A Crawler and a Rainy Day.... Testing My Skills

My Niece, Brittany, asked me to take some pictures of her and her beautiful baby boy, Jameson.  She is graduating from University of Wisconsin Parkland and he is turning one so she wanted a good picture for a dual party invitation. I suggested we turn it into a mini-photoshoot since I'm practicing my photography skills!

I loved photographing for my neighbor's senior pictures because let's be honest, she's 18 and listens to instructions.  However, I was a wee bit nervous about photographing a 10 month old! If he's anything like his cousin, Luke, he never sits still! On top of that nervousness, the day turned out to be a terribly cloudy, rainy day! My nerves were in full force! Where will we go to get a good shot? Will the baby sit still? Will the baby be too cold? Will Brittany be panicky about her hair getting wet? The list goes on....

Lucky for me, Jameson was a TOTAL smiley, happy, sittin' still kind of baby! And, Brittany... she didn't complain even once about the conditions! So, the location could've been better and the weather could've been nicer but I think we got some good pictures! All my "great ideas" will have to be put on hold until June when I do this adorable little guy's 1 year shots! :-)

Thanks Craig. You're Quite the Problem Solver!

We needed a table for our newly finished basement. 

Problem:  No money in the budget

Solution: Good Ole' Craigslist

I recently found a posting on Craigslist for an antique dining room table with 4 small chairs = $85. I emailed the owner and it was still available! SOLD! I drove to Roselle the following morning to buy this beauty! It needed  a little TLC and it is PERFECT for our basement! 

After a quick trip to the fabric store I was ready to recover these nasty cushions!

Before:

After:

The table itself is in pretty good condition.  It's "antique" so flaws just add character! ;-)

Before:

After:

What a difference a little pop of color makes in a room! I am so happy with the way it turned out! Add some beautiful tulips in my Grandmother's pitcher and it makes the room just perfect! 

ELEVEN!

Well, we are at month 11 and my baby boy is quickly becoming a toddler! He is ALMOST walking.  He can stand up on his own for a few seconds and pushes his toy "walker" around like a madman! I think it will be any day now that he can walk! I'm not sure if I'm eager or terrified...or both!

Luke has 6 teeth (top front 4 and bottom front 2). He loves food and will eat almost anything presented to him. Lately, he's been loving peas and cottage cheese.  He also enjoys his daily breakfast of a waffle and sausage.  He's my eater, that's for sure!

He is still a good sleeper.  He continues to take 2 naps (9:15-11:00 and 2-3:30).  His bedtime is around 7 and he sleeps until about 6...if we are lucky.  I think he may be my early riser....yuck.  He takes a bottle before each sleep session and one in the morning when he first awakens.  I know babies are suppose to stop bottles at 1 year.  The idea of this terrifies me.

Luke has started to say Mama and Dada. My heart melts each and every time. 

Luke is into EVERYTHING. You'd think I would be losing inches off my waist by the day considering how much I move! He loves to climb the stairs, get into cupboards, make a fast break for an open toilet bowl, or pull and tug on any toy his sister is interested in.  The sibling rivalry has already begun. I regret to inform that I think we know who the "bully" will be. 

Hint: Rhymes with Duke.

My Handsome Lil' Man

Getting 11 Month pictures was nearly impossible! He really wouldn't sit still for more than a millisecond.  Here's the best I got.  Notice he's looking up.... I was acting like a complete fool with a stuffed puppy on my head. Worked for a second until he lunged forward to get it!

I had to include this. I had about 12 pictures like this...because he was ALWAYS on the move!

He's the best frowner. Ever.
Please Mom, stop taking pictures of me.

I decided to trap him into his highchair so he couldn't move.
How big is Lukey?  SO BIG!

Oh all right... I throw you a bone! CHEESE!

1 more month Duke and you will be 1!!!!!

What About Me?

I realized as I was trying to take pictures of Luke for his 11 month pictures, that I have really dropped the ball on the updates on Mya.  She may not be "changing" each month, but she is definitely changing.  She has really become an energetic, inquisitive, talkative, beautiful little girl. She's no longer my baby or my toddler.  She's a kid.  She's an amazing kid.

Mya: 3 years 7 Months Old

Some things she loves....

She loves practicing her letters with window markers.

 She loves playing in the sink.

She loves using the squirt bottle and "cleaning."

She loves riding her "big girl" bike.

She loves eating candy from her Easter basket.

She loves her Mommy and Daddy.

She loves doing crafts.

She loves watching her "shows" (Dora, Caillou, Arthur, Curious George, Berenstein Bears, Mickey Mouse)

She loves her brother.

She loves dress-up.
*Oh boy, I really hope this isn't a glimpse into the future.

She loves going to Home Depot just so she can ride in the car.

She loves her jeep.

Meet Mac

I'd like you to meet Mac, Maclaren that is.

