gluten free!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">after everyone got there, we cut the cake, and found the icing inside was pink...a girl! both of us were shocked, we both thought it was going to be a boy. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UfaRfg4813HOSjpQWfjv6nTOoNbHcXx2DpzmvHbYcn6fL9WfIEScbywYO0602_atOwZCXU3FKYn0z1t6bfZrxcd3kAKIcUwX2PEH9hv0Iaio47RN7V7P6ywr8R2QdJo7eQBNoROA-_s/s1600/IMG_5972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UfaRfg4813HOSjpQWfjv6nTOoNbHcXx2DpzmvHbYcn6fL9WfIEScbywYO0602_atOwZCXU3FKYn0z1t6bfZrxcd3kAKIcUwX2PEH9hv0Iaio47RN7V7P6ywr8R2QdJo7eQBNoROA-_s/s320/IMG_5972.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the moment of cake/gender/genitalia reveal</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">so yay, a mini alex! but, true to mini alex form, there is a moratorium on pink. its not completely banned; weird pinks (like peach or melon or something) are ok, and things with pink on them are ok. but completely pink things are out. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">should this result in a completely purple wardrobe, a purple ban might ensue as well...girls can wear blue and green too!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and if you should want to watch the video of the cake cutting, i will put it up soon. then you can see my totally shocked face.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">YAY GOOD NEWS!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-64001523250105391412013-03-20T21:53:00.000-07:002013-03-21T17:46:56.659-07:00glitter is the herpes of the craft world.<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">in the last year, i have had little time to do anything creative. fine, in the last few years. no wonder my house always looks frumpy. but FINALLY i have had nothing better to do than make all sorts of crafty crafts. laundry? dishes? sweeping up dog hair? psshh! bottom of the priorities list. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pMSLrdNTp59LyXguQuE4PDoMfOxHnFDxdsExTcnTqZUKnaqQSW8skqfBnqbso6Em1xAIeniIxa8-yaMmQYveA4zHiQw1aKyqw3-uB_TXDByh2aw3WDyZ8r-JoSqT-gaNiOVBPpKzIQ8/s1600/IMG827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pMSLrdNTp59LyXguQuE4PDoMfOxHnFDxdsExTcnTqZUKnaqQSW8skqfBnqbso6Em1xAIeniIxa8-yaMmQYveA4zHiQw1aKyqw3-uB_TXDByh2aw3WDyZ8r-JoSqT-gaNiOVBPpKzIQ8/s320/IMG827.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">chartreuse and grey wreath</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i know, i know, many of you are thinking "alex is one of THOSE?? a crappy crafter??" and others are thinking "yeah i totally had you pegged. your closet-crafter act doesnt fool me." you caught me. i used to be uber artistic-i took art lessons, went to artsy summer camp things, and generally loved any arty medium. i used to sketch all the time, and i think "creative" was one of the words my parents used most to describe me as a child. after chatter-box and (whats a nice way to say annoying?). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">at some point that changed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">mostly, i think i ran out of time. but i also liked (ok, i admit, loved) the image i had (do i still have it?) through college. i was known for doing things my own way, pushing the limits a little bit, and letting my very expressive and hard to mask facial expressions do alot of the talking. hmmm i guess i probably still have that image. i was told once that a person, before meeting me, thought i might punch whoever pissed me off. he was surprised when he first heard me laugh, which i guess gave away some of that bravado. i was shocked to hear thats what people thought of me, but slightly...proud? that i wasnt perceived as just another giggly, much-too-talkative girl. i liked being different, and was glad others liked it too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">in law school, one of my friends out of the blue said "im glad we are friends. i know you have my back. like, if i ever needed defending, youd rip that persons throat out." im sure she meant figuratively. i dont like blood much. i think this is the part i loved most-that my passion for things-life, politics, law, friends-was plain, and i would go to bat for them no matter how hard that was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and a hardened female lawyer with a quick tongue and lightning fists doesnt go home and scrapbook. amiright?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">but making things has always been therapudic for me. maybe its the time spent figuring out how to do it, like a puzzle that suddenly opens up to me, or its the countless hours doing the repetitive tasks that allows my mind to wander, or the back that aches after sitting on the floor for far too long in one position, that somehow sucks the stress out of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ORRRRR i might just like the chaotic mess i make in the process. which is entirely possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">seriously though, its like Michaels barfed on my floor half the time, yarn and hot glue and paper scraps mixing with dog hair and unfolded laundry. but man, i have cranked out some keepers. i think. i have some self respect though-no glitter has or will ever be used in any craft i make. ever. i have also been cooking up a storm, but ill save that for later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i made two wreaths, the one above, and this one:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHhw1JW6lffzZuAgFM2DDkoPEUyjebKa4I1VLtRN46hYHJbx1ELkWVQziaH-_a8z-GY32SUI95STaoAN7P_OToF9fpwGFwOEmmJZGD0JKMP4qsTDPcJgmlHfdz-_bCw8UHHgrcMq1BM4/s1600/IMG834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHhw1JW6lffzZuAgFM2DDkoPEUyjebKa4I1VLtRN46hYHJbx1ELkWVQziaH-_a8z-GY32SUI95STaoAN7P_OToF9fpwGFwOEmmJZGD0JKMP4qsTDPcJgmlHfdz-_bCw8UHHgrcMq1BM4/s320/IMG834.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">light grey and varied blue flowers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i backed a bookcase with paper and arranged it:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBb-c90cyyTF8iekhbVOIRgyKjVUcyOoYmkKNeQqjHIrZmUa9yg9i_YpqtDVtf2MVWekjPhHhyphenhyphenTt2CaWqG388Gu0UwdOxu4SMXzmp4vgkqRd4jQ5Hgw_osxGd1RmWRSOuJ_vw0SgAxtI/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBb-c90cyyTF8iekhbVOIRgyKjVUcyOoYmkKNeQqjHIrZmUa9yg9i_YpqtDVtf2MVWekjPhHhyphenhyphenTt2CaWqG388Gu0UwdOxu4SMXzmp4vgkqRd4jQ5Hgw_osxGd1RmWRSOuJ_vw0SgAxtI/s320/IMG_5959.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i promise the paper isnt that obnoxious in real life. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i made two banners (one for a church thing, and one for a party):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblhyphenhyphenNBRRZ92j7-V_jCS3NwmJ0GGfQyuRv5G9uggFAJh8GJhmYKQx3qmRjRFi8MWLsS7CMi9Lyk0bzxDsHS7J7NRtaKU-hQxl0aFpmCfvPZbwq1WM7webkBlEspOpwwwDhmTNKXHdlBpo/s1600/IMG_5962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblhyphenhyphenNBRRZ92j7-V_jCS3NwmJ0GGfQyuRv5G9uggFAJh8GJhmYKQx3qmRjRFi8MWLsS7CMi9Lyk0bzxDsHS7J7NRtaKU-hQxl0aFpmCfvPZbwq1WM7webkBlEspOpwwwDhmTNKXHdlBpo/s320/IMG_5962.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">this one is for church. i dont like pink that much.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnKTcC1yCr0LYjLDGEegJ9xVPEW5P3sKlWya8RmMYqlzHIlsi2uVtOg7wkG_loBXo50X-j28sSqXo-MiNvBuJ9suUgx16Cnm8hC8XHPmvZ3VWwIOwSHnvMVWaXI7v4wy_BvHybWOXf2A/s1600/IMG_5961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnKTcC1yCr0LYjLDGEegJ9xVPEW5P3sKlWya8RmMYqlzHIlsi2uVtOg7wkG_loBXo50X-j28sSqXo-MiNvBuJ9suUgx16Cnm8hC8XHPmvZ3VWwIOwSHnvMVWaXI7v4wy_BvHybWOXf2A/s320/IMG_5961.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">party banner. love this one.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">AND i arranged my photos on the wall:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnNdXcQKzt1dUjFC7iOnBFHqyjSx4v_fUk_57Ko9uVyjFIKRAwvkSlSbO4l0XXzeugXdZGAIEMGl8QstJ5Ri0r-UFAuWiKEEzCbJvtslmkBIpeT3-IRFhZ8DKj5mcqlIjFl6FPvt3fdM/s1600/IMG_5956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnNdXcQKzt1dUjFC7iOnBFHqyjSx4v_fUk_57Ko9uVyjFIKRAwvkSlSbO4l0XXzeugXdZGAIEMGl8QstJ5Ri0r-UFAuWiKEEzCbJvtslmkBIpeT3-IRFhZ8DKj5mcqlIjFl6FPvt3fdM/s320/IMG_5956.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the h and the white canvas arent done, but its all up.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and for the first time in a year, we live in a house with some personal touches. i never want to see a hot glue gun again. ok, not for another couple weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">oh, and i need a table to sew at. this sitting on the floor and pushing the foot petal with my knee thing is getting old, especially when my dog decides to stand on said knee before my fabric is all lined up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">but im done with this nonsense for a little bit, because i have a party to plan! on friday, we are finding out the gender of our baby! stay tuned!</span><br />
