Saturday, September 27, 2008

50 mm

Just some pics I took today with the 50 mm lens. I may not be able to give this one up!










Project 365::271


Just another ordinary weekend day......rainy day. I guess we better get used to our inside play, winter is coming after all.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Project 365::270



I just LOVE the little toddler "crouch". And I'm loving playing with my new lens (that I have on rental for the month) Canon 50mm f/1.4. I Really like how it blurrs the background so nicely.
P.S. does anyone want to join me on the week in the life project? if so--leave me a comment.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Project 365::269


Today: Two kids to the doctor's at different times (they said at the office the record was 3),

Lucas stats at 18 months: Weight:21 lbs 10 oz (4th percentile), height 32 inches (65th percentile) and head circumf. 19.5 inches (90th percentile!).

Picked up some new pants for Trevor and some new jeans for me at Old navy (pre-kid size--size 8!), picked up the antibiotics for Bre and Lucas at Target and headed home to see the new pellet stove. I LOVE, LOVE it more than I ever thought I would. It's going to be a REALLY cozy winter here in this house:)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Project 365::268

The only time they are civil too each other is snacktime and Watching Curious George together...hey I'll take it.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Project 365::267



Somwhere in the busy-ness of my day, in between throwing in loads of laundry, picking up kids from school, putting away groceries,vacuuming up dog hair, and making and cleaning up from snacks, I stop and look over and this is what I see (Luckily I ALWAYS have my camera handy).....I just can't get enough of THIS stuff. Love you guys.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Project 365::265


Feeling better......was battling a mild intestinal virus for the past day or so, but today I'm feeling 90% better and am so excited to begin this photography class--I just finished the first lesson!!!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Project 365::265


Trevor's First Flag football practice.....every boys' dream.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

On childhood.

Trevor, Your childhood will pass by before we all know it, I know this much. May you remember the times you had to sit and daydream and the parents who weren't too busy to notice.....
Apple picking Dole's Orchard 2008

the PERFECT fall weather day today.


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Today:

Dealing with some really fussy kids (one with a cold), but we managed to squeeze out a (sort of) fun day picking apples, plums and rasberries at Dole's orchard (plums-new this year and they are YUMMY!!) ---no posed pumpkin pics this year--that would have been really pushing our luck.

Tonight:

A yummy comfort food short rib dinner (cooked in the crock-pot for 24 hours) with mashed potatoes, fresh salad, homemade cheddar apple pie and a MUCH needed glass of red wine.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Project 365::263



photo of our A.M. routine...

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Project 365::262


We will remember........

How you wanted to ride your scooter down to the bus stop every day so you could "go really fast" down the driveway (and sometimes wipe out!). Yeah, We really get a big kick out of your "skateboard" sneakers. It's what you picked out for school, so I guess a lot of the kids have them this year. And the pants-yep too small (but then again you are dressing yourself:))

Project 365::261

Today's milestones: Lucas, You won't sit in the highchair anymore, you only want to sit up at the table in a booster seat with the big people, so off to the attic the highchair goes. You only want to ride in the big kid swing AND you peed on the potty for the very first time. You are just leaving your babyhood behind you at lightning speed:(

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Project 365::260



Today....on reading:

Trevor: Mom, I love school because you get to read and I have my very own comfy reading spot in my classroom!

Trevor: Mom, do you know how I read?

Me: How?

Trevor: I look at the pictures and then I make up my own story inside my head.

WOW! WE are so excited (and proud) that you are FINALLY excited about reading Trevor!!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Project 365::259


Hello Monday. Thanks K, for giving me this morning checklist!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Project 365::258

Our first family football sunday this year.....with a roast and veggies in the crockpot-yummy! Go PATS!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Project 365::257






Busy Saturday for Bre......Dance class (which she loves b/c she gets to look at herself in the mirror the whole time--LOL!), a visit to the library and her very FIRST friend birthday party. The party was a kids cooking class (which was so fun that we signed up Trevor for a workshop next week!) where Breanna made her own pizza from scratch and decorated a "dirt" cupcake. A really fun day:)


Friday, September 12, 2008

1.5 years.






nicknames: Lou-lou, Lukie, Lou

Words you use regularly: Mama, Dada, Help, Doggie, Ball, Please, Trevor, Bre, Up eat, shoes, blueberries, Fishes, basketball, Hi fishes, More snack, Hi Dada, open, snack, yes, no, strawberry, read, toast, icecream, cheese, book, moo, grape,crocs. and saying many more new words each day. Knows most of his ABC's and can point to 10+ body parts when asked.

Favorite Books: Maisy lift the flap books--must read them 1,000 times a day, also likes books with baby faces.

Other favorites: nursing (UGGHHHH!), sleeping in our bed (UGHHHH!), shoes (takes them on and off 1,000 times a day), playing outside, playing ball, your gummy vitamins (cut up), grapes, strawberries, crackers and cheese, drinking from a grown up cup, using a fork to eat, smiling for the camera, reading books, watching Breanna's learning show in your little rocking chair, playing with your wooden play food and kitchen, getting into everything.

You don't particularly like eating and only eat 1 full meal every 1-2 days, but you don't mind taking a vitamin.

Lucas stats at 18 months: Weight:21 lbs 10 oz (4th percentile), height 32 inches (65th percentile) and head circumf. 19.5 inches (90th percentile!).

Project 365::256



{Our baby is 18 months old today}.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Project 365::255



3 years 11 months and 3 days old......

Breanna peed on the potty for the very first time tonight when she was sitting on it waiting for her turn in the bath after Lucas. I looked over and she was looking down and peeing. I'm not sure if she understood how awesome it was, but hopefully this is a start!! YIPEEEE!!!



