New Year Prayers

One of the bloggers I am growing quite fond of is MckMama... and her little boy Stellan is in the PICU right now fighting RSV. He's continually improving his health, but is still in need of God's tender care. It's hard to imagine being only 9 weeks old and having to struggle so hard, but Stellan's story (see My Charming Kids) already proves he is God's testament to faith.

As 2008 ends and the new year rings in, I wish good health and prosperity upon you. May God increase your blessings - financially, spiritually, and familial.

And here's the last few images I'll share this year:

Chi
6 years young

Yadon
17 weeks new

4 Months!

As of the 28th, we are officially 4 months new! Here's what's been happening...
First Thanksgiving
First Christmas
First **long** road trip to North Carolina
First discovery of the toes and feet

And our new tricks:
one quick and unexpected laugh while awake
recognition of Mommy, Daddy and Sis (and of Grams, PopPop, Oma)
Reaching and holding of objects
tracking movements (watching television!)
self soothing (sometimes, but strong preference to being held)
constant conversational cooing and sound experiments
blowing spit bubbles
learning how to totally manipulate family with real tears and wails that vanish upon being held
contentment during tub timeAnd new particularities:
hands and fingers preferred over paci
being held upright so head peers over shoulders
distinct dislike of the big black eye (camera)
desire to sit up instead of laying down (even if it means being hunched over when he does it by himself)
exercise sessions (consisting of leg pumps, arm extensions, and assisted upright stepping)

Not Me, Unh unh

I did not begin my vacation with grandiose intentions of catching up on all the little things I let get away from me only to decide by day three that I wanted to vegetate and "stuff" could wait.

I did not pose crazy goofy for Chi to take a picture of me while she instructed me to "lift one leg and smile big". Perhaps if I did, we might see a photo like the one to the left here.

I did not spend 5 plus hours in the car on a family road trip channel surfing and making singing to the oldies (eighties) a family affair.

I did not relish staying at a relatives house for three days only because it wasn't my house and I didn't have to wake up to dogs whining and things needing to be cleaned. I did not determine that every wall in my house needed a paint treatment and that I should invest in some real window coverings. I did not end my vacation asking Marq if maybe we should investigate moving the family south for a bigger yard and better home.

I did not journal about our trip in real time so as not to forget a single moment of our first family trip with Yadon.

I did not see a beautiful antique settee at the front door of our relatives' home and begin to imagine the possibilities of a photo shoot with Chi in a pretty smocked dress and Ya in a simple button down shirt, vest and shorts combo reminiscent of the black and white photos of my Poppy. I did not contemplate getting to stay in said house while the owners were out and about so I could take a few uninterrupted shots of Ya "in the buff" because I didn't have an old fashioned suit for him to wear for the ideal shoot.

I did not wish I had ear plugs when Ya began to scream somewhere at the 100 miles to go marker of our trip. I did not try to will him with my mind to cry it out quick and sleep so we could ride home in peace and he wouldn't get sick from crying.

I did not come home and realize that in our rush to get on the road the bed linen is still not washed and we'd have to sleep on a sheet and plastic slipcovers if we were going to sleep at all. I did not decide that that was okay and promptly pass out.

I did not discover that my new camera lens (thanks Mommy!) is the greatest Christmas present ever while I harassed every one I encountered at once with wide angle group shots, interior house shots, and impromptu sneak shots.

Christmas Recap Part One...

This Christmas began with a splash... or should I say a hurl? Almost like an alarm clock, but wetter and slimy, Ya released his midnight snack all over the bed. Surprisingly he did not cry, in fact he smiled as if to indicate that he was relieved by the expulsion.

Chi was up shortly after the tidal wave hit and inquired "Did Santa come?" This was likely because at 11:30 she was still fighting sleep and was told that by midnight he'd have made all his rounds because Santa travels Christmas Eve, not on Christmas.

As is usually the case, when commercial watchers ask for high ticket items, the gift opening process went rather quickly. I was saved this year in that we were still going to visit Oma and PopPop, each of whom had also picked up a few wants.

The big hitters for Chi this year?

Easy Bake Oven - Gram D
Nintendo DS - Oma and PopPop
Littlest Pet Shop - Uncle Arthur
Cupcake Factory - Marq
Digital Drum set - Santa
Barbie Cash Register - Daddy Ike

Notice here that Mommy is not included? Nope, she just bought the clothes...

