As we pack up to leave for our annual family vacation, I am thinking about how it is Tebow’s first trip there and what kinds of pictures I’ll capture this year. I was looking for the 2005 pictures in order to jog my memory of what Fuller was like that summer. Of course he was older than Tebow is today, but it was still a great walk down memory lane.

And it is interesting to see how I’ve changed as well. I have a deeper interest in digital photography, the evidence being my change in cameras and the amount of photos we have uploaded to flickr. I’m uploading the 2005 July 4th pictures now and can’t wait to add 2009 pictures later.

This week’s I ♥ Faces challenge is “Let’s Hear it for the Boys” in honor of Father’s Day. In the kids category I submit this humdinger of a boy’s face.

It’s from our trip to Texas this past spring. Fuller was having such a blast at Lucy Park, it was hard to wipe the smile off his face.

And here is McDad (aka Grandpa Fred) for the adults category:

This too is from the Texas trip, also in Lucy Park. Daddy was having a good time chasing Fuller (at least it seemed that way). Daddy loves his grandkids so much, it is hard to wipe the smile from his face. It is such a bummer we haven’t been able to see as much of him since he moved to Texas. We are praying for the military to decide a grandparent should be closer to his grandkids!

Technorati Tags: I heart faces, portraits, digital photography

Thursday is usually library day for us. We go so Fuller can participate in Story Time. While he listens to the stories, I wander around the kid’s section to pick out books for Fuller and I to enjoy together. Rarely do our visits mean I come home with books for myself.

I’ve recently changed that by doing something I do well- I went digital. If I see a book I think I would like to read, I head over to my library’s website and look up the book. If the book is in our library system, at any of the branches, I am able to place a hold on it and request it be sent to the library branch we visit every Thursday. I get an email when it is ready for me to pick up and I have a week (or two?) to get it. Since we are there most Thursdays, I am pretty timely in my pick ups.

By going digital for my library visits, I am able to avoid browsing the shelves with a four year old in tow (not an easy task). Also, the branch we use is really, really small and using the website actually expands my browsing experience faster. Most books I have wanted to read have not been at our branch, so I would have had to wait anyway.

I’m excited because I’m now creating my own “to be read” pile, starting with Julie and Julia. It is the book my sisters, mom, and I are reading together. I suggested it because I really liked the trailer of the movie (based on the book) coming out in August.

I know some of you might think, “well duh!” but I’m just so giddy to be figuring this out now. I miss reading and now, I have plenty to keep me going when we are on vacation in a few weeks.

I have been checking out various photoblogs and have seen the I ♥ Faces entries pop up every Monday and Tuesday. So, I figured I had some cute pictures of kid faces (they have a kids category and an adult category) and would give it a go. This week the theme is sepia tone, so I messed with a Tebow picture first in my camera settings and then on picnik. I like it, hope you do too!

Technorati Tags: I heart faces, photo contest, digital photography, sepia

On Saturday I would have blamed myself for my tiredness, staying up too late watching T.V. and attending twitter parties.

But Saturday night was rough. Sunday morning I had my own meltdown that was cured by taking a two hour nap (and turning off the baby monitor while Damon took over). Then something happened and Tebow decided he didn’t really want to nap anymore. Or if he did, it was only in my arms, not in his snug bed. Once it is night, usually past 9 p.m., he sleeps well until 2 ish. But during the day… I never knew I could be exhausted because a baby didn’t nap. I can wear him and he will sleep, but I do have my limits. I can’t wear him in the kitchen (too much remodeling, too dangerous) and he doesn’t really like it when I sit while he is being worn.

So, now, I’m back to blaming Tebow for my exhaustion. I know I’m partially to blame (I’m writing this at 11 p.m!) but until Tebow gets back into napping well (and I know my positive thinking will help him, right?) I’m going to say it’s his fault. And try to get to bed earlier tomorrow night.

I remember an afternoon, well before Fuller was thought of, when I was at a restaurant and saw a woman carrying her infant in a sling. And I clearly remember thinking, “That looks awful. I would never carry my baby like that.” At the time, I was only familiar with the widely popular Baby Bjorn type carrier. And I thought, of course that was the style of carrier I would have.

When Fuller made his arrival, I did have a Baby Bjorn, loaned from my sister-in-law. And we loved carrying Fuller in it. He would immediately fall asleep in it and it was easier for me to carry him in it than schlep the car seat into grocery stores and such.

