Weekly Photo Project

I found this photo project at younghouselove.com They are a couple who have a sweet little girl, just a week older than my Little Pumpkin, and they blog about their adventures of DIY home improvements. I didn't read about the project until Gordon was already 14 weeks old, but I started him that day, and have gotten a photo (almost) every week since then.

What I'm doing is taking a picture of Little Mister every week, on the day of the week that he was born, in a plain white onesie, then Photoshopping the week number onto his shirt. So every Wednesday afternoon, you can find me on a ladder, screeching and squealing, and looking crazy - trying to get my Little Man to hold still long enough for me to flash a few new pics of him... but I think I end up with more pictures of him crawling away, than I do of him lying on his back. But we try. :)

Oh and one other problem that I've had with the project -that the DIYers over at younghouselove.com do great at- is that I haven't been using the same onesie every week - so you can't see it slowly getting tighter as the weeks go by. But I'm hoping that I can get it all organized and start using the same one consistently from now on.
Well, I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
Here's to hoping I can upload them all in the right order! :)

Conflicted

I know normally I write fun updates and things, but this time i write because I'm a little more confused than I thought I would be. about Santa.
We've taught Madi that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ and that is what we should be focusing on, especially this time of year. We are teaching her that we need to focus on giving and helping other people... but we get lost when it comes to Santa. I most certainly won't tell her " there is no Santa" or "Santa isn't real", but I also don't want to just blindly tell her that a man that she's never met comes into our house at night and leaves her presents - if shes a good girl.
This has come up because lots of people that we've chated with over the past few weeks have just outright asked Madi if she's excited for Santa to come, what she asked him to bring her, and if she has gone to see him. All of this Santa talk has confused her, because we hadn't talked to her about him yet. I fumbled when she questioned me about it, and John told her that Santa is a nice story. he didn't expound - just that he's a story.
I never thought I'd have this problem. To me, if you're Christian, you would obviously teach that Christmas is about Christ. But where does that leave Santa? We're trying to figure out how to make Santa part of the spirit of Christmas, and giving, and that he's a symbol of Christmas ... but I don't think it's working out the right way. Even in writing this out, I'm confused...
I'm not asking for everyone who reads this to tell me what to do, I'm just wondering if you've faced this question in your parenting, or how you have decided/dealt with this puzzle? And then I also hope that those who do offer advice, or are in contact with our children will respect that in the end, we will TRY to do what we feel is right for our little family.
I feel like I'm floundering and hope that someone out there will be willing to share what has worked, or hasn't worked for them.
Thanks you guys!

My Little Santa

Because of Gordon's newest sleeping arrangements I don't currently have internet on my Photoshop computer, so I can't show all my photos I've been working on. This is one that I just had to share though. I guess this can be a little sneak peak of what I've been up to lately with my new studio lights.
This makes me laugh out loud every time I see his "denture-less" face. (at least that's what it makes me think of.)

Studio Lights!

I just thought I'd share a fun little tidbit and let you all know that I (finally) have studio lights! It's been a long time coming and I sometimes wondered if i was really going to get here, but I did it! (took me long enough, I graduated 4 years ago!)
They aren't the exact lights I was dreaming for, but they are the same brand that I know and trust, just one step down the ladder from what I originally wanted. And I still love them!
So there you have it, I'm one step closer to my dream of being a photographer with a REAL studio, and not just another basement- joe-photo. (though my degree in photography should have put me above that status before now)
It feels like Christmas, and I just thought I'd share some of my happiness with you! So, who wants their photo taken?! :)

Madi's Interview

While Madi and I were eating lunch yesterday and talking about the preschool class she just finished, I decided to interview her and find out some of her favorites. :) She gave me more straight forward answers than i thought she would, but had some fun moments too. :-) I hope you enjoy this half as much as I did.

“What’s your favorite Animal?”

“Um, Elephant! Elephants say Woooo! And Baby Elephants cry for their mamas.”

“What’s your favorite Color?”

“Blue”

“What’s your favorite Shape?”

“Circle” (as she motions a circle with her finger)

“What’s your favorite Book?”

“Dinosaurs go to School”

“What’s your favorite Song?”

“Brightly Beams”

“What’s your favorite Food?”

“Yogurt, cereal, rolls” (she answered with whatever the most recent food she ate was)

“What’s your favorite Dinner?”

“Pizza!” ….. “Say what’s your favorite Napkin.”

“Okay, what’s your favorite napkin?”

“um, it’s kinda white.” …….. “Do this!” (makes surprise face)

“Is that your favorite face?”

“yea”

“What’s your favorite Number?”

“1”

“What’s your favorite Letter?”

“D!”

“Can you tell me a word that starts with D?”

“Elephant! ... no, elephant starts with E.. … Dinosaur!”

“What’s your favorite Toy?”

“Mermaid, and Belle, and their dresses”

“What’s your favorite Place?”

“Preschool”

“What things do you learn at preschool?”

Um, how things grow, dinosaurs roar, shapes, the earth is home to me and you…”

“Where do you like to go?”

“to Grandma and Grandpa”

“What’s your favorite Treat?”

“M&M’s!”

“What’s your favorite Show?”

“WordWorld”

“What are your favorite Shoes?”

“Black and pink, with lights”

“What are your favorite Clothes?”

“Jackets. Pink, green, and purple jacket” … “Say ‘what’s my favorite’”

“Okay, what’s your favorite?”

“windows. I like light.”

“What’s your favorite Holiday?”

“umm…. Fireworks. Fireworks are really loud. There were fireworks at the beach and I was eating a snack and watching Wall-e with Joshy and Buttercup was eating my snack.”

“What do you like to do outside?”

“Run around and kick my soccer ball.” …”Say ‘what’s my favorite’ again”

“Okay, what’s your favorite?”

