There is an amazing photo giveaway happening!
http://woobox.com/ctutgh
Check out the link and enter to win.
I joke with Jared about going on Shark Tank for money to buy equipment for a start up photography business. If I with this I won't have to.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Friday, October 12, 2012
Twue Wuv
Dear Bean,
I just wanted to write this down really quick so I don't forget it. You've started doing a new cute thing lately that once again melts my heart.
After I scoop you up in my arms for a hug, you squeeze me so tight and lay your head on my shoulder. You've been doing this for a while, but the new thing is while you are still squeezing me you will raise your head just slightly so you can look me in the eyes. You smile so big and then you go in for a kiss. I just die when you do that because I can really see the sweet love in your eyes. I also love that I don't have to ask for it, you give it because you want to. It truly is the little things in life that are the best.
Love,
Mama
I just wanted to write this down really quick so I don't forget it. You've started doing a new cute thing lately that once again melts my heart.
After I scoop you up in my arms for a hug, you squeeze me so tight and lay your head on my shoulder. You've been doing this for a while, but the new thing is while you are still squeezing me you will raise your head just slightly so you can look me in the eyes. You smile so big and then you go in for a kiss. I just die when you do that because I can really see the sweet love in your eyes. I also love that I don't have to ask for it, you give it because you want to. It truly is the little things in life that are the best.
Love,
Mama
Monday, September 17, 2012
20-ish Months
Dear Bean,
What a joy you have been these past few months. You keep me on my toes and busy every second of every day (which is part of the reason why I haven't been writing as much).
You still love to be outside. "Out" is one of the select few words in your vocabulary right now. Although your favorite way to ask to go outside is by bringing me your shoes and sitting down in my lap. After I put them on you go and find mine too. Always my little helper.
One of the things that has really been making me smile lately is your love for Ella. I think the two of you are one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Almost every time you see her lately you run up to her with your arms spread wide ready for a big hug. If she's in an accepting mood she will wrap her little arms around you too and rest her head on your shoulder. If the hug lasts long enough you will start to gently pat her back (the way I do when I hug you). It warms my heart so much seeing your sweet friendship.
You love to help out with any kind of chore around the house. Some of your favorites are emptying the dishwasher, putting away groceries, sweeping your grandparent's porch, and pushing the swiffer around the house. Last night while you were helping with the dishwasher I mused with your father about how we hope these lovely habits continue onto your teenage years. . . .I don't think I'll hold my breath though. :-)
Playing hide and go seek is one of your favorite games to play with your Daddy. He will put you in the family room and throw a blanket over your head, and then run and hide somewhere on the main floor of the house. You stay under for a few seconds, fling the blanket off and then go running in search of him. Sometimes if your seeking takes too long you will start to call his name. "DAAAAA!" you yell at the top of your lungs until he softly calls to you giving away his position. It makes me a little jealous how much you call for your Daddy because despite my attempts you still rarely call me Mama. I've heard it a few times, but the only consistent way you say it is if you hurt yourself and cry. Not the most desirable situation.
Lately I've been trying to teach you how to give kisses with your mouth closed. You still hold your mouth open as wide as it will go when giving kisses, and sometimes you will stick your tongue out too. Not only can it get very wet but sometimes you will chomp down after you make contact, which can leave your recipient with a bitten lip. Ouch! Hopefully we will break that habit soon.
I can't believe it's almost fall. Pretty soon we will be in that last quick stretch of the year where the rest of the months fly even faster. I am so excited for the holidays this year. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be so much more special sharing them with you and being a family of three. Before we know it will be your second birthday. It's so true what they say. You see time go by so much faster when you watch your child growing.
All of my love,
Mama
What a joy you have been these past few months. You keep me on my toes and busy every second of every day (which is part of the reason why I haven't been writing as much).
You still love to be outside. "Out" is one of the select few words in your vocabulary right now. Although your favorite way to ask to go outside is by bringing me your shoes and sitting down in my lap. After I put them on you go and find mine too. Always my little helper.
One of the things that has really been making me smile lately is your love for Ella. I think the two of you are one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Almost every time you see her lately you run up to her with your arms spread wide ready for a big hug. If she's in an accepting mood she will wrap her little arms around you too and rest her head on your shoulder. If the hug lasts long enough you will start to gently pat her back (the way I do when I hug you). It warms my heart so much seeing your sweet friendship.
