tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30501113075653481662024-03-13T08:52:55.480-07:00Little Sign, and MoreBethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-51785835788114767472016-03-22T13:56:00.002-07:002016-03-22T14:24:04.383-07:00Learning More ASL<img src="http://store.signingtime.com/resize?po=http%3a%2f%2f87ac71be86359ee0e845-497e2b888dc60fc50f26a7bb2c3959a7.r83.cf1.rackcdn.com%2fST_Sentence_1.jpg&lr=t&bw=1000&w=1000&bh=1000&h=1000" height="320" width="320" /><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's so fun when signing with your little one sparks a desire to learn more American Sign Language. I was hooked after learning the alphabet and a few songs from my Kindergarten teacher! One of the reasons I picked Biola for my undergrad was because they offered ASL courses to meet my foreign language requirement. One of my good friends and I had so much fun doing "silent" coffee dates to practice signing together. :) </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you're looking for a way to learn more beyond <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/sign-language-for-babies/" target="_blank">Baby Signing Time</a>, there are a lot of options...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1)</b> <b>You can check out a local community college. </b>The benefit here is being able to see the signs and practice them in person. If your professor is deaf or teaches with their "voice off," you get more of an "immersion" experience. You're able to see many peoples' signing styles, and can be corrected if you're signing something wrong without meaning to. You can ask questions, get feedback, and even learn more about deaf culture in your area. Plus, you'll likely be challenged with assignments that get you out of your comfort zone by visiting deaf events in your area so you can REALLY practice. :) (Deaf people are incredibly gracious and friendly--and are happy to see hearing people learning their language--so you don't have to worry about striking up a conversation!)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2)</b> <b>Take a course online. </b>Right now I'm taking a course through </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://signingonline.com/" target="_blank">Signing Online</a> </b>for my Advanced Signing Time Instructor certification.<span style="background-color: white;"> (I'm currently certified to teach 0-5 year olds, but this "upgrade" will allow me to teach all ages, as well as train teachers on how to teach and use ASL in their classrooms.) The lessons are quick, and my 4 1/2 year old daughter daughter even loves doing the quizzes with me. They're $75 per course, and they can count for high school or college credits. I like that I can do these during Ellie's quiet times or after she's in bed, and can learn ASL in my pajamas!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>3)</b> <b>Utilize the many resources available to you</b>. One of my favorite websites is<b> <a href="http://www.lifeprint.com/" target="_blank">LifePrint</a></b>. It's run by Dr. Bill Vicars, an ASL professor at California State University, and it has a wealth of information and resources on signs, ASL grammar, and deaf culture. You can start with his <a href="http://lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/concepts.htm" target="_blank">First 100 Signs</a>, or jump right into </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">his <a href="http://lifeprint.com/asl101/lessons/lessons.htm" target="_blank">30 FREE lessons</a>! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The other resource I of course LOVE for learning to sign on your own is <b><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/" target="_blank">Signing Time</a>!</b> Yes, the episodes and songs are designed for 1-8 year olds, but that just means they're easy to learn from! :) Get that library card if you don't have one already, and search for Signing Time DVDs in your local library's online catalog. That way you can place the different volumes on hold to pick up at your nearest library. (You can also purchase favorite episodes from me, but the library is a great way to "try before you buy.") Note that there are 13 volumes in Series 1, and 13 volumes in Series 2, and they can be watched in any order (though I'd recommend sticking to Series 1 first and then moving to Series 2). Also, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">some PBS stations are still airing Signing Time (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">d</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">epending on where you live)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Series 2 currently has clips on Netflix! <i><b>And don't forget you can get Series 1 Volume 13 for free--just scroll to the bottom of <a href="http://www.littlesignandmore.blogspot.com/2015/09/1st-day-of-pre-k-plus-free-volume-of.html" target="_blank">this post</a> for the link!</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Hint: Check out the Signing Time <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/resources/activities/" target="_blank">Progress Charts</a> or the </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/tlh_buyers_guide/" target="_blank">Buyer's Guide</a> to find which signs are taught in each volume.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once you've learned the 1,000+ vocabulary signs taught in the Signing Time episodes, you can learn ASL <i>grammar </i>from their new series, <b><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/new-signing-time-sentences-lets-get-started/" target="_blank">Signing Time Sentences</a>!</b> The first volume teaches you how to introduce yourself in ASL, ask questions, how to fingerspell, use classifiers, and a bunch more. I love how Hopkins the Frog rearranges English sentences on the screen to show what they would be in ASL. Plus I love that it has two play modes--one where Leah's voice is off. And of course it's not Signing Time without some catchy songs written by Rachel and her dad! Rachel, Alex, and Leah are currently filming the second ST Sentences episode, and the third one has started funding. So exciting! <i style="font-weight: bold;">View a preview of the first episode <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o23Zq9CMNN0" target="_blank">here</a>. </i>(B</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">ecause it's still new, I haven't seen it in libraries yet, but you can email me to order a copy.) </span><br />
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<b style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">More Resources...</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are many other things out there that can help you learn to sign. It always helps to check a few resources when learning a new sign so you can learn the different variations, or find out which one is most commonly used. More websites I like for looking up signs (other than <a href="http://www.lifeprint.com/">www.lifeprint.com</a>) are <a href="http://www.signingsavvy.com/">www.signingsavvy.com</a>, <a href="http://www.handspeak.com/">www.handspeak.com</a>, and of course... </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary">www.signingtime.com/dictionary</a>. Some books are helpful tools for learning ASL grammar as well, but because it's hard to learn a sign just from a picture and description, I'd just use that as a supplement. Make sure to read the reviews, and also double check to make sure it's ASL and not SEE (Signed Exact English). I used "Signing Naturally" in college, and another friend used "A Basic Course American Sign Language" for her college course.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well there you have it! </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope this helps you along your signing journey, and remember that I love hearing how it's coming along! Shoot me an email or post on the<a href="http://www.facebook.com/littlesignofmine" target="_blank"> Little Sign of Mine Facebook page</a>. :) Feel free to comment below with your tips on learning to sign, too.</span>Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-33940744794689296852015-12-03T18:32:00.000-08:002016-03-22T14:08:38.487-07:00You Know You're TTC When...Well this has been in my draft for ages and I thought it was about time I finished it! It started off small and then I've just been adding to it as things have come to me... Have anything to add??<br />
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This is for every woman who can relate (whether past or present)--no matter your story. <3<br />
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<u>You Know You're Trying to Conceive When...</u><br />
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1) You've become familiar with all the acronyms. (TTC = Trying to Conceive, DPO = Days Past Ovulation, AF = Aunt Flow, BFN = Big Fat Negative, BFP = Big Fat Postive, BBT = Basal Body Temperature, IUI = Intrauterine Insemination, CM = Cervical Mucus, etc.)<br />
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2) You've become a pro at all the ways to pinpoint your ovulation.<br />
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3) You stock up on pregnancy tests and ovulation kits at the Dollar Tree.<br />
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4) You have a thermometer on your nightstand. (And BBT charts on your phone or paper nearby!)<br />
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5) You pop prenatal vitamins daily. (And maybe a few jillion other vitamins recommended by your doc)<br />
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6) Your fertility doctor's number is under Favorites on your phone.<br />
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7) Half of your month is spent not drinking alcohol or taking meds JUST IN CASE.<br />
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8) You have notes and folded over pages in your copy of "What to Expect BEFORE You're Expecting" (or any other TTC book).<br />
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9) You follow other #ttcsisters on Instagram. (Or even have your own TTC instagram account.)<br />
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10) You've tried things you never thought you would--like acupuncture! Anything for baby, right??<br />
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11) You've learned 10x more than your 5th grade sex-ed class ever taught you on how babies were made. (Anyone learn the size of a mature follicle before it releases its egg back then??)<br />
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12) You notice ANY little symptom that could hint at pregnancy.<br />
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13) You count ahead to see what month your baby would be born if you got pregnant this cycle.<br />
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14) You know (all too well) the emotional roller coaster that happens each month of hope, waiting, and disappointment (then back to hope and waiting again)! Oh how important that hope is...<br />
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15) Your amount of doctor's appointments, lab tests, etc. have you feeling like TTC is your full time job.<br />
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16) Your wallet's HURTING...<br />
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17) At least you've scored one (or several) of Target's "5% off entire purchase" coupons from the amount of prescriptions you've filled at their pharmacy.<br />
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18) You hear of a friend's morning sickness or other pregnancy hardship and wish you could experience that, too (since it would mean a baby is on the way!)<br />
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19) You've learned all the things NOT to say to someone who's TTC (from hearing them yourself from well-meaning acquaintances).<br />
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20) You discover just how many others are struggling to get pregnant, and realize--you're not alone. <3Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-4993835283562609492015-09-01T11:15:00.003-07:002016-03-22T14:08:59.740-07:001st Day of Pre-K (Plus a FREE volume of Signing Time!!)"Oh my gosh, it's happening... Like right now, this is it!" I excitedly whispered to my husband as Ellie held up her "1st Day of Pre-K" sign proudly, unicorn backpack strapped to her back.<br />
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We had lived up this past summer. I especially wanted to make the most of each day together, knowing these days weren't forever, and I kept tucking away little moments in my heart. We excitedly counted down the days to September 1st (with alphabet cookies and everything), when Ellie would get to start her first official day of "real" school.<br />
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We searched high and low for the perfect little backpack (yay for Skip-Hop!). We hit up Carter's for the first day of school outfit. I even got a new lunchbox for E, even though she wouldn't be needing it at school just yet. (Can you tell I love this whole school thing??)<br />
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We got a postcard from her teacher, and she eagerly wrote a letter back. <br />
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We went to see the new classroom and meet her teacher (even scoped out the bathroom), and talked all about what school would be like. I asked if she would want her to teacher to call her Ellie or Elizabeth, and she decided on Elizabeth. :)<br />
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We got "first day of school" books from the library, and read her favorite Berenstain Bears one again, too ("The Berenstain Bears Go to School").<br />
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I printed out the classic sign for her to hold for pictures, and got her morning routine all ready so she could practice a few times before the big day.<br />
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Then last night arrived--we laid out her clothes, made sure her backpack was ready, and went to bed.<br />
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When my alarm went off this morning, I smiled thinking, "It's really here... Ellie's first day of school." I got myself ready before she was up, and David whipped up the pancake batter. I had some playdough on the table for her to play with when she got up, and spelled out a special note for me "I LUV YOU." :)<br />
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She was so surprised when we started singing "Happy 1st Day of School to You," and brought out the special red plate with a candle for her to make a wish. (She wished we could go to Sky High again--since we'd just closed out our summer break with it yesterday.)<br />
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I couldn't resist making "Pre K" pancakes, since my mom got me this fun pancake pen a while back that's been just too fun. And I really wanted to make this day special for her. I love family traditions, and I always loooved back to school as a kid (just ask my mom), so this mama has seriously been beyond excited for this big event.<br />
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Ellie asked a few times how many more minutes it was till school, so we didn't need to ask twice when it was time for her to put on her shoes and get her backpack. As David helped her into her backpack, it just became that much more real. Kind of like when you first find out you're pregnant, but it doesn't really hit you until you see that little gummy bear in the ultrasound and hear their little heartbeat?? <br />
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So as we handed her the sign and I saw her beaming at me through the camera's viewfinder, my heart just melted. It was happening. Her first day of school was here. And I couldn't be more proud.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking to school from our house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We cracked up that she even drew a little picture of herself above her name. (Right above the second L)</td></tr>
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The first thing the students do is get a book from the bookshelf and sit on the rug to look at it quietly. She asked me where the books were, so I walked her over, helped her pick out an I Spy book, and then she was good to go. :)<br />
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David and I walked back to the house together (we're just 3 minutes away--love it!), and it felt so weird being in there without Ellie. After I kissed him goodbye and he left for work, I sat down on the couch and thought... now what? It feels so strange not having my chatty little buddy at home with me, asking constantly, "Mommy, would you like to play with me?" <br />
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I'm looking forward to the days I'll have where I'm not teaching classes where I'll get to just run errands quickly or get some house cleaning done, or work on Little Sign of Mine stuff, or exercise. But it's definitely going to take time to adjust! I always thought I'd have some one-on-one time with our next little one while Ellie was at school, so there's a sad emptiness there... But I'm grateful for each season God is giving us, and I'm ready to go make the most of it.<br />
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<br />
I love that Ellie's class will be practicing the alphabet in sing language--that was how I first came across my love for signing (in Kindergarten)! I absolutely love how signing helps little ones learn and remember so many things. <br />
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<img alt="Signing Time Welcome to School" src="http://c76914bab1f7d167f391-0dc1ec8821656d2c81c32a75d140ddff.r47.cf1.rackcdn.com/welcome-to-school.jpg" height="380" width="400" /><br />
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So I'm excited to share that <b>Signing Time is giving away a FREE episode</b>!!!! No loopholes or gimmicks, it's just yours!! "Welcome to School" is Volume 13 from their first Signing Time series, and you can get it for free by entering your name and email here: <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/free-video/">http://www.signingtime.com/free-video/</a><br />
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One of the best things about this video is it has the ABCs at the end after the credits (which is how Ellie learned her ABCs before she was two!). And even while Ellie was still one, we used a ton of signs from this video--like CRAYONS, PAPER, CHAIR, TABLE, NAME, PAY ATTENTION (when I would say, "Look at mama's eyes"), QUIET, READ, REST, PAINT, DRAW, and so many more! Plus I love the song, "Hello Backpack." :) <br />