<br />
<br />Alex K Hulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04696922658833952605noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-89019115495556433982013-03-07T10:28:00.000-08:002013-03-07T10:28:04.750-08:00im BAAAACCKKK! and its two for the price of one.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAykg4ahBcnNKF44LPDCIpZ7ujns5DOUf7aw6SJHWi1Yknli3UvBOSTUO2X978CqEGZhp-jqSWpzgVhew9OzXmwslINLl02d50cc075coqkyTDmHy6bu-EyH_XsPx43axYoPxC9-yaLE/s1600/family+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAykg4ahBcnNKF44LPDCIpZ7ujns5DOUf7aw6SJHWi1Yknli3UvBOSTUO2X978CqEGZhp-jqSWpzgVhew9OzXmwslINLl02d50cc075coqkyTDmHy6bu-EyH_XsPx43axYoPxC9-yaLE/s400/family+picture.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">family picture from Sept 2012</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">as im sure you have noticed, ive taken a bit of a hiatus from blogging. there are reasons for this. i like to think good reasons. like studying for the bar, working a temp job that turned into overtime for 3 straight months, then studying for the bar yet again. blahhhhhhhh. ok those probably ARE good reasons, but still, its not that hard to write a paragraph or two here or there...right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">welp, im back on the train! since i was too busy to send out christmas cards, and therefore didnt do a yearly update (would i have done a yearly update anyways? uh, this is me we are taking about. crap no.), lemme summarize the last 12 months:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we both graduated. finally.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">brian got a job.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we moved. out of utah!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i studied for the bar for 3 months straight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i visited lisa in WA. twice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we went to christians wedding, went on a lake vacation with brians family, and a newport coast vacation with mine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we got a doggie. (he is alot bigger than that picture now)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we lost sleep while potty training doggie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the giants won the world series.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i worked 7 days a week, 10-12 hours a day for 3 months. yay elections.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i did not pass the bar. i cried.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i got pregnant. i cried again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we visited utah for christimas.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i threw up. alot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i studied for the bar.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i got a new [to me] car.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">i think that covers it all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">now im hanging out, making my own schedule and contemplating getting a part time job. and in the meantime, wasting as much time as possible. which is LOVELY. and spending lots of time with this cute fella.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxMn56zT8YDqdKvXskbA1W7wRaHgFx-VvH1_kxWlspcbOa73wQRmZpn495-B4YTh1PCFIjuz8UxXv4T6-kZTG8dNv8JZVkKHTg-oVOWIyEOOv9GOv0JcMmNsHbQIhcVYTl7Cv81Fd04k/s1600/IMG_5925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxMn56zT8YDqdKvXskbA1W7wRaHgFx-VvH1_kxWlspcbOa73wQRmZpn495-B4YTh1PCFIjuz8UxXv4T6-kZTG8dNv8JZVkKHTg-oVOWIyEOOv9GOv0JcMmNsHbQIhcVYTl7Cv81Fd04k/s320/IMG_5925.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">whats not so lovely is all the demands from people to see how fat im getting. really guys? i know my gaining weight is making you feel better and all, but seriously, do we have to rub it in? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">im not posting the classic "see how fat im getting/big my baby is getting" pictures on facebook, for reasons i wont go into (trying not to be a stereotypical mormon girl who gets pregnant right out of school, too many friends who post exclusively about their pregnancy/child/children [which are adorable, dont get me wrong], trying to make sure i maintain balance of self and not go off the deep end forgetting that this obnoxious personality named alex exists independent of children [who am i kidding? im too obnoxious to forget] and being self conscious about getting uncontrollably bigger...i think thats most of the reasons....).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BUT i am posting them here. for your viewing pleasure, here are some pictures. revel in your own body, please, and be glad all you have is a tiny tummy roll unmutilated by an unknown life form.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlor2ryNzL31Ez6KFPLnMwjLAHB8ZNUloxvH1jjs8ffvnJHVfmFC85vlHuSGUCpsUQNwpM6pNI4vSTSGsx4u9D5EvSuVmPRbjhMJvlXsIEH61Fck6pXQ_ufp5VHFYZNSf07RJCLPcuvRU/s1600/IMG787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlor2ryNzL31Ez6KFPLnMwjLAHB8ZNUloxvH1jjs8ffvnJHVfmFC85vlHuSGUCpsUQNwpM6pNI4vSTSGsx4u9D5EvSuVmPRbjhMJvlXsIEH61Fck6pXQ_ufp5VHFYZNSf07RJCLPcuvRU/s320/IMG787.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">12 weeks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MybEWdLrZOzmwFn5rAM7Qq8QU1FmNsJF1HRDW7KsOVgekm3pmeB2VZvXbPh5Pl9ke-eUhthFgeOEedWkfb5kw39aohwDceweFQdlRztcYrDxaEkkwBxMdQWubEqjML0vEsRdFlWHxh8/s1600/IMG804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MybEWdLrZOzmwFn5rAM7Qq8QU1FmNsJF1HRDW7KsOVgekm3pmeB2VZvXbPh5Pl9ke-eUhthFgeOEedWkfb5kw39aohwDceweFQdlRztcYrDxaEkkwBxMdQWubEqjML0vEsRdFlWHxh8/s320/IMG804.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">14 weeks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fT50xLmD-e4hZNn3vXXTz5TqAqv4Yue5cgB_9FRuY3iW1fwfin6sH2XzXR4LYSqo1E4npxiuyV3rznv0GHMRZeJKkvHLOFoVHCof-M-PZwt0pbZfzChL_47jkcPLi_7fOnl8sj5wR30/s1600/IMG829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fT50xLmD-e4hZNn3vXXTz5TqAqv4Yue5cgB_9FRuY3iW1fwfin6sH2XzXR4LYSqo1E4npxiuyV3rznv0GHMRZeJKkvHLOFoVHCof-M-PZwt0pbZfzChL_47jkcPLi_7fOnl8sj5wR30/s320/IMG829.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">16 weeks. for the first time ever, my boobs are outdone.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">as you can see, regular t-shirts arent gonna cut it for much longer. oh boy, maternity clothes!<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> im secretly excited cuz buying new clothes is always the best, amiright?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Parting question: anyone have any good ideas about what to do with clothes that arent-fitting-now-but-hopefully-will-later and maternity ones? did you pack up your pre-pregnancy clothes or just leave them in the closet? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />alexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-85735599456876173172012-07-02T15:41:00.001-07:002012-07-02T16:18:14.585-07:00(stress) ball of popcorn<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it has been a really long time since i last posted. Sorry about that, but im sure you didn’t miss