“Um, Mommy and Daddy!!”

I thought that was an excellent way to end her interview, don't you? I love this girl so much and I'm so happy to have this. I'd like to interview her every year or so and see how her answers change as she grows.
What a sweatheart!

articles I just have to share

I know I have a lot of events that I need to blog about, but I just have to share these links first. I first saw this when my sis posted a link to it on facebook.
The article "the disease called perfection" hit me really hard. I don't know why, maybe because he hit the nail on the head for me ( or at least that's how I've been feeling the last few days).
Even as i write this and share these with you, I'm worried about it not being socially acceptable for me to do so, but i think that's just the problem.
I know the articles are long, but if you get the chance, please please please read them.
His follow up post " The cure for Perfection" is also very helpful and profound.
And the last (unrelated to the first two) is " You just broke your child. Congratulations." It is written to Dads, but is really for any parent or anyone who has contact with Children.
Even if you don't have time now, I pray that you can all take the time soon to read these blog posts.

Thanks for putting up with my neurosis on this one, but i do feel strongly about all of these points he has talked about.
I hope you'll leave me comments on wheat you think about these articles, and if you also feel we all need a little more "Real" in our lives.

What a gift!

I know I've been a total slacker about posting anything on my blog and I'm sorry. I thought i'd just give you a little teaser photo and say "yes, we are still here. We are alive. "
Gordon has been very colicky, but still sweet. Madi is my sweet sweet two year old who talks back, but is still so cute she almost gets away with it sometimes. almost. I love my kiddos! We are here, and I PROMISE whenever i can, I will post a little more. :)

By the way, we had an Excellent trip to Oregon that was 6weeks long, and didn't have our camera the whole time. John had taken it to England. While we were in Oregon he went to England, twice; and in two days he leaves for Ghana Africa. yay. :(

Love you all!

Pictures

I know it's been FOREVER since we've posted anything, especially considering we have two CUTE kids that should be plastered all over our blog. But being away from my own computer and my precious Photoshop has really put a damper on my updating.
For those who don't know, The kids and I have been in Oregon since June 16th. John had a long business trip to England and I didn't want to spend all that time alone. We were supposed to go home July 13th, but on the 12th John was told he was going BACK to England, so we are staying until July 27th. It will be a 6 week trip. Exactly half of Gordon's life will be spent in Oregon. CRAZY!
We don't have our camera with us, so I'm doing my best to get copies of what others take. Here are just a few teasers for know. And know that it's giving me a complex to not touch any of these with a photo editor.

Madi at her cousin Izzy's birthday party.

Grandma with Gordon, and cousin Harley.

Gordon!!

Announcement

I realize it's been 2 1/2 weeks since our little man was born, and that should be ample time to update the blog, but the time really is flying by. I promise more pictures will be coming soon, lots of snapshots and things, but for now - here is Gordon's baby announcement I made. The pictures were taken when he was 4 days old. : ) Isn't he soo handsome?!

We just love this little man so much! He is super cute, and very sleepy. He still kind of has his days and nights mixed up... which is exhausting, of coarse - but we're all adjusting fairly well. Madi had a cold the first week he was born, so she didn't get to be around him too much, but she's better now and just LOVES her baby brother. We haven't really had any jealousy issues yet, but she does tell us " I'm a baby - hold me" a bit more than before.

I've got to admit I didn't understand how I could love someone new as much as I love Madi. I knew someway, it would work out but i honestly thought Madi would always be my favorite... We had two years uninterrupted with her, and she's my perfect little girl. I was nervous about a boy, and just didn't think it'd be the same. But it is... I love this little guy SO much - it's crazy. It actually took me by surprise. :) Madi is my perfect little angel daughter, and Gordon really is my perfect, sweet little man. :)

Pregnancy

This being my last day in this pregnancy, I decided I should finally buckle down and take those maternity pictures I've been wanting to do. Thanks to my sister, Becca We were able to get these fun shots with Madi and her baby brother before he makes his debut tomorrow. :)

This last one is to show our support for "little brother". Becca painted all of our toes blue for his arrival! :) We're having so much fun together!
Thank You Becca!

CARTER'S

I have to share this great clothing with everyone! I've owned and seen a few things from carter's brand, but I'd never been to the real store until today... I'M IN LOVE!!
In an early post i mentioned that it was difficult to find cute boys clothes - well now I HAVE!! I loved everything in their store and just had to share some of the cute little things I've found.
They (of coarse) have LOADS of cute girl stuff too, but I'm trying to stay focused on little boy right now :)
But the first picture, I really do have to show you an adorable little girl set, then I'll do the boys ones, promise. :)

isn't that the cutest strawberry hat you've ever seen?!
Okay, now to cute boy stuff... :)

I'm just happy to find cute boy clothes and now I know there is a store just right up the freeway from us! :) I'm excited about it, but I'm sure John's wallet is already groaning... :)

Birthday Photos!

Snuggling Daddy before her carousal ride

Riding the giraffe with Daddy

Riding the Zebra with Mommy

(Madi's photography)

Taking a look around Build-a-Bear

Snuggling her bear before stuffing it

Helping to stuff her bear

Kissing the heart and making a wish

Getting her Bear dressed

Filling out the birth certificate and picking a name

Taking a peek at her bear

All packed up and ready to take her home with us

Coloring at the restaurant

Daddy playing with her food

laughing with daddy over dessert

It's so fun to sit in a big girl chair!

Opening presents

smiling with her toys

The gifts she got (plus several former toys jumping in the picture)

Happy Birthday Ice Cream!

Cheese!

Digging in before Mama changes her mind

She loves it!

Hope you enjoy the photos! We had a blast on her Birthday and I really think she did too! Sorry the pictures aren't with the original post, but if you need more details, you can go back and read about the day. :)