The "M" Family

 

Here is a little snippet from a very fun photo shoot. I had so much fun taking pictures of this expanding little family. Can you tell they are Yankee fans!?!

"Baby J" was so much fun to photograph. He is a typical toddler, very busy and wanting to explore. I can't wait to see what a great big brother he will be.

I love that I captured some special moments between the parents and their little boy whom they absolutely adore. I hope you enjoy this little snippet of my expanding hobby.

Enjoy!

Insta-End of the World-Friday

Hi! It is nice to see that we all survived the Mayan calendar flip. At least those crazies give us something to stay on the edge of our seat about. I guess some people have to wait for impending doom instead of enjoying life. We all know it is short so how about we stop counting the days to another apocalypse, ok? How about we count down the days to the next embrace the camera, holiday with family, new baby being born, family vacation, summertime where we can spend countless hours splashing in water, planting gardens and teaching our children about the earth and all it has to offer...etc. How come that is never on the discovery channel?? Pretty doom and gloom if you ask me.

So I am done with my rant and now you get to see ALL the IG pictures off my phone. How cool is that? I know, you really wish that asteroid hit earth now...I mean it was the ONLY way you were going to get out of seeing more pictures of my kids. Their cuteness overwhelms you. You actually feel happy!! Enjoy.

"Life made us sisters, Love made us friends."

Thank you Aunt Terri...I loved painting my ornaments and it kept me busy for a while so Mommy could make dinner!

What is that face!!

Jojo cut my hair! Thanks Jojo!

"I love you through and through."

I could watch these two play together all day long. Oh wait...I do :)

Riley found her old bouncer and it is her new favorite seat.

This little one is becoming a book worm.

LOVE <3

Merry Christmas!!

Most people dream of sandy beaches, palm trees, pools, sunbathing and other fun activities during the hottest months of the summer. Usually these months are July and August. This girl right here starts planning the biggest mail spamming event that happens only once a year. (Unless I have a birth announcement to send out).

Our Christmas card.

Now some people just leave this until the last minute, find an OK family picture or maybe a good picture of the kids and get a photo that says happy whatever, love us. Not me. Nope. I start scouring the internet for creative family portrait ideas because I always feel I have to top my last card. 

Then in the fall the photo sites start releasing their card stock and I lurk the interwebs until I find the right one on a site that I can use multiple coupon codes. This year I saved ninety dollars!!

Honestly, it is a small fortune that I drop on my cards but I love them. I love our little family and although most of my family and friends are on facebook, there is just something about getting that card in the mail. Yep, I am still thinking about you. 

This year, my friend who is an amazing photographer outdid herself with our family photos. What is even more amazing was that the card that I had picked out months before matched perfectly to the almost dozen photos I crammed on the card. Clearly, it was fate. 

So here it is. Our Christmas Card. I am in love. Now to drop mass amounts of money on canvas prints of all these amazing photos.

 

It's not a science it's an art

***This post was written mid last week and has nothing to do with the tragic events that transpired late last week. I did stop the scheduled publish that was to go out early Saturday morning because I thought people would link the two. This is a time of healing and searching for closure on the event and I do not plan to post my thoughts or opinions on the matter. I think there is enough of that going around.***

Last week we went to Riley's nine month appointment. Little Fat girl is weighing in at 20 lbs. and is 30.5 inches long. The doctor asked me what she was eating and I told her everything. She asked about baby food and I told her that I have some baby food left in the freezer that I made for her that I am trying to go through but mostly it's table food.

She looked at me and said: "Can you teach some of my other moms...how you do that?" She told me Riley is just where she wants her to be when it comes to feeding. I told her with Kayleigh I read all the books but I am just winging it this time around. Her response: "Raising a child is not a science, it is an art."

How true is that? I thought a lot about what she said and it pertains to every aspect of raising a child. I came to the conclusion that this could be helpful to many people. After all, if there is one thing people judge more than a person raising their child, it is probably art.

Lets break this down. In both art and raising a child:

- Each person has their own tools, canvas, colors, etc. Most are quick to criticize a piece of artwork that is drastically different but that does not mean it is wrong or not beautiful in its own way. An artist uses what they think is best to make their creation. People love to scrutinize what they don't understand instead of researching what it actually means. Ignorance is bliss until the ignorant expresses their opinion.

- Just like art, each mother is judged on the raising of their kid.

- It's hard to replicate some pieces of art. When doing so, people realize it isn't as easy as it looks. You can try and copy it but you will always put your own personal touches in it, hence making it your own. Your artwork will have flaws and mistakes that critics will point out but you will know its true beauty and that it IS the perfect piece. Even if nobody else can see that.

Maybe instead if judging, criticizing and nit picking. We can stand back and find the beauty and awe in the art of raising a child. There are many different ways to raise a child just like their are many different ways to create art.

So don't worry about everyone else. Just keep adding those personal touches that make your children beautiful and above all "yours."

Embrace The Camera: 12/13/2012

So I have been feeling guilty lately about not having all the time I had with kayleigh to read and just play an watch Riley. Don't get me wrong the kid has it made. She spends her days going to story times, play dates and other fun activities. She has no time for baby toys and thinks she is one of the big kids. She woke up from her 3 hour nap before Kayleigh so we sneaked in a quick reading session. I read to Kayleigh every night but Riley isn't as interested and therefore doesn't get read to as much. It was nice just the two of us. Her sitting on my lap. We got through about 5 books and then she crawled away.

You can also see...I wasn't lying about chopping all my hair off.

Are you embracing the camera today? You may not like the way you look at the moment but nothing is more beautiful than someone spending time with a person they love.  You will look back and be glad you have these memories. It will also be a great conversation starter with a moody teenager. I feel I am going to need a few tips and tricks when we reach that age.

Linking up with the Andersons!

InstaFriday...Picture OVERLOAD

I hope you are ready for this. We were away for over a week in sunny who am I kidding, snowy, Buffalo, NY. We had a great time with family and friends but I did miss a few posts here and there. Here is a rundown of our stay and life, through the lens of good ol' Instagram.

Life isn't too bad as the little sister. No baby toys for this little girl.

I have given up this fight. Guess who gets to dress themselves from now on!

First time at Chuck E. Cheese!

Just snuggling

At the East Aurora Childrens Museum. It was a great time!

Kayleigh kept telling Kiki she was sailing her boat to Sunset!

GG Bobbie wearing wooden clogs around. We think she had the MOST fun!

My sleeping beauty

Kiki and Kayleigh camped out and watching movies.

Christmas shopping is rough

Princesses coloring princesses.

Special date with my little chickadee

Best smile ever

Someone stayed up late one night and wanted to snuggle

Walking to the library in December in 60 degree weather!

I could eat this face...she looks like she will actually eat my face....

So there is my instagram dump. I hope you all enjoyed. Until next week my friends...

Embrace the Camera: 12/6/2012

I sit here, completely sleep deprived and desperately needing a shower since I was puked on all night long. However, one day I will look back and miss the fact that my children completely depended on me and how I would hold them and suffer just as much as them when they didn't feel well. How every time I would debate going to the hospital. Only because you want them to feel better RIGHT AWAY. 

So instead of embracing a nap, I'll share a picture I took after I cut eleven inches off my head! Cray right?

I hope you all had a wonderful time with family. Sorry I was a stranger, I am back and ready to share more fun times. 

Are you embracing the camera with your little ones? One day THEY will look back and love all these little snippets into your time together. You have no excuse. I know you have an iphone with that little flip feature. Do it.