a day in the life

Weekend recap

This weekend was a good one. A really good one. Friday we went out with friends for sushi (lots and lots of sushi.) Lots of laughs, lots of driving (ha) and lots of sushi. I even managed to almost recreate my beloved V8 roll. By the end of the year I have decided I will be a sushi master and just make it at home any time I have the craving.

Saturday morning started with a lovely sleep-in. Until 9am. Yes, my standards may have changed, but it really was lovely. When we got the day started, I did laundry, cleaned, researched my new lights and got some shots with the bigs. LOVE my new lights. Preschool pictures here I come!

Saturday evening we got out the old whirly pop, invited over Nonnie and Grandpa, and had popcorn (with M&M's) and watched Oceans. And laughed about how Beverly's husband is a retired museum. And a professor. Kids to bed, me to my studio to work some more on a very cool assignment for WCS going up Wednesday! and Bj (or WILLIAM as he may or may not want to be called now) over to Nerd McGeek's Game Emporium. After I finished for the night, and shared finished projects with Jess as Jess shared finished projects with me (cause she is all crafty like now) I watched Water for Elephants. I loved it. Though I did not mean to stay up so late (and even later due to the time change) to watch it. Oops.

Today was church in the morning followed by lunch, park for the bigs, me scrapping to some great music, quest to find Charlie's new big boy bed (score of $29.99 off of $90, yes please, thank you very much) and home for a bit more playtime outside, crockpot lasagna with Mor Mor, and even more playtime outside. Lillian and I played a bit of softball-hitting, amazing. Throwing, laughter inducing.

All in all, an awesome weekend.

Short Letters

Dear Nick Jr.
I really wish you would bring back Jack's Big Music show. Jon Stewart and Andrew Bird as special guests? Of course it was totally cool.

Dear Whitney,
I'm still sad. Thanks for motivating me during my workout today.

Dear Amazon,
You rock and so does your pre-sale. You are going to make my husband a very, very happy man-one day early, as we will be cracking open Game of Thrones TONIGHT instead of tomorrow on its official release date. Bonus, only had to lie to unsuspecting husband for ONE day instead of two after he asked if he could buy it tomorrow. Sorry, honey, not right now. OH YEAH.

Dear Lillian,
I'm very sorry I did this to you. We knew this day would come, but I was really hoping it would be much later. Looks like I will be scheduling your eye doctor appointment tomorrow. *sigh*

Dear Me,
Why, oh WHY did you read Knuffle Bunny Free IN PUBLIC, AGAIN? You know how it goes. The story hasn't changed. And neither has your very public tear wiping. Could you maybe not do that again? Thanks.

Dear Cancer,
You suck.

Dear Charlie,
Three naps in less than a week? Should I be worried?

Dear Jack,
I am not trying to be insensitive, really, I'm not, but the ear piercing siren cry you are now producing at any time of day? Let's just say a regular cry will get the same results. I will come get you. Promise.

love,
Marie/Mama

12|12|12

Here is the FebruSNOWary edition!
1. Lilian was THRILLED to be out in the snow. Lots of giggling.
2. Charlie was also THRILLED. And it was cold outside so my camera fogged up a bit.
3. Lily's snow angel.
4. Charlie's ahem, forced snow angel. He is still a bit wary of the snow and doesn't really like to lay down in it (although he can make a mean carpet angel ;)
5. Upside-down snowman!! FINALLY. I have only waited since September to make this thing. Yes, I MADE IT. We waited too long and by the time we got outside it was freezing so the snow wasn't packing very well. Thus, my tiny upside-down snowman.
6. Me and the hubs. Tomorrow (or today as I am writing this) we celebrate our re-dating anniversary of 14 years. Wow.
7. Ahhh a cute picture if you do not know what was covering the kid's nose.
8. Let's get Daddy!
9. Me, proud of my upside-down snowman ;)
10. I really need a pair of real snow boots and coat. These just aren't cutting it.
11. I laughed at myself (and probably looked like a huge crazy person, taking a photo of a tree and laughing) because I just saw a video making fun of things photographers say and do. One thing was closely examining and taking multiple photos of a tree. Ha.
12. After a warm-up bath, hot chocolate for all!

Poor Jack, didn't make it in 12 on 12 this month as he was napping during snow play. I promise to get a good session in with him soon. And thanks to Bj for taking a few shots for me-trying very hard to get into the picture this year.

And just like that, he was one.

Doesn't it seem like just yesterday when Bean looked like this?
It certainly does to me. Or perhaps you remember him like this.
However you look at it, he has grown up and changed a lot this year.
He still has his gorgeous blue eyes that crinkle when he smiles and his Daddy's long forever long lashes.

And a super sweet smile.

And personality?


Yes. He has a lot of personality.

