This and That

round & rosy

2012-02-18T18:37:00.001-08:00

every single morning bennett gets luke out of bed. drops him off to me. goes and makes his bottle. returns to bed. & then we have ourselves a little luke love fest. hands down the highlight of my day. hands down the highlight of my life.

day/pic 47 of 365 project

breakfast of champions

2012-02-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

day/pic 46 of 365 project

wheaties... not so much. chocolate cheerios? yep. i want my boy to know about the finer things in life.

everyday is not a fashionable day

2012-02-16T12:02:00.000-08:00

for instance today. he is wearing a pair of hanna anderson pants from when he was a newborn. today- they are shorts. & he's wearing a reject onesie. one i made and didn't like.

day/pic 45 of 365 project

making fun wherever we go

2012-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:00

something my mom handed down to me i do believe. even at the hospital visiting with my grandpa this morning... i want my boy to know himself a good time. even if it means being the butt of my jokes. ha

day/pic 44 of 365 project

love bug

2012-02-14T18:02:00.000-08:00

we spent the day at lynden with bennett's family for his opa's funeral and on the way home got some thai take-out. this year, i'm happy having this little bug as my valentine. and lets be honest. my husband has never been the most romantic guy in town anyways.

day/pic 43 of 365 project

hello

2012-02-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

the chalkboard wall

day/pic 42 of 365 project

day pic 40 & 41

2012-02-12T20:40:00.000-08:00

yesterday i began re-doing my office. so... i didn't have any internet connection. i'm re-doing on the cheap. i think i mentioned it before, but everything is either stuff i already have stored in my garage that just needs some paint (desks, bookshelves, filing cabinet)... or stuff that i'm gonna find at thrift stores. so far, we got the entire room painted. i decided to paint everything white. except one of my walls- the entire wall is a chalkboard. i've admired this look for so long, and finally did it. and i'm gonna make some sort of DIY overhead light. not sure what just yet, but something... so, as i progress, i'll share pics.

this is luke checking things out in my very stark, newly painted white office.

day/pic 40 of 365 project

and today, bennett's family got into town from alaska and colorado to pay their respects george, bennett's opa (tuesday is the funeral), so we spent the afternoon and evening at the whitsell's with everyone. a sad occasion, but sweet at the same time to be with everyone.

day/pic 41 of 365 project

been up to's

2012-02-10T20:26:00.000-08:00

day/pic 39 of 365 project

not a true crawler yet, still an army crawler but this week he is finally into being on all fours. and all he wants to do is walk around everything. walk. walk. walk. and he's really into the toilet right now. this morning, i just went ahead, rolled up his sleeves and let him play, play, play in it. whatevs.

great & grand

2012-02-09T14:29:00.000-08:00

today luke and i visited my grandpa- & his great-grandpa in the hospital. and lastnight we lost bennett's opa and luke's great opa. luke is my grandpa's best medicine. he didn't have much to say to me.. but really lit up when he saw his little buddy. and there is just something about seeing our oldest living relative with our youngest. and my mom always touches luke's nose... just like my grandpa is doing here in this pic.

day/pic 39 of 365 project

and this is luke meeting his great opa for the first time this past summer. may you rest in peace george.

just before dusk

2012-02-08T21:39:00.000-08:00

when i knew we'd have the place to ourselves.

luke and i headed down to the beach to swing.

a perfect ending to our day

daypic 38 of 365 project

thank you starbucks

2012-02-07T13:20:00.001-08:00

you made my day

in a matter of a second

2012-02-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

from this

to this.

in one second.

and in looking at this picture, i realized my boy has an extra tooth on the bottom i didn't know he had. a mouthful really.

and this i love. he just woke up from a nap. his hair is a little sweaty. and he's still waking up. bird mouth open. cheeks flushed. it's too sweet this age. too damn sweet. mush. total. mush

day/pic 37 of 365 project

shotski and snow

2012-02-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

i'm sort of a hermit crab. i really only come out of my shell for my family and the prentice family. love them. every single thing about them. time with meg, feels like time with family, so i guess that's why i come out of my shell. she's my family. a few weeks ago, we spent 24 hours at the whitsell's mt. house. shotski was first on the list. then another shotski. then another. then some sledding, some hot tubbing, card playing, and more sledding. was a great 24 hours.

checking things out

2012-02-06T19:27:00.000-08:00

i asked him to join me outside. the sun shining was the only bribery he needed. he had his little rocket, so he was good to go.

day/pic 36 of 365 project

sunshine and the park

2012-02-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

oh sunshine. you breathed life back into me & my little family. we were starting (bennett and me) to get a tad sick of eachother inside our little house. it works miracles too. and made bennett and me like eachother again:) nothing. i repeat nothing, beats a sunny day in the PNW.

day/pic 35 of 365 project

hostage

2012-02-04T23:56:00.000-08:00

day/pic 34 of 365 of project

we had a dinner date with the prentice's. a.k.a. 'they held us hostage'.

magic

2012-02-03T13:56:00.000-08:00

apparently he's just as happy as i am when the sun shines.

