Photos on Friday

I have babbled quite a bit, in Thankful Thursdays, about my weekly photography workshop.  I have had our fancy camera for a little over two years and now I finally feel as though I can decent photos - although I still have TONS to learn.  The workshop classes have definitely helped me think through the composition of a photo, what I really want to capture and the fine art of patience, because it seems that there have to be six dozen so-so shots to get a few great ones. 
I am committed to continuing to get better and keep my camera attached to my hip so that those rare wonderful moments might be captured.

Now I just need to get my husband to be not hate the camera and my daughter to break up with her fake smile...

By no means I am a pro at this photography thing, but over the past month even I have seen some massive improvement in my pictures - below are a few of my favorite from September.  A for effort, right?

Thankful Thursdays

This Thursday I am thankful for:

The cleaning ladies who scoured my house.  I am not the world's best housekeeper, and with an expanding belly I am that much worse.  My floors look better than they have in years (ack!  years??) and I am not embarrassed to have people stop by.  Now if I could just find a dishes and laundry fairy take up residence with us...

Vegetarian black bean chili and corn muffins.  Addie did all the mixing of the muffin ingredients and helped add things to the chili, but still informed me that the chili didn't "taste so good".  She is her father's daughter, beans and tomatoes offend her.  I, however, loved how it made my kitchen smell and how delicious it tasted - all the more for me.

A beautiful Fall day - the skies are blue, the wind is gently blowing and Addie is outside playing at a neighbor's - perfection.

Going on a girl date with Hilary.  Hilary and Aaron moved to our neck of the wood from Chicago and we are so excited to have them here.  Aaron, Andy and I have been good friends since our Loyola days and Hilary fits in perfectly to our ridiculousness.  Plus, I had an excuse to go gorge on a yummy meal at Tag's and get a fancy manicure.  Yay for girl dates!

Early Christmas shopping.  I most likely won't be able to do very much shopping after Thanksgiving, so I have been trying to get a few things done early - so far I have my nephews, Elise, and some of Addie done - now I just need to find good hiding places.

The few good nights of sleep that I have managed to log.  Sadly they aren't consecutive and are probably aided by a few Tylenol PM, but they are glorious when they happen.

Harper Lee!!  After a very long, drug free labor, one of my dearest friends finally became a mother to a beautiful, curly blond headed, 8 pound 8 ounce baby girl.  She called me on her way to the hospital (in North Carolina) and I about died waiting for news - for 30 hours!  Miss Harper is so lucky to be born to the amazing people that she was born to and I can't wait (even though I know I'm going to have to) to get my hands on her.  Why is Cincinnati so far away from Durham??

The start of ballet and jazz.  Leotards.  Tutus.  Ballet slippers.  All of it.  Three times a month from now until the "big, big show" in April Miss Thang will learn to dance...hopefully.

Weekend

Dinner out with the Lees.
The crib and changing table assembled and the nursery coming together.
A few good naps.
The neighborhood block party.

Not a bad weekend at all.

**Yes, it's dark out and the kids are playing in water from fire truck.  Yes, the parents are in long sleeves and fleeces.  Yes, the kids loved every freezing second of it.

Thankful Thursdays

This Thursday I am thankful for:

Tylenol PM.  Exhaustion has been pretty prevalent around here these days, but those magic little pills helped a bit last night.  I still woke up three or four times, but was able to fall back asleep without much effort.

Raisin Bran.  I was never allowed to to have sugar cereal as a kid, in fact my Mom passed Raisin Bran off as sugar cereal at home.  For some reason a big bowl of Raisin Bran in the mornings makes me incredibly happy.

My Wednesday night photography workshop.  After each class I feel as though I have that much more of an understanding on how to manipulate my camera.  I also feel like my camera may be slightly smarter than me.

The smell of a clean toddler.  It is amazing how the sweet smell of baby morphs into the stinky, sour smell of toddler.  Addie used to take a bath at least every other night but in all honesty her parents have become a bit of slackers as of late.  This morning I threw her in the shower and she left for school smelling of strawberries and soap - delicious.

Starting each morning with a perfect cup of decaf coffee.  Even on the most uncomfortable or chaotic of days a few minutes alone with my big cup of coffee makes it all a bit better.

