Review: Babies, a documentary

My office manager recommended this documentary to me, and now I'm passing it on to you. 

I wasn't sure what to expect - all I knew going into it was that this documentary tracks the birth and first few years of life of four babies across the globe - Namibia, Japan, Mongolia, and San Francisco. 

There is no narration or commentary - just the babies and their familes, and their environments.  And such vast differences!!  I actually decided to have Carter watch this with me - I knew going into it that there were birth scenes and nudity (mostly in the Namibia family), but when you get right down to it, that's nature and their culture, defined.  So I had no problem with Carter watching.  And he was fascinated with this show from the minute it started.  I'm glad it didn't have any narration simply because he made enough comments on his own, and asked many, many intelligent questions about the babies, what the moms were doing, etc.  It was an excellent show for him to watch, especially when they showed the interaction between the siblings, and the babies with their respective pets. 

I highly, HIGHLY recommend this show for anyone who has a child.  It's extremely educational, without hardly speaking a word.  The lack of narration provided ample time for Carter and I to have discussions about what was going on.  I was able to watch this via my Netflix instant queue.

Book Review: The Postcard Killers

We all know James Patterson is one of my favorite authors.  I usually stick to his two main series, however, this book was another murder mystery and I just can't turn those down.  All new characters and he collaborated with a new author.....why not?  The book didn't disappoint - definitely a thriller!! Glad I took a chance on this one - Patterson succeeded once again.

It's Beginning to Look.......

Since it decided to snow all day today, I decided it was a perfect time to decorate the inside of the house for Christmas.  A little earlier this year than previous years, but it seemed like the perfect time.  Carter was a big help this year, telling me where he wanted most of the decorations. 

Our project from yesterday:

And some little displays all around the house

I acquired this from a co-worker, who was throwing it out when we moved offices.  I need to dig out the chalk and start this countdown!

I LOVE the Christmas feel in our house. It's so cozy, just how I want the holidays to be.  Hopefully tomorrow, we (and by WE, I mean Eric) can tackle the outdoor lights.  I obviously won't be putting up the lights since I doubt my doctor wouldn't be thrilled to have me walking around on the roof, or climbing ladders. So I will stay on the ground and just direct the operation - something a little more natural to me anyway. ;)

And right after I completed the indoor decorations, I sat down and painted my nail a bright Christmas red - fully in the spirit this year!

Happy Holidays!

A Christmas Project

A few weeks ago, my mother-in-law brought me this cool Christmas project that I have been really excited to try out with Carter.  And since today was a lazy day (um, we didn't get out of our jammies until mid-afternoon), it seemed like the perfect time to get this project done. We went shopping earlier this week for some goodies and ornaments to put inside the completed boxes, so we were totally set to go.

Our supplies:  rope, clothespins, red ribbon, boxes, and decorations for the boxes.  I didn't bother with any additional decorations, other than what was provided.

So I tried to give Carter as much to do as possible - he loves being involved and loves crafty stuff.  So this was right up his alley.  First, we had to punch out the decorations and put them with each respective box. He was in charge of this.

Then we had to glue each date to the decorated card.

Once the decorations were glued into each card, we put the boxes together.

Then we had to attach the ribbon to each box....this was the most time-consuming part.

While I was doing the ribbon, Carter played with some of the toys that were to be included in the boxes.

Then we added the ornaments, toy, and goodies to each box and closed them up.

Then it was time to hang the rope and use the clothespins to hang each individual box.

I decided to hang these across one of the kitchen windows - we never open the shades on this window because it faces the neighbor's house and I really don't care to be staring at them all the time. So this seemed like a perfect spot, that was also out of the way.

The two artists with their finished product - very fun!!!



Happy Thanksgiving to All!

What are your big plans for today?

We are heading over to my parents' house to celebrate with my side of the family first.  I spent a few hours with my mom and aunt yesterday, prepping quite a bit of the food.  It all looks amazing!  Then we will head over to Eric's mom's house to have a smaller celebration with his family.  I am so excited....I mean, the BABY is so excited for all of the yummy food today!! ;)

Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving.  Be safe in your travels!

Pregnancy Tracker - 18 weeks

Once again - no big changes from last week, though I am starting to feel the baby fluttering.  The beginning of feeling it move around - which is always fun......until you are 9 months pregnant. Then the soccer tournament in your body gets pretty old, lol!

Here's what babycenter.com says about the baby at 18 weeks:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and it weighs almost 7 ounces. It is busy flexing its arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. Its blood vessels are visible through the thin skin, and its ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from its head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around its nerves, a process that will continue for a year after it is born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Two more weeks until we find out what the baby is!!!!

Movie Review: Losers

I haven't had a whole lot of movie reviews lately because Eric has take over the Netflix movie queue...and let's just say we haven't had the best of movie selection in our house.  In fact, I think there have been 3-4 in a row where I left the room after 5 minutes.  So I was again hesitant to even watch this movie when it arrived in the mail.  Surprisingly, it was actually pretty good!  Definitely an action flick with the right amount of comedy sprinkled in.  Go rent it - it's worth it!