it really is magic.

and i'm in my garden any chance i can get. it's my favorite thing. more than crafting. more than spray painting. more than snapping pics. i love to garden. and if time allowed- i'd do it all day. doesn't even have to be sunny. just decent. but on a day like today.. a glorious day? lovely. so, i set my boy up with some toys... and did my thing in the yard. most fun though, was putting him in that wagon and racing around the yard. pretty sure my neighbor thought i was crazy. he may be onto something.

day/pic 33 of 365 project

downton abbey

2012-02-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

heaven. me. i'm in it.

me loves anything british. period pieces. drama. anything epic(ish).

i got a free trial of netflix so i can watch the entire first season of downton abbey.

i'm only on episode one, but while bennett put luke down

i dished myself up some beef stew i made, got a slice of bread with some butter,

poured myself a diet coke. and am pretty certain i haven't been this pleased in quite some time.

ahhh. just what i needed.

if you have absolutely no idea what i'm talking about... you soon will. i heard my sister in law talking about it at new year's, and my mother in law streams it on netflix, and my girl amy instagrams about it.

baby proofing

2012-02-02T15:32:00.000-08:00

he use to just lay on his back and not move when i would get ready in the morning. now he's into everything. especially everthing i don't want him to get into... and he slams his fingers in the doors. all.the.time. putting him in the sink is waaaaaay easier than baby proofing. but he's beginning to not fit in the sink. rats.

day/pic 32 of 365 project

how we do it

2012-02-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

luke is into me flipping him upside down on this chair. actually, he loves it when i toss him into the chair.. then he tries to flip himself. i'm telling ya... we play hard round here.

day/pic 32 of 365 project

assume the position

2012-01-31T20:05:00.000-08:00

i spend 70% of my day on the ground. cringing at how dusty my floors are. surprised at how often my knees crack. and always in awe of how much this guy likes me down there. sometimes (a lot of the time) i think he thinks bennett is waaaay more fun. so each day... i try to out-fun bennett. pretty certain i won today.

day/pic 31 of 365 project

this is from yesterday. caught someone taking a snooze on rebel's dog bed. the boy likes his comfort

goodness & the goodwill

2012-01-31T16:32:00.000-08:00

i scored. and i'm sharing. if you are a thrifter... then you understand. if you can't imagine buying something used. then you will most def. not understand. but for me... i love a good find. and my trusty lower phinney ridge goodwill did not disappoint. i went searching for some office furniture. my office is gonna get a make-over. and i'm only going to use upcycled things. i already have 2 desks in my garage in need of a makeover. what i really need is lots of more storage. so, i didn't find anything for my office... but found luke a retro radio flyer tricycle. been eyeing the one at land of nod since before he was born. that one is $80. this exact one was $14!

and nearly 4 months ago, i lost one of luke's coveted moccasins. i searched high and low. they were my fave shoes of his. and his first shoe. and to lose one is sooooo annoying. btw. losing that shoe lead me (well, my mom) to buying him his robeeze booties. best damn shoesies ever. worth the $40. but anyways.. i'm sooo obsessed with minnetonka mocs for babies. and guess what i found in a size 4 that were brand new for $4? yep. a smidge too big. but in a couple months they will be perfect.

and on saturday my mom and i were at target and saw a cute little yellow (mustard) rain coat. i loved it.. but didn't think it was necessary yet for luke. but when i saw it brand new at the goodwill for $3. i couldn't say no. exact same jacket. brand new. for me, it's a must for a little boy. that and rain boots.

criss cross applesauce

2012-01-30T22:28:00.001-08:00

day/pic 30 of 365 project

our snaps: last week & today

2012-01-29T20:13:00.000-08:00

since my computer was not in working order, i couldn't upload any pics off my camera. which mean i barely shot any pics... but a few i wanted to share.

these two here are becoming very good friends. remember when i said luke smiles the most for my mom and bennett? i should have added the hound to the mix. he's obsessed with every inch of his houndness. especially his ears.

sometimes, luke has a really cute pointy little chin... like in this pic. and i like it.

my oh my. so grown up in his flannel button up. bennett hated him in this shirt.

uh ... duh. that's this look. and so luke.

gosh. i love him like this. a happy, wide open look. and his eyes kind of slanty. he looks like bennett to me in this shot.

total roundness.

anything and everything is a chew toy. even our metal bed.

look at that head of hair.

this is my sweet boy.

and today, bennett got home with luke from the mountain. i had a whole 24 hours to myself.. well, not really. i worked, but still.. all i had to think about was myself and rebel. just like old times.

and i was in the process of cleaning my room (my mirror fell down), so i put luke up on my bed and he was so interested in his reflection.

all he wanted to do was kiss and lick himself. can't blame the guy. it's all i want to do to him too.

i love this picture. his chubby little hands. his little foot all curled up.. and his eyes open looking at himself while he kisses himself.

