Fresh Mommy: May 2010

Move Over, Dora

So, I mentioned before about the adorable recital put on by my daughter's daycare... her school, as she calls it. And it really is. She learns so much.

The recital was in Spanish, BY THE WAY. Did I mention that?

It was a total treat.

The first song included the use of maracas. I don't know if you can tell by this photo or not, but my daughter really gets into whatever it is she's doing. The hand movements, the maraca shaking, the singing-quite-loudly-so-that-her-baby-brother-on-the-front-row-can-hear-her... she's into it. Into it all.

She's also quite expressive. I have no idea what's going on here, actually.

Or here. I'm still not sure of what was happening. But she's expressing something, that's for sure.

The kids sang a Spanish rendition of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."

It was lovely.

I could watch these kids shuffle, fidget, sing and move all day.

Especially this one.

My favorite part. The pride as they walk off the stage. A job well done.

And this.

Her poses make me smile.

A Beautiful World

Yesterday evening as my family and some friends visited a nearby town to watch a glowing evening of hot air balloons, I had my back turned to the balloons.

I was in mid-conversation when I gasped, "OH, WOW. That sky. It's gorgeous!" And completely forgot what the conversation was about.

For the next several minutes, our attention was focused on this glowing sunset. A perfect accompaniment to the glowing balloons.

The world is a beautiful place.

Sunday Citar

It's Sunday, and can you even believe another week has flown by? I know I say that often, but really, WOW. I mean I JUST washed my hair for church... has it already been a week?

I'm kidding.

Or am I?

But really, you know what Sunday means... it's time to post your Sunday Citar! So round up a quote that you love, that makes you laugh or something new you've heard and share it with us. You know you want to join the fun and make some new friends in the process.

“Music is what feelings sound like.”
~Anonymous

This week was my daughter's recital (she's the one in the middle in the salmon colored shirt), and it was an overload of cuteness. And I have to say, music get's these kids moving. They really do let their feelings out. It was a treat. Oh, and one more thing... it was in Spanish.

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I would love to have you join the Sunday Citar inspiration and have all of us come to your blog to read what quotes inspire you! Simply write your own post on your blog, link within your post to my blog, and sign up with Mr. Linky below, leaving your name and the link directly to your Sunday Citar post. Just click here if any of that sounds confusing. There you'll be able to get the complete rundown, as well as learn how to link back to my blog if you don't already know how. Take a moment a visit a few participants... you'll be glad you did!

Random Summer Lovin'

Today I'm posting a series of random, completely unrelated, kooky, haphazard, unplanned photos.

Except that they're not really that kooky.

And they were all taken on my iPhone.

And they all remind me of summer.

And I want a Dr. Pepper.

Okay, so maybe they aren't completely unrelated. But the random part could still work, and I still want a Dr. Pepper.

It's just the way things are.

It's hot, mom, and the sprinkler is right here, I think I'll just strip down and run through it.

Just wait until you make it through twelfth grade, I'm saving this photo for your graduation party.

I love a beautifully sunny, cloudy sky.

Our vegetable garden plants are growing and being watered daily. I'll let you know when something edible pops out.
K? K.

Look, ma', diapers! (Please ignore the green stool left out and laying on it's side. No pun intended.)

And when this popsicle is gone, may I have another?

Ha! Hee hee. Ho ho, ha ha.

No.

I love you.

You have gas. And I love you too.

Farmer's Market. Nuff' said.

Oops, you caught me sneaking bites... I thought you weren't looking.

Mom is always looking.

Can I have my Dr. Pepper now?

Just kidding.

Or not.

Becky + Jeremy, Engaged

My posts lately have been on the lightweight side.

I wish I were the one on the lightweight side.

But today I've got some eye candy for you to help compensate. It's like getting that taste of dark chocolate at the end of a sugar-free diet, and all is right with the world.

So go ahead and feast on these photos of an awesome couple we recently had the chance hang out with, and take pictures of. You know someone is going to be fun, when you pull up your truck and open the doors to blast the music and they say, "I actually like this."

"It's Seal." I responded.

Mood music.

We had fun playing off of their planned 40's themed wedding. A little blast from the past wouldn't hurt, right? Right.

The great thing about shooting engaged couples is that you pretty much just have to set the stage, tell them to pretend you're not there and let them play. Usually they start by kissing. A lot. But then special moments between the two of them ensue naturally. And with these two, those moments began from the start of the shoot.

I think I'm going to pretend I'm engaged tonight.

Did somebody just say something?

Becky and Jeremy, we had so much fun. We love you guys and loved being a part of your story!

You can visit my partner in crime, the better half of our studio, to see more of their delicious photos.

The Dedication

Visit Wordless Wednesday and 5 Minutes for Mom for more Wordless Wednesday.

Travel Package

I'll take this little travel package wrapped up tight, please!

He's been a great traveler starting with his first trip to NYC at six weeks.

