Disaster, Summed Up in Two Words

Family picture.

Need I say more?

While at the lake for the 4th of July I had the brilliant idea of trying to take a family picture with our new camera. What was I thinking?

I had wanted to take the pictures in the evening as the sun was going down but it was overcast all day so we started a bit earlier. And as luck would have it, the sun came out from behind the clouds and ruined several pictures (Because the two following pictures would have totally been GREAT without the glare of the sun. Riiiight).

So we moved into the shade where the sun wouldn't ruin anything.

Hmm, I guess the sun wasn't my only problem.

The one below ended up being the best of the bunch. And that's not saying much.

Oh well. I guess we'll try again sometime. Like maybe when they're all in college.

Nearly Eighteen Months

She has suddenly started using "mommy" and "daddy" instead of her usual "mama" and "dada." My heart does flip-flops every time I hear those words, torn between loving my name said with such baby tenderness while cringing that she is already, already, letting go of the baby talk. She is growing so much faster than the other two ever did, spurred on by wanting so much to follow in their footsteps, to walk the places they walk and play the things they play. As much as I want to keep her cuddled on my lap with her chubby and dimpled hands clutching at my shirt, she wants DOWN, wants the freedom to explore and play and do things that she shouldn't. There is no stopping her and she knows it.

At nearly eighteen months, I am dragging my heels in an attempt to keep her as my baby. I don't want to discipline her or allow Josh to do the job because I can't stand to hear her cry. In the past, by this age, we have allowed the use of a pacifier in bed only yet Addie gets hers whenever she asks for it. I have fleeting thoughts of introducing her to the potty but the thought of no more diapers makes me want to dissolve into a puddle of tears. We talk about taking a family vacation next year because it will be so much easier since she'll be almost three and I nearly swoon at the thought.

This time last year she was a tiny, tiny baby just beginning to interact with us and now she screams in defiance, has hair that curls to her shoulders, answers my questions, follows directions, plays independently, wants to buckle her highchair straps and use a fork, gets mad at other babies and tries to put them in a headlock (no lie), asks for cookies, uses three-word sentences, dips french fries in ketchup, blows kisses, says "I want...," tells her siblings NO!, gets up on the couch to read a book, wants to wear "fee-faws" (flip-flops) like her sister, has a fierce love for her brother, bites in anger, climbs on nearly everything, still won't sit down in the bath, squeals when she sees a bug, loves blueberries, crosses her arms, tells me when she needs a diaper change, loves to flush the toilet, watches TV for small periods of time, screams "DADDY!" when he walks in the door every evening, wants to go "ow-sigh" (outside), loves her doggie, asks to nurse, says "pee" (please) when prompted and often "nay-oo" (thank you) when not prompted, and is still, thankfully, very much her mama's girl. What a long, long way we have come in a year and, oh the heartbreak, when I imagine the changes that will happen by this time next year!

I'm trying my hardest to hang on to my baby, my last sweet baby. And she is trying her hardest to grow up. I wonder who will win?

Sigh. I know who will win. It won't be me.

Playing with Photoshop

Playing around with some new actions I downloaded from my newest blog find (thepioneerwoman.com).

First is the original, straight-out-of-the-camera. Now with the Boost action. Makes a difference, huh?

Original, SOOC. I then added a Seventies action and made her eyes stand out a bit more.

It's different, but I really like it.

Here's Mason, before.

And now with the Vintage action. Don't know that I love this one, but again, it's something different and fun. It does give him more of a sweet, innocent feel (hard to come by these days!).

I don't have many pics other than the kids (something I'm going to start working on) but I played around with this photo:

I boosted the color and did the vintage action and got this:

A little bit more interesting than the first one, yes?

I heart Photoshop. And the actions set by Pioneer Woman! :)

PSA

Went to see My Sister's Keeper last night (was a tad bit disappointed in it) and almost hyperventilated when I saw this preview:

I read The Time Traveler's Wife a few years ago and it's one of those books that you never forget. I remember putting the book down after I finally finished it and just needing to be quiet and to think. For a couple of days I thought almost constantly about this book. It's phenomenal. Absolutely amazing, gut wrenching, and beautiful. One of the few books that has made me absolutely sob. I've cried over many, many books but only a handful have made me cry like this book. One of my all-time favorites. And now it's going to be a movie!!! I got chills there in the theater and almost starting crying just watching the preview. I am so excited and so, so hopeful that this movie will be GOOD. It's always hard to translate a truly wonderful book into an equally wonderful movie and I really, really, really hope this one meets up with my expectations.

So looking forward to August 14!!!! If you haven't yet done so, GO READ THIS BOOK!!!

Just another day

Just another day full of...

sister giggling...

sandbox playing...

freckle getting...

little friend sharing...

t-ball playing...

toothy grinning...

chalk drawing...

popsicle eating...

summer fun!