day/pic 29 of 365 project

day/pic 28

2012-01-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

back on track. computer was returned to me this morning. and everything seems to there. my computer guy was able to recover everything. mind you, i am going to have to re-install all my photography software and appraisal software.. but i am finally and officially 'backed-up'. something i should have been for the last 5+ years. if you EVER need a computer guy... i have an awesome gentlemen. who is fast, affordable and awesome.

so anyways. bennett and luke headed to the mountain house (condo) so that i can work (lucky me).

day/pic 27 (yesterday)

2012-01-28T08:56:00.000-08:00

so far, my start to 2012 has somewhat sucked... i've been without my computer twice which makes this 365 project (366 for the leap year) really hard. while my post haven't been everyday.. my pictures have. so, this is yesterday's pic. i had to work from my mom's house.. with a baby who didn't nap. not for the faint of heart. but luckily grammy pitched in like she always does... which is hard because this lady works more and harder than anybody i know. good...because her business is always doing so well, but hard because she could work 7 days a week around the clock. boo.

lashes

2012-01-26T18:29:00.000-08:00

day/pic 26 of 365 project

luke, 9 months

2012-01-25T20:30:00.000-08:00

9 month stats

length: 29 3/4 in (94%)

weight 23 lbs (91%)

head 18 3/4 (99%)

day/pic 25 of 365 project

at 9 months luke is clapping, army crawling, standing up, walking around furniture, loving his fruits, oatmeal, cheese, cold cuts, mum mums, pickles, sweet potatoes, yams, mashed potatoes, banana nut cheerios,and toast with butter (just a few of his faves). he loves to get into all my cabinets in the kitchen and take out all my pots and pans, he loves to crawl under my desk and play with all my computer cords, he loves to open and shut doors, loves his bath so much and loves to eat his bath bubbles and gulps his bath water. luke remains super calm, very easy to please, very sweet (starting to give us hugs and squeezes), smiles super easy,gives high 5's... does not say any words- and not even close, has 8 teeth (4 up, 4 down), he is just starting to babble a bit. like ba ba bab ba ba. he has gotten lots more giggly- which is so fun. he continues to be the best sleeper- and takes 2 naps a day. his sleep pattern is like clock work. i thank god everyday for a baby who has slept through the night since 3 months. he is beginning to be a mommas boy. like he's reaching out for me when he's in other people's arms. i love this. what can i say i love being someone's numero uno.

love bug

2012-01-24T21:27:00.000-08:00

remember how i said i don't have nicknames for luke? well, i call him love bug. this boy has turned me into complete mush. oh, and my computer? it crashed. dunzos. shitty. shitty. shitty. i've already had a long and hard cry. in the car driving to my mom's. you have no idea how much work i have to do. i'm currently at my mom's using her computer. most of you know me as a photographer, but my 'day' job is a real estate appraiser. and i have 2 appraisal reports due tomorrow... and no computer. it's no bueno. no bueno at all. waiting for my computer guy to rescue me. and honestly, not even sure it's an option. my computer is empty. can't even access my email. just lastnight i set myself up a new account with outlook, and it's not syncing with my comcast email.

day/pic 24 of 365 project

for the birds

2012-01-23T20:18:00.000-08:00

luke has a fever. and has his first diaper rash. an awful one because he has the runs. (so gross that i said that, but so true). he was super cuddly today and happy, but not feeling himself. even though i had to work today, i'm so happy that i can do it from home so that i can check on him, because lets be honest. i almost took him to the ER a couple times. but talked myself out of it. scratch that. my mom came over late lastnight and let us know she thought he was ok. this is when parenting is hard. i don't want to be someone who over-reacts, but i also don't want to not react. ahhhh. this overanalyzing is for the birds. and it's just begun. on another note... luke was well enough to do some more clapping(last pics).

day/pic 23 of 365 project

his favorite thing to do

2012-01-23T15:52:00.000-08:00

is walk around our little house.

and i'm learning (after listing to my hundreds of videos on my iphone.. that i'm quite giggly while videoing. and i don't know how to make the quality better. boo.

sparkles

2012-01-23T15:38:00.000-08:00

the strange thing is i don't like sparkles.. errr... so i thought. maybe with valentine's day approaching?

got something for my toes. since i have no nails. and the cute little bag from target- i'm gonna frame for my photwall. go sparkles!

hush little baby

2012-01-22T14:22:00.000-08:00

30 minutes before:i walked into a room with luke walking around the furniture. i told bennett i didn't want him walking around the furniture with only hardwoods beneath him. bennett told me luke was fine and didn't fall anymore. i told him that wasn't true, but told him it was his call. what do you think happened? and who do you think feels like a schmuck? yep. daddy. this time i didn't like being right. well. ok. i sort of did to bennett. but felt bad for luke's noggin (again).

day/pic 22 of 365 project

day/pic 21

2012-01-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

i fell asleep by 9 pm lastnight. meant to do my post, but snoozed instead. i've been working on clapping with luke. and today, out of the blue.. he just started clapping. well, sort of. still working on those fine motor skills, but this momma was still pretty impressed. and while the quality isn't the best, i just knew if i ran to get my big camera, that my boy would stop clapping. so- thank you iphone. you really are a lifesaver. and just so you know... he really hasn't clapped since. boo. but yipee. i got the first go's at it.

