Spoiled Already & Thank You!

Our baby boy is spoiled already!  I was looking through new clothing and gifts today and couldn't help but feel an overwhelming amount of love from family and friends.  We have amazing people in our lives and our baby boy is already so loved and anticipated!  I just want to say 

Lil Dude is going to be one stylin boy with all these awesome and super adorable clothes!  I am pretty much obsessed with cute animals and that just seems to be the style these days, so I am a happy camper!  Give me some foxes and wolves and puppy dogs!! 

Jared is super stoked to have a little brother and he has gladly given up some of his baby stuffed animals for his brother's nursery!  I am really happy that we have some stuff from when Jared was a baby to incorporate into the nursery and have the boys share!  Be still my sentimental heart!

Ryan and I...well pretty much just me...have purchased some little things for our baby boy!  Ryan definitely helped with the Nirvana tee and the bow tie onesie! 

Giraffes are becoming a theme too!  I love it!!  More animals makes me happy!  And they are so soft!

When mom's and friends give you the gift that saved them during the first couple months or has saved friends the first couple of months, you know you have some winners!  These gifts fit into the "must have" category and I am so excited about them!

The gifts seem endless, absolutely endless, and I love each and every single one!!  All these books are the start to our baby boy's collection that will only grow!  We are a family a readers and this baby has already been read to!  I can't wait to see what his favorite books are and to listen to Ryan read to his baby boy and Jared read to his little brother!  

Oh and how can I forget about homemade gifts!!  They are some of my favorites!  I love giving and receiving homemade gifts!  I have fabric out at the moment to make some burp clothes and bow ties.  I just need to finish up some other things before the crafting can begin, but I can't wait!!

Thank you all so much for your love, support, and generosity!  We are extremely appreciative and so very lucky to have you in our lives!  Stay tuned for our nursery reveal next week!  My dad aka Poppop Joe is painting this weekend!!!  The lavender room will be no more and I am stoked!!  Let the nesting begin!!!  

Much love. 

Book Review: Capturing Life Through Better Photography

Tamara Lackey’s Capturing Life Through (better) Photography

By Tamara Lackey

I’m always looking to improve my photography skills and I refuse to pigeon hole myself.  I have found some methods work better than others for me, but I know I am far from polished as a photographer.  I have a lot to learn and am eager to immerse myself in as much knowledge as possible.  You never know when inspiration will hit?  Sometimes you need a little nudge in one direction or another to make you realize what you have been struggling with for weeks, months, or years, to express.  Because I am a constant student and I thoroughly enjoy learning, I read….a lot. 

 

This book was great!  It was easy to read and easy to understand.  By no means is this book technically informative, but if you are a mama who wants to capture better pictures of your babies or a camera owner that wants to know a bit more about how to approach a photo, this book is a great starting point.  Since I know a decent amount about my camera and the technicalities of taking a certain picture, I read this book for its approach to photography.  The tips on how to look at a subject, the reminders of certain lighting situations, the focus on the photographer as opposed to the camera, and the ease of read all made for a pleasurable read. 

 

Tamara Lackey has a website that you can browse here.

 Much love.

Oh Running...and a Neat Little Book

Oh Running.
I am not a runner by nature.
I am just working towards a goal,
A silly, very silly, New Year’s resolution actually.
At times I feel as if I could run for days,
And at other times I feel like my body is rejecting my stomach.
The latter is a horrible feeling,
Absolutely horrible.
Yesterday, I had an amazing run!
I needed it because I was starting to get extremely discouraged.
Stomach issues while running are not enjoyable.
Thank heavens giving up dairy and popping two Tums before running seems to help.

This is me feeling like death after a run.

This is me feeling like I could conquer the world after a run.



Oh and this little 75-cents of perfection arrived in the mail yesterday! 

Perfect timing in my mind!

A little book that took 20 years to compile has quite the collection!

It's one of those books that you pick up and randomly open to a page.

I love it! 

It will definitely reside on my coffee table to eternity.

I look forward to friends making notes in it!

Much love.