You love to help out with any kind of chore around the house. Some of your favorites are emptying the dishwasher, putting away groceries, sweeping your grandparent's porch, and pushing the swiffer around the house. Last night while you were helping with the dishwasher I mused with your father about how we hope these lovely habits continue onto your teenage years. . . .I don't think I'll hold my breath though. :-)
Playing hide and go seek is one of your favorite games to play with your Daddy. He will put you in the family room and throw a blanket over your head, and then run and hide somewhere on the main floor of the house. You stay under for a few seconds, fling the blanket off and then go running in search of him. Sometimes if your seeking takes too long you will start to call his name. "DAAAAA!" you yell at the top of your lungs until he softly calls to you giving away his position. It makes me a little jealous how much you call for your Daddy because despite my attempts you still rarely call me Mama. I've heard it a few times, but the only consistent way you say it is if you hurt yourself and cry. Not the most desirable situation.
Lately I've been trying to teach you how to give kisses with your mouth closed. You still hold your mouth open as wide as it will go when giving kisses, and sometimes you will stick your tongue out too. Not only can it get very wet but sometimes you will chomp down after you make contact, which can leave your recipient with a bitten lip. Ouch! Hopefully we will break that habit soon.
I can't believe it's almost fall. Pretty soon we will be in that last quick stretch of the year where the rest of the months fly even faster. I am so excited for the holidays this year. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be so much more special sharing them with you and being a family of three. Before we know it will be your second birthday. It's so true what they say. You see time go by so much faster when you watch your child growing.
All of my love,
Mama
Thursday, August 9, 2012
The Tantrum Heard Round The World (of Target and Kohls)
We have been having many behavior problems with Bean lately. Today I had one of the most embarrassing experiences of my life taking him to the store. Taking Bean to the store is usually hit or miss. Usually as long as I don't linger in one section of the store too long he tolerates it relatively well; other times not so much. Today was one of those other times. It started when I spent too much time looking at the clearance racks at Kohls. He just started this blood curdling scream at the top of his lungs. Every clothes rack we would pass by he would reach and try and rip the clothes off. I tried to bribe him by giving him my car keys and cell phone. That worked for a little while, but we still had to go to Target to pick up some things. While at Target I ran into a woman I went to high school with (who apparently works there). It turns out she has a daughter just two months younger then Bean. I was hoping to talk and catch up for a second. Bean reached up for me to hold him so I took him out of the cart and held him.
That was my big mistake. Then he wanted to be released to wreak havoc on the store. First of all he ran to all the t-shirt racks and began to toss all the clothes on the floor. I was so afraid to tell him no because I knew he would loose it, but I was also horrified because here I am trying to chat with this woman and my son is destroying the section of the store she was cleaning. I finally just mumbled that I had to go and tried to just grab him and run.
I was right, that's when he lost it. He flailed, wriggled and pushed to get away from me, all while doing the blood curdling scream at the top of his lungs refusing to go back into the cart or even be held. I tried to hold him close so I wouldn't drop him (all while trying to push my cart and make a run for the check out). He proceeded to smack me in the face, pulled my hair, bit my shoulder and ripped my hoop earrings out of my ear. I was so mortified.
My toddler beat me up.
It was pretty much the same even after we left the store. He went stiff as a board and wouldn't let me strap him in his car seat. With the way he was screaming you seriously would have thought I was sticking bamboo shoots under his nails or something. Then when I tried to get him in he kept grabbing for my hands as I was strapping him in to try and bite me again. The tantrum continued as we got home. He was throwing himself on the ground, kicking his legs and screaming. Nothing I could do would calm him down. I tried to distract him, (shamed to admit) I yelled, I tried to cuddle him. . .finally I had to just let him throw a fit and got dinner ready and eventually was able to distract him with food.
He throws tantrums but I have never seen him this bad for this long. It was so so horrible.
While I was trying to calm him down he continued to hit and bite me, so then I had to put him in time out. . . . which pissed him off even more and just perpetuated the tantrum. I don't want to reward his bad behavior, but the only way to calm him down when he gets that worked up is to placate him and not punish him when he tries to harm me? I don't know, that doesn't seem right either.
