I know, I know...

More photos. I can't help it. That is what happens when you live so far away from your family (and when you love to take pictures!)

Taken this morning (or afternoon?) while still in our pj's.

My boys.







This is what happens when I try to give Grant "tummy time". He just lies there without moving a muscle and gets smothered by his siblings.





My little chickadees.





This was while trying to get the kids laughing and simultaneously scaring Grant.



The smiles I get after chastising them for making goofy faces all the time.

Melts My Heart.

Grant has started doing the most adorable thing. Whenever I hold him cradle style, and he is sleepy, he turns his head and buries it in my arm and goes to sleep. I don't think he gets a lot of fresh air but he really seems to love it, even when he is upset he will do this and it calms him down.

It makes me turn into a puddle of mush every time. I don't think he could get any cuter!

*Please don't grow up, please don't grow up!*

Is that????

Yes, yes it is.



Grant will be able to say he at one time wore an Olympic gold medal!

We joined Dave's cousins for dinner this past Sunday. His cousin's husband is Ryan Millar, from the U.S. Men's Olympic Volleyball team. He showed us the gold and we all got to hold it (it is heavy!), Dave wanted to commemorate the moment with a photo - Grant might be on his way as far as his height is concerned! Look how long he is... and only 3 months old!

For Grandma & Grandpa O

The first bit of this is really short, I missed the great initial reaction but here is a taste of Blake's excitement over his real Goldfish on Christmas morning. The second part is long, but cute. Grant talking... wayyyy too early in the morning.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

How I love this bunch.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did. The best part: getting to spend so much time together as a family. Details to come!

Christmas time is here.

A quick photo of the kids before church (Christmas Sunday as I like to call it). Sorry the quality is so bad. We were in a hurry (almost late as usual) to get to church and I only had time for one photo and no time to play with my camera settings (the light wasn't very good when I took this).



And one from last night's gingerbreak house making extravaganza!



I can't believe Christmas is only a day and a half away. I guess that is what happens when you have a new baby so close to the holiday's - there is not much time to LOOK FORWARD to it, it just rushes up on you.

We have Grant back on the evil formula. Only for the holiday's. I was going to try to switch him entirely because I am having a hard time keeping up my supply (usually do), especially with my dairy free diet. However, seeing how fast he is going through a small can, there is just no way we can afford $200 a month for formula and it would be more once his appetite increases! I am going to have to figure out a way to do both. But after the holidays. Right now, I am going to indulge and then back to boring come the New Year.

His reflux is worse than ever this past week. I swear he spits up more than half of what he takes in. It makes for a ton of laundry and lots of baby baths + frustration for me. I HATE spit up - although this is more like "flowing up". I also feel like he is hungry all the time because he is either fighting the bottle because of the reflux, or losing what he finally took in. Why does feeding have to be so hard with this one?

At his two month appt. last week (or the week before), we found out he is in the 100 percentile for height and 60 percentile for weight. His little "dot" was wayyyy off the chart. Babies his age average 22 inches - he is 28 inches long. He went from 22 inches at his 1 month appointment to 28 after five more weeks. His weight is a little over 13 lbs.

To put it in perspective... babies his length they like to see at 20 lbs. This would be enough to be in a forward facing car seat. He is going on 11 weeks old!!!

Look out NBA!

Pretty 3-D Snowflake Ornaments

I am decorating with these this season (thanks Heather!). You don't have to use "designer paper", I used regular white paper cut into perfect squares...

and look at the pretty result! (they are so much better in real life though).



These are quick to make. Here is the tutorial:

You know Dasher & Dancer & Prancer & ... Sydney

One of the many reasons I love preschool is because my kids come home looking like this...



I think she should sport these all the time. Although if she did, I might have to kiss her to death.

Christmas Card Outtakes

Getting a decent Christmas card photo of my kids is soooo hard. That is why we didn't attempt it this year. I am calling the birth announcements good.

But these are too funny not to post. This is some of what it took to get last years gem... and this is without any coaching on my part. You can totally see why I have my hands full!

Honestly though, I think I like these the best... click on it for the full effect!

How appropriate...

Ally, your gift could not have come at a better time! (see post below)



Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! (The card made me cry...)

Eureka! I've got it! and Random "weekly" sampler.

I have found the ultimate weight loss miracle! In order to do this, you must follow all the steps exactly as listed:

1. Procure nursing baby. Preferably adorable.

2. Make sure said baby is lactose intolerant and/or allergic to dairy

3. Lactate. (ok so I guess this cuts out 50% of the population but they don't usually need so much help anyway).

4. Nurse baby.

5. Watch as adorable baby turns into a screaming monster who writhes in pain anytime you so much as look at chocolate.

Aversion to all foods containing dairy (and by default, fat) successful!

