tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20754756418902179682024-03-13T11:16:12.952-07:00All This TimeRyan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-59972637957932384162016-11-07T13:23:00.003-08:002016-11-07T13:23:38.600-08:00A day at the beachRyan has had a tough rotation schedule so far. He started with 8 weeks of surgery, which meant he left at 4:30 in the morning and came home well after dinner and most times after kids were in bed. Then he moved on to Neuro ICU where he was also on a really demanding schedule. Now, he is finishing up pediatrics, and these two weeks have been a dream. He randomly was given two days off (hip hip hooray!!) and we wanted to make every minute count.<br />
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One of the days, we decided to pick Cal up from tot-school and head straight to the coast. We have never been there, but have heard all sorts of good things. After a quick 2.5 hour drive, we drove up right to the beach, as in our tires touched the sand. There were mini pavilions all along the shore that provided some shade, so we first transferred sleeping Grady Boy into a pack n play and let him nap while the three of us played in the sand and jumped in the water.<br />
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Cal was in heaven. I am not being dramatic when I say I have never seen him that happy. He was skipping and twirling and jumping and throwing himself into the water over and over, and was beaming every minute. The undertow was a little strong for my liking, so we made sure to be by his side the entire time. And once Grady woke up, he enjoyed the many handfuls of sand he was able to munch on, but loved sitting in the waves as they splashed over his little legs.<br />
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After tons of fun at the beach, we were all equally tired and starving. We found a little hole in the wall pizza joint, and were pleasantly surprised. Huge slices, lots of toppings, yummy salad and cheese bread...it was the perfect ending to a happy day. We packed up the sun-soaked babies into their seats, and they snoozed as we made our way back to San Antonio. <br />
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Ryan and I could not say enough how much we needed that time together. All together - the four of us. Our family needed some time away from the norm, and to make a fun new memory. I hope we make it back there soon! And for future reference, this time of year is the best to go. We heard that summertime is just scorching hot and crowded. Maybe we can make this our "first week of November" tradition.<br />
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-25017037490054107012016-11-07T12:57:00.001-08:002016-11-07T13:24:04.684-08:00Some Updates<div style="text-align: center;">
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This year has gone by faster than any other. Grady is almost one, Ryan is halfway through the hardest year of medical school, Cal is growing taller and smarter every day, and I started a job with Beachbody - with so many thing in between! But one thing I can't stand to sacrifice is our family adventures, lessons, and memories. Those take priority. So, for the next month I will be playing catch-up, so there may be many things that are posted out of order. <br />
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The first update will be about my job. I basically get to workout and make yummy, healthy food for a living (more like...for a few bucks a month!). It is definitely a lot more work than I thought it would be - isn't it always? But it has been such a good thing for me. I feel like I am doing something productive, that benefits me, the family, and so many others. It is such a good feeling to know that people see you as someone who adds value to their life. </div>
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There are definitely ups and downs, with slow months and discouraging things that happen here and there. At one point, I was letting social media completely overtake my life. I wanted to quit. I was done feeling like a bad mom and a stress case. But Ryan helped me set limits, and more importantly helped me realize that I am the one choosing how much social media I allow to leak into my life. So after taking a step back and taking this business at my pace and not the pace of those before me, it has been much more manageable. </div>
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It is still uncomfortable for me to post pictures of my body, but I have had so many people reach out because of my ability to be vulnerable, and who thank me for the inspiration. I still get a little nervous before I post for people to join a clean eating group, but then am surprised when 40 people want to take part. I have never been one who was great at keeping in touch with friends or extended family, but being in this business has taught me that relationships are valuable. I have reconnected with old roommates, teammates from high school, cousins, and so many others. I especially have been able to connect with another family member who is also coaching, and we have been able to get to know one another, talk more, and encourage each other on this journey. And that to me is worth it all.</div>
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I don't know what these next few months will bring, but I am hoping I will find my grove, gain confidence, and help others live healthy lives! If it can someday turn into a way I can contribute financially to the family, then that will be the greatest blessing. </div>
Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-30066586383303020592016-08-29T18:37:00.000-07:002016-08-29T18:37:41.610-07:00C.O.L.D.P.L.A.Y.A few years ago, I told Ryan that if Coldplay ever went on a tour again, I would be buying tickets. No matter where we lived, no matter how long it took to get there, we had to go. He agreed! So, when Coldplay announced they were going to be touring in Dallas (5 hours from here) I almost passed out. I did the countdown and bought the tickets within 30 seconds of them being released, and could not believe how fast tickets were selling!! Even though I didn't score front seats, I was still beyond excited to go.<div>
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We asked some great friends (the Elliotts) if they would be our kids' parents for the weekend, and they were happy to help. So Saturday morning we left for Dallas, and made a fun day of it. We stopped and ate delicious Indian food then walked through Ikea and tested out some couches. We held hands as we laughed about funny moments with our kids, talked about our hopes and dreams for the next couple years, and made the perfect Coldplay playlist we wished they would play later that night. Then we found our apartment (thanks airbnb!) and got all dolled up and Ubered our way to the AT&T Center - one of the most impressive things I have ever seen. </div>