You know me, I LOVE a good bargain! I have desperately been wanting a new double umbrella stroller. I was so sick of hauling around a heavy single stroller and an even heavier double stroller.  Everytime I put Luke in a stroller, Mya decided she wanted to ride too.  My Double Sit and Stand was borrowed from a neighbor.  And although great in theory, it was so horribly bulky and heavy. I dreaded unloading and loading it.  It was sure to be a great workout each time it was put to use. 

So, I was on a mission to find a new umbrella stroller. Most umbrella strollers are made for those vertically challenged.  Obviously, Matt and I don't fall into that category. After doing some research, I found that the Maclaren seemed to be the best fit for our tall family.  The problem was the retail price of the Twin Triumph Maclaren was approximately $300! WHOA! That was definitely not in our budget! I kept my eye out on Craigslist but no luck.  Finally, as I was dropping some clothes off at a local children's consignment store, guess what was staring right at me!?!?! The Twin Triumph Maclaren stroller!!!  I passed it buy for some dumb reason and finally came to my senses once I was back home! I quickly returned and bought the beauty! It is in near perfect condition and is perfect for my babes! Even better... it only cost me $80! PERFECT!

Perfect 10

Luke is 10 Months Old!

Ok, by the time I'm getting around to blogging about my big guy, he's almost 11 months old! But, I promise these pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago.  I've decided to do things a little differently this month. Here are the Top 10 things I love about my Luke (There are SO many things I love about this little guy, but I'll try to narrow to my top 10!)

10. His easy-going nature.  He is a go-with-the-flow kinda guy!

9. His napping! He usually takes 2- 2 hour naps a day! LOVE IT!

8. His beautiful blue eyes! I think this kid actually has a little Jannusch in him!

7. His jibber-jabber. He typically will sit in his bed after a nap and "talk" to his little puppy. He's also working on Dada and Mama! He's almost there!

6. He is an animal! He is ALL boy! He's a super fast crawler, gets into everything, and even beats up on his sister now and again! I see an excellent athlete in our future!

5. The way he lays his head on me when I say "night-night."  It may be momentary but I still love it!

4. His super duper fast crawling! When I say "Luke" he spins around, sits up, and smiles. 

3. The way he makes tight fists, grits his teeth, and shakes with all his mite!

2. His dance moves! All it takes is a little music and he is bobbing up and down and wiggling his little body!  

1. His belly laugh when his sister gets him all worked up! Mommy and Daddy can get him to giggle but his sissy can get him cracking up! She is definitely his idol. He absolutely adores her!

 

RIP Jasmine Marie

I am writing today with a heavy heart. 

I have never been much of a pet person. Growing up, we always had lots of animals....dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, lizards, guinea pigs... you name it.  I liked them but never REALLY loved them.  I was sad when my Dad told us they were "traded" or "given away to someone that really wanted him" but quickly recovered and carried on.  Remarkably, our animals never died... or so I thought. I guess this was his way of sparing us the pain of losing one. 

For some odd reason, when I was in college and lived with my cousins, I, the non-petlover BEGGED my landlord (cousin, Josh) to get a cat.  He refused at first, but then caved and my other cousin (Jake) presented me with one for Christmas! I LOVED her.... Jasmine Marie. 

Jasmine lived in 8 different homes with me. She was very well traveled.  She was AWESOME despite her "behavior disorder" that caused her to pee all over the flooring of each and every home she ever lived in causing stress and anger amonst most of my roommates! She had quite the reputation, good and bad. Her new Daddy fell in love immediately and her soon to be sister and brother couldn't get enough of her.  She was the most gentle, loving cat.

About 2 weeks ago, Jasmine stopped eating and drinking.  My usual good eater would take a few bites and then vomit.  She was even more lathargic than usual and wanted to constantly be near one of us.  We decided to take her to the vet.  They soon realized she had fallen victim to cancer.  We soon realized it was the end of the road for sweet Jasmine.  It was very difficult to say goodbye to our girl, she was truly part of our family.

I had to make the decision to end her life.  Just this once, I wish that I could go back in time and "think" that she had been traded or given to someone that really wanted her.  But, reality is, she is up heaven with the rest of those we have loved and lost. I'm sure she is peeing all over causing stress and anger amonst all her new roommates!

Rest in Peace sweet Jasmine, we love you.

Saying our Good-byes. 
I don't think Mya really understood.  She later asked, "Can we go visit Jasmine in Heaven tomorrow?" This was a difficult one to explain to a 3 year old.  But, she felt much better knowing her Grandpa Bob was taking care of her up in Heaven.

I was asked to take senior pictures for our beautiful neighbor/babysitter, Stasia.  She was unhappy with her pictures taken by the photographer arranged by the high school. I was honored that she wanted me to capture her during such a memorable time in her life.  I was also a bit nervous... I love to take pictures recreationally but have never taken them for something so important.  I studied up on some basics, worked with my editting program, researched fun outdoor poses, and practiced with my family.  I was thrilled with the outcome! I think she was too!

Who knows what my photography future holds?!?!  I plan on learning more and exploring the possibilities of doing this to make a little money! For now, I will admire "my" beautiful pictures!