tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8485188166540821472024-03-05T04:35:08.185-07:00the shannonssamuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-27461424480467867522013-05-24T15:00:00.000-06:002013-05-21T18:23:35.345-06:00A Good YearWell, here we are in 2013. We've got big news! But to start, here's a recap of the year so far:<br />
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In January I certified as a Zumba Instructor! We headed out to Hilton Head, South Carolina for the weekend where I spent a loooooong, but amazing day of training.<br />
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The amazing Loretta Bates </div>
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Official!</div>
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(Meanwhile, the rest of the family played on the beach.) </div>
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Since February I've been teaching free classes at the church every week and subbing at lots of gyms...and hoping for a full-time gig in the summer.<br />
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Teaching at World Gym (sorry the picture is so blurry)</div>
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With the amazing Kareen (aka Zumba Queen of Fayette County)</div>
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And finally.....<u>WE BOUGHT A HOUSE</u>! Months of hunting and a <i>nightmare</i> of a process when we finally did find "the one", but as of today it's <u>OURS</u>! Inside "before" pictures to come. We still have some renovation projects to do before move-in, but that's the fun part. :)<br />
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Some other exciting things:</div>
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Family fun at the Valentine's Dance</div>
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Wouldn't be complete without some Latin dance!</div>
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We went to our first Hawks game</div>
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Fun in Senoia (this photo was not husband-approved)...</div>
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We were all rather sick for two weeks with stomach flus, respiratory illness, and croup</div>
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We got better, and in April we ran the Warrior Dash and got a wee bit dirty </div>
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I turned 26! </div>
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I've been working from home doing social media and online marketing for my Mom's <a href="http://www.samuelandheathershannon.blogspot.com/2011/01/proud.html">newly-released book</a>. Speaking of which, EVERYONE <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1908483555/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0H1G7J3AC77XWQ3R8WTH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846">GO BUY IT NOW</a>! :) <br />
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And ooooooh, this crazy girl, </div>
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this crazy, crazy girl...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XzMjl2WB8ywbyY7FVKObge4m5WBggdNr40J-gK7OgUwHPOUhz6XaxFQ0qt_yuLS0cTJfdvb5hyphenhyphenxYQEJ8TPcPRtd75OugZZt9UxGQy9TgGViDmgk-V1kFchZ56NBob4GVkkHvcsqPMrwE/s1600/20130426_122620-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XzMjl2WB8ywbyY7FVKObge4m5WBggdNr40J-gK7OgUwHPOUhz6XaxFQ0qt_yuLS0cTJfdvb5hyphenhyphenxYQEJ8TPcPRtd75OugZZt9UxGQy9TgGViDmgk-V1kFchZ56NBob4GVkkHvcsqPMrwE/s400/20130426_122620-001.jpg" width="266" /></a> </div>
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She is talking up a storm, constantly running around with her puppy (a gift from Grandma and Grandpa), and getting VERY willful.<br />
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Her first day going to nursery. She was very excited. </div>
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She was actually getting her first ear infection, little did we know.</div>
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She is so smart, so funny, so strong, so creative. </div>
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We love her to the moon.</div>
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Once again, May has proven to be a <a href="http://www.samuelandheathershannon.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-of-good-things.html">month of good things</a>. Looking forward to a delicious Georgia summer.samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-86064334437417899702012-12-10T19:16:00.001-07:002013-05-21T19:54:27.820-06:00The 4th QuarterBlogging these days seems silly, since: <br />
<br />
1. My family are pretty much the only ones who read it and I see them regularly now<br />
2. I don't have much time to blog<br />
3. What I do blog (mainly pictures of the little one) get put on Facebook anyway<br />
<br />
But anyway, all that said I present a photo essay on the latest in year-end happenings:<br />
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Our "Baby Boo" had a frightfully good 1st birthday: </div>
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Dressed as a birthday cupcake for our church Trunk-or-Treat</div>
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Last-minute Clark Kent and Lois Lane</div>
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With Mammy on her actual birthday</div>
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We spent Halloween afternoon in the cutest General Store pumpkin patch </div>
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We've been richly blessed with Sam's new job. In November we bought our first car! Or rather...truck! <br />
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We then sent him off on his first business trip...</div>
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...to this fabulous city!</div>
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Then enjoyed good turkey and good times on Thanksgiving</div>
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including good times with old friends (Steph and Rikki I LOVED getting to see you and your boys!)</div>
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...and a last-minute adventure to Myrtle Beach</div>
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And now here we are into the Christmas season. </div>
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...enjoying one another, and all we have to be grateful for this year.</div>
samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-70615043027959992482012-10-22T14:30:00.004-06:002012-10-22T14:30:56.693-06:00Our Welcome Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in August, when we pulled out of Utah for a very long two day drive back to our homeland of Georgia, we really had no idea what lay ahead and why we felt we should go. Boy has the Lord been good to us since we made that decision!: family galore, fun times, Sam getting a great job that was very clearly prepared for him, new callings and opportunities, and prayers answered. </div>
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Alexis with Grandma & Mammy her first Sunday back</div>
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Family Beach Trip! </div>
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Her first time seeing the ocean...</div>
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...and Elise's first time, haha.</div>
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Sisters reunited!</div>
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Celebrating 4 years with an evening in Pensacola.</div>
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Snuggling with Papa while Mommy & Daddy were out </div>
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We've enjoyed several Braves games,</div>
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Drove a whooooole lot up to Wisconsin to see family and beautiful fall colors (and a LOT of farmland like this while heading through Illinois) </div>
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I've gotten REALLY into this:</div>
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Helped throw an awesome Hoedown designed and coordinated by none other than my awesome Mom (and took some sultry, old-timey photos)</div>
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Ran the Peachtree City Classic for the first time with Dad and the sissies (and achieving my best 5k time yet!)</div>
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currently having lots of fun planning a Halloween 1st birthday bash for this crazy girl:<br />
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And trying to enjoy her last few weeks of babyhood as much as I can.</div>
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It's hard to believe we've been here for over 2 months. It's felt like much longer since we've done so much. Life is good here and we couldn't have made a better choice. </div>
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<br />samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-1106149584057546402012-08-10T15:44:00.000-06:002012-08-10T16:20:32.513-06:00Farewell Utah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">As we prepare to shove of from the safe port of college-town-and-young-family-ville, USA, I'm inclined to reflect on all the things I will miss about this place. (There is a laundry list of things I will </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">not</span><span style="background-color: white;"> miss about Utah, so let's keep things positive:)</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></div>
