24 weeks - weekly update

This has already been a busy week. I swear I say this every week! First off, Jake started eating sweet potatoes on Saturday. He LOVES them! I have continued giving him those since then. This week I'll be mixing it up. Not sure what I'm moving to, but, excited to try something new! I heard you shouldn't mix veggies and fruit (not together... but, introducing)? Just give veggies for awhile and then start in on fruits? Thoughts moms?

Tuesday mommy group went to the Orange Circle Antique Mall. It was really fun! We walked around, had lunch, and even stayed away from dessert. A rarity... I know! :) 

I used to go as a child. My mom would drag my brother and I. I hated it. I hated it with a passion and would cry every time she would take us. She would have to bribe my brother and I with food and gifts. Poor lady. Now look.... I'm doing it too! ha. I didn't find anything in particular. I do love antiques. I have certain things I look for. Ever heard of Jadite (Jadite depression glass)? When we were little my mom came across 2 sets of Jadite dishes, cups, and saucers and bought them for Marty and I. Once we got married my mom shipped us the boxes of the glass. It was made during the depression period and is worth quite a bit. I haven't used them though. I still have them in the box my mom sent me. I'm so afraid of breaking them. The are not replaceable. The fact my mom kept them as long as she had is more priceless than the dollar amount. I would love to pass this on to my children. I rarely see or hear about Jadite. Sometimes I get lucky and find an item here or there. And it's usually expensive. So, every time I go looking for antiques, that is what I look for.

Here are a few pieces of my collection:

My baby love on the adventure with me:

He's trying to grab my camera cord here... He's touching everything!

Happy boy!

On Wednesday, Grant was out of town, so my girlfriends came over and we had a potluck dinner! When I say potluck... it was seriously out of control! So much food and wine! I'm so lucky to be surrounded by these girls. I have the best friends. Bestie Katy came late so she wasn't in the group shot.

The older I get the more I realize that friendships should be effortless. Sure you have to work on relationships, but there shouldn't be anything you can't work through. The girls below have been my friends for years. Some for over 12 years. My grandfather once said, "A friend is someone that will be inconvenienced for you". This is true. The girls below are always there for me, and I'm always there for them. Without asking. It's so awesome to see us all change and grow as women. It's hard to believe we were once young sorority sisters trying to figure it all out.

3 of the girls below are growing there hair to donate to another one of our girlfriends. That is amazing to me. What a wonderful group of girls. *I will also be sending another blog out about the hair drive shortly*

Grant and I have a busy weekend ahead... I will post my photography lessons on Sunday and send another blog on our wine tasting adventure!
Love and cheers,

Photography Class - Day 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13

Day 8:

Gifts from the heart

There have been so many gifts my husband has given me. Gifts ranging from pricey to the little gifts he gives me that don't cost anything... like quality time. I thought about so many things and then I looked down and saw my wedding ring. A BIG gift from his heart. In 2008 I got a gift of commitment, love, and faithfulness. This gift held a promise of a marriage and a life together forever. This gift was the beginning of our life together. The band my husband gave me was his great aunts as well. How cool is that? 

Notice the blurred background? YAY for me!

This is actually on Auto... Macro... Natural light... but, flash was on.

Day 9:

Passions and hobbies

Early last year father in law called me and asked if I could be his wedding photographer. At first I was thrilled that he thought I was capable of such ability... and then I realized... I have to do a great job! What the heck did I know about this? I did a little reading and shooting here and there... and... Here are a few photos I took from my Canon G11. 

I'm not a professional nor do I claim to be. But, I would say photography is a passion/hobby to me. I love it! I would love to learn and expand more on this passion... perhaps when Jake is a little older I can go back and take classes at my Alma Mater?

Day 10:

Where they are comfortable

While I was cleaning up around the house I looked over to where my boys were laying and saw them snoozing together. This is my husbands favorite spot on the couch, and Jake's favorite spot to lay on his daddy. I thought this picture was great! My boys. :)

2.8, 1/500, ISO 3200

Day 11: 

Dreams

I'm clearly learning how to adjust my camera properly. Even though I don't have the SLR, I think I'm doing a pretty good job with my trusty G11. 

