Brandi Lacey

Small Update

2011-11-30T21:28:00.000-08:00

Don't know why I have been MIA for months other than every single day seems so swamped. '

Here is my Tyler man being weird, sitting in a bucket watching tv
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And Madison with her first lapbook. We did a one week Fall unit study from Amanda Bennet's Unit studies and this is some of the work from it, she learned all kinds of stuff and actually really liked it. It was probably our best week of homeschooling so far. She never complained about any of it.

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Lapbooking is cool, it's a great summary of everything she learned that fits into a neat little folder to keep forever in my memory box. I should have her decorate the outside of it though.
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I should add that Tyler helped her color :)
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The Powell Family

2011-11-12T13:04:00.000-08:00

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Happy Father's Day!!!

2011-06-18T16:57:00.000-07:00

You work so hard to provide for us, you deserve something you want now and then.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE BEST MAN I KNOW...WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!!!

Sum, Sum, Summa Time

2011-06-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

You know how when you are trying to take your kids pictures and your feet are getting attacked by fire ants, how you just shoot without looking through the viewfinder or checking settings, without even knowing if the flash is firring bc your doing the ants in your pants dance? All because you know those giggles will only last a few mere seconds before being replaced by screams? Well that's what I did. I got into position, took a few shots until I realized my feet were burning. But I didn't want to miss these moments, I knew the initial excitement of the bucket of water wouldn't last long. So I kept shooting while fighting off the angry ants, not knowing my flash batteries were dead and my pictures were way underexposed which led to slightly out of focus which led to fixing them in lightroom which led to grainyness. But here they are, not perfect, but still adorable. And while I sit here with my feet covered in Benadryl Anti-Itch cream, I think it was worth it.

Don't ask me why I can't delete pictures when I have several of similiar ones. Because I don't have an answer for you, other than you just can never have too much cuteness.

Various Pics

2011-05-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

Monday

2011-05-16T12:36:00.001-07:00

A good, but busy day...

As Madison "climbs the ladder" she gets to $1 for being respectful, obedient and responsible. she doesn't get every check every day. Right now she is working to reach the top by her birthday to go to seaworld. For bad behavior she gets a mark on the fridge. Each 5 marks get a spanking and no check mark for the day so she can either fill this page up quickly or it could take months lol. I am doing this instead of weekly allowance, she just now earns her allowance by reaching the word "reward".

Here she is nursing her baby while working lol

All of the vocabulary she has learned in the Horses Unit

Our timeline showing where in history people we study lived

list of more specific things for her to do

her show off wall

making family rules

happily doing her math

Madison's New Room

2011-05-14T15:21:00.001-07:00

Pioneer Day

2011-05-09T06:59:00.001-07:00

An event at Old Settlers Park we went to on Saturday. It tied in perfectly with what we are about to study for a few weeks starting tomorrow, the 1800's-ealy 1900's.Madison actually learned a lot here, it was a really great event. We talked about things she remembered afterwards and a lot of it really got through to her. A lot of times when they are running around playing they don't take in what they are hearing and doing but it did stick with her. She is able to tell me how she made cornmeal out of corn on the cob, and then what what you can do with cornmeal like making those johneycakes on the fire like they did and she got the taste (and didn't like lol). And we got to ride the carriage with the horses which was Tyler's favorite part. wash clothes by hand and hang them, see how soap is hand made, made her own candle and dyed some fabric using strawberries, saw how animal fur goes from what it looks like and the process it goes through to become clothing and other things, and lots of other stuff I didn't get pictures of. It was a really neat experience and kids really do learn best with hands on activities because I know if I just read it to her, she would never have remembered all of that.

But first a few from last weekend when my friends Rachel and Nicole were here and Ethan had watermelon which he LOVED...

Easter

2011-05-01T22:06:00.001-07:00

We had a nice Easter with family at home. Tyler got a new Mack truck which he is obessessed with.

Inks Lake State Park

2011-05-01T21:54:00.001-07:00

I loved this lake, so peaceful and pretty.

Homeschooling- Week 1

2011-05-01T20:53:00.001-07:00

We survived! And it actually wasn't too bad! It was a whole lot of trial and error (and will continue to be for a while) but overall we both enjoyed it and had a good week and Madison proved that she actually was paying attention by showing off for my friends Friday night with all her newfound knowledge. We are using KONOS as our main curriculum, which is christian unit studies-mostly hands on-and based on character traits of God- or that God wants to instill in us. I decided to go with unit studies style of teaching because I thought it would be best suited for Madison as well as for teaching all 3 kids together eventually. If you are not familiar with Unit Studies, here is an example of our first week to give you an idea. KONOS starts with an overall theme, Our first character trait is Obedience. The goal over the next 18 weeks is too focus on things that have to do with obedience and stem from there. The sub theme for the week was Authority and Light. We talked about all kinds of things. We learned what authority is and how we should obey our authority figures, how God is Light and the word like a lamp to our feet, read noahs ark, watched the video, discussed how Noah obeyed God when everyone laughed at him, learned how light bulbs work (broke one to see inside it and then drew and labled one), painted a rainbow, learned what rainbows are, about the color spectrum, and and how we see them as well as colors we can't see like infrared. Each day she learns a bible story and verse of the week that relates to that theme. Another one this week was about Abraham and The Sacrifice and how he obeyed God even when it was something he really didn't want to do. I am trying hard to encourage Madison to obey with a submissive attitude and having it repeated throughout the day helps a lot. On the same day as the Abraham story, we learned the history and uses of lighthouses, looked up pictures of them all over the world, colored some, and then actually made our own which I failed to take a picture of and watched the classic movie Pete's Dragon. She is learning literature, how to draw, we sing songs, color, do crafts, and she does her phonics and spelling program on the computer while I cook breakfast every morning. She writes a story that relates to the theme, and journal entry each day for handwritting practice that is more personal. We ended up not doing math last week, as I felt too overwhelmed to add that in the first week! But Math will also be a hands on curriculum called Math-U-See. I took a picture of two of our days schedules but Madison had already erased some of what we did on one of them, but it gives you a good idea of our routine I am trying to establish.

It does get very chaotic with the boys not old enough to be involved yet. The only part Tyler wants anything to do with is painting, he isn't into coloring yet and will not sit still for anything else. So he just plays and isn't too much of a problem running around us, MOST of the time. Ethan is the harder one at the moment bc he is teething bad and wants to be held and nursed a lot and is fussier than normal. So while I would like to get done earlier in the day, most days I had to drag it out throughout the whole day, do what we could when we could and come back to it later. I know it will get easier as the boys get older and especially when I am teaching both boys at the same time.

It was rewarding actually teaching Madison some meaningful things and her actually remembering them. She said she wants to homeschool her kids, too, that she hates school. So that made me feel good. It helps to make sure I spend quality time with her and have fun with her, not just get on to her all day. Interacting with her with a purpose is much more rewarding than her just being here, watching tv or doing her own thing or me on the computer. I like that it's getting me off of here more and making the days go by very quickly while John is gone. But it's also making the nights very long as I prepare for the next day. I need to plan better. For the most part, Madison minds well and does her work no problem, mostly bc it's interesting or fun. She does all of that much better than she does anything else in our life like cleaning her room, she really likes to learn. I do have trouble keeping her focused when something really disctracting happens like somebody coming over, jenifer coming home, or ethans crying. And that will probably never change, she has no attention span and likes to ask a hundred questions throughout the morning that have nothing to do with what I am talking about. While I am in the middle of a sentence about rainbows she starts telling me about how when she was in school she hated silent time bc they had to listen to the same music every day and she hated that music bu would like the same music every day if it were Taylor Swift. Keeping her on track is probably my biggest battle and always will be. Her mind goes 90 to nothin and the off the wall questions keep coming one after the other when she is on one of her runs. Good thing Patience and Attentiveness are our next two character traits. The odd thing is that she really is still listening, she remembers everything I said and recited it all, even though she interupted me over and over with unrelated comments and questions. Her teacher said the same thing- that she was one of the best students and best readers (worst at handwriting though!!!) aside from the fact that she couldn't keep her on topic. Usually when we start thinking of other things we stop listening and tune back in when we are done thinking about the other thing. She stays tuned it to several different stations at once lol. She is smart, but difficult I tell ya.

