G's Fourth of July Weekend - In Pictures

I know, that was 2+ weeks ago. Better late than never, right??

...Mom, please don't take a picture of me in this silly hat!

3 Down, 98 to Go!

Wow, I'm really making some head way on this list.
Of course, I seem to be hitting some of the easiest stuff first. But progress is progress. :)

G's Hair in Pigtails!!!

Seeing that for months this little girl was called "him" or "he" by strangers, even when wearing pink and covered with a pink flowery blanket - this is a very big moment for her Mama!!

1 Down, 100 to Go!

I get to cross off my first 101 in 1001!! I went somewhere in NY I’ve never been.

A few weeks ago Tyson, G & I went hiking at a state park not too far from us.

Originally I had not intended for this trip to count towards my 101. When I jotted down going somewhere new in the state, I meant a part of the state I’d never really been (Long Island or the Catskills being at the top of the list). But this state park ended up being a beautiful hike.

There were pretty incredible bluffs carved out by Lake Ontario.

We were able to play on a stone beach – the water was clear & blue, the sky was beautiful & bright and the sound of the waves was so peaceful. It reminded us very much of our trip to Acadia National Park.  

We even spotted 2 bald eagles, and I was able to shoot a picture of one of them. (Not the best shot though, I did not have my zoom lens with me.)

I knew I could count this as being somewhere I’d never been, when Tyson was looking over the pictures and said “If you didn’t tell anyone, they’d never know this place was actually in Upstate New York”. I know I sure didn't...and I LIVE HERE.

Even though I've checked this off my "list", there are still plenty more adventures to be had in NY.

Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day.

I often struggle with this day, for reasons that I should not and will not get into on a public blog. Though it's no secret that my father was not in my life until I was 8...and even then wasn't a regular part of my life until I was 13. So let your imagination run wild with that.

But onto happier times. There is little in my life now that gives me more joy than watching G with her Daddy.

The past couple weeks have been tough for us with Tyson's work schedule. G has definitely let her Daddy know, somedays, that she is not happy with him. But then there are the days when she will drop anything she's involved in (including snack time) the minute the words "Daddy's home", come out of my mouth. To watch her run towards the front door jabbering "Da, Da, Da, Da!!"....makes all our "issues" meltaway.

She is definitely Mama's girl, but there are the times she gives her Daddy a big hugs or gets to play a little more rough with him than I let her...and that's what Daddy's are for.

Somedays it's a daunting thought to know I'm raising a daughter with my husband, without having been exposed to that family dynamic when I was a young child. Often wondering if we're doing this right. But watching a Father-Daughter relationship form right before my eyes is beautiful & breath taking.

  

      



We celebrated Tyson's Day by going to Bass Pro, lounging around on the party barge's & pretend we actually had the money to buy one, and then I cooked steaks for dinner, done in his favorite marinade. (The intent was to grill the steaks, but I forgot the propane tank went camping with my grandparents. So I'm happy to report my first attempt at broiling steaks went very well!) Happy Belated Father's Day to all the dads out there. Whether Biological, Step, Adoptive, Foster or otherwise.

February Blues

The bitter cold of this winter is starting to make this mama weary. I’m sluggish, and feeling lazy – though I know that is definitely not the case. It’s not cabin fever, because I’m certainly out of the house enough. (Probably more than I’d like to be…)

I now know why bears hibernate in the winter. I wish I could do that right about now. I’ve got a nice warm, comfy, fuzzy blanket on my bed, which is calling my name. (This blanket is magical; the baby will even cuddle with you for a period of time, as long as you have this blanket wrapped around you both! The warmth of the blanket & a snugglie baby, nothing is better!)

Everything seems to move slower when it’s cold. And I think that’s where I’m at right now. I’ve got some big things coming up, so hopefully I can thaw out a bit before then. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy this leisurely pace.

Whether the weather be fine, Whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold, Whether the weather be hot, We'll weather the weather, Whatever the weather, Whether we like it or not"

Here's Your Christmas Card!

There will be no cute Christmas card this year. My usually smiley, photogenic daughter decided to note cooperate:

 
 



Which is just as well, cause I couldn't get the lighting to cooperate either

Mama Don’t Take My Kodachrome

Over the past 5 years have hemmed and hawed about starting a photography business. Photography is something I have loved since I was in my early teens, and thank goodness, I’ve continued to learn new things, improve and find joy in it.