Monday, July 2, 2012
On 30
Once again it has been a while since I've blogged so I figured with some things coming up (cough my30thbirthday cough) it was time to sit and blog.
2006, Our Honeymoon.
2012, Mexico Vacation
Sooooooooo, turning 30.
Do I feel old? Not really. Honestly I still feel like a dumb teenager who has no idea what the hell I'm doing sometimes. I ask myself frequently when I'm going to feel like a grown up. I have a husband, a house, a job, 2 cars, A SON. . . .aren't I supposed to feel like an adult yet? I guess when I was younger I thought there was a point in life where it all clicks and suddenly you are this worldly adult with all the answers. One of the big things I realize as I get older is how dumb I was in the previous year. Ha! I guess that's life though. Live and learn. While I do know I'm getting a bit wiser; I still feel like a kid sometimes, but at least I know I'm growing.
Am I freaking out? Really I think my only response to turning 30 has been to be a little braver with my clothing choices. I do realize that some day I may not be as firm as I am now, so I'm trying to tell my doubty self in the mirror that "You DO look good! Wear that tight shirt!" It's been hard, especially after having a baby when your body changes so much. I was pretty unhappy with my self image after I had Bean, but now 18 months later I'm starting to feel comfy in my skin again. So after 2 years of not buying anything for myself, it's been nice the past few months to pick up an item for myself here and there. I actually bought a bikini for our vacation after I swore I'd never wear them after having a baby.
I'm really not sure what else to say on the matter. . . .watch out 30, here I come. . .in a tight shirt and bikini. :-)
2006, Our Honeymoon.
2012, Mexico VacationThursday, May 17, 2012
16 Months
I have to confess. After my whole 365 photo project and monthly letters to Bean I got REALLY burnt out on blogging and photography. I've been taking pictures but I haven't edited one of them, and obviously I haven't been blogging on here this month.
But I digress. . . .onto the actual post.
Dear Bean,
I seriously cannot count the number of times I look at you every day and think I can't believe how big you are, and how different things are from this time last year. Your second year is going by WAY faster then your first. Don't get me wrong, the first year definitely went by fast, but I seriously feel like I blink an eye and another month has past. (I started this post when you turned 15 months, but now you are almost 16.5 months. . . .yikes)
One of your favorite things to do lately is lead people around. You will grab any hand you can reach and drag your unsuspecting victim all over.
You vocabulary is still pretty limited. You can say Dada, all done (ah da), doggie (dee dee), banana (na-na), yeah, choo (shoe), and are finally starting to say Mama without screaming. . . .although it's still most commonly heard when you are upset.
In terms of gross motor you are a pretty awesome walker now. Lately we have been trying to get you to eat with a fork or spoon. It's pretty funny to watch. You take the fork with both hands and sort of pinch the very end of the handle from the top part (the type of grasp you would use if you going to dip something I think?) Then you attempt to pierce the food. Sometimes you are gentle, but most times it's like you are trying to murder something. I'm not sure how you get such force behind your fork with that silly grasp. Once you have got some food on the end you will flip/twirl the fork in your hand once instead of simply bringing it to your mouth. This is the portion of the processes that you are most efficient at. Then finally once the food is in your mouth you look at us and applaud yourself. Haha, I think all the positive reinforcement your father and I are giving you is making an impression.
Definitely the best thing you are doing now is giving intentional hugs and kisses. I always know when you want to give me a kiss because you come at me with your mouth wide open and saying "ahhhhhhhh." Then you plant a big slobbery one on my cheek. With hugging you will usually run over and tackle me. When I scoop you up in my arms you will lay your head on my shoulder, wrap your arms around me, and squeeze. I had a laugh the other day because I noticed if I gently pat/rub your back while you are hugging me, you start to do the same thing back to me.
Right now I think you are in the process of transitioning to one nap a day. It's frustrating for me because I'm back to not being able to make any plans during the day because I have no idea when or how long you will sleep for. I've been spoiled for a while with your very predicable sleep schedule. I'd really like your one nap to be an afternoon one (around 2), but you just can't seem to make it that long. Some days you are ready to nap at 9am (if you got up early) and you sleep for 2.5 hours and then refuse to take an afternoon nap. The problem then is you are a MONSTER by bedtime. Oh well, I'm sure we will get back into a routine sometime soon. Hopefully. . .