day/pic 21 of 365 project

round here

2012-01-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

today, he played and i cleaned house. a win win for all.

day/pic 20 of 365 project

snow bunnies

2012-01-19T17:28:00.000-08:00

we lost power around 11 am... try as i might to keep our fire alive, it just wasn't enough to warm our house. so, we packed our things and headed to grammies house. already we've gone sledding. bennett is on his way over to join our sleep over. this is why i love the snow. takes an ordinary day and turns it into a mini winter vacation. and i swear. luke isn't in his snow outfit all the time. or in that hat. just lately.

day/pic 19 of 365 project

luke & his snow friends

2012-01-18T18:56:00.001-08:00

day/pic 18 of 365 project

swinging

2012-01-17T22:50:00.000-08:00

can't believe this was from lastweek. sunshine? now we are drenched in snow (me loves). but, i still wanted to document luke's first time on a swing. with his favorite lady... his grammy.

rocket man

2012-01-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

while bennett was loading up our 'snow supplies', he found this rocket that my mom had gotten luke in our shed. i did not think it would be a hit. i was wrong. such a hit.

day/pic 17 of 365 project

him laughing

2012-01-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

is the cutest.

Days/Pics 15 & 16

2012-01-16T17:49:00.000-08:00

ok. so, i was out of town on day 15, but took a pic... clearly, we are all about snow right now. and we just spent the weekend up at the mountain again, and our good friends the prentices joined us for a night.

day/pic 15 of 365 project

day/pic 16 of 365 project (luke at almst 9 months, and carson at almost 14 months)

a good team

2012-01-14T08:39:00.000-08:00

day/pic 14 of 365 project

when you get married, you think you know everything there is to know about living happily ever. we really have no idea. and totally not our fault. i def. was not thinking about what a great diaper changer bennett was gonna be. that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what an awesome dad he is. the one lately that's winning the prize is when bennett comes home from work- he grabs luke from me and asks luke how his little best friend is. i totally wasn't thinking of those moments when i thought of forever with bennett. pretty great.

teeth

2012-01-13T14:22:00.000-08:00

he has 4 on the bottom now. and 4 up on top. we wouldn't even have a clue because his demeanor never changes...he doesn't get snotty. he doesn't stop sleeping. he's not grumpy. always so sweet. maybe drooly, but he's been drooly since 3 months. and lets be honest. i have a hound. i can deal with drool.

day/pic 13 of 365 project

rosey cheeks

2012-01-12T14:21:00.000-08:00

day/pic 12 of 365 project

and to be noted. work has begun on planning luke's 1st birthday. we are keeping it intimate & simple. just bestfriends and our immediate family. but that doesn't mean it can't be cute, right? not trying to be too 'themey'... but i am doing a nautical/pirate party. pretty excited over the planning. this cake is everything i want the party to be like. darling & simple.

oh dear

2012-01-11T20:51:00.000-08:00

i've had my phone less than a week and already have 113 pictures on it and 20 videos. and apparently i've found some apps.

today

2012-01-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

he went on a swing all by himself. he was more interested in the people watching than anything. it was a gorgeous day. lucky, lucky us.

day/pic 11 of 365 project

little bird mouth

2012-01-10T15:32:00.001-08:00

megan was right. he so has a little bird mouth.

day/pic 10 of 365

the art of playing

2012-01-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

i want him to remember me on the ground with him.

playing our little hearts out.

and we do.

we rough house. we sing. we 'walk'.

we read.

but, i also want for him to navigate his own way.

& find his own fun.

use his own brain. and his own hands.

one of the best things my parent's ever taught me was

to be able to be alone and enjoy my time alone.

to use my own brain. and my own hands.

it's when i'm the most creative.

and i can't begin to tell you how much i love

watching luke playing. learning....& falling.

yep. he got his first of many bruises on his big noggin.

dog and boy

2012-01-09T12:38:00.001-08:00

luke has mastered sharing. thanks reb.

day/pic 9 of 365

hello 2012

2012-01-09T11:09:00.000-08:00

i love this tradition of ringing in the new year at bennett's parent's condo at snoqualmie. i'm not a party girl- so this is perfect for me. all of us together under a tiny roof is near perfection. and luke's first time up at the snow- and having a sleepover with the whitsell's couldn't have gone any better. growing up, my parent's took us kids up to the pass to go sledding (we all loved the snow), and i always wished i could just stay up there. i'm so happy luke gets to grow up having a place to stay in the snow. it really is magical. and bennett? don't think his huge smile ever left his face. this is his VERY happy place.

our boy in bennett's ski boots.

opa's first time feeding luke. success.

i really love the look on gary's face in this one

and, off he goes

gosh. they are sure cute together.

little luke sledding down the mountain

this is the cute little powder pigs building where all the little ones learn how to ski. it is right next door to bennett's family's condo

luke is a little snow bunny. fo sho

family sledding- so fun!