I am so excited about our next 4 week unit, The Middle Ages, or Medieval Times. It's supposedly one of the most fun and memorable konos units where we make our own costumes and coat of arms, have a tournament and feast, learn all about the middle ages, kings and queens,the government, what they wore, ate, how they lived. It should be lots of fun.

The month we are joining a homeschool co-op to make some friends, and in the fall she is starting ballet again, and going to One Day Academy which is classes for homeschooled kids, where she will take Piano and one or two other things that I have not decided yet.

Sweet Baby Girl

2011-04-11T21:03:00.001-07:00

3 weeks old, here is a few from our 4 hour session!

And a few of the super adorable big brother...

I very much dislike being a landlord

2011-03-25T22:39:00.001-07:00

I feel the need to provide before pictures, to show the house isn't that crappy...

AFTER Move out

I know you want more

2011-03-20T21:21:00.001-07:00

So stinkin cute

2011-03-20T07:29:00.001-07:00

We met Grandma Elaine and Aunt Jamie to pick up Madison today in Corsicana after she spent spring break in east tx. There was a birthday party going on and the kids managed to make them feel sorry enough for them to share some ice cream. It was so funny and adorable watching Tyler and Conner share a cone. Yeah, it's a lot of the same thing over and over, but they were all slightly different and too cute to delete. It's also hilarious how Tyler couldn't give Conner a lick without sticking his tongue out. Plus a few others of my pretty Madison and Ethan, who was in a very quite mood.

Just a few from the park today

2011-03-17T20:25:00.001-07:00

yes, i know, i look like crap, my hair had been in a ponytail so i have that ugly pony tail hair and I hadn't dressed at all for pics but here is a spontaneous shot of me and my little guy that I otherwise love

At the park

2011-03-16T18:40:00.001-07:00

We have had gorgeous weather and been going to the park almost every day. Today we went twice. This evening there was a little girl in her barbie jeep and Tyler flipped out over it. He got to drive it and he just laughed so much the whole time and when she wanted it back, oh my goodness, I have never seen him so upset over a toy before. He was so mad at her and tried to push her out and was yelling mine while bawling his eyes out. He doesn't usually hit at all. I am gonna have to get him a car to drive, he has never loved anything that much.

Tyler's First Carnival

2011-03-13T19:28:00.001-07:00

He had an absolute blast, he loved the rides and getting prizes. He probably would have stayed on the train all night if I could afford it! I am so glad my friends Rachel and Nicole went with me plus helped take some pics, it's rare that I get to be in them. He got cotton candy which he called ice cream and a corn dog so he was happy bc "dogs" are his favorite food. We had a pretty good time. The funniest part though was Ethan in the car, doing everything he could to turn over so Nicole couldn't put him in his seat. Oh my gosh how he hates being put in there. Don't tell Madison, she would be SO jealous! (she is in east tx for the week!)

can you tell he was happy??? he was saying "GO COW!" Both horses and cows are cows lol. And he also says "GET IT COW!" for giddy up lol and sometimes "WHOOOOOWEEEEEEE!" like we were really going somewhere fast

Austin Kite Festival

2011-03-07T17:02:00.001-08:00

Now that was a lot of people!

The kite festival is a huge event held at Zilker Park near downtown. School buses shuttle people from the parking lots downtown to the park because parking is ridiculous. Tyler thought getting to ride on a "kuck" like madison does for school was the coolest thing ever. He had the biggest grin the whole time.

Madison loved it, said it was the best day ever lol.

Last of February

2011-03-07T16:50:00.001-08:00

just like tyler, ethan loves daddy playing the guitar. it often makes him stop fussing. he just has to touch it any time daddy plays

and so does the other one haha

they fell asleep together for maybe the first time ever while watching tv

February

2011-03-07T16:39:00.001-08:00

Not too much to post this month, we were sick again!

reason i got no sleep...

i was so sick, memaw came to help out

when we were all better we went to the waco park which is gorgeous

he doesn't let me do much without being at my feet

House we are buying

2011-03-07T16:36:00.001-08:00

if all goes well!

the upload is backwards...oh well

this is the the build in shelfing in the boys room

treehouse

dog pen yay

rv car port whoohoo

deck with dog run beside it

we are excited about the fire pit

converted garage which I am happy for

half bath

master

madisons room

boys room

kids bathroom

Second Half of the month

2011-03-07T15:20:00.001-08:00

Not near as many pics this month as we were all sick quite a bit!

visited the capitol, very nice

too many toys!

madisons daddy-daughter dance

First half of Jan. 2011

2011-03-07T15:17:00.001-08:00

Not near as many pics this month as we were all sick quite a bit!

hoppin hippo, my fav kid place

big boy undies! tyler is potty trained at home only

ethans first food

no like peas haha

date night!

my sick boy

tylers mini birthday party

he loves his queen pillow and sleeps with it most nights, brings it out with him in the morning

circus time... austins circus is the best we have been to

girl scout cookie time

yet another sick boy

And that's it for 2010!!

2011-03-07T15:08:00.001-08:00

Austin's New Years Celebration

this was so cool! we loved it, must go back next year

and my goofy kids...

More of December

2011-03-07T14:59:00.001-08:00

Miscellaneous

December 12th

2011-03-07T14:49:00.001-08:00

Gettin' Around, slowly but surely, my baby is starting to crawl

he has the best expressions!

December 9th

2011-03-07T14:45:00.001-08:00

December 5th

2011-03-07T14:22:00.001-08:00

December 6th

2011-03-07T14:19:00.001-08:00

My little airman

December

2011-03-07T14:09:00.001-08:00

A hillarious attempt at a family picture, and gingerbread house construction gone messy.

Ethan's Fall Pics

2011-03-07T14:06:00.001-08:00

My baby is sitting up! Taken November 30th

Madison's Fun Shoot

2011-03-07T14:04:00.001-08:00

I had been wanting to do this forever. Just for the heck of it.

Cameron Park Zoo in Waco

2011-03-07T14:00:00.001-08:00

We had a really nice day at this zoo, my favorite zoo by far.

Ethan's Christmas Pictures

2011-03-07T13:49:00.001-08:00

The many faces of my litte guy

Our Thanksgiving Christmas

2011-03-07T13:34:00.001-08:00

We had Christmas early, due to John leaving for work through Christmas. I don't think we got any complaints :)

November 18th

2011-03-07T09:58:00.001-08:00

Getting the blog updated!

Fall is here

2010-11-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

I sure wish we had prettier falls here, everything just goes from green to dead. Not my best pictures but I actually got one of all 3 kids that isn't half bad. It was near dark when we got to the park. I am so happy to have one of all 3 that I really don't care what it looks like! I really like some of Madison, she looks so pretty in brown.

Halloween

2010-11-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

We went to East Tx for halloween since John wasn't home. :( We missed him very much.

Tyler was filthy and exhausted. His first time to trick or treat he didn't know what to think and was very confused by us knoking on someones door, thm handing him candy and us walking away. The 2nd time he was terrified. The 3rd time he took the candy then tried to go in there house. The 4th time, he was a pro. He held his bag, held out his hand and grinned and giggled and took off.

This was the extent of ethans costume lol, skeleton pajamas. babies hate costumes and it wasn't worth the hassle, i had my hands full enough with the other two.

Tyler WOULD NOT look at me, this is the best pic I got. He was a member of the lighting mcqueen pit crew bc this is as close as this boy would get to a costume and he even gave me hell about the shirt, I guess he doesn't like the texture. he screamed and tried to rip it off both times I put it on him but eventually got over it
Airel, Madison is always beautiful on halloween

I am not bragging or anything,

2010-10-26T08:45:00.001-07:00

But I seriously have one of the cutest babies ever. I am just stating a fact, that is all.