"Born on a Blue Day"

Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of of an Autistic Savant 

by Daniel Tammet

In accordance with my new year's resolution to read 24 books this year, Born on a Blue Day was the 2nd book I read, but the 3rd one that I am blogging about.  This book was recommended to me by my amazing cousin who rivals me in my love for learning.  She is currently studying abroad in the beautiful country of Ireland, where I too studied abroad.  She's following in some solid footsteps :)

Ok, so back to the book.  It's good. Really good.  It is a memoir about his life from his birth through his current life.  The feelings, colors and images that he associates with numbers are mind blowing.  While he has a special relationship with numbers, his true love is language.  He can learn a language within 4 days.  It's outstanding!  I've always been interested in mental abilities and this story just adds to my curiosity.  

Much love. 

Book: “Your Baby In Pictures”

In accordance with my new year’s resolution, I am reading book styles that I haven’t read in the past.  While this is my second photography book for the year and only the second book that I have blogged about, I have been reading other styles and I will be blogging about them.  This is technically the 3^rd book that I have finished this year and I am currently reading two others…Daring Greatly and Girls In White Dresses.

Your Baby In Pictures: The new parents’ guide to photographing your baby’s first year By: Me Ra Koh

No, I am not pregnant, but I have lots of friends who are either pregnant or have little ones and I have a strong desire to capture little ones in their essence.  This book is absolutely perfect for my goal.  I don’t want to capture upper posed pictures.  I want to capture the character and details of the child that only his mother and father really notice.  This book breaks down the baby’s first year into four stages: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and 9-12 months.  For each stage, Me Ra suggests 10 moments to capture.  These ten moments are everyday moments that are fleeting.  If you have a baby or know someone who has a baby, please tell them to look at this book or her website.  She tells you how to capture each of the photos with a DSLR and a Point & Shoot, so you don’t need a fancy camera to take amazing pictures and document your baby’s uniqueness. 

For each photo, Me Ra details the When, Prep, For P&S Users, For DSLR Users, Composure and Capture.  She provides just enough detail in a very simple and easy to understand fashion.  I am in love with her style because it captures what I see when I look at a baby.  The precious toes, adorable facial expressions that are constantly changing, the pride at being able to stand, the love pats while nursing.  It’s a heartfelt photography book!

Some of my favorite moments to capture are…

0-3 Months

First Breath, First Cry

Warm and Quiet: Bath Time

Nose to Nose

Tiny Yawns

The Fleeting Hair Swirl

Tiny Hands

The Big Bed

Tiny Cries

How Baby Wants to be Held

3-6 Months

Sleeping Baby

Tummy Time

Peek-a-boo!

Baby Hair

The Push-up

Baby & Toddler together

Sitting up Against Mommy

Baby faces

Standing Proud

6-9Months

The Unexpected Favorite Toy

Fascination with Hands, Toes, Tongue

Love Pats While Feeding

Flexibility

Standing

Baby & Dog Kisses

On the Move

9-12 Months

Chunky Legs!

Shoes

Messy Mealtime

Climbing the Stairs

Crazy Things/Positions They Love

Attempting to be a Big Kid Moments

Standing/Walking Proud

First Birthday

This book isn’t for everyone, but it’s a good one if you want to take pictures of children.  It’s also great for taking pictures that tell a story and capture your baby.  Lots of photos lack personality, but these are quite the contrary.  It’s the emotions and personalities and love that exude in these photos that I have fallen in love with. 

Much love.

Book Review #1

The Digital Photography Book: Volume 1
by: Scott Kelby

The first book that I read this year was a photography book, so it will only be of interest to those who enjoy the technicalities of photography.  It was volume 1 and you get bet your booty that I will be reading volume 2-8 as well.  They will not all count towards my goal of 24 books in a year because they aren’t long and they are more of a “workbook” i.e. read and play with your camera to make sure you understand what Kelby is taking about.

His writing style is quite humorous in the beginning of each chapter which helps to keep the reader captivated.  He is also very clear and concise in his instructions.  In the first chapter he tells you that the book is written as if the reader were out shooting photographs with him and I think that is the best explanation.  His writing is as if he is talking you through the process.  I think it is a wonderful book for beginner photographers like myself.  I am a far cry from talented, especially when it comes to indoor photography.  I lot of my photography is “luck.”  I know the theory behind my camera, but achieving the shots I am hoping for rarely happens.  Until I know how to get capture the shot I want without a million tries, I will not consider myself anything more than a girl that thoroughly enjoys taking pictures.

