(Also, just wondering – is anyone else having problems at the WW site? Every time I try to go and leave a link to my site, it times out and shuts down explorer. Am I alone?)
Category Archives: {F}amily
Feelin’ the blues ~ BSM
I know I’m not the only one who says “we’ll have to get together sometime” to friends or family members, only to find days, weeks, months pass by without actually following through. So, I was beyond delighted to actually make plans to meet with my cousin a couple of weeks ago. We met at my Mom’s house which is about the half-way point for us. We spent the afternoon talking and catching up on how life as mom’s changed us in ways more profound than either of us could have imagined.
She, is a stay-at-home mother of four adorable children. Two boys and two girls. The boys were in school for the day, so it was just time with the girls. I can only hope that Seneca, Cieara and Madisyn are able to grow up cherishing their relationship with one another as much as we did!
I think this little lady was pretty curious about the big camera in her face!!!
And Miss Madi is quite comfortable posing for a picture! Though they’re a bit overexposed, I still couldn’t resist the way her eyes just sparkle!
Doesn’t she look so much older than her 2.5 years?
And this, is my best shot – the pure goofiness of it cracks me up every time!
Swing by Tracey’s to see other best shots this fine Monday morning!
One, Two, and Ten
For Calder’s first year, we did the picture thing every three months. I loved all the props, the cute poses and the professional quality. Then I got my camera for Christmas. G. jokes often about how I can’t go anywhere without it, but I think he secretly loves it (read: is darn thankful I’m using it considering the cost!).
When we went to get Christmas pictures we were quite disappointed. We ended up using one my brother-in-law snapped at our house – and we love it! So instead of spending the time and money going that route again, I’ve been inspired by friends and fellow bloggers to capture the moments myself. This is a great challenge for me because I always go for the candid shots, which is great. But I also want more posed or portrait shots too.
Here’s my attempt to get a picture of my little lady at one month. The subject is breathtaking (think I’m biased?) but the image was a little weird, so I processed it a bunch and was a little heavy-handed with the softening effect. I still want to improve my post-processing skills but have decided to cut myself some slack and do what I can for now…until I really have the time to get a good grasp of PS.
Regarding yesterday’s post about my sleepless night…well, we know the reason for Calder’s case. Double ear infection! If we can actually get him to swallow his antibiotic he should be feeling better before too long. And last night, I put Garth on duty at 10:30. Imagine my delight go have enjoyed 7 straight hours of sleep! I don’t think my body was sure what to do with so much rest!
We took a walk to the library this morning through the light drizzle and checked out a few books. We’re on a Dr. Seuss kick, and I remember loving Ten Apples Up on Topwhen I was a kid. So as my sicky snuggled in for his afternoon nap, we read our way back to my own childhood!
I have proof
I really can’t complain about sleep patterns around here. For the most part things have gone remarkably well. Seneca is actually a very good sleeper. Sometimes she forgets that sleep happens at night time, but when I think back to how Calder slept at this age, let’s just say I’m happy with her habits (we’re talking 4-6 hour stretches, folks!)!
Honestly, it’s most the big boy who is throwing me off kilter these days. Perhaps it took him a while to fully realize that this new little being was here to stay or the monstrous teeth that are pushing their way through his tender little gums. Or maybe it’s the incessant snot that’s making him persnickety.
Whatever the case may be, I can’t seem to get a handle on his unpredictability. And Garth is equally perplexed. One night we’ll do bedtime and he’ll go down like a champ without making so much as a peep. Other nights, he’s screeching off and on for 30+ minutes! We’re second-guessing ourselves so much now, or trying to help him get back to the beautiful bedtimes we’d enjoyed for nearly 10 months now that we’re starting to muddle the routine.
I guess this is the first of many experiences that humbles me and softens my attitude towards my own parents. As the oldest, I guess now I should cut my folks a little slack because clearly I can see that much of parenting is trial and error. And believe me, I’m not above learning from others’ trials or errors. So if there’s any advice to be had, please (PLEASE!) comment away!
Until then, I’ll meditate on these images, trusting that they both know how to sleep…we’ll just keep working to get it at the right time! 🙂
The Fair ~ Fun, Food and Friendship
Thanks to a menacing sky and a torrential downpour (that lasted just long enough for us to change our plans) we missed our opportunity to visit the local county fair this summer. I was eager to take C. through the barns and to sink my still-craving-sweets-like-crazy teeth into the soft, sugary goodness of a fresh elephant ear.
So, I was beyond thrilled when we arrived in the U.P. for the holiday weekend when we were invited to the fair by my mother-in-law and niece. With Seneca in the sling and Calder in the stroller we made our rounds.
First the “birds” – but only from a distance. He sure tried climbing out of his stroller when Grandma wheeled him a tad too close!
Then the cows…which he really liked
The sheep were cute and many came up to the gates to get some lovin’.
There were a couple pig barns, and surprisingly they really weren’t that stinky! I stuck my camera over the side of the pen for this shot. Is it just me, or do they look like they’re smiling? I figured this image was better than the other one I took of a pig – **wink, wink, Mom!**
After a short stop for a hot dog, we made it to the rides. They sure look like a lot of fun, but we were pushing our luck as it was nap time. Factor in the snuggling newborn and a very vivid memory of nearly losing my brother from a high-flying fair ride many moons ago and I wasn’t about to purchase any tickets. Maybe some kiddie rides next year…maybe.
As if I thought he’d turn down fried dough topped with cinnamon and sugar. He was working his “more” sign to the bone for a few minutes. The three of us enjoyed sharing the monstrous confection. That is, until the wind caught the paper plate and sent the last bits of it showering over Calder.
As Mom and I headed home with the kids, K. left with her friends to hang out for an hour or so. I can’t believe that she’s already in middle school. It seriously feels like yesterday that my friends and I were walking arm in arm around the fair, running down the halls and hanging out at bonfires.
Wander over to Stacey’s to see more Theme Thursday!
Cornwell Crew 