Black and White

I love taking pictures. Although, my camera can do way more than I know how to do. I love playing with the settings. I ordered these in 8x10's and I have to say I am pretty proud of myself. Avery's eyes in this picture are just mezmerizing. I see this picture of Reece and it scares me how fast time is flying with him already and how much he has changed. Photographs say so much more than we think when we first take them. I know we can't take anything with us in heaven and we won't even miss our material possessions, but there is a part of me that is sad thinking about not seeing these for eternity. I am clearly in a weird and sentimental mood today. I guess since I am turning 28 tomorrow and the dreaded 30 is closing in, I am getting a little nostalgic. I am so thankful for Avery and Reece and so thankful that God gives us memories to remember these sweet moments.

Thursday Thirteen

13 Of The Best Mom Gadgets and Gizmos

1. My fleurville slingtote diaperbag

2. Dirty diaper baggies for masking the smell while searching desperately for a trash can that is distant from lots of people

3. The shopping cart cover, did anyone see the GMA test that showed this was the most germ infested area, above toilets, playgrounds, dr. offices?

4. The plastic disposable mats for tables and the disposable bibs. Definitely not helping the environment on these two products, but they are amazing in terms of germs and keeping the diaper bag clean!

5. My "hooter hider" for breastfeeding, super cute and trendy, but very helpful in making me feel less embarassed.

6. Hylands teething tablets, Avery thought they were candy and I actually got some sleep.

7. Finally finding organic snacks in little bags to throw in the diaper bag

8. Avalon Organics baby soap, sunscreen, powder, etc. Smells good, safe to use, no toxins.

9. The baby bjorn, my son hates the carseat and shopping has become so much easier since I started putting him in this instead.

10. Babygap socks, they have a line of stitching through the middle to keep them on Reece's feet, he can't reallly even pull them off yet!

11. Purell, for all of us germaphobes out there! I even bathed Avery's feet in it after one trip to Chick-fil-a without socks!

12. Rainforest aquarium thing that hooks onto the crib. Reece actually falls asleep finally on his own. Definitely not the poster child for babywise like Avery was.

13. My Peg-Perego double stroller that I found half off at BabiesRUs before I was even pregnant with Reece!

Wordless Wednesday

Reece's feet

Moms have breakdowns too...

Does anyone else has moments like this? Don't get me wrong. The majority of the time it is great and fun. But then there are the moments where I have pulled the covers up over my head, while both of my kids are screaming, and cried myself. I try to laugh at it the next moment. How ridiculous I must look! But this cartoon says it all.

Thursday Thirteen

13 Things I love about being a Mom...

1. Having two people that I know absolutely adore me.
2. Having two people that I can shower with love and kisses.
3. Staying home with them.
4. Seeing the world through their eyes.
5. Being silly and making them laugh
6. Watching a piece of my husband walking around in "miniature" form.
7. Watching a miracle happen every day in their growth.
8. Hearing the funny comments or thoughts from Avery.
9. Watching Reece jump in pure joy.
10. There's nothing like watching my children's eyes light up, it makes me tear up seeing them so happy.
11. Dressing them up, it's just a glorified version of playing dolls... let's be honest about that ladies! :)
12. Decorating their rooms.
13. Teaching them new things and watching them then go and do it. I think this process is so amazing.

Wordless Wednesday

Little Helper

Avery is extremely o.c.d. and when Shane took the windows out of his jeep she was determined to get them back on! She was quite upset and Shane distracted her by letting her "help" him. Yes, that is a can of WD-40. Thankfully, she had no idea how to actually use it. I can imagine her being crazy about fixing every little squeak in the house!

Let me hear you say JUMP JUMP!

Life got a little easier for Shane and me. We bought the Rainforest Jumperoo and it is amazing. Reece was driving me crazy, just so fussy! Come to find out... he hates the swing, hates the carseat, hates lying on the floor. He was apparantly born to JUMP! He has never been so happy and I actually went to a yarn shop on Sat and just sat there (with a raspberry green tea frap) and knitted. WOW! Shane hasn't exactly wanted to spend alone time with Reece because he was so high maintence, so it was nice to come home to happy babies and a happy husband too. We had to put the lid of the ottoman under it because he's so small in it, but he doesn't seem to mind.

Thursday Thirteen

Secret and Not-so Secret Addictions:

(Apparently I have quite a few since I have to keep editing this list!)
1. Raspberry Green Tea Frappucino at Starbucks
2. Vera Bradley bags in Cambridge
3. New shoes
4. Ice Cream, Chocolate
5. Knitting, I'm a little obsessed actually!
6. My ipod, who knew, I thought it was silly when Shane got it. Guess who always has it in her car!
7. Purple pens
8. Cleaning/Organizing (Just a little OCD in having things tidy. Avery is ten times worse than me though!)
9. Kissing my babies cheeks
10. Diamonds (what can I say, I'm a girlie girl)
11. Blogging and myspace
12. Reading everything around me
13. Sewing, I miss my sewing machine! (It's in storage, hopefully just one more month!)

Is this a telescope or something?

First Haircut

So I decided that my adorable little boy needed a haircut. I like my men to be clean shaven and short haircuts. Let's just say that when I was done I promised Reece that I would NEVER attempt to cut his hair again. I promised him that he could grow it long or I would take him to a salon. You can only imagine what it looks like. The front and top are adorable. The back is scary. His hairline is two inches higher than it was before, AHHHH! I've learned my lesson. Never again. What if he was in kindergarten and I did that to him. He would never live it down. He might be called weedwacker hair for the rest of his life.

A Moment of Pure Bliss

So Quiet...
Today I am sitting in here in silence. Amazing I know. A two year old and a fourth month old and it's QUIET! I slept until 7:45 today. (There was a 4:30 feeding in there.) But I got up, somewhat rested, and made a cup of tea. I even drank it hot. I usually heat it up two or three times and it tastes rancid by the time I finish it. But today I snuggled up in the rocker my mom gave me that actually fits my 5'2" body and read my bible. What a blessing today. I read all about being positive in Nehemiah, which I need right now. This little log cabin we're living in until we move to our new house is bringing me down. But today I want to be positive all day, especially to Shane. I want to have energy to play with Avery and not just survive the day. My life is pretty great. And it's only going to get better. Uh-oh, he awakes! Off for feeding number two. By the way, it's 8:37. That was almost an hour alone! Blessings!!!!

TEN horrible pounds!!!

My second pregnancy I only gained 25 pounds. I actually started losing weight before Reece was born. How crazy is that! However, I have ten pounds that are staying put and not going away. I shouldn't complain, I'm not exactly out running to get rid of it! I just through breastfeeding would flatten that tummy right up...not! I have freakishly skinny wrists and ankles and an enormous stomach and we haven't even started talking about my boobs yet! I eat healthy, all organic even. It's just not going away. So maybe by writing all of this down I will get motivated to get moving and lose the rest. I want to fit into my skinny jeans this fall. I have to actually. I can't afford a whole new wardrobe. Besides, I love my old clothes. Ten more pounds. They're always the hardest...