tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341395858103754382024-03-12T23:15:15.699-07:00The Stramara'sKyle + Carmen = StrambinoThe Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-91807351380926687092012-08-22T09:10:00.002-07:002012-08-22T09:10:33.072-07:00Coen Robert Redford O’Brien the Barbarian Stramara
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you all know by now, we decided on the name
Coen for our little man BUT what you don’t know is that agreement came with an
*asterisk. Kyle only agreed on the name if I would agree on naming him Conan if
he was born with red hair. (Yes, after both Conan O’Brien and Conan the
Barbarian.) Considering there to be about a 5% chance of him having red hair, I
shook on it to satisfy the name choice of Coen. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgdREXw0_lEifdTPH9wghGaRlwPS_0uNi6aHXXxQ_E9y-eo1zhhp0Kt8JYelabTZ674X_HbKYb5PIUgWmtz7SEBOqLc3-Q7NqkdnxwOS9f6d7rGN2bZEyGHs-WuJBRubTjZON1eBCPCo/s1600/conan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgdREXw0_lEifdTPH9wghGaRlwPS_0uNi6aHXXxQ_E9y-eo1zhhp0Kt8JYelabTZ674X_HbKYb5PIUgWmtz7SEBOqLc3-Q7NqkdnxwOS9f6d7rGN2bZEyGHs-WuJBRubTjZON1eBCPCo/s1600/conan.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I whole heartedly believe that is the reason why Coen was,
in fact, born with red(ish) hair. Luckily, because our hospital room had no
natural light, we didn’t realize his hair hue was Conan material until after
the birth registration papers were filled out.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRm173pGyqwmRYCEWSaIwphTO5UIFATum4aJdSoMN9zuyt5p-kNojKSlRv6GuXDzT7t5fy_RCj6m9C3G6LFyN34hUchlx6cGY8Py2_ptZDo_rIcZs-xZ20GRALrJdDhysKDC1SuRcSe8/s1600/day2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRm173pGyqwmRYCEWSaIwphTO5UIFATum4aJdSoMN9zuyt5p-kNojKSlRv6GuXDzT7t5fy_RCj6m9C3G6LFyN34hUchlx6cGY8Py2_ptZDo_rIcZs-xZ20GRALrJdDhysKDC1SuRcSe8/s320/day2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 Days Old: Our first look at Coen next to window light reviels his red(ish) hair<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Once we saw his natural color, Kyle started
calling him Robert Redford, who has an amazing coif as well. So feel free to
call our son Coen Robert Redford O’Brien the Barbarian Stramara.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-32161435353677451682012-08-09T09:19:00.003-07:002012-08-09T09:19:54.036-07:00A Baby Story - Day 3<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">June 7<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">08:00</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a long day and night of nothing happening,
we were beginning to wonder if, in fact, I would ever have this child. Kyle
predicted Coen would be born at 4pm and I guessed 8pm or never. We waddled into
the delivery room ready for some good news. Once the midwife checked that I was
still only 1 centimeter dilated, she gave me 50mg of the German induction pill
and told me to come back in 4 hours. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12:00</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kyle and I used the time to sleep and had a solid
3 hour nap which felt like the longest stretch of sleep I’d had in a few months.
I woke up feeling the best I’d felt in months as well which was terrible
considering I was trying to move this labor along…I honestly didn’t feel a
single contraction. So, once more, we made the waddle to the delivery room. I
explained to the midwife how great I felt and as I lay on the bed monitoring the
contractions I wasn’t having, THEY started. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13:00</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By ‘THEY’ I mean real labor contractions, the
kind that hurt like nothing you could describe. I had gone through about 4
midwives by this time and my favorite one was back on duty, Ann-Marie, the 20
year old who still cared about her patients and was excited to be at work. She showed
me how to use the exercise ball and hanging rope to get through the
contractions and drew me an aromatherapy bath (grapefruit). The bath wasn’t as
helpful as the ball/rope so I went back to the room and when she put her hand
on the small of my back during a contraction, the pain magically reduced to
something tolerable! Unfortunately, Kyle’s man hands weren’t as effective, but
still helped significantly which made the labor pains manageable. Since my risk
of infection was high from my water breaking, they were limiting examinations
and wouldn’t check my dilation until “delivery pains” started. Ann-Marie said I
would “just know” the difference when the delivery contractions started but I
remember thinking <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how will I possibly know
the difference</i> (which I can laugh about now). I begged her to check again
because I felt like they were getting worse and after enough begging she told
me to lay down and she’d check. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15:00</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I laid on the delivery bed, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BAM</i></b>,
delivery contractions started. By <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BAM</i></b>, I mean I felt like a gorilla
punched me from the inside. Ann-Marie checked and, yes, I was 10 centimeters
dilated. She rushed around the room gathering materials and saying ‘don’t push’,
which is the worst thing to hear when your body is using every ounce of energy
to force you to push, but she helped direct my breathing to get past the first
few contractions until she and the doctor were ready. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kyle was absolutely perfect the entire time; timing
contractions, making sure I drank enough water, starting and re-starting the
labor playlist and keeping me smiling and laughing during contractions. As soon
as I was situated on all fours to push, he stayed at the head of the bed,
holding my hand and squeezing it through pushes. </span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16:10</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coen Robert Stramara is born! All 7lbs 13 oz and
20inches of him! He was immediately placed so I could see him and when I reached
to him he grabbed my finger and I instantly felt an unexplainable love. Hellooooooo
motherhood! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I positioned myself to lay down and after Kyle
cut his umbilical cord he was placed on my chest for some skin-to-skin time. Kyle
held him as the doctors finished up their business with me which took a little
longer than normal because I had a few issues that I’ll spare you from. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once the room was cleared out of doctors, the
nurse took Coen’s stats and then left Kyle, Coen and I to spend some family
time alone. We called our parents and siblings to tell them the good news and
celebrated via cell phone and Skype. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnw5fHz0hBJ9v6ZbBWMqXvFv0lRMTLExj7UAFwEDwWot25kAgjt8-KdV-xTi-eTtzpZTAtmnYydD786nnounFISgP_QTn63Bm_G2pFfupwX1mKKcoR4Z9SAqF9J3tltwP_3BpNIOALMg/s1600/DSC_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnw5fHz0hBJ9v6ZbBWMqXvFv0lRMTLExj7UAFwEDwWot25kAgjt8-KdV-xTi-eTtzpZTAtmnYydD786nnounFISgP_QTn63Bm_G2pFfupwX1mKKcoR4Z9SAqF9J3tltwP_3BpNIOALMg/s320/DSC_0956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoiaOtfTOEjSZi7BUmoxGBtCKlAMsR-YO30hyPVt60EBo8nON2z-DSEviGpXwHoVyrztqA0wkJJRJj8lIkQowCaHw52wZennblNSsh4jMtip-EsNTkl5f6BEUEha1JfS5W82pkO-uQdA/s1600/daddy+in+hospital.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoiaOtfTOEjSZi7BUmoxGBtCKlAMsR-YO30hyPVt60EBo8nON2z-DSEviGpXwHoVyrztqA0wkJJRJj8lIkQowCaHw52wZennblNSsh4jMtip-EsNTkl5f6BEUEha1JfS5W82pkO-uQdA/s320/daddy+in+hospital.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next few days were a blur of love, check-ups, German
hospital food and waiting to get the all clear to go home, which finally came