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Hope you'll enjoy it as much as we have!!Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-4516694150742052692015-08-24T10:51:00.003-07:002015-08-24T13:21:01.497-07:00My Babysteps to Losing 30 Pounds in 8 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't know what was different about this January. For the past two years I'd wanted to get healthier to work off the 20 pounds I'd unknowingly gained. <br />
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It felt slightly New-Year's-resolution-ish, but I think that just seeing more and more pictures of myself and realizing how much I'd gained, I knew I wanted to do SOMETHING. Either way, I just decided to START.<br />
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For me it was all about the <b>babysteps</b>. If I was going to create a more healthy and lasting <i>lifestyle, </i>I knew it wouldn't happen overnight.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">P.S. I pretty much went through my Instagram to remember what my journey was like--if you want to see more food pics, etc. my Insta is @bethanyjanae, and I'm going to go through and add the hashtag #bethanyshealthyliving</span></i><br />
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I'd somehow come across <a href="http://www.blogilates.com/" target="_blank">Blogilates</a> on Instagram, and decided to join in on a simple <a href="http://www.blogilates.com/blog/2014/12/29/30-day-flat-abs-challenge/" target="_blank">"30 Day Flat Abs Challenge"</a> (a quick daily workout calendar that I often did just before jumping into bed). I started doing some other workouts on the Blogilates <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a>, and didn't want to ruin that with eating crummy food. <br />
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I also read this: <b>"Weight loss is.... 80%
what you eat, 10% training, 10% genetics."</b><br />
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I'd never heard that before, and was shocked at how much food had to do with weight loss!! <br />
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So I started buying more fruits and veggies at the grocery store and looking up snack and recipe ideas on the Blogilates website and on Pinterest. I also reached out to friends for their fav healthy snacks, and made another attempt to shop at places like Trader Joe's and Sprouts (fortunately we moved down the street from both of these, which made that much easier to do!!)<br />
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I started being more<b> intentional about food</b> in general and making healthier choices, like these -<br />
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-Instead of endless potato chips... A few veggie or sweet potato chips.<br />
-Instead of syrup with high fructose corn syrup... 100% Maple syrup.<br />
-Instead of white rice... Quinoa.<br />
-Instead of Goldfish... Snapea Crisps.<br />
-Instead of white bread... Whole wheat (or Ezekiel) bread.<br />
-Instead of white pasta... Quinoa or whole wheat pasta.<br />
-Instead of cereal and milk... Oatmeal.<br />
-Instead of sugar... Stevia in the Raw, Agave, or Raw honey.<br />
-Instead of margarine... Kerrygold butter.<br />
-Instead of sour cream... Plain Greek yogurt.<br />
-Instead of ground beef... Ground turkey.<br />
-Instead of Ranch dressing... Olive oil and vinaigrette.<br />
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I also started looking more at ingredients before putting things in my shopping cart. I especially looked for things <b>without added sugar</b>--like in peanut butter or spaghetti sauce.<br />
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It might sound silly too, but it was also super helpful for me to stop following my favorite baking blogs on Instagram (I love making cupcakes and cakes), or other food bloggers with tantalizing things that are only good for the taste buds! Instead I started following accounts that would inspire me health-wise and keep me on track!<br />
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Here are some of my <b>fav Instagram accounts</b> to follow that keep me motivated and give me great ideas for food (first 6 are pictured above and are tagged on my Instagram):<br />
@toneitup (and @karenakatrina), @blogilates, @livylovestorun, @cleaneats_cleantreats, @yogalynzi, @hellodayblog, @simplysadiejane, @caliabycarrie<br />
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I came across those first two accounts mentioned when I kept coming across the hashtag #tiuteam or #tiugirl. So when I looked that up, I found <a href="http://toneitup.com/" target="_blank">Tone It Up</a> (another fitness and health brand). I started adding in some of their workouts, would snag more recipes from their website, and would watch their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/ToneItUpcom" target="_blank">YouTube videos </a>with their nutrition tips and snack ideas.<br />
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The other thing that made a huge difference for me was when I joined <b>Tone It Up</b> in April, right when they were kicking off their <a href="http://www.shoptoneitup.com/collections/bundles" target="_blank">8 week Bikini Series</a> (it was a one-time purchase of $150 for the membership and has been completely worth it!!). Tone It Up was started by two besties, Karena and Katrina, who both have backgrounds in health and fitness. I learned sooo much from their <a href="http://www.shoptoneitup.com/pages/nutrition-plan" target="_blank">nutrition plan</a>. I loved how they "combine exercise with the right nutrients at the right time of the day, to boost energy levels and your metabolism." (They also have an awesome and informative book out called <a href="http://www.target.com/p/tone-it-up-28-days-to-fit-fierce-and-fabulous-by-karena-dawn-katrina-scott-paperback/-/A-17179063" target="_blank">28 Days to Fierce, Fit, and Fabulous</a> that you can snag at Target for $17.)<br />
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They recommend 5 meals a day (breakfast, mid morning snack, lunch, mid afternoon snack, and dinner), and had awesome recipes for each of those meals that helped so much. Being a member in time for the Bikini Series, I got 8 full weeks of grocery lists, meal plans, recipes, and workout schedules all laid out for me. It was glorious. A guy at Trader Joe's asked me where I got my awesome book (I'd printed out all the pages and had hubby bind it for me), and my response was, "Wellllllllll, first you have to become a Tone It Up girl." He said he'd have his wife look into it... ;)<br />
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I've also loved the mantra sprinkled all throughout Tone It Up that has guided my grocery shopping and eating for these past 8 months... <b>"Lean, Clean, and Green." </b>Lean proteins, clean foods and ingredients, and lots of veggies and nutrient-dense foods. It's made all the difference!!<br />
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<u>All in all, the main things I've tried to put into practice since January include...</u><br />
*Drinking lots of <b>water. </b>(Take your body weight, divide in half, then drink that many ounces per day.)<br />
*Making <b>sleep </b>a priority.<br />
*<b>Writing things down</b> like workouts, water intake, hours of sleep, mealtimes, that day's weight, etc. (I didn't keep this up, but it helped me with getting on track.)<br />
*<b>Taking pictures of my plates</b> (it made me think about what I was putting on it, and gave me ideas of what to eat later). I even made albums in my phone for Plate Pics and Progress Pics!<br />
*Getting <b>accountability.</b><br />
*Being <b>intentional </b>about <b>what </b>I was eating, and <b>when</b>--like not eating fruit or starches after 3pm, and trying not to eat past 8pm.<br />
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There's also nothing more motivating than getting new workout clothes, a Fitbit, a new kettlebell, or even a fun new water bottle. :)<br />
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I've loved my <a href="https://www.fitbit.com/store#chargehr" target="_blank">Fitbit Charge HR</a> (it even vibrates when I'm getting a phone call and shows the person's name and number on the tiny screen!), and the Fitbit app that it sincs with is awesome, too. <br />
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The other app I highly recommend is <b>My Fitness Pal</b>. Plugging in the food I ate for a few days helped me realize how many calories I was taking in, and helped me with portion control. It also shows my weight loss progress, and it has a circle graph that shows my daily breakdown of consumed protein, carbs, fiber, sugar, fat, etc. So helpful to know what I'm putting in my body so I can be more intentional about it!<br />
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<b>In my first two months of making changes, I lost 10 pounds.</b> It was really encouraging seeing a before and after in pictures, wearing the same clothes. (I wouldn't have seen the difference as much otherwise!) I had fun doing daily weigh-ins cause it kept me more accountable and motivated me to keep going as I saw the numbers go down.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right pic was after I'd lost 20 lbs (After 4 1/2 mos)</td></tr>
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Whenever I had a special occasion or went on vacation, I made sure to enjoy food without feeling guilty. I was still intentional, and still ate healthy in general, but I let myself have treats.<br />
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It might sound cliche, but I really feel like I've striven to keep it all about <b>balance</b>, being <b>intentional</b>, and practicing <b>moderation</b>. I still love my chocolate, and enjoy at least a square of dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) each day. I don't feel bad eating half a slice of cake at a birthday party--and I don't feel bad throwing away the other half either. I might skip out on the side of potatoes at a restaurant, but have 3 slices of French bread. :) And if I'm having wine I just have one glass.<br />
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My goal was to make sure what I was doing was <b>manageable</b>, and that it wasn't so much a diet as it was a <b>lifestyle</b>. And though I've exercised more often than I ever have before, I'm still not that consistent. It's mostly been about the food, and I can't believe that in the process I've lost 30 pounds!! It just keeps coming off, and I'm still not sure when it'll plateau. (Right now my goal is just maintaining this current weight.) I hit my pre-Ellie weight and then some (the last time I was this weight was 5 years ago!), and it feels great. I even fit into my wedding dress again!! <br />
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I really didn't know I had it in me, and it's felt really good to see my progress and to see how much I've accomplished. I feel healthy, I actually like getting dressed now (and shopping for clothes!), and most of all I feel great knowing I'm setting a positive and healthy example for my little Peanut.<br />
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Now if only I could get pregnant so I could gain all that weight back... ;)Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-5490355307591222672015-08-04T01:07:00.000-07:002015-08-04T01:07:00.346-07:00Youngest Number One Fan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I still can't believe this happened, and I don't want to forget any of it (especially so we can help Ellie remember it), so I'm writing it all down! (As in novel status... you've been warned!)<br />
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Remember last year when David and I got to go to the huge CMA Fest in Nashville?? (By the way, the 2015 CMA Fest is airing on ABC tonight, Aug. 4 at 8pm.) Well we had pulled together a playlist of our favorite songs from each of the nights, and Ellie (3 years old at the time) immediately latched on to the song, "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/news/chainsaw-music-video-80886#gallery" target="_blank">Chainsaw</a>," by The Band Perry. Being at the LP Field in Nashville was the first time David and I had seen them perform, and let me tell you, they killed it!! Such an energetic, powerful, and fun show--those second row seats were somethin' else...<br />
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So anyway, we would always laugh because 9 out of 10 times that we'd get in the car, Ellie would inevitably ask, "Mommy, can you put on 'Chainsaw?'" Yeah, the girl was obsessed... And she loves when I sign (yep sign, not sing--lol) along to songs cause it helps her know what words they're saying. So she started knowing all the words and it was just too darn cute watching her sing and sign along in the rearview mirror. We'd also turn up "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/news/official-music-video-better-dig-two-band-perry-48299" target="_blank">Better Dig Two</a>," (yup, that has led to some interesting conversations, hehe!!), and "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/news/dont-let-me-be-lonely-exclusively-cmt-today-video" target="_blank">Don't Let Me Be Lonely</a>,"<br />
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This past Fall, David and I went on a double date to see Blake Shelton and The Band Perry, and Ellie asked us to video, "Chainsaw" for her. I can't even count how many times she watched that video... After this show we also added songs like "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/news/gentle-my-mind-89676#gallery" target="_blank">Gentle on My Mind</a>," "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/news/official-music-video-done-48298" target="_blank">Done</a>," and "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/music/albums" target="_blank">All Your Life</a>," to our playlist, cause Ellie couldn't get enough of The Band Perry, and mama needed some new tunes so I didn't go crazy. :)<br />
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Needless to say, she has become quite the number 1 fan, and this mama couldn't be prouder. :) We joke that liking country music is a deal breaker in this family, but let's be real--it ain't no joke. So it looks like we'll keep her...<br />
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Fast forward to this summer, and with the OC Fair coming to town we thought we'd check out which country artists were going to be playing at the Pacific Amphitheater. As soon as we saw that The Band Perry was coming, we knew that A) we had to go, and B) we had to bring Ellie.<br />
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So the week of the concert, we made Ellie a card to surprise her with the tickets, and I posted a 15 second clip from this video of her finding out on <a href="https://instagram.com/p/5YfftqtHlK/?taken-by=bethanyjanae" target="_blank">my Instagram</a> (around the 45 second mark)...<br />
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I had tagged <a href="https://instagram.com/thebandperry/" target="_blank">@thebandperry</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/thekimberlyperry/" target="_blank">Kimberly</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/neilperry/" target="_blank">Neil</a>, and <a href="https://instagram.com/thereidperry/" target="_blank">Reid</a>'s personal accounts, too...<br />
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The next night I'm at my hair salon and all of a sudden I see a notification pop up on my phone that said, "@thekimberlyperry commented on your video." My jaw just dropped... I immediately raced to <a href="https://instagram.com/p/5YfftqtHlK/?taken-by=bethanyjanae" target="_blank">the post</a> and read Ellie's FAVORITE singer's words: "Well this is just the sweetest thing I've ever seen! Made me all like <3 <3 <3. We'd love to meet you guys! Do you already have meet and greets??"<br />
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Noooooo waaaay..... I couldn't believe it!!!! I showed my hair dresser and she excitedly helped me write back.<br />
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Me: "Oh my goodness @thekimberlyperry!!!!!!!!! You are AMAZING!!!!!!! We don't have meet and greets but would LOVE meeting you!!! Our little Ellie would just be in absolute heaven. We dance and sing to your songs on repeat all the time ("Chainsaw" is her fav!!) Eek!!!!<br />
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KP: Ellie! What a cutie! Ok shoot me a contact email address for you guys and I'll have someone get in touch. 3 meet and greet passes?<br />
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I couldn't believe this was happening... And as if that weren't enough, Neil Perry also commented, "This is probably the cutest thing I've ever seen!" AND THEN THEY REPOSTED THE VIDEO TO <a href="https://instagram.com/p/5a8RZ4wAYs/?taken-by=thebandperry" target="_blank">THEIR OWN ACCOUNT</a>. Whaaat?!?!! Lol... With the caption, "Hip hip hurray," it quickly had 5,000 likes, and over 100 comments (including Reid Perry saying, "This hits me right in the feels."). :) I just kept laughing and thinking, "Is this for real??" I mean, things like this just don't happen. I've pretty much decided that between this and the CMT awards, I can no longer say I never win anything.<br />
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The next few days were spent buying poster board, coloring pictures for Kimberly, Neil, and Reid, shopping for a new dress for Ellie, and trying on her pink cowgirl boots we'd bought in Nashville to make sure they still fit. I asked if she wanted her hair in braids or down underneath her cowgirl hat, and she went with "braids--so I can look like a real cowgirl." Be still my country heart...<br />
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I had found two sweet dresses and let her pick which one she wanted to wear, and she went with the more "twirly" one. (Can you say all girl?) So we laid them out, David put the tickets on the fridge (in case we wanted to go ahead of him to hit some rides, and he'd join after work), and we excitedly went to bed.<br />
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The morning of the concert, I knew I needed to tire Ellie out--that way she'd take a nap in the afternoon and have an easier time staying up for the show. I was watching our friend's lil guy, so I strapped him into our stroller, Ellie hopped on her scooter, and we were off to the park. It was an awesome day, and the park did the trick. She had a great nap, and was even still asleep when David got home from work. Not a bad way to wake up to hearing, "You ready to go meet The Band Perry??" :)<br />
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"Where are the tickets?" David asked when he checked the fridge. "Oh, I put them straight in my wallet!" I answered. Didn't want to lose those bad boys.<br />