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The beautiful mountains. There's something almost magical about the way they turn red at sunset.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">snow at Christmastime,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Patriotism. I'll give 'em this: Utahns sure are proud of their state and national history. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;">Great pre-natal and pediatric care. I mean, sure you can find that other places too, but it's hard to beat the experience of the state that delivers more babies than any other in the nation. Plus, I love that Alexis's pediatrician has like 7 kids of his own. Now </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: small; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;">that's</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"> training.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">In-N-Out (The best burgers ever invented.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7D3wwkp-JtLM_tO7S3cATvRi00nU9q8eWqmGY2zo7VcpmyLCi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7D3wwkp-JtLM_tO7S3cATvRi00nU9q8eWqmGY2zo7VcpmyLCi" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">camping,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8UQsc7aR5UjyeX8d00IeExQ0d12EwKkVSFriDXByvSK7EpouOP68OIyfAa2OV_Icd4xbJe2VuycV7k4sKeCJTMHuVd3OdLwklrNmPoFECK4uk5pEXWSYuc-ammX4NGWCUp51fLrWz8eu/s1600/4334_664592384549_17814973_37702039_2936456_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482083021081197890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8UQsc7aR5UjyeX8d00IeExQ0d12EwKkVSFriDXByvSK7EpouOP68OIyfAa2OV_Icd4xbJe2VuycV7k4sKeCJTMHuVd3OdLwklrNmPoFECK4uk5pEXWSYuc-ammX4NGWCUp51fLrWz8eu/s400/4334_664592384549_17814973_37702039_2936456_n.jpg" style="display: block; height: 472px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 351px;" width="297" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">I mean</span><i style="background-color: white;"> real </i><span style="background-color: white;">camping,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXuqQwHll3VDfW_JqenUmGLZo7pSD-6gbqvkOSxI2YmJS825rQle261P19sTQokuTFG-G1HPqJpYqtBoRwAvBzHiteQtBTKtgMdQGCTlrqgjqyc4-LdZlNHRr0ga3iRkuN7udjT7tKGpW/s1600/DSC00172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXuqQwHll3VDfW_JqenUmGLZo7pSD-6gbqvkOSxI2YmJS825rQle261P19sTQokuTFG-G1HPqJpYqtBoRwAvBzHiteQtBTKtgMdQGCTlrqgjqyc4-LdZlNHRr0ga3iRkuN7udjT7tKGpW/s400/DSC00172.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
desert camping even,<br />
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a temple always close by,<br />
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and hiking, and hot springs, and National Parks too</div>
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Summer evenings that are delightfully cool and humidity-free, and the days are sunny 90% of the time.</div>
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Family-friendly activities everywhere you go.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Fry sauce. I mocked it, I tried it, I ate my words.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Vibrant fall colors. You wouldn't think so, but there are so few evergreens in the valley that ALL the leaves change. I especially loves how it starts in the mountains in September and moves its way into the valley. I really do love autumn in the west.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I'll miss the friendships made, and the comfort of being peculiar together, and most importantly, the memories. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Lest we forget, Sam and I attended college here, interned, worked many jobs, lived many places, fell in love, spent all of our marriage, and started our family. </span></div>
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Oh ok, Utah. You win. I'll miss you....kind of.</div>
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</div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-69071610282765959252012-07-26T20:32:00.001-06:002012-07-26T20:32:06.426-06:00Summer UpdatesAnd now for my next trick: the monthly blog update (someday I will blog more often. But not now).<br />
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First off: we're moving! And not just anywhere, we're moving to our beloved Georgia! I'm so grateful that this is where we're being lead. Call me boring, but going back "home" to settle is the greatest thing I could ever wish for. I AM DELIRIOUSLY HAPPY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJCTI01_C3ciK8dzY-QTKNTjXMMe-9cMJ50aKmEgddPZKCSqX4GmAqY6HnKZBheYm7O_nxWQjpB2NthAUrCrPZjirX_y5wn64YXr4QKIXkpvAPA0g_q0pyGtjqmoGHnRpwB4s9g5EvhrM/s1600/Georgia+Heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJCTI01_C3ciK8dzY-QTKNTjXMMe-9cMJ50aKmEgddPZKCSqX4GmAqY6HnKZBheYm7O_nxWQjpB2NthAUrCrPZjirX_y5wn64YXr4QKIXkpvAPA0g_q0pyGtjqmoGHnRpwB4s9g5EvhrM/s400/Georgia+Heart.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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Alexis-girl is almost 9 months old and growing too fast! She took off crawling at 6 months and has never looked back. She can now pull up to a full stand holding on with only one hand (she's been doing that for weeks), and has even been documented walking across the room while pushing the laundry basket. We think she'll be full-on walking by fall. She will also soon be sporting 6 whole teeth and LOVES to feed herself. She'll eat just about anything we give her. <span style="background-color: white;">(I'm also planning her first birthday (whaaaaaat?? how is my baby almost one?) and it's going to be so stinking adorable... </span><ul>
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...just like her.</div>
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We've enjoyed some good holidays over the last month or so. Sam got spoiled rotten on Father's Day, if I do say so myself, though he does such a fantastic job being a part-time stay-at-home Daddy to Alexis that he totally deserves it.<ul style="color: black;">
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<span style="color: black;">We also had a pretty good July 4th. Alexis and I matched, ventured out to the Freedom Festival in downtown Provo (and roasted), grilled out, then she was surprisingly happy about being kept up so late to watch the fireworks at the</span> Stadium of Fire. <ul>
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Brats and blueberries - yum!</div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span>Now she's thoroughly enjoying all the boxes to play on as we get ready to move. Just a few more weeks, people, and we'll be Georgia peaches! </div>
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</div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-81258833703291245762012-06-22T21:26:00.000-06:002012-06-22T21:59:05.892-06:00Memorial Day Trip and Southern SonSooo, remember that time when I had a very hyper baby who got into everything and never gave me a spare moment to put my hair up or fold the laundry or organize the back room that I've attempted to do for the millionth time and I worked in the afternoon too? <br />
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Wait, that time is now? Oh yeah. Facebook and Pinterest should reeeaallly take less of my time in the evenings, but for real: when you've been busy <u>all. day. long.</u> do you really want to spend your free time doing more housework or chores? I submit that you do NOT! Babies. Sheesh. <br />
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Ok, back to fun things.<br />
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Over Memorial Day week we enjoyed another lovely trip to Georgia, this time to celebrate my wee niece's 1st birthday!<br />
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Isn't she darling? It was the most tender and dainty destruction of a first birthday cupcake I'd ever seen.</div>
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Now <i>this</i> one, on the other hand, went nuts for the Shannon's dog like the crazy girl she is.</div>
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Playing at Jenn and Sterling's.</div>
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Cute cousins.</div>
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Mammy and her grandbabies</div>
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Touring historic Roswell</div>
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A tender moment with Grandpa Shannon</div>
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On our last day we all enjoyed a jaunt to the Georgia Renaissance Festival where none of us had been in over 12 years. <br />
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The men enjoyed turkey legs and feats of strength.</div>
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Alexis enjoyed the view from the stroller, but preferred to be carried like a Princess (it was the Renaissance Festival after all)</div>
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Despite the face here, she enjoyed the petting zoo most of all. (Duh, dogs!),</div>