on Sunday the 10<sup>th</sup>. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS86sskUADQ8hHo-ejs5oKqMGPZZAZelEBP01UbFYAH_M79jAIItpe9LQ_eYXxl_muD9AP8j__SPRJP5Vhtlafo50L5CpZkcaOR-GXlVw0DbxlSDnxy8hBKN3ekJDoTobpkY6uQuMq-7Q/s1600/DSC_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS86sskUADQ8hHo-ejs5oKqMGPZZAZelEBP01UbFYAH_M79jAIItpe9LQ_eYXxl_muD9AP8j__SPRJP5Vhtlafo50L5CpZkcaOR-GXlVw0DbxlSDnxy8hBKN3ekJDoTobpkY6uQuMq-7Q/s320/DSC_0966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loving him</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZatdVmWuvEUcB3Bk5LsaGYQb8KMvq0VXoBmj8E1aYMQqRUivttXKJADv_P_QnV6znPOwF2QCcOZ3NgycKhkLZJLKUX9Ti5FXOQhBTYcku2mnSMed9zR6-TeE_Q6aay7IDqprbRRlbPU/s1600/DSC_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZatdVmWuvEUcB3Bk5LsaGYQb8KMvq0VXoBmj8E1aYMQqRUivttXKJADv_P_QnV6znPOwF2QCcOZ3NgycKhkLZJLKUX9Ti5FXOQhBTYcku2mnSMed9zR6-TeE_Q6aay7IDqprbRRlbPU/s320/DSC_0974.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loving hospital food</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBihUcn6ms4Ej73HeUJBAcFLW9wiecLcR3wa2-PK4rd4-RhbwqLGZyOeDjKCBwVVocyJA50fWCCbr-T5wvmlLAH_f9W4mBFjYq_HlVb6-7zeHJNRkYJT44KANpve8kYvSmvuCyEPBqLEU/s1600/hospital+food.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBihUcn6ms4Ej73HeUJBAcFLW9wiecLcR3wa2-PK4rd4-RhbwqLGZyOeDjKCBwVVocyJA50fWCCbr-T5wvmlLAH_f9W4mBFjYq_HlVb6-7zeHJNRkYJT44KANpve8kYvSmvuCyEPBqLEU/s320/hospital+food.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOT loving see-through meat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We took Coen home to meet his sister Love and be
one big happy family!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M3jEmrRSMIUrZtpeFCBe-jXzBIHlrwjCj3L1XitYN8qfQpKWV0YLO92mL8oDApnTmX_37OAAW7JdRtUa3CP9YD3gwHaZiO7nkDH7fA7qGg28dG-tbItnMkwUVwReEWs8dgVhmKJWpPw/s1600/DSC_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M3jEmrRSMIUrZtpeFCBe-jXzBIHlrwjCj3L1XitYN8qfQpKWV0YLO92mL8oDApnTmX_37OAAW7JdRtUa3CP9YD3gwHaZiO7nkDH7fA7qGg28dG-tbItnMkwUVwReEWs8dgVhmKJWpPw/s320/DSC_0984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for the Autobahn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWy7xUa_iJ6Eut-p44cwCAfV1NtdTe2I6eg0eTOdyeY8IuwSNyymayZb59kwIicbJpXuQ2kvqdhojwCff7lfC5n9LjnfsXH_A_PFDtq3J7VMbw_-Q9Ba-9QUK1T0TrFylB2qzlrrjrtU/s1600/DSC_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWy7xUa_iJ6Eut-p44cwCAfV1NtdTe2I6eg0eTOdyeY8IuwSNyymayZb59kwIicbJpXuQ2kvqdhojwCff7lfC5n9LjnfsXH_A_PFDtq3J7VMbw_-Q9Ba-9QUK1T0TrFylB2qzlrrjrtU/s320/DSC_0989.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love kissed her brother!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1tGPvtdRP3clm-Gut8BhMIsqAFhyjpQS-4HObA6-rzNykgMmFyY08HsM6FN-apkEI7-gM7O9joKMFALDWvawTMZ-OaDXbel71WHtoUnDpZfDv01lsIepnzg1U6B-6d-Wj25UnDqOr4c/s1600/DSC_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1tGPvtdRP3clm-Gut8BhMIsqAFhyjpQS-4HObA6-rzNykgMmFyY08HsM6FN-apkEI7-gM7O9joKMFALDWvawTMZ-OaDXbel71WHtoUnDpZfDv01lsIepnzg1U6B-6d-Wj25UnDqOr4c/s320/DSC_0994.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love loves her brother!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-30778876273598393462012-08-09T06:11:00.000-07:002012-08-09T06:11:01.668-07:00A Baby Story - Day 2<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">June 6<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">08:00</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After an exciting night of calling our family to
tell them my water broke and we were in the hospital, we woke up ready for a
D-Day baby! If he wasn’t going to be born on his due date of July 4<sup>th</sup>,
D-Day was a good alternative and we could later laugh about Coen invading
Germany…(spoiler alert: he didn’t. Another 32 hours passed before he was born.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We slowly waddled our way to the delivery ward
for my first attempt of inducing contractions. Early in the pregnancy I decided
I wanted to have the most natural birth possible; My reasoning being women have
been having and surviving natural childbirth much longer than pain medication, epidurals
and c-sections have been around. My mom had my sisters and me naturally so I
also used her as inspiration. With that being said, the first attempt of
induction came in the form of acupuncture. With needles sticking from my shins,
in and between my toes and on my hand, contractions started almost immediately.
They were similar to what I had been feeling at home the weeks prior to my
water breaking and what my OB/GYN <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wouldn’t</i>
describe as Braxton Hicks “just yet”…(no, I didn’t like my OB/GYN)…I would
later realize were NOTHING like “real” contractions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14:00</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After 6 hours, the acupuncture contractions didn’t
progress and I was still only dilated 1 centimeter. Second attempt consisted of
25mg of some German induction pill I never got the name of. The same “Braxton
Hicks” contractions came and went and nothing happened. So after a long day of
walking back and forth from our room to the delivery room, the chances of a
D-Day baby were dwindling. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucky for us, we were able to buy out the extra
bed in the overnight room and Kyle stayed with me 24/7 throughout the entire
process (except when he would leave to let Love out 2x a day). Although there
was a window in the room, the view was of siding to the building a foot away (this
becomes relevant later). In retrospect, I couldn’t imagine having to share a
room with a stranger and the stranger’s closest family and friends during this
time so to those reading, if you get the chance to buy out the whole hospital
room, DO IT! It’s worth every penny. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-29011384004466393442012-08-09T01:31:00.002-07:002012-08-09T01:31:35.071-07:00A Baby Story - Day 1<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">June 5</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17:00</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was lying on the couch at home watching
mindless television in complete relaxation when I decided I want to get a
drink. I stood up and ‘peed my pants’ a little…how embarrassing, right? Well, I
was home alone so no one had to find out. I laid back down and when I got back
up 10 minutes later, it happened again. Either my bladder had COMPLETELY failed
me or my water had just broken. It being my first pregnancy and not at ALL like
the movies where a pool of liquid bursts to the floor, I wasn’t expecting to
really be going into labor a WHOLE MONTH EARLY (I was 35 + 6 weeks at this
point). Kyle was not answering his phone so I called the OB nurse who said it’d
be best to just go to the hospital to get checked even if the likelihood was
low. My TriCare referral for delivery had not yet been processed so she sent in
an emergency referral. Kyle called me back and after explaining the whole
situation, he suggested I just meet him at the hospital as he was already
halfway there…boys. I said it’d probably be best for him to come home and drive
together in the off chance that I in fact was about to go into labor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18:30</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrive at St. Josefs Medicum and go straight
to the labor and delivery ward. As I lay down for the exam I feel a little
silly for suggesting my water has broken so early and am ready for them to laugh
at me for peeing my pants. She checks my “mother mouth” (gross German translation for
cervix) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whoosh</i> goes a gallon of
fluid. You’re welcome for that visual. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The midwife tells us to go downstairs and
register, because we’re havin’ a baby! So now this is the last picture I have
of me pregnant:</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmOuv3iQqkIKMiqIc0Mc7yUH80k8UVn8GZ9b9EO4rtu7u3svRZHVd_bDjQBLkqe0Gs3JhXj4McYqRgieh-YCVcBdvc5F07pwipKqSBZkyu7dlEE_fjbnIJ3VcnEYrnx3azhD6ns3zh8c/s1600/registered.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmOuv3iQqkIKMiqIc0Mc7yUH80k8UVn8GZ9b9EO4rtu7u3svRZHVd_bDjQBLkqe0Gs3JhXj4McYqRgieh-YCVcBdvc5F07pwipKqSBZkyu7dlEE_fjbnIJ3VcnEYrnx3azhD6ns3zh8c/s320/registered.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's official!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(side story: I was going to help a photographer friend with a maternity photo shoot the next week, which I obviously had to cancel. So note to self and any other mother’s-to-be reading this – don’t wait until the last month to book a maternity shoot!)<o:p></o:p></span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">21:00</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we were all registered and ready to go, the