I had no idea there were “issues” with that kind of carrier until I saw this part of this episode of ER:

Really? Some sancti-mommy was lecturing a doctor about her baby carrier? I was floored.

We had to return the bjorn when Olivia came along and when I was pregnant with Tebow I was soooooo excited to find a bjorn carrier at a consignment sale for only $15. And for the first month of Tebow’s life, he was fine with it.

And then, entering into month two and he was no longer fine. I have no idea why, but he cried and cried when I put him in it. And he was so fussy in the evenings, I couldn’t do anything because I was holding him. so, I started researching other babywearing options.

I found Babywearing.com which is run by some local blog friends of mine. I scoured the forums and saw there was so much more out there than the sling I had scorned so many years before. I then sent an email out to my moms group asking to borrow any and every babywearing item they had. I had slings, a snuggli, and and Ergo all to try. Tebow was so little at the time, he slipped into the sling easily and was comfortable the entire weekend we were visiting my sister.

But then, soon after that weekend, Tebow was no longer comfortable and I was grasping at straws. I learned the sling I was borrowing was a medium (I am not a medium gal) and returned all borrowed items (except the Ergo). My BFF Esther had a Maya Wrap that was larger, so we traded. She got the Baby Bjorn and I got her Maya Wrap. But Esther also had something else. Something magical.

She had a Moby Wrap.

I watched many videos online on how to tie a wrap. I was able to put Esther’s on the first time I picked it up. And Tebow was comfy cozy. I borrowed hers until I had my own. I ordered a Tie One On from Lovey Duds and fell in love with it. I ordered a “pretty” one so I could wear it at my sister’s wedding.

Apparently the baby wrap and Sarah-Ginny’s Ergo made quite the impression on our new niece Lisa and she made her own.

Then I decided I needed something more utilitarian so I ordered a Moby Wrap from Fox Den Lane (which is also run by my local blog friends- so I was supporting something local!). It is orange. Which is what you really should come to expect from me. Considering orange is my signature color.

I love wearing it, Tebow loves being in it, and I take it everywhere. The picture above is my first picture of me with it, since I’m usually the one behind the camera.

I do plan on getting an Ergo, but I have issues with their color selection. So I’m haunting ebay until the one I want is available. My sister has one she loves and I am mailing my niece (her daughter) a matching baby carrier on Monday (early birthday present).

The Moby Wrap, the Maya Wrap, the Tie One On- they are all really neat pieces of baby gear. To some people they might be just convenience items for carrying around your child. But there are benefits to babywearing that I really think have helped with bonding and development, so I’m very happy to wear Tebow when we go out. And I’m very happy to call myself a babywearer.

So that’s my babywearing journey, and if you stuck around this long, thanks! Check out the other baby wearing stashes on Stephanie’s blog.

Technorati Tags: babywearing, adventures in babywearing, moby wrap, maya wrap, ring sling, baby bjorn, infant carrier

They are called cakepops and they were invited by the ultra-creative Bakerella. Please, go look at her blog and see what they should have looked like.

I saw them on her website, poured over her archives, and just knew I had to make them. Except my kitchen is currently in an awkward stage of renovation (awkward because it isn’t really the kitchen being renovated, but it is the most inconvenienced during the project). And even though I shouldn’t have bothered, I went ahead and bought the ingredients. And even though it is incredibly hot in the house when I turn on the oven, I went ahead and make the cakes (one lemon and one milk chocolate, if you care).

I wanted to take them to the local school our Moms group supports during a time of painting by other school supporters. So, I had a deadline to get them done. And while I was plowing through the steps (skipping one important one), I was insisting to myself I was going to finish the pops and get them out of my house because 1) I had no room for them and 2) I would be the one to eat them all if they stayed.

So, even though they weren’t smooth and perfect like Bakerella’s, I still think they were ok. I learned next time just buy the colored chocolate because adding orange icing paste to the chocolate will make it pretty much unmeltable. I learned I should have not skipped the step where you put the balls back into the freezer after sticking in the lollipop sticks. And I learned I should have started well before 2 p.m. since I had to factor in the stop time for nursing Tebow.

But I finished them and sent them off to the school with praise from some friends for how cute and yummy they were.