bennett's twin brother and his girlfriend megan are expecting a baby this april! so excited for them!

i do love luke with family.. and sharing him with his uncles is so sweet

this is bennett's older brother greg. aka 'unky gregor' to luke

we did hand made gifts this year for our whitsell gift exchange. bennett and i made his dad a shot ski... and we mod podged/collaged it.. with a ton of photos. it was pretty rockin.

sideways

2012-01-08T15:47:00.000-08:00

i have no idea why this is sideways, but it is and i can't do a thing about it.it's not sideways on my computer, just when i upload to blogger. my mother in law just sent this to me today- and even though it wasn't taken today... i'm using it for my project. this was new year's weekend up at the condo. me and my boy

and.. good news. my computer was returned to me today.. and it is A-OK! such good news. i guess i should start backing my shiz up, huh? i know, i know...

and... i am fancy. i got a smart phone... an iphone. bennett got it for me for christmas. i swore i would never cave. famous last words, cuz i soooo caved. now i just need to figure out how to use it.

sooo, if you have a smart phone- what are you FAVE Apps? what MUST i get? don't be shy. i really wanna know. and you are gonna have to really sell me on the not free ones.

***added a picture actually taken from today, from my iphone using instagram. i sort of don't get instagram tho. boo. technology. but then hip hip hooray for technology. love/hate. already

day/pic 8 of 365.

free bird

2012-01-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

do you know i can probably count on one hand the times luke has gone 'pantless' around the house. it just never happens. he is always fully dressed by 8 am. today, he was in his jammies til after his first nap (bennett was on duty), and then after his second nap... we got wild. i took off his pants and let him roam around. i didn't even put socks on him. extra wild.

pic/day 6 of 365

one of those days

2012-01-06T14:51:00.000-08:00

my computer is dead in the water. it got a virus. a really bad one. the computer guy came and picked it up today, no word yet. but that couldn't stop me from posting. i hopped on bennett's ancient mac- took a pic with my ancient phone and here we are.

day/pic 6 of 365 project

beyond measure

2012-01-05T13:32:00.000-08:00

we call him nosey rosey. and this is his look. always looking past whoever is right in front of him to see what is going on beyond that person. i didn't ever wanto forget this look. so him right now

his little mouth gets me every time.

he's not insanely silly, but he thinks i can be pretty funny. and him happy and smiley is like winning the lottery round these parts. and my oh my. how much like his pops does he look like when he smiles?

he is beginning to get interested in books. touching them. turning the pages

has no problem sitting back. putting his feet up. must have gotten that from his dad too

is starting to really wonder what is over the edge of things

and is as sweet as sweet can be

day/pic 5 of 365 project

mis-matchy

2012-01-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

i dress him like i decorate my house. lots of stripes...color spots of red.

what you can't see is his little shirt says 'my mom is #1'. COMPLETELY out of character for me. shirts with cheesey/dumb stuff on them usually make me cringe but for some reason, him in this makes me smile. and lets be real. sometimes $1.25 at target is just too hard to pass up.

*pic/day4 of 365 project

wherever i go, there you are

2012-01-03T17:08:00.000-08:00

a week ago, i had to click my tongue, clap my hands.. and say 'c'mon boy...'. not so much anymore. he is underfoot. no doubts about it.

day/pic 3 of 365 project

pull-ups and stand-ups

2012-01-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

anything and everything these days (in luke's eyes) is leverage to pull-up so that he can stand-up

*day/pic 2 of 365 project

i love you more than all the stars

2012-01-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

a thousand times a day... i whisper into luke's ear..i love you more than all the stars. and a thousand times a day, i smile when i think of these two.

we celebrated the new year as we do each year.. with the whitsell's at their 'snow house'. and today, a dream came true for bennett. his little man and him hiked up in front of powder pigs and took some turns down the mountain. it was a great start to the new year.

the best.

***

and, i am going to be doing a 365 project. a photo. each day. for an entire year. this my friends... is photo numero uno.

who me?

2011-12-28T20:06:00.000-08:00

i'm beginning to see this face a bit more often.

luke at 8 months

2011-12-27T15:24:00.000-08:00

scooching everwhere, all over the house

loves to play under the table or under his high chair

loves to scooch to rebel's paws

is happy. the happiest

continues to be very calm and content- all the time

is still a champion sleeper

challenged me on the 2nd nap, but after a week of consistency i won- 2+ hour afternoon naps are back

loves his bath and is playing with bath toys a lot now

continues to be a sweetheart

lights up whenever bennett or my mom walk into a room

had his first and second sleep over with my mom

is a great eater. loves anything orange- along with all fruits. and mashed potatoes and beets

loves his 'puffs'

loves to 'walk' while we holds his hands. he hops.

squeals alot

is not the biggest giggler

hates putting on shirts

pants when he is excited

loves to be in the bjorn (kicks his legs with excitement)

has 3 bottom teeth and 2 more on the top are at the gums

will stay in place on all 4's (crawl position)

pulls himself up and stands

is starting to navigate/walk around furniture while holding on

no longer cares about his owls

luke is chubby, happy, smiley, playful, calm and loveable. i may want another just like him.

the best gift

2011-12-26T12:07:00.000-08:00

my mom. was at our house by 8 am.. and didn't leave til 11:30 pm. she spoiled luke beyond. not to mention bennett and me. luke loved all his tissue wrapped presents (my mom's trademark) and boxes. but most of all he LOOOVES her. sometimes i think more than me. they are best buddies. best pals. she made my christmas by just being her... hope your christmas was awesome. yes.i said awesome.

merry christmas and it's HIS toe.