doctor on duty casually mentioned I was not legally allowed to deliver the baby
in the next 3 hours because he wasn’t yet 36 weeks and the Medicum did not have
a Kinder Klink (NICU). Thankfully he held out for another 42 hours…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-5539954723083908222012-08-08T08:22:00.000-07:002012-08-08T08:22:33.738-07:00Ketchup<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I will be trying to play catch-up on all that has
happened since my last post so I can be back on track with updating Coen’s
progress and growth. I realize this will be difficult as so much time has
passed and now that I have a 2 MONTH old, time easily slips away…but bear with
me …</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">(By the way, my water broke the DAY AFTER my last
post about the Baby Shower!)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But let me back track for just a second. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kyle’s parents, Aunt Debbie, Uncle
Shine and my dad came to visit us in May. We had some great weather and toured
around Wiesbaden, Mainz, Trier, Metz, Schriesheim and Heidelberg in an 8
passenger van. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</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/AVvXsEjPq76-3u0ycQQ1aingU8L-z691oGHFnzQCJ1bNkWUNtor4vOCzsAg-9xQ3W-L2HXS96silqsogWdRIBZ9foxb1S0GUblB8vOxt_1qWMmrHmBHJy8M8OvcDsKYOSSn1nX4K_oH9i3Q4lgM/s1600/DSCN0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq76-3u0ycQQ1aingU8L-z691oGHFnzQCJ1bNkWUNtor4vOCzsAg-9xQ3W-L2HXS96silqsogWdRIBZ9foxb1S0GUblB8vOxt_1qWMmrHmBHJy8M8OvcDsKYOSSn1nX4K_oH9i3Q4lgM/s320/DSCN0407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stramaramobile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4iqqiJGbLlglahbYEhCSBEuI-wUNnP16cvaYRVd0iBYVsRFQ8gnlBJwlzsUP0Kq2FlPEHGJS2G24nJDP5YZbW0ktnMVHOj_o7hJzfHhS4TGq5U-8cWslAUTOrAZlojPNZPksZHeOGR0/s1600/DSCN0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4iqqiJGbLlglahbYEhCSBEuI-wUNnP16cvaYRVd0iBYVsRFQ8gnlBJwlzsUP0Kq2FlPEHGJS2G24nJDP5YZbW0ktnMVHOj_o7hJzfHhS4TGq5U-8cWslAUTOrAZlojPNZPksZHeOGR0/s320/DSCN0411.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in Wiesbaden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtW_5282STROhhSzvUgkKxh0hE7xsmC7JHnzd0DRzNblLtvveJt6UFH8cSc6zn-ZIoNsaVSgWlY5yumUO6L8e5eKmPiKPxL-8YWlHIqAJ9t73BG6aI8s4wjTFU9JNUX3TBGGHmTNQbX4/s1600/DSCN0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtW_5282STROhhSzvUgkKxh0hE7xsmC7JHnzd0DRzNblLtvveJt6UFH8cSc6zn-ZIoNsaVSgWlY5yumUO6L8e5eKmPiKPxL-8YWlHIqAJ9t73BG6aI8s4wjTFU9JNUX3TBGGHmTNQbX4/s320/DSCN0452.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touring Trier, Germany & Metz, France</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeNmgGQZ5mMdeI3X2_7WpJQ_fUVB_S9iIqh-ojIhvqtsAxHl1gXKP7VzMDnMyNKVRXyq1_Ly1smm5aIOM3cr-IkUUSb5h1l9pcVEbF64g_agUfsgGlkI-ewE2as0zC-DdKrsdYBcyroc/s1600/DSCN0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeNmgGQZ5mMdeI3X2_7WpJQ_fUVB_S9iIqh-ojIhvqtsAxHl1gXKP7VzMDnMyNKVRXyq1_Ly1smm5aIOM3cr-IkUUSb5h1l9pcVEbF64g_agUfsgGlkI-ewE2as0zC-DdKrsdYBcyroc/s320/DSCN0467.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner in Heidelberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRQTHdaLxJLijPhAG20Ksex_7H8JiH7r_K32Z-PRKQW6UeWtYsV8Y-2hTfvCfa2tXElc9mizHJ94LLQwDLKCw_SPybMf59_y8-uRU6jlrTprdguxWq0ZTkM03KNK9YdcYH6lNOWS2aNU/s1600/DSC_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRQTHdaLxJLijPhAG20Ksex_7H8JiH7r_K32Z-PRKQW6UeWtYsV8Y-2hTfvCfa2tXElc9mizHJ94LLQwDLKCw_SPybMf59_y8-uRU6jlrTprdguxWq0ZTkM03KNK9YdcYH6lNOWS2aNU/s320/DSC_0894.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strahlenburg Castle in Schriesheim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We also enjoyed a relaxing Rhein River cruise from Bingen to Koblenz…the ride home on the train was not so relaxing as it was the most uncomfortable I felt the entire pregnancy. The last picture sums it up pretty well:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Uw8DdOO2hUt1eZe0n8nwMf9H1p5eIFGZczQsiSmCbZloI4Rli16GQhNDRMnhiY1QufBeL0ZNkvdwjDZ9lc-bmIjUIXSbH8ey6XgCcqbCF9FvV3uzHNS72Wn5KLpvQJoHmkXGPhGrqpc/s1600/DSCN0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Uw8DdOO2hUt1eZe0n8nwMf9H1p5eIFGZczQsiSmCbZloI4Rli16GQhNDRMnhiY1QufBeL0ZNkvdwjDZ9lc-bmIjUIXSbH8ey6XgCcqbCF9FvV3uzHNS72Wn5KLpvQJoHmkXGPhGrqpc/s320/DSCN0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhein River Cruise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMGHlkTXqUihpy_heOhkfLcKmnOVQhClRzoy-Z3Pq7wGSWvu8Tx8sjm2Xchfi4V7RW644qiIHEzQ8LmMkHhExxwCiKjmnm3C4_Xs5xjI5DdaE7RiSWWRxKBJcJHRcOHaS64WexMmGEdc/s1600/train+angst.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMGHlkTXqUihpy_heOhkfLcKmnOVQhClRzoy-Z3Pq7wGSWvu8Tx8sjm2Xchfi4V7RW644qiIHEzQ8LmMkHhExxwCiKjmnm3C4_Xs5xjI5DdaE7RiSWWRxKBJcJHRcOHaS64WexMmGEdc/s320/train+angst.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warning: Do not attempt to ride a train in your 3rd trimester</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span><br />The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-27968764681476849242012-06-04T05:04:00.001-07:002012-06-04T05:08:42.073-07:00Mustache Bash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to give the biggest THANK YOU to Christy who put
together the best baby shower to celebrate our little man! Coen’s Mustache Bash
was perfect and we were lucky enough to have not only our close friends from
Germany attend, but Kyle’s parents, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Shine and my Dad were in
town to help celebrate as well! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christy’s handmade decorations were just perfect and Jackie’s
cake was absolutely delicious...in fact, it was the best thing I’ve ever eaten
out of a mustache!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8OsfzA92Q0yWcWGSTFkaJLGFrlBPYti2MVfHGC-l7HjOPfmjIJkd_Nn26rb_P-fIJ8Pu-7JAz6UH3yDkohuCr2mEq720AkA91BJRHQc57ZbRQQahfnL3pdKQ90MlTYpW_HiPLGeZE7Y/s1600/shower3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8OsfzA92Q0yWcWGSTFkaJLGFrlBPYti2MVfHGC-l7HjOPfmjIJkd_Nn26rb_P-fIJ8Pu-7JAz6UH3yDkohuCr2mEq720AkA91BJRHQc57ZbRQQahfnL3pdKQ90MlTYpW_HiPLGeZE7Y/s320/shower3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLNP63jZ3zgccz8woEPWYp4KI-sMhfKtAWC9jcdUfMJUIlRujs5fBn3tM5kh9f-_kHsNRbayf0voS2BhJLQ887IJRjHeK1h1a_SXvEfdN2WJiVFiJvF7FNwk5MZ-Nfm21PRAvmfGxE9s/s1600/shower4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLNP63jZ3zgccz8woEPWYp4KI-sMhfKtAWC9jcdUfMJUIlRujs5fBn3tM5kh9f-_kHsNRbayf0voS2BhJLQ887IJRjHeK1h1a_SXvEfdN2WJiVFiJvF7FNwk5MZ-Nfm21PRAvmfGxE9s/s320/shower4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The lady’s games involved melted chocolate diapers and “turkey
dinner” baby food while the men competed in a Chug the Bottle contest. Round
one went to Tom and round two went to one other than Scott Taylor, aka my Dad…it
was a proud moment and a clear example of where I get my competitiveness. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lorene guessing the poo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO7T9MRm1C7tN9DTtf40ea6rzCknDC4aXGWpbgX1srsblIBalzL9UhoBXVki0MvAh6SSk4Bzn8t3r2d74U02Kxq8NpRiF1mTm58_aEkzlJK3IcJSxvI0AYFlg8mTNrZzuuofEtXrDiNM/s1600/shower5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO7T9MRm1C7tN9DTtf40ea6rzCknDC4aXGWpbgX1srsblIBalzL9UhoBXVki0MvAh6SSk4Bzn8t3r2d74U02Kxq8NpRiF1mTm58_aEkzlJK3IcJSxvI0AYFlg8mTNrZzuuofEtXrDiNM/s320/shower5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't love baby food?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8V6RSqPn5cuPP4bWasyca2CAXxmPLE-3C8B2CQmc0g8fPUAgfWCx3M9xrjv13vbKtD6zCuUxQyU2pwsMD5dBtPCi5-0_iS36_xZGO3Vg7tlNyW19z_T7h4RzYoxQZUo64mJa5bcuFa4/s1600/DSC_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8V6RSqPn5cuPP4bWasyca2CAXxmPLE-3C8B2CQmc0g8fPUAgfWCx3M9xrjv13vbKtD6zCuUxQyU2pwsMD5dBtPCi5-0_iS36_xZGO3Vg7tlNyW19z_T7h4RzYoxQZUo64mJa5bcuFa4/s320/DSC_0914.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round 1: Baby Bottle Chug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8D8AR_z0itmxFNpow8zXt7Q2HG4S2fNBNG-67JqCk_Wy0eP3Ca8XZfpHlMYU7X-6ldkVA3QQWsKW5Xy1_pgtHtFxUTmSI0BQcHyitsBsJOB5JTjJB9iPvJalnJpjJ4Kft7ET5dtIz3M/s1600/DSC_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8D8AR_z0itmxFNpow8zXt7Q2HG4S2fNBNG-67JqCk_Wy0eP3Ca8XZfpHlMYU7X-6ldkVA3QQWsKW5Xy1_pgtHtFxUTmSI0BQcHyitsBsJOB5JTjJB9iPvJalnJpjJ4Kft7ET5dtIz3M/s320/DSC_0922.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round 1 Winner: Tom "And I Throw it on the Ground" Mlack</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAFPj0e7i0qwksyBvuIVWdtUmiOGQlQ2_GFc_n4MdrWKiJbvrHpaDvi7XVN1pt-nDeavkxp7hcstIEwyr_PnQOuQN_gn495t9tRARw05-uaPcbyX85cRNd-llseu8wtleX9P3ykeHnLI/s1600/DSC_0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAFPj0e7i0qwksyBvuIVWdtUmiOGQlQ2_GFc_n4MdrWKiJbvrHpaDvi7XVN1pt-nDeavkxp7hcstIEwyr_PnQOuQN_gn495t9tRARw05-uaPcbyX85cRNd-llseu8wtleX9P3ykeHnLI/s320/DSC_0926.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round 2 Winner: "Poppa Scott" Taylor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The entire shower was a success and Kyle and I are so
