I Loooove This Face

Even though it's slippery drippy with slobbery snot right now...poor baby.

A Contest

Update: Check out the winners! There were some fabulous entries. Always inspiring!

Sorry, I'm not having one. Although maybe I should...
Anyway. I purchased some actions from Nichole a while back and have been practicing with varying degrees of success (trying to get the feel for them).

She had a contest to kick off her new website, so I thought I'd enter. Really just for practice and to see if I could come up with anything. It was fun.
There are some amazing photos. Go take a look...

Organic and emotional?

My Illustrious Career

Ha. That makes me laugh.
I routinely check out a lot of photography blogs. The vast majority of them are moms much like me who love to photograph their kids/family/weddings and such. It seems like many of them started taking pictures of their kids and a hobby developed into a passion, and so on and so on.
It made me think that my own journey is really quite backwards.

First I went to art school. I had a lot of fun and got to try a lot of different art techniques. It was actually before digital and we didn't get much into any computers. They started that the year after. I did take photography classes and spent time (many late nights) in a darkroom. I have a lot of respect for photographers who have mastered that craft. It's very labor intensive. Although digital work can be too, but 'dryer'. (no trays of chemicals to dip into)

Oddly enough my initial hands-on experience came from working in a chain portrait studio. With an extremely simple studio setup I got to practice just taking pictures without having to really worry about the camera. That's when I got the bug. It was such a thrill shooting a roll of film and then rushing to have it developed to see how it turned out. This is where digital is such instant gratification. Which I love!
Then I graduated to a privately owned studio where we used a medium format camera in a controlled studio (the lighting was pretty much set), as well as weddings on location. I learned a lot there and got to work with some interesting photographers. They were pretty 'old school' but it was good experience. Mostly. We were always having mechanical problems and I ended up getting burned out creatively. I had enough.

Then I got a job at the phone company. Oddly enough I'm a terrible phone person but it was the most fun I've ever had working, at least for a while. Maybe meeting my Charming Husband had something to do with it?

So now I am home with my kiddos. Which is certainly more interesting than a crappy office job (prior to my maternity leave).
I've tried to learn as much Photoshop as I can. Which is basically a grain of sand in the Photoshop desert. I love digital work. It's so rewarding.
I try to keep learning things all the time. Especially about the mechanics of photography. Lighting is my current area of learning. There are so many aspects.

And I'm still hoping that sometime in the future I'll figure out something I love to do AND get paid to do it.
Perhaps some form of photography since there isn't much demand for paid massage recipients, ice cream eaters or luxury vacationers.

Baby Girl 8 Months

It has been a busy month for The Babe. She has been busy eating, sitting up and scooching under things and into the sides of her crib, slobbering, squealing, and doing little baby yoga.










She's really good at downward dog.









And in case you get the idea she's all rainbows and sunshine she also pulls hair, kicks, bites, and spits. Not hucka loogies, but mostly raspberries. And if you are inclined to think that's cute you obviously haven't had to clean sweet potatoes out of your hair lately.
I heard a mom say one of their family motos was 'you always hurt the ones you love'.
So I know she looooves me.




She has also become a bit more difficult to please. She used to smile if you just looked at her and now she expects some kind of entertainment or she will look decidedly unimpressed.








BUT, in spite of all that, she's still scrumptiously deliciously yummy enough to eat! And mostly rainbows and sunshine.

35 Months

So, for the first time ever I'm going to do a bit of a separate update for the boys.
Weird, I know.
It just seems that while they still do almost everything together, they need some time/space to themselves too. They can't fight if they're not together!
It's not that they fight constantly, because they play together all the time, but they certainly know how to bug each other too.
And they do have very different distinct personalities, which are fun to discover and observe. They also appreciate a little one on one time.


The Bug.
He is often seen trying to carry/hold every toy car in the house in his hands or stashing them in his room. He now uses a basket or bucket to carry them from his room to other parts of the house. Do not try to remove them or your ears will crack and bleed from the screams erupting from the small boy.
The cutest part is the way he lines them all up at bedtime. He loves them.












