Photo A Day - Weeks 3 & 4

So I didn't post my photos last week so this is a long post but I've only missed a few days this month - so far, I've done much better than I expected to on this project!


1.17 - Someone woke up from her nap HAPPY! I asked her if I could take a picture and she said yes and then greeted my camera with big smiles :)


1.20 - My 2010 photo book came in the mail today - I LOVE it!


1.22


1.23 - We had my aunt and grandmother over for dinner and Addison enjoyed lots of special attention (and some crazy hair courtesy of my aunt)


1.25 - I have been having some cravings, I'll hear something that sounds good and then become obsessed with it until I have it (then it usually loses it's appeal). This week it was pomegranate juice & Sprite


1.27 - Early morning dancing


1.28 - Summer wardrobe. Addison's summer wardrobe (at least as far as playclothes go) is purchased, washed & folded. Now I don't have to worry about it during the busy time when we have a new baby!


1.29 - Walking with mommy


1.30 - Play date at the park

All the single ladies

I have the utmost respect for single mothers - I can't even imagine what it must be like! My husband worked all weekend, most of last, and several evenings lately. I fully support his business and am thankful for the increase (especially since it's going to be a big year for us!) but it's tough doing things without the other half around. Especially when you're feeling more pregnant every day and you have a toddler who exerts her independence more every day (by going limp when she doesn't want to be picked up)! Despite missing my husband and Addison still cutting her molars, we still managed to have a pretty good weekend. The park was a BIG hit today, I spent over an hour climbing the equipment and chasing one busy girl!

Wordless Wednesday

In the Ghetto

I know I usually post my photo-a-day photos on Monday but they are still in my camera and I am at work (on my lunch break of course). I have a newborn shoot to finish editing tonight so I'll be late this week. Instead, can I just tell you why I am happy that I am not on parole?

On Friday I had to go to a short speaking engagement for work to a local probation and parole office. Not my typical work/speaking engagement. I'm accustomed to groups of little old ladies, usually at Country Clubs, sometimes at The Ritz, and occasionally at a retirement park with the added bonus of lunch consisting of things you make in a jello mold. But never before at a probation and parole office. If you haven't already noticed from reading this blog - I can be a little prissy (I think in a good way of course) and am also a bit naive at times. I kind of thought this outing would be a novelty. I expected a nice office building with some probation officers sitting around a nice conference table. Not. so. much. This place was in the ghetto - seriously, I expected the Elvis song to start playing when I pulled into the parking lot. So I was a little nervous walking in. Bad neighborhood, dirty building - we're not in Kansas anymore. The lobby was a scary little room with mug shots all over the walls and a dingy mirrored window with a speaker. Thankfully they took me right back but after walking through a maze of hallways the "nice little conference room" I had envisioned was nowhere to be found. Instead, a tiny room full of grumpy looking people was waiting for me. They were all wearing badges around their necks a la "Dog the Bounty Hunter". I spoke (probably too fast) and was ready to get back to my car (praying it was still there) and use a bottle of hand sanitizer. My husband thought the whole thing was pretty funny, especially when I told him how scared I was of the sketchy looking guys in the lobby waiting for their "check ups" - apparently I don't know the lingo when it comes to probation and for that, I am thankful. I have returned to my bubble and will stay here as long as I am allowed. I'm not cut out for the thug life.

Remembering My Resolution

Remember that resolution I made for 2011? The only one I made? The one that was to be nice to myself? Yeah, I needed a reminder of that this morning. I was looking at a photographer's blog, someone else who is documenting daily life through the photo a day challenge. Her pictures were GORGEOUS! I'm not even going to link to them because they were so unbelievably beautiful they made my snapshots look terrible. I was beating myself up about it when I remembered my resolution. "Be nice to yourself, don't put too many expectations on yourself." This photographer has an amazing home filled with natural light and she stays home with her baby all day. Needless to say, she has time to stage beautiful photos and plenty of opportunities throughout the day. I need to remember the context in which things appear.

For now, I'll focus on the beautiful things right in front of me (literally on my desk - photo taken with a Sony point & shoot, not that anyone would judge, lol)

Ten for Tuesday

1. Last Friday I went to the grocery store at 10 am. Very unusual time for me to go and I can't say that I'll repeat that behavior. The store was FILLED with retirees. Retirees who walked down the center of every aisle at the pace of turtles and then stopped abruptly when they wanted to look at a jar of pasta sauce with the intensity of staring at the Mona Lisa. One of them was kind enough to tell me that it looked like I was buying enough food to feed 10 people (she had 2 lean cuisines in her cart opposed to a normal week's worth of groceries in mine), and getting out of the parking lot was like bumper cars. I barely made it out alive (or sane). Don't get me wrong, I like old people but I don't think I want to shop with them!

