Holynd! Just Smash It In Your Face!

Holynd didn't love Santa when she met him, but she did learn to love him after he brought her tons of presents!

I love to have a living room free of clutter.... It's been a far-off dream since Christmas. As soon as Holynd wakes up, all the toys have to come out. She knows exactly where the "living-room toys" are and throws them everywhere.

(Yes, she does have a figurine of some sort sticking out of her mouth).

Here is Holynd's playhouse! She loves it and I love it 'cause as soon as playtime is over, the toys get "hidden" in the closed playhouse.

Holynd's new favorite thing to do is to shut her door while she's playing in her room.

It's fun to go knock on the door because she actually answers.

Holynd's birthday is just three shorts days after Christmas! We celebrated at G-Ma's and G-Pa's. Holynd had a lot of fun.

Here is her Aurora cake.

She had her own princess hat to wear, but she hated it.

Great Grandpa and Grandma gave her a wonderful book called, "You're My Love Bug". Holynd loves books and is now in need of her own bookshelf. She's so cute when she looks at her books. She likes to point and "read" in her own little language. She also has to turn the pages herself.

Eating her very own cake. She wasn't sure what to do at first. She kept looking at Matt and I like, "You're really going to let me do this?".

She got really excited and was making all sorts of faces. At this point, she still hadn't attempted to "dig" into the cake.

Uncle Ike finally told her, "Holynd! Just smash it in your face". She got the hang of it and had to have a bath. The pink frosting actually stained her little face for a couple of hours, but no permenant damage was done.

Despite all my efforts, Holynd is growing up. When we go places, people no longer comment on my beautiful baby, but now comment on my pretty little girl. It kinda bums me out!

Holynd has made her first few attempts at walking "hands-free", but still thinks crawling is much cooler and faster.

She's discovered ketchup and LOVES it.

Holynd is learning how to communicate really well. She knows how to point at things she wants or likes. When she gets excited while I'm making her lunch or dinner, she makes yummy noises, "MMMMmmmmmm!". She has added "Brampa", "Uh oh", "Ho Ho Ho" and "Night Night" to her growing vocabulary.

She still wakes up every morning and calls out for her "dad dad daaaaaaaaad".

Waited A Long Time

This post has been hanging out in the back of my mind for awhile now.

I've tried to figure out a funny, clever way to tell about this situation, but after how hard the past few weeks have been, I realized that my Heavenly Father is trying to tell me a lot of things. Things that are not funny and clever.

So, bear with me as this post gets really sappy and spiritual.

I met with my school counselor at the beginning of the semsester. She was awesome and I loved her immediately. She understood my situation, my responsibilities to my family and my desire to further my education. After looking over my transcript, she told me I needed to look into a Graduate Program, "You'd be a shoo-in for a Masters Program, even a PhD program. If you did the PhD program, you'd be able to start teaching after your first-year course exams".

I was so excited. She seemed to confident in me. She assured me over and over that with the same support I was receiving from family, I could do this program and still be a mom. I was elated.

Three weeks later she sent me the course schedule for Fall 2010. I would have to go to school all day, four days a week. I was shocked, stunned, crazed. This is NOT what I wanted. I wanted my little twice-a-week schedule like I had now. Not the same crazy, school-around-the-clock schedule I had when I was pregnant. I cried. I cried a lot. I cried to my mom, my husband, my friends, pretty much anyone who would listen. I just wanted someone to tell me what to do. I wanted to do this program so bad!

I started talking to Matt about taking Holynd to daycare three or four days a week. He agreed as long as, "It was what I wanted to do". (Good Husband). I told him it was, but there was this little voice in the back of my head that told me it was NOT what I wanted at all.

I started to feel guilty, but I pushed the guilty feelings down and continued on. I knew what I wanted and I was going to get it. I HAD to prove that I could do this program and still be a mom.

Finally one day, I got on my knees and prayed. Not your usual, "oh, please bless me" prayer, I bawled my eyes out to my Father in Heaven. I kept pleading for him to take this guilt away, so I could move on.