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and was adorable the entire time<br />
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And then came the leaving - even the weather was sad for me. We flew through a thunderstorm over Denver that nearly scared the pants off me. </div>
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And now we're home, continuing to work for (and pray for) a job, and counting the days until the beach!</div>
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P.S. Remember <a href="http://www.samuelandheathershannon.blogspot.com/2011/01/proud.html">this</a>? Well, it's now this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/product_info.php?cPath=14&products_id=149&osCsid=eade0fea41014abad8fbbd0f30e18d7a" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EQhv-UOOHcAkqJ_6dguv36PAqfY1_ThO_DcQpkEROW_dm8ZSv0docAR8S-jFG6y6EFtO6DBIgv6s7PSOecQGx05ssr7bbNGatDT1VP6B0RVQO5Wp50qjoZH_uL7BhVmIEQDCBL4MkZWb/s400/Inheritance+-+lowresflat.png" width="266" /></a></div>
And it is brilliant beyond brilliant. To be fair, I've also read the 2nd and 3rd in the series, but I still have a special love for Doc Holliday's beginnings in Georgia. It is available for pre-order through Knox Robinson Publishing and amazon.uk. I strongly suggest you look into it. ;)<br />
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<br />samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-75303795000101010862012-05-18T12:25:00.000-06:002012-05-18T12:28:31.099-06:00May of Good Things(*I hate not blogging. Believe me, I would have loved to have been posting regular updates on Alexis's development and all our goings-on, but life has been too busy. Oh well!)<br />
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So that brings us to now. I love May. I was born in May. I <a href="http://www.samuelandheathershannon.blogspot.com/2010/05/second-best-day-of-my-life.html">got engaged</a> in May. I got healthy after months of gallbladder disease and got my first real job after college in May. May is full of holidays, fantastic weather, the end of the school year and the start of summer. What's not to love?<br />
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So far, this May has been a month of good things. For one, miss smarty-pants is crawling, sporting two pearly whites on bottom, babbles like crazy, and is growing up way too fast. She's also starting to <i>SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT!!</i> Talk about <u>VERY</u> good things!<br />
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Goofy girl </div>
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Behold the crawling:</div>
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I am also feeling pretty good as I'm now officially <i>PRE</i> pre-baby weight! Yes, folks, I haven't been this size in 3 years. Heck, I'm wearing shorts I haven't fit since my Honeymoon! Thank you, breastfeeding! (You have my permission to be impressed....or embarrassed for me. Or both.) Moving on...<br />
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This last week has been busy, but awesome. We got to get away to Sundance for the night last weekend and enjoy the mountain air. Stewart Falls is a stunning hike, from start to finish.<br />
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Alexis was cooing the whole way. I think she enjoyed the view even more than we did.</div>
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Reaching the falls.</div>
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After a phenomenal hike, we enjoyed a fantastic dinner at the Foundry Grill. Who needs foil dinners and s'mores when you could have filet mignon and chocolate mascarpone cheescake?! A BIG thank you to my bosses for the birthday treat!<br />
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Admiring the aspens and mountain views. </div>
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Poor thing was so tired, and subsequently wired, from all our adventures that day. This was just moments before the rocking-forward-turns-into-head-smashing-the-table debacle. <br />
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Our home for the night: the beautiful Storybook Stone Cottage. </div>
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We took the loft bedroom up those cool stairs with baby downstairs.</div>
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Patio and landscaping </div>
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Hot tub on the mountain stream. Amazing way to relax and unwind, believe me. </div>
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*If you think this cottage is beautiful, you need to check out
StewartMountainLodging.com. Yes, this is one of our vacation rental
cabins I help manage at work, so call it a shameless plug, but you would not believe some of the others here in Sundance. Past clientele includes: Ben Stiller and family, Matthew Perry, Supreme Court justices, Jersey Shore celebrities, and more. For real, we're awesome. Back to the post...</div>
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My loves on Mother's Day morning. <br />
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We got back just in time to Skype with the whole family across the globe (including Ross in Chile)!</div>
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My first mother's day present: custom M&M's! (The white one on the left is Alexis's face. My baby's face on an M&M!)<br />
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After a great Mother's Day, my birthday was only two days later. After some sweet cards, a new movie, beautiful Stargazer lilles, and my standing birthday tradition to listen to 80's music - particularly Boston - Sam surprised me with dinner here: The Chef's Table. <br />
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All I can say is: wow! Amazing service, beautiful views on the hill overlooking Utah Valley as the sun set, and the best chicken I've ever tasted in 25 years of life. Sam and I are food snobs, so we had high expectations, but this place did not disappoint. I'm no longer a 5 star dining virgin! </div>
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Napolean au chocolat - every bite was heaven</div>
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And because a week of good food wasn't enough, we had to have gourmet cupcakes too. (What was that I said about my current weight?)</div>
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Happy 25th to me! The day definitely made up for<a href="http://www.samuelandheathershannon.blogspot.com/2011/05/worst-birthday.html"> last year</a>. </div>
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Next on the docket: a week-long trip to Georgia! Huzzah for the month of good things!</div>
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</div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-66797282873353328642012-03-20T12:07:00.000-06:002012-03-20T12:07:13.576-06:00Spring in the MotherlandSo I'm now on a one-post-a-month roll, sweet.<br />
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Our latest adventure: Alexis and I traveled to Georgia last week and had a great time. We played, celebrated Ethan's 3rd birthday, visited the Holliday House, took my first golf cart ride in years, went past my childhood home, and I reveled in the beauty of blooming Bradford Pear Trees and spring in Georgia. <br />
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Behold the photographic evidence:<br />
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text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75rzB2hOzPY4UnO81oVaqKG1FUnfeoHmNJhuKqTD5NmNQAqtXeRFohzdXTTtt6lGArGVtMjYcerebB6jprW7iJ6vJVcNc7HA5tPLvnjbzPmAMpZEJ-dxCkcevznvvrOzvXGkVCPBgClcX/s1600/0310121740-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75rzB2hOzPY4UnO81oVaqKG1FUnfeoHmNJhuKqTD5NmNQAqtXeRFohzdXTTtt6lGArGVtMjYcerebB6jprW7iJ6vJVcNc7HA5tPLvnjbzPmAMpZEJ-dxCkcevznvvrOzvXGkVCPBgClcX/s400/0310121740-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now back to my fussy, feverish, teething baby...</div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-55638845167209596822012-02-17T10:22:00.000-07:002012-02-17T10:22:23.379-07:00Valentine's for 3So admittedly we've been a bit busy. What with 2 jobs between us, switching time with Alexis during the day, her not sleeping at night (another vent for another day), still unpacking slowly, etc., blogging has been kind of on the back burner. And anyway, I just summarized what any posts between then and now would have been anyhow.<br />