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Ryan and I spent most of the time leading up to the concert walking around the stadium. Ryan told me about how amazing it was to play a football game there back during his BYU days, and it was fun to hear him reminisce. We talked about a book we recently read "Essentialism" and words that represent time - Chronos and Kairos - and how we could better live in the present, and BE present. We bought way too expensive snacks because we realized we were starving and never had dinner. We people watched. Then, it was time to take our seats. </div>
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The lights went down, the crowd started screaming, the smoke started to fill the stadium, and we knew it was time. 100,000 colored wristbands started blinking in sync and out came Coldplay to their newest song "Head Full of Dreams". The most magical moment however, came next. At the end of the song the lights turned off, all of the wristbands turned yellow, and yellow balloons fell from the sky. I knew immediately what song it was. The song I heard and fell in love with over ten years earlier. YELLOW!!!! I almost cried. Ryan and I sang and yelled and jumped and danced, and had some of the most fun we have ever had together. They sang almost all of my favorites:</div>
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Till Kingdom Come</div>
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Paradise</div>
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Yellow</div>
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Head Full of Dreams</div>
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Clocks</div>
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Fix You</div>
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Sky Full of Stars</div>
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Magic</div>
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Viva La Vida</div>
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The Scientist</div>
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and so many more. The whole drive home the next morning, one of us would just start spontaneously singing one of their songs. The lights and atmosphere and entire show was out of this world. We are so grateful for the fastest, but most fun 24 hours together we have ever had! </div>
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-15276451186201041562016-08-21T13:01:00.002-07:002016-08-21T13:19:00.691-07:00FriendshipRyan and I have been blessed with incredible friends. We had dear, dear friends in Utah and were worried we would never be able to make the same caliber of friends in Texas. But we couldn't have been more wrong. Medical school would be such a grind for the both of us if we didn't have the support system of people who are going through the same stage of life. When we count our blessings, our Texas friendships are at the top of the list.<br />
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2014:<br />
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-8894898153699376362016-08-09T18:12:00.000-07:002016-08-09T18:12:03.191-07:00Thompson Family Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There was one day in the entire summer that the entire Thompson family was in town - so we made it happen! My kids were tired and hungry, and not very cooperative, but we at least got one good photo of the four of us. I love my boys!</div>
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<br />Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-21566512003676816932016-07-07T14:12:00.000-07:002016-07-07T14:12:12.483-07:00River HouseThe first three weeks I spent in Oregon, Ryan was still in Texas finishing an ENT rotation. The days were long! Ryan was lonely and I was exhausted, and we missed our time together. Then, Ryan came into town, we were a family again! But with the excitement of family around, and tons of activities to pack in, we didn't find much alone time. And, we need it! We are used to such a quiet life in Texas, where after kids are in bed, the house is clean and studying is done, we chat and catch up and talk about everything on our mind until we are ready for bed. I've realized this break that being able to talk things out is crucial for my emotional health! After asking Mindy if she would be kind enough to watch our little boys for an overnight adventure, I planned a surprise trip for Ryan. I couldn't wait for some one on one time. <br />
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<i>*Sidenote* While trying to decide where to go, I could not believe the incredible amount of legitimate options we had. The coast, the Rogue River, Crater Lake, Castle Crags, the waterfalls, Redwoods, Smith River, Lost Creek Lake, Mt. Mcloughlin...and that is why we want to come back to this heaven on earth. It truly is a wonderland. We hope to bring our family back to Southern Oregon.</i><br />
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So Monday night I spilled the beans to Ryan, and Tuesday morning we packed a few things and hit the road. It was a quick 2.5 hour drive, and we especially enjoyed the scenic route along the Umpqua, and the bumpy 20 minute drive down the bank to get to the beloved River House. We got there at noon, grabbed fishing poles and went straight to the water. After catching a couple fish, and scaring myself with what I thought was a river snake (yeah...it was my fishing line) we decided it would be fun to bike up a few miles and float down the river with just our life jackets. So, with no thought of what kids needing tending to or who needed a nap, we marched up the hill with suits on and life jackets on our backs, and biked up the dirt path. After we went a couple miles, we hid our bikes in some bushes, climbed out on some rocks and jumped into the surprisingly warm river. With our feet out in front of us, we held onto our life vests, leaned back and floated slowly down the river. It was an incredible view. No one in sight, on the banks or in the river, with the hot sun above us and our toes sticking out of the water, we couldn't help but be in awe of the beauty of the earth. <br />
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After another embarrassing moment (I thought a boulder up ahead was a bear...) we climbed out and dried ourselves in the sun. Then we walked on the dirt road, hand in hand, to fetch the hidden bikes. We kept saying, "doesn't it feel like we are dating again??" We were carefree and giddy, so excited to be together and have some FUN. <br />
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After a quick shower we headed to Reedsport, and ate some of the best food I have had in years. I had crab cakes with quinoa and veggies, and Ryan had an elk pot pie. We left totally satisfied and full, and fell asleep at 8:45. <br />
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The next morning, we woke up early to try our luck with fishing since the water was still. We put on some cozy clothes and spent the morning talking and laughing and fishing. The morning fog was literally rolling along the water, and we saw fish jump and two bald eagles chase each other across the sky. We heard bullfrogs, and watched a hawk dive into the water. Tadpoles were swimming around our feet and the water quietly rushed along downstream. I wanted to freeze time. And part of me ached to go back and live in a simpler time. No technology, no medical school, no big social pressures, just the hard working farm life - where you worked as a family, reaped what you sewed, and got to experience the simple joys of what the earth offers us. <br />
