tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68727607927220464482024-03-05T15:42:28.879-05:00May December Madness May December is a reference to the age gap between my husband and me we are 24 years apart. He's from England. I grew up in Utah. We now live in the suburbs north of Chicago! We recently completed our family, we have two little girls and two little boys! Please join us while I document our crazy family!Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-53644469566327679882019-06-12T23:33:00.000-04:002019-06-12T23:33:39.241-04:00My 20 Week Abortion<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{27}" paraid="405549416" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">With all the bills on abortion being signed, I felt like I had to share my abortion story again.</span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{31}" paraid="233441116" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">In November 2014, I had an abortion at 20 weeks. We lived in Georgia. At the time, abortion was legal up to 24 weeks. If all these bills go into effect, the choice I made, the ONLY choice that was the right option for me and my family, won’t be a choice at all for women anymore. It makes me so angry, knowing that politicians think they know better than doctors and the women affected. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{35}" paraid="1310332901" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Here is my story. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22FRwH-z6Jv5G8EhRGViCjj4tztqHvB2YNd0xI1F9GpM8MVYrRDZM8KsB8B6z8dZt1faioOkoMeVknEsVagyWnppnRSwCy4vd6KQoG2UcYjP33GVSO8_-YHdOTBzvuIiVi56dTMEwhBfr/s1600/Reggie%2527s+Ultrasound.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22FRwH-z6Jv5G8EhRGViCjj4tztqHvB2YNd0xI1F9GpM8MVYrRDZM8KsB8B6z8dZt1faioOkoMeVknEsVagyWnppnRSwCy4vd6KQoG2UcYjP33GVSO8_-YHdOTBzvuIiVi56dTMEwhBfr/s320/Reggie%2527s+Ultrasound.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">RJ and I always wanted our children close together. Even though Rosalie wasn’t planned, once we started our family we didn’t want to stop. I got my first period when Rosalie was about 6 months old. RJ and I started trying for baby number two and got pregnant very quickly. My due date would have been April 6th, 2015. Rosalie and that baby would have been about 18 months apart.</span><br />
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</span></span> <span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">On November 10th, 2014, I had my </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">20 week</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> ultrasound. RJ and I dropped Rosalie off at a </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">friends</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> house and drove to my </span><span class="SpellingError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ob</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> gyn’s office. During the appointment, we were told we were having a boy but he had serious fetal abnormalities.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{47}" paraid="475258785" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The doctor who was in the office that day was the lead high risk doctor for the practice. We had met him before, he is amazing and very knowledgeable. He actually made the first ultrasound machine used at Virginia Tech, which he used to diagnose a double tubal pregnancy. He also wrote the math behind many of the calculations used in ultrasound machines today. Anyway, he is a fabulous doctor and I trusted him fully. He gently explained our baby boy had a renal blockage and he could not urinate. Because of this his kidneys had </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">died,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> he was low on amniotic fluid and it would probably dry up soon. After 20 weeks amniotic fluid is primarily made up of the baby’s urine. The baby’s heart also looked questionable.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{51}" paraid="1526341982" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Our doctor used to perform in vitro surgery on babies with the exact same issues our baby had. After years of trying, he gave up, because no matter how hard he tried all the babies died anyway. The few babies who actually did make it to term died after painful stays in the NICU. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{55}" paraid="632862233" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Our doctor told us we could attempt to carry the baby to term, however, based on the baby’s current condition he didn’t think the baby would survive long, or we could choose to terminate. If we chose termination, we would need to make our decision quickly, because the legal cut off for abortion in Georgia at the time was 24 weeks. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Although it was an incredibly difficult decision it didn’t take us long. Actually, before we even left the </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">appointment</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> I already knew my decision. I was also 99% sure RJ felt the exact same way. We didn’t even need to talk to each other. When we got to the car, we both kind of looked at each other and just knew the other was thinking the same thing. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{63}" paraid="1464363389" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">We decided to sleep on it one night just to be sure. When I woke </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">up</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> I was still sure in my decision and was confident it was the right thing to do. Our doctor called that day to ask me if we had made a decision. I told him yes. He said he was glad we came to a decision quickly and was behind us 100%. He gave me the number of the best abortion clinic in town, told us to keep him updated and call him if we needed anything. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{67}" paraid="390992664" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The following day, I called the clinic and made an appointment. The receptionist seemed shocked I was 20 weeks along. I choked through explaining my baby had serious fetal abnormalities and would not survive. After she understood what was going </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">on</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> she was very understanding and explained everything to me. At 20 weeks I would need a D&E (Dilation and Evacuation). It would be a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">two day</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> appointment. One day to do all the paperwork, and a few things to prep for the procedure, and the next day to do the actual procedure. I made my appointment for Friday, and Saturday. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{71}" paraid="1720343639" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Friday rolled along, we dropped Rosalie off at a </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">friends</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> house and drove to my appointment early in the morning. The clinic was very secure and kind of hidden away. There was a security guard checking ID at the door to be sure anyone allowed inside had an appointment. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{75}" paraid="1605570600" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">We checked in, I filled out some paperwork, we sat and waited till I was called back. The first time they insisted I came back alone. It was policy to make sure I wanted RJ with me. I could have not done this without him. I never once doubted my decision, but it was still really emotional and difficult. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{79}" paraid="1648829435" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The first thing they needed to do, was an ultrasound to confirm how far along I was. I didn’t watch and I cried the whole time. Since the baby couldn’t urinate, all the fluids were backing up into his body. His head had swelled up and was measuring at 22 weeks, when a few days earlier it was only measuring at 20 weeks. It was obvious he deteriorating quickly and it reassured us even more that we were making the right decision. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{83}" paraid="1494672815" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">After the ultrasound the nurses let us sit in a private waiting room (someone’s office) where we could have a bit more privacy. I made a quick phone call to my Ob to fill him in and ask him to send our records over. He was surprised to hear the baby was so much worse and told us we were definitely making the right decision. Chances are, the baby would have died shortly and I would have miscarried within the next couple of weeks, if not days. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{87}" paraid="1059282736" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq364Au7_oPCGynyp03lUvy2qFzoG3eBBgsRNLtkUjNQKUPxeX8lw3SM_r56WHcFDck7-JY3pbS6fv8wndUiKJH_KC_GRrhqLpAyi-zP6spTDU8ivZW8X0bMxN5OVZHGagyOr89CB9blqu/s1600/Rosale+Reggie+T-Shirt.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq364Au7_oPCGynyp03lUvy2qFzoG3eBBgsRNLtkUjNQKUPxeX8lw3SM_r56WHcFDck7-JY3pbS6fv8wndUiKJH_KC_GRrhqLpAyi-zP6spTDU8ivZW8X0bMxN5OVZHGagyOr89CB9blqu/s320/Rosale+Reggie+T-Shirt.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the photo I used to announce my<br />
pregnancy. Rosalie was so little.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Next, a nurse explained the procedure to me and triple checked that this was what I wanted. Anyone I explained our situation to understood immediately and didn’t ask too many questions. I then got undressed, put a gown and socks on so they could do the first part of the procedure. This included giving me a Xanax to help calm and relax me. As well as some good painkillers because they were going to start dilating my cervix which is not comfortable. They used something called laminaria, which is a type of seaweed that gently softens and dilates your cervix overnight. It looked a lot like wooden coffee stirrers. A nurse placed a number of them in my cervix, then placed a few cotton pads over them to help keep them in place. I have an incredibly high pain </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">tolerance,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> the nurses were really impressed. She was able to squeeze in more than she expected. She told me if the cotton or a few laminaria sticks fell out that was fine, but if a lot of the sticks fell out, I was supposed to call. The nurse anticipated none would fall out because they were quite snug. Once I got up and moved around a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">bit</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I could feel the sticks but it wasn’t uncomfortable.</span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{91}" paraid="476148436" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">We went back to the office we were using as a waiting room and I got dressed. The last thing they needed to do before they sent me home for the evening was to administer a shot to stop the baby’s heart. It was the most emotional part of the day even though the Xanax had fully kicked in. The doctor used an ultrasound to guide her and she administered the shot through my belly. She needed me to hold still, so I just closed my eyes focused on my breathing. I held RJ’s hand tightly and tried not to cry too hard. This was a difficult part for him because he wanted to help but didn’t know how. I am just glad he was there with me. I don’t know how I could have done any of it without him. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br />
</span> <span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">We headed home and picked up Rosalie. It was nice to have her around she was a good distraction. That evening I started to have some pretty good cramping but I was told to expect it. I was given a prescription for some good painkillers. I took one and it made me pretty loopy. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br />
</span> <span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">We woke up super early the next morning, dropped Rosalie off again and made our way to the clinic. I was really nervous but luckily there wasn’t much waiting. I got dressed in a gown and hair net. I was put under general anesthesia for the procedure. I gave RJ a kiss and a nurse took me back to the operating room. The nurses were very warm and kind, they helped me feel a little less nervous. I laid down on the table, my legs were strapped into the stirrups. The doctor, a nurse, and an anesthesiologist were in the room. The anesthesiologist put in an IV while the doctor and nurse prepped everything. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{107}" paraid="975382242" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">We decided to name the baby Reginald, Reggie for short. RJ had a relative who died when he was young and we thought it was fitting. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{109}" paraid="634782944" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The clinic was able to get his footprints for us. I have kept them in a box. Someday I might frame them and display them with his ultrasound photo along with the other kids, but maybe that would be weird. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK06KLxpgQWv-OoL5VEw-6bJ_d8pLgbTs8cjI6HSzlTUqa3VIXDgb6mx4n0zae6CnFNvoIZLLCmwtTZ7R3bgqH1t2B63T46i8JzVewpCpnVcaNXeF4IBJndOMtn8CGhg87UqL2hLR4PLDP/s1600/Reggie%2527s+Feet.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK06KLxpgQWv-OoL5VEw-6bJ_d8pLgbTs8cjI6HSzlTUqa3VIXDgb6mx4n0zae6CnFNvoIZLLCmwtTZ7R3bgqH1t2B63T46i8JzVewpCpnVcaNXeF4IBJndOMtn8CGhg87UqL2hLR4PLDP/s320/Reggie%2527s+Feet.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scan of his foot prints the clinic was able to give me.<br />
I left the scale to help show how small they are.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">As difficult as it was to choose to abort the baby I wanted and was excited for, I am so glad that is what I chose. If I had to go back and do it again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am so glad at the time we lived in a state with reasonable abortion laws. I don’t think abortion laws should exist at all. Abortion is something that needs to be left between a woman, her doctors, and if she chooses her partner. I felt rushed to make a decision because we were racing against the 24 weeks. Had abortion been unrestricted I wouldn’t have felt pressure to make a decision quickly although time would have not changed my mind, it would have made the whole thing a bit less stressful. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{117}" paraid="875885011" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I am very </span><span class="SpellingError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">very</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> happy that my state, Illinois, has just signed a sweeping abortion bill that legalizes abortion at any time during pregnancy if a woman and her doctor decide it’s the right course of medical care for her. Illinois is now the most progressive state on the issue of abortion, and I couldn’t be </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">more proud</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{119}" paraid="1522664465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW116183590 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c022e9d2-f6db-4736-9ebc-1650349bc7b9}{121}" paraid="452702582" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<div style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I understand this is an emotional subject but it makes me so emotional that women are having choices taken away from them. Choices I had not long ago, choices that my doctor and I knew were right for me and my family. Why are we moving backwards with women's rights? Why are women not trusted to make decisions about their health? I hope the next generations can fix the mess that the Boomers and Gen Xers have created. </span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW116183590 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW116183590 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-45590873527245440932019-02-18T23:47:00.001-05:002019-02-18T23:47:22.754-05:00Move to Chicago<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We moved to Chicago! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back in September, a recruiter for Abbott Laboratories contacted RJ and offered him a job. He turned down their initial offer and countered with an offer we would consider moving for. They said “no”, so we didn’t think any more about it. Then, just before Thanksgiving they called him back and offered him everything he asked for and then some. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have moved quite a few times. This move was particularly hectic. November, December, and January are always really busy because of the holidays. On top of that, we road tripped to Ohio to visit my relatives for Thanksgiving, then spent Christmas in England with RJ’s relatives. By the time we got back from all our holiday adventures, there were just over two weeks before our move. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjRNnpbuANajfw63-2SaM8ijo8r-PgLFK_XDIjOfFudKqfnquzphyphenhyphenCeUMEfV3i2MtSD__QHbBQbK5Ua-rN5QVzIXL1OcguFOgMKK072He67SdmlaMdLhnpw5Zoa6zBk5q80T3G9ZIK9vz/s1600/IMG_4202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1227" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjRNnpbuANajfw63-2SaM8ijo8r-PgLFK_XDIjOfFudKqfnquzphyphenhyphenCeUMEfV3i2MtSD__QHbBQbK5Ua-rN5QVzIXL1OcguFOgMKK072He67SdmlaMdLhnpw5Zoa6zBk5q80T3G9ZIK9vz/s320/IMG_4202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of Rosalie, Heather, and James on the floor of our<br />new house! I don't even remember what Rosalie was grumpy<br />about, but Heather and James were all smiles. </td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Between our trip to England and the three small human bosses who run my life, I decided I did not have time to pack and we would have the movers pack for us. When we move again, I will not pay for packers again. It was great to not do the task of packing in the short amount of time we had but it tripled my unpacking time. It is incredibly painful to open a kitchen box labeled, “plasticware” and not a single piece of plastic be inside. Or a bedroom box labeled, “linens” and not find a single pillowcase. As convenient as having packers are it is not worth the hassle. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The rest of the move went really well. We had our cars transported and rented a car to drive. The drive was easy and the kids did really well. We stopped halfway thought at my uncle’s house. His daughters, my cousins are just a few years older than Rosalie and Heather. They play together really well and it is so fun to see them make those cousin relationships. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our first night in Chicago it snowed at least 6 inches, it was pretty crazy to see the big jump between a few inches of snow shutting down Virginia for a couple of days, to twice as much snow not even phasing the Chicagoans. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chicago is very different from any other place I have lived, the biggest difference is how built up it is. Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, the only bigger cities being NYC and LA. We live about 40 minutes from the center of Chicago, our home in Virginia was about 40 minutes from DC. It is much busier in these Chicago suburbs than the DC burbs. We are walking distance from a lot of shops and restaurants. We are also a short walk to a train station that can take us right downtown. A 20-minute drive can take us to so many places. There is so much to explore!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am still busy unpacking, the home we are renting was built in the early 60s. So far we really like it, but it is the polar opposite of our modern three-story townhome. There is so much stuff I think, “I had this here in the last house, where the heck do I put it now.” It is crazy how much housing preferences and architecture has changed in 60 years. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have a lot of blog catch-up to do. We had a ton of fun in England over Christmas. And I met a ton of awesome people at a Festivus party too. I cannot wait to share!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks for reading! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-42914979240932450642018-11-03T01:00:00.000-04:002018-11-03T01:00:19.674-04:00James's Birth Story<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{70eaaaa6-d800-42c5-bceb-b6fc48a453b7}{151}" paraid="1730831961" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">James is already four months old</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">! </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I thought I should write his birth story before I forget all of the details.</span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{70eaaaa6-d800-42c5-bceb-b6fc48a453b7}{160}" paraid="370514780" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Around 37-38 weeks I had a bit of false labor, I had mild contractions for 3 or 4 days. I kept thinking they would ramp up and they never did, it was super annoying and made me anxious. Once they stopped my uterus was actually sore, it felt like I had done an intense ab work out, my whole pregnancy had been so easy till that weekend of false labor. I was done! I just wanted to meet my little (or not so little) boy. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpb1UQBedQrA3BWqmiHlhPwuxHUwrtejNjOOyBqpdKXCyHl-ivzYMK_pw-F5VDhjS57VBnkOCvD7sPcjEI74mW7w-HA0iDgGTXjyUVFruQ-In-a7Pau6wbo4WM0w6bHSZjKUJ3kkFE5XJ/s1600/IMG_8156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1230" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpb1UQBedQrA3BWqmiHlhPwuxHUwrtejNjOOyBqpdKXCyHl-ivzYMK_pw-F5VDhjS57VBnkOCvD7sPcjEI74mW7w-HA0iDgGTXjyUVFruQ-In-a7Pau6wbo4WM0w6bHSZjKUJ3kkFE5XJ/s320/IMG_8156.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I tried to stay busy, I went to lots of MOMS Club activities. RJ and I took Rosalie and Heather to their first movie at the theater, we saw Incredibles 2, they had so much fun! I tried to finish up the housework, and get laundry, and shopping done. Heather came down with a cold of some sort just a few days before my due date, she had a fever for a few days so I took her to the pediatrician to make sure it wasn’t anything serious. They did a strep test because they had had a few local cases, luckily it was negative. Heather seemed to be getting better and that was a bit of a relief. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{70eaaaa6-d800-42c5-bceb-b6fc48a453b7}{230}" paraid="801164391" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">My due date was Saturday</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> June 30</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" data-fontsize="11" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Earlier that week I saw my Midwife, I had her check me and strip my membranes. My cervix was still very high and not very dilated. On Wednesday the 27</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" data-fontsize="11" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I started having more contractions that felt similar to the false labor I had a few weeks before. I decided to go to bed and try to sleep through them. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{70eaaaa6-d800-42c5-bceb-b6fc48a453b7}{252}" paraid="1776646697" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Around 3 am I could not sleep through my contractions anymore</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I snuck downstairs and did my best to not wake up RJ. I wanted to make sure he got </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">a good amount of sleep,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I knew I could handle early labor on my own and if I did need him, he was a few steps away.</span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I bounced on my birth ball for a while, while watching some TV. The contractions were getting worse and worse. They were very sharp. I don’t remember my contractions with Rosalie or Heather being quite so intense, but neither of them w</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">as</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> as big as James. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimP_LupqJqscwXoWl-bHYwZ4YlmGmI1d1GtDB0A-kIOrhtaxX3GAAFNRU1MuOGrneBtwkxpneQkLzOGtb8dkeyj6Iz9fSN1Fbo54SEg-BizPV-HkME_MYFaEDqfa17R1PFksEXQe5DFV9q/s1600/IMG_8029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimP_LupqJqscwXoWl-bHYwZ4YlmGmI1d1GtDB0A-kIOrhtaxX3GAAFNRU1MuOGrneBtwkxpneQkLzOGtb8dkeyj6Iz9fSN1Fbo54SEg-BizPV-HkME_MYFaEDqfa17R1PFksEXQe5DFV9q/s320/IMG_8029.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I started to lose my nerve a little bit</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I didn’t feel great and was spending a lot of time in the bathroom. I was pretty sure James was OP/sunny side up. I put on a lot of weight this pregnancy and just didn’t feel like my best self </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">so </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I wasn’t feeling as confident as I did with Heather’s labor and delivery. I knew I could do it, I was just feeling </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">anxious. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Around 6:30-7am I texted my friend Jocelyn who was going to watch the girls and told her to come over because it was time. I went upstairs, and sat next to RJ on the bed, and said, “Are you ready to have a baby?” He quickly said</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> yes and jumped out of bed. </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{49}" paraid="1005920969" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">RJ seemed a little surprised </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">that </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I had waited so long to wake him</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> up</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. By the time I woke him</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I had stopped timing contractions, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I also couldn’t really hold a conversation through them anymore.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I knew James was coming</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, but I </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">knew </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">RJ </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">would be able to be an even better daddy doula if he was well rested, so I only woke him when I </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">needed his help. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I called my midwife and told her I was in labor, she told me she would be at the birth center around 8:30</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">am. RJ and I finished packing our hospital bag and started getting ready to go, Rosalie and Heather woke up and seemed a little confused that every few minutes mommy was leaning against the wall and breathing deeply. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MQw7Ylo198dtCpsTYuYVKLE1DVJ038JoBTAWit5KswbLznLkww-WytzuDUW7EyxEG6HwELp50jbVzyWU8JpC85WMhSgUGO7hLhHabsNom6NT2derl33HDU60N-wf9cxBlOZbrNHpg5Y7/s1600/IMG_8168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MQw7Ylo198dtCpsTYuYVKLE1DVJ038JoBTAWit5KswbLznLkww-WytzuDUW7EyxEG6HwELp50jbVzyWU8JpC85WMhSgUGO7hLhHabsNom6NT2derl33HDU60N-wf9cxBlOZbrNHpg5Y7/s320/IMG_8168.