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David started loading up the car with snacks, sunscreen, jackets just in case, water, the poster, Ellie's pictures for the band, etc. while I finished braiding our cowgirl's hair. Grabbing my makeup bag to finish on the drive, we hopped in the car with plenty of time to get there, park, walk to the amphitheater, get the meet and greet tickets from will call, and find where to go for it all. Ellie put the finishing touches on her cards (heart-shaped gem stickers that she stuck in each "hand" in her pictures), and we were all beyond excited for the night ahead.<br />
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Pulling in to our parking spot, I ask David for my wallet so I could slip on some lipgloss. <br />
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"Huh? I don't have it." he says.<br />
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My heart stops.<br />
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"Wait, but it wasn't on the counter by the door, so I thought that meant you'd packed it!"<br />
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"No, when I asked you where the tickets were, I figured you had your wallet."<br />
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This was not happening... Such a classic, right??! The whole, we-forgot-the-tickets-at-home thing... But it was totally happening. So we quickly try to figure out what to do, and the only thing was to turn around and get them. Ellie starts crying big crocodile tears as we leave the fair as I'm trying to explain we're coming right back and mommy just left something at home, but the tears keep falling. David is silent. I feel sick to my stomach. And I realize where my wallet is--I had tossed it in the basket of the stroller to go to the park earlier, and just hadn't put it back by the door when we got back. I couldn't believe it... <br />
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David--convinced that with traffic we were going to miss the entire meet and greet--suggested shooting an email to the lady we'd been coordinating with who worked with The Band Perry. Good idea... She wrote me back immediately, saying they usually started about 15 min late anyway, and that if we weren't back by 7:40 to let her know and we'd "figure something out." Oh my goodness, how amazing are they. We wrote saying we hoped to be there by 7:10...<br />
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And guys--can you believe that we made it back even 10 minutes sooner than that? By the time we got to the meet and greet, though we were last in line, we had even made it in time to see Kimberly come out! (The boys were already ready.) ;) Whew, we could breathe! David gave me a kiss (yay, I was out of the dog house, lol), and I didn't win biggest mommy fail of the year (can you imagine if I'd had to tell Ellie I made us miss the meet and greet all together?! Oh, I'd just feel so awful...)<br />
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Once they started, the line went FAST. A girl had let us go in front of her, and it turned out she had seen Ellie's video on their Instagram. Ellie had fun talking to everyone in line and waited really patiently for our turn. She was the only little one there, and when we got up to the front, the woman we'd been coordinating with recognized her. We thanked her profusely for everything, and she told us about Kimberly calling her from their tour bus and saying, "Oh my gosh you have to see this video, it's the cutest thing." :)<br />
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And then suddenly it was our turn! Kimberly recognized her youngest number one fan as well, and held out her arms for a big hug, saying "Ellie!!" :) She got hugs from everyone as she handed out her heart-shaped pictures to them all, and Kimberly told her again how much she loved her video. "You know what we decided??" Kimberly said. "We decided that whenever we have a bad day, we're just going to watch your video." (So sweet!!) <br />
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They signed a CD for her, and then we took pictures together with our signs that said "Hip" "Hip" "Hurray!" (since that was what Ellie had said when she found out about the concert.) :)<br />
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And after more hugs, (and high fives from Neil--who she made sure to wish a Happy Birthday to), Kimberly bent down to Ellie's level and said (with her cute southern accent), "Now I heard your favorite song is Chainsaw. Well you be sure to sing it real loud with us tonight, okay??" (My heart was in a puddle watching Ellie holding hands with her and talking together.) <br />
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We turned to go after lots of thank yous, and then Ellie realized she was still holding the "Hurray" sign that she'd meant to give them. One of the staff heard her, so he brought her back over and helped her wait till the last group was done, and helped her go back up to the band one more time. :) She was a little shy, wondering if what she was doing was okay, so I went with her and we ended up getting another picture--this time of just Ellie and Kimberly together.<br />
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The meet and greet wrapped up just as the opener, Annie McQueen, was coming out on stage, and we found our seats. We took a family selfie, and then the group behind us kindly offered to take a picture as well.<br />
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David went to get us some food, and Ellie loved taking everything in and dancing to the music. "Look, I see the moon!" she exclaimed at one point. So sweet seeing things through your little one's eyes...<br />
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David came back and Ellie watched as the stage crew set up for The Band Perry to come out, wondering at each thing they were doing. Then before we knew it, everyone was up on their feet, and the countdown was starting for the band to come out! Ellie's eyes glittered with excitement as she counted down, and I just love that she burst into song with them immediately. That wave, too!<br />
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It was an amazing concert, and Ellie stayed locked in to it the entire time. She sang along with all the songs she knew (they played every one of her favorites), and even enjoyed the ones she was hearing for the first time. "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/music/pioneer-7259" target="_blank">I'm a Keeper</a>" and "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/music/pioneer-7259" target="_blank">Night Gone Wasted</a>" were some of her new faves from the night--which are now on repeat in our car of course. ;) We're also loving "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/music/band-perry-91" target="_blank">Hip to My Heart</a>," "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/music/band-perry-91" target="_blank">Postcard From Paris</a>," "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/music/pioneer-7259" target="_blank">Pioneer</a>," and of course the classic, "<a href="https://www.thefansperry.com/music/band-perry-91" target="_blank">If I Die Young</a>."<br />
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One other highlight from the night happened when Neil got a turn with the camera that streamed to the big screen. He said something about fans making some noise so they could see them, so I held up Ellie's poster. :) Well what to do you know, he zoomed right in on us first thing, and we just laughed and cheered! It was so fun seeing Ellie up on the big screen... What a night. :)<br />
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I tried to write a thank you on each of their Instagrams as I was winding down before bed, but I have no idea if they got them. My mama's heart was just bursting that they'd been able to give such an amazing night to our little Ellie Joy, and I knew that no other concert would be able to top it. :) I told them at the meet and greet that they had a fan for life in our little Ellie (and in us), and man if that ain't the truth...Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-51461229700880661652015-07-21T13:17:00.004-07:002016-03-22T14:05:36.411-07:00How Do I Start Signing with my Little One?This is the second video in a series where I answer key questions to help you start your signing journey. The first video answered, <a href="http://littlesignandmore.blogspot.com/2014/01/when-to-start-signing.html" target="_blank">"When should I start signing?"</a> and in this video I'll tackle the big HOW.<br />
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To help get you started, I'll teach over 10 signs that you can start incorporating into baby's day--including MILK, MORE, ALL DONE, EAT, HUNGRY, THIRSTY, SLEEP, TIRED, WATER, DIAPER, DIAPER CHANGE, MOM, and DAD. Plus, look closely and you may spot these signs as well: OUTSIDE, BALL, CAT, DOG, MUSIC, BATH, BOOK, CLOUD, and BIRD.<br />
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But don't get overwhelmed--I suggest starting small with these first four "starter signs"--MILK, MORE, ALL DONE, and EAT.<br />
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In the video, you'll also come across numerous signing tips, hear a snippet about Ellie's first signs, and learn what my all-time favorite tool has been for teaching her American Sign Language. (Countless mamas swear by it!)<br />
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I have thoroughly enjoyed taking a summer break off of {Little Sign of Mine} classes with my Peanut, and I'm also glad I was able to pull this together for any mamas who are wanting to start now. (Classes resume in September, and eek! I even have a couple new class locations!!)<br />
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So here we go... here's the run down on how you can get started today!<br />
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Help me decide which question I should answer next! And please share any of your favorite signing tips in the comments below. What worked for you to help teach your little one signs??Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-12078751321950784032015-06-27T22:32:00.004-07:002016-03-22T14:07:49.422-07:00Secondary Infertility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not knowing and having to wait for answers has got to be one of the toughest things in life. Can I get an amen?? I still remember being in the NICU, holding our full-term baby Ellie all hooked up to monitors and an IV, waiting to find out what on earth was going on. It was heart-wrenching. <br />
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Similarly, one of the hardest things for me about navigating this infertility road has been not knowing WHY we couldn't seem to get pregnant. The first time I'd heard the term "secondary infertility" was in the comment section of a favorite blogger's post about her journey to getting pregnant. I have to say, it FREAKED me out. My husband and I had just had a miscarriage and I was still healing before we could try again. And all of a sudden I was terror-stricken that we weren't going to be able to have another baby.<br />
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The Lord gently reminded me that in Him there is no fear, and I'm so glad He pushed that aside so I wasn't daily living in that fear (I swear I think it would've crippled me).<br />
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The good that came from that was it corrected something I was mistaken about--that it gets easier to get pregnant each time. I don't know why I thought that. Maybe I'd heard so many instances of that after it took us a bit of time to get pregnant with our daughter, Ellie. I hoped for that ease for sure. So learning about this thing called "secondary infertility" helped me realize that that wasn't necessarily the case.<br />
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For those wondering--secondary infertility is basically where you've successfully had a baby before (without fertility treatment), and now you're either not able to get pregnant again on your own, or you keep miscarrying.<br />
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I gave it a year, knowing that it could take a year for even a young, healthy couple to get pregnant. I even gave it a little more time, thinking it was bound to happen soon. Right? It had to happen soon... Okay, any day now... No, still not happening? My husband had just changed jobs and we hadn't figured out our new insurance yet. But with each negative pregnancy test I started to feel like something must be up. <br />
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My husband and I went through every thought in the book--maybe it was because of a new medication I was taking. Maybe something had gone wrong from the miscarriage and emergency D&C. Oh look, this website says to stay away from hot tubs and boxer briefs. This one says to take these supplements. Okay so that should help. Still nothing. I thought it had to be me. He thought it must be him. Maybe my tubes had become blocked. I even wondered if this was going to be God's way of alerting us to some bigger health scare that was going on.<br />
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It was horrible not knowing. I was finally able to schedule an appointment with a general practitioner who would then refer me to an OB, and I started down the road of physicals and blood tests, etc. David got good news on his end so we kept wondering what it could be. <br />
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My referral for an OB took longer than we thought, and then a mishap with the referral letter and a new insurance number prevented me from being seen. (Oh the tears of frustration that day!) The new referral letter came, and I was disappointed to see it was for an entirely different doctor's office. (I'd already filled out paperwork, etc. and had an appointment ready to go at the first one.)<br />
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But what do you know, it was for a fertility specialist. <i>Hey! That might be even better!</i> I thought, and called to schedule an appointment right away. (This was in February of this year--2015.) The cheerful voice that greeted me asked if I'd be available Monday, June 15th at 1:30pm. Inside my heart sunk, but I quickly picked my jaw up off the floor and said, "Yes, that should be fine." (Haha, as far as I knew I didn't have any plans for FOUR MONTHS OUT.) I tried to stay optimistic. <i>Maybe by June we'll know what problems we're up against and may need the fertility specialist! </i>"Would you like to be called if anything earlier opens up?" the receptionist asked. "Sure, that'd be great!" I answered.<br />
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Y'all... that very week she called me back with an opening for the following Monday.<br />
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I couldn't believe it! <i>Thank you, Lord!!</i> I laughed and was so excited. Until I opened my email with the paperwork and saw how much the initial consultation was... $$$ Cue heart sinking again.<br />
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Soon I was able to get a hold of our insurance provider to ask what coverage (if any) we might have to see a fertility specialist. And what do you know--thank you husband's job--the consultation was covered! Lab work, ultrasounds, appointments, medications--everything for testing and diagnosing had a very reasonable copay, and the only thing we'd be up against was if we needed <i>treatment</i>. I was so surprised and thankful.<br />
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And after that glorious first consultation with our fertility doctor, the best way to describe how I felt, was I could finally <i>breathe. *big exhale.*</i><br />
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I finally saw potential for a light at the end of the tunnel. I didn't have to keep assertively trying to schedule appointments at different places and press doctors to tell us the next step we should take. We might actually find out answers soon. (!!) There was more hope than ever before that a baby could be in our future after all, and we were relieved to be in such good hands. We're so thankful the Lord led us to this doctor!<br />
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It's been a few months now of routine appointments--so much so that Ellie has gotten the drill down pat (where to get her lollipop, where to stamp our parking pass, etc. haha). With each test we've done, we've anxiously awaited the results, and with relief (mixed with confusion) we've continuously gotten good results. Which is great and all--but the doctor knew if we found a problem, she could fix it. We were starting to feel discouraged (or mostly confused) again, until the day we did our post coital test. (Sounds so scientific huh?!) <br />
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Well... it's with great relief that I can FINALLY say we have figured out at least one of the contributing causes for our infertility. And it's not as scary as I thought! It's even something that can change over time (which is why we were able to get pregnant before--and who knows, maybe things will go completely normally for future kiddos.) But for now, it's looking like IUI (intra-uterine insemination) will hopefully be a great treatment for us. That was a relief for David to hear, too, as it's MUCH more affordable than IVF. So hopefully this will be what God uses to grow our family!!<br />
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So there you have it... our journey to--first realizing we're facing secondary infertility--to then navigating it, and finding our first steps in hopefully beating it. <br />
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We know it can take several times doing IUI before it could potentially work for us (and obviously there's no guarantee--there could be something else going on that we haven't come across yet). But it feels amazing to know we're taking steps forward, and that there's actually a chance that I COULD be pregnant soon! While I'm teetering between hopeful and realistic, I'm just beyond thankful that things are happening. I'm incredibly thankful for our doctor. I'm grateful to be walking this road with such supportive and prayerful friends and family. And I'm just feeling ready to ride out this roller coaster to see where God leads us.<br />
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Hopefully it's to baby town! <br />
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Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-34837570429638407222015-05-31T17:12:00.000-07:002015-05-31T22:51:02.248-07:00Until then... {Growth}<span style="font-size: x-small;">Previous posts in this "series" from a little over a year ago: <a href="http://littlesignandmore.blogspot.com/2014/01/until-then-gratitude.html" target="_blank">Until then... {Gratitude}</a> and <a href="http://littlesignandmore.blogspot.com/2014/01/until-then-being-proactive.html" target="_blank">Until then... {Being Proactive}</a></span><br />