me too much-my ranting about law school got lame after 2 years, i know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">i have a lot i could say about this last year of school, but
ill leave that for another time. if thats
what you came here for, you probably need to see someone about that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">nope, right now all i can think about is the perfectly
salted stove popped popcorn im stuffing into my mouth. by the handful. im going to need to clean
this keyboard in a minute. i love popcorn. its my coping mechanism. what, lame you say? i still love ice cream and chocolate, don’t get
me wrong, and the sheer quantity of popcorn i consume is just as unhealthy. but i know when im honing my finer skill of
freaking out when i increase my weekly popcorn intake from 2 times a week to 5
or 6. especially when i consider popcorn lunch and dessert. oops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and freak out i am, considering the bar is only a few weeks
away. im hoping i die of a popcorn-induced
coma by then. ill avoid the bar, and die happy. two birds, one kernel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">but besides my current stress level exceeding the medically
recommended dosage, i had a chance a few weeks ago to unwind with some friends
and reflect on where i am in life. i once
had this really ridiculous laugh. seriously. ridiculous. so ridiculous that people would record it and laugh at it. but i had
forgotten what that laugh sounded like. yes, i guffaw daily and am inclined to smile at everything, but this uncontrollable,
glass shattering, bubbling giggle i have doesn’t appear often. i have a couple of ideas why, and now im
working on them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in case you were wondering, bar study does not induce this
kind of laughter. more like the signature eyeroll.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thanks to popcorn and a sore laugh box, im trying to get
back to me. trying to more authentic to
alex. i worry too much now. law school
took all the nonchalant, lowend mediocrity, don’t give a shit that i acquired in
college and turned it into an uptight, frayed ended, worry wart. and i don’t like that. be honest, you don’t either. im working on
being me again. being too loud
sometimes, too talkative all the time, and maybe a tiny bit too carefree. ok,
not too much. just a little. teensy bit. fine, ill be happy if i can just be
carefree some times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">if you saw me in this stress ball state and you went to law
school with me, i hope you don’t recognize me next time we meet. if you saw me
like this and you didn’t go to law school with me, sorry. law school does
horrible things. </span><o:p></o:p></div>alexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-50667691184483449202011-08-31T20:52:00.000-07:002011-08-31T20:52:34.711-07:00homeless adventure part hamsa: good thing we brought our camping gearsorry this has been so long coming; the [lack of] internet that we had (via brians phone acting as a hotspot) made it virtually impossible for me to upload pictures so i waited until we got back to utah. we have been here for almost 3 weeks now, and we still have no real internet. and no pictures.<br />
<br />
but i sally forth. the last weeks of being in california were a little crazy. there was so much that we wanted to do but just didnt have a chance to get to. but we managed to see some friends who had moved out there (permanently, sooo jealous), brian got to ride his freeboard through the city (with a bunch of dudes who were high), we went to an A's game with our ward (i wanted to wear my giants shirt but opted to stay alive instead), we went on a double date (with my fabulous new friend Jac who i left in sf and miss!), got invited to dinner by a cool younger couple in our ward (make that TWO friends i made in the bay!), and even managed to go to a wedding the day before we left (one of brians childhood friends). there probably is alot more, but law school has already scrambled my brains.<br />
<br />
as we were packing, we were faced with the dilemma of how we were going to get everything home again. you see, we had accumulated a few things [ahem, brian bought 4 rims] and didnt know how it was all going to fit back into our two little cars. i pointed out that the camping stuff that we had been determined to use hadnt been used at all. great. oh, nevermind, we had used the camping grill once before it broke and was now in the dumpster. ha. good thing we brought it huh? <br />
<br />
the weekend before we were to move back to utah, we decided to justify the camping gear we toted across the barren wasteland that is nevada and was going to be hell to pack back. so we went to yosemite. it was only for one night, and we wish we had stayed longer, but it was tons of fun. we went into the valley, went to the base of one of the falls, and the next morning went on a hike and swam in a mountain lake. talk about a stellar ending to the summer. brian just about peed his pants that night, thinking there was a bear near our tent, but i think he loved it too.<br />
<br />
he apparently like it so much that he wanted to duplicate the experience on the way out of california. instead of staying in a hotel (which he swears is a good thing because all the reviews on yelp indicated we were destined to get an STD, bed bugs, and some terminal disease from dirty sheets if we stayed in any hotels between Reno and Elko), we drove 30 miles off the freeway and camped in a remote [but free] campsite outside of battle mountain. as we drove in at 1 am, i hoped noone was there to be woken up. when we pulled in and noone was there, i wished there were other people around to make sure we emerged from our tent alive in the morning.<br />
<br />
too bad, we were alive in the morning, and we did make it back to utah in one piece. well two pieces, since we were in two cars. and i can tell you God hears prayers, because besides some minor overheating issues at the beginning of the trip which brian fixed, and some weather stripping that decided it would rather strip than weather the last 30 miles into SLC, we had no car problems during the drive like i asked. but i tell you, sometimes be less specific, because the next day, both our cars fell apart.<br />
<br />
justonemoreyear, justonemoreyear, justonemoreyear.....alexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-61448235595790973022011-07-15T16:20:00.000-07:002011-07-15T16:47:14.456-07:00homeless adventure part a'rbaa: the giant potty<div style="text-align: left;">ok so the title really doesnt mean an enormous toilet. ill explain in a minute.</div><br />