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jocelyn showed up pretty quickly</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> which was good because </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">right</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> after she got </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">to</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ou</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">r </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">house,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I started to feel </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">pressure, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">and almost felt the need to push. I told RJ we needed to leave NOW. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">He can read me very well and knew I was serious.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{91}" paraid="1922013034" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Right before we got in the car</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I called my midwife again and told her we were on our way. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I hate to ride in the car during labor! </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Contractions in general hurt like hell, and not being able to move and find a comfy spot </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">makes </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">everything</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> much more intense</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Luckily</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> we made good time and I wasn’t in the car very long. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{153}" paraid="1699120843" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">W</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">hen we got </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">there</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, I went to the bathroom, then took my pants</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, underwear,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and shirt off. My midwife asked if I wanted her to check me, I said yes</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">he</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">told me</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> that I was 9cms</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I was very excited/relieved to know I was that far along. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{153}" paraid="1699120843" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{185}" paraid="1263272697" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">We had lots of help in the room, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">here were 3 midwives, 4 nurses, and 1 nursing student who I was happy to have there. Students have to learn somehow and I am not shy. I’m glad I didn’t hire a doula, we had more than enough help and everyone was absolutely amazing. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{209}" paraid="496684321" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">We</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">got settled and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I started to really feel the need to push</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, w</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">e tried multiple positions till I ultimately felt comfortable on my side</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> with one leg up on a peanut ball supported with lots of pillows. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">This is where things get a tiny bit foggy. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{209}" paraid="496684321" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{229}" paraid="986875157" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">When I am in labor, I zone out during the end when contractions are more intense. I labored on my side for quite a while, the nurses kept telling me how amazing I was and how easy I made it look. I was feeling pretty good and a bit more confident now that we were at the birth center, and I </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">knew</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I didn’t have much longer to go. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{245}" paraid="1477088337" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv68bmXl1eAb5R0ZJi7LSIM201X9BSS9uQhZR5QbSVvmYWPdWEsIUbkpkzRZz1k5Ef5XOTE0OnsbENy3hXk3ughvvgz3T7JSlPuYwxqyI8-UKjuie9DCcNZi93quZb_1EaWYvOGQjXPL0P/s1600/_DSC4151.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1388" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv68bmXl1eAb5R0ZJi7LSIM201X9BSS9uQhZR5QbSVvmYWPdWEsIUbkpkzRZz1k5Ef5XOTE0OnsbENy3hXk3ughvvgz3T7JSlPuYwxqyI8-UKjuie9DCcNZi93quZb_1EaWYvOGQjXPL0P/s320/_DSC4151.NEF.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I don’t exactly remember when I started pushing, but during one contraction I could no longer breath through the pressure and started working with it. My midwife checked me and told me James was well on his way and she had a hard time not breaking my water, I told her it was ok to break it. My water has never broken on its own and I remember the relief of pressure that happened when my midwife broke my water when I was in labor with Heather. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">My midwife</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> broke my water and things started progressing quicker. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{245}" paraid="1477088337" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{0a087948-5190-402f-8c77-e2b0052cad4a}{249}" paraid="619813629" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I started pushing harder. I don’t remember feeling Rosalie or Heather move down with every push, but with James</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I could really feel the progress I was making and it was very motivating. I moved onto my hands and knees and tried pushing there for one or two contractions but I was not as productive there. I rolled over onto my back where my pushes were much more productive. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{1859688b-8d3a-46bc-a90f-f68f4ba31a2d}{2}" paraid="57377491" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Things got intense very quickly, I reached down and felt his head as soon as he was down far enough. I also asked for a mirror. I am a very visual person and seeing my progress helps so much. I don’t know exactly how long I pushed, but the ring of fire with James felt like an eternity with his big head. The pain almost made me feel more alert. I remember crowning and the pain being excruciating, trying to breathe through it was tough but I was doing it. My midwife told me I could do tiny pulse like pushes and I did and his head came out! I did one last big push and caught him myself and brought him up to my chest.</span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f0e0dc82-3b83-4780-9287-d41329175c25}{17}" paraid="2057180559" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">James Robert Ayres was born June 28</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW142922663" data-fontsize="11" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, 2018 at 10:45 am. He was 9lbs 14oz, and 21 inches long. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{1859688b-8d3a-46bc-a90f-f68f4ba31a2d}{6}" paraid="1375919667" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">He was adorable and everything I imagined he would be. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{1859688b-8d3a-46bc-a90f-f68f4ba31a2d}{10}" paraid="1303260566" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I got to hold him on my chest for over an hour. He was so alert and latched perfectly the first time he tried. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{1859688b-8d3a-46bc-a90f-f68f4ba31a2d}{14}" paraid="1144545421" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">James was perfect and while we bonded my midwife left to see how another patient was doing at the main hospital. When she got back the nurse had just weighed him. When my midwife was told he was a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">whopping</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> 9lbs 14oz she was shocked, most women with babies so large have longer, more difficult labors.</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk9gK2-qJPUXwgFZm6wASzPU3eacCuOy9mKcLJjs7PwpPhND_7cLHN7GATAhvUUAPqUgZBUnvPMvcymkIC8ohKqlYgHzhefXu9PwHrQTnPNl4mmUiQAYCoLddeRuXAZfhPwpoZNFhtEtS/s1600/_DSC4155.NEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1388" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk9gK2-qJPUXwgFZm6wASzPU3eacCuOy9mKcLJjs7PwpPhND_7cLHN7GATAhvUUAPqUgZBUnvPMvcymkIC8ohKqlYgHzhefXu9PwHrQTnPNl4mmUiQAYCoLddeRuXAZfhPwpoZNFhtEtS/s320/_DSC4155.NEF.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Before the placenta was delivered, my midwife checked me for tearing and thought she saw a minor tear but it was difficult to tell with all the normal swelling and blood around my perineum. A day or two later things felt like they were healing very well so I had RJ take a good look down there. He decided I did not tear, and maybe just had a small graze. When I saw my midwife for my 6</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">week checkup she told me everything looked amazing and it did not look like I had just given birth to a 10lb baby! </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{1859688b-8d3a-46bc-a90f-f68f4ba31a2d}{66}" paraid="102863113" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The only issue I have had since James’s birth is my tailbone. Since he was sunny side up, he did a number on it, and 4 months later it still hurts occasionally. My midwife said I could have sprained it or even fractured it, but there is really nothing that can be done for an injured tailbone. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{1859688b-8d3a-46bc-a90f-f68f4ba31a2d}{82}" paraid="597198451" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">It sounds crazy but I love giving birth. If I wasn’t squeamish around blood other than m</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">y</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">own</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I would love to become a doula or even a midwife. This labor and delivery </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">w</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW142922663" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">as</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> rough though. For a while</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I thought I wanted six kids, but now I only want one more. Four is a good number. But after giving birth to James naturally and surviving I can do ANYTHING. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{1859688b-8d3a-46bc-a90f-f68f4ba31a2d}{98}" paraid="298195429" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I am glad I am able to share my birth stories. I recently discovered after reading Rosalie and Heather’s birth stories</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">a friend of mine decided she wanted a natural birth! She had an amazingly supportive birth team and had her own baby boy naturally around the same time I had James! I am glad sharing my experiences have done something. I didn’t know if they would do anything at all when I first started sharing them, so I am really glad that they have helped people! </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{1859688b-8d3a-46bc-a90f-f68f4ba31a2d}{112}" paraid="2076614453" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hopefully</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I can find time to blog a bit more often! I love sharing my experiences and opinions. </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW142922663" paraeid="{1859688b-8d3a-46bc-a90f-f68f4ba31a2d}{116}" paraid="1678943882" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW142922663" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Thanks for reading! </span><span class="EOP SCXW142922663" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-44055744230503317172018-09-17T23:34:00.000-04:002018-09-17T23:34:18.135-04:00Keenz Liner Tutorial <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{26}" paraid="111029103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">A couple of months ago we purchased a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Stroller Wagon for our trip to Disney World. It’s a certified stroller that has many </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">wagon like</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> features. It makes a perfect stroller/child/child crap carrying device, I love it. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{30}" paraid="933327366" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">There are quite a few Facebook groups where we all worship the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. One of the bigger topics of conversation is handmade liners. When I bought our </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">stroller</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I tried to find a good detailed tutorial but there aren’t any out there. I am relatively proficient at sewing so I thought I would make my own pattern/tutorial and share it. As much as I would love to do something like this and sell it on Etsy to bring in some extra spending cash, I just simply don’t have the time to start a business. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{30}" paraid="933327366" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br />
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{30}" paraid="933327366" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Here is my completed liner. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{38}" paraid="1629322185" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcqjhldcNuzVRJG9gK7BTnyynhblnIufptpqTdE83R7mSLIvnBLFnAvibEjL3fuND41UEYISzaVdxRKCAzz0-BwW63g-Sh7bFZEs8vehirOM7X1rLJCz9h6AMH0mxxZ3fKI-KSvFXJEk3/s1600/IMG_7090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcqjhldcNuzVRJG9gK7BTnyynhblnIufptpqTdE83R7mSLIvnBLFnAvibEjL3fuND41UEYISzaVdxRKCAzz0-BwW63g-Sh7bFZEs8vehirOM7X1rLJCz9h6AMH0mxxZ3fKI-KSvFXJEk3/s320/IMG_7090.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I chose to do a full bucket liner, with snaps to secure it. There is one thin layer of batting. I also used the buttonhole feature on my sewing machine to make holes for the harnesses and the strap to close the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> at the bottom. It has a couple of pockets on the inside for the kids. Two for water bottles or sippy cups, and 3 for books, toys, snacks etc. It is reversible with grey </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> on the other side. I think the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> will be better for the cooler months since </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> is so warm and cozy. There are NOT pockets on the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> side. I also did a reversible canopy cover with some extra fabric I had. It was super simple and I LOVE how it looks. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Update:</span></b><span style="font-family: arial, arial_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> Having used the liner and our Keenz for the past few months we rarely use the pockets on the inside and I think if I were to make another liner I would not make pockets again. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ1FaXwhjG3r6qkIvS2skhYUaqgkXZbJ-TtJ7iWfPChe1L8iaxQdylmLdcALuHtIIXZhGMki9V9wrAoj036cnIyBwQa92qJWPD7uSL4xkXpk17kvs98hdN8a-SLas-ggNHt1BQI4wou-n/s1600/IMG_7074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQ1FaXwhjG3r6qkIvS2skhYUaqgkXZbJ-TtJ7iWfPChe1L8iaxQdylmLdcALuHtIIXZhGMki9V9wrAoj036cnIyBwQa92qJWPD7uSL4xkXpk17kvs98hdN8a-SLas-ggNHt1BQI4wou-n/s320/IMG_7074.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{42}" paraid="2140830688" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">This tutorial is LONG. Please do not be intimidated. There are a lot of steps, but if you take it slowly it should be easy to follow. Sewing a full bucket liner is not a simple sewing project. It is pretty involved and I do not recommend it for people who are new to sewing. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{52}" paraid="1556468123" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Supplies you will need:</span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{52}" paraid="1556468123" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{56}" paraid="1592669437" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I purchased 4 yards of the light blue Mickey Minnie pattern fabric (I bought it online and ordered extra after I couldn’t find it at any local stores). I have about 1-1.5 yards leftover after the canopy cover. I also got 2 yards of the navy blue, 3 yards of the grey </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{56}" paraid="1592669437" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{58}" paraid="894926703" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">If you are planning on doing one color for one side and one color for the other I think 2-3 yards of each fabric would be enough. 4-6 yards total. If you are doing the canopy cover add 2 yards, 1 for each side. If I make another liner I will pick a thicker more durable fabric. I LOVE the way the cotton turned out and it was very easy to work with, but it could use a little more structure and I think using a thicker slightly stiffer fabric might help. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{58}" paraid="894926703" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{62}" paraid="1156032464" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Make sure you buy 2 spools of thread. I only bought one and completely ran out by the end (the buttonholes used a lot of thread). </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{62}" paraid="1156032464" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{66}" paraid="1857469316" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Choose your batting, I bought something moderate. I thought about choosing something thicker but I didn’t want it to be too bulky when folding the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. I also didn’t want it to be too hot. </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b9ebdc26-f1f7-49c2-8230-9bb20df41702}{235}" paraid="1428370251" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I only put batting on the bottom and the sides with the harnesses/straps. I don’t think the other sides of the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> need extra padding. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b9ebdc26-f1f7-49c2-8230-9bb20df41702}{235}" paraid="1428370251" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{74}" paraid="1114881697" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I purchased metal snaps that I hammered into fabric strips to secure my liner. You could do ties, or buttons. The snaps were really easy to install. I love how easy they make the liner to secure and I don’t have to worry about them being easily undone by toddler fingers. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{74}" paraid="1114881697" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{78}" paraid="1164721941" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I highly recommend buying a walking foot if you plan on using </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Having sewn </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> with and without a walking foot before, without is a HUGE pain and I would never sew </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> without one again. Even with a walking foot you can get some slipping, so be careful. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{82}" paraid="631851090" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Steps</span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{88}" paraid="712401750" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">1. The first thing you want to do is measure and cut your fabric. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{88}" paraid="712401750" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{92}" paraid="1108122371" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I cut the fabric for one side all at once, sewed it, and compared it to my </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> before cutting the other side to ensure my measurements and my seam allowances were accurate. To get a better idea, I cut the Mickey fabric, and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">navy blue</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> fabric, sewed it, then cut my </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> fabric. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{92}" paraid="1108122371" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{92}" paraid="1108122371" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">My measurements account for a ⅝ inch seam allowance which was one of the guides on my sewing machine and it fit the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> perfectly. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{92}" paraid="1108122371" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{92}" paraid="1108122371" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">You will need these pieces cut in both the fabric used for the front of your liner and the back. Make sure when you are cutting your fabric out the print is facing the direction you want. I specifically wanted Mickey and Minnie facing up right on the back/harness pieces so I had to make sure they were cut properly. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{100}" paraid="621471661" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW64631652" role="list" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{104}" paraid="483217030" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I cut my bottom piece 31 inches by 18.5 inches. I cut this piece in blue Mickey and Minnie fabric, and one in grey </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{119}" paraid="746743880" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">2 sides where the harnesses go are 15.5 inches by 18.5 inches. These pieces were also Mickey and Minnie and a set in grey </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span></div>
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<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{125}" paraid="1008711122" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">2 long sides were 31 inches by 15.5 inches. These pieces I cut in navy blue, and two in grey </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> as well. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{131}" paraid="1032253557" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I added pockets to one side of the inside for the kids. That piece of fabric was 6 inches by 45 inches. It was that large because it needs to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">accommodate</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> for the gathered, elastic pockets for water bottles. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span></div>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglg_vPw-_01nNVaP31sDmYoUw5tOb10GaY91_Z2qjWn_-7b1_Js5_zf1MKkJuofW_6mO6sZzdWJFSp4Y41u2YxcSPKv2CpcCJi4k7ryTte5spISYXFnagVPeZQvaEXlrP6L53YWcrjLWyi/s1600/IMG_8693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglg_vPw-_01nNVaP31sDmYoUw5tOb10GaY91_Z2qjWn_-7b1_Js5_zf1MKkJuofW_6mO6sZzdWJFSp4Y41u2YxcSPKv2CpcCJi4k7ryTte5spISYXFnagVPeZQvaEXlrP6L53YWcrjLWyi/s320/IMG_8693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{137}" paraid="1953247310" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">2. Once you have all your fabric cut out, lay it out and make sure you have all your pieces. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{141}" paraid="941091510" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">3. Grab a few scraps of fabric and make sure the tension on your sewing machine is correct before you start.</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{145}" paraid="214062440" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">4. Start by sewing one of the harness pieces (measuring 15.5 by 18.5 inches) to the bottom piece (measuring 31 inches by 18.5 inches). Pin it right sides together and sew away. Repeat on the other side. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{149}" paraid="655347444" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">5. Take what you have sewn and compare it with your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. If the seams don’t line up to the bottom adjust your seam allowances and continue. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{153}" paraid="1152653353" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">6. At this point I created the pockets. If you do not want to do the pockets go ahead and skip to the next step. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c808f004-f1ee-4f47-a8ef-f6f96df06946}{79}" paraid="262505177" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
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<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW64631652" role="list" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="3" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{157}" paraid="255102693" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I only had 1 inch wide elastic so I folded over about 1.5 inches and hemmed the piece of the of Mickey and Minnie fabric I had cut for the pockets (the piece that was 6 inches by 45 inches). </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="3" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I measured around one of our kids </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Camelbak</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> water bottles to determine how long to make the elastic. To make things easier I just stretched a piece of elastic around a bottle to see how long it would need to be and hold securely but not so tight toddlers couldn’t get it in and out. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="3" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UnVACb008K-jGl2SOPeYcFxhgvP-q8ZMXn71VTV5vGpi8-p3fhKo31-GX39_PP6kgRp2iEsrPZu3gwOfDSoxIN2NjuTEtuKINK9JkwgrZ4XLZ40vw9Rk2xbSmmrDGPk9oye30FQTlmI1/s1600/IMG_6897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UnVACb008K-jGl2SOPeYcFxhgvP-q8ZMXn71VTV5vGpi8-p3fhKo31-GX39_PP6kgRp2iEsrPZu3gwOfDSoxIN2NjuTEtuKINK9JkwgrZ4XLZ40vw9Rk2xbSmmrDGPk9oye30FQTlmI1/s320/IMG_6897.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here the elastic is stitched but the<br />