Too Ambitious?

2010-10-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

My Goals

I am starting a rather ambitious adventure this week. There are going to be some fall backs but I think I can do it. I am going to do a major overhaul on my family’s health and lifestyle. That begins in the kitchen. And by actually eating in there, which we don’t do enough of.

Granted, it’s pretty dang hard for me to be healthy sometimes with John being gone and having 3 young ones, 2 very young ones. If I attempt to cook or eat while Ethan is sleeping, well, everyone knows babies have psychic powers and know automatically if you are even thinking about it. I can only do one thing at a time and this makes cooking very hard. But I am taking on the challenge of mainly cooking from scratch as well as generally sticking to a more organized life and schedule. Well, for the most part. While John being gone so much may be a valid excuse to some to slack big time, it’s just that- an excuse. If you want something, make it happen. And I am pretty good at going forward with something after I decide I really want it. But I am being realistic. It’s probably not going to happen so much on weekends. We run around a lot, I like to be on the go. This is one of my greatest drawbacks. I hate staying home. Don’t take that as being a stay at home mom, but I hate actually physically being home all the time. I love to socialize, have play dates, and take the kids to do fun and educational things. I get depressed staying home alone. But that means being out and about with hungry kids. Which inevitably means drive thru’s. Way too many drive thru’s. When John is home, we are even busier. Partly because I save so many activities for when he is home, things that are better done as a family such as camping or things that I just can’t handle alone with three kids or don’t want him to miss out on. If you don’t know, John is on average home every other month, and usually not even home his whole month that is supposedly off. So when he gets home I have a list of ideas in my head that I hope to do and we eat out a lot, shop a lot, play a lot. Which means little home cooked meals. And as much as I love, and I do mean love, eating out, its crazy expensive especially with two more little eaters, and a pain the butt with all three kids, not to mention very unhealthy. I actually love good home cooked meals just as much, even more so now that I have to eat out with kids. It’s just that I am not the one who usually makes the home cooked meals very good. I am a pretty lousy cook. It’s not unheard of for the kids to not even eat what I cooked! I absolutely love to eat and love to bake. I love good food and since I am not too good at cooking it, I prefer to eat out. This is not what I want for my family and I need to make a change. I want my kids to grow up and look back fondly at my cooking, not how much I used the microwave, boxed meals and restaurants.

This desire to change so dramatically was brought on by several factors. While I have always leaned more towards organics/natural living, I take the lazy way out of a lot of things. It’s no secret how bad processed foods are for you. I used to be a bit better about cooking most nights, until the 2^nd and 3^rd kids came along. Ironically, that’s when I needed to more than ever to save money, right? Madison’s has some behavior challenges that I feel are brought on in large part by her diet. Some of it is just her personality, some of it my lack of parenting skills. But I can see a huge difference in her when she is eating healthy and taking herbal supplements. Last year I was giving her Calm Child, an herbal supplement targeted towards children with ADHD. It made a huge difference but I gradually started forgetting it more and more. I have been saying for a long time now that I need to get her back on that. I finally made that step today and went and bought some more calming supplements for children, supposedly the same thing as Calm Child, called Focus and Attention Powder. We are going to try that along with Stress J, a natural calming and relaxing liquid herbal supplement. I also got the kids multi vitamins and DHA chewables. DHA supports brain health and normal cognitive function it also supports memory, focus, concentration, and attention and almost all children are deficient in it. I was giving Madison that last year as well. Research suggests that most children are sensitive to artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. I know for a fact it affects Madison’s behavior. Tyler, I am not sure about yet but I wouldn’t doubt it because it just can’t be good for anyone. Madison’s behavior lately has been pretty awful, with many days of her seeming out of control. And I blame myself completely. It’s no wonder, when we eat something out of a paper bag or a box most days of the week. As I type this, my frozen Stouffers chicken enchiladas are baking. And it will be my last frozen meal I buy. Maybe. For the most part. My kitchen is near empty and pay day is Friday, and I am going all out to stock it full of staples to help me start cooking from scratch. My cooking skills should improve drastically as I am giving myself no other choice, and my family will be much healthier. Tyler has an awful diet and I feel bad about that, he hates most everything and is sensitive to dairy. Cooking healthier meals for him that he will actually eat is a really big deal to me. He has some texture issues as well, so he is difficult. John has high blood pressure and I just want to lose weight the weight of 2 babies in two years and start eating better for my nursing baby and to shape his tastes better as he starts solids in the next year. Also, the boys are not vaccinated so it’s even more important to keep their immune systems in top shape, as winter approaches I want them all as healthy as possible.

And lastly, I have had the epiphany that a house wife should actually be a HOUSE wife. I don’t take care of the house and family like I should. This is my job and if I were John, I would fire me. He works hard to make money for us and I play with it way too much instead of investing my time in the home and kids. I spend too much time on the computer and not enough with them. I want to teach Madison how to cook, so I need to be a good teacher. I need to stay home more and take a lot more pride in my duties and work as hard as he does and save some money instead of spending it all and then buying all processed crap because I don’t have time to cook.

Nobody else will care about this, but it helps me to have it written, proof of what I am attempting. Somehow it makes me more determined if people know about it, I can’t back out and look like a liar or failure. So, breaking it down, these are my goals.

Start immediately giving the kids their vitamins and dha chewables every day and Madison her 2 calming herbs.
On Friday, start cooking from mostly from scratch Sunday through Thursday. (hope to increase this as time goes on but I am starting a little slow to give myself a break because I do have the 2 little ones that make it hard) Breakfast is easy, we always have eggs or oatmeal, occasionally waffles or pancakes. Now and then I buy frozen ones but never again. Lunch is awful. I need to start cooking from scratch at dinner more and having the leftovers for lunch. Dinner will be my biggest challenge.. With doing homework, her reading, ethan nursing, and getting Madison to bed early, evenings are so rushed already. So number 3 comes in to play.
Sundays I plan to cook 2 meals and freeze them for Monday and Wednesday. So that really only leaves Sunday and Tuesday night that I am committed to cook a full meal. Thursday will be crock pot night, because Madison has 2 activities that night. Friday and Saturday are up in the air as to what happens.
No more junk food. No more juice. Tyler will get flavored water from now on because he hates water and juice has nearly no nutritional value, it’s just sugar water. Bad for his health and his teeth and sugar weakens the immune system. He likes flavored water so I don’t even think he will notice. I am just going to add fresh fruit to my water pitcher that’s already in the fridge and wa-la.
Make some things such as salsas which we go through a lot of, red and white sauces and freeze for quick meals in small batches. Start making my own bread. Partly because it’s healthier and partly because I hate most store bread plus I could keep some of that disgusting rosemary bread John likes on hand. Not sure if I will make my own pasta that seems like a pain.
Get organized! I need to get into a routine that makes life less chaotic and stick to it even when John is home. So I am in the process of making a daily and weekly routine schedule up with when I clean what, do what, go where, ect. Part of the hope is to keep the house cleaner without having to do huge cleaning day marathons because I keep it up better and the kids knowing what to expect better. Madison is like me though and likes to go, go, go so staying home more will be hard on her. But that’s okay, I am going to give her some chores to do so she isn’t to bored haha J I am the type of person who has lists for my lists. And when I am really motivated, I stick to it. This is probably one of the things I have been most motivated for in my life. I hope it starts to become second nature and not such a goal and struggle. So, what is my first step? Get off this computer!

Downtown Austin Shoot

2010-10-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

What a great guy, this 15 (yes, you read that right, only 15!) year old guy was a dream to photograph. His mom did not have to beg or bribe him to be there, he didn't complain once, his smile wasn't fake, he didn't require any posing, he was a natural and seemed to be as sweet as his mom. Now how do I get my grown husband to be that easy? It seems the gene that makes men despise having their picture taken was left out of this guy. I am so grateful to him for being such a good sport and can't wait to do their whole family shoot next month. We shot downtown Austin, which I absolutely LOVE and hope to do more shoots there. I could keep posting all the images but I guess I will stop there, it's always so hard to narrow it down!