You LOVE to push anything that will move. Push toys, chairs, trucks, a snow shovel, the lawn mower, anything that is bigger then you you will push around. The bad part about this is you get SO angry if whatever you are pushing stops moving or gets stuck. This means that I usually have to follow you around when you are doing this otherwise it's tantrum city.
Speaking of angry, you have quite the temper now. If you don't get your way, watch out! If it's a minor fit you will just hang on our pants and stomp your feet and scream. A full out tantrum consists of you literally throwing yourself on the ground, screaming, kicking your legs, etc. Last week when Daddy was watching you you threw one of the bad fits and when you threw yourself on the ground you sliced the little muscle attachment between your upper front teeth and your lip with your lower teeth. Daddy said you were gushing and spitting blood all over. So scary! I wish you would stop doing that. Fortunately your lip seems to be healing just fine.
Every day you grow and change a little more. Pretty soon if I don't get this letter finished you will be 18 months! Who knows what new fun things you will be up to then?
You are so very very loved,
Mama
In terms of gross motor you are a pretty awesome walker now. Lately we have been trying to get you to eat with a fork or spoon. It's pretty funny to watch. You take the fork with both hands and sort of pinch the very end of the handle from the top part (the type of grasp you would use if you going to dip something I think?) Then you attempt to pierce the food. Sometimes you are gentle, but most times it's like you are trying to murder something. I'm not sure how you get such force behind your fork with that silly grasp. Once you have got some food on the end you will flip/twirl the fork in your hand once instead of simply bringing it to your mouth. This is the portion of the processes that you are most efficient at. Then finally once the food is in your mouth you look at us and applaud yourself. Haha, I think all the positive reinforcement your father and I are giving you is making an impression.
Definitely the best thing you are doing now is giving intentional hugs and kisses. I always know when you want to give me a kiss because you come at me with your mouth wide open and saying "ahhhhhhhh." Then you plant a big slobbery one on my cheek. With hugging you will usually run over and tackle me. When I scoop you up in my arms you will lay your head on my shoulder, wrap your arms around me, and squeeze. I had a laugh the other day because I noticed if I gently pat/rub your back while you are hugging me, you start to do the same thing back to me.
Right now I think you are in the process of transitioning to one nap a day. It's frustrating for me because I'm back to not being able to make any plans during the day because I have no idea when or how long you will sleep for. I've been spoiled for a while with your very predicable sleep schedule. I'd really like your one nap to be an afternoon one (around 2), but you just can't seem to make it that long. Some days you are ready to nap at 9am (if you got up early) and you sleep for 2.5 hours and then refuse to take an afternoon nap. The problem then is you are a MONSTER by bedtime. Oh well, I'm sure we will get back into a routine sometime soon. Hopefully. . .
You LOVE to push anything that will move. Push toys, chairs, trucks, a snow shovel, the lawn mower, anything that is bigger then you you will push around. The bad part about this is you get SO angry if whatever you are pushing stops moving or gets stuck. This means that I usually have to follow you around when you are doing this otherwise it's tantrum city.
Speaking of angry, you have quite the temper now. If you don't get your way, watch out! If it's a minor fit you will just hang on our pants and stomp your feet and scream. A full out tantrum consists of you literally throwing yourself on the ground, screaming, kicking your legs, etc. Last week when Daddy was watching you you threw one of the bad fits and when you threw yourself on the ground you sliced the little muscle attachment between your upper front teeth and your lip with your lower teeth. Daddy said you were gushing and spitting blood all over. So scary! I wish you would stop doing that. Fortunately your lip seems to be healing just fine.
Every day you grow and change a little more. Pretty soon if I don't get this letter finished you will be 18 months! Who knows what new fun things you will be up to then?
You are so very very loved,
Mama
Monday, April 23, 2012
You Capture - Sunshine
It's been a long long while since I've done this, but I actually took some photos yesterday that apply to this week's You Capture, so I thought I'd share. Who knew my backyard had such beautiful sunshine? All photos are SOOC!
Head on over to Beth's to see more You Capture Sunshine photos.
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