Gabriella's Photo Book

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Benjamin's Photo Book

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embracing the camera

I recently came across this adorable family blog.  A once weekly bit that she participates in  is *embrace the camera*.  The link below is the info page on her site, but in a nutshell it's all about mommies getting into more pictures!  Ummm, hello.  That's me.  Even before the babies, when Jamie and I would go o n vacation there would be about 300 pictures of him and like 6 with me in them.  It was like he had his own photographer documenting his travels.  I swear, people would ask "hey, didn't you go with Amanda?"  =).

Anyways, one of my new year's goals was to make sure to take pictures of Gabriella and Benjamin every week, video at least every other week, and once a month to get pics of me and Jamie with the babes.  The first two goals weren't too hard; it was pretty much already happening.  It's that last one... get in the pictures that I haven't rocked it on. 

I got a tripod for my DSLR for Christmas, so we have set it up and used the self timer for a few whole family shots, but not as often as I had hoped.  And definitely not enough candid, natural, silly, normal, this is our life shots.  It's my own fault.

I am guilty of sliding down the slippery slope of being a stay at home mommy - I don't take a shower every day.  I don't wear make up every day.  Some days I stay in my jammies and go right back to bed in them at night.  And some days when I do get dressed it's sweats and tshirts.  ::sigh::  So, I'm a bit self conscious and not wanting to hop in pictures looking all raggedy.  But then I read Emily's Embrace the Camera page.  And what she said makes sense.  I know she's right. 

One day all that will be left of me for my kids, besides their memories of course, is pictures.  They won't care if mommy had greasy roots in her ponytail.  Or unconcealed dark circles.  Or pimples.  (oh, the pimples!  I went back to the derm yesterday, btw)  They'll treasure the  pictures of their mommy and them and likely wish they had more, no matter how many there are.  I know I do with my baby pictures.  I LOVE seeing my mom and dad with me and my brother in the albums.  Never once have I ever thought 'mom should have put makeup on/ fixed her hair/ worn nicer clothes'.

So, I took the leap and got into some pictures.  My first day I was still in my jammies, not a touch of makeup.  Yesterday, I ran upstairs and put a little powder and blush on, fixed my ponytail, and threw on a cute tee and sweats.  I used the self timer to get me with both babies.  I took a few shots of me individually with Gabriella and Benjamin holding my arm out to get us in the frame. 

And ya know what?  It wasn't too shabby.  I'm totally uploading later today to share my results!!!

http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/p/embrace-camera.html

walk it out

Lovin' the sun hats!  Since Gabriella has a really big brain like her mommy, she'll outgrow hers in no time.  But that's ok, just another reason I'll have to go shopping for my princess!

Happy Leap Day!

Be like Gabriella and get to leapin'!

taken with my phone, not great quality to upload I guess

'amazing' Christmas lights

Best Christmas Lights Display (HD)


Sometimes it just seems like nothing can go my way.  In the last 24 hours, three different Christmas things I ordered were messed up.  Two items were presents and the last one is one of the new stockings I ordered.  It's not the end of the world about my stocking, but it's not how I ordered it.  They are all beautiful and handmade by an etsy seller.  On my stocking, though, she used solid green fabric and gave me a solid green cuff - not what was ordered!  I know she'll fix it, but I just have this picture in my mind how I wanted things to look and it's very disappointing when it doesn't work out.  I'm bummed. 

We're still not finished shopping.  We haven't wrapped a single gift.  Our house isn't clean for Christmas Eve.  I have to bake.  Jamie and I haven't watched a single Christmas movie together yet.  And I frickin love Christmas movies!!!  I've caught bits and pieces of  "Home Alone", "The Polar Express", "National Lampoon's Xmas Vacation", and some Christmas Disney cartoons, but no movies start to finish, and nothing with anyone else, usually just 10 minutes at a time of whatever is on when I'm pumping.  I'm just tired and overwhelmed.

The video above made me smile, though.  It's so neat and definitely worth clicking on!  Thought I'd share.

Right now I'm...