Montauk Daisies, Black Eyed Susans,  and Echinacea.  All three perennials have been freshly planted in backyard, taking the place of three shrubs that I despised and hacked down.  I do not recommend hacking down and pulling up rooted shrubs when 30 weeks pregnant - not smart.

That very handsome husband of mine who painted the baby's room all on his own last night the most perfect shade of green, who is meeting me for an early lunch today just so we have a few minutes alone, and who is on Daddy duty tonight while I go see a play.  Lucky me.

This big, old belly of mine.  While at times I am rather uncomfortable and often am lacking sleep, there is nothing more wonderful feeling than the flips and dips of the littlest lady.  She just pushes and nudges her way around until she finds a comfy spot, and swear she jumps for joy when anything chocolate is eaten.  Now, if she would just let her Dad feel her acrobatics....

12 Step Mornings

Step One:  Morning sweetie.  Did you sleep good last night?  What?  The pillow stealing monkies were in your room again?  Sure you can sit with me.  Let me see the weather - okay, one more minute and you can have a cartoon.  One cartoon today - we have to get ready for school.  What?  Yes I'll pause it while you go potty.  Babe please go back and flush and turn off the light.  Yes you can still sit with me - when this cartoon is over we need to have breakfast.

Step Two:  Don't forget to give Daddy his hugs and kisses.  Yes, I'll pause your cartoon.  Sure you can help Daddy out - don't forget shoes!  Okay, kiddo close the door.  Yep, he's gone.  I don't know why he didn't stop at the stop sign, ask him when he gets home.  Seriously, kiddo, close the door, it's almost time for breakfast.

Step Three:  Eat your breakfast.  No, babe please don't feed it to the cat, you need to eat your waffle.  Addie are you done yet?  Come on, you can finish one waffle.  Did you just dip your marker in your milk??  No, Addie, that's gross. No, milk does not taste better when it's purple.  Okay, two more bites and put your dishes in the sink.

Step Four:  Get dressed.  Really it's time to get dressed.  Please go upstairs and change - your pjs go on their hook and your dirty undies go in the dirty clothes bin.  Addie!  Upstairs now please, stop trying to pick up the cat.  The cat is FINE - clean. clothes. now.

Step Five:  Are those undies clean?  Good.  Why are your dirty undies and pjs on the floor.  Come on, kiddo, let's go.  Pjs on the hook and undies in the dirty clothes bin.  While you're at it can you please pick your clothes up off the floor from last night?  Our dirty clothes always go in the orange bin or down the laundry chute.  Yes, everytime.

Step Six:  What do you think is next?  Well what do we do every morning?  Right - brush your teeth. Yes, I'll help you with the toothpaste.  I don't know where your Ariel toothbrush is - just use your SnowWhite one.  SnowWhite if fine, Addie.  No, Ariel does not get your teeth cleaner.  Oh MY GOSH, just start brushing.  Up and down, front and back.  Okay, rinse and spit.  Wipe your face off too, please.  Addie!  Why is your toothbrush on the stairs?  Please put it where it belongs.

Step Seven:  Have you brushed your hair?  You did?  Good job, but I think we missed some spots, can I help? Do you want braids, pigtails or a headband this morning?  Pigtails?  Okay - SORRY sweetie, it's really tangled.  Pigtails done - you want what?  A bow in front for decoration?  Okay.

Step Eight:  Time to make your bed.  No, I made it for you yesterday, you can do it today. Okay, I'll help, but really you can do it on your own.  What do we do first?  No - we need to pull up the sheet and then the cover.  Okay, good job.  Put all the pillows up - yes you can add as many of your stuffed friends as you want.  I think 10 is more than enough - okay.  Yep, it looks beautiful.

Step Nine:  Do you have any other jobs that you should get done?  No?  There's nothing else you need to do each morning?  Can you hear the cat meowing?  Do you think there might be a reason?  Oh yeah, she needs to be fed.  Thank you.  Sweetie, only measure to the line on the cup - she doesn't need a full bowl.  Addie, please don't add food to her water, that's gross!