grateful for our friends and family who helped make it so special.</span></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-15082626545794342562012-04-26T06:44:00.000-07:002012-04-26T06:44:35.095-07:0030 weeks!<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/AVvXsEiDfjZghiPErkQM1_4Jm4dirb3N0b3E2_WB3KZOKEjLTuJA7OPu7KxPhaXfW_kTQbsLZo6EWCRD-msqRVRpwGV194xHW159Chd4zbAIzOEKAqlW3LFn2Eu_vPFLY10HL6_PEfeHPeDqZfI/s1600/DSC_0841_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfjZghiPErkQM1_4Jm4dirb3N0b3E2_WB3KZOKEjLTuJA7OPu7KxPhaXfW_kTQbsLZo6EWCRD-msqRVRpwGV194xHW159Chd4zbAIzOEKAqlW3LFn2Eu_vPFLY10HL6_PEfeHPeDqZfI/s320/DSC_0841_crop.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let the shirt fool you, it is NOT warm here, I was just haven't unpacked most my clothes yet.</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Due Date</span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">: July 4, 2012<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">How far along?</span></strong>
30 weeks!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">How big is baby?</span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> The size of a squash; approx.
16in & 3.5lbs!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Total weight gain:</span></strong>
24 beautiful pounds<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Maternity clothes?</span></strong>
The ones that fit in our suitcase…still haven’t unpacked most my clothes from
the move.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Best moment this week:</span></strong>
Getting our Internet set up and getting to park in the “Reserved for Expectant Mothers” spot at the commissary
for the first time! I plan on milking this for all it’s worth for the next 2.5
months.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Miss Anything?</span></strong>
My speed and agility of getting off the couch.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Movement:</span></strong>
SO much movement<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Food cravings:</span></strong>
Lots of fruit<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anything making you
queasy or sick:</span></strong> Nope.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ridiculous emotional
breakdowns?</span></strong> Emotions aren’t ridiculous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Gender:</span></strong> Boy
– Coen Robert Stramara<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Labor Signs:</span></strong>
Kinda sorta? I guess I had a contraction while doing a stress test at my last
appointment but it was normal and I didn’t feel a thing? Either way, I am now
taking magnesium pills to postpone all that fun stuff until 34/35 weeks. <br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Symptoms:</span></strong>
Hard to decide where to begin…nothing I can’t handle though :) <br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Belly Button in or out?</span></strong>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still both…still weird looking<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wedding rings on or off?</span></strong>
On<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Happy or Moody most of
the time: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is starting to feel like a
loaded question…</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Looking forward to:</span></strong>
Kyle’s parents, Aunt & Uncle <em>and</em> my Dad visiting in 2 weeks! I can’t
wait for them to see our new house and meet the Strambino belly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ50I2PDtbxziMHW8Bb7NihW5TpQJL8Bo-0y8K0gSVAyVuaiVzGax75utr73k6-R30vhi_C_7KtfWfJRKMeCgrlnYfevD5lHG9fO7kL1rpBE2mmPkw1XZRvBL9dn3vKCstKGDwcR36aW4/s1600/DSC_0841_crop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ50I2PDtbxziMHW8Bb7NihW5TpQJL8Bo-0y8K0gSVAyVuaiVzGax75utr73k6-R30vhi_C_7KtfWfJRKMeCgrlnYfevD5lHG9fO7kL1rpBE2mmPkw1XZRvBL9dn3vKCstKGDwcR36aW4/s200/DSC_0841_crop2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-37176808748725779642012-04-09T04:07:00.000-07:002012-04-09T04:07:12.834-07:0026 Year Old Coen<span style="font-family: inherit;">In anticipation of what Coen might look like when he reaches maturity, we used the most advanced modern technology available to forecast his handsomeness. Lookout for this stud in 2038!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Tk2l8lwXGu9UD8VLr-NDlJLLv6bY6MfBqk2rzmE32dMYTfL31COjPQdXNqBx8-dSTsX80O4uzh9BFqyG8jnrE7sjGvBqccpn8mBzisddZLYgR7xGGW_H6-41KbQ9z7yVmck0fYhLhUs/s1600/26yo+Coen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Tk2l8lwXGu9UD8VLr-NDlJLLv6bY6MfBqk2rzmE32dMYTfL31COjPQdXNqBx8-dSTsX80O4uzh9BFqyG8jnrE7sjGvBqccpn8mBzisddZLYgR7xGGW_H6-41KbQ9z7yVmck0fYhLhUs/s200/26yo+Coen.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Worst case scenario, he could end up looking like this...we're hoping he doesn't choose a mullet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud8wm-7NvoBSTIWeucYYajHv_LuVB8A3zxijyTsTBnV_2e_zrkcKT1ht5teyz6p2nPifJm9m5BJcmBX-LimWRDfBlbo-mQDm1QXn_iyuNfjO_tmkdboQZER8C1Jt6VHMVUfovkRNX230/s1600/26yo+ugly+coen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud8wm-7NvoBSTIWeucYYajHv_LuVB8A3zxijyTsTBnV_2e_zrkcKT1ht5teyz6p2nPifJm9m5BJcmBX-LimWRDfBlbo-mQDm1QXn_iyuNfjO_tmkdboQZER8C1Jt6VHMVUfovkRNX230/s200/26yo+ugly+coen.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-83437827063675335102012-03-23T12:13:00.000-07:002012-03-23T12:13:00.362-07:0025 weeks!<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/AVvXsEjo9DbdUf_ertuY5ei-HrHel38-e3g6R3qDiFTMFN7s4vtca1UuAgO_xdtCAYNl7KvVf0F4ijiIHcJ1GCEG74zXoTlplJ5JEffSiUO8r2FhkKELQfbTImyQ5k2tdiA9pCEqTDK8an_gNEs/s1600/DSC_0835_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9DbdUf_ertuY5ei-HrHel38-e3g6R3qDiFTMFN7s4vtca1UuAgO_xdtCAYNl7KvVf0F4ijiIHcJ1GCEG74zXoTlplJ5JEffSiUO8r2FhkKELQfbTImyQ5k2tdiA9pCEqTDK8an_gNEs/s400/DSC_0835_crop.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Due Date</span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">: July 4, 2012<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">How far along?</span></strong> 25 weeks!<o:p></o:p></span></div><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">How big is baby?</span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> The size of an eggplant; approx. 13.6 inches & 1.5 lbs!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Total weight gain:</span></strong> 20 pounds<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Maternity clothes?</span></strong> They are starting to sneak their way into the front of my wardrobe <br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Best moment this week:</span></strong> Having Grandma Margie feel Coen kick and read stories to him<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Miss Anything?</span></strong> The 2<sup>nd</sup> trimester energy boost that left like a thief in the night<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Movement:</span></strong> YES, and especially from 2:30am-4am to help keep me awake….thanks for the practice, little man…<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Food cravings:</span></strong> Not when Mom’s around, her food is too good to crave anything else!