Ya discovered that Chi's favorite toddler chair now fit him. And though he did have a few dramatic leans (it's hard sitting up right at 17 weeks!), he was intrigued by the colors and fun of the seat.
to be continued...

Vay-Kay

Never have I looked forward more to the care free days of Winter Break. This year I intend to spend each day off doing something for me. (Is there such a creature after kids?) Now of course this means that the kids will be in close proximity, but at least I'll have time for doing what I've wanted to but couldn't since returning to work.

My first effort? Read the books I have collected about posing, children's photography, and lighting.

Second? Practicing with my new camera lens (that is coming to me Christmas day from a very important "MaClaus" who has returned for her 29-year-old kid just for this purpose despite giving whatever she has regardless of the occasion all year long).

Third? Scrapbooking the last months of Chi's "5" book and catching up on the first 4 months of Ya's "0" book. How can I already be behind? Easy. Too much stockpiling of supplies and very little productivity with using them. Too many pictures and too few journalings explaining them. Too much inspiration and not enough personal stimulation.

Fourth? Teaching Ya to make the most of his tummy time and sit up time so that he's well prepared for his Easter portraits with Lisa. Yep, that's the landmark we're hoping to hit... I want beautiful pictures for cards to mail out to all my family and friends (which we didn't get for Christmas).

Of course I know that you're thinking "Didn't she just take pictures?" Yes, I did just drag the kids out for pictures. But only Chi got portraits done for turning six and those were done at a department store (YUCK). You should read about the difference between department store pictures and those done by portrait artists...

I want the pretty outdoor, casual and carefree shots Lisa creates... and the fairy sprite shot we wanted of Chi protecting Ya in the woods... So I'm hoping to schedule pictures for early Spring. But enough about that subject :)

Fifth? I need to sort out my terrible finances and figure out how to sign up for a few classes to improve my own photography skills. Someday when the current JOB gets OLD, I hope I'll be able to have my own clients using my photography services.

Last Minutes

The countdown toward Christmas has begun and yet I have not even figured out how to tackle the massive wish list being drummed up in my daughter's head.

Lucky for us, Ya is too young to notice that he only has one present under the tree... but Chi, she's been counting presents and reading names for awhile now and noticing complaining about not seeing hers on any gifts. This is because most 6-year-olds know how to sneak peaks into the Christmas goodies. They know how to check what is there for them and then fake surprise (or show dismay and disappointment) when the gift is revealed on Christmas day. I'm riding around with two of her gifts in the trunk right now and I'm praying that she'll actually like what I picked out (because it's not on that list).

I think her grandparents gathered up a few of her greatest desires: Easy Bake Oven, Dollhouse, Nintendo DS. So I hope she'll not notice that Santa has a present for her, but Mommy does not... it would be devastating if Santa missed the house.

I did manage to complete the one-gift-per-person (self imposed) quota of things for my family, though this year I really feel like it was more a matter of giving from the heart than giving them what they wanted needed. Perhaps God is trying to remind me of the reason for the season? In a perfect world I could grant the request of each of those closest to me, but I can't. I just don't have the means this year.

Nope... I didn't do it

As wonderful as it is to release the pent up embarrassing, silly, and oh-no-she-didn't moments I happen upon cause each week, this week seems to have amassed few confessions...

In fact, for once, I had a pretty uneventful week.

I did not reluctantly paw through a large box of goodies for Chi from her dad in California and find myself thinking "wow, this time he did okay." I did not then call and congratulate him for his efforts in making sure she had a winter coat.

I did not fall in love with the styles and talents of two photographers and decide I had to have them both shoot my family. I did not then stagger a series of photo sessions with Ya and Chi so that I could capture both children's appearances throughout the year without going broke. I also did not then follow up today's session with a trip to a department store studio because it is so rare that Chi's hair is freshly twisted and she is willing to pose her little heart out for the camera.

I did not get overly excited when my mother's colleagues unanimously agreed that one of my kids actually looks like me. Afterall, it's always a pleasure to hear how much they resemble their dads (and how I am no more than a warming pod for developing humans).