When I stood up, the guilt was somewhat gone, but I knew I wouldn't be able to do the PhD program when I wanted to. I knew I would get to someday, even soon, but not right now. I just felt this lingering feeling that something else was in store for our family. (I was hoping it was a trip somewhere warm!)

I told Matt that night that I needed sometime off from school. He again answered, "Whatever you want. I will support you". (Good Husband).

Two days later, I found out I was pregnant, yet again.

I again found myself on my knees. What was up with this curve ball!? I was almost a little bit angry with my Heavenly Father, I kept asking Him, "What will everyone say!?" and finally the thought, "Why does that matter?" entered my head.

Matt was, of course, elated. :)

Matt gave me a blessing right after I found out I was pregnant with Holynd. It was really sweet and something he decided to do everytime. We didn't think it would be happening again this soon, but that night he gave me my second pregnancy blessing. I haven't asked him, but I don't think he'll care if I share.

He blessed me to know first and foremost that everything I am doing is very pleasing to my Father in Heaven. He blessed me that I would be able to grow and handle this. He also blessed me to know that this baby was coming at this time for a very special purpose. And, at the very end of my blessing, he blessed me to know that I would be supported by everyone around me and that I would be able to continue on with my education as I so desire.

The next day, I got on my knees for a very different reason. I got on my knees in gratitude.

OK!

NO MORE SAPPY AND SPIRITUAL.

NOW FOR FUNNY AND CLEVER.

We have officially nick-named Matt, Jim-Bob Dugger!

However, I do not go by Michelle. When Michelle starts carrying a hot purse for a diaper bag and wearing heels on the show... maybe.

This baby is so nice to me that sometimes I forget that I am pregnant.

I've "vetoed" following all the rules and have been eating deli meats, bleu cheese and hot dogs. So, when this child comes out with an extra ear... that's why. (Can you believe you're not supposed to eat that stuff!?)

Yes, I have been pregnant the last two: Halloweens, Thanksgivings and Christmases. I do not plan on doing it this way again, but I've learned that sometimes it's not up to me. :)

Matt figured out that by the time I have this baby, I will have been pregnant more in our marriage then not. (Thanks Matt....)

I'm due June 27th and am 13 weeks along.

I feel very fat and chubby. I've been lucky enough to not feel sick. We told everyone at Thanksgiving because I had to buy a size 4 pants and didn't want everyone to think I was just getting fat. (I cried the day I bought those pants).

My goal is to not gain more then 15 lbs with this pregnancy. I gained over 40 lbs with Holynd and felt like a blimp near the end. I haven't gained any weight yet (yay!), even with the new fat deposits in my lower regions (something I've finally had to except as just part of being pregnant) and my blog will partially be devoted to my trials on trying to eat healthy and being pregnant.

I'm still working out and doing yoga. I gave these up when I was 6 weeks pregnant with Holynd, another "no-no". However, abs are difficult when you are only 5'1" and have no where to put a baby... But I figured it out.

I kept nursing even though I was pregnant. People thought I was crazy, but I nursed until a week ago when Holynd decided nursing was for babies and she WAS NOT a baby anymore. We have officially switched to a sippy cup and Soy Milk (Holynd's choice, not ours).

I saw my doctor last Friday and we heard a very strong heartbeat of 165bpm. I actually heard my doctor say the words, "Your pregnancy is going very smoothly!" something I never heard when pregnant with Holynd.

I DO NOT WANT TO BE INDUCED WITH THIS BABY. It was awful, I hated it. I hated being strapped in a hospital bed for 19 hours and having all sorts of chemicals/medicines pumped in my body. So, I'm channeling all my spiritual energy into making this baby come on it's own with a nice, fast labor and delivery with no crazy complications that require a whole pediatric team from Primary Children's Hospital (yeah, right! Matt and I will never be THAT lucky. But I can hope!).

Yes, I have now went to school and worked full-time; went to school with morning sickness; went to school with contractions; went to school with a two-week old at home; went to school and had to pump because of nursing; and have went to school with a infant at home and a new one in my tummy....

There, sappy, spiritual, funny and clever all in one post.

Oh, PS. This is how we told everyone.

Holynd's shirt at Thanksgiving read: Big Sister Holynd Coming July 2010.