fabric is not scrunched yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">After you know how long you want your elastic, measure it, multiply it by 1.5 or 2. Measure that far in on your fabric and stitch the elastic into the hem of the pocket piece. Scrunch up the excess fabric and stitch the end of the fabric to the end of the elastic to secure it.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="8" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="3" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{167}" paraid="783691575" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqPt_KVGZZwAWWMWJnpuaZX0vmt-z8l7i62P5WOwO6TpJExnwfcdvrS86O9MlYMU9o4D56CjVCBIqefjuSYpC5ymVLOThyYvRZy0RwBEU4iSY2O_BW85hPX5XGdJL_iaLOTOUrgqaCExc/s1600/IMG_6898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqPt_KVGZZwAWWMWJnpuaZX0vmt-z8l7i62P5WOwO6TpJExnwfcdvrS86O9MlYMU9o4D56CjVCBIqefjuSYpC5ymVLOThyYvRZy0RwBEU4iSY2O_BW85hPX5XGdJL_iaLOTOUrgqaCExc/s320/IMG_6898.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Stitch your pocket piece one of the pieces measuring 31 by 15.5 (for me this was one of the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">navy blue</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> pieces). </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="8" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="3" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="8" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="3" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Start by stitching the far ends. Then decide how big you want your other pockets. Bunch your fabric accordingly. I was winging this part, so I am sorry if it is a little confusing. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L_wR4lS_5IcOFxBcWvdRrH3bwwxoTJt1sdfvYR9t8gES2oEYA5egTgoFkvtkvaU1vnTxcDD4lnQHz2FeTstHWdBA4OgknM2puIOWseBT9M1wf8qZXo83xBkCFZtfUOrgFXt0pSVvxqlf/s1600/IMG_6899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L_wR4lS_5IcOFxBcWvdRrH3bwwxoTJt1sdfvYR9t8gES2oEYA5egTgoFkvtkvaU1vnTxcDD4lnQHz2FeTstHWdBA4OgknM2puIOWseBT9M1wf8qZXo83xBkCFZtfUOrgFXt0pSVvxqlf/s320/IMG_6899.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">7. Once your pocket piece is completed, stitch it to the “bottom” piece of the liner make sure to pin them with the RIGHT sides together. If you didn’t make the pockets stitch the piece measuring 31 inches by 15.5 inches. To the “bottom” piece. </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{177}" paraid="1783520010" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{177}" paraid="1783520010" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">8. Repeat step 7 and stitch the other piece measuring 31 by 15.5 inches to the “bottom” Piece to form a “t” shape. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3omiOhrd0-Gw0zphLzXtHDOqMFIlNkB4ENfOS5uEsscSEB4nv-xAhox0Crs9Bu57NNTdBodNkFNYeBsaXgzD_CtD_-wBA5jPTb9zapMhPDsg4GfPP32h3A6Fl0PRdzaA0OHcBO0jLG-7t/s1600/IMG_6945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3omiOhrd0-Gw0zphLzXtHDOqMFIlNkB4ENfOS5uEsscSEB4nv-xAhox0Crs9Bu57NNTdBodNkFNYeBsaXgzD_CtD_-wBA5jPTb9zapMhPDsg4GfPP32h3A6Fl0PRdzaA0OHcBO0jLG-7t/s320/IMG_6945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{177}" paraid="1783520010" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">9. At this stage you need to have your wits about you so make sure to triple check, before you pin and sew. Start sewing the seams to form the bucket. Make sure you have a big flat space to work. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{177}" paraid="1783520010" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Take your time. I was lucky enough not to have to get out my seam ripper. This is definitely where you would need it if you do not pay attention to what you are doing. Make sure none of the fabric is folded or bunched up under itself. </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">After one or two seams I compared my liner to my </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to make sure my seams were matching up well. Adjust your seam allowances if you need to. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4fB7Sxwja5stof2LD_ZiLnHQCmjRVEvq09AZ1o8sLLuynPuPWmSAtvyxztsvufr1EIEnh8u4jyg9qK6V4gAcSpWomki2s8hLuT8708T2Y5uaXdcKWDp0TdCBhqSHAfaxtgC2U8ocjbM_/s1600/IMG_6954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4fB7Sxwja5stof2LD_ZiLnHQCmjRVEvq09AZ1o8sLLuynPuPWmSAtvyxztsvufr1EIEnh8u4jyg9qK6V4gAcSpWomki2s8hLuT8708T2Y5uaXdcKWDp0TdCBhqSHAfaxtgC2U8ocjbM_/s320/IMG_6954.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It will start to look like this. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">10. Continue sewing all the sides to form a full bucket shape. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">11. Repeat steps 1-10 with the other fabric for the reverse side of your liner. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtSq9hrh6WfWfJvxZFdxTHsAOcqIyybHh2E99dwo3bOWFmAbWYJ3fOgUZlqgNrRdfvMt4Y96PwdHWxHVAh5O4vMjGQGlYScEY1t__B99Fd_4JDsCiieOMo7XS6M7fYc1UwdQHmYhbDfCV/s1600/IMG_6970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtSq9hrh6WfWfJvxZFdxTHsAOcqIyybHh2E99dwo3bOWFmAbWYJ3fOgUZlqgNrRdfvMt4Y96PwdHWxHVAh5O4vMjGQGlYScEY1t__B99Fd_4JDsCiieOMo7XS6M7fYc1UwdQHmYhbDfCV/s320/IMG_6970.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">12. Press all your seams. This step is not 100% necessary but it will definitely make things a bit easier (if you are using </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> make sure your iron is not too hot or you will iron the little raised dots out of the fabric).</span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">13. Nest the two sides of your liner together right sides together. Make sure your seams line up (the bottom piece of the liner "bucket floor type area are the same size), if you need to make adjustments do them now. I had to make a couple adjustments to my </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">minky</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> side because even with a walking foot it slipped a tiny bit. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Luckily</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I needed to take seams in lot let them out. (My daughter's play table made a perfect frame to hold my liner and start pinning.)</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7DV6218THipBFfGNj_ZFzjbrwUYIv8hL_zbFCREsH-Md-p4vce9bWMqsCcr9PPXw2DQg11PjAPz6XsqUgXPF1lAFz83ypI0t3zNoxozj0bKReNFV49lfCzHzrpaCB4qRSVhuBmIsBjdv/s1600/IMG_6975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7DV6218THipBFfGNj_ZFzjbrwUYIv8hL_zbFCREsH-Md-p4vce9bWMqsCcr9PPXw2DQg11PjAPz6XsqUgXPF1lAFz83ypI0t3zNoxozj0bKReNFV49lfCzHzrpaCB4qRSVhuBmIsBjdv/s320/IMG_6975.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put Minky on top right sides together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAan5mb6j3NZ-D50IM2dur8Fv-jhL5AJKOgFG4VhP4O1FanKWFRHSHKw9RkVvT_L0tCjWzZiLlTEUi_v6BU9h38gIHBAbOAJ4-VvUNu06-zJp4F4rvaVqqP3YGro-ZN6xnF3AsEXucqhUS/s1600/IMG_6976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: right; display: inline !important; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAan5mb6j3NZ-D50IM2dur8Fv-jhL5AJKOgFG4VhP4O1FanKWFRHSHKw9RkVvT_L0tCjWzZiLlTEUi_v6BU9h38gIHBAbOAJ4-VvUNu06-zJp4F4rvaVqqP3YGro-ZN6xnF3AsEXucqhUS/s320/IMG_6976.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">14. Pause before sewing the two sides of your liner and make ties. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I cut 4, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">2 inch wide</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> strips that were about 15 inches long. Depending on how you want to attach your liner to your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> you might want them longer. Since I wanted to use snaps I made them a little long knowing I could easily trim them. If you plan on attaching your liner to your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> by tying them with bows they will definitely need to be longer. </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Then fold your strips of fabric in half long ways, iron them so they are easier to sew. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sew them with a small seam allowance. Leave one end open. </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Turn them right side out using a dowel, chopstick, or pencil, and iron them again (I didn’t finish off the end I left open until my liner was completed just </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">in case</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I wanted to trim them). </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, arial_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{189}" paraid="150110503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, arial_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I added the snaps at a later time because I didn’t know exactly where I would need them to secure the liner well. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW64631652" role="list" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="13" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></li>
</ul>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">15. Pin and sew one of the longer sides together. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{241}" paraid="2125927330" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">NOTE: </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Continually check and make sure your seams are lining up. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">16. Cut a piece of batting about 62 inches by 18 inches (I cut it a bit longer than necessary because I would rather trim than need to cut a new piece). </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ46AS2xC-vYCJ21wHkopH55pBrOL3tFFfjBcSSIaEwY9G9E0DYTAF34dd-5BakjOpkr_qKxWrwYgCjZfXPQL-N-J19abznXJ-Kyo1FjEkWRDZfgwlIw22bB60QU8rNUe01ZoleBSbWBfi/s1600/IMG_6981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ46AS2xC-vYCJ21wHkopH55pBrOL3tFFfjBcSSIaEwY9G9E0DYTAF34dd-5BakjOpkr_qKxWrwYgCjZfXPQL-N-J19abznXJ-Kyo1FjEkWRDZfgwlIw22bB60QU8rNUe01ZoleBSbWBfi/s320/IMG_6981.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ties tucked into corners and pinned right were my hand is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">17. Pin your ties in to the 4 corners. Make sure to tuck them “inside” so when you turn the liner right side out they are where they should be. They need to be sandwiched between the two right sides of your fabric. I folded my 4 strips in half so when the liner </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">is turned</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> right side out, each tie was “</span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">halved</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">” and you then had 2 ties sticking out of every corner. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">18. Pin the batting to your liner. Focus on the tops of harness pieces.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bc5af933-4c95-4303-829c-35e26df4768a}{253}" paraid="1808959300" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{2}" paraid="2031442824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">19. Sew just the top of the batting to your liner on both sides. You will secure the other parts of the batting later on.</span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">19. Sew the top of the other long side together </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">leaving a gap</span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> so you can turn the liner right side out. The batting will only be loosely secured at this point. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYxsxybck7QiEyvGzpsBjhB6hTHr8eUlTKwYqCTyqkhawe5MOb6H8hXDVsMmo1gkM41sWPcDTe8JIBViNNSZ-0mK8HMIuTS2eU9wys0jXWZcroOadwdyt4I_ebM_GgthfCHJZIyDfsQ5A/s1600/IMG_6985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYxsxybck7QiEyvGzpsBjhB6hTHr8eUlTKwYqCTyqkhawe5MOb6H8hXDVsMmo1gkM41sWPcDTe8JIBViNNSZ-0mK8HMIuTS2eU9wys0jXWZcroOadwdyt4I_ebM_GgthfCHJZIyDfsQ5A/s320/IMG_6985.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">20. Turn your liner right side out. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{6}" paraid="1665272640" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">21. Sew up the hole you left open, and sew around the top of the entire liner for a more finished look. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZWDl6rEnUD58ZRSFScpCz3h6RtKQRlmNqqQBBT1t3Gk8g25rxHgnVejpa-fE6mYb6BBQdEtjn8tO1iV9KNE8R9wqr4S9qsYj5y_O5hAutX9GdMao029tFPhceByO-szBM4j9pH-bbbdO/s1600/IMG_6988+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZWDl6rEnUD58ZRSFScpCz3h6RtKQRlmNqqQBBT1t3Gk8g25rxHgnVejpa-fE6mYb6BBQdEtjn8tO1iV9KNE8R9wqr4S9qsYj5y_O5hAutX9GdMao029tFPhceByO-szBM4j9pH-bbbdO/s320/IMG_6988+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liner right side out prepped to stitch<br />
gap closed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><br /><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">22. Very carefully line up the seams down the sides of the bucket where the batting is and stitch along the seams. Take your time, pin lots. Continue till you have stitched along all the seams. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-vPCJ7DE8WHfiOSbZmjzEAvAC0j2GxVSAcIeQh4-GgIxGiLbLGyIAuliaGxE1Wtn5h_tcPca201G3njlc_YlFrtJRJzjty5-JW0pAhdli2rol5ShNMXzjbFJNlKvmM-W_WxoDI7JeTyk/s1600/IMG_7016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-vPCJ7DE8WHfiOSbZmjzEAvAC0j2GxVSAcIeQh4-GgIxGiLbLGyIAuliaGxE1Wtn5h_tcPca201G3njlc_YlFrtJRJzjty5-JW0pAhdli2rol5ShNMXzjbFJNlKvmM-W_WxoDI7JeTyk/s320/IMG_7016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I am talking about in step<br />
22. I stitched along the seams about 1/4<br />
inch away from the seam to secure the<br />
two sides together and secure the batting<br />
better inside. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><br /><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">23. Put your liner on your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Kneez</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and get ready to do a million buttonholes. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{24}" paraid="811210987" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{26}" paraid="1698996632" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">24. At this stage I added the snaps to my ties, so the liner would be attached the same way every time I made a hole.</span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;" xml:lang="EN-US">25. My sewing machine came with a buttonhole foot, and instructions on how to sew a buttonhole. I took a few scraps of fabric and made a few test buttonholes before trying one on my liner. The max buttonhole width my sewing machine is capable of, is JUST big enough to fit the harness straps. The buckles do not fit, but the other end where you attach the buckles to the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;" xml:lang="EN-US"> frame fit. For me that worked. If you want the holes larger I will show you how to make them bigger in step 29. The big buckle at the bottom of the harness needed a larger button hole than all the others. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{32}" paraid="90782399" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{34}" paraid="1606002246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<div style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">26. Put your liner in your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> with the harnesses removed. Do your best to feel where the holes need to be and mark them with a fabric marker or pen of some sort. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4sShRTqCK4UvabtO-UYjmFfM1MUMQoy17MNFrQI4y9iSY8SzCn9gEUzHMd-EppqU6mGyo_L4Ma5GWOZ8PgPR-HzRx2GIHAJEHMEc08Qr2svBIergp8c9ofvFSD7LWleciMDILUavkTY7/s1600/IMG_7033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4sShRTqCK4UvabtO-UYjmFfM1MUMQoy17MNFrQI4y9iSY8SzCn9gEUzHMd-EppqU6mGyo_L4Ma5GWOZ8PgPR-HzRx2GIHAJEHMEc08Qr2svBIergp8c9ofvFSD7LWleciMDILUavkTY7/s400/IMG_7033.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushing through the fabric to feel the holes for the<br />
harness. then making with pen. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><br /><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">27. Using your buttonhole foot, sew a buttonhole where you marked. Take your liner back to your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and make sure was in the correct spot before using a sharp knife to carefully cut the fabric left between the stitches to create the hole. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, arial_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Note: </b></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">After you have sewn the buttonhole(s) make sure you put your liner on your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to make sure it’s in the correct spot before cutting the fabric to create the hole. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPcvYV632vGxjZi3j_2m-UNiuUnYOAeXvnJ2qd8Hwqu9vvccqSg7V3fNo-WgV7oOL58zvSw-orUqSgRWGHuXp1EFfa2H5K7Uh1luUR0PCzelKq97DGvUANtV-5m_T1koI3eYR0oLWTCBi/s1600/IMG_7027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPcvYV632vGxjZi3j_2m-UNiuUnYOAeXvnJ2qd8Hwqu9vvccqSg7V3fNo-WgV7oOL58zvSw-orUqSgRWGHuXp1EFfa2H5K7Uh1luUR0PCzelKq97DGvUANtV-5m_T1koI3eYR0oLWTCBi/s320/IMG_7027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carefully cut the fabric to create the<br />
hole. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br />28. Repeat steps 26 and 27 till you have made 6 holes for each harness side, and one for the center bottom closure pull. (13 total). I did not create holes for the highest harness holes. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDzUGuXoqQ-UQMuR8Hu5zMtsKb1ivJBROpo4Zc_gSZgZocjEBUc-B6H1V7CTV0kmleiPko8tpmXqo7GmdjTbNDaUzSnHeoj1iqxl5brCGav_nUIO_hWDd3cBQ8_6NGB7JPkoqgCQwQWTP/s1600/IMG_7065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDzUGuXoqQ-UQMuR8Hu5zMtsKb1ivJBROpo4Zc_gSZgZocjEBUc-B6H1V7CTV0kmleiPko8tpmXqo7GmdjTbNDaUzSnHeoj1iqxl5brCGav_nUIO_hWDd3cBQ8_6NGB7JPkoqgCQwQWTP/s320/IMG_7065.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{44}" paraid="1251042295" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{46}" paraid="1074599404" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<div style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">29. To make the wider buttonhole for the bottom buckle of the harnesses, I pretty much sewed two button holes back to back. I set the buttonhole length/width on my machine slightly less than the max, because the maxed doubled was too long. I stitched one hole, then reset the foot (my foot is spring loaded all I had to do was lift the foot it would spring to the start position, and sew a new hole right next to the first). </span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, arial_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, arial_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Photo below is the wide button hole. you can see where the second button starts right by Mickey's shoe. This was before I cut the fabric</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljoOo1aiQo82AZ6xlJTbVUYloEItPlPLMrNUUx4aGfa9TK75vTQhVqGjG4mBH0N7D_c-1sZupOYHR7hOLHSD8z0WnI9sRKNwjAxwnBZWwR1RD_v3o_tAGUuxlrDSaXpjsz7mslZTCwJwo/s1600/IMG_7050+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljoOo1aiQo82AZ6xlJTbVUYloEItPlPLMrNUUx4aGfa9TK75vTQhVqGjG4mBH0N7D_c-1sZupOYHR7hOLHSD8z0WnI9sRKNwjAxwnBZWwR1RD_v3o_tAGUuxlrDSaXpjsz7mslZTCwJwo/s320/IMG_7050+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{46}" paraid="1074599404" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{54}" paraid="80566382" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">When you cut the fabric for the big buttonhole you do have to cut through the stitching in the middle where the two buttons meet. I did a few hand stitches to secure the loose threads from fraying.</span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Bellow is a photo of the finished</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, arial_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> wide button hole with the bottom buckle of the harness through it. </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfk0wDvBaW3DS1IBeQbHTOwSi3tiOi8EL_-FonVHN5XPDfI8L930c8uJw76CFXZQM94mnqNel063L2fDcw2v0oeBAy4Oorx0jINecbOQIqetvoOs5MFpNGzZT_QtP5L8xqgvRKv4OnJRB/s1600/IMG_7064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfk0wDvBaW3DS1IBeQbHTOwSi3tiOi8EL_-FonVHN5XPDfI8L930c8uJw76CFXZQM94mnqNel063L2fDcw2v0oeBAy4Oorx0jINecbOQIqetvoOs5MFpNGzZT_QtP5L8xqgvRKv4OnJRB/s320/IMG_7064.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{58}" paraid="727108729" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">That’s it for the bucket liner! I am very proud of how it turned out! Feel free to comment with any questions!</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Here are some photos of our Keenz and liner in action at Disney world! </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K_9Wkht6Eu7REFc1DR8_OrbDiWIHAZw__xczhDP8nov7tmsb0Q6goq7SC2-pn3viM2wnG6wq2OaWnGQN7QKWPkqvm0xTo92CqN17PItIa0sFq5W0wdF67ZtHDwLP2eZEXQ5PEDzlzmNp/s1600/IMG_7223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K_9Wkht6Eu7REFc1DR8_OrbDiWIHAZw__xczhDP8nov7tmsb0Q6goq7SC2-pn3viM2wnG6wq2OaWnGQN7QKWPkqvm0xTo92CqN17PItIa0sFq5W0wdF67ZtHDwLP2eZEXQ5PEDzlzmNp/s320/IMG_7223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOyIh4hUkmQ6WaFzCrKP6Yd6uQ_IqOt0qi3fzWs3zRQ2J_BrhcEjVobtG3FBlAp2sgcp817gVl9PdorcXZDE5-UE4VjHQz30BFXcPnKmuz9IVvBqWHvp5BCf0J58EhYgBiAZnkNtuAe2X/s1600/IMG_7361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOyIh4hUkmQ6WaFzCrKP6Yd6uQ_IqOt0qi3fzWs3zRQ2J_BrhcEjVobtG3FBlAp2sgcp817gVl9PdorcXZDE5-UE4VjHQz30BFXcPnKmuz9IVvBqWHvp5BCf0J58EhYgBiAZnkNtuAe2X/s320/IMG_7361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDs6fvfze4e4RMnjw7bTjr2CH48mjczCBeWdjjyEBR6Jz-6WH9WNYR53uzyczzz6BHesyHnOP27wRgq0SmzEB6rhk-Tf_fjnLXqz3jpG6bBs0H2qFJz3wxvcbCbcoXbQqrr4H7rXWfX3G/s1600/IMG_7413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="606" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDs6fvfze4e4RMnjw7bTjr2CH48mjczCBeWdjjyEBR6Jz-6WH9WNYR53uzyczzz6BHesyHnOP27wRgq0SmzEB6rhk-Tf_fjnLXqz3jpG6bBs0H2qFJz3wxvcbCbcoXbQqrr4H7rXWfX3G/s320/IMG_7413.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{62}" paraid="1646818705" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Instructions for canopy cover</span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{114b0e6b-03c1-42b9-b242-e9810d15023f}{20}" paraid="933876265" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Supplies</span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{68}" paraid="487730486" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">About 2 yards of fabric. 1 yard of one print and 1 yard of another. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{72}" paraid="508949592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Matching thread </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{114b0e6b-03c1-42b9-b242-e9810d15023f}{11}" paraid="1442080068" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Steps </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{82}" paraid="2021190810" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">1. Cut a rectangle about 30 inches by 46 inches out of each print. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{86}" paraid="860645348" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">2. Drape one rectangle over your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Make sure it is even all the way around. Also make sure the print is facing DOWN.</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisjwjVyYkctNO7FsurG99Qxy1urq5npBh3UnSr6WVeq2Oq-8sRu4p66Qncl21BTPRvnVMokJpYnlZSzAWa6I9tRu23y7M_by4DyEkYZmPSZbVwUsY8eoV-p0SVT0BsgGO8MVP3vYrJ3RG/s1600/IMG_7051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisjwjVyYkctNO7FsurG99Qxy1urq5npBh3UnSr6WVeq2Oq-8sRu4p66Qncl21BTPRvnVMokJpYnlZSzAWa6I9tRu23y7M_by4DyEkYZmPSZbVwUsY8eoV-p0SVT0BsgGO8MVP3vYrJ3RG/s320/IMG_7051.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{90}" paraid="900585288" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">3. Pin the corners relatively snuggly. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q5URCJm8iCZsf54F11Da3O94ODn7AOKllZ92cGnLpRkaGxp0RPBHe9si2_8HWfG1cfCH0yrtI8p0VitYDU4nopmBzjiac-kzsZ_7PoD8BpXeZriTPMdp5N-D3dxfzLnfGurjtZbE49e0/s1600/IMG_7052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q5URCJm8iCZsf54F11Da3O94ODn7AOKllZ92cGnLpRkaGxp0RPBHe9si2_8HWfG1cfCH0yrtI8p0VitYDU4nopmBzjiac-kzsZ_7PoD8BpXeZriTPMdp5N-D3dxfzLnfGurjtZbE49e0/s320/IMG_7052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{92}" paraid="1565686929" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{94}" paraid="1574624839" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">4. Sew each corner where pinned. This is not very exact but I found it a quick easy way to do the cover. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><br />
</div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{98}" paraid="1132272607" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">5. Turn the stitched cover right side out and put it on your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Check the corners, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">If</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> you need to take them in a little bit adjust the seams as needed. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkc-jmbkvek5Fy0QJ2FECwJGffIcfqX_FoRIE0Xi_v5Ts6yF1Ptvbj-toOwwJFOa1QxRehRE_5x1WQZsLXnhm4d3NdNvSgU_kF0a4WA6V3D-zZAt3YJTvaUYDuaYdvsW4fGPZ2Q46gmFb/s1600/IMG_7054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkc-jmbkvek5Fy0QJ2FECwJGffIcfqX_FoRIE0Xi_v5Ts6yF1Ptvbj-toOwwJFOa1QxRehRE_5x1WQZsLXnhm4d3NdNvSgU_kF0a4WA6V3D-zZAt3YJTvaUYDuaYdvsW4fGPZ2Q46gmFb/s320/IMG_7054.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I felt like this corner was a little too loose so I took it in a little. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{100}" paraid="1726879036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{102}" paraid="1525428080" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">6. Repeat steps 2-5 with the other rectangle of fabric for the other side. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{104}" paraid="440781087" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{106}" paraid="1767410901" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">7. Place both rectangles on the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> canopy and make sure the seams match up well. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{108}" paraid="2090431523" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{110}" paraid="603457995" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">8. Trim the excess fabric in the corners, and press the seams. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{112}" paraid="1996958389" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{114}" paraid="1082389872" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">9. Pin the two sides of the canopy liner RIGHT sides together. Stitch along the edge, make sure to leave at least a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">4 inch</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> gap to turn the cover right side out. </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW64631652" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{118}" paraid="1974316391" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTV_QzfJ5VOSOaJZFqzzdB58HwP9KZ6P6YceuNX5AWOeapXRxrtDTZ6SJQHJXrWMuRJvpIboQVLRhBirpvZJD27yOGkSz12QfdL2Cvq7kffXrU_1yKgDU1nBf2IDV_TvQlv1o4T5bUGuY/s1600/IMG_7059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1212" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTV_QzfJ5VOSOaJZFqzzdB58HwP9KZ6P6YceuNX5AWOeapXRxrtDTZ6SJQHJXrWMuRJvpIboQVLRhBirpvZJD27yOGkSz12QfdL2Cvq7kffXrU_1yKgDU1nBf2IDV_TvQlv1o4T5bUGuY/s320/IMG_7059.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both sides of canopy on canopy right sides together. I just made sure the edges lined up well before sewing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">10. Turn the cover right side out. Check to see how fits on your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> if you need to make any adjustments turn it inside out again and fix it. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{120}" paraid="2079328047" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{122}" paraid="1299419054" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">11. Iron the seams, and do a final stitch around the edge to give it a finished look. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b6866ccd-5796-42cd-87d0-4c532c5fadf9}{236}" paraid="263813849" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{baa7f9dd-91f0-42c5-af44-c7879b73bccf}{126}" paraid="109606868" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">That’s it! I really love how the canopy cover turned out. It was the easiest part of decorating my </span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW64631652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Keenz</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW64631652" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and it looks great. </span><span class="EOP SCXW64631652" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-64796895188933361722018-05-19T00:21:00.001-04:002018-05-19T00:21:10.182-04:00It's a Boy!It’s been a long time since my last post. I have lots of ideas but very little time to write. Hopefully, I will find more time to write as I have had a lot of thoughts and ideas floating around that I am excited to share!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIRxunKWmmJt291wx4cccI02xxaagw_GwP-Wx3E0-8Vik6LZW9BAlMYdLEjYZxcRRshjScGv7KwiIWaaM9coAzr5h4jDLXG7uEHlYuGR-Id7o-k8TqzANRiuGb6AW8xO5u0IxNSZuXKV1/s1600/2018-01-29+10.38.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIRxunKWmmJt291wx4cccI02xxaagw_GwP-Wx3E0-8Vik6LZW9BAlMYdLEjYZxcRRshjScGv7KwiIWaaM9coAzr5h4jDLXG7uEHlYuGR-Id7o-k8TqzANRiuGb6AW8xO5u0IxNSZuXKV1/s320/2018-01-29+10.38.26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The profile of our little baby boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the end of January, we had our anatomy ultrasound. I was super nervous. It’s scary to go into an ultrasound to see if the baby is healthy or not after so many losses.<br />
