Project 2011: Through His Eyes

One of the things I decided to get for Carter for Christmas was his own camera.  He is well aware of a camera, and loves hitting the timer button on mine when we are doing goofy photoshoots.  So I figured it was time to get him his own camera to explore the world.  I noticed tonight that the batteries were almost dead, so I figured we would snap a few goofy pictures before it completely died.  And of course, I don't have replacement batteries here in the house......mom of the year award right here!

So, without further delay, here the pictures we have on the camera right now.  This will, or so is my hope, be a weekly post with updates of what Carter has captured.  (note:  these are all straight out of the camera - I'm clearly not going to edit them. And yes, some are fuzzy. I don't expect a 3 year old to hold perfectly still - ha! Who does?!)

 One of the fun things about this camera is the funny little add-ons you can select for pictures before you take them.  We had a hoot the other morning messing around with these!

Stay tuned each week for more of our Project 2011:  Through His Eyes!

Coming Soon.....

.......I had an engagement shoot today. In the cold. I'm glad I didn't book any weddings BEFORE this baby is born because this is getting to be hard work!  Here is a little sneak peek-a-roo from today. Stay tuned for more!!!

Random Fact #64

I'm a jock.

I'm a lover of MOST sports.  I draw the line at soccer and rugby, and a few others. 

I love watching sports - whether live or on TV - and playing sports.  I'm up for any game.  I have more sports knowledge than 99.9% of the girls I know, and a good percentage of the guys, too!  I would watch a hell of a lot more sports on TV if my hubby didn't complain.  Quite backwards, don'tcha think?  ;)  And I've got the sports trash-talking mouth as well.  Eric's biggest fear, since he's more of a self-proclaimed punk, is that I'm going to turn our children into jocks.  I don't see the harm - a little competitive attitude never hurt anyone!

Play hard or go home!

Pregnancy Tracker - 24 weeks

So this marks my 24th week - the beginning of the 6th month.  4 months to go!  We ventured out tonight to the 70% off clearance rack at Penny's - they had the CUTEST stuff!  It was fun shopping for this little girl.  :)  I also had a checkup yesterday, where we discussed my episodes of feeling like I'm going to faint.  NOT FUN.  Basically, another talk about increasing my water intake....which I figured was coming since I had the same problem during my pregnancy with Carter.  Bottom's up!

My next appointment is set for the beginning of February, and at that time, we will schedule the date for the c-section.  I still don't like the idea of picking my child's birthdate, but it is what it is and a c-section is the option I feel most comfortable with given the complications Carter and I both had during his labor and ultimate emergency c-section.  And who knows, we may pick a date and this little girl could come the day before - wanting to make her own grand entrance!

We have narrowed it down to three names......we won't pick a name until she is born and we can decide which one fits her.

Here is what babycenter.com says about the pregnancy at 24 weeks:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Stay tuned next week.....I'm going to put Eric behind the camera again for some updated pictures.

To Shower, or Not To Shower.......that is the question.

So I've been reading a lot lately about the taboo that is associated with second baby showers.  Meaning, a baby shower for second, third, fourth, etc. children in the same family.

On the one hand, we have people who are of the strict belief that baby showers are specifically for the first born.  It's a "welcome to motherhood" rite of passage.  Some people feel tt's greedy to have multiple showers for the same baby, let alone a shower for each child you may have.  They feel you are already a parent and should have the essentials to welcome subsequent children.

On the other hand, second baby showers are becoming more widely accepted, especially if the second baby is the opposite gender as the first child.  Many people feel the shower for the first child only rule is simply an archaic one, stating that each baby is unique and deserves their own party and special attention.  Some people feel that the second shower should be more of a celebration of the latest addition to the family, since the parents should have the basics from the previous child, i.e., crib, dresser, changing table, etc.  Therefore, the gifts, if any, should be more practical things like diapers, car seats if the parents didn't keep the first, clothes, essential safety items, bottles, and the like.

What are your thoughts?

Is it greedy?  (and is it still greedy if someone else throws the shower for you?)

Does each baby deserve their own special celebration?

A Year in Review: 2010

As has been the tradition in my family since.....well, I can't remember ever NOT doing this.  The highlights of the year. I did a year in review post last year, and this year will be no different.

The beginning of the year was spent with Eric's recovery.  It was very hard to watch him struggle with so many basic things in life - most of all, sleep.  When your ribcage is simply held together by wire, it makes sleeping incredibly difficult.  He couldn't find many comfortable positions, so we ended up getting a recliner so he could prop himself up and somewhat relax.

It wasn't really until March that we ventured out for something other than doctor appointments.  Eventually, he was given a clean bill of health and life seemed normal again.  We resumed our regular visits to the zoo, along with Carter's swimming at the gym.

Spring also brought the big boy bed for Carter.  He never had use for his toddler bed, so we put that away and introduced him to his BIG bed.  He loved it from the moment he laid eyes on it!

The beginning of the year also brought on the chaos that was my photography business this year.  I had countless shoots, which included weddings, families, engagements, babies, etc.  The business provided an excellent supplement to the household income, which hugely helped when Eric was slow at work.  I'm very thankful that I have been able to drive such a successful business.  I look forward to another highly successful year!

The hubby and I were able to sneak off to a much-needed mini vacation to Jackpot in May.  I know there are people out there who frown upon vacations where you don't include your children, but our opinion is that trips by yourself are just as important.  Keeping the spark alive and exploring the adventurous side is extremely important in marriage (in our opinion).  Plus, we still had planned several vacations WITH Carter throughout the duration of the year.  So, for those who seem to think we are cruel and selfish parents for not including our child on this one little trip, mind your own. ;)

June brought the wedding of Miss Ashley, Eric's sister.  It was a gorgeous event and we couldn't be happier for the two lovebirds!!

We had many fishing trips.

We explored several fairs - big and small, taking in the sights, sounds, and most importantly, the FOOD!

Carter also got to attend his very first circus! 

We took several camping trips - both with just the three of us, and with some good friends.  All camping trips were an adventure, as they should be.  We also spent quite a bit of time at the cabin.

We also moved the swimming lessons for Carter to the country club pool once it got warm enough.  Nothing like a hot summer day in the cool pool, on the river, or up at Lucky Peak, which we also explored this year. 

Carter got his first big boy bike - he still has some reservations about the this, but we plan to dive right back into it when spring hits!

August brought some great news of the newest addition to our family.  We are thrilled.  Our families are thrilled.  And I'm ready to shop for a baby girl!

September brought our big trip to Tahoe - what a fun time we had!!!  I wasn't sure how Carter would do with such a long car drive each way, but we had such a great time with him.  I can't wait for our next big adventure!

Towards the end of October and beginning of November, Eric was finally able to say goodbye to the construction industry and enter a new career field.  Telling his former construction company to stick it where the sun don't shine was a huge weight lifted off of our shoulders and I am THRILLED that he's on to something bigger and better.

The holidays were a success this year and as December closes, I have a happy heart.  We lost some great people this year, but I'm glad that those closest to me are still around and kickin'.  I'd love to give the typical speech about how next year is going to be so fun and we'll have a thousand adventures - but I already KNOW we will do all that.  There are four months left until this baby arrives and we have so much to do to prepare.  I can't wait to see what this little creation is going to be, WHO she's going to be, who we will be with her.......

So, in closing, I really couldn't have asked for a better year (though winning the Idaho Lottery the other day would have definitely HELPED, lol!) and as usual, I just can't wait to see what next year has in store for us. 

I wish you all peace, happiness, health, and prosperity in 2011!