This was when I thought my due date would be July 1st, but they changed it when I went to the doctor. (Don't mind Matt's wierd face in the background.)

Went And Got Educated

I went and got myself educated! I took my LAST FINAL on Wednesday. I am now the proud holder of a Bachelor's Degree. It's all over. My undergrad career is behind me. It feels amazing, but the days leading up to my last day, were awful.

For some reason, Holynd decided she needed ALL of my attention the last couple of days. She couldn't stand that fact that I was stuck at my computer, studying, taking notes and putting together last minute study guides. Most of my study time was done with her pulling at my pant leg.

At one point we had this conversation:

Mommy: Holynd, really, this is the LAST DAY mommy will have to do this. The LAST DAY. I know you want mommy to read to you and play with you, but I can't play right now. It's really hard for mommy to tell you that and mommy is really sorry. (Tears start rolling).
Holynd: MMMEEEEEEEMMMMMMMMM!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!
Mommy: I know. I'm so so sorry! Mommy doesn't know what to do! (Crazy text message to Matt and then Matt shows up at home 15 minutes later ready to put out fires.)

It was awful. I cried to Matt that night and told him I couldn't do this again for a long while. He said, "Whatever you want" (Good husband).

I'm very sad school is over. I love school, but I'm also very glad to get to deep-clean my house when I want. I'm also very excited that I don't have to feel guilty anymore for putting Holynd down for naps just so I can get homework done.

I realized that I really like being a mom and I'm ok with just being a mom. At least for a little while. :)

It the middle of all the craziness, we did discover a new favorite for Holynd....

Mary Poppins!

I recorded it one night because I knew she would love the songs, but whenever I turn it on, she immediately crawls over the TV. She stands there, sings and dances. It makes me want to laugh/cry!

Do You Think?

Do you think Santa still brings gifts to little girls who do this?

In other news, my graduation tassel came. I'm not walking, but I still wanted an '09 graduation tassel. I hung it on our Christmas tree, it seemed fitting. :)

I had my last class on Wednesday. It was bittersweet. I'm going to miss my undergrad program and all the professors I grew to love. However, I'm very glad school is over.

OK! That's enough little Miss Smartie Pants!

The above picture has nothing to do with my post. It's just funny because Holynd has the craziest hair and she loves to play with Christmas ornaments (yay... not!).

This post is dedicated to how smart Holynd is. Now, I know a lot of parents would be thrilled to have such a smart little girl, but somehow, this Little Miss Smartie Pants phase is not working out well for me.

Let's go over some things Holynd has learned in the last couple of weeks.

*She knows where the ESC key is on the keyboard and presses it whenever you are not looking. This isn't a big deal unless you have written a 4-page discussion board post for an online class, which doesn't offer you the option of saving before exiting.

*She knows how to take ornaments off of the tree, hide them underneath the couch and play with them only when she "knows" you are not looking.

*She can now open the fridge door.... I'm not kidding, she can stand up to the fridge open the fridge door and even open the drawers. She loves to take all the bottles out of the fridge door too. She's just lucky she's not tall enough to reach my Diet Pepsi or I may resort to spanking my child... ;)

*Holynd has a new found fascination with turning on and off the lights. She knows how to use a lightswitch and if you turn off the light when she wants to do it, she'll throw a huge temper- tantrum until you take her back to the room and let her do it. Or if you leave a room with out turning off the light, she'll grab, as you carry her out of the room, on to do the door jam causing you both to almost fall.

*I have no idea how she learned how to do this, but this one is really starting to get frustrating. She can take the back cover off the remote control to expose the batteries. Not just that, she'll "hide" the batteries so you can't find them and play with them when she "knows" you are not looking.

*She knows how to flip my phone "up" to see the full keyboard and has even almost sent a few text messages.

*Holynd loves to hide under her crib and not respond when you call out her name.

*She likes to drain her tub in the middle of her bath.

*She likes to turn the faucet on and off during her bath.

*If she puts a foreign object into her mouth and you come over to make her spit it out, she knows how to clamp her mouth shut, rendering you unsuccessful until you present her with a sucker or some other yummy treat.