Then there was the sewing bug. I made some nursing drapes before Christmas (one for me and two for other pregnant gals) and when I was using mine recently, Esther asked if I could make her one. And could I make it before she left on Sunday? I said sure and then started to take it back because there is no place for me to sew (renovation projects take over the house- ask me where my dining room chairs are right now). She said I could go to her house to sew, using her machine.

This was perfect. Fuller got to play with friends and I was able to do a tiny bit of sewing. Not only did Esther get a nursing drape, but I was able to make another one for my friend Brynne.

Esther really got into helping me make them, so it wasn’t quite a lonely project. It was fun to show her the steps and talk about our new babies at the same time. Again, while taking breaks to nurse the babies when necessary.

It was really unfortunate of me to get these baking and sewing bugs when my house is such a wreck, but I’m glad I was able to deal with them and move on. Of course, now that I’ve had a taste of them both, I’m just waiting until I can do them again.

Technorati Tags: baking, Bakerella, cake pops, nursing drape, sewing

Straight out of the camera (SOOC)

Recently I got brave and asked for some help in trying to improve. First I asked a friend if I could use her as a model to take some maternity pictures. Then I asked another photography friend if I could borrow two of his lenses (aka glass) to just see what it would be like using them. My favorite, and the one I plan on purchasing next*, was the 50mm lens.

(SOOC)

The maternity photo shoot went really well and I used a variety of lenses, but really enjoyed using the 50mm. It gave some lyrical softness to my glowing subject (such is the glow of a pregnant woman) that I didn’t need to force in photoshop or picnik.**

Miss Zoot purchased one recently and she too is in love. Who can blame her? Being able to shoot in low light and get some awesome SOOC pictures is pretty seductive.

Here are is where I’ve been finding knowledge and inspiration lately:

Blurry backgrounds! - I finally figured out how to use the A setting on my camera!
One of my favorite lenses - another nudge to get that 50mm lens!
Sun Flare for beginners - I love sun flare.
Put Yourself Out There - I want to be brave and enter some contests.
Your Photo: Our Critique - I enjoy checking out these posts to learn more about what can make a good/ great photograph. I’m getting the nerve up to submit something.

What’s inspiring you?

*True story: I was about to purchase the 50mm lens when I got an email reminding me that I had a hosting bill to pay. The hosting bill to be able to keep this blog you are reading online. So, I opted to pay that instead. If anyone wants to be sweet and buy me the lens, I’d be happy to accept. Otherwise, I’m pinching pennies until I can.

**I didn’t ask for permission to post her picture on my blog, which is why you get a picture of Fuller instead.

Technorati Tags: digital photography, creative inspiration

I was a tad wistful, wishing there were homeschool bloggers in my area I could get revved up about meeting. My thoughts drifted to tweet-ups and playdates, wondering if I could pull out my “digital mom” status and arrange such a technological wonder. Then I realized, I actually did know another homeschool blogger. And she lived a block or less from my house.

And then I wondered, why did it have to be a blogger? Why can’t I just go out and meet with people?

Not quite willing to let go of the technology, I sent Karen a facebook message asking her something about story time at the library that day. I mentioned wanted to talk to her about homeschool (she is/ was finishing her first year with her oldest). We did see each other at the library, but it was so crazy full (thanks to a visit from three animals from the zoo) it was difficult to chat. Karen then reached out and invited us over to her house for lunch.

It was a wonderful two or three hour visit. Fuller had his fill of playing with kids and I had a an energizing chat with Karen, making me excited not just for the education of my children but for the relationships to be had with other homeschool families.

The neat thing is, the same thing happened the next week too. After mentioning some homeschool things to a mom at Moms Group, she invited us over for lunch and playtime to chat about reading and homeschool plans and dreams.

I value the information I get from homeschool bloggers and reading about their adventures in learning. It gives me ideas, helps expand my educational goals, and gives me affirmation that we are doing the right thing for our family. But meeting with people in real life, while watching our children play together, it is valuable and energizing. I have a feeling, by connecting with folks in my own neighborhood, we will have more accountability and success. And more playdates, which makes it even more fun!

It’s been a fun filled last few days with lots of offline interaction. Tomorrow is going to be like the last three days packed into one, but I’m looking forward to it. And hopefully I can rest on Sunday.