Often I’ve had people suggest I do it professionally. I’ve kind of done that now & then in my life. I went up the ranks at Picture People, though they don’t really encourage artistic creativity, at least not in the way my OWN business would allow & demand. I worked for a wedding photographer, and I’ve helped out a friend with her studio. But none of that has filled the little hole in my soul that wants to make photography what I DO.

In case you haven’t noticed, I think big thoughts. I often don’t follow through. I get scared, realize I’ve taken on too much, or just get overwhelmed at all the necessary steps involved. Usually when I start to think about how much I would love my own business & career, I shut down. Beat myself up. Spend the next few days telling myself I’m not good enough to *charge* people to take their pictures. It will take me a couple weeks to recover from this self-degradation before I touch my camera again.

Truth is, I’m okay at it, I guess. (*stares at floor while I shuffle back & forth*) I lack in proper equipment & computer programs, but with time all those things can be upgraded. I really have no desire to photograph weddings. Honestly, it is way too much pressure for me and that in turn takes the joy out of what I love. I enjoy photographing families, children, babies….they are what matter most to me, in my life, so naturally I would want to spend my time & talent capturing these important things for other people. 

Last weekend I photographed my Grandparent’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary Party. It wasn’t a difficult task, and I knew they’d be pleased with whatever they ended up with. They just wanted photos of the event. Much to my surprise, after sitting down at my grandfather’s computer and editing the photos, they actually looked professional. I was, and still am, very pleased with myself.

 

 

 

My biggest hurdle, really, is time. I work 40+ hours a week, at a job I actually enjoy. I don’t enjoy the full time hours, and would love the opportunity to work part-time at my “job” and spend other time on my family and business. I’m also a new mom. In my opinion this first year is so very important, and I don’t want to miss any more time than I have to.

Maybe down the road, as my babies get a little older (heck I need to have more babies first) and as Tyson finds his place in this world, God will give me the opportunity to do this. In the meantime I’ll keep clicking away, because that’s better than nothing!

Lessons in Parenthood #535

Today I learned that if the baby is momentarily out of sight....she will always find some way to occupy herself.

After hearing her giggle & talk while I was in the shower this AM, I find this sight on the bathroom floor. Not sure how she did it, but her arm was IN her pajamas when I got in the shower.

I ran down the hall to wet a washcloth, and she helped herself. (In case you're wondering, yes those are dirty.)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Seven Months

G hit the 7 month mark today.

This past month flew by. After all the dreading I did leading up to her reaching 6 months, I am shocked at how quickly another month has passed without my knowledge. A month ago I wasn’t ready for my baby to be a whole half a year old. And now she’s *more* than half a year.

I am constantly amazed by this little girl. And I just know in a month’s time she’ll be mobile. She’s so close right now, there’s no going back after this next milestone. It seems as though I am the ONLY person not pushing her to start crawling. I like a stationary baby. A cute little baby that just happily sits on the bathroom floor, playing, while I take my morning shower. Once she’s moving, I can’t just plop her down any old place. BUT…we’re not there yet…so I won’t think about it.

(Though thinking about baby proofing might be a good idea.)

This month brought some big changes for G. She sprouted some hair…FINALLY….

All kidding aside, she has really started to finally get some more hair. Let’s just assume it’s the changing weather; all cute little animals must grow a thicker coat. Tyson & I joke that she’s finally getting bed head, and it’s just long enough to cover her ears….okay maybe cover is the wrong word. Overlap. A little bit.

Although this first year is flying by too fast for my liking, I’m enjoying every minute of this beautiful girl and can’t wait to see what adventures the next month bring. She’s only a baby once, so I treat every month almost like a birthday. (Minus the cake, presents & games…though I wouldn’t be against eating cake every month.)

Pumpkin Picking & Carving

Today we took a trip to the Pumpkin Patch - and then later, after much convincing, Tyson & I carved them.


Looking for a pumpkin......

Tyson does the heavy lifting....

G posing with our finds....

Mama & G....she dressed herself I swear!!

Watch out, Tyson's got a knife....

Taking a break to snack on some puffs....

The final products....