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After not even 24 hours away, Ryan and I were ready to see the boys. Isn't it funny how we long for alone time, then ache for our children?? All we could talk about on the drive home was how much we look forward to taking our family to the River House. It brought Ryan and I closer together, and I know it can do the same thing for families. It was, truly, the perfect getaway. <br />
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<br />Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-41171736854820492232016-06-21T21:52:00.001-07:002016-06-21T21:52:34.684-07:00True GreatnessWe are in Oregon visiting family for the majority of the summer, and while at church last Sunday my second mom Julie Doll gave a lesson that I really needed to hear. It completely relates to my previous post about my desire to do something with my life, and her message brought me a lot of peace.<br />
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The lesson was called, "True Greatness", based off teachings by President Howard W. Hunter. I was touched by the following: <br />
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To those who are furthering the work of the Lord in so many quiet but significant ways, to those who are the salt of the earth and the strength of the world and the backbone of each nation—to you we would simply express our admiration. If you endure to the end, and if you are valiant in the testimony of Jesus, you will achieve true greatness and will one day live in the presence of our Father in Heaven.</div>
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As President Joseph F. Smith has said, “Let us not be trying to substitute an artificial life for the true one.” Let us remember that doing the things that have been ordained by God to be important and needful and necessary, even though the world may view them as unimportant and insignificant, will eventually lead to true greatness.</div>
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“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;</div>
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“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: <u>for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.</u>” (<a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-cor/4.17-18?lang=eng#16" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Cor. 4:17–18</a>.)</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">We discussed things like social media, and their influence on what we think "greatness" really is. I shared my feelings about instagram specifically. That it is easy to see things the world deems as great. It is easy to scroll through and see what is portrayed as perfection and success in someone's life. How many popular accounts are of moms simply being moms? Not too many, and they are leading lives of greatness too, behind the scenes and without much praise. I was overwhelmed with emotion, and felt so much peace. As if Heavenly Father gave me a hug and said, </span><i style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">you really are doing a great job. Don't forget that motherhood is what I see as true greatness</i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">. Even now writing about it, I feel the same peace as I did in that moment. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I still desire to pursue dreams and achieve goals, but I also want to see each day with my children as my greatest achievement.</span></div>
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-34843917661888685832016-05-29T11:41:00.000-07:002016-05-29T11:41:20.067-07:00too many journals, too little timeI feel like I may be stretching myself a little thin. I am trying to keep up on Cal's line a day journal, his online journal, his instagram (chat book) journal...and once I add a little to Grady's journal, and monthly summaries it's all I can do to find time to write a meaningful post! Let alone, write in a journal of my own. I feel anxiety about certain things, and one is that I will miss recording precious moments. My days are full of them, and trying to balance being in the moment and making sure to record the moment is a harder job than it may sound. Since my own journal entries are ranked the least important on my priority list, I want to make this blog be as personal as I can stand. I want to look back and read real things, and not be afraid of what people may think if they happen to read a post here and there. So, my commitment to myself moving forward is to treat this blog as my own personal journal as it relates to my family interactions, and other thoughts and feelings.<br />
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So, lately, I have been feeling like I have no real talents or skills, at least that can contribute to an income during this time of medical school and residency. I am sure most stay-at-home moms may feel this way at one point or another, but it has really dragged me down the last 6 months or so. I see friends who chose to pursue a photography degree, or a dancing degree, or a childhood education degree, and they are able to make some money on the side doing something they love. As I look back at my college career, I wonder what I would choose if I could do it all over again...and I still don't know? I hope these next few years I can find time for a little more self discovery and find the thing that I am passionate about, besides my children and husband. Ryan and I were talking about it the other day, and he asked, "what do you need to do or accomplish that will make you feel like you 'did' something with your life?" And my ultimate dream would be to start a successful business, and provide a product or service that I was passionate about.<br />
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My dear sister-in-law has heard some of these rantings of mine, and called me up with a great idea. Why not start some kind of music class for toddlers? I have a musical background, and have a toddler that would DIE for a dedicated time for music, so the idea quickly grabbed my attention. I have researched, and reached out to fellow moms, and there has been a lot of interest so my goal is to start this class in the fall of this year. I hope it will bring me a little satisfaction, and sense of accomplishment. And of course, I hope it helps foster Cal's love of music.Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-45010669619658372892016-05-04T13:12:00.002-07:002016-05-04T13:25:36.676-07:00Cal Turns Two!!Our baby boy had his second birthday this week, and it still hasn't sunk in that Cal is TWO! We wanted to make his day extra special. When he woke up in the morning, we opened the door and threw balloons in the air and danced around - he was a little confused at first then joined in on the fun. We quickly packed him up in his pjs, and headed out to our favorite donut shop "Snowflake Donuts" to let Cal pick whatever donut he wanted. He went for the sprinkles of course :) While there he let everyone know it was his "birffday" and showed them some arrangement of pointer finger/thumb to show that he was two. <br />