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It took a long time for me to say the words. That my husband and I are struggling with infertility. It felt so final, so heavy, and so scary--full of unknowns. Up until then I was just saying it was "taking longer for us to get pregnant" this time around. After all, we'd been able to get pregnant two times before. So I wasn't "infertile," right??<br />
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Our little ones' "numbers" are etched in my head, because each one tells a story. <br />
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Ellie--7 months to conceive. I remember not knowing if it was going to happen for us. At the 6 month mark I finally let myself cry. And that day became the one I wrote on all the paperwork for "Date of Last Period," giving us our due date for sweet little Peanut.<br />
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Pistachio--1 month. I remember we had just decided in June 2012 that we were ready to start trying. Not knowing what it'd look like this time around, but hoping it didn't take as long. We couldn't believe it happened on our first shot! Ellie was 15 months when we found out--they were going to be a precious 23 months apart. And then we lost our little one at 10 weeks.<br />
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And now--here we are at 26 months and counting... (with another negative yesterday)<br />
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Sometimes I can't believe it's been 3 years since our date at the Irvine Spectrum where we sat at the Wood Ranch Bar & Grill, and decided we were excited to start trying for a brother or sister for Ellie... I look at our spunky 4-year-old, ready to start pre-K in the fall, and I can't believe that still hasn't happened. That there's going to be about a 5-year age gap (minimum) between her and her next sibling. And my heart aches...<br />
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These are the hard things. The monthly roller coaster of hoping and being disappointed. The negative pregnancy tests. The longing. The sadness that comes when well-meaning people ask, "Is she your only one?"<br />
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But each month I also know God has a plan for our family. I cling to the hope that He will be glorified through our family. And each month I have seen God stretch me and grow me in ways I never would have without experiencing infertility. I've learned things about God--our Father and Creator--that wouldn't have been nearly as meaningful. I've been tested as a friend, and have learned more than ever how to truly rejoice with others, even amidst my own pain. I've learned how to wait. I've learned what a miracle life is. I've learned how to not be in control. <br />
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This time is precious. By recognizing my deep need for God each day as I struggle through infertility, I end up walking closer in step with Him than if things were going according to "my plan." You better believe I can't wait for this trial to be over. But I'm also strangely grateful that God has entrusted us with this painful journey. It has shaped me in more ways than I even know. And I pray that He'll continue to use this time to grow me into the friend, the wife, the woman, and the mom that He has called me to be.<br />
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If only growing pains didn't hurt so much... ;)Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-68179734874053275322015-05-08T22:16:00.003-07:002015-05-08T22:17:39.920-07:00Happy 4th Birthday, Ellie JoyI got a tripod for myself for Christmas with the hope of making more signing FAQ videos and such--without having to play a balancing Jenga-esque-type game with my camera on top of some shoe boxes, on top of a chair, perched on a coffee table. :)<br />
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Fast forward to May... Since Ellie's birthday decorations were still up from her party last Saturday, I had an idea for a video project that she could help me with. She has become quite the little teacher, having gone with me to all my Little Sign of Mine classes for the past 2 1/2 years, and I knew she'd love to take the spotlight to teach some birthday signs for this one. <br />
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I shared our little video with other Signing Time Academy instructors, and Rachel Coleman shared it on her Facebook page, too--commenting that Ellie could be an Honorary Signing Time Instructor. :) She'll take it!!<br />
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At the end of the video is some info to enter a giveaway that I'm hosting through Friday, May 29th. I'll send the Signing Time "Happy Birthday To You" DVD to one lucky winner, and all you have to do is send a clip of you (or your little one) signing the two words, "Happy Birthday," to Ellie. :) Email me at littlesignofmine (at) gmail (dot) com or tag me on Instagram with @littlesignofmine and using the hashtag #happybirthdayellie.<br />
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So without further ado, here's my little Peanut teaching a few birthday signs! <br />
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P.S. These signs are great for attending parties as well, and beginning to explain to your little one what birthdays are like. <br />
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<br />Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-63537986941303434522014-09-24T00:42:00.001-07:002014-09-24T14:11:16.067-07:00Signing with PreschoolersOnce Ellie turned three in April, my thoughts about preschool leaped from the back-burner to the front of my mind.<br />
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As a kid, my sisters and I didn't go to preschool (we were at home till kindergarten), and I remember being proud of myself for learning how to read before starting school (thanks, Mom!). But now it seems like it's the norm. What kids once learned in Kindergarten seems to be what they're expected to know already before they start. (Or is it just me?!)</div>
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It's pretty amazing how much our little ones are capable of. I didn't think Ellie could be reading at this age--and whether it was sign language or just her own interest or iPad games or what--it's been fun seeing her learn and grow. :) </div>
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Some friends and I have banded together to do a preschool day once a week for our little preschoolers. We introduce some concepts to work on at home for the next week, and it's been really cute seeing them learn and play together.</div>
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My goal right now is mainly exposure. I try to surround Ellie with fun ways to learn, and try to go with what she gets excited about or what her interests are. With her starting to read, I can already see her expressing frustration with herself when she can't sound out a word. The little perfectionist. :) So my hope is to keep it light and enjoyable so it stays fun, and only do little bits at a time.</div>
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With fun in mind--and for this sign language loving mama--I get excited about how well sign language and learning go hand-in-hand. It makes sense after all--it taps into all the major learning modalities of our little ones--tactile, kinesthetic, auditory (since you say and sign together), and visual. AND it helps with memory (so all that learning will stick). AND it gets our silly energetic ones moving and staying engaged! So basically, two big thumbs up all around. :)</div>
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This is why I'm absolutely thrilled that the creators of Signing Time have come out with a preschool program, called <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/treeschoolers" target="_blank">Rachel and the Treeschoolers</a>! Ellie has gotten so excited each time a new episode has been released (the fourth one JUST came out!). I still remember how she'd ask me to sing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRFpYU5lbDA" target="_blank">"tiny tiny"</a> every night before bed after she first saw it a year and a half ago. (Click link to see a preview of this song from the "Rainy Day" episode.)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX5HSA2RLN4/VCJkeQ77-JI/AAAAAAAABT0/ULQeu-JG0Ow/s1600/rts-family-funded-600px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX5HSA2RLN4/VCJkeQ77-JI/AAAAAAAABT0/ULQeu-JG0Ow/s1600/rts-family-funded-600px.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a> <img alt="Rachel Coleman" src="http://464aa5408536cd241b38-a45b01753b8639a65bf860074c5c0c83.r7.cf1.rackcdn.com/ts_doorway_web.jpg" height="320" width="291" /></div>
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The themes so far have been about weather, plants, insects, and now the human body. They're full of cute animal characters (the "treeschoolers"), who are taught by Rachel as she leads them through the steps of <b>wondering</b>, <b>searching</b> for answers, <b>learning</b>, and then <b>sharing</b> with others. I love that the episodes all have a<b> free Activity Guide</b> to go with them as well--which has been perfect to include in the homeschool preschool we're doing!</div>
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Each episode includes a few signs, along with a game, learning from an expert, and a handful of energetic songs.</div>
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That's probably Ellie's favorite part--following Rachel's and the kids' dance moves, and singing along to all the songs. The energetic peanut doesn't even realize she's learning as she's busting out these songs. :) Her favorites that she always hops up to dance to are about thunder & lightning, how a seed grows, photosynthesis, the parts of a bug, and now a funny body-twisting extended version of head-shoulders-knees-and-toes.<br />
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Do you have a preschooler (or soon-to-be preschooler) of your own? <b>If you would love to win your own copy of the newly released episode, "The Amazing Human Body," fill out the rafflecopter below (a $22 value)! </b> (Shipping to the U.S. only.) Feel free to email me at littlesignofmine (at) gmail (dot) com with any questions! </div>
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Here's a preview for the newest episode for you to check out! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHOTlRhnE40" target="_blank">"The Amazing Human Body" Preview</a></div>
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And you can find out more about Rachel & the TreeSchoolers <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/treeschoolers" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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*Disclaimer: This isn't a sponsored post from Two Little Hands--I purchased the DVD/CD for the giveaway myself, and the rave reviews are my honest own! :) And if you'd like to purchase any of the TreeSchoolers episodes or any Signing Time product, feel free to email me to place an order. (As a certified Baby Signing Time instructor I'm also authorized to sell their awesome products!)</div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8a8de8a41/" id="rc-8a8de8a41" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-92129291146303487272014-06-20T00:13:00.000-07:002014-06-20T00:51:28.323-07:00Pinch Me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the story of how Ellen Degeneres blessed my socks off.<br />
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It all started when my friend Ashley invited me to go to the Ellen show with her...<br />
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You know, just another ordinary day...</div>
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touring the WB studios in Burbank... </div>
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hanging out on the Central Perk set of Friend's... </div>
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seeing Ellen Degeneres... (along with Emily Blunt, Ansel Elgort, and of course--Twitch!)...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: The Ellen Show</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: The Ellen Show</td></tr>
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and going home with a Bvlgari necklace, a 2-year subscription to Netflix, and a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini phone.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: The Ellen Show</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: The Ellen Show</td></tr>
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WHAAAAT!!! :) </div>
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We were ecstatic the entire day... My face seriously hadn't hurt from smiling that much since my wedding. And apparently it showed--we were invited to come back to another show!!</div>
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In the end it worked out that I brought a good friend, Jen <a href="http://www.ellentv.com/videos/0-g2r8gzvn/" target="_blank">(who got some air time asking guest DJ Loni Love for romance advice!). </a><br />
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We got to dance next to Ellen and were completely star-struck. :D And then it was game time... I still remember hearing Ellen reveal what the players would be playing for. My mouth dropped at the amazingness that was this prize--I was just in total awe for whoever would get to win it. And then I heard Ellen say my name...</div>
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"Where are... Bethany Sloan and Alisha Michaelson?!?!" </div>
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HOLY PICKIN COW, ELLEN DEGENERES did NOT just say MY NAME!!!</div>
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All of a sudden I'm running down to the stage, hugging Ellen, and jumping up and down. Guys, it was INSANE. Amidst the blur of it all I remember how piercingly beautiful Ellen's blue eyes were up close, and hoping I was showing enough how excited I felt inside!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo cred: The Ellen Show</td></tr>
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<b>You can see the clip of our trivia game, Farmville 2 Nashville, <a href="http://www.ellentv.com/videos/0-90ol9099/" target="_blank">here</a>!!</b></div>
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The story behind the Beyonce answer was my favorite part--neither Alisha nor I knew the answer to, "Who is the mom of Blue Ivy?" so we tried turning to the audience for help. I had a chance to steal, and I could tell my bud Jen knew the answer, but there was absolutely no way to hear her shouting to me with the entire audience shouting, too. Ironically, just before the taping, the audience had been warming up by doing Beyonce's infamous dance to "Crazy in Love," so Jen just starts busting it out, using charades to help me get it!! As soon as I saw that it CLICKED and I got my ONE point!! Hahaha. </div>
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So the lovely Alisha wins the game and the amazing prize, but gotta love Ellen who gives prizes to her losers too, because hours later I'm busting through my front door and announcing to my husband, </div>
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"WE'RE GOING TO NASHVILLE, BABY!!!! </div>
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AND we're going to THE CMT AWARDS!!!! </div>
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AND we get to meet KEITH URBAN!!!!!" </div>
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Shocked, laughing, and hugging, David kept exclaiming over and over, "BABE.... Are you SERIOUS?!?! SERIOUSLY??!! WHAAT!!!! BABE!!"</div>
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It still felt unreal when Alisha and I were boarding the plane at LAX with our country music-loving husbands just three weeks later. (Gotta love that they were just as excited as we were!!)</div>
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And thanks to an incredible integration between <a href="http://zynga.com/game/farmville2-country-escape" target="_blank">Farmville 2 Country Escape</a>, <a href="http://www.ellentv.com/" target="_blank">Ellen</a>, and <a href="http://www.keithurban.net/" target="_blank">Keith Urban</a>, we were given the trip of a LIFETIME. Round-trip tickets to Nashville, a 5-nights' stay in a hotel, tickets to the <a href="http://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/" target="_blank">Country Music Television Awards</a>, a surprise opportunity to rub elbows with all of our fav country celebs on the RED CARPET before the awards, a meet-and-greet with Keith Urban, AND surprise tickets to the <a href="http://www.cmaworld.com/cma-music-festival/" target="_blank">Country Music Association (CMA) Festival </a>that was going down that weekend!!! <br />
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We're talkin SECOND ROW SEATS to THREE NIGHTS of concerts, where we got to see Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts, Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Sara Evans, Travis Tritt, Florida Georgia Line, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, and Keith Urban!!! </div>
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HOLY MOLY GUACAMOLE... It seriously just kept getting better... and Better... and BETTER. </div>
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I even got to see the incredibly handsome and charming Chip Esten, who plays my favorite character Deacon on my FAVORITE drama, <i>Nashville </i>(which is returning for its 3rd season this fall on ABC, woot woot!!!)<br />
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Y'all, we can't even capture what an amazing time we had and how thankful we are, or how blessed we feel to have gotten to experience all that... We especially loved gaining a friendship out of it--with Alisha and her husband, Sven! Both of us got to use this trip as an early anniversary trip, and man will we never be able to top this one!!! We kept saying it was a trip of a lifetime, and man was it... </div>
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<b>The Ellen Show put together a clip of our time on the red carpet for the CMT Awards, </b><b><a href="http://www.ellentv.com/videos/0-y18wwsoc/" target="_blank">and you can check it out here!</a> </b>I also have several more pictures on Instagram (<a href="http://instagram.com/bethanyjanae" target="_blank">@bethanyjanae</a>)</div>
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And for those who are curious--the award show aired live on June 4th, and the CMA Fest will be airing on ABC on August 5th. </div>