I also learned that editing is a huge part of photography.  I always knew that, but I tended to classify those that had to edit every picture as a weak photographer.  I was WRONG.  Being a strong photographer and taking a sharp photo is vital, but editing is an important step in the process.  There is an art to editing.  It takes a certain eye, attention to detail and a great deal of patience to master an editing program and adjust every picture to its maximum potential. 

I absolutely adore learning and since I am not in school at the moment, this is perfect for me! My husband thinks I am insane, but if my brain isn't being challenged, I am one fidgety lady and that can be really annoying.  Luckily with 7 more books and lots of practicing, my brain will be quite occupied.  

I'd like to thank Marjorie over at The Blog of M.J. for recommending the book!

Much love.

National Down Syndrome Awareness

In honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness month, I have read a book to expand my knowledge and grow as an understanding and accepting human being. 

I read A Good and Perfect Gift by Amy Julia Becker this past week and fell in love all over again.  It happens often with books and recently I have been on a Down Syndrome, Autism, Aspergers Disease book kick.  I am intrigued about how those with a special diagnosis live daily life, along with how their parents and loved ones have grown through the experience and continue to grow daily.  The science is interesting, but the human behavior and emotions captivate me.  Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected by Kelle Hampton brought me to tears, laughter and complete awe in a different way than A Good and Perfect Gift did.  I blogged about Bloom here.  I think that is the lesson here.  Everyone is special, unique and different.  There are many goods and rights in this world.  There is no need to limit ourselves from experiencing all that everyone has to offer.  Be open and you will be loved. 

 

 

Here are some quotes from A Good and Perfect Gift by Amy Julia Becker that stood out to me and made me think a bit more about life, acceptance, understanding differences, having a healthy perspective...

“Blessing to not have known ahead of time…”

 

“Had I known, I would have prepared for Down Syndrome.  Instead, I prepared for Penny.  I prepared for a child, a family, a gift, not a condition, a syndrome or a problem.”  Pg 71

 

“Different doesn’t mean less then.”  Pg 79

 

“When you have a child, you find your heart is beating in someone else’s body.” Pg 85

 

“It’s the thought that she might teach me to slow down, to love deeply, to compute less, to live more freely – those are the stories that bring hope.”  Pg 131

 

“[…] her extra chromosome is not only associated with delays and impairments.  It is also associated with sweetness, joy, wonder, patience and love.”  Pg 152

Much love.

 

Bloom

I have been a reading machine lately and it is absolutely glorious!  Escaping in between the pages of a book calms my soul and inspires my imagination.  While I have been reading a wide repertoire of books, the one I'd like to focus on is by a first time author, photographer, mother, wife and fellow blogger, entitled Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected by Kelle Hampton. It's beautiful. The words and the photography.

Bloom depicts the first year of life as a mother of a beautiful baby girl with down syndrome.  It is an honest encounter. Painfully heartbreaking at times. Hilarious and comical at others. Honest and endearing throughout. 

While I loved the book, I am aware that not everyone will or does.  Kelle is criticized for being idealistic, in denial of the reality of down syndrome, and the list goes on, but I disagree.  I admire her for her honest encounter of her lowest points, her coping mechanisms, her "net" of friends and family, and her process of accepting and embracing her daughter and the down syndrome family she is now apart of. 

If your were to read my book, you'd find a stickynote with the following items jotted on it:

Portrail of her husband (beer, heater)

Old life and new life

Break with Church (I'd respond similarly...sadly)

Lainey loving Nella without hesitation

Admitting what you need might not be what someone else needs...and that's ok.  

To touch on a few points here...Her husband is great!  He is a father and a great one.  The "old life and new life" aspect of the book is something I easily relate to.  Kids change your life dramatically, not in a negative way at all, but rather they change your life, your priorities, the way your think, the way you love; it's quite amazing! Kelle broke from the church after not being accepted because she loved someone that the church didn't accept.  That is horrible. On to a sweeter note, Lainey is a doll!  Kids don't judge, they don't see differences, they are precious and can teach us smart adults a lot.  That's exactly what Miss Lainey does. Finally, when it comes to emotions and life in general, there is a black and white manual.  We all love, hurt, feel, express, cope, and the list goes on, differently.  It's ok.  Be confident in how you feel.