Watch the pounds melt off. (well, maybe not melt but I will take what I can get!)

......

So what prompted this little story? Well, that would be me breaking down yesterday and eating some of the delicious candy cane embedded chocolate that Cara (thanks Cara) brought me. That would also be Grant crying and being fussy for most of the night thanks to my weakness. It was sooooo not worth it. I am re-thinking that whole Christmas Eve/Christmas dinner idea.

Welcome back raisin bran and soy milk... sigh.

Moral of the story? DON'T BRING ME TREATS! Or you can, just make sure they are either dairy free or give them to Dave and tell him to hide them and make sure I am not aware they are in the house.

......

On another note, It was a really, really long night last night. Sydney was sick to her stomach all night and Grant was fussy. Not a great combination for peaceful slumbers.

At one point, Sydney had "ralphed" all over her comforter and I guess I was a little too zealous in removing it from the bed (in all of my zombie like sleep-deprivation-haze), because I spattered vomit all over two walls and other blankets, sheets, etc. Lovely to clean up at 3 in the morning.

I think there were two more upchucking episodes (in addition to the earlier ones) but I can't really remember as I entered survival mode sometime around 2:30 a.m.

And last night I was hoping to catch up on my sleep!

My kids sooooo better send me a on exotic vacations when they are grown and wealthy.

......

By the way, does anyone else feel the urge to strangle their husband after he complains about the kids keeping him up all night when his total time spend assisting is limited to 5, maybe ten minutes the entire night? While his wife is wiping up freshly vomit-decorated walls and doing two loads of laundry in a night?

love you honey!

......

A lot of your have been asking about Grants hearing. Well, I suspect he is hearing out of this left ear but am in the process of scheduling another hearing screening for him to check for sure. Hopefully we will know soon.

......

I am finished my Christmas shopping with the exception of Dave's parents and Heather and Chris who we got for our name exchange.

The funny thing about Dave's family is they all tell each other exactly what they want. It makes for an interesting Christmas present opening because there is so much "sarcastic feigning of surprise" going on. They still get pretty excited though. Because of this however, the rest of the "additions" have to deal with this weird bunch (you know I love you guys) who don't like surprises very much, and there fore, we don't see many surprises as the W side always insists that we tell them EXACTLY what we want. I am talking right down to the name brand, size, color, etc.

This was a bit of a problem when Dave was ring shopping for me. "I will love anything you pick out because YOU picked it out!" I would argue - I really wanted to be surprised.

I ended up at the jewelery store perusing diamonds.

......

I can't believe Christmas is already in 9 more days. I so love this season, all it means, all it brings. I just wish it lasted longer. I have been so busy this year it has completely flown by. I do feel like I have captured the spirit this year, despite the chaos that currently reigns. The kids, Dave and I watched some movies based on the nativity and Christ's life this past Sunday. Sydney has been wanting to watch one of them over and over. I love that, although because this particular one makes me cry every time, I am walking around my house with tears in my eyes, nursing with tears in my eyes, wiping down my counter tops... etc...

this spirituality will have to be interrupted, Syd just yacked all over my couch.

Whoever you are...

To the angels that left a "present" on our doorstep tonight, thank you so much. We don't know who you are though we have our suspicions, but your kindness will always be remembered and one day, paid forward.

It is the spirit of Christ that you have truly shown us. Thank you.

Caught!

I finally got some great pics of Grant smiling. He is so smiley all the time now that the evil dairy has made it's exit, but when the "big black thing" hides my face, smile goes away. Except for today!





I think his eye color is going to be like Blake's beautiful, multi colored eyes - but a little more my shape (Blakes come from my side but not as much me).



How I adore this charmer...

Just because.

He is so cute. Here is a little smile. He was looking at Sydney, who can always get him to smile.



So far so good. 3 days, no dairy. I have started nursing again so he has been a little fussier. I guess it will take a bit before all of that evil dairy is out of my system. (I still love it and after this, I will run back to it with open arms).

Dave is in California. My kids are in bed. I am craving something sweet but too bad for me.

New Fangled Diet.

So, I am going to lose my baby weight a lot faster than I originally planned (I think). It is my new diet. It is called - "it-seems-Grant-has-a-sensitivity-to-dairy" diet. Either that or an allergy. Either way, because the formula is a whopping $25.00 for a small can (trust me, I am not THAT unselfish), I can no longer eat the following:

-CHOCOLATE! WHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
-Ice Cream
-Cheese
-Milk (my beverage of choice)
-Commercial breads (mostly EVERY KIND OF BREAD YOU BUY!)
-Yogurt
-Pudding
-Lots of cereals/ crackers
-Cookies/cakes/cupcakes/anything that satisfies a craving of something sweet
-Caramel (hmpf)
-Chocolate (did I say that already? Sorry, I am trying not to dwell but it is hard)
-Pasta with cream sauces. Anything with yummy creamy sauces or bases
-Mac and Cheese (yes, I like it. And eat it on a regular basis)
-About 90% of the food I have in my fridge, cupboards and that is served at restaurants, family dinners, etc. etc. etc.