The longest picture blog post ever

2010-10-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

In no particular order bc blogger uploads backwards and all..

We have been pretty busy. Especially when John was home, it was a whirlwind. We are really loving it here. Here is what we have been up to the past few weeks.

Last night, kids being goofy, poor ethan in the middle of it

banging on na-na's head like a drum

Ethan is trying to roll over, but he can't figure out why that arm under him won't get out of the way

My short hair in a ponytail :(
Ethan loves his baths
Yesterday we went to a pumpkin festival in Elgin, it was great, the kids had a blast
On the hayride
I LOVE this picture!
Sorry about some crap shots, a lot of my pics were taken with one hand while holding ethan in the other, man he is heavy and so is my camera
All the sudden Tyler no little to no fear. He will climb anything.

Of course this was Tyler's favorite part
Hay slide

This was at the Austin Zoo last week, they have wild birds all over, the kids favorite part was feeding the peacocks
Best snow cones ever, even better than Kawai's (or however you spell that) down from the zoo

This is Lake Travis, gorgeous lake

We went camping out at Lake Travis a few weekends ago and had a lot of fun.Post hair chop off :(
It really is shorter than it looks here :(
My friend "Brandi" from Sweden, she has 2 kids here, 5 and 6 yrs old. We went and played around down town

I think it's so neat that they have these photos posted along the railing downtown alongside town lake. It's such a great way to show the citys past.

Me before cutting all my hair off. I miss you hair.

This little piggy...

Oh man is he cute or what???
His cars Uncle David gave him, they are his favorites. He takes them all over the house with him. Loads them all up in a pile and hauls them all from room to room. When I say it's bath time, he gathers up as many cars as he can carry and goes, sometimes coming back for more. Then when we get out, he has to take them all with him again. He freaks if i shut the bathroom door with any cars left inside. "No cars left behind" is his policy.

CHEESE!!!Ethan is starting to laugh at Tyler and pretty much everyone, he is such a happy, sweet baby
Oh how he loves his fingers he is only near 4 months old but I swear he is teething. His knawing, chewing, drooling is pretty bad.
He is so stinkin adorable
These were at the same park as he lake above, but this is the playscape which was named The Best Playscape in Texas. I should have taken a picture of the whole thing, it's HUGE and so cool. It has everything you can think of for a play ground and so many levels, nooks and crannies, activities built in the wood work, very cool place.

My strong man
He was so cute trying to push all the girls

It's like a castle

My friend Rachel holding Ethan who is looking at me like WTH are you doing???

This is the lake by the playground, you can fish, swim, picnic, play, everything here. It's beautiful, peaceful and so huge that it can be busy but not feel like it.
Madison walking in the parade for her girl scout troop

Her first girl scout event

2010-09-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

The Mr and Mrs :)

So my sister got married at Chapel Dulcinea, a GORGEOUS location in Austin. I am so jealous that I did not get to get married there! I loved it so much. It was a very short and sweet ceremony followed by a super quick reception because the the bride and groom were late to their own wedding hahaha, they got caught in some bad traffic. I wish we could have staye hours and done tons more pics but everything was rushed, I think we did it all in less than 45 minutes from the time she was ready.

Okay, so blogger uploads these backwards and its way too much of a pain to put them in the right order so start at the bottom and go up lol. There are 80 pics, I will add the rest to phanfare when I get them paid haha. By the way, I am no wedding photographer by far, but with a location like this, anyone could get some good pics...well anyone except my mom that is hahaha ;) I should also add that I had the wedding cake sitting in my back seat and Tyler got into it and had some bites while we were all loading up lol. That was pretty funny. Blogger is being way too slow for me to add any reception pics!

The Happy Family with the shirtless boy, because he got orange soda all over him right before lol

The flower girls

Ethan- 10 Weeks Old

2010-09-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

My little guy is laughing and cooing and is so sweet, along with being the easiest baby in the world still. He is still mellow and sleeps a ton. He just started really paying attention to and liking his mobile, bouncer toys, Madison and Tyler. He smiles SO easy, as long as he gets fed and changed when he wants it, he is such a happy baby. I love him :)

This was Tyler's first outfit
I wanted to compare similar pics of them so I chose the closest ones, tyler looks a little weird bc he is pulling on the corner of his mouth but its the closest pic I could find

watching his mobile and smiling at it

Lake Travis

2010-09-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

We spent labor day with some friends and neighbors at Lake Travis. It was nice but we sure did miss John. The lake is so beautiful and the water was nice. Can't wait to go back when he gets home. But we need to remember water shoes...the rocks were pretty painful and there was no escaping them, even in the water. Tyler drove his cars around, madison looked for shells, and they both loved the water, Tyler even let us throw him which would have never happened 2 months ago. There are some shaded picnic areas with bbq pits that we will go to when John gets home and spend the day in a few weeks.
Tyler with Danny, Jacobs roommate

Tyler of course had cars, as always. He even kept one the whole time he was in the water, luckily it floated.

Madison and her missing tooth :)Overcast most of the time, but nice and breezy
My rock climber
The skye was so beautiful when the sun was out, picture perfect with the sailboats and hills, love it out there
Ethan didn't care for the water, it was a little cool for him.

Catching Up

2010-08-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

My computer was out of order a few days, then my cd drive messed up and I couldn't upload my pictures so here is my catching up...

We have had a very crummy week. All 3 kids have been sick and/or fussy which means little sleep for me. Tyler has had a cough, threw up, been very irritable and clingy, constant low fever, and a few other issues and hardly eating at all. He has lost 2 lbs this week because he doesn't even eat one whole meal a day. We were at the dr on Tuesday and he weighed 29 lbs, on Friday he weighed 27. His had tests on his urine, throat and for pinworms and all came back negative. So hopefully it's just a virus and will be gone any day now, he is better for the most part but still not 100%. Madison was only sick one day and got sent home from school. She went to the nurse and told her she didn't feel good, but because she didn't have fever sent her back to class GRRRRRR...a little bit later Madison threw up a ton all over the classroom floor. HAHAHA. She then threw up all night and has had fever and said her back hurt, took her to the dr as well and urine test came back negative, too. Ethan now has Tyler's cold and couldn't sleep all night because his nose kept getting so stuffy he couldn't breathe or nurse so I had to use the aspirator on him many times, you know how babies love that. I have gotten less than 4 hours of sleep every single night this week but one between all 3 of them. Tyler has been having the worst screaming fits all week, I am so sick of his screaming. I am pretty exhausted.

On a good note, Madison has made a few friends, two are the neighbors to the left and right of us, and a few at school. She likes her school a lot and loves riding the bus. We have very nice neighbors, who do in home daycare. We are going to church with them tonight. John has been gone a few weeks and will be home in 3 weeks...seems like far too long.

Ethan is being so cute! He has started cooing and smiling for everyone instead of just me. He smiles very easily and has a little laugh too. I just love him. He is still the easiest baby ever, as far as babies go. Now for some adorable pictures...

Madison lost her 3rd tooth at school this week. She worked on that tooth for weeks and was so excited to get 4 quarters for it.

This is what happens when baby gates are made out of VELCRO and I am not in the room!!! Who the heck thought of that? Apparently somebody who has never even been around a child.

First day of 1st grade
She likes looking like Hannah Montana- ugh

Tyler has been insisting on wearing hats lately, it's so cute7 weeks old

walking to the park

These are Tyler playing in our "redneck pool"

20 months old

Miscellaneous

2010-08-18T21:43:00.001-07:00

It was a no nap day
"I'm gonna eat this one way or the other!"