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So, Valentine's Day! Such a bright spot in the middle of the bleak winter.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Cupid was good to us this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcSVso5mStOzi0ed2GOYi9wnlblHAUo7TL5H0zAL7bcecWhrpSCe4g2ycJHDdMQ16nJvparbrNOk94CFg-hZyXZLI28UJdicxsQMDBGSioAGwE12HcUKW45S_W5LtuB_dfY7t1876CReE/s1600/DSC01498-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcSVso5mStOzi0ed2GOYi9wnlblHAUo7TL5H0zAL7bcecWhrpSCe4g2ycJHDdMQ16nJvparbrNOk94CFg-hZyXZLI28UJdicxsQMDBGSioAGwE12HcUKW45S_W5LtuB_dfY7t1876CReE/s400/DSC01498-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not going to lie: baby girls are really fun to pose. Little model seemed to enjoy it too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgTqyOsVYyR8e52Yks_M_xUNI1AxHrnJnmiWw72QUFoXFrJd7DFepVfPUWyWSUBC7x0efru0Dba3bMt5qSo_6fLllIGcUeKYPMeLFlnOdRnKNnpdcMoygJue2C89xagioF_mZ0Sb7pqWa/s1600/DSC01503-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgTqyOsVYyR8e52Yks_M_xUNI1AxHrnJnmiWw72QUFoXFrJd7DFepVfPUWyWSUBC7x0efru0Dba3bMt5qSo_6fLllIGcUeKYPMeLFlnOdRnKNnpdcMoygJue2C89xagioF_mZ0Sb7pqWa/s400/DSC01503-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayQtU9icLwFJjXHto5BaSjcmZ_nMzQkYhfdKzSCdLLeh2HZzNTg6mYCjdzlOsCjpnHFq4GPAQqrN8EGaX5Y9EJ1yqLDEFWUvndv89OoatfFnc2Kz3RWcI98HCZFy8OuIv2cnXAhPtenPw/s1600/DSC01504-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayQtU9icLwFJjXHto5BaSjcmZ_nMzQkYhfdKzSCdLLeh2HZzNTg6mYCjdzlOsCjpnHFq4GPAQqrN8EGaX5Y9EJ1yqLDEFWUvndv89OoatfFnc2Kz3RWcI98HCZFy8OuIv2cnXAhPtenPw/s400/DSC01504-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIxRxGbMC9Z3x4NiZsffQzOaSlxdRLOXbQMHUIA8n5ujMacIhtPbj2pxYGX4uyHVB9MYvL_CN5vba_56JgREs7l-nxo3f-m-6-L605gl5Su5cw9EG_Xf1lz2xEfHYRkNNwk45_lZKsCRg/s1600/DSC01505-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIxRxGbMC9Z3x4NiZsffQzOaSlxdRLOXbQMHUIA8n5ujMacIhtPbj2pxYGX4uyHVB9MYvL_CN5vba_56JgREs7l-nxo3f-m-6-L605gl5Su5cw9EG_Xf1lz2xEfHYRkNNwk45_lZKsCRg/s400/DSC01505-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>After some gifts in the morning, we jaunted over to Tucano's for some delicious Churrasco cuisine. (No pictures of dinner, sadly, we were too busy enjoying it, but I did snap one just as we arrived.)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">So grateful for my TWO loves this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktBScZUYJr0ao2sTH3aG-E4i-2gi-QModB-QhX0-dNKAzW55Y2PRjDPhOF3q2rN-8qk5Sf1gZVcijYsgaH_7JrjH85goC2pUXfaEMsiLtyShr-9Qi3R8EUeYwJjzxttCSs-IoXyP-7Rgx/s1600/DSC01500-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktBScZUYJr0ao2sTH3aG-E4i-2gi-QModB-QhX0-dNKAzW55Y2PRjDPhOF3q2rN-8qk5Sf1gZVcijYsgaH_7JrjH85goC2pUXfaEMsiLtyShr-9Qi3R8EUeYwJjzxttCSs-IoXyP-7Rgx/s400/DSC01500-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Also cause for celebration: one year ago today I saw that first plus sign that changed everything; it was the day I found out I was going to be a mother. Lexie's gift to me: keeping me up all last night. Thanks, baby!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-4400674238353550762012-01-27T12:51:00.001-07:002012-01-27T12:52:09.811-07:00More Gems from Christmas Break<div style="text-align: center;">Skyping with Ross on Christmas! </div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9-nZH572nX8" width="450"></iframe><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Lexie and her cousin Leesie (Elise) holding hands. Sorry for the absurd giggling. We were pretty excited. </div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MBq9FQO1Xa0" width="450"></iframe>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-89440100699983890332012-01-06T11:55:00.002-07:002012-01-06T11:57:55.694-07:00These Stone Walls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Four seasons from our back deck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDkeiomn5awrqqGSgF2Jq9UiOheww9LlIZJ61WHBBZRAHfwV1Om8Mi9oxInfsdlNboKRsEMZzsjsgu1oNVUftzVMpR_-BP05Nip6qVuL1vCNMJ4yqVn3tW04opA4DYGxsCqZDNfsYieZG/s1600/Wymount+4+seasons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDkeiomn5awrqqGSgF2Jq9UiOheww9LlIZJ61WHBBZRAHfwV1Om8Mi9oxInfsdlNboKRsEMZzsjsgu1oNVUftzVMpR_-BP05Nip6qVuL1vCNMJ4yqVn3tW04opA4DYGxsCqZDNfsYieZG/s400/Wymount+4+seasons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>First off, Sam is a graduate! Wahoo! I'm so proud of all his hard work and I can't wait to move on with the next stage of our lives.<br />
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So, right after returning home from our two week break in Georgia, we had to pack to move from our cozy apartment in student housing. We actually had less than 4 days to do it since our move-out date was so close. We're not going far, just a cute basement apartment in south Provo with lots more space and way more amenities, but I admit I'm much more affected by this move than I thought I would be. <br />
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I hated Wymount for so long. The "prison walls", and old appliances, and lack of ventilation through the seasons, and very old plumbing, and 50 year old wear, and cramped spaces. When we first moved in after we got married, I thought we would be gone within months and on with our lives, but here we stayed for 3 long years. I resisted putting down roots with all my might, but now it's all I know, and in spite of myself I ache knowing we have to leave.<br />
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These stone walls were our first home, the place we celebrated countless holidays and three anniversaries.<br />
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These stone walls saw hundreds of hours of cooking together in the tiny kitchen, several facelifts, and entertaining friends, family, and ward members.<br />
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Here was where we came home to after many vacations, and many long days of classes and work.<br />
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Here was where I carried our first child, and where we first brought her home. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">"What are four walls anyway? They are what they contain." - <i>Under the Tuscan Sun</i><br />
<i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;">Thanks, Wymount. You've contained the roots of my little family. You will be sorely missed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmT_nj2nvEMQWhADIpKugJUQ5Cm5ErOrV5xpz4eOl3LjjWbf6MFfVTt7MBJAmXkJLQE1ejTq8UCZreTtpoBD4V0q5D7gt6e98_0bpS0SccJE97l5kAMv4axnIoFXcTu-PDMYW9LNB3LS1/s1600/DSC00597-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_359409520"></span><span id="goog_359409521"></span></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-67529969818786492762012-01-03T15:25:00.096-07:002012-01-04T19:28:03.153-07:00Christmas in DixieWe had a marvelous 2 week Christmas break in Georgia, even if it felt like April. We left a snow-less Utah to temperatures in the 60's in Atlanta. I guess it wasn't a white Christmas for anyone!<br />
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Traveling with the little one sure was interesting. She slept soundly until our layover in Denver, where after a major blowout and a meltdown, she fell soundly asleep again until Atlanta. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">It was wonderful for her to see all her family. She sure got lots of attention.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EL01ARUGyc/TwNQI_vRehI/AAAAAAAAF2o/cXhc0dZTC6g/s1600/DSC01365-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EL01ARUGyc/TwNQI_vRehI/AAAAAAAAF2o/cXhc0dZTC6g/s400/DSC01365-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Even the cats found her interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncY8NH3IZA8/TwNQEIeDqEI/AAAAAAAAF2g/i5k5dvJGzeI/s1600/DSC01364-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncY8NH3IZA8/TwNQEIeDqEI/AAAAAAAAF2g/i5k5dvJGzeI/s400/DSC01364-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We learned that she loves to watch TV. Here she is enjoying "The Santa Clause". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrHHJFEZUvk/TwNQLgjDQ7I/AAAAAAAAF2w/Uyv4i5cWYa8/s1600/DSC01372-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrHHJFEZUvk/TwNQLgjDQ7I/AAAAAAAAF2w/Uyv4i5cWYa8/s400/DSC01372-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cousins with "Aunt Katie"! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZ4TglIPZys/TwNQOI1hw5I/AAAAAAAAF24/m-8W5KDZFBo/s1600/DSC01377-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZ4TglIPZys/TwNQOI1hw5I/AAAAAAAAF24/m-8W5KDZFBo/s400/DSC01377-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas pictures<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JIM6lw4X7AU/TwSi9CLNMuI/AAAAAAAAF6g/sqdGOQZbq58/s1600/Christmas+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JIM6lw4X7AU/TwSi9CLNMuI/AAAAAAAAF6g/sqdGOQZbq58/s400/Christmas+3.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGIPi9Avztc/TwSi9p9C7pI/AAAAAAAAF6o/1oOd0h2l0Y8/s1600/Christmas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGIPi9Avztc/TwSi9p9C7pI/AAAAAAAAF6o/1oOd0h2l0Y8/s400/Christmas+1.