The Bug has started enjoying singing now too. His favorite is the theme from The Wonder Pets. He likes to sing very loudly, what's gonna work? TEAMWORK!











The Bee.
The Bee carries on in his dramatic, yet lovable fashion. He is quite good at playing hockey and basketball (which he calls soccer for some reason). They like to stand on little chairs to reach the basketball net, which is also little. But The Bee can actually throw the balls in himself.











He still likes to sing and will sing along even if he doesn't quite know the words!
He's good at making things up. If something isn't the right size...too big or small...won't fit. It's too fit. Always something new with this kid!

Baby Blue

Well, more like aqua...
I just downloaded a bunch of pics from my camera and I have a bunch of editing to do and monthly updates for the boys, but I couldn't resist this one of my babe.
And don't you worry, there's plenty more where this came from!

Hibernation

I'm often surprised that so many days have passed between posts. I feel like I'm posting more often, but I guess not...

My optimistic fresh energy January feeling has waned. I am feeling weary and unenthusiastic. Not that I'm not still somewhat optimistic. At least in my head. I just don't feel like doing anything about it. In fact, I'd just rather not do anything.

Perhaps it is the fact that my sons have taken their melodrama to another level. I suspect they are hanging on to the few remaining weeks of their 'terrible twos' with renewed vigor. To go out with a splash. The whining and crying(raging) when things don't go their way and the incessant 'mineminemine' from The Bee is tiresome.
And what are the threes? The Superfantastic Terrificalicious Threes I hope.

And The Babe is still getting me up several times a night. She probably has a baby pool going on how many minutes it takes me to stumble out of my warm cozy bed and get to hers. On demand! Run Mommy Run!

But let's be realistic. My melancholy must surely be blamed on the writers strike!
Reality sucks.
(If I have to see Gene Simmons and Donald Trump on my tv again I'm going to poke my eyes out)

The Bee Says...

We've been having dried figs as a snack lately. The kids like them, especially The Bee. Although he calls them 'pigs'...??
I say 'ffffff...figs'.
I think he's catching on.
He now asks for 'ffffff...pigs'.

How to Make a Snowman

X2

Hey, do you know what's more fun than a two year old who thinks he owns everything, wants to do everything himself and freaks out when he doesn't get his way??
That's right!
2 two year olds. That way they can fight.

New Year

Last year at this time I had a free pass. The 'Pregnant Lady eats what she wants' pass. But I knew exactly how I'd be feeling this year... yucky!
I knew that with the baby being 7 months old and after the holidays, I would be feeling annoyed with the squishy baby belly and oddly shaped body I have acquired.
So I join the millions out there wanting to eat better and feel better about my physical self.

We're off to a good start. I spent a good part of New Year's day roasting, steaming, toasting, pureeing, souping turkey leftovers and freezing. I've got myself some interesting new cookbooks and feeling motivated. I'm a little afraid it won't last, but I'm trying to carry on the momentum.
I'm not saying that I'm cutting out all treats or being super strict. MrMittens is taking a more vigorous approach.
I figure I'll go in phases. Healthier eating is step one (less junk, more whole foods). I know I may still crave some comfort foods, but less of them and of a more healthful variety.

My next phase will incorporate more exercise. I'm going to give that another couple of months. Realistically I need at least a little more sleep, and getting outside will be more incentive.

And then the third perhaps final stage will be the drastic measures/suck it up/work it off phase. I'm saving that for late spring/early summer. Whatever I can do (in a healthy way) to finish it off.

I don't want to lose a ton of weight. I'd actually rather trade some muscle and tone for it. I'd just like to go down about a size or so and look better in my clothes. And then I will buy some new ones!
If I can look ahead to next year, I'd just like to be happier with the way I look, and the way I feel. Stronger and fitter.
And a Happy Healthy Fit and Fun 2008 to you too!