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anything making you queasy or sick:</span></strong> The smell of beer which makes not being able to drink it so much easier.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ridiculous emotional breakdowns?</span></strong> No, but I haven’t had to say goodbye to Grandma Margie yet.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Gender:</span></strong> BOY! Coen Robert Stramara<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Labor Signs:</span></strong> Not yet<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Symptoms:</span></strong> Feeling really sore and slow this week but my 20 pound, 39 inch belly probably has something to do with that!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Belly Button in or out?</span></strong> It’s hard to describe what exactly my belly belly button is doing except that it looks like it has a fat lip.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wedding rings on or off?</span></strong> On<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Happy or Moody most of the time: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Happy</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Looking forward to:</span></strong> The rest of my time with my Mom before she leaves</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv92zWb1zxm0fka7xMTdtXaHwtadA5Z66DOyTCrML6NYE0rj9HwIuatMUqah3tn16pzkPuB8Fj-_4SmRx8OCIbtdcawn-NvU6HC4n-peekjghQaCeJjllF6HW7TB_SNqqXrrBeC856zA/s1600/DSC_0835_crop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv92zWb1zxm0fka7xMTdtXaHwtadA5Z66DOyTCrML6NYE0rj9HwIuatMUqah3tn16pzkPuB8Fj-_4SmRx8OCIbtdcawn-NvU6HC4n-peekjghQaCeJjllF6HW7TB_SNqqXrrBeC856zA/s320/DSC_0835_crop2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-5790656380816237592012-03-14T03:45:00.001-07:002012-03-16T10:24:13.287-07:00After LITERALLY searching from A to Z, we agreed on a name for little Strambino!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Coen</strong></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Origin: Germanic</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meaning: Brave </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pronunciation: (KOE-en)</span></div></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDaJ_q2sf5rtqnod4UugCjk74HAuHvu31QkM6uu_pn45v4eqkUrTkaRjVXT9BLlCiqjxQEeg-Ti0xc4zXsgWgiIR6R68aonhaJ48XpmFCdQsVtW40wMAv3TZepHsM_v-E4uKeepnKk7o/s1600/24wks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDaJ_q2sf5rtqnod4UugCjk74HAuHvu31QkM6uu_pn45v4eqkUrTkaRjVXT9BLlCiqjxQEeg-Ti0xc4zXsgWgiIR6R68aonhaJ48XpmFCdQsVtW40wMAv3TZepHsM_v-E4uKeepnKk7o/s400/24wks.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24 weeks</td></tr>
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</div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-18388324985485893422012-03-06T00:05:00.000-08:002012-03-06T00:05:41.315-08:00I'm Not Fat, I'm Pregnant<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have reached another pregnancy milestone; a stranger asked me if I was pregnant! This may sound like a strange thing to celebrate, but up to a certain point, the only people you talk to about it are the friends and family who you’ve told and everyone else can’t tell if you’re with child or if you just finished an all you can eat buffet. So when a stranger feels comfortable enough to ask if you are pregnant, you can smile knowing you no longer look just a little bit fat, but are glowing in all your pregnancy belly glory. Well, instead of smile and glow when the poor gentleman said, “I am assuming you are pregnant”, I started fake crying and said “No, I’m just fat.” Luckily, the guy had a sense of humor and he still offered me a middle row CMR box in the mailroom so I won’t have to bend down to get our mail (the thoughtful reason he was asking about being pregnant in the first place). In the end, we both got a good laugh and I can smile knowing I look pregnant :)</span></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-53876601613888691502012-02-22T02:20:00.000-08:002012-02-22T02:20:17.572-08:0021 weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JC6wwGIK30n0ubUyoHgpxLXN-8MePBtfe2wFG4auTiQes2a08oWfv3oh1QVNDqzwXbDmF-pLfCXlfeqoksdRsQmBCexUWaQTkXbE_qJUwbz7stCj2NhNK8Q1ru0jDAxzTaif7NF4vQQ/s1600/DSC_0814_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JC6wwGIK30n0ubUyoHgpxLXN-8MePBtfe2wFG4auTiQes2a08oWfv3oh1QVNDqzwXbDmF-pLfCXlfeqoksdRsQmBCexUWaQTkXbE_qJUwbz7stCj2NhNK8Q1ru0jDAxzTaif7NF4vQQ/s320/DSC_0814_crop.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Due Date</span></span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">: July 4, 2012<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">How far along?</span></strong> 21 weeks!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How big is baby?</span></span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The size of a banana; approx. 10.5 inches & 12.7 oz!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Total weight gain:</span></strong> 15 lbs<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Maternity clothes?</span></strong> Do Kyle’s sweatpants count? Then, yes.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Best moment this week:</span></strong> Kyle getting to feel Strambino kick!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Movement:</span></strong> A lot of it!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Food cravings:</span></strong> OJ and oranges<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Anything making you queasy or sick:</span></strong> The smell of mixed German fest food<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Ridiculous emotional breakdowns?</span></strong> Not this week…yet.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Gender:</span></strong> BOY!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Labor Signs:</span></strong> Not yet</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Symptoms:</span></strong> Still very mild at most <br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Belly Button in or out?</span></strong> Half & half…yeah, it looks as weird as it sounds.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Wedding rings on or off?</span></strong> On<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Happy or Moody most of the time: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Happy</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Looking forward to:</span></strong> Making stuff for the nursery!</span></span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZbZgPR2Rd1fsSqfKoaR2BkKgUV2wAELz4NeOlDODqETA8fxehLucFkLJZlBJw00wtcFmetl-x4puyWm2KMz2dguP3opyQ_BU3WDEdImNZyOknNjWld73_aP636hONTBQPH00s5j0-1U/s1600/DSC_0814_crop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZbZgPR2Rd1fsSqfKoaR2BkKgUV2wAELz4NeOlDODqETA8fxehLucFkLJZlBJw00wtcFmetl-x4puyWm2KMz2dguP3opyQ_BU3WDEdImNZyOknNjWld73_aP636hONTBQPH00s5j0-1U/s320/DSC_0814_crop2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-16665451684514727852012-02-21T11:49:00.000-08:002012-02-21T11:49:58.759-08:00Strambino is a...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><strong>BOY!!!</strong></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I may have eaten a little <em>too</em> much chocolate before the appointment to get him moving because it was difficult for our doctor to get a good ultrasound picture before he <span style="font-family: inherit;">would start </span>wiggling again, but she finally said she could tell little Strambino is "definitely a boy". </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This will be new territory for me since I have 2 sisters and have always been referred to as a "Taylor Girl"...even all our dogs are <strike>bitches</strike> ladies! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kyle, on the other hand, comes from a boy household and will be able to help me understand the world of </div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">- snips and snails and puppy dog tails -</span></em> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-29057962027233285772012-02-09T04:40:00.000-08:002012-02-09T04:40:47.713-08:0019 weeks!