Things have been a bit crazy and stressful over here with Gabriella lately.  Her hemangioma ulcerated back when she was at Children's, but it's gotten a lot worse.  My baby girl has been in some serious pain.  We're on the road to recovery now (I think), but Tuesday she's going to have laser treatment done on it.  I've been warned by the doctor that Gabriella will scream while it's happening, but it'll be over quickly.  Jamie is taking the day off (his birthday, by the way) because I'm just not willing to do it on my own. 

I've seen this on a few different blogs and thought it would be an easy, fun post.  So here goes.

Right now I'm...

obsessing over: all kinds of crafts and diy that I started or want to start, brownies from Weber's bakery (hint, hint Jamie), bills

anticipating: Jamie's birthday party this weekend, Gabriella's laser treatment, Santa's arrival

thinking about: decorating the tree, taking the babies' Christmas card picture, all of the Christmas stuff I have to do, how much has changed in a year

working on: making a few Christmas presents, getting the babies on a schedule of sorts (ha!), putting up Christmas decorations, cleaning the house for Saturday

wearing: blue striped pajama pants and one of Jamie's t-shirts (I'm dangerously close to being the frump that wears a "this is my sexy lingerie" nightgown to bed)

wishing:  Gabriella heals quickly, Benjamin gains more weight, Greta was still here, time slows down

snapshot sunday

Here are some photos from my phone that I took this week.  Enjoy!

snapshot sunday

Here are a few pictures that I took with my cell phone this week... Enjoy! 

bitten by the craft bug

I love to craft!  Well, I like to think I love to crafts.  I don't have a very good track record, though, and for any betting-types out there the odds are usually pretty high that I won't finish my project in a timely manner, if at all.  That being said... Once again I am super excited to spend money that we don't have, on supplies for projects that I'll never finish start some awesome new projects.  I ran out today and got the supplies after seeing this little beauty and getting directions from theidearoom :

See, see, see, I'm so excited about this one that I jumped right in!

only about another thousand felt circles to cut out and pin down
I already stuck myself really, really hard with a straight pin. 
Who saw that coming???

And, and in this bag (that's just taunting me- It's like they know I won't be done by Christmas.) is stuff for a present that I'm trying to make for Brooke for Christmas:

And, and adorable fleece for no-sew blankies for Gabriella and Benjamin for Christmas:

And I want to make these cute felt hooties:

Never you mind the following evidence that the wreath will never come into contact with my walls:

Our wedding scrapbook.  We'll be married 6 years next month.

half-started, half-completed pages
I really do have the best intentions when I start my projects!

See, the honeymoon pages of Our Wedding scrapbook are all done.  I don't totally suck!

Summer 2010 I decided to re-pursue painting. 
My Bachelor's degree included a double major in studio art and graphic design, minor in art history.

Greta's scrapbook.
Again, the papers and photos and embellishments are laid out, I just have to do it.
Admittedly, once we found out she had cancer, I wanted to spend my free time with her,
not working on a book about her.

And ::sigh:: the baby afghan I've been crocheting for years.

I'll keep you posted as to how all of this craftiness turns out...  stay tuned!

a must read

I know I've got some new mom and soon-to-be mom readers out there... you'll especially get a kick out of this post shared with me by Brooke (who just blessed our family with Owen, who's now 1 month, and of course Dominick, now 2 1/2 years).  Here's the original link so credit is given to it's righftul owner, but for those of you, like me, that aren't going to click a link to see what's in store for your viewing pleasure, I've done the work for you:

After the Birth, what a family needs

Posted on October 28, 2008 by gloria

 “Let me know if I can help you in any way when the baby is born.” … “Just let me know if you need a hand.” … “Anything I can do, just give me a call.”