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

It was a requirement that I see this movie opening weekend.  Part 1 of this finale did not disappoint, in the least.  It followed the book extremely well, with just a few, minor variances.  But nothing that changed the flow of the book or movie.  I thought the movie was amazing.  For being as dark as the book was, the movie still managed to have some light moments, the right amount of suspense and scary parts, splashed with some humor.  I can't wait for Part 2 - even though it means the end of this amazing journey Ms. Rowling provided. 

My vote:  RUN to see this movie.  :)

Pregnancy Tracker - 17 weeks

No big changes that I can see/feel since last week.  Still loving anything that has to do with food, but not craving anything specific, repeatedly.  Just food in general.  :)

Here's what babycenter.com says about me and the baby at 17 weeks:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

I'm Not Cut Out For Customer Service

And for those who know me, this is not shocking news to you - in fact, you are probably giggling at the mere thought of me having anything to do with customer service.  It's ok.  I laugh with you.  I have zero tolerance for sales pitches - especially at work.

For some reason, the receptionist is out today.  Which is probably good considering the little spat we got into yesterday.  However, when she's gone, that means the rest of us have to answer the phone.  Unbelievable, isn't it?  (just kidding)

So I happened to answer a call this morning and the caller ID said "Web Services".  I knew before I even said "Good morning, " that this call was going to be loads of fun.  Below, I break down the call for your entertainment - please notice that my usual chatty-cathy self is lacking for detail and over-sharing.....this is rare.

Saleswoman:  May I speak with Jeff?

(let me interject here and just say, I love when they call him Jeff and act like they are pals.)

Me:  I can check, may I say who is calling?

Saleswoman:  This is Lisa. 

(notice how she doesn't give me the name of the company from where she is calling - I'm sure it just slipped her mind)

Me:  Ok Lisa, does he know what this is regarding?  (yes, we screen calls - we're a law firm)

Saleswoman:  No.

Me:  Ok.  Are you a salesperson?

Saleswoman:  Yes.

Me:  Ok.  He's not going to be interested.

Saleswoman:  (after laughing)  Um, do you even know what I'm selling?

Me:  Nope.  But I know he won't be interested.

Saleswoman:  (laughing again - apparently this is quite humorous to her) Well, do you do any sort of advertising for your business?

Me:  No.

Saleswoman:  Not even on the internet?

Me:  No.

Saleswoman:  Ok, well I guess that's why I couldn't find you on Google.

(which begs the question, how did she find our number?)

Me:  Yup, guess we aren't on there.

Saleswoman:  Ok, well I guess if he's not interested in something he knows nothing about, our conversation is over.

Me:  Yup, it sure is.

CLICK.

See, this is why I never pursued a career that had anything to do with customer service.  And I'm sure all of those prospective employers out there thank their lucky stars I never applied.  ;)  Some of us just aren't cut out to weed through the B.S. day in and day out.

Random Fact #63

I have never, not even once, participated in Black Friday. In fact, I will do my best to avoid leaving the house the entire weekend after Thanksgiving. I usually reserve that time to decorate the house for Christmas.  And I rarely have the money to go shop all the sales anyway.  I usually start Christmas shopping around the beginning of November - either in stores or online.  I have already started this year and I really doubt that there are sales big enough to make me leave my house next Friday. 

Unless you all know of some fantastic ones.....then I'm open to suggestions.  ;)

{Pregnancy} 4 Months

Technically, I'm a little past 4 months, but hey, this is what I'm calling it and it's my blog.

The old tale is true, you definitely show more and sooner with your second child.  So I put the husband behind the camera today (much to his dislike), dug out the background set, and pulled Carter into some shots with me.  He had fun with the belly, which is a good thing because it's only going to get bigger from here!

Here are a few shots from today.

Nichole & {Family}

So this last weekend, I did a fall family photoshoot for Nichole and her family - which included her two sons, her sister and boyfriend, and her parents.  We mixed it up and I got a TON of great shots - only a small sample of which are on display here.  We even had an outfit change at the end to allow for a BSU family picture - since it was game day and all!

And with this photoshoot, I am done for the year/season.  I have been slammed all spring, summer and fall - literally having to schedule time for my OWN family vacations/trips.  And honestly, I welcome this break with open arms.  I'm not booking another shoot for the rest of the year - mark my word.  I rather enjoy the thought that this weekend is ALL MINE.  I have no plans and I don't even know what to do with myself!  I can do what I want, without having to plan around a shoot.  This year has been an incredibly successful year for my photography.  This winter, I will focus on taking online classes and tutorials to better my techniques - both behind the camera and with the photo editing software that I use.  You can never be TOO educated and I love learning.  So it's time to really advance my knowledge and skills.

Without further boring you, here are some samples from Nichole's shoot.