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoXH9LxMnAfOSsdQmL_4sj-yJX_d1xunIaqhNagvC5700tk2DQILjnqGTykUIFo9Mm6bkEKLDGQ43LrId0ZRE1Ud235sQMz6VeGWva-R8zrYHsqgMC_Rfk46Z41q235EtKpSRTaax9BE/s1600/DSC_0809_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoXH9LxMnAfOSsdQmL_4sj-yJX_d1xunIaqhNagvC5700tk2DQILjnqGTykUIFo9Mm6bkEKLDGQ43LrId0ZRE1Ud235sQMz6VeGWva-R8zrYHsqgMC_Rfk46Z41q235EtKpSRTaax9BE/s400/DSC_0809_crop.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Due Date</span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">: July 4, 2012</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">How far along?</span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> 19 weeks</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How big is baby?</span></span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The size of a mango; approx. 6 inches & 8.5oz!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Total weight gain:</span></strong> 12 lbs<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Maternity clothes?</span></strong> Maternity leggings are my new best friend.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best moment this week:</span></span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Feeling Strambino fluttering around!!!!!!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Movement: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">YES!</span></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Food cravings:</span></span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I have taken a liking to the idea of pizza lately, but I think it mainly has to do with being easy.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Anything making you queasy or sick:</span></strong> I had to put back a roasted chicken at the commissary because I knew I wouldn’t survive the car ride home with it.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Ridiculous emotional breakdowns?</span></strong> Nothing unwarranted…HSO deserved the earful I gave them.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Labor Signs:</span></strong> Toooo soon<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Symptoms:</span></strong> I’m actually feeling “normal” this week which I’m sure will be short lived but I’m enjoying it for now!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Belly Button in or out?</span></strong> Innie<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Wedding rings on or off?</span></strong> On<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Happy or Moody most of the time: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Depends on who I’m dealing with</span></strong>…but always HAPPY about the pregnancy :)<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Looking forward to: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Next week! We get to celebrate our <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><em>2 year anniversary</em></span>, I’ll be 20 weeks (half-way) and we </span></strong>should find out Strambino’s gender at our appointment on the 16<sup>th</sup>!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNuL4YMTjzRHopJq2QubJrR4E1RmplIHOHe8jyGj0IW0dFjYINtxxfdkgLHgTbVW7Nuf3e8WfgP3uCZ_ZAgejKKpm3z9XlwP5GRsZl2qFAOqYAIilWrHQhlBVvoDmxUiE2WB3Fu4uEbY/s1600/DSC_0809_crop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNuL4YMTjzRHopJq2QubJrR4E1RmplIHOHe8jyGj0IW0dFjYINtxxfdkgLHgTbVW7Nuf3e8WfgP3uCZ_ZAgejKKpm3z9XlwP5GRsZl2qFAOqYAIilWrHQhlBVvoDmxUiE2WB3Fu4uEbY/s320/DSC_0809_crop2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-85714336490744476642012-02-09T04:31:00.000-08:002012-02-09T04:31:53.838-08:00It's a ???<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At our last appointment we were hoping to find out Strambino’s sex with the basic ultrasound we get at each visit. I read eating something sweet can cause the baby to move around more and make it easier to see…between the legs. So, I ate a Snickers before we went in. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our doctor was running behind and after doing all the healthy pregnancy check-ups (counting 5 fingers and toes, measuring head size, making sure limbs are all there and normal) there wasn’t time to spend determining if Strambino is a boy or girl…</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the ultrasound pictures up for interpretation:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEBO13gOt3XX7NhtjaLvKVWnm4_UuQVUH76xoobr-Ki42vaWho6LiZqe_zJvKI0j-aYDvpvODE27MeigFSqiG8c-UiMm0RmnerT4NcNV8Ncor_3O6o_RauC0LpPFCY9TEiYGbx727BBQ/s1600/17wks1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEBO13gOt3XX7NhtjaLvKVWnm4_UuQVUH76xoobr-Ki42vaWho6LiZqe_zJvKI0j-aYDvpvODE27MeigFSqiG8c-UiMm0RmnerT4NcNV8Ncor_3O6o_RauC0LpPFCY9TEiYGbx727BBQ/s320/17wks1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranium</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNTmSGGCxUpRiPFzNevH9bLVOvmIHnb3aBXMaiFxs6c_DMEo4ja78uc8i2ie2QPHRc4O9Z4dFq-andFcVaT11IZIkCZ-ygKiuZCvEW2A30KPO_zMQlHVwenRGgdarpeVrb-ozE8-G7Do/s1600/17wks3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNTmSGGCxUpRiPFzNevH9bLVOvmIHnb3aBXMaiFxs6c_DMEo4ja78uc8i2ie2QPHRc4O9Z4dFq-andFcVaT11IZIkCZ-ygKiuZCvEW2A30KPO_zMQlHVwenRGgdarpeVrb-ozE8-G7Do/s320/17wks3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is the Femur?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5eeg8PHS_FR0Lx5sru7YIO0nz_J1fCFlBpBD40dOSabo2jvzy_HQZ6QBdPl-p_nD-q-2nK1yJoOCeHqU95FryUlmrfS-GLQ7VMe97DAq2KTavEAKAc2yRUh4FhFUkDQOEmRGcmWQMeE/s1600/17wks4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5eeg8PHS_FR0Lx5sru7YIO0nz_J1fCFlBpBD40dOSabo2jvzy_HQZ6QBdPl-p_nD-q-2nK1yJoOCeHqU95FryUlmrfS-GLQ7VMe97DAq2KTavEAKAc2yRUh4FhFUkDQOEmRGcmWQMeE/s320/17wks4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have NO idea what is going on in this picture...</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you think?!?</span></span></span></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-23915097083265225682012-01-26T02:02:00.000-08:002012-01-27T02:26:46.415-08:0017 weeks!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYPQFBrETstnadpxttlJc7xHZ7tkOAx3qmw23nKEHnKrm9vpddFHt9DpD_lHLQFDQW1IA9rHBEnZD9EDIQ7XaWJokxkgrOEXmSz46IYHGLtt9smS86cV7gFMZmNbkQCRUSA0tJ4ywD24/s1600/17+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYPQFBrETstnadpxttlJc7xHZ7tkOAx3qmw23nKEHnKrm9vpddFHt9DpD_lHLQFDQW1IA9rHBEnZD9EDIQ7XaWJokxkgrOEXmSz46IYHGLtt9smS86cV7gFMZmNbkQCRUSA0tJ4ywD24/s320/17+weeks.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Due Date</span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">: July 4, 2012<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">How far along?</span></strong> 17 weeks</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">How big is baby?</span></strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> The size of an onion; approx. 5.1 inches & 5.9 oz!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Total weight gain:</span></strong> 11 lbs<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Maternity clothes?</span></strong> Still workin with what I got for now.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Best moment this week:</span></strong> Finding out my baby daddy was nominated for PC, so proud of him!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Movement:</span></strong> Not confirmed, but there sure is a lot of stuff going on in there!<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Food cravings:</span></strong> None<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Anything making you queasy or sick:</span></strong> Not really<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Ridiculous emotional breakdowns?</span></strong> I shouldn’t have watched TLC's A Baby Story…lesson learned.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Gender:</span></strong> Still don’t know but could find out very soon! <br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Labor Signs:</span></strong> Toooo soon<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Symptoms:</span></strong> Serious back ache, head ache and feverish…hope to find out why at our appointment tonight.<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Belly Button in or out?</span></strong> Innie<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Wedding rings on or off?