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Afterward, we thought the Zoo would be a fun place to spend the morning, so we headed that way. On our drive over, we passed one of his dear friend's homes, and he started yelling "Emma's House!!!" over and over. We debated, then decided to change plans. If this was to be his day, then he gets to call the shots! We gave Emma's mom a call and they happened to be around, so we had a fun little play date with one of Cal's best little friends. We FaceTimed Mimi and opened some fun goodies (the highlight was opening a bag of his beloved pistachios) and FaceTimed my parents/Millar family to open the couple of presents we had, and he definitely loved being sung to more than opening presents!<br />
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After a good, long nap, we went to HEB to get a couple of last minute items for his birthday party and let Cal pick out a fun birthday balloon. We quickly headed home, had a few bites of pizza, and friends started to trickle in. The best part of the entire day was watching Cal's face during the "Happy Birthday" song - it was pure joy. He was giggling, beaming, squealing, just THRILLED to be the center of attention. He would say, "hooray!!" and blow out his candles over and over before the end of the song, and he loved having all of his buddies around for the evening.<br />
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What we love about Cal:<br />
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This boy is sweet as can be. His latest thing is he'll come up to Ryan or I, pat us on the back, and tenderly say, "Mommy, are you ok?" He is equally kind to Grady, and I catch him sharing his toys with his friends.<br />
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He is a smart cookie. One of his friends gave him some motorcycles for his birthday, and in the morning he woke up and said, "Mommy, where my green motorcycle go?" I found it, and it was green! Then he showed me his other one and said, "Thith my puhhple motorcycle." It was purple. He is amazing.<br />
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Things I will miss at this stage is him climbing through the pantry in order to find his favorite thing to eat these days - pistachios. Not a meal goes by without a few of those nuts on his plate. But even cuter than that is the way he says them. Pistacheeeeoooothhhh<br />
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He transitioned so quickly to his big boy bed. Since the first night, he has slept through the night and taken naps just as easily as he did when he was in his crib. I could kiss him! (And I do!)<br />
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He still loves to be held and squeezed. He is quick to give "smoochies" and I love that he still likes to be my baby every once in a while.<br />
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I catch him singing all the time! When Grady starts to cry, he usually starts singing "rock a bye my baby", or he'll run up to the guitar and strum it while singing "twinkle twinkle little star", or the ABC's. <br />
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He loves to have people around. He always says "c'mon daddy!" or "cmon mommy!" and asks us to play. Although, he is very good at playing on his own. He even has started to use the cutest sound effects (thank Ryan for that talent!)<br />
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Cal is a special boy. He is loved by so many, and is such a joy to be around. He makes us laugh, and brightens our day with his energy and enthusiasm. We are SO blessed to be his parents, and look forward to watching him grow and learn each and every day. We love you Mr. Cal!<br />
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<br />Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-48964648787954050512016-04-19T13:39:00.000-07:002016-04-19T13:45:44.140-07:00Hard Workin' Man<div>
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Ryan has been working incredibly hard.</div>
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Each and every morning, he is to school by 5:30. He takes a short break for lunch, then comes home for dinner at 5:30. At 7:30 sharp he is studying again, and wraps up his night around 10:30. For two months straight. </div>
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For one whole month of this, I was in Oregon. It was supposed to be three weeks, but with my mom's back surgery and my dad's business obligations, a companion to help fly us back to Texas wasn't an option until a week later. </div>
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While in Oregon, we had the best time. We played with cousins, jumped on the trampoline (surrounded what I feel like is the prettiest view in the valley), felt the cool Oregon mornings and evenings, spent time at Mimi and Grandpa Dave's house, spent a couple days in Eugene with the Bells, had Cal's first Easter Egg Hunt, and of course, spent a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa. </div>
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Grandpa and Cal are the best of friends. My mom can get any baby to smile and giggle, so naturally Grady was always trying to catch her eye. But Cal is pretty loyal to my dad. Their relationship is so sweet, and I am so happy Cal loves his Grandpa with all of his heart. Some days he would wait at the end of the road for him to come home from work, other days we three went to the park and played, or would spend a quiet afternoon on a walk. </div>
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It is SO GOOD to be back with Ryan. We had our first Sunday together as a family this past week and we both felt so at ease surrounded by our people. I do definitely miss the early morning/late night chats with my parents. I miss the random funny moments that my mom and I got to share as we were home all day with the kids. I miss the Oregon air and Folsom/Thompson cousins, aunts and uncles. But I am so happy to be back with Ryan as he nears his Board Exam, to be here to encourage and support and hopefully help him feel at ease. He has worked incredibly hard, has been diligent from day 1, and I know he is going to do extremely well. I am so lucky to be married to my hard workin' man. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPBsHvOcXjQ/VxKVdx3cElI/AAAAAAAACYY/ZMPqVxMvUMI9t9Hcp_ueZVdA5HTbZVhLwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPBsHvOcXjQ/VxKVdx3cElI/AAAAAAAACYY/ZMPqVxMvUMI9t9Hcp_ueZVdA5HTbZVhLwCLcB/s400/IMG_9061.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">The view from my hometown front window </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">The girls supporting Eric at his "Live to Dance" event</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">This was after Cal threw himself out of the pack n play at Alison's house. The first time he has ever napped with me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">For some reason, while we were staying in Medford one of Cal's favorite things to do was to sneak into my parents bathroom and rub their soap in his hair with this sponge!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">His first Easter Egg hunt was a hit! He loved to find the eggs, but when it came time to open them he lost interest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Thompson Cousins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">There were two flights returning to Texas. The first, my parents were with us. They walked us to the gate, then went on their way. When Cal and I got on the next plane without them, Cal looked around then asked, "Where'd Grandpa go?" Needless to say...I bawled.</td></tr>
