James' little writings

The other day I was packing up some photo CDs to send out to clients and James wanted to write a letter too. He told me he wanted to send it to JJ (my sis). I handed him a little note card and a pen. He asked me how to spell Ada's name and this is what he came back with. He wrote his name on top and Ada's name on the bottom. His name is pretty good, but I am really impressed with Ada's name! GO JAMES GO!!

FAIL!

I suck!

Day 13- A fictional book

When I read books they are almost always non-fiction. However, there are A LOT of fictional books in my life. James has quite the collection. I will tell you what he is diggin right now. He is really into the Where's Waldo books, any book about construction sites (the trucks, what they do, and how they work). His all time favorites are his Curious George collection, Bad Dog Marley, Pass the Peas Please, and a few more. Those are always his fall back books if he doesn't want to search for a new one.

Day 12-something you are OCD about

My kids. Plain and simple. Trust me I am not OCD about anything else. Even though I wish I was. I am a paranoid freak when it comes to my kids. Are they choking, is their room going to burst into flames in the middle of the night, is that bite too big, are they cold, hot, are their clothes too tight, is she going to die from SIDS, are they going to die from anything else, is that too sharp, is that carbon monoxide I smell, are they happy, sad, mad, nervous, are they smart enough, are they too smart, isn't she supposed to be doing that by now, are they too skinny, too chubby, wait where did they go, don't do that, get away from there, eat this, not that, is he pooping enough, is she peeing enough, are they choking now, are they watching too much TV???????? I think you get the idea. Caleb thinks I am pretty much a nut job when it comes to this.

The other day I was at a garage sale. A lady was talking to the lady that was having the garage sale. She was telling her how they just moved up here from Florida. Their house burnt completely down. She said that they told her it was from an extension cord and that 90% of house fires start from an extension cord. And that most of these could be prevented by having surge protectors. I immediately thought of James' WOODEN bed room. His lamp, fan, and baby monitor (yes, I still have a baby monitor in his room. I guess that just adds to this post now doesn't it?) are all plugged into an old extension cord, which is plugged into an old ungrounded outlet. (This is the point where my mom starts freaking out reading this. I had to get this from someone right?)

I knew right then and there I had to get myself a surge protector for his room. I didn't exactly know what one was, but I had to get one. I got home, clarified with Caleb what one was, and headed out to Walmart. I got home and this is when I discovered the outlets in his room are ungrounded (two prong). I ran out the next day and bought an adaptor. This is about when Caleb thought I was crazy. I came to him asking him if the adaptor defeated the whole purpose since it is still an ungrounded outlet. Are you still following? Or would it still work since the surge protector is plugged into a grounded plug in and everything else is plugged into the surge protector. I am sure if anyone is still reading this they are totally lost. Well, I am pretty sure this is when Caleb told me I was off my rocker.

Get the point?

Day 11- a photo of you recently

Me and my dad at the begining of Aug.

day 10- a photo of yourself from 10 years ago

This picture was actually probably a little less than 10 years ago. I can't figure out how to use my new printer's scanner so I was left with not a whole lot of options. I REALLY didn't want to use this picture. I am going to look like an even more huge heffer in tomorrows pic...ugh. I WILL LOOK LIKE THAT AGAIN!

Day 9- A photo you took

I have thousands and thousands and thousands of pictures that I have took. I am a photographer, that means I take pictures of other people and I take millions of my children. If you would like to see more, check out my facebook page and "like" me ! The pics I am showing are TOTALLY random. I just ran through a couple files on my computer and uploaded them here!

Day 8 blog challenge

Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad

This series of pictures would, with out a doubt fall into the sad category. I didn't even have to think about this post. I knew the second I saw it, which pictures made me the most sad. I can not look at these pictures with out crying. I am pretty certain this was the darkest time in my life. My poor sweet teeny tiny sick newborn.

If you want to read more about what exactly happen, you can click on this post and this post.

I am pretty sure I haven't ever posted the picture above on here before. This was right before she was rushed down to Children's. Getting all hooked up and ready to go on the ambulance.

For some reason, this picture is the hardest for me to look at. You wouldn't think it would be, would you? I was giving her her neb. This was before we ended up going down to Children's hospital. I think this was way harder for me than being at the hospital. I felt a lot more safe at the hospital and in good hands. When we were at home the few days leading up to the hospital, I was going into the clinic everyday, but at night it was all up to me. It was in my hands. I was the one having to determine what to do and if she was doing ok. My newborn baby and I did not sleep a wink, too worried and having to make sure she wasn't blue and that she was still breathing.