The above causes hours upon hours of screaming that breaks my heart and frazzles to no end. And don't tell me just to cut out the milk, cheese... I tried that. Doesn't work. After some research and discussion with a lactation consultant, I realized I have to cut it out entirely.

So what can I eat?

-Soy milk. Gag. Rice milk (which seems to be hard to FIND)
-eggs (but these may cause screaming as well so I have to stay away)
-O.J.
-rice
-soups with clear broths
-fruit/veggies (except anything with broccoli, onions)
-Meat
-Peanut butter (without bread?)

So basically, I will starve. Because most of the time, if there isn't anything I WANT to eat, I don't eat.

I am on day two of my new diet and already I am sick of soy milk and raisin bran.

Don't think I am not going to supplement with that formula for Christmas Eve/day. Sorry Grant, you are gonna have to deal with the nasty stuff that smells like feta cheese for a couple of days because there is just NO WAY.

None of my children have had any kind of sensitivity or allergy before. This is hard. I think it is God's way of forcing me to stop complaining about how I still look so pregnant.

All I know is, I am gonna reward myself with a new wardrobe (budget willing) when I get through this and hit my target.

Banana Republic, here I come!

oops

Fro some reason this post below ended up on my regular blog when it was supposed to go to the photography blog. If I erase it here, it disappears there so I am leaving it. They are pretty to look at anyway.

Cara & Nate

Cara and Nate are a beautiful couple. Really. Both are so photogenic and you can tell they have great chemistry. We had a lot of fun. Nate became a police officer not too long ago... it was fun to photograph a man in uniform!

See? Beautiful. You can't even tell they were freezing.





This is one of my most favorite images - ever.







Here eyes are stunning.



And what a great little smile!

Since before they were called blogs.

So, I have been thinking about my blogging habits lately, and how much they have changed since I first started... Would you believe I have now been blogging for 7+ years now? Yeah, I had an "online diary" back when that is what they were called. On Diaryland, before I switched over to blogger (that lets you post images for freeee).

I still have some loyal readers who visit here from those days *thanks guys*. Well, I visited those entries today and decided to re-post some of them here. They are from right before Dave and I got married, and some of them are really funny. I can see how much I have changed from reading these. I was much more outspoken then... some of the things I said then I wouldn't say now so I am not sure I will post those yet.

But for your reading entertainment - here you go:

2001-10-03 - 11:10 a.m.


I once dated a guy named Aaron. He was pretty cute, smart, funny and fun to be with.

Things were going pretty well, he really liked me, I liked him back until... da da da dummmmm...


I noticed his thumbs.


We were at a comedy show and I was in mid laughter at the thought that some guys with "dope and a rope" invented a series of sports like the rodeo, waterskiing etc. when I feel his hand upon my knee and I glance down and


the laughter ends.


Ewwww... he has total BARNEY RUBBLE THUMBS. I am not in the least joking. I am presently looking down at a thumb that closely resembles literally a spoon. Only a shorter and squatter,with a totally rectangular thumbnail that is chipped and yellowish.

It was totally gross.

For some reason, I couldn't get past those thumbs. Every touch would bring me to cringe and finally I couldn't take it anymore and stopped returning his phone calls. I guess that is when I found out that I am very detail oriented and hands are important.

When you think about it, they should be.

Once a major relationship is formed those hands are going to be affecting many different aspects of your life so the less creepier the better.

D* has good thumbs, a little hairy, but nice.

Thumbs UP!

(*D refers to Dave :)


................

WARNING EXTREME DRAMATICS! - Wow, if I only knew what CHILDBIRTH was going to be like. I totally would have shut-up. And people think I am too honest now!

................

2001-10-04 - 2:39 p.m.


Well, well, well.


Today was definitely not one of the most fun days of my life that is for sure...

It started with me being late to work, beat my boss though so I guess that really doesn't matter.

Then came my pap smear. Well, I am definitely not going into detail about that one but let me just say I have never done anything more humiliating in my life. I think I would much rather take a big bite out of a pile of horse poop with my nose unplugged, rather than lay there looking up at the ceiling while some young doctor gets all too personal with all too cold instruments.

Not to mention they drew my blood, or at least TRIED TO ---FOUR TIMES.