No seriously, a LOT of personality.

He loves pretty much any food I put in front of him sans avocado (which I haven't tried again because wow they have been expensive) and twice now has been very tentative about cake (video soon.) Still goes to bed at 7:00pm and still nursing although I can see that he will be done with that soon. I will be very sad when that is over as I have nursed him longer than the other two and that is just my favorite time to play with him. He is super ticklious under his arm pit, and I love hearing him giggle. He is nearly impossible to change thus we give him non-baby, and well, let's face it, semi dangerous objects to keep him occupied during diaper changes. I am talking thermometers, big kid toys, and Vick's containers. He now can say Mama, Daddy, ball, and yesterday said Yakson in a whisper. He loves to wrestle with Charlie, loves to pull Lillian's hair, and LOVES to be chased. He can totally get past our toy barricade and although still has the oddest crawl I have ever seen, still is not trying to climb steps or walk. We enjoyed his first Christmas a pull here or there on the tree, but he is a very good listener when we say "No touch."
I can't believe it was a year ago that I came home from the hospital with him. Still sore from the SPD and the worst decision I have EVER made in my entire life, getting a stinking tetnus shot. I forgot how much those hurt.
I still kick myself for not getting a single photo of Jess
who answered my call at 2:30AM!! and drove all the way from DE to help me through the delivery, or DADDY who of course is his DADDY until much later.
But don't worry Bean, Daddy held you all the time. So there you have it. Bean, Jack, Jackson is one. ONE. Or, as we said at his party, Uno.
Love you so much Bean

love, Mama

Hello, goodbye; More or less.

This was a year of hellos and goodbyes.

Bj: Goodbye to being gone every week. Hello to going to an office everyday. Goodbye to car allowance. Hello to best friends, game nights, family and old friends. Goodbye to Football on the computer. Hello to games on TV.

Marie: Goodbye to dear friends in PA and more distance between the friend in DE. Hello to dear friends in Ohio, family, trips to see brand new babies, and familiar streets. Goodbye to photography business in PA with families I have watched grow through the years. Hello to growing a business here.

Lillian: Goodbye to dear friend I, Uga, and a bedroom in a tower. Hello dear friend Maya, fabulous school, dance and piano, family and new friends.

Charlie: Goodbye to Logan and London and Hank. Hello to Laney and all the trouble I'm sure the two of you will get into together. Goodbye to the only place you knew as home. Hello to a place that will become your home.

Jack: Hello world. Jack will be one tomorrow. I will not have a baby. A toddler. A toddler with personality. One starting to stand. With FOUR teeth-a record for my babies. An eater. A laugher. A Houdini. I am trying hard to look forward to the new toddler-dome, trying not to be sad that my babies are not going to be my babies for much longer. But that doesn't mean I didn't hold him extra tight and give him a few extra kisses as I put him in bed tonight, on the eve of the New Year and the eve of his birth. My baby...

This year my word(s) are more and less. I will be saying to myself all year, Do we need more of this or less. More reading, less stuff. More activities? Less time committements? We may have to make some tough decisions, but I think more or less will help us in our crazy three children busy lives. More...or less.

On the 3rd day {Before} Christmas

Today was our second annual Christmas Cookie taste test. Again, best idea ever Daddy. We chose from gingerbread with white chocolate center, peanut butter with chocolate kiss, and sugar cookies which I for the first time in my life, managed not to destroy. Oh the gingerbread men may have club feet and the trees may be crooked, but, they taste like sugar cookies and that makes me very happy. The winners were the gingerbread and sugar cookies but we decided to leave one of Charlie's candy canes and Lily's angels, so Santa gets a bonus. 
Daddy also decorated his own cookie, making a Santa on vacation. Charlie said it didn't look like Santa, but a beast man. Well. Later Lillian cleared that up and said she thought he probably said "BEACH" man. Yes, that makes a lot more sense.