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-90534703622826016832016-04-16T12:19:00.000-07:002016-04-16T12:19:23.560-07:00Texas-sized Just a few nights ago, Ryan was wrapping up his study while I tidied up a few more things around the house when we started to hear loud bangs coming from outside. At first I thought it was our neighbors hammering, which bugged me. "Ryan, why are our neighbors working this late??" Then, something slammed against our bedroom window, "Oh my goodness Ryan! Is someone shooting at us?" Then, one of the craziest things I've ever seen happened - hail the size of my palm start slamming down from the sky. Bouncing off cars, windows, roofs, and an unfortunate runner's head, this hail was ready to destroy. Ryan and I threw on robes, ran to the garage and started to chuck boxes, gym weights, strollers, trash, anything in sight in order to fit the corolla in the garage. And as it always happens, the second we pulled in the car the hail stopped. Ryan and I just looked at each other and laughed. Everything truly is bigger in Texas!<div>
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A victim of the storm:</div>
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-68752818523707054462016-02-22T19:55:00.000-08:002016-02-22T19:55:54.799-08:00Oregon so far...Ryan has a week break between end of classes and studying for his board exam, so we decided to pack up and head to Oregon!<br />
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<i>*Sidenote: On the flight over, we counted up flights and figured out that Cal had been on 19 flights by age 1, and will have been on 39 flights by the age of 2...holy smokes!</i><br />
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Cal is in absolute heaven. Every morning Cal wakes up excited to play with cousins, and is equally devastated when they leave. He loves to follow Mack and Lucy around and thinks they are pretty cool. Caroline has decided she is Cal's mother and we are entertained watching her push him in strollers, wash his hair and brush his teeth! Lil and Henry are kind and thoughtful, always looking out for their little cousins. And of course, there is a special place in his heart for Mimi and Grandpa.<br />
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Ryan and I left kiddos with Mimi and hopped on some mountain bikes. We chatted and peddled all the way up Roxy Ann, and enjoyed the crisp Oregon air and quiet surroundings. We talked about our simple life before the boys joined our family - the hikes, runs, camping, and adventures we were able to do. Although we definitely miss those days, we are loving our new adventure!<br />
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<a href="http://s1375.photobucket.com/user/lfolsom7/media/signaturesmallcopy_zps5985ef6a.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo signaturesmallcopy_zps5985ef6a.png" border="0" src="http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag465/lfolsom7/signaturesmallcopy_zps5985ef6a.png" /></a>Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-41934464274729863872016-02-14T20:06:00.000-08:002016-02-14T20:06:40.036-08:00My Loves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For a few split seconds, the stars aligned. Both boys were happy and willing to sit still (which for Cal is a rare thing). I love these pictures because you can see how much Cal loves Grady already, and makes us excited to see what these next few years will bring as they grow older and have more fun together. I love being surrounded by all my boys!!</div>
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Cal,<br />
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My fun, happy boy! Life would mean so much less without you. You bring light and laughter into each and every day. I am excited to see you in the morning, and miss you minutes after I put you to bed. You are kind and gentle to everyone, but especially Grady, and are loved by all around you. We feel so blessed to have you as our little boy.<br />
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Grady,<br />
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My dear, my love. You are the sweetest little thing that's touched the planet. You are almost always content to watch and listen, and love to be snuggled and loved on by anyone that is willing. When you are awake, you are alert and waiting to catch someone's eye to flash your contagious smile. You are handsome, and mild. We are extremely grateful to have you in our family.<br />
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Ryan,</div>
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My handsome man. I am so lucky to have you as my best friend. You bring so much happiness to my life, and make me laugh no matter what mood I'm in. I love your laugh:) I know you love me, because you are so quick to tell me the reasons why. I love to watch you be playful and goofy with Cal, and tender to Grady. You work harder than anyone I know, are kind to everyone, and are anxious to serve the Lord. I look up to you in so many ways, and am grateful every day that you are mine forever. </div>
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<br />Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-36522670386842730862016-02-13T20:19:00.001-08:002016-02-13T20:19:34.805-08:00Grady's Blessing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We decided to bless Grady in our home, and it was a sweet experience. My parents were in town for about 36 hours, my cousin Anya and her family were able to join us, and some dear friends of Ryan and I came to support us. Although we were sad not to make it back to Medford to bless him, it was so touching to see Ryan surrounded by family, but also his friends that have become family through this process of medical school. </div>
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<span id="goog_177238098"></span>Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-75814607113518933452016-02-01T12:19:00.002-08:002016-02-03T11:12:51.947-08:00RitualsGrady quickly grew out of all newborn and 0-3 month sizes. Oddly, I look forward to the sorting and stowing away that happens once clothes become tight and are ready for storage. It has become a ritual of sorts. This weekend I brought out all of Grady's small clothes, and all of Cal's small clothes, and began making piles. As I fold and sort, I am flooded with memories. It is hard to explain my emotions, but most of the time I get choked up seeing my boys' lives passing so quickly one full bin of clothes at a time. But it also brings feelings of anticipation, as I wonder what their lives will be like, what memories we have yet to make. <br />