The work of a big sister... HAHAHA!!! Tyler even thought it was hillarious

Getting Settled In

2010-08-12T11:57:00.000-07:00

e
v
o

Well we have lived in Round Rock for 12 whole days now. Time is flying because we have had so much to do. Aside from all the unpacking, decorating, and endless cleaning and diaper changes...we have done a few things. Last week we went to a church we liked a lot, and plan to keep going to. Madison loved it as well and made a new friend, who come to find out, I had made friends with her mom at the same time and we ran in to each other the next day at the library which had an adorable puppet show. She has 3 kids as well and close ages to mine and we plan on meeting up next week. My neighbors seem great, have a little girl as well, and the neighborhood seems to have plenty of kids. I can't wait for Madison to make more friends. The neighborhood has it's own really nice park about a whole minute or two walk away and we have been going there almost every evening when it cools off. Madison gets to ride her bike on the sidewalk and likes that. Today we are going to a playgroup at a cool little frozen yogurt place, which madison and I love. This weekend we plan on going to west lake or local spring. The swimming opportunities are endless. Last weekend we went to the aquatic center about 5 minutes down the road and it was so cute, not really a pool, but a water play scape with a lazy river and toddler pools, sprayers, slides and such. Even Tyler warmed up to the water and had fun, he has been afraid of it in the past. Every time I go to the park there I meet another mom, it's nice living in a family sub-division even with it's drawbacks. I do miss my yard at the last house but I have a fence this time so it was a good trade off. There are countless things to do here, I have a long list. I am really liking it so far. The indoor and outdoor kid friendly places are all over the place, exactly what I wanted.

Ethan is now 6 weeks old, and finally has some personality coming out aside from mellow. He started smiling at me and looks so much like Tyler's smile when he was his exact age. They both have daddy's mouth for sure. He is still such an easy baby as far as babies go, that doesn't mean he doesn't have his fussy moments or sleeps well every night but that is to be expected. Of course his favorite thing is still me and almost all he does is sleep, wake to have his diaper changed, eat and fall back asleep. He is staying awake a little bit longer this week. When I can't get his to calm down I put him in the my moby wrap. He falls asleep every time. He LOVES it. I use it when I am in public almost every time, don't know how I lived without it with the first two. It doesn't hurt my back like my others did no matter how long I wear him.

Tyler is really growing up, he is talking more, he has the cutest meow I have ever heard. His favorite word of course is NO! He refuses to give me kisses, tells me no 99% of the time. He is starting to follow some directions but still doesn't understand everything. He is 19 months old now but looks more like 2.5. His favorite thing is still cars, he is obsessed. His favorite book is anything with animals. His favorite show is Sesame Street. His other words are done, cup, na-na (madison), mama, daddy, car, go, bye bye...that's all I can think of right now but there are a few more. He isn't saying nearly as much as Madison was at this age but I expected that with a boy. All he really wants to do is push his cars around and go vrooooommmm....no need for words.

Madison is liking it here, too. She loves being able to go to the park so much and making new friends. She is excited for school to start and to start gymnastics. Her reading has really exploded over the summer, she can read just about anything pretty easily. I forget I can't spell things out in front of her anymore haha.

We are going to be late to playgroup if I don't hurry up and shower...take care everyone!

5 week old Ethan

2010-08-05T06:38:00.000-07:00

I know, I have been terrible about taking pictures, just been so busy and lazy when I'm not!

We have moved!

2010-08-04T19:37:00.001-07:00

The new house...

Our house to the left, and madisons bus stop straight ahead at the circle, so I can stand on the porch and watch her get on YAY :) I hate to send her on the bus, but it will be too hard getting out the door on time in the mornings with 3, and ethan being so young and nursing. So the bus it is this year.

Sidewalk for Madison to ride her bike on, I am loving that. There is a cummunity park about a One minute walk down the road and to the left, she can ride on the sidewalk to.The boys room, missing some things still but we are still working on the house. We had not put anything on any walls in the house yet when I took these, it looks much nicer now with pictures up.

Tyler is loving all this space to drive his cars around.
Play area...
We love the huge living room. The kids being able to play in here without it seeming like they are taking up all the space is nice.

Dining room fits all 6 chairs which makes me happy, easier to have company.
Ridiculously large hall way. The kids like to run it.

Bedroom #4 will be my office/studio space
Same old Madison room. Her favorite thing is her closet, it's a walk in so she likes that she can go in there and play and hide from Tyler :) Our room is nothing special other than it has his and hers closets which we think is fantastic because John has a ton of crap and now he can stay organized while I have a big mess of clothes on the floor.
We have a lot more decorating to do, pics to put up but we are mostly unpacked. It was a hard move. I think our stuff doubled since last year. We are liking the area a lot. wal-mart is right behind the back yard, literally. We can walk there, our neighborhood has a walk way to it. So that will be nice should I ever be without a car. We finally live somewhere with a Papa Johns pizza, our favorite, so we can get delivery. Part of the neighborhood park has a covered play ground and pavillion, which is super nice. We met another family there last night and Madison made a new friend. We haven't gotten to do anything fun yet, just getting settled in and running errands. Round Rock is really nice and is 30 minutes to downtown Austin. Hopefully this weekend we can get out and enjoy the area.

Which to print???

2010-07-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

Everyone is saying the 2nd...how about this version of it...

I made both of these and cannot choose which to print. I think I am leaning towards the blue...but I like them both, especially the multiple pics on the 2nd one. What do you think?

Everyone is saying the 2nd...how about this version of it...

Take Two

2010-07-10T18:25:00.001-07:00

Today's shoot went much better, my wee little man slept a good while...11 days old!

10 days old!

2010-07-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, already??? I had to check the date, I almost didn't believe it. Ethan is peeling pretty bad on his arms and legs so I was putting off doing his pictures, not to mention I don't have much time or energy here by myself (John went to Canada a few days ago). But I needed to get some done before he gets too old for me to do whatever I want with him while he is asleep but I may have already missed my window, he only let me do these few pics today before he got sick and tired of being woken up and said no more. I will try again later. He started being more alert yesterday evening and today. He is still good and mellow though but is a bit more vocal today. Being by myself with the kids is challenging but not as bad as I thought it would be because Tyler is dealing with it so much better than I could have possibly imagined. I am pretty exhausted and still look like crap, don't feel like I have recovered still because I am doing too much. The hardest part is getting any housework done. I tried to get a pic of all 3 of the kids but that didn't happen. Don't know if it ever will!

I got this baby hat from Erin, you can see more of her stuff here:HERE. Ethan looks super cute in it, check her out!

Birth Story and Pictures!!!

2010-07-08T07:25:00.000-07:00

All pictures were taken by Kali Shanti Park- if your in East Texas and need a doula and/or birth photographer, call her!!! She did such a wonderful job! Here is a link to her site, go check her out...http://mamamattersdoula.wordpress.com/

Madison laid him out a pillow lol, stuffed animal, blankets and his clothes, so sweet :)

so serious...
awwww
He looks happy to see her, doesn't he lol?

I would say first family pic, but we are missing Tyler :( I wish he was a little older and I would have let him be there.

Ethan's Birth Story

My birth story this time isn't nearly as dramatic as Tyler's birth was, thankfully! To make it short and sweet, I had a 21 hour irregular labor that was slow and annoying but luckily uneventful followed by a super quick and painful pushing phase and all is well. But if you want every little detail, I am pretty wordy, continue reading...