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Back home I've still been riding the high from the trip by rewatching the first two seasons of <i>Nashville </i>on Hulu, and by ordering a huge sampling from Nashville's Loveless Cafe online store that I cooked for David for Father's Day (complete with <a href="http://www.lovelesscafe.com/2013/05/29/iced-tea-recipes-for-porch-swing-sippin/" target="_blank">sweet tea</a>). :)</div>
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Also, I'm pretty sure I'm still weaning off a slight accent. I just love the south too much...</div>
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Thank you a MILLION--to Ellen "the most generous and wonderful talk show host" Degeneres, to Farmville 2 Country Escape, and to Keith "the handsome Aussie cowboy" Urban!!!</div>
Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-54538087994524610922014-05-20T20:15:00.000-07:002014-09-24T00:44:46.302-07:00If You Give a Former Teacher a Preschooler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you give a former teacher a preschooler...<br />
Chances are she's going to want to teach it...<br />
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And if she's going to teach it, she will need to make a curriculum plan.<br />
She'll sit down with a cup of coffee, and start by pinning "The ABCs of How to Home Preschool" (#PNRL)<br />
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After getting bogged down by the bajillion preschool ideas on Pinterest, she'll need to take a break. <br />
So she'll print the <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2012/05/homeschool-supply-list.html" target="_blank">Homeschool Supply List</a>, and focus on #1. Glue. She can do glue.<br />
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She'll head to the nearest teacher supply store.<br />
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She'll probably faint from excitement at all the fresh school supplies and that new pencil smell.<br />
She'll want to fill her cart with teddy bear counters and Do-a-Dot Markers, gallon sized paints and wooden pattern blocks.<br />
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When she brings home the new supplies, she'll realize she still needs to pick out the curriculum. <br />
So she'll call her <a href="http://www.simplestitchesbyshannon.com/" target="_blank">best friend/homeschool guru</a> to ask which is the best.<br />
<br />
Then she'll go online to order <i>All About Reading</i> and <i>Handwriting Without Tears</i>.<br />
But they'll take 5-7 business days to arrive.<br />
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So she'll wander back onto Pinterest to scope out (read: get lost in) all the best homeschool preschool blogs.<br />
She'll download 227 files in one day.<br />
<br />
When the curriculum boxes are delivered, she'll tear through them like it's Christmas morning.<br />
Holding the thick books labeled "Teacher's Manual" in her hands, the clouds will part, the angels will sing, and she'll know... she's arrived.<br />
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She'll want to run and put on the apple necklace her husband gave her when she first became a teacher.<br />
<br />
On her way to her room she'll notice their tiny home and realize... crafts and sensory play were already starting to take over.<br />
So she'll have to rearrange everything.<br />
<br />
Mid-way into dumping the entire hall closet contents into the living room and getting learning materials somewhat situated in their new spots, she'll get inspired to start making the Letter of the Week packets she'd downloaded.<br />
<br />
Before you know it, she'll be elbow deep in sheet protectors and low ink warnings, so she'll have to go to Walmart.<br />
When she's at the store, she'll remember what another blogger said about a LAMINATING MACHINE (cue heart skipping a beat).<br />
<br />
So she'll ask the store clerk if they carry them. And if they do...<br />
She'll decide it would be counterintuitive NOT to get one. <br />
<br />
She'll probably want to try it out that same night. <br />
"I'll just laminate one thing," she'll think. "And then I'll go to bed." <br />
<br />
But, being the night owl that she is, she'll get a second wind.<br />
She'll need to print, cut, laminate, and cut again--FIVE WHOLE WEEKS of lessons.<br />
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She might even Mod Podge letters, hot-glue magnets to pom-poms, hole-punch lacing cards, and make play dough mats.<br />
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She'll be so excited that she'll want to set out the "T is for Turtle" activities for her preschooler to try in the morning.<br />
She probably won't realize it's 2am. <br />
<br />
After making 14 cute little learning stations, she'll happily step back to take a look.<br />
But her eyes will spot all the laminating scraps, toys that had been left out, and some other things to put away.<br />
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She'll intend to do a quick tidy-up, but it will end up being a bit more in-depth. <br />
When she's finally done, she'll feel ready to go to bed. At 4...30...am.<br />
<br />
The next morning, her preschooler will probably climb on her to wake her up at 7am.<br />
She'll need to trudge to the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee.<br />
<br />
And chances are, her excited preschooler will jump right in ready to learn...<br />
While she curls up on the couch with her coffee, relishing the joy of seeing her little one learn and grow before her eyes.<br />
<br />
And she'll be SO thankful God gave her this little preschooler.<br />
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Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-65179708719704845462014-04-17T11:40:00.004-07:002014-04-17T13:56:12.821-07:00Easter Egg Color-Sorting CollageI have two "go-to" blogs that I LOVE checking out for kid crafts--and one of those is <a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/" target="_blank">I Heart Crafty Things</a>. I love Rachel's ideas--especially her <a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2014/01/kids-blogger-network-best-of-2013-blog.html" target="_blank">sensory bins</a>, <a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2014/01/valentines-day-activity-trays-fine.html" target="_blank">activity trays</a>, and <a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2014/01/valentines-day-scissor-cutting-practice.html" target="_blank">cutting practice trays</a> (okay, so really ALL her <a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2014/03/easter-egg-sensory-play-and-learning.html" target="_blank">sorting</a> and <a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2014/01/washi-tape-hearts-with-lacing-practice.html" target="_blank">fine motor activities</a>). :) You really should check her out...<br />
<br />
So with Rachel's crafts on my brain, I was inspired by her genius <a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2014/01/sticky-heart-collage-art-for-kids.html" target="_blank">contact paper collages</a> to make this Easter Egg activity! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WR4EHIKEX8/U1A_PtHLV7I/AAAAAAAABF4/kcgPnsWOy1k/s1600/Easter+Egg+Collage+copy_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WR4EHIKEX8/U1A_PtHLV7I/AAAAAAAABF4/kcgPnsWOy1k/s1600/Easter+Egg+Collage+copy_resized.jpg" /></a></div>
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Materials you'll need:<br />
1) clear ConTact paper<br />
2) colored Sharpees<br />
3) colored foam pieces or stickers (could also use cut-up tissue paper, jewels, you name it)<br />
4) tape </div>
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I started out by just drawing a large Easter egg-shaped outline on the clear side of contact paper (not the blue-lined graph side), using the colored Sharpees. <br />
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Then I decided to divide up our egg with colored lines (based on the colors from the <a href="http://www.target.com/p/easter-spring-sticker-bag/-/A-14899878#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=easter+stickers" target="_blank">foam stickers</a> I'd snagged from Target). <br />
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This ended up being great practice for Ellie! I'd draw a big "starting" dot on the left and a "finishing" dot on the right side of the egg, and she'd choose if she wanted to do a squiggly or straight line across. We've been working on reading and writing from left to right, along with correct finger placement for writing her letters and coloring, so I helped her get situated, and she did the lines by herself. :)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7_K-cFUSEA/U1AN-rypLkI/AAAAAAAABDw/i2xiJxZDPmw/s1600/IMG_8276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7_K-cFUSEA/U1AN-rypLkI/AAAAAAAABDw/i2xiJxZDPmw/s1600/IMG_8276.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I got carried away and thought it'd be a great addition to write out the names of the colors in the different spots... (especially because I didn't have yellow and had done that section in green). Only to realize AFTERWARDS that the words would show up BACKWARDS when I peeled off the contact paper!!! Whomp whomp.... So I had to improvise. Oh well!</div>
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<table 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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-woi27Q9eTk0/U1AN_Y6ZTgI/AAAAAAAABD0/efe1rHBrF10/s1600/IMG_8279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-woi27Q9eTk0/U1AN_Y6ZTgI/AAAAAAAABD0/efe1rHBrF10/s1600/IMG_8279.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note: we poised this a bit after drawing the lines, so I didn't mess with how she was holding the marker. ;)</td></tr>
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Okay, SO... to hang up the contact paper, usually you'd just carefully peel back the white paper, then tape the corners to a wall so that the sticky side is facing out. But since I didn't want the words to get turned around, I ended up having to do an extra step. I taped the whole thing on the wall, then placed ANOTHER contact paper (sticky side out) on top of it, taping the corners in the same spots. Phew! Lesson learned!</div>
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Next, I gave her these two <a href="http://www.target.com/p/divided-tray-easter-pink/-/A-15107828#prodSlot=medium_1_8&term=easter+plate" target="_blank">Easter plates</a> with the <a href="http://www.target.com/p/easter-spring-sticker-bag/-/A-14899878#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=easter+stickers" target="_blank">stickers </a>pre-sorted (could also have had her help sort with me, but I wanted to surprise her since she hadn't seen the stickers yet). :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5rD875JFds/U1AOCMjQzeI/AAAAAAAABEI/3pNpUefdr-g/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5rD875JFds/U1AOCMjQzeI/AAAAAAAABEI/3pNpUefdr-g/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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She jumped right in, putting one sticker in each category for starters. (Initially she wanted to peel off all the backings on the stickers, but I was able to convince her to keep them on so we can reuse the stickers for another activity!) :)</div>
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And then she had fun just filling in all the colors and "decorating" her egg!<br />
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There was one point where I was busy taking pictures :) and didn't notice she was putting different colors in the spots--which would be fine, too, but since we were practicing color sorting and matching, I helped her see what was different and how she could fix it. <br />
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I<span style="text-align: center;">t was fun how it also became a bit of a spatial or "puzzle" activity--practicing fitting shapes into spaces and rearranging things or rotating them to help them all fit.</span><br />
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Ta Da!!</div>
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Love how it turned out! Thanks for being the inspiration, <a href="http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">Rachel</a>! :)</div>
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<u>Other ways to extend this activity--</u></div>
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*Talk about how eggs and Spring relate to Easter (new life; how Jesus makes all things new; Jesus' resurrection!)</div>
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*Make the colors in rainbow order, practicing ROYGBIV</div>
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*Talk about the parts of a flower and how bees pollinate flowers (works with these specific stickers)</div>
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*Mix up the colors at the beginning and have little one sort them.</div>
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*Discuss what type of weather characterizes Spring, and what things happen in Spring (rain, green grass, sunny, cool, breeze, clouds, rainbows, Groundhog Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, etc.)</div>
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Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-22935471472520911342014-03-20T15:46:00.000-07:002014-03-20T16:25:46.435-07:00{Little Sign} Class 13 & 14 Review<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
Oklahoma was fantastic, and I even got to squeeze in a few days in Colorado with my best friend, <a href="http://www.simplestitchesbyshannon.com/" target="_blank">Shannon</a>! The bummer is that I've been out for a week, sick. :( So since I won't make it to class tomorrow, here are some ideas to
keep up with your signing! </div>
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Class #13: Friends & Feelings - <i>FRIEND, PLAY, SHARE, NICE, FEEL, HAPPY, LAUGH, SAD, CRY</i></div>
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Class #14: Opposites - <i>HOT, COLD, YES, NO, DIRTY, CLEAN, YOU, ME, BIG, SMALL, OPPOSITE, GAME</i></div>
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*Note - all of these signs can be found at <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary">www.signingtime.com/dictionary</a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(with the exception of <i>BIG</i> and <i>SMALL, </i>which are shown if you watch "Opposites" carefully on the DVD) </span><br />
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SING & Sign:</div>
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*Start by playing the "Baby
Signing Time Theme," from the Vol. 4 CD.</div>
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*Sing and sign along, and have fun interacting with your little one. </div>
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*Try holding their arms and helping them sign <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/baby" target="_blank"><i>BABY</i> </a>if
they're willing. (Remember, Ellie fussed if I tried to guide her hands--then as she got older she asked me to help her fingers sign "H" and other things. So you never know!) :)</div>
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READ & Sign:</div>
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*Read the book <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/baby-signing-time-board-book-4-will-you-be-my-friend" target="_blank">"WillYou Be My Friend?"</a> by Baby Signing Time, while signing the words you know. </div>
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(Use the cheat sheet at
the back to help brush up on any you may have forgotten!) </div>
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*Talk about the pictures and point to different things on the pages.</div>
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*Have some toys around to play with to help demonstrate
playing and sharing. After reading, do
some free play. Try signing things like <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/share" target="_blank">SHARE</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/play" target="_blank">PLAY</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/nice" target="_blank">NICE</a></i>, and <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/thank_you" target="_blank"><i>THANK</i> <i>YOU</i></a>. </div>
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*You can also bring out a
stuffed animal and practice petting it <i>NICELY</i>.</div>
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WATCH & Sign:</div>
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*Show "Can You Feel
It" to your little one from the Baby Signing Time DVD <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/baby-signing-time-volume-4-dvd-original" target="_blank">Vol. 4 "Let's Be Friends</a>." (view the Preview tab to see part of this song in the link.)</div>
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*Imitate the emotions
during the song (exaggerate and emphasize). </div>
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*Talk about the babies on the screen.
"Ohhh, is she <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/cry" target="_blank">CRYING</a>?</i> She feels <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/sad" target="_blank">SAD</a></i>... Look, now she's <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/DICTIONARY/happy" target="_blank">HAPPY</a>!" </i> or "Look
at them <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/laugh" target="_blank">LAUGHING</a>!</i> Can you <i>LAUGH?</i>"
*tickle tickle*</div>
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SING & Sign:</div>
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*Play the song,
"Opposites," from the Vol. 4 CD.</div>
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*Collect some hot (warm), cold,
dirty, and clean items to interact with during the song. Some ideas: </div>
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Hot: microwave a sock
filled with rice</div>
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Cold: teething toy from
the fridge</div>
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Dirty: puréed baby food</div>
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Clean: baby wipes</div>
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*Sign the word as you're
playing with the item, and encourage little one to experience it as well. ("See, touch it, what does it feel
like? Is it <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/cold" target="_blank">COLD</a></i>? Brrrr, <i>COLD!")</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Craft:</div>
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1) PHOTO BOOK - Take a
picture of little one smiling, and another one of him pouting or crying.
