Meet You There...

I have a new blog site.  I was sick of this one.  See you there.

4D

My Doctor called the other day and asked if I wanted to come in so they could test out their new 4D ultrasound machine.  I was burning rubber before I even hung up the phone.  Maybe I'm a little behind the times as far as medical technology is concerned but I was STUNNED when I saw the screen.  I've never seen anything like it.  Actually, that's not entirely true, because she is a spitting image of Spanky.  Now if we could just agree on a name.  

Who's Bad?

Love Halloween.  Glad it's over though.  We went with the pop star/livestock/western theme this year (that's code for, crap we found in my mom's basement).  Surprisingly, MJ was kind of a hit.  Until I mentioned that I found the faux leather jacket in the little girls section of Target.  Then I spent the evening mopping up a giant puddle of, "Maaaaaawwwwm, why did you buy me a girlie jacket?  Bahhhhhh!"  How do you explain the 80's to a 9 year old?  It can't be done.  

Tootsie on the other hand, totally dug her costume.  As well she should considering that I rocked it when I was 4.  Aren't I nice to share?

And does anyone remember the "real live chaps with deer hair" fiasco?  There they are folks!  Complete with boots, vest, and a strategically placed holster.  

Good.  Freekin'.  Times.

And I Shall Flaunt My Muffin Top

I'm at that outrageously uncomfortable stage right now where I don't look distinguishably pregnant yet but definitely have that someone please arrange a krispy kreme intervention  for that girl look.  So much so that yesterday as I was puttering around the kitchen, Shooter walked in and immediately said, "hey mom, your belly looks flubby today".  To which I responded, "Shoot', do me a solid and zip it".  You know it's bad when your 9 year old uses the word flubby.  Actually I just wikipedia'd it.  Not a word.  But whatever.  He got his message across.  I'm the flubster.


Normally when I reach this point in pregnancy, I hibernate for a good 4-6 weeks.  But considering that I haven't really had that option this time around, I got to thinking.  Why?  Why do I do that?  Why do I hate my changing body?  Has society really gotten me to this place where I can't embrace the fact that I'm literally growing another human being?  I'm sharing my womb yo!  I don't want to be that girl.  The one who rags on herself for the entire 9 months (plus some) for gaining weight.  Because last time I checked, it's kind of supposed to happen that way. 


I distinctly remember 6-7 months ago telling myself that if I ever got (and stayed) pregnant again, that I would enjoy every second of it.  So as of right now, I'm making a change.  I'm not going to hide.  I'm not going to wince every time I step on the scale at Dr. Exceptional's office.  I'm not going to ground my kids when they comment on my flubbi-ness (I might pinch them though).  I'm not going to smack the mister's hand away when he tries to give me belly rubs.  I will however, continually remind him that I'm not a puppy.  I'm going to do my best to embrace the fact that this little parasite is going to wreak havoc on my body for the fourth and final time (yes, final.  El Finito!!!).  Because I know that in 4 years, when she's sauntering off to her first day of preschool, I won't even remember these precious few months of discomfort.  That's right.  I said "she".  We're having another she.  But if this "she" is similar to Tootsie in any way, shape, or form?  I'm sending her back for a full refund.  That being said, we're stoked to be adding another she to our family.  I kind of knew it all along anyway.

WHAT? I Was Watching Glee!

I'm not the kind of person who after a long hiatus from blogging begins her first post with, "sorry for not blogging all summer long".  Because really, If I had to guess I'd say that I was probably the only one who noticed or even thought about my lack of blogging.  And maybe my mom (probably not though).  So no apologies here.  However, if you must know, I spent the vast majority of the summer tying to figure out why Tootsie has recently become so obsessed with tying her dolls up with loose bits of rope.  After she removes their clothing.  Over and over and over again.  Oh, and I watched season 1 of Glee.  Over and over and over again.  But here's a quick run down of the events that weren't quite so morbid and/or cheesy.   

This is Tootsie's camera ready pose

This is how my neighbor feels about me...and I about her

Although it will NEVER happen again, I made that bad ass cake with my bare hands (the kid too, but I used my uterus to make him)

Brother #2 (show off)

Brother #3 (also a show off)

Brother #1 (need I say? - it runs in the family)

lesson learned: don't fall asleep with bare feet

Spanky took rather well to this exercise

Back to brother #3 (pffft! show off)

Tootsie got back!!!

Is it just me, or does this pose look somewhat familiar?

Sumer 2009...just sayin'

Me (not showing off)

I'm totally screwed for posting this one but the woman is hot!

