Live & Unplugged

This morning I decided that I am going to leave the tv off during the day, every day this week. I've realized that 1)I really don't "need" to have it on 2) the only time I can even watch it is when I'm nursing Charlotte 3) during that time I can instead make a grocery list, call a friend, or just relish this special time w. Charlotte, just something more productive. 4)the only thing on during the day is trash anyway (at least at our house, since all we have are bunny ears!)
I thought I needed it on for the "company", but I realized that all I really need is a little background noise...some adult conversation perhaps. So I turned on the radio to my favorite contemporary Christian radio station, and guess what...I haven't missed the tv all day! I actually found the house much more peaceful without it on. It's almost a relief! And hey, we're saving electricity to boot! :)

On another subject, I got permission from one of the momma's to post some photos of her little ones that I took last week....so here they are! This is Owen & Isaiah-aren't they adorable? Oh, I could just eat 'em up!

Just checking in....

Well, I've had 3 photo shoots now, and I've realized I still have a lot of organizing to do! Starting your own business is more involved than one would think, no matter how small the business is. Once I get these birth annoucements done for a client, I'm going to sit down and really get things in order. One of them being my portfolio and proof viewing. I wish we could afford for me to have a website right now, but Matt says I have to make enough to pay off the new camera first. I guess he's right :) I'd like to add some of my favorites from recent shoots on here, but I need to get permission from the mommas first ;) (callie- I'll be calling you! lol) So until then, enjoy these 2 of Charlotte...she's just so stinkin cute!

What a big girl!

My little girl is growing up so fast! Today she stood up holding onto the couch for the first time! I am so happy that Matt came home early from work and was able to see it. She was so cute-each time she would do it, she would laugh and smile. She knew she was doing something new. Of course we didn't fail to make a HUGE deal out of it, hah! She hasn't shown any interest in crawling-it looks she's just going to go right to "cruising"! Guess I'd better baby-proof the house now...I just can't believe it! She's 7 months now and time is flying by. Pass the kleenex, please!

While Daddy's away, the mice will.....clean

No time to write today...Matt is out of town for a few days in FL on business, so I am trying to do some major cleaning & surprise him w. a sparkling house when he gets back. But we did take some time out for a mini photo shoot today :) The close up photo is how Charlotte feels about Daddy being gone....I second that! :(

A little sunshine

Charlotte was in an especially good mood today. Not that it's ususual for her; she's rarely fussy and is in general a very excitable, happy baby. Today though she was full of extra giggles. I always like to think that God knows just when we need an extra "boost". I think He sends it in all forms, and today it was in the form of my daughter. Her sweet laughter instantly lifts my spirits, and today it was plentiful. I found that even I was laughing more. Her smiles are quite infectious! :) Sometimes the little things that God does for us are the things we should be praising Him for all along... So here's a little smile for you as well.... a little sunshine to brighten your gloomy Monday!

Fight back with praise

This morning I have a newborn shoot for some friends of ours. They had an adorable little boy 2 weeks ago. I can't wait to take some pictures of him, esp. since I just got my new camera! It's snowing again here and the roads are getting kind of bad, so hopefully we are able to get there in one piece.
I have found myself bombarded a lot lately w. sad thoughts. Almost every night as I nurse Charlotte before bed in her room, I find my thoughts drifting to Henry. It has been this way ever since he died. Before Charlotte was born, I used to sit in his room at night and write letters to him. Now, I sit in his/her room and as I nurse her to sleep, I "think" my thoughts to him. It's usually a very healing time for me, but the last week I have been battling overwhelming sadness at times. I think it has to do w. this time of year and all the memories that keep come flooding back. I can't even put into words how much I miss him. I know that Satan is constantly trying to "get in my head" and turn those sweet memories into something horrific and bitter. It is a constant battle to not let him have control in that area of my life. I have found that the more I give thanks to God and praise Him for what He has done, the less effect Satan has on me. It's impossibe to be angry at God when you're praising Him! So when I feel that I'm being attacked, I start thanking God for all of the wonderful memories I have of Henry, for the way He's molded and refined me over the last 3 years, and for the amazing blessing of Charlotte. She can never fill the void that Henry left in my heart...but she has filled my arms and life and has shown me that I am capable of loving a child again...fully and completely. Oh God, You are so good to me!