:( Add this to your My Little Sign's
photo book. You could even do a messy
picture (after eating?) and a clean one (after bath).</div>
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(You can find inexpensive
4x6 picture books at Target or the dollar store. More ideas to add: pictures of little one
doing activities--eating, playing, taking a bath, or getting a diaper changed;
pictures of family members--mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, or even the family
pet; pictures of baby holding/wearing/playing with a hat, shoes, book, ball, or
blanket; and pictures playing outside with bubbles, in the grass, near a tree,
or with flowers.) </div>
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<br /></div>
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2) DIRTY & CLEAN - Make
a sign for the dishwasher to show the opposites <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/clean" target="_blank">CLEAN </a></i>and <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/dirty" target="_blank">DIRTY</a></i>. </div>
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For <i>CLEAN</i>, trace little
one's hand on cardstock. For <i>DIRTY</i>, dip
the hand in paint or brush glue on the hand, and after pressing the handprint
on the cardstock, sprinkle sand/flax seed/glitter, or anything else messy. Use a magnet below the appropriate hand to
show the status of the dishwasher! (You
may want to laminate the paper or put it in a page protector to keep it safe!</div>
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<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbeLWkhjrLQ/Uyt30cUC0LI/AAAAAAAABC0/d3iSBfect6k/s1600/Dirty+and+Clean+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbeLWkhjrLQ/Uyt30cUC0LI/AAAAAAAABC0/d3iSBfect6k/s1600/Dirty+and+Clean+copy.jpg" height="348" width="640" /></a></div>
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3) BIG & SMALL -
Trace your hand on black construction paper and cut it out. Then brush white paint on to little one's hand
and place it on the palm on the construction paper. Such a cute contrast of big and small--and
dark and light!</div>
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<b>Now think of 3 signs that you're going to practice frequently this week! </b> My three will be: <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/dirty" target="_blank">SHARE</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/hot" target="_blank">HOT</a></i>, and <i><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/yes" target="_blank">YES</a></i>. Feel free to comment below with your three!</div>
Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-57240297923811451192014-03-11T12:36:00.002-07:002014-03-11T12:48:58.714-07:00Finished Week 2, & Calling ItAfter I started the Whole30 I read on their site that you should carefully plan WHEN you're going to do it. Consider what's on the calendar, etc. I'd been struggling because during my 30 days was going to be my 28th birthday and a 4-day vacation in Oklahoma to be in a dear friend's wedding! I made it through my birthday fine. Self-control and staying motivated and all that. :) <br />
<br />
But with this vacation--I'd really like to enjoy it. I realized I'd be stressing and having to put a lot of time into making Whole30-approved food (and there's never enough time when getting together with close friends as it is!!). <br />
<br />
So with that in mind, I've given myself permission to call it. <br />
<br />
I went halfway--15 days--and am really thankful for what I've learned and gotten out of it. Will share sometime next week most likely!<br />
<br />
I stepped on the scale today (did I mention how much I loved the Whole30 rule of putting your scale away and not looking at it the whole time?? So great for not focusing on each pound but on getting healthier and feeling better. I was definitely noticing a difference in clothing fit, and my stomach slimming especially.<br />
<br />
Here's a quick look after 2 weeks:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InfqqJOv5uw/Ux9jRIKb47I/AAAAAAAABCc/EfrMy_pijig/s1600/Bethany's+Week+2+Whole30+update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InfqqJOv5uw/Ux9jRIKb47I/AAAAAAAABCc/EfrMy_pijig/s1600/Bethany's+Week+2+Whole30+update.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I tried to keep things as much the same as possible (no flexing, no makeup, wet hair, lol. and now I know my mirror needs cleaning!). Except this time I did a selfie instead of the husband taking it--so maybe it's a different angle? Either way--I am excited to say I lost 7 pounds and am feeling good!<br />
<br />
I'm still going to eat well as much as possible while on vacation, but I definitely plan on having a glass of wine at our girls' night and enjoying some wedding cake. :) Ohhhhh and a dinner roll.... oooh, and a bagel.... mmmm and a sourdough or French bread sandwich! Oh bread, how I've missed you the most.<br />
<br />
While I'm talking about the previously taboo food, this part of the Whole30 website is helpful to read at the end of your Whole30 (or in my case, my Whole15 hehe)--it talks about <a href="http://whole30.com/finished/" target="_blank">reintroduction and life after the Whole30</a>.<br />
<br />
So there we go. Will I do another Whole30 all the way through? Probably. In the meantime I'm excited to try certain Paleo dishes that weren't allowed on the Whole30, and am going to keep packing my diet with protein, veggies, and fruits.<br />
<br />
And now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go brew some coffee to drink WITH creamer in it. ;)Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-35047665259483971762014-03-03T17:57:00.001-08:002014-03-03T22:25:14.487-08:00Week 1 of Whole30 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dievDY54y8/UxVsXpwbyLI/AAAAAAAABBs/G0CaCNbCg3Y/s1600/doing-the-w30-fb-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dievDY54y8/UxVsXpwbyLI/AAAAAAAABBs/G0CaCNbCg3Y/s1600/doing-the-w30-fb-cover.jpg" height="237" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I've officially made it through my first week on the <a href="http://www.whole30.com/" target="_blank">Whole30 </a>challenge! I'm on Day 8, and I'd say it's going pretty well. I'm looking forward to sharing more specifics about what I've been eating, etc. soon, but for now here are three thoughts...<br />
<br />
First, <b>I thought I would have a much easier time eating veggies</b>. I love spaghetti squash...<i>when it's in an ultra-cheesey casserole. </i>I love munching on mushrooms, carrots, snap peas, and slices of red, orange, and yellow bell peppers... <i>when they're dunked in Ranch dressing or hummus. </i>I love mashed sweet potatoes or yams... <i>when slathered in butter and milk. </i>I love steamed broccoli, zucchini, and cauliflower... <i>when oozing with butter. </i>You get the picture. Eating the veggies by themselves? It's just different. <br />
<br />
But I think I know how to fix that. 1) <i>Spices</i>... Such as.... Lots of sea salt (yum). Cinnamon (like on butternut squash). And Garlic powder. Spices are my best friend in making my latest meals tastier.<br />
<br />
And 2) <i>Make my own sauces</i>. Cauliflower hummus. Guacamole. Creamy Italian dressing. A lot of dips and dressings I've found (on Pinterest) start with a homemade mayo base--which I made for the second time in my life and this time it turned out much better (definitely not Best Foods status though).<br />
<br />
Second,<b> it takes way more time than I realized.</b> If you're wanting to do the Whole30, make sure it's not during a busy month. <b>Most likely I'm going to have to choose to do a Whole16 </b>this time around because of things coming up this month and not realizing how much time and prep this takes. Everything takes longer--<i>planning meals</i> cause they're all new recipes with many new ingredients, <i>buying the food</i> cause you're reading basically every label (which is also a good thing!), and <i>cooking</i>, because there are so many more things to make from scratch or roast for an hour ahead of time or chill or marinate, etc, and they're new recipes that you have to read through and stop and figure out. <br />
<br />
I've seen some helpful blogs about buying and prepping a lot of the food for the week on Sunday, so that's one way to tackle it. I was anticipating eating dinners as leftovers for lunch the next day as a time saver, but I've had some flops for dinners that I just can't stomach eating as leftovers. <br />
<br />
And third (this is a positive one!), <b>I've been so grateful for how it's forced me to be INTENTIONAL about what I'm putting in my body. </b>It is a radical game changer. I love learning to <i>cook with new foods </i>(coconut milk, butternut squash, almond butter, coconut aminos, new spices, etc.), <i>trying out new stores</i> (Whole Foods and Sprouts), and <i>learning to make new things </i>(zucchini noodles for fritters, homemade mayo, etc.). I've also let myself spend money on plenty of fruits and veggies and am actually eating them up quickly (before they die in my veggie drawer!). Before I would mostly just feed them to my child cause they're expensive, but Mom and Dad deserve healthy food, too! :) <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dY3nSGYp4YM/UxVr-L0vucI/AAAAAAAABBk/BE9SaiIkJpc/s1600/IMG_4935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dY3nSGYp4YM/UxVr-L0vucI/AAAAAAAABBk/BE9SaiIkJpc/s1600/IMG_4935.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And gone are the days of licking my daughter's yogurt lid before tossing it in the trash, or eating left over bites of her sandwich, or even munching on cheese as I'm grating it. I have to be SO focused and self-controlled as I realize just how many things had become habitual.<br />
<br />
I'm learning and growing and being stretched SO much already. And I'm excited to discover more yummy food and keep making healthy choices this week.<br />
<br />
I'd say making it 8 days has been a pretty good birthday gift to myself. :) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QWaf8z_Tcqk/UxVwYFdZxII/AAAAAAAABCI/iyAlyY4zAiU/s1600/Lara+Bar+for+birthday+on+Whole30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QWaf8z_Tcqk/UxVwYFdZxII/AAAAAAAABCI/iyAlyY4zAiU/s1600/Lara+Bar+for+birthday+on+Whole30.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Coconut Chew LaraBar to celebrate my 28th :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
P.S. Follow me on Instagram <a href="http://instagram.com/bethanyjanae" target="_blank">@bethanyjanae</a> and check out my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/bethanyjsloan/whole30/" target="_blank">Whole30 Pinterest board</a> to see the resources and recipes that have been helpful to me!Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-26770155933268659702014-02-24T12:49:00.000-08:002014-02-24T13:00:41.875-08:00I'm doing it.Friends can be so inspiring, can't they? <br />
<br />
Heather really inspired me when she trained for and ran the Chicago marathon last year. Carly inspired me when she did a 12-week fitness challenge complete with intense work-outs, healthy eating, and weekly video diaries. And Katie inspired me when she did the Whole30 program in January. (Her post at <a href="http://lionnamedparker.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/i-really-wanna-lose-3-pounds/" target="_blank">Lion Named Parker</a> came at the perfect time!)<br />
<br />
It's kind of funny how seeing pictures of yourself and then getting a surprising number on the scale can also inspire you--in a horrifying way. ;) (Somehow I've gained 20 pounds recently, on top of the 10 I had been holding on to since having Ellie.)<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I've been inspired... And I've been taking baby steps to getting more healthy. But today I'm JUMPING in. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Today, I start the Whole30! </b><i>(You can read more about the Whole30 program <a href="http://www.whole30.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.) </i><br />
<br />
Basically I'm committing to eating mainly meats, veggies, and fruits for the next 30 days, and ommitting sugar, dairy, and grains (NOOOOOO!!!!!! This is my hardest one... Even though God says we can't live on bread alone, I truly believe I could totally live off of the Word of God AND bread alone).<br />
<br />
I wanted to share this process on the blog in an effort to stay accountable, and I decided to even share before and after pictures to keep me motivated (deep breath). Part of me skeptically wonders how much this will really help with my weight, so I'm looking forward to being proven wrong.. :)<br />
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Here are yesterday's pics: (Don't mind the wet hair and no make-up! yikes) :)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BxswKGlJC_w/UwugAbkB5bI/AAAAAAAABAw/Qn3n9jvFkn0/s1600/Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BxswKGlJC_w/UwugAbkB5bI/AAAAAAAABAw/Qn3n9jvFkn0/s1600/Before.jpg" height="298" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As I've been working up my motivation to jump on this healthy food train, the main thing that's been hanging over me is the PLANNING. They say that's the key--the meal planning and the grocery shopping. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Here's how I've been gearing up....</b><br />
<br />
First I read through their <a href="http://whole30.com/new/" target="_blank">8-Step guide</a> for newbies. I was surprised how fun and easy to read it was. <br />
<br />
I'm using <a href="http://whole30.com/pdf-downloads/" target="_blank">these lists</a> from the Whole30 site as a guide for groceries:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MMUv2F4fM8E/Uwuy4TxqZiI/AAAAAAAABBU/pcAdu3kHZnw/s1600/Whole30+Shopping+Lists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MMUv2F4fM8E/Uwuy4TxqZiI/AAAAAAAABBU/pcAdu3kHZnw/s1600/Whole30+Shopping+Lists.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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I'm following <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/stupideasypaleo/whole30/" target="_blank">this</a> Pinterest board (Stupid Easy Paleo-Whole30--it has about 18k followers!) and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/chowstalker/whole30/" target="_blank">this</a> Chowstalker one. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And I'm following <a href="http://stupid%20easy%20paleo-whole30/" target="_blank">@whole30</a> on Instagram. (will use #bethanyswhole30)</div>
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Other than that, I've been wading through some of the recommended <a href="http://whole30.com/2013/07/whole30-meal-plans/" target="_blank">blogs </a>that Whole30 suggests for recipes and meal plans. One of my go-tos will probably be from <a href="http://meatified.com/" target="_blank">Meatified</a>--with their 30 Days of Whole30 <a href="http://meatified.com/30-days-whole-30-breakfasts/" target="_blank">Breakfasts</a>, <a href="http://meatified.com/30-days-whole-30-lunches/" target="_blank">Lunches</a>, and <a href="http://meatified.com/30-days-whole-30-dinners/" target="_blank">Dinners</a>.</div>
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<b>One last thought...</b></div>
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Last thing I want to mention is that I'm super thankful for the body God gave me--pear-shaped and all. My main goal is to glorify Him as I learn how to eat healthier and exercise self-discipline. Having a daughter keeps me really accountable to teaching her a positive self-image--frequently reminding her that she's created in God's image, that He made her and she is precious to Him, that she has a beautiful body... And since becoming a mom I've needed God to teach me to accept the changes from and marks of my pregnancies. I've had to adjust to being several sizes for the first time, and becoming comfortable in my own skin at those various stages. And while accepting that, I also want to strive to be as healthy as possible (especially in light of trying for another baby). It's all about balance! </div>
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So here we go. I'm excited to let this retrain the way I think! And I'm excited to see what new foods I learn to cook with and come to love. </div>
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(And hey, if it gets me a little more photo-ready to be in my dear Rachel's wedding next month, then all the better.) ;)</div>
Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-48687235129282404242014-02-10T17:42:00.001-08:002014-02-11T18:35:31.692-08:00Sign of the Week: MUSICSo this was actually from two weeks ago, but I've been focusing on some other things lately! Time to catch us up. :)<br />
<br />
First off, I have to say that I'm typing this from a sort of "vacation" spot. Our complex has been doing a lot of renovations and construction (for oh... years.), and this time around they got smart and have some furnished units that we can use during the day! Complete with a coffee pot (of course this is listed first), TV (woohoo cable!), wifi, and even beds--so my peanut could take her nap undisturbed (hallelujah)! I can't tell you how thankful I am for the peace and quiet. And Ellie's thankful for Disney Junior. ;)<br />
<br />
Okay so here we go...<br />
<br />
"This week's" sign from the Signing Time Blog is... MUSIC!<br />
(from <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/baby-signing-time-volume-4-dvd-original" target="_blank">Baby Signing Time DVD Vol 4: Let's Be Friends</a>)<br />
<br />
<i>I also have a bunch of previous Signs of the Week in a </i><i> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.242022955926582.60817.241335359328675&type=1&l=73b2368141" target="_blank">photo album</a></i><i> (viewable on my Little Sign of Mine Facebook page even if you don't have a Facebook account).</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1) How to sign MUSIC:</span><br />
MUSIC: Hold your left (or non-dominant arm) out in front of you, perpendicular to your body. Make a flat hand with your right (or dominant) hand, and sway or swing your hand over your arm--almost like you're conducting music. <br />
<br />
*The cool thing about this sign is it is also the sign for SING and SONG. As you make this sign, just say the word you're intending it to mean! <br />
