I'm one lucky mama!

Love my boys!

So here's how photos can be deceiving... Do these boys look clean? Maybe fresh out of the bathtub? Nope. This afternoon was filled with sidewalk chalk, having fun in our sorry-excuse-for-a-blowup-pool, playing on the playset, and running around on a summer day getting hot and sweaty.

It was a great day.

In my usual after pool routine, I stripped these little ones down to bare bottoms to get them dry before heading indoors. And once we got inside, that's where this photo opportunity arose.

Perfect smiles, sweaty, sunscreen lotioned heads, squeezing their nakey bodies together in love. :)

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I know. I'm horrible, absolutely horrible.

"I begin to suspect that the world is divided not only into the happy and the unhappy, but into those who like happiness and those who, odd as it seems, really don't."

—C.S. Lewis

 
So, I'm 30 now. Have I mentioned that before? Nope, Probably not, because my birthday sucked. It was last September and I had just given birth to my adorable joy-baby Milo and it was no time to focus on me or the big birthday bash that I dreamed about.

Let me tell you, I've got some over-the-top expectations in my head about this 'never happened' 30th birthday party: I wanted my favorite local band, Slam, to play at an outdoor venue with beautiful twinkling lights surrounding us. ...Ok, that's all I can manage to describe ....but in my head... it seems SO amazing. Dancing, twinkling lights, lots of friends, family, and laughter.

So my vague but impossible 30th birthday party never happened. Then I tried to impose that on my husband this year when our 10th wedding anniversary came around. I filled him in on my dreams spouting words like "Twinkling lights!" "Slam!"
Yes, all of this could add up to the party that I imagined... and maybe even a few toasts from dear friends about how awesome we are at being married 10 WHOLE years (ok, stop rolling your eyes and listen to my rant). All of it was coming together! I even had an argument all worked out "Once you're accomplished to have a real anniversary party - like a 50th - you're too old to appreciate it, let's do it for our 10th, while we're young!" He didn't buy it. Nor would we ever be able to afford it.

So back to my actual birthday which I told you sucked. What really happened is that my husband stressed out about my high-expectations combined with the fact that I had JUST HAD A BABY (somehow this part was overlooked by me) and he made small efforts to see if he could pull off a mini-version of my delusions of grandeur by inquiring about renting a room at a restaurant. Of course that was never going to rival "Slam!" Twinkling Lights!" and so, even without telling me about his attempt, he opted to do
...nothing.

That's right. Nothing. I mean, yes, he said Happy Birthday to me. He doesn't HATE me. He just doesn't know how to please an impossible princess with ridiculous ideas. I scrambled his brain to a point of shut down, I guess.

...So on my actual birthdate I ended up spending it at home, without one special gesture. Just nursing a 10 day old baby and feeling sorry for myself that I wasn't being lauded and praised for being alive another day. (insert lame joke about world smallest violin here)

I thought,  "The jerk could have given me a card or something."

In a way, it's my own fault. Really, honestly, at the end of the day did he ever have a chance?

He really didn't.

In the end it was all good. The actual day felt like a let down but the next day I got a cake and a card and flowers. And later some girlfriends (with my husband's help) surprised me with a Birthday Breakfast and later that month we had a nice dinner with some close friends. To be 30 is really no big thing. There's nothing that I was hanging onto in regards to youth or 'one last chance to party'. I just like a good excuse to make a big deal out of things. So I thought this milestone birthday as an excuse would be a good one.

I can spot thousands of things to be thankful for in this photo. Can you?

 
I still hang onto that dream party. I look for other reasons to have it but I know it's just a dream.

The worst part of all of this is that there really isn't a moral or a lesson to be had in any of this. I know my expectations are high but that's how I LIKE them. Am I a brat or what?!

Well, maybe there is a lesson in knowing this: If your expectations are high your disappointments are going to hit you hard and bring you low. Really low.

If you can be ok with that. Life is good.

Writing this now is proof that I'm ok with it. Before, I was so turned upside down over something so silly that I even wished that I could have a 'do-over' year. At this point in my life, there are many reasons I would want to erase parts of this year or make it a 'do-over' ...but that failed version of a 30th birthday isn't at the top of my list anymore.

It's silly, really. I have so much to be thankful for.


Hey, maybe I AM maturing!!!? ...I happen to be 30 years old, by the way. :)




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To Matter

I've always made it a point to love my jobs - to only do something because it is what I love. I am blessed to have that option in life. Sometimes I've probably taken it to the extreme. I've always set out to be THE hairstylist you would prefer over anyone else or THE photographer you would choose. Recent events in my health have knocked me off this high-horse of pride and someday I hope to share that with you.  But on this day... this is a day that did matter. This was a day that God used my talents for His Glory and to comfort someone else. On this day, I can look back and see how God used me despite of my own need to be important, or my need to feel like I matter. On this day, I was able to see pieces of a puzzle coming together of encounters over the years, sharing our lives, and sharing our hearts.  
Click Here to read Cassie's Story. A woman that inspires me on so many levels.