Read this book.  Feel this book.  Love this book.  I did!

Much love.

Words & Tunes

Quotes.

"Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars [and clouds]."

~Les Brown

My AP Calculus teacher told me this very quote when I was applying to colleges and I have never forgotten it.  If you don't shoot for the stars, you'll never know what you are fully capable of.  I've learned this time and time again.  Get out there. Try new thing. So what if you fall. You're strong. Get back up.  That's what I do.  That's what I was taught to do. That's what I want my kids to do.  I only hope that I can teach them that through the love, support, encouragement and optimism that I have to give them. 

"Don't ever mistake my silence for ignorance,

My calmness for acceptance,

And my kindness for weakness."

~Anonymous

True dat.

When I am silent, I am thinking and thinking hard while most likely biting my tongue.  When I am calm, I'm retreating into myself because I believe it is better to think before reacting.  Remember there's generally a calm before a storm.  Luckily, I rarely become a storm, but if I do, don't tell me you weren't warned. Hehe! 

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right--

for you'll be criticized anyway."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

My mama always said follow your gut and listen to your heart.  They know more than you know.  I believe this through and through.  If your gut tells you something is wrong. Remove yourself from the situation immediately.  If your heart tells you to go for it, take the plunge, let yourself love, then do it!  It will heal if it is broken.  Life isn't easy, but I'd rather it be exciting and challenging then safe and boring. 

"Music gives a soul to the universe,

Wings to the Mind,

Flight to the Imagination,

And Life to Everything."

~Anonymous

Music.

Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars (The Hunger Games)

I heard this song for the first time today and fell in love.  T. Swift is a great artist in my opinion and this song is not different, but completely different at the same time.  Her voice is higher, sweeter and a bit more "blue grassy" or something. 

Adele.  I love her.  She is better live than recorded which screams TALENTED to me!  

Books.

Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected, a Memoir by Kelle Hampton is a book that I am thoroughly looking forward to reading!  I preordered it and will for sure write a book review for it!  I follow Kelle over at Enjoying the Small Things.  She is a wonderful writer, photographer and person!  I am sure her book will reflect those wonderful things.  In the meantime, here is a sneak peak at what the book has to offer.

I'm in the process of reading a book about the Catholic faith, Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose by Matthew Kelly.

It is new and focuses on key questions that are difficult to answer at times, the scandals that have been going on in the Church, the fact that Catholics are leaving the church, the facts - numbers, the good the Church does, and the need for Catholics to become more educated in their faith.  I rarely read about my faith, but that's to my ever questioning husband, I will be reading more so that I can better answer his questions.  I will let you all know how the book is when I finish it!

Much love.

Read Across America

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! 

You were and still are a loved literary figure in my life!  From the sound of my little brother reading One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish at the age of two, to scouring the pages of Wacky Wednesday as a youngster, hearing How the Grinch Stole Christmas,  following along with Horton Hears a Who!, receiving The Places You'll go when I graduated college (yes, I said college my friends), I will forever hold fond memories of your wonderful stories! 

You teach littles their ABC's, how to count, an abundance of lessons and in some cases with your simple story structures the confidence that they can actually read! 

Reading is a love of mine!  Escaping into a good book, living through literary figures, admiring the author's writing style and enjoying some personal time is divine. 

Recently, I finished reading Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.  It is a nonfiction book based on the travels of a young man across America.  Letters, journals and personal encounters are compiled of the young man's journey along with Jon's personal experiences and research are blended together to tell a story of...that is for you to figure out.  Each reader reacts and feels differently.  I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to men and women alike.  It was referred to me by my best girlfriend and also by a good guy friend, so that alone should confirm that it is not a girly book.

I also read the Hunger Games series.  My recommendation is to read them. Period. They are an easy quick read, but they are great and the first movie is coming out this month!  I read all three in 5 days. They are page turners for sure!

Much love.

Starting Fresh

Hey Blogger Friends!

I've been in major funktown lately and I need to reboot and get on track.  Between adjusting to not being in graduate school (which is wonderful for some, but horrible for this lover of academia), hitting dead end after dead end on the job front, being especially moody and tense, and adjusting to other life changes, I have been quite tense and not so pleasant to be around. 