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbigKBcb-FM/TwSi-FV4_EI/AAAAAAAAF6w/t4A2mFvB-TE/s1600/Christmas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbigKBcb-FM/TwSi-FV4_EI/AAAAAAAAF6w/t4A2mFvB-TE/s400/Christmas+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Elise and Alexis on Christmas Eve with visions of milk dancing in their heads </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOtXNHRmTpc/TwNQQeo99DI/AAAAAAAAF3A/UiaTRVHLc-E/s1600/DSC01379-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOtXNHRmTpc/TwNQQeo99DI/AAAAAAAAF3A/UiaTRVHLc-E/s400/DSC01379-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grandma and Grandpa Shannon got her this sweet outfit for Christmas Eve that says "Santa's little helper"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gzyAXQSoxQ/TwNQTKBkfZI/AAAAAAAAF3I/MUXeWfdNMig/s1600/DSC01380-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gzyAXQSoxQ/TwNQTKBkfZI/AAAAAAAAF3I/MUXeWfdNMig/s400/DSC01380-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sleeping through present opening on Christmas day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ef8amLqa-HU/TwNQX9yzqrI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/KKz-U87eLrA/s1600/DSC01384-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ef8amLqa-HU/TwNQX9yzqrI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/KKz-U87eLrA/s400/DSC01384-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a name='more'></a>The girl cousins with Mammy Wilcox</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hw5IpeIlKQ/TwNQdOb0WFI/AAAAAAAAF3g/qQJl5GpwYtw/s1600/DSC01391-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Hw5IpeIlKQ/TwNQdOb0WFI/AAAAAAAAF3g/qQJl5GpwYtw/s400/DSC01391-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More cousin bonding time. Elise got so excited to see her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhz2qhM4uqf06b9kCcKsEeXJ566B3eso9158mo-cbWoREhZgXKtnPbIpm7bcW2PpjY4aqqSy51X7qenPcqkGwkEoM-f5AcnBA9hhPXGxCMfTjIdN2oNKNgrCuPDQ5lp8UbKFFRB0kFSjx/s1600/DSC01400-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhz2qhM4uqf06b9kCcKsEeXJ566B3eso9158mo-cbWoREhZgXKtnPbIpm7bcW2PpjY4aqqSy51X7qenPcqkGwkEoM-f5AcnBA9hhPXGxCMfTjIdN2oNKNgrCuPDQ5lp8UbKFFRB0kFSjx/s400/DSC01400-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz6HYwgdfJ584fyHMGEHsMBgq9MLV007RbO67lW5ffglggpqMw4UiFAJgDCZZeAQpQrlLRch1Oj7hvnVjv6Mh-tdc8fDlPj-YX32GsoPWceE18x9df7ZyBbxzAtbCd-qhyYKfYR_i6ILN/s1600/DSC01401-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz6HYwgdfJ584fyHMGEHsMBgq9MLV007RbO67lW5ffglggpqMw4UiFAJgDCZZeAQpQrlLRch1Oj7hvnVjv6Mh-tdc8fDlPj-YX32GsoPWceE18x9df7ZyBbxzAtbCd-qhyYKfYR_i6ILN/s400/DSC01401-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF80D-HgCVaw3kFgVWGTvSpQUr26g-aMgB2Y7qVWpkvexbZ4t5-gw4hqvPdgvmaX_aIQdWL6GLJVPGD06UwS6VibxJ6fA_FWnxA97kUswYOMiN46r3C0QIVVt-BN9wgehNKcjjIiUEgzZF/s1600/DSC01405-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF80D-HgCVaw3kFgVWGTvSpQUr26g-aMgB2Y7qVWpkvexbZ4t5-gw4hqvPdgvmaX_aIQdWL6GLJVPGD06UwS6VibxJ6fA_FWnxA97kUswYOMiN46r3C0QIVVt-BN9wgehNKcjjIiUEgzZF/s400/DSC01405-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking chic for New Year's Eve </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKCIFI_iTWsdfqQ0xe3QzITOEIUXzoigLRSHFXjHswk6Q9Pkz4ty6z979ool46m9EtHowq6XkiMGRsVmSBNjzyrncCVatTyFR7RmVVk1wKoL9EWW5m_ypjZ6fTJhNVeHGq9LBPtf3ogsZ/s1600/DSC01408-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKCIFI_iTWsdfqQ0xe3QzITOEIUXzoigLRSHFXjHswk6Q9Pkz4ty6z979ool46m9EtHowq6XkiMGRsVmSBNjzyrncCVatTyFR7RmVVk1wKoL9EWW5m_ypjZ6fTJhNVeHGq9LBPtf3ogsZ/s400/DSC01408-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And New Year's day </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchQtQvTyr53FujlkNz2hAA70ddX8dhDo6huRiJCWD7hOr3C0YAxX10kQQbw6KyskDqesMr3oncQnwTKgiA1pMXfubW26c0RQXC4vh8nwwoGFnMzvvc5jQFSAswgOATud2vKjLzuDbYytS/s1600/DSC01423-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchQtQvTyr53FujlkNz2hAA70ddX8dhDo6huRiJCWD7hOr3C0YAxX10kQQbw6KyskDqesMr3oncQnwTKgiA1pMXfubW26c0RQXC4vh8nwwoGFnMzvvc5jQFSAswgOATud2vKjLzuDbYytS/s400/DSC01423-1.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also had her blessed in Georgia on New Year's Day with all her family there. Sam gave her a beautiful blessing, and of course she looked beautiful too! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uiDZE0S3eb1Z3heFUN_tzEpCu4odHrmKfhTCWqXY0onwiiGs9-My57bJwe6-TyTqUvsqczBP6om9Lsm888PKm4RKVHAKXCqfZQZDb3Y_H5v_UZiS_4T13s_dilBrSFe-HMzpiDjFk6sI/s1600/Christmas+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uiDZE0S3eb1Z3heFUN_tzEpCu4odHrmKfhTCWqXY0onwiiGs9-My57bJwe6-TyTqUvsqczBP6om9Lsm888PKm4RKVHAKXCqfZQZDb3Y_H5v_UZiS_4T13s_dilBrSFe-HMzpiDjFk6sI/s400/Christmas+6.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccSQqyl6UTWloYEsAZ9wetlPolGQCbwJBDbbfC-WeT0j8ET-HZKYj_4QEY97_ZTDscYyjj39cBmK1o0hdSWYP4p4-DFUGxJeZ4odS6zvhrib8EPPW2O-nFyIvNvOtILV_rZ7NaL_gmOAQ/s1600/Christmas+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccSQqyl6UTWloYEsAZ9wetlPolGQCbwJBDbbfC-WeT0j8ET-HZKYj_4QEY97_ZTDscYyjj39cBmK1o0hdSWYP4p4-DFUGxJeZ4odS6zvhrib8EPPW2O-nFyIvNvOtILV_rZ7NaL_gmOAQ/s400/Christmas+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdApuxfq_9JmH-IIvNG1n67pCQFOnTor8RoBZlZSUap0kmvEDtJC5fmBiu3w93RMM8N071RWRwgpZjM02WwOizv4sZcDe1Yw1afOa00B174pW26MXD-piqzgXPTBN4d8fMVkBiL2pa7UZ/s1600/DSC01412-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdApuxfq_9JmH-IIvNG1n67pCQFOnTor8RoBZlZSUap0kmvEDtJC5fmBiu3w93RMM8N071RWRwgpZjM02WwOizv4sZcDe1Yw1afOa00B174pW26MXD-piqzgXPTBN4d8fMVkBiL2pa7UZ/s400/DSC01412-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J_RYrEXmlaOwBxpyT8qHYN8H7DPzIGbD3NpAfDmYMRcui47sNfm_50peU8qe7-bVSV905qyvgO5JfyjV-DZd-GkjFUias1B9LxZePsFfj7UB-QcqCjjBjwvVr5DY-BJqWoa6uZ5knC9x/s1600/DSC01419-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J_RYrEXmlaOwBxpyT8qHYN8H7DPzIGbD3NpAfDmYMRcui47sNfm_50peU8qe7-bVSV905qyvgO5JfyjV-DZd-GkjFUias1B9LxZePsFfj7UB-QcqCjjBjwvVr5DY-BJqWoa6uZ5knC9x/s400/DSC01419-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHhtXs0VpFhfwsfXgSxXQC8irG9lPtfhcxPeDk2ZiLj42MZp458vgqtb4CkaoBSMhINMcCaEQLgKvSF43Wu3SPfZjt7F8W7ZF0ZROqoc4qNYMXzGuGMHTdSo07TficxLnaMIctDAippAG/s1600/DSC01420-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHhtXs0VpFhfwsfXgSxXQC8irG9lPtfhcxPeDk2ZiLj42MZp458vgqtb4CkaoBSMhINMcCaEQLgKvSF43Wu3SPfZjt7F8W7ZF0ZROqoc4qNYMXzGuGMHTdSo07TficxLnaMIctDAippAG/s400/DSC01420-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Love my baby girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacDcF7Ip64eERlkV46u0VypnrFHQEwQJeS0JdCH6xlgxsosQWr6WXWJmV4_uXsRbT6yy3_Hb6YJuz8PrXpQ-KZzZnUHU0zs6FYvZYMo-IwlxZhUV57xE8tTAkinEl02Oa1HKFVCrcc4MX/s1600/DSC01421-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacDcF7Ip64eERlkV46u0VypnrFHQEwQJeS0JdCH6xlgxsosQWr6WXWJmV4_uXsRbT6yy3_Hb6YJuz8PrXpQ-KZzZnUHU0zs6FYvZYMo-IwlxZhUV57xE8tTAkinEl02Oa1HKFVCrcc4MX/s400/DSC01421-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Alexis grew so much during those 2 weeks in personality. She has started vocalizing so much more and smiling at everyone! She has successfully melted the heart of every man she's encountered. She's also slowly starting to find a more normal sleep schedule. Hallelujah!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I already miss having all our family close, being at home in Georgia, having unscheduled days for relaxing, playing games, shopping trips and lunch with the girls, going to movies, and oh my goodness the amazing food! I think my post-baby weight loss came to a complete standstill. All that changes this week. Here's to 2012!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-10639193449933431602011-12-19T18:27:00.000-07:002011-12-19T18:27:11.666-07:00What Child is This?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sl6E2L-Efv9OMI3UipeRXJCaZmb4xoSuEcghH-FYNAN1j_cSvJ3ZNZ9fcoVyAX_TZt1DlLgvxVF5FOzQE8dke-Xf2p6pXKbHZxEq9EqVk8YApPkIxfCVZ8Ig53fDgINNdW2YXAwo9Jw/s400/Be+It+Unto+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sl6E2L-Efv9OMI3UipeRXJCaZmb4xoSuEcghH-FYNAN1j_cSvJ3ZNZ9fcoVyAX_TZt1DlLgvxVF5FOzQE8dke-Xf2p6pXKbHZxEq9EqVk8YApPkIxfCVZ8Ig53fDgINNdW2YXAwo9Jw/s400/Be+It+Unto+Me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
"The <i>babe</i>, the son of Mary"<br />
"Holy <i>infant</i> so tender an mild"<br />
"For unto us a <i>child</i> is born"<br />
"Glory to the <i>newborn</i> King"<br />
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For the first time this year, these words have stood out to me like never before. How many times have I read Luke 2 or how many carols have I sung without really thinking about it? Like all of us, the Savior was, when he entered this mortal world, a <u><i>baby</i></u>. Having a new one myself, it truly never occurred to me until now how miraculous that is. As Sam and I watched the Primary children reenact the nativity on Sunday and we looked at our little baby, we thought, "can you believe that Christ himself was once as she is?!" The Son of God, the creator of the world, was once just a tiny, vulnerable infant - cold, needing to be fed every 2-3 hours and changed just as often, with no control over little flailing hands and kicking feet, unable to communicate except by crying, completely dependent on earthly guardians for His care....and He did it for us. He did it for my little Alexis and for me and for everyone who has ever had to live as a helpless baby and for the rest of our mortal experiences and pains too. And what a wonderful time of year to be and have a new baby. You might call Christmas the ultimate celebration of a new baby.<br />
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I'm tempted to make a joke about gold, frankincense, and myrrh as being the ultimate baby shower gifts, but we'll leave this on a spiritual note. Merry Christmas to you and yours!samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-51615184275275428462011-12-14T12:19:00.000-07:002011-12-14T12:19:23.843-07:00A Little ObsessedI used to love "A Muppet Christmas Carol" growing up, so when I saw the full movie on Youtube I was so excited to re-live old memories and see it again for the first time in years. It's better than I remembered! The inspiring story by Charles Dickens + the humor, music, and fun of the Muppets = genius. I've had these and many other songs in my head for days. Sam sweetly bought me the movie as an early Christmas present, but I think it has only served to exaggerate the problem.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4jzsKJvWiEI" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<iframe width="425" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WlRpGj7LWS4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-73111431323829231102011-12-08T20:35:00.000-07:002011-12-08T20:35:03.276-07:00Miss LexieIt's amazing how much you can learn about such a little person, and for us the little personality that we're discovering in our Lexie.<br />