I started having prelabor about 26 hours before it really got going. I had constant contractions during that time from every 5-30 minutes, but for the most part, they were not painful, just really uncomfortable and gradually got more so. I was getting really impatient with things being so close but not happening so we decided to go do some walking and took the kids to the discovery science place, I figured chasing Tyler around would get things going. I actually had my first really painful contraction walking in the door at 2pm, and they got closer together and more painful the whole time. I had to stop and breathe through them, it was obvious to the other women there that I was in labor and I got several comments and stares. I would come out of a contraction and open my eyes to have people staring at me which was funny but I was getting serious so I didn't care. My contractions would not become regular though, I had them all over the place anywhere from 4-13 minutes apart and only lasting 30-45 seconds so I knew I still had a ways to go so I kept walking around. We got home around 5 and sent the kids with my mom and went to have some Mexican food for dinner before settling in at home for the night to have our baby. Our waitress kept looking at me funny because she knew I was in labor, of course she had to tell me about her births a little bit and how she didn't even tear...a little too much info probably for John to hear from the woman taking our dinner order! I heard several times throughout the day how brave I was for having a home birth. I get so tired of hearing that.

So we get home and things are about the same, going strong but totally bearable. We got the pool ready, decide to turn off the lights, start my music, try to relax and lay on my left side and get ready for a long night. I had no idea how long it would end up, I thought we would have a baby before sunrise. John went and got Madison so she could go to bed at home and we could wake her when it was time but left Tyler there since I didn't think he would handle it well.

By 11 my contractions were hurting pretty good, John was asleep and I had dozed off a few times in between but the pain kept waking me after the contraction was already going good and I found it hard to go from sleeping to focusing on my breathing, it made me not handle it as well, so I decided to stay awake. My back was starting to hurt a lot during them and they were finally lasting one minute. I got so excited to see them lasting that long, even though it hurt.

By 12 they were very intense, I tried the pool out and found it too hot, I wasn't ready for the water yet so didn't stay in long. By 2, much more intense and I really needed the water.

I stayed in the pool for the most part of the rest of the labor and birth, only getting out when needed. I couldn't cope nearly as well out of the water, just like with Tyler's birth, I felt like I HAD to be in there. I wasn't supposed to call my midwife until they were 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long. I had the one minute for hours now, but they were still so irregular, lasting anywhere from 3-12 minutes. I was having to moan through them at this point, it was getting harder to focus. Around 5 they seemed to be getting farther apart and I even went 20 minutes without one. I was exhausted, irritated and fed up with the irregular contractions and called my midwife. She came over and gave me some herbs to help speed things up and checked me at 6cm. It wasn't much longer they got so much stronger and I had a really hard time staying calm, my moaning was getting pretty loud, much louder by the hour probably. By 10 am I didn't think I could take any more, I wanted to be done so badly. I couldn't control my breathing as well and would moan as loud and long as I could to keep from crying or tensing up too much. I know I sounded like a sick cow. But I knew that feeling that way was a good sign, I knew when I felt like I couldn't take any more that it was almost over so I kept telling myself that but I was so discouraged because I didn't feel any pressure at all. I so badly wanted to feel the urge to push but I was so sleepy that I didn't think I had any energy left to push. I asked to be checked before changing clothes because I thought getting out of the water might help speed things up since I had been in there literally all night and morning, but I was 9cm so I knew I better get back in which is what I really wanted anyway. My midwife offered to break my water for me, but I didn't want any more intervention and I was afraid of more pain since it gets worse after that. All of the sudden a few minutes later, seemingly out of nowhere, during a contraction my body started pushing and I tried a few grunts to see how it felt but it hurt so bad I didn't want to do it. The next contraction the pushing urge was unbearable, seemed he was coming with or without my help and that's all it took was that one contraction to push him out. My water broke right before he came out, it was an odd feeling, a weird popping sensation. There was no long time of crowning, where you gain a little, lose a little head, he was out of there in no time. Of course at that moment, it didn't feel that way. I felt like I couldn't handle another second of it, I just wanted to give up right in the middle of pushing, say I don't really want to do this anymore, peace out. I really didn't handle the pushing very well at all, he was only 7.1 lbs but I swear pushing him out hurt ten times worse than pushing out my 9 pounder 18 months ago, which was fairly short pushing phase too but lasted at least 10 minutes I think. I was loud with him too but not as bad. I wonder if that's because it was just so fast, I didn't have much time to really stretch? I couldn't hold my voice in. I was so loud and felt so out of control.

The cord was wrapped around his neck two times, so it took a minute to get him to my chest, it was hard for the midwife to get off from her angle or something, I am really not sure what the deal was, I was too out of it. The pain after he was out was nearly as bad as him coming out, it didn't go away for what seemed like forever. It took me a while to calm down. The afterpains were so horrible, which they are worse with subsequent children I am told, and that has to be true. I didn't have any with Madison, they were pretty bad after Tyler, and this time they were nearly as bad as labor. We stayed in the pool a while, waited on the placenta, ick...loved on Ethan and I calmed down before I got out. John was sitting behind me in the pool and I really like that, with Tyler he was beside the tub and it wasn't as intimate. I liked having him for physical support behind me and to be laying in his arms while I held Ethan, that was nice. Madison was supposed to watch the birth but at the last minute she walked out of the room because she said it was too loud hahaha...she came back in right after.

I can't imagine not being in the water, it made it so much more possible for me to cope. And being at home was nice, it was such a relief not having to worry about when to go somewhere and just feeling so comfortable in my own house, no strangers coming in. Even using the birth center, getting packed up and deciding when it's time, packing back, coming home and unloading, it's just a pain. Staying home was great and I wouldn't do it any other way after having experienced all 3 types, hospital, birth center and at home. My midwife was great and did exactly what I had asked, gave us our privacy and pretty much left us alone, just came in the room to check on me here and there and was very non invasive. Kali was very respectful and in the background as well, I am so happy with both of them. She knew what moments to catch without intruding and knew when to leave the room. I am so glad I did it again, the pain was only temporary and to me it's just part of being a woman and mother, it's what we are made to do and the reward is so worth it.

My 100th Post!

2010-07-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

And Ethan's First bath! (Aside from the herbal bath we took together after his birth) His cord stump fell off yesterday. He is still doing great. I am hesitant to say how calm and sweet he is because I know the first two weeks they usually are...but wow, he sure is mellow. He didn't even cry during his bath or while getting dressed. I couldn't ask for an easier baby, and he is so stinkin cute and gets more so every day. He has the best smile, I can't wait to see the real ones.

Maybe it's the hormones, but I can't get over how adorable his face is, I am so in love with it...I could stare at it for hours.

Before bundling up...
To show you his cool onesie...

Meeting Paw Paw
And Great-Grandma... look at Ethan's adorable profile :)

5 Days New

2010-07-04T15:04:00.001-07:00

Ethan is doing great, he isn't too bad of a sleeper YET, isn't too much of a piggy but nurses well. Seems absolutely perfect, healthy, sweet and very easy going, but it's still early in the game. Tyler isn't near as jealous as I thought he would be, he has only shown jealousy about 3 times but got over it quickly, he gets more mad about not being allowed to touch Ethan that anything else. He absolutely loves him, gives him tons of kisses and lays his head and him and makes his "awww" sound at him a lot and puts his arms out at him when he cries, as if I would let him pick him up. Madison is doing suprisingly well too, she does like to hold and kiss him here and there but she isn't being overly annoying about it or too rough with him for the most part. She likes to play mommy towards Tyler and protect Ethan from him, which can be annoying since it really ticks Tyler off. He is such a cutie, he looks so much more babyish than Tyler ever did...Tyler was so manly from the start, it's both their size difference and just something in their faces, they look alike but not. Things are going pretty well here, but stay tuned, I am sure things will get quite a bit more chaotic!

Pucker up :)

:)

Look at those claws! He is gonna be able to do some pinching with those toes...

:) -That's all I have to say

2010-07-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

Introducing...

2010-06-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

Ethan Parker!!! Born June 30th at 10:24 am at 7.1 lbs and 20.5 inches.
I will have details and more pics to add later from the birth from my doula/photographer friend Kali, she took this first one...thanks so much Kali!!!

He has daddys nose and lips just like Tyler :)

Nope, not yet!

2010-06-29T10:05:00.001-07:00

No baby here, yes, I am about 4 days over due...he will come when ready but I am having some pre labor so hopefully in the next 24 hours, but I keep saying that and it doesn't happen so maybe I should stop lol. We are about to go running around and hopefully it will get things going.