Me and Brother #3  We love it when people ask us if we're twins...derrrrr!  Also, I am never to be accused of only posting attractively airbrushed pictures of myself.  Never.

Shooter jammin' with his teacher.  He's totally into it...

And my most legitimate reason for not having the fortitude to blog or do much of anything really...

After 3 miscarriages, this pregnancy is still a little "touch and go", but I have complete confidence in Dr. Exceptional OB and his ability to handle my situation.   And while I've become FAR too familiar with my toilet, I've never been so overwhelmed with gratitude.  This little bug is truly a miracle. 

Blame Google

Google sucks.  They took away my domain name.  Granted I didn't exactly make the payment for the year, but that's only because my email flags everything from Google as junk mail so yeah, I didn't get the 60 day notice.  Until Google decides to get it's act together and bend the rules just a scoche, I'll be here.  At Blogger.  Because what Google giveth, Google can taketh away.  And let's all hope I don't get slapped with a lawsuit for publishing this paragraph.


Okay. That is all I have to say about that.


So far, summer has been far less excruciating than I originally imagined it would be.  After the initial 3 hours of good hard bickering with my kids about doing their jobs (their whole 2 jobs - the horror, I know), they generally tend to entertain themselves rather well.  There was that one incidence a few weeks ago where the hose ended up inside the basement (turned on mind you), and that other time when the car was scratched beyond recognition with a brillo pad - never mind.  Compared to last year?  Let's just say I've been more than satisfied with my children's behavior.  That said, I'm totally stoked to be headed to Powell on Monday for a break.  Well, a change of scenery anyway.


I want you to meet someone.  She's new around these parts.  She's my niece, her name is Ella and I think she probably has enough hair to sport a seriously wicked pony.

I know right?  I know.  I assure you she is sweeter and even more perfect in person.  GAH!  What I wouldn't give for one more of these.  Just one more.

Life. Real Life.

Someone asked me the other day, "why does it cause me so much anxiety to have pictures of my family taken"?  The obvious answer is, "because you're worried that your kids will be uncooperative and needlessly waste a large amount of money".  And it's true.  But after I thought about it, I realized that it's actually more than that.  Over the past several years, I've learned that people don't want pictures of how they look.  People want pictures of how they feel.  They want pictures that perfectly depict the overwhelming affection they have for their newborn baby.  They want one square shot to remind them forever how stubborn their little boy was as a toddler (for better or worse).  They want a family portrait that represents what they see in each other.  Not necessarily what I happen to see in them that day.  And you know what?  I'm no different.  Last fall we did our family pictures 3 different times.  Because somehow we just couldn't seem to get one that reminded me of the real us.   

Having professional pictures taken of your family every few years is a good idea (especially if I'm the one you call...).  But in all honesty, the pictures in my house that I love the most aren't the ones I spent hours (or even a few minutes) getting my kids ready for.  They're the ones where in a moment of spontaneity, I whipped out my iphone.  

You don't need high-tech equipment to take pictures that will make you swoon for years to come.  You don't need the latest computer program or a high-resolution printer.  You need a camera phone or a point and shoot, and a little free time.

Here are a few things I've learned over the years:

- Zoom in.  It's okay to not be able to see the top of someone's head.  Sometimes, eliminating the parts of the picture that don't "add" to it actually make it feel more intimate. 

- Use natural light.  In other words, turn off your flash.  This one was hard for me to accept but once you start looking at natural light and thinking in terms of the direction of the sun, you'll like your pictures SO much more.  One thing I do a lot even when I'm shooting professionally is to set up by a large window. 

- Don't worry if your subject isn't looking directly at you.  You want your pictures to be a glimpse into someone's life.  I don't know anyone who regularly yells "cheeeeese" at the top of their lungs.  Keep it natural.

- If your shooting your kids, have them engage in something that already interests them or talk to them about something you know will cause them to light up.  And here is the ultimate tip, if you're shooting a baby, jingle some keys.  It works EVERY time.

- Experiment with filters and borders.  You can find millions of free software programs online.  I even have several on my phone.  Here are a few I've run across.

softonic

snapfiles

polaroid (personal favorite)

Also, in the digital age, you don't have to worry about running out of film.  There's no limit.  And in my experience, the more the better.  On average, I shoot 200 pictures in one sitting.  You can always just delete the ones you don't want (which will be most of them).  It makes it all worth it though when you see that one that causes your heart to stop for just a moment.  The one that brings to your mind the thought, that's exactly how I feel.