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So what do you do for inspiration?

Sure there's Pinterest. And of course you can always type what you're looking for into Google Images. I've even just perused the pages of my favorite Facebook Pages.

But this is where it's at: Blog Lovin.

If you are a photographer that just loves to drool over other photog's work or if you don't have the photography bug but just like looking at beautiful photos then you know where I'm coming from. Heck you could care less about the actual photography and just have some really interesting blogs to follow...well then, this site is for you!

I could totally be behind and if that's true please just take pity on me and let me have my moment of discovery. I love this site. When I'm looking for inspiration it's almost always from a person's blog. I not only love not seeing those gorgeous images but also being able to connect with their stories and learn more about the photographer and the subjects.

The problem I've had in the past was keeping up with them. Sure I could bookmark them, or subscribe to their RSS Feed (I'm not going to pretend like I know how that really works). But the format of Blog Lovin is suited just for me. It gives me a great preview of the blog. I can go to the site anytime for an update and the blog doesn't have to be a certain format for me to follow it!

ALSO, you can download an App for it that works on Android and IPhone/IPad. How cool is that?

YipEEEEE!

Also, if you wanna follow me this way, feel free! :)

Click Here to Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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Growing up...

In the past, I would have considered myself *beyond* an advocate for breastfeeding.... probably more like the breast-feeding nazi. Not for others but for myself. I held myself to sometimes impossible standards with my first son. I never had to feed Roman a single bottle. Now, Milo, who has started on formula this month has made the emotional transition away from nursing not only tolerable but pretty darn adorable. :)



One really neat thing about bottle feeding is that dad's can share in this moment too!




 Breastfeeding is hard. It's rewarding. And it's honorable if you can do it and totally ok if you can not. Milo, I was happy to nurse you as long as I was able. To be perfectly honest, we just couldn't keep going with the rate that those razor sharp teeth are coming in. :)

Just look at that milk-face!



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Spring is here!

My little joy just turned 7 months and spring is here! Do you need anything more than this to make you smile?

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Keeping me going...

I've been crazy-sick for some time now. It all started with EXTREME sensitivity to light, a lightheaded/dizzy feeling and trouble seeing and focusing. In the past weeks, I've seen 6 doctors, had an emergency room visit, and countless tests. I had a strange period of time where I couldn't remember things. I really thought I was losing my mind (more than the normal "mommy-brain feeling" of losing your mind!). I've missed work, been behind on work, thrown my husband into the role of wife and mom, and have endured a cloud of worry that's been hanging over our house.

We still don't have a definitive answer to what's happening to me but we know that I DON'T have major issues. So far all the crazy symptoms I've been having have been surprisingly handled and treated with alternative measures by my chiropractor. (controversial, right?!) It's been a long roller coaster of 'what's really wrong and when is this going to end?'. But now, as I write this, I feel like there is some relief in sight.

So while I'm not completely free of these ailments, I want to stop living in worry and focus on some positive aspects in my life, positive things like some great people...my sisters.

Nope, I didn't grow up with these girls. We didn't share secrets and trade clothes.

As a child I was always surrounded by boys: brothers, cousins, even friends. I wasn't a tom-boy but wouldn't have said I was a girly-girl by any means. I never had a sister growing up and never really cared about that fact. But since I've known these girls, I've now realized what I would have been missing had they not become part of my life almost 10 years ago.

I've married into a great family that had allowed me the privilege to experience sisterhood. Since I've been sick, I've felt the love from each one of these girls in their own way.  Melissa took a day and made and froze tons of baby food for me. I was overwhelmed by the gesture. With Christopher out of town, I was feeling like I just couldn't cut it as a mom. With 2 jobs and 2 kids to manage, this was a HUGE help. I was starting to feel horrible about the fact that Milo is now 6 months old and was living off of breast-milk and rice cereal and occasional sweet potato mixed in. If the kid is anything like me... I knew he needed some real food and soon!

After some tests with the doctor, it was determined that I stay away from wheat products and strive for a "Gluten free" lifestyle. If any of you know what that meas, it can be a major life shift in your eating habits. If you have to do all the work alone, it can be exhausting. My sister Malorie has been there done that. When I emailed her about some tips, the next day she showed up at my door with a basket full of food and baking items to help get me started.

The gift of food was great, but also her company that day was tremendous.

And while I don't have any or photographic evidence of Jessica's love, it's there. She's called to give me comforting thoughts and has been patient when I've texted, called, and bugged her with how I'm feeling. She also works and assists the doctor that I am seeing. It's a great comfort to have her in this part of my life.

I think that the key to feeling better is having good friends and family that surround you. During this trying time I've gotten to see selflessness, love, and compassion. 
I am thankful for my sisters.

How are you thankful today? Is there someone in your life that has kept you going? Or can you be that person for someone else?
A small effort can make a huge difference!

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...and then it's sunny again.

So happy to see a sunny day.
I don't hate the snow. But I LOVE the sun! When the two get together, they can make some beautiful images.