Example--"Should we put on some MUSIC? What SONG do you want to listen to? 'Old MacDonald?'<i> </i> Okay, let's SING along!" (Meanwhile, you're doing the same sign each time.)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQJqfgIl8Co/Uvl-v5kin5I/AAAAAAAAA_8/pUDQNZTjyMs/s1600/Music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQJqfgIl8Co/Uvl-v5kin5I/AAAAAAAAA_8/pUDQNZTjyMs/s1600/Music.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) Watch </span>Rachel sign MUSIC & print the flashcard on the Signing Time Blog <a href="https://www.signingtime.com/blog/2014/01/sign-of-the-week-music/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) Signing Activities:</span><br />
*Infants:<br />
-Anytime you hear music--whether at a grocery store, listening to a Baby Signing Time CD in the car, or playing with a toy that sings a song--sign and say MUSIC. ("Do you hear the MUSIC? Oooh, what SONG is this?")<br />
-Make a drum circle for little one out of pots and pans. Let him use his hands or give him a wooden spoon "drum stick." Clap and cheer for him as he makes music, and encourage him by saying, "Good job, you're making MUSIC!" (while signing MUSIC).<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;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QibA_19lt8Y/UJ80If3ZroI/AAAAAAAAJ2M/OiQH5GhkQbg/s280/20121110_105347.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">(Source: </span><a href="http://www.playcreateexplore.org/2013/01/baby-drums.html?m=1" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Play Create Explore</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Toddlers:<br />
-Make your own sound treasure basket by collecting, making, or buying fun instruments.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.finesolutions.co.uk/media/ecommerce/products/image_1300652609-GTB-02-DSCF1199.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">(Image source: </span><a href="http://www.finesolutions.co.uk/products/sound-treasure-basket" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Fine Solutions</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-Check out this fun pin for lots of ideas on instruments you and your little one can make and explore together:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.redtedart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/15-Musical-instrument-craft-ideas-for-kids.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Source: <a href="http://www.redtedart.com/2012/10/15/musical-instrument-crafts-for-kids/" target="_blank">Red Ted Art</a>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Preschooler:<br />
-In addition to the toddler ideas, try making this fun windchime!<br />
Using an old xylophone (check thrift store, garage sales, ebay, or Craig's List), hang pieces to an embroidery hoop using fishing line. Talk and sign together about the MUSIC it makes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/paradigm_94/Crafts/DSCF2613.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">(Source: </span><a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=136579.0%3Futm_source%3Dnewsletter1#axzz2t4Gm1goe" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Craftster forum</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4) Today's Challenge: </span>Listen to a song and dance with your little one once a day, and practice signing MUSIC. "Do you like this SONG? It's so fun moving to the MUSIC!"<br />
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Happy signing!</div>
Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-35569792410137782492014-02-04T09:37:00.001-08:002014-02-04T12:09:07.328-08:00Granny Annie's Spaghetti Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSzUoX23SAk/UvESSdJeSjI/AAAAAAAAA-s/_nAOl1CXS9k/s1600/Afterlight+Spag+Pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSzUoX23SAk/UvESSdJeSjI/AAAAAAAAA-s/_nAOl1CXS9k/s1600/Afterlight+Spag+Pie.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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The way food can recall a memory is so amazing to me. I can take a bite of Rice Chex cereal with sliced bananas, and suddenly I'm back in my junior year of high school, it's 6:42 in the morning, and I'm having breakfast with my wonderful dad. <br />
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When I take a bite of this spaghetti pie, it's April 8, 2009. I'm in Boerne, Texas at one of my closest friend's houses just days before her wedding. Around the table are the rest of the girls that make up the Fab 5, and we're digging in to some of the best home cooking west of the Mississippi, thanks to the mother-of-the-bride.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7xXj9mXymuc/UvESQ3EdX3I/AAAAAAAAA-k/m9KIEkFDxSs/s1600/Ann+and+Kristen+cropped+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7xXj9mXymuc/UvESQ3EdX3I/AAAAAAAAA-k/m9KIEkFDxSs/s1600/Ann+and+Kristen+cropped+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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I loved each savory bite so much so that I begged Kristen's momma for her recipe. She showed me how she had prepped extras for the freezer--ready to pop in the oven at a moment's notice for any guests who might be dropping by during "wedding week"--and shared what a great meal it was to bring to a neighbor or friend in need. (Talk about thoughtful and hospitable!)<br />
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She gladly went and scanned a copy of the recipe from her cookbook that I have kept to this very day (and have since made numerous copies of for friends). <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdOhBOxEz5E/UvEXG0Up79I/AAAAAAAAA-8/jgaTlWLwy7k/s1600/IMG_1623_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdOhBOxEz5E/UvEXG0Up79I/AAAAAAAAA-8/jgaTlWLwy7k/s1600/IMG_1623_.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Take one bite of this dish--with its perfect spaghetti and parmesan "crust," its flavorful sage sausage that's cooked in a delicious tomato sauce, then its balanced layer of sour cream with sautéed bell peppers and onions, and of course the oozing mozzarella cheese--and you will be sold.</div>
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I was so eager to share Ann's dish with my peanut and tell her about Granny Annie's spaghetti pie. We had such a sweet time making it together, and this mom was THRILLED that it got her eating veggies and meat. She loved every bite of it, and I'm sure Kristen's baby girl, Anna (Ann's namesake!), will love it just as much when she gets bigger. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oZCSFZlqPk/UvEKLml0wEI/AAAAAAAAA-U/6n12dHBQ3Kg/s1600/IMG_1631_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oZCSFZlqPk/UvEKLml0wEI/AAAAAAAAA-U/6n12dHBQ3Kg/s1600/IMG_1631_.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Someday you may be able to throw your arms around Ann and thank her for one of the tastiest comfort foods ever when you join her in heaven... Until then, get to know the sweet, warm, wonderful momma and grandma that she was through making this special dish for your loved ones. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Granny Annie's Spaghetti Pie</span><br />
<em>From the Loving Kitchen of Ann Smith</em><br />
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8 oz. spaghetti<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese<br />
2 Tbsp. margarine <br />
1/2 c. chopped green bell pepper<br />
1/3 c. chopped onion<br />
1 c. sour cream (preferably room temp)<br />
1 lb. sage seasoned sausage<br />
1 c. water<br />
6 oz. can tomato paste <br />
4 oz. sliced Mozzarella cheese<br />
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NOTE: The gist of the layers will be:<br />
1) Spaghetti mixture<br />
2) Sour cream w/ veggies<br />
3) Meat in sauce<br />
4) After baking, cheese (then bake to melt)<br />
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Heat oven to 350 degrees and set out the sour cream to bring to room temp. Break spaghetti in half and cook in salted water until barely tender; drain (or you can use up that leftover spaghetti!). Beat eggs. (Ellie loves doing this for me! I ask her to keep the fork touching the bottom of the bowl when stirring, and to keep the fork in/just above the bowl when she pokes the yolks and lifts them to break them up.)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPAdCiwZVgQ/UvEY7yGrDfI/AAAAAAAAA_M/6jql1qhf8OE/s1600/IMG_1617_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPAdCiwZVgQ/UvEY7yGrDfI/AAAAAAAAA_M/6jql1qhf8OE/s1600/IMG_1617_.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Add Parmesan cheese (I usually use the green canister one) and toss with warm spaghetti. [See earlier pic of Ellie holding recipe.] Put spaghetti mixture in greased 10-inch pie pan. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kseYMYvbC3w/UvEJove3mRI/AAAAAAAAA-E/GfirAm8ja2s/s1600/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kseYMYvbC3w/UvEJove3mRI/AAAAAAAAA-E/GfirAm8ja2s/s1600/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></div>
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Melt margarine in medium skillet; add green pepper and onion. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes. Do not brown. <br />
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Add sour cream to vegetables; mix and spoon over spaghetti. <br />
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Cook sausage; drain off grease. <br />
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Add to sausage, the tomato paste mixed with water (I usually do this in my liquid measuring cup. I fill it with water first and then dump in the tomato paste and stir with a fork.<br />
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Simmer for 10 minutes and then spoon over sour cream mixture.<br />
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Bake for 25 minutes at 350.<br />
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Then cut cheese into strips and arrange over top. (Try to cover the whole pie with cheese. I start with the slices that come out nice and whole and then fill in the gaps with smaller slices.)<br />
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Return to oven for 3 to 4 minutes, until cheese is melted. <br />
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Mmmmm delicious... It also makes wonderful leftovers (if there is any!!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P84lssHiaKk/UvEgQjv7eYI/AAAAAAAAA_s/fnbh_L_eUpU/s1600/IMG_1630+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P84lssHiaKk/UvEgQjv7eYI/AAAAAAAAA_s/fnbh_L_eUpU/s1600/IMG_1630+copy.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-59212684960074672502014-01-27T10:55:00.001-08:002014-02-04T12:08:02.720-08:00January Birchbox | 2014<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1MfxJxsqc8/Uuav_s1Dw2I/AAAAAAAAA34/5xpllj128Uw/s1600/January+2014+Birchbox+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1MfxJxsqc8/Uuav_s1Dw2I/AAAAAAAAA34/5xpllj128Uw/s1600/January+2014+Birchbox+copy.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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A couple weeks ago, after going on a Daddy-Daughter park date that ended in a "mail walk" as we call it, Ellie came bursting through the doors with a bright pink box outstretched. </div>
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"Mommy, LOOK what I haaaave!!!!" </div>
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She knows how excited I get for my monthly <a href="https://www.birchbox.com/invite/x8drj" target="_blank">Birchbox</a>--it's kind of become a family affair. :) She likes the anticipation as we open it up and explore its pretty packaging and colorful products inside. When she was a baby she liked knowing if something was for eyes or lips, and would walk around holding them there on her face, haha.</div>
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This month, aside from my four beauty samples, the "lifestyle extra" I got was <a href="http://www.birchbox.com/shop/january-2014-box/ahmad-tea-fruit-black-tea" target="_blank">tea </a>(I think there were three different blends). But somehow I lost them in my mess of a house. They looked yum though! Maybe I'll find them the next time I'm looking for the Apple TV remote... </div>
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I really like when Birchbox started including each product's "how" instructions. I remember one time using a <em>clarifying</em> shampoo as a <em>daily</em> shampoo, not knowing it was more of a once-a-month kind of a thing (thank you Kate, from <a href="http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2013/01/january-birchbox.html" target="_blank">The Small Things Blogs</a>, for saving my hair on that one!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GlYdIioDvXs/Uuaxj9LCFrI/AAAAAAAAA4M/YtHSfqNil1k/s1600/IMG_8880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GlYdIioDvXs/Uuaxj9LCFrI/AAAAAAAAA4M/YtHSfqNil1k/s1600/IMG_8880.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.birchbox.com/shop/january-2014-box/100-pure-super-fruits-reparative-cream" target="_blank">Reparative Cream</a> | <a href="http://www.birchbox.com/shop/january-2014-box/100-pure-vitamin-a-coenzyme-q10-wrinkle-smoothing-night-cream" target="_blank">Smoothing Night Cream</a> | <a href="http://www.birchbox.com/shop/january-2014-box/100-pure-organic-coffee-bean-eye-cream" target="_blank">Eye Cream</a></td></tr>
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I haven't opened these little guys yet, but I love that they're 100% natural and vegan. My sis just said the other day that we might as well eat what we put on our skin, and that keeps resounding in my head anytime I put a soap or lotion on, haha. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1p7_oplQR78/UuNSi-oJe1I/AAAAAAAAA0I/NlmMxC8QBYw/s1600/IMG_8888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1p7_oplQR78/UuNSi-oJe1I/AAAAAAAAA0I/NlmMxC8QBYw/s1600/IMG_8888.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.birchbox.com/shop/january-2014-box/fekkai-brilliant-glossing-styling-cream" target="_blank">Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream</a></td></tr>
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I am loving this Fekkai Advanced glossing cream. I have frizzy hair, so this works great for lightly taming that frizz, while not being too heavy or oily. And I love that it can be applied on wet OR dry hair. Plus that size?? With only needing a pea-sized amount, this should last me a while. :) Thanks, <a href="https://www.birchbox.com/invite/x8drj" target="_blank">Birchbox</a>!! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.birchbox.com/shop/january-2014-box/inika-eyeshadow" target="_blank">Inika Mineral Eyeshadow</a> </td></tr>
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This INIKA eyeshadow is definitely a color I'd wear, and I really like what this product line is <a href="http://www.birchbox.com/magazine/slideshow/inside-january-2014-birchboxes-our-brand-lineup" target="_blank">about</a>. Plus I've always liked the versatility of loose eyeshadows in general (wet or dry, layerable.) [Tip: tapping the brush to dust off the extra, then "pressing" the brush into the lid tends to avoid it "spilling" under the eye.] I'll have to swatch this color for you guys and show it in another post soon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.birchbox.com/shop/nail-rock-990" target="_blank">Nail Rock</a></td></tr>
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This Nail Rock looks fun with all the trending nail styles right now, but the red and the glitter combined definitely seems like a way bolder move than I'd usually try. (Accent nail might be worth a shot... but even still not for an every day look--more for a special occasion.) Maybe if I'd gotten the pink? Except with teaching signing, I would imagine this would be SUPER distracting! :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img data-full-src="/images/uploads/January_w-EditorsLetter_700x400.jpg" src="https://www.birchbox.com/images/uploads/January_w-EditorsLetter_700x400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; opacity: 1;" /></td></tr>
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The background cards you see are perforated little cards that go along with Birchbox's theme for January--"It's Go Time!" Check out their <a href="http://www.birchbox.com/magazine/slideshow/20-things-to-try-in-2014-the-birchbox-go-list" target="_blank">20 Things to Try in 2014 "Go List."</a> </div>
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What was your favorite thing in your January <a href="https://www.birchbox.com/invite/x8drj" target="_blank">Birchbox</a>? </div>
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P.S. Today David and I have been married for 6 1/2 yrs. :) In other words it's the day he answers the "How long have you been married?" question with "almost 7 years." To my glass half-full husband, I love you. :)</div>
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In <a href="http://www.littlesignandmore.blogspot.com/2014/01/until-then-gratitude.html" target="_blank">yesterday's post</a>, I shared how gratitude helps me in this waiting phase I've been in. I can't wait to give Ellie a little brother or sister. But until then... there are some things that help me feel like I'm at least doing <em>something </em>toward growing our family. <br />
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I have full confidence that God's timing is perfect; I'm completely trusting Him as Creator. <br />
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So I feel like it's important for me to mention that these are totally not attempts to take control. It's so helpful for me to feel like I'm doing my part, and by doing these things I'm able to have a good understanding of this whole process. Instead of feeling like I'm doing something wrong, I can feel peace that it just isn't God's timing yet. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmfGaPf7des/UuMS6iq3KDI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/8abZItcQ07c/s1600/TTC+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmfGaPf7des/UuMS6iq3KDI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/8abZItcQ07c/s1600/TTC+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{Being proactive...} <br />
1) The book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-Before-Youre-Expecting/dp/0761152768" target="_blank">What to Expect Before You're Expecting</a> has been super helpful. (They also have a <a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/preconception/landing-page.aspx" target="_blank">website</a> that might be worth checking out.) I've read some <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/chart-basal-body-temperature-and-cervical-mucus" target="_blank">articles</a> on Baby Center's site that have been really informative also.<br />