My dream is to become my own photographer. Don't get me wrong... this momma LOVES to get pictures taken (and anyone that knows me... knows that!). However, I think I'm totally capable of taking pictures of my son and family. I guess my dream is to get an upgraded camera and learn how to use all functions on it.

The picture below is a picture of my G11 in the box. The box isn't in great condition... I aggressively open my Christmas gifts. ;)

2.8 1/125, ISO 800

Day 12:

Eyes

There isn't much to say about this picture... When you look into the eyes of a child there is innocence and peace. He is my everything. I thank God everyday for Jake. He is my angel. I adore him to pieces. I can't go on enough about him. 

2.8, 1/500, ISO 800

Day 13:

Routines

Everyone morning Grant takes Brady out for a walk. He walks the dog before he goes to work. I walk the dog in the afternoon, and then Grant walks the dog again before bed. Usually on Saturday or Sunday  my husband and I take a walk to our local shops and have lunch. It was a beautiful weekend! Sun was shinning and it wasn't very hot out. Just perfect out.

Auto...don't judge ;)

So, I have decided since I'm so darn busy to do a weeks worth of pictures in one blog! I CAN DO THIS!

Happy Valentines Day!

I'm a very lucky lady this year... I have 2 boys to celebrate with. :)

Valentines Day was always made special by my mom every year. She would always do something special for my brother and I growing up. Whether it was candy, a present, always something... one year I even got Vinny. Vinny is my huge white cat! Every year I knew my mom was my Valentine!

The holiday shouldn't be used as a once a year my wife/husband is special holiday. Shouldn't you feel special most days? Who doesn't like candy, cards, presents, and dinner? Grant is very good about making sure I feel special... not just one day a year. However, this year... things are a little different!

This is why!

And I couldn't be happier! This year Grant and I are having Valentines dinner at home with good wine and each other. I wouldn't want to spend it with anyone else but my boys.
Love,

Aquarium of the Pacific- Jake 23 weeks

Jake and I had such a fun day! Today my mommy group went to the Aquarium. I wasn't sure what to expect since I've never been there, and I also didn't know how long Jake would make it. Well, he did great! My little man LOVED the fish! He was talking so much. His eyes were big and he was totally interested in everything around him! I took so many pictures and a video for Grant while we were there. 

Here is our video to daddy while we were there. (Jake watching the fish) 

To my surprise he made it about 2 hours. Not bad for a 23 week old, right? We walked around and then went to lunch at the Pike at Rainbow Harbor. We ending lunch with a giant chocolate cake. AGH. Do the sweets ever stop? Well, we spilt it between the girls... so, I don't feel as bad about it. 

I totally recommend going if you are in the Long Beach area. It was pretty cool. I would totally go again. I feel so fortunate to live in California. It was a beautiful day and we have so many neat things to do on any day we choose to leave the house! Next week... The Zoo!!

Here are some pictures from our outing:

Photography Class - Day 7

Generations

I'm a little behind because I've been so busy. But, I still have been taking pictures along the way. This post is about generations. 

I took my little Canon G11 and turned off auto for this project.

I wrote down the specs... but, I can't find that paper. I can update my blog with that info when I have the time... but, I at least wanted to post a picture so I'm not to far behind on my blogging and photo assignments. 

I decided to go with father and son. Jake was napping on Grant, and when I looked over Jake had woken up and they were both looking over smiling at me. I had my camera sitting next to me so I took advantage of the moment. Don't they look so much alike? My precious boys.

Hope everyone is enjoying their week! It's almost time for the weekend!! I will post Day 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 this weekend. Probably in one blog. Grant will be home and I can take the time to type it all out. :)

23 weeks - Wordless Wednesday post

Photography Class - Day 6

WHO THEY LOVE

I think I'm putting too much thought into what I want to photograph so I'm getting behind. It's more about how I use my camera and getting my love ones involved. Well a photo opportunity presented itself last night... I had my camera on auto.... dun dun dun... but, I'm glad I captured this moment.

Look at my little man staring at himself through his mirror! I was cleaning up his toys and heard him laughing... I looked on his play gym and saw him holding the mirror, laughing. He LOVES looking at himself through a mirror. We have mirrors on our closet doors upstairs and he just loves looking at us in it. Even when he's fussy... I can bring him to the mirror and it puts a smile on his face.

Now back to figuring out how to blur the back ground of my photos... stay tuned!