<br />
I had a very hard time sleeping the night before, I was awake till about 3am too excited/nervous to sleep. I slept in a bit and had to rush to get me, Rosalie, and Heather ready, which didn’t help with my stress levels. On my way to the ultrasound office, I dropped the girls off at a friends house. They were very happy to play and didn’t care I was leaving.<br />
<br />
I met RJ and the office, checked in, and filled out paperwork. The receptionist gave me a small bottle of juice to wake the baby up, it worked pretty well, the baby was super wiggly when we got called back.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ry-7qjVArXq7HbPjFlwNp02R8WkexolRKHVjWgaJM1TsTsPsfgrB31ui-tzyfDElraHgE54r1_braCnqJiVmIMh-V73NjETcI-qz546p5aqZ17NRheEO_ra-1cd38ExqY17vmmB-9pGs/s1600/2018-01-29+17.28.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ry-7qjVArXq7HbPjFlwNp02R8WkexolRKHVjWgaJM1TsTsPsfgrB31ui-tzyfDElraHgE54r1_braCnqJiVmIMh-V73NjETcI-qz546p5aqZ17NRheEO_ra-1cd38ExqY17vmmB-9pGs/s320/2018-01-29+17.28.49.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pump the day of the ultrasound.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The ultrasound tech seemed a little skeptical as to why we were there so early in the pregnancy, I was 18 weeks and a few days. Doctors prefer to do anatomy ultrasounds closer to 20 weeks because things like the babies heart are more developed than they are at 18 weeks. We explained our fear of another devastating 20 week ultrasound was what pushed us to make an appointment sooner rather than later. Luckily she was super understanding.<br />
<br />
RJ and I watched closely as the ultrasound tech started looking around. The baby wasn’t in the best orientation, so she had to skip a few things and come back to them later. Luckily by the end of the appointment, after a trip to the bathroom, and a few hip shimmies she was able to see everything and count 10 fingers and 10 toes.<br />
<br />
When the tech finally got a good view of the genitalia, she froze the picture. It was difficult for me to make out. When she explained a little more, I was able to see that it was a boy. RJ and I got very excited. We have wanted a boy for so long. We have wanted a baby of any kind for so long and, after two miscarriages it was very exciting to have a healthy baby at all.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxrRokgHfTZEPx7Lfzy8dyJHEmVGeKcA5P4NKS7GTzelo7zn3425Oozj1FIVgAsE2lO0m19P4h_frbQMOtN1YikqPDDJTN3535kht_ABfC1fAJ-Mswyu0DGsJxf-s90RHwSC_GtV_sbma/s1600/2018-01-29+21.23.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxrRokgHfTZEPx7Lfzy8dyJHEmVGeKcA5P4NKS7GTzelo7zn3425Oozj1FIVgAsE2lO0m19P4h_frbQMOtN1YikqPDDJTN3535kht_ABfC1fAJ-Mswyu0DGsJxf-s90RHwSC_GtV_sbma/s320/2018-01-29+21.23.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made cupcakes for a quick and easy gender reveal!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I get closer and closer to my due date the more and more excited I get. I’ve been approved to deliver at the natural birth center attached to the local hospital. You have to be low risk and pass your glucose test. I took the one hour glucose test where they give you a sugary drink and take your blood an hour after to see how your body has processed the sugars. If your blood sugar levels are under a certain number, you are deemed to be healthy. My results were one or two points away from being too high, so they decided I needed to take the more accurate fasting three-hour glucose test.<br />
<br />
The three-hour glucose test is much more involved. You go in early in the morning after fasting overnight. They take your blood. Then give you a more concentrated sugary drink. Your blood is then drawn one, two and three hours after consuming the drink. You have to stay in the office the entire time, and you cannot eat or drink anything during the test. It is pretty awful. I felt sick, and shaky the first hour, but started to feel a bit more normal during the second and third hour. I was very, very anxious for my test results. Luckily my midwife called me herself the following morning and told me my numbers were perfect. I did not have gestational diabetes! It was a huge relief!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bXryvHhqrUssF3FCIxlu7ic2TycczrHGgHyNA0lkn-S6s8dTM2C8L3gdM6GiJ2AJmi9dyyKABuxrrtyVXVLu7o8KtWP9Z-OnrGZBpXe_psHemRbV6jcQhZGgeoaK0XgrNSx4OiSc0FS3/s1600/2018-05-11+18.48.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bXryvHhqrUssF3FCIxlu7ic2TycczrHGgHyNA0lkn-S6s8dTM2C8L3gdM6GiJ2AJmi9dyyKABuxrrtyVXVLu7o8KtWP9Z-OnrGZBpXe_psHemRbV6jcQhZGgeoaK0XgrNSx4OiSc0FS3/s320/2018-05-11+18.48.11.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite photo of our family from our<br />
trip to Disney World. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have started to get a little anxious as I don’t want anything to go wrong that would require me to deliver at the normal labor and delivery unit instead of the natural birth center. Almost any complication would need me to be at the hospital. Luckily things are going well, and I am getting excited.<br />
<br />
I’m 34 weeks. It is insane that I only have 6 weeks until my due date. I have about a million things I want to do around the house and no time to do them!<br />
<br />
We decided to create a baby registry, here is the <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/baby-reg/rj-ayres-june-2018-ashburn/3BOYFP0RMYZPZ" target="_blank">link</a>. I have a few friends who have asked what we need so I thought a registry is the best way to put it out there. We have pretty much all of the basics, but since we are having a boy, we obviously need clothes and a few other things. If you want to get us something but you don’t know what we will definitely need/use diapers and wipes!<br />
<br />
I’m sure the next post I make out our baby boy will be when he gets here! We just got back from Disney World, and I have a post all about surviving Disney very pregnant in the making so keep an eye out for it!<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
<iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=gift_certificates&banner=127JF9E4530CSFRCY4R2&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=70c52b0c406084a3bad36ed174d823fa&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-86446502916432473432018-01-13T23:53:00.000-05:002018-01-13T23:53:07.735-05:00I am Pregnant! Baby Ayres Number 3<span id="docs-internal-guid-e39e05a8-f300-bf03-1f09-39c6e898fab7"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am finally pregnant! 16 weeks today!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After I gave birth to Heather we knew we wanted to get pregnant with number three quickly. I do not get pregnant while breastfeeding so we needed to wait till Heather was weaned.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around 10-11 months Heather weaned herself and we tried to get pregnant immediately. We had a really hard time conceiving and it was not for lack of trying. In the summer/fall of 2016 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Something had been feeling off for a while, I had been extra tired, moody, and had a hard time losing the baby weight from Heather even though I was going to the gym multiple times a week and watching my diet. Oddly enough hypothyroidism causes all those symptoms as well as mild infertility. The first month I was on medication, I finally got pregnant.</span></div>
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysIh_yzMpZKVuxMqRRfAceuf8UsbqvaFZxJXG08acCfSpHyZPMHLoBFgvfgKhOfKo4CJ4x9yVe_BszqObEZ3dh72tUd8oh3UldrbQK5DcbyZe_2C7qejOx_-VNqDEKAOWQw34FU46IsK5/s1600/IMG_5750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysIh_yzMpZKVuxMqRRfAceuf8UsbqvaFZxJXG08acCfSpHyZPMHLoBFgvfgKhOfKo4CJ4x9yVe_BszqObEZ3dh72tUd8oh3UldrbQK5DcbyZe_2C7qejOx_-VNqDEKAOWQw34FU46IsK5/s320/IMG_5750.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 weeks today!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RJ and I were so excited, sadly at my first appointment there was no heartbeat, it turned out there was no heartbeat to find. I was pregnant, but it was just an empty sac. I miscarried on my own a few days later while we were on our first vacation to Disney World, luckily it didn’t put a damper on the trip too much. It was my first miscarriage and I knew I would have one eventually as 1 in 3 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. It was my 4th pregnancy and I had not had a classic miscarriage before, I knew it was just matter of time before I had one.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took us a few cycles to get pregnant again. I was very excited when I got pregnant. At my first ultrasound the ultrasound tech found another empty sac, I was completely devastated. This miscarriage was much harder to cope with than the first, I did not expect two in a row. It took my body much longer to miscarry on it’s own this time and it was very tiring, both physically and emotionally. I wish women would be more open about miscarriage. For something that happens so often, when I actually had mine I felt very alone, even though I shared it openly. I was lucky I had RJ, although he could never understand exactly what I was going through he was very supportive and made it much easier than it would have been without him.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I finally miscarried and recovered, we tried to get pregnant as soon as possible. Luckily I got pregnant after only 2 or 3 cycles this time. I was very anxious for my first appointment. Luckily they found a heart beat, and a healthy looking human growing inside!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even though I know there is a healthy baby growing in there, I have even felt the first few kicks, I still cannot stop worrying. In 2014 at our 20 week ultrasound our doctor discovered our baby boy (Reginald, Reggie for short) had severe fetal abnormalities. I was devastated. Our baby was dying. The best option for us was to have an elective termination. Reggie was getting worse by the day, and it was very obvious he would not make it to term. We chose to have an abortion. I didn’t want to be surprised and rushed to the emergency room. I was able to do it on my own terms in a safe controlled environment and say goodbye.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qX0-xtBgWTNTbgbWMoyEiMqoD6t7MYr4hjLJ7L8WMHFk8z1pKS_2NPD0gVICc8ItvL4qLgDJI-ifexJHNB-xPkzef_m5rFgWcLYjjJXWEHRMWaW6d_8gWN3fF5DdcDCf4Tve91beQtjh/s1600/IMG_20171121_165539_664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qX0-xtBgWTNTbgbWMoyEiMqoD6t7MYr4hjLJ7L8WMHFk8z1pKS_2NPD0gVICc8ItvL4qLgDJI-ifexJHNB-xPkzef_m5rFgWcLYjjJXWEHRMWaW6d_8gWN3fF5DdcDCf4Tve91beQtjh/s320/IMG_20171121_165539_664.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first glimpse of the baby at 9 weeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choosing to terminate the unviable pregnancy I desperately wanted was the hardest decision I have ever made in my entire life. If I was put in a similar situation again I would make the same choice without hesitation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After so many losses I have an irrational fear that this pregnancy will have problems like the one 3 pregnancies ago. The issues our baby boy had were not genetic, it’s a random complication and the chances of it happening again are very rare. Even though I know this, for whatever reason I have been having a really hard time not worrying about this pregnancy. I had Heather after we lost Reggie but I am more stressed about this pregnancy than I was with Heather. Maybe after so many losses my skeptical mind won’t let my hopes too high until I know for sure. Either way pregnancy after loss is very difficult. After two losses in a row, and a third very difficult lost in the past, this pregnancy has been particularly difficult for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am 16 weeks today. Even though I am in the clear zone for the average miscarriage, I am still going to irrationally stress like crazy till after our anatomy ultrasound. I am hoping we can get it done soon. I have a doctors appointment on Tuesday and I am sure we will schedule an appointment for my ultrasound that day. As excited as I am I cannot help but feel incredibly anxious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I look forward to sharing and posting updates here, good or bad. Hopefully good. I feel like I have a bit more time lately and I hope to write, and post more often. Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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</span>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-43648367571707444022017-11-20T22:15:00.001-05:002017-11-20T22:15:42.229-05:00About Me <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sorry it took me so long to get this post finished. With birthdays, holidays and our trip to Disney World I have been very busy! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The other day I wrote all about my family which I find much easier to write about than myself. I have been through a lot for someone who is 23. I love who I am. It took a lot to get here and I wouldn’t change anything about myself or my life for any reason. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx9auO8eTSBbHlwFw8Fl8epHnKD_EFQpXR-ZS-31-uum6JASZl-mZLhxTlw23VihjYltFpiebmKv4IoSu5jztl7wCcq76fa75GW-1bzLJIECmhAnjzG2ExvoOkWotQbMVboz1ApAf9W6V/s1600/IMG_0183.TIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx9auO8eTSBbHlwFw8Fl8epHnKD_EFQpXR-ZS-31-uum6JASZl-mZLhxTlw23VihjYltFpiebmKv4IoSu5jztl7wCcq76fa75GW-1bzLJIECmhAnjzG2ExvoOkWotQbMVboz1ApAf9W6V/s320/IMG_0183.TIF" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RJ is always taking pics of me. I love my long hair these days<br />and this picture shows it well. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was born and raised in Utah as a Mormon. Being raised in a Mormon household had a large impact on who I am. I was taught how to be a good mom, and a good person, but it was always conditional. When I was in elementary school there was a girl who wasn’t a Mormon and I remember telling her I couldn’t play with her as she wasn’t a Mormon too. I regret that to this day. I wish I could remember who she was so I could apologize. The conditional love was the first thing that made me really question if The Mormon Church was true. When I made a “mistake” and didn’t follow The Mormon Church’s rules exactly I was judged instantly and quickly felt like the black sheep. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I got older I started to see a lot of intolerance within The Mormon Church. They believe you need to try to be perfect to get into heaven. Everyone knows that is impossible. This mentality created a lot of guilt when I was a teen. I felt guilty doing normal teenage things, like kissing boys, and exploring my sexuality. I never felt good enough, even when I was doing everything, “right”. When I finally realized perfection was pointless and unrealistic I finally felt happy. I have recently realized I am the only one who can define perfection for myself. I am my own definition of perfect. What is perfect to me is most likely not perfect to you, and that is ok. Life would be boring if we all wanted to become the same. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisakJzuz-C0mRdWR2kbup7ADYGLQcgrq2HNvaT6_49KKtL8YShuNdyMqtPVTNAZk46dcgisDRFScV7JAEgac-B1pggwa3_-m1uG-rH-QGKLgNCnIZPkbJqYuJl2nU-iJqJV-sfFhP9OoT-/s1600/IMG_20171119_174855955_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisakJzuz-C0mRdWR2kbup7ADYGLQcgrq2HNvaT6_49KKtL8YShuNdyMqtPVTNAZk46dcgisDRFScV7JAEgac-B1pggwa3_-m1uG-rH-QGKLgNCnIZPkbJqYuJl2nU-iJqJV-sfFhP9OoT-/s320/IMG_20171119_174855955_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I promise I am a good mom! Please ignore the mess in the back,<br />we do actually live in our home. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am an Atheist. It took a very long personal journey to get here. Realizing that there is nothing after this life is a hard pill to swallow. I considered myself Agnostic for a while. I wasn’t sure if there was a god or not and if there was he definitely didn’t care what type underwear I wore. After a while I became happy to know this life right now is all I have. I try to make the best of every single day. I don’t worry about the little things. I don’t seek a higher power to make decisions. I am kind to people because I want to be and it’s the right thing to do. I don’t think we need a god in the sky to bribe us with blessings for good behavior. I want to teach my children to be good decent human beings because it’s normal and what they should do. Not because it’s what a religion demands of them. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have lived a lot of places in my life. I grew up in Utah. As a teeager I moved to Northern Virginia. Then I moved to Kennesaw, Georgia, 30 minutes outside of Atlanta. We lived in Nashville, Tennessee for a while, a different city in Georgia, and now Northern Virginia again. I feel most at home here in Northern Virginia. I think it is because I am not a Mormon anymore. I would not fit in in Utah. As much as we loved Atlanta's suburbs it is very southern, and deep in the bible belt. Virginia feels like home. I fit in here. RJ and I spent our early dating life here. There I so much to do and see, it’s a very fun place. I love it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am bisexual. Sexuality is a spectrum. I happen to find myself near the middle, maybe toward the same sex side a bit more. I wish I would have been able to explore my sexuality earlier in my life. I have always felt attracted to women but in a very religious environment I was afraid to express or explore my feelings. I am lucky enough to have a husband who loves me for who I am and not who he thinks I should be. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My drink of choice is gin. I love a good gin and tonic, or a fancy gin cocktail, unless it has cucumber. Cucumbers are delicious, just not in drinks. I also love good wine, particularly pinot noir, prosecco is always good too. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ug5QNMMrAQh535QEgD-7k68ESsoCv-Bpi7ssnyqWbRLwQD95gOOy2B4cu_GB9kMXSHJgULTHxLOhoW7KtEjkgnZTxQV-Aul6c_uQA_bVb2tN2Foa9vdDSgwgFU5DIo9Y8ec-bvY5moxj/s1600/IMG_20171118_191902738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ug5QNMMrAQh535QEgD-7k68ESsoCv-Bpi7ssnyqWbRLwQD95gOOy2B4cu_GB9kMXSHJgULTHxLOhoW7KtEjkgnZTxQV-Aul6c_uQA_bVb2tN2Foa9vdDSgwgFU5DIo9Y8ec-bvY5moxj/s320/IMG_20171118_191902738.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RJ and me at The Book of Mormon musical this weekend. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love to cook and bake. I have gotten much better at cooking the past few years and I have started to enjoy it more than baking. I would love to take a few cooking courses, I think I would have a lot of fun, and learn a lot. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love trying new foods. RJ started my food exploration. During our early dating life we spent a lot of time trying new restaurants and enjoying each others company. There are very few things I won’t try. One of the first places he took me to was a lebanese restaurant. I remember being very skeptical but I loved every bite. I also love an ethiopian restaurant he took us to when we lived in Nashville, Tennessee. Traditional ethiopian is eaten without utensils. It is served with a savory fluffy crepe, that you used to pinch up bites of food. It is delicious and a very fun experience. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve thought about getting back into art. I took a lot of art courses in high school and I enjoy it very much even if I am not that good. I’ve thought about starting at Etsy page and selling my work. It would be a good way to make extra cash and help me relax and unwind.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love being a mother. I’ve always wanted to be one and it comes naturally. It defines me. It is part of who I am. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope to find more time to blog. Hopefully the holidays don’t interfere too much. I look forward to blogging about The Book of Mormon musical we saw this weekend. It was amazing and very funny. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=amazonexclusives&banner=0E3J0WD22ZWFS9CE1TR2&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=55de510c5c191c4824c836876ae87051&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-70465159668849906472017-10-24T23:49:00.001-04:002017-10-24T23:49:32.332-04:00October 2017 About Us Update<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I started this blog at the end of June in 2016. My life has changed a lot since that <a href="http://www.maydecembermadness.com/2016/06/about-us.html" target="_blank">first post </a>and I thought it was about time to do an update. This ended up much longer than expected so I have broken it up into two posts. The first post is about my family as a whole and the second will be about me, come back back here tomorrow for part two!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDoCU6KVKHMrcQUzJGBR3YSLo61K9eUdQR6t-OgecdBRBCPv7humcXpMR2a535f0oVxQoaz9ZiG5FZUZOOq9Us6aVyYH5ZxbqEubszmPsE_y2dT-1uNVA0zbcE6MKIoxHnBvynrNdWemi/s1600/IMG_20171014_095920047_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDoCU6KVKHMrcQUzJGBR3YSLo61K9eUdQR6t-OgecdBRBCPv7humcXpMR2a535f0oVxQoaz9ZiG5FZUZOOq9Us6aVyYH5ZxbqEubszmPsE_y2dT-1uNVA0zbcE6MKIoxHnBvynrNdWemi/s320/IMG_20171014_095920047_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our most recent family photo. I am mid blink but<br />
I love Heather's face! </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll start with the name of my blog, “May December Madness” it’s a reference to our age gap. My husband RJ is 24 years older than me. Relationships with large age gaps are regularly referred to as May-December relationships. I love our age gap. It works very well for us. I’ve always wanted to be a mom and have lots of children. RJ always wanted children too but he never found the right person. When we met, everything fell into place. RJ is older, and established in his career. He can pay for six kids, and I am young enough to have them easily. Yes, RJ is more than likely going to die before me. No, that doesn’t scare me or upset me. I love him and want to spend the time I have with him being happy and enjoying life. We have done a pretty good job at that so far. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RJ and I have been together for about 5 years, and we have been married for about one and a half. We got married May 13th, 2016, at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. It was an amazing experience. I miss living near the Georgia Aquarium a lot. It is a really fun place. I have fond memories of taking Rosalie there on quiet week days and pretty much having the place to ourselves. I also took Rosalie and Heather there on my own when Heather was really young. We look forward to visiting Atlanta, it is a special place to us. We don’t plan on ever moving back but we love it there and plan to visit often. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We now live in Ashburn, Virginia, not too far from D.C. We love it here. There is so much to see and do. We are 45 minutes from downtown D.C. with all the monuments and museums. Ashburn is a lot of fun too. There are a lot of parks, and yummy places to eat. It is very family friendly and we hope to buy a house here soon. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosalie was saying, "Arg" like I pirate when this was taken. <br />We were at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RJ and I have two daughters, Rosalie, and Heather. Rosalie will be four in November, and Heather will be two on Sunday. They are very busy and love to play. They love their friends from MOMS Club, who we see at least once a week, sometimes three or more. MOMS Club is an international, non-profit, non-denominational support group for stay at home moms. I first discovered MOMS Club in in Georgia and we made lifelong friends. I was ecstatic when there was a club in our area here in VA, we joined weeks after we moved in. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rosalie and Heather recently have started to fight just a little bit, and I need to be a referee. Rosalie used to be able to trade toys with Heather if she wanted what Heather had but, now Heather is a bit more opinionated and doesn’t want to trade. When they do play together they are so fun to listen to. They love to make dark caves and play with any toy that lights up inside. The way Heather says, “Rosawe” I just too cute. They love to greet each other in the morning. Occasionally I call them my giggle girls when they are playing and can’t stop giggling. I love them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rosalie is getting so big. I cannot believe she will be four this year, I love how smart and bright she is! She loves to know how things work. Her favorite food lately is Cinnamon Toast Crunch. She shares her birthday with Mickey Mouse, which she loves to tell everyone anytime we talk about Disney. Her favorite movie right now is Big Hero 6. We just potty trained her, she’s been doing well for about four weeks now. She is very independent and is very proud of herself when she can do it without help. She can be very sassy at times but she is also very loving. One day this week she poked her head around the corner and said, “I love you Mommy.” It was adorable, I love her so much. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MMwpvl6LyTiiYJ-8GvK0sBeUvbIm35Gb8Uj0R_8lOsIbU1M6B2ebVatKHwvFi-7NFRxWqjjzoYQ5mjulfVbpvu6xWx9HlV385d3LwyeL7Gh1niTEL5JOaMeybYBpb9PkFNyQ2ej5aBlH/s1600/IMG_20171014_085201_974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MMwpvl6LyTiiYJ-8GvK0sBeUvbIm35Gb8Uj0R_8lOsIbU1M6B2ebVatKHwvFi-7NFRxWqjjzoYQ5mjulfVbpvu6xWx9HlV385d3LwyeL7Gh1niTEL5JOaMeybYBpb9PkFNyQ2ej5aBlH/s320/IMG_20171014_085201_974.