I did not discover sometime this week while scrolling through the other blogs I follow that it would be extra amazing if I wasn't working two jobs. I did not spend an evening contemplating how luxurious the life of a stay at home mom must be. I did not muse about the ultra clean house I would have and the perfectly put together children I would have if there were more time to dedicate to each.

A Wish...

It's Wednesday again. This week I'm wishing for a few small things:

• a white Christmas
• more time with family and friends
• and more opportunities to make memories with my kids

And now a Wordless Wednesday image (or two):

Discoveries

Yesterday was a day of discovery... Mommy figured out how to eliminate the shadows in her makeshift photo studio setup (for free!) and Ya discovered [wait for it] his feet (Mommy's favorite baby body part).

Nope, not I

This week I thought I'd shoot for dead last on the not me blog role... Because I did not forget today was Monday.

So this week past there's a lot I don't have to confess because I did not do a whole lot.

I did not get so caught up working two jobs and coordinating my world that I forgot to return to the website to book a party for my daughter's 6th birthday party. I did not invite 22 classmates to said unbooked party and then pray that only a few RSVP.

I did not spend more than five hours at the party venue listening to screaming, excited kids on sugar highs - first to ensure a party space and then to watch as my carefully planned party became total chaos. I did not get into a disagreement with the manager of said facility over "reserved" tables that no one had spoken for. Marq did not get recruited to plead our case, and my brother did not get called in to do the same. I did not have to have aforementioned brother round up the kids and hear him say as the party finally concluded, "Next time get me a lasso and a hat, I'll get 'em here."

I did not swear to myself that my party planning days were over. I did not determine that the Deal or No Deal and skeeball games were worth returning to the venue despite the insane lines at the "Kid Check" and the harried parents trailing behind their crazed kids. I also did not join another adult in a dual "That's your last game kid, there's a line and you have to share" attack which shocked a child (had to be at least 10, I'm sure) into hurrying through his sixth consecutive game and rushing away from the area.

I did not reply to my daughter upon her inquiry "Mom what are you getting me for my birthday?" with this: "I got you a very expensive birthday party."

Breakfast with Santa

Wordless Wednesday...

Not I...

I did not begin this list on Tuesday so as not to forget all the things I did not do. I also did not type the entry Sunday so I could post before work Monday.

I did not decide that the new 2 1/2 month old girl in Ya's class would make an excellent girlfriend. I did not get excited about their cribs being next to each other so they could "talk." Later in the week, I did not decide she must reduce her natural cute quotient so Ya could steal away some more attention.

I did not make a perfectly good cup of coffee and put it in a travel mug only to leave it on the table when helping Chi get her lunch together. I did not contemplate going home to retrieve said mug despite being 10 minutes behind schedule and most likely late for work. It was not I who reached for the non-existent mug each time I stopped at a light on the way to work. (Notice the turquoise mug to Chi's far right).

I did not miss seeing my baby put up tree decorations because I was stressing moping about finances. I did not ponder postponing Christmas because I cannot buy gifts for the important people in my life.

I did not finally meet complete understanding of the phrase "Robbing Peter to pay Paul" while juggling my bills. I did not decide that a more appropriate metaphor was playing Russian Roulette with my creditors - - bang you're paid, blank you wait... Is it really that
bad? Not for I.I did not hurry everyone in the house into their winter clothes so we could get the ideal Christmas portrait of the kids for our cards only to determine once we arrived at the community playground that it was way too cold for being outside. We did not get stuck at said playground so that Chi could play for awhile while the rest of us froze. And this was not my "look" upon giving up on my photo op.

While complaining about people prolonging stops at STOP signs, I did not find myself behind the same Dodge Charger that gave me a speeding ticket in October. I did not freak out about the number of unmarked luxury cars in the area and opt to go below the speed limit rather than risk another ticket for driving too fast in a 25 mph zone. I am not still bitter about the ticket I got when my foot was not even on the accelerator as I drove down a hill. I did not spot more than a few police vehicles on the highway poised with their radar guns with their sights surely on my sports car.

I did not contemplate how using two pumps at once would be like milking a cow and determine that lowering efficiency was better than becoming Bessie the Holstein.

Holiday Spirit

The tree is up... the ornaments are out... and the weather is steadily growing colder...

So we're getting the commercialized holiday spirit out of our systems early for this Christmas.
Here's my holiday elf:Ya and Daddy (nope no smile):Now that that's out of the way,it's time to focus Chi and Ya on the reason for the season.