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I never thought of myself as a "kid person". Besides my own nieces and nephews, I hated babysitting of any kind, wasn't a huge fan of holding babies, and didn't go out of my way to interact with little kids. But these boys have changed my heart. I am going to hold on to every day while these two are still innocent and young, and savor our time together. Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-27548243885337199642016-01-10T11:29:00.001-08:002016-01-18T08:46:09.978-08:00Christmas in TexasSince Grady was due the 10th of December, we didn't travel for Thanksgiving and obviously planned to remain in Texas for Christmas as well. This would be the first time EVER since Ryan and I left Medford for college, that we wouldn't make it back to Oregon for either of the holidays (besides Ryan's mission). We were really, really disappointed. Almost all of our family members live in Oregon, and we knew what fun lay ahead and also knew we wouldn't be there to share the memories.<br />
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But, good news came quickly. It just so happened that my three sisters were planning on spending Christmas with their in-laws, so my parents asked if they could join our family for Christmas this year! Then, they sweetened the deal by bringing my brother Eric along. Christmas doesn't feel quite as magical without Eric.<br />
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Grady came home from the hospital the night my dad and brother flew into town. Surprisingly, I wasn't stressed at all with company. I was excited! I was excited to have family in my home, to see Cal have fun with his buddies, to watch movies and play games, and especially to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day together. <br />
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**Sidenote** The first two weeks my mom was here she had Cal on her own, and they were the best little buddies. He loves his Grandma. They read books, played the piano, went on lots of walks to find and pet the kitties, ran around and played chase, and snuggled. Then, when my dad and brother got into town, he went to the park, played in the yard, danced with Grandpa to his new favorite song ("Santa looked a lot like daddy...") and was exploding with happiness every morning when he realized his friends were still in town. So, obviously I cried my eyes out the day my dad and brother left, and cried even harder the morning Cal woke up to an empty house. He looked for my mom for days...it was so sad.<br />
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Anyway, even though Cal didn't quite get the whole Santa and presents thing, it was still so fun to see his excitement Christmas morning. My parents found him the cutest little "moke" (what Cal calls motorcycles) that he could push himself around on, and his cousin Lucy gave him a real Buzz Lightyear! Ryan's mom sent Ryan's old Buzz Lightyear spaceship, and Cal was in heaven. But, my favorite gift of all was the arc my dad made. He gives one to each sister, and this year was supposed to be just Alison's year. But, he surprised me and built our family's arc as well! It is such a treasure. If the house was burning down, I would somehow find a way to strap both my Cedar Chest (which he built me when I was 16), and that arc to my back and save them from the flames. I am so grateful for my parents and their sacrifice and service. They give so much, and do so much, and are wonderful examples.<br />
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I will forever cherish the memories of Christmas 2015. I had a sweet newborn, my loved ones around me, and a quiet little Texas Christmas. <br />
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-12394479154560067482016-01-05T17:40:00.000-08:002016-01-18T08:46:01.821-08:00Grady's Newborns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of my goals was to try out a newborn shoot with my new little man! Although he was a little older than two weeks by the time I got around to taking them, I still feel like they capture his sweetness. He is my angel baby. It is fun to look back and think about what Cal was like as a newborn, and these two are different in every way - looks and attitude.</div>
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Although I am quickly remembering what sleep deprivation feels like, and have turned into a messy-bunned diaper-changing, baby-feeding, sweats-wearing zombie...I love it. It's hard, but so so worth it.</div>
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-91497808979529916612015-12-18T08:49:00.001-08:002016-01-18T08:45:54.484-08:00Grady Decker FolsomAfter 40 weeks and 6 days of waiting, our little boy finally made his appearance!<br />
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I had been desperately hoping for a VBAC. Cal's birth was incredibly traumatizing, with 24 hours of labor that ended in a C-section. Needless to say, it was chaotic and stressful, and the recovery took months and months. I wanted to experience something that was the complete opposite, and in my mind that would only happen through having a VBAC.<br />
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Three weeks before the due date, I was dilated to a 3. By two weeks before I was dilated to a 4! Things were looking so promising, and Ryan and I felt like a baby was around the corner. Contractions began off and on, and we were sure this boy was coming early. Especially since my body had never progressed that far on its own with Cal.<br />
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The due date was a few days away, and we knew our best chances of a successful VBAC quickly diminish after the due date. So I walked all over, did acupuncture, took oils, ate funky foods, stripped my membranes, did anything to convince this baby it was time to come! But, my due date came and went, and we were soon closing in on 41 weeks, where things start getting scary.<br />
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At my last doctors appointment, we scheduled the C-section to happen two days later, on the 16th of December. I left that appointment with such a heavy heart. I was filled with many conflicting emotions. I was so happy I knew the very day my baby would join our little family, but was left wondering why? Why was something Ryan and I had been praying and longing for, and having hope in, not working out? Why did every friend before me seem to have the delivery they had hoped for - yet I wasn't? I wasn't bitter, but felt confused and disheartened. <br />
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The morning of the 16th came. It was surreal, and I felt so odd. I showered and did my hair and makeup, spent a typical morning with Ryan, Cal and my mom, then we left for the hospital. I remember telling Ryan, "This is weird. It's like we are ordering a baby and going to pick it up." It was so beyond what I had pictured in my mind for all those months leading up to it. I wanted to be giddy and excited, but it didn't seem real!<br />