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heather is also growing too quickly. Much faster than I can follow. She loves her Daddy very much. The second she hears the garage door she runs to the door and yells, “Daddy, you home?” It's adorable and never gets old. She loves to color. However she has lost coloring privileges after coloring on the dishwasher, and the lower kitchen cabinets. I made her help me clean it, thank goodness I only buy washable crayons.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heather will eat pretty much anything in sight. She particularly loves soup, sloppy Joe’s, fish sticks, and dino nuggets. She can eat more fish sticks in one sitting than I can. I love her so much.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are very lucky to have two healthy children, we have had our fair share of losses too. I had one <a href="http://www.maydecembermadness.com/2016/07/the-baby-we-lost.html" target="_blank">elective termination </a>at 20 weeks due to fetal abnormalities. And I have had two <a href="http://www.maydecembermadness.com/2017/07/second-miscarriage-blighted-ovum.html" target="_blank">early miscarriages</a>. We are currently trying for baby number three and hope to get pregnant soon.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope I can rise my children in a way they feel comfortable being who they want to be and not what I imagine them to be. RJ and I will be proud and happy for them if they turn out different than we pictured. I don’t know who they will be, but I will love them no matter who they decide to be.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a family we love everything Disney. We recently bought annual passes to Disney World. We plan on going at least twice a year, hopefully more. If you have never been to Disney World you cannot understand the obsession. I had no idea how amazing and magical it was till my first trip ever last November. It can be expensive but it is worth the money. It’s so amazing. We will be leaving for Disney in just a few weeks and I cannot wait! Be ready for lots of posts about our trip!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love our little family and I cannot wait for it to grow. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for reading. Come back tomorrow for part two! I have let my blog fall to the side for a few weeks, I plan to get back at it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-33202029818749442222017-08-30T23:09:00.000-04:002017-08-30T23:09:28.254-04:00Move From Georgia to Virginia <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About three months ago, we packed up our house in Canton, Georgia, and moved to Ashburn, Virginia. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f878a201-3631-9a3c-3b2d-881dc72c1f76" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had been wanting to move back to Virginia for a long time. RJ had been looking for a job in VA/DC for months. Because of the presidential election, there was a lot of uncertainty in the D.C. job market, so it took a while to get hired. When RJ did find a job, they wanted him to start immediately. We had barely three weeks to pack and move. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOZ0TG9Ri_vuYM1fFXEhGZzrA18am95sp261D8_bqbZfPzqVNx6FmGMVINUmvAjScsaD8jOwpHpIqVVQH96bzPaDYmYT-kuQH3sPVqPNGYw8cU9j-e_440U2kvpGxH9Fp77SOqY1tAHmC/s1600/IMG_20170526_185118624_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOZ0TG9Ri_vuYM1fFXEhGZzrA18am95sp261D8_bqbZfPzqVNx6FmGMVINUmvAjScsaD8jOwpHpIqVVQH96bzPaDYmYT-kuQH3sPVqPNGYw8cU9j-e_440U2kvpGxH9Fp77SOqY1tAHmC/s320/IMG_20170526_185118624_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls and me in the moving truck.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was packing, donating stuff, selling furniture, and fish tanks till the last minute. I sold 5 or 6 Ikea bookcases the night before the movers came, while RJ was out picking up the Uhaul. It was insane. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The movers we hired were awful. They didn’t know how to pack a truck. They didn’t wrap any of our furniture in blankets. Our stuff barely fit into the truck. There were many miscommunications between the two movers, which caused a lot of issues. It took two hours longer than we expected, and we were left with a handful of stuff we had to load into the truck ourselves. We also had to fill the back of my minivan. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m fuming thinking about it. It was an exhausting move. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we finally emptied the house it was much later than we had planned. Luckily we made pretty good time to Virginia, even though it literally took all night. RJ drove the giant Uhaul truck with his Miata on a trailer towed behind. I got my sister a plane ticket and flew her up from Texas to help, she drove with me and my girls in our minivan. She drove the whole time which was super helpful. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By the time I made it to our new house, after dropping my sister off at my parents house, the sun was just coming up. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnl59X2NaSu9KyshPSVYzbnLRqkJjZJ6D3pYdKN0bZL1EpxJ4jxnESQaemm_EzomWfdTj7saDxCzyzyfsCIQy7r-tE2_dZNBSA551ehuLHKDRMu4ALRUH2akaxOFtcLp9q5x_OqEBmGOt/s1600/IMG_20170830_165049836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnl59X2NaSu9KyshPSVYzbnLRqkJjZJ6D3pYdKN0bZL1EpxJ4jxnESQaemm_EzomWfdTj7saDxCzyzyfsCIQy7r-tE2_dZNBSA551ehuLHKDRMu4ALRUH2akaxOFtcLp9q5x_OqEBmGOt/s320/IMG_20170830_165049836.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls reacting to the Chinese dragon over the Chinese food<br />isle in Wegmans. We love Virginia!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next couple of days were the most exhausting of my life. It had been a very long time since I had pulled an all nighter like that. Rosalie and Heather didn’t want to sleep when we made it to Virginia, they had a lot of energy. I think I got less than 2 hours of sleep in about 36-48 hours. It was a very rough few days. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has been nearly three months since the move. We absolutely love Ashburn. I am glad we chose to live here. I love the location and we hope to buy here soon. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are still unpacking and organizing. Life happened and we have had a lot of delays. Between relatives visiting, Rosalie and Heather getting sick, relatives moving, pink eye, and having a miscarriage. Life has not been easy the past three months. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t think it was going to be difficult to leave Georgia but it was. It was a place we had a lot of firsts in. I gave birth to both Rosalie and Heather there. We got married at the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. We made so many memories there. The move happened so quickly I almost felt like I didn’t get to say goodbye! Even though we don’t ever plan on moving out of the DC/Metro area, Georgia will always be a special place to our family. </span></div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-81309202308903497742017-07-29T00:07:00.000-04:002017-07-29T00:07:46.866-04:00Second Miscarriage Final Update - Blighted Ovum<span id="docs-internal-guid-206a60ac-8a5e-4653-62a8-f647510c9223"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hopefully this is the last update I will be posting about this miscarriage! I thought I would do a quick recap because so much has happened, over so much time. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdQ336Bbi-ejW7CiHXrmTOfKBbjcq8fDPhTeg9hmiPQttMauk3InMqhzILJfQUbS5snh4PAWPWTcFIiyILau8BsVRKRfD4zOAd_fv9alauREDcJwjFpVSAKc1W65OijHXv8mXvS_CGtZm/s1600/IMG_20170727_180846366_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdQ336Bbi-ejW7CiHXrmTOfKBbjcq8fDPhTeg9hmiPQttMauk3InMqhzILJfQUbS5snh4PAWPWTcFIiyILau8BsVRKRfD4zOAd_fv9alauREDcJwjFpVSAKc1W65OijHXv8mXvS_CGtZm/s320/IMG_20170727_180846366_BURST001.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mid May I had a positive pregnancy test. RJ and I had been trying for a while and we were very excited. </span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Almost five weeks ago I went into my midwives office for a dating ultrasound. The ultrasound tech found an empty amniotic sac. When she told me I was really upset. I just had a miscarriage in November that was also an empty amniotic sac. It was really difficult for a few days to cope with the fact that I was about to have two losses in a row. It was devastating. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At that appointment my midwives took my HCG levels, to get a baseline. They would take my levels again to see if they had gone down which would indicate miscarriage soon. About one week later they took more blood work and discovered my HCG levels were dropping. Although it sucked it was nice to know my body was doing what it should be to miscarriage naturally. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I needed to replenish my iron with big fat burgers all week.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My midwives called me nearly every day to check up on me. It began to get a bit annoying but it was reassuring to know that they cared, and had a good system in place so patients who had things going on were checked on regularly. It was particularly nice to know they were there this past Saturday when I began to bleed very heavily. There was one moment where I went through about 3 or 4 pads in one hour. It was really scary. I called my midwives and left a message for the midwife on call because it was after hours. She called me back within 10 minutes. She told me if heavy bleeding continued for more than three hours go to the ER. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br /><b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luckily my bleeding slowed down, just as we were getting ready to leave. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This past Monday, which was the first business day after I called my midwives after hours, my midwives called me. They asked how I was doing. I told them I was feeling better, and my bleeding had slowed. The nurse on the phone asked me to come in for more blood work. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tuesday I got blood work, Wednesday they called me with results. The last time they took my HCG levels they were 8083, and they had dropped to 99. My number should drop to zero, but my body did what it was supposed to. The nurse told me to take a home pregnancy test in a few weeks if I haven’t had a normal cycle. That should tell us if my body has figured itself out so we can try again. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS22B9-ssLzHdGprlgkwKUTpplO-WIOzZ2YRtcWWXq1IMVh-lkTdakrbw463pca3nu6vAOwdSemgDucHVl9bLxz4wiIWLnSHQ6vXlbQFhyphenhyphenuU6s5hYJMO5c7V4n1Owhh6LEp4jJ_svNrCC/s1600/IMG_20170723_210534_844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS22B9-ssLzHdGprlgkwKUTpplO-WIOzZ2YRtcWWXq1IMVh-lkTdakrbw463pca3nu6vAOwdSemgDucHVl9bLxz4wiIWLnSHQ6vXlbQFhyphenhyphenuU6s5hYJMO5c7V4n1Owhh6LEp4jJ_svNrCC/s320/IMG_20170723_210534_844.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing makes a better distraction than Game of Thrones!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today I am feeling ok. My bleeding comes and goes, some hours it’s lighter, some hours it’s heavier. I am a bit moody, and find myself snapping at the girls a little more than normal. The poor sweet girls have gotten the brunt of my mood swings. I am pretty sure they will be happier than me when this is over. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tomorrow RJ and I have dinner reservations at a great french restaurant that we used to go to a lot when we were dating. This past Wednesday was the fifth anniversary since our first date. I cannot believe that we have been together five years! I am so lucky to have him. He has been so understanding the past few weeks. He has dealt with my moodiness more than the girls have.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope opening up about something people try to hide will change the way we talk about it. I find it very difficult women are told not to disclose their pregnancies till after their risk of miscarriage is past. Women need support though this time. I am glad I told people. I am glad my village knew, and was there to support me. I wouldn’t have it any other way. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks for reading! </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=mostwishforitem&banner=0J7787TC6F91PCMX3882&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=ba70e41744fb1655eb11f2a36acddfd1&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-73449341949314745112017-07-23T00:36:00.000-04:002017-07-23T00:36:48.141-04:00Second Update - Second Miscarriage<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has been two weeks since my last update. A lot has been going on. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-d0599bb6-6db3-2632-d0f6-85cff6923688" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My parents left for Utah today. They closed on the sale of their home here in VA yesterday, and they close on the purchase of their home in Utah this upcoming week. The past two weeks the girls and I spent almost every day over there helping sort, organize, and pack. Rosalie and Heather were a cute distraction when needed. Sometimes they just got in the way, but it was great to spend time with my parents. I wish our relationship was closer but I think there are hurdles we can’t jump, even when trying. I am glad Rosalie and Heather got to know their grandparents though.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhnHNZhzLv6_fpq8XGya1fDxyP6TTg_rqea9XH1I7w5YzwD9BVOfCRQoDBDqEoDPnEaOWsMuUNXpFVI4oP0ZMd8AELo1jbPeX8zGPqs8e92ikQi72t7dqmeuPGALD0fRzPAvsugghABW6/s1600/IMG_20170713_151935006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhnHNZhzLv6_fpq8XGya1fDxyP6TTg_rqea9XH1I7w5YzwD9BVOfCRQoDBDqEoDPnEaOWsMuUNXpFVI4oP0ZMd8AELo1jbPeX8zGPqs8e92ikQi72t7dqmeuPGALD0fRzPAvsugghABW6/s320/IMG_20170713_151935006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosalie and Heather are too cute. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since my last update my pink eye cleared up. My mom told me that when I was younger, it would sometimes take three different rounds of antibiotics before I got better. I am glad it cleared up. I washed my makeup brushes, bought new mascara, and eyeshadow primer. Since my Urban Decay Smokey palette is a dry product I didn’t need to throw it away. I used it Thursday, and yesterday and didn’t catch pink eye again! I was a little worried I would catch it again, but the germs had weeks die. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wednesday was the five year anniversary since my first date with RJ. I cannot believe we have been together for five years! Time as flown, but at the same time it feels like we have spent forever together already. We have a nice dinner planned next weekend at a nice french restaurant we used to visit all the time here in VA. I’m glad I have RJ around. He has been so helpful and supportive during this miscarriage. I am lucky to have him. </span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got blood work back and my HCG levels had dropped. I got additional blood work and my HCG levels had continued to drop. I spoke to another midwife during my most recent blood draw. She told me it was ok to continue waiting in my case, since there was only an empty sac there is not much that can go wrong by waiting. I did not want an induced miscarriage. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earlier this week I started to bleed just a little bit. It has been slowly picking up throughout the week. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlelAr7UhOZa99BdkRphd4QK6xfI5nPzeRLe6ZIbiICtiAlXQjAwgyJ5o2XnLOpQEcG3nWoqJF2H82ajxeMaNIZKiSCKM4ilzAczj2rAjAu8l5CI-mM3t0REMv-fXXr0_qLLCEU04w3JU/s1600/IMG_20170719_123615643_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlelAr7UhOZa99BdkRphd4QK6xfI5nPzeRLe6ZIbiICtiAlXQjAwgyJ5o2XnLOpQEcG3nWoqJF2H82ajxeMaNIZKiSCKM4ilzAczj2rAjAu8l5CI-mM3t0REMv-fXXr0_qLLCEU04w3JU/s320/IMG_20170719_123615643_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather covered in stickers at<br />Mimi's house on moving day!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This afternoon around two, my bleeding picked up a lot and got very, very heavy. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was one point where I bled through about 3 or 4 heavy pads in one hour. I was having really bad, sharp cramps, and passing quarter sized clots.</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We called a friend over because the amount of blood was scaring me. It was enough to scare RJ too. I called my midwives 24 hour number. I left a message for the on call midwife with basic information about what was going on. She called me back very quickly. She told me if I continued bleeding that heavily for 3 hours go to the hospital. It could be my body flushing everything at once, or it could be a problem. The hospital would do an ultrasound and probably a D&C. Luckily, right before we were about to pack up and go to the hospital my bleeding started to slow.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has continued to slow all evening, and I have pretty mild cramps. I believe I passed the traditional clump of tissue passed during miscarriages when I was bleeding heavily. I am not one hundred percent sure, but I do not think my bleeding would have slowed down so much if I had not passed everything. I’m sure I will know soon. Hopefully the bleeding doesn’t pick up again. It was pretty miserable. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am sure I will see my midwives next week. Possibly even Monday. I am not sure how quickly they will want to see me. They are really on top of their patients and checking in on how they are doing. They called me nearly everyday checking in to see how I was doing, it’s nice to have doctors who care so much.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will do my best to post another update as soon as possible!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-36762377124123141862017-07-04T20:53:00.000-04:002017-07-04T20:53:04.509-04:00Update - Second Miscarriage <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A lot of stuff has happened since my <a href="http://www.maydecembermadness.com/2017/07/second-miscarriage-blighted-ovum.html" target="_blank">post on Saturday</a>. I have not started to miscarry yet but think I will soon.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday morning my pink eye was bad enough I went and found an Urgent Care. My right eye was very red and swollen shut when I woke up. I have been on antibiotics since last Monday. I went back to the doctor Wednesday and got different antibiotics because the first weren’t working. The skin all around my eye is dry and almost raw because the eye has been so runny and goopy. At the urgent care they prescribed a different antibiotic and it seems to be working. Yesterday my eye hurt alot. It was sore and burny. It’s less swollen today, and a bit sore like a tired muscle. Hopefully third time's the charm and it gets better quickly.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe4doPUvqGoafTY8jEarXreOPaRIAfxhwF-Mc82AQJ_pxAcXObv8FoF0bYZKskweJFqVKWuSLLwhQGH6d8sO5S6gO4ZXWOry-sDORmSTb2VVK-Qx-1yVdwlYR9DmFumGhzu-d70ex03wF/s1600/IMG_20170630_135151247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe4doPUvqGoafTY8jEarXreOPaRIAfxhwF-Mc82AQJ_pxAcXObv8FoF0bYZKskweJFqVKWuSLLwhQGH6d8sO5S6gO4ZXWOry-sDORmSTb2VVK-Qx-1yVdwlYR9DmFumGhzu-d70ex03wF/s320/IMG_20170630_135151247.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was a shocked they did not catch pink eye.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday night I had a few hot flashes. The only other time I have had hot flashes was just after I had Heather. I am assuming this is a sign of my hormones dropping. Hopefully I will start to miscarry on my own soon. I just want it over with.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Monday I had repeat blood work. They only drew for HCG levels. Hopefully we see a drop, meaning my body has figured out it is not actually pregnant and will flush what is there.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also had a Rhogam shot Monday, my blood type is A negative, RJ’s is AB positive. If I had a baby with a positive blood type and their blood got into my bloodstream, my body will make antibodies and attempt to fight the baby like it was an infection. My body would attempt to do that with future pregnancies as well. Luckily Rhogam shots are incredibly effective, and prevent my body from developing the antibodies that would make pregnancy risky. They are given for miscarriages, around 25 weeks of a normal pregnancy, and within an hour after birth if the baby has an incompatible blood type. Both Rosalie and Heather are A negative, so I did not have to get the shot after birth. It was technically unnecessary during their pregnancies but since we did not know their blood types then, it was given as a precaution.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBqJ7MQCsc14zO-abkW6m4DdLiViRktWA6LRxcvKqQNKiTysjibx0YYIdCstZYdR5fopThEToUHzZJUmlUOJWh07ssYfUXnvTULCwgnOfGmtlEFEyj5lkyKh9Ovh994xGDdaDRBrXxgOZ/s1600/IMG_20170703_110513430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBqJ7MQCsc14zO-abkW6m4DdLiViRktWA6LRxcvKqQNKiTysjibx0YYIdCstZYdR5fopThEToUHzZJUmlUOJWh07ssYfUXnvTULCwgnOfGmtlEFEyj5lkyKh9Ovh994xGDdaDRBrXxgOZ/s320/IMG_20170703_110513430.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was not the worst day of pink eye. It looks much better<br />today. It's still red but less swollen.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I may have been ok without a Rhogam shot for this miscarriage because it was so early, but it is good to do just in case. It causes no harm except for a slightly sore bum for a day or two.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had the girls with me on Monday. When the nurse was prepping the Rhogam shot Rosalie thought it was for her and she got super nervous. She didn’t want to watch, and hid behind the bench, but she thought my bandaid at the end was cool. She also seemed surprised I didn’t cry. Heather watched. She looked concerned so I smiled at her and she just went on with her playing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yesterday my hormones felt all over the place. I was moody, and emotional. The girls were misbehaving. My eye hurt. Yesterday was a rough day.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, Tuesday, the 4th of July, we are relaxing and spending the day in our PJ’s. I had a few hot flashes this morning. Still no bleeding. I will probably hear about my blood work tomorrow. It will be nice to know for sure what is going on. Over all it has been a much better day than yesterday. My eye feels a lot better today. My hormones don’t feel quite so crazy. I have been a little less tired. I have been crampy, I hope it picks up.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will do my best to keep posting updates. I am sure when I start to miscarry all I will want to do is chill on the couch eating chocolate, and watch Netflix. Which will give me plenty of time to write.</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-beebed01-1032-a309-5a02-124f8bc0e6ac"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=amazonhomepage&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=74a84887450f87b01577c8f69d6cbd52&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-25285570115886170322017-07-01T22:16:00.003-04:002017-07-01T22:22:29.319-04:00Second Miscarriage - Blighted Ovum<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think the world needs to be more open about miscarriage, and infant loss in general. Telling women to wait to announce their pregnancies to family and friends, causes an interesting dilemma. Obviously, if something goes wrong, it can be difficult to explain and talk about when you are processing it yourself. However, I think suffering alone, in silence is much worse. Anywhere between 10 and 25 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and 80 percent of those happen before 13 weeks, which is typically the time frame for going public with your pregnancy. Miscarriage is very, very common, it’s important for women to know they are not alone. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3gSvoeMeuaRBef6hxFVEwu4hqp_alNvNAKlrHwOwSmPl6hQB0tbeP1YHEmvaI8tQq4LEkd9rkau6Xre6s_Nm_R2Cvc0n69sHXTZzIYDQGz93JiS6CbdQjWS800FAJL3xztDmVcNFVAFO/s1600/IMG_20170625_130603767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3gSvoeMeuaRBef6hxFVEwu4hqp_alNvNAKlrHwOwSmPl6hQB0tbeP1YHEmvaI8tQq4LEkd9rkau6Xre6s_Nm_R2Cvc0n69sHXTZzIYDQGz93JiS6CbdQjWS800FAJL3xztDmVcNFVAFO/s320/IMG_20170625_130603767.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In November of last year I had a <a href="http://www.maydecembermadness.com/2016/11/early-miscarriage.html" target="_blank">miscarriage</a>. I was about eight weeks pregnant when I went in for my first appointment. The ultrasound showed no baby, just an empty amniotic sac. Within days after that appointment. I miscarried naturally. That loss was not too difficult. It was my fourth pregnancy and I had never had a miscarriage before. I knew how common they were, and I knew my turn was coming eventually. It helped that there was not actually a baby. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RJ and I have been trying since then for another baby. It felt like it had been a while and I was starting to get a bit discouraged. We have never had to try more than a few cycles to get pregnant before. I discovered I have a thyroid problem that can make it difficult to get pregnant (as well as a lot of other symptoms). The first month I was on the meds for my thyroid, I got pregnant. Some time in mid May I had a positive pregnancy test. There were a few friends I told instantly, after my first appointment with my Midwife last week I thought it would be ok to tell a few more people, even thought it was still quite early.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CWGbiaY6QLXY54PwyMElZrZZpsZc0CbtbGQ01iU9TVwR4wKUs4eEB-eLdbzdYxwR_dhyphenhyphenCwsSrJdJ61r8fKZGiNrtZb6RhkpixeHPLdepRyZNr2qXx67O9IXBhAmKE1culUYY66WXjTVz/s1600/IMG_20170629_202748054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CWGbiaY6QLXY54PwyMElZrZZpsZc0CbtbGQ01iU9TVwR4wKUs4eEB-eLdbzdYxwR_dhyphenhyphenCwsSrJdJ61r8fKZGiNrtZb6RhkpixeHPLdepRyZNr2qXx67O9IXBhAmKE1culUYY66WXjTVz/s320/IMG_20170629_202748054.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This past Monday I went in for a dating ultrasound. The ultrasound tech found an empty amniotic sac. When she told me, I broke down. I did not expect two losses in a row. It is incredibly disappointing to have a positive pregnancy test, start to get pregnancy symptoms, and get excited, only to find out there is not actually a baby in there. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RJ was at home with Rosalie and Heather. I texted him. I knew he felt the same way I did. Shock, disappointment, sadness, it was awful.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All the nurses and women in the office were amazing. When the midwife came in the first thing she asked was how I was feeling and processing all of this. I told her I was most disappointed because I didn’t expect two losses in a row. She said it is not uncommon. She also assured me I didn’t need to worry too much. I have two healthy children. The chance of having a third empty sac in a row is unlikely. I am young, and flukes like this just happen. There is nothing anyone can do to prevent them. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My midwife told me we have a few options moving forward. We can give my body some time to miscarry on it’s own, or I could take a pill to kick it off. She told me I didn't need to decide immediately. I already knew I would wait and hope my body handles it on it’s own. Drug induced miscarriages can be much more intense and painful, and I would prefer it to be as easy as possible. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All the nurses I had seen came and checked on me to make sure I was ok. It was nice to have so many women in one space who understood what I was going through in one way or another.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4yxJV8gHRu_Hd9XZb6WKJ-XHSLlRNgaI1OTsr7PVKXhyE54KPbpLHWvgoQOLeuoKYYoI4SSwC0ad4uny35PMBjThsAT29e3ixESGZ1ZrFPfyUjvheUoHJ9QA7MgCbqgBdZjkcfTUcMWa/s1600/IMG_20170701_190611048_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4yxJV8gHRu_Hd9XZb6WKJ-XHSLlRNgaI1OTsr7PVKXhyE54KPbpLHWvgoQOLeuoKYYoI4SSwC0ad4uny35PMBjThsAT29e3ixESGZ1ZrFPfyUjvheUoHJ9QA7MgCbqgBdZjkcfTUcMWa/s320/IMG_20170701_190611048_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure there is not a cuter distraction in the world.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had some blood work done last Monday, to test my HCG levels and confirm my blood type. I have an appointment this upcoming Monday to redo blood work to see how things are going. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, here I sit in my living room hoping the cramps I am feeling pick up and my body decides to miscarry on it’s own. Not to mention the nasty case of pinkeye I caught from somewhere, life is peachy right now. I’m glad I have RJ, Rosalie, Heather, and Delaney to comfort and distract me. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think women need to be more open about loss and miscarriage. It sucks, and it is easier to deal with if you have your village around you. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will be posting updates. I feel like it’s important to share the process. My body might miscarry on it’s own. I will need to go back to the office and get ultrasounds and blood work if it doesn’t start soon to make sure I do not develop an infection. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I apologize to anyone who I had told about the pregnancy, but not told them what’s going on yet. This is the easiest way to reach everyone and explain. It helps me process to write it down. </span></div>