Day 7 blog challenge

Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy

I am a photographer, so most pictures make me happy...I love pictures! I love looking at pictures of complete strangers. So, I guess pictures that make me most happy are those of my kids. I thought I would share some new pics from the other day when we went to the park. This was actually Ada's first time in a swing and she LOVED it!

Oh no, not these two again! ...

Day 6 blog challenge

Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things



This list is going to be things only...not people. I could fill the whole list with people if I did it that way! :) These are things that pop in my head...not top 20.

In no particular order...

1. getting packages in the mail
2. pajama pants
3. sleepy eyed babes
4. summer
5. the smell of a new book
6. new sheets
7. hugs
8. vacations and weekend trips
9. magazines
10. watching my kiddos discover and learn new things
11. good food
12. hotels
13. pictures pictures pictures
14. the sound of the shutter on my camera :)
15. bubble baths
16. Amazon.com
17. laughing
18. beaches and swimming
19. good news
20. loving and feeling loved!

Day 5 Blog Challenge

Favorite Quote:

I don't have much time to give this a good thought, but the quote that always comes to mind is...

Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.

Not sure who said it, I think it may be from a song.

Exciting post eh?

First day of School!!!

James got up this morning for his first day of preschool! I am pretty sure I had a harder time with it than he did. I was a little nervous last week before we went to his open house. He didn't want to go, and definitely didn't want me to leave him. That all got thrown out the window about 5 min after we got in the classroom.

Today he was so excited to go. Got up, got ready like had done it a million times. Like it was nothing new. Which is great! I am glad he was having such an easy time and not throwing up in the bathroom like someone else we know. You would have thought it was my first time ever going to school. I did however, hold back the tears pretty good.

When I picked him up I tried to get out of him as much information as I could. He told me he played play-doh and that's it. Hmmmm. That is a really weird feeling to not have any idea what went on in those 2 1/2 hours, when I am so used to knowing exactly what he is doing at all times. He came out alive, I guess that's all that matters!

First day of preschool = Success!!

Here he is by his little cubby at school.

The first thing he was asked to do was find his name and "sign in" :)

Day 4 blog challenge- Your favorite book.

Right now I am diggin Chelsea Handler...I am in the middle of reading "Are you there vodka, it's me Chelsea," and have already read "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang." She is super funny!

Blog Challenge Day 3

Day 3 - your favorite television program

It is not letting me upload any pictures right now, but my most favorite TV show is BIG BROTHER!!! My mom got me hooked back in the day and now you can call me a bit obsessive. Since having kids, I don't get the live feeds, but I used to! I love this show and am always so sad when it ends. If you don't watch it, you should!!

What's your favorite show?

Blog Challenge Day 2

Day 2 - your favorite movie
If I would have been asked this question 2 months or so ago, I would have a different answer. Something like Old School, a funny fall back movie because I don't really know. Well, I finally figured it out! A few weeks ago I was given a wedding shower from some of my family. They did this "how well do you know the bride" game and this was one of the questions for me to answer. I just kept thinking no one was going to get it since I didn't even know the answer. BAM! It hit me like a ton of bricks. THE WIZARD OF OZ! My sister and I watched this movie a ton when we were little. Went through my early adulthood and kind of forgot about it and never really watched it. Now as a mom, and with James loving it, I just realize and can appreciate what an amazing movie it is!


Ada is 8 months old today!!! CRAZY!

Blog Challenge Day 1

Day 1- Your favorite song

I have been, for a really long time, torn between two songs as being my favorite song of all time. I LOVE Dave Matthew's Band Crash. I really don't know why, I mean there isn't any sort of meaning behind it besides that I just love it. The other candidate for the title of favorite is Into the Mystic by Van Morrison. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Van Morrison. Hands down my favorite band. I grew up listening to him, and I just can't get enough...It also helps that I am a "brown eyed girl." :)

What's your favorite song?? Join in if you have a blog! Even if you don't leave a comment with the answer! I would love to hear about YOU!

30 Day Blog Challenge

I saw this on my friend Breanna's blog (she is doing it too...check hers out!)
I am hoping this will get me back into the groove of bloging. We will find out! I will start tomorrow!
Day 1 - your favorite song
Day 2 - your favorite movie
Day 3 - your favorite television program
Day 4 - your favorite book
Day 5 - your favorite quote
Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 - a photo of you recently
Day 12 - something you are OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your dream house
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a youtube video
Day 24 - where I live
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - my worst habit
Day 28 - what's in my handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - a dream for the future

She would probably eat a Big Mac if I let her

Ada, Ada, Ada. This girl just wants to eat. None of that sissy baby food shenanigans either. She wants to use her hands and chew. She has absolutely boycotted the jarred stuff. I started making some baby food (nothing complicated) which she seems to take a little bit better than that stinky Gerber baby food. (I have nothing against Gerber, I think they are great. I think Ada is the one with the problem!)