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I was prepped and ready for the C-section between the hours of 10:30-12:30, was visited by my OB Dr. Haun and the anesthesiologist, then it was time to make our way to the operating room! At this point, I was so scared. Memories of my first experience came flooding in, and panic started to overtake me. But, the doctors were encouraging and kind as they started prepping for surgery, and Ryan spoke calming words as he stroked my hair and held my hand. Soon, they had lowered the drape and said, "it's baby time!" I saw them pull the baby out, and was overcome with emotion. He was here safely, and he was mine! With Cal, I wasn't able to see him be born, wasn't able to actually see him for hours after, was completely loopy on drugs, and wasn't able to hold or feed him for days after that. With this sweet babe, I saw him from the very beginning. I saw his first breath, heard his first cry, and got to hold him immediately. I was overwhelmed with gratitude, and filled with awe as I held and kissed and loved on this perfect baby boy.<br />
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He weighed 8lbs 6oz and measured 20 3/4 inches long, what a big boy! It turns out he was in the same position Cal was in during labor - the Asynclitic position, where their head would not engage with my pelvis and probably would never have engaged in order to induce labor. It seems like my babies just can't be born in any way but a C-section because of my pelvis, which brought me total peace. There is nothing I could have done differently, and this C-section experience was absolutely perfect. He was here, he was healthy, I was present and aware, and it was such a sweet moment.<br />
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Ryan, baby and I were taken to the recovery area. It was such a peaceful, sacred time as just the three of us.<br />
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Cal and Grandma Thompson came to visit, and poor Cal was not impressed. He doesn't quite get whats happening, and was confused why his mom was loving on a new baby. But, we know he will warm up in the next few months! They are going to be great friends!<br />
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Since his birth, we chose the name Grady Decker Folsom. We have liked the name for a few months, but knew for sure it was supposed to be Grady when we met him. Grady is an old Irish name meaning "noble" - and we hope he walks tall and proud, and full of integrity. Decker is a family name on my side, with an incredible history. We can't wait to teach him about his ancestry, and to learn more about it together.<br />
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Now, we are hoping for his bilirubin levels to decrease. At birth they were at a 3, at 12 hours they rose to 9, and at 24 hours they rose to 12. They said moving close to level 20 could pose problems associated with brain damage, so we have held him under bili lights for the last 24 hours non-stop. His levels have stayed at 12, and we are hoping they decrease quickly in order to take him home at last. <br />
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Little Grady has nestled his way deeper and deeper into our hearts, and we can't imagine life without him.<br />
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-19170741591086936552015-11-29T11:17:00.000-08:002016-01-18T08:45:45.830-08:00Cal's Favorite Pal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ryan and Cal have such a sweet relationship. Sometimes I see Cal as Ryan's mini-me, since they have so much in common when it comes to personality and sense of humor. I wanted to make sure and include the every day pictures of these two, and make sure we remember the little moments that Cal and Ryan shared together. Life will definitely change for all of us when this new baby joins our family, but I hope Cal still feels like Daddy's best pal. </div>
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-53067310420702037472015-11-29T11:05:00.002-08:002016-01-18T08:45:38.095-08:00More Maternity & Cal's 18 Month PicturesFirst a little on my mind: <br />
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Lately I have felt like there are many things I'd like to learn, or do, or become better at, and find myself feeling overwhelmed with inadequacy. Or, I feel curious about so many things but can never just start somewhere and begin. I like to see the end from the beginning and to see every step in my mind ahead of time before jumping into something, which is wise in some cases but really holds me back in others.<br />
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So, one of the things I would like to become better at is taking pictures with a wonderful camera Ryan got me a couple of years ago. I was interested, realized I wasn't that great, lost interest, and almost forgot about it. But, I had the desire a few weeks ago to learn how to take a great picture for my own maternity shots, Cal's 18 month shots, and newborn shots. Ryan encouraged me to read, be curious, and jump in all the way - so I did! <br />
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On a sunny afternoon I put on some makeup (shocker!) and threw on an outfit, Ryan got home earlier than usual, we drove up the street and started playing around with the camera's settings. We were so happy with the results! It gave me a little confidence boost, so we decided to go for it and try out a few of Cal, then of his friend Emma. It has been so fun to see studying, reading, and giving it a try paying off! I know I'll never be an expert or even close, but it is nice to know that I am improving. Now, the next step is to learn how to edit! <br />
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Maternity:<br />
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Cal's Shots:<br />
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I have been keeping an online journal of Cal since he turned 1, and have a daily diary of memories for him as well, but feel like I need to add a little blurb in the blog. Cal is actually almost 19 months, and has been learning incredibly fast. He has too many words to list, has a fiery temper and is insanely independent. I am proud of his curiosity and wonder, but it is also very trying at times. He wants to be a part of every detail, and help with every little thing, and being due in just a week makes it a little difficult sometimes to take the extra time for tasks (like holding him up to help me flip pancakes for example). <br />
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He has high high's, and low low's, but overall Cal is such a joy to be around. He makes us laugh all throughout the day by the words he surprises us with, or the songs he sings, even the noises he makes when he plays alone with his cars. Every night before we go to bed, we walk into his room and watch him sleep for just a minute or two. We go to bed with our hearts bursting with gratitude for the sleeping toddler, and although we are ecstatic he is finally asleep, we can't wait to hear his little voice first thing in the morning. We love this boy.<br />
