Thursday, October 28, 2010

Lucas the Lion

We took Luke out to a local park for some photos in his Halloween costume. I want to be able to enjoy the moments (not behind the lens) on Halloween, as I've been trying harder to do these days. It's funny because it's such a conflict; I completely LOVE (and miss) photography but I also completely LOVE (and miss) my little boy. The whole purpose of me getting into photography was so I can freeze these early moments to look back on through the years. I'm finding, though, that the more "quality" time is spent when I get to enjoy them without looking through a lens.

Anyway, not to worry, I don't have any intention of putting the camera down, just trying to create a space (like the park session) dedicated specifically for photography so I can enjoy those everyday moments as they happen (without running for the camera!). So boo, I probably won't be catching those firsts on camera anymore, but I've found out that those "firsts" are really so much more precious when I'm fully present, not thinking, "Damn, I wish I had my camera!" Besides, those seconds and thirds are just as amazing ;)

Sorry this turned into a photography rant :/

Back to the park session. We wondered how Luke would react to his costume, if he'd tolerate it or even like it, if he'd hate it so much he'd scream to get out of it. I'll let you be the judge...

this expression is SO Luke right now! he shrugs his shoulders up to his ears and gives us the cheesiest grin ::love::
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i just love these next two... i love watching Luke explore... i love watching Luke watch the world!
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this next one cracks me up! It's so clear who's in charge!
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and here's one from last year... he was a lion, then, too. Lol, i guess we just can't resist cute little cuddly lion costumes!

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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Pumpkin Patch + update

I've been thinking about posting for days. I'm supposed to be working right now but decided to take 10 minutes to update the blog, gosh, there's so much that I want to write about, I wish I had an app so I could do it from my phone, though I'd need to be accessible to pictures because you know I don't like to post without pics ;) Anyway. I'm gonna talk to the hubbs today to see if we can take Luke out for a quick costume session, I'm so excited to see him in his costume, eeekkk, and even more excited to share him in all his cuteness with all of you!

I'm sorry I'm all over the place today. At some point I want to update you all on work. Well, here it is... Long story short... I'm loving my job and able to better manage it more and more everyday. I've been trying to focus on the big picture (helping families, looking forward to coming home to my own family, etc.), really being mindful of it and I really think it's helping. I'm laughing and joking about the stress and seriously, it works! I love my job and hope that the stress continues to become more manageable. Rumor is the workload is actually getting better, so that's a good thing. Hopefully this is the worst it will ever be and it will only get better (yay!).

I'm hoping that I can start focusing more on my hobby (photography), I really really really miss it. I have a few family sessions coming up (not including my own family session with the talented Sarah K. Chen) so I'm hoping it gets me back in the hobby :)

Here are a few pictures from the pumpkin patch, Luke loved it and we so loved watching him explore and enjoy it :)

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gotta run, now, and take care of one of my million (or so it feels like) responsibilities!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Pumpkin Patch

Luke absolutely LOVED the pumpkin patch! I know it won't be easy to tell by his somber facial expression in most/all of the pics but he loved looking around and taking it all in. He's already at the point where he sees the camera and is sick of it (i don't blame him) so it really takes the hubbs standing behind me, acting like a fool, to get any kind of glance my way!

**will be coming back to update with photos**

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Ladybug Birthday Party

I've been dying to share these pics, aren't these details too cute?! My sil always ALWAYS throws the BEST parties (reminds me to dig through pics of the couples baby shower she threw for the hubbs and I, AMZAING!). Seriously, we always tell her that she should start a Party-planning business with her good friend, Amy, together they'd make a fortune! Just thought I'd share in case anyone is looking for cute ideas for a birthday party theme :)


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these cute little cookies were purchased from Etsy. I can't remember the seller but there are quite a few that do amazing work.
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she had a cute little activity for the kids; decorating a flower pot and potting their own flowers.
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she even purchased live ladybugs and gave them to each child to help their flowers grow. too cute right?!
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viola! the kids were so excited to take their creation home.
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the favors
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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Pumpkin Patch preview

Only a tease because I haven't gotten around to editing the rest of the pics, but here are a couple that i couldn't wait to share. Luke just LOVED the pumpkin path, we took him last year but yeah, at 6-weeks old I'm sure the pumpkin patch was the last thing on his mind, lol. This year was completely different, he loved walking around (God, i can't even believe i'm saying that... walking already, goodness!), loved the petting zoo (stinky animals and all, he seriously LOVED the animals!), the merry go round... walking around ;) everything! it was the absolute most fun i've had (hubbs says the same) in a long time. Can't wait to create more amazing family traditions.

looking forward to sharing the rest of the pics in the next few days, but for now.. here are a few :)

ok ok, i know it doesn't look like he's having a good time, by the serious stern expression on his face, which he seriously has about 98% of the time, but he really did have a blast!