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<iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=mostwishforitem&banner=0J7787TC6F91PCMX3882&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=04ae3b7d1a96ba3a876f553ac7b2dcdd&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-16441543144680648652017-05-04T21:53:00.000-04:002020-05-04T16:39:12.949-04:00Mormon Excommunication - Fourth Anniversary <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today is not the anniversary of my marriage, or the day I met my husband. Today will mark four years since the day I was excommunicated from The Mormon Church. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-29eb9f08-d629-2f02-e2fc-3dfbc5847988" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was excommunicated for wanting to keep the child I was pregnant with. As well as enjoying the sex I had to get pregnant. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye2UzMvJvqTCuca_3URfx4aFUEMuxV9hWfoX-4vdXWEIcaTmul6le8OU44nu4yg1gzgzZkX-_Z-GTm4a_-0sBzZ6EoCa4CZCWnF5W_se5kFbsn0PfvBOogIrz8y2FhrrVhRmptPLXmDQu/s1600/IMG_20170502_095738413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye2UzMvJvqTCuca_3URfx4aFUEMuxV9hWfoX-4vdXWEIcaTmul6le8OU44nu4yg1gzgzZkX-_Z-GTm4a_-0sBzZ6EoCa4CZCWnF5W_se5kFbsn0PfvBOogIrz8y2FhrrVhRmptPLXmDQu/s320/IMG_20170502_095738413.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snuggling with Rosalie, I love her. </td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I decided to edit my <a href="http://www.maydecembermadness.com/2016/07/how-i-got-excommunicated-from-mormon_11.html" target="_blank">initial story of my excommunication</a>, (I am a much better writer now than I was when I wrote it a few months back) as well as reflect at bit. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking back I still cannot believe how it all happened. I never would have imagined my parents would have acted the way they did. I hope I am smart enough to never make my children feel the way a felt. The “love” my parents showed me wasn’t love. Although love can be shown in many different ways if the recipient doesn’t feel loved it’s not love. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The few months during all of this were the worst in my life. Even though it was the worst time in my life it lead to the best years I have had so far. I am glad things worked out the way they did. I wish my family would get over themselves. My mother still believes RJ is completely responsible for what happened. She sent me a letter a few months ago telling me to, and I quote, “stop being his puppet”. I’m not sure who she thinks RJ is, but he is a amazing loving father and husband. It’s been four years already. This is my life and I love it. If you don’t want to be a part of it that’s fine, leave me alone and stop trying to shove your religion down my throat. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today I decided it would be fun to share something new. I have my invitation to my disciplinary council, and the decision letter excommunicating me. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Invitation to my disciplinary council </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-89a92ba0-d62e-8d5a-9dbc-aaeb443b616e"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="C:\Users\Ken\Desktop\Disciplinary Council Invitation Letter pg1.jpg" height="807" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MLxHpkrR5MI0QgFEEhnAPcikFGfIeSuqVxiy0n3L4-ztBotujS7Jn9cZ5QuGqAYc6ggkdnVvqldGlFOuZewpb1LbQ2tn2cGFD0VHY0XHV7x4x7wp0kSyxVO7_Tp_ExsBJntpPDgFcE-3-JcdXw" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="623" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="C:\Users\Ken\Desktop\Discplinary Council Invitiation Letter pg2L.jpg" height="807" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E9kwcvvbOCrR1IUrlzmVtJ22DkmnUYAZEo3h_CqdmbtGfpDiUva0TjlZmUhrXG4T8IYx8KmKB1sUxohe5DgnWuDK8lAZI2g-Jn4WsbLjKpfheSjsfN8_PSCe6qwbES_ZtQ4VwWS04eH56Y5zLg" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="623" /></span></div>
Decision letter Excommunicating me (notice my name is spelled wrong)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepAnX-ojHd2nG5Oj8l0UpqScgoVQmtLq00sRagbU8HFK32_e4zfwmYOKce6O1-EpkFMD0Rxu0KFqyh25UBOueVDMFhMkTsgIYQmr3QAYX30VmFb9nlRAtu49b00egpA8Djh4IcWBm6Tlo/s1600/DisciplinaryCouncildecisionletter-page-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepAnX-ojHd2nG5Oj8l0UpqScgoVQmtLq00sRagbU8HFK32_e4zfwmYOKce6O1-EpkFMD0Rxu0KFqyh25UBOueVDMFhMkTsgIYQmr3QAYX30VmFb9nlRAtu49b00egpA8Djh4IcWBm6Tlo/s640/DisciplinaryCouncildecisionletter-page-2.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also enjoy the edited version of <a href="http://www.maydecembermadness.com/2016/07/how-i-got-excommunicated-from-mormon_11.html" target="_blank">My Excommunication Story</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=mostwishforitem&banner=0J7787TC6F91PCMX3882&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=1ebaa4757d53f6dae384ace828fdfac7&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-58359126475937900242017-04-21T20:19:00.000-04:002017-04-21T20:19:46.583-04:00I am Atheist <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am Atheist. I am very proud of it. It is who I am. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-7d7b60de-92fa-2072-fe33-6f6561670286" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was raised a Mormon and I always had questions about religion. The timeline in the bible never made sense. A god who expected humans to be perfect, seemed cruel. A god who “gave” us sexual urges but told us not to act on them, seemed even more cruel. None of it made sense, but I went with the flow so I could fit in (I also was afraid of what my parents would say/do if I expressed my doubts, rightly so). Particularly as a teenager, I felt like I had no choice. It was not until I was excommunicated for wanting to keep my own child, and enjoying the sex that I had to make her, that I began to really wonder if there was a god at all. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OsepK6GEOfhfDKYrjPaNKC6blv78TfwbBxXZOAMuufLKX0Bzqi3fZF5r0SFPQs7Zg_g_wkJeNoByUKGERG21xFKoB2zF0DPmtZF6jdQ0th6Fpd_gqSDUnn6_URGlbGJUJ3T0WK_Wzb9C/s1600/IMG_20170413_201155426_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OsepK6GEOfhfDKYrjPaNKC6blv78TfwbBxXZOAMuufLKX0Bzqi3fZF5r0SFPQs7Zg_g_wkJeNoByUKGERG21xFKoB2zF0DPmtZF6jdQ0th6Fpd_gqSDUnn6_URGlbGJUJ3T0WK_Wzb9C/s320/IMG_20170413_201155426_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do not believe in any form of god. For a while I considered myself agnostic. I was unsure if a god did or did not exist. If a god did exist I knew he wasn’t the god Mormons worship, who claim he cares what type of underwear you put on in the morning. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mormons idea of god also tells you it is not ok to judge, but at the same time tells Bishops and other church authorities to judge people and kick them out of their church. The majority of Mormons are not welcoming to people who have “sinned”. Many other religions react similarly to “sinners”. It is difficult for me to understand why people who are religious are so judgmental and have a, “I am better than you attitude”. Shouldn’t you have a lot of love for the people who need it most or are “struggling with faith”? (as religious people would put it) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The more I thought about religion the less it made sense. The more history and science I studied, the less I thought god existed at all. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God, is something humans created when we didn’t know the earth was a sphere. We didn’t know the earth revolved around the sun. There is a lot we still do not know. God was created to fill in the gaps when we knew much less than we do now. We still do not know everything, but at this point, there is no need to have something to fill in the gaps. “I don’t know” is a perfectly valid answer. Not knowing and trying to figure it out is much better than making up a fairy tale to somewhat explain, and never trying to figure it out. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheZibIf4kANbOQYWe2hyphenhyphengPC3liSOaUTWOa0J1ZDIb9pu72TEBxdH_3FSnlfPON_a4venxBWd7AQtZpQzKfhjhACjAKHs2kty9dlZymBqOhqqKP1IS5nI0NvCNWw57hDW-VOQ0j5CLkW2g/s1600/IMG_20170413_002518322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheZibIf4kANbOQYWe2hyphenhyphengPC3liSOaUTWOa0J1ZDIb9pu72TEBxdH_3FSnlfPON_a4venxBWd7AQtZpQzKfhjhACjAKHs2kty9dlZymBqOhqqKP1IS5nI0NvCNWw57hDW-VOQ0j5CLkW2g/s320/IMG_20170413_002518322.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes I am dying my eyebrows naked, because why not. A<br />photo I never would have published when religious. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I believe in science. There is overwhelming evidence that points to life evolving from small organisms millions and millions of years ago. We were not created a few thousand years ago by a god with the flick of his wrist. Anyone who lets their belief in something magical get in the way of science, needs to rethink their beliefs.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you believe god used the big bang to create the universe, or used evolution as a way to create humans, that is a cop out. If you go back that far and say, “that is where god’s hand is” you will realize that god does not need to exist. The universe and earth does not have to have a creator. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I believe humans are good. I believe we are born with empathy. We do not need religion to make us good. We should not be taught being good gets us a reward after we die. We should be good and nice because it is the right thing to do. Yes, there are people who are bad people, and they need help, not from religion though, help from doctors and physiologists. The average human is nice and kind, because it is how we have evolved. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I became an atheist in just the past year or two. Atheism can be a hard pill to swallow. It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that there is no life after this. The life we are living today is all we have. There is no afterlife, no heaven, no hell, just now and here.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The realization that this life is all I have, has made me a better person. I do not worry about the little things any more. I will never be perfect. I do not need to live by any silly religious rules to get a better life when I die. There is nothing when you die. I love the life I have. I make the most of it every single day because I know it is all I have. This earth and life is so amazing. I plan on enjoying every possible moment of it until the day I become worm food, and get recycled back into this beautiful universe. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=topratedproducts&banner=07RAS6ASA4P1TSE0B602&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=7042c674d85f187588eba1af6e82c192&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-14148710264616400002017-04-03T23:39:00.001-04:002017-04-03T23:39:17.680-04:00Septum Piercing - Two Week Update <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am absolutely loving my septum piercing. Today is the two week mark since getting it done.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjs7ixOBlPEMjQS6rUxQ7ciqIUNPW805YXMg3DZItBB_OAHcyRVz3l4C9ugkf60oHfKEJ7o4rDk6g07CsXfrmRyCNE6Iq65qtKrKqBzd3W2DSTvQdScny7Q5lBdGTJzddP_ifD80YX8BR/s1600/IMG_20170401_131807592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjs7ixOBlPEMjQS6rUxQ7ciqIUNPW805YXMg3DZItBB_OAHcyRVz3l4C9ugkf60oHfKEJ7o4rDk6g07CsXfrmRyCNE6Iq65qtKrKqBzd3W2DSTvQdScny7Q5lBdGTJzddP_ifD80YX8BR/s320/IMG_20170401_131807592.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Typical healing period for a septum piercing is 4-6 weeks. Yesterday was the one third to half way mark, so I thought it was a great time for an update (read my post, <a href="http://www.maydecembermadness.com/2017/03/septum-piercing.html" target="_blank">Septum Piercing</a> to hear all about my piercing experience)!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So far my piercing site it is feeling pretty good. It is much less sore that it was last week. It has hand a few bumps/bonks which is why I am really proud it is doing so well. RJ went in for a kiss a little too enthusiastically one evening, right after a bit of rumpy pumpy, and bumped it pretty good. Heather elbowed me, Rose head butted me, and Heather elbowed me a second time (she likes to climb, especially on me). Aside from a bit of swelling after each bonk, it felt better quickly after the initial ouch was gone. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My care routine has changed slightly. The traditional sea salt soaks were a little too harsh on my nose. The piercing itself was feeling fine but the rest of my nose was getting raw and sensitive. I watered down my salt soaks but my nose didn’t feel better. I decided to try just warm water for a day or two and see how things went. After the first day my nose was feeling much better and my piercing seemed to be doing just as well. I am not a professional but switching to plain water has really helped my healing process. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_yZofccbfj_WvrPCVSKrlw7m-s0Zq4rFvSMiOQGT95lDZNkN-vmmIW0HeK4_Br2DgVJZuqRNJDG4hisRt4d0BtxQptpGgdLDx66BR5QncxhdVi8qay6f4G4K_Xj3QkkrUW6eY-ygQb7g/s1600/IMG_20170402_172338046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_yZofccbfj_WvrPCVSKrlw7m-s0Zq4rFvSMiOQGT95lDZNkN-vmmIW0HeK4_Br2DgVJZuqRNJDG4hisRt4d0BtxQptpGgdLDx66BR5QncxhdVi8qay6f4G4K_Xj3QkkrUW6eY-ygQb7g/s320/IMG_20170402_172338046.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the small children who was having a<br />particularly fussy day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m going to get a little gross here for a minute and talk about boogers (I’m sure it has crossed some people's minds). Spring is in full swing here in Georgia. There is a coat of yellow pollen on everything outside. I have come down with a good case of allergies, and obviously that means extra boogers. I have this irrational (possibly not so irrational) fear of boogers hanging from my piercing and no one telling me about it while I go around doing daily tasks. Luckily, this has not happened, and I do not think it will. When doing water soaks twice a day my nose gets cleaned out pretty thoroughly and do not have many issues during the day. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am very happy with my piercing, it is healing well. If I didn’t have small children it probably would heal even faster because it wouldn’t get so many accidental bonks. I am still having days when it feels sensitive and new, but I love it. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are thinking about getting a septum piercing I highly recommend it. It is a good, first, facial piercing. With the right jewelry it can be turned up and completely hidden. It leaves no visible scar tissue. It is not a cartilage piercing so it heals quickly. And if you go to the right piercer the piercing will be quick and the pain will be very short. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have any questions I am happy to answer them! Thanks for reading! </span></div>
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<iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=topratedproducts&banner=07RAS6ASA4P1TSE0B602&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=c7cee4a3d5213d559ea36557af3e0087&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-59648984048197270552017-03-27T21:52:00.004-04:002017-03-27T21:52:59.979-04:00Septum Piercing <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got my septum pierced!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I absolutely love it and decided I would write all about it here on the blog because there is a good amount to tell about it. I’ll be posting healing updates, and other future details about my piercing too. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have always thought septum piercings were pretty. I have a few old friends from highschool who have them and really like the way they look. I brought it up to RJ for the first time Saturday, just over a week ago. I did not know that he absolutely loves them. He is not new to piercings (I have talked about his, in a previous piercing post). RJ has always thought septum piercings are sexy and thought I would look really good with one. He never brought it up before because it’s a pretty bold piercing, and is something he thought someone should decide on their own. As soon as I mentioned it he was really excited and suggested I go get it done the next day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOHs2C5UzOTTLEHYssCnYAY5BljOJz29-vDp6KvHlZ-umdzyEWTDB4mANmggEmeB3OQ-2BEzrNRD9iZWKzYYEjEufEWoQadScjng0TDxbsNaqX1qidkHj7Hdpi9iYJSKpZy4FVdLYRtMv/s1600/IMG_20170322_152007275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOHs2C5UzOTTLEHYssCnYAY5BljOJz29-vDp6KvHlZ-umdzyEWTDB4mANmggEmeB3OQ-2BEzrNRD9iZWKzYYEjEufEWoQadScjng0TDxbsNaqX1qidkHj7Hdpi9iYJSKpZy4FVdLYRtMv/s320/IMG_20170322_152007275.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A proper septum piercing is through the small bit of skin you have between where the cartilage in your nose ends, and the opening of your nose, near the tip. It’s called a, “soft spot” and everyone’s is different. You can feel your own by taking your pinky fingers and pinching the inside of your nose near the tip. Wiggle your fingers side to side parallel with the ground. You should be able to feel where the cartilage in your nose ends, and how big your, “soft spot” is. Not everyone has enough space there to have their septum pierced. Saturday night when I was testing myself to see if my soft spot was sufficient, I was not positive. I am not a professional, so we planned to head down there anyways with hope that I had the right anatomy for the piercing. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The possibility of the piercing not happening, made me much less nervous on the way down to the piercing studio, which was nice. Sometimes, when I get really nervous, I get a stomach ache and avoid whatever I was supposed to do. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday morning after having a nice big breakfast, we drove down to Atlanta to a good piercing shop. When we got there, I left RJ, Rose, and Heather in the car. Minors are not allowed in the studio till the age of 12, and anyone 12-17 in the studio must be the one getting pierced, and have a parent with them. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I walked in I was happy to see 2 of the 3 women had septum piercings. Any time you get any sort of piercing make sure it’s a reputable place. A studio listed on the APP’s (Association of Professional Piercers) website should be good. I went to Virtue and Vice in Atlanta. I told the lady behind the front desk (I don’t remember her name) I wanted to get my septum pierced. She asked me when my last meal was (it is important to have eaten a meal in the last 4 hours, no one wants anyone fainting). I had breakfast about 2 hours beforehand and I also had a snack on the drive down because we live about 50 minutes from the studio. She said good, then asked me when my last alcoholic drink was. I had had one gin and tonic the night before around 11. Which was also good. Alcohol thins your blood. Thin blood and someone putting a hole through a part of your body do not go well together. I had not had enough alcohol to affect anything though. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lady behind the counter started the paperwork for my piercing, and showed me the jewelry I could choose from. Another lady, Lena, who would be piercing me, grabbed a pair of gloves and checked my nose to see if my soft spot was large enough. She said it was good, and a 16 gage piece of jewelry would be best. I chose a stainless steel circular barbell. I chose that because I wanted to start with something really basic. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yTj7QPXjTSCyVAYLjG7NMBD7gfYeLX0Nyr-x67EjcWoadeZa0oAJCmt_l2Ui3hf4U9kR6eE2xT7ug6k-OTDLWySFW3I9bU4xmAroeV1yLuKecEQt66JxutEBtDFkloNBY9lEt-kykVF8/s1600/IMG_20170319_181612722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yTj7QPXjTSCyVAYLjG7NMBD7gfYeLX0Nyr-x67EjcWoadeZa0oAJCmt_l2Ui3hf4U9kR6eE2xT7ug6k-OTDLWySFW3I9bU4xmAroeV1yLuKecEQt66JxutEBtDFkloNBY9lEt-kykVF8/s320/IMG_20170319_181612722.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right after Lena said I was good and I had picked jewlery, I started to get nervous. This was really happening. I was getting my septum pierced! I had a million questions running through my mind. How bad would it hurt? Would I really like it? What if I fainted? I have never fainted before. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My piercer took my jewelry to be sterilized, while I signed papers and paid. I was getting more and more nervous. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just a couple minutes later, Lena said, “come on back”. I followed her to the first room, set my things down and took a seat on the table (this studio has doctor like tables, some have dentist-like chairs, I guess it’s the piercers preference). Lena chatted with me and made me feel comfortable. As she was getting everything ready, I told her I was a bit nervous. She said the build up/anticipation for this piercing is the worst part. Lena has two septum piercings herself. They look pretty close together, smaller gage and one behind the other. I get brazilian waxes about once a month and occasionally, I put it off because the anticipation of the pain is awful, even though the actual pain is never that bad. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lena got everything ready, she cleaned my nose and drew a small horizontal guide line near the tip of my nose. She explained the basics of the piercing, then had me lie down and scoot up so my head was at the top of the table. She used a basic piercing guide, that looks like a small clamp with two round guides on the end. She placed it in my nose where the she would be piercing me. She checked to make sure it was not painful (apparently for some people the guide is extremely painful when it’s in place, it felt fine to me. Obviously having a hard metal thing clamped on my nose was not comfy! But it was not painful at all). Lena got the needle ready, she told me to take a deep breath and on the out she would pierce. It was over very quickly. My eyes watered a bit just because it’s a knee jerk reaction no one can stop. She then threaded the jewelry through which was more painful and eye watering than the actual piercing but it didn’t last long. I just kept breathing slowly (slow breathing helps me through any pain). The anticipation was definitely the worst part. The actual piercing was not too bad at all. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lena cleaned my nose and had me sit up slowly. She told me to take a look in the mirror, and see what I thought. I was a little nervous but loved it instantly! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib63qQSh6V9rqNde7iSd5ySQUdQMKW-j4pSGccDtIJzdKsWxwnKFHDz6IfQrM3jTiD9uNfRE5WxFEWWdQ7D6K7TWway9iTCMPsIza_cIyYSt16IKPLMK8iSsF_sBgYQKXzNyUBVJMcTwMu/s1600/IMG_20170322_151540054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib63qQSh6V9rqNde7iSd5ySQUdQMKW-j4pSGccDtIJzdKsWxwnKFHDz6IfQrM3jTiD9uNfRE5WxFEWWdQ7D6K7TWway9iTCMPsIza_cIyYSt16IKPLMK8iSsF_sBgYQKXzNyUBVJMcTwMu/s320/IMG_20170322_151540054.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I got out to the car RJ loved it. When Rose saw it she said, “oooo I like it!” I had showed her pictures before I got it so she wouldn’t be too surprised. She has not stopped telling me it’s pretty since I got it. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New piercings require a good amount of cleaning and aftercare. I have been doing sea salt water soaks twice a day. I have been very careful to not bump it or pull it. Today is the end of day 10. It’s a bit itchy at times (healing itchy). It’s a bit sore but not painful. The past two days my nose has gotten a bit raw. I have watered down my salt washes and that is helping a bit. The most annoying part is how ticklish it is. The day I got it, and the second day were the worst. I have gotten used to the majority of the ticklishness. Now it’s just ticklish sometimes, not all the time. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are thinking about getting any piercing please go to a good piercer! Find someone who is an APP member and go there over the questionable place close to home. Atlanta has three studios listed on APP’s website. I have been to two of them. The closest one is Virtue and Vice and it is 50 minutes from my home. The drive for a good piercing is worth it. Do not cheap out when it comes to getting a needle through your body. Go to a reliable place. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I cannot wait till my piercing is healed and I can put in all the cute jewelry! </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will keep posting updates here! Thanks for reading! Let me know if you have any questions! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=hotnewreleases&banner=00GP90RCZFRVTGTTPT02&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=cc2be7da345f65ce02ff57f725db453f&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-32694006961954941672017-03-20T23:21:00.000-04:002017-03-20T23:21:24.394-04:00The Worst Family is a Sick Family <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The past few weeks have been rough at the Ayres house. We all came down with a stomach bug. Being sick while taking care of two small humans is the type of thing that makes all us stay at home parents want to down a bottle of wine in the evening. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZMBpmfX_Za6ncork8umHVt-ghw-1cAWfSsSKYiUVEV9zKxjotwBwMv65Rru-hfBTOE55uMX_ABB66oAY256dWVoMVh_iy6WqVZ7byuEY6agi_870tvhAuYwrcI8Sz3kku_fGkpBx5I8Z/s1600/2017-02-28+09.44.00-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZMBpmfX_Za6ncork8umHVt-ghw-1cAWfSsSKYiUVEV9zKxjotwBwMv65Rru-hfBTOE55uMX_ABB66oAY256dWVoMVh_iy6WqVZ7byuEY6agi_870tvhAuYwrcI8Sz3kku_fGkpBx5I8Z/s320/2017-02-28+09.44.00-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the worst day of our head colds, Rose was so out<br />