*She knows how to bend her sippy cup "spout" just right to spray the contents everywhere.

*She knows how to open the cover to the DishNetwork box and turn the satellite dish on and off.

In other news, I still love being a mom.

G-Ma!

G-Ma! I looked really cute in the sweater and shoes you gave me. I also threw all my toys all over my room this morning!

Giving Thanks!

Matt and I have a lot to be thankful for this year! We love our little girl and she makes life so much more fun. Right now she's thankful for un-breakable Christmas ornaments and Thanksgiving leftovers. Matt was really thankful for the Toys-R-Us Black Friday sale this morning and I'm really thankful that my LAST undergrad semester!

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THREE MORE WEEKS until it's over! :)

(For now!)

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My family keeps getting confused. They keep mistaking my Graduation Parties for Christmas Parties, but I know they are really just throwing big parties to celebrate with me! :) (I really like my mom's Fettucini with yummy breadsticks and my mother-in-law's Cincinnati Chili... Hint.)

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I owe so much to my awesome mom and wonderful mother-in-law. School would've been completely impossible without them. I'm pretty sure they need a graduation cap too.

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Last Christmas was really hard. We lost my beloved Grandmother and Holynd was already giving us huge headaches. (She wasn't even here yet!) Sometimes I can't figure out how we lived through it, but Matt and I have awesome parents. They are amazing examples for us, especially on those many days of long hospital trips and awful doctors' visits. My mom lost her mother and she never once thought of herself. She sat with me at the hospital after a very scary amniocentesis and made sure those nurses took care of me. My mother-in-law told me stories of all the wonderful NICU nurses and doctors. Kathy made sure I knew that Holynd would be in good hands. Someday I hope to be half the mother that my mom and my mother-in-law are.

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We hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that everyone gained 10 lbs like we did.

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We're also so so so excited for Christmas because this year Santa is actually coming to our house! Our little girl has been very good and I have a feeling that Santa's has some amazing goodies in store. (We can't walk into any store without finding something else that Holynd CAN NOT live without).

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Happy Holidays everyone!

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Updates! And Mommy Talk.

I haven't posted in awhile. My camera is BROKEN and we've been waiting for "Black Friday" to get another one. You all will just have to bear through this post without pictures.

Holynd has finally decided to grow a tooth! It not completely in yet, but she been chewing on everything. She has been trying to take bites of the dog, but somehow he narrowly escapes every time.

We've also decided to re-nickname Holynd, Wild-Crazy. She's quite the energetic little being. She crawls a million-miles-an-hour from wall-to-wall in the living room. Wild-Crazy is also knocking over picture frames and opening drawers & cabinets. She keeps me quite busy. She also races like mad whenever I open the fridge or pantry. She has to get there before I shut the door! She fascinated with the pantry and fridge. Wild-Crazy is now able to stand on her own, but she refuses to walk. Learning to walk would take time and patience, neither of which Wild-Crazy has.
Wild-Crazy also has grown just enough hair to do pig-tails. I have to give her juice in order for her to let me do her hair, but she looks really cute once it's done!

Matt and I don't have stairs in our house, but somehow Wild-Crazy learned how to climb up stairs. She also had her first fall down the stairs at the Green Church. Go figure.

Matt and I are still loving being parents. I count my blessings everyday. I love being a wife and mom.

We're still trying like mad to get through this school semester. The older Wild-Crazy gets, the harder it is, but I'm still very thankful for all those people who help me go to school while being a mom. (My mom and my mother-in-law, both are awesome!)

Today while reading C Jane's Blog, I love her blog, she mentioned a talk by Julie B. Beck called "Mothers Who Know". If the truth be known, I read church talks when I'm having bad days, especially talks about being a wife and mom. I've read Sister Becks' talk before, but today it was especially needed. Sometimes I just need a little reassurance that I'm doing the right thing and that Wild-Crazy won't end up a bum because she had a 22-year-old mom while in infancy.

I think that society often wants us to think that motherhood is for wusses. We're often sub-consciously told that the REAL women are in the workforce making 'something of themselves'. I will admit, I used to be one of these thinkers. Then the Lord sent me Wild-Crazy and I had a change of heart. Motherhood is hard work. Props to stay-at-home-moms and working-mom's!