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and this is seriously my favorite moment of all time!!! i adore the way my hubbs looks at luke, seriously, that gaze melts my heart!

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and the first outtake... of many ;) i guess this is what luke would look like if he was a farmer... and didn't have a mouth, hehe.

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Monday, October 4, 2010

Luke is 13-months!

I know?! What happened to 12-months?! I was soo busy with life (and planning his party, lol) that I didn't take a minute to sit down and write up his stats... oh well. instead of trying to figure out what he was doing a month ago, I thought I'd just make my life easier and jot down a few things he's doing today :)

13-months
- his 12-month well child isn't until next week :( broke the cycle and don't have stats for his 12-month birthday, wah! he didn't have insurance last month (bad mommy) so we had to put off his exam, thank God he didn't need to go to the doctor's or else we'd be bankrupt by now!
- just cut his 8th tooth on 10/02, his lower right cuspid.
- on the nursing front... fully weaned at 13 months! he didn't even seem to mind. such a big boy! we have him on Enfagrow (it felt weird transitioning from breastmilk right into cows milk so we used this as a transition). we'll be transitioning to cows milk in the next month or so.
- Luke will eat ANYTHING! seriously. anything we put in front of him. and when he's done with his meal, he's beg for food from our plate. i couldn't even tell you what his favorite food is, he loves it all!
- he'll stand at his highchair and cry if it's like 5-10 mins past 6pm (his dinnertime). this boy is on a strict schedule!
- he's walking like a pro now! he took his first real steps, like full-on walking steps, 10 days shy of his first birthday (so, August 19th - in case you suck at math like i do!).
- he's just at the stage where he's standing from a sitting position on his own, so doesn't need assistance from a wall or object.
- he's able to sit in a low chair (one of his play chairs) on his own. he actually attempted this on his own with no coaching from us.
- he can climb on and off his little quad, so cute, we cheer for him every time!
- he's in bed by 8pm (on his own with a little help from Scout ;) and up at about 7:30am. almost 12 hours, we love it!
- he doesn't talk much, but when he does it's "bab (babe - when i call the hubbs, he calls after, it's the cutest thing!)," "mama," and "dada."
- he recognizes words like water, milk, open, close, nose, eyes, mouth, ball, no, come here, cookie monster, kisses, bath, and no (haha, i think he learned that word first!).
- he just learned how to open and close doors, so now that's his favorite thing to do.
- loves playing hide and seek. just started covering his own eyes to "hide," again, it's the cutest thing!
- loves to climb.. particularly in and out of the dryer! don't worry, we've only actually let him do this the one time so we could document in photos and tape :) no more though. big HUGE safety concern, yes, i know!

this is all i can think of right now, i'm sure i'm missing lots lots more... especially about the moments. ahhh, the moments... when he snuggles up to me when he's tired or has just woke from a nap. how he loves to read books and really analyze the page. how he loves his blankies, any burp cloth will do. he'll dive in a pile of clothes and just lay in them, still as can be. how he falls asleep with Scout every night, turns and smiles when we set him at 5 mins of bedtime music... and how we hear luke, through the monitor, turning him back on when he shuts off, sometimes 3-4 times. how luke will lay in his crib every morning for 10-20 mins, just talking to himself. how, when he finally calls us to get him out of bed, he'll give us the biggest bashful grin when he sees us, with the most AMAZING bedhead that i've ever seen. how he stands at the stove/counter/refrigerator while we prepare his food... begging us to move faster. how he eats his full meal and then begs for some of ours. how he throws the BEST tantrums, seriously so dramatic. throws his head back and flails his feet, lol, until he realizes that it's not working and he finally comes to sit in our lap. how he loves playing with cars and teapots, making the vroom vroom sound every time he gets a car in his hand. how he loves the bath, water really. he's not afraid to have water cover his face.. or to be dunked in water (had a little accident the other day in a wading pool and didn't even cry!). i can go on, of course. i'll try to more often, write little blips here and there so that i never forget.

every single thing about this boy i LOVE. being a mother is the single most amazing thing i can ever accomplish. the most challenging, yet rewarding, blessing God will ever give us.

we haven't gotten around to taking pics since his birthday party (oops, still have those to share!) but here are a few snapshots taken recently.

luke getting into trouble...
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lovin' laundry ;)
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this is the vision i see in my head when i close my eyes at work and think about my sweet sweet boy... this is what i look forward to coming home to everyday!
13 months
 

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