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-61078260277201130712015-11-13T20:12:00.001-08:002016-01-18T08:45:29.612-08:00Cal & Emma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It would be a shame not to document the cuteness that is Emma and Cal. They have been buddies since Cal was two months old. Jessica and I used to swap babysitting so we could exercise, and that meant spending almost three afternoons a week together for six months! Our little babies feel more like siblings, and I think they assume they are brother/sister too. They are the best frenemies around, and I can bribe Cal to do anything if I say we are going to pick up Emma, or play at Emma's house. He loves her, and she is becoming a sweet older sister to him too. We always laugh about how one day, when we have long since finished medical school and moved on with our lives, that we will beg them to meet up at BYU and rekindle their long lost friendship. Sometimes those things really do work out! Other times...not so much (and I know from firsthand experience!). </div>
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-72054086028202867392015-11-13T19:58:00.000-08:002016-01-18T08:45:21.247-08:00Baby Folsom #2 ShowerI have the greatest friends. It has been a blast to throw the past couple baby showers for some dear friends having their second baby, but I must say I felt pretty special on the night of mine. Two of my gal pals, Jessica and Brooke, went above and beyond to make it the perfect night. We all met up in the evening at my new favorite restaurant (La Panaderia), had the whole place to ourselves, chatted and laughed, had free dessert brought out by the owners along with my own special box of cookies, and then went on to open some of the cutest presents I have ever seen!<br />
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Moving to San Antonio was a scary experience at first. I was overwhelmed at the idea of making new friends, and felt really inadequate when it came to being myself and having confidence that others would actually want to get to know me. I have been overwhelmed by the support of so many girls, and we truly are becoming family. Whenever we talk about the last year of medical school, we see it as being bitter sweet. It will be SO hard to say goodbye to people I can call my sisters, and kids that I can call my own. Ryan and I feel so lucky to have experienced developing such meaningful, lasting friendships.Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-9570405487681734892015-11-04T11:27:00.001-08:002016-01-18T08:45:12.913-08:00Buzz Lightyear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cal's love of buzz started back in September, when he found this little spinny buzz man at a store in disney world:</div>
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Then, after a few times of watching Toy Story with the spinny buzz in hand, his buzz fetish continued. It wasn't until Ryan's brother, Rob, sent us their son's old buzz costume that he truly became 100% obsessed. This was his first time seeing himself, and he was mesmerized: </div>
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So, naturally, we HAD to coordinate for Halloween! I had fun figuring out how to sew a little woody vest for Ryan, and he secretly (ok, not so secretly) loved being a cowboy. And I chose the oh-so-exciting 8 ball, to show off my new curves ;) </div>
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We had such a fun time at the ward trunk-or-treat! It was amazing how creative people are. One of my favorites was our friends the Lelegrens, who dressed up their cute little daughter in a dinosaur costume and dressed up like the original Jurassic Park cast. They nailed it. </div>
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35 weeks, large and in charge!</div>
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And then, Halloween night, we took Cal out way past his bed time to try out trick-or-treating in a fun neighborhood. All of the homes were completely decked out, and there were kids crawling all over the streets. Although he would hand us his bucket full of candy and chase dogs most of the time, I think he enjoyed it! </div>
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Here's a pic of some of Cal's little buddies all dressed up:</div>
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I am so excited for Halloween next year! It truly is such a blast with little imaginative kids. </div>
Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-6646543160303373972015-11-01T11:46:00.000-08:002016-01-18T08:45:04.194-08:00Mimi & Grandpa Folsom <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Most of the time, Ryan and I wear a brave face and say we do just fine on our own in Texas. And for the most part, we do! But, when we are reminded of how absolutely wonderful it is to have family around, we feel the desire to get back to Medford as soon as possible, and get a little down about being states away. </div>
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I grew up as the youngest grandchild, and never made the lasting memories my older siblings treasure about my grandparents. I don't want these next few years or even decades to put our kids in the same situation. They are beyond blessed to have incredible grandparents on both sides of the family. It was so fun to have Ryan's parents all to ourselves for maybe the first time, and to spend every minute of the day talking, and learning, laughing (and of course eating :P) together. Cal was mesmerized by his new best friends, and was overjoyed to find that they were sticking around for a little while. I loved having sweet Mindy as a playground buddy and always appreciate Dave and his unique ability to have meaningful conversations. </div>
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It was a packed 21/2 days of fun, and waking up to an empty house again put me in a sad place. Our siblings who live nearby our parents are extremely lucky to have such a positive influence and incredible support in their own backyard. We love Mimi and Grandpa Folsom, and look forward to the next time we can be together. </div>
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075475641890217968.post-42116627529185148892015-10-06T11:37:00.001-07:002016-01-18T08:44:57.453-08:00Maternity PhotosMy dear friend Ashleigh is a multi-talented girl. Business savvy, has an eye for photography, and is always offering to "practice" on me, when I don't think she needs much practice - she's just nice enough to take some beautiful pictures for me.<br />
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There's a funny story behind these shots. I wasn't terribly far along, maybe 18 weeks or something, but we really wanted to try for some maternity shots since we were altogether in Denver. So, in order to get my belly to really stick out, I drank a TON of water, ate a big meal, wore a tight dress and pushed my stomach out during each picture hehehe and, sadly it worked! <br />
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Granted I am MUCH bigger now, these will probably be the only nice shots I have the whole pregnancy, and I wanted to share them. <br />
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(check Ashleigh's work out at http://www.redaspenphotography.com/)<br />
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Ryan and Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996986819921654665noreply@blogger.com1