Calita

This msg is for my dear friend "girlie girl"...you know who you are :) I know you are going through a a hard time right now. Charlotte and I might not always have the right words to say (well, she doesn't really have any words to say) but we wanted you to know that we big-puffy-heart you! :) I know how hard it is not to worry. Lay your heavy burden at Christ's feet. Anytime you need to talk, I'm here! (and Charlotte is really good at giving hugs.) Love you!

So we missed V-day...

Well, we didn't really celebrate Valentine's Day this year. Come to think of it, we didn't really celebrate it last year, either. No gifts, no romantic dinner. It's not that we're anti-holiday or anti-romance. Granted, having a 7 month old definitely makes it harder to find time for that sort of thing, but this year, we just couldn't get our act together and make any plans. I think a big part of it is that this time of year holds so many memories for us. Henry had his second surgery on Valentine's Day 2 years ago. Little did we know it was the last time we would see him unsedated and not hooked up to life support. We went into that surgery with such a feeling of peace. We truly believed in our hearts that this surgery was going to make everything right. I remember when we first got the diagnosis, our goal was to have him home by Valentine's Day. Then the next thing we knew, we were decorating his hospital room with Valentine's....hearts everywhere, even homemade Valentine's from children we had never met. I remember writing on one valentine we hung on his door "I am beautifully and wonderfully made!" There are so many memories for us that just supercede any romantic feelings or inklings. And that's ok. I wouldn't give up those memories for anything. While some of the memories are painful, I will forever cherish Valentine's Day as the last time I held my son while he was still alive. I am so grateful to the nurses that they allowed me to do that...even while he was intubated and had so many lines, they still allowed me to lean over his bed and somewhat cradle him in my arms. It certainly wasn't the way I wanted to hold him-I would have loved to have held him up to my chest, cheek to cheek-but it was still a chance to feel the weight of his body in my arms. I can't think of a better Valentine's gift....I'll take that over flowers anyday.
Missing you so much, my precious Henry...

Snow day!

I of

course had to get some pictures of Charlotte in the snow-there was tons of it! Because we have a private courtyard between our sidewalk, house/garage, we had a huge amount of snow drift in and settle there. The drifts were up to and above our windows on the main level! We had some fun taking pictures of her outside, even if it was a little cold out. Charlotte made her first snow angel-isn't it so cute?

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

We are having quite the blizzard here today! It's still snowing and blowing as I type this. These pictures are from noon today...they don't even do it justice since we've gotten several more inches of snow since then. Tomorrow I am hoping to get out in it and get some pictures to show just how deep it really is!
I love it though, it's so beautiful! (I can say that b/c I don't have to drive in it) :)
I'm off to drink some hot cocoa by the fireplace...you should do the same!

Did you say 365?!?

If you've read my profile, you'd know that I am somewhat addicted to flickr.com, a photo sharing website. I belong to a group of photographin mommas...some professional, some amatuer, and some amatuers-wanting-to-go-professional (like myself). They just started a 365 challenge....you take a picture of your child every day of the year. The purpose is to try and be as creative as possible, while still getting a good quality shot. A picture a day doesn't sound like much until you try to do it! It's been tough, but it's also fun to try and see just how many different poses I can get out of Miss Charlotte :) She can't run from me yet when she sees the camera coming, so I have a distinct advantage.
Anyway, here's the one I took yesterday...it's not a great quailty shot (I'm trying not to cringe as I look at it) but at least she looks cute! I thought a photo of her hugging her pink teddy bear was fitting seeing as it's almost V-day.
I'm sure I'll be back later to post photos of our blizzard outside, so keep me bookmarked!

show thyself!

rhero-
who are you?? don't be shy...sign your name when you post so i know who you are. curious minds are wanting to know... :)

simple pleasures

So today I am thrilled to annouce that I will be joining several other stay at home moms in my venture to Walmart. Except I will be baby-free! My mother-in-law is coming over so I can go to Wallyworld without a baby, carseat, and diaper bag. Yippee! It's sad how the little things in life excite me so. I told you this blog wouldn't be that interesting!
Here's a photo of Charlotte to brighten your day :)

Well, I did it....

I've gone and joined the world of bloggers! (thanks to some persistent peer-pressure from callie) I'm not really sure what my blog will contain (other than a ridiculous amount of photos of Charlotte), but maybe from time to time you'll read something of interest. As I type this, Charlotte is trying to help me by hitting the mouse pad, so my first entry will have to be cut short.
I'll try to keep things interesting...