of it. I love Heather's tired smile. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disclaimer: You might not want to read this post if you are a sympathetic puker. Or if someone describing puke makes you sick. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thursday morning about two weeks ago I went to get Heather out of her crib. I opened her door and the overwhelming smell of puke wafted out. I have never smelled puke like that before, it was bad! I am not one to puke at the sight or smell of puke, but this made me want to. I have no idea at what time in the night she actually puked, she must not have cried about it much, because she didn’t wake me or RJ up. By the morning it was mostly dry and she was playing with whatever was left (I know, kids are disgusting). I quickly stripped her clothes off and threw her into the shower with RJ. I threw the large chunks and whole raisins into the toilet then started laundry, washing all her bedcovers and clothes. I retrieved a grumpy wet Heather from the shower and took her downstairs for a diaper. RJ steam cleaned the floor in her room and opened the windows. I am so glad RJ had not left for work yet. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heather did not puke again that day. She had a fever around 99-100, had no appetite, and was very tired and snuggly all day. The following day, Friday she was still sick but did not puke. But I started to feel under the weather. Friday night I felt really sick and nauseous, I ended up puking my guts out early Saturday morning. I have not felt that sick in a very long time. I spent the entire day on the couch trying not to dry heave. It was rough. Heather was feeling better. No one else had come down with the the plague yet... </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2L0oYrmLA7denGZv-h8tcOPgzT9TGPytK_qv97IS2VjivZ3cMsXUfEXDp75V1yLxuDryNmheroEC_q7rva-qbK5VVVfHc8yPjiBETY-vbVvxD81jc_fnp15nSryumSwc7eHDvaZVu41a/s1600/2017-02-23+11.45.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2L0oYrmLA7denGZv-h8tcOPgzT9TGPytK_qv97IS2VjivZ3cMsXUfEXDp75V1yLxuDryNmheroEC_q7rva-qbK5VVVfHc8yPjiBETY-vbVvxD81jc_fnp15nSryumSwc7eHDvaZVu41a/s320/2017-02-23+11.45.46.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather never falls asleep on the couch. She was so sick. I<br />
am glad it did not last too long. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was worried Rose would catch it. She is not fun to handle when she is sick. Saturday evening Rose puked all over the carpet. It was bright orange and smelled like Cheetos. Rose puking made Heather cry, and attempting to keep both of the girls out of a large puddle of orange puke, while trying not to puke myself again took some serious skills. RJ cleaned up the puke while I cleaned up Rose and tried to calm both of the girls down (we had to shampoo the carpet an additional two times to get all the smell out. Every time someone walked over that part of the carpet the smell got kicked up till we deep cleaned it). Rose puked another one or two times that evening but RJ and I watched her closely and we were able to help her make it to the bathroom. It was not easy to do while feeling sick myself, but much easier than cleaning puke out of the carpet. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday I was feeling much better. RJ thought he was in the clear and had passed through unscathed, but that Saturday night/Sunday morning the nasty stomach bug claimed it’s final victim. RJ said the last time he puked that hard he was definitely not sober! Luckily, I was feeling better on Sunday because Heather puked in her crib again at nap time. I think it was my fault. I sent her to bed with a sippie full of milk and her stomach wasn’t ready for it so it came right back up. I don’t think Rose puked again that day however it was a bit foggy, I was still recovering.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having a family of four, all getting sick at the same time is awful. If you think you can handle puke everywhere, cleaning it up while being sleep deprived and nauseous, definitely start a family.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf74NoqAg3yIfxxk7ENHmEGyA_S-GDA8uezW6pCeKvD8olinw7DNemZ5zfawo7y2HSHZ645hoC6ONRlLpENfsn0wE6hj7fZCEKWUsakOvrrs13hyAmUc1eREzmEE4eESiXw4_WMv5awjF/s1600/2017-02-25+20.01.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf74NoqAg3yIfxxk7ENHmEGyA_S-GDA8uezW6pCeKvD8olinw7DNemZ5zfawo7y2HSHZ645hoC6ONRlLpENfsn0wE6hj7fZCEKWUsakOvrrs13hyAmUc1eREzmEE4eESiXw4_WMv5awjF/s320/2017-02-25+20.01.15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose still smiled on her worst day after puking a lot the<br />
night before. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was worse than puking, was the awful head cold we all came down with a couple days later. I have never been so congested in my life. The pressure in my head was the worst part. RJ introduced me to nose spray, which helped a lot. After a very hot bath, cold medicine and a few days of nose spray I felt much better. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being sick sucks. Being a sick parent with sick kids is absolute hell. Still, I would not trade my family for anything, and I still want it twice as big as it is now! </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, I feel 100% again. I felt good enough this weekend to get my septum pierced! I’ll be writing a whole post about it next.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sorry I went dark on the blog for a little while! I’m back!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=bestsellingproducts&banner=145H1HTA41NXJPV0C0R2&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=1267b024d0b07a6199ae788e0dfe2b67&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-66662391999427689862017-01-29T22:30:00.000-05:002017-01-29T22:30:40.906-05:00Being Perfect is Impossible - But that's OK <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my last blog post I got a lot of feedback from other exmormons, specifically about this comment I made, “telling anyone to try to become perfect is awful. It’s creates a horrible cycle of guilt and self doubt. Discovering I didn’t have to live for anyone except myself was so freeing. I can be who I want to be without worrying if I am perfect or not.” I realized I could write a whole blog post on just this. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f45ac422-ed60-9066-20d3-f2c2f50edca5" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9ululYKEJuB1TbKeavfHV6dG9qG_k_Ai6qR6ginl3rIFoHRroocpszwzgNvP9ge0wlJUjvXXLgrWfIQjP3jtPhgluY2MY3gyCGV8PKRHXC_sigKHWQj8NM-1VxjS7p7x2ZCI3iHB34mw/s1600/2013-05-10+16.34.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9ululYKEJuB1TbKeavfHV6dG9qG_k_Ai6qR6ginl3rIFoHRroocpszwzgNvP9ge0wlJUjvXXLgrWfIQjP3jtPhgluY2MY3gyCGV8PKRHXC_sigKHWQj8NM-1VxjS7p7x2ZCI3iHB34mw/s320/2013-05-10+16.34.46.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first bump picture, pregnant with Rose<br />
every one assumed I would give her up. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Mormon Church teaches that you must try everyday to be perfect, and eventually become perfect to get into the best part of heaven. According to Mormons there are three levels of heaven and in the highest level there are three levels within that level. To get to the very top, you need to be baptized, married in the Mormon temple, and become perfect. Anything else is subpar. The other levels are almost talked about with an air of disgust around them. They are nowhere near as “glorious” as the top. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have always found this incredibly intimidating. When I believed in an afterlife it was the only thing I thought about. I was told if I didn’t make it to the top I couldn’t be with my family. The Mormon Church is one of the few religions that actually teaches that families might not be together in the afterlife. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is super stressful. There is a reason Utah is in the top 10 most depressed states. Telling someone they need to be perfect creates a cycle of guilt and self doubt. The cycle goes like this... </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You are told you need to become perfect.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You try your best because the afterlife you get depends on it. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You slip up, small or big it doesn’t matter, you’re not perfect. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The guilt sets in. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You repent.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You do your best, but make the same slip up again, you’re human. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The guilt sets in again but this time self doubt follows. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The self doubt overcomes you, because no matter how hard you try, you always slip up, because being perfect is impossible. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The guilt that your family will not be eternal weighs on your shoulders.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then things start all over again back at number one. The cycle goes round and round and the only way to break it is to wonder what type of God is up there if there and if one even exists. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAeaNygGZZwmn-4_esdGf0pITypyQ6wKfLVg3rVK6maGoeaUrTJwg_WLnc51CruMbuino-kL4sFbfWuRVyV3kGgud4vsNyQlv8iUxEbXLrMpJm-XKVkFKi2MkkVj_JHYhBhuU1vTZAPf4/s1600/2013-11-29+14.54.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAeaNygGZZwmn-4_esdGf0pITypyQ6wKfLVg3rVK6maGoeaUrTJwg_WLnc51CruMbuino-kL4sFbfWuRVyV3kGgud4vsNyQlv8iUxEbXLrMpJm-XKVkFKi2MkkVj_JHYhBhuU1vTZAPf4/s320/2013-11-29+14.54.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The adorable Rosalie. I love being a mom. <br />
I am so glad I kept her. She was a few days old here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I battled with this cycle throughout my entire youth. It was not until I made a “big slip up” that I began to wonder if there was a God. It was not until I didn’t want to repent. The mistake I made could not be erased and I didn’t want it to be. I got pregnant and within days someone from The Mormon Church’s LDS family services was at my parents’ house telling me what my options were. No one asked me what I wanted. And when my decision to keep my baby and work it out with her father was made clear, the guilting started. I got excommunicated from The Mormon Church, for not cooperating. My dad told me he was sad I was no longer a part of his eternal family. That was when I had my moment of clarity. What type of god would tell a father to tell his daughter after she dies they will never see each other again? What god would rip apart families because someone made a mistake and took a different path? It was then that I began to question if there was a god at all. If one did exist, he must be very cruel and sadistic. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took a good while for me to realize I didn’t need to feel guilty for getting pregnant and wanting to keep my baby. It took me a long time to not feel guilty about “tearing my eternal family apart” because I didn’t. It took me a long time to not feel guilt for my family’s emotions. For some people after leaving The Mormon Church it takes them a long time to not feel guilty after having a glass of wine. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Feeling guilty all the time sucks. Oddly enough now that I have broken away from the cycle of failed perfection and guilt, I am much more honest with myself and everyone else around me. Now that I know all the things The Mormon Church says are bad, are actually normal, I don’t feel the need to lie about them. I don’t even remember the last time I told someone a white lie, because I don’t need to. I don’t feel guilty about my sex life, my sexuality, having an alcoholic beverage a few times a week, or even wearing a tank top (because yes, Mormons think shoulders are sinful). <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhpXQUCkA_wpd26NYJpp0WKhOjv4Z9l1mh9JE0ozNAuHLyzOR4q0PiXo0P2XMATBa9EiUrHOnoLJjdMgvhRjIj3d-Fmj8y43C1Pk9WV1Ru40hsG9MBlBqQDbU3Qqe-UGw3b3d_82AWzqq/s1600/IMG_20170124_124155673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhpXQUCkA_wpd26NYJpp0WKhOjv4Z9l1mh9JE0ozNAuHLyzOR4q0PiXo0P2XMATBa9EiUrHOnoLJjdMgvhRjIj3d-Fmj8y43C1Pk9WV1Ru40hsG9MBlBqQDbU3Qqe-UGw3b3d_82AWzqq/s320/IMG_20170124_124155673.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose and me a days ago. Whenever I do my<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">make up she asks me to draw a heart on each hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I am glad I was excommunicated.</span></td></tr>
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</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Living a life always wondering if you are good enough is not fun. I have realized there is no god, and I am much happier. I only have to be good enough for myself. The only time I feel guilty is when I cheat on a diet, or when I occasionally lose my shit and snap at my kids. It’s ok. I am myself every day. I don’t try to be anything I’m not. I am a perfectly imperfect Megan, warts and all. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t think there is a man in the sky judging my actions. I do what makes me feel happy and proud. I do service because it makes me happy, not because it will earn me cookie points in heaven, or my religion tells me to. I live for the now because there is nothing after. I worry about making the world a better place because my children and grandchildren will live here. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be yourself! It doesn’t matter what other people think! There is not an invisible magician in the sky judging you! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=hotnewreleases&banner=00GP90RCZFRVTGTTPT02&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=aa10748d9b1fd6819ee1c6c99c4dadfb&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-92173925583057538032017-01-20T23:30:00.001-05:002017-01-20T23:30:55.049-05:00I am Bisexual<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2735410-bf42-45e0-d26e-f9ae241b7a94"></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2735410-bf42-45e0-d26e-f9ae241b7a94"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am bisexual. In layman's terms, I am attracted to both men and women. I have had feelings towards women for as long as I can remember, but it has only been the past few years of my life I have felt comfortable accepting it, talking about it, and acting on it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This will probably come as a shock to most my readers. It was not something I could put words to until recently. The past few years of my life have been very developmental for me. Being excommunicated from The Mormon Church and figuring out what I believe in has been a huge part of learning to accept me for me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0MB_MAvTkCiJRUPhjtnBfpMlaP9ymHHTLluFuROslkJyTgNYUDtFjCaG3LaM4o67M2iq_PZSXCm-wwj4o0gfIpUeMZr2p8xH_S2qY1ngKLOAz_HufojbtuvfSlbuR7hrxn6sq7zS7A7w/s1600/IMG_20161230_202304180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0MB_MAvTkCiJRUPhjtnBfpMlaP9ymHHTLluFuROslkJyTgNYUDtFjCaG3LaM4o67M2iq_PZSXCm-wwj4o0gfIpUeMZr2p8xH_S2qY1ngKLOAz_HufojbtuvfSlbuR7hrxn6sq7zS7A7w/s320/IMG_20161230_202304180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But before I really get into all the “why’s” I want to clarify what being bisexual means to me (my definition is more than likely different than someone else's, which is perfectly fine). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being bisexual does not mean I love my husband any less than someone who is straight. It just means when I see a sexy person walking down the street that person may be a man or that person may be a woman. Just because that person is sexy and I'm attracted to them does not mean I'm going to cheat on my husband. It does not mean that I don't feel fulfilled in my relationship with my husband emotionally or sexually. It just means, I can be just as attracted to a woman as man in anyway. Whether that be, physically, intellectually, or sexually. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being bisexual doesn’t mean I am attracted to every woman I meet. Straight people aren’t attracted to every person of the opposite gender they come across. Look at it the same way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that I am “open” or “out” please don’t treat me differently. I am the same person I have always been. Just because you know something new about me does not mean I am different. I am still Megan. I feel weird needing to say this but I know even after saying this some people will still treat me differently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RJ is very supportive of me being bisexual. He loves me for me and I absolutely love him for that. I am so glad I found him. No one else could understand me the way he does. Now into all the “why’s”...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Growing up in The Mormon Church I was taught sexual feelings were bad. I wasn't supposed to explore my sexuality by myself, or with anyone else. We were taught “God” had given us all these amazing feelings and body parts but were not supposed to do anything about them until we were married (and they told us this all the time). It was hard to understand why these feelings were so strong before I got married. Why did I even have them if I wasn’t supposed to use them until after I had gotten married in The Mormon Temple? Did something happen in The Temple that changed things? It was impossible for me to understand. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC2a46WHUYqw9ceN7dzc18G0S2ObPHHNVfn0bcxywVU2zpKj8rw958LJYtrgejSl_49TH060G-lAzG-H2Q9B14_jTIPRnQ59vny5NK7B9wOqTQD6JrIbZufBm3WkWNXH6R5BHnGUMr7zd/s1600/IMG_20170103_115007423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC2a46WHUYqw9ceN7dzc18G0S2ObPHHNVfn0bcxywVU2zpKj8rw958LJYtrgejSl_49TH060G-lAzG-H2Q9B14_jTIPRnQ59vny5NK7B9wOqTQD6JrIbZufBm3WkWNXH6R5BHnGUMr7zd/s320/IMG_20170103_115007423.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coping with my sexual feelings as a teen was really difficult. I was super horny (like most teens are), and this caused me to feel guilty alot. I wanted to explore. I wanted to learn everything I could about myself. I masturbated, I felt guilty. I thought sexually about boys, I felt guilty. I fooled around with boys, I felt really guilty. I thought sexually about girls and I felt extremely guilty. I had all these feelings and emotions and I didn't understand why a “loving God” would tell me they were bad, when they felt so natural. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Feeling guilty all the time sucked. I always thought I was doing something wrong, and I wasn’t good enough. Mormons are always told to, “strive for perfection”. As a teen when sexual feelings were really intense and impossible to resist, I thought I would never be good enough. As an adult looking back, telling anyone to try to become perfect is awful. It’s creates a horrible cycle of guilt and self doubt. Discovering I didn’t have to live for anyone except myself was so freeing. I can be who I want to be without worrying if I am perfect or not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I never want my children to feel the way I felt growing up. My parents did not know how I felt, and I didn’t know how they would have reacted if I had told them. I was afraid of their reaction. I hope I can raise my children in an environment where they can be themselves. I want them to grow up knowing who they are. Not figuring it out later. I want them to know it’s ok to be whoever they want to be even if that’s not what they/I expected. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm here to tell everyone out there these feelings are normal. There is nothing wrong with you! Exploring your sexuality responsibly will not send you to hell or hurt anyone. Find someone to talk to. I believe if someone had told me these feelings were normal and not feelings from “Satan” I would have been happier as a teen (I’m sure I looked happy from the outside but on the inside but I had a lot going through my head. P.S. Mom, I was not depressed). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7mRPS0pRWxHS6IK0KktcNtu4DiglWpz1BjbzqSCt6IlhJiJK2H66LMFKGfpWpkN-0nmIUDYXduHFRw-ZloqcaMC3GHvFKJPrYI03xWGPY7GpsNNUZtE6U1ljZ38aJf06ObkD7tQhyphenhyphenf8s/s1600/IMG_20161213_231603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7mRPS0pRWxHS6IK0KktcNtu4DiglWpz1BjbzqSCt6IlhJiJK2H66LMFKGfpWpkN-0nmIUDYXduHFRw-ZloqcaMC3GHvFKJPrYI03xWGPY7GpsNNUZtE6U1ljZ38aJf06ObkD7tQhyphenhyphenf8s/s320/IMG_20161213_231603.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took me a very long time to realize that any feelings I have towards women are not bad. I regularly wonder what my life would be like if I had gone through my teenage, hormone filled years in an environment that accepted all sexual orientations. I am sad for people who are influenced by others around them to hide how they feel sexually, or are pushed and told there is only one way (again I am so lucky RJ is understanding and loves me for me). No one is the same, that’s what makes us all so amazing. No one is perfect, but no one needs to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope that opening up helps others who are struggling with their sexuality. It’s OK to be attracted to any gender, multiple genders, or no one at all. It’s not a disease or something you can change. It is part of your DNA, like your hair color. You might be able to mask the color but you will always be a brunette or a blonde. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am happy to be a listening ear for anyone who needs one, and I am willing to answer any questions anyone has for me. Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=hotnewreleases&banner=00GP90RCZFRVTGTTPT02&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=4fbb6f5f7ea57934a3df2d2d4dd7f21a&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></span></div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-65711345629417264182017-01-19T22:37:00.000-05:002017-01-19T22:37:33.746-05:00Binky Ditching 101<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have been able to get both my girls to part with their binkies just after they turned one. There are a few things I did that helped make the transition easy. I thought about sharing this awhile back but I didn’t know if it would work on Heather. Now that I got Heather to ditch the binky too I think this is a method that will work on more than just my children. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-c5a668f2-b9e3-4f5e-7b48-a4b3f38645c3" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pO6gG0AhyMT7lEPKN4jbkJq4dsIVDu8Oo-9cVovu5qpyxSVXchlAQG_RAMcYOlJ82JkMr9a6b-1gqOPwNM0Fe74eMMcuBcf2mRMlweJlmXuIv5isf99BrypyrDTiXW_m_VRK8rDI66N5/s1600/IMG_20170119_183622974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pO6gG0AhyMT7lEPKN4jbkJq4dsIVDu8Oo-9cVovu5qpyxSVXchlAQG_RAMcYOlJ82JkMr9a6b-1gqOPwNM0Fe74eMMcuBcf2mRMlweJlmXuIv5isf99BrypyrDTiXW_m_VRK8rDI66N5/s320/IMG_20170119_183622974.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather dragging her blanket around the house today. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I need to put a big disclaimer here... Neither of my girls ever took a bottle. They were pretty much only breastfeed from the breast. If I did need to leave one of them at home they drank breast milk straight out of a cup, from a straw, or a sippy cup with a hard top. We tried pretty hard to get Heather to take a bottle and she refused. Just keep in mind, if you bottle fed your little one this method may or may not work for you, I have no idea. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also, both my girls were completely transitioned to whole milk when we got rid of binkies. They were being sent to bed with a sippy cup of milk, I think they were falling asleep drinking milk and not looking for binkies after they had finished their milk. I do not know how this would work if you are still breastfeeding. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The biggest thing going for this method, is that most one year olds most do not have a word for binky yet. They cannot/do not know how to ask for it. If we would have waited till later than 12 months with Heather I think speech would have been a problem. Heather has a lot of words now that she is 14 going on 15 months old. I am glad we got her off the binky when we did. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are the steps I have used to ditch the binky.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 48px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Attach your child to something other than a binky. A blanket, a lovey, a stuffed animal, whatever your child gravitates to most.</span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preparing to get rid of the binky starts day one. Day one as in the day your baby is born. Your child needs something other than a pacifier to soothe him/her. Rose has a knit blanket that she takes everywhere with her. Heather has a minky blanket with silky borders that I made. My daughters are usually attached to a stuffed animal of some sort as well, but those rotate. Their blankets are always with them. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OGWe1bbSb2k5Zeb3pQJx4VpJPbvE1TGN5d4k1qcFt4ro1iXwrcLvy34DTUTjYZd5kFt8K6r6zSpXjoNvF42-uwYSkDaA8MKpr_SDFrhPWTicrq1RJcWpo0h1FX7ZfH7uC5F9PFrbgmbZ/s1600/IMG_20170116_102751294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OGWe1bbSb2k5Zeb3pQJx4VpJPbvE1TGN5d4k1qcFt4ro1iXwrcLvy34DTUTjYZd5kFt8K6r6zSpXjoNvF42-uwYSkDaA8MKpr_SDFrhPWTicrq1RJcWpo0h1FX7ZfH7uC5F9PFrbgmbZ/s320/IMG_20170116_102751294.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather getting snuggles with her blanket and favorite<br />