Step Ten:  Okay, what do you need for school?  Do you have your coat?  Your bag?  I think they are on the hook or whereever you left them last.  Did you check your school bag - do you have the things you need?  Lunch?  Message bag?  Great, I think you're ready.

Step Eleven:  Okay let's head to the car (or carpool).  Yes you need your coat and bag.  Okay, that's enough cat kisses, let's go.  Hop up kiddo - you can buckle.  No, Addie, this is not the time to get out your markers, please get buckled.  Alright kiddo - have great day at school.  What?  No I don't think we can have a friend come over today.  Hmmmm?  Because, babe, we have things to do.  Okay, maybe next time.  You have a great day too, I love you!

Step Twelve:  Collapse into chair with bowl of cereal and decafe coffe. The day has just begun.

School Days

Last week I was the parent helper at preschool.  This job is one part heaven and one part sheer hell.  It's heaven, because I get to get a peek at what Addie is learning and spy on her playing with others.  She doesn't pay me a ton of extra attention while I am there and I feel like I get to be a fly on the wall watching her play, learn, problem solve and just be herself. 

It's a little bit of hell because a bunch of 4 and 5 year olds know the routine better than I do.  There also is inevtiably a child with mucus or tears or both cascading down their face, and that child always wants to hold my hand. Everything in a preschool, including the toilets, are very low to the ground - which, come on, is pure hell on any seven month pregnant lady.   Not to mention I sometimes struggling playing pretend with my own kid, let alone eleven other kids (who may or may not be covered in mucus).

However, being helper also lets me be a bit more thankful for my sweet daughter.  It's no secret that sometimes she pushes my buttons or that she knows exactly where to stand to be on my last nerve.   Sometimes I am convinced that she suffers from a hearing loss that blocks out the very sound of voice.  But being at school lets me see that my parenting is paying off - she shares, she takes turns, she asks good question and she listens, very well, to her teacher.  Being helper also let me see some other kids in action - which always makes me thankful for the kid I have.

On Addie's first day of school I asked her to learn the name of one new kid in her class (only two of her friends from last year are in this year's class).  When I picked her up from school she told me her new friend was __________ and that he was a boy.  I discovered last week that she may not have learned ________'s name by befriending him.  She may have simply learned it from hearing his name said over and over and over again.  Turns out __________ does not have listening ears.

Today I am not helper.  I am not even the driver.  Today I have a little over three hours all to myself.  I plan on doing exciting things like vacuuming and laundry.  I may run to Home Depot to buy paint for the littlest lady's room and get a mini blind cut to size.  I know - it's exciting stuff.  But at least I can do all these mundane errands and chores knowing that Miss Addie will be learning and engaging and listening - and, hopefully, not being that kid.  With any luck, she'll leave that up to __________.

Proof, that on occassion, she can put away the skirts and dresses, shelve the pink, and play a little ball.

Back to School

She told me she would listen to her teacher.

And eat her healthy food for lunch first.

She said she'd learn one new name.

And use her best manners.








She told me she couldn't wait to be a Frog.

And was so excited to ride to school with her best bud, Nicholas.

She told me she wouldn't miss me, but hoped I had a good day without her.

At least this time she turned around to say goodbye instead of just marching off through the doors to big girl school.

Relaxing with the Reuters

She may have looked terrified:

But trust me, she loved every second of it:



 This weekend was filled with giggles and silliness - Addie's buddy "baby" Sam came to visit and the girls did a lot of giggling and playing, a tiny bit of napping and some carnival ride riding at Oktoberfest.  Sam didn't love the roller coaster, but the Ferris Wheel, cars and Merry Go Round were a hit.

Little Ferris Wheel Riders - they just kept going around and around

Silly willies on the Merry Go Round



Addie showing off Andy & Tool's favorite part of Oktoberfest

Enjoying the Ride

Giving the pony some loving

Mine and Michelle's favorite part of Oktoberfest
(the fried Snickers was a close 2nd for me)

The gentlemen enjoyed some plastic steins of good German beer, we all partook in some incredibly fried food (mmmm, sauerkraut balls) and the people watching could not be beat.  After a back yard fire pit Saturday night, Michelle and I turned in early (aaahhh, pregnancy), while the boys continued to play for few more hours. 