2. I just got a bill from my Banana Republic card for 10 cents. Somehow between last time I paid my bill and then returning something, I still owe them a dime. They don't have online bill pay but can you even write a check for 10 cents?!?

3. I am going to a luncheon to hear Morgan Fairchild speak today (for work) I had to Google her to find out who she was, I'm not sure what she's going to talk about but maybe it will be interesting.

4. I am 25 weeks pregnant - we're going to have another baby before I know it, I'd better get ready!

5. Is anyone else watching The Bachelor? That show has no redeeming qualities but I'm hooked :) Within the first 5 minutes of last night's episode, Uncommon Husband said "this is the worst show I've ever seen" and then put on headphones and opened his laptop. A bit dramatic if you ask me but who am I to talk? I was preparing to watch "the most dramatic rose ceremony ever")

6. I finished our 2010 photo book this past weekend. It was so much fun looking back at all of the photos from our year - I can't recommend doing that enough. With technology and everything being digital it's easy to take a ton of pics and then never print or look at them. Now we have a great album to flip through anytime!

7. Thank goodness I purchased a Groupon to Picaboo last year for the above mentioned album ($35 for a $100 gift card!) It made the 125 page album somewhat affordable.

8. My sister in law's baby shower is on Saturday and I've been having a pity party all week that I can't go. I need to get over it because after 7 hours of driving to get there, I'd be having a pity party about that too. I'm already gearing up to make that drive (by myself, boo!) at the end of February to take their newborn pics which will be fun.

9. We took stone crabs to Crazy Betty's for dinner this weekend and surprisingly she provided no new blog material! I guess Addison trying to climb upstairs every 3 minutes kept us all too busy for anything else.

10. There are days when I wish I was doing photography full time and other days not so much. Lately, I have been wishing I was because I keep finding retreats and workshops that I'd love to attend. There's just not enough time (or money) to do it all!

Photo A Day 1/10- 1/16

1/10 - The two people I love most in the world coming home at the end of the day


1/11 - I am noticing I need to work on not just making this project a photo a day of Addison. I was kicking myself this day because I had lunch with my favorite girls and even had my camera in my purse but forgot to take a photo!


1/13 - (I missed a day on Wednesday) Addison at the Dr's office for her 18 month checkup.


1/14 - bath time cutie!


1/15 - My little sweetheart has been quite opinionated lately. We put her shoes on Elmo which she thought was really funny, however, this is her telling me "No!" Apparently, she did not want me to take Elmo's photo, lol


1/16 - I have to be faster and faster with the camera (hence the terrible grainy photo and bad light), now that Addison knows what my camera does all she wants to do is look at the screen on the back so I can hardly get it out before she abandons what she's doing and comes to investigate.


1/16 - Two photos on Sunday - delicious Rocky Mountain Chip cookies!

Almost Outed

Although most of my friends and family know about my blog, I've managed to keep it pretty quiet at work. I have made it a policy to blog very little about my job - for several reasons. One, because I've read all of the stories about people getting fired over things they've said on their blogs and being in the field of PR, I know the internetz is far reaching and once it's out there, it's out there. Secondly, I'm considered to be on the "management team" at work and I don't want to have to be "management appropriate" on my blog. If I want to talk about someone showing too much boob on Facebook or anywhere else I don't want to worry about what my staff is thinking, etc. I try to keep my personal and professional life as separate as possible in this wide world of interconnectedness.

Recently, I was almost outed at work. At our Christmas luncheon (I work for a non-profit so no lavish dinner cruises for us) we were talking and the subject of my grandmother came up. Oh yes, she's not just famous on the internet - everyone who meets Crazy Betty comes to love her! As much as she embarasses me, other people find her to be charming and funny (which she is). We were telling a story about how she does not give personal space to breastfeeding mothers (my friend goes to feed her baby at daycare on her lunch break and my grandmother has no problem getting right up in her business). Everyone thought it was hilarious and then my boss says "Yeah, Jessica even has a blog about her, what's it called Betty something?" I turned bright red and almost fell out of my chair! I casually mentioned to her once that I blog about it but I'm not about to give the office access to my blog! (Don't you love how I give this blog importance that it doesn't warrant?) I quickly said "Oh, I'm not telling you guys," and when they asked why, I was honest and told them I didn't want them reading it! Everyone got a good laugh out of it but I am just thankful we changed the subject. I love blogging and although this blog is not nearly as anonymous as I might sometimes think (I know all about you lurkers, lol) I like the freedom to say what I want. For now, I think I'm still safe but I'm on high alert. Next thing you know Crazy Betty will get an Ipad and discover her fame!