There's been a lot going on in my life. A lot on my mind. A lot on my heart.
I'm still as busy as ever, even if cyberspace shows nothing to prove it.
I hope to share more as time goes on.

Enjoy this sunny day.




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Makin' Memories

Roman just had what I think will be one of his most fun snowtime memories.
We spent the morning outside playing and sledding in the snow. While we were out, I grabbed a handful of the fluffy white stuff and said, "Hey Roman, look." and stuck out my tongue to 'taste' my snowflakes.

You should have seen the amazement on his face. You can EAT snow!?!?
So among all of our outdoor activities for the day, snow eating became the most popular. I tried, but I don't know if I was successful in explaining snow-eating 101. (You know, stay away from yellow snow, dirty snow, stepped in snow etc, etc.) But it doesn't really matter.

Today we were making memories.



So we were barely warmed up from being outside (as you can tell by those frost-bitten cheeks and the mussed hat hair) when I sat him down in the kitchen for a special treat:
Chocolate Snow



It's literally just snow covered in chocolate syrup, but it's yummy!






Roman has this made-up word that we never correct: Last-er-Year
It's just so darn cute. It's like a combo of "Yesterday" and "Last Year". He used to say Last-er-Night, but more recently he's stuck with Last-er-Year.  He'll use it for anything that happened more than 24 hours ago..."Remember Last-er-Year when we went to the park?""You said Last-er-Year if I ate all of my peas for dinner I could have pudding!""Last-er-Year was Christmas." (This one is now technically true.)



Today was such a fun day with my cutie. The only thing that could top today is if I hear tomorrow:

 
"Remember Last-er-Year we played outside and then ate snow?

...That was fun."


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You're just too much, little Milo.

So I warned you a few posts ago that I was just going to be blogging my family for a while. I just can't help it. This little guy has stolen my heart. He is the happiest, most agreeable baby.  ever.







So, here's a fun fact about Milo. His name is actually pronounced "Me-Low".
It is a variation of the name Miles. We decided to go with a name that went well with Milo's strong Italian middle name, Salvatore, which is after my dear brother.

I was super stubborn about this fact and have never made his name pronunciation clear on any of my other blogs or my Facebook page. I just kept saying, "People will figure it out. How often do you read someone's name when you are first meeting them?" 
It was almost like an, 'Ignore it and it will all go away attitude.'  Which isn't really like me... so I'll blame it on post-partum 'baby brain'. :)




Big Brother Roman also has a strong Italian middle name: Giovanni.



"I'm gonna eat you all gone." Is a game Roman likes to play with Milo.
Don't worry, his teeth have never touched his skin. Yet.






Milo is also very vocal. Lately, he just sings, babbles, and happily screams to hear his own voice.
He's also very excited about moving and exploring new things... like his feet!











Another interesting fact about this little butterball, is that he's been teething since he was just under 3 months old. When I say teething, I SAW a tooth popping out at 3 months! Not only that, it's a canine tooth. This fact is not only odd, it's one of the harder teeth to endure... yet he's handling it quite well!




So, baby Milo, I know I'm biased but you're the BEST baby a busy mommy could ever have.
Thank you for being such a joy in my life.

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Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

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Merry Christmas!

Friends, Family, and Treaured salon clients, please know that you are valued and appreciated. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and that you are surrounded with love from friends and family. See you in the new year!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

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....the most wonderful time of the year!

For me, this Christmas season has never been sweeter. I'm loving the fact that Roman can experience and enjoy the holiday in fun new ways!

Setting up the tree was especially fun this year.

Roman definitely thinks that we've put the tree out as something just for him to play with but we don't mind. He likes to 'match' all of the ornaments by pairing them together. :)

Decorating the house with Roman's school projects have added a whimsical feeling to our house for the holidays. The 'front door decorations' started the week after Thanksgiving...

...and has quickly grown over the weeks.

This was also the first year that I got to enjoy making a gingerbread house with Roman. He absolutely loved every messy minute of it.

Strawberry flavored icing, while disgusting to 30 year olds, is a big hit with the younger crowd.

A few starbursts, tic-tacs, and foil-wrapped candies make our design even more personalized. :)

...And finally, what's Christmas without a little snow?

This kid's cheeks were strikingly red once we were able to finally drag him inside!

Having had so much fun this month, it makes me really ready for the next couple of days. I look forward to the joyous times that lie ahead. I've hope you've taken time to actually enjoy this holiday season too!

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Fall into Baby Cuteness

My sweet, sweet little one.

At only 3 months old, he's already had to endure so much from me and my camera. Luckily, he has a laid back personality and goes with the flow regardless of what kind of crazy antics I will put him through for a photo.

Although, he looks a little unsure right here. :)

Alongside of a 365 day photo project I've got going, I also try to make sure that every month I set aside a photo session for baby Milo. I'm excited to see how each month of growth unfolds once we reach August and (sniff, sniff) he's quickly turned a year old.

Milo's "4 month birthdate" is right around the corner. I've already got some ideas concerning some twinkling Christmas lights. Let's hope I can pull it off!

 

 

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