Sadly on Sunday our playmates had to head back to Chicago - but not before two sweet little princesses made crowns together and gave each other a dozen hugs.

It's amazing to see these little girls grow...isn't it?

In Chicago August 2009

In Cincinnati 2011

Meet the Teacher

Yesterday we went to Meet the Teacher at school.  Addie has moved from Miss Sue's Ducks class to Miss Cathy's Frogs class.  Addie loved school last year - loved Miss Sue and loved being a duck.  I was a little nervous that she may be apprehensive about the change of classroom and a new teacher - how silly of me.  On the way to school yesterday she declared that she already "loved Miss Cathy" and that she was so excited to be a frog - RIBBIT!   (Yes, she ribbited the entire way to school).

She had no problem walking right into her new classroom, introducing herself and giving Miss Cathy a lovely drawing that she made during breakfast.

 We dove right into the class scavenger hunt - locating the calendar, the helper board and where the toys are.  She quickly found a froggy print out with her name on it and went on to decorate it.  She declared, on her worksheet, that her favorite color is pink, but proudly made her frog rainbow colored.

Once her coloring was done Miss Cathy hung Addie's frog on the classroom door.  Addie very proudly and very excitedly showed me her masterpiece.  She was so comfortable.  So confident.  So totally at ease in her polka dot and stripes displaying her colorful frog.

And yet again, I was momentarily sobered at the realization that she is growing so fast.  My mind raced: school three days a week this year and then on the bus and off to kindergarten next year.  She is tall and self assured and brave - willing to try anything.  It never crosses her mind to be nervous in a new situation, instead she flings herself into the middle of the action.  Soon she'll be a big sister, and maybe not want to snuggle on my lap or hold my hand just to hold.  I got a little misty eyed - and then I saw this picture:

Turns out now matter how very big she seems to me, she is still, really, just a little girl.   Thank heavens.

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for:

Getting a second quote on replacing the blower motor in our furnance - quote number two was over a hundred dollars less.  Am I thankful about having to replace the blower in my furnance? Not in the slightest.

Wednesday nights in September.  Andy and Addie enrolled me in a photography class for the month to help me get more use out of my fancy camera.  In the two hours that I was there last night I feel like I already have a better grasp of how to better use it.  Also - HELLO, two hours to myself every week, yes please!

My mother being okay after getting in a car accident yesterday.  Apparently she was stopped in traffic and the woman behind her didn't feel it was necessary to stop - the car has quite a boo boo, but Gramma is okay.

My four year old who this side of two months ago was being a relentless diva and lately has been an amazing angel.  She's been full of pleases and thank yous and Yes, Mamas.  She has wanted to snuggle and read story and play games and her tantrum have been few and far between - I just jinxed myself didn't I?

Strawberry Apple Bread.  Yesterday Addie and I were supposed to make banana bread, but apparently our bananas were beyond rotten and thrown away Tuesday night.  We improvised and made some pretty tasty strawberry apple bread - it's like the perfect mix of summer and fall.

Being productive around the house - I have managed to change all the burnt out light bulbs, wash the downstairs windows, do laundry and wipe tiny finger prints off our cabinets, doors, door jambs and light switches.  Nesting perhaps?

Weekend visitors - Tool, Michelle and Baby Sam will be here tomorrow.  Addie and I have decided that now that Sam is two and a half we probably have to stop calling her baby Sam.  Andy and I are excited to have playmates, but Addie is ecstatic.

A week of cooler temperatures.  This has directly translated into me getting a bit more sleep.  Now instead of waking up four times a night and eventually moving to the couch, I have only woken up once or twice and forced myself back to sleep.  Turns out I am a much nicer person when sleep.


Meet the teacher day.  Today Addie headed to preschool to meet her new teacher, Miss Cathy.  She bounded out of bed this morning at 7:20 asking if she could pick out an outfit for her "special day".  She chose one of her cute new outfits from our trip to see Gramma Kathy - but told me she wasn't sure it would fit because it was a size five and she wasn't sure she was "she'd be big enough to wear it".  Oh, little girl, it'll fit - you're growing like a weed.