Now that you've listened to my sappy thoughts on motherhood you can read some of my favorite quotes from Sister Becks' talk.

Enjoy!

"Children are being born into a world where they "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children."

"Mothers who know desire to bear children. Whereas in many cultures in the world children are 'becoming less valued,' in the culture of the gospel we still believe in having children. Prophets, seers, and revelators who were sustained at this conference have declared that 'God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.' President Ezra Taft Benson taught that young couples should not postpone having children and that 'in the eternal perspective, children—not possessions, not position, not prestige—are our greatest jewels.'"

"Mothers who know are always teachers. Since they are not babysitters, they are never off duty."

"Who will prepare this righteous generation of sons and daughters? Latter-day Saint women will do this—women who know and love the Lord and bear testimony of Him, women who are strong and immovable and who do not give up during difficult and discouraging times. We are led by an inspired prophet of God who has called upon the women of the Church to 'stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord.' He has asked us to "begin in [our] own homes' to teach children the ways of truth. "

http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-27,00.html

Family Pictures!

ATTENTION!

After ten months of being a family, we finally had family pictures done. MackenzieKiley did an awesome job and just posted our 'sneak-peak'. Go check it out!

www.mackenziekileyphotography.blogspot.com

More to come once our discs are done!

My Take on Baby Food

I don't think of myself as one of those mothers who "knows" everything. I'm NOT one of those mothers who studies and reads up on all the latest baby nutrition tips etc. However, baby food has always bugged me.

(Plus, Holynd pediatrician is really pro-table food. He thinks baby food is a scam.)

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Here are my problems with baby food:

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1. Expensive. Baby food is expensive, especially when your baby is eating four to five jars of the stuff a day. Plus, you have to store it and live in fear that one day the stack of baby food jars in your pantry will come crashing down leaving you with a big mess.

2. Not enough variety. I wanted Holynd to taste everything and really love food. Baby food has maybe five or six different ingredients used 56 different ways. Apples, Apples and Blueberries, Apples and Bananas, Apples and Oatmeal, Oatmeal and Bananas, Bananas and Blueberries, Bananas.... And the list goes on...

3. You have to sit there and feed them bite by bite. Yes, this was fun for about the first two weeks and after that... it got boring for both Holynd and I. Either I couldn't feed her fast enough or she was too distracted to be fed. It was not fun! Plus, at mealtime I want to eat my own dang meal!

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I read up on other solid food options and there really was only one other way. To make your own baby food. Yeah, to sit and steam as much as you can, freeze it and store it.

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My problems with making your own baby food:

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1. I have to make it. Who wants to spend an entire day steaming carrots and green beans every month or so. Not me!

2. You still have to feed them the mush.

3. You still have to store it!

4. From what I read, there are only so many veggies you can do this with... NO VARIETY!

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Com'on! Is there an easier way?!

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ENTER THE CHEESE-GRATER!

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Yes, the cheese-grater. With the cheese-grater, Holynd gets a ton of different fruits and veggies (i.e. Carrots, Cucumbers, Celery, Tomatoes, Peaches, Pears, Necarines, Pineapple, ALL KINDS OF APPLES, Raddishes, Turnips, ALL SORTS OF SQUASH, Corn, Blackberries, Grapes, Cabbage, Califlower, and the list could go on). She can eat them raw or cooked and the conveniently-small-cut-up pieces let's her feed herself (Which she loves). I feed her the same store-bought produce Matt and I eat. No jars, no storing, no cooking, just nice fresh raw fruit and veggies for my Hol-e-bean.

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Now, I haven't thrown cooking for her completely out the window. She also eats some of whatever Matt and I eat. Usually I chop it by hand or throw it in the food processor for a quick spin. Small enough for her to eat, but big enough pieces so she can feed herself. I also keep a few containers of homemade chicken-goolash and homemade chicken noodle soup in my fridge for her. I just reheat it on the stove, it takes a total of six minutes. She also LOVES brown rice, plain, nothing added. Just steam and serve.