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Likes:<br />
<ul><li>Nursing. Her favorite thing ever and it makes me proud.</li>
<li>Getting her diaper changed.</li>
<li>Making her dance while we sing "every baby's shuffling".</li>
<li>Her pacifier.</li>
<li>Doing the Hokie Pokie with Mommy.</li>
<li>Bath time (this is a new development).</li>
<li>Josh Groban's Christmas album. Her eyes just light up when she hears his voice. </li>
<li>Getting bounced on Daddy's knees. </li>
</ul>Dislikes:<br />
<ul><li>Bottles. She'll only take one if she's absolutely starving and the situation necessitates it, and sometimes not even then. </li>
<li>Tummy time. It begins and ends with screaming.</li>
<li>Sitting in her swing for any longer than 5 minutes. She's learned that it means we will not be paying attention to her exclusively. </li>
<li>Going to bed at a reasonable hour. Right now she has the sleeping habits of a teenager: she's up until 2am generally and sleeps until 10am. We can't figure out how to change that. </li>
</ul>We're also finding out that she has quite the sense of adventure and we can't stimulate her<i> enough</i>. She gets bored easily and LOVES to be played with constantly, which can be pretty exhausting to do all day long. Thank heavens for baby carriers.samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-56638478991326453272011-12-05T14:18:00.001-07:002011-12-05T14:38:47.429-07:00In DecemberBehold! A post not entirely about babies! <br />
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In my middle school chorus years ago we sang this sweet song called "In December" for one of our Christmas concerts. Of course, it's one of those pieces only written for such choirs so I can't find it anywhere to hear it, it's only in my head. But for some reason I've never forgotten it and think of it every year. The last line of the chorus goes, "In December, we remember all the joy that love can bring." Because it has been stuck in my head for a week, it's message has also been stuck in my head.<br />
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I love this time of year. I love how it brings families, friends, and even strangers together. I love how we turn our attention and our lives more fully to the Savior. I love driving around after dark admiring the Christmas lights everywhere and thinking how it symbolizes that He is the Light and the Life of the world; how His love lights up the darkness. That's the joy the song was talking about.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGqAsis95BoLy1CqpxSmhweAoaoUJpQQr000sfpAWXi06dLgm1Fb3hnsaFWSxc2lXSQRWGyGMf6iG7mK1IBH60eVViv8Rx0Kd0vEoms8K0zDDtXkB10vnx7aKuHfjZRG-us9Lj4ncG8vM/s1600/DSC01282-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGqAsis95BoLy1CqpxSmhweAoaoUJpQQr000sfpAWXi06dLgm1Fb3hnsaFWSxc2lXSQRWGyGMf6iG7mK1IBH60eVViv8Rx0Kd0vEoms8K0zDDtXkB10vnx7aKuHfjZRG-us9Lj4ncG8vM/s400/DSC01282-1.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-7948771704774021732011-11-29T23:14:00.000-07:002011-11-29T23:14:59.849-07:00What I Wish I'd Known Before Becoming a Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL1cqMab99Z6Zmb6vsAgaVuLaAvVThrJDPDl-SQjRSwX5UT1RRNVMcPGQ1vUaDZ2gCvNwyXq31WwGc6pfwvFHQkvwkXaSop8Nb3M8lsE2t-phMBI6PR7khav7YwbBjDimTAqWPE658MKl/s1600/381787_10100217497515209_17814973_44223030_1417203763_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL1cqMab99Z6Zmb6vsAgaVuLaAvVThrJDPDl-SQjRSwX5UT1RRNVMcPGQ1vUaDZ2gCvNwyXq31WwGc6pfwvFHQkvwkXaSop8Nb3M8lsE2t-phMBI6PR7khav7YwbBjDimTAqWPE658MKl/s320/381787_10100217497515209_17814973_44223030_1417203763_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I can't help but recount some of the lessons I've learned in the last few weeks. My days are defined by new lessons, so I love to share the knowledge.<br />
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1. Kellymom.com. Manna from heaven on all the confusion that is breastfeeding. Feeding Alexis was surprisingly easy and enjoyable from day 1, but we've hit a few speed bumps along the way that I'm so grateful to have resources for.<br />
<div style="color: black;">2. You never know what ideologies, methods, or tactics you may completely embrace that you didn't expect to, so keep an open mind. For me, co-sleeping to some extent has been a lifesaver. I never would have guessed that before she came. </div>3. Purple crying is the pits. Sometimes babies just cry, and hard as it is to hear it, especially when you've tried everything and feel guilty for not doing more, it's ok. Alexis had one night this week where nothing we did calmed her down and we finally had to walk away and let her cry it out, because it was 3am and we were going to collapse. I probably cried almost as much as she did, but the next morning? Happy as a clam and cooing away at us. Babies are resilient.<br />
4. You can never judge another parent. You never know what issues they or their children are dealing with. I'm impressed by the sacrifice of any parent that's capable of feeding, sheltering, and just keeping their child alive to see adulthood.<br />
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and finally... 5. you will figure it out. I remember thinking that first week home how impossible it seemed to care for a newborn and do ANYTHING else after my mom left and how scared I was to have to do it. And guess what? When she left, somehow I <i>figured it out</i>. I'm still figuring it out, but every day is progress.<br />
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The poor thing has already suffered through her first cold, sniffling, rattling cough, sore throat (we think) and all. She is resilient as well as strong, stubborn, and very intelligent. It's amazing how much individuality and identity there is in such a little person. No doubt she was her own person long before she joined us here on Earth. I guess that's the last lesson: never forget that they are first a precious child of God and you will always have His help in raising them.samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-16710424102868449712011-11-17T16:16:00.000-07:002011-11-17T16:16:12.268-07:00The One-Armed Life<div style="text-align: center;"> Rocking the wet hair. No point in hiding reality from you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0lMFLQqDxRhO5ShR91EhYo4H7-xjPfHFwT_bntqHiKc9aE3w79ow2ocgo1dHkOKnSLdYl6ou5rw4Qs7x9Dd2dJbClFMEvampjv0cP_X770xEf4xhcI_SWPOrXrnp1o0nFs078XZ2t8Gj/s1600/DSC01174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0lMFLQqDxRhO5ShR91EhYo4H7-xjPfHFwT_bntqHiKc9aE3w79ow2ocgo1dHkOKnSLdYl6ou5rw4Qs7x9Dd2dJbClFMEvampjv0cP_X770xEf4xhcI_SWPOrXrnp1o0nFs078XZ2t8Gj/s400/DSC01174.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I think I'm getting the hang of this mom thing. I think, no matter how much advice you hear, it comes down to just figuring it out yourself - like driving stick-shift or leaning to water-ski. The trick is to do it. <br />
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Some days are easier than others, though I've managed to shower, get dressed, and even put on a little makeup every day this week before noon. I hear that's pretty good progress for having a child this age and it certainly helps me feel more human. Getting work done is a different story, though, as I really have a hard time staying focused while she's awake, not to mention typing with one hand is a little challenging. Then, when she finally does go down, I'm left with a very short window during which I can do anything else, including pick up, make myself lunch, or catch up on sleep. Amazing how I can stay inside all day and still not have enough time in the day.<br />
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BUT.......look at that sweet face. How could she not be worth it? (A sample of her newborn photos, courtesy of my friend Monica. I can't wait to get the rest!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI0AizzDycanqUj0bxGE9K3nJu2AjHF6HaUqV7k8KDuTrLh9BO3oSZOXnSwRvmHWdPZMISMOYrFsjfYR2RdjZrciZ9hzqie4k3rY1WJll5S8eSp477nwRoLQkb20NW5yineGdQ1XdfXLs/s1600/DSC_0003-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI0AizzDycanqUj0bxGE9K3nJu2AjHF6HaUqV7k8KDuTrLh9BO3oSZOXnSwRvmHWdPZMISMOYrFsjfYR2RdjZrciZ9hzqie4k3rY1WJll5S8eSp477nwRoLQkb20NW5yineGdQ1XdfXLs/s400/DSC_0003-Edit.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-84551216565278887022011-11-07T09:49:00.000-07:002011-11-07T09:49:41.375-07:00This is Piglet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXLwnmv_rNzemXBcayfNFqscxvbJF6uxmBfbrZbSuuOy4z9SFPpUQr6IOV8G5twMzwuhlR6CAfv0t174kxzKDm4nrA2FokqfjiRRd8bdmNfeVcgLQpHRTwOVq3TiCtmHQOQeOWjUzsNbw/s1600/DSC01197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXLwnmv_rNzemXBcayfNFqscxvbJF6uxmBfbrZbSuuOy4z9SFPpUQr6IOV8G5twMzwuhlR6CAfv0t174kxzKDm4nrA2FokqfjiRRd8bdmNfeVcgLQpHRTwOVq3TiCtmHQOQeOWjUzsNbw/s400/DSC01197.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> She's already a week old, and thus far she has truly lived up to her name. She has the chubby face, eating habits, and adorable squeal to prove it. Oh, and she's in pink a whole lot. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXUXgx41G2Gd2tauDEodxEWkdBgbnHBoKEbYpdCb0VJQjg0hWIigIFc_lhpoML8su-ypS5gDMuiNCGYZQqhP7SCkZ8BcefxMU8y_AmVUbSV0B4OtSk7CajbmcCQpMc5Vk-dvSF69a4MUj/s1600/DSC01186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXUXgx41G2Gd2tauDEodxEWkdBgbnHBoKEbYpdCb0VJQjg0hWIigIFc_lhpoML8su-ypS5gDMuiNCGYZQqhP7SCkZ8BcefxMU8y_AmVUbSV0B4OtSk7CajbmcCQpMc5Vk-dvSF69a4MUj/s400/DSC01186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwpdcIg5eGnctSFhFgfWZMqcgi27liM20aZTeARHKdjvDKnIpkSLzZWWg1Dt71hdSPG2s-3YinbYwr7Z_SFC7d89icwQqBgVE-waHZcf1YJ0YAp40fo3-FXuTS9eXm7VvQSVYRVtrTuXK/s1600/Alexis+Three+Days+Old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOavYnD6g91WObn8H2WsytPkcM8B6jjPwicQxQHgP6P_OTbCGDLaNZlo7ZsGa4_aPjTSb6gxKfVJ-GU-VgXm6fcCfMQP5pNLpWKGOStO7dKhHOMK5vppIT0zDBKh4nChfkn9_0pt-rDGw0/s1600/DSC01168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOavYnD6g91WObn8H2WsytPkcM8B6jjPwicQxQHgP6P_OTbCGDLaNZlo7ZsGa4_aPjTSb6gxKfVJ-GU-VgXm6fcCfMQP5pNLpWKGOStO7dKhHOMK5vppIT0zDBKh4nChfkn9_0pt-rDGw0/s320/DSC01168.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>She also responds to: Squeakers, Princess Fusser-Face, <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbqQdEinFbuyiTR1zfSV4oAAcrc9h_sR6BdaYun4SdyehZo5JyfHKmnMgrQyfaxBEEbakNnAy9h6MbeRnajGixyo2OAz_vmOZ66QUm2AAKfBIv56b7AAFGr7gNdE6T5-lYIfkZ7EbE2Ot/s1600/DSC01203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbqQdEinFbuyiTR1zfSV4oAAcrc9h_sR6BdaYun4SdyehZo5JyfHKmnMgrQyfaxBEEbakNnAy9h6MbeRnajGixyo2OAz_vmOZ66QUm2AAKfBIv56b7AAFGr7gNdE6T5-lYIfkZ7EbE2Ot/s320/DSC01203.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dollie, and of course, Miss Lexie. (Maybe I should add Zombie-Maker to that list).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6045gH7ws1W3hYUl1Q6kdsDpgfRQ3BEAmSNWB8vpgtteXWnjgjjEXEOGUK0fWUE230QSZ8CodNUl1jXj28vvGiuOP6nTgBz_ryt_XJYU5sXmrHpAONDtlYwVU2rBEz6y2-hO3n3eMT0u/s1600/DSC01199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6045gH7ws1W3hYUl1Q6kdsDpgfRQ3BEAmSNWB8vpgtteXWnjgjjEXEOGUK0fWUE230QSZ8CodNUl1jXj28vvGiuOP6nTgBz_ryt_XJYU5sXmrHpAONDtlYwVU2rBEz6y2-hO3n3eMT0u/s320/DSC01199.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Nights are long, but she really is such a good baby. Also, blessings upon the head of my mother who has been with us helping out since she was born, doing our laundry, making dinner, taking Alexis so I can shower, and so much more. I remind myself that this is the same woman who 24+ years ago was the one nursing, swaddling, changing, and rocking me. Every day I learn more just how noble the calling of Motherhood is.samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-60781480575994825122011-11-05T19:09:00.006-06:002011-12-19T19:10:38.568-07:00Birth Announcement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389459_10100246869144229_17814973_44304472_1221360161_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389459_10100246869144229_17814973_44304472_1221360161_n.jpg" /></a></div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-6626380086138295222011-11-03T23:13:00.001-06:002011-12-19T18:31:47.992-07:00Legends are Born in October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO3guZ9ljhx4upLSGjLj2K-6hxyoTOBczmL7Z89Zwx1mB1PwwvIRRETvc4nEq5u5wZtiVoz3ugMPXx-WJS6hq70RgP3iUovmLTvr13HIimlRBdU1ihoY28akLEIyJjE3NkmKNrTasrAnD/s1600/DSC01109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO3guZ9ljhx4upLSGjLj2K-6hxyoTOBczmL7Z89Zwx1mB1PwwvIRRETvc4nEq5u5wZtiVoz3ugMPXx-WJS6hq70RgP3iUovmLTvr13HIimlRBdU1ihoY28akLEIyJjE3NkmKNrTasrAnD/s320/DSC01109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And as we had hoped, so was our baby girl, Alexis Leigh Shannon. She came on Halloween, of all days, so not only will our little pumpkin always have a fun birthday every year, she will share it with her uncle Ross. I'm thrilled to continue the tradition. <br />
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Since you all want details, here's how it went down: <br />
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Saturday night the 29th was a terrible night of sleep with cramping all night long, which up to that point was pretty typical for me. But then I woke up Sunday morning and noticed that the cramps weren't going away - they were getting worse. After about 30 minutes I noticed that they were about 10 minutes apart. For the first time all month they were regular, which could mean only one thing: real labor. Yay! Also, hurray for no induction! I'm so proud of my body for doing it's job!<br />
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I woke Sam to tell him that I didn't think we were going to be teaching a lesson at church today, because I was about 90% sure I was in labor. I took the morning to rest a bit and start timing them more, taking every opportunity between contractions to finish picking up the house, packing the bag, showering and even drying my hair. I have to say, at that point they weren't too painful and for awhile I thought that maybe labor wouldn't be so bad after all.What wishful thinking.<br />
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Around 4pm they were about 4-6 minutes apart, but as I mentioned still not that painful, and we hopefully jaunted off to the hospital while still in pretty good spirits. We were there about an hour and a half before they finally determined that I hadn't progressed AT ALL since my last prenatal appointment and sent us home. I was devastated thinking this might be a really really long labor. Ironically it was at the hospital that the contractions really started picking up and getting harder and harder to talk through. By the time we got home around 7 they were 3-5 minutes apart and right about the level they should be when most folks <i>leave </i>for the hospital. We were so afraid of being sent away again for lack of progress that we hung around until midnight, trying a warm shower, massage, different positions, anything to keep my mind off the increasing back labor.<br />
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We were back to the hospital at 12:30am, but this time the contractions were so bad in my back that it felt like someone was driving an industrial drill through it. I was near hyperventilating through them and it took several nurses and Sam by my side to remind me to breathe. My wonderful midwife evaluated me, and even though she was really hesitant to admit us since I had only progressed one more centimeter since the last time we had come, she felt that my pain was too much to be making my labor effective and that an epidural to help me rest through them and might actually speed things along. She was right. And so is everyone who's ever had one - they are a miracle.<br />
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It took until 3:30am to get it going, break my water, and get us settled, but from that point we were finally able to rest, and within 2 hours I was at 7cm. 2 hours later I was at a 9, and a 10 an hour after that. Thank heavens for modern medicine, because it really made the second half of labor a breeze.There was a 30 minute period in the last hour before we started pushing when the epidural wore off in one spot and my back was in intense pain again. It didn't quite fade all the way, which made pushing rather uncomfortable, so I was bound and determined to get her out quick. <br />
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</a></div>After an hour of pushing, she was born and was immediately checked by a respiratory specialist since they had found some meconium in the amniotic fluid, but thankfully she was alright and didn't need any special treatment. I was so dizzy and tired after pushing that I was in sort of a trance and it felt a bit like an out of body experience, but it didn't change how amazing it was to bring her into the world. They placed her on my chest and I will never forget that moment of looking into her eyes for the first time. That and watching Sam hold her for the first time.<br />
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She's a good little chunk at almost 9 lbs. and was 20.5 inches long, but she's a wonderful eater and breastfeeding has been second nature for her since the moment she was born. We're both recovering well and adjusting to this new life as the three of us.We are so blessed. I am so in love with my little family.