Most pregnant women get these statements from friends and family but shy away from making requests when they are up to their ears in dirty laundry, unmade beds, dust bunnies and countertops crowded with dirty dishes. The myth of “I’m fine, I’m doing great, new motherhood is wonderful, I can cope and my husband is the Rock of Gibraltar” is pervasive in postpartum land. If you’re too shy to ask for help and make straight requests of people, I suggest sending the following list out to your friends and family. These are the things I have found to be missing in every house with a new baby. It’s actually easy and fun for outsiders to remedy these problems for the new parents but there seems to be a lot of confusion about what’s wanted and needed…

1. Buy us toilet paper, milk and beautiful whole grain bread.

2. Buy us a new garbage can with a swing top lid and 6 pairs of black cotton underpants (women’s size____).

3. Make us a big supper salad with feta cheese, black Kalamata olives, toasted almonds, organic green crispy things and a nice homemade dressing on the side. Drop it off and leave right away. Or, buy us frozen lasagna, garlic bread, a bag of salad, a big jug of juice, and maybe some cookies to have for dessert. Drop it off and leave right away.

4. Come over about 2 in the afternoon, hold the baby while I have a hot shower, put me to bed with the baby and then fold all the piles of laundry that have been dumped on the couch, beds or in the room corners. If there’s no laundry to fold yet, do some.

5. Come over at l0 a.m., make me eggs, toast and a 1/2 grapefruit. Clean my fridge and throw out everything you are in doubt about. Don’t ask me about anything; just use your best judgment.

6. Put a sign on my door saying “Dear Friends and Family, Mom and baby need extra rest right now. Please come back in 7 days but phone first. All donations of casserole dinners would be most welcome. Thank you for caring about this family.”

7. Come over in your work clothes and vacuum and dust my house and then leave quietly. It’s tiring for me to chat and have tea with visitors but it will renew my soul to get some rest knowing I will wake up to clean, organized space.

8. Take my older kids for a really fun-filled afternoon to a park, zoo or Science World and feed them healthy food.

9. Come over and give my husband a two hour break so he can go to a coffee shop, pub, hockey rink or some other r & r that will delight him. Fold more laundry.

10. Make me a giant pot of vegetable soup and clean the kitchen completely afterwards. Take a big garbage bag and empty every trash basket in the house and reline with fresh bags.

These are the kindnesses that new families remember and appreciate forever. It’s easy to spend money on gifts but the things that really make a difference are the services for the body and soul described above. Most of your friends and family members don’t know what they can do that won’t be an intrusion. They also can’t devote 40 hours to supporting you but they would be thrilled to devote 4 hours. If you let 10 people help you out for 4 hours, you will have the 40 hours of rested, adult support you really need with a newborn in the house. There’s magic in the little prayer “I need help.”

look what I've got-

Thanks, cOLey24 (aka Nicole)  at endometriosisister for my first ever award!  I'm honored and overwhelmed and just sitting here smiling and blushing a bit.  There are so many thanks to give out besides to Nicole, though... like thanks to my ovaries that didn't really like to ovulate, my uterus that really didn't like the idea of anything burrrowing into it, my thighs/ butt cheeks/ stomach for taking all the shots like a champ... without all of you, I wouldn't have had a reason to start blogging.  So, here goes:

The rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

**Thanks, again, cOLey24!**

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 5 recently discovered great bloggers!

4. Make sure you contact the bloggers to let them know about the award.

So, a bit about me-
1.  I had to have braces on twice because my orthodontist was a loser.  I think the only reason my dentist recommended him was because they were drinking buddies in college.  4 years the first go round (6th grade through sophomore year) and then 2 more (senior year and 1st year of college).  I swear my teeth weren't even that bad!
2.  I received my bachelor's degree in studio art and graphic design with a minor in art history.  My dream was to illustrate childrens' books.
3.  I cry every single time I watch "Steel Magnolias".
4.  I have never had my own new car.
5.  I wrote a list of *30 things to do before I'm 30* years before bucket lists and things like that were widespread.  I'm going to be 30 in April.  So far I- got married, bought my own dog, watched whales migrating, made real homemade bread, got a professional manicure and pedicure, built a campfire and ate marshmallows on a stick, went skinny dipping, and got certified in cpr.  I don't think I'll get the remaining 22 things in in the next three months.
6.  I don't like to cook, but I LOVE baking.
7.  I believe miracles do happen.

5 bloggers that I pass this on to are:
1.  jennepper
2.  stillaguestroom
3.  everything-after
4.  urzaandluna
5.  fertileramblings