Holidays

I feel like we had a really great Christmas. We've enjoyed time with family and friends. And each other. I enjoyed my kids enjoying the lights and music starting to understand some of what's going on. I also enjoyed that they still don't quite get it. They had to be persuaded into seeing what Santa brought them Christmas morning. And as soon as they opened something they just wanted to play with it. No need to open anything else! It took us quite a while to finish. They started to get the hang of it by the end. Now they will unwrap anything. Regardless of who it's for.














The sweet Babe chewed as much paper and ribbon as she could get her hot little hands on. Happy as she could be.
Santa was very generous with me this year too. I'm sure I didn't do anything to deserve it. Unless birthing a human counts. Maybe it does. She is adorable.

Happy New Year!

Baby Girl 7 Months

Amid all the chaos and fun The Babe is officially 7 months old.
It has been a busy month. She has 4 teeth and another one trying to break through. She is eating solid food. She likes cereal and fruit of course, the orange veg such as sweet potatoes, squash and carrots, but definitely did not like green beans or the weird meaty stuff I tried to give her. She spit that right up. I don't blame her. It was gross. (the health nurse suggested we try some proteins early on)


And I think I may have mentioned that she was sleeping better...I can't remember because it was so short lived and I don't remember anything due to my continual sleep deprivation. I blame the teeth. She is napping so much better during the day (not just a cat-napper anymore) but she usually wakes up several times a night. I don't have the heart or the energy to let her cry it out. But that day may come!

She is on the move now. Not exactly crawling, but scootching. Mostly backwards. If you don't keep an eye on her she will disappear under the couch.
And her arms seem to have grown oddly long, as they reach out and grab things out of nowhere. Fast. Grabby little baby hands getting stuff you didn't think she could get.




She is still a little ray of sunshine most of the time. She is smiley and happy and loves to be
tickled and talked to.





Did I mention I love this age? If I could I'd keep her this way for just a while longer. Kind of like Maggie Simpson. Sweet and cuddly without any tantrums or backtalk. And chubby little cheeks you can chew on for days.
Absolutely scrumptious!

Merry Sticky Christmas!

Baby Glow

34 Months

It feels like the past month has gone by quite quickly. I guess that's what happens when you're life is a bit of a blur...
We've been having fun lately getting ready for Christmas. Helping Daddy put up lights, listening to music, decorating and getting together with friends.




The Bee loves to sing more than ever and Jingle Bells seems to be one of his favorites. I think because it's easy. We heard him down in his room the other day singing away, jingle bells, jingle bells. So cute.He's also a pretty talented athlete. The boys have a little hockey set and The Bee is good at hitting balls and pucks with his stick. He's also a somewhat prone to just swinging his stick at whatever happens to be around. The first rule of hockey is that you don't hit your brother with your stick. Or anyone else.

The Bug likes to get into small spaces and hide. He'll push the hockey nets together and 'hide' in between them. As much as you can hide in a net. He also likes to hide in our little coffee table box. He takes his blanket and his cars and curls up. But then The Bee closes the lid on him and he gets stuck inside. The first rule of hiding in small places, is don't lock your brother inside.


Both boys jabber on a lot, but The Bee still chatters on more so. He seems to have problems with 'r's and he will often omit them completely from a word.
He loves to watch the 'G*inch', eat 'g*apes' and 't*eats', he likes the 'Ch*istmas T*ee' and G*amma and G*ampa'.

Last night we were putting decorations on the tree. I had put up some of the more breakable ones higher up, but we had a bunch of beaded kid friendly ones for the boys. The had such a good time putting them on the tree I wish I had more.
The Bug was especially good at it and put them on very carefully, mostly on the same two branches. He is very meticulous that one. He's a little OCD like his father. Yikes.
To illustrate, I got them both a jingle bell on a string. The Bee happily put his around his neck. The Bug put his on the tree. The Bee kept taking it off the tree which made The Bug terribly upset. He had to go and carefully put it back each time (and repeat). It's hard to have a brother sometimes!