On the 8th day {Before} Christmas

This year I was excited to find a set of five little gingerbread houses-that means each of us would get one to decorate...well. I know that I am a pretty good singer. I have spent many years training, practicing, and performing. I know I take some pretty good photos. I have spent many years reading, learning, and practicing. I am comfortable enough to say, I do not believe I will EVER be good at gingerbread houses.
They are falling apart. No gingerbread man would want to live in them. They look nothing like the picture. But we had fun making them again. Kids took control and did their own house (well Jack crawled around) and although they may not be "pretty," we had fun. Another holiday memory in the books :) For the record, Lillian's is the front right, Charlie's is the middle back, I did the right and left back and Daddy did the front left.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I believe this could actually be named Ten Thousand on Tuesday as I have not blogged in so very long. The only reason I am blogging today is because I have a horrible cold and feel awful so I am sitting. I don't sit much these days.
2. The moving plans are coming right along. We found a house, had a good inspection, and now are waiting for the appraisal. Our money guy is working quickly to get us closed on June 23. Not bad since we put in the offer on May 30. Until everything is really set and papers signed, I will hold my breath. But I will tell you everyone will have their own bedroom (well I guess Bj and I have to share ;) I have a wonderfully well lit studio, and there is a sun porch on the back where I will enjoy many hours watching the kids play in the fenced in backyard. I can't wait.
3. Lily has (after today) three more days of school. Then she will be a 1st grader. School has been a bit of a massive stress lately as I have major concerns about the choices and judgement of the teachers and staff. I turned into a full fledged Mama Bear, writing lots of emails, making lots of calls, and meeting with the Assistant Superintendent. Lily may be gone in three days, but I could not let the kids we are leaving behind ever go through this again. I know I am being vague, but honestly this is the kind of stuff that you would see on the Today Show or Anderson Cooper. And if they don't take steps to make this right, it may be still...
4. I miss taking pictures. Oh don't worry, still doing my 365 despite the fact that I haven't posted a photo in FOREVER. I just miss taking client photos. But soon I will have my brand spanking new and gorgeous site up and I will be shooting everywhere.
5. Speaking of taking pictures, OH MY I want one of these.

Not saying that I will actually get it, but I want it.
6. I got that photo from Pinterest. Have you heard of it? It may be the coolest thing that has happened since, oh I don't know, the internet. Follow me if you haven't (Marie Willis Taylor) and see just want inspiration may end up in the new house. OH cannot wait to paint/decorate/play in my new house. I am giddy. And buyer beware, it is time sucking there is so much goodness.
7. Did you hear that Write. Click. Scrapbook. is TWO years old? While I am sad I have been so busy lately that I barely have time to scrap, when I do, this is where I go. There is so much inspiration there. And such wonderful, smart, funny, and dedicated ladies there. I am super lucky to be part of it. Elizabeth, I am proud of you for making the tough to decision to take a break, but come back soon cause it just isn't the same without you.
8. As I prepare to move I am SO excited to make plans with all of my Ohio friends. To sit on my back porch and chat. To scrap. To meet at Hibachi in 20 minutes. To go to my parent's house or Bj's mom's house with just a diaper bag and not a car load of stuff. That being said, I have made so many friends here. Really, really good friends. Friends who were there for me when Jack was born. Friends who came over to chat. To scrap. To eat at Aki. Who love my children. What Marnie said about me over at WCS "Marie - is smart, steady, and loyal. Her photos draw you into her pages but it is her scrapbooking of fierce friendships that makes me wish I were one of her besties." Well, I can't tell you what that means to me. If you remember me for anything, remember that I love my friends. I know they are so very important-especially if family is far away. So do what you have to to find them and keep them-even if it has to start with an interview at a coffee shop over queso. ;)
9. Jack turned five months old! The pictures are still on my camera, but I will tell you I will have another doozy for my 12 attempts album. He is now rolling and turning all over the place, looks a bit like a wild animal when he wants to put a toy in his mouth, has the BEST smile and giggle for his brother and sister, still is a pretty wretched sleeper, has FAT legs, ate Rice cereal for the first time on Sunday, still spits up but not nearly as much as the others, is happy 95% of the time but then WATCH OUT when he gets mad, and loves his Mama.
We all adore Baby Bean :) OOOOOO Do you see that up there on my photo? Why, it's my brand new logo designed by Patrick Jebber of Monsters Unlimited. I LOVE it :) Website coming SOON.
10. Charlie is also super sick. And super stubborn. Won't blow his nose. Potty training is non existent. Ever so slightly makes me want to lose my mind. And yet he is the sweetest, most loving little boy who gives me the best hugs and tells me I look like a princess everytime I dress up.

11. Ok you get a bonus. On Friday I taught a photography class to my MOMS Club. The goal is to help the average user understand their camera a little better so they can capture those every day moments of their kids a little better. Ohio readers I will be teaching it soon in your area too! Anyway, while preparing for the class I found this...
which reminded me of this...
My goodness does time fly.

'Twas the Night {Before} Christmas

All I kept thinking this year is come next year, there will be three kids sitting on Daddy's lap.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

On the 5th day {before} Christmas

Tonight we had our hot chocolate night and I was so excited to realize that the cup that was a favor at Gracie's fifth birthday party would actually be perfect for Lily's cup. Somehow Lily has turned out like Daddy and doesn't love and slurp up hot chocolate like Mama and Charlie, but the marshmellows were a big hit...
Meanwhile (yes, Lily used meanwhile in her show) three wonderful puppet shows were performed by Lily, Charlie, and Daddy. I love my creative, funny little family.