Crazy Betty and the Uncommon Housewife

I like to think of myself of a domestic princess. Not a domestic goddess or a queen (yet) but princess for sure. I love to cook, I like entertaining (although lack of space keeps me from doing it much), and I try to keep my house clean and organized (just call before you come over so you don't think I'm a liar, LOL). All of that said, I've always felt Betty thinks I am an uncommon housewife. I guess I'm not technically a housewife since I work full-time but you get my drift. My first hint at this opinion was when we lived with Betty for a couple of months just before we closed on our house 7 years ago (if I'd only had a blog back then!). One day when my husband came in from work and I said hi from the living room, my grandmother looked at me as if she were appalled and said "Well, aren't you going to go greet your husband?!" I honestly think she was of the opinion that I needed to get up and fix him a drink and take his shoes off. My husband loves to joke about this statement to this very day.

Betty is also constantly offering to take Addison's smocked dresses or any other special clothing and "take care of it" for me. I don't think she believes I am capable of hand washing or ironing things, although it's not like we walk around looking unkempt.

She also always acts surprised when we do host brunch or another meal and I have a pretty table or other good presentation. She's gracious and complements me but her surprise is always apparent and I wonder where it comes from?

I think what it boils down to is that she's 81 and I'm 30. She's from an era where they sent invitations to bridge and dinner parties on Crane stationary, and Junior League definitely did not use evite. Wives did all of the cooking and laundry and took care of their husbands and children - today the trend is more about shared responsibility (at least it is in my house and I'm thankful). I know she's proud of me and probably thinks I do a good job but I also think it's hard to see so much change and completely accept it as the new norm. And, as much as I talk a tough game on my blog and to my friends, I am still very influenced by my grandmother and want to please her. So, if that means doing certain things when she comes over, I do. Although I draw the line at fanning and feeding grapes to my husband when he gets home from work ;)

Ten for Tuesday (or Wednesday)

1. I started this post on Tuesday but did not finish so we're doing ten for Tuesday on Wednesday. Yesterday felt like a Wednesday to me anyway so it kind of fits.

2. I read a blog post today that I could have written myself. It was about feeling nostalgic, a little sad, and a little afraid of what life will be like with two children. I'm not scared of any of the typical baby things like lack of sleep (well, maybe a little afraid of that), feedings, etc. I am afraid of what it will be like when my first baby is no longer the baby anymore. For the past week, I've been noticing little things like how she feels so much bigger in my arms and doing things like watching her sleep and marveling at how much bigger her little hands are than they were a year ago. I know I will love this new baby just as much but I still can't help but almost cry when I think of how this will affect my first-born. I hope she feels just as loved and cherished as she does now.


3. Speaking of my first born, today her daily report from school said "Addison let everyone know how she felt about things today." I asked my husband what that meant and he said "it means she was a little pistol today!" It made me laugh because we can tell she's teething again and it definitely affected her temperament today. Normally her report says things like "she enjoyed dancing or playing with dolls" but this one was a funny change from the norm.

4. I am trying to think of a way to justify buying this camera bag. So far, I can't come up with a good reason but rest assured, it will be mine at some point this year.

5. Anyone have any good book recommendations? I got some great ones via Facebook a couple of months ago but I have finished those and need a new one.

6. Mrs. Myers Clean Day Baby saved my butt this week! This weekend, I discovered that one of Addison's shirts had bled brown dye onto 3 of my husband's Brooks Brothers shirts. These shirts are not cheap and were almost brand new. I was almost sick about it but after treating with Mrs. Myers and soaking overnight, they are completely stain-free. It's a New Year's miracle.

7. I can't wait to tell Betty about my laundry success because although in the 8 years I have lived in Sarasota I have never had a laundry mishap before, I still think she believes I am not completely competent in the housewife department. I have done NOTHING to make her believe this but that's a post for another day (maybe tomorrow!)

8. I made a promise to myself that I was going to limit photo shoots this Spring but I am already very booked. I need to map it out tonight and see where things stand, I might not need to commit to anything else. (Is that every possible for a overcommitter?)

9. Some days I cherish being pregnant but more often, I am ready for it to be over. Don't judge me for saying this - believe me, I'm thankful! There are just a lot of little things about it (and big things like being sick forever) that make me wish I felt like myself again. Again, I know I'm lucky that I don't get huge, have complications, etc. I'm just being honest about the day to day.

10. Hope you have a fabulous Wednesday!

The Challenge - week 1 highlights

Although they aren't photographic masterpieces or even all that interesting, here are the highlights from my photo-a-day challenge that began last week. I considered making it a more photography focused challenge and really working on different techniques or skills but my original intent was to document our everyday lives to have as a treasure in the future. That in mind, I've decided to put little effort into lighting, shutter speeds, etc and just try to capture the here and now. One thing I have noticed is that Addison is at an age where it's very hard to catch her, she's moving constantly and can't be bothered to look up for a photo. She's a busy girl! I also need to keep my camera with me constantly, which means I'll be using my not-so-good point and shoot more often because my good camera is heavy and too valuable to just toss in the car!