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> Just minutes old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6LDUvMZf9KhOsS25_zYLlWZEmSuAFjr-r34q0uUFHpmYONKZdcmPiNxoYlZ8xCIq4oH7yEUJKVdKvcuN1fXE9mCWVzBrghBhxJter0tB6-06RheoHSBzHd1aH_8dInJ9nlrlZBbCJiYb/s1600/DSC01118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6LDUvMZf9KhOsS25_zYLlWZEmSuAFjr-r34q0uUFHpmYONKZdcmPiNxoYlZ8xCIq4oH7yEUJKVdKvcuN1fXE9mCWVzBrghBhxJter0tB6-06RheoHSBzHd1aH_8dInJ9nlrlZBbCJiYb/s320/DSC01118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Daddy's little girl</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA0P5T9MytAomKBnv33VQ3CUqus24X5KjnBX3Fz3f3cgK3HApMhuA0oOsctRrjctYpcTONjKj9_ikWiKNzbSR6XdJbsqEnxbiIL0IJh6u2aP4u8I3w12leOZnx-Wbu75V7Kz3iWPg8jkn/s1600/DSC01112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA0P5T9MytAomKBnv33VQ3CUqus24X5KjnBX3Fz3f3cgK3HApMhuA0oOsctRrjctYpcTONjKj9_ikWiKNzbSR6XdJbsqEnxbiIL0IJh6u2aP4u8I3w12leOZnx-Wbu75V7Kz3iWPg8jkn/s320/DSC01112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mommy and Alexis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qV3168A03vX9STDWFPxIcjsCu3zE3g-Q3xxPjrhXvYK-jCx4G5Bc68bOmB16chSzlTR4XoH55OXfZ3n7DTOVKi9NjtJJ8DrrouHQTH8-1zLvwmdOEkFX5cUmRPzPNepPQNUTT6l1uHLF/s1600/DSC01123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qV3168A03vX9STDWFPxIcjsCu3zE3g-Q3xxPjrhXvYK-jCx4G5Bc68bOmB16chSzlTR4XoH55OXfZ3n7DTOVKi9NjtJJ8DrrouHQTH8-1zLvwmdOEkFX5cUmRPzPNepPQNUTT6l1uHLF/s320/DSC01123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvEwZhIEEd3CNgg1WYBMswvHlGqP8HmAob77EYqLaW12_5TuQ2WRk9Bz-b0gx5ktL-oTIBYrIeKKbsXmQYf7dIKhjr9u9kdbwX7fpfJpzbhRx5tR6B6xGTnkaqRyuUkR4yP19IrwFF3ev/s1600/DSC01133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvEwZhIEEd3CNgg1WYBMswvHlGqP8HmAob77EYqLaW12_5TuQ2WRk9Bz-b0gx5ktL-oTIBYrIeKKbsXmQYf7dIKhjr9u9kdbwX7fpfJpzbhRx5tR6B6xGTnkaqRyuUkR4yP19IrwFF3ev/s320/DSC01133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">We love our little "Eskimo Baby"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUz9JBO7cUgHuyM7mnmWxLOnZh4ZBk29PyGQjJ0vI7FkHELXrGnrnOF0Sj6d1zounMu0cIujM3uFLzFRdCKNAYwF3aXd1bcrnqhSvPwWQ7HcaEITcFqqloDeajqQmoe3vgyWWyujlYaB3/s1600/DSC01124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUz9JBO7cUgHuyM7mnmWxLOnZh4ZBk29PyGQjJ0vI7FkHELXrGnrnOF0Sj6d1zounMu0cIujM3uFLzFRdCKNAYwF3aXd1bcrnqhSvPwWQ7HcaEITcFqqloDeajqQmoe3vgyWWyujlYaB3/s320/DSC01124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bundled up and getting ready to go home </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSJTT08sb2YSrV6hpp9-GET72Tye8trCeIhsRIPAk5X4Ea2OCmO-8wV0VlYdG3VpU1l8IoaWPwWy1DXxeLmqXT-MS9sal4JEgQ7RAAmK1lLjInq0UWjwDaJvXWGe3Bi8amyhZm0VfXox9/s1600/DSC01145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSJTT08sb2YSrV6hpp9-GET72Tye8trCeIhsRIPAk5X4Ea2OCmO-8wV0VlYdG3VpU1l8IoaWPwWy1DXxeLmqXT-MS9sal4JEgQ7RAAmK1lLjInq0UWjwDaJvXWGe3Bi8amyhZm0VfXox9/s320/DSC01145.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> More pictures and adorable videos to come. . . once I get a spare moment. ;) </div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-14155722752539791512011-10-27T16:03:00.000-06:002011-10-27T16:03:15.107-06:00The Big 4-0Hi there. Yep, still here. But not for long! Thank heavens for long tests at the doctor to let me hear and see my little one, and to post her eviction notice. Non-stress test and growth ultrasound were in order today. Blood pressure is still high, but not surprising after a month of mild contractions. We're both doing great, though, and baby girl is going to be a tall one! 98% percentile for her length. No wonder her little feet haven't moved from my side for months, they're too long to fit anymore! <br />
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So if I'm not in labor by this weekend, I'll go back for more tests on Monday (Halloween!) and have a firm induction date of Nov. 2nd. Still hoping for an October birthday, but we'll see how stubborn she decides to be.<br />
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In classy Myspace self-portrait style, here's our last shot together as one entity.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcITDNAu_5g1j4KXYieLSr41Vw7M5wM9XgjbLKxWAVwg1r4BQnbXDZofjSTw0u_qguHUoz_1LF4-Ri_eU-fm2zSc0zFuJvnlwc0SO9z2aFg6sFKNkGNvFG5Cm0_Xctc-xLPYoLZND7I7IC/s1600/DSC01105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcITDNAu_5g1j4KXYieLSr41Vw7M5wM9XgjbLKxWAVwg1r4BQnbXDZofjSTw0u_qguHUoz_1LF4-Ri_eU-fm2zSc0zFuJvnlwc0SO9z2aFg6sFKNkGNvFG5Cm0_Xctc-xLPYoLZND7I7IC/s400/DSC01105.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> 6 days or less until we can hold her in our arms. Hurry out, little baby! We can't wait to meet you!samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-76974074567669826712011-10-18T10:43:00.001-06:002011-10-18T11:15:41.271-06:00Still Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_gm3JI4Nbm1QHGKmxFmgIcYt1VVHCI8W9gZCVyTdav77zwKc6ayhlC5NVFQXTEvDNtzbMGWxVSRmioXHUuM8FAdFVtXTqlaR3Bqf6z46vTn2cEewmqivDlS1qfpZInIvVsH-dAXV_g2m/s1600/DSC01103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_gm3JI4Nbm1QHGKmxFmgIcYt1VVHCI8W9gZCVyTdav77zwKc6ayhlC5NVFQXTEvDNtzbMGWxVSRmioXHUuM8FAdFVtXTqlaR3Bqf6z46vTn2cEewmqivDlS1qfpZInIvVsH-dAXV_g2m/s400/DSC01103.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Sorry my posts are kind of one-note these days. You know that feeling when you've run out of excitement? How you spend so much energy anticipating Christmas coming all year that by Christmas Eve you're sort of spent and almost numb to the reality of it? I think I'm at that point. I feel like it's never going to end at that I might as well give up being excited too, because I just don't have the energy for it anymore. It's a weird feeling. <br />
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I think it goes without saying that there's still nothing to report. I had some pretty painful contractions off and on last week, but they've mostly subsided now. Why things would slow down at this point is beyond me. I'm still measuring ahead and on track for an Oct. 22nd due date, but I'm still in the record books as Oct. 29th, meaning that if she's stubborn and doesn't want to come, I wouldn't be induced for another 3 WEEKS!! Oh boy. On the agenda this week: get in 20 hours of work, finish her costume, and walk as far as my little swollen feet will allow me. Anyone know where I can get my hands on some castor oil?samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-22096052058061629782011-10-14T22:49:00.004-06:002011-10-15T11:24:35.575-06:00Daddy's GirlI love when Sam says things to me like, "I hope you're ok with no longer being the only girl in my life."<br />
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Or when he goes first to my tummy instead of hugging all of me so he can love on his little girl.<br />
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Or when he whispers sweet little things to her in French that I don't fully understand.<br />
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Or how excited he gets to hold her, to fuss over her, and to have her here.<br />
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I've never been so happy to be replaced. :)samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848518816654082147.post-20041910947105440232011-10-12T12:08:00.000-06:002011-10-12T12:08:47.771-06:00Home-Body & Halloween StuffSo this week began my "Maternity Leave" or my first few days transitioning to work outside the office. I plan to continue working from home until my due date and then pick it back up at least part time once the baby comes. It's amazing that it has worked out in such a way that I <i>can </i>work from home. I am extremely grateful for my co-workers, modern technology, and God's hand for this. <br />
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It feels good to be needed, but it does make me feel guilty for leaving. I know that's silly, I'm <i>pregnant, </i>like due in a week and half pregnant, but it's hard to shake that lazy feeling since full-time work has been my life for the last almost two years.<br />
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All this being said, I'm so grateful that my to-do list is basically a to-done list, and aside from work, my days consist of keeping the house VERY clean, actually making homemade dinners again, getting some walking in, some reading in, and working on some fun crafty stuff that I never seemed to have the time for until now. It's pretty nice, I'm not going to lie. Some projects I'm working on:<br />
<br />
- Alexis' Halloween costume. More on that this week. Just you wait....<br />
- Finding a Lumina pumpkin to paint (or just a regular pumpkin painted white). I'm digging the spiderweb pumpkin that looks like it could be done with a permanent marker.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyAisE4YN3DonnbmGy7ofo-lvNMQ3oUq1uGYc8Uanc92v2LGcE72kD_1fAVM_GYUVocNGhTtEemU2o8_FOaoqj8S2NVp6sh15B5nEvbFpe4Ebv4_ELvpOazsePAs0nrRCAUsTntGJ0x5l/s1600/white+pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyAisE4YN3DonnbmGy7ofo-lvNMQ3oUq1uGYc8Uanc92v2LGcE72kD_1fAVM_GYUVocNGhTtEemU2o8_FOaoqj8S2NVp6sh15B5nEvbFpe4Ebv4_ELvpOazsePAs0nrRCAUsTntGJ0x5l/s400/white+pumpkins.jpg" width="312" /></a></div> - Making one of these. Looks pretty easy and I'm game for any simple Halloween decor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDAIsaQHSU9dw6rfUQpsT6-aHGRYi0GjbZrhzNyGNqbsZCHbuFHBiCdMBmNLTuqGyVZ1aeGW-AedNkl_v9KCkBICGL9GGXFDhPJpx3yBSqEhgsoO74xdSBERButxSvCHK9cxyUFESo5u8/s1600/black+feather+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDAIsaQHSU9dw6rfUQpsT6-aHGRYi0GjbZrhzNyGNqbsZCHbuFHBiCdMBmNLTuqGyVZ1aeGW-AedNkl_v9KCkBICGL9GGXFDhPJpx3yBSqEhgsoO74xdSBERButxSvCHK9cxyUFESo5u8/s320/black+feather+wreath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> - Hanging rope spiderweb on the back deck. <br />
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The biggest thing on the agenda: being patient. I'm now officially full-term by whichever due date you go by. I've been in sort of a false labor for over a week now and have progressed a lot as of my last appointment. The same will probably be true this week. I just wonder how long this can go on before the real thing hits.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">et viola - 38.5 weeks. Could I get any bigger? (Please don't answer that)<br />
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</div>samuel and heather shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082840078191747108noreply@blogger.com4