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You may be thinking that this just leaves me with a huge mess. NOPE! Her face stays relatively clean because of the lack-of-mush baby food and the pieces she leaves leftover get sucked up by my vaccum hose. Takes five seconds to clean up. Seriously.

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Confession: Every once in awhile I let Holynd have a can of Campbells' Chicken Noodle Soup. She loves it, it's her splurge. I think she likes the whole egg-noodles. I make my homemade chicken noodle with egg white-only noodles, so the whole egg-noodles are a nice change. Plus, their stringy and easy for her to slurp. I also love Baby Mum-Mums Rice Snacks for church. They keep her really entertained and they don't make a mess. She also loves Cheerios & Raisins/Craisins for a snack.

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Baby food was fun for a starter, but I have officially moved on.

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That's my take on baby food.

Teach Them While Their Young!

This is Holynd R Peterson, PhD. Ask her anything about outcomes research, death panels, neoclassical policy in regards to healthcare, the pros & cons of deregulation of healthcare markets and she'll be able to brief you. She was the reason I did so well on my Health Economics mid-term.

PS! I found the CUTEST Halloween costume.... I'm keeping it a secret until Halloween (Hopefully, secrets and I don't get along).

PPS! I bought Holynd a 94 cent pumpkin head to carry around on Halloween. She won't let it go. It went to the doctors office with us today. Everyone kept staring at me and the baby with the big pumpkin head in her lap.

Check Out!

Check out my mom's blog for posts about Tevyn's Homecoming!

She looked amazing!

www.tannerfamily2009.blogspot.com

:)

Do You Ever...?

Do you ever say something and then think... What the crap was I thinking?

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Yeah... I had one of those experiences.

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I took Holynd to her nine-month appointment. She weighs 16lbs and is 28 inches long.

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SHE'S TINY, but very healthy and active. Her doctor isn't worried and says she'll probably just be petite.

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As we were talking about her growth, the doctor made the comment that she was "just a little peanut".

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I then said, "That's okay. I like peanuts."

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??????????????????????

Yeah, apparently me liking peanuts has something to do with Holynd's size.... I don't understand myself sometimes....

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Anyway, this post is just an effort to record Holynd's growth.

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She's in the 5th percentile for weight and the 51st for height.

She's very very very active and won't hold still for anyone including her doctor. She had her first flu shot and is taking steps around furniture while she holds on tight. Her doctor said it won't be long before she taking steps everywhere! He also can't believe how flexible she is.

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He wasn't even worried when she crawled underneath an end-table and got stuck.

Holl-E-Wood Goes Halloween!

G-Ma took us to Gardner Village. It was a Witches Weekend! We met lots of fun witches and took a hayride to the witches' house. It was really fun. Afterward, we went to the Mayan for lunch.

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Here are some pictures of our trip!

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Isaac insisted on being the one who pushed the stroller.

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The first witch that we met!

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Here we are on our hayride!

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Holynd, Aunt Twitch and Isaac. Isaac had to jump off once to rescue Holynd's shoe.

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One witch was camping along the way!

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Here was the witches house! The sign out front read, "We Train Witches!"

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Another witch! Holynd was less nervous for this picture.

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Holynd and her Aunt Twitch next to the bushel of Poisoned Apples!

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G-Ma couldn't handle the day-off from housework, so she had to help the witches with their laundry.

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Here is another witch who gave us the tour of their home! Her name was Queen Hyperspeed Helga.

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Holynd decided she wanted a nap on the witches bed.

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Here's Aunt Twitch in the witches living room.

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Holynd in the witches living room.

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They had the little house decorated so cute!

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Next was our trip to the Mayan. We had lots of fun and Holynd ate lots and lots and lots of rice!

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After we were done with dinner, they came out and sang to Aunt Twitch and G-Ma. Aunt Twitch just celebrated her 17th birthday and G-Ma 27th birthday is coming up! They brought us a cake with a firework on top. Unfortunately, I went to the bathroom and no one else cared to take pictures. (Losers!)

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Cliff-Divers! Holynd wasn't too interested, but Uncle Ike and Mac thought it was AWESOME!

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Waiting for Aunt Twitch to bring the car up!

We had a lot of fun! We are really excited for Halloween now!