2011-12-25T11:04:00.000-08:00

well. you have either noticed something pretty dang hilarious about my christmas card. or you have not. and if you
haven't...bless you. if you have.. screw you.. kidding. but honestly,... i'm an idiot. i should have noticed. apparently... luke's big toe- looks like his...... ding-a-ling! dying. seriously dying. apparently the christmas lights aren't the only thing hung this year.

and the original picture looks like this... i think in color it looks more like a toe, right? please say right.

christmas crafting with my girls & their kiddos

2011-12-24T14:03:00.000-08:00

the week of christmas, we managed to all get together under my very small roof.. and craft. i was in heaven. my mom stopped by and watched luke so i could paint the kiddos hands white for their snow people ornaments.. and then paint their fingers brown for their reindeer prints. i thought megan was in hell. turns out the next day... she went to michaels to get her very own supplies to make more! who knew. and it's times like these... when i wish more than anything that i was crafting with my nieces and nephews in arizona, but so thankful that i have besties that are just like family.

christmas craft

2011-12-20T21:34:00.000-08:00

it's not perfect. i had to wait til luke fell asleep, so i could paint his paw white and then smooshed it onto this ball... that's why his pinky finger looks like it's connected to his (one day) ring finger. just another day in crafting. kasie and megan came over. with ALL their kids. in my tiny house. we crafted. i was in heaven. i think megan wanted to kill herself.

tomato - to mah toe

the light show

2011-12-20T20:43:00.000-08:00

a certain little somebody was more impressed by the lightshow behind him.. than me. the photographer/momographer. can't say i blame him. in an attempt to get our christmas card out the door.. i strung some lights up behind him.i say some but mean A LOT.lets just say they were brrrrrriiiiight!and lets just say that taping strands of lights on a wall while a scooching baby is on the bed- is not easy. the good news? i got a picture. made a card. and got them ordered this afternoon.nothing like the week of christmas.

the point and shoot

2011-12-19T20:06:00.000-08:00

i never take pics of luke and i because my camera is so damn huge. i guess along the way i became a camera snob and forgot about my trusty point and shoot. the one with the flash. that always makes my cheeks look shiny. the one i can hold with one hand. the one i can take a SP of my boy and myself. smudged make-up and all. bath time with my little shark tonight.

sunday

2011-12-18T18:40:00.000-08:00

i hated sundays growing up. hated them. there wasn't much going on. we had to do chores. we just kind of hung out. and now... i love sundays- for all the reasons i hated them growing up. it's really the only day on my calendar that i don't schedule anything- or feel the need to leave the house. or want to see anybody but my family.i'm already sort of a hermit.. but on sundays.. i totally am. i love just playing on my bed together. it's the sweetest.

omygosh. he's such a little pie face lately (always?) .. ok.. moreso than normal. and i love it. so squishable & so damn loveable.

my boys putting on the final ornaments... took me awhile this year to decorate my tree.

a little merry merry

2011-12-16T14:54:00.000-08:00

i walked into luke's room to find him standing at his crib looking at his tree. i ran and got my camera.the whole time i was pregnant... i never thought about these tiny little moments. they are the best.

he still

2011-12-16T10:35:00.001-08:00

sleeps with his little hooves crossed.

2 days in a row

2011-12-12T23:07:00.000-08:00

we had our annual (3 years strong) prentice/whitsell christmas dinner this weekend and then their family shoot. seeing them 2 days in a row is quite the luxury. and not being drunk for either is a miracle. just a cute shot from their session. check back HERE for more soon. & just wait til you see their darling new little buddy.

luke's christmas tree

2011-12-12T10:23:00.000-08:00

i have always known that i would like my kids to have their own christmas trees. teeny tiny little charlie browns. and i love the colored bulb lights. you can't see them... but it also has bubble lights. reminds me of my dad.

the little inch-worm that could

2011-12-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

luke had his first overnight stay lastnight at my mom's... and when we picked him up- she was like 'oh... and he started crawling lastnight'...well... come to find out- he has started scooching/inch-worming it... whatever you'd like to call it.. the boy is on the move... albeit a very slow 'on the move'.. but on the move...

reinBeers

2011-12-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

i knew when i saw these on pinterest... that i would have to make them and bring them to our annual prentice/whitsell christmas party. meg LOVES this kind of stuff. that's why i love her. anyways.. such a hit- and so easy to make. these are my reinbeers. cute, no? and if you don't drink... rootbeer bottles would be super cute too.