first of all, we have no internet, which is why i havent posted earlier. i keep saying im going to go to the library and use the internet there, but i havent. my schedule is this: go to work, come home, change and go to the gym, make dinner, watch part of a movie, then go to bed. thats it. it doesnt sound super busy, but it seriously is. its nuts. busiest summer ever. BUT its been two months since i posted last so its time for an update photo-style.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ4CxZqa3X36k_vHep85kN_xsxTB5af35NuTbrxvbSpcvHPWC17AX67EqgQNYplm7WpiDc_iCa4RfUznjFsNWFm4X0ftWnOPU0sOhUTyKu3Fd1pgdKBJH8qxSK6mL1U4q2pWtxrzLcDo/s1600/IMG_5308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrk8XYkCFmMWEW7ugipBk_bhyO1d0e75fQV8rse5ldqWH6qtCKVNXR_H8SQAjUWwJAxneBJ8PSMF2Z8JoHzicHqAR8MdcG83CazhPgdEXUH739juvj5rQyDBxUZL93x-nkXS4g0ZY-SA/s1600/IMG_5202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrk8XYkCFmMWEW7ugipBk_bhyO1d0e75fQV8rse5ldqWH6qtCKVNXR_H8SQAjUWwJAxneBJ8PSMF2Z8JoHzicHqAR8MdcG83CazhPgdEXUH739juvj5rQyDBxUZL93x-nkXS4g0ZY-SA/s320/IMG_5202.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my ghetto food processor </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64IVEIPDbJayBy1M6uC6BW2_nv2U6uHl6uT3fAppIJFskUs8RYPjq0HT8VClUyIW0FEUT4MPW-wATeI3oSUTXwcMuKEaOqzEmBdvpf7BB9CpHc7-mq0ofY9lgrCFa9KL09rN4V0yOAtE/s1600/IMG_5235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64IVEIPDbJayBy1M6uC6BW2_nv2U6uHl6uT3fAppIJFskUs8RYPjq0HT8VClUyIW0FEUT4MPW-wATeI3oSUTXwcMuKEaOqzEmBdvpf7BB9CpHc7-mq0ofY9lgrCFa9KL09rN4V0yOAtE/s320/IMG_5235.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brian is a goofball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We finally got settled by buying some things like a 5$ set of silverware and 5$ glasses from Ikea. we also had the good fortune of having some members of our ward donate some furniture to us for the summer, like the chairs above. still sparsely furnished, but its something!<br />
<div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9v6zEN-IWmVj2C47rMzSj48lJQBQJ3xz8jNtstYdSGrikDDfMuhkGtItG4-AHpRWw3jWWhdS61M3Mejqjp1EI_fbPZfVpSFg8oBLMzTz4LudhB6VlyjZON2IHugi358tA5WSCu83uTw/s1600/IMG_5214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9v6zEN-IWmVj2C47rMzSj48lJQBQJ3xz8jNtstYdSGrikDDfMuhkGtItG4-AHpRWw3jWWhdS61M3Mejqjp1EI_fbPZfVpSFg8oBLMzTz4LudhB6VlyjZON2IHugi358tA5WSCu83uTw/s320/IMG_5214.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is our town, San Leandro</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAD1eMnWRRuwfoZ5W34B5mCXGVAMbBS3QscJwpwNeVOH6y0XawPZGe77eBK2MTeri0iAKBfXbRCbvJM3DaLrPzenPb5E_bSUY2PhtvV-h8aIYc93BVJwbffbmP4EXkZd6SGXVySZmMuQ/s1600/IMG_5240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAD1eMnWRRuwfoZ5W34B5mCXGVAMbBS3QscJwpwNeVOH6y0XawPZGe77eBK2MTeri0iAKBfXbRCbvJM3DaLrPzenPb5E_bSUY2PhtvV-h8aIYc93BVJwbffbmP4EXkZd6SGXVySZmMuQ/s320/IMG_5240.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Oakland, where I work</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T13G23rCAmZN7bbyRYn58hnBp6x1LpF0_M25x3uw1yaWlrm57K3OnZ8cjkrDegaxtSwzsNnoTRMM_ginp0Jtc58usbMjC1h1wezK4rJxAHy5_eww8GTl6tenwjxcjYQH4-l77b-_o9Q/s1600/IMG_5217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T13G23rCAmZN7bbyRYn58hnBp6x1LpF0_M25x3uw1yaWlrm57K3OnZ8cjkrDegaxtSwzsNnoTRMM_ginp0Jtc58usbMjC1h1wezK4rJxAHy5_eww8GTl6tenwjxcjYQH4-l77b-_o9Q/s320/IMG_5217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oyster Bay, the airport is in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">So thats the scene we live. i bart into oakland everyday. we drive around town every day. oyster bay is where san leandro meets the bay. neato. </div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdSEdeTVUurMs-Goi_uMpdqgIRGlMzMMGGFForFZ6kmjxTGNA75hTWGu0vfpXwK8OMoZYnLDH8cadGw5XD7uXOJC0JtjwfruXEGinwg5P78-mJdJP_WNKy6ADe5dQGovYitYRAwzlfS0/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdSEdeTVUurMs-Goi_uMpdqgIRGlMzMMGGFForFZ6kmjxTGNA75hTWGu0vfpXwK8OMoZYnLDH8cadGw5XD7uXOJC0JtjwfruXEGinwg5P78-mJdJP_WNKy6ADe5dQGovYitYRAwzlfS0/s320/IMG_5247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point Reyes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4GREu0EN3y3hsr5Iy-74OzGe9KN1nbvDVaL1U-rOY_VsaV0I0AtdNWomcyKMZUo3GtOAAIF9u9GbwVF53OgIkKf_IqHUJQ6oY4sbMtditHhPyzs9rQXxzvEdSX8jvtps6FuNqBYncdo/s1600/IMG_5246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4GREu0EN3y3hsr5Iy-74OzGe9KN1nbvDVaL1U-rOY_VsaV0I0AtdNWomcyKMZUo3GtOAAIF9u9GbwVF53OgIkKf_IqHUJQ6oY4sbMtditHhPyzs9rQXxzvEdSX8jvtps6FuNqBYncdo/s320/IMG_5246.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point Reyes by the lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SGh88D28uwqDspCQQcc29iEDQjLY-rePbrQzso-OVoDtQpwiwiEk5Z4hyphenhyphen6vTffjNuO-04IzQChuD-YtdXWYncrFnJ3vifN1YWmy0FVydq5agodFrBsikp0u30eiA99XikXwsB44tKCo/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SGh88D28uwqDspCQQcc29iEDQjLY-rePbrQzso-OVoDtQpwiwiEk5Z4hyphenhyphen6vTffjNuO-04IzQChuD-YtdXWYncrFnJ3vifN1YWmy0FVydq5agodFrBsikp0u30eiA99XikXwsB44tKCo/s320/IMG_5245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOLY windy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> we like to go on adventures, like to point reyes and on pretty drives that always make we want to barf. this day i was good. on the way there at least. after this picture, i turned green. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofzZrYF1YJmBWvf7mDKN9G95TyvcW1TZ7Z7WRZnxIiBNDSrf7C0tnxtq-jL1nhtdgoy928L5JfdRbqkWDViNifsHJwjou88zJYqO-NnbUZEoTnXuukIXOSSQ_39aIuJU8MKE8f-saoa0/s1600/IMG_5256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofzZrYF1YJmBWvf7mDKN9G95TyvcW1TZ7Z7WRZnxIiBNDSrf7C0tnxtq-jL1nhtdgoy928L5JfdRbqkWDViNifsHJwjou88zJYqO-NnbUZEoTnXuukIXOSSQ_39aIuJU8MKE8f-saoa0/s320/IMG_5256.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brian is scared of goats</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5gQl-KK5J1z1t3lNkDpgBXzMxKPsvPKtAYUtfUPj8pjjmSg8U8TZTaekRVHWzeptw5jS05Ru3hzLiO4g0ACJd1ImECzSzYaVZ3nwuWJnhX05nKojUbgHwvytzPwvr2GdQvX6UTl6n4w/s1600/IMG_5272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5gQl-KK5J1z1t3lNkDpgBXzMxKPsvPKtAYUtfUPj8pjjmSg8U8TZTaekRVHWzeptw5jS05Ru3hzLiO4g0ACJd1ImECzSzYaVZ3nwuWJnhX05nKojUbgHwvytzPwvr2GdQvX6UTl6n4w/s320/IMG_5272.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brian is also scared of pictures</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIrEnXFa4ow7vL56KHQTvuiNZ5l29v-crQDkcSbgWQcuNToncyugOk7OYT4bTX5chjSI7kwv6vRm8Gs0S_V8nVcKDlIwunJ8BC0Lsu3WQXsC7p4yaIV0IFwRnW2I87ucZDemkrmfh7Gg/s1600/IMG_5277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIrEnXFa4ow7vL56KHQTvuiNZ5l29v-crQDkcSbgWQcuNToncyugOk7OYT4bTX5chjSI7kwv6vRm8Gs0S_V8nVcKDlIwunJ8BC0Lsu3WQXsC7p4yaIV0IFwRnW2I87ucZDemkrmfh7Gg/s320/IMG_5277.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i love G-raff-eeeeeeeeeees!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2ycSpPYoY3jL4VThavWJv7zZFw45rlWb1DjcCpl-HT8jFNlX75nmLAXU2E40DUX6xs-0eordbqkpyzSe2Hmo-IeuQsT1NwjKUclf3onuZ6fZWXfL5XGfw-y7FoS4NoWq_8_lVey7MRU/s1600/IMG_5283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2ycSpPYoY3jL4VThavWJv7zZFw45rlWb1DjcCpl-HT8jFNlX75nmLAXU2E40DUX6xs-0eordbqkpyzSe2Hmo-IeuQsT1NwjKUclf3onuZ6fZWXfL5XGfw-y7FoS4NoWq_8_lVey7MRU/s320/IMG_5283.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">driving into the city </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvoaVBR6Enj0t_weSu4dEyArulENgu5NYCmeNOKhUYz1Lm8f_WwowzxCUTmZf2YX5uX47D_6VH44UZACadujckk_lKbg_NSHFxDUvoWJroH2A2lEFE4VcjN8ukBXSFIyqcApv5YRrHxQ/s1600/IMG_5288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvoaVBR6Enj0t_weSu4dEyArulENgu5NYCmeNOKhUYz1Lm8f_WwowzxCUTmZf2YX5uX47D_6VH44UZACadujckk_lKbg_NSHFxDUvoWJroH2A2lEFE4VcjN8ukBXSFIyqcApv5YRrHxQ/s320/IMG_5288.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the golden gate from the bay bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXdGRgzvcZ3ABVdqi-hZ7bapsS4Aqv6EilSZRnwLA7e-kAojECPlJV1g7Tm-FnGKgSgLvvfOcNnR7lbaRa9wq2pGAgKMo1clXuQOvQTeoq8NjgyblNzBNBnXIkgy0VZv5_yIzIa3musk/s1600/IMG_5298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXdGRgzvcZ3ABVdqi-hZ7bapsS4Aqv6EilSZRnwLA7e-kAojECPlJV1g7Tm-FnGKgSgLvvfOcNnR7lbaRa9wq2pGAgKMo1clXuQOvQTeoq8NjgyblNzBNBnXIkgy0VZv5_yIzIa3musk/s320/IMG_5298.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the golden gate from the lookout point</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy9eiTdzDcz1fxesMs3gvxVDdCWI3zQ2vlghzcDEgUeyhEO5tXacTod9AuyJZhXIQAynQmireNkf704FXDLDzdBkjt3sCfSnIRP-rIIOEHT4XbXL4Htk49hngJW9fWfBx-dGrjGhM70o/s1600/IMG_5302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy9eiTdzDcz1fxesMs3gvxVDdCWI3zQ2vlghzcDEgUeyhEO5tXacTod9AuyJZhXIQAynQmireNkf704FXDLDzdBkjt3sCfSnIRP-rIIOEHT4XbXL4Htk49hngJW9fWfBx-dGrjGhM70o/s320/IMG_5302.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sweet tagging next to the golden gate lookout<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">on memorial day, we went to the zoo and to the golden gate bridge. brian likes to take pictures. he took pictures of the bridge. i did too. but mine are uglier. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qsvscAtoWSVC9Qki_mD5bD-6Q-C7eT4iVq6rb3VPRBvaG9O1xZ8WhL0-dogA9MGTS4-Bs27HU-ovRP4PXMZJrPv8bygL7OV512uhpTA64zV8TPxD7r9U5o50-iFvnDhPeEznqr7-g6g/s1600/IMG_5308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qsvscAtoWSVC9Qki_mD5bD-6Q-C7eT4iVq6rb3VPRBvaG9O1xZ8WhL0-dogA9MGTS4-Bs27HU-ovRP4PXMZJrPv8bygL7OV512uhpTA64zV8TPxD7r9U5o50-iFvnDhPeEznqr7-g6g/s320/IMG_5308.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Lets go Giants!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fTPGsUm-kSM_euhrX-HEVxkJJymcJvRjfqgDIz1J8Xg8CwjRK93uCeomBSpE-6mVxR1ba2-14tFzYisW7ZdkzzARv8CkiEOj1lGfm5k3kNHeTEqQxZvw7kHCBLnUphSO72kGATAzzmM/s1600/IMG_5313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fTPGsUm-kSM_euhrX-HEVxkJJymcJvRjfqgDIz1J8Xg8CwjRK93uCeomBSpE-6mVxR1ba2-14tFzYisW7ZdkzzARv8CkiEOj1lGfm5k3kNHeTEqQxZvw7kHCBLnUphSO72kGATAzzmM/s320/IMG_5313.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">we had great seats</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWXENNmhRovxTT7qgH4bX35Np873cwWwOVObrkTelboDs1lwyW1uB28jgSLa4mWr7VpuXLLgbu4wzgZEQCSaSIm2j838IvqTZ3vh-8yYTIrQV98K8YabhT0fmaNO34PMyII20OjUkHaw/s1600/IMG_5314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWXENNmhRovxTT7qgH4bX35Np873cwWwOVObrkTelboDs1lwyW1uB28jgSLa4mWr7VpuXLLgbu4wzgZEQCSaSIm2j838IvqTZ3vh-8yYTIrQV98K8YabhT0fmaNO34PMyII20OjUkHaw/s320/IMG_5314.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">so happy to see the giants play!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpoJJsy81f3Z5vRC0d3cJmMUnpTmiS8C_c4liNfYpzRvSTZA1kcPpwuMD0f1JxooqybhFidGuB46dwD8KRaz4er2e6Oh1YLXsuP-maJLpqLPRtoPyz6ayP_IEfQ6yxYlLJq0Tw5TBkrQ/s1600/IMG_5312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpoJJsy81f3Z5vRC0d3cJmMUnpTmiS8C_c4liNfYpzRvSTZA1kcPpwuMD0f1JxooqybhFidGuB46dwD8KRaz4er2e6Oh1YLXsuP-maJLpqLPRtoPyz6ayP_IEfQ6yxYlLJq0Tw5TBkrQ/s320/IMG_5312.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">coach boch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Snx5d6aFzbEydQ6X4YhtVRvAIQJwc1u6Q8TTThtB5-mkXapH_jFAfbp0SlMUXPRztXC6bStQ9lkwPZfXoxJPXHBOiGkojXWFWTzKEf7ptIhzE3_q2OYqgoSI5AN9IZmppnAr-ci3CS8/s1600/IMG_5311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Snx5d6aFzbEydQ6X4YhtVRvAIQJwc1u6Q8TTThtB5-mkXapH_jFAfbp0SlMUXPRztXC6bStQ9lkwPZfXoxJPXHBOiGkojXWFWTzKEf7ptIhzE3_q2OYqgoSI5AN9IZmppnAr-ci3CS8/s320/IMG_5311.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 13px;">sweet stadium</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q1U2tlJrLDrIO5lzk4mLeGycE4cWZlVzOcDesN-p-dbldVVS7C9lQ91Pi1Fk5bRDv9zejQ6uzJ_Rd4obPLSjQWL5Ceji8dTsr4SfVgmL0hLMK1SdrELn5UaSuu1AU6neGPr_XzipZoc/s1600/IMG_5317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q1U2tlJrLDrIO5lzk4mLeGycE4cWZlVzOcDesN-p-dbldVVS7C9lQ91Pi1Fk5bRDv9zejQ6uzJ_Rd4obPLSjQWL5Ceji8dTsr4SfVgmL0hLMK1SdrELn5UaSuu1AU6neGPr_XzipZoc/s320/IMG_5317.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">...street lights, people...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">we LOVE the giants and were super stoked to be able to see them play. we have gone twice now. hence the "giant" in the post title...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWqiG3NXyZBHWDoWR_MRGYrYaZjW8GmLxHXFnp6MTZZQijTqQ7toZeVSwaFkB0BCLqS3LhvGoGhUimTsxbnj4NhXg70i52GCnt2_tgOQzQcyRfmmp9LPga6hNMGcpsmhbBmnRHPVFygM/s1600/IMG_5321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWqiG3NXyZBHWDoWR_MRGYrYaZjW8GmLxHXFnp6MTZZQijTqQ7toZeVSwaFkB0BCLqS3LhvGoGhUimTsxbnj4NhXg70i52GCnt2_tgOQzQcyRfmmp9LPga6hNMGcpsmhbBmnRHPVFygM/s320/IMG_5321.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">classic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0PT9ReAU4A8rbW_iMgL0HSWrDSy7i06Gw2NWHAE1Qye-govUNflIWVZkmAzgukZ0VKX9A7pfkQP9WznF2lISEleaK3NJlK5nUcmVjvP73hAUb97Lkv08dx7P9RFEBVEC7BuvDO_K-uw/s1600/IMG_5330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0PT9ReAU4A8rbW_iMgL0HSWrDSy7i06Gw2NWHAE1Qye-govUNflIWVZkmAzgukZ0VKX9A7pfkQP9WznF2lISEleaK3NJlK5nUcmVjvP73hAUb97Lkv08dx7P9RFEBVEC7BuvDO_K-uw/s320/IMG_5330.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">BFFLFE</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMCV-qGDxd5WmxrNxIKHDPyCi4dLlhf7k8eAXXQ8Nn4NMbohHtdCVc46GKK7iN__wy5jEV7U2LJbvLxPIP4M-9eMWKP7XFVmI0j8_6KxynOm77CmFCxUcuwjep3lCOX4us5FrKSvUKTc/s1600/IMG_5331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMCV-qGDxd5WmxrNxIKHDPyCi4dLlhf7k8eAXXQ8Nn4NMbohHtdCVc46GKK7iN__wy5jEV7U2LJbvLxPIP4M-9eMWKP7XFVmI0j8_6KxynOm77CmFCxUcuwjep3lCOX4us5FrKSvUKTc/s320/IMG_5331.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">did i say classic already?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4IUpq_Huv3YfHH4tKGHhbCRtvsWdO-NlIixZ2rWHQuoSN8SPHgOcDq4GDgLK5ib5zshEuWGdt66WtJfVgpQ_yLiUOFnKC_8Mg25iGkSqWcLjK6hcPGHoYoJ_Pr6sjJ-99Hn_ujg8EwQ/s1600/IMG_5362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4IUpq_Huv3YfHH4tKGHhbCRtvsWdO-NlIixZ2rWHQuoSN8SPHgOcDq4GDgLK5ib5zshEuWGdt66WtJfVgpQ_yLiUOFnKC_8Mg25iGkSqWcLjK6hcPGHoYoJ_Pr6sjJ-99Hn_ujg8EwQ/s320/IMG_5362.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">aw!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I also went to Everett for Danielle's wedding. i stayed with lisa and laughed way too much. but thats what you are supposed to do with best friends right? thats what i thought. brian stayed home and his bro came out to chill with him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to finished the explanation of the post title, we went to see Harry Potter 7.2 last night at midnight. AMAZING. the audience sucked but the movie was good and it was way fun to do a midnight showing, since its been years since ive done one. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">anyways. now you know, we are still alive. though without the internet, you might question my definition of "living." </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>alexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-33150924706636553102011-05-15T15:49:00.000-07:002011-05-15T15:49:36.473-07:00homeless adventure part talatta: born again<div style="text-align: center;">we are no longer homeless! so yesterday we left our first home, which looked like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZHBsRRczt2U3IRPiHNKNDYWzEfP1VqSDAmbWbTR2bNHDbA0V9KItquj9-9kHZ08WWBfv2ULZsfdqEXLlqNywNTv20zKyW-OVIJaDBn-utdr48MgWdJCXBM6nAifERpSuVbXzOu7xDXc/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZHBsRRczt2U3IRPiHNKNDYWzEfP1VqSDAmbWbTR2bNHDbA0V9KItquj9-9kHZ08WWBfv2ULZsfdqEXLlqNywNTv20zKyW-OVIJaDBn-utdr48MgWdJCXBM6nAifERpSuVbXzOu7xDXc/s320/IMG_5196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and now are at our new home, which looks like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaBenHbjt-1WbxIR78Yd822VW7jxv_Lg9AIN8zRsG5_F-pGIpZINokl6SGPQHd1EN2bgVCRIExTQQwbob9wXiat8dI3t4zjdD_NE7mg0OwetycVaI2KLh_rp0b8xWjCHGQsnqHCHv6Ig/s1600/IMG_5197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaBenHbjt-1WbxIR78Yd822VW7jxv_Lg9AIN8zRsG5_F-pGIpZINokl6SGPQHd1EN2bgVCRIExTQQwbob9wXiat8dI3t4zjdD_NE7mg0OwetycVaI2KLh_rp0b8xWjCHGQsnqHCHv6Ig/s320/IMG_5197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>except for our air mattress, we have no furniture haha. grandmas lent us a table and chairs, but they are still in my car. </div><div><br />
</div><div>today we went to our new ward, which was super friendly and alot smaller than our last one. the lesson in sunday school was about the rich man who asked Christ what else he could do to follow him. Christ answered-give up all you have and come follow me. people in class were talking about giving up all your material things (which is only one part of that parable, right?) so i mentioned how having only one pot and one pan has made me realize we could give up all we have in our storage unit, and giving up everything isnt a big leap from where we are right now hahaha. oh man. </div><div><br />