So to keep myself busy, I took Conner's pics yesterday (my sisters son)...he was needing some one year shots.

40 Weeks Today!

2010-06-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

We made it!!! Now, who wants to take guesses on how late baby Ethan will be, how much he will weigh, how long he will be?

White on White

2010-06-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

Is hard to do. Doing self portraits, even harder. Talk about exhausting. Trying to squeeze in pics while I still have time...I MUCH prefer to shoot other people.

Getting low there baby...

Best I could get today...

2010-06-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

Tyler didn't like me taking pictures today, you can't see him standing at my feet crying and pulling on me but he is there!

38 Weeks!

Let the countdown begin!

2010-06-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

38 weeks pregnant today! I am all prepared for my home birth, got my birth kit, my birth pool (yep, having a water birth again!) and all the baby's things finally bought this past week. Baby Ethan has dropped lower in my pelvis and is currently in a good position (not posterior like Tyler was). I am still having a pretty easy pregnancy and although I am defintely feeling pregnant, I am not totally miserable like most women are at this point and I most certainly was with the other two. I am really just fine. My complaints are so minor, they are barely worth mentioning. Maybe that just comes from having had two really crappy pregnancies. I really don't feel all that huge either, I have gained almost half the weight that I gained with Tyler! I just started the infamous pregnant lady waddle in past few weeks but it just got bad in the last few days. It's amazing to say my biggest complaint of the moment is all the bathroom trips and my shorter than normal temper. It almost seems to early for this to end, it really flew by. It feels as if I should have a few more months left, at least one or two. I will almost be sad to see such an easy pregnancy come to an end, bc after this, comes the reality...of 3 kids...not only 3 kids but a newborn, an 18 month old toddler, and a very high maintenance 5 year old. We are not just talking about any kids here...but MY kids lol...for some reason I make 'em fiesty. Tyler seems tame around people he doesn't know well sometimes but don't let that fool you, he is loud, stubborn, and as rough and tough as his sister. Of course that may be out of necessity, growing up with her he can't help but be that way. Tyler has a BAAAAD temper that is really just starting to show it's true colors recently. It may be the terrible two's starting a bit early. I remember at this age thinking it was to early for Madison's terrible two's but it sure seemed like it had started...so I guess this is just when it does. And to make matters worse, Tyler is a screamer. Yeah. Not cool. Even Madison wasn't a screamer. I don't like it one bit. Tyler is not going to like getting kicked out of spot, I think we are going to have major jealousy issues. He also just learned the word "No", much to my dismay. I was quite happy that it took him longer than a lot of kids and was in no rush to teach it to him, but alas, they all learn it. He also gives great big dramatic (mmmmmWHA!) kisses now, just not to me. If your a stuffed animal, a baby, a toddler he doesn't know, or a random toy that's not a car (for some reason he doesn't kiss cars but will other toys) then you will get plenty of love. But every time I ask him, he shakes his head no. Every. Single. Time. Even Madison (AKA "Na-Na") gets one now and then.

As a side note kind of off topic, since I brought up Tyler and cars...most people know the he, as most boys, LOVES cars, anything with wheels. Well every since he first started playing with cars as a baby, I have noticed that he always has to have 2, sometimes, 3 but at least 2. But more interestingly, they always have to match in some way. I thought it was very smart of him at first, it may not be so suprising now at 17-18 months that he can find similiar vehicles, but he did it well before he was one and from the very start of him playing with cars at all. He will find two cars that have SOMETHING in common. He rarely plays with only one car, and rarely with two cars that are not related somehow. It's always either two matchbox cars, two dump trucks, to tonka trucks, two firetrucks, two school buses, moster trucks...at the very least they will be the same size or color if there isn't a closer match available. I am not sure what personality trait this is, anal complusive lol? Just good at paying attention to detail, perfectionist, intelligent, OCD??? Do other boys normally do this? I still think it's pretty smart.

Madison is not nearly as excited about this baby as she was Tyler, but of course it was her first sibling so it was more exciting to her. I don't think it's real to her, she keeps talking as if it's going to be years before he is born. She thinks she will be a teenager when he gets here lol. I am trying to prepare her for any day now but I think we are all going to be in shock when it really happens, it just doesn't seem real yet to me either. She will get to watch the birth again and she is happy about that, but it's like old news to her lol, she is just like, oh...yeah...been there, done that...cool.

I am assuming I still have a good 2 weeks to go. I fully expect to go 1-3 days overdue so I won't be at all dissapointed to see my due date come and go. Madison was 3 days late, Tyler 2 - by the time he was born, techinically only 1 at the time labor started. I would be pretty shocked if he comes early. I can feel my body preparing though, things are definetly getting started. I really need to get one more maternity shoot in just in case he does come earlier than expected. Well, I just wanted to update, hope all is well with everyone!

Backyard Fun

2010-06-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

He is nearly as big a she is lol!
He looks a little happy but he is really screaming "LET ME GO!!!"
Unsuspecting Tyler lol...I love this picture, with Madison's "I'm gonna getcha hand"

She wanted to copy Taylor Swift :)

And my fav...

Trying to mainly get some pics of Madison done before the baby comes since I haven't had a good shoot with her in far too long. I still can't get a good one of the two of them, there is no way I will get a good one of all 3 of them! I am going to have to hire me a photographer!

I am trying to updated phanfare every time I do my blog, I only put my select few favs on the blog, but put all the pics on phanfare. We went to the sray ground the other day, got some pics from there and also uploaded all from the kids playing outside yesterday eating some watermelon. Hopefully I will get a few more shoots with Madison and at least one maternity shoot done this week but even the thought of doing my own pics sounds...eh, maybe I will, maybe I won't. It's so much work! I have been really bad about taking any belly pics this pregnancy though and I am almost done! Only 2.5 weeks or so left so I need to get on the ball.

Party Time!

2010-06-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

It was Madison's 6th birthday yesterday, WOW. First 6 years flew by. Today was both her ballet recital and her birthday party, what busy day. I am exhausted. Thanks to everyone who showed up and helped make her day special and for the gifts, I think she truly loved everything. There were several people who didn't show that she really missed, including daddy. He wasn't' able to get off work like we thought he would. We were very sad about that. But overall, the party went great and even though most of the kids didn't show up, the few kids we did have had a lot of fun, I think she had a great day which makes all the hard work worth it. Madison did good at recital, she loves performing.

Grrr...I hate how the blog uploads pics backwards...start at the bottom first lol

Anyway, the kids had a pool to play in, but they were more interested in the water balloons...
Tyler was in his own world today, off playing with his trucks and in the water keeping to himself.

They may have had a little to much sugar between cake, cookies, cupcakes, cokes, snow cones, and candy. Just a tad bit.

She loves her barbie from grandma elaine.
She actually asked Aunt Lyndsay for a rubber snake for her birthday, so she could scare Tyler with it lol.
She has been wanting a pink cowgirl hat and boots, which she got from Papa John and Grandma Carol. She got so much more but I can't post pics of everything, you would hate me. Many thanks to everyone!!!
Love her face here :)

At Recital...

More of baby Lexi :)

2010-06-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

11 Days Ago

2010-05-29T21:16:00.001-07:00

This little angel was born...

I am going to beg mom to bring her back, we didn't get as much done as I would have liked, we for sure need some pink in there! Baby Lexi was fairly restless and decided we were done, but I can't blame her, it was a long shoot. I need a lot more practice photographing newborns, so hopefully mom will let me play with her little doll some more. :)

Want to see something funny?

2010-05-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

But first, something pretty...

And sweet...
And cute... (This was supposed to be just Madison's shoot, Tyler didn't agree)
And then, this little guydid this...And shoot is officially OVER...
Yep, he is actually eating my rug

And the hose is back :)

2010-05-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

Yay for warm weather and sending the kids outside all day! Tyler HATES the pool and sprinkler but loves to hold the water hose, he will play with it for hours. As long as he is in control of the water he is happy. I tried to take some pics of Madison, too but she refused. Lots more on phanfare of course!