Related Tangent: I HIGHLY recommend feeding your baby upon takeoff and landing when traveling by plane. This has made traveling, first with my daughter, Aliyah, and now with my son, Brayden, a breeze. Or at least, as breezy as traveling with newborns can be. They suckle, they drift off to sleep, the lull of the plane keeps them that way, and then they usually wake up in a fog during the deplaning process. The suction process helps keep the pressure from hurting those cute little ears, so large crying spells are usually avoided. And then once they come out of that sleepy fog, they are happy as clams.

So, as happy a traveler as he's been, I think he's elated to be home, sleeping in his own bed. Or my bed. Or co-sleeper. Or wherever we lay him down. But at least he's home. And when he makes noises during his naps his big sister can run to his side and pat his back. And rub his head. And see if his eyes are open or closed. She won't even let me check on him. My little helper.

I needed one of those when she was a baby.

Sunday Citar

It's Sunday, and you know what that means... it's time to post your Sunday Citar! So round up a quote that you love, that makes you laugh or something new you've heard and share it with us. You know you want to join the fun and make some new friends in the process.

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." ~Mignon McLaughlin

Last night was the 50th Anniversary celebration of my husband's lovely parents. After 50 years together, five children, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild later, they are still as in love as they've ever been. And I'd bet anything that they are falling more in love as each year passes. It's certainly a ray of hope and a shining example in a world where many marriages don't see this maturity. It's a legacy for my children, and I'm ever grateful. Happy Anniversary, mom and dad Blue!

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The Return

Photo taken with my iPhone

The sky was so beautiful on our flight home last night, and I wanted to show Aliyah the view when we arrived home. She spent the previous three night at her grandparent's house while we galavanted around the D.C. area, Brayden in tow. She didn't seem to mind though, in fact, in the days leading up to her little "vacation" she kept talking about going to grandma's house to ride her bike. And I kinda got the feeling she was like, I get to eat Lucky Charms for lunch, and I don't even have to wash my hands first. You guys should leave me there more often.

I missed her terribly and that cute little voice I'd heard on the other end of the phone for the last few days sounded even cuter in person. Seeing her happened to be much sooner than we thought, because she came up with the idea to hitch a ride to the airport to help pick us up and SURPRISE US. Which was a wonderful idea, except for the fact that as soon as we landed we called to check on her, AND SHE WASN'T THERE. Finally, my brother, who was picking us up, let the cat out of the bag and sent a text letting us know that he did, in fact, have her, that we'd better act REALLY surprised to see her, and that he was sorry for scaring us. After that rush we were just that much more excited to hold her, and I think I may have just squeezed her a little bit to hard. She proceeded to throw up all over me and the airport floor. Welcome home.

Yes, that really happened. And now, we are resting and looking at the beautiful, serene sunset photo. That last moment of calm before the storm of motherhood and raising two kids. And if that's my choice, I'd choose the storm any day.

I Miss This Face

... But I get to see it and kiss it tonight.

Nursery Reveal

The nursery is finished! Oh sorry, did I forget to mention that?

Many of you have followed us on our journey to creating the perfect nursery for our sweet baby boy. We started by putting together an inspiration board, which I highly recommend for any big room makeovers. It makes the decision making process so much easier down the road, especially when it's so easy to get overwhelmed by all the cute baby stuff available now.

You stuck it out when we gutted the room, installed wainscoting and fresh paint, and took the room from this messy before...

... to this alluring fresh slate of a room.

Luckily, we could easily outfit the room by repainting the crib and changing table we used with our daughter, and added tons of stash space by using a side table and small dresser we already owned.

So without further ado, you know, since our baby boy already is three months old, here are the after photos:

It's one of the most inviting rooms in our home, bright and cheery, yet still cozy and comfortable. In fact, I'd be in there right now if I didn't just happen to be in a completely different state.

And, because I don't procrastinate at all and love to get things done quickly, we have this print hanging over his crib.

Except I do procrastinate.

One of my favorite features in the room is this set of shelves we put together to hold some of the most important items in the room. Like his sock monkey.

I take Brayden to this changing table whenever he seems a little bit fussy and he immediately smiles and coos. I don't know if it's the view that amuses him or the fact that his pants are off, but whatever it is, he's happy.

It's the little things in life.

At least the baskets below have plenty of storage space for his cloth diapers, which we happen to love.

I'm so glad that we opted not to purchase a bedding set, and instead designed our own. Finding fabric choices from our travels makes the bedding unique as well as tie into our theme perfectly, and in the process we saved a ton of cash.

The wide open closet has plenty of storage space. And since it's wide open, it's a good excuse to keep it organized and tidy.

Placing this side table (originally from Pier One) from our former guest bedroom next to this super comfy rocking chair created the perfect nook for rocking my baby. And it couldn't be anymore complete with this frame containing Brayden's photo birth story. (Get a closer look at it here.)