</div><div>speaking of church, and being mormon and such, the manager, who is an elderly man, noticed that my phone number was 6666. he asked me if i was christian and i answered yes. Oh! are you a real born again or just christian in name? oh, actually im mormon! oh uh well about the deposit... haha lets just say he went from excited to really awkward really fast. then when we came with the deposit, he grumbled about how if he had known sooner that we would only stay for 3 months he probably wouldnt have rented to us (he knew the whole time), that it was a renters market and he probably was too eager to rent the apartment out, blah blah blah. anything to do with the fact that he now knew that we were mormon? hmm. oh, and did i mention that TWICE he made us go on a journey to get cash or a money order when he told us we could use a check initially? yes. im just glad he didnt totally decided we werent worth it. </div><div><br />
</div><div>anyways, later today we are goin to ride bart, so i have some idea what the heck i am doin when i start my internship tomorrow, and so i dont get lost on my first day. that would suck. </div><div><br />
</div><div>YAY FOR HAVING A PLACE TO LIVE!! but if you want to come visit me, bring your own bed.</div>alexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-45043472404144522372011-05-07T11:04:00.000-07:002011-05-07T11:04:26.603-07:00homeless adventure part it'nane: the epadso. we made it to california in one piece! well, technically two pieces since we drove two cars. holy crap, driving through nevada is SO boring. this time, we stopped in reno for the night, which we have never done before, and it was a nice way to break up the trip. we stayed in a butt cheap casino hotel that turned out to look pretty nice actually. if they were planning on ripping us off by gambling, HA. not happening. <br />
<br />
who knew that reno would be the place where brian proclaimed a desire to bond with people?? the 49ers drafted a guy from UNR and brian, while waiting for our food to come to the table, said "i feel like bonding with all these people! we have something in common!" weird. brian doesnt usually want to bond with anything, especially people haha. we also stopped in vacaville and walked around the outlets for a little bit, and let brians car cool down. it was fine, but the turbo (im guessing here, i really dont know what im talking about) makes the engine run hotter so there is an additional intercooler needed to cool the engine down. but after driving for a few hours, it still gets pretty hot. i think. actually, it was like 90* in vacaville so we needed a cool down too thanks to neither of our cars having A/C. whoever thought that was a good idea needs to be shot.<br />
<br />
so we made it to grandmas house safely. first thing, we got into her pool and cleaned it for her. ahhhh i have many a memory of jumping into a pool right after arriving at a grandmas house. classic. yesterday we spent driving around the ENTIRE bay with the exception of the city, which we almost accidentally visited. what were we doin? oh, looking for a place to live. it really doesnt help when people never call or email you back. so lame. so we drove around forever, visited several sj sharks stores, and saw way too much of the bay in one day. today grandma and i went to the farmers market, then we will take her to lunch at her fav chinese place, then we will go on another housing hunt. yay. i hope you hear the sarcasm in that.<br />
<br />
do you guys have grandmas in law that you intrude on? i dunno, grandma is great, and this is the second time she has let us stay with her for a few days. its clear she is a little lonely because she constantly tells us about random things, but she is a great tour guide and tells you all about the street you are on and how a girl died on it (thanks for that nice bit, grandma haha), and she could tell you (and will tell you) the summary of every book she ever wrote. but its still awkward! i dunno how much i should just nod and agree, or if i should interject (cuz she seems to just talk over that anyways haha), or if i should look at brian for help when im feeling awkward. he is so good with her though. super patient, and kind, and accommodating. i love him more just watching him treat his grandma with such love. anyways, im sure she likes the company, and she always has questions about the computer or her new epad (she means ipad but it cracks brian up to hear he say epad constantly) or how to use the tv guide (she has 1000 channels and just uses the guide that comes with the paper, not the one on the tv for dish network). she is so kind to let us stay here, but im eager to get out of her hair. hopefully something this afternoon will work out!alexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-63334338607738287042011-05-04T08:20:00.000-07:002011-05-04T08:20:18.073-07:00homeless adventure part wahidso my second year of law school has finally ended. and im pretty sure i remember none of the stuff i studied so hard for finals. not that ive had a chance to lazy around that much. why you ask? ive had two weeks of summer, essentially, so why havent i had a chance to let the wax build up in my brain??<br />
<br />
because yesterday we moved. yup, packed up all our belongings. and today we are driving to california. hallelujah. no, we are not taking all of our stuff. most of it is sitting in resplendent glory in a storage unit. the only things we are taking with us are the essentials. by that, i just mean the crap we could fit into two tiny 2-door cars.<br />
<br />
yesterday, we had a home. today, we are homeless. we still have NO idea where we are going to live in ca. all we know is that my internship is in oakland and we dont want to live in oakland. im hoping-praying-crossing my fingers-determined to live in an extended stay hotel instead of an apartment. why you ask? because i want furniture. and no bed of mine fits in a 2 door honda. not to mention i spent two weeks trying to find apts and of course nothing is furnished (what married couple DOESNT have their own furniture??) and the hassle/stress of finding cheapo furniture that we can leave there is not worth it to me. no way. give me an extended stay. and that way we dont have to pay additional utilities either!<br />
<br />
so, what are my ultimate thoughts on this homeless adventure we are about to have? well, up until about 2 weeks ago, i was really excited. then i was stressed. now im terrified. oh, im sure it will be TONS of fun. but the unsurety of it all freaks me out. yes i am a planner, yes i like to know where the crap im going to be living for the immediate 4 months. (actually, we are homeless when we come back to UT too at the moment, but thats a whole other stressball) yes, id like to think we arnte going to be sleeping in our car or in some equally embarrassing situation that i hope my supervisor doesnt find out about. but oh well. we didnt bring the TV, we DID bring camping gear and our freeboards and swimsuits, and im stoked to have a homework free summer with my honey.<br />
<br />
i have already dubbed this summer the homeless adventure, and im sure this will be the kind of epic story that brian and i will look back at when our ADD crazed children are running around screaming like wild animals and think, "lets go on another homeless adventure and leave these hooligans in storage." just kidding. we would leave them at home...and lock their grandparents in with them. :)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Sacramento+Tent+City+Fills+Up+Newly+Jobless+BNRiykiEOUfl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Sacramento+Tent+City+Fills+Up+Newly+Jobless+BNRiykiEOUfl.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">lets hope this doesnt become our new neighborhood...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>alexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-64082716778675954272011-04-06T22:12:00.000-07:002011-04-06T22:12:35.878-07:00mad marchnesswhere did the time go?! i just barely went to DC like last week, right? how the crap has it been like 2 months?! this semester has flown by and probably due to a couple things...<br />