rudolph's got nothin on my boy

2011-12-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

7.5 months

2011-12-07T19:02:00.000-08:00

did i say 6 months was my favorite? i meant 7.5 months.

by the light of the tree & heart bokeh

2011-12-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

been wanting to try some heart bokeh & the tree lights were perfect practice. lastnight, with the baby fast asleep and bennett too.. while i watched real housewives of beverly hills... i used this super easy tutorial. now that i've got the basics down, i'm gonna practice. you should too. super fun. although, you need a good prime lens- fyi.

fah la la la la la... la la la la

2011-12-05T19:13:00.000-08:00

luke in a pair of his christmas jammies in front of the tree. kind of a baby's christmas right of passage, no? & then a video of him in the very early stages of thinking about crawling

holly jolly

2011-12-04T19:59:00.000-08:00

egg nog latte in a red cup. breakfast with my boys. christmas tree. maybe an itty bitty tree for luke's room too. 106.9 christmas tunes in the car. christmas jim jammies for luke. house almost all decked out. tree almost all decked out. great little sunday.

the comb over

2011-12-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

his hair. is the perfect comb over. it too is tragic and cute. i'm not one for styling a baby's hair (but i do believe in trims)... so he'll just be sporting a comb over.

and we got a new hat in the mail yesterday- maybe some mittens and jeans too! so fun. i didn't think i'd like dressing a boy, but it's pretty fun. it's not as obvious fun as a girl, but lucky for me... i like to shop and see what's out there, so it's pretty fun. and just a note for myself... in the second to last pic.. luke is holding his favorite toy of late... a toothbrush. he loves it. more than anything.

fresh from the tubby

2011-12-02T14:10:00.000-08:00

still a favorite time of mine. it's just so sweet. and luke might have met his future nanny today- we are going to be doing a very part time thing.. really more like scheduled baby sitting. couple days a week for a 5 hours... at our house. and, we are gonna do our holiday thang this weekend.. probably sunday.. go get our tree. bring out my holiday decorations- haven't been too excited for it, but am getting closer. maybe even think about our christmas card. i've got ideas uh brewing... so, we'll see.

cross your fingers for good weather tomorrow.. i've got 5 shoots. hello holidays!
oh. & pinterest? wow. so addicting, but in a good way. i'm actually doing some fun stuff. i'll show you some stuff on monday.baby bow ties.. just sayin'

and someone is still a little thumb sucker

best pals

2011-12-01T23:31:00.000-08:00

this summer, my brother's oldest boy asked my mom if she'd marry him. i think one day.. when luke finds his words.. he may just ask her too. my mom. she's so good. lucky us. lucky us.

he seems like such a boy to me

2011-12-01T20:34:00.000-08:00

i think that's what i like about this age... less 'newborn' and more kiddo. (thanks meg for the shirt). bennett finally dropped that crib down. now he just chomps on the rail. need to get a guard pronto pup.

house slippers & a cardigan

2011-11-28T22:15:00.000-08:00

my boo has his first cold. he sounds like a pug when he breathes. it's tragic. & cute. & maybe. just maybe... an hour after he went down, bennett & crept into his room to make sure he was still breathing.

luke, 7 months

2011-11-27T17:54:00.000-08:00

luke loves his food. man oh man. and he loves our food. and he loves people's food that are walking by. he is sitting unattended. & plays with is toys a lot by himself now. he smiles at whoever walks into a room. we call him nosey rosey because he swivels his head to watch whoever. he sleeps from 7-7. 12 hours is awesome. his naps have really shortened up though. we need to work on them a bit. we don't use his infant seat in his bob anymore. he loves his bath and is soothed by his blanket. he has a pretty cute comb over. and is starting to get his 3rd bottom tooth. no uppers. all bottoms.

and this blue hat? i got it for luke when he was a baby.. was suppose to fit from 6-9 months... so i just brought it out again.. his noggin??? so big and round. and the hat doesn't even fit. i took these pics just for fun. you know. just to laugh at my boy.his head/face look perfectly round.

happy thanksgiving

2011-11-23T18:47:00.000-08:00

we crafted with luke tonight. put some paint on his cute little paws and made a some cute turkey friends. so cute, no? thank you pinterest for the darling idea. i'm a huge sucker for anything and everything baby handprint... you can probably be expecting some kind of christmas craft with a handprint. just saying.

snow bunny

2011-11-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

bennett's mom (luke's oma) watches luke at our house on monday mornings & she always brings something for luke.

well.... this time, it was his first snowsuit. a right of passage in the whitsell household. and... looks like we are headed to the mountain this weekend, so it couldn't come at a better time. is luke too small for sledding?

a year ago today

2011-11-22T07:19:00.000-08:00

it was snowing & i was getting ready to meet this little boy. a year ago today, i learned a thing or two about love at first sight. i met carson just minutes old. go HERE to see his 'after' birth story.