She has mastered the "pinch" to pick up food. She loves those puffs. Actually, I don't think it even matters what it is. Don't tell my mom, but I pulled a small rock out of her mouth the other day. This girl just wants to put stuff in her mouth. I know this is totally the norm for this age. She is a hungry gal though.

The other day, I thought I would try something different. We had some bananas so I cut them up and gave them to her. She had a difficult time picking them up since they are so slimy. Then I thought of something. When James was a peanut I discovered an easier way to feed the little goober those slippery bananas.

James was a big puff eater too. He actually choked on one once. They aren't supposed to choke on them! It was a full on choke. The kind where I had no idea what to do. My immediate response was to fling him out of his highchair, which went flying across the kitchen floor, flip him upside down, and wail on his back. I have no idea if that was the right thing to do, but it worked. Thankfully.

I came to the conclusion that the puffs must have been a bit stale or something. From then on out I always made sure he was eating the freshest of fresh puffs. This resulted in half un-eaten jars of puffs that would take up room in the cupboard. I think I have a slight hoarding problem. ANYWAY! I discovered if I cut up the banana and smashed some of the puffs into a powder I could roll the little banana chunks in the powder and they were way easier to pick up!

I decided to try this with Ada. I put just a few puffs in a bowl and smashed them up, put the banana in and gave them to her. She practically inhaled them. LOVED them. I couldn't keep up smashing those dang puffs. Then I had an absolute brilliant idea.

When we got married a few weeks ago, my lovely Aunt (and uncle) gave me the greatest thing in the world... **Insert angels singing here**

Ah. What a beauty. Am I right? This was my first experience with my new Magic Bullet. And, well, it is magical! Popped the puffs in, pressed it down for a couple seconds and ended up with this...

The finest banana puff powder a mom or dad could ever wish for. Nothing you could ever achieve with a spoon and a bowl. Or a mortar and pestle for that matter. That last sentence makes me feel old for some reason.

So for all of those fellow moms out there here is a little tip. If you are having issues with sticky bananas, smash up some puffs. If you don't have a Magic Bullet, you most certainly can use a spoon, fork, hammer, whatever. However, I highly recommend you get a Magic Bullet...just because.

Cut the banana into tiny cubes. I am pretty sure I am overly obsessive when it comes to cutting up food small. That's my problem though. I don't really think it is much of a problem though, so whatever! :)

Throw your bananas in the heavenly fine puff dust. I like that...puff dust. Stir them up so they are all separated from each other and they are lightly coded.

Ta-da! I call them banana nuggets!

And if you were reading this super long post and the whole time wondering what the heck I was talking about when I said "puffs," there ya go! And just another little tip for those mamas out there. If you shop at Walmart, this is just my opinion, but I like the Parent's Choice brand puffs better. They are smaller so I am less worried about Ada choking. They have fun flavors too!

Please be warned though...

It can get pretty messy.

Like, really messy.

Really, really messy.

Cougars, Mosquitos, Humidity...oh my!

I have always thought I have been a little bit on the paranoid side when it comes to...well...I guess most things involving my kids. I am not sure where I got this from. Ah-hem Mom, Grandma.
I kind of worry (go figure) that I might be putting too much fear in James. I can kind of see it already, I just hope I don't damage him too much! :) I mean he starts to freak out like if I am walking in front of him to go inside. He thinks I am going to leave him outside or something. He also thinks the cougars are going to get him. I don't blame him though. I also think the cougars are going to get him.

Last week we had such a beautiful day. It was cool, breezy, and very fall like. This was one of the first times in quite a while that we sat outside and played. It probably lasted all of 20 min.

Oh cute picture of sweet Ada. The main reason we went in so fast was the mosquitos. They are SO incredibly bad this year. If you look closely at the picture above you can spy one of the little devils to the right of Ada's face.

Wait...did she say something about cougars? That lady be CRAZY!

Am I?

One of the greatest things about moving into a house from the town homes we lived in previously is the yard. Being able to walk around and have room for James to play. That got shot down hard core this summer. First it was the super hot weather, then the mosquitos (did I mention how bad they are this year?),then the mountain lion.

Wait, what did she say?

You know Cougar? also known as puma, mountain lion, mountain cat, catamount or panther.

When my sister was here, she was outside late at night and something started growling at her. She ran inside. It started making really weird calls and left. Come to find out in our local newsletter, they put out a warning about this fierce creature. The cougar. A 200 lb stalking predator. My neighbor saw it a week or so after my sister did in the vacant lot across the street from my house. Call me a paranoid freak, but I really don't like having James and Ada outside. Or myself for that matter!