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2) I get cheap <strong>ovulation kits </strong><a href="http://www.target.com/p/up-up-20-ct-daily-ovulation-prdctr/-/A-14376116#prodSlot=medium_1_4" target="_blank">from Target</a> to test for an LH surge (can also get at the Dollar Tree, but I think this one was a smidge cheaper, and it doesn't take up as much storage space). These tests let you know when the likely 24-36 hr ovulation window is coming. (Sometimes this is frustrating because you're suppose to look for a second line that's DARKER than the test line, and it's like, "uhhh, is this one darker??") :)<br />
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3) I take my <strong><a href="http://www.target.com/p/up-up-digital-basal-thermometer/-/A-11676081" target="_blank">temperature</a></strong> every morning to keep track of my cycles and to look for patterns (what day I typically ovulate, etc.). This information mainly lets you know you've ALREADY ovulated (your Basal Body Temperature will rise after), but it's still helpful when combined with other info. <br />
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<strong>My favorite thing about taking my temperature is I always know if I'm having a <em>longer</em> cycle.</strong> (When trying with Ellie I had one that was like 52 days or something crazy! Fortunately it's been more regular since having her). Knowing it's a longer cycle helps because otherwise I might wonder if I'm late and get my hopes up, or even take a test preemptively only to be disappointed when it's negative.<br />
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I also <strong>chart my temperature. </strong>The <u>What to Expect Before You're Expecting</u> book has some blank graphs in the back to chart temperature. Once I filled those up though (while trying to get pregnant with Ellie), I <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/0_blank-bbt-chart_7069.bc" target="_blank">printed free charts online</a> and charted them there for a bit. Right now I have a note in my phone that I just titled BBT (Basal Body Temperature), and have been keeping track in there. Other times I've written temperatures out in my journal or even on our bathroom mirror with a dry-erase marker, haha.<br />
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4) I <strong>track everything in my phone. </strong>I've been using a <strong>calendar</strong> app that keeps track of my previous cycles' start dates and lengths, shows the four days that would likely be best to try, and notes when we have tried. But when I updated my phone's software, the one I was using got deleted, so I haven't been doing this for the past two cycles. My BFF just recommended this free one though, <a href="https://www.kindara.com/home" target="_blank">Kindara</a>, and it looks pretty good. Might take a little getting used to, but I like that this will keep track of my temperature as well. I also noticed that <em><a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/preconception/photo-gallery/fertility-tracker-iphone-app.aspx#/slide-1" target="_blank">What to Expect</a></em> has a free app for tracking fertility as well.<br />
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Well there you have it... Remember this is stuff that <em>keeps me from stressing. </em>Not recommended if it's too overwhelming! <br />
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Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below or email me at <a href="mailto:littlesignofmine@gmail.com">littlesignofmine@gmail.com</a>.Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-16057398023323261132014-01-23T16:38:00.002-08:002015-06-01T00:41:10.518-07:00Until then... {Gratitude}My heart has been so filled with the kind responses I received from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3050111307565348166#editor/target=post;postID=1894033157669009266;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=6;src=postname" target="_blank">this post</a>, (where I shared about grieving the loss of our baby and struggling to remain hopeful for another baby). Thank you from the bottom of my heart...<br />
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When I'm trusting God, I have full confidence that He has another baby in store for our family. And <strong>until then... I'm finding helpful ways to keep myself proactive so I can endure the wait a <em>little</em> easier. </strong>First is with gratitude--and in tomorrow's post I'll share the more practical things I'm doing to at least <em>feel</em> like I'm doing <em>something</em> toward growing our family.<br />
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(Keep in mind, the things below aren't helpful to use to try to comfort a friend who has lost a baby--saying things like, "At least ______," can be pretty painful. Let her journey to find these things on her own...)<br />
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{Gratitude...}<br />
-<strong>I'm cherishing this one-on-one time</strong> with my peanut. Being able to invest solely in her right now is a gift I can give her each day. I know I'll miss this time someday, and want to remember how special it is.<br />
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-I've just been <strong>extra thankful for Ellie's life </strong>in general, after losing our little pistachio reminded me how miraculous each and every life is. <em>Being a mom is something I hope to never take for granted.</em><br />
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-It means a lot to me that <strong>my husband and I are in this together</strong>. There was a period where David wasn't ready to try again after the miscarriage (from wanting to pay the bill from the ER and the emergency D&C), and that was especially hard for me. So now I'm just thankful to actually BE trying. Knowing that he wants this baby (almost) as much as I do :) means a lot, and even seeing his discouragement each month helps because I feel like he gets it, and it validates the discouragement I feel. We can also encourage each other, be hopeful together, and talk about the roller coaster we're on with empathy and understanding.<br />
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-<strong>My baby is with Jesus and his Papa. </strong>I'm so grateful our little babies are embraced into God's arms in heaven. Being assured that I'll get to see my son or daughter someday (2 Samuel 12:23) gives me so much hope and fills my heart with even more love for that little one. It's like, "Mama's coming for you little one!" :) And it also comforts my heart to know that amidst the pain of missing my dad and missing my little baby--they're together. It aches my heart that my dad didn't meet or get to know my Ellie Joy, so there's almost a sweetness to knowing he does know one of my little children. (Don't you just wonder how they know they're family? How I'll know which one is my child when I get there? Amazing...)<br />
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I've definitely experienced first-hand why God talks with us so much in the Bible about being thankful in all things, and coming to Him with thanksgiving, etc. It really makes such a difference in my heart.<br />
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What are ways that you stay positive while waiting for a baby--or waiting for anything you're longing for??Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-57232269784158598882014-01-22T08:05:00.003-08:002014-02-04T12:01:04.050-08:00When to Start SigningThis is the first video in a new series! I wanted to share everything a family would want to know before they start signing with their little one. <br />
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Each video will focus on one aspect--from the benefits in signing, when to start, what signs to begin with, and how to teach your little one to sign.<br />
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Today's video answers the question, "When should I start signing with my little one?"<br />
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I'll give you a hint... The answer is... now! :) But I share what you can "expect" if you're starting at various ages--whether it's 0-5 mos, 6-10 mos, 1 yr-3 yrs, or 3-5 yrs. <br />
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I mention <em>some</em> benefits in signing with your child at each of those different stages, but my next video will touch on a lot more of the benefits (answering the "Why sign?" question).<br />
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Hope this gives you some helpful information, and if you have any questions feel free to comment below!<br />
<br />Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-75690359783577653232014-01-21T00:30:00.003-08:002014-02-04T12:29:19.276-08:00Why I Love Granola Babies: Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so thankful a friend of mine connected me with <a href="http://www.granolababies.com/pages/about-us" target="_blank">Giselle Baturay</a>, the owner of <a href="http://www.granolababies.com/" target="_blank">Granola Babies</a>. Granola Babies is OC's largest natural parenting boutique, and it's where I'm lucky enough to teach my Little Sign of Mine <a href="http://www.granolababies.com/collections/events-all-locations/products/little-sign-of-mine" target="_blank">baby sign language classes</a> every Friday. (It's located in Costa Mesa as part of the OC Mix--in the South Coast Collection. You can check out and like their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/granolababies" target="_blank">Facebook page here</a>, and follow Giselle on <a href="http://instagram.com/granolababies" target="_blank">Instagram</a> under @granolababies.)<br />
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I think every time I walk in the store, talk with Giselle, or browse their website, I find another thing I love about Granola Babies. (Thus, not being able to concisely write about its awesomeness in merely one post.)</div>
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Ellie's number one favorite thing about the store is their play area. This is where you're guaranteed to find us every Friday after class. Ellie can't WAIT to slip off her shoes and burst through that little gate. :)</div>
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And guess what? Starting this Friday we'll be offering a craft time in here right after our <a href="http://www.granolababies.com/collections/events-all-locations/products/little-sign-of-mine" target="_blank">sign language class</a> that will be free for all families in my 4-week sessions. :) Here is last week's craft:</div>
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Okay, so a little about this awesome play area...</div>
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Why do I love it so much (other than how much Ellie adores it)?? Each toy or activity is Waldorf-inspired to tap into little one's creative potential. It's entirely eco-friendly and non-toxic. It's relaxing (I've always been there during light traffic). It's cheap (only <a href="http://www.granolababies.com/collections/events-costa-mesa/products/drop-in-art-play" target="_blank">5 bucks</a> for 9mos-5 yr olds). And to top it off--it's adorable. </div>
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<b>So today I thought I'd take you on a photo tour around Granola Babies' wonderful, Waldorf-inspired art-based play area (the first one like it in our county!).</b><br />
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<i>P.S. Ellie is in her jammies in the pics below cause it was our Bedtime-themed class that day! :)</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her first face--so proud! :)<br />
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This play area really is just an incredible space for imagination and creativity. And it's open for drop-in play Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11am-4pm (at just $5 per child!). For more details, check <a href="http://www.granolababies.com/collections/events-costa-mesa/products/drop-in-art-play" target="_blank">here </a>on their website.</div>
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Ready to imagine, play, and create?? </div>
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Use the hashtag #granolaplaying if you instagram your little one playing there!</div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-lkrgm1PEdEc%2FUt4d5DlB3dI%2FAAAAAAAAAwY%2F0HL1PblrOe4%2Fs1600%2FIMG_1687.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkrgm1PEdEc/Ut4d5DlB3dI/AAAAAAAAAwY/0HL1PblrOe4/s1600/IMG_1687.JPG" -->Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050111307565348166.post-55889739517540446262014-01-20T11:04:00.004-08:002014-02-04T12:06:40.386-08:00Time.I've always wondered when life won't feel so busy. I think the answer is.. never.<br />
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So I've just decided to accept it. <br />
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<b>Something I know will forever be a challenge of mine is TIME. Being productive, not procrastinating, managing time well... all of the above.</b><br />
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With that, I know that the best way to keep myself on track is to have <i>schedules</i>. I wrote about how David and I look over our weekly calendar on my "Your Life on Your Fridge" post <b><a href="http://www.littlesignandmore.blogspot.com/2013/12/your-life-on-your-fridge.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>. That helps a lot with knowing the MUSTS for the week--like scheduled appointments, dinner plans with friends, birthday parties, etc. <br />
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But what about all the other million things I need or want to get done in between those MUSTS? <br />
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This week I'm tackling some to do list goals by scheduling them into each day. Things like <i>washing our pillows</i>. <i>Cleaning out the car</i>. Or <i>finishing our Christmas letter</i> (gulp.)<br />
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I like to think about goals in terms of "things I can get done in the morning with Ellie," and "things I want to focus on during nap time/at night after E's down."<br />
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If I set an actual time for something, that goes even better because I have a way to gauge how I'm doing with my day--just check it against the clock. <b>When time starts to get away from me, the schedule can pull me back and keep me on track.</b><br />
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Keep in mind, these are things that work with my struggle to stay on task. This wouldn't be good to do if it leads to feeling pressured or constricted by the time. I keep it flexible for myself--looking at it like it's approximate--and if I don't get something done one day, no worries--I just look and see where it can fit another day. <b>The idea is to intentionally take that time to look and plan how or when to get something done.</b><br />
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Quick example--I've noticed how much I struggle with replying to emails. So that means I need to schedule a time that's uninterrupted to do that each day. Like the morning before Ellie gets up.<br />
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To find time slots where I can fit things into each day, I decided to break down a typical day. With this "template," I'll be able to find places to put things in, like "buy birthday gift," or "order pictures online," or "plan week's meals." <br />
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Here's the break-down of Ellie's and my typical day that helps me stay on track...<br />
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<u>Ellies & Mommy's Day</u><br />
6am - get up before Ellie to have coffee and some time to journal, read God's word, and talk to Jesus :)<br />
6:30am - check emails and reply to two<br />
7am - get dressed, brush teeth, wash face, contacts (while E eats cheerios and a banana on my bed with a show)<br />
7:30am - get E dressed (potty, put pjs away, put laundry I did night before away in her closet)<br />
8am - make breakfast<br />
8:15am - Brekkie (do E's hair while she's still eating)<br />
9am - wash breakfast dishes, empty dishwasher (put on music or a show on laptop to enjoy the time!)<br />
9:30am - start load of laundry, tidy a bit<br />
10am - Snack time for E while I do some sort of exercise (Pilates, cardio, or weights)<br />
10:45am - E's rest time - put on a show (Signing Time) :)<br />
11am - make lunch<br />
11:30am - Lunch<br />
12pm - craft or activity<br />
12:45pm - E clean up toys <br />
1pm - Nap time (switch over laundry to dryer or hang dry)<br />
1:15pm - my coffee and bagel time; read blogs; watch a show; browse Instagram<br />
2pm - Work/prep for the week's Little Sign of Mine class<br />
3pm - snack and craft or activity once Peanut's awake<br />
4:30pm - put on a show for E so I can cook dinner<br />
5:30 or 6pm - Dinner (take vitamins) Then clear dishes together, put food away; E plays till bath (needs to put away toys before bath)<br />
6:45pm - bath time<br />
7:15pm - get E ready for bed<br />
8pm - Bedtime for E<br />
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So there you have it. It may not look loose, but it's fairly loose so I can have time for other things, too. I also like to be ready to scrap things if a friend calls and wants to go to the park. :)<br />
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What next? I have this schedule written down in a notebook on the left--and on the right I'm listing the things I hope to get done this week. Then I'm going to go to the week's calendar <a href="http://www.littlesignandmore.blogspot.com/2013/12/your-life-on-your-fridge.html" target="_blank">on the fridge</a> and jot down what days (and what time of days) I'd like to do each thing.<br />
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Do you have some tricks to helping you get things done? How do you organize your time? I'd love to hear!<br />
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Here's to a productive week! Happy Monday. :)Bethany Sloanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05700299331653832413noreply@blogger.com0