Wednesday, September 10, 2008

THINKING OF HAVING CHILDREN???????

Thinking of Having Kids?
Do this 15 step program first!

Lesson 1
1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run w ild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breast-feeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds.
(Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.
Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6
1. Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and a jar of paint, turn it into an alligator.
2. Now take the tube from a roll of toilet paper. Using only Scotch tape and a piece o f aluminum foil, turn it into an attractiveChristmas candle .
3. Last, take a milk carton, a ping-pong ball, and an empty packet of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower

Lesson 7
Forget the BM W and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 8
1. Get ready to go out.
2. Sit on the floor of your bathroom reading picture books for half an hour.
3. Go out the front door.
4. Come in again. Go out.
5. Come bac k in.
6. Go out again.
7. Walk down the front path.
8. Walk back up it.
9. Walk down it again.
10. Walk very slowly down the sidewalk for five minutes.
11. Stop, inspect minutely, and ask at least 6 questions about every cigarette butt, piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue, and dead insect along the way.
12. Retrace your steps.
13. Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbors come out and stare at you.
14. Give up and go back into the house.
You are now just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.

Lesson 9
Repeat everything you have learned at least (if not more than ) five times.

Lesson 10
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a preschool child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your si ght. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 11
1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.
You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 12
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 13
Move to the tropics. Find or make a compost pile. Dig down about halfway and stick your nose in it. Do this 3-5 times a day for at least two years.

Lesson 14
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 15
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape mad e from Lesson 14 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!
Project 365::254




Your favorite........Mug. It's an extension of your arm every morning. :)
Feeling a little....



Fall like this morning, pants and sweatshirts needed.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Project 365::253



A few years ago I remember saying, "Wow, won't it be great when all the kids can get into the car themselves and buckle themselves in". One down, two to go.
Down Syndrome in the Media

Today:Pause the music and hear Brain Skotko on NPR

Monday, September 08, 2008

Just a little too close to home.

We're still in shock. Especially since I often leave work late at night. Read here.
Project 365::252


this year, we grew these from seeds!

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Project 365::251


A Father-son trip to the big game on opening day.


and afterward....



And the little fans cheering them on from home...

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Project 365::250


Breanna started her very first dance class today along with her friend Maddie from prescool (DS) and 4 other typically developing 3-4 yr olds. She seemed to have a pretty good time....she's always full of surprises!

Friday, September 05, 2008

Project 365::249




{Lucas, you are getting a little cold today and are quite miserable. I picked you up and put you on and you instantly melted into my back and went to sleep. I carried you for hours and did all the household chores as you slept. Yeah, my shoulders hurt a little, but parenting is hard work- -(mentally and physically) after all. No matter how much I question (or other people question) my mothering decisions, this has always felt right to me. It definitely won't always be this way. I don't think that when you are grown you will come to me and say that you wished that I had worked more, carried you less or made you sleep in your own room. This is just what works for us. Inspired to say how I feel by this post---I too, hope you always on some level remember what this feels like....... Love, Mommy}

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Project 365::248

Family Game night.....I thought that I would NEVER admit this, but Dad, No TV on school nights is a fabulous idea (and I'm the Chutes and Ladders champion!).......

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

A Letter.

Dear Trevor and Breanna,
Today was your first day back at school this year. You guys seemed so excited and comfortable this morning. This is always a worry some time for your Mama. I see how much you have grown and it is scary.

Trevor, this is your first day of first grade! The expectations are going to be so much more for you this year. Your classroom is MUCH further down the hall than it was last year. You seemed a bit emotional getting on the bus this morning (maybe it was just me). You are a little worried about a new classroom, new teacher and a new group of kids, but not at all worried about the bus. You are bringing your own lunch and milk this year in an effort to eat just a little bit healthier. You are going to make huge strides this year and I'm sure by the end of the year you will be reading everything in sight and teaching me things. It's hard seeing you grow up, but I'm more than excited sitting on the sidelines watching you achieve things and cheering you on. You are a strong, compassionate little boy and you make friends so easily. You are also your own person, with your own hopes and dreams. Just know that I'm always here whenever you need me. .

Breanna, This is your middle year of preschool. You were so confident this morning you just walked right in, said "Hi" to everyone and sat down and started playing Play-doh. You are going to be bringing your lunch this year to school. Breanna, You are going to make HUGE strides this year as well. You are so much bigger and stronger this year than last. You are going to make friends and get involved in some outside activities. It's hard to believe that just over this summer you learned your alphabet, numbers and colors. You are going places girl, we are so proud of you!

Love,
Mommy
Growing.

First Day of Preschool 2007

First Day of K 2007

1st Day of 1st grade 2008



1st day 2nd year of prechool 2008
Project 365::247

First day of school 2008/09

first day.

of first grade for Trevor and second year of prechool for Bre. The morning went off without a hitch! Trevor on the bus and Breanna saying "hi" to everyone and going right to her play-doh table. It's going to be a great year. The house is quiet.....too quiet.......



Tuesday, September 02, 2008

A year.


September 2007


September 2008


Project 365::246

Lunches

are ready, baths are taken, paperwork is filled out, backpacks are packed, toenails are clipped, clothes are picked out. Breanna and Trevor are all ready for their first day of school tommorrow!

Monday, September 01, 2008


Last Day.





of summer vacation, and probably the last day swimming up at the lake this year. So glad you guys could do it with your cousins....here's to MANY more fun summer times up at the lake next year!


Project 365::245

Trevor and Veronica, You guys were actively engaged in making this drawing together today for the longest time....just a total dream for a parent to watch.....
6 years.

Happy anniversay Jeff and Irene!!--and here's to many more happy years together. We love you and miss you guys!