Addison is obsessed with apples right now. She asks for one almost daily. Sometimes she actually eats it (usually someone has to take the first bite to get it started) but other times she just walks around holding it and saying "Apple" repeatedly. Either way it suits me - it's better than her asking for cookies all day!


I had a cooking assistant on Tuesday, too bad my little sous chef won't actually eat green beans!


Watching Big Bird (also known as "b by") and Elmo is a very popular thing to do in this house. Her favorite videos are Will i am (which I also love) and Diana Krall singing "The Everybody Song"



We went to the aquarium and out for pizza on Saturday. We had such a good time on our little family date!


Family dinner night on Sunday with Crazy Betty and my aunt. I am continuosly amazed at how well behaved Addison is in restaurants (I hope it lasts!)

Overflowing

I haven't blogged much in the past week but my cup is full to the brim and overflowing. I had a very busy week at work but I have truly been enjoying every moment I have with my wonderful little family. I love our routine, I love the boring days, the busy days, the in-between. Tonight Addison just let me hold and rock her before I put her to bed and I soaked in all of the sweetness I could in that moment. She's changing so fast, I don't want to miss a thing. Tomorrow I'll post pics from our week (I almost remembered every day!), I've decided that some of my daily pics are going to be boring because every day is not filled with artistic photos, exciting activities, and/or creativity - and even if it was, I'd still be forgetful. The good thing is that it's my life and I love it.

BTW - I think Addison loves corn on the cob, what do you think?

Tuesday Ten

1. Today was my first day back to work after a long, wonderful, restful vacation. I had big plans for a productive day. Let's just say my day did not go as planned and I am SO glad it's over - it was challenging to say the least.

2. I have been taking a photo-a-day but I'm going to have to get more creative or I might bore myself to death with the photos. I seem to only remember right before Addison's bedtime and there are only so many interesting angles of her playing (especially since she can't be bothered to look at the camera anymore)...

3. I bought two new pairs of fabulous boots while on vacation, I wish it would get cool again down here so I could wear them!

4. Breyer's Chocolate Ice Cream is magical. It cures heartburn and makes me happy.

5. My heart is aching tonight for a family who is on the verge of losing their baby. My husband's high school friend has a baby boy who has been sent home to rest under the care of Hospice. It makes me too sad to even think about, all I can do is pray for them and for him.

6. Another friend is celebrating the birth of her baby boy tonight. Miracles happen every day!

7. I think we've decided on a name for our baby girl, I'm just nervous to put it out there ... we're still discussing the middle name and I don't want to announce it until we know for sure. I'm ready to start monogramming though!

8. Crazy Betty came over last week right after we got back in town (like 30 minutes after to be exact). She grilled me thoroughly about my sister's new boyfriend - I guess I should have been prepared with his social security # and life's goals, I was tempted to tell her he had a drug problem and a police record but somehow I don't think she would have found that amusing.

9. I have not done anything productive tonight and I'm okay with that.

10. I went shopping last weekend and got adorable Christmas dresses and sweaters (for my little people to wear next year) at 75% off. I love a good sale. Now I need to commission Betty's friend to make some smocked dresses and we'll be set!

Starting the year off right

Today is the 3rd day of the new year and I feel like I am officially starting the year off right. I spent a lot of time thinking these past couple of days about resolutions and started making some, but then I read this post and decided to rethink the whole thing. I related to Kelly more than ever while reading this. Being a Type A person like her, I tend to put too much pressure on myself. Being that I am going to spend this year pregnant, with a newborn, and adjusting to life as a mother of two very small children, I've decided not to make any resolutions. I want to do a couple of fun things like take more pictures (hopefully every day) and savor every moment with my babies. My husband and I have some goals set for our lives, family and future but I'm not making any lists for myself this year. I know myself all too well and a list of resolutions might turn into a way for me to punish or pressure myself during a time in life that already promises to be challenging and busy. So this year I am going to be nice to myself. Today was my last day off before I have to go back to work - I relaxed, organized/got some things done, and got a pedicure. I already feel like things are headed in the right direction!

Happy Happy New Year!

Hope you had a happy new year and are excited about what lies in store for 2011! We had a wonderful time last night celebrating with friends but staying out late, combined with the pace of the last two days has made for a rough Saturday. Apparently getting 4 1/2 hours of sleep and being 5 1/2 months pregnant is not a good combo. It's been a wonderful whirlwind of activity since we got back and today I have been so tired that I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Luckily I am going to bed as soon as I finish typing this and aside from some optional household activities tomorrow, I have two days left to recover before returning to work on Tuesday. It's going to be a great year!!


I'm starting my photo a day project today (thank goodness we took pics after midnight last night because I didn't have the energy to do it today). I'll be posting my pics in a weekly recap - probably on Mondays after the week has ended. I'm hoping I can actually do this!!