stuffed dolly. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The step is critical. It’s important that your child has something other than a binky that makes them feel secure. You do not want to take away their only security item. It will not go well if they only thing they depend on to soothe them is the thing you take away.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Attempt to soothe your child with with their alternative object before giving them a binky. A snuggle with a blanket or stuffed animal might be just what they need. If they are soothed with their blanket more they will naturally prefer it over the binky. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Approaching your child’s first birthday try to cut down on binky time, save it for naps, bedtime, car rides. Then limit to naps and bedtime. When/if your child begins to lose interest in their binky make sure to act quickly. You never know how long the window will last. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rose was around 15 months when we took her binky away. I actually forgot to put her to bed with a binky one night. She slept the entire night so we gathered up all the binkies and went cold turkey. Rose did just fine without a binky from then on. I believe she got sick the next week so I am unsure if the fussing was because the binky was gone or if she battling the cold. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With Heather we purposely put her to bed without a binky one night, we gathered all her binkies and put them away. She slept that whole night. The next night she woke up around 5 and was a little off. I am unsure if that was because we got rid of the binkies or if it was because she was seriously teething. It’s been over a month now and she has really really bonded to her blanket. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Go cold turkey. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rww_hWYaxLTHaQSaFs0q4hwnW-n87iNSM3y9imfWeRK_gkBhpuulTJudqn24DTb200OZRNSRJkaLDOj9SzPdLxW9DABxWCgMGf0Wg1Ax_ArF2i2maFBSA_hm6Ra7Ov7DhrHD2suIaiJf/s1600/2016-11-25+12.37.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rww_hWYaxLTHaQSaFs0q4hwnW-n87iNSM3y9imfWeRK_gkBhpuulTJudqn24DTb200OZRNSRJkaLDOj9SzPdLxW9DABxWCgMGf0Wg1Ax_ArF2i2maFBSA_hm6Ra7Ov7DhrHD2suIaiJf/s320/2016-11-25+12.37.15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose still need snuggles with her blanket all the time. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The night you decide to ditch the binky clear your child’s crib and bedroom of all binkies. After putting your little one to bed scavenge the house, car, stroller for any spare binkies and hide them up high in a cabinet. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Be strong.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If your little one is really fussy try not to give up. Try a new blanket or maybe an extra stuffed animal. The goal is to switch the binky with something else. You want your little one to feel secure and comforted. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We try not to backtrack at all costs no matter what we are doing in the Ayres house. So far it has worked well (except for potty training, but that’s a whole other post).</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both Heather and Rose love their blankets. Heather has been dragging hers around with her every where the past few weeks and it’s adorable. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope this method works for other people out there. It has worked amazingly for us. RJ’s previous daughter had a binky much much too old. He was ecstatic when we accidently got Rose to ditch hers early. I am very glad this method worked for Heather too. Hopefully we will never have two children with binkies at once.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks for reading. Keep an eye out for my next blog post It will be a good one! </span></div>
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-55963234114190000332017-01-08T20:32:00.001-05:002017-01-08T20:32:39.402-05:00Pimm's and Gin Cup Recipe <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am still a newbie when it comes to alcohol. For the first 19 years of my life I was a Mormon, and when I turned 21 I was pregnant. The majority of my legal drinking life has been restricted one way or another. This past year (mostly) has been my largest period of time I have been able to explore alcohol. I love trying new drinks, and pairing foods with with drinks. Alcohol is not all about getting drunk, it can really elevate a meal. However, this drink is pure enjoyment for its taste alone. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRM5xbfIFge4lofi0LAdOS7WDnEENAV_JlrvmCkqVlERqUOLTw0R1qIcXmccgIG02z0t8H4BnA5iblAQuTXowKelslEerkwh6w5J34sUpntBamXiKg_u5epV9gcXVRX3WoFhXJJZAlEli/s1600/IMG_20170107_212746189_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRM5xbfIFge4lofi0LAdOS7WDnEENAV_JlrvmCkqVlERqUOLTw0R1qIcXmccgIG02z0t8H4BnA5iblAQuTXowKelslEerkwh6w5J34sUpntBamXiKg_u5epV9gcXVRX3WoFhXJJZAlEli/s320/IMG_20170107_212746189_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recently, I discovered I like gin. I had my first gin and tonic (g&t) a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it. I was looking up different gin drinks and recipes and found one for a “Gin cup”, which is a spin off a Pimm’s cup. Pimm’s is a gin based fruity liqueur. In my early alcohol days I really enjoyed Pimms and ginger ale, as my palate developed, it became too sweet. When I saw a recipe for a “Gin cup” I was extremely excited, because I can now enjoy the taste of Pimm’s matured with gin. It’s perfect. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have perfected this recipe for my taste. I think this is the perfect amount of sweet and tart. For a sweeter drink leave out the tonic water. For a more tart drink, add less ginger ale and more tonic water. Have fun experimenting with it and making it perfect for your tastebuds.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ingredients</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">50ml Bombay Sapphire Gin </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">25ml Pimm’s #1 </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">60ml Schweppes ginger ale</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">15-20ml Schweppes tonic water </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 lemon wedge </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 mint leaf (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">½ of an orange wheel sliced in half (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 cucumber slice (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 strawberry or 3 raspberries (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Supplies </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_ivKHkY2xUJjWxBTMamg96e2u7AJW-7ix9DT1JSI538t-sT9fVa7KgQ1g4laowCCL3hA9YFBS5U9wHfUSyfLBc3N30eYbZyhCaSIBKUmQpC1aM4YOZuM8hupW6uVZ2rbc7onahQ6FrST/s1600/IMG_20170107_233505108_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_ivKHkY2xUJjWxBTMamg96e2u7AJW-7ix9DT1JSI538t-sT9fVa7KgQ1g4laowCCL3hA9YFBS5U9wHfUSyfLBc3N30eYbZyhCaSIBKUmQpC1aM4YOZuM8hupW6uVZ2rbc7onahQ6FrST/s320/IMG_20170107_233505108_BURST001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A short glass </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ice </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A non metallic stirrer. Like a glass cocktail stirrer. I always have plastic baby spoons around, they work perfectly to stir cocktails!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most importantly you need a small measuring cup. I found a 5-ounce Anchor glass measuring cup at Walmart for about two dollars. I use it all the time for measuring small amounts of liquids. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Directions</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prep all of your ingredients. Chill your gin in the freezer, chill your ginger ale and tonic water in the fridge (Pimm’s stays on the counter at room temp).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slice your fruits. I just use whatever I have on hand. The lemon is most important in my opinion, the orange is also pretty flavor changing, the rest of the fruits and herbs do add flavor but the drink is still very good without them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fill your short glass about ⅔ full with ice. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add the orange, cucumber, and berries to the glass.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Measure and pour your gin into the glass, then your Pimms. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next measure and pour your ginger ale and tonic water. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last, give it a good stir and garnish with mint leaf, and lemon. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8YLigS6HD0_eGFximhMm2Ioj-h8_H5vnHTOIHVPFTMAdt34Vw4uUGSTv3LcMeyxpvQcP96EAl9C3tFMu_yyKGqfD7ejiWoT23N7QPTuQ9rxuQ900Fm16veM6MVFf7jzLI0qZiqKnyHEk/s1600/IMG_20170107_212541316_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8YLigS6HD0_eGFximhMm2Ioj-h8_H5vnHTOIHVPFTMAdt34Vw4uUGSTv3LcMeyxpvQcP96EAl9C3tFMu_yyKGqfD7ejiWoT23N7QPTuQ9rxuQ900Fm16veM6MVFf7jzLI0qZiqKnyHEk/s320/IMG_20170107_212541316_BURST001.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enjoy responsibly!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love this drink, it is definitely a girly drink, but it is a less sweet, more boozy version of the traditional Pimm’s cup. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I plan on posting more drink recipes in the future, but knowing me I will get pregnant in the near future and drinking will be postponed. Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=hotnewreleases&banner=00GP90RCZFRVTGTTPT02&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=ee0a916ccfa9073d291c2d18c35aad36&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-75962914496565987892017-01-06T00:14:00.001-05:002017-01-06T00:14:48.283-05:00The Best Doctored Chocolate Cake with Fudgy Icing<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My sister first introduced me to a glorious cake recipe quite a few years ago. I have recently finished perfecting it to for me and my kitchen. It took me so long because I refuse to make it too often because we will eat the entire cake if we do not have company or a party to bring the cake to. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0dba33b1-7228-c13d-19ed-5ad365e430be" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first time I attempted this icing I totally fucked it up. It’s not foolproof like butter cream or a simple glaze. Take your time and make sure you have enough ingredients that you can throw it away once and try again just in case. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyvuI5LGDv21TdwwAEoT8ZJvmojoN1rUJRZYkctoggoRHdNFKYycmNd1NVb8hEJhDTbGm4zpkTBQisA1U9uLhpgvqtdNt3GqdakgMRg2Z1QPKfN7H1f2dmKORUiGeSYy3BX2vxG5hcvkJ/s1600/IMG_20161230_234804_772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyvuI5LGDv21TdwwAEoT8ZJvmojoN1rUJRZYkctoggoRHdNFKYycmNd1NVb8hEJhDTbGm4zpkTBQisA1U9uLhpgvqtdNt3GqdakgMRg2Z1QPKfN7H1f2dmKORUiGeSYy3BX2vxG5hcvkJ/s320/IMG_20161230_234804_772.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will be posting better photos as soon as I bake another cake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />The cake is easy and delicious it comes out perfectly every time. It is the only chocolate cake I ever bake. I prefer to bake this in a bundt tin but I have cooked in 6, and 8 inch tins, and even as cupcakes. You will need to adjust baking times but I have never had this cake seriously flop in any pan. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ingredients </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cake Batter</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Devil's food cake mix </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 small (3 oz) package of instant chocolate (or chocolate fudge) pudding mix </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 cup (8oz) of sour cream (full fat works best, I usually buy an 8 oz just for the cake. It makes for easy measuring)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 cup of vegetable oil</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">½ cup of milk (I use whole because I have it on hand but I have made it with skim and it turns out just fine) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 eggs</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 tsp of vanilla </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 pinch of salt </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">¼ cup of mini semi sweet chocolate chips (optional) </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the Icing </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 stick (½ cup) of unsalted butter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 Tbsp of cocoa powder </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 cups of confectioners (powdered) sugar </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 tsp of vanilla </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1-4 Tbsp of milk (I usually pour out about ¼ cup into a liquid measuring cup just to make things easier.)</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Directions </span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preheat your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a large mixing bowl (I use my Kitchenaid stand mixer with the whisk attachment), add all the cake batter ingredients to the bowl, except the chocolate chips, and mix thoroughly. Fold in chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. I usually fold the batter a few times with a spatula even if I didn't add chocolate chips to make sure everything was mixed completely. Sometimes at the very bottom of my bowl I find some dry cake mix. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTtgUk-kEkiPTV3wJFLypPHSyZJv1iVlwlgVfiWBXJH_QTIt7AERDZly8ap3dKJQIhERlh4rtTKtSTs07TGA5oBe7Wella55g1-0IlIRJMD95wuT8MgM9ZarJ3mgCPly6llH64JmhEzhn/s1600/IMG_20161230_230235_639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTtgUk-kEkiPTV3wJFLypPHSyZJv1iVlwlgVfiWBXJH_QTIt7AERDZly8ap3dKJQIhERlh4rtTKtSTs07TGA5oBe7Wella55g1-0IlIRJMD95wuT8MgM9ZarJ3mgCPly6llH64JmhEzhn/s320/IMG_20161230_230235_639.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lick the beaters...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With crisco or butter, grease a bundt tin, then sprinkle it with cocoa powder. Shake the excess cocoa powder out of pan into the sink. I bang it a couple of times on side of the sink to make sure there is not too much excess cocoa. I always grease and powder my pan just as an extra precaution to make sure my cake comes out of the pan perfectly, I know some bakers who omit this step. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pour batter into the greased and powdered pan. Bake in your 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. I use a long wooden skewer to check the cake for doneness. A toothpick works just as well. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the cake has had a few minutes to cool turn it out onto a cake stand. </span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the cake has had 10-20 minutes to cool begin to make the icing. Make sure you give your cake sufficient time to cool, the icing looks best if poured on a mostly cooled cake. If the cake is too hot the icing will just melt and run down the sides.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To make the Icing you need a medium sized pan, and all your ingredients measured and prepped. I do not always prep my ingredients for every recipe, but when you have something on the stove that cannot wait for you to grab the sugar out of the pantry, or the milk out of the fridge, it is very important to have your ingredients ready to go right next to your work station. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over medium low heat melt your butter, just as it begins to bubble whisk in the cocoa. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When butter cocoa mixture is smooth heat till it simmers/bubbles a tiny bit, turn the heat to low.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add about half the confectioners sugar. Whisk till somewhat incorporated, then add the rest of the confectioners sugar. At this point it will clump and look awful. Don’t worry it will be ok. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add your vanilla and a tiny bit of milk. Be careful not to add too much, put in less than one tablespoon at first. Whisk and whisk till it begins to smooth out. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Occasionally the butter will begin to separate, if that happens add a bit of milk rather than powdered sugar. It seems counter intuitive but it always works for me. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You want the icing to be somewhat thick not runny. If it is runny add a bit more confectioners sugar about one tablespoon at a time (also make sure it’s not too hot). This takes practice. It might take you a few tries to get the consistency just right to your liking, and for the temperature of your kitchen. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pour your icing over the cake and enjoy. It will not last long! </span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I plan on doing a video tutorial for this icing in the near future, which I think will be very helpful.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope you enjoy this cake as much as we do. Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=hotnewreleases&banner=00GP90RCZFRVTGTTPT02&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=d1b4247205beea68257588df86535b96&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-53904968946147268872016-12-14T00:04:00.001-05:002016-12-14T00:04:59.541-05:00Santa's Not Real - And I'm Telling My Kids!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RJ and I do not encourage belief in Santa Claus. Let me explain exactly what that means before you tell me I am ruining my children’s fun, or that I’m a bad parent.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Santa does not exist. He is not real. I want my children to think critically. Encouraging them to believe in a fat man who delivers presents to all the good children in the world, on one night, does not teach critical thinking (or a good understanding of physics).</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This does not mean we do not talk about Santa. We got family photos taken with Santa for our holiday cards this year. Rose knows who Santa is and that he brings presents. But she will know her presents on Christmas actually come from me and RJ. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWvjic5nEexNvAr5LqzNAJBQgdyhBppH2FWGsAWKYYaXuDGj60Xc6p-UBPjE4rI-jbr_hD3qpRMv20piZpGLyFZZWk9ZdlA2-0RWwApJ9UaareKa0gTFhg7xJtXUI23sTK4JJbZ8XcoH7/s1600/STUDIO_ONCEUPONATIMECHAR_20161117_7864740061.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWvjic5nEexNvAr5LqzNAJBQgdyhBppH2FWGsAWKYYaXuDGj60Xc6p-UBPjE4rI-jbr_hD3qpRMv20piZpGLyFZZWk9ZdlA2-0RWwApJ9UaareKa0gTFhg7xJtXUI23sTK4JJbZ8XcoH7/s320/STUDIO_ONCEUPONATIMECHAR_20161117_7864740061.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures with Santa at Hollywood Studios at Disney World<br />
this past November. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Santa is not real, Rose thinks about him the same way she thinks about Elsa, Tinkerbell, Cinderella, or Shrek. They are all imaginary characters and they all have a part in her imagination. I encourage her to use her imagination. The other day her blanket was laid out on the floor in the shape of a triangle. She sat down on it and asked me to come ride on the “dragon” with her. I did and pretended to fly around with her for a little. It was a lot of fun I love seeing her little imagination hard at work.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Letting children think of Santa like they think of their favorite Disney character will prolong the fun. There will not be a day when Rose no longer “believes” in Santa. There will not be a day she feels hurt and let down because she discovers Santa isn’t real. He never was real, and never will be, just like any other imaginary character. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Santa is fun, it is how we celebrate Christmas as atheists. We celebrate a time of selflessness, empathy, and love for everyone no matter their color, sexual orientation, or religion. Everyone deserves to feel loved and cared for around this time of year no matter what you celebrate or don’t celebrate.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do not rely on Santa to get good behavior out of my children. I want my children to be good people because it’s the right thing to do. I do not want them to be good just so they don’t get coal in their stockings. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkp57QjazYoVb7nJ8VU3vvy57efue-mg6xFgfSydlPzb1KK0KmyVzlCtLMkFm9diMprMX_IxPCQHkecyI-0v5GT1WjWVoCVCtaV4crKL0V77CHcF5X7Lm4twGgPB3JAhqoQiZc27MLnhA/s1600/STUDIO_ONCEUPONATIMECHAR_20161117_7864740084.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkp57QjazYoVb7nJ8VU3vvy57efue-mg6xFgfSydlPzb1KK0KmyVzlCtLMkFm9diMprMX_IxPCQHkecyI-0v5GT1WjWVoCVCtaV4crKL0V77CHcF5X7Lm4twGgPB3JAhqoQiZc27MLnhA/s320/STUDIO_ONCEUPONATIMECHAR_20161117_7864740084.jpeg" width="213" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t remember believing in Santa Claus. My Grandpa on my Dad’s side dressed up as Santa every year, from what I can remember he was the only Santa we saw and got photos with when we were kids. Young children are really good at seeing/feeling/smelling people they know. I don’t think my parents actively lied to me and told me that, that was “Santa” and not Grandpa. I am glad my parents did not insist on convincing us Santa was real. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do not want to lie to my children. I do not want them to lie to me. I think creating a false reality by lying to them daily during the holiday’s is not going to make the best relationship. I want my children to trust me and lying to them from day one, trying to convince them Santa is real will not create a trusting relationship. I think trust is much more important, rather than them believing a silly children's story is real. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope this got you thinking. I think the holiday season might be a lot better if it wasn’t about anything except loving and accepting each other. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope this makes sense, and it didn’t sound like my inner dialogue running away with itself to much. Thanks for reading! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=topgiftideas&banner=11QH56VCWYW6G4PKV382&f=ifr&lc=pf4&linkID=9b48d288e8e565fc40e75abfcaf2a3c0&t=maydecemberma-20&tracking_id=maydecemberma-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6872760792722046448.post-8969617895926838672016-12-11T23:59:00.001-05:002016-12-11T23:59:53.446-05:00Legging Army Review <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My cousin Sue has started selling leggings through Legging Army. She recently asked if I would would write a review about them on my blog in exchange for a free pair. I have been in the market for a good pair of leggings. So I said yes! I picked out a pair online, and they showed up in the mail on Thursday. I thought would give them a few days before jumping in and reviewing them. So far they are pretty amazing. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are a few things I look for when buying a pair of leggings. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They must be Opaque</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM_CKDVeVDXqF1L1RHmkw02OaN1FbpUVEpcKLy4NmhuEV1MzEa2XMOn4PmLuxQnJj_99HktPuLlxjpK9A3XFt_-8PSHc84jS6JmN5d8SDMWjXSk5w63sIEH6gUyrLqcgFgmFFsmxzkPy9/s1600/IMG_20161211_233322726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM_CKDVeVDXqF1L1RHmkw02OaN1FbpUVEpcKLy4NmhuEV1MzEa2XMOn4PmLuxQnJj_99HktPuLlxjpK9A3XFt_-8PSHc84jS6JmN5d8SDMWjXSk5w63sIEH6gUyrLqcgFgmFFsmxzkPy9/s320/IMG_20161211_233322726.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My leggings, and a basic v-neck from<br />
Wet Seal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I typically wear leggings as pants, I do have a few tunics but mostly I just wear them with slightly longer t-shirts. So leggings I buy must not be see through. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Legging Army leggings are very Opaque. RJ could not see my underwear through them at all. I was pleasantly surprised by this because the material felt somewhat thin.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Comfort </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If they are too tight anywhere, I hate them. I have bought far too many leggings that are tight around the waist and it ruins the idea of being comfy and wearing some thing cozy and stretchy all day. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These leggings are very comfortable. I wore them all evening Thursday, and all day Friday. Not once did they pinch or get uncomfortable. We are a no pants house. And by that I mean usually the second anyone gets home the jeans/sweats come off. But I didn’t want to take my leggings off. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do feel the need to add, I got the “plus size” I am typically a size 14 or 16 which did put me in the “one size fits all plus size” according to their size chart. I wish the world wouldn’t use labels like “plus size” because I do not feel plus size, but there is no way the smaller size would have fit me. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flattering </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is very hard for me to find leggings that are flattering. They are either too tight around the waist showing off too much mommy tummy, give me camel toe, or look like a second skin, and if I chose the right color I would look naked and could double as a manikin. Or leggings can be too loose and don’t hold enough in. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their leggings were perfectly flattering. They come up high and make my mommy tummy just a bit smaller without making me feel claustrophobic. They make my legs and butt look great too, but are not so tight it looks like they are painted on. They are perfect.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soft </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love soft leggings. Most leggings are soft. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The material that these leggings are made out of is so soft it’s unreal. I find myself rubbing my hands across my thighs all day because the fabric is sooo nice to touch. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Durability</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the past when I have purchased leggings around the 20 dollar range, they did not last long. They got holes, or snags very quickly. It’s difficult to get great leggings that cost less than 40 dollars. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Legging Army fabric quality feels great. The wedding ring I have easily snags things, and I have not snagged these yet and I don’t think I will (at least not with my ring). I think they will wear well and I will do an update about durability later on. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaENC3-XYHTcYmtr6HF2MGIgaArl-9jwmgyozxNsZTlT__uVCyUjy5RP8u4WTcz4MMHZWQ7Q04cZg1F_MZWU45vv_lTjy3tVaMX4Z8d5JMXvBAZVCTFQnD42pZyZImrQRRIDtsKiCxK6_/s1600/IMG_20161211_234640547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaENC3-XYHTcYmtr6HF2MGIgaArl-9jwmgyozxNsZTlT__uVCyUjy5RP8u4WTcz4MMHZWQ7Q04cZg1F_MZWU45vv_lTjy3tVaMX4Z8d5JMXvBAZVCTFQnD42pZyZImrQRRIDtsKiCxK6_/s320/IMG_20161211_234640547.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know it is hard to see, it was impossible to get a good<br />
picture. The annoying crooked seam, and one of the few<br />
loose threads. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I only have a few negative notes, but really I’m just being picky. There were a few loose threads which drove me nuts till I trimmed them. There is one seam that is quite crooked. It doesn’t affect the functionality of the leggings. But it is right inside the front of the waistband so every time I have to pee it stares me in the eye.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My only other complaint is, they do not have very many colors/patterns in my size. I am not a huge fan of the bright crazy patterns. I have only seen solid black in stock, in my size, once. I would have already bought a pair in black if they had been in stock…. It drives me nuts how many colors are in stock in the smaller size compared to the “plus size” it’s just a little unfair. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overall I really like Legging Army and will be buying more from them. I still cannot get over how soft they are. I love them. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The leggings at Legging Army cost around 16-26 dollars based on size, color, fleece lined or not etc. Shipping is free. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are interested in getting some of these awesome leggings make sure you contact my cousin Sue. Here is a link to her Legging Army Facebook page </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1193561840679200/" target="_blank">Sue's Sassy Pants</a>. </div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04131005876561408326noreply@blogger.com0