<br />
at the beginning of march, brian and i went to san francisco for interviews for the summer. i only had one and he had none set up when we left so we were kind of gambling. we stayed with grandma hulme and spent the first few days running around getting interviews done and driving all over tarnation. then we spent saturday playing...i even got to see a childhood friend Eileener!<br />
<br />
it was great because i got my internship-yay! ill be at the Alameda County District Attorneys office in downtown Oakland. but it was super stressful because brian had no interviews schedule and we had no idea what we were going to do if we didnt get internships. we are still waiting to hear back for brian but pray for us! because i got mine, we are for sure going to sf for the summer! yay!<br />
<br />
at the END of march, i went to vegas for danielles bachellorette party! it was just what i needed-some time away from school with my best friends. i hadnt seen either of them since my wedding two years ago-i cannot believe it has been that long! whenever we see eachother its like not time has passed since 6th grade when we spent all day together. some other girls were there too-julia, crystal, and kendall-who were AWESOME. its easy to see why danielle is good friends with them. <br />
<br />
anyways, as the only mormon, i spent the weekend being the only sober one as well, which is not something i would do with just anyone, so the fact that i did it shows how much i love these girls. and it was fun-the room was awesome, we ate some great food, and we spent a ton of time dressed up [weird] and giggling like always.<br />
<br />
oh and somewhere between the two trips, i ran for trial advocacy president. i was coerced into doing it by eli and jeff-they took advantage of me in a strange city at 3 am in a hotel room [read that: i must have been delirious during this conversation and im going to blame this on them]. how could i say no? so i mounted a campaign of cupcakes. funfetti cupcakes to be exact, frosted with lime green buttercream frosting at my carrel, and topped with hot pink sprinkles. screaming alex. so i cupcaked the place up and won my election. so now i get to be in charge! oh how scary that is to me. im super afraid im gonna mess up and be a flaky president like the last couple have been.<br />
<br />
and today was the last day of classes for me. so not including my 3 finals, im done with my 2L year. my first day of orientation was like, last week! how could i be a 3L in a few weeks?! gah. i dont understand how im going to make it in the real world-i dont have any sweet skills! ultra freaked out. in the mean time, im gonna miss my 3L friends who graduate in 2 weeks... :(<br />
<br />
some pics for your enjoyment!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7ONHwKADK9U3mZGnCfSAvcRWPjpXaFfEo-U2gzqVD179uLqoEwlo5Ts0kfN5hbE3EWtqIjCkGajYFDeh9fUzwIDbxqe5yKLm9W_qOvEXUcqMB8INKlEHMdl8EbaTQdxLWiyCw7TJczA/s1600/IMG_4999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7ONHwKADK9U3mZGnCfSAvcRWPjpXaFfEo-U2gzqVD179uLqoEwlo5Ts0kfN5hbE3EWtqIjCkGajYFDeh9fUzwIDbxqe5yKLm9W_qOvEXUcqMB8INKlEHMdl8EbaTQdxLWiyCw7TJczA/s200/IMG_4999.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gold Gate bridge</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEWAQ-mMux_oZ9VkO1LlPrzJukRWuRhkr9ggnVO_LqknE9JkB41TIB9ajU5cE7nZ4dpBXdQz50UvCRerhb2Vjjmb0_y36Aoer76nArM_85QfFfRl8Qm4OOhtn0q66t7o-HkfwPVV3R8Q/s1600/IMG_5007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEWAQ-mMux_oZ9VkO1LlPrzJukRWuRhkr9ggnVO_LqknE9JkB41TIB9ajU5cE7nZ4dpBXdQz50UvCRerhb2Vjjmb0_y36Aoer76nArM_85QfFfRl8Qm4OOhtn0q66t7o-HkfwPVV3R8Q/s200/IMG_5007.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJ5CJr51vuARv9-8udB0mSZVLcAlvg-xYIEH9eWLujtcTfIjE2c-4k3Yq5xp4JTp66pY_KHWzCbpXXcL-qJkS1J97nodoia2fOvtkSvTdxwcUzhyVcyQnC9VG0-yS0PUPOyIryT-BWUo/s1600/IMG_5006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJ5CJr51vuARv9-8udB0mSZVLcAlvg-xYIEH9eWLujtcTfIjE2c-4k3Yq5xp4JTp66pY_KHWzCbpXXcL-qJkS1J97nodoia2fOvtkSvTdxwcUzhyVcyQnC9VG0-yS0PUPOyIryT-BWUo/s200/IMG_5006.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8moP40fDlTb0A-QvUS_sJfWIO301Vx3EPr5dlRQkYUIe4ruET2JEPBhO3MMnlEZpaZ6vII6gxPFWEtWxyEosDW2B2ta2HPfe1JIMVOlkhQy3dkliS8YpBUhjUpWv7lFweEo02SwfW_pQ/s1600/IMG_5015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8moP40fDlTb0A-QvUS_sJfWIO301Vx3EPr5dlRQkYUIe4ruET2JEPBhO3MMnlEZpaZ6vII6gxPFWEtWxyEosDW2B2ta2HPfe1JIMVOlkhQy3dkliS8YpBUhjUpWv7lFweEo02SwfW_pQ/s200/IMG_5015.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInAY-0itRQyOIvbPl-c5agHD4hr2i6HdJyQzEPZfT9XvGl8-q02bBSATRrXoOX4JQyphcF09uB80JKfvNUCTx0wp4ZBPxb3sDmEyIcbRVIKsh6ZzOiOnIes-qb5VYV5EXP-mqbfU_dt4/s1600/IMG_5023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInAY-0itRQyOIvbPl-c5agHD4hr2i6HdJyQzEPZfT9XvGl8-q02bBSATRrXoOX4JQyphcF09uB80JKfvNUCTx0wp4ZBPxb3sDmEyIcbRVIKsh6ZzOiOnIes-qb5VYV5EXP-mqbfU_dt4/s200/IMG_5023.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> monterey aquarium-me touching starfish, brian touching bat ray, </div><div style="text-align: center;">me happy with otters, me happy with my squishies.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnm8JkOAEpCviLYSF-L2ZZQlbpNAEmaJz5rZonkmp5aozsASAYbU7CVSTxyDo1nDJHFErqZzuTNpnQGQHGPmsgi3IjBqwPS9KGvturNMclhMaEp0j7PhsXq-KxxOW8h3Wt37eVSefKnhM/s1600/IMG_5040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnm8JkOAEpCviLYSF-L2ZZQlbpNAEmaJz5rZonkmp5aozsASAYbU7CVSTxyDo1nDJHFErqZzuTNpnQGQHGPmsgi3IjBqwPS9KGvturNMclhMaEp0j7PhsXq-KxxOW8h3Wt37eVSefKnhM/s200/IMG_5040.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">me and eileener at the sharks game</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-09LnXfVkd1kqxJwgP4YyirTNEaTiGv-_Cl2cAw-GhNl3vvVWXBz4ZAq0byaraNRwaAbbEEtpuJ1ksvYfuEuDIPiTkioDvWHNsvzg7tzSmjljnfkCwEtvwI6y29BJEA4U7g7qD2u7uWA/s1600/IMG_5080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-09LnXfVkd1kqxJwgP4YyirTNEaTiGv-_Cl2cAw-GhNl3vvVWXBz4ZAq0byaraNRwaAbbEEtpuJ1ksvYfuEuDIPiTkioDvWHNsvzg7tzSmjljnfkCwEtvwI6y29BJEA4U7g7qD2u7uWA/s200/IMG_5080.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">best friends-lisa just cant control herself</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nugSuoYsrxdLfRz6DcCzodXnAbp6Hz2utLf98bBS8Po1v15mJ8zsZOA8doJ1S0GfylhPNDrO7eeWoHWaeIxh6MTm-QIjVIsCKg-Iuo6mmWD2gUf82qxhiPCHAjDaW203BON-bHRFnKc/s1600/IMG_5086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nugSuoYsrxdLfRz6DcCzodXnAbp6Hz2utLf98bBS8Po1v15mJ8zsZOA8doJ1S0GfylhPNDrO7eeWoHWaeIxh6MTm-QIjVIsCKg-Iuo6mmWD2gUf82qxhiPCHAjDaW203BON-bHRFnKc/s200/IMG_5086.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMKXURssqGuBxckDOa8UUVcm2go2NEpJDC6rNOxX_duMfiO7N4iGYnX2vuz2Wgrg-0OZBHiAR_kEaSNEnM-gMHbrKjnVbXj896mheU5qm5w5CVaH1qSPX3vv9jbTwsVX_ydHK8rkUV2Y/s1600/IMG_5091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMKXURssqGuBxckDOa8UUVcm2go2NEpJDC6rNOxX_duMfiO7N4iGYnX2vuz2Wgrg-0OZBHiAR_kEaSNEnM-gMHbrKjnVbXj896mheU5qm5w5CVaH1qSPX3vv9jbTwsVX_ydHK8rkUV2Y/s200/IMG_5091.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> out to dinner at margaritaville-we had a GREAT view off the deck</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3m5Gz65XYAZFkDnoRBxmzj-DXPLxbnoABpu2-FC9WRtLvrLwGRJ7MBnetSMB8pCE8nDWdUq_7BSLWqUNRB1OL8ik7Xi62F52xnmixeF_Zit7nkgIuBSrm9mrMLcPTyZHQtbWZWUF7a4/s1600/IMG_5104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3m5Gz65XYAZFkDnoRBxmzj-DXPLxbnoABpu2-FC9WRtLvrLwGRJ7MBnetSMB8pCE8nDWdUq_7BSLWqUNRB1OL8ik7Xi62F52xnmixeF_Zit7nkgIuBSrm9mrMLcPTyZHQtbWZWUF7a4/s200/IMG_5104.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTPAH7x09gBRqnvBgRy9OUnLHxZb3IYdFBqc1wNTq15ogEF9QpbeMnGvzY0nMfgmxIYf0x_L6kheaZh2Oi8XvXvdb91G7xe4FWFh1jfZaCwGiE7QaCcQ9Vh3khtb-P6ZVhCCUAtztn44/s1600/IMG_5107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTPAH7x09gBRqnvBgRy9OUnLHxZb3IYdFBqc1wNTq15ogEF9QpbeMnGvzY0nMfgmxIYf0x_L6kheaZh2Oi8XvXvdb91G7xe4FWFh1jfZaCwGiE7QaCcQ9Vh3khtb-P6ZVhCCUAtztn44/s200/IMG_5107.