</span></strong> On<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Happy or Moody most of the time: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Happy about the pregnancy, moody about everything AAFES and the driving public in Germany.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Looking forward to:</span></strong> Seeing Strambino at our appointment tonight!</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXgd-fNxhWomFS4fqr-QRDYzknm1x4dCBu1U7MnRXfjdLFRIdQKWKBUTFTKMI8yBq6I9ceto11ojgYjFRgmpXa2deSDZEBKCSz8MUqay5H0KdKvdpsLYfeuq9PSmJ2wFwzyuvHBTzLbs/s1600/CSC_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXgd-fNxhWomFS4fqr-QRDYzknm1x4dCBu1U7MnRXfjdLFRIdQKWKBUTFTKMI8yBq6I9ceto11ojgYjFRgmpXa2deSDZEBKCSz8MUqay5H0KdKvdpsLYfeuq9PSmJ2wFwzyuvHBTzLbs/s320/CSC_0795.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-48807951268839384042012-01-18T02:26:00.000-08:002012-01-18T02:27:40.134-08:00Honest Abe or Parakeet?<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was given an ultrasound during my last appointment at 12 weeks. We had waited an hour to be seen and were both upset when we were finally called by the doctor but all our frustration melted the second we saw little Strambino on the screen. It was incredible to see an actual human form where as the first ultrasound looked more like a grain of rice just 6 weeks earlier. Strambino was moving all over and the doctor took pictures pointing out the arms, head, spine and legs – all normal and healthy!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dLDWezxnaQdbOQk06e40NUJ2ms6J6me5HMalUGoAkVqAV6zJwwG0OUj_CQvfublYPQEOuh7S7s99kkwpRKourwbLluCmFPVwfGPrMrh5MF5jEONiXe4KEAsTHwpk6cOjiNMkDhBBbDI/s1600/strambino12wks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dLDWezxnaQdbOQk06e40NUJ2ms6J6me5HMalUGoAkVqAV6zJwwG0OUj_CQvfublYPQEOuh7S7s99kkwpRKourwbLluCmFPVwfGPrMrh5MF5jEONiXe4KEAsTHwpk6cOjiNMkDhBBbDI/s320/strambino12wks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">As you can see, it looks as though Strambino either has a beak or a strong jaw line. Kyle and I made drawings to illustrate our viewpoints:</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvwybKAudCupAOClZRM0GAPY5zm8vGY7pEmK0ee6e1S2KOypVRdlqc46Ux0VlTxFeENB5daE1OBpLmJWd3CBLUkOV5FHVqI6wTWeHs5l1r0G2xew7XA175l0KGG4CAP1hzre-4caAhA8/s1600/abe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvwybKAudCupAOClZRM0GAPY5zm8vGY7pEmK0ee6e1S2KOypVRdlqc46Ux0VlTxFeENB5daE1OBpLmJWd3CBLUkOV5FHVqI6wTWeHs5l1r0G2xew7XA175l0KGG4CAP1hzre-4caAhA8/s200/abe.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Honest Abe" by Kyle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yAnoly9Wn5gBIFjINNDvByXMHDXgvcbjleJ2tHMIctFZcQgVl5zbtM24hK4vVmn3DkMQTBE8il7p9osPXZmm42HRB4UYsCceQC1NA9BA4Qr6Pj9n9m5_nr9cwAS3pAWSKzzd5osOXwQ/s1600/parakeet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yAnoly9Wn5gBIFjINNDvByXMHDXgvcbjleJ2tHMIctFZcQgVl5zbtM24hK4vVmn3DkMQTBE8il7p9osPXZmm42HRB4UYsCceQC1NA9BA4Qr6Pj9n9m5_nr9cwAS3pAWSKzzd5osOXwQ/s200/parakeet.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Parakeet" by Carmen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-75907808317620086932012-01-18T01:49:00.000-08:002012-01-18T01:49:06.744-08:00Oops!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">According to all the pregnancy books and websites, I’m within the stage of being able to feel fetal movements, medically known as “quickening”. They can first be felt as early as 13 weeks or as late as 25 and have been described as a fluttering feeling in your stomach. After reading this information, I of course began paying close attention to any internal feelings and made the mistake of telling Kyle I thought I felt Strambino kick. He ran over to put his hand on my stomach and I farted…it turns out it was just a gas bubble. Obviously I laughed making Kyle think I had played a cruel trick on him, but it was completely unintentional and I’ll be sure not to make that mistake again! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-46063874596001376092012-01-12T04:20:00.000-08:002012-01-12T04:28:04.083-08:0015 weeks!<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/AVvXsEhbehoSwW6FE6Ad8uUziRXw8qo6AaZzzv8S25r3Oeyg8O-WMz-mWhchgpSyUcxmt_XNc_9EGbkSR1hP_-iG-r123rDMLmpB6g_BmwdTRwPZLVJfXAVFdDfdNTZPQKma84vATI5aBPgV3X4/s1600/15+weeks3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbehoSwW6FE6Ad8uUziRXw8qo6AaZzzv8S25r3Oeyg8O-WMz-mWhchgpSyUcxmt_XNc_9EGbkSR1hP_-iG-r123rDMLmpB6g_BmwdTRwPZLVJfXAVFdDfdNTZPQKma84vATI5aBPgV3X4/s400/15+weeks3.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First baby bump picture! - 15wks-</td></tr>
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<strong>Due Date</strong>: July 4, 2012<br />
<strong>How far along?</strong> 15 weeks!<br />
<strong>How big is baby?</strong> The size of an orange; approx. 4 inches & 2.5oz!<br />
<strong>Total weight gain:</strong> 9 lbs<br />
<strong>Maternity clothes?</strong> Had to break out the BeBand so I could fit tights under my skinny jeans in Austria! <strong></strong><br />
<strong>Sleep:</strong> Not too bad, just having the pee-or-not-to-pee debate at 3am every night...<br />
<strong>Best moment this week:</strong> Finding out my mom saved our old baby clothes! (and listening to the letter she wrote in 1973 calling my dad a “hunk”...almost 4 years before they ever dated!)<br />
<strong>Miss Anything?</strong> A glass of wine now and then<br />
<strong>Movement:</strong> Possibly...felt some flutters but not distinct enough to tell if it’s Strambino or not<br />
<strong>Food cravings:</strong> Nothing too strange yet<br />
<strong>Anything making you queasy or sick:</strong> Sadly, the smell of fresh garlic (possibly due to an early pregnancy garlic schnitzel overdose) <br />
<strong>Ridiculous emotional breakdowns?</strong> This is really embarrassing, but I teared up listening to the lyrics of “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You” by Sting yesterday…<br />
<strong>Gender:</strong> I have NO idea<br />
<strong>Labor Signs:</strong> Too soon!<br />
<strong>Symptoms:</strong> Headaches :(<br />
<strong>Belly Button in or out?</strong> Innie<br />
<strong>Wedding rings on or off?</strong> On<br />
<strong>Happy or Moody most of the time:</strong> HAPPY!<br />
<strong>Looking forward to:</strong> Taking Strambino to Dublin this weekend! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: "Nobile", "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h-I5zx14oC4CDDbYVxFJud2o0RV94iA4CaSUBpIZrZV9y05xDPwCrQvyxuHYD59OZGSY_P7amnr4nm7A52hr1zZkFCJPANPoqJ0o_WglzosK0jMO1RW9ilP90ryfyM7SV_iZHwrTn8I/s1600/CSC_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h-I5zx14oC4CDDbYVxFJud2o0RV94iA4CaSUBpIZrZV9y05xDPwCrQvyxuHYD59OZGSY_P7amnr4nm7A52hr1zZkFCJPANPoqJ0o_WglzosK0jMO1RW9ilP90ryfyM7SV_iZHwrTn8I/s320/CSC_0595.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a close-up :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-56762396405270674632012-01-12T03:08:00.000-08:002012-01-12T03:08:14.511-08:00Sharing the Good News<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the positive aspects to our 8 month wait, was the ability to tell both our families the good news IN PERSON! We had already planned a trip to VA/PA/AZ over Thanksgiving which was driven by Nana Stramara’s declining condition and our desire to visit with her and share the holiday with family. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Waiting to tell everyone was SO difficult, mostly because we were so excited to tell them but also having to evade the topic long enough to not spill the beans, hope there was no facebook leak and suffer through my terrible patients issues…plus I had to refuse wine and blame my tiredness on travel long enough for Kyle to help tell the “secret”. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To tell our families we are expecting, we gave each of them the picture of our feet with baby shoes in between and wrote the expected due date and their new title (Grandparents, Aunt Nicolettle & Uncle Kevin, Aunt Jess & Uncle Ryan and Aunt Holly) on the frame. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z7BmeI3de4Qdop9jdgmikYGj5qgrjjw3aZgfOKrk08UbSJylbKm6m3Q1noGNd3CBNKFhAJ-9CxcKyEw4SqGqJudc8lbQWSL_WGcr09UYiisFBo7lOuj8igTlxaoD8a4oBqGaN1zV95U/s1600/CSC_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z7BmeI3de4Qdop9jdgmikYGj5qgrjjw3aZgfOKrk08UbSJylbKm6m3Q1noGNd3CBNKFhAJ-9CxcKyEw4SqGqJudc8lbQWSL_WGcr09UYiisFBo7lOuj8igTlxaoD8a4oBqGaN1zV95U/s320/CSC_0451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once we were both at Kyle’s parent’s house, we gave them their “early Thanksgiving” presents to open. Kevin and Kevin Jr. got Ace’s shirts and hats and Karen and Nicolette got the wrapped frames. It was so fun to see their reactions in person and get a hug of congratulations </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day we drove to Schuylkill Haven, PA to visit family and our first stop was Paxson Ave to see Nana and Pap Stramara. Although Nana’s condition was at its last stages, she was fully alert and when we told her she’d be a great grandmother we saw her face light up. Those moments spent with her were immeasurable as she lost her battle to cancer three weeks later. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kyle announced our news at dinner that night to Nana Ketner, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Shine, and everyone was so happy. When discussing the what-to-call-the-grandparents topic, Nana Ketner said to Karen “You can’t be Nana because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’M</i> Nana.” She’s such a hoot!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next week Kyle flew back to Germany for work while I flew to AZ to extend my vacation from vacation. It was important for us to be able to tell our parents together, so I waited a day and a half until the timing was right for Kyle to Skype us. When both my parents were home from work and it was midnight in Deutschland, Kyle called to ‘chat’. He was showing off Love’s new sweater he made to say “Big Sister” on the back. When the reality finally set in and they realized what that meant, they were overwhelmed with excitement and questions. My dad immediately picked up the phone to call Kevin and tease him for being an old man and call him Grandpa. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two days later Jessica was visiting from Chicago and we went to dinner at Holly’s restaurant in Phoenix since she had to work. Before we ordered, I gave Holly and Jess their gifts to open and the first thing Holl said was “I knew it” while Jessica screamed and cried at the same time. We immediately called Ryan to share the news I ate the best Chilaquiles of my life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was able to tell Aunt Vicki (my fairy godmother), cousin Ricky and Julia in person that weekend in San Diego and love on little Leielle (and watch her ultrasound videos to prepare myself with that to look forward to!). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I called Grandma VZ to tell her great grandchild #21 was due July 4<sup>th</sup>, she said it’d be an Independent baby, just like its mother…she too is a hoot! We were able to Skype Grandpa Bill and Louise and let them know their first great grandchild was on the way. Kyle and I had coffee with them, Nic and Jennifer during our time in VA and Louise mentioned while we were Skyping she thought my empire shirt had been a little suspicious!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Telling Chris and Trevor in person was too fun. I was nervous to tell Chris while he was driving because I didn’t want to get into an accident (totally legitimate concern) and not when we were in the restaurant because I knew it’d be a loud reaction (naturally) so I waited until we were walking to dinner. Of course when I told him, he stopped everything he was doing and screamed </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> We told Trev while eating our anniversary cake and causally talking about placentas…too perfect!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, the opportunity to tell so many of our loved ones IN PERSON was worth the wait, there is nothing like being able to share that kind of joy and excitement with those closest to you. </span></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-66170454313549930582012-01-10T08:46:00.000-08:002012-02-05T11:17:01.443-08:00Introducing The Great Strambino<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bambino = baby in Italian</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stramara + bambino = Strambino</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have named the baby Strambino until we decide on an actual name because it’s much better than referring to baby as “it”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was only 6 weeks along for our first appointment and didn’t expect to have an ultrasound, just the initial blood work and wellness check. I was wrong! Here is our first picture of Strambino:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGhyphenhypheno-9Ukz_YWEyaYCjcY9_eZhIRxHaMddQYVj-nbZR_SYQZwN4_KFtkltXonejwPaJBG6etc7EVpiH9Xkj59YQCwhjnRaDS0OYQuiYSY4t_14hgJ9jkFUoFNRf_tvUQvsPX8PLQI5nY/s1600/BABY+001_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGhyphenhypheno-9Ukz_YWEyaYCjcY9_eZhIRxHaMddQYVj-nbZR_SYQZwN4_KFtkltXonejwPaJBG6etc7EVpiH9Xkj59YQCwhjnRaDS0OYQuiYSY4t_14hgJ9jkFUoFNRf_tvUQvsPX8PLQI5nY/s200/BABY+001_crop.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Due Date:</span> <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #990000;">J</span>u<span style="color: #990000;">l</span>y <span style="color: #990000;">4</span>, <span style="color: #990000;">2</span>0<span style="color: #990000;">1</span>2</span><span style="color: #990000;">!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSpgBTKLdeToSNJXKIyHjgk-3adUa8B06czqykDtfEbCJCxFZlFWC0lKwh4abqybs_u-k3GirJQlHlfmoKq1BClZhrA8AZXiAH7b-XCIMF4tiF4IycGy9fEIrvYzMdQ95i6wip-I7M8Y/s1600/fireworks2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSpgBTKLdeToSNJXKIyHjgk-3adUa8B06czqykDtfEbCJCxFZlFWC0lKwh4abqybs_u-k3GirJQlHlfmoKq1BClZhrA8AZXiAH7b-XCIMF4tiF4IycGy9fEIrvYzMdQ95i6wip-I7M8Y/s200/fireworks2011.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">(picture taken 4th of July 2011) </span></div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434139585810375438.post-19793801385714080822012-01-09T10:31:00.000-08:002012-02-05T11:16:03.665-08:00Let's Start At The Very BeginningThe Stramara's were established on February 13, 2010 although the story technically starts in 1986. First childhood friends, now husband & wife and soon to be Mom & Dad <3<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxVrQAZrfWqho3wvA1iUNG0ZWM815JYyu3lDZSdjr2BBenqoeeS4LRckxN0NZBBkh31ztgAjYDTUpAZ9MBAEpgUKgSGQXTkIJUGIsx2B-R8MLJsDCK-RKDo93GXmS44TXSqdlYuDwggQ/s1600/red+wagon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxVrQAZrfWqho3wvA1iUNG0ZWM815JYyu3lDZSdjr2BBenqoeeS4LRckxN0NZBBkh31ztgAjYDTUpAZ9MBAEpgUKgSGQXTkIJUGIsx2B-R8MLJsDCK-RKDo93GXmS44TXSqdlYuDwggQ/s320/red+wagon.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1987 - Kyle & I in the little red wagon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjo22PUmAO_I1k65PPGeiCZ-pvwrUXG-9tt6RXmp-M7r6pyFNpbAowAd8RqEMou9-v9G8FnyKd_gV2A81AQdWJVZiJXkbAdJfO_gREga9nEm8F4iMDl49iH1YDWIiOKDvFOTuxlZR6yo/s1600/reception126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjo22PUmAO_I1k65PPGeiCZ-pvwrUXG-9tt6RXmp-M7r6pyFNpbAowAd8RqEMou9-v9G8FnyKd_gV2A81AQdWJVZiJXkbAdJfO_gREga9nEm8F4iMDl49iH1YDWIiOKDvFOTuxlZR6yo/s320/reception126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">February 13, 2010</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdpuCcSJPBMo1d3n9ut6GbZtjBrWlakKwomZ1UHuInVqrwTwyuyqwCkogwPAb2WuMK0a0Izq94B3FymevP6PQ2bVOAurYsYk4GJSkWsS8Jin5Hl7jHSa-tYZrnRuxRVcG_iSRugdVKO8/s1600/positive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdpuCcSJPBMo1d3n9ut6GbZtjBrWlakKwomZ1UHuInVqrwTwyuyqwCkogwPAb2WuMK0a0Izq94B3FymevP6PQ2bVOAurYsYk4GJSkWsS8Jin5Hl7jHSa-tYZrnRuxRVcG_iSRugdVKO8/s320/positive.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">October 27, 2011</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Next to our wedding day, the day this test read positive was the most exciting (and relieving) of my life. We had been "trying" for 8 months and each month brought a slew of negative emotions. However, the experience was invaluable for more postive reasons than negative. Kyle and I grew closer to each other and more excited and determined each month to start our family. </div>The Stramara'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00638305221104250636noreply@blogger.com0