I have been reading a ton:

     The Art of Racing in the Rain

     The Hunger Games' Series

     The Accidental Bride

     Understanding Exposure

     FREE the Future of a Radical Price (Thanks MJ and Chris!  I am finally reading it and really enjoying it!)

I really want to read Into the Wild and The Outsiders' Series.  If you have any other suggestions please let me know!  I am in "reading" mode right now!  My goal to read more is a blazing success at the moment!  My goal to write more is going pretty well too!  I've been keeping a daily journal and writing at least a letter a week to friends and family. 

Working out in enjoyable ways by myself, with girl friends and with Ryan has been keeping me busy as well!  Walks are a daily occurrence and since it's been 60 degrees and sunny, they have been extra amazing! 

 

The beach has been visited quite a few times in the past week!  If you live less than 10 minutes from sand and water, you mine as well take full advantage of it...even in the winter months!

Yoga is always a great way to relax on a Saturday morning with the ladies!  And dancing on Wednesdays with my baby is so much fun!  We are really starting to get the hang of the Rumba, Waltz, West Coast Swing, and the Cha Cha the correct way.  My favorite dance is the Rumba, while Ryan really loves the West Coast Swing.  The lead and follow (LF for short) is the most challenging part for us as a couple because when a good song comes on, Ryan gets all into it and dances really well himself, but forgets to lead me, so I look like a lost puppy.  After this last class, leading and posture are our two biggest problem areas that we need to work on.  Looks like the living room will be our studio this weekend! 

Coffee dates are so much fun!  There is nothing like having a good company and stimulating conversation over a cup o' Joe on a random weekday!  They keep me going and make me feel as if I actually have something to do!  I miss a schedule and deadlines.  I know, I am crazy.  It's just how I work.  Give me a deadline and I get *bleep* done!

Tuesday nights are Trivia Nights in my world!  All the girls and sometimes the guys get together at the local Public House and play trivia!  We are pretty darn good and generally place 2nd or 3rd!  As a nice little treat, I always get myself a cider and a glass of water!  While Crispin isn't my favorite, it is quite tasty even when it's warm.  I milk my drink throughout the evening! 

While I am reading, working out and meeting up with friends, I am still longing for a job or more so a purpose to my days.  If anyone knows of any work from home jobs or great volunteering opportunities, please let me know.  I want to be able to get Jared on the bus and off the bus, but I also want to have something to occupy my time during the day and make me feel useful.  I like to be busy and I am sooo NOT busy at the moment.  I mean, I have my days that I pile cleaning, applying to jobs, etc. into, but there is no consistency.  I know I should enjoy this time, but I am not a sit around and watch TV kind of girl.  I am a "tinkerer"!  Oh and for those of you who knew I had an interview...didn't get the job.  Yes, tears flowed. No, I don't want to talk about it.  Moving on. What's in the past is in the past and the future will hopefully be bright.  Heck, I'm going to make it bright.  The future IS bright!  (Just like these pansies!)

 

Suggestions on how to fill my days without spending money are encouraged!

 

Much love.

Book Review

Pleasure reading...oh how I missed thee! It feels like an eternity since I've read something for fun.  This book, The Art of Racing in the Rain, was recommended to me be a friend and ex-coworker over a year ago.  (Thanks, Susan!) Yes, it took me over a year to open the 321 page New York Times Best Seller by Garth Stein.

When describing this book, the author of Water For Elephants,  Sara Gruen says:

"This old soul of a dog has much to teach about being human.  I loved this book."

...and I agree with Sara 100%!

The book is narrated by Enzo, the family dog.  Whether you are a dog lover or not (I totally am!), this book will speak to you.  You'll chuckle, freak out about how evil people can be...even family members, smile at the steadfastness of a husband's and father's love, revel in the joy a dog feels when he is understood, and truly believe that dogs are loyal to their master and understand you more than you could fathom.

Just the other day, I was feeling sick to my stomach and my little Lira jumped into bed and curled up next to my tummy.  She knew I wasn't feeling well and became my own little heating pad for a few hours.  Thanks Lir-Lir!

Dogs rock.

Much love.