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> danielle got a little drunk the first night. and then she got lots of presents.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CEbzs7L9CYibJTg1Aa9XtGWB5xPf6rm-BQIDIUntvzbFYqbtG45k-tetF722WboqFpw5s3p9hfSe08-a8SKgZGG7cv1B0GRKc_1bL_qAEj53M5w_ifgsAWTmEPLkViwkHKRxhJm1rqY/s1600/IMG_5109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CEbzs7L9CYibJTg1Aa9XtGWB5xPf6rm-BQIDIUntvzbFYqbtG45k-tetF722WboqFpw5s3p9hfSe08-a8SKgZGG7cv1B0GRKc_1bL_qAEj53M5w_ifgsAWTmEPLkViwkHKRxhJm1rqY/s200/IMG_5109.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiem3CR82jT38BmLEHcR3Sk5PXnJglj4JjSSByY_ZnJjH6ZJ1PsPJOTFL0jApQJHiCY33w_X68KfG6mx1WZovd6sTmHmddAy6vFUOk24FwIMUwQPmzgPZOMg1bll3vKXsdx5ssKHdGleBw/s1600/IMG_5158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiem3CR82jT38BmLEHcR3Sk5PXnJglj4JjSSByY_ZnJjH6ZJ1PsPJOTFL0jApQJHiCY33w_X68KfG6mx1WZovd6sTmHmddAy6vFUOk24FwIMUwQPmzgPZOMg1bll3vKXsdx5ssKHdGleBw/s200/IMG_5158.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">outside of bellagio fountain. our sexy shoes the second night. mine are the blue ones :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_alMm5KURyQZTPyt-_QC7gyn5XKgAr7rjVoCpEtcSRlqFOymWZ7yRmHdT_RLWcfdxTRD3XD8SnTanIBWBJOgYvtbYu7FUy3ixsiWmOvjzra5EpRfUvg75rGUKpaax4ZQtVhryH-wQnI/s1600/IMG_5176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_alMm5KURyQZTPyt-_QC7gyn5XKgAr7rjVoCpEtcSRlqFOymWZ7yRmHdT_RLWcfdxTRD3XD8SnTanIBWBJOgYvtbYu7FUy3ixsiWmOvjzra5EpRfUvg75rGUKpaax4ZQtVhryH-wQnI/s200/IMG_5176.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rIB3GYnq3P4qP8A8Ex4tmsxSD4mxZiFITmrn4uzYEojrpyfJCLtEULNuYIzhFY_JQ5QvQxmlq42L_2l_XhtA342rddK3uvfXJbuJ79GSOWtVu8sLN7poEARQEe4EoTNKzn4Lx1kKG5w/s1600/IMG_5179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rIB3GYnq3P4qP8A8Ex4tmsxSD4mxZiFITmrn4uzYEojrpyfJCLtEULNuYIzhFY_JQ5QvQxmlq42L_2l_XhtA342rddK3uvfXJbuJ79GSOWtVu8sLN7poEARQEe4EoTNKzn4Lx1kKG5w/s200/IMG_5179.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the morning after. danielle cant keep her eyes open. lisa looks like an avatar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>alexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7083316475545516141.post-89800066969060064492011-02-17T21:59:00.000-08:002011-04-06T22:35:05.065-07:00taking the capital by storm<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">last week i went to washington dc. it was supposed to be for a trial ad competition, but we all know it was an all expense paid vacation. i went with some of the coolest kids in the school, and im fairly certain we never stopped laughing. highlights:</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">theme of the trip: bacon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">told the entire plane to DC things about me that no one should know. i thought i was keeping my voice down.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">passed around a box of chocolates. flavors-disgusting. flavor finder-incomprehensible.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rented a minivan that felt like an aquarium inside.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 law students locked 4 more law students in a mini van. could not escape.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">had a panic attack when the window rolled down but couldnt figure out how to roll it back up</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">figured out the back seat of a mini van is called the "way back"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">listened to jeff snore</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">im apparently a high maintanence eater. who knew?</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">watched jeff cut his velociraptor toenails. youre welcome, roxy.</span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">discovered that jordan is the most responsible of all of us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feared that joseph's wife would have her baby. well, we feared. he didnt.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">got less than 4 hours of sleep every night</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">listened to eli tell crazy stories, of which he has a plethora</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">met up with my cousin and aunt. made said cousin sit through 2 rounds of boring trial ad</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bickered with some catholics</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">went to a great restaurant. great restaurant downgraded to ok restaurant when the 50$/plate bill came...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">aunt paid for my dinner :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">changed our eating schedule to 9 am, 2 pm, and 11 pm </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">did a picture scavenger hunt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">broke my camera while taking a pic for some asian tourists</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">had an allergic reaction. to hot chocolate or jefferson's memorial. which, i dont know.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ate seafood, halal kabobs, schawarma, brazilian churrasco, cheesecake, among other stuff.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wiggled squid tentacles in josephs face</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">went through a body scanner</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">caused a security crisis with manderin oranges</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">got some free girl-on-girl action with a TSA pat down</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gave the rest of my friends some free girl-on-girl entertainment courtesy of the TSA pat down</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tested positive for explosives</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">got another massage courtesy of TSA</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">envied jordans 1st class upgrades</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">after telling the old lady taking our tickets that eli didnt want to sit with us, she replied "well eli dont have a choice." </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">taking a nap on the plane to discover noone was in the same seats upon waking up.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">standing groggily on the curb, avoiding looking at each other, waiting for rides </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oh yeah, there WAS a competition that we participated in. Eli, Jeff, and I went to quarterfinals and Mary Beth, Joseph, and Jordan went to semifinals. go us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here are some pics from the adventure:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Fwr7VS8rCWvwqC9xY3nan8IvFRseHmRnMLksm-xQUyoJhRG7a9Kn543IWSfuETsOcG1lRE-pXhLzyuB1-z4o5AbYaiJqtztm9XUX45b54MOWgSRmebipbh77mbTQhshBXwLfue7Kvwk/s1600/IMG_4899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Fwr7VS8rCWvwqC9xY3nan8IvFRseHmRnMLksm-xQUyoJhRG7a9Kn543IWSfuETsOcG1lRE-pXhLzyuB1-z4o5AbYaiJqtztm9XUX45b54MOWgSRmebipbh77mbTQhshBXwLfue7Kvwk/s400/IMG_4899.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the official trial ad traveling teams pic</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt9MiuSCjcrvVJEagVX2yRpdCwITkuOIFRvSDEF2h2HxRL84AR8uwK_p5kGQ_AF8QmIkAt3JoxNmFpB_RcEVIPpSmKVhTb9_9M-zl0Az_L5y_SquuFK0coKnz9U1yX_5h58ocV2UP36o/s1600/IMG_4920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt9MiuSCjcrvVJEagVX2yRpdCwITkuOIFRvSDEF2h2HxRL84AR8uwK_p5kGQ_AF8QmIkAt3JoxNmFpB_RcEVIPpSmKVhTb9_9M-zl0Az_L5y_SquuFK0coKnz9U1yX_5h58ocV2UP36o/s400/IMG_4920.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the official we-are-sight-seeing-on-the-schools-dime pic</span></div></div>alexkhulmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13834491522202614685noreply@blogger.com3