I don't usually get so squeamish but someone digging around in your arm with a freaking needle for a half hour, looking for your veins but finding more nerve endings...

that made me go pale.

I had to lay down,

and after the last ten minutes I wasn't too thrilled about staring at the ceiling for another 5 minutes. That ceiling and I are NOT friends. In fact I NEVER want to see that ceiling again. We are officially not seeing each other anymore.


Here is the question of the day though... is it better to have a old, smelly, chubby, hairy man as your gyno or a young good looking one...(mine happens to be the latter)

hmmmm... wouldn't mind hearing thoughts on that one...


This day just better get better before it gets worse or I will pay you to shoot me in the head. You just better have good aim,


the last thing I need is a hole in my foot.


dizzy-embarrassed-lizzy


....................

And one more because this is oh-so-entertaining

....................

2001-10-05 - 11:22 a.m.


Okay, I think since I am racking my brain and have yet to come up with a topic to write about today (sorry, I am just not into those "got up, ate no breakfast, went to work, sat there for 8 hours, went home" diaries, plus you don't really know me so I KNOW you don't REALLY CARE!"

I am just going to do one of those common likes and dislikes list.


Likes:


sweaters


chocolate oreos- have you tried these things yet? YUMMMM! Dip them in peanut butter too!!! (I forgot about that snack - one thing I didn't want to remember).


peanut butter


Reese's; cups, cookies, sticks, pieces you name it!

willow and birch trees


MUSIC- except that death metal crap, gimme a break, that is not music, it is screaming and breaking expensive instruments. I would love to see the nodes on those vocal cords!


Babies- common- just smell 'em


sparkles- all girls do whether they admit it or not


weiner dogs- they can get up the stairs every time but forget about going down. How cute is that!


Pink Roses


High Heeled shoes- actually shoes in general


Books. Especially biographies and autobiographies


pens that write smoothly


First kisses- Even though I know I am not getting anymore of those...


The smell of fall- crispy leaves, bonfires, fireplaces being turned on, apple pies


Nice slender thumbs- but not too slender if they are male...


Curly hair- mine is stick straight. Go figure


new underwear


new, crispy sheets


most stuff that is new.


using the . to make a statement


water in any form except if it is flooding something or getting ME wet.


Snowboarding- or as I like to call it, snowsurfing.


Mountains.


Canadians- CANADA ROCKS


okay, American's too!


flannel pajamas in the winter time


Surprise treats- preferably in edible form


Haagen Daz ( oh I know I spelled that terribly wrong!) dulce de leche bars


grill cheese sandwiches with sweet pickles on the side (can you tell it is getting close to lunch!!!)


infectious laughter


*D- HE'S MINE, ALL MINE! HEE HEE HA HA!!!


mail. email. when people sign my guestbook


nice, smelly shampoo


plush, soft carpets


hairy chests (okay I will admit that one is a little weird but to each his own...)


lipgloss- I just wish I could figure out how to get it to stay ON


water bras- yup. I am open about it.


greeting cards.


Old movies, especially those with Audrey Hepburn or Carey Grant


Ballet


Rock Climbing


Big FAT THUNDERSTORMS!!!


Hugs from people who are a little chubbier than most... they are the BEST!!! (HAHAHAH! I CAN'T BELIEVE I SAID THAT! PLEASE DON'T HATE ME. I am one of those hugs now).



DISLIKES:


Papsmears


walnuts


air conditioning that DOESN'T WORK!!! (LIKE IN MY CAR FOR INSTANCE)


underarm tacos- which I usually have BY THE TIME I GET OUT OF MY CAR!!!


B.O.- they may be wet but definitely not smelly


tight jeans- ouch!


being cold


hot chocolate that is actually HOT and the burns you get from drinking it.


FALLING AND BREAKING MY NECK WHILE SNOWBOARDING... definitely not fun.


people who don't sign your guestbook, even to tell you that your diary SUCKS!


pens that explode


cranberry jelly stuff they try and pass off at thanksgiving


cold mashed potatoes


when people bite their nails and pick their scabs (D* does it all the time!) leave your poor bodies ALONE! They take enough abuse from those scalding hot showers


cold or even lukewarm showers


SPIDERS!!! BIG ONES, HAIRY ONES---AHHHH


Religion bashers - get a hobby


when my leg falls asleep- I HATE THAT!!!


being tired... today is not a good day is it?


Work.


That is all I will bore you with today...


Buh Bye!


dizzy lizzy DINOSAUR

"open the door, get on the floor, everybody do the dinosaur"

Common sing it real fast, it's fun!

..............

And yes, I corrected the spelling mistakes. I just couldn't handle it.

This is so true...

THIS is so true... and that makes me really, really sad.