Where did my chunky monkey go? He is getting so thin, then again he never stops moving. All I will need to do to lose this baby weight in a few months is follow him around all day.

A Classic

2010-05-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

So I have wanted to do these pics sent Tyler got these overalls and the car from Papa John and Grandma Carol for Christmas. It didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped but he is still so cute. He much prefers to push the car than to ride in it because he has not learned to peddle yet and probably won't for a while but I can tell this car will be a favorite for both boys for several years to come. If I have my camera though, he would much rather be poking the lens than doing anything else :). That's a 16 month old for ya.

May!

2010-05-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

It's looking like summer! Tyler - 16 months old - in overalls from Papa John.
Mini mechanic

A beautiful woman in the country at sunset, what more could a photographer ask for?

2010-04-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

This is the talented and gorgeous Beth Grace. Listen to her sing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYgZy7PldAo .

I had the opportunity to photograph her out on her land this past weekend and I feel very honored for it. The location could not have been more perfect, she is beautiful and was so easy to work with. Thanks Beth!!!

More from the nature trail!

2010-04-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

I just love this warmth and it's such a great spot for little boy shoots.. I did two there this weekend, here is Dawson, who did such a great job for a barely 3 year old! They usually give me a run for my money but it's SO worth it. I love catching these smiles...

And here is Caden...these two are good buddies and I can't believe they both did so well, I was having a really lucky weekend. How cute is he in his hat??? :)

Nature Trail

2010-04-16T20:25:00.001-07:00

I found a new fav photo spot, the nature walk behind the playground here. It's pretty nice and super shady. We were waiting on Madison at soccer practice and Tyler looked good enough for pics so we had a mini shoot.

And one for the ladies...(of the future)

Easter Weekend

2010-04-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend in Austin and Papa John's and Grandma Carol's. We love Austin, and where they live is just gorgeous and the deer are everywhere all the time. In the mornings the kids could watch lots of them in the front yard eating, it' so serene.

We took a few pics in the field beside the house and as uncooperative as the kids were, I still snuck a few sweet shots.

First she put flowers on his head, then he attacks her with his open mouth kiss or monster eating mouth thing, not sure what it is lol...

Then he hugs her! YES! I actually have the proof that he likes her...it even lasted about a whole minute. A few minutes later, he did it again! Then he threw grass at her...that's a brother for ya.
She was so not into pictures, so this is the best I got.

We went to a nursery for an easter egg hunt. Tyler was sleepy and not really into it, he doesn't get it yet...or get that things are in the eggs. He just calls them balls, he got 2.

Madison did pretty good.

Something new

2010-03-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

I was asked kind of at the last minute to do something I have never done before, a model portfolio, now I know it's not great, but I had no idea what I was doing lol plus it was mid afternoon, worst time of day for outside pics! I am pretty happy with them though, and it was fun. This girl is only 14! Man I am not happy that I have this to look forward to one day with Madison lol...but isn't she pretty?

Skye at the gardens

2010-03-25T06:58:00.001-07:00

SOOO hard to choose which ones to post, so here are way too many, and there are so many more :)
The more I look at these pictures the more I am in love with this place.

Daffodils

2010-03-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

So there is this daffodil garden in East Texas that is over 800 acres of beautiful fields, flowers, trees, creeks, ect. that you drive through and can stop here and there in designated spots. It's a perfect photography spot! My friend Dodie and I went today with Tyler and her daughter, Skye. I liked it so much, I am going to go back to take Madison to do her pictures if the flowers do not die before I get the chance, they are not open too long. Pics of Skye to come soon, she was much more cooperative than Tyler, today wasn't a great picture day for him because he did not feel his best.

The shots with me in them, Dodie took...gotta give her credit because I lOVE them and it was so nice to have some help taking my pics for a change. And some I took of Tyler...

26 Weeks!

Tyler- 14 months old

2010-03-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

He is so hard to get pics of, this is all we got from today's shoot!

25 weeks

2010-03-18T07:19:00.001-07:00

Wow, we are past the half way point already! I really could not have asked for an easier pregnancy. There was a little nausea the first few weeks, didn't last too long and wasn't too extreme compared to the first two, plus I actually only felt sick and didn't get sick. Completely opposite of the first two. Since that, I have hardly even felt pregnant. I swear, if I didn't look pregnant, and didn't know it...I wouldn't know it! I was so scared this was going to be a horrible experience, being pregnant with a 1 year old...it hasn't been bad at all. Of course I have not gotten to the worst part yet- the third trimester which officially starts in a week or two. I have had bad days with my back, but I have that pregnant or not. Some days I can barely walk, others I can do anything, doesn't make any sense but I am thankful that for the most part it's been okay. I was really worried pregnancy would make it so much worse. We will see how it goes when I get a lot bigger in these last few months. I just started having mild heartburn last week, which I have only had one other time in my life- when I was pregnant with Tyler. It was a reminder that I am pregnant, I am not complaining at all since I don't have any other crappy symptoms right now.

Baby Ethan is not very hyper yet like the other two were. I remember Tyler being VERY active, always hurting me, moving all the time, feet in my ribs, always something. This baby is mellow, moves a little but nothing crazy and not all day, I still can't really see my belly move much on the outside too often. I am hoping it's nothing to be concerned about, I just have a nice calm baby that is making it easy on mama because he knows I need a break! I knew from the first trimester that Tyler was big, I told everyone he was big and he was, 9 lbs and 22 inches...this one feels small. Again, hopefully that's a good thing. But he does have a 3 and half more months so who knows! It could all turn around and he start acting like the karate kid and have me feeling like there is no longer room for the two of us in here. With Tyler I gained weight really fast, all over. Every part of me got bigger, right now it's pretty much still just boobs and belly lol and I have gained slowly until now. Everyone says you get a bigger butt with boys and with Tyler I did, but this time I think I might have lost some lol. They say every pregnancy is different, that is so true, Tyler's was so different than Madison's and this one is so different from either of those. Madison is convinced we are having a third and we need a bigger car to fit the 4th baby. I keep telling her there will be no 4th baby but she insists, then again I told her there would be no third. Let's pray she is not right.

My midwife is now doing home appointments for me, which is VERY nice, not having to get us ready and go to the office. I am so excited about my home birth, probably ridiculously excited. Never thought I would be excited to feel that much pain again. But hopefully this birth goes much smoother than Tyler's did. It will just be us here with Madison, the midwife, and her assistant. Madison is really excited to get to see a baby being born again, too. She LOVES childbirth, doesn't gross her out at all. I hope she stays that way.

I have started making "the boys" room. It's nice saying "the boys". I really am glad it turned out to be a boy and am suprisingly excited about another baby. This is their theme,

http://www.csnbaby.com/Lambs-and-Ivy-ROCK-CRIB-BED-LAI1613.html

I have the bedding, lamp and mobile and an espresso crib and we are painting Tylers white toddler bed to match the crib. Still waiting on a dresser (never did get Tyler one lol) , matching curtains, and I REALLY want a glider this time around...a few other decorations before I am done. The room is going to be so adorable, I can't wait to finish it. I may end up splurging on that super cute little boys chair in the picture before it's over with...I drool over it each time I see it.

I did not expect a 2nd baby shower, and really did not expect a third. But my family thinks every baby should be celebrated and I can't complain! I just always thought you only got one. But hey, I love any reason to get together and eat. I don't want anyone to think I am being greedy, I am really grateful that my mom wants to throw one and very appreciative to anyone that shows up, and please do not feel obligated to bring a gift- your presence is gift enough. The date for that is Sunday, April 25th. My sister in law is doing the official invites though so those will go out soon.

Guess that's it for now!

25 Weeks

Photo courtesy of Madison Lacey :)
Almost 26 weeks