Flying

Time sure does fly... and so does Ya!

We got this shot yesterday on our 14-week-iversary. I know, it's not a word, but it works. Ya know? Mommy and Daddy have become a photographic team trying our hardest to get good smiling pictures. So to get this one, Mommy risked a milk shower and flew Ya into the air. Daddy held his camera ready a few feet away and shot as soon as the first signs of a lip tremor indicated a smile was near.

Go team!

Whine and Dine

Marq coined a new phrase this morning, or rather used an old phrase to create a new pun. Ya eats somewhat oddly. He frustrates himself with the wait time before he gets served. Then he huffs and puffs as he tries to chug his meal. The he latches on and off with whines of disappointment, impatience, and perhaps disgust. I think in many ways I am beginning to see myself in him... So this morning amid slurps and wails, Marq called Chub Chub a "whine and diner." My Wednesday wish for him (albeit a day late)? is that he matures into a "Wine and Diner" when he is old enough to find someone worthy of his time, love and affection.

And can I just say God works in mysterious ways? I swear He is trying hard to teach me patience. This morning I logged in to the bank to check on the status of a very important check and found that it was indeed cashed on the due date. Thank You God. Had it not posted, I'd have a long and drawn out ordeal that would rock my family's functionality.

Add to that how He provided me with a way to make a few extra dollars at work. Teachers don't get overtime, but we do have opportunities to Homebound. This is where I go to a student's home when he is unable to attend school and try to bridge the gap between his coursework and his home life. Some cases are easy. Some have been touching. Each has shown me a kid in need of a little help. If I can make a way for each to succeed - even if only breifly - I feel good. And I appreciate the income it provides to my own family.

My other Wednesday Wish is that all those out there reading this blog be somehow blessed with health and financial stability in this holiday season. May each of you have time for family, time for self, and time for growth.

How Ya Spent Picture Day

The first school pictures at 3 months old? Yes, that's what the nursery where Ya stays everyday decided to do. SO Lifetouch scheduled a picture day. We got reminder notices, we had preference cards. Ya even got to put on his oh-so-cute overalls and striped collar shirt for the occasion... But when I picked him up, I was told he was asleep when the photographer was ready for his class. So they woke him up. Then they pulled his pacifier from his mouth. He retaliated with a wail. I suspect his photo looked much like this one taken later in the day:

Ya knows the sound of the camera when it comes on. He eyeballs the black eye with scrutiny and decidedly stops doing whatever cute thing prompted us to take the camera out. Perhaps this model is waiting for a contract or a raise before he'll cooperate. I think it's why I ended up with this terribley sad shot when trying to update my "chil'uns" picture (notice that Chi is perfectly posed and Ya is too through with me):

Not I...

This week my did not list is pretty short... and sweet. Does this mean I am getting better at not doing things?

I did not dress my daughter in a cute pink leopard hat and glove set and instruct her to play in the fallen autumn leaves instead of raking them up. If I had, these might have been the pictures I'd have gotten:I did not rush home from Thanksgiving dinner with half the ham and all of the mac'n'cheese left over from the festivities. After all, my fridge is stocked and I'm a good sharer.

I did not confuse my daughter's kooky pose in the family portrait for clowning around. As an avid SIMS player, I realized she was mimicking those family shots without her pointing it out. Really I did.

I did not have a hypochondriac moment and freak out about the possibility of contracting Ya's case of thrush during his feedings. I have not given myself a breast exam after every feeding since confirming his condition despite his being on medication and the thrush quickly clearing up. I did not agonize over where the gross white stuff came from in the first place...

I did not tell the pediatrician that we had reached our quota of conditions and illnesses in the last three months and that if another happened to surface within a week of a well-baby appointment we'd be canceling the rest on account of the bad luck they bring.

I did not lug around my scrap supplies three times in the four day weekend and complete not one page in either child's book. As usual, I'm all caught up...

I did not get lectured twice - make that three times - about dressing my son. If I had, it certainly wouldn't be about his winter coat being a size too big (though I didn't buy it), about his wearing socks instead of soft shoes (there's debate about whether they make newborn shoes and why one might need them), or about wearing a onesie in a loud jungle print (that I was immediately smitten with and had to buy).



If you want to join in on the NOT ME revolution, check out the rules...