and it's moments like this... .when i think back to meg and i in mrs. king's kindergarten class. not sure what brought us together... but, in a text the other day i told it was serendipity. her and i meeting. and when you are a part of someone's story like this... it all feels very much like it was meant to be

lately

2011-11-21T20:18:00.000-08:00

i've been telling anybody who will listen how much i love luke at this 6-7 month age. it's the best... that's what i say. but somehow, i forgot about this...just one day new. you have no idea how much time i lost today looking through old pictures of luke on my computer. 2 cups of cafe vienna (trying to not get so many starbucks) later. in someways, i don't even see any of this tiny little baby (ok, he was never so tiny, but still....) in my pal. deep sigh. followed by a deep breath. just another reminder to me... to slow down. this life. it's just so damn precious.

twinsies

2011-11-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

ok. not so much, but hat wearing twinsies for sure. i LOVE this time of year. love the clear days. the cold cold weather. i love seeing my breath. i love tucking my hair in and putting on a hat & taking the boy and the hound for a walk. maybe we get a latte a long the way. i LOVE picking up christmas decorations and hiding them from bennett (he doesn't understand all the decorations). i love the week of thanksgiving because it's like the eve of the holiday season. there is a spark that only the holidays can bring. and we are on the cusp. now i just want it to snow. really bad.

luke uh baaaby

2011-11-19T14:29:00.000-08:00

bundled

2011-11-16T10:44:00.000-08:00

oh you know....

2011-11-15T21:29:00.000-08:00

just a couple videos.

p.s. does anyone/everyone feels as dorky as i do when they hear themselves on video?

our morning

2011-11-15T09:55:00.000-08:00

my boy use to sleep til 9 am. now he's up at 7. as soon as you think you've got a routine- it always seems to change. thankfully, i'm good with the change-up.

clarification:he use to wake up at 7 to get fed and then go back down til 9. now he's just up.

um.. hello 7 am.

our snaps

2011-11-14T18:37:00.000-08:00

check out my recent trip to arizona HERE

auntie josie

2011-11-09T19:19:00.000-08:00

the best part of going to arizona is spending time with my favorite 3 little girls. my brother and sundi are the best. they let me act like they are my very own. i get to dress them. do their hair. bake cakes and cupcakes. take them grocery shopping at 8 in the morning. take them to get my morning coffee. take them to my dad's to go swimming. you name it. and i love them something fierce. and wow. growing up, huh?

2 of my favorite things

2011-11-08T08:57:00.000-08:00

fall & my boy at 6 months.

i love this age

in 15 months

2011-11-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

they go from this

to this...

back in the saddle

2011-11-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

ahhh. me and my boy in stripes. happens a lot. we are back. successful plane ride. family time. sunshine. 33rd birthday. az state fair. swimming. drinking. you name it. we did it. excited to be back home. loving this crisp fall weather. i'm ready. totally ready.

out of the office

2011-10-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

it's that time again... off to arizona we go. first plane ride for my boy! can't wait to see my family and some warm sunshine!going to ring in my 33rd birthday. yipee:)

luke, 6 months

2011-10-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

did you know i wasn't even sure i wanted to have a baby? i use to say that i'd be just fine not having kids. shame on me. shame. shame. shame. and did you know that it took us over a year to make this baby? we weren't sure we could make a baby. and that we made him during the time we were told by my doctor to stop trying? i found out i was pregnant in the parking lot at QFC. right after our annual lake chelan trip. right after getting thrown off of the jet ski for a whole week. and maybe drinking a few too many cocktails. but whatevs.

did you also know that never. ever. ever. in my life have i ever been more happy and full of love. that the past 6 months has been the greatest. hands down. the best. this baby, this new life- has breathed a life so huge inside of me... it can literally take the breath right out of me. my boy.

he is 6 months. rolling. finally rolling people. and sitting pretty good (said his doc today at his appt). is sleeping through the night. loves to grab at anything and everything. has a pretty good schedule. takes 2 cat naps, and then a 2-3 hour nap mid day. has lots of new toys that he loves. he spins on the ground. loves applesauce, bananas and squash so much. will let you know when he's not happy. turns his lip down and pouts. smiles instantly at whoever walks in a room. he's a good baby. the best.

today his hooligan friends came over. i swear just yesterday, it was just megan and hadley coming to my house to visit. and now look at her. she's seriously all grown up! and carson? gosh. he sure is cute. and megan just loves him. she's a sucker for little boys.

this is what luke has to look forward to:)

these two. megan made me fall in love with the idea of becoming a mom. she really did. she is a gal who does it all. works, is a kick ass wife, a best friend, is a fun mom, has a darling house, has a sense of humor, and makes time for friends and family. and always is my best gal. i love her hadley's nose touch. too cute.

and always, always... laughing. we were just with the prentice's sunday night. for almost 6 hours of drinking at daniels sans kiddos. went for the 4 pm happy hour. stayed for the 9 pm as well. total awesomeness always with the prentice's.

and just because it's totally fall here. i clipped some